This past Sunday after church I was talking to a lady I know named Pat. We did the typical meet and greet thing, she asked me how I was and what I was doing now and so on and so forth. I mentioned that I was going to be in Monahans for a year, but in July I was going to China to teach English. Well it just so happens that about a year ago, or maybe longer, a few Chinese people moved to Monahans and started a restaurant, and it also just so happens that they are neighbors with Pat. So Pat asks me if I've met Amy and Crystal, two of the girls who work at the restaurant and live next door to her. I told her I hadn't but I really wanted to. We made plans to go to the restaurant on Tuesday afternoon to have tea and she would introduce us. Tuesday came around and I got to meet Amy and Crystal and tell them I was going to China and how I wanted to start learning some Chinese before I go. They graciously offered to come over the next day after work to help me with Chinese and I could help them with English. Tuesday night they came over pretty late and we worked on some pinyin and then I helped them with some of their English vocab. Crystal took charge of my lessons and was super helpful with all my pronunciations. After about an hour of language lessons the girls went home and I wasn't sure when we would meet again. Until....

Last night after watching Law & Order CI with my parents I went to my room to read some more of The Devil Wears Prada (much better than Pride & Prejudice btw) and get ready for bed. I know, I know, my life is incredibly exciting. Well anyway, my phone rang and it was a number I didn't recognize, but I answered it anyway... I know some people have weird rules about this kinda thing, but I like to think I'm a free spirit and plus I can always just hang up. It was Crystal, and she was at my door! I'm immediately very confused and disoriented. Did we plan to meet tonight? Man, I'm glad I'm still dressed.... She had just finished working and came over to help me with Chinese again, and this time she brought her computer to show me some websites and music. After our first time meeting I wasn't sure if they just came over because they wanted to be nice or what. They both work extremely long hours and it really is a huge sacrifice of their time. So it was really cool to see her taking initiative to come over.

I am so thankful for both Amy and Crystal's time and help so far. It is so clear to me that this is the Lord's provision in my life, preparing me for the next year and probably wanting to do something here as well. Who knew that in little ole Monahans, Texas I would have my own personal Chinese tutors?