Here We Go Again

Inspiration

2011-02-02T02:02:00.000-08:00

I have been given a treat by my family to use some Christmas money to do an online art class. I am super duper excited about this one.

Just started the first week and can hardly wait to dust of the paint brushes that have not gotten a lot of use since our move to Hong Kong to be honest. The great thing about this course is that the lessons are posted on a blog and you can look and follow on your own time. Because the classes are not 'live', the time change doesn't matter. yipee

If I am really brave maybe I will even post some pics of my work...............maybe

boxes of time

2011-01-30T22:30:00.000-08:00

As I walked into the village to get groceries this morning, I was thinking of this blog, I was thinking of Facebook. I thought of how often I sit to blog something and end up being on FB.

I was talking to my hubby the other day about how I have come to completely ignore most chinese characters on packages and things. Brad has characters he can recognize because he pays attention. I explained that there is a process that goes on in my brain constantly. Information is offered to me and somewhere inside of me I decide whether it is needed or not. If it is deemed 'un-needed' is thrown out never to be remembered again. Now being the person I am, it seems funny to some that I can remember small personal details of people's lives that I have heard once, but not recognize a character that I look at every single day. But alas, that is who I am.

So what does this have to do with blogging and FB you may ask. Well, I have a certain amount of energy or brainspace saved for things like 'socialnetworking'. I have allowed the FB world to gobble up that allotment. This was part of the reason I resisted Fb for so long. I do realize that on days that I feel a bit lonely on this little island, FB gives me a false sense of connectedness (not fully false as there are many people I am able to stay in touch with thru, but you know what I am saying). Thus I use up the certain allotted energy. Not sure what I am going to do about it, but there it is.

Yes I am also FULLY aware at just how cliche this post is. I have read so many of them. I hate being cliche but there it is.

Complete and total side note. Wanted to share just how global our lives have become here. Last homeschool meet up my dd was playing with a two girls. One from Singapore, and one from the UK. The game they were playing...........Mongolian Migrants! Love love love it!!!!!! Today the kids are playing with a family from S. Africa currently living in China, and another family from here on the island who are bilingual in Cantonese and French. Things that make me smile.

4 hours

2010-12-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

Today was Musical Performance Day at the school. The kids and I had decided to go with Brad even before we knew. I was excited to find out the performances were today because I had seen the students working on their songs and skits for a while now.
We got to the school around 9:45 and hung around till it started at 11. The first few songs were solo's and duets. Beautiful worship songs by some very talented students. My heart especially burst as one girl sang of her love for the Father. We have had many conversations talking about whether the Creator is indeed real and in love with her or not. Recently she has proclaimed her love for Him in return, and today as she sang her heart out to him, I felt my heart burst with joy for her.
After these songs it went on to bigger group singing, then onto skits.
Please remember this was all in Cantonese, with a few songs sung in English.
By about 12:30 my kids were telling me of their hunger pains. It is common to not have lunch at a common time at the school so I told them to hang on. They did so good listening and even still able to enjoy the show. By about 2:oo they were pretty much slumped over in their chairs as far as a kid could sit without falling right off. Poor kids. At 2:3o I said they could go out and play. At 3:00 we had a bun.
As we stepped off the sampan from the school, we made a deadline for McD's to put some food into our stomachs. WRONG THING TO DO! Now we felt still hungery but sick.
When will I learn. It doesn't really matter how cheap and fast and maybe even a little teeny tiny bit tasty McD's is, it is disgusting and we always feel sick after eating it. Dumb mummy!

Anyways, it was an interesting day. A good day. I never thought I would be able to sit for 4hrs of something that I understood almost nothing of. But I did, and I enjoyed it. It was fabulous to see the students being creative, talented, and acting like typical crazy teenagers. Reminded me of some crazy skits me and my friends put on in at RJC. We thought it was hilarious, and everyone else just laughed because we were laughing so hard. Well, some people laughed. Anyways, before I digress.....

It was a good day. And today I realized again, I love those students! They have captured my heart. I am glad we are here!

From one qwailo to another

2010-11-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

Qwailo - pronounced [kʷɐ̌i lǒu]; sometimes also spelled Gweilo) is a very common Cantonese slang term for foreigners, and has a long history of racially deprecatory use.^[1] Nowadays, Gwailo is simply a Cantonese word used to refer to Caucasians.

As I stepped outside a few days ago to check on the weather, two caucasian women were walking by. One looked at me and with a big smile said hello. Thinking that perhaps she was someone I had previously met I stepped out to return the greeting. Walking to my gate, I quickly realized I did not know this women. But often people come hiking on the island are needing a little help with directions so I stepped out to chat.

Immediately she looked at me and asked "Do you actually LIVE here???". With pride I replied that in fact we did live here. The look of shock on her face was almost enough to get me laughing out loud. Her next question was if I actually LIKED it here? Again, with much pride I replied that infact we loved living on our little island. Her look of shock now had me laughing out loud. Incredulously, she took at step closer to look at me and get a better glance at my house. As she peered quizzically at my clothes drying in the sun, she asked "Do you actually go to....CENTRAL" as if it was a foreign destination that most people would know about, but I most likely would not.
note - Central is what the main area of Hong Kong Island is called. This is where our ferries to and from Hong Kong connect. It is a business and banking and shopping hub of Hong Kong. I can not get to or from Hong Kong without going through Central.
I assured her that yes we do go to central, and I informed her that that we go in at least once/twice a week. I reminded her of the ferry that she had to take to get here, and that it is only a 35min fast ferry ride. She obviously had no issues inquiring further into my life, although her friend looked as if she wished she could melt into the sidewalk at this point. As she heard my kids in the house, she asked what school they could possibly be going to. When I informed her that we homeschooled, she was rather horrified and wondered out loud how my children could have any friends at all then!!! ( funny locals in Hong Kong only wonder how my children could possible be getting ANY form of education from home, and foreigners first thing is wondering if my children are being socialized)

I must say, this is up there as one of the funniest conversations I have ever had. I couldn't stop laughing all the way through. Maybe it is the side of me that still enjoys shocking people once in a while, I don't know. I wasn't offended, rather it was the best laugh I have had in a while.

Then today, a chinese/canadian friend of mine remarked that she thought I was chinese as she was approaching me down the path, again hanging my clothes to dry outside on our railing. As I laughed rather heartily at this, she assured me it was a compliment and that from my mannerisms I must have assimilated to island life quite well.

I will definitely take that as a compliment!!!!

Been a long time, Been a long time, Been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely time.....

2010-10-04T03:45:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it has not been all that lonely at all, but as soon as I thought of starting this post that song started to play in my head.
I come by it honestly, this habit I have of having a song for everything. My mom ALWAYS had a song for everything. I mean, every moment, every situation, every event, every frustrating moment, and every funny moment, she was SURE to have a song to sing about it. As kids we loved it, as teens we pretended to be embarrassed and hate it, now it is one of our favorite memories of her.

Anyways, it may not have been lonely, but it certainly has been a long time.

The reality is, I just didn't feel like posting. I realize this is bad for business, or viewership. But that is my honest moment. I just had no desire to be here telling you about me.

Then a few days ago, I suddenly thought, hey, I should post something again. That could be fun.
So, here I am.

Summer is slowly fading. It is actually a truly wonderful time in Hong Kong right now. Should you ever decide to visit this part of this world, this is the perfect time to come. The humidity is down just slightly, the days are still warm, but the evenings are beginning to cool off. I am loving it. We are pulling out our winter wear and hanging it outside in the sunlight to get rid of that 'slightly moldy' smell.

We are also preparing for a visit to Canada in just over a weeks time. We are excited about this. We are talking through the myriad of emotions we are sure to go through. All the glorious hello's, and all the tearful good-byes. So important and good, but hard.

Anyways, I think I will stop there for now.

It feels good to be back.

Summer days are upon us

2010-06-07T06:03:00.001-07:00

Summer days are here. Although, blessedly enough it is 'unusually cool' here. So the days have been a beautiful 28, very low humidity, sunny days. Well, we did have rain last week, but it was lovely. Walking to the village under my umbrella reminded me of summer camp and sleeping in a tent on raining nights.

Our schedule for now is learning, lunch, chores, unfinished work, then off to the beach until supper time. Wonderful and lovely. Perfect really.
We decided when the temps and humidity soar, we will adjust our schedule.
Then we will go the eat early breaky, swim, learn, eat lunch, learn, wait for temps to drop, then go back to the beach for the evening. Eating many fruits smoothies and salads. I have found the most delicious chicken salad ever, and we are all hooked!

Today while we were swimming we were suddenly chased from the waters as 10-15 jelly fish of varying sizes creeping up. It was amazing to see them so close up. They were perfectly clear, like many big bowls of clear jelly. In some we could even see the fish inside waiting to be consumed! They allowed themselves to be brought to the beach to the waves, then sailed off on the next current. Mesmerizing.

Nefeshya and Sammy have been swimming as far out as their emotions will let them (it gets deep very quickly), and Ethan is learning to close his mouth when he swims so it doesn't taste like he just swallowed a box of salt! These are amazing days that I am so thank-ful for.
There have been days of late that I have struggled with how to be a homeschooling mom while 'on the field'. How to balance my time and effort. There are so many opportunities to get involved in. Opportunities that are some of my hearts greatest desires. But then, being a homeschooling mom is also one my greatest hearts desire, so I choose to place that first, and ask for wisdom for all opportunities that pass my way right now.
Tonight as I kissed Feshya good-night she said ' Mom - you are the best teacher in the world'. Ahhhh, that was some sweet ointment on my soul. Thank-you daughter.

The perfect day

2010-05-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

It was sunday, and the plans were only half made. Perfect. Made enough that we knew something would happen, but not every detail was planned. I love those kind of days. They stretch me just a little, but not too much that I can't enjoy the ride.

We walked up the hill for fellowship with friends that are no longer my 'new friends' but just my friends. The fellowship was so sweet. Truly, is there anything better than the enjoy Divine love with others that you love? We prayed for my friends who are returning to the UK. Tears were shed. I have told Dad I am actually not very happy with him for bringing them into my life and then taking them away so quickly again. But my life is incredibly enriched for the moments I have been able to share with them.

The plan was that the wonderful guy to the left was going to take the kids to the beach, and pull in the fishing nets that they had left in overnight to see what they had caught, and us mom's were going to prepare a meal of fish and chips ready to cook and eat on the beach that evening.
They brought us a live catch of small fish, prawns, and crabs to cook. There were a few squeals as we put them into the pot and one tried to jump out. (okay it didn't actually try jumping out, but it did fall to the side and we had to put it back in).

The evening was perfect. Warm enough to enjoy the ocean breeze that cleared the air so we could actually see the lights of Hong Kong. (pollution clouds this view more often than not unfortunately)

The children swam, kayaked, played hide and seek in the dark.
The adults chatted, laughed, went for walks in the moonlight.
I even had my new sundress on. I mean really, it was divine.

These are the moments I live for. The moments that nurture and feed my soul.

I am a blessed women.

I will take this weekend, wrap it up, tenderly kiss it, and tuck it away in my treasure box of moments.

For the one

2010-05-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

We had a delightful day today at the school. A friend from Canada has been here visiting for the last few weeks and we have been waiting for a day to bring her to the school to visit and see it all. It is such a gift to be able to share our lives with someone from 'home'. Today was the day! Sunday's are a great day to go because there are no classes, so Brad was able to hang out with us. In the morning there is a service. The students lead this and do worship, then one of the staff share. Usually we spend the day with the brothers because that is where Brad is, how ever today we spent the afternoon with the sisters. (The brothers and sisters are together for classes and assemblies, but separate other than that). We had a delicious lunch (also prepared by the students) and then were able to hang out at the girls dormitory.
I have really connected with one girl in particular. Oh how I love her sweet face! What an amazing honor it is to be invited to be in someones life. To have someone want to share their secrets, happiness, and sadness with you. I felt honored. She has asked me to help her find the path to the Creator. (and oh how he is showing her!!) She is not even sure she believes there is a creator, but is wanting to explore the possibility. All I could think of was 'how fun is this, here I am, a small town prairie girl, helping this beautiful chinese girl find her path of wholeness and destiny'. Really, who would have ever thought.

I have been thinking of the line 'for the one' lately. Am I willing to lay down my life 'for the one'. Perhaps Father would bring me across the world for one, maybe two, maybe a hundred. I don't know. I have hopes and dreams, many of them spirit breathed I believe, but I have not lived that all out yet. But until those things do or do not come to fruition, will I be not only be satisfied with what I might think is small things, but see those as important as He does. How many people did He send in my path, planting seeds, watering seeds, helping me pull weeds, helping me along my journey. There was so many that he brought, too many to count really, and I see him bringing them around me still.

Today, I had a 'for the one' moment. And I tell you, if that is all I do in my time here, it was worth every small sacrifice I had to lay down to get here. Amen.

broken arms in Hong Kong

2010-05-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sammy and his broken arm. About 7weeks ago we were visiting some friends, and the kids were outside playing on the playground equipment. Suddenly one of the kids come running saying Sammy has fallen and is really really hurt. When I rushed over, he was laying face down at the bottom of a slide. The first thought that went thru was had he broke his neck as he wasn't moving at all. Slowly body part by body part, we narrowed down the pain factor to his wrist. We got him inside, put some ice on it and tried to determine what we should do. He was settling down well, but we decided to take him in just to get it checked out. I was very thank-ful that the friend we were visiting has a vehicle and could drive us to the hospital. (it feels like a novelty to us know to driven somewhere) I was also very thank-ful to have her there to walk us through our first hospital visit. We got in quickly, and it was determined that he had a fracture on his arm bone (where it connects to the thumb bone at the wrist). We quickly got the finger to armpit plaster cast put on, and got back in time to watch American Idol at her house. ;). She was so kind to drive us to the ferry pier so we didn't have to do the MTR.
So every two weeks since that time we have had to travel to that same hospital to get his arm x-rayed and examined by the orthopedic dr. Travel time to the hospital is about 2 hours from door step to door step. Not really so bad, but tiring after a while. So after the first two visits he was down to a lighter cast that was from finger tips to elbow, and now he has a brace on for the last 4 weeks.
We had to go to the same hospital because our small local hospital does not have an orthopedic Dr. on site, and it was easier to go back there than transfer to a different hospital that might be slightly closer.
As Hong Kong resident we are able to access the local health care system like local residents. The initial visit to the hospital was $100HK ($13CA) and then subsequent visits are $60hk. Not too bad really. Mostly we have had a good experience with our hospital visits. The Dr.'s all speak english, and we have even had two Dr. who studied or lived in Canada! Most staff have some degree of english as well.
Sammy has been such a trooper thu it all. It has been so hard for him living on the island and everyone else going swimming on the hot days except him. I am so proud of him, but we are all looking forward to him getting it off.
He will have to have some physical therapy when the brace comes off, but thank goodness our little local hospital has a fabulous occupational therapy clinic we can go to. 5 minute walk rather than 2hr ferry/mtr trip. And the Koop children sang out 'Hallelujah!!!!!!'

Empty

2010-04-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight as I tucked 2 of my little people into bed, we did what I like to call 'heart checks' - I ask them how their heart is doing. They both answered 50-50, 50% happy and 50%sad, each for different reasons. Then Ethan said to me "But mom it is okay that it is only 50-50 because I trust you". Oh Lord, be-still my heart. What a thing to be told by that precious little soul looking up at me with his big green eyes. What a precious weight to be entrusted with.

But then I thought, can I say that to my heavenly father. Do I have the honesty to tell him how my heart is really doing, but then trust him fully no matter what? Do I really? I am not sure. I know I want to, but I am not sure I do.

That is a hard thing to look at honestly and not turn away in shame.

If I allow myself to stand naked before him. Not for a split second, and then run for cover. But to stand - exposed.

I have been talking to my daughter about the joys of being 'known' lately. About how wonderful it can be for someone like your husband, friend, parent to 'know' your quirks and realize they still fully love you. How if you allow yourself to get past the feeling of being exposed and needing to defend yourself, there is a wonderful place of love and acceptance there.

That is what I am longing to know tonight from Abba father. To stand naked before him and relish in the knowledge that here, completely exposed before him, I am loved. Even adored. And remain there until it is more than just a thought or even a realization. But stand there until I can close my eyes, stand with my shoulders relaxed, hand unclenched, and breathe in that deep breath of life and love in his peace that fills my every fibre.

Lord Jesus, help tonight I pray!

