All is calm,all is bright.

I wanted to share a picture with this blog,but it seems I can't upload it from my phone。

Tomorrow morning,I will leave for a visa trip to Hong Kong for a few days,so I was getting my room tidied up a bit. Whilst taking out the garbage,I looked up to the skies and saw the dipper. 

Eight months ago when I left Michigan,I looked up and said goodbye to the stars,sure it was the last I would see of them for at least two years. (Forgetting of course that i would have visa runs to make) 

Every time I see the stars here,it makes me happy. 

I am thankful for stars. I'm thankful to be able to see them at night. For some reason，reasons unclear even to me,they mean a lot to me. A reminder perhaps that Someone bigger than I abides over all. A reminder that I should constantly be in awe of the One who knows just how many of those bright spots there are up there in the expanse above my head. A reminder that nothing is too little a thing for my Creator. 

#itsthelittlethings 

Not feeling well

I wasn't feeling well tonight and decided 

to opt out of the group dinner out,and instead

 just stay in and since I feel like I've been kicked 

in the gut. Before she left,Georgie asked me if I needed anything  

and then she went downstairs,fed the dogs,and bought 

me chocolate poptarts for dinner,since all I needed tonight was chocolate. 

When she came home tonight,we got to have prayer together. 

I love having a roommate like Miss Georgina A!! 

Or more to the point I love having Miss Georgina A as my roomate!! 

#ItsTheLittleThings 

Catching up

I've not been keeping up like I should with my little things! 

But you see, life is pretty crazy here! 

Always something going on and happening or needing to be done. 

On Wednesday afternoon, my boss Pam fell on ice out back of

our home here, and broke her arm. She was taken to Beijing

and found that it needed surgery. So thanksgiving day in China,

she was in the operating theater having a rod and screws put in to hold

her shattered arm together.  

Tonight, we had our Thanksgiving meal and cornhole tournament. 

Here are a few #littlethings from the last few days that have made me smile.

Hearing Hector, one of our newest arrivals, call out "Ca-me-la!" when he sees me. 

Finding everything I need to make Pinwheels.

Getting to Skype my family and see them all

before they left for their Thanksgiving festivities. 

Seeing how happy Thomas was to see me when I called. 

Having my new phone arrive! {The not so 'make me smile' little thing

is that the SIM from my current phone does not fit in my new 

one so I have to go tomorrow to get a new SIM before I can even turn this one on!}

Having and entire conversion about important things in life, 

with my friend, Teacher Wang, in Chinese. 

Watching the Ayi's and workers play silly team building games and having actual fun!

Making paper snowflakes and putting them up all over my window and door. 

Playing Christmas music in my room. 

It really doesn't take a lot. I have so much for which to be thankful!

And I am! I am so very thankful. 

#ItsTheLittleThings

Already messing up!!

This was my #littlething yesterday 

This is of course on top of the fact that I was 1. physically able to go to Beijing for the day and 

2. I got to spend the day in Beijing with three 

awesome people!

{and I do realize the irony of saying I spent the day with them

 and then posting photos of them all on their phones.

 We did actually talk to each other....

some.}  

Today's does not have a picture. 

This morning at 7:15 I got to meet with four other women here 

to spend some time lifting each other up before the week started. 

It was a perfect way to start Monday. 

Im glad we plan to do that more often now!

#itsthelittlethings

The return....

Its the "Little Things"

   Monday evening, just before I was to get in a car with two of my friends to go to dinner and do some grocery shopping, I tripped over Stevie, one of our outdoor dogs, who had run in between my legs. I came crashing down on my right hip and the following days have been spent in recovery. I have been so thankful over this last week for not only the allowance given by those I work with, for me to beg off work as I get better, but also for the constant care shown for my well being. Everything from a "How are you feeling" comment when they see me out, the texts of the same nature, to our resident PT taking time out of her day to help me with hip traction and stretches! My roommate has been amazing, not allowing me to do anything that might possibly hurt me and always being willing to lend a hand. Yesterday, the little thing that brightened my day was two of our Inn Ayi's gushing over not having known I had been injured and offering to take me to the doctor and making me promise to call them should I need anything. 

