Happy New Years!!

This past year has been full of so many blessings. And yet, it definitely didn’t feel like it started out that way.

One year ago, New Year’s Eve – I was at my Small Group leader’s house for a new years party. We had broken into groups to lift up the coming year and to just read and talk about life and the future. I had lost my job in August, I had just been “fired” from my holiday job that day, and I was trying to get a job that I ultimately didn’t get – I wasn’t happy – life was hard, and only seemed to be getting harder. I remember though, we were sitting there and my friend Jess said something along the lines, “Hailey, I can’t wait to see what this next year will bring to you – because I know it is going to be big and special.” I have thought of her words many times recently, and it has just shown me that I can’t plan anything – I can’t ever assume anything about what life will be – He is in charge, and I just have to let go and let Him handle it all.

I could never in a million years have ever guessed what this past year would hold. It wasn’t but 3 weeks later that I found out I didn’t get that job, and that was the day that I learned about China with my organization.

China. Who would have ever thought? I know I didn’t. It’s crazy – sometimes I think to myself, I live in CHINA! I feel like I have found a place, or at least a path to a place that I am supposed to be on. I don’t know what the future holds, and if years keep being like this – I don’t think I can ever even try to guess what will happen next.

So, just remember that He has bigger plans than any we can ever make, and He can see farther into the future than we ever can, and he knows what is coming. 

So my resolution this year - is to follow His leading. I hope that I can always do that - do what He wants me to do, GO where He wants me to go, and work however He wants me to work. 

Happy New Years!!!

Jing Jing

There are moments, and then there are MOMENTS. 

The second is the kind that not only makes your day, but that you have to tell everyone about. I had one of these moments last week.

There is this precious little girl in one of my classes, her name (the only one in Chinese that I know) is Jing Jing, and she has my heart. Almost every class she has a note or a picture that she has drawn for me. I have quite the collection of artwork on my wall from her. Today she said (in English) "I love you, Ms. Hailey" - it melts me. I hate to say I have a favorite, but I definitely do.

This past week as I was finishing up telling the Christmas story, I asked the class what they liked most about the story. I got many answers, things like "When the kings visited" "when the Baby was born" "When the angel came" etc. Then Jing Jing raised her hand, so I called on her - and she told me that she had a book with the same pictures in it. I immediately wanted to ask her so many questions, I wanted to see that book.

A few minutes later as I was passing out stickers to the winning row she pulled her book out of her desk. I definitely hadn't expected her to have it with her! She handed it to me, and as the bell went off I got to quickly flip through it. I saw that it was not just any book, it was the Book. A children's picture version, completely in Chinese. I can't tell you how excited I was. Of all my students (and I do love them all), for it to be HER to have that book - it just makes my heart so happy.

I asked her today if I could see her book, and she and I went to look for it. We didn't have time to find it. But I just needed to tell you all about that special little girl and the hope that I have for her.

I left the class SO excited. I wish so much that I could talk to her, or that we could just understand each other more. I only hope that one day we will have that chance.

This is Jing Jing and I after class one day.