This past week has been a whirlwind. Highs and lows all over the place. I am still trying to get used to being in this foreign place and following where God is leading. There are some days that I just want to stay in bed and not move but then there are days that excite me and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. I'm not saying those days are perfect. I still have rough times and sometimes I just want to go back home to Lexington. But then something awesome happens and I am excited I am here in Beijing. I'm just not a fan of being on the other side of the world from my friends and family! Also the smog here is ridiculous. Some days during the week it is clear and pretty and then other days it extremely smoggy. It all depends on the direction of the wind.

Nice clear day! The sky looks amazing! Oh and this is the building I am living in :).

Smoggy day. Usually there are mountains on the horizon but when it's smoggy you can't see them or the buildings.

The smog was so bad one day that I wore a mask to work. Then in the afternoon it was pretty again!

The mornings are actually really hard for me. I don't ever want to leave my bed, not because it's too comfortable but because I don't know what that day has in store or me. Yet I still get up, because who really knows what each day has in store for them? I know God has a great day planned for me I just have to get up and walk out the door. I head to school to meet the unknown. I am still trying to figure out my school. It is just so different from the States. Everyday I go in thinking I know what I am going to do but usually it's the complete opposite! This is my 3rd week at the school and I still don't know what to expect when I walk upstairs to my classroom. I love the kids I work with and they seem to like me. I am usually greeted by a few students at the door with hugs and a "Good Morning, Allie Teacher!" This usually brings a smile to my face and is a great start to the day!

The entrance to the kindergarten I am teaching at.

Each day brings something new in the classroom. Usually it's new because I never know what I will be teaching. I have gone into the classroom with plans and games but I usually don't get to teach or do them because I am given something else to teach for the day. So I am learning to be quick on my feet and go in with different activities and games that can be adapted to any lesson. I am still trying to figure out how to cut back on the kids playtime and try to do more educational play (likes songs and dances because these kids love to sing). I think it is going to take me some time to cut back the playtime. I don't think the kids should be sitting all day but they should be doing more educational playtime because try aren't really learning English during playtime.

In other news, I was asked to join the worship team at the church I am attending here in Beijing. The worship leader had never heard me sing but insisted I join. I was really nervous and on the fence about going or not. But God seemed to open all the doors for this, so on Thursday I attended my first worship team practice! Yes I am singing on the worship team. I still can't believe it! I am used to just singing in the shower and in my car but never in front of people. I talked to some of my best friends about this and they helped me to realize this is something God is doing to bring me out of my shell. I am doing things here that I probably wouldn't do back in the States. One of my friends reminded me about what God said. A few months back God had told me that I would one day be speaking in front of a large crowd. I don't know what I will be speaking about just that it will be in front of a lot of people. So I guess you could look at singing on the worship team as a way to get comfortable being in front of people. :)

So this Sunday was my first day singing in front of the church. I was super nervous and barely looked above my music stand. I knew the words but was so nervous. Every time I looked up I was afraid I would see someone staring at me and then I would become self conscious. After the service I had some people tell me I did well and that they were excited I was on the team. Part of me thinks they are crazy but I am excited about the future and nervous. I just found out today that 3 of the 6 members of the team are leaving for holiday for the next 3 weeks so people are actually going to hear me. I might be seriously freaking out on the inside! I guess we will see what happens :).

My first Sunday on the worship team!

Also on Saturday I got another job. My recruiter has a friend that wants her son to practice English. So I met the family and it sounds like a great job and a great way to make some friends here in China. And it's another easy door God has opened. I mean I don't have to do anything and things just happen. It's really amazing the things God is doing! The family is letting me eat dinner with them the 3 days I am with them. Also they are picking me up and dropping me off at my apartment. So I don't have to take the bus! The mother also said she wants to look at this as more of a friendship. She said they would help me with anything I may need while I am in China. Also they offered to take me sightseeing and bring along friends if I wanted. I am just so excited to see what will happen while I am working with this family. I am also getting paid for my time tutoring!

So things in China are starting to look up. I know I have just really shared about the good things happening here in China. The lows are just being homesick and still trying to figure out my school. Being that school is Monday through Friday it seems that the lows are more than the highs. But the highs are so awesome that they make the lows not seem too bad. God is bringing me out of my shell and doing amazing things!