     Today's was when one of our sweet interns here agreed to walk with me to the veggie market and convince store just down the street and carry my purchases home. 

      Walking a bit slower than my usual gate, and leaning on a borrowed cane, I felt very much like a little old lady who needs help to cross the street, enjoying the company of 'the younguns" on her trip to market. But she just sweetly said "No problem at all! This is getting to spend some quality time with you!" 

Over the past 12 years since my diagnosis, I have had many episodes similar to this one, each in varying degree of severity. As I have said many times since Monday evening, the fortunate part of this is that it has happened before and I know how to treat it,the unfortunate side to this is I know how to treat it because it has happened before. Each time this happens, I hear the same prayer being said over me by those who are closest to me. "Please allow her to have the wisdom to ask for help when she needs it." {Always said in the most loving way! I am not for a moment saying they are outright calling me prideful,.,,that is my own admission! I am prideful!} To be honest, this is a prayer I say for myself often as well in many other contexts. I wish to be rid of my prideful nature and fake humility that often plagues me. 

The good book says that I am to not only give thanks IN all things, but FOR all things. While I will admit that being in so much pain that your skin hurts to the touch is something for which is often hard to give thanks, the lessons it brings about  my pride are not so much, which then in turn makes the pain a tad {tad....I won't fake my humility here!} easier to say thank you "Father for this". 

That, and little things like someone being willing to

hold your box of milk for the walk home!

#itsthelittlethings. 

Kids, Spring, Movies, and Yogurt!

I have now been here for over a week. Some days, it feels like I just got here {so, it feels like it should} other days,  I feel like I've been here for a nice long time already!

Lots has happened, and I should get into my 'Little Things' again just so I can help keep track! {I am suppose to be keeping a daily three line journal too and that's not going so well. At least if I write in one of them, this or the book, I could update the other better, now and again.}

I will have to just let some photos tell the stories for now! 

I went on a walk with the Primary school kids class. It was 6 of the 7 kids, as well as Effie,me and an Ayi. Oh, and Stevie the dog. 

Brody! Gotta love that face! He is one of the most 

stylish little men I know! Always ready with a high

five or a hug! 

Lily is absolulty amazing! I am really 

excited that I get to live here, just down the

hall from her and get to know her more!

Practice for Childrens Day, which is June 1st

has begun. 

Dancing, dancing! 

It's gonna be fun!

SIAS had things like Culture Week that I got to

help with, here, we have Holiday parties

and celebration dances!

All dressed up with nowhere to go. 

I had been planning on going to a conference of

sorts, but last minute, as things are apt to do here,

the plans had to be canceled. The text came in to me

just as I had put the finishing touches on my makeup.

What are ya gonna do? 

Spring is here! And in such a pretty way! If these flowers don't tell 

you what time of year it is, then my congested nose, hacking cough, 

and disappearing voice nestled in a sore throat

should help identify it!

Tonight we went to see "The Jungle Book" in 3D. It was fun!

The movie was good {Yes, in English} 

Darker than the cartoon for sure. 

It was nice to get to hang out with many of the other 

staff members here. 

I got to have dinner with Effie at KFC. 

We did a little shopping after and I got some instant curry packs! 

{Effie made me one the other day and it was SO GOOD!} 

And we ended the night with frozen yogurt! 

That's all for now! More to come at a later date!

From sea to shining sea

What is up peoples?! 

Im back!

Back to blogging,

Back to China

Back to Shepherd's Field

Back to having to figure out  new things in this thing that I call my life!

Lets take a step back here. 

Before leaving the country of my birth, I was given the blessing of 

visiting with some amazing friends in California. I always find it cheaper to 

fly to China through the West Coast. And I have the great fortune of knowing really 

great people in the great Sunny State of California. 

Along with being able to see two of the teachers that became such a needed 

support for me while I was at Sias that first year, I got to spend some time on the ocean

side, just me and Father. And I got to stay in bed till whenever! haha!

