tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72851457799035421532024-03-05T21:20:49.348+08:00Walking to China.Join one family as they walk through a new life in a new country.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-80427936500791768202012-10-07T13:30:00.001+08:002012-10-07T13:30:44.745+08:00Down Syndrome Awareness monthI am blogging today at my new blog -an update on our little guy<br />
<a href="http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-he-changed-our-life.html">http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-he-changed-our-life.html</a>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-79690550815541696332012-08-06T08:42:00.002+08:002012-08-06T08:42:35.333+08:00Blogging at the new place today.I am blogging on grief at my new blog today.<br />
<a href="http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/2012/08/grief.html">http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/2012/08/grief.html</a>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-66321093838314397072012-07-29T12:00:00.001+08:002012-07-29T12:00:39.466+08:00Places of Peace and BeautyOn our last day on the coast we went again out to a lighthouse. We drove through swirling fog out to the Cape Meares Lighthouse and took a short walk down to the edge of the cliff<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLQAHNVmMw6d8cQOKQL9AFFVtE8MLhGF00Dcv33iItI9Y6CSTfNaU6e14kXIXI45T6DfHAwteyu8EVUhrt3bdMhOq5RAbHXzc6wYdsIIkpyarFq9XwZfjcTJiClkl0UOaX8-gizZ78QE/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLQAHNVmMw6d8cQOKQL9AFFVtE8MLhGF00Dcv33iItI9Y6CSTfNaU6e14kXIXI45T6DfHAwteyu8EVUhrt3bdMhOq5RAbHXzc6wYdsIIkpyarFq9XwZfjcTJiClkl0UOaX8-gizZ78QE/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The views were spectacular...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6XI0qsEHsVEsCm0DjFy5efY-y5_JLkU_Ej1fZ3-5PFDn5LiqcUiLcBCWWLpNqebHJC1nkYjGJd3SJi8-Rc1YbrzjN9Bd5d1XVZTQ7gYe2qOhkM5e7FMeZpz93f-9uwK10v6nJDtQuhA/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6XI0qsEHsVEsCm0DjFy5efY-y5_JLkU_Ej1fZ3-5PFDn5LiqcUiLcBCWWLpNqebHJC1nkYjGJd3SJi8-Rc1YbrzjN9Bd5d1XVZTQ7gYe2qOhkM5e7FMeZpz93f-9uwK10v6nJDtQuhA/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
as was the lighthouse.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmM7JGMv79WVIJ1xwx-AyQ0vL2D7OhfAX8p9V6Yrc9REahzhLrkNygfZLFh_KTcu9zPq0v8oXvobNcjdqL18zDyWtKqPyWe3kz0ntBVUqfUOD46EdYHlBdVpmpQE1Fz2XeyQCBbbrzEI/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmM7JGMv79WVIJ1xwx-AyQ0vL2D7OhfAX8p9V6Yrc9REahzhLrkNygfZLFh_KTcu9zPq0v8oXvobNcjdqL18zDyWtKqPyWe3kz0ntBVUqfUOD46EdYHlBdVpmpQE1Fz2XeyQCBbbrzEI/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View from the other side of the cliff.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5lN3XUiE4NAPsXdaKS5uZJwF7eV0lsTgV6BfPgBpM-zjAMW5bDrsxjo2uRbo8aeQM4JZ0YYmer2SonkIWtTQs_1jqKzPYzPtSfTegnnjvePrunAINhO7XGTym-MYWP5zM1AwCHCgO3U/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5lN3XUiE4NAPsXdaKS5uZJwF7eV0lsTgV6BfPgBpM-zjAMW5bDrsxjo2uRbo8aeQM4JZ0YYmer2SonkIWtTQs_1jqKzPYzPtSfTegnnjvePrunAINhO7XGTym-MYWP5zM1AwCHCgO3U/s320/IMG_0626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The next day, we got up, drove through the Tillamook Forest through Portland, across the Columbia River and into our new life in Washington. We got Elisabeth from her TCK camp at Multnomah on Friday and started to pull our live together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honestly, it's been hard. It's hard to re -acclimate to what we know but don't know. People have been gracious and kind but we are in a kind of in-between stage of our lives. We are settling in but it just takes time. We have heard that it takes about 18 months to really re-adjust.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4w8lTJsNnYZXS-AnTAzHkWgIn74sAsS5Fs-hOSEStScO_A4kFedmpw043rDsHpj_7T3ihFUApHrN4NL2WVBO1HxOilmvsgJbUpZZLkzO3XJ2YnGpg6ANDe1lREJCh449QOrXkTcsKWI/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4w8lTJsNnYZXS-AnTAzHkWgIn74sAsS5Fs-hOSEStScO_A4kFedmpw043rDsHpj_7T3ihFUApHrN4NL2WVBO1HxOilmvsgJbUpZZLkzO3XJ2YnGpg6ANDe1lREJCh449QOrXkTcsKWI/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today we got some unsettling news. By "happenstance", I saw an ad for The Grotto in a tourism guide. The Grotto is a Catholic Retreat and Prayer Grounds in Portland about 10 minutes from our home. So Elisabeth and I got in our borrowed van and drove over. We both felt the need for some outdoor beauty in a peaceful place.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDf6lwPmR_HnKzt4De9tkt-yDfeP42F-75bx55vD2IUBT-zOFmRz572md3vWWITcuL4cIWl0vFZutNiunOpEXYU8WswyPCCq8QqLKkm1nVh1gOxIv0CdDc5KAwwnosDCTkQ7Tn1w3J8k/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDf6lwPmR_HnKzt4De9tkt-yDfeP42F-75bx55vD2IUBT-zOFmRz572md3vWWITcuL4cIWl0vFZutNiunOpEXYU8WswyPCCq8QqLKkm1nVh1gOxIv0CdDc5KAwwnosDCTkQ7Tn1w3J8k/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We sat in the chapel for a while and prayed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhLVtasjUmuOERqsulCJP2pyBLPXstvQ8EG6O-Vy5dWeNBpYOfDtHnDgtk-vU8eHPFsH0CIT3h2WK6fKmCoMBDbSsUJ66xtFIIPHXH23asSkm048vVIuIEXhoIKOjXNQnCI2GUTaApOc/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhLVtasjUmuOERqsulCJP2pyBLPXstvQ8EG6O-Vy5dWeNBpYOfDtHnDgtk-vU8eHPFsH0CIT3h2WK6fKmCoMBDbSsUJ66xtFIIPHXH23asSkm048vVIuIEXhoIKOjXNQnCI2GUTaApOc/s320/IMG_0637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We walked and saw beautiful gardens with trees, bushes and flowers.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuVMTz7YMRe2x7yNm2EWsnptT2ka351B_AvxbhD-qf-m09Ktk8pY4Trzodi7o2d6jXjg54bs48jYfJbpKj07Uhj_6hd5xjGoYT75cdraZ5a00OyfdkzJgQaoVIFdrH-dvtHfWcsxxkEw/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuVMTz7YMRe2x7yNm2EWsnptT2ka351B_AvxbhD-qf-m09Ktk8pY4Trzodi7o2d6jXjg54bs48jYfJbpKj07Uhj_6hd5xjGoYT75cdraZ5a00OyfdkzJgQaoVIFdrH-dvtHfWcsxxkEw/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took this very odd elevator to the top gardens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshIPQTtPl-PzD3xMVH_hH8sk6AQibrtUumoRj2G5MLmRBbpJfx4ZCUXpFBamjJnwhP5Ek3d9nQOwfolj_HgryJKiD3lsrmF-nI6JZYO-zWxfRJMiVEcDtTDeG7RwqLd5aaijNz1MsVk/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzshIPQTtPl-PzD3xMVH_hH8sk6AQibrtUumoRj2G5MLmRBbpJfx4ZCUXpFBamjJnwhP5Ek3d9nQOwfolj_HgryJKiD3lsrmF-nI6JZYO-zWxfRJMiVEcDtTDeG7RwqLd5aaijNz1MsVk/s320/IMG_0638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most of the statues were very oriented towards Mary the mother of Jesus. As a non-Catholic, they didn't have a strong meaning for me. But some of the others, such as the above, were quite beautiful and well done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am finding these times of quiet and peace more and more necessary in my life, especially in these times of readjustment.