Final Examinations‏

Dear Ones,
I have had a very special week, giving final examinations!
I teach Oral English and therefore, the finals involved the students talking. I must say that I was VERY impressed with them........ They had some very touching, heartfelt things to say. They were given a list to 10 different subjects and they had to draw a card to determine which subject their group would discuss. It seemed that the subjects they mostly chose were: 1. Talk about your mother and father or 2. Tell about the first day you came to the University or 3. Talk about the person who has influenced you the most and why.
When they talk about their parents, it is with much emotion. Some of the parents did not have time for their children when the children were young and grandparents had a big part in their rearing. Some parents who are Doctors were never home, but the children are taught that those parents were doing their duty to the "Party". Some parents are cruel but still have their childrens love and respect! Some of the students really worry about their parents who smoke or who work too hard. The students whose parents are farmers are so concerned about the hard work their parents do for them. These students want to be famous Doctors so their parents will never have to work again. I was very touched with the comments I heard. They ALL wish they had a brother or a sister. They all commented on the fact that they were always so lonesome as a small child and wish they had someone to share thoughts and fun with.
The comments about the first day at the University were interesting to me. Many of them came to the University all alone. Some traveled up to 24 hours on a bus or train. One boy boarded the bus and paid the fare, only to be told by the bus driver, to get off the bus because he had too much luggage! And, to add insult to injury, the bus driver kept the fare. This same boy was on the next bus for 14 hours and arrived in Qingdao at 11:00 p.m. and had to stay in a hotel because the dorms were locked for the night.... Every one of the students that told about their first day at the University, told about leaving their Mother. They told about looking at their Mothers face as they left her. It was very emotional. An interesting thing was, they did not want their Mother to see the tears in their eyes!
Many Fathers brought their children and left the Mother at home. One student told me that she was excited to go home to help her Mother sell the produce from their crops. They are so proud of their parents and speak so lovingly of them. One boy said that his Father had very dark skin, from working outside in the fields. One boy just about broke my heart when he said that his Father does not like him, but he is still a good Father. He said that his Mother loves him very much and thinks that he will be a good Doctor.
It was very interesting to hear about the people who had influenced each of them. Many chose parents, friends and one of them even chose me. Not to boast, but my "Dart" told me that he would never forget me. He told me that I had made him think positive about himself and that really was a touching moment for me. As he finished talking, the girl standing next to him had tears in her eyes, as did I. I must say that it was a very humbling experience for me.
This Christmas was a most unusual one for us. We both taught on Christmas day and it didn't seem much like the Christmas' we are used to celebrating. We spent the late afternoon with other BYU teachers and had a big turkey dinner and sang Christmas carols. But, we missed our dear family and all the traditional things that make Christmas for us. But Christmas is really what is in your heart. That spirit of giving and of loving is what it is really all about.
I cannot tell you how much it meant to us, knowing all of you would be together on Christmas. It is our prayer that this will be a Christmas you will always remember and cherish as one of the best ones for you and your family. We know we will never forget our Christmas in China.
We love you all so very much and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We want only the best that life has to offer for you and your families. Please know how much we miss you. You have all been in our thoughts these last few weeks. You all know the true meaning of Christmas and how to celebrate the occasion. It is our prayer that you will always think of others at this time of year and we know that you do. Thank you for representing us and doing as we would want you to do in our absence. We love you all so very much.
Merry Christmas...
Mom and Dad