They are such a fun couple to be around, and have never made me feel like the third wheel.

Thank you B and R for being such a great example of a loving married couple! 

You two are too cute, with your nicknames, notes and kisses before you drive. 

I love you two!

I love where B and R live!!! 

I could so get use to doing my 17 miles a week again

if I had this to walk along every week!

Hey guys, why didnt we take any pics together? That was dumb! :( 

The week before I left for the start of this journey, I had been telling Mum that

I was going to really miss driving once I moved to the other side of the world. 

She had said she could help me get my fill since we were down to one car and 

the schedule was full! {Ain't she the best?} 

Sorry Mum, you got topped! 

In order to go from staying with my SIAS friends to staying with my BMH friends, I had get down

the coast. Last time, I took  the train. But it got stuck on a hill and took a lot longer than it should have, I looked into it again, but we decided to instead look at renting a car. Turned out to be less expensive to rent it and I could decide the route and could stop along the way if I wanted and and and. It just all seemed like a better idea. So I put a hold on a hold on a four door five person car online. However, I stupidly put the check out time for 9am. We didn't get there till 11:30, sure that Alamo held their reservations for 12 hours. They hold them for 2. We had just missed the deadline and they were out of cars they could rent to me! :( But then, they said that they would check and see if there was anything else instead. Rather apologetically he said that they only had one car left.

"Do you mind a mustang?"
He queried.
I tried to look unphased and agreed that it would be fine.
He then went on,
"Well, it is a convertible! That should be fun for driving down the coast, right?!"
Just as he was getting ready to check it out to us {He though that B and R were going with me,
and when he mentioned convertible mustang they wished they were!} he noticed that I was
not making the trip back but instead dropping it at their LAX location.

"The mustang isn't one that can be left at another location"
he informed me sadly.

"Oh well, we can bend the rules this time and make an acceptation!"
Again, I was trying to play it cool and make it look like I did this kind of thing
all the time so that he would not feel bad about giving me a soft top mustang. But
upon hearing that not only would I get this awesome car, but really he wasn't suppose to rent it
to me given my needs, I really did nearly fall over!
The car was gorgeous people!

I couldnt get over it! I was allowed to not only get in this thing, 

but DRIVE it all the way from Monterey to Los Angeles. 

I didn't drive it with the top down much, cause I put my suitcase in the back and I wasnt sure how that would work out with driving on the highway. It was a tight squeeze, but I wasn't complaining! 

See that blown away look I got going on. Yeah, it was still sinking in that I 

was the proud temporary owner of a Mustang! 

If I had known I was getting a mustang when i woke up, I would have dressed more like a mustang owner and less like a compact car owner the way that I did. Lesson learned. Always dress for the car you WANT to rent! ;) 

It was a very long drive to LA, and I got lost once I got to the city since I had really only gotten the directions TO the city and not to my friends house! Cause Im brilliant and all ya know.
I was pretty proud of myself for getting down there without a GPS, but that all blew up in my
face as I sat in the Warehouse district, in a 2015 Mustang, at a gas station, nearly in tears that I
had made it so far but was probably going to destroy the car in the city traffic and not make it to
my next destination.

No need to fear though, my friends talked me through it and I made it not much later than I expected.
{I had been told it was a 6 hour trip give or take, without any stops and with light traffic. I stopped
many times along the way, got lost, and still made it there in like 8 or so I think it was}

For the next few days, I got to send time with some of my longest and dearest BMH friends.
One couple I have not even seen since their wedding years ago and they are now the proud parents of two young boys!
She was the first BMHer I met, actually. She came to my house
all the way back in 2008 as a tour stop and gave presentations at 3 different
brick and mortars.

I took this knowing my younger brothers would get a kick out of it

We went to the local Botanical Gardens and they

happened to have a special display going of Lego creations!

The boys thought these were real! At first they were a little scared of them.

Can y'all say awwwww

Palm trees are my happy trees. Gotta love a place that grows palm trees!

My friends live in the coolest places!!

