hey guys
another sweet time with the bros...
we had two 7 to 8 hour bus trips this last week. Both proved safe but they definitely included some sick people along the way...im thankful that i wasnt among the 10-12 people out of 20-25 who threw up or at least thought about it (i hope that gives some indication to the smoothness of the ride)...during the week we got to visit some high school classes and tell them about ourselves and our families...they loved seeing the pictures i brought and were really just thrilled to have us standing in their class...we drew pictures on the chalkboard of the U.S.(hilarious) and showed them where Texas was...tburk and i took the morning classes (9-10ish) and then stayed for some others after that...it was a blast! i think teaching here would be so cool! we sang some songs...you know like "im a little teapot", "deep and wide", "take me to your heart"...they were fun! the students here put our schooling to shame...they go from 720-1140 and then from 230-4ish and most have night class from 7-830ish...is that a joke! given i will say that our teaching methods are a bit more effective but they work so hard at learning...after chilling out in the classes we got to play some bball...you know i love that!

they next day we got to do some pwalking and some sight-seeing...we visited a miao village that was really really traditional and is famous for its resemblance of the Qing dynasty clothing and hair styles...pretty cool but kinda sad that it has turned into a tourist sight...

this week is to be filled with a chill day and a few day trips to some villages...i will hopefully keep you posted on what happens....we leave our base town on the 1st and return to you guys on the 3rd...getting excited about being home! i miss it!
encouraged this weekend by your comments...thanks so much again for your time and effort!

could use some pr's this week for the following:
-patience...that will do
-these people would see father in us
-that we would learn to love...
-safety for our return
-d.gilberts family and friends

thanks so much for your prs...they are needed and heard!

hey i have some things to say to some people real fast...

uncle mike...you made me real happy tonight when i read your comment...thanks so much for thinking of me each day and thanks for reminding me of pa tonight...his love for us was beyond words and im so glad that yall got to celebrate his bday last weekend...i wish i could have been there with yall...

agoad...girl, you make me smile every time...the dudes and girls in the classes that i talked to said you are so beautiful when i showed them your picture...i bet gtown is treating you well and im also stoked to get to talk about our summers when you get back...know that im doing the same for you as you are doing for me...thanks so much for your constant encouragement

jenny...girl, i met your husband...he travels with me every week...he's on my team and yall are getting married...thats all there is to it! he goes to tech and he is a stud...all the girls on our team want to date him but you are way better looking than they are and much cooler...lets face it! his name is tanner easley...look him up on facebook if you will...thanks for your prs and thoughts!

brooke b...ya youre awesome...thats all there is to it...and i went on a date with you...can you believe it? that was so fun...and also thanks so much for the encouragement this week!

chelsea o...girl dont you worry i will show you some pictures...it makes me happy that you get excited about china still...i hope im like that in a year! thanks for your constant encouragement to me...you always seem to smile and i think thats really a testament to who works inside you...thanks for your prs

kelly n and laura n...gosh...i wish i could let yall know how much i think of you two...not that you are the same person but when i think of thoughtful people you both seem to come to mind...i mean laura on the every bday and kelly comes in with the soup when i get sick...just two examples...the body at work i suppose...thanks for using your gifts you two...kelly i suppose "contributing with generousity" will apply to yall...thats awesome that r. 12 is your chapter too...i think it is well worth putting to memory...your prs have not gone unheard or unthanked...what a blessing to have your friendships

matty t...say dawg, hey thanks for the words bro...i appreciate you man...be careful with those chics, they are often trouble...maybe thats only for me...dangit. ya pa was a prime example of love bro...he never much cared for sugar coated love or soft words but he to be honest i prefer his raw, uncensored love much more...much missed...run hard core after Him dawg!!!! know that you are thought of over here man...

mama...thanks for the update from home...dont you worry i will be home soon...i will hug the crap out of you too! cant wait to see yall! some american food will be just fine with me...im glad to see that yall are enjoying your summers...i think yall needed one...hows jody? i miss him! im looking for something small to get yall but im not too good at getting gifts you know...i will do my best...happy 29th anniversary on the 26th...ya yall can go on a date if youd like! ha! hows dad likin the hybrid 2? i bet he's likin it a lot...

reminded of this daily:
if i speak in the tongues of men and of angles but have not love im nothing...if i have the power of prophesy and can discern all mystery and all knowledge and have all the faith as to remove mountains but have not love i am nothing...if i give away all i have and give my body up to be burned but have not love i gain nothing!!!
love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy or boast...it is not rude or arrogant...it does not insist on its own way...it is not resentful or irritable...love does not rejoice with wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth...love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things...
love never ends...as for tongues they will cease as for prophesy it will pass away and as for knowledge it will pass away...for we know in part and we prophesy in part but the perfect comes the partial will be done away with...the greatest of these is love!!!!

hope to live just a sliver of it...

jon



given too much,

jon