I gave up

2010-04-01T04:19:00.001-07:00

I had great intentions this week about getting our schedule going for homeschooling, and just life in general. Great intentions, that was what I had. It turned out to be one of those days. We did do some school, not a lot, but enough.
Last night hubby delivered the rest of the our furniture so we actually had a table to work on. It felt rather revolutionary actually.
This afternoon a volunteer work crew came to help clean up the yard. Now when I say 'work crew' you most likely have a mental picture of kids in jeans, t-shirts, and old runners! Well.......lets just say that would be an incorrect image. These kids were dressed to go shopping and impress every person they passed. High heels and all. And the mobile's never left their hands. Literally. Work gloves were handed out, and you would have thought they were handing out worms to be digested. It was very humorous actually. They did manage to pick up a few buckets of rubbish. The girls were very interested in us qweilo's (foriegners with white skin) who live in this big house, and I found a few of them peering into our windows hoping to sight Feshya.

Anyways, It was another adventure here on our island.

I will post pics as soon as I can.

Happy Easter everyone. May you always be Cross-Eyed!

Today

2010-03-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

the boys cleaning up the yard (that are is now a wonderful patio area)

Our last walk from the old house to the new

Feshya in her new room

Hello my few followers. It has been a long time. So much happening. So many pages I could fill with all the goings on. Could. But, today it today, and so we will go from here, kinda,

We are in!!! Finally, and as of tomorrow, completely. The last of our furniture will be hauled up the hill on trolley's tomorrow by the brothers. I made them some chocolate cookies. Hopefully that will soften their hearts towards me after doing yet another heavy haul. I really am so thank-ful for their help. I realize they don't really have a choice, but they mostly do it with smiles, and we certainly could not have done this with out them! It is a very interesting adventure to move without vehicles!
We have been in for just over a week now. I laughed the first couple of days as we all kept ending up in our bed hanging out together. It took some time for us to get adjusted to having space to 'stretch out' in. But, now, man oh man, does it feel good. And I mean really really good. I am overwhelmed with how blessed we are to be in this house. I will post pics soon.

Our very first weekend our home was filled with friends. Bethany House is a five minute walk from our house. Some friends from Hong Kong were staying there for the weekend. It was her birthday, so everyone came over for a little party. We had a potluck lunch, worship/prayer, and the beginnings of community together. Beautiful. I cried actually. To have my new home filled with laughter, love, spirit on the very first weekend was truly more than I could have hoped for!

Thanks Dad for the gifts you give!

I'm sorry

2010-03-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

The last item we needed to be able to move into our house was a bed. Of course there are about 5 million places in Hong Kong to buy a bed, but being able to afford the bed was the issue. So we searched and searched the local classifieds for expats. There is always a tonne of stuff for sale on there because of all the people who come here to work for a few years, but then sell things off for cheap when they leave. But, we were having a really hard time finding an appropriate bed for us.
Then, we found one. We were excited. It was only a mattress, but that was fine, we would figure out the frame with time. So we set it all up, Brad left this morning to help p/u the bed.

Then he calls. They found a bed in the school storage for us instead.

That is great!

really, a good thing.

But that meant I had to call the lady who was literally waiting for the delivery truck to p/u the bed.

I had to call and tell her we would not be coming after all!!

I hate hate hate hate hate hate having to make calls like that. I am one of those people who half entertains the idea of sending a text message instead!!! I mean, I wouldn't really, but still I thought of about it for that split second. Or two.

But I didn't. I called and apologized as whole heartedly as I possibly could.

The response was.........well, she hung up on me.

I felt horrible.
Maybe we should just buy the bed anyways, I thought. Well, that is silly. But, for a few moments that seemed so much better than having a complete stranger not like me.

Okay, so we have some people pleasing issues to work thru yet. Oh well.

the most amazing girl I know

2010-03-07T05:51:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time a child came into this world. Never before had there been one just like this and never again would there be one exactly the same. The Great Mystery of the Universe created this one special, his very own handy work.

When she was 10 her family moved across the ocean to a crazy strange new land.

She love the new adventure. She saw a beauty in many things that the rest of us would have just passed by. She brought a joy to the journey that would not have been there with out her.

But to go on this journey she had to say good-bye to many loved ones. She had to leave many comforts and familiarities behind. She had to leave everything she had ever known for the unknown.

This was hard.

Very hard.

Most days she smiles, but often under the smile is a sadness of the good-byes and left behinds.

Tonight this dear one cried in my arms. I cried.

Tonight I asked Abba Father to hold her in the deep places where I can not.

Tonight she asked Abby Daddy to heal her heart and bring her joy.

He spoke his words of hope and peace to her in a way I never could have.
He came and held her in the places she didn't know she needed holding. He showed her the truth of in our weakness he is made strong. He painted a picture of his love for her in a way only the artist of all artist could do.

Now I ask for peace and joy for her. I ask for help in trust for me. I choose to lean not on my own understanding, and to hang suspended in him.

x-games

2010-02-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

Today is warm out side. It says 28, but with the fog, um I mean cloud cover, um I mean pollution, it doens't feel quite that warm.

We were doing school. It was going okay. Not bad, but we were all having a really really difficult time focusing. It was almost lunch time.

I was struck by the need to go for a run. Sometimes the kids play at the beach while I run, so I suggested that maybe we should all get out a bit, and then we would be able to focus better this afternoon.

Well, suddenly the thought of swimming was brought up and a flurry of activity happened while swimming attire was found, I got my running gear on, and BB's chain was found so he could come down to the beach as well.

All right off we go. The kids quickly and happily set off looking for crabs and snails, BB is glad to be getting some attention, and I head off for my run (after stopping a young couple from snapping numerous pictures of the kids playing in the water).

Oh it was sweet. Everyone was happy, everyone was getting some much needed space and fresh air.

Then, suddenly, I remembered.

I had locked us out of the house.

oh man oh man oh man.

And not this is not the first time.

Okay, we got in before we can do it again. Feshya was showing great faith that we would not problems figuring it out.

Once we get home, I find that the ladder has been locked inside the flat that is being renovated below us on the ground floor. So we pondered and pondered and pondered and pondered.
There simply had to be a way to get in. We had even left two windows wide open. I just didn't know how in the world we would get in. (we are on the second floor).

We figure out that if I could lift Ethan up to crawl over to the neighbors balcony (second floor right beside us), he can crawl over the railing, inch along the railing to our open window, and then crawl in the window.
Simple right. We will just call this the class on strategic critical thinking.......yah and Physical Education for the hoisting and crawling and pulling.

So he does it, no problems. We were all a little freaked out that he would fall down once or twice. (I was standing on a chair and holding his feet the entire time).

Brad has nick named Ethan 'x-games' because he is always trying crazy things and seems to have an elastic body that is almost pliable.

So, after we are all inside, Ethan says how everyone needs to be thank-ful that he is x-games because otherwise we would have been locked out forever.

Thank x-games!!!

a thought on cultural differences

2010-02-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about culture differences (I guess that is a bit of a given lol).
And I have been thinking about moving out of our room (I guess that is a bit obvious as well hehe)

See, when we tell most people here the amount of space we live in, they really are not shocked, or surprised, or give me the sympathy I am desperately looking for. They just nod and say 'Oh yes'. And sometimes give me the look of wondering why I am complaining. Of course I smile politely, but inside I wanna shake them and try to make them understand how it is to homeschool and live in a one room where the bed is our learning quarters, sleeping quarters, eating quarters, relaxing quarters, etc etc.

But then ahhhhhh,
I must stop and think about those cultural differences.

First, homeschooling is completely and totally foreign to them. They don't even have the reference of 'that weird family down the road'. They just don't know anything about it.

So, how can they understand my frustration. They can't. And that is okay.

Yes, most people here live in very small quarters. Even with children and grandparents and a helper in one house. But, the kids are gone for school many hours a day, then they often have tutoring after hours. If they are lucky they live close to a school, but many kids spend a long time traveling to and from school (much like myself as a youngster growing up on the prairies). The evenings you are always seeing the kids running around outside, playing basketball, hanging out. If at home, you mostly see them, doing homework or maybe watching TV. Quiet sit down activities.
So, they don't spend a lot of time in the house.
So how can they understand my slippery slope of insanity of living a life of a homeschooling family here.

Please do not read this as a 'my life is better than theirs and they just don't understand'. That is not were I am going with this at all!!! Just giving you yet another glimpse into the mind of Cristal. Please come again!

a sneek peek if you want to

2010-02-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

today was a mix bag. Rainy outside. Wet inside with moisture dripping into pools at the bottom. Clean clothing run to hubby doing a 2 nighter. Picked up more groceries than I could enjoy carrying home. A dog that got loose right in front of the bakery (crisis was averted). Many coughs, sniffly runny noses, soar throats. Wet dog smell. Mosquito bites galore. Attempting to do school. Then the jack-hammering began. And it stayed. All day long. In the suite below us. Kinda gave up at that point. Tried to coast the rest of the way. Did have a successful teaching time. Did watch a movie. Did make a good super. Did have some laughs. Wiped a few tears. Many hugs. And always as many kisses as my kids will allow me to shower on them in the midst of our grumpiness.

Synopsis : Cristal and the children are becoming ever more desperate to get out of our one room and into the house!

Does he come with the shoes?

2010-02-03T05:33:00.001-08:00

Ethan was in need of some new shoes. I won't use this space to complain about the recently bought crocs that he managed to quickly wear out......oh oops, guess I just did.
Anyways,
Went to a local shoe store to try some on. The store was very neat and clean. That wasn't my deciding factor for going in, but I was impressed once we were inside. Ethan picked out the 'coolest' shoes he could see and the lady went to the back to find his size. Barefoot he tried them on, took the necessary lap around the store to make sure they fit well.

As he sat down to take them off I did one last look around to see if any were one sale.
When I turned back to Ethan I noticed a large cockroach running across the floor. Disgusted but not surprised, I watched it crawl into some corner.

As I tell the sales lady we will take the shoes, Ethan ever so casually says to me

'Um mom, I think a cockroach just crawled out of the runner when I took them off'

Okay, what do you say to that. EWWWWWWW! That is disgusting. I would have screamed had I just watched a large ucky icky gross thing crawl out of a shoe that I just had on my foot, and barefoot non the less (Ethan did not have any socks on when he tried on the runners).

But, he was kinda okay with it, so I had to go with the flow.
"Oh yes honey, I noticed the little guy crawl into the corner. That is kinda weird hey" was my official casual sounding response tho.

But come on', that is DISGUSTING!!!! I hate those creepy crawlers.

We have had almost no cockroaches in our place, and I am fully aware of that being God's grace to me. I know there is NO WAY I could have handled my kids sleeping on the floor these 5 going on 6 months if there were cockroaches in the house. Not that they don't climb up all surfaces. I know, but the floor is still a vulnerable place.

ICK ICK ICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do Over

2010-02-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

That is what I wish I could call today.

A Do Over.

As a mom, as a homeschooling mom, I was pretty much a flop today. Some day's we don't do a lot with official homeschooling and that is okay. Today, it wasn't okay.

We had to go and get laundry and some groceries and desperately needed to clean the house. Morning gone. Okay fine, we will start after lunch. But then......well, one thing lead to another, then I needed to kick the kids out of our room to spin off some energy, then it was supper, and blah blah blah.

Now here is the 'lets keep it real' description.
I let the craziness of living in our room get to me today. I let my sadness of not having family and friends close get to me. And in letting those things get to me I mean closed into myself and justified it by saying 'I really needed some space from everyone including my kids'.
Result, the day ended with more yelling and frustration than love and kindness. Instead of hugs at the end of a day, the hugs could only come after mommy confessed my failings to my children, wiped away a few tears. As I said to them how I let me frustration and sadness rule my day and my attitudes, Sammy says "I know exactly how you feel mom", and I knew he did. Then came the hugs of reconciliation.

That is one sweet hug. And I am overwhelming thank full for it. Wish there wasn't a reason for it, but oh my goodness gracious, I am so thank full for it!

Today

2010-01-27T05:46:00.000-08:00

Funny how life is so the same, but oh so different. I wake up and have coffee and breakfast while the kids gather themselves for the day. We get ready to do school most days, the same. We eat lunch, the same. We try to keep the house clean, the same. We love cookies and fruit, the same. We learn, the kids fight, they make up, we laugh, we love, all the same.

But as I walk into town to get my groceries for the day, I hear the sound of mah jong being played from an empty window. This is a familiar sound that is never far away, and I often peer into an half opened door way to a game being played in a tiny living room and the laughter and singsong of cantonese spilling out onto the street. Not the same. We pass the temple and smell the freshly lit incense and have another discussion of why people worship a dead god with the kids. Not the same. We chase the wild dogs away from following us. Not the same. We see the many many small shrines on people's front steps with incense and fruit offerings. Not the same. We pass people who's faces have become familiar but we have no ability to say anything beyond 'jo shan' (good morning). Not the same. We pass the fisherman bringing in the fresh catch to be sold to the stalls we walk past every day. Not the same. I carry my groceries home in a red pull cart like most other people. Not the same.

Some days like today I am struck by how the 'not the same' as becoming the same. I love that.

a dog, a door, and bugs

2010-01-25T04:11:00.000-08:00

Nope, not bugs that crawl on the ground, (thank goodness!!!!) but tummy bugs, runny nose bugs, cough bugs, those ones. We have had our share. Everyone says how long it can take to get used to the new place in terms of health, and that sure is true. It seems we always have someone down with something. Sometimes not too serious, other times spending a few days in bed. On the days that we spend in bed, our little place feels even littler and that leads me to the next thing.

The door. Our door. A door for the house. The front door has been ordered. It should be delivered in about 2 weeks. Then Brad just has to build the frame for it, and we should be able to move in. Sometime before then, the cook top should be installed. I was hoping for a gas cooktop, but it looks like I will be getting a electric one. Trust me, I am completely thank-ful for what ever it is. Brad will be getting the security bars installed (not a sign of a bad neighborhood, but the normal thing), putting in the doors, I will be making an Ikea run this week to purchase window coverings, and then walla........we should be able to move in.
Yes I say 'should' because at this point I hold all deadlines for moving in VERY loosely!

And lastly, the dog. Our BB. He is sweet and kind and lovely and has us all wrapped around his little paw already. And I like thinking of us as 'a family with a dog'. Not sure why, but it just feels good. And just to let you know, we will also have another pet soon. Well, actually about 3. No, actually, about 6. You will just have to stayed tuned for more details to come.

And again, please remember to pray for our sweet little friend Sarah who is bravely battling leukemia. You can follow her story here and please if you can, donate to them as well. The costs are quickly accumulating. Even simple things like the daily cost of hospital parking, meals, toll booths, gas, let alone the cost of hospital bills all add up very very quickly, and the last thing they need during this time is to be under financial stress. Reading the blog brings tears to my eyes about how brave Sarah is and all that they face daily on this journey!

Sarah

2010-01-20T05:31:00.000-08:00

May I introduce to you Sarah.

She is a wonderful special girl that we have grown to love in our short time here in Hong Kong.

Last week she was diagnosed with B Acute Leukemia.

Literally, last week monday she had a fever and flu symptoms, this Monday she started her first intensive chemo treatment.

They were going to try and go home to the US for treatment, but the Dr.'s advised against it. So they are here for the first 5 weeks intensive treatment, then they will re-evaluate from there.

If you are the praying kind, please remember to lift up this family!

Here is the link to their blog where you can get a glimpse into this journey they are on.

My children have been greatly affected by this, and we have daily discussions on how life is for Sarah and what she is all going through. We have had many opportunities to come alongside this family, and will do all we can to help in the future.

Quote of the Day

2010-01-13T06:07:00.001-08:00

We have discovered that our dog has a bit of an obsession with bread. We new the old owners gave him bread for a treat, but......well, just read on.

As I have said there are many bakeries in town, and so it is very common to see people carrying small white or red plastic bags that are carrying fresh baking (or fish from the market....but anyways). We have learned quickly that we need to keep BB very close when we walk thru town so he isn't sniffing everyone's bags.

Yesterday as me and the kids sat at the beach having a bun, BB literally jumped and snatched a whole bun out of my hand before I even knew what was happening.

Today, I gave the kids some change to get a pineapple bun (it doesn't have pineapple in it, and doesn't even taste like pineapple....but again anyways) while I ran in to get some groceries. Suddenly Sam runs in to tell me that BB snatched Feshya's bun out of her hands.

