china 2012

all taken with a Panasonic DMC-FH27

Sometimes, the things that impact us the most are the things we can't explain. I have heard so many friends say something to this effect, but I never really understood it until I stood in a room full of Chinese kids who didn't speak English and realized that I was powerless to talk to them. Things like teaching and loving others can't stop when a language barrier is in the way, and I had to learn that, sometimes painfully. My only regret is that it took a trip halfway across the world for two weeks to teach me that. It was so hard to come home, but what is a lesson learned if you can't apply it to normal life?

I can't wait to go back. What can I say? I'm a wanderer.

xx

13 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Abi! We've missed you here. I had no idea you were headed off to China! Such wonderful photos, memories, and lessons you've brought back, though. Personally, I can't wait to travel to China myself.

    PS. How far did you go on the Great Wall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks lovely! I went about half a mile on the Great Wall. :)

      Delete
  2. Love the first sentence of your post, Abi. And the pictures are simply wonderful!

    Welcome back! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. WELCOME HOME! ha, i've missed you tons ;) beautiful shots. we needs to chat sometime soon. :D xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful photos. The kids are so adorable. And what you said was so true and eye-opening. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Welcome back! sounds like a pretty incredible experience!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh wow. This looks amazing! I want to go to China so badly, and this only made me want it more!:) Gorgeous photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You came to China!!!? Isn't it an amazing place? I can't wait to hear more about your time Abi!

    xx, Annie

    ReplyDelete
  8. love the forth to the last!! she's so cute!! you're making me want to go to China now. :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. lovely, lovely, lovely, as you are. I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. I've missed you so.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been on mission trips and I can say the same thing. It's hard when there's the language barrier, but you learn that there are some thing (like love) that no barriers can stop. I think that the application to normal life is that we all have difference and barriers that make us feel like we can't love each other or understand each other, but the truth is that those things don't have to stop us from reaching out and loving those around us.

    ...sorry this is so long.

    -Carli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, don't be sorry! I thought this was fantastic. It is so true. Thanks for putting my thoughts into words. :)

      Delete
  11. wow. wow wow wow. this is beautiful. what an amazing experience.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete