Lesson One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemmlVEYciM

The sweetly elegiac "Boys (Lesson One)," is a techno-acoustic lullaby of lessons passed from father to son over an insistent electronic drum pattern that suggests these lessons can't be taught quickly enough -- time marches on and childhood ends too soon.

"Adults aren't calling children up into adulthood in a way where they can ask hard questions about what real life looks like," Steve Mason says. "Questions about the things that come along and break hearts and move them into adulthood. Boys' captures the desire of a father to talk to his son in a way that doesn't lie about how hard living is. And it does it with love and a radical trust in the belief that God isn't afraid of our questions."

LOVE Pandora! This came on today and it's been on repeat. Kinda vague lyrics-up for interpretation. I have a few of my own. And....I don't think it is just for boys. Perhaps my emotions are on overload right now, but it brought tears to my eyes imagining my dad saying this to me (and he has more or less said all of these things to me). Dads have such an important, necessary, sweet role in their children's lives! Love you, Daddy!

you think too much

I can't tell you how many times I've heard these words. Maybe not enough? I haven't stopped thinking, nor do I think it possible (I shouldn't underestimate the possibility of that happening one day, I suppose).

Today I had a thought. I suppose it comes with the territory of leaving a place I've called home for the past 3 years. It's saying goodbye to people that have been a part of my life, and places that I've been with people I love. My memories are always with me. I relive them often. It's both a blessing and a curse. I get a little panicky when I have to say goodbye though. I hear these lies that say, "How will you survive without this relationship? How will life continue without that person to talk to?" Though it's true there is never a duplicate for that person in our life, the extremity of "What will I do without this person?" doesn't really need to be there.

So...TODAY, I'm choosing to believe the TRUTH. The truth that is setting me free. (Stop with the cliche's, Jess)  Abraham had to let go of Isaac, his firstborn son that was promised to him. The one that he waited for. The one that God so divinely created in Sarah's womb. He had to trust God with his son.

Some people are hard to say bye to. Parents and family are difficult to walk away from and leave. Friends from various walks of life have been hard to part with. But what about the people you never intended or wanted to say goodbye to, but through circumstances had to? Those are the ones that hurt the most. You know that with friends and family you can always reconnect or contact. But the ones that you're restricted to contact? The ones that you can't ever tell you're thinking about them or praying for them?

I was reminded today that God knows my heart intimately and that he has given me every good gift. He has given the ones I love to share life with. But ultimately, those people don't belong to me. (Am I possessive?) The relationships I have with people are special. They aren't there to tear me apart or control me through fear of the future. Just like Abraham did with his only son, Isaac, God wants me to give Him back those that I love.

你的名字 Your Name

Strong
Shelter
Powerful


Names are our identity. They have a long history of being extremely meaningful. Most parents pick out names during the pregnancy. My parents were no different. Only, my parents weren't sure whether I'd be a boy or girl. If a boy, Michael and if a girl, Katherine. Common names, but I like both a lot. Why'd my parents switch to Jessica Elizabeth? Well, no lie, mom was watching something on T.V. and saw Sarah Jessica Parker's name flash across the screen. She said to dad, "Jessica is a pretty name"...


In China, names are significant. Or, at least they have a history of being significant (though now, most are picked just for the sound instead of the meaning). They have meanings much like Native American names did. For example, Little Tiger小虎 or Beautiful Spring 春美. Whether we're part of one of these cultures or not, we still all have an understanding that names are special and are part of our identity. Being part of a new culture and language has allowed me to pick a new name for myself. It took many conversations with various people and a lot of my own research online for the right name. I wanted something that kind of sounded like Jessica, but that had a meaning that kind of described me. It's hard to pick your own name in another language. The name I first wanted was Faith in Chinese, or 信. However, Xin 信 doesn't sound like Jessica, nor does it always mean Faith. It also means letter. Like a letter you write to a friend. Um...not okay. So...the hunting started over again. After a year of introducing myself as Su Xin 苏信, and getting weird looks from Chinese people, as well as being told it is more likely to be a boy's name, I decided it was definitely wise for me to change my name. The outcome, a special friend finally named me a beautiful name, that never ceases to receive compliments...and it sounds like Jessica! 舒嘉怡 (Shu Jia Yi) is the name I now have. Shu sounds like Shoe and it is the family name or surname, so it totally fits. It also means comfortable when combined with another character. Jia means pure. Yi means happy or joy. Pure Joy? Sure, I'll take that! Yi- the last character is also the name of my friend Jenny here (my best friend in Kunming).


I was told recently that my name is beautiful- Jessica Elizabeth. I have always liked my name, but I can't say I've received that compliment about my name in the past. :) Often when we hear a name, it makes us feel a certain way. Being a teacher, if I hear certain names, I smile, I shake my head and laugh, or think to myself "I'll never name my kid that!"...Names from our childhood do the same thing. We have memories with other children. David was a name as a kid that I hated. There was a boy in my class that smelled bad and was mean. Since then, the name has redeemed itself (thanks to some classy David's...ha), but I still don't think I'll name my son David. All that to say, it makes me wonder what people think of when they hear "Jessica".


When you hear His name, what do you think? Many people start arguing. Some have a sense of peace rush over them- like watching a sunrise and sipping coffee while sitting on the beach. Some get defensive. His name makes others think "Strong" "My Shelter" "Protector" "Provider" "Powerful". What does Jesus' name make you think? What lasting impression are you leaving on those that are in your life (those that may only be in your life for a short time)? When they think of your name, is His name attached? Doing some soul-searching myself. We now also bear His name. What taste are we leaving in other's mind when they hear His name or our name?


I'd like to hear your thoughts. What does His name make you think?

floating in the clouds

lately, i've been told i am a dreamer.

my rationale for this? if i stop dreaming, i'll die! i know there are realities and life isn't a fantasy, but seriously...let a girl dream! i don't want to "grow up"... that doesn't mean i don't want to get older, it means i don't want to lose the child-like faith. the faith that says, "i can do that, and nobody or nothing will stop me." i have to keep trusting in the hope that he's set before me.

it's weird actually, i feel like in the last month my brain has been slow, but at the same time, i've been thinking "weird" things. well, maybe not weird. just kinda sorta weird. like....i've never ever ever wanted to go back to school for a ph.d. but suddenly the other morning, i'm having this conversation and it's going like this, "well, if you want me to get it so that it enables me to do something great for you, i will. but what?" ....so i keep hoping. what's next?

another "weird" thing was waking up over spring break with a sudden idea for a children's book. still working out the plot in my head and haven't got it figured out. it's something i've wanted to do, but just figured one day, i'd wake up and have a brilliant idea. it kinda did seem like that (let's see. ha!).

perhaps all this "dreaming" is because i'll be heading home all too soon. i'll be leaving the people and places i've come to call home, to return home. though i'm excited to return home, i'm also scared of losing sight of this "dreamland" i've been living in for the past month or so. it seems like the possibilities are endless. what's next? who will i meet? where will i live? where will i go after this? will i go back to school? will i be back in china? is there a career change coming up?

although dreaming is fun, and it's keeping me going right now (avoiding the depressed feelings i would succumb to without feeling the hope of the future), i'm also scared of being labeled a "dreamer"... at some point, reality does have to meet the dreams. i just keep praying for a clear vision that will touch down on the runway -called life!