I gave Feshya money to go and get another one, and low and behold,when she was about 3/4 thru, once again, BB snatched that freshly baked goodness right outta her hand.

This time she was not only mad, but extremely sad that this dog that she has lavished her love upon so freely would be so mean to her.

Her response just about had me rolling down the alley way.

Thru tears she says to me

"BB is the devil mom, he is the devil!!!!"

The did make their peace a few minutes later. But, I was still laughing!

Our new addition

2010-01-11T05:32:00.001-08:00

May I please introduce you to our newest family member BB.

We have never lived in a place that allowed dogs before. When we found out that we would be living in a house with a yard here in HK, we promised Feshya that she could finally get a dog. She has pined for one for so very long.
About a month ago we heard of a couple here on the island that were moving to HK and were looking for a new home for their Golden Retriever. I had hoped that we would be in the house by then, but as we all know, that hasn't exactly work out.
So yesterday was the day that we picked him up, the picture above is taken just before we took him home.
I think it is obvious to see Feshya's pure excitement. She has literally dreamed of this day for years.

Our first days have been a bit of an adventure. The plan was to leave him outside for night, and then bring him to the new house during the day to run around. The yard is completely fenced in so it is perfect.

Well, it decided to rain all day. There is no place to tie him up with shelter where we are currently. And with it rainy, we couldn't go and spend the day at the new place in the yard. Sooooo, BB ended up spending half the day inside our current one room house! A few walks to town tired him out enough that he was pretty mellow and stayed in the corner without too much coaxing.

The house is a bit smellier (you know, that lovely wet dog smell).

But I really don't think I have the words to share the sweetness of our day. I saw my little girls heart grow, and heal. BB got more love and hugs and kisses and care than he even knew what to do with.

It was good!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

2010-01-04T04:49:00.000-08:00

So cliche I know, but as I sit here in the quiet house, the kidlets are asleep, dishes are done, and jammies are on, I am listening to "over the rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. What lovely song. This is one song I can put on repeat and just melt into it. Beautifully simplistic.

But the rainbow. That is what I remembered today. The promise. The hope. Brad was at the house the other day, feeling frustrated over 'house issues'. Then he looked out and there was a rainbow. So simple. Such an easy thing to passively admire. But as he looked at the colorful display, he was reminded of the promise.

Promise.

I think that shall be my word this year.

Promise.

My promise of being here in Asia is a large part, yet a small part.

He breathed things into my being, and so often I doubt if they are still there, or if I am an able carrier of heavenly things. But then I see a rainbow and am reminded of who made the promise.

Too often as of late I have wanted to have it all together. Have it all figured. Then I feel like a failure when it isn't.

Do you ever feel like that? Do you whisper to the night of how you feel alone? I know I do.

The kids and I have been listening to Chronicles of Narnia lately, we finished The Magician's Nephew. Pure splendidness!!!
Today I listened of the simple taxi horse Strawberry becoming a winged horse in Narnia. That is Aslan's way. To take something so simple, and make it glorious.

Today I was reminded of that. I am simple, and cracked, and all together not put together.

Tonight I feel him roar over me, shattering the lies that have come and tried to make place.
He is reminding me!
Calling me!
Pulling me in!
Releasing me out!
Reminding me to trust!
Whispering of the promise in the deep places!

Ahhhhh, I think I shall go and rest there.

Amen.

The same.....yet oh so different

2010-01-01T05:02:00.000-08:00

As you know we lived in Shanghai 5 yrs ago. What an incredible thrill ride that was! Crazy, but so fun, and short. 6 months (hubby 7 months).

We are going into our 5th month here. It has flown by. But it has a completely different feeling knowing that last time I was starting to think of returning home, and now, I feel like I have barely begun to settle.
That is a good thing, because we know this time it is longer term. It makes so much sense that our feeling of being settled has really just begun. I know that once we move into our other house that the feeling of being settled will hugely increase. I am desperate for that.
I have been struggling with getting enough homeschooling done. My mind has been busy fighting off feelings of failing. When I look at the logistics of schooling in our room here, I understand why it is more of a 'bare bones' than a full on learning experience, but still. The voices can be so ugly, and laced with truth.
Shanghai was just so easy really. And this time it is harder.

I have been pondering this.

I have been crying out to the One who sent us here. When my mind is so busy, it becomes difficult to hear his voice. But I need to hear his voice so desperately. I need his direction, because left on my own, my way becomes confused quickly.
The kids and I discuss His call for us to come here. We talk about holding onto that. Not because being here is our salvation, but because the Voice that called us, is our only firm footing in this life. Without hearing his voice I am lost. That is a sure thing.
So tonight, I am crying out to him to help find my rest in him and him alone. I know that when I am at rest in Who HE is, than all my other questions are answered.

Too be content in nothing by the sweetness of His love!

A few moments from our Christmas

2009-12-27T05:01:00.000-08:00

Feshya took this photo on the ferry on the way to Christmas eve candle light service

mall decorations.......and the crowds

no lights on houses, but plenty on skyscrapers

more city views

Christmas eve at midnight after getting home from a candle light service

because big red shiny shoes have so much to do with Christmas right!!??

candle light service

more city lights

views from the ferry on the way to the Christmas Eve candle light service

Sammy captured a wonderful moment of me and hubby

our gingerbread house

Embracing it all

2009-12-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas. I wonder how many blogs have been written about this. Well, I have been doing a lot of thinking about Christmas.
To me it is cold noses and hot chocolate. Baking and more baking. Tobogganing and classic Christmas movies. Gathering with Friends. Being with family or wishing you could be with family. Remembering old memories and making new ones. Turkey and being stuffed with stuffing. Avoiding the malls yet buying wonderful gifts. The smell of a real Christmas trees. Driving around looking at Christmas lights.......
So, now I move across the world.
And Christmas comes.
And I realize how much emotion is attached with the season.
How much my senses have to do with me 'feeling' like it is Christmas.
There is no snow falling outside.
No oven to bake peppernuts in.
Not many Christmas parties to got to.
No turkey to roast.

We have set up a tree (fake, but I am determined to buy a real one next year!). We are drinking hot Chocolate with candy canes, and watching most of our favorite holiday classics on youtube or youku (the Chinese youtube). The kids are having a blast secretly buying gifts for each other. And because our little island is so safe, they can even go and buy them all on their own. We are going to a candle light service on Christmas eve with friends. Christmas music is the always playing.

I have gone back and forth between loving this new experience in this season, and wishing with all my heart that I was in Canada with friends and family right now. That I was were all is familiar.

Then the other day I remember how I had longed and longed to be here. This is all a part of that. New experiences. Enjoying traditions and creating new ones.
Embracing that and not being frustrated with it.

Not just trying to recreate old ones.

The kids love for me to tell them my memories of growing up and how we celebrated Christmas. Tonight I laughed with them when I told them how one day they will snuggle with their kidlets all cozy in their beds and say

"I remember that one year when we lived on a small island in Hong Kong and we................" That made me smile!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

all those things I should be doing

2009-12-07T04:18:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I should be doing right now. People to phone, emails to write, things to plan, homeschooling books to organize and on and on it goes.

The kids are sweetly sleeping, all cozy under their blankets. Quiet.

I love the quiet of night time. I do.

This morning I skyped with family and friends. I cried when it was all done. I miss you all so much. My children were also feeling very sad after the visits as well. Christmas is sneaking up. I am excited to have our first Christmas here! But I wish I could package everyone from home, put a big ol stamp on them, and ship them all over here.

Went to check up on the house progress today, and there is no way we could be in there for Christmas. Nothing, nada, zip has been done in the last week. So that has me down as well. I had begun to get my heart excited about being in for Christmas, so please ask for peace for me and the family to be content where we are.

Today my two oldest kids went shopping for family members all on their own. So sweet! Although, they used the change from the laundry that I had asked them to take in. With out asking first. Oops!

But, great news.
I found a little tiny shop, well, more like a ground level house that sells coffee/bread/cheese/whole wheat flour/german bread mix, and did I mention cheese! Oh yes, and to top it off, she also runs a bit of a second hand book store. I am so excited. It is a Philippino lady who speaks perfect English.

Plus, just to top it all off. I was telling her where we were moving to (yes the big pink house and she knew exactly!!!). She asked if we happen to be wanting a dog with our big yard. Nefeshya's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. A family has a golden retriever that they need to give to a new family! We will go this week to have a 'meet the family' time and see if we pass or not.

There is a sweetness about knowing that 'you' are being taken care of isn't it. And yes, finding a used book store that sells homemade bread mix and cheese is a most definitely 'being taken care of'.

Now, go smell your Christmas tree and think of me.

um.....I thought I remember you asking me

2009-11-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

One more house story, just to let you in on my daily laugh.

Remember the other day how I was suddenly asked to pick my paint colors? I am sure I was, it wasn't just a dream.
Well today we went to the house to help Brad and some of the students clean the yard.
As I walked into the house I was more than a little surprised to see some of my kitchen walls painted yellow. A rather bright yellow.

For a moment or two I stood rather confused. I went outside, looked at Brad, then went back into the house for a second look.

3 of the walls were painted the color I had asked for, but the fourth, a rather large wall, was indeed yellow.

Then I had to laugh, kinda.

Remember how I said they had laughed at my choices and tried to show me other colors. Well, this yellow was one of the colors they had really pushed for. It was called Sunflower. I 'told' (see hand motion/pointing/head shaking) them that no I wanted the Manilla color.

Not sure what happened.

I thought of asking. But just couldn't bring myself to do it. I am not sure why. Let's just call it acceptance for tonight.

Some new friends stopped by and said I lived in the rainbow house. I chuckled.

But these new friends did bring some great news. They told us of a couple that is considering moving to Cheung Chau to start an English/Cantonese fellowship. My heart jumped at this. We have discussed this and prayed for this. We hope to connect with them next week.

On another note, Brad and the students found a bright green poisonous snake in the yard with a whole rat in its body. I was slightly grossed out as the kids stood around oohing and aahing as Brad cut it open. Lets just call that 'Biology'. We were told that cats are good for keeping the snakes out of the yard.
I plan on getting about 10.

From now on I shall be known as

"The cat lady in the rainbow house"

Now to find some one to translate that into Cantonese!

Naughty

2009-11-28T05:11:00.000-08:00

A few days ago as we were walking on the island, Brad had pulled Ethan aside and was 'talking' to him. Ethan is a very happy 6yr old boy who lives in a world all his own. Most days as we walk we have to constantly call Ethan to move out of someone's way, and honestly, 9 times out of 10 he ends up cutting right in front of someone else.
As Brad was discussing this with Ethan once again, another young boy wearing his school uniform rode his bike up beside Ethan and Brad. In a wonderful Chinese/British accent he asks
"What are you doing?"
Brad replies
"Just talking to my son"
The boy quickly takes in the situation and asks
"Was he naughty?"
To which Brad chuckles and says
"yes"
the boy responds
'I am naughty sometimes too!"
and then rides off showing us his riding with no hands trick.

The house

2009-11-25T05:08:00.001-08:00

I must put in here first that I am EXTREMELY thank full for this new house that they are renovating for us. It is VERY rare for a family to live in a private house this large and have the huge courtyard we will have. I really can not stress enough how blessed we are to be getting to live here, so please take the following as just some humor and a bit of frustration
This is me in front of our new house. See, I told you it was pink. Did I tell you I really don't like pink? Just reminding you in case you forgot.

So yes, that is it. Stunning no? And let me tell you, everyone now knows where we are moving to. If anyone asks were we will be living, and I say the big pink house, they know exactly which one I mean. So that is a good thing..................right????

Yesterday one of the staff told me that they had started painting the bedrooms and asked if I liked it. He looked quite excited about this new addition, which in all honestly frightened me a little bit. He saw my 'concern' and suggested that perhaps I should go and check it out the next day and let them know if I wanted it or not.
So, this morning the kids and I stopped at the paint store to pic out some sample colors to take over. Remember, I was going to have to explain what color I wanted in sign language (me no cantonese, them no english). I was excited to see the paint sample strips in a display cabinet. But the glass sliding door wouldn't open. Looking up, I saw that they had taped it shut. I laughed out loud. It wasn't like they only had one of each strip, no, there was a stack of each one. But obviously these were for display only. When I asked if the cabinet could be opened so I could take one or two, I was only met with very puzzled looks. They were very helpful tho and let me take the sample book they had behind the counter until I could return it later.

So off we go to the house.
The kids went running inside and came out very excited telling me how much they loved their rooms and could we please not paint it over. I went in to see that they had done some funky painted multi color layering effect type thing in all the bedrooms. Not necessarily my first choice, but the kids are very excited about it so that is great. The workers were also very happy to see how pleased the children were.

I quickly explained that I did not want that in the living room and received disappointed looks from the workers. They were just about to start in on the living room. Then I was asked what color did I want for the walls and what kind of cabinets did I want.

This is were I got a little confused.

See, when we first got here I was told that I could pick out the counter top for the house. Then they said I could pick out the tile, paint, countertops, cabinets etc. That was very exciting, but when I inquired further I was told all those decisions had already been made. Buy that point, I didn't care nearly as much, I just wanted the house finished so we could move out of our 'one room' house.

Then, suddenly they want me to pick it all out as I stood there. Well, except the countertop. That was already there.

I laughed out loud. Again!!

So I asked them if I could have an hour or so to pick it out. Sure sure sure they said.

When I went back and showed them my choices ( a little more conservative than their rather flamboyant ones ), they laughed at me. They gave me more disappointed looks. They showed me bright greens, yellows, reds. But I held steadfast in my choice.

I mean, can you imagine walking into a red/pink house to find your self in a bright green room. Wow, that is a little more than I can deal with.

And like I said, it is not like the houses here are colorful like that. Just for me I guess.

Another rather confusing aspect is that I was told last week that they had ordered all the cabinets but nothing had been delivered yet, so honestly, I am very confused today. Did I just pick out the cabinets, are there some already on their way? I guess we will find out.......

Here is a few more pictures of the house and yard. Next week Brad will start going with some of the boys to get the yard cleaned up. We asked where the garbage needs to go and was told that they still are not sure where it will go. So, we are going to have a designated garbage corner so at least it is a little more manageable. Brad is also going to show the boys how to cut the trees into smaller pieces so they will burn.

Ethan found this hat in the yard and has been wearing it ever since

these are the trees they cut down from the yard and tried to burn, plus A LOT of garbage

and you can't even see the old mattress, couch, boxes and lighting corner

That's right.....blame it on the Canadians

2009-11-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

Well, just a few short days ago we were wearing shorts, tank tops and letting the kids go swimming in the afternoon to cool off. This week............

simply,

WE ARE FREEZING!!

Well, technically not freezing. But it is only 10 out right now. But think of it this way. We live in a cement building. The windows are single pane, and most have large gaps in the corners rather than a snug fit with weather stripping. The floors are slate. We live looking over the ocean, but that also means the wind comes whipping up our hill right at the house. The kids sleep on the floor on inch thick foamy mattress'. And........

there is NO heating.

So we have made a few trips to the storage room to exchange our shorts, tanks and sun dresses, for pants, sweaters and anything that will keep us warm. Extremely strange. But, we were all missing the crisp cool air in Canada, so I guess I could just look at this as a gift.

Tonight when we spoke to Alman he asked us how were dealing with the cold. Then he laughed and said we must have brought it with us from Canada.

That's right, just blame it on the Canadians. Not the many many Europeans who live here, no not them, but definitely the Canadians. Too funny! At least they tell us this is abnormal for here. This is usually what the weather is in January or February for a few weeks.

So tomorrow we head into town and look for a room heater.

And tomorrow as I am all snuggly in my blanket and heater blazing away, I will shiver as I think of my hubby at the school.
Not only will he certainly not have any heater. The windows are even thinner and gaps even larger. And he will not take a nice warm shower before he crawls into bed.
Remember this picture.........

This is where he will shower or rather 'dip and pour' to clean after the day and it is certainly, most definitely NOT heated water. BRRRRRRR! I don't know, if that doesn't produce a little character in the students.....nothing will! Well, maybe just a little hair on their chests, well, hopefully only the male students! If not hair, then hopefully a deep appreciation for the person who created hot water tanks.

Maybe if he thinks of it like camping in the cool fall Canadian wilderness it will...................nah, that is just plain and simply cold. Sorry honey.....really I am....I will think of you as I snuggle in my bed!

