Change is All Around

Wow, so I do realize I have not blogged about anything in a very long time. I have been wanting to, but I guess I have been pretty busy this school year.  Let me give you a short recap of this school year!

In August I returned back to Beijing, China. While I was away during the summer two of my good friends, Lauren and Leah, moved me to a new apartment with them.  Lauren has spent most of her time outside of Beijing, due to work reasons. Living with Leah has been so much fun! She is a great cook and such a wonderful support!

In September/ October our Branch split. Luckily I was re- called to work with the Young Women, but this time as a Second Counselor.  Here we are baking a cake! Well we are missing a few girls in this picture! Since the split, we continue to do mutual together with the Beijing 4th branch. Our Branch consists of the lovely sisters, Sarah and Emily!

I immediately went back to work at Beanstalk International Bilingual School and began a new year teaching 3rd grade to 20 wonderful students. I have to be quite honest in saying we have all done a lot of learning this school. I am so glad that we have 9 more weeks together!  In addition this school year I was given the opportunity to be the third grade team leader, co-director of the school's Spring Show, and student adviser for the green team, after school social dance for students ages reception- 2nd grade, and movie- making for students 3rd - 6th grade.

At the end of September Leah, Sabrina, Vickie and I spent a  week traveling in Seoul, Korea. Leah and I actually were quite entertained just wandering around the streets of Seoul.  We went to drumming shows, international dance competitions, parades, and even a free Psy concert.

At the end of October Joanne, one of my dearest friends in Beijing was baptized! She is so awesome! She too has become one of my greatest supports here in Beijing! She is a power house and I am so grateful we are friends! In the beginning of November I got to go to Girl's Camp and be a  helper in the kitchen. We got to do girls camp on the Great wall! 

In December, I finally got to meet little miss Camila and play with Evandro! In other words I spent Christmas with the family at Gabby and Jose's house! It was a nice break from work and Beijing!

January was a month full of brave visitors.  It started off with an old family friend, Maggie coming out to visit and later Abram. It was nice having friends from home visit and see the world I have been living the last year and a half.   Abram and I went on a super trip. For two weeks we traveled Thailand and Cambodia.

January / February was really the month that I started focusing on what I would be doing the following school year.  Nothing felt right. For the next several months I had a theme song, "It's the Climb", by Miley Cyrus. I know very cheesy, but that song motivated me!  During this time I felt like I had no direction. After getting the right push by my principal I finally decided to start looking in the international route.  In April, I took the risk and flew 16 hours to London, England (only because I went to Dubai first) for an International teaching Job Fair.  As it turns out, I did not actually choose my job from attending the job fair. It was because I attended the fair that I felt confident with who I have become professionally and with the decision I have made!  I cannot express how happy I am with the decision I have made. The above picture was taken right before my first skype interview with Pechersk School International. Next fall I will be moving myself to Kyiv, Ukraine to teach 2nd grade at PSI!

Anyway, I have made it a goal to write more on my blog. Actually it is my goal to share more of my personal experiences and the many tender mercies I see from my Father in Heaven. I am just a regular girl, doing regular things. Somehow these regular things, were things I could have never imagined 8 years ago when I graduated high school or even 3 years ago when I returned back from serving a mission. Life is crazy, but oh so wonderful. Here are a few things that I know and have driven me to do things that I never though I would be capable of doing:

1. I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.
2. Christ atoned not only for our all our sins, but also for all our pains, sicknesses, and afflictions.
3. If we keep the commandments we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives. 
4. There is no greater happiness then living and following the gospel of Jesus Christ.
5. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ and goes hand in hand with the Bible. The scriptures are a guide for our life.  We can receive much strength, comfort, and support if we read and study them on a daily basis.

Okay so those are just a few precious truths that I know.  I just wanted to publicly share these things and thank my family and friends for all of their support!