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-68981469564394791492012-07-25T08:18:00.001+08:002012-07-25T08:18:45.049+08:00Middle Aged People on a little vacation.We are slowly meandering up the coast of Oregon, breathing in its beauty. Elisabeth is still at the TCK re-entry seminar in Portland so it's just the two of us...which is pretty fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzFO6JDRs5cWar9BTGAMagaJnc6qfRSha7P1n1dEDxVa4Pq2pNaovWmolkWwOIggnaU2la8aw5XKOiiEPJbwCusZZ79r6B_UoVY7lDYFA-_dbzG6PCazybjA5Sm-W8cjfQYcFIoxU2Nw/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzFO6JDRs5cWar9BTGAMagaJnc6qfRSha7P1n1dEDxVa4Pq2pNaovWmolkWwOIggnaU2la8aw5XKOiiEPJbwCusZZ79r6B_UoVY7lDYFA-_dbzG6PCazybjA5Sm-W8cjfQYcFIoxU2Nw/s320/IMG_0562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We stopped for lunch at this beautiful little inlet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQStH1o3gbaZiJa0eQBbXBdjhAIvGS3lbNbrKCE08FDxrJnhIqNf0OrS7whyBavQTdHZ_9XMZuHljhjV0jwFVIQCtLadoU-uGUnGeAd-jssOAZtv9sqfQfXdXvrEwHM8L0RoFE6Zgy3cM/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQStH1o3gbaZiJa0eQBbXBdjhAIvGS3lbNbrKCE08FDxrJnhIqNf0OrS7whyBavQTdHZ_9XMZuHljhjV0jwFVIQCtLadoU-uGUnGeAd-jssOAZtv9sqfQfXdXvrEwHM8L0RoFE6Zgy3cM/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There were many, many crab....cages? traps? What are they called?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmKFmXkJ76N5kNyKgeNtY44F5qsP62JjBSrpTdH8FPZBnQnbN1p-alsWCORanqjASrkbSpeeaywC-6-fHFP9PX-aDrF5dMx3ziyh_iFL8G5JyuOtaa1x55qeWfSnrPkGXuHhcgup1YCg/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmKFmXkJ76N5kNyKgeNtY44F5qsP62JjBSrpTdH8FPZBnQnbN1p-alsWCORanqjASrkbSpeeaywC-6-fHFP9PX-aDrF5dMx3ziyh_iFL8G5JyuOtaa1x55qeWfSnrPkGXuHhcgup1YCg/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went to a place called Devil's Churn in Cape Perpetua. Where did I learn about Devil's Churn? Pinterest! I saw a picture of it and looked it up.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgRFsDbI1KA9gnPzYVGp1J9G64Nc6yroPwkEBcf1BT8rITOsVq2gPbEigZeFqbFaeM6Il3wdh3SJ8mMaP6CbWu08a3E9H35ywHlH_cO-Vs7kFFlKLCuqRcAiwiG5nZnGH6SoGcHeG8bM/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgRFsDbI1KA9gnPzYVGp1J9G64Nc6yroPwkEBcf1BT8rITOsVq2gPbEigZeFqbFaeM6Il3wdh3SJ8mMaP6CbWu08a3E9H35ywHlH_cO-Vs7kFFlKLCuqRcAiwiG5nZnGH6SoGcHeG8bM/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The water rushes into the little cove really fast and furious.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-MficE8deCGW3qt0zauRzglPdujdnsn-LHJBp-j91VLxeT4p14Y3uBcBVIA6997U9K4Tz_g8V3Q4Ms78Ovt6YHWbAHj1E9MGwc8rd31d2Y8xOI4ZFDJUsn8YaDG9Jxnu0qFi14BlZYc/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-MficE8deCGW3qt0zauRzglPdujdnsn-LHJBp-j91VLxeT4p14Y3uBcBVIA6997U9K4Tz_g8V3Q4Ms78Ovt6YHWbAHj1E9MGwc8rd31d2Y8xOI4ZFDJUsn8YaDG9Jxnu0qFi14BlZYc/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It churns....like the devil! It was really fun to watch.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vz5I_O0o2hIgr90gKBJ2khyr1pWPA_C38GaDeFpziJUuciWpHzipwiJdwYrdOAWFg7y0q1q1HWC9Jg1IhO5KKn9WeqraWZfzD-WGwVuGRK65pPOUybx2dlaqTGfwiJx1HCDDvrVKzr0/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vz5I_O0o2hIgr90gKBJ2khyr1pWPA_C38GaDeFpziJUuciWpHzipwiJdwYrdOAWFg7y0q1q1HWC9Jg1IhO5KKn9WeqraWZfzD-WGwVuGRK65pPOUybx2dlaqTGfwiJx1HCDDvrVKzr0/s320/IMG_0585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We stopped overnight in Lincoln and then drove up to Tillamook. We have a love for little museums so we stopped at the Tillamook Pioneer Museum. There were plenty of pioneer artifacts but upstairs is the room of things to scare your children to death with...seriously. It was taxidermy heaven!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9STpKbMTpzOSJp9tSVIpi3Lw4_d4CcopKaM3hwFp-8Yh9SSeX9TeLOIZFwJJvfuVJz7MekacWKyYVgGWMJRs5yoelCq6MD9kr3RYloYrh-vtxZfEbFVk3RnoZJegWv4MR2MXpgVWIctA/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9STpKbMTpzOSJp9tSVIpi3Lw4_d4CcopKaM3hwFp-8Yh9SSeX9TeLOIZFwJJvfuVJz7MekacWKyYVgGWMJRs5yoelCq6MD9kr3RYloYrh-vtxZfEbFVk3RnoZJegWv4MR2MXpgVWIctA/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Children, if you don't listen to me, you'll have to go behind the glass with the yak? Buffalo? and the polar bear and the bear....they will teach you how to behave."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcTVhx70Wjf1cRexpZGLGI_JZBG5Aeahh8HfiJRmhiGMkFKN6qE2MJI6h_cfIBLfCHrzvm5QIVCMpfI_spyM80cRNF99M2Wme6H-FTOGEhL2QByahALgppc6hzmnUn2-p75HmlOT5yF0/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcTVhx70Wjf1cRexpZGLGI_JZBG5Aeahh8HfiJRmhiGMkFKN6qE2MJI6h_cfIBLfCHrzvm5QIVCMpfI_spyM80cRNF99M2Wme6H-FTOGEhL2QByahALgppc6hzmnUn2-p75HmlOT5yF0/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh my....just wow!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAPCkwb4S_9xGrxgx5HFr1a8sAEzzQnhipf6nMNcwzYz7BMFxTiNuk94ryKGaFjkEnSU53avpOScfgiZ0cTAgB6ogqBH10qZC0GZcREOhz5kZR-Q3_ro4Iu007V0SJbw3rjopFLx6WGs/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAPCkwb4S_9xGrxgx5HFr1a8sAEzzQnhipf6nMNcwzYz7BMFxTiNuk94ryKGaFjkEnSU53avpOScfgiZ0cTAgB6ogqBH10qZC0GZcREOhz5kZR-Q3_ro4Iu007V0SJbw3rjopFLx6WGs/s320/IMG_0589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then we drove over to the Tillamook Cheese factory where we saw loaves of cheese being packaged...the two pound loaf and the smaller one. They were being cut right about here.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGTKWpIUe64OMx29SerO5iKZab8VWO12jDo6LvmauVw0JKpXAVG23nxmwW57eQy3rfc0WHAHMTrYvZbm_Z0zNOHThjQ1m3F-J-n70_piYwAmZFD1Pq0XHROV8l-TFVt50hrRF9MDkBbI/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGTKWpIUe64OMx29SerO5iKZab8VWO12jDo6LvmauVw0JKpXAVG23nxmwW57eQy3rfc0WHAHMTrYvZbm_Z0zNOHThjQ1m3F-J-n70_piYwAmZFD1Pq0XHROV8l-TFVt50hrRF9MDkBbI/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iL0x831l9S4BGZOYo8145qyb1izO3E8RsPwctcSeqG7Z7PjC3aGcH925fidLJkuKynXd5ricF8oqpVM_UClQPa02hyJ9SRvgGUkY5rnsJd1QGm0jauo_zxMApYsm3opcS9Bd1bLe3P0/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iL0x831l9S4BGZOYo8145qyb1izO3E8RsPwctcSeqG7Z7PjC3aGcH925fidLJkuKynXd5ricF8oqpVM_UClQPa02hyJ9SRvgGUkY5rnsJd1QGm0jauo_zxMApYsm3opcS9Bd1bLe3P0/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All the workers had these funny t-shirts on and they were friendly and waved at the people gawking at them from above.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmOju2ZIBx1mV_ucxl3WVaovobNkQzKs-20_d5mFy3ASTdetPZ0F9ZfldDQXImQ7sa1puIJUp6dvKs0aUMTiQMF1uZa08z2_Klz-S24pZxkiqEmjGubs0MffHELbLQm89xXWl-9JXkWo/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmOju2ZIBx1mV_ucxl3WVaovobNkQzKs-20_d5mFy3ASTdetPZ0F9ZfldDQXImQ7sa1puIJUp6dvKs0aUMTiQMF1uZa08z2_Klz-S24pZxkiqEmjGubs0MffHELbLQm89xXWl-9JXkWo/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They also had fantastic ice cream.