School friendships

2009-11-08T05:33:00.000-08:00

A big part about us coming was that we came as a package deal. We were not just coming so Brad could go work at the school, and I would live some sort of 'expat' life with the kids, but that we come together, we will all be involved. Of course, hubby will be there the most, but our hearts all there with him.

Since he started working, the kids have been taking turns going with 'daddy' to the school. The staff is very open to this and what a blessing. They are also open to us going with Brad and doing school with the our kids there while the students are in classes, and then helping/hanging out during the afternoon.

It is not just a blessing that my kids can go with daddy to work sometimes, but the relationships I see our kids developing with the students at the school. Walking thru a group of the students with the our kids is almost like at the end of a hockey game when the two teams shake hands. Almost every student says hi and breaks out into big smiles when my kids respond back. The look for the kids to say hi way more than myself or even Brad.

Sammy is the most outgoing, and quickly earned a reputation with his big smile (which earned him many a cheek pinches). Ethan still tends to play shy, but that seems to have become and challenge with some of the girl students who love to get him to smile. Today a few of them almost fell on the floor laughing when he showed them how he can wiggle his ears and flare his nostrils. And my dear Nefeshya. She has stood back and bit, assessing this whole situation. She is not a child like Ethan, and realizes that. She also realizes some of the girls are not that much older than her. But as she opens up, I see them being drawn into her laugh and love. My heart bursts as I watch these things happen. Alman has given all of the kids Chinese names of which they are very proud and the students know them by these names.

Nefeshya - A le(prounounce the E a short e), meaning Smart Girl
Sam - Summae, meaning beautiful forest
Ethan - Efan, meaning spaghetti (he was a little offended at first but thinks it is hillarious now).

I also am excited about opportunities to build relationship with the girls. Unfortunately, Nefeshya has been sick quite a bit since coming here, so I have been home a lot with her while the boys have had chances to go with Brad. We finally took her to the Dr. yesterday and he gave us some meds for her intestines which he said were quite swollen. I know many of you have been praying for her, thank-you so much. When she hears of some one saying that they have been praying for her she always always tells me to make sure I say thank-you for her. So 'THANK-YOU!!!!'. I do hope to start going to the school more often, and am dreaming up things I can do with Nefeshya and some of the girls to start building relationships.

I knew coming into this what an important role the kids played, and I stand in amazement as I watch it begin to unfold before my eyes.

sniff sniff sneeze

2009-11-06T05:22:00.000-08:00

Today me and kidlets hunkered down and watched wonderful things like Mary Poppins, Hellen Keller, Harriet Tubman. We are all sniffling and sneezing and few coughs here and there. We stumbled into town and back as we had no food in the house and were amazingly blessed by running into a new friend who bought our groceries for us. The kids played and had a cheap McD's icecream cone while we had a lovely conversation thru my foggy brain. It was a good day. Being sick stinks and we all agreed on this. But we loved one another and had grace and patience with one another today. Now they are asleep, mostly peacefully other than the odd sneeze or sniffle and I pray that I won't be woken to sore tummies or stuffed noses tonight.

And I can hardly wait to have my hubby home tomorrow night again!

where we live

2009-11-04T07:12:00.001-08:00

here is a photo of our house. Okay, lets see if I can give you directions. Left side of the photo is a house just sticking out. That is NOT us. Move right and down and you will see another house.
That is us. Town is over that little hill behind the house and down again. Or we walk around by ocean to the right. Straight ahead you see the little beach area we visit frequently to catch crabs and snails.
Now you all know how to find us when you come to visit!

2 months and counting

2009-11-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

Now, it is two months.
Things that were once new and exciting or frustraring are becoming every day. Everyday in a wonderful way.

I don't stand in the grocery store completely dumbfounded as to how to cook a meal. I know how to take the MTR without a vague sense of panic that perhaps I am going in the completely wrong direction. I have 'my' produce vendor they know me/I know them and it is comforting. These are all unto a sense of settling in and that is good.

But, the reality. I knew what we were giving up. We made the choice to follow the voice that calls. I don't miss our van, or our house, or even Great Canadian Superstore and all its millions of choices of cereals. I miss my friends and relationships. I miss seeing smiling face or talking on the phone and not feeling the need to explain who I am or why I am. There is great comfort in that sense of belonging. And I miss that. I do!

I see the beginnings of a relationship like that. It is precious to me. I am thank-ful.

But I still miss those faces that flash before me. To be held dear in a glance. To be understood. To be counted as precious.

I am not sad or dissapointed, just sharing my heart in transition tonight.

May you blessed today with community who love and support you!

Busy days

2009-10-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

These last weeks have been busy with much activity. I suppose that is wonderful. Mostly it is. But I am weary of being here and there and everywhere. It has been good to have much going on in our lives with hubby starting work. And his work schedule was very heavy at first so it was good for us to be busy. We have been able to work out a new schedule and we think it will be a good one. He will rarely if ever be gone 2 nights at a time. And will be home every 4th day or so. Seems like a great compromise for everyone!

Of course, now that I sit to write to you of our adventures I can't remember many of them. Weekly and biweekly homeschool group meet ups. This is has forced me to figure out the transportation system here. The other day I went to a neighboring island to go to a girls group for dd, and for my boys to meet some new friends. It is on the next island over. Sounds simple enough. Well, my two options are either ferry into Central on Hong Kong island, and catch another ferry back to Discovery Bay, or take a small ferry to Mui Wo and then another smaller ferry to DBay (as the locals would call Discovery Bay). Well, the first option would take just over an hour if I catch fast ferry's, but cost me over $50Hk per person. The second option would only cost just over $20 HK per person, but the ferries run a lot less frequent. So I went with the second option because I am all into saving my pennies. What an adventure. The trip there went perfectly smooth, other than a mad dash to the bank machine in Mui Wo as I left my children at the second ferry as proof that I would indeed return so they wouldn't leave without us.
But then there was the return trip...........
3 HOURS long

yes I said it

3HOURS!!!!!!!!

That was painful. So yes I saved money. But lost a whole lot of sanity along the way. And to top it all off, we ended up eating McDonalds for super YUCK!!! McDonalds is everywhere here.

However, we had a delightful day. Feshya connected made some wonderful connections at the girls club, and the boys made some great friends that they are very excited to be with again.

And on one last note today, I must share an important news flash.

We were going to check out the new house the other day. As we came up we saw they had painted it. It was a wonderful red. Then we rounded the corner only to see......
hold your breathe......
a little longer......
are you ready.....
you might wanna sit down because I sure wish I could have,
the other 3 sides of the house were
PINK!!!
yup, imagine my surprise.
Now if I lived in a country of colorful houses I would not have been surprised.
But that, here, was a bit of a shocker.
Especially given that pink is most certainly not on any of my even remotely might like list of colors.

So we talked to Alman, and he was told the reason for that particular choice of color,
well, simply put,
They had run out of red.

Pictures to come!

New Adjustments

2009-10-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Been a while. I was going to say life has been busy but that isn't exactly true, so I won't. Hubby started work last week and so we are in the throws of new adjustment. The current roster includes a lot of overnight shifts at the school. We are in the 'we will see how this works for our family' stage. This is a normal schedule for all the staff who works at the school, and so we are going to try it out. There is room for some 'creative' scheduling depending on how our family does. The first day he left the kids cried. The second time I cried. Two nights and three days seems like a long time. Yet, on the other hand, I think it will go quickly. We look out our window to the school lights and say prayers for daddy and the students at night, that helps make if feel not so far away. Here are a few shots of Daddy leaving the first morning.

i love his morning commute
We have been busy exploring and meeting new friends. A small photo journey awaits you.

homeschooler group (8 families) came to 'our island' for the day

the boys went on a hike by our house

as we walked into town one day, this ship was docked at the sampan pier. someone told us it had just sailed from Australia. That is a ferry in the background that we ride to Hong Kong City Center.

me emerging from an old pirate cave on 'our island'

our trip to Macau for our visa run. We were taken on an amazing day to celebrate!

I have just met a local women and will be joining her for fellowship this weekend. She has lived on the island for many years and speaks fluent Cantonese. She knows many families and has a few in mind that we may be able to connect with. She also is a part of some local fellowship here on the island and that is very exciting news for us!!!! One of the big questions that is currently in my mind is how life works itself out here on the island for us. I can not remember if I blogged about this already, so forgive me if I am repeating myself. The kids continue to desire friendships that are closer here for them. Language is of course a huge obstacle to developing many local relationships, so my heart jumped when I met this new friend who could put us in touch with local english speaking families. Trust me, I would rather be speaking Cantonese, but until then, we still need relationships, so English will do just fine!

In the mean time, I am very excited to announce that I have found a local cafe that sells good coffee!!! The only place I had found was McDonald's. Even if their coffee was good (which it definitely was NOT by the way), there just seemed something very very wrong with going there for coffee. Sooo, knowing there is somewhere here that I can go for a nice coffee and a yummy dessert truly makes this feel like home!! Photo to come!

Thoughts on our Visa

2009-10-10T06:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, it had finally happened. We got word yesterday morning that our visa's have gone through...officially....!!! Of course we were very excited. Relieved. Just last week we met some beautiful people and they shared that their visa's had been rejected. Our journeys of coming to live in Hong Kong were very different but very familiar in that we followed our Father's voice in leaving our life behind to live in this strange and wonderful country. So does that mean I am more 'blessed' than they are because our visa's were accepted? By all means absolutely not!!!!!!! Rather, I step back in awe of what it means to follow his voice. He is so faithful to lead us in small steps, showing us we can trust him, building our trust in him. There are many things I that I have heard Abba speak to me about, but most of them I have not the faintest idea how they will come to pass.

In the last few weeks I was never fearful that the visa's would not go through, but I have also come to have a healthy respect and understanding that 'His ways are not always my ways'. This is the journey he has chosen for us, but I know he is no more with us than he is my new friends and I wait in anticipation to watch how their journey unfolds. I know he has a plan, and and I know he will hold them tightly. Just as I know, I am in his plan and he is holding us tightly.

What is your journey? Do you hear his heart beat?

today

2009-10-06T06:41:00.000-07:00

today.

Today was good.

Watching hubby teach and explore with the children. Inspiring.

Finding amazing eats at a street side vendor in some crazy crowded market in Kowloon.

Watching my children become more and more familiar in these new and strange surroundings.

Buying a rice cooker. Yippee!!!! Thanks Kimberly! One day I will cook for you out of it!

Laughing with relief as the humidity is less and I was finally not sweaty today!

I came home and was reading a new friends blog. I found this quote from a book they were reading by Andrew Murray called 'Prayer'.

“You know how the eagles are taught the use of their wings. See yonder cliff rising a thousand feet out of the seas. See high up a ledge on the rock, where there is an eagles’ nest with its treasure of two young eaglets. See the mother bird come and stir up her nest, and with her beak push the timid birds over the precipice. See how they flutter and fall and sing toward the depth. See now how she “fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings” (Deut 32:11), and so as they ride upon her wings, brings them to a place of safety…. He (God) stirs up your nest. He disappoints your hopes. He brings down your confidence. He makes you fear and tremble, as all your strength fails, and you feel utterly weary and helpless. And all the while He is spreading His strong wings for you to rest your weakness on and offering His everlasting Creator strength to work in you. And all He asks is that you sink down in your weariness and wait on Him. Allow Him in His Jehovah strength to carry you and you ride upon the wings of His omnipotence.”

I love that, 'all he asks is that you sink down in your weariness and wait on him....allowing Him in His Jehovah strength to carry you.....'.

Breathe.

Tonight Sammy read our bible story 'David and Goliath'. The kids and I have been talking about this over and over. I love how God loves to do crazy nonsensical things. A little boy taking out a giant with a rock. I love that because it is so insane. What hope there is for me and my life, and what a complete release of me trying to 'make sense' of my life. When I look at what my great Abba usually does. What fun to be free to live a life that does not make sense!

Now I wanna paint.

The inbetween places

2009-10-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

This week marked the one month stage of our life here on Cheung Chau. I feels like a bit of a 'no mans land' we are in. We still await word on our visa. We have been unable to really connect with very many people yet (yes I know it is only a month......). We have not begun to walk out, and hardly even step into the things that ignite us for being here. Today in the midst of a bout of kids-not -wanting-to do-school-work-and -being-distracted-by-every-little-thing-moment (that included more than a little frustration from mom and dad), Ethan walked up to me and whispered "Mom, my heart feels so much better when I look at the school rock."

we can make out this large white rock on Lantua Island from our window

When he said that I held my breath for just a moment. I remembered the why of it all. I remembered that we are in-between.

For a long time now hubby and I have thought and discussed how we don't really read much about the in-between times of people's lives. We read about the grand vision and then we read about how the vision came about. But not many pages are filled with the spaces and places that filled those grand times. I do feel the importance of this time for our family, but that doesn't always make it easy. My hearts cry is that my life would be poured out for HIM. He is my all, my beginning and my end.

But then I think of how often, even on this blog, I have written about wishing to know how it was all going to work out. Most of the time I would have to say. I have a personality that longs to understand and know how it will all work out.

So then I am reminded again of the lesson of learning to trust. Learning to trust anew. Trusting in the in-between non grandish times of my life. Working out my salvation. Working out my trust in my FATHER. Knowing that he always has his best for me, and that right now, right here, this is his best for me.

Nothing but the cell phone

2009-09-30T03:18:00.000-07:00

My last few days have been here, at home. Monday was my birthday and it was POURING outside (tail end of the storm that hit the Philippines and caused all the tragedy there), so we stayed home. A fellow teacher had invited us out for supper, so we headed out for the evening under the protection of our umbrella's. Just as the food was coming to the table, my dd suddenly felt sick and I rushed her home. Well, 'rushed' as in left the supper and slowly walked home hoping we wouldn't have an 'incident' on the walk home. We said our hallelujah's as we got safely home. We have been home bound since as she recuperates. (Hubby made it up to me by bringing home an amazing chocolate mouse cake and some Tiramisu from a local bakery...YUMMY!!!)

Brad has been taking the boys on outings to save all our sanity, and once every few hours I call him, just to make sure we are not alone in this world. Our place is nicely hidden away but after a few days I begin to feel more than a little isolated.
So, seeing as I don't really have any exciting events to tell you about, I will give you some pictures.

my new house.....

Meeting new furry friends and dreaming of getting her own....

enjoying a free ride thru town.......

local answer to a 911 call,,or 999 here.....

a shot of our walk to town.... haha get it 'shot'....basketball....haha...yes I have been alone for a few days.....

Some times you gotta laugh.....

2009-09-25T01:25:00.000-07:00

Today we are loving a home day. We were all exhausted from the last few days, and as we 'settle in' we are also letting us ourselves relax more and more. The school has officially told Brad to enjoy this time before the visa goes, because as Alman said "You will have years to work soon". This is actually hard to let ourselves do as we are so excited to throw ourselves into life with the organization, the reason we came. So we are learning to relax and enjoying ourselves. Yesterday as we were hanging out at the beach I suddenly burst out laughing.

We have been here for 3 weeks now. Just.....hangin out.....so as we sat there, eating our dim sum, being watched intently by the lifeguards and beach cleaners because there was no one else at the beach, I realized how this must look and what they might be thinking of us. I mean really, who can afford to fly around the world and just holiday for a few weeks. I know there are a lot of people who could afford to do that, but we are definitely most certainly NOT in that category. Yet, here we are, living on a foreign island, just relaxing.

For weeks, actually months before we came, I had been asking Abba Dad for a family holiday. I wanted a time for our family to just be together with out all the stress of planning, packing and such. I dreamt of living in a small place close to the ocean. I was feeling a little disappointed when it was time to go and we had not been able to get a way even for a bit.

But, he truly knows better than I, and gives us things in a much better form than I could ever have even asked for. Here I am, living in a small place right by the ocean.

As I listened to his voice yesterday I felt him stressing the importance of this time as a time of 'settling in' for our family. He certainly works differently for different people, and I am beginning to learn the lesson of not 'questioning the potter'. I am beginning to see that this waiting/resting time is perfectly in his plan. A few days ago I was bemoaning the fact that our visa has not gone thru yet,one of my children replied "Mom, Abba knows the perfect time and you need to trust him!!!!". Out of the mouth of babes!

For all this I am feeling thank-ful today!

oh ya, don't forget the water

2009-09-24T06:29:00.001-07:00

Went to the new house to help, but there was nothing for us to do. So we took a few pictures of the work in progress, and walked down to the beach. Brad went swimming with the kids while I walked into town to get us some water.

There was only one problem. The food stalls.