I mean look at this! 

I don't even go to Lake Michigan all that often, 

but I know it is ALWAYS freezing so I just 

assumed that the ocean would be the same way.

It was surprisingly warm, actually,...well no, I guess

warm is not the right word. Surprisingly not freezing. 

I walked out into it a bit and let the gentle 

{it was actually gentle at the time!} 

tide splash waves on my feet. Made me think

of the year that I was in Yantai and took a scared little boy out into

the ocean to swim. He clung to me and didn't like being out very far,

but he did enjoy sitting on the edge and playing in the water.

Tommy was so little then! That was the first wave of 

"Oh my goodness,I am going to miss my family so much" that hit me!

My flights went pretty uneventfully. I even was able to get wifi for the longer of the two flights,

though it cut out  a couple hours before the flight was over. It was still pretty awesome. 

I was in a plane, soaring thousands of miles above land, making a trip of thousands of miles

and yet I could still log onto facebook! lol!

I have now been here at SFCV for less than 48 hours. When I am not occupying myself

with something, I am actually finding the jet lag getting to me! 

My roommate is a friend from camp, and it is so nice to not only get to catch up

but room with someone I know! One of the things I really love about it, is that she hardly

ever speaks English to me! And even times when I do speak English

she will often answer in Chinese, or repeat what I said in her tongue cause she knows

I said it cause I didn't know how to yet. 

I have been allowed to take the weekend to get settled and not have to work. 

Then Monday morning, I will head to the school at 8:30 to start as a teacher....of some sort!

I was talking with the head teacher and she was saying that she thought she might have me teach the older kids English. However, for now I will be helping with preparations for a performance 

on June 1st, which is Childrens Day.  There is so much to get ready. She said she was very glad that I was here when I am so that I can help with it. 

There was even talk of me helping with the English MC position and

singing a song as well to celebrate. 

We shall see how this all pans out and what I end up doing. 

Monday is the day!! 

It is strange to be here and 

1. No Tommy!! 

2. Know that this is not temporary.
This is now home!

WOW

I serve an amazing Father who has placed in my heart a dream to be here....and

then He gave me that dream come true not long after placing it there. 

I really hope to be an important part of the team here and that I can prove

to them all that it was a good choice bringing me in. 

In some ways, I feel like the new teen in school, on the night before the first day of high school

going "Oh I sure hope they like me!" 

Thank you to everyone who has gotten me here! 

I love you all! Please keep the buzz support up!

I have a DATE!!

No, not the dinner and a movie kind of a date. I have a departure date!

With the addition of one or two more supporters, I have come to the decision that, while I am still not 100% funded for my journey, it is time to take a leap of faith and get going. {I am, in fact, about 85% on my support, needing only $75 more per month.} Armed with that knowledge, I purchased my tickets, put in my notice at work, and began all the last details for the move. This included telling Tommy, who has approved of my going only because 1. I promised we will still see each other on Skype {Just like David, Lisa, and Isaac, he said} and 2. the kids at his former home will be glad to have me there.

When is this departure date, you ask? 

April 5^th. 

Yes, you read that right! Just one month away! 

That, at least, is my farewell America day, as I will be leaving Michigan on the 30^th of March in order to visit friends and supporters in California. 

OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!

I love that I finally get to go and start all of this and that this dream is finally coming true. At the same time, I do have to admit that I am emotional about leaving and saying goodbye. Right now, I talk more about going than I do leaving. {Yes, they are different}

Like I said, I am still $75 a month away from being fully supported. If you would like to help me, and you feel led to be a supporter of my life in Tianjin China, you have OPTIONS!

Checks may be sent to my family home in MI, where 'Houston' 

{my home-base helpers, i.e., Kade and Mum} will deposit it in my back account.

Send it through paypal using the email address – sajmakii@hotmail.com

If you would like to be a monthly supporter, please contact me so that I am aware that you are helping me filling those last spots! :)

One time gifts are of course also such a blessing, and I thank everyone who has been so generous in helping me with all of this in every way! Praying, contacting me, and sending money is all more than I could ever say!