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJKCD3GpvbANdWoH2x2LZ4o7NcAf9xjVriGJjYBTNYiig9exCOkPr6N6KcSr2F0ppGrOSasebXrKcqZA5nuiK-74zdLiMNequOEdGhHeL9GNNOFgKB1E2MhVqgOII33d_7vpdYGIP0y0/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJKCD3GpvbANdWoH2x2LZ4o7NcAf9xjVriGJjYBTNYiig9exCOkPr6N6KcSr2F0ppGrOSasebXrKcqZA5nuiK-74zdLiMNequOEdGhHeL9GNNOFgKB1E2MhVqgOII33d_7vpdYGIP0y0/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We headed over to hike up to a beautiful little waterfall (only 1/4 mile so didn't work off the ice cream). These are salmon berries. I've never seen salmon berries or heard of them. I just heard a girl on the trail say they were salmon berries and either she is right or she was showing off to the boy she was with. He ate one and seemed okay.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn4oHWpjBEO_3S05QsU3iRsYmPdk0Zu2UMf0Gf_eg9F6mIZYLPD7VEGA7XJfrR4zVxfVwuHvIN7sNtWFp4P3F0sQeXgMbB0o0LJtPz3E8YjME2SJsCCyUQHINtd3aEKswFbTPtQuPW3M/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn4oHWpjBEO_3S05QsU3iRsYmPdk0Zu2UMf0Gf_eg9F6mIZYLPD7VEGA7XJfrR4zVxfVwuHvIN7sNtWFp4P3F0sQeXgMbB0o0LJtPz3E8YjME2SJsCCyUQHINtd3aEKswFbTPtQuPW3M/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The waterfall..that is as close as you can get. It was stunning.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fRBzEUAVpcN2PSFmpf88v-nmFfMoOKY0GXgBahXX6y8zMD8zUIyt-0fHbY_140DzkivqEUAAr8zfbvuXMp19PLH0MrCflzIw2et_Pg-ZuMDbYsU0YxnbO8uUM8EwB9VKr95EWkkXRIw/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fRBzEUAVpcN2PSFmpf88v-nmFfMoOKY0GXgBahXX6y8zMD8zUIyt-0fHbY_140DzkivqEUAAr8zfbvuXMp19PLH0MrCflzIw2et_Pg-ZuMDbYsU0YxnbO8uUM8EwB9VKr95EWkkXRIw/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The moss on the trees was incredible-like being in a dinosaur movie.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP5c3AflVWwRrGg_G67nqbE-pyX3D4o9-zzmUg8csToYY-H6dHUpwFF8P0g21xPnM42xQrjU1RIc3d6hfXTLoewHRHuZpV-aC5Tn0C4kzEonvIjlsXls2dxXzePCC8xMaBI5tlVJuINI/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP5c3AflVWwRrGg_G67nqbE-pyX3D4o9-zzmUg8csToYY-H6dHUpwFF8P0g21xPnM42xQrjU1RIc3d6hfXTLoewHRHuZpV-aC5Tn0C4kzEonvIjlsXls2dxXzePCC8xMaBI5tlVJuINI/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paul on the trail.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tonight is our last night of our trip. We are going out for crab and then to a headlands that has a lighthouse. We will have a beautiful drive back, stop off at Multnomah to bring Elisabeth a belt for her dress that she needs for her banquet on Thursday. Then we will cross the Columbia to Vancouver....and start figuring out our new life.</div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-69279335840508668932012-07-24T12:39:00.000+08:002012-07-24T12:39:13.261+08:00New blogI'll still be blogging at Walking to China for a while, especially as I hear about our sweet little guy. We did hear that he is walking even better and can hold up three fingers when asked how old he is....he is three in China even though he is 2.5 in America.<br />
But for a while I've wanted to do a more reflective blog about some things that matter to me. <br />
Here is the link. <a href="http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/">http://weavinganewlife.blogspot.com/</a> I've just begun but I love to have some followers.Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-49803793659387295372012-07-23T12:15:00.003+08:002012-07-23T12:15:57.817+08:00Where we have been the last few weeks.Elisabeth and I flew from Shenyang to Korea to San Francisco about two weeks ago. She was so sick on the plane, I was afraid we'd be quarantined. The day after we arrived, we went to the Palo Alto Urgent Care Clinic where she was diagnosed with strep throat and an ear infection. To quote the doctor "Wow, that's a lot of pus in your ear" and "Wow, that's a lot of pus in your throat." They gave her an ibuprofen shot to ease her pain and put her on anti-biotics and prescription pain meds. It's been a slow recovery for her. I don't think I have ever seen her so sick. So if you flew from Korea to San Francisco a few weeks ago and got sick...so, so sorry. I didn't know.<br />
So our first week in the US was pretty quiet. We rested, bought some books and saw some friends. We also went to an advising seminar for Elisabeth and she signed up for her first quarter classes. Paul flew in on Friday. Saturday we put Elisabeth on a plane for Portland where she is currently attending a re-entry seminar for third culture kids about the start college. Sunday night, Paul and I drove to Fresno where we spent five days doing our own re-entry seminar.<br />
It was five days of doing hard soul work. We talked about China, our sweet little guy, Elisabeth, expectations for the future and more. We talked a lot of about grief and how to grieve well. The grief of not having our little guy is our life is powerful and overwhelming. As much as I have written about him, I just can't write about this. It feels sacred and private. We have grief..and we have peace.<br />
The time there was very good and the people were very kind, helpful and gentle. It was well worth the time.<br />
<br />
We also drove up to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. I don't even have words for how beautiful it was.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXygUnkRUNiRf3dr4cAHCRlNLyRnlxDsa44eirKssNCGOjSWVozZyR3FEVegPVBHwtYWF5FSBKUnUTr4o2rMm7MF9StiTpnVHQCMxz0z3g13kMR3s6haI3ECAOX6X1WTdbuW8DCGEYoms/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXygUnkRUNiRf3dr4cAHCRlNLyRnlxDsa44eirKssNCGOjSWVozZyR3FEVegPVBHwtYWF5FSBKUnUTr4o2rMm7MF9StiTpnVHQCMxz0z3g13kMR3s6haI3ECAOX6X1WTdbuW8DCGEYoms/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqgBPZfEBtVoEpOQY1aIbLiB3yAHu1SheIcRejoWv331ODejgiwmf32VdoFbvBSzAUR2dz53WG_N8P8lKI8FiCQjCp6UwI7-Gk_ZBHMUG-hmZ67yldsN-bCcLTxkJ14KOOaquhjClNVk/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqgBPZfEBtVoEpOQY1aIbLiB3yAHu1SheIcRejoWv331ODejgiwmf32VdoFbvBSzAUR2dz53WG_N8P8lKI8FiCQjCp6UwI7-Gk_ZBHMUG-hmZ67yldsN-bCcLTxkJ14KOOaquhjClNVk/s320/IMG_0542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKIq9gbqLQCsEVSz7ihGqz9H-61a74PeV13l80hUaFdGWmeTn4Vd4Z1e0fL0U3xZMqxZ5n3Y2fEPIHKfEV_-Xso8fJbM-5olV_wR0SZIDB5Yy4V6wp0z2snuafa61ur3rUxRtu3zUvKw/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKIq9gbqLQCsEVSz7ihGqz9H-61a74PeV13l80hUaFdGWmeTn4Vd4Z1e0fL0U3xZMqxZ5n3Y2fEPIHKfEV_-Xso8fJbM-5olV_wR0SZIDB5Yy4V6wp0z2snuafa61ur3rUxRtu3zUvKw/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we were finished at Linkcare, we drove to Sacramento to see dear friends that we have known....forever! It was fun and refreshing to see them and I hope that now we will be on the West Coast, we will see them more often.