My narrow escape of senseless violence thus far in my life is surely a result of being surrounded by so many beautiful people – not my own gracious nature. For the most part our lives are FULL of amazing individuals who love us, teach us, share themselves with us, and allow us to generally enjoy the image of our Creator that resides with in them. Due to Jarod and I's naturally tendencies there are days we wish to lock ourselves alone in separate rooms to enjoy our perspective hobbies of senseless reading or scouring knowledge to the end of the internet. But generally we'd rather have a late night conversation around our kitchen island with any of the three following girls.... we love them and are so glad that they are becoming a part of our lives – and that our friends and family are so ready to have them become a part of their lives as well.
Zhai Luo (Jessie) 26, China
Jessie has been with us the longest, she has also been in the U.S the longest – having received a masters at Fort Hays as well as attending Columbia in NY – in the last 4 years. She is now working at FHSU in the civic center, partnering strongly with the leadership department and working on women's issues. Besides this she attends classes and is working toward her dream of attending Harvard Law school. Her english is incredible both in pronunciation and vocabulary. We give her a really hard time about how “nerdy” her vocabulary is and are working really hard to “dumb her down to street level.” (Although it Is equally as fun to throw out 6 syllable words we know she will use on a regular basis.) She has a love of travel and adventure – and sometimes almost giddy when I mention trips we'd like to take and tours I don't think she should miss out on... if only we didn't have this house and we had just started a travel agency for international travelers to the US! Route 101 is our top pick... but Jessie has settled for a promised trip to Mount Rushmore and the Bad lands in the spring.
Besides being my equal in a love of travel she is also a TYPE A. She rises early, busily over achieves all day and then talks late into the night on the phone... another habit we take great joy in pointing out. We may learn Chinese just by listening to her one-way conversations (I can already tell by tone of voice when she is talking to her mom!).
We greatly enjoy our conversations with her as she takes current events classes and we get a whole new perspective on politics and personal responsibility. She never fails to challenge us and engage her whole self in our conversations. What a thought provoking display of social energy she adds to our home!
Ma Lina (Marrina) 27, Bejing, China
Marrina has been in the U.S. Only one short year and has the most to gain in her English vocabulary by living with us. In the last six weeks we have seen her improve dramatically and she is quite proud of her progress as well. This past weekend she went on a ladies retreat with me and a group of ladies from the church. She brought a friend but totally impressed me by her willingness to branch out and delve into four hours of unending conversation (i.e. she chose to ride in my mom's van!!) She brings friends around often and initiates all kinds of ways for me to help her with pronunciation and vocabulary. She has a great desire to express her Buddist beliefs with us and understand our worldview. She sleeps the most of the three but I respect that completely – as I would have slept 15 hours a day if given the opportunity in Honduras. She is thinking 10 times as hard as me all day long. She is a wonderful cook and is so proud of Chinese art and culture – bringing us paintings – sharing photos and her travels whenever she is given the opportunity. After receiving her undergraduate in China she worked for the Chinese version of CNN for two years... and she is very proud of her perfect Chinese... of course I can't hear the difference but she is anxious to teach me.
She works incredibly hard in all of her classes, but of the three she is the most “laid back.” We enjoy her company whenever she can find time for us and look forward to getting to know her on a deeper level as her English improves.
Na Seonjin (Sun-jin) 19, South Korea
To be honest, I expected our students to be more Seonjin's age, but with Marrina's English. Although Seonjin is only a freshman in college she has spent her last two years in the U.S. - first as an exchange student in a public high school north of here and then last year at the local Catholic boarding school. She is a beautiful young woman with amazing English pronunciation and a humility and work ethic that are sure to get her far. She desires to return to Korea as an English teacher. It was so cute to see her fretting over whether she would make friends easily and if she would like her new job, et, etc, as she settled in to the fall semester but now she is full steam ahead and as with any teen – we rarely see her. I don't know if she will be with a semester or her whole 4 years here... but we are so glad she chose are home to get comfortable with U.S. college life.
As for the rest of the family – we are thinking Jarod missed his life's calling as an electrician (he finally found something in the basement he likes doing. YEAH!!).... and Lucy and Jude are the most wonderful, adorable, entertaining beings I have ever had any urge to throw rocks at :).
Marrina and I canoeing at the ladies retreat. We didn't even spin in circles once!!!
Games after dinner with our friends Fay and Joe.
Marina and her friend Emma at the hayrack ride at Bethesda's party for international students from TMP.
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