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!