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today we drove from Sacramento to Crescent City, Ca. Look on a map to see how far that is. We will continue up to coast tomorrow and get to our new place outside of Portland later this week. The drive today was also spectacularly beautiful- golden hills, to fir trees to ocean, to ferns to....well, here are the pictures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb211gj0CMwC-ITQOx6cPei2T4aoFW4_BWmiCweMxQSeOYEpbPCqG5cG66eMH2Vr2QjjJ-OABwfk7ERSo3UQKN6t2V6IE8eiP2txECasM24qjTQCsYVrrT3sbmrDOwNAWC6u9QU9kAaEw/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb211gj0CMwC-ITQOx6cPei2T4aoFW4_BWmiCweMxQSeOYEpbPCqG5cG66eMH2Vr2QjjJ-OABwfk7ERSo3UQKN6t2V6IE8eiP2txECasM24qjTQCsYVrrT3sbmrDOwNAWC6u9QU9kAaEw/s320/IMG_0545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rest stop outside of Humboldt, CA</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhLT3RKvKJPuYM06hGROClobpgCFiqKv-xB1C7H_XaQ0por1GICm4UDv_07NYD7FSObzq3mW7DhNvjSD_NBkWK-cCCJjV7sCpPTTUsgn0oUo-Bos-zKMMNeTDaqlQGLva9ljoPRYsMfI/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhLT3RKvKJPuYM06hGROClobpgCFiqKv-xB1C7H_XaQ0por1GICm4UDv_07NYD7FSObzq3mW7DhNvjSD_NBkWK-cCCJjV7sCpPTTUsgn0oUo-Bos-zKMMNeTDaqlQGLva9ljoPRYsMfI/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Patrick's Point. I camped here 30 years ago.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooShcwY7Q0XPTzLb_c7NbTRybwWPmiTI772cW1TBoxKlB4xWM8nkl1aD4inMn0wWCulWwNrzTQMlaXF6d9yfzxMKCcwfJ7Re6ktYg5AJZsWEEMQfQn2AzEOYj1e6KpzagevS9pkMuQcQ/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooShcwY7Q0XPTzLb_c7NbTRybwWPmiTI772cW1TBoxKlB4xWM8nkl1aD4inMn0wWCulWwNrzTQMlaXF6d9yfzxMKCcwfJ7Re6ktYg5AJZsWEEMQfQn2AzEOYj1e6KpzagevS9pkMuQcQ/s320/IMG_0550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaatTEwVBtnBgObfRzO1OghrrKXR7Smdr7t0WVhyphenhyphenymBiPb5ADJSTljjViAqKpFIX6ADidpIm4QyY6Y3DFg8ttes67cLR_aI2sKkYz_z5eMLcnAsldjgjxZdlEecus31bAGhFsumWQJGSQ/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaatTEwVBtnBgObfRzO1OghrrKXR7Smdr7t0WVhyphenhyphenymBiPb5ADJSTljjViAqKpFIX6ADidpIm4QyY6Y3DFg8ttes67cLR_aI2sKkYz_z5eMLcnAsldjgjxZdlEecus31bAGhFsumWQJGSQ/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Volcanic Rock formations at Patrick's Point.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCnq83haFlC8OZGULtbd5rKaWlOWa-SWlV4sKpWnWQKPQMEWSm6ghPDsXcbf0lPyQFX1GG7_EHQ-S7Nt7f43a48ErpZrPbe0AjiKjcdgP9s85wXIYyGjyQ9WJ4CpW4RVqZiHtgjjfADs/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCnq83haFlC8OZGULtbd5rKaWlOWa-SWlV4sKpWnWQKPQMEWSm6ghPDsXcbf0lPyQFX1GG7_EHQ-S7Nt7f43a48ErpZrPbe0AjiKjcdgP9s85wXIYyGjyQ9WJ4CpW4RVqZiHtgjjfADs/s320/IMG_0555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wild waves and beautfiul sunny skies.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWOtRnm4i0YOVgxjTsOgWz7AdwIKCrC796M35BnNm5Su0UXiWBKedAIQzMQT_QWazJsav_o5wSrlvxIijF73lFI6E1bWB6vuLRrS2nJvrD1uIjCr59qWtCavz6XjdjuoFNaP2-eyBhtg/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWOtRnm4i0YOVgxjTsOgWz7AdwIKCrC796M35BnNm5Su0UXiWBKedAIQzMQT_QWazJsav_o5wSrlvxIijF73lFI6E1bWB6vuLRrS2nJvrD1uIjCr59qWtCavz6XjdjuoFNaP2-eyBhtg/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ferns.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvILNaTrKXNTwo3taxmZj5dvywwfHNl8PD-SioO3v4She24vXFSpzvk-7UNpUYTytpnuPvyyLNGNNYHrlkpxeXF47kft4QaIGi6NuwHfkeXooCkNITHyEKRWbkXZivpe76XgGJ8gNi-Co/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvILNaTrKXNTwo3taxmZj5dvywwfHNl8PD-SioO3v4She24vXFSpzvk-7UNpUYTytpnuPvyyLNGNNYHrlkpxeXF47kft4QaIGi6NuwHfkeXooCkNITHyEKRWbkXZivpe76XgGJ8gNi-Co/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Crescent City volcanic rocks in the ocean.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk2geQoeVLhequo985c_jESoZJkyD1jktFBsiOY9d1gJ0FriAyiOuRiEknU0dDjTIJ6M0NtqXmJUEAvfKiUc2RhOI4IF9DkwMUtu-KUkl6B6hAM4j3hP2_acNZOy8w99EUy41p56mp-U/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk2geQoeVLhequo985c_jESoZJkyD1jktFBsiOY9d1gJ0FriAyiOuRiEknU0dDjTIJ6M0NtqXmJUEAvfKiUc2RhOI4IF9DkwMUtu-KUkl6B6hAM4j3hP2_acNZOy8w99EUy41p56mp-U/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Lighthouse Keeper feeding Jonathan Livingstone Seagull (All my friends who grew up in the 70's know who that is!)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlYHob_OFJJpDVX-MmJD9cZN0TL9Nqu2oY0oX_3_YEJZZHoV_QRkAYi2grtLejwcKd9M6HG7_qnzhvTZojnxV87eDxS97s8Q_KaQ9ylRleyrQJCq-vsr4TfFhsuFr4XX4g5zRBJtDokM/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlYHob_OFJJpDVX-MmJD9cZN0TL9Nqu2oY0oX_3_YEJZZHoV_QRkAYi2grtLejwcKd9M6HG7_qnzhvTZojnxV87eDxS97s8Q_KaQ9ylRleyrQJCq-vsr4TfFhsuFr4XX4g5zRBJtDokM/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Lighthouse where the Lighthouse keeper lives. I want to live here, see whales, feed gulls and occasionally talk to visitors. It's my new life goal! It's spectacular.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tomorrow- the Oregon Coast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-18553892367829387172012-07-15T19:50:00.002+08:002012-07-15T20:44:23.737+08:00Things we (and others) say in China that we don't say in America.*I have to put more money on my phone.<br />
*Do you want to bike or taxi?<br />
*I am going to Beihang-do you need butter?<br />
*There is cheese at Metro-do you want some?<br />
*That is so much mafan (Trouble).<br />
*I am going to be late to school because we have to register at the PSB (police security bureau).<br />
* I am going to late to school because I have to go the visa office.<br />
* _______is going to be late to school because he is flying in from Korea.<br />
* School is closed because a. no water. b. no electricity. c. no heat.<br />
*Are you going to Thailand for Chinese New Year?<br />
* Can you ask the ayi to make tortillas?<br />
* Shen me? (What?)<br />
* Ting bu dong. (Don't understand)<br />
*Can you call driver Ji to take us to the orphanage for vaccinations/ DeJi Hospital for the orphan care clinic or the airport?<br />
* How much was that?<br />
*Can you make that a little cheaper?<br />
* Can you get me a straw for the yogurt?<br />
*I don't feel well- can you go to the pharmacy and get me some anti-biotics?<br />
* You are going to Thailand? Can you get me (what ever medicine is unavailable in China).<br />
*Where is fellowship this week?<br />
*I am going to Beijing for the weekend.<br />
* I've all ready been to the Great Wall.<br />
*What tone is that?<br />
*I can read 3 out of 5 characters on that sign.<br />
*What's the security code to get in your apartment building.<br />
*On a cell phone to a friend with better Chinese "Can you tell the taxi driver how to get there?"<br />
*Let's have Chun Bing for dinner!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-29161092369161057502012-07-07T22:43:00.003+08:002012-07-07T22:43:58.213+08:00Love WinsI was riding my bike from Kitchen Street today with a new wok to take to the US. It's our last day in China it felt really good to ride through the streets one last time. I was thinking about our little guy while I was riding. The painful reality is that we don't have him anymore. On Thursday, we packed up our friend's van with all of his stuff and took him to live with his ayi. He looked quite puzzled as we pulled up and took his stuff in but his face lit up when he saw his shu shu (uncle). That comforted me. We said our good-byes and left quickly. I totally broke down in the van and the tears have been flowing pretty freely. We will see him again tomorrow as he is coming to the airport. At first I thought that was not a good idea but now I am so glad to see him again one more time. My grief is so deep that I really can't even write about it.<br />