If you would like to keep up to date with the goings on of this Ozzie in China, please check back here to see updates.

I also will be sending out email updates. If you would like to be added to those as well, please send me a private message, or an email at jiejiecarm@gmail.com so that I can keep in touch that way!

In China, texting me is also possible through an app on my kindle. I have an American number from which I can both send and receive texts. If you would like that number, please send me a message so I can get it to you!

Once again, thank you so much for joining me on this!

All my love!

Carm-Ozzie-AnYaHui

“I said 'Use me' He said 'CHINA!'”

Look at me, I'm adulting!

{For those who do not wish to read the 'backstory', please scroll to the end of this to see a bullet list version}

I read a quote today from Susan B Anthony that said:  

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires."

And to that I say, well Miss Anthony, you would have to distrust me then, because I know very well at this point what it is that the Lord wants for me to do. And yes, it does coincide with my own desires, but to that I say 

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."  Psm 37:4

I've said it befor, 10 years ago, I didn't want to go to China. I didn't have the desire to work with orphans! Sure, travel sounded nice, but moving to a far away place and leave all I have ever known? Not on my radar really. Sure I was WILLING to do it, in the same way people are often willing to help a friend in another state move! You would do it if you could, but hey, you're not there so you know they are not going to call on you to help....its the thought that counts though, right?

But when I stopped trying to do what I wanted and just delight myself in the Lord, look for what HIS eyes saw, that is when I wanted China all of the sudden. And no, you are not the only ones who think that these things come up in my life out of the blue and without warning. 

Making this sort of a blog post at 11 at night is never a good idea for me and yet I do it often! 

I am excited about this. Its true! This is my dream job, I am doing what I know the Lord wants me to do. But to say that I am doing it tearlessly, without fear, without any bit of sadness, would be a lie. I want to get that out there too. I need prayer! Thomas has only been home for three months and I am already going to be leaving. Kade, my other half, is just getting into her PTA program and will graduate and become a wonderful aid to the hurting after I have left, My older brother and sister are going to have another baby in August. Kat is going to turn 20 and has some big plans for her year. LeyLey just turned 18 and has started her own business with her best friend. Sam has graduated now, and the last time I left he grew five feet! 

My parents aren't in China. 

My best friend is not in China. 

My MI {and MI area} friends are not in China. 

Yankee Candle isn't in China. 

BUT:

I am 31, not 13. 

I have some great friends in China, and look to make more!

I will get to work with Children. 

I have been studying for this now for two years!

and most importantly, as with every time before:

*I*m not going...The Lord is sending me. 

He placed this desire in my heart.

He provided me with the position. 

He is moving the mountains in my way

He is going to take care of me and my heart. 

He will be glorified. 

So that tells you I'm scared.....but maybe some of you don't know about what!

Long story short, if you have read this blog before, you know that I fell in love with a place called Shepherds Field Children's Village in  TianJin China, which is outside of Beijing. The first time I walked through the doors, I felt I had found my new home. The second time I arrived, I was loathe to leave and managed to stay a week longer than previously planned. 

In mid December, I wrote to the director to ask if he might consider me for a future/summer time internship with the idea that I also be then thought of for a full time volunteer staff spot. In early January, after a 1:30 am Skype interview, I was told I 'got the job'. They are in need of a Preschool teacher, as well as odd jobs and such in the office and the like {all those working at SFCV 'wear many hats' as it was put in my interview.} While I had been thinking this summer was a good goal, they asked that I come as soon as the money was in order to begin. 

EEEKKKK

Shepherds Field, while they would like to, is not able to pay their foreign staff. They {and soon I will be able to say we} all work as volunteers and must raise their own support. Though I have had many dissenting reactions from those who have heard I will be 'working for free' {these reactions have not been from family! Just from those who do not understand the situation,...or me!} I would have no problem working my butt off and having no money at all.  Problem is, that doesn't really work. Don't get me wrong, I am going to work my butt off, and there will not be a paycheck, but money is still going to be needed! I have must find supporters to keep me over there. {I have had a few friends suggest that they feel they should NOT give me any money as it will keep me in the States instead} 

As of this moment, I have supporters totally a little over $100 a month already in place. This means I need either 20 more people who can send me $20 a month, or 10 people who can send me $40 a month. 

