Lessons from the Porta-Potty

I am preparing to spend a month in China with Miss Language. I have never prepared for a big trip, (except, of course, the Ultimate Journey). 

I expected to have to buy a backpack, get a passport and visa, check on immunizations, make many lists, and get some lighter travel-friendly clothes and a new journal. Maybe even pick up a few phrases in Mandarin. But I did not expect a change in the way I feel about using porta-potties. 

One of the things Miss Language has told me to prepare myself for is Asian toilets. These are not raised seats, just a hole over which you strategically squat. Paper is not provided, and when you use the paper you hopefully remembered to bring - you don't flush but put it in a trash can. And there is sometimes a dipper and bucket provided for flushing. Very not me. 

And so, when I entered the porta-potty the other night at Mr Music's baseball game, and was met by The Well Known Odor and saw a lack of tissue, I was surprised to find myself thinking, not "I'm out of here", but "Oh, good, a chance to practice."

Which makes me wonder, of course, about the more spiritual applications of preparing for a Journey and seeing life in that light. As is so often the case, C S Lewis has something to point the way, from God in the Dock: 

If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad.

If I am willing to prepare for squatty potties, how much better to prepare for glory? What Well Known Odors and lacks should I be glad to welcome as needed practice?

~ ~ ~ 

II Corinthians 4:17 ~ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Packing List

now it is time to start thinking about what clothes to pack for a month traveling in China living out of a backpack.

I feel like I may be too old for that.

I think research is killing me, trying to maximize everything I take and guess exactly what I will want or need.

I might even like to look cute.

I read to wear neutrals in China so you don't stand out. I read to wear bright colors because that is what the Chinese like. I read that dress there is casual and anything goes. I read that the Chinese people like to see a bit of fashion and that you are Making An Effort. I google "travel wardrobes" and see outfits that are put together. I do not wear outfits. I wear plain old clothes. I am a homeschool mom, just one step away from denim jumpers.

I don't want to carry anything heavy around. Or hard to wash and air dry. 

I want stuff with very secure pockets. Concealed. And comfortable.

Did I mention I might want to look cute?

I hate buying new clothes. I always think of Thoreau, "I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes." Was he thinking like a woman preparing to go halfway around the world? hmmm?

I have a feeling no matter what I do, the people of China may notice I am not a native. And the bag may get heavy.

*whine over* off to try on things in my closet and obsess some more. 

Time to Talk About Time

Time has always been a kind of fuzzy concept for me that if I start thinking about too much everything around me starts to go splotchy and I start to hear humming in my head and wonder if the universe really exists or is all inside my skull.

And now I am finding, with Miss Language on the other side of the world, that time is even fuzzier. By the clock, she is teaching a class right now in China - where it is 9 something in the morning while it is 9 something at night here. That makes no sense to me. How can that be? It is easier in my head for me to just think she will be teaching a class at 9 something in the morning, or that she did teach that class this morning... and yes, I know some of you live in one of these parallel dimensions where night and day are reversed somehow and I am not sure what day it is anywhere. But that is OK.

Here and There

Sometimes life is all over the place. For me, today, it ties together in the Romans 12 passage: ⁹  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved,never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Basically, it seems to me, marching orders for the Christian in every day life. And a relentless, long, joyful march it is.


So. First. We started the day by delivering Miss Language to the airport for the first of her four flights that will land her in Beijing for her year teaching English there. This is a mix of verse 15 (rejoicing and weeping).


And then I spent time working on organizing my thoughts to participate in a fundraiser for a Dear Friend who has been battling much illness, including leukemia. I want to be able to contribute to the needs of others and to be able to show a bit of Christ's love in the process. I have a button on the side to my fundraising page, or you can click here if you want to help. The observant reader will notice I am wearing the lovely scarf sent to me by Comfy Denim in the wonderful care package she sent me, all about Project Wear Yellow, or HOPE! It seems appropriate for an anti-cancer program.  :)

*Zing* Dinner's Ready!!

Mr Music has always been one of those manly men who can take anything. Except hypodermic needles or an insect landing on his food.


And Miss Language is recently returned from China, and soon to go back, with of course, some stories about eating things for which I have no idea of the calorie count.


And Devastatingly Handsome hung one of those Blue Light Special Bug Zappers on our porch.


Imagine my surprise when Mr Music asked at dinner, "Would it be safe to eat those bugs from the light? I mean, they are practically prepared already."


So. Any biologists out there who can answer? Do bug lights kill not just the bugs, but also any sort of nasty germs they may be carrying? I am envisioning a science fair project in this one. Just so I am not called on to taste test anything.