When I woke up on Thursday, I thought-today your future begins. There is truth to that. His paperwork is getting done. Things are moving forward. We are leaving China with a sense of peace about his future. The day we found out about Paul's future position in the Pacific NW was the same day that we found out that the orphanage would allow him to be adopted. That felt amazing!<br />
Having this little guy in our life has been amazing. But there has been a cost. Things that are valuable have a cost. My life in particular has been rather circumscribed. I spend a lot of time at home with him rather than out in the city. My Chinese level is lower than it should be. Our little guy is a special needs little guy-he needs supervision all the time. He can't really walk yet and at 2.5 he is a little chunk to haul around. My back may never recover! <span style="background-color: white;">We have paid in time, money and the focus of our work in China. We worry that we haven't accomplished all that we set out to do here. Yes, there is a cost.</span><br />
There is also great joy. We were looking back over past posts today to gather some pictures for a photo album that we will give him. We remembered the skinny little guy who came to us two years ago so dehydrated that he couldn't make tears. He was bitten by a mosquito one of the first nights he was here and his immune system was so compromised that it took three weeks for the bites to heal.<br />
But slowly he grew. Round the clock feeding at the beginning. One of his pediatricians told me that he was was an "unregulated baby." That really resonated with me and I put him on a sleep and eating routine. He gained weight pretty quickly and after a bout with pneumonia that landed him in the hospital, he began to get healthy.<br />
We prayed for the milestones- turning over, sitting, self-feeding, holding his own bottle, standing. We prayed that he would walk before we left China and the morning that he left, he took steps back and forth between Paul and I. That was a major moment.<br />
For the last two years, we have been Mama and Baba. In his future there is a Mom and a Dad or a Mommy and Daddy. Love wins for this little boy!<br />
Our little guy is just one of so, so many who need families. He is no more or less deserving than any of them to be going to a family. We are so, so thankful.<br />
So love, joy, cost, sacrifice. Was it worth it?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby-vd5qAEpfb306B-Z5k91JwMT_VdPaMmMEduo1D-NMtrOECftHInk049SoKuMqti5oNUQCp9ZLcNIwegdzcVj-YGv5ezTAAb5fANzCQUMqYEDsj4QTwV-fhl38i7F-g3lHCSMNwjcIg/s1600/DSC02346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby-vd5qAEpfb306B-Z5k91JwMT_VdPaMmMEduo1D-NMtrOECftHInk049SoKuMqti5oNUQCp9ZLcNIwegdzcVj-YGv5ezTAAb5fANzCQUMqYEDsj4QTwV-fhl38i7F-g3lHCSMNwjcIg/s400/DSC02346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You bet it was! Love wins!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-75258870207892673882012-07-06T22:25:00.001+08:002012-07-06T22:26:18.309+08:0028 years.We sold the rest of our furniture this morning and spent the rest of the day packing and sorting. It's our anniversary tomorrow so we went to the Shenyang TV Tower for dinner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8Qt_z4tWzVmvt9njSjq8o2oN1S9ns2LpS5sw29_C1QwGHGsstlvEWcWun-Y4MGz-spvgQCMRryu-Ydb4ELWE0SB9KIf_HQhFEJzDjgNprj99vpl3vSv6Dta2-4Er71xxxLwjzu19zHI/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8Qt_z4tWzVmvt9njSjq8o2oN1S9ns2LpS5sw29_C1QwGHGsstlvEWcWun-Y4MGz-spvgQCMRryu-Ydb4ELWE0SB9KIf_HQhFEJzDjgNprj99vpl3vSv6Dta2-4Er71xxxLwjzu19zHI/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We biked over to the Tower, bought the 70 RMB tickets (the view and dinner) and took the elevator to the top.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3dRAdJpDRtB1Q66GJVm569r1y6z97Owiwi7EVKy2o3lGthkaW1xb0nDhH1lR5VFT5UWhTGzZ3PKhcfyaP29_mou647s3utiMDWR1Sdha14t4gkOP_-OdatyZJoJwXnSTQGUB15OU-bM/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3dRAdJpDRtB1Q66GJVm569r1y6z97Owiwi7EVKy2o3lGthkaW1xb0nDhH1lR5VFT5UWhTGzZ3PKhcfyaP29_mou647s3utiMDWR1Sdha14t4gkOP_-OdatyZJoJwXnSTQGUB15OU-bM/s320/IMG_0465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a pretty hazy day but in the foreground you can see the "Y" building...the letter "Y" not the YMCA.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzY8IxElCqxqAaiK2FBE-Us7wxkVbknLWFIuI7g3RJ_C1fOVuwEvzxUQSEyfiKY9MzZYhu9pM7s98m7NPU-l-QljS20m5Wo1WXbIQNC77uwCrvDmPJxPAb8ORQEaTKgC4RN1SQfGnoPY/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzY8IxElCqxqAaiK2FBE-Us7wxkVbknLWFIuI7g3RJ_C1fOVuwEvzxUQSEyfiKY9MzZYhu9pM7s98m7NPU-l-QljS20m5Wo1WXbIQNC77uwCrvDmPJxPAb8ORQEaTKgC4RN1SQfGnoPY/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Feng Yuan Building-this building is pretty amazing. It's completely circular.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXGoMPkGMkddY4iTt5ZEriWVuqWO31RU3cdCdYLGtk82jPefAimG2qhIbj8UYovaYUKbck1Mqxy3NfXgOI63ecWKCHv6smZ9yyqPdXrO3SJsHGkq2NB7VTck21CGa8xPjLQOx7epgipA/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXGoMPkGMkddY4iTt5ZEriWVuqWO31RU3cdCdYLGtk82jPefAimG2qhIbj8UYovaYUKbck1Mqxy3NfXgOI63ecWKCHv6smZ9yyqPdXrO3SJsHGkq2NB7VTck21CGa8xPjLQOx7epgipA/s320/IMG_0468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking towards our aparntments. We can see that bridge from our windows.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr-4PLKgBC3LUOFyLtvfdUk1uJypwIEr-IqRV7sK0b0E-hjD8n-b7p2TlwZHET0E9oogI2m8xir9K0cASIvzDvKjscMdvZTcsaG5_8zlnOP72y4pbTXSQfv2disCRuCBzkz3mGKaAX_4/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr-4PLKgBC3LUOFyLtvfdUk1uJypwIEr-IqRV7sK0b0E-hjD8n-b7p2TlwZHET0E9oogI2m8xir9K0cASIvzDvKjscMdvZTcsaG5_8zlnOP72y4pbTXSQfv2disCRuCBzkz3mGKaAX_4/s320/IMG_0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The revolving restaurant. During our dinner, it made it about a quarter turn around.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb5N6Uc630J8ruoXpdyGusAhiTcNBZQ3EefLAdWn-CbRhAfaWRsS-c_dZE-CDsOrDbV5dJmotun2PBSG1Ajuab5GInPENKhbF_J2bBvonftDAUtlVJDkeSeyI364misL43VQo2efaDjs/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb5N6Uc630J8ruoXpdyGusAhiTcNBZQ3EefLAdWn-CbRhAfaWRsS-c_dZE-CDsOrDbV5dJmotun2PBSG1Ajuab5GInPENKhbF_J2bBvonftDAUtlVJDkeSeyI364misL43VQo2efaDjs/s320/IMG_0478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The chicken head in our chicken. Honestly, this was the worst food we have ever had in China. We should have just gone to the street market.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was fun to go up and fun to see our city from the top. It was our 28 year anniversary and a great way to celebrate.</div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-24997543481429754842012-07-05T16:13:00.002+08:002012-07-05T16:13:54.564+08:00Once more...The Great WallOn our second day in Dan Dong, we took a city bus up to the Tiger Mountain Portion of the Great Wall. This small section of the Great Wall was restored in 1992 and it is really lovely. When you climb to the top, you can see the Yalu River and into North Korea. <br />
