I'll try not to overdue it with the 'thanks' since that tends to happen a lot this week (and not quite enough the other 51). But, I was reminded during a staff devotion this week to remember to be thankful for my salvation, without which all of the other blessings in my life lose their meaning. And I also just want to say 'thanks' to you. If you are reading this it is likely because you love us and to most of you we rarely get an opportunity to let you know that we love you too and are ever grateful for your love, care and prayers.
It has been another very busy month (and a half). Josiah has been balded (oops!) Ava is filling up her sticker chart for using the potty! I wrapped up my first coaching experience and spent a week in Xiamen, China. Carol has been busy learning how to make a few of the delicious things that we cannot find here (bagels for one), and is really starting to build relationships with some ladies. And I think we ate chicken feet today. It's difficult to know what you're ordering based on small pictures...
I'll start with a short update on the kids. Josiah turned 4 a few weeks ago. We got fake mustaches to share with his classmates.
If you didn't already see it on Facebook, the guard fell off of the clippers as I was giving Josiah a haircut. He took it in stride so I'm not going to feel too bad. He is still loving school. We had our first parent-teacher conference as parents. It went well, but strange to be on the other side of the table.
Ava is talking a lot more now, and I think we officially started her potty training this week. Her hair is now long enough to braid. Ava really likes to pray now. She usually starts off thanking God for cherry pie and kim pap (which she picked up from Josiah) and then lists everything on the table. Sometimes her prayers devolve into a conversation about what something on the table is, but regardless we are happy that she is always eager.
Carol is doing very well and since she knows how to type I'll let her post her own blog.
Xiamen is still fresh in my mind so I'll share that experience. First, a little background: every year the middle school does a 'week without walls.' It's an entire week devoted to getting out of the classroom. We offer about a dozen choices and the options are all pretty incredible. Serve at an orphanage in Cambodia, learn how to design apps, run a restaurant, build a BMX bike and learn to ride on an international course, 'etc.' seems inappropriate, but the list is too long. Some trips are focused on service, part of our school's motto, and students are required to do at least one service week during middle school.
My trip to Xiamen was a service trip designed to let kids experience teaching by supporting kindergartens. Two other teachers and I took 18 kids and had an amazing time. I'm already getting long-winded so I'll just share a few details and some pictures.
To travel there and back we took an overnight sleeper bus. A bus with bunk beds! Sounds like something a 10 year old would think of. I'm certain this is not legal in the US.
We worked with Jacob Tree Organization which was started by a a former principal from ICS. He had a vision to start Christian kindergartens in China and left ICS a few years ago to see God make it a reality. The demand for English is very high and they have grown much faster than even they imagined. We visited a number of schools operated by Jacob Tree or where Jacob Tree teachers are working part time teaching English.
We didn't spend all of our time teaching though. We also scheduled in lots of eating out and some shopping and activities.
All in all it was a very successful trip. The kids had a great experience and will hopefully be changed by it. I had a great time as well, and as the carrier of the first-aid kit I was very happy to never have to take it out!
That will do for now. Hopefully we can pick up the frequency and shorten the length of these posts!
Lots of love from all of us in Hong Kong!
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