First the yummy bakery, then the dim sum place, then the soup place, then the curry fish balls, then another bakery...........

I finally couldn't do it.

First I got some steamed buns, and other yummy things. Then a loaf of coconut bread, then a mini chicken tart, and a few other type things. Just a smidgen of this and a smidgen of that. I was feeling quite proud of the offerings I was bringing to my family.

But, then I remembered, oh yah the water. So I quickly counted my change and luckily I had just enough left over for water.

That was close.

The walk home

2009-09-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

The walk home is always an interesting one. Every time we ask the question to the kids
"Up and over, or around?".

Most days we go up and over, but if we are carrying our water bottles home (right now we have to fill 5l bottles in town at the restaurant and bring them home for cooking and drinking), or if we have a lot of groceries we go around. The path around is a little longer, but follows along the island and we can see the ocean for most of it. It is beautiful. Most days we pass workers riding some of the few vehicles on the island, kind of a quad on steriods. They use it to haul garbage and building supplies. One of the workers has taken a liking to us, and when ever we pass her we get a big smile and hello. The kids have decided she is officially one of our few friends.

Here is a pic of our hike 'up and over'

This is a small part of it, but what it looks like the whole way up. We mostly don't mind it anymore. Once in a while Ethan reminds us that he only has 'little' legs. But generally the kids are enjoying how 'strong' they are feeling.

Most days we are looking for the giant snails. I will have to get a picture one of these days. Today we saw a snake by our gate in the bamboo trees. The boys were begging me to let them catch it. I thought better of it!!!
Often we see frogs after the rain. And of course the many many butterflies are always amazing to watch.

A homeschooler's science paradise!!

Where does one begin.......

2009-09-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight marks exactly 2 weeks that we have been here, and just about 1 hour short of when we first walked in the door. Really, it feels like so much longer than that - in a good way. Brad and I keep waiting for it to feel 'weird', but it just doesn't. Yes, I stand staring at the shelves in the market unsure what to buy, yes I wish desperately to understand the talk I hear all around me, yes I am still figuring out which alley's to take. But, it seems fine. Not overwhelming. Not that I don't expect to have overwhelming moments......but for now it just feels like a new home.
As I think of writing this post there seems a million and two things I would like to write. I want to explain how amazing it is to watch the ships and boats, big and small. Or describe the intensity of a thunder storm a few nights ago that last for half an hour right outside our door with lightening strikes just about every 5 seconds (literally). To write about the love that we have been shown and how well cared for we all have been. Post pictures showing how our kids were blessed to have been given free passes to Ocean Park already (an amusement park plus here in Hong Kong). But, those are each a separate post, so I will just start with today.

Today we enjoyed the simple pleasure of having clean and dry clothes to put on. See, it has been rainy here for a few days, and that makes drying clothes out side impossible, and the humidity is too high for them to dry inside. We had enough clothes to last us for a while (we are only living from one suitcase right now while we are in our temporary living quarters which are a bit small), but we were running out. The towels all had a nasty smell to them, and never really dried. So, on our way to the beach, we dropped off our stinky laundry bags. And oh, the joy of unpacking those dry and clean smelling clothes and towels - joy unspeakable.
Our day at the beach was delightful. We have a wonderful beach just moments from our door, but we choose to walk into town, see our new house, and go to a bigger beach.
I am so excited about the new place we will be in. About 2000sq ft, and it has a HUGE yard area. And the view.....breathtaking.

Just a few shots of the trees we will look out on. From what will be our new house, it will only be about a 5 minute walk to Kwan Yam Wan Beach.

So I could go on about the curry fish ball stand, or getting caught in the down pour, oh how we danced a crazy happy dance when Alman Chan surprised us with internet at home, but I will stop for tonight.

I am off to watch a romantic movie with my hubby.

One week..........

2009-09-10T00:55:00.000-07:00

WE have arrived. We have been here for 1 amazing week, but I only have 5 minutes left on my internet time to tell you about it, so mostly it will have to wait. Things are great. We are being extremely well taken care of, and some new friends even showed up with ice cream sundae's at our house last night! But the many other stories will have to wait.
We hope to have internet at our house soon, and will fill in all the many blanks then.
Our hearts are full!!!
Miss everyone dearly!!!
Till we connect again.............

packing and all that stuff

2009-08-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

I figured I should quickly give an update. We are down to 6 days until take off, and 4 days until we have to be out of here. We are doing really well, and getting lots done. We had a few 'surprises' for our visa this week, but it all went surprisingly quickly and smoothly getting it all worked out. All our furniture will be gone by tomorrow morning, and then we just have a few rooms to clean, and packing to do. Tomorrow is also one of my son's birthday, so we will be having a little beach party for him. A few more friends to meet with, a far well party at the beach with friends, and then we are done. Done Done Done.
The emotions I feel during this time is totally all over the board. I feel overwhelmingly excited for the journey we are embarking on! I am completely saddened to have to move even further away from family! I am dreading some of the good-byes that have yet to be good-byed! I can hardly wait to be done packing and cleaning! And on and on it goes. Most days feel like a roller coaster ride. And then I hear a voice say 'lift your hands in the air like this, it is funner that way'.
So I will lift my hands in the air, and enjoy the journey and all that it is right now.
And have one more coffee!!!

Belly laughs

2009-08-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

A long long time ago, when hubby and I were faced with some very very hard times, we had a friend pray for belly laughs for us. You know, those times when you just laugh and laugh and laugh over the silliest, smallest things. And you giggle and even snort. Yes, those kinds of laughs.
Well, tonight, I was blessed with those. We went to have a bar-b-q with some very special friends. Friends who have become family to our family.

So, this evening, as we sat in our chairs, looking over the gorgeous landscape, I laughed and laughed and laughed. How delightful and restoring. Just what I needed. Really. All week was prepping for the garage sale, and today was sale day. Things went well, we got rid of almost everything. The house if feeling very empty, and so was I. So being with friends, enjoying a glass of red, and laughing like a silly girl was the best thing I could have asked for today.

Thank-you.

Sleeping on the floor

2009-08-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Funny how things work out. We started to list things like our beds, couch etc just last week. We were trying to find the balance of listing them long enough to have time to sell, but not too long before. Well, with in days of listing our major furniture, everything sold, and everybody wanted it immediately. In fact, someone offered us more than we asked for our couch and chair set! So, this weekend we will have no table and chairs, no living room furniture, no beds except the bunk bed. We will all take turns rotating from the foamy on the floor, to the bunk bed. We laughed this morning as we realized how empty the house will be after this weekend. Should making cleaning easier I figure. And really, who cares

I AM GOING TO CHINA!!!!

YIPPEE!!

Just adds to the grand adventure. And as my hubby put it, the less stress we have for the last few weeks, the better. Yup, agreed.

So here goes to eating and sleeping on the floor for a few weeks.

We have a date

2009-08-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

Well, most of you already know, but I must put it here as well. We finally have our tickets. Sept. 2. Wow!! Really, that is all I can say. I didn't freak out like I thought I would. It actually took a few days to set in. Okay, one day, but still. It was so so so so so so so so so so so so so so nice yesterday when people asked that I could say

"Sept 2, 8:00am"

rather than

"well, um, yeah well, we hope to be flying out the first week of Sept. No, No, we don't have our tickets yet. No No we don't have our visa yet. blah blah blah"

yep, it is official. They are bought and sitting in an extremely safe place. But ya know, I still go and check on them every few hours.

Happy Birthday my Double digit girl

2009-08-06T09:16:00.001-07:00

Today is my dear daughter's Birthday. Today she turn's 10. 10 it seems is very very big. She could hardly fall asleep last night as she was far to excited to FINALLY be 10. "Not all my friends are 10 already, but most of them" she informed me.

Oh my girl, you bring such life to this home. You keep us focused on the things that matter. You challenge us to see things in a new way. I love you for that! I love your heart to serve and bless others. I love your honesty about how your heart is feeling. You have been created with a strong will and I bless that as I know there will be a great purpose in that! So often I wish you would stay small, but, then I can hardly wait to see your life unfold! The choices you will make! I love you sweet heart! Happy Birthday my love!!!

Jumping off the deep end

2009-08-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Things are picking up pace in the Koop household. The duplex that we rent recently sold, and our rent was going to be going up significantly, also, the new land lord was needing a complete months notice given on the first of a month,..........so, we gave our notice for Sept. 1. No, we still do not have a date, so as my hubby so aptly put it, there are times when we feel like we are diving into a pool but not feeling 100% sure that there is water in it. Hmmmmmmm, sounds like a perfect set up for some character building and sssssttttrechhhhing! It does feel awesome to be making substantial steps to getting us gone tho. We have already sold alot, and will be having our major, sell everything on August 15, so come one, come all, buy our stuff, all reasonable offers accepted.

Hubbby and I are both struggling with focusing on every day tasks. Hubby was going to be working till the 14, but it is looking like he will need to work until the 21 now. Those bills and expenses forgot to take a summer holiday this year. We both find that hard. We wish he could just be at home, and we could be packing and sorting together, but that is not how things are working out for us.
The kids are doing alright. They of course are feeling the loss of somethings already, and ask daily if we know when we are going yet. But it has been amazing to see them sharing our journey with friends and strangers. They love to tell people that we are moving to Hong Kong, and when people ask them why we are moving, the very very quickly reply 'God told us to'. Seeing people's reactions is fun, but it is priceless being able to watch my children's journey of thier trust in the Father being strengthened through this. They have all heard for themselves the call for us to go, and we couldn't be more thank-ful for that.

And are two pictures of the recent forest fires that have been burning in Kelowna, and making so smoky that for days on end, we can hardly see the mountains surrounding us.

Night view from the day it exploded for the second time (this was NOT taken from our front door)

The view of the smoke from our front door

Last minute check ups

2009-07-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

The time has come to get the kids in for dentists and eye appointments and all that stuff. Yes I know, I could have been on this a few months ago, but those of you who really know me won't even bother reminding me of that. So 3 kids to the dentist, two were told
"my oh my, you have perfect teeth!!! You have been brushing them so well, and flossing too I can see". Well, they can't really see cause if they knew how often I forget to tell my kids to floss they would realize they didn't know.

Then the third. The whispering, the quiet number writing in obscure codes. The hmmmm, ahhhh, yes yes.
Then it comes. The talk with the mom. Much work, much needs fixing, much much money needs to be spent at the dentist. I mean, wow, that little itty bitty stuff of white that they put on kids teeth, must be rare or something or the amount of money it costs. Oh yah, and a tooth extraction, now doesn't that sound like fun. But the lucky little stinker won't remember a thing. It is called drugs. The legal kind. So now it is on to the specialist, and many phone calls to the insurance company, and, praying that we can get in before we go.

Yup, okay, maybe I shoulda done this a few months ago.

To sleep, perchance to dream

2009-07-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

so there I was, suddenly in China. It had happened so quickly I had not even had time to finish packing the house up properly or say good-bye to everyone. As I sat in an unknown school, meeting new wonderful people, I sat in amazement at how suddenly we were where we had waited and waited to be.
But.........
those darn mosquito's were so bothersome. We all had tonne's of mosquito bites, and they were so very very itchy. And they kept buzzing around my ears. buzzing and buzzing and buzzing. I kept thinking, why had I not bought that mosquito repellent before we got to China. I had it on my list of things to buy and bring along, but it had all happened so quickly, I had not gotten around to it. Dangit!

and the buzzing, in my ears again and again and again how can I make it stop.

no I am not in China yet.

No I did not have pizza last night.

Note to self. Ask Landlord for screens on the windows!

Smokey days

2009-07-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

The last few days of living in the central Okanagan has been strange. In one day, 3 forest fires broke out, and two of them dangerously close to residential, causing thousands of evacuations. The fires were far from our home, but concern for friends and their homes is real, and it is a rather strange feeling to have your vehicle covered in ash falling from the sky. It has also been strange to remember how last time our city had major forest fires was the year we first moved to China, and now they happen again the same year we are moving. Things that make you go hm.....

I have not been here for a while. There really has not been much to post about. My thoughts every day are
"I should pack

But we don't know exactly when we are going yet

Yes, but you could be all the more prepared and keep packing

Yes I could, but it is hot and I don't feel like it

But you still should

I know I should,,,but......

Tomorrow, tomorrow i will pack

Maybe, but it sure would be nice to have those tickets

Maybe I am going crazy

Well, you are talking to yourself......."

and so on.

We had a luncheon at our place of fellowship on sunday as a farwell to us going. wow. I am still processing that. We felt so blessed and honored. Hard to take in all that was spoken over - to us. I think the greatest honor was people saying how our lives had encouraged them. My heart cry has always been that my life, not my words, or my deeds, but my life would be a witness to others of our fathers amazing work in my life. My every day walk of highs and lows. Our journey. So, to have others say that it has leaves me speechless. Also, to know that we are going with the support of many is a treasure we don't hold lightly. Last time we went, our support system was thin. Hubby and I stand back in amazement at how he has created a community of friends around us. Organic relationships. Life. Makes it harder and easier to go.

But my thoughts have been on 'his' perfect timing. Not my timing, or my thinking I know the right timing, but truly waiting for his. This has been a major lesson we have been learning in these last five years. And I was thinking of how we could have gone ahead, and forged our own way to China. But what we would have missed out on. Living a life of waiting for his words of life. Walking knowing that I am exactly where he wants me to be, even when the wind blows hard, or the sun feels too hot. He is my rock and strong tower that can never be shaken. For that I am thank-ful.

The life of a Local

2009-07-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

I live in a resort town. There are some tricks a person learns to survive living in a place where everyone else comes for holidays. Our small city is placed right on a lake, and there are a few other beautiful lakes with in an hours driving distance. So summer can get a little crazy. And the beaches can get very very full. We spend a lot of time like everyone at the beach on hot summer days, but there are a few survival skills we have learned.

One thing is that we have sought out the not as well known beaches. For those days when you just don't want to be in a huge group of people this is wonderful secret.

The second is that most of the tourists spend all day out in the hot sun, then go home for supper and the evening. We go to the beach when everyone else is going home. It is perfect. The beaches are quieter, the air is cooler, and it feels so good to cool off before coming home to bed. Everyone sleeps so much better. And the amazing sunsets we have seen.
Here let me share some photo's.

Enjoy your summer, wherever you are.

Kindness

2009-07-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an....um..... interesting day.

Hubby only had half a day of work. So we were getting some stuff done in the afternoon. Well, actually I was totally lost in a book called "Father to the Fatherless The Charles Mulli Story" by Paul.H.Boge. A man who started Mully Children's Family Orphanage in Kenya. Wow, what an amazing book. Truly, I couldn't put it down. Honestly I didn't really try that hard. We all ate, the dishes got done, and even a load of laundry got put in. That sounds like a successful day to me.

Anyways, we were taking some documents to be photocopied. Somehow, these documents slipped out and were lost in the parking lot, a large parking lot. These are the kind of documents that could do a lot of damage if fallen into the wrong hands. They were no where to be seen. By grace, I had a strong assurance that we would get them back. We went out for a family bike ride in the evening, trying hard to not be stressed and upset. Wouldn't you know it, when we returned there was a message waiting that they had been found and we could go and pick them up.
Holy Shmoly!
That is one of those moments that you know that you know that you know that Dad is watching out for you, "he has your back" as the saying goes. We are feeling so thank-ful.
Another story for our books. You know, that book that you read when you feel things are falling down around you and you have no idea how it is going to work out. Well, maybe you don't ever feel that way, but I sure do, and it is so so so so good to
REMEMBER.

And, it felt so good to have those documents back in my pockets again!

Here is a shot from the Canada Day fireworks show. It was a pretty great show for our small city. The kids asked if we could have our own fireworks show next year to help Hong Kong celebrate Canada Day!

