We're Off to See the Wizard

What does the Cha Cha slide,

Dance Dance Revolution,

and "tooty ta ta"have to do with New Years Eve?

They were all part of the 2nd annual Deep Youth New Years Lock-in!

We did a New Years Eve lock-in for all the students who helped out with the Hands and Feet Mission. It was intense, but so worth it. Very few problems! We played tons of games, ate junk food, and finally split the boys and girls around 3:30 am.

Thankfully we had the help of JV & MV!

After:

At 7:34 on January 1, 2009 I walk into the front of our church. Sweet K, Hubs, and JV are sprawled out on pews and the floor. They laugh as I wearily approach them. All I could say was, "They are still awake. They didn't even sleep a little." Then I began to list what the 7 girls (ages 10-14) did for the past 4 hrs.

Pedicures - Manicures (Accompanied with a back and hand massage!)
Created skits to various songs

The card game speed

Bounced on chairs

"What would Jesus do" card game, (Although their answers typically frightened me...)

A reenactment of the Wizard of Oz, (Including the sound effects and the munchkin scene)

Hubs and I slept around 12hrs last night. I slept 9 to 9...

Oh the joys of youth pastoring... wouldn't trade it for anything.

It's Christmas time and now your home.

*New pictures coming soon*

Just a quick note: It was so amazing to see Wei J's face when he walked out of his room Christmas morning. He was as suprised to see Shu Shu, Ayi, and Gong Gong as he was to see the toys. Although the toy packaging gave us some trouble, ; ) we played with him and his new toys.

S-I-L and Wei-J gave me this beautiful Willow Tree. It's called Child's Touch:

"For those who share in the wonder of a childs world"

So meaningful and special.

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends!

So I keep listening to this Third Day song and crying... pretty much all day.

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas
As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights

I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

Decorating the Tree!!

There are so many thing I want to write about, but I am just going to keep it simple.

These last few weeks have been super busy!
Yesterday was my last day of class. I have 5 finals and then I am a student teacher! : )
This semester went by so quickly!

As we decorated the tree, I couldn't help but think of the orphans. As tears filled my eyes, I felt the longing again... I wish that each of God's little ones could have a family to celebrate with. Compassion International sent me a kit to advertise their program to my youth group. It came with 6 pictures of children who are supported by people in the US. I've posted their pictures on the refrigerator to remind me... I don't ever want to forget.

This Christmas is so unique! My perspective is brand new.
While many people are fighting over toys, numerous little ones lack basic necessities.
I am definitely not trying to be negative; it's just that China changed everything for me.

My heart is overflowing... I am so overwhelmed that this is our first Christmas with Wei-J.
He is still the most amazing young man I have ever met! I never knew that my heart could expand to love someone, whom I just met a few months ago, so fully. I am so proud to be his auntie, (Ayi!!!). Also, I am grateful that we get the chance to be such a big part of his life.
I just want him to grow up and know that he is loved by many.

The first ornament! Hand crafted by orphans from Tianjin.
Their Beautiful faces flood my memories. They were so excited to say "Thank You" in English.

Getting Closer...Hubs always gets to put the star on top, (It's a tall person job)

Yeah, I'm so blessed. We have the best time laughing together!

Don't forget Marty!

I love my family!

Hands and Feet Mission

A few weeks ago Morgan and I started talked about the mass commercialism of Christmas. It's pretty extreme ... I mean, come on, who really needs a giant inflatable Rudolph snow globe to adorn the lawn... people are literally starving and countless orphans lack the simplest necessities.

Not to be critical, but it's a little disheartening how egocentric our society can be.

Looking for a way to think outside ourselves, we started brainstorming a service project with our youth. In the past, we resisted doing service projects with our youth group during Christmas because so many people focus on "goodwill" during Christmas time, (We think it should be an all-the-time event). We focused on service activities during the past summer - the youth's response was awesome! In the face of the ever increasing materalistic Christmas, we have broken our unspoken rule and formed the "Hands and Feet Mission."

Here's my little soapbox speech... (I would seriously LOVE for you to support us!)

If you are looking for a way to reach others for Christ this season, I have a creative idea.

Our youth group, The Deep, has embarked upon an amazing adventure we call the Hands and Feet Mission.Beginning last week, we are on a mission to serve as many people as we can before Christmas. The youth are really excited. The best part about this project is that all of our service ideas came straight from the youth.

