It was bound to happen.

Well all knew it could or would, and the time has come. All the juicy gossip (?) you love so much here at "Le Blog de Bentleys" (which let's briefly acknowledge how that name is LAME. This should be re-considered - non lame suggestions welcome), is about to become private property.

Basically, what this means is in order to read this little diddy, you will need to give me your email address via comment section, email, or Facebook, and I will add you as an approved user. You will then need to log in to read, but I promise all you who are technologically timid, you CAN do this. Have no fear. I will give those interested about a week to give me their emails before going off the grid. If you have given me your email already for wanting to receive our newsletter, no worries - I'll count you in. [Note: said newsletter has been decided to be an end of month-ish event, so it will appear in an inbox near you soon. Promise.]

So, if you're willing to move from "blurker" to "approved & appreciated reader", please give a sister your email addy. Gracias, xie xie, and thank you!

Delight

This past week I have found such deep satisfaction in seeing the Father answer some very specific prayers. As I had mentioned earlier, I had been doing battle with my own expectations in regards to our language learning, and was really struggling through some anxiety when our “talk time” (v. to badger or talk at an obligated or unable to escape shop keeper or listener) would come around each day.

One afternoon last week I was walking around our neighborhood with all my tools in my bag (dictionary, small notebook of phrases, water bottle with which to fidget), when I just told Him I QUIT. I was tired of battling my nervousness, tired of feeling like a failure (dramatic maybe? We’re talking about week TWO of language tutoring here), and that I was just OVER it – me and my expectations are too much! I promised the Lord that if He would show up and do the talking, I would do the walking. I would be committed to going out every day, if He could just throw me a bone and help me get rid of my nervousness. And you know what? He did!

Just a few blocks later I walked to one of my friend's shops (she sells milk tea – delicious!) and as soon as she saw me she said in her broken English, “I’m so glad you came today! I was sad yesterday when you did not come!” Now if that’s not the love of the Father to us both I don’t know what is – because goodness knows how little I can actually say to this sweet girl! Later that night I was reading the passage below and could have just wept in seeing the beauty of His promises fulfilled.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:1-8

What goodness and truth!! I DID seek the Lord, and he DID answer me, and he DID deliver me from my fears! Truly, my soul will make its boast in Him!

We have also been enjoying the truth of verse 8 – TASTING! We both love the local cuisine, and I feel like I’m gradually learning how to cook without certain things and with new ingredients. We have also found an outdoor market close to our house – which is so fun for me. I feel like I am slowly steeling my stomach to the meat/fish/eel (live or hacked to your pleasure) aisles of the market, and I LOVE seeing row after row of fresh fruits and vegetables. And talk about local – most of the vegetables and sellers still have dirt under their fingernails! I love it!! I did realize I need to brush up on my numbers however, when I was telling a man that 2 kuai (I thought he was saying 7) was too much for 4 figs. Leave it to me to argue over essentially $0.30! I love coming home with this bounty (which in total easily cost under $10)

And making it into this:


We can't buy most kinds of cheeses here, so I've been experimenting with one I can get, goat cheese. Any delicious ideas? I have realized both my skills and our stomachs need to slowly ease into cooking local fare at home, and hopefully I can learn to turn down the oil and spiciness just a teensy, teensy bit. But don't worry, we're lunchtime regulars at several restaurants and noodle shops around here, which never ceases to cause endless fascination and stares by our fellow diners.

Well, I'm off to enjoy a relaxed Saturday with the usual friends - laundry, cleaning, studying. While I was running at the park this morning I noticed a large choir and orchestra practicing at the amphitheater (last week it was some kind of dance group and war drama), so I have a pretty good idea where we'll be tonight!

And speaking of the park, on Wednesday night I went to the free jazzercise (my description, not theirs), they have every night. It. was. AWESOME. It was one of those moments where I wished I could both participate and watch the ridiculousness, and lets just say I'm glad "mambo" is a universal word! I made some sweet friends, and I can't wait to go again on the nights we don't have class!

Friends.

Oh how there is so much to say, it’s difficult to even know where to begin. The past few weeks have been a roller coaster of sorts, and yet in the most spectacular way. Each day is a new challenge and adventure, where I feel like I am continually questioning and re-questioning the hows, whys, whens and whats of it all. But oh what intimacy has come in the questioning, with both my earthly and heavenly beloved. I could not be more thankful for the partner I have been given in this journey, his steadfast faith and calm spirit blesses me now more than ever. And look at him – I think he looks even better across the dinner table here!

** Funny side note. Those of you that know this darling man above know that he is typically squeaky clean; he is a bit scruffy in this picture because he decided he wouldn't shave until we figured out the bus route by our house. He shaved the very next day! **

We have begun the steep climb that is language learning. It’s quite funny really, how after a few lessons we feel like we can conquer the world, only to go try out our new words and realize we have the communicative abilities of a toddler. It’s been remarkable though how a simple hello has connected us with people. It’s kind of become a game, say hello to basically anyone and everyone we pass, and then see how shocked they are that we can and would say hello. It’s great fun. We have also been blessed in already finding a few friends/captive listeners; the worker at a favorite lunch place, a lady who sells us drinks so we can break change for the bus, the kind gentleman who sells ice cream – food unites us all! We are so thankful for these patient friends, and are eager to learn more that we can know them better.

I think the greatest surprise and struggle so far has not been culture - but within myself. As I ride the ups and downs of our new lifestyle, I’ve realized my own overwhelming inabilities coupled with a perfectionist desire to succeed can become crippling. (Relate anyone?) Thankfully, I am humbled HOURLY in recognition of where my assurance and confidence must come. It has been so tender to realize in a fresh way how incompetent we are apart from HIS strength alone – I pray that I never grow weary of this sweet lesson! Thankfully we live around the corner from a HUGE and gorgeous park – so I have been able to run (GLORY BE!) several mornings and set my heart on HIS truth. Clearly the Big Man knew this time would be needed ; ).

We are so deeply thankful to be here. To be stretched in these ways, to experience these people and places is such a gift – and to think we’re just getting started! The newsletter I have previously mentioned is still the works – we’ve had to cage my perfectionism in that regards, but I promise it will come sooner or later! And yes, I will include fun stories in the future - I think a lot of these things have been swirling around in my head for a while, and I've never been one to hide behind small talk when there are greater issues at hand. Know that your emails, comments, thoughts and pryrs are such a blessing - we need and treasure your encouragement!

Oops.

Dear Ones,

Yes, I am alive. And yes, I am quite well. As you well know - just about everything in our lives has changed recently, and we are still riding the waves of transition. Thankfully, these adjustments while numerous are exciting, and we are loving discovering the ins and outs of our new surroundings. (Bought fruits and veggies at the outdoor market today for the first time - NOT in English. Yes, we are in fact awesome).

We have begun language tutoring, which has seemed to fill my brain to above its normal quota. Thus explains the silence in blogville. I am also in the process of working on our monthly newsletter - so that on top of learning to cook, speak, travel, and live in a new culture has kept me a little busy.

If you would like to receive said newsletter and have not already submitted your info for updates, please leave your email address in the comments section. I promise to return soon to our regularly scheduled program.

Thank you for your understanding and interest!