Oh, how fickle the mind

2009-07-01T08:39:00.001-07:00

On the weekend we got some great news from our contact in Hong Kong. We were told to anticipate being in HK by mid August. Words can't tell how wonderful that was to hear. Like a yummy piece of fruit on a hot day, juicy to quench the dryness, yet oh so tasty and sweet.
With this also comes the reality. Yesterday I began to think of the good-byes, and the adjustments that will have to happen etc etc. So strange to feel so excited and yet..........I can't think of the word. I know the many emotions and changes that are coming.
Yesterday there was an ugly voice that started off very quiet. So quiet that I didn't realize I was hearing it, let alone listening. Then half way through the day I yelled at one of my children over something very small, and realized my heart was not all right. Then that ugly small voice got loud. Yet, as it usually goes, I still didn't realize yet that I was listening to it. I began to fear that I wasn't enough. I didn't have what it took to walk this all out, I wouldn't be enough to be a good parent, let alone a homeschooling parent, I would never be able to learn the language, me and the children wouldn't make new friends, and on and on and on. YUCK. In the evening my dear hubby asked how I was doing. As I began to tell him what was on my mind, it was only then that I realized the voice that I was listening to. I saw it for its ugliness. He helped me remember and see the truth. What a blessing to walk this road side by side with him.
I have been thinking about this voice today, and I may be wrong but I think a lot of people hear this voice. Is it wrong, is it truth? That is what we need to decided, that is what I need to decide. Of course it is easy to say it is false, but why, how. Today I will spend my time going to the Truth who tells me the truth. That is what I do know. I will remember all the roads we have walked along together, remembering. I am so thankful for my heavenly Father. Today I will listen for his voice. For his is the one I am willing to bet my life on. On him I will throw my dreams and hopes. Today I will remember that I am a daughter of the King.

I have been reading this amazing book called Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts. This book has already been a huge inspiration for my painting and creativity, but it is also rather timely for us leaving as well.

To sum it all up, it is about letting go and enjoying the journey. Not only enjoying the journey, but embracing the journey.
I will leave you with one quote from the book.

"What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside.....what still pulls on your soul?"
Terma Collective

Summer and Star Wars

2009-06-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Our house has become a Star Wars land. We have the Star Wars Lego game, and now we have been watching the movies with the kids. Queen Amidila and all her crazy outfits add just enough 'girlishness' to it that it has almost become a family affair. Of course the boys are all over it, and everything is 'Master this' and 'Master that', that is until I ask them to clean their room, hahahaha.

Our last weeks have been filled with year end activities, parties, family camp, and keeping the house clean for potential buyers to walk through. Everything has been a lot of fun, other than the keeping the house clean part. My mother tried, she really did, and I can keep a clean house, I just really really really do not enjoy what it takes to keep it that way. But our friend/landlord has been amazingly blessed and in one week he has gotten multiple offers on the duplex. That is simply amazing, especially given what the local real estate market has been. So, we will see how the timing of everything works out. We have found out that the new landlords have to give us 2 months notice before any changes happen, so at least we will have a buffer time. More trusting, and the smell of more flesh being burnt.

The kids are in the 'land of many sleep overs'. It is so much fun! The foamy has become a permanent structure on the floor downstairs littered with sleeping bags and pillows. Their little bodies are growing darker with many hours spent outside and I am in a constant battle with the sand that somehow feels it needs to follow us home. We are eating many PB sandwiches and salads. The days are perfect.

Here are a few photo's from the last weeks, enjoy.

the plan

2009-06-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Our last few weeks have been eventful and yet so uneventful at the same time. Nothing has changed, we have no date, no news on our visa and therefore no flights. As I said before, everything is 'perfectly out of our hands'. The recession has shown its head in our house as hubby has had a shortage of work for the last few weeks. We are thank-ful that he does still have a job, and we know his boss does everything possible to find work for his guys. It is a tough time for a lot of people.

Then our van decided to give us a few problems last week. Hubby and myself were finding it extremely difficult not to get really mad, and mad at the fact that now we would have to fix a van that we just want to get rid of to move across the ocean. Plus we were having an early birthday party for my daughter the next day and needed to drive a bunch of girls around. So as we sat there, stewing in our frustration, my 8 yr old son walks into the room and oh so casually says 'well, God knew this was going to happen, so he must have a plan'............well, really what does one say after that. Not a lot. Such incredibly simple wisdom.

well, there was a plan, and it all worked out quite quickly and easily.

what a blessing.

but,
Better than that was the peace that I had. I realized the offense that I had started to build within myself because of the waiting time we were in. I had started to loose sight of resting in the knowing that he holds the plan perfectly in his hands.

Since then the duplex we live in has gone up for sale, and there still isn't a lot of work, but I am fine. I am resting in knowing that he knows his plan, even if I don't.

And then just to top it all off, because we have not left yet we are getting to see friends who have come for a visit from other parts of the world.

Life is good, don't you think!

Is it holiday season.........officially

2009-06-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well, seeing as how it is past noon, the kids are downstairs watching mindless braincell killing cartoons, and I am up here blogging, I guess it is summer holiday's.

Summer holiday's is a strange thing for me as a homeschooler. Honestly, once the weather turns nice, we go as minimal as possible, until we just can't do no more.......because we want to go to the beach, or draw instead of math, or just lay around in our pj's. I always dream of being on of those who school year round. Just taking time of here and there during the year when it suits, but when summer comes around I totally loose my motivation. yep, its true.

So, I think today we will continue doing exactly what we are doing, nothing.

I even have supper cooking in the crock pot!

As my mom used to say "shhh, quiet. Can you hear that, my bed is calling me". Time for a nap.

Validated

2009-06-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I saw this video and had to share. Corny and inspirational all at the same time. Just my style. Be inspired today!

(it is a bit long, but worth it)

Random thoughts during the wiating

2009-06-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

Been a while again. Seems the cold traded in for summer, and we got blasted with a heat wave here last week. It really isn't that hot, but it is just that a few short weeks ago I had hardly thought of bringing out my summer clothes, and then suddenly it was a mad dash to find the shorts and tank tops. I have found it hard to be very motivated because of it, but the up side is it means lot of fun outside, and many trips to the beach. It is such an amazing blessing to live at the lake.

A few years ago we returned to the prairies, and although I loved being back, I will always be a mix of mountain BC girl/prairie girl. I see and love the beauty in both.

Anyways.....

Really, nothing very new here. Still packing and cleaning and packing and cleaning and.......well you guessed it, packing and cleaning. I try to stop, but I seem incapable of it. Yet I am so tired of being in a half state of packing, but not being able to just go all the way. Yet, past the point of having a clean organized house anymore. Soon Soon I know. I won't bore you anymore with my whining.

Hubby was home most of last week with some back issues. Having him home is great, but it seems to throw the whole schedule out. I was also angry at myself that I was kinda grumpy a lot and so wasn't able to enjoy him being around as much as I could have. Stupid how being grumpy just ruins everything!

Well, as you can see, this post is really not going anywhere, yet I felt the need to come and write, so here I am.

I miss painting. I think perhaps I need to go a canvas and release some of this.

My children are delightful. My girl is definitely hitting preteen stuff. I love it. She isn't so sure! Today she had a very hard day, and had a bit of a melt down as she was getting ready for bed. The boys made her a special picture and told her how much the loved her, and then they decided to all have sleep together. It amazes to see how sibling can drive each other crazy, yet they have a magic to reach out and protect each other as well. Beautiful to watch.

good night friends. May the breathe of peace be on you tonight!

Quote of the Day

2009-06-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

"Mom, did God make me to like Romantic?"

Obedience or something like that

2009-05-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday we had plans to have someone over for lunch. At the last minute, they had to cancel. That was fine, so I did not do my food prep that morning, and was looking forward to a very quiet Sunday afternoon and thoughts of a nap were sounding very inviting. This was not to be tho.

While at our place of worship, hubby felt like we should throw out an invitation for someone to come over for lunch. We had some wonderful food prepared, and so...........well to be brutally honest, neither one of us really 'wanted' to have people over, but he strongly felt like we should, and I agreed to follow what he felt . Lets be very very clear here, I had ABSOLUTELY no desire to have any one over, especially strangers that might take a lot of energy to visit with, and all this would seriously cut into my nap time. So I almost began to cry as he stands on stage and throws out the invite.
We begin to make our exit and I think 'perhaps it was just about obedience, maybe no one will take up the offer'. But then I see someone come up to us. Would her and her friend be able to come over. Well, I turn and say 'sure that would be great'. Not feeling so great about it tho.
Hubby goes over and invites another couple to come as well.

We rush home to start the food prep, and I of course rush to clean my bathroom and spot clean my floors, trying to ignore the piles of stuff waiting to be packed or given away laying around. I pour myself a stiff drink of diet coke! All the while uttering desperate breathe prayers for help and joy.

Interjection here - I really do enjoy people and I love having people over for meals, but that Sunday, I just didn't! I mean I just really really didn't. And I hated that I didn't. I felt very yucky inside, but still, it was there.

So, the door bell rings and everyone comes.

And guess what.

We had an amazing afternoon. Everyone stayed all afternoon. At one point one person said how it was a bit out of their comfort zone to come to a strangers house for lunch. Then my hubby shared how honestly it was out of obedience that we threw out the invite, but we sure were glad that we had, and how wonderful an afternoon it was turning out to be. Then the other couple shared that when he had heard the invite he knew he should come, but also had not really want to. But when hubby asked if they would come, they did in obedience.

I laughed so hard. First it was nice to know that I was not alone in how I had been feeling. But what a gift that afternoon turned out be. Some relationships were deepened, some just started. But it was real, and it was sweet. And I realized what I could have missed out on. I am a deep believer in community and relationship, yet that day it was very hard to act out on those beliefs. Part of the real gift I received was that even in the midst of not necessarily wanting it, I was still given the gift of receiving it. We all did.

So thank-you hubby for being obedient. I love you for your sweet heart.
But even more,

Thanks so much for helping with the dishes!!! hehehe

garage sale photo's

2009-05-19T16:15:00.001-07:00

We had our first 'get rid of it all' sale on Sat. It was great. We sold alot and it passed very quickly. We all got up early to set up, including my lovely little people. They were so cute. They each wanted to their own blanket and keep track of their own money. (plus this is a great math lesson hehehe). By just after 7 we were all set up, the kids sitting in their chairs, anxiously awaiting all the big spending customers to come their way. By 7:15 we heard them discussing why no one was coming and how long this was taking. They had a whole system going on. One person would stand on the street watching for cars, while the other two would play or meander. Upon sight of a car coming (two blocks away), the person on guard would shout 'get to your chairs they are coming they are coming quick quick get to your table!!!!!'. They would all run to their stations and wait, thinking of all the money they were going to make. They all did very well, and became awesome salesmen/women.

'Okay we are ready, now what is taking all the customer so long!"

'Still waiting..................'

A lot of work, but a lot of fun.

Being someone who loves garage saleing, I laid out to my hubby how the morning would go. First the early birdies (they know what they want, mostly elderly men), then came the next wave of early birdies - mostly elderly couples. Next would be the groups of women, ready to go with a coffee in hand, then the families and younger singles would follow.

By the 'women with coffee stage' he was busting a gut laughing at the strange range of knowledge that I have accumulated.

Mostly we had wonderful friendly people and it was fun to see and watch. But there is one story I have to share. Hubby was selling his tools, and a man was looking at his power planner which was in almost new condition. The price we had it at was already a great deal, but he was trying to get hubby to lower it. His last attempt at getting the price lowered was one of the funniest we heard all day. This is what he said

"I am not really sure how much I am actually going to use it, soooo, for $20 I could let it sit there, but for $25.......well......I don't know"

I am sure that reasoning makes sense on some level, but I am definitely not on that level.
Needless to say, we laughed and shook out heads.

All in all it was a wonderful day, and tomorrow I will begin getting ready for the next one.

Me ready for the day to be done. And Sammy counting our money in the background.

More good-byes

2009-05-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well, today I honestly feel like whining about how hard it is to wait, how much I want to complain that I have learned all the lessons one can learn from waiting and so...............oh yah, oops, uhhh, yah, okay, guess I will stop there.

We have finally figured out what visa we need, and have sent in the application. And so again, it is all perfectly out of our hands. This has been a bit of a pattern with us in this process it seems. And an interesting one. I love it for the most part. It truly gives me a very clear sense of my life not being my own. So, today I must remind myself to leave it there.

This last weekend we went to visit hubby's mom and dad. They are only a few hours away, but there is a major mountain pass between us, and I admit, I have grown to hate driving that road in the winter, so we don't get to see them as often as we wish we could. The kids love love love going to visit Grandma. Again, memories being made. The room we stay in is like a cozy hideaway. The kids adore the little beds Grandma creates for them. She works her grandma magic with pillow, blankets and cushions creating little nooks for their growing bodies. And then to top it off, there is a TV with Cable in the same room, so we all wake up and watch cartoons together while snuggling. It was another hard good-bye, and the kids begged us to be able to stay longer. Tears were shed, and many hugs hugged. As we were trying to leave, I found one of the kidlets tucked in his bed, trying to hide because he didn't want to go. They are tired of good-byes for now. Then again, if this process takes long, there is a chance we may see them again?!!

Just don't tell grandma.

Smile

2009-05-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Just a little something that made me smile this morning.

Enjoy.

This morning as I drove my hubby to work I was amazed by all the new leaves making their oh so quiet yet grand appearance for the year. Spring never ranked as my favorite season, but these last few years it has become special somehow. All that fresh green color, watching the tree's slowly awaken from their long rest. I once heard a poem/song about the beauty of a deciduous tree loosing all its leaves, and the beauty of that place of rest, of shedding. I had never thought of that before, but it was such a sweet relief to be at peace with all seasons of life we go through. And now, to see the precious growth of new buds. It is so cliche, but it really does bring such a sense of hope, doesn't it?! If we stop long enough to listen. The life that was tucked away, so ready to hide for just a while, now can not help itself from bursting forth.

2009-04-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

picture of my boys with neighbor friend

This weekend our very good/great/fabulous/always dreamt of neighbors like this - are moving away. Well, they are just visiting family in other countries for a few months, but will not be back by the time we go. We are all sad at this parting, especially my boys. Our neighbors voiced how sad they were at our moving and had hoped our children would grow up together. Our children run back and forth freely, and we feed each others kids without a second a thought.

Today they are in the end of the end part of moving, you know, cleaning carpets, completely emptying the fridge, wiping the cupboards on more time. This is the best and worst part. You can see the end, but, oh man, you are so done by this point.

Anyways, this afternoon they called over and asked if I had any coffee, and if I did, could I make them a cup and bring it to over? I had just run out of coffee and so I quickly drove and bought them a large cup.

She was a little embarrassed that I done that. But I was so happy. I loved the thought that they would feel comfortable enough to ask me to make them coffee. It made me only love them more and feel a greater loss at their going.

And besides, I of all people know the need of a coffee!!!

So for me, this is another good-bye that I knew had to come before we left. I guess the nice part for me is that these good-bye's are happening in stages, not all at once. All at once could just just have been too much. And for that I am thank-ful!

Resistance if Futile

2009-04-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

this weekend is a Homeschooling conference. Last year was my first one and I loved it!~ For me it was the perfect combination of encouragement and information. Plus it is always extremely refreshing to realize, again, that I am not alone in this path. So, that is all fine and dandy. But there is one part of the conference that I am just not sure what to do about it.

It is the Curriculum Hall.

All these fabulous stores are set up so you can buy their stuff.

Just image a whole gymnasium full of wonderful books. Oh man, I have been pondering all week whether I should even go in. I mean, how can I go in and NOT buy something, anything. I really don't know if I can resist.

But really, that is so silly. I mean, just a few weeks ago I was on here posting about how I had to get rid of books, so why on earth would I go and buy new ones.

I fully realize it is not logical thinking, but I am not necessarily known for my 'logical thinking'.
(yes I can hear those chuckles out there).

So, here is my game plan. There are some resources that I will not be able to have shipped or buy in Hong Kong, so really....

truly...

it only makes sense that I would buy them now!!!

Right???!!!!

(only opinions that agree with me are allowed to be posted by the way hehe)

One life

2009-04-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

My thoughts have been thinking on this for a few weeks.

One Life!~

Just one.

What does that mean to me.

How does that effect the choices I make?

I mean, it is pretty heavy when you think of this being it. These short 70 or 100 years we will be here for. What are the things that we can take with us after our last breath. What will I spend my breath here on? Will I use my years to pursue comforts for me and maybe a few people around me?

Or,

will I pour out my life. Will I spend my life on the things I can take with me?

This life is a gift, and I have to decide how I will use that gift. When my kids get a new toy, I am often giving them the talk 'think of how much more fun it will be if you share it with others rather than just hiding it away for yourself'.

I recently heard how someone described this life. They wrapped a rope around the inside of a large gymnasium, and colored the length of a piece of paper red, leaving the rest white. The part that is red is this life here and now, the rest is eternity. The challenge was of how we spend so much time thinking about that one short red part of our life. Yet in comparison to the rest of the rope, it is such a tiny part. I believe the rest of the rope is going to AMAZING!! There are so many wonderful things in the here and now for us. Me and the kids talk often how amazing it is going to be to live on the ocean, I have personally dreamt of living by the ocean for many years. I am so thank-ful for those blessings!