When we first came to China in 2007, we went to a section of the Great Wall outside of Beijing. When we first saw the Great Wall from our friend's hired car, I felt really overwhelmed. It really is magnificent. The section of the Great Wall that we went to in 2007 was touristy and crawling with people. It was first full day in China and we were exhausted. It was amazing but overwhelming.<br />
This Tiger Mountain portion of the Great Wall is quiet and surrounded by farms, mountains and villages. It was a lovely way to end our time in China.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CGOK5EVN4UkwDcOmH3M6dLYzNyTzYs8eQhNLP3mHN4_3J8ZLjAs5-PH16IbVDqyCddVK0oH0W0IbVHZ74_1HToc0fz0daENEZHtgBlGKdEoALhDpeCw-IphZLulGARIoaqAcrFqFmC0/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CGOK5EVN4UkwDcOmH3M6dLYzNyTzYs8eQhNLP3mHN4_3J8ZLjAs5-PH16IbVDqyCddVK0oH0W0IbVHZ74_1HToc0fz0daENEZHtgBlGKdEoALhDpeCw-IphZLulGARIoaqAcrFqFmC0/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes....that small building is what we walked up to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlyzhIgh46bThQqTJxnlZdWNofnxd1w2YdfXNXKKBQproA0OfO4tQUnF-icKsw0uhqpZ6Z8wS4vchm7jxNpD9OTMCsxfMlYd0Vlv9gRDFhfxvnAZwEpTvkJgvzE65q1AvDzpnQ65qPow/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlyzhIgh46bThQqTJxnlZdWNofnxd1w2YdfXNXKKBQproA0OfO4tQUnF-icKsw0uhqpZ6Z8wS4vchm7jxNpD9OTMCsxfMlYd0Vlv9gRDFhfxvnAZwEpTvkJgvzE65q1AvDzpnQ65qPow/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About halfway there.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJKLvN2mkDLYAxzKkHEJDbZp-vR0fwX2r_C1x6hZCNdJech6EE-0ME9Skpr8t25wJ8pX5Xa1-COKkrjf5v33w6yfN6QQ2F5snQEekHGKVAY1GuEv88_IzIeoOTEEHdZUt42nDO8qFdAg/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJKLvN2mkDLYAxzKkHEJDbZp-vR0fwX2r_C1x6hZCNdJech6EE-0ME9Skpr8t25wJ8pX5Xa1-COKkrjf5v33w6yfN6QQ2F5snQEekHGKVAY1GuEv88_IzIeoOTEEHdZUt42nDO8qFdAg/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beautiful greenness -refreshing since we live in a grey city of 8 million people and very little green.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQjY2wpHZYwkTratyIIFT83RiFdm8WexJ9N-nJVDNi3jJ6fY7-fSa7fbAjOxVV28RX-tXTSHR4oCxwwj0mgFN24zS6sMPdO-L8a9USHMycmQs5aZrzAO2u58Tc3s2fl6VEFbgygzPQNA/s1600/IMG_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQjY2wpHZYwkTratyIIFT83RiFdm8WexJ9N-nJVDNi3jJ6fY7-fSa7fbAjOxVV28RX-tXTSHR4oCxwwj0mgFN24zS6sMPdO-L8a9USHMycmQs5aZrzAO2u58Tc3s2fl6VEFbgygzPQNA/s320/IMG_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNgIXZslvOvzB3jIfK9Jh6yZVueQ3CW8J8wLTOnWDuxpz-DN9PbJcr8W5RwMQ2V_MV4rFcxIphmNOyr288WIfIwrT8-wPaT_xzrBVxi5tOFpEz2FtpT3lVeN_duqbWqpaZwX588I-fW0/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNgIXZslvOvzB3jIfK9Jh6yZVueQ3CW8J8wLTOnWDuxpz-DN9PbJcr8W5RwMQ2V_MV4rFcxIphmNOyr288WIfIwrT8-wPaT_xzrBVxi5tOFpEz2FtpT3lVeN_duqbWqpaZwX588I-fW0/s320/IMG_0439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paul coming up the steep and uneven steps.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oPsLB1cDIu4fNOdr0Yh-WEa_-eqPQG5haTfBi0BckXi5wYuo5_cGgVkDoDHYCZpajBIxz_h8zWt_uUp8YwrOxERU9QiZuCVzgRmi7pV75goG3U1hH0mZUl9Vy99uuCTKlfotLAfs7qE/s1600/2012-07-01+13.15.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oPsLB1cDIu4fNOdr0Yh-WEa_-eqPQG5haTfBi0BckXi5wYuo5_cGgVkDoDHYCZpajBIxz_h8zWt_uUp8YwrOxERU9QiZuCVzgRmi7pV75goG3U1hH0mZUl9Vy99uuCTKlfotLAfs7qE/s320/2012-07-01+13.15.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me going down the steep and uneven steps. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6_LX6nJpKYHMutUoKgDr4MSIr7eoWZOcFZXOGI0cn9o6mgwIRsTtU0bGEUIKMHiu27ctW-HEz1nEwy3S1Cbzt8UFdWH0vGIx6DE_VLznkKhISRnacuVelvLrLvMgZlC_3VmxL0huSXY/s1600/2012-07-01+12.29.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6_LX6nJpKYHMutUoKgDr4MSIr7eoWZOcFZXOGI0cn9o6mgwIRsTtU0bGEUIKMHiu27ctW-HEz1nEwy3S1Cbzt8UFdWH0vGIx6DE_VLznkKhISRnacuVelvLrLvMgZlC_3VmxL0huSXY/s320/2012-07-01+12.29.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Different view of the same halfway point.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6voTZ0iFATAdiHGbuJwOZZm3RrYF9d1WgkzdYAFYTZDcu7XDucr41OONRECNYX8xqC7bw8-mVJQO7KhCShuzb9fKbsc1tRSBv7ne_nLfmsK0b-xzSegXxsJTr0gPm5QdPI4MziJc9tk/s1600/2012-07-01+12.32.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6voTZ0iFATAdiHGbuJwOZZm3RrYF9d1WgkzdYAFYTZDcu7XDucr41OONRECNYX8xqC7bw8-mVJQO7KhCShuzb9fKbsc1tRSBv7ne_nLfmsK0b-xzSegXxsJTr0gPm5QdPI4MziJc9tk/s320/2012-07-01+12.32.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elisabeth sitting in one of the windows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthqSXpQSIJVZDlRPBFdcS9-2kZXrNh1dqoQ2KV2WwB_tUpFrrRUYoBnk1C2cMVPI6UBrItxX89bKkeuQFExwFX0kOmTx_k770s8nG30u9j-A3pyDZ_jprJ9UA6Sgx-GlGtkk-nGzi2uc/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthqSXpQSIJVZDlRPBFdcS9-2kZXrNh1dqoQ2KV2WwB_tUpFrrRUYoBnk1C2cMVPI6UBrItxX89bKkeuQFExwFX0kOmTx_k770s8nG30u9j-A3pyDZ_jprJ9UA6Sgx-GlGtkk-nGzi2uc/s320/IMG_0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View from the not-quite top.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrzh-AVJ711Mqhy-CPh5xfqYmsftPNyEZY7-23VTSYx57tap_9Zx7beY1OoW176VcGjEKC1FDiKLjLyxiUUUef4cL5q3MrhhopbfkSOre55R-hUrqaaaLsUF0lucdu2jo2YJJId0paCQ/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrzh-AVJ711Mqhy-CPh5xfqYmsftPNyEZY7-23VTSYx57tap_9Zx7beY1OoW176VcGjEKC1FDiKLjLyxiUUUef4cL5q3MrhhopbfkSOre55R-hUrqaaaLsUF0lucdu2jo2YJJId0paCQ/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View of China from the top...and part of North Korea.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9V4uFiEebexrsayELu3c1lhAGMonDxCQljLbsm47_eR95K5jmlr6j9Gv1SWmt4C1ONvM4WkOTwqa89dVUTc77F9MKsjf_GAsRhlv9u_cCf3r2RQRxmhlY2fAhN2sFJtBR7QUiVvLgNU/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9V4uFiEebexrsayELu3c1lhAGMonDxCQljLbsm47_eR95K5jmlr6j9Gv1SWmt4C1ONvM4WkOTwqa89dVUTc77F9MKsjf_GAsRhlv9u_cCf3r2RQRxmhlY2fAhN2sFJtBR7QUiVvLgNU/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View of North Korea from the top.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1sjtepyhF8CTxadVNi0gu6zRq_asBcK2hzQKWvT1Hqv_hP07-reo_YqlPoqiWezL3sEHLbcpQQurGc-W2KVRuvpev-uawPewtJpn6Uq78biXPbnj98h9JBfRyOp5XE8vLcwv5MspYes/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1sjtepyhF8CTxadVNi0gu6zRq_asBcK2hzQKWvT1Hqv_hP07-reo_YqlPoqiWezL3sEHLbcpQQurGc-W2KVRuvpev-uawPewtJpn6Uq78biXPbnj98h9JBfRyOp5XE8vLcwv5MspYes/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One more mystery in China....the willingness of people to all where the same outfit and follow tour guides. There were masses of these people in turquoise shirts. The umbrellas are no mystery to me-it is hot here and the sun umbrellas really do make a difference.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was the third part of the Great Wall for us...I think it may have been my favorite.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-6923266178559924962012-07-04T00:00:00.000+08:002012-07-04T07:48:37.942+08:00A Quick Run to the Border<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqBUA8JbV6D8rljjCP7lPj1dBdWGs4fMcogQUSSrgBzrB99DBxK7nE9wGpcmp96DQjkaBvotLbBtCBF1LVuwpaSSC-lPbStKXtYFgIhvmWo375HSG2WEYBknGZiKjg-JATT9wYaISa5c/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqBUA8JbV6D8rljjCP7lPj1dBdWGs4fMcogQUSSrgBzrB99DBxK7nE9wGpcmp96DQjkaBvotLbBtCBF1LVuwpaSSC-lPbStKXtYFgIhvmWo375HSG2WEYBknGZiKjg-JATT9wYaISa5c/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
