soak it up

I've never been through a time period quite like this one. I mean that in this phase, I'm trying the best I can to embrace every day. I know people have told me to do this over and over. But I've never been motivated until now. Even in the last days of high school...or better yet- the last days in Auburn, I tried to wrap my head around it coming to an end. But I simply couldn't. It always seemed so abrupt. With only 2 months left in my "home" I'm trying to have the most fun. See the interesting sites. Eat the best food. Laugh the hardest. And mostly just notice the small things.

loving even the rainy days with the white smoggy sky

embracing the art school aspect of my life

perfecting my cooking skills by making homemade bagels

eating as much Chinese food as possible

testing out the double ride

art school exhibition

I'm thankful for my friend Cat Littlepage who has taken precious time from her busy schedule to lead me through a Bible study- Knowing the Depths of Me. Through this the Lord has opened my eyes to show me my flesh vs his spirit. When reading the Bible or listening to teachers in the past, I never quite understood what my "flesh" actually entails. I knew it was bad. But what is it exactly?

flesh = self reliance = using my own resources

I'm relying on myself all the time. Every day. And I'm exhausted from it. As I'm studying, I'm learning that Christ didn't just die to save me from my SIN...but to save me from my SELF. There is another option- walking in the spirit.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners."

1 Timothy 1:15-16 

a little FaceTime action for Turner's 2nd birthday

Choo choo John Turner is 2!! Can't wait to be at the 3rd party!

my sweet brother who filled me in on the birthday action

me and my roommate with our hilarious Chinese teacher

still enjoying this, even after a scooter tumble not long ago

friends who survived an earthquake together

still accepting packages thanks to Charla Brown!!

can't get enough of this boy

loving every cup of tea and every view

babysitting baby Adelaide

asian spring break

The spring has arrived (sort of!) with moderately warm weather. I know I should appreciate this time before the humidity and heat wave hit real soon. I'm enjoying every second of my life here and trying to experience everything this "home" has to offer before I hop on a plane to America! 

This video is a combination of several activities lately. Starting with the safari zoo...which was a little more depressing than I'd hoped. On one hand, I was excited to feed a carrot to a ram. But on the other hand, I was nearly in tears watching the malnourished giraffe and dancing bears. Then there's some Easter footage with my family here and my first ever pottery class. 

Although I think I make these videos for myself (so I won't ever forget my life here) you too can see our city in the spring. My favorite restaurant and food and tea...and the new McDonalds...and a random Mickey and Minnie! Here's our SB13.

but God

Even as I'm surrounded by nonbelievers, the truth of God is real to me during this Easter. I read somewhere that the gospel is the answer to every life question. I'd never thought of this before... but every doubt is answered by the good news of God's love. And every (little or big) situation in my life leads me to choose between unbelief and belief. Each circumstance forces me to pick the gospel or not- life or death. The problem is- I usually don't even realize I have the choice. I'm so used to doing my own thing, using my own resources instead of Christ's.

"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins...But God is so rich in mercy and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead." 

Ephesians 2:1, 4-5

This Easter, I spent most of the actual day cooking with my roommate. I've significantly improved my cooking skills since moving to Asia... but I started with none! We tackled homemade hummus, poppy seed chicken casserole and carrot cake. The carrot cake being the most difficult with all the peeling, shredding and chopping of carrots! But it was successful. Should've taken a picture to prove it.

We had our own little Easter service in my friend's apartment. We all even dressed up too...

me and Adelaide and Cat on a windy Easter

so sad to see Beth go back to America, can't wait for baby Stella!

me and the roomie

hello precious

Noah looking like a gentleman

the four best friends

we also spent our Easter weekend at the safari zoo

petting zoo

stare down

egg decorating

this is a normal class break