Saved for a rainy day

As a young and new teacher fresh out of graduate school, I'm constantly second guessing my teaching style and methods.
Questions haunt me:  Do they understand a word I say?  Do they really need a native English speaker as a teacher?  Am I doing more harm than good?
But one day I came across an encouraging note as I was reading my junior writing students' journals.

To Chip

Hi, Chip. My first journal is a letter to you.

Actually, I have a lot of words to tell you. Don't be nervous, I am not felling in love with you.

At first, I didn't like you. You are my first male foreign teacher and you looked a little nervous and unnatural at your first lesson. :)

But gradually, I love your lessons. I am not a good student. When I don't like some teachers' lessons, I just run away. But I stay in your every lesson and find them interesting.

Gradually again, I find you are a very responsible person. You are strict with us and are serious on our homework. These made me moved. I believe that you are a good teacher.

Maybe you don't notice me, but I danced in a party of our college while you were sitting in the first row; I went to watch the competition of film dub and I found you were the judge; I went to Steven's apartment for speech training and you came upstairs with a big bag. (SIDE NOTE: I had a 10 kilo bag of whole wheat flour for Mallary.)

I have a lot of chances to know you. But I am a lazy girl and I have to say “hello” to you in my journal and want to be your friend as well.

I share this note with you not to make me look good because I know I have a lot to learn in the field of teaching; but rather, I want to let you know that living in China is worth it.  Is it hard living away from family and friends? Yes.  Do I get tired of eating "real" Chinese food everyday? Yes.  Does it exhaust me to live in a culture that throws logic out the window? Yes.  Do I get frustrated teaching in a rote memorization exam-based educational system.  Yes. But despite all of the "inconveniences," teaching in Qufu is ultimately very rewarding.