There are several ways for you to support our mission:

1. Operation Christmas Child: We are meeting Sunday the 23 to assemble shoe boxes for children in need. For more information visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

You can help us out by donating:
1. Shoe boxes
2. Christmas Wrapping Paper and Decorative Bows
3. $7 Donation (That covers 1 Box)
4. Gifts for the boxes:

Gift Ideas Include:
TOYS small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. OTHER Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans

2. Letters and Cards to a Soldier: Our group is meeting the week of Thanksgiving to assemble a box of letters, treats, and cards for soldiers.
You can help us out by
1. Writing a letter or Card
2. Donating non-perishable treats such as candy and jerky.

If you are interested in participating, email or call to let me know! I am willing to drive to pick-up the items you have to donate!

Thank you for your participation and or thoughts and prayers!

- Chelle

Email me if you are interested: mdc1986@yahoo.com

Service-Learning

One of the most powerful classes I have taken is "Service-Learning approaches to learning."

The whole idea of the class is to encourage educators to use service-learning in their classes.

Service-learning is an educational theory in which students meet their content objectives by completing a service act. One of the most important aspects of this practice is that the service must be relevant to both the students and the community.

My four classmates and I spoke with the teachers and students from our community.

It seems that one of the greatest issues they face is gang violence.

We taught a lesson that discussed racist symbols from the past (KKK & Nazi symbols). We led the students through a series of questions that typically led them to the same conclusion: gang violence and hatred is no different than hatred expressed through the historic symbols.

Our goal was to wipe-out as much graffiti as possible.

It was amazing! We had around 95 students attend.

They cleaned up their community in a way to protest against the gang violence.

Someone even donated pizzas so we served the students lunch.

A shed that looked fantastic when we finished!


Don't tell me that today's young people are lazy; they just need someone to challenge them.


Isn't our wall pretty?


Such an awesome bunch!!!

We have had many thoughtful discussions. Some of the students were worried that our good work will be tagged over again... others said that didn't matter - the protest (painting over it,) is all that mattered. One young lady asked, "Will our country ever go back to restricting people's rights the way it used to?"

I told her, "Not if people like you are passionate about standing up for your beliefs."

...And Everything Nice

May express my sincere apologies for my slacker ways. After missing a few days of blogging, it is all to easy to continue in that way. I miss blogging, and will try to recap our busy lives.

The last two weeks have been extremely busy. Our church held the 5 annual Fall Festival... it was awesome, but tiring. We have spent our time collecting decorations, prizes, and volunteers. For the first year I felt confident about the amount of volunteers and donations. I just know it will continue to grow.

I will post a separate blog about my school field work... let's just say I adore education. Many people consider it an easy career, but I am filled with respect for many of the educators I have worked with. Middle schoolers are a challenging bunch - crazy, unpredictable, and so intelligent.


Wednesdays are without a doubt the best day of the week. Wei-J quickly captures our heart with his weekly antics. He opens up a little more each time we visit. I didn't realize it then, but looking back, I see how shy he was the first few weeks we visited. He has really opened his heart to us. I have learned that his is a silly goofy boy! : )

Today I left the stressful campus scene to spend time with little man. The university is nice and all, but people are so high strung this close to finals. Actually, I am typically stressed out too. This semester is my last period of classes, next semester is solely student teaching. Yay! There are so many reasons for me to chill-out this semester... God has really been doing a work in my heart. Going to China was a HUGE leap of faith for me. It was more than just leaving the country - it was leaving the country knowing that when we came home nothing would be the same, and many things would not be "figured out." I like to figure things out, and not knowing almost physically pains me. I'm not sure when it happened, but I feel totally free from that aching feeling that used to dominate my heart and mind. Letting go of what I want to happen is allowing me to live a brand-new life. This is the first moment I've acknowledged that the heavy burden I used to carry is lifted... wow.

Wei-J only adds to this transformation. I don't want to be so caught up in worrying about school, future plans, and finances that I miss the important events which occur everyday. He changes everyday. Each time we visit he learns something new. How amazing.

Wei-J and I took our first walk together; just him and I. As we strolled I thought about how when he is older I will tell him about our walks... how I sang to him as he peacefully surrendered to his afternoon nap. My mom always made sure to tell me how my aunts and uncles spent special time with me when I was little - now I know why they visited so often.

This is more of a reflection than a blog - oh well. My professors would be so proud; they promote reflective teaching practices. Reflecting is supposed to increase the effectiveness and efficiancy of a teacher's practice.

More pictures to come... stay tuned