But, that is not it. Those blessings are not my fulfillment!

Eternity is the prize that I set before me. It is what will make all the good things I experienced here even better, and will make all the hard things I experienced here worth it.

But I believe it won't just make it 'worth it'. I am going to see those things in such a completely different light. Now I only see thru a glass dimly, but there, well, there I will see it as it is.

Won't that be amazing!

I can hardly wait.

Safety

2009-04-23T15:28:00.001-07:00

It was a wonderful sunshiny day. The temperature was still a little chilly, but the sun was calling us outside. After an.....interesting morning with my boys that included school, laughter, laundry, and how shall I put it.....anger management classes, we headed to the beach for some play time. We played tag, buried each other in the sand, and tried to build a castle with dry sand (they soon figured out that wasn't going to work so well). It was glorious.

One of my boys came up to me and asked if he could hug me, and I of course laughed out loud because everyone in this house knows I am always ready for a hug. So as we hugged he said how safe he felt when he hugged me. That made everything worth it today. Just that one simple statement.

With our visitors gone, I have started back into sorting for packing. It feels a bit strange to be doing this all without our tickets in hand, but that is okay. I think I will probably cry when we finally do have them! Brad is just putting the finishing touches on his paper and can hopefully hand it in the beginning of next week. We can already feel the relief of being done his classes! What an accomplishment. I am so totally proud of him! Then we can finally get the visa application under process, which will lead to ticket purchase.

I have many moments when I feel a bit overwhelmed at all that needs to be done, but it passes, and the excitement takes over again. We have had a few moments of stressing about our visa's going through, but that too passes.

Really these are just the hoops that have to be jumped through yet, and so it will be such an amazing feeling when we are finally going.

"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again......."

How love can make you cry

2009-04-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Today was a sad day for me.

For the last week we have had family come to visit. It was wonderful to have a houseful for Easter. There was one family missing from each side of the family (one of my sisters and family, and Brad's mom and hubby). We were sad that they were not here as well. It was so fun to have everyone around. a little crazy at times, but wonderful. It made for a super busy week, yet we managed to find time to visit with everyone. It was extremely special to have everyone come for a visit before we go.

This morning the last of the visitors left, my dad and mom and family left. We don't get to see most of our extended family often, so we soak up the moments that we do have together. This morning I was thinking of the line "these moments in time". We hold them closely as we carry on.

We count the cost of following our dreams.

My children saw that this morning.

My family has a certain reputation for crying. So this morning as I was hugging my dad good-bye, we were both crying. My children watched as the tears fell. After they waved one last time as grandma and grandpa drove away, they came and hugged me. One brought me coffee (teehee she knows me well), another came and snuggled me. One came separately and quietly asked me why I was crying. I told him how sometimes you love so much is makes you cry. He then asked why grandma and grandpa can't just live with us, then we would never have to cry and say good-bye.

So I have been thinking of this today. Thinking of what a powerful thing love is.

As my kids get older, I often think of how we don't understand what out parents go through and feel, until we have our own children. Now as we get ready to fly across the ocean, I feel keenly aware of the gift of blessing Brad and I have received from family. And I wonder what my heart will feel like as I hug my children good-bye as they sail off on their own adventures. I pray we can be as gracious in releasing them with a blessing to follow their own calling.

What an amazing gift it is!

Thank-you!

Last week

2009-04-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Last week we had the privilege of having two 12yr old Japanese girls staying with us. They were here on their spring break. They went to English school during the day, and then came home for super and the evenings. We have hosted other students in the last year, but they were all older and out of school. The week went by very quickly as they came on Sat. afternoon, and left the following Sat., very very early in the morning.
They were so very sweet. We had a wonderful week getting to know them as best we could. They had very little English skills, but it was amazing to watch the week unfold. As is part of their culture, they brought us many gifts, all hand picked for each person. They each brought a photo album for us to keep of their homes, families and activities they are apart of.
They were incredibly jet lagged the first night, and I actually had to chase the one girl as she walked out the door and down the driveway in her sock feet. She had woken from a nap extremely confused, and really had no idea where she was. I felt so bad for her. I took her back to her room, closed the door and guarded it for a few minutes to make sure she didn't run out again before she went to bed.
Our children soon found ways to communicate, and jumping on the trampoline and playing Wii became the two favorite activities. It was amazing to watch and listen to the laughter that transcended all language barriers. Feshya of course loved having some other girls in the house, and it was fun to take them all shopping. A little painstaking at moments, but I suppose shopping with three tween girls of any culture could be!
I was also struck with the honor of caring for someone's child whom I had never meet. I thought of how I would feel should I send my children across the world to stay with another family.
When we dropped them off early Saturday morning to say good-bye, tears began to fall as I hugged them good-bye. We came home to special notes written in origami hearts.
What an honor!

One thought

2009-04-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

Today I have one thing bouncing around my brain.

OHH

MY

GOODNESS............

IT

IS FINALLY

HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The shift

2009-03-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

I have felt the shift begin. I recognize all the signs. I remember feeling this and going through this so many times before. (we have moved 12 times in 13 yrs of marriage!!!) It is the emotional and mental shift that happens when you move. For so long we have imagined moving back to China, but we were still here. Now, we are still here, but as the days go buy, our thoughts and emotions are making the shift to getting ready and then being there.
It reminds me that there really is only so much the human body can process at one time. Our emotional and mental energy is slowly being used less for events and life here. It begins as a slow switch but every day it quickly gains speed. Today I drove past our place of worship and I noticed how my heart had less of an emotional pull there. It is strange yet wonderful. I even remember flying to Shanghai. It was almost as if my mind was processing at the same rate as the plane. When we first left I was thinking of how hard it was to say good-bye and how I will miss people. Half way there I was thinking half of home and half of living in China, then it shifted more and more to living in China.

The kids are begging us to tell them what day we are flying out. We will not know for a bit. We are guessing somewhere between the end of May and beginning of June, but we have to wait until Brad get's his transcript from the school. (I may have written this all already, sorry, I do tend to repeat myself) The kids are already saving their money to go to Disney Land in Hong Kong.

We have had two more gifts given to use to help with our move.

I am speechless!

I am truly blown away over and over at how our Father is supplying more than we could have imagined. Just a few months ago we really had no idea. None. Silch, zero.

But we believed the words that were spoken into us over and over and over. Each time they seemed to have gone deeper. We wavered many times, doubting, asking to see the nail scarred hands. Yet, his word is true and is not dependent on my doubting or not. I am a thank-ful daughter. He is good all the time, no matter what. That never changes.

A few pictures of where I am shifting to.

Lacking inspiration

2009-03-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

For days I have been walking past the computer thinking I really should post something, but I have not had a lot of inspiration. My brain has been in a not so creative mode. Maybe that is why. (although I did go and finish a painting a few nights ago and that was very soothing.)

There are a few things I am very excited about.

First, Brad and I are going on a date tonight. I mean a real, just me and my man, only talk to others if we want to, date. See, for the last many months, we have paid a babysitter not so we could go and stare into each other eyes. But rather so I could go to a meeting while Brad went to school. That was getting a little stinky in my books. A friend has offered to not only take our kids, but is also giving us some gift certificates so we can go out for a nice meal. The kind with low lights, and private booths and funky music in the back ground. Most of mine and Brad's time together as of late has been trying to make some major decisions as we pass by each other at night, so this will be divine.

Second, we are having two young Japanese girls at our house for the next week. I does feel rather strange to be cleaning and making my house look 'nice' when I am in packing and getting rid of it mode. But I think it will be a lot of fun. It is only for one week, which is a nice length of time right now. Then a week later I have family coming to visit. It is going to be wonderful to have family here for Easter. We will do a turkey and all that. I am sure I will cry many tears when they leave. Strange to be going through all the emotions again of saying good-bye and not sure when I will see them again. But last time we didn't know or use skype, so that will go a long way in staying connected.

The power of connection

2009-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

The strangest and yet not so strangest thing happened to me today. Someone stopped by to buy some of my homeschooling material. No, that isn't the strange part believe it or not. (yes I am selling my books, I figured if I start with the hardest thing first, it will all be downhill from here)

A bit of history.

This lady is someone I connected with at the homeschool conference last year. Actually, my kids connected with her kids. Sammy came up to me and said he had a new friend who had gone to the Great Wall of China.

Then Feshya told me her new friend had also been to China. We soon realized they were brother and sister. In talking to the mom I found out they had adopted a child China, and have a real heart for the country. And of course I shared our heart about wanting to move back. We exchanged phone numbers, but never got together. (yes one of my regrets!)

So today she showed up on my steps. I told her we were off to China. She got so excited for us, and said they were in the process of adopting another child from China as well.

The strange thing was, while I was telling her about our going, for the first time, I wanted to cry. I just wanted to sit down and shed many tears.

I thought about this.

It wasn't just that she was excited, it was that power of connection. It was the sharing of a burden for the same thing. It was two hearts understanding something precious in each other and holding it as precious.

I have many friends and family who are very happy and excited about all that is going on in our lives, and this isn't to diminish that. But it made me think of how powerful it can be when we fellowship and commune with others who share a similar vision. And to not let meaningful relationship pass us by!

I declare it to be spring

2009-03-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

Now I fully realize it is totally and completely outside of my powers to declare such a thing, but I did something today that decided that in this house, we will now act as if it is spring.

We set up our trampoline!

We did it all on our own without my hubby's big muscles to help. It was a challenge, and there were a few injuries along the way, but we were a determined bunch. Me and my 6 helpers.
With 'Go mommy go' chanting, I had to come through. The thought of waiting for Daddy to get home seemed impossible.
The ground may still be squishy and a bit muddy, but when you can go outside without a jacket, and some with shorts, you just gotta get that trampoline up. (It was only +10, but one little boy of mine was really determined to show me just how warm it was)

Besides, as a homeschooling mother, buy this time of year, I am getting a little desperate for activities that happen outside! They need to be outside. Trust me, it is better for everyone that spring is finally, almost, kinda here.

Let's just hope we don't get another freak snow storm again this weekend!

Making a list, checking it twice

2009-03-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Last night I sat up making a list of what we want to sell, which is just about everything. It felt really good to get it on paper. Funny how just making a list can make an insurmountable task.Magical really how ink marks on squashed wood chips can put things in perspective. The kids were all right beside me making a list of their own, and Ethan was trying to figure out how much we could get for our library books!

There really are only a few things that I will find difficult to sell. One major is a beautiful wooden platform bed frame my hubby made me. It is solid wood with a dark espresso colored stain. I love love love my bed frame. He amazes me at his ability to turn scrap wood into beautiful projects. This is the kind of thing I imagine passing down to my children, but at this point it seems too much to try and store somewhere. Especially if one was to think of paying for storage. He tried to comfort me and tell me how easy it would be to make another one, 'but this one is special' I told him. He also made Nefeshya a similar one. So, I have been telling myself that there is a season for everything. There are some items from my mom that I need to find safe keeping for, and pictures and such, but other than that it was quite fun to think of finally getting rid of this all.

Except for one thing.

My books!!!

I love my book collection. Well, it isn't really my books, as they are not books for me per say, but books for my kids and schooling. Growing up, my mom loved historical fiction books. And she passed that love on to us girls. I kinda forgot about it for a few years, but since homeschooling, this appreciation and love for books has resurfaced in me. As I gaze at my book shelf, I have hard time imagining shifting thru them. A lot will be easy to get rid of as my kids are passed certain stages. But, there are a lot that Nefeshya used, Sammy is just using, and Ethan has yet to use. I have collected books for a few years now. Hubby is already slowly working on making me realize I will not be able to take them all. We will see! At least we are going to a warm climate, so our clothes will take up less space than last time. When we went to Shanghai I had not counted on how cold it was going to be, and didn't pack enough warm clothes. It is fun packing this time because I have such a great sense of what thing I should have packed that I didn't, and things I should have left at home. It will make this transition so much easier!

Other than my books of course!

Sat. thru Sammy's eyes

2009-03-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

We were out and about all day Sat. Here is the day thru Sammy's eyes of the Camera. And some from Brad at the end.

Well, Blogger is putting my photo's in some crazy order, but that will have to do, because I don't know how to fix it.

Have a great monday!!

Oh me Oh my

2009-03-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is hard to put into the words the joy I have today. It really may not seem to be that joyous occasion to anyone passing by my house today, but, really, this is major.

Are you ready for it??

Really ready?

Today it was plus 3!!

But that isn't it.

My kids got out their bikes..........and.............played outside for over 2 hours!!!! Did you get that, outside for over two whole hours!!!

Really, I can hardly contain my excitement that the days and months of being inside with only little excursions out may be coming to an end.

Yes all my prairie family, I know this complaining about the weather sounds more than a little funny to you, but......well......I have gotten a bit wimpy about this cold weather thing. I will fully totally admit it!!!

As I write this I am also fully away that in a few months, I am sure you will be reading posts of me complaining about all the heat and humidity.

But, this is today, and today I happy for warmer weather!!!

It is Happening!!!!!

2009-03-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I just returned from an amazing, fabulous, wonderful weekend with my sisters. They whisked me away to Edmonton for the weekend. Yes, the weather was horrible, but that really didn't bother us too much. We just ran even quicker to the West Edmonton Mall! hehe We have never gotten together like this (without our respective families) and I am sad we have not. I adore my nieces and nephews, and it has always been hard to live provinces away from them, but it was extremely special for just us three to have a special time like this. This trip was a bit of a farewell for me, and I am so thank-full to my amazing sisters for this weekend! Thank-you! It is a weekend I will hold dear to my heart for a long long time. And when I think of you and miss you, I know, 'we will always have the candy store!'

And it appears that the timing was perfect. We have had a major donation come in (you know who you are, Thank-you really doesn't say enough!) and it looks like we will be buying our tickets to Hong Kong for the end of May. We sensed it would be this spring, but it truly was not in our hands to decide. I am still not fully comprehending that it really is all coming together, and I think maybe when we have the tickets in our hands I will do a crazy dance, and then maybe fall on the floor crying, then get up and dance, then fall down crying, then.....well, I think you get the picture.

Sammy counted the days yesterday and I think he said something like 76 days (I am not sure what day he was counting too). Not a lot of time to get it all together, or should I say get rid of it all. But, last time we went I got ready in just one month, so over two months is a nice change!! I think my next few months will consist of garage sales, garbage runs, thrift store runs, and packing the rest. Oh yah, I will also be schooling, but I think I have that narrowed down to the must do's for this school year. Besides, I can always start up again in summer when we are all melting from the heat and just want to sit in front of the air-conditioner ( I hope I have an air-conditioner!).

So, if anyone wants to buy anything from my house, just put in your order, and it is all yours!

The choice of success

2009-03-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

It is that time in my year where I have to hand in portfolio's of my kids schooling. I am technically not seen as a 'homeschooler' by the government, but my children are distant learners. Many 'real' homeschoolers would turn their noses at me and tell me I am not really a homeschooler either because I have chosen to be accountable to a local school. But, I think we all gotta do what we gotta do, and this is my gotta do. And one look at my kitchen walls, and well, lets just say it isn't covered in maps and the alphabet because we like the educational look!
Anyways.........
as I was saying, I am trying to get my portfolio handed in, and I am just a little late. Anyways, it is always a time where I see all that we have done......and all that we haven't done. I see all their success' and I see all my failures! I love it and hate it. Learning is so unique in all of my kids, it is an amazing journey that I get to watch and guide!

I have also been having an interesting time with my art. A few days ago I was feeling so proud and happy and exciting about what I was doing and wanting to learn, and then one day, I hated it all! I mean, I took it all down because I couldn't even look at it. Then today, I did a few tweeks, and suddenly I am loving it again.
I just read a story about an artist who once was painting out doors and threw all of his supplies into the bush he was trying to paint. But, very next early morning he was up collecting all of his supplies from the death he had sentenced them to. I laughed, I would do that. Okay, maybe I wouldn't, but I sure would think about doing it!!

