Happy Sabbath

Today was church, and I have so much to say that I can't put into words. First of all, I was up SO much earlier than I needed to be. I woke up at six, and we didn't have to leave until eight thirty. I was so excited, though! It's like Christmas. It was such a trek to get there (another subway trip. It went about like the first one, but with less credit-carding of my person.) and that made it that much more worth it. We met in a tall gray building, with no signs, on the fourth floor. Everyone was SO happy and pleasant and welcoming. I felt so at home. The church is true everywhere. Most were from America with their husbands on jobs here. I just adored being there. The sacrament talks were on faith in Jesus Christ and that faith through trials. I felt like I couldn't write things down fast enough - just the way everything was hitting me was so special. I loved taking the sacrament, especially since I'll probably only get to once a month the next few months. Most Sundays I'll only be participating via the Skype branch. But I am so grateful for that.

Also, a baby sat next to me in sacrament and we were obsessed with each other. Her name is Corinne, and she's tiny and blonde, with two front teeths and the happiest eyes ever. She's a dolly-face. It made my day. I sneaked her snacks and she just kept nommin' on my fingers. She was SO smart. We had a meeting with the branch president for China in Sunday School, and he was pretty strict with the guidelines of our religious practices in China. We can't talk about it with people. We just have to LIVE it. He told us that we would see angels in China if we would look. And he also referenced that Footsteps in the Sand poem. You know... just my favorite. And he said, "You know the part, where he asks where the Lord was through the hard times, and the Lord shows him that His footsteps have been there all along? That will be how it is when China is open. You are His footsteps." I don't know. It was CRAZY powerful. And Relief Society was great. Mostly because there was a British girl and I never wanted her to stop talking ever.

Marissa and I fasted today. We didn't plan to do it together, but we both got back to the room last night with extra huge water-bottles, bread and crackers. We wanted to make sure we kept today the Lord's day. So right now, I am having a fine dinner of Ritz crackers and water. Living the life. Also, my friend Jon keeps weirdly holding my pinky and giving me mini candy-bars for dinners. I ain't hatin' it. He was in my ward at King Henry. Hahaha. I never knew him. Obviously. Also, I can never figure out if he is a ginger. In some lighting - I'm like, FLAMIN' HOT GINGER. And other times, I'm like, what a fine head of stately brunette hair. Sincerely. But he is shorter than me and delightful. Sometimes I wish he was gay, because he's pretty dang sassy, and everyone wants a sassy gay friend.

What else? Tomorrow I start training. So... fun's over. But not really. Because I am still living in China. Fun is everywhere. Speaking of which, after my nap this evening, we went for a walk and found a wedding dress parlor. My friend Jessica is the only one who's really engaged, but we all found a little something to try on. The lady spoke NO English, and after a bit, she started pointing at prices and talking pretty intensely. We thought she was mad, but we got on Google translate and typed back and forth, and she was just wanting to help us find more stores and places. SO helpful. I hope we can find Jess a dress here. It was crazy. These dresses are SO intricate, and they're 400 tops. Innnsane. She told us we were all beautiful and kind, but really, SHE was. I loved her!

Also... here's a funny story. We're walking to church today, and I'm packing my huge backpack, and all the sudden, I get YANKED backwards. So, you have to know that people here have zero respect whatsoever for pedestrians. None. So, some lady on her motorcycle was zooming through our group, and her handle bar went through one of my straps and just puuullllled me backwards. Hahaha. The best is when she had to stop, and I was trying to pull it off, she was still trying to drive away. Oh, China. I was laughing so hard after. Bless her heart. Bless mine, that I LIVED.

P.s. Shape-Ups Crocs exist. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.