A Teacher's Retreat

Thursday and Friday we were bussed to a place just outside of Yanji (2 hr. bus ride) for a retreat for teacher's and their family. Actually it was information on team building, school schedule, and school guidelines. Hannah, Jack, and I, took this journey (by faith), while Michele, Lia, and Rae stayed back.
It was quite fun trying to listen to translations and keep Jack entertained. He was a trooper. Except at meal times (he doesn't like new foods and he is vocal about it!) Hannah found a friend and that helped with the boredom. (most of the kids were 4 and under). We spent many times out in the cold playing on the exercise equipment.

We sat on the floor for teachings and meals, totaling 23 out of 24 hours on the floor. (once again 1" cushions were available...I think it is a trick to make you feel like your comfortable) I think I am developing callouses on my rear!

I was asked to lead some songs a few times and yet they had to be easy English songs with no words about DAD...(that's a challenge). We ended up playing nursery songs! (seriously) To lead adults in "Old MacDonald had a farm", and "If your happy and you know it", or how about "Row, Row, Row your boat" (in rounds of course) was quite humbling. God continues to break me. In fact the second time I led in songs I noticed an hour later my zipper was down! (oops! Once again humbling!)

The floors were heated, but some parts were extremely hot. Much like sitting on the sidewalk in Phoenix during the middle of summer without shorts! Ouch!! In fact, as we laid down on a blanket to sleep it was so hot I thought I was going to get burned. Jack and I moved to a cooler place because I thought he would roll over and get burned. Good thing. One guy's keys were in his jacket pocket and the remote entry to His car melted! That's hot!

We slept in a room of about 5 guys. People came in late at night and turned on the lights to get stuff. Kind of like a late night wake up call! People got up around 5:00 a.m. to get going on their day...sitting in meetings. (got to get the best seat on the floor)

Rice is becoming by arch enemy. Little white grains plague me at every meal. One day I may even stand up and tell rice a thing or two about itself.

Anyway, we finally made it back home...exhausted, overloaded with information, and lacking sleep. That's why it is called a "retreat" right. You get away exhausted and come back exhausted. At least you have the memories, right?

I've "hit the wall" as they say. I just hope I've run hard enough to run through it. My DAD knows what He is doing though.

WORDS FROM DOVE

We have found dove chocolates to be a small joy in our world. A whole bag only costs $1. But as we open this delacacy we have found much encouragement not just from the chocolates, but from the wrappers. Here are some of the words we have gotten from the "DOVE":
"Think without limits"
"Be a role model for someone"
(my favorite) "Forget the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey instead!"
Potholes are everywhere in this place...I know I've hit a few.

So as we eat our chocolates and dream about the finner things in the U.S.A., we are encouraged in many ways about being here. HE finds a way to reach us and bring joy to our hearts for the day.

Let it snow!!

Well, we arrived in China safely and are learning to adapt and survive "China-style". I'm not sure how cold it is but there is ice everywhere. You feel it when you step outside. The homes are nice and toasty though.
Yesterday we had a few inches fall. Hannah and Jack were the first ones out to make snow angels and have snowball fights. As we played we heard many people shoveling the ice off the roads so that cars could travel safely. I thought, "What a great way to show others you care for them." Many hands make a light load. That morning Hannah and I took up a shovel and joined in the ice capades clearing the roads. Nothing like getting your hands dirty (or wet in this case!)
All in all it was a great experience. People stare at us because we look so different... and maybe there is something else.

READY...SET...GO! (And a possum challenge)

WOW! I can't believe we are almost to "lift off" time! We have spent months preparing and yet in the past month it has been utter chaos getting the last minute details done. The furniture, a car, and the house is all sold (or in the process)! Passports are set, visas are done, yardsales are done (thank God for that), and we are excited to go.

Packing has been a huge trial. How do you take 13 years of marriage, 3 kids, and a house full of memories and stuff and cram it all into 2 pieces of luggage, at 50 pounds a piece? Think it is easy? Here is an equivalent test for you. Buy one large, very disturbed, and slightly foaming at the mouth possum and try shoving it into a lunchbox! You may get scratched and cut a bit as you go, maybe lose a finger or two, and maybe end up in the hospital with rabies, but at least you could say you did it! (Not to mention you would make the "stupidest people in the world" list for late night TV.)

Anyways, it all works out in the end. You realize that space bags are a gift from God, parents' homes are wonderful storehouses (thanks a million moms and dads), and that possum loves his new home!

Write you next time from the other side of the sea. China is 16 hours ahead of Arizona. (I could tell you what tomorrow is like!)