Just another monday

2009-03-02T13:48:00.000-08:00

Some random thoughts on this random Monday. I am feeling bits better today, and that is a great thing! My kiddo's were giving me such looks of pity this morning it almost broke my heart. One even said to me 'It is a good thing you aren't dying mommy!'. I assured them whole heartedly that I wasn't dying.
There has been a phrase in my head a lot lately, and perhaps I mentioned it before. I was talking to a more experienced mom and she said to me "Try to speak to your children's potential" I have mulled that over and over. I have easily seen that my children respond better to my words that call for them to be all that they can be rather than just the moment they are in. Then today I was talking to a friend who is going thru some very tough relational issues. She was given advice about how to respond, and again, it was speaking to that person's potential, choosing to believe in that potential even when it isn't seen (hmmm, this is starting to sound a little like the definition of faith!). Then I thought of my one great love, and I soon saw that this is exactly how he is towards me ALL the time. He is always calling me to be all that he created me to be, reminding me of what he sees when he looks at me. Although I do wonder sometime/okay alot of the time what kind of funky glasses he must have on.

Second, I wanted to share some pictures that my hubby took last year from the island we will live on. Come, dream with me a moment! Happy Monday!

Enough already.

2009-03-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally caved and took the whole clan to the Dr. yesterday. As I said in the last post, I have been sick lately. But, actually we have all been sick off and on for weeks now. Like, probably about a month at least.(pardon my valley girl talk) I try to stay away from meds and antibiotics if at all possible, but this was just too much. The Dr. laughed when he saw that it was for all of us, and treated my children with such kindness I wanted to hug him. (I once had a Dr. who actually asked if I couldn't have left my children at home with a grandparent or something! How rude!)
Well, after checking us all out, he prescribed antibiotics to one of my kidlets and told the rest of us we needed lots of rest or it would only get worse, and to be prepared for it to take a while. I should have asked him to write a prescription for a housekeeper while he was at it! He even offered to get us some sample cough syrup, and came back with about 9 bottles of it.
But, he really made a good impression when he offered all my kids not just one sticker, but two! Way to go Doc!

The waiting

2009-02-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

wow, with a title like that I could go into a whole long post on my life of waiting.......but I won't. (lucky for youhehe) Well, maybe just a little bit.
Many of my seasons of waiting have felt rather fruitless. Like all I was doing was.........waiting. Well, other than raising and homeschooling my children. But right now, I have felt the most productive in my waiting. I am so greatly charged by my new art projects, I really could kick myself for not following this whisper I have heard much much sooner. It has been a lot of fun to share this new love with my kiddo's as well. They are loving experimenting with paints, and have quickly become spoiled by using all of my paints, and now turn their cute little noses at the kids paint sets.

Yesterday we had coffee with some people. You know, those people you know a little of from a distance. These were those kind of people. Although it was a bit of an interview for ourselves, we were intrigued to learn more of their story. It seemed these were people who have waited for some of their desires, and much longer than I have. I found inspiration in that. I am not sure if it is good to find comfort in someone else's discomfort, but I did.

There are some things happening that bring our move to Hong Kong closer, but.......not quite. Oh, this waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Some days I take joy in how close we are, and others, well, others days, it seems all I can think of is how far away it is yet.

Meanwhile, today I was in bed all day, sick. As I was snugging my almost 6 yr old (I could cry when I read that, my baby is almost 6............) I asked him if he could stop growing. I told him I really needed a little 6yr old in my life forever. He said ever so casually
"Well, it is up to God mom. He will decide if I grow or not".

Being seen

2009-02-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

After my last post I have been thinking a lot about people and more specifically people's stories.

It is a powerful thing to share your story with people. We had some friends over last weekend and as everyone was just sitting around talking, someone started to share part of their story. From there, others began to open up and share a part of their lives that had some of the same elements. It was beautiful to see people hearts be opened to one another. For people to be seen and to see others.
Then yesterday, I was at another friends house, and we began to share our 'battle stories' and how we got through those times. Everyone was laughing as we remembered. We all recounted how we got through the long waits, the disappointments, but also the miracles we had seen and experienced.
And again, I noticed a beautiful thing happen. We all felt encouraged to continue in our journey. There was a strength that was breathed into each one of us as we simply shared our stories.

When I got home, I thought of history, and how many of the old festivals were really remembrances. Remembering the miracles, remembering to be thank-ful, remembering just to celebrate, and sometimes remembering the heartache. They would retell the stories of old,
passing on from one generation to the next.
I remembering being in China, and I would watch a group of women in my apartment complex. Every afternoon they would sit together. In winter they would move with the sun, and in summer they would move with the shade.

I would sit in my window sill and wonder what they talked about, wishing I could join in (even if I didn't knit). Often they would invite me to sit with them, but with my 5 words of mandarin, the conversation never got very far. But, over the months as I watched this daily ritual, I thought of the power of telling our tales. Sharing our moments of greatness, and weakness.
It is a wondrous thing how we were created, isn't it!

This last picture I found, and had to add it, just to remember part of my own journey. This was in Shanghai. I had taken the kids out for an afternoon in the park. And they are super cute if I do say so myself!! Aww, those were great days!

Girlie Girls

2009-02-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

Last night I was invited to a pajama party. There was going to be movies, and chocolate fondue and lotsa fruit. Hmmm, fun, not fun, fun, not fun. Couldn't quite decide. I am not always a 'women's event' kind of person. But, a friend called and said she would go if I would go, so off we went. Plus, with being house bound for more days than is safe, I decided it was in everyone's best interest for me to get out. And it was also in my mind that one of the things I missed the most last time we lived overseas was friends to just hang out with, so why not enjoy an opportunity while I have it. My husband was super amazing as well. It was his birthday yesterday, and he had a major project to get prepared for school today, so I felt bad going, but he said it was fine.
I think he secretly he knew it was in his best interest to get me out!!hehe
I had a blast. It was great to catch up with some old friends while sitting in front of a fireplace. I love fireplaces.
At one point I saw a person whom I don't really know, but wanted to say hi to. A "hi" turned into an hour long conversation. It was such a gift. I love when you talk to someone that it would appear you don't have a lot in common, but as you share a part of your journey, you connect. You understand, and you see in their response that they are connecting as well. It is like a surprise gift. And it isn't just that I was understand, but the feeling of giving someone else the sense of being heard, understood, blessed. Valuing who they are in their journey, without trying to fix it.Even today, the sweetness of feeling understood and embraced remains with me.

Sick days

2009-02-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

Our house has been on the defensive against a nasty bug for the last few weeks. It didn't strike us all at once, but has made a slow progress from one person to another. Mostly it hasn't been too bad. It seems to be flu like, but we have mostly not had the typical really disgusting parts of having the flu (you know, big bowls in every room for 'just in case you don't make it yuckiness).
So today, my only goal was to get out of the house and do something. That is it, just get out. Well, needless to say it is noon, and the prospects are not looking good.
On the homeschooling front we are doing Canadian history and reading some amazing books together. Right now we are reading a book called "Jeremy's war 1812". It is a true story about a boys life as batboy for General Isaac Brook ( a batboy was the go to person). We try to read a chapter a day, but today they begged me to read 'Just one more mom ppplleeeaasseee!!!'. So, it was a the perfect thing to do with half of us being sick. We all crawled under my duvet (it is the only blanket the kids want when they are sick) on the couch and read together for 2 hours. I couldn't believe it. Sometimes they colored while they listened, but mostly we just snuggled together and went on a adventure of how the French, British and Americans fought for Upper Canada. It turned out to be a great morning.

It's not easy being green

2009-02-17T20:10:00.001-08:00

I have a confession.
I have a deep love for the color green.
I don't know where it came from, and not even sure when it really started, but I am drawn to this color in a rather strange way. Maybe it is because it draws out my green eye color that I love, maybe, but who really knows. I recently filled out a survey on facebook (yes, I did join the ranks of facebookers after all my cries of never), and it was write 25 things about yourself. I think I wrote in there at least twice that I love the color green. My sister called me from three provinces away just to point out that it was a little odd.
Then the next day I had an almost complete stranger that I see on a regular basis (we pass one another dropping our girls of at school twice a week) come up to me and comment on how much I must love the color green.

I have these two green sweaters. So I wear them.........alot.

Then two days later, I had another mom comment on my love for green as she tried not to stare at my green shoes.
Those wonderful green shoes are one of many gifts I have been given because the giver knew of my deep love of green. I get so many compliments on these shoes. (thanks Lisa)

All these comments in such a short period of time was starting to get a little strange, and I thought perhaps I should start to feel a little more self-conscious about my love of this fabulous hue.

Those wonderful green shoes are one of many gifts I have been given because the giver knew of my deep love of green. I get so many compliments on these shoes. (thanks Lisa)

Once a friend was coming over and gave me a dish cloth because.....well you probably guessed it....it was green. I loved that, I thought it was so amazingly spectacular, and didn't use if for the longest time because it didn't want it to get dirty and stinky as all dish clothes do.

I have been given a bowl, because it had green rings around it, and I see it everyday and think of that friend too (Jenine, you knew)

Last year for my birthday, my hubby was in China. So my very vonderful friend took my children to buy me some gifts. They knew me perfectly. A green sweater, a huge cozy green blanket, and some chocolate. (no the chocolate wasn't green hehe) (Carrie -that was the best)

I was given a necklace that women in Africa make out of recycled paper, and yes it is green.

Right now I am sad, because my favorite necklace, green glass beads, is missing in action. My world is just not right with out it.

Oh the list could go on.

After thinking this all thru, here was my conclusion. Some people are known for their amazing singing, some people for their great cheesecakes.

Me, well, every time you see green, think of me. Those green sweaters and blankets have wrapped me in a happy coziness during this long cloudy winter. Those shoes, I will wear them, and love the spring the bring to my step. My fruit tastes better out of a bowl with green rings, and my dishes are cleaner because of the green cloth. I feel like a superhero when I were my green necklaces.

No, I will not be ashamed.

I admit.

I love green!

Holding it all loosely

2009-02-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

As I have said before, we have lived out our lives with the thought of moving overseas for a few years now. We casually throw around comments like 'you can go to camp if we still live here', 'No we are not going to buy that in case we go soon' etc etc. Most of the time this is part of our normal conversation, and a big part of our decision making.
There are times when I realize how strange it is to be raising my kids this way. How really not normal it is. But then there are times when I see how hard it is for my kids.

We were at the store a few weeks back and all my kids wanted to spend their allowance on the biggest cutest softest stuffies ever. So casually I said that there would be a good chance that these stuffies would be too big to take along when we move to Hong Kong.
Like I said, this is a normal part of conversation for us. But that day, it was different.
Two of my kids skipped off picking a small one they new would fit in the coveted "2 suitcase quota'. But one of my precious little ones stopped. In the business of Superstore I almost missed it and was about to tell him he needed to hurry up. As I looked at his face I saw the questions. In that moment, he felt the strangeness. He knew how hard the giving up would be, how difficult to pick of all his belongings, what was going to come with him.
In that moment I uttered a desperate breathe prayer, for him, for us all.

But I trust the journey. I choose to trust the journey. I trust that hands that hold it all.

I also think of all of those who have and are doing this. It has been a wonderful thing for us to know so many families living overseas. I remember the first time we went and found online forums of moms who lived overseas. Suddenly I felt like I was apart of a special club. It always helps to not feel alone.

Mom

2009-02-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

Hi mom. I miss you so. Today I thought of you. Wondered how lovely it must be where you are. How is heaven anyways? Me and the kids often talk of what you might be doing and how wonderful it will be when they can finally see you. And they really want to know what you are seeing and hearing there. I tell them how you made the best bread and buns. How often I came home after school and you would slice that warm bread and put some butter and jam on it and how of course the jam was homemade too. Every time we go to Sears I tell them of our shopping there. I tell them how much you would have loved them. Then I secretly wonder to myself how it would be for you to be here. Especially on those days when I just want to go home. I want to go where I can sit and my kids can behave in all the ways I tell them not too, and you would scold them with love. But I will not feel like I need to jump up and correct them, because I am home. And mom, even after all these years, it is still hard not to think of the regrets. Of all the should have and could haves. But then I remember the words that were whispered to me from heaven that soothed my soul 'She has been healed completely'. And thinking of those words brings me the same peace it brought me all those years ago.
I love you mom!

"To me they were Mom"

2009-02-12T16:31:00.001-08:00

Today was Feshya's Valentines party. She wanted to bring cookies. So yesterday we got out her Fairy Cookbook and she choose the cute little marshmallow fudge cutouts. Well, they didn't exactly work to cut out, but they were yummy and the perfect shade of pink for any 9 yr girl's world. Being the fabulous mom that I am (please see the humor there) I had to find a way to make it work. There needed to be some redeeming.
The day had started with making Valentine's to hand out. We got out all our supplies with ideas of the fabulous/better than any bought valentine's we were going to make. That was the plan, yet our sad little papers were not turning out as we had imagined. So, I looked at her and said "I bet they have some really cute one's at the store with the sparkle's already on them.......????!!!!". Off we went, and found the cutest Littlest Pet Shop ones that really did have sparkles on them (score one for momma).
And now the cookies. I couldn't possibly just go and buy something. So I put on my Super Mom Cape and thought, What to do with this fudge. I had to make this work. I saw visions of getting a 'My mom is the best and makes all the best things, and don't you wish your mom was like mine' award.
So after sending her off to school this morning, and then spending the morning in the kitchen, I flew off in my Super Mommy Mobile (otherwise known as the really stinky dirty green van out in my driveway).
After many giggles, hugs and kisses upon delivery I knew I had done good. Really good.

But, I had to ask.

"So, were the cookies the best at the party?" Yes I do see the grasping for a compliment I was doing there, just so you know.
And she said the magic words

"To me they were mom!"

That is what she said. I smiled and leaned over and kissed her forehead, and she smiled at me knowingly.

This is the moment that makes it all worth while.

February

2009-02-10T20:07:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is with this month. I have tried to enjoy it, maybe even love it, but it just ain't workin for me. I am cold, chilled, right to my core. I am wondering if it is healthy how many cups of tea and coffee I consume in a day just to try and stay warm. Most days I just want to crawl under my coziest of blankets and have a nice long nap, then make a great cup of coffee and read a book. That doesn't work too well when I am supposed to be educating my children, and making sure we all have clean clothes and unmentionables to wear. I do realize I live in one of the 'warm' pockets of this vast country of ours when it comes to winter. I really do have so much respect for my family who continue to brave those nasty prairie winters. Really, you get the prize. The one thing I am jealous of is the beautiful sunshine you get even when it is minus a zillion degrees. So, tomorrow I will make pink heart cookies with my children for Valentines day. We will call it math, reading, and health class. (oh how I love the homeschooling life) Maybe that is why someone decided to put Valentines in one of the dreariest months of the year. To give us something to celebrate - Love! And really, what could possibly be better to celebrate than Love. Then we will all crawl under big cozy blanket together and eat those sugary heart cookies together!

Finally

2009-02-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

We are back! The powers that be got confused and when I tried repeatedly to log onto my Blog, they decided someone was tampering with my account. So after many emails explaining to all these powers that be that is was only sweet little ol me, not some masked mad person trying to steal my account, the decided to let me back. And for that I am thankful. So all of you out there please know, Google and Yahoo take their security VERY seriously!

Art class

2009-01-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

My children love painting. Since I received a box full of supplies in the mail last year (Thanks mom!) they have come to love 'real paints', not the water color trays in the children's isle. Can't say I blame them. Someone once encouraged me to create with my children, not always away from them. That is some of the best advice I have been given. What a freeing thing to explore this together as well. And I am always amazed at how it brings out sharing, and encouraging with my children. So anyways, we love creating together, and I wanted to share. Oh yah, and and little dance at the end too.

In the quiet of the morning

2009-01-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

The house is quiet, the children are sleeping, even that cat hasn't come home from his all night prowls. This is a strange thing indeed. First, I greatly dislike getting up early, and it has never seemed to matter how early I get up, my youngest will always hear my toes touch the floor and he is up. Mind you, he usually loves to snuggle for a while, so I don't usually mind too much. (just don't tell him I told you that or he will be embarrassed hehe) But, this being surrounded by quietness, is a gift.

"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice"

Photo by talented Hubby

Last night was another wonderful adventure in painting. I had started a piece, but just didn't like it. This is when I discovered the beauty of acrylics, and I totally changed it. But the really great thing was the mistake gave it some depth. And I changed it to be all green. Really, is there anything better in life than something, anything, that is all green! I think not. My hubby had to do a grammar test while I was painting. Don't you just feel for him. He met someone recently who loves grammar and has taught it for 20some years. Oh the pain and misery, I can't even imagine how much I would have to get paid, and given vacations, and and showered with gifts of green things to ever do that. So we watched some Iron Man after and he felt much better!