The first days

The trip.
Flight MSP to Chicago was solid.
Get to the gate for my flight to China and I made conversation with a group of elementary aged kids. I would consider it to be my first legitimate Chinese conversation considering that it wasn't with one of my classmates or teacher. It was so wonderful. It was real. It wasn't just a I will use this language hopefully one day, but a legitimate experience of goodness.

On the plane
I went to stand up after 3 hours of sitting. Talked with some really kind and warm Chinese adults. I held my own in the convo for a good 20  minutes. Again, I was able to realize and enjoy the fruits of my two years of labor.
Later I talked with an American from Notre Dame that was one her way with a group to IBM for a summer long MIS/IT internship. She was nice but arrogant.
Hour 7 talked with a woman from Nebraska named Jo , she was on her way to pick up her newly adopted girl. She knew no Chinese so I was able to create a phonetic cheat sheet of Chinese words and phrases. It felt so good to be able to share my knowledge and bless her as I helped reduce the fear and stress of knowing no Chinese. It was definitely a highlight of the flight.
Hour 9 I talked with two college students. One was a marine and the other a Chinese student about to start school in Iowa. They asked why I took Chinese, I explained that God had put it on my heart. This spurred a great conversation on faith. The three of us were able to lay out what we experienced to be truth and God definitely used it as a means to plant seeds.

北京Beijing
Again I will say the airport is easily the most beautiful I've ever seen. I was picked up by Sherry Yoder; the wife of the couple I'm staying with this weekend before I head off to  to Inner Mongolia. The two of us went back to their apartment which is on the 16th floor, and has a gorgeous view of Beijing. The skies and air are gray as can be. It makes me thankful I'm not spending my entire summer under gray skies and pollution. Later Friday night John Sherry and I went to a bible study with various international believers. John is an elder at China's largest protestant church. He's kind of a big deal.
Today (sat) I woke up and watched the sunrise over the skyline at 4 am. I'm not sure what the plan is for the rest of the day but I will keep you posted.

Kelsey