North Korea-there are kids swimming in the river and a small ferris wheel in the background that is rarely used.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We live a few hours from the North Korean border and we've always meant to go to DanDong- a small city across the river from NK. So over the weekend, we got on the long distance bus and took a quick trip there. We rode for about three hours through beautiful mountains and arrived in DanDong in the afternoon. Dan Dong is a small on the Yalu River. It has an active water front with lots of dancers, singers, tourist type attractions and some historical sites. It is across from an NK city called Sinujui which looked mostly like not very active factories to us. You can walk across the China-Korea friendship bridge and enter North Korea (if you have a visa) or go to the end of the broken bridge and see North Korea up close. You can also go on a boat ride that brings you close to the other side of the river where you can see workers in the factories. We saw young boys swimming in the river and several people on the banks waved at the boats. There are some boat patrols but it looks pretty much like just a river...except it's not. As you go up the river, you begin to see more cameras, boat patrols and towers on the NK side. The river is fairly wide and at this part, it would be nearly impossible to get across undetected. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqUM869ASXLrJaP-0-TbaRGddNJV-NyZW4EDcNKOMnyvl8ha7UxjbtyuCtvbhfWj9zVmmAEENB_iZ5uCxt-j5mAlgdP50Ty_W8oCat3xkJVM1kPQcwKamP9zQYL4NYszha-Z6TBFoesw/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqUM869ASXLrJaP-0-TbaRGddNJV-NyZW4EDcNKOMnyvl8ha7UxjbtyuCtvbhfWj9zVmmAEENB_iZ5uCxt-j5mAlgdP50Ty_W8oCat3xkJVM1kPQcwKamP9zQYL4NYszha-Z6TBFoesw/s400/IMG_0404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_kOa0Fs8VYhacWF6-8fB-hxtd3IiDTD2qkirMHT9GZoBCnIr5coRhbBvZlJe-GvvLtzmegUkYe3bUmnsU63xEF-Wrp_0w-GZQV5Sh87Xp8sqAxV9kBXHSB9An9Z_c1omyaku1AYf3Y/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_kOa0Fs8VYhacWF6-8fB-hxtd3IiDTD2qkirMHT9GZoBCnIr5coRhbBvZlJe-GvvLtzmegUkYe3bUmnsU63xEF-Wrp_0w-GZQV5Sh87Xp8sqAxV9kBXHSB9An9Z_c1omyaku1AYf3Y/s400/IMG_0382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nJ9WOVauTS9pUKr1aDHfq18LRhoF3MdVcHnB9oU6q9uOgt5Kw18J2OCW8mMtjvqPSJ3W_5hH0LtemFvvN9JQmK6-uIfYS4PE2s5RXkW6PXP33yJFTSXcsNoYhLGD3aZhRvyNMjoCJSo/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nJ9WOVauTS9pUKr1aDHfq18LRhoF3MdVcHnB9oU6q9uOgt5Kw18J2OCW8mMtjvqPSJ3W_5hH0LtemFvvN9JQmK6-uIfYS4PE2s5RXkW6PXP33yJFTSXcsNoYhLGD3aZhRvyNMjoCJSo/s400/IMG_0415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0CxdOGS9TKeoYQ1NQsHZ3e8YqqwTfYMDTiplAvXzUKfoMOFrg2lDHGK08SWxwnJg0j_HOdTHaAiQYIZfu41qxmQ3sm8Wa5iteH8vqVHVO097D8qqib67TLZCP5MKBl-UnS-nwdQeZ54/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0CxdOGS9TKeoYQ1NQsHZ3e8YqqwTfYMDTiplAvXzUKfoMOFrg2lDHGK08SWxwnJg0j_HOdTHaAiQYIZfu41qxmQ3sm8Wa5iteH8vqVHVO097D8qqib67TLZCP5MKBl-UnS-nwdQeZ54/s400/IMG_0412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The factories and the bridge-that was about all there was to see. We walked up and down the water front, had dinner and then went on a boat cruise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLpdifoehfQ7e6GKA3Q-nplqHPscDxxlDZQPYqzyXy3cdUrmineuaWXFoMO79qBuCzf50RLcK0AuJNQ7VqM_ZH7lDlpdBcqVmDsfTdgwGRb-pkrBVkKU-nzgyIoe2rGHtZS7lofuWrWE/s1600/2012-06-30+19.24.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLpdifoehfQ7e6GKA3Q-nplqHPscDxxlDZQPYqzyXy3cdUrmineuaWXFoMO79qBuCzf50RLcK0AuJNQ7VqM_ZH7lDlpdBcqVmDsfTdgwGRb-pkrBVkKU-nzgyIoe2rGHtZS7lofuWrWE/s400/2012-06-30+19.24.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chinese Fishing boat-see how close it is to the NK border? That white building is NK!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As night fell, Dan Dong lit up and North Korea went black. Electricity is turned off in most places and this was true of the city across from us. The contrast was pretty stark, especially from the boat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk2jKdm6RBDmPIqaRzJ9TsbAGEfNohl_gQktkgllJhdK7IfUkCiaZ1ZaEjGbuYEHuk3B2DJ5heSv-r93XidpVnvg6xShFl9kGDWocD4YvgGa5IL7WXPhrrLp3jNQgNc-IwgW_hiqoddE/s1600/2012-06-30+19.35.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk2jKdm6RBDmPIqaRzJ9TsbAGEfNohl_gQktkgllJhdK7IfUkCiaZ1ZaEjGbuYEHuk3B2DJ5heSv-r93XidpVnvg6xShFl9kGDWocD4YvgGa5IL7WXPhrrLp3jNQgNc-IwgW_hiqoddE/s400/2012-06-30+19.35.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dan Dong at dusk.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9JNPUhVamzCBwU5_nOdk6Fz-WY2d5vlVtWbuuvXuaggNn1kVFGSdyj459CRC45MvmN16jErTposA_xVcjFwVKi57NBb6lyardMCnnxCAo8zNTMbgm4ylT1KgDH6F8PKmMe657ABVxwk/s1600/2012-06-30+21.18.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9JNPUhVamzCBwU5_nOdk6Fz-WY2d5vlVtWbuuvXuaggNn1kVFGSdyj459CRC45MvmN16jErTposA_xVcjFwVKi57NBb6lyardMCnnxCAo8zNTMbgm4ylT1KgDH6F8PKmMe657ABVxwk/s400/2012-06-30+21.18.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the things that was saw that was oddly moving was the lighting of lanterns. Basically, red paper lanterns are made. Blessings are written on the lanterns and then they are lit and they fly across the river into North Korea. You could see many lights in the sky flying there. They are not purposefully sending the lanterns there-it is the direction of the wind that brings them there. But seeing the light of the lanterns flying into the darkness of North Korea was quite compelling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-25390023288983493422012-07-03T09:12:00.000+08:002012-07-03T09:12:43.008+08:00English Awesomes.Here are a few "English Awesomes" that Elisabeth caught with her phone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcIEiiV01XHJsZ2lo4tjZwXxKYWhMVeqNkAmv8quna6NCth9s6flPJXETR7NYJ67BRuNnuwR4pzB55frNgVtFDe8fximcPeW8-oD1zMpRiT4gc0fI6G6sQ2cKuePSvuGFFGeCqzMlspY/s1600/2012-05-31+09.52.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcIEiiV01XHJsZ2lo4tjZwXxKYWhMVeqNkAmv8quna6NCth9s6flPJXETR7NYJ67BRuNnuwR4pzB55frNgVtFDe8fximcPeW8-oD1zMpRiT4gc0fI6G6sQ2cKuePSvuGFFGeCqzMlspY/s400/2012-05-31+09.52.09.