I made it :)

I’m in China! Oh man I’m in China. Sometimes when we’re in our apartment watching a movie I forget I’m in a strange land with different people and some pretty interesting food.

Also, just thought you should know that this is a pretty boring post, mostly just a summary of my week here and random thoughts that I’ve been having.

The trip here was definitely a trip. After 36+ hours of travel, two planes, a ferry, and a long bus ride, we arrived at our apartment at 2am. It was hot and muggy, so muggy that we all just sweat and sweat and sweat. And jet lag my friends, jet lag is so real.

I completely adore the girls in my group. There are six of us teaching this semester and we have so much fun together. Unfortunately, we haven’t started teaching yet (technical difficulties apparently) and we’re all just dying to get to know our little babies!

Sometimes I find myself complaining (not a ton, but more than I should be), about how different things are and how much stress that causes for my silly little brain. I knew going into this that my mattress would literally be a wooden board, I would be fed chicken feet, and that it would be so humid that my makeup and hair would be destroyed every time we walked out the door. But of course, it’s different when you actually experience it :)

Thus, I decided to make a quick list of the tender mercies Heavenly Father has been showing me throughout my time here.

1. I am being given many opportunities to grow and exercise patience, with my surroundings, those around me, and mostly myself.

2. I have the ability to pray. To pray!! To speak with my Heavenly Father about everything and anything. In the midst of the unknown, I am privileged to communicate with the person who knows me perfectly.

3. I live with the best group of girls. Honestly. I love them. It’s only been a week and I feel like I can be myself around them, which is something I have a hard time doing, even with people I’ve known for years.

4. I have a roof over my head, AC in the apartment, and shoes to wear.

5. I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me, is patient with me, and forgives me for my weaknesses. He helps me to try over and over and over again to be better. And when I feel like I’m failing, he reminds me of how far I’ve come.

6. My Father in Heaven doesn’t expect perfection from me in this life, only progress. And as long as I stay close to Him, I am progressing, even though it may not always feel like it.

7. There are Oreos here guys. It’s one of the only things that I’ve tried so far that taste the same here as in my beloved U.S. of A.

8. We have the sweetest coordinator; she lives here in Zhongshan and does all she can to help us and make us feel comfortable.

9. When I feel like everything is strange, I open up my scriptures and find so much solace. I love those words. I have loved them all my life. I know them. They have given me peace in confusion, answers to my questions, and helped me to feel the love of God. They are familiar to me in this time of unfamiliarity.

I know that there are many more things my Heavenly Father has blessed me with, but these are the ones that have come up this past week. I believe that He is helping me through this journey, and has allowed me to feel so much joy already. I don’t want to live life without Him, the Savior and the Holy Ghost. They give me life. Why would I want to go through this life alone when I don’t have to?

Love you all. Thanks for reading. And, as always, please ask me any questions you may have :)