One of the things I'm so glad I have while I'm here is my music! Sometimes I listen to Nicole Nordeman's "Seasons," or Amanda Cook's "You Make Me Brave." They are always inspiring and encouraging, and it keeps me focused on the real reason I'm here! It's so easy for me to try to push myself for not learning Chinese quick enough. I'm always trying to challenge myself, but it shouldn't get to the point where I am TOO stressed over it! I'm here to see what the Father wants to do with my life, and this was the open door I chose. This is the circumstance that I am in right now.
Another encouraging thing has been to remind myself of who I am, according to the Father. This environment, no matter how positive I try to be, is an environment of comparison. It's easy for me to get caught up in that---from how well everyone speaks Chinese, number of language partners, healthy foods eaten, to how many pounds lost! I don't really fit into any of these categories, and it can get a little discouraging. I am so thankful that I have built a habit of taking time out to study the Word while in the States, so this helps a lot to have daily encouragement! I've also weekly been listening to sermons from home.
In other news, I've been given a Chinese name, which really is just Hannah in Chinese 海娜 (hǎi nà). However...I AM a little excited that I can actually spell it in Chinese characters, and will ask my language partner about doing the same thing with my last name, too!
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