NI-HAU!!!
I had a unique and wonderful opportunity to spend 3 weeks touring, studying, and serving in China with Weber State University Health Sciences department and my big sister Angie.. and as riveting as my previous novel from Peru must have been for all of you cyberspace readers, I decided to go a different route for this one. You see, one reason that I love to travel so much is that it really helps me clear my head and focus on what is most important to me.. so I have scoured through my notes from my time there to find gems of enlightenment that occurred to me through the medium of new experiences halfway across the world..
In CHENGDE we passed by an interesting structure, it appeared to be Disneyland!! My heart leapt with joy... but as it turns out, appearances are all it was.. They had begun to build it about 10 years ago but then ran out of funding or something..so behind the happy Cinderella's castle exterior and freshly pruned florals in the parking lot there was nothing but desolate wasteland.. I couldn't help but to make the comparison to our own lives.. It doesn't matter how perfect or pretty the packaging without true conversion and consistency between our beliefs and our actions we are nothing but a desolate wasteland inside.. a lesson I've had to learn the hard way but which was emphasized on this occasion...
In JIAMUSI we spent time doing exchanges/ getting to know the nursing students there. In comparing what we have been given to the limits placed on them by their government and means I had to ask WHY ME? Of all the billions of God's children (whom He loves equally) Why am I so blessed?.. to live in a place like America, to have a wonderful present and future family, to have talents I hold dear, the ability to interact well with others, clean air to breathe, the truth of the restored gospel in my life... so many blessings that stand in sharp contrast to the need here in Jiamusi, and so many other places like it. America truly is a choice land. To live there, I feel truly thankful. I will live my life to discover by seeking to be an instrument in His hands, why it is me!
LESSONS LEARNED ( Thanks to the Conference Ensign, Angie, Bobby, Chris, and others..)
In CHENGDE we passed by an interesting structure, it appeared to be Disneyland!! My heart leapt with joy... but as it turns out, appearances are all it was.. They had begun to build it about 10 years ago but then ran out of funding or something..so behind the happy Cinderella's castle exterior and freshly pruned florals in the parking lot there was nothing but desolate wasteland.. I couldn't help but to make the comparison to our own lives.. It doesn't matter how perfect or pretty the packaging without true conversion and consistency between our beliefs and our actions we are nothing but a desolate wasteland inside.. a lesson I've had to learn the hard way but which was emphasized on this occasion...
In JIAMUSI we spent time doing exchanges/ getting to know the nursing students there. In comparing what we have been given to the limits placed on them by their government and means I had to ask WHY ME? Of all the billions of God's children (whom He loves equally) Why am I so blessed?.. to live in a place like America, to have a wonderful present and future family, to have talents I hold dear, the ability to interact well with others, clean air to breathe, the truth of the restored gospel in my life... so many blessings that stand in sharp contrast to the need here in Jiamusi, and so many other places like it. America truly is a choice land. To live there, I feel truly thankful. I will live my life to discover by seeking to be an instrument in His hands, why it is me!
LESSONS LEARNED ( Thanks to the Conference Ensign, Angie, Bobby, Chris, and others..)
- Do not take ANYTHING personally
- How amazing Eric is
- There are few things in life we 'need' and they will NOT be found in a flea market!
- The golden rule really works
- Don't let fear and insecurities govern choice- move forward!
- I love pizza
- Your family truly are your best friends
- Green snails, crawfish with eyes attached, and eel onion casserole make me wanna puke
- Everyone has a story, if you take the time to learn it, you can't help but love the individual more
- The simple gospel plan makes for a happy and peaceful life!
For more info/ pics just check out our group blog: wsuchinatravel2009.blogspot.com
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