Asking for money is not an easy thing. 

I know that there many worthy and good things that you could send your money to! I ask that you speak with Father, to see if this endeavour is one in which He would lead you to join. 

If you are not able to back me financially, please please please back me as one of my prayer warriors! As much as I love China and love the kids, there are going to be obstacles! 

Pray:

That I would remain in the center of the Lords will at all times. 

That I would listen to Him, and be willing to follow where He leads.

That the money would be there when I need it. 

That I will stay faithful and trusting, not to worry. To always remember that His timing is perfect!

My back: My doctor tells me the disease has slowed and I am not degenerating at the same speed anymore. While this is great news, I will be working with little kids and know this is going to take a toll on my back. I still have daily pain which the Lord is always faithful to give me the strength to handle, and I know He holds the future of my back and my walking!

My heart. While I am going to love what I am doing, I will be missing out on a lot of things here in America! Having 2 homes on earth is a double edged sword! 

My allergies. I have them pretty well under control but they are my constant 'back of the brain' companion. Not knowing what could cause me harm at any moment means being a bit more vigilant....and I am not always the best watchdog! :)  

On a side note...this means I will not be at Bring Me Hope camp in the summer. This too, while I knew was bound to happen at some point, has been a bit rough on me. The saying is 'When God closes a door, He opens another one' but there is also the reality that when a new door opens, even if it is the door for whose key you have been searching, other doors and windows must be closed in order to go through! 

I can not say thank you enough to all of my friends and family 

who have been so incredibly supportive! 

I know I do not do this on my own, and it would not be possible

at all were it not for the fact that I have a team of people

who, no matter what side of the world I am on, are able to help pick me up

whether that is figuratively or literally! 

Should you wish to support me monetarily you can choose whichever method is easiest for you!

Paypal is sajmakii@hotmail.com 

Checks can be sent to my parents home address. 

If you wish for more information, or want to let me know you will be joining my 

support team {In prayer or other means} you can contact me at jiejiecarm@gmail.com or on Facebook 

Thank you all!

OK, for those that didn't want to read all those words! :)

What are you doing?: 

Moving to China

Departure date still unknown, aiming for Mid/End March

Non-paid/volunteer position at Shepherds Field Children's Village  

Working as a Preschool teacher, and helping in the office.

What do you need?: 

Need $500 a month from supporters for living expenses {my room and 2 meals a day are provided}

Must make a visa run outside of the country ever 90 days. Est. cost $500 per trip. I hope to save from my monthly supporters to cover this cost. 

25 supporters at $20 a month needed 

One time gifts for visa trips, savings, and other expenses needed/welcomed 

Paypal info: sajmakii@hotmail.com 

Checks can be sent to my  parents home address.

What will you do to keep me updated?:

Email updates with photos and stories will be sent. 

Should you wish to be added to this list, please send me a note at:

jiejiecarm@gmail.com 

I will be updating my blog with photos and stories. 

What do I need to pray:

That I would remain in the center of the Lords will at all times. 

That I would listen to Him, and be willing to follow where He leads.

That the money would be there when I need it. 

That I will stay faithful and trusting, not to worry. To always remember that His timing is perfect!

My back: My doctor tells me the disease has slowed and I am not degenerating at the same speed anymore. While this is great news, I will be working with little kids and know this is going to take a toll on my back. I still have daily pain which the Lord is always faithful to give me the strength to handle, and I know He holds the future of my back and my walking!

My heart. While I am going to love what I am doing, I will be missing out on a lot of things here in America! Having 2 homes on earth is a double edged sword! 

My allergies. I have them pretty well under control but they are my constant 'back of the brain' companion. Not knowing what could cause me harm at any moment means being a bit more vigilant....and I am not always the best watchdog! :)