Goodbyes.

Thursday night was the best and worst night of my life. For those of you that know me well... I rarely get emotional. But as time was drawing nearer for me to leave China I felt like everything was at the surface. I love these people so much. These kids... they are MY kids. They are my babies and I know and love each and every single one of them. Its hard to imagine a time where I don't get to see them every day and talk with them and laugh with them. I also have made many friends here in China that I am finding all to hard to leave. Not only because they are my friends but also because they have taught me so much. The people here are such a great example to me of the person I want to be. They are friendly and giving and thoughtful. They always always always help you to the fullest of their abilities and even beyond! I feel like I am constantly learning from them. I am afraid that if I leave this place... that learning will stop. And I never want that to happen. 

But whether I liked it or not Thursday finally snuck up on us. We scheduled times to see some of our close friend and have a final goodbye. Although I am not a fan of goodbye's... I felt at peace. I love these people and get such a warm feeling around them and I know, with a perfect knowledge, that I will never forget them. As long as I can still recall their face in my mind, I know that everything will be alright. One of my favorite goodbyes was saying goodbye to our good friend Jude. We had given him his English name and he has been so kind to us. He gives us chinese music lessons and has just been sooo sooooo soooo great to us. Anyways... Natalie figured out how to play, "Hey Jude," on the piano and we performed it for him. I can't sing to save my life but it was the thought that counts right? It was so funny as soon as we started singing he pulled out his video camera and every time we sang the part "Hey Jude" he would get close to the camera and say..."Thats for me! Thats for me!" Oh I love that man. I will never forget the many beautiful, life-changing people I have met during my time here. They have made me feel things more than I have ever felt in my whole entire life. I wish them the best of luck in the many wonderful things that are to come for them.