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the subway in Shenyang. There are many spelling exceptions in English but double "e"s in this word is not one of them!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB3FpHbKtN99mj6TGZwX8xG1cQ8dG0UL5RnKnmKMabYfmGeTmT73H0HUL_bbTfwhvTAJdJVjlR-zElmL8RCoqLqroPmY1vAYDu0TOMxoH9Nw3rYUUHTgT308WEgzzcF1imH5kpS-TR1I/s1600/2012-06-17+12.44.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB3FpHbKtN99mj6TGZwX8xG1cQ8dG0UL5RnKnmKMabYfmGeTmT73H0HUL_bbTfwhvTAJdJVjlR-zElmL8RCoqLqroPmY1vAYDu0TOMxoH9Nw3rYUUHTgT308WEgzzcF1imH5kpS-TR1I/s400/2012-06-17+12.44.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "l" sound is a hard one to say....but the spelling remains!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69SH6IekmL2EJsPnz3mW7uRhrXQZMyzYBmEpGDBi3kIhuJV5HdTQHslS7g7cx9bksgakrhUjPsTRhoE1YwukelciVlLSZuqFnXFztuI0kocZgAA9llCY06omCQTx689_3Lxpjlo_b8Ws/s1600/2012-06-17+13.41.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69SH6IekmL2EJsPnz3mW7uRhrXQZMyzYBmEpGDBi3kIhuJV5HdTQHslS7g7cx9bksgakrhUjPsTRhoE1YwukelciVlLSZuqFnXFztuI0kocZgAA9llCY06omCQTx689_3Lxpjlo_b8Ws/s400/2012-06-17+13.41.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Little scenes to buy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXksz7cgZ-oht-Ps_4fPkhGb8357vxj7-ihjgMsskGsI0BEh1_j59ToCbyVOO_gbYnNsF3pP_-r0E20EsGxMbafHQ6FBrXZ0JlVX5IErd_zsmSYVGvmmycp9PsLwmrEtRQYv0vS7F17WI/s1600/2012-06-26+09.29.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXksz7cgZ-oht-Ps_4fPkhGb8357vxj7-ihjgMsskGsI0BEh1_j59ToCbyVOO_gbYnNsF3pP_-r0E20EsGxMbafHQ6FBrXZ0JlVX5IErd_zsmSYVGvmmycp9PsLwmrEtRQYv0vS7F17WI/s400/2012-06-26+09.29.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me, too.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSscendTFwN-XvDyL69K78tHpC0LHrdOGhu7jzNdbwgyFsI5X0ufHReFuWi6zOE1V6e8Cv6bNnkY0gSUv19LY90z1Tw8HNLoFALzfcP3VFpW7AHqLh_l1VB67_1zEc7xKXkMurG60K4NE/s1600/2012-06-30+17.17.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSscendTFwN-XvDyL69K78tHpC0LHrdOGhu7jzNdbwgyFsI5X0ufHReFuWi6zOE1V6e8Cv6bNnkY0gSUv19LY90z1Tw8HNLoFALzfcP3VFpW7AHqLh_l1VB67_1zEc7xKXkMurG60K4NE/s400/2012-06-30+17.17.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the North Korea tour boat.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQDoBLQ8KZ0p_767U-V4RWeoqFlHkhwo2Juma0ZZYiEhl6KedZ1ZGuc-FsKr24Yj60Y-y-IPYpfh4DxnUp8NBN0sOXokd9wYTSdqpIf6GOO8oEBOxHeW-bJUoD_z4hrrT1y9EF8Xp2ug/s1600/2012-06-30+17.00.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQDoBLQ8KZ0p_767U-V4RWeoqFlHkhwo2Juma0ZZYiEhl6KedZ1ZGuc-FsKr24Yj60Y-y-IPYpfh4DxnUp8NBN0sOXokd9wYTSdqpIf6GOO8oEBOxHeW-bJUoD_z4hrrT1y9EF8Xp2ug/s400/2012-06-30+17.00.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not an English Awesome but an awesome white guy dressed up in Korean clothes...that is North Korea in the background. He tried to get us to dress up too but we mightily resisted...as we do at every tourist site!</div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-54041121205907908592012-07-02T13:36:00.000+08:002012-07-02T13:36:41.248+08:00Why we don't step on manhole covers in China.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteVhj_anGxOWlmEZZ1Aa-vkJODCl1Z2sl51pCFsLyHhv_2oEIYVSNTDJZ1pYjE4SbGJP4lcFSzv2ZFgMhL2f-AFbWk_IlCV_VK70BjZnRW5Vztthj2EYuHup-NTm2vC3nFPoB8MKSQsE/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteVhj_anGxOWlmEZZ1Aa-vkJODCl1Z2sl51pCFsLyHhv_2oEIYVSNTDJZ1pYjE4SbGJP4lcFSzv2ZFgMhL2f-AFbWk_IlCV_VK70BjZnRW5Vztthj2EYuHup-NTm2vC3nFPoB8MKSQsE/s320/IMG_0373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjossZgA7lPiJ43Q46eyCKn3eQPf_JvHtiVM6qvG9VWnRdat8ioSPRidgs0DHXn9AYwkkpzgu3oOKmSnma0bpQ2EUueVmw2LCSyuzVizt0R6tcGDCVzxyaRpJrzJWcsj5FZtUq1t_bAXdI/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjossZgA7lPiJ43Q46eyCKn3eQPf_JvHtiVM6qvG9VWnRdat8ioSPRidgs0DHXn9AYwkkpzgu3oOKmSnma0bpQ2EUueVmw2LCSyuzVizt0R6tcGDCVzxyaRpJrzJWcsj5FZtUq1t_bAXdI/s320/IMG_0374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOiUKR94bVjZ7kno-cynulw41HnB-4p11I1YHyazX1SYiBUq2sxNHfj7OavEEV0HjBuHrFQXApBXQSVxKlg35qVOOZgZlZLevLs2Xp09qo-VHPc9bnJA8NnG1uk4EVVHmcVLtbG1kh9E/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOiUKR94bVjZ7kno-cynulw41HnB-4p11I1YHyazX1SYiBUq2sxNHfj7OavEEV0HjBuHrFQXApBXQSVxKlg35qVOOZgZlZLevLs2Xp09qo-VHPc9bnJA8NnG1uk4EVVHmcVLtbG1kh9E/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, that's why.</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-50055634737446931522012-06-29T10:41:00.000+08:002012-06-29T10:42:38.720+08:00Extra Chromosomes and Reverse Culture Shock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXR5IagqmdJzeMq1B3T5zx2bTJb4Pv7nnW4Pi6rg_R0t4A6ooJAQpp0HiWTnI2EQ0IK4DI7zmgajyF6x7WVF5zM0fstEHmzRbwcS0JUqgh7-a2FXiNOKf3nwU7AxuCtvhyHvAY5RAj8/s1600/562685_10151010752778896_1322072901_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iXR5IagqmdJzeMq1B3T5zx2bTJb4Pv7nnW4Pi6rg_R0t4A6ooJAQpp0HiWTnI2EQ0IK4DI7zmgajyF6x7WVF5zM0fstEHmzRbwcS0JUqgh7-a2FXiNOKf3nwU7AxuCtvhyHvAY5RAj8/s400/562685_10151010752778896_1322072901_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3Yq79tpEZGPtefCrvAwlcA21ASITyNr5yE87oxDWO90waeC8ciaqbk1TgeAGEmsBPcKpXHswxPqUbVgoSx3I3EiNoTWqzlksqBUoRRcJtMpAghhyphenhyphenmRVG3ITBcgWA-HVwEsnqKfvEafQ/s1600/DSCN1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3Yq79tpEZGPtefCrvAwlcA21ASITyNr5yE87oxDWO90waeC8ciaqbk1TgeAGEmsBPcKpXHswxPqUbVgoSx3I3EiNoTWqzlksqBUoRRcJtMpAghhyphenhyphenmRVG3ITBcgWA-HVwEsnqKfvEafQ/s400/DSCN1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Can I get an Amen?"...or a Peace Out? Or "I am two."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So we are in the final stages of moving back to America. Elisabeth and I leave in just over a week and will land in the San Francisco area. Paul flies a few days later as he has some things to finish up. We are keeping our little guy with us until the very end then he will go to his ayi for about a year...we hope no longer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is excruciating to leave him but we do have great peace about his future. That makes all the difference.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After landing in the US,we will spend some time with family. Then Elisabeth will fly up to Portland to spend two weeks a teen re-entry camp with kids from all over the world. Paul and I will go to Central California to spend about a week at a re-entry de-brief. Then we will drive up to our new city just over the river from Portland and begin to weave a new life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So why re-entry camps and de-briefs? Well, for many reasons. There is no way you can live in another country and come back the same. You come to another country anticipating change. But when you go back, you are going to a place that is the same, yet different. There are issues of grief and loss to deal with. For us, we are leaving a place that we love, leaving a child that we love and getting ready to be empty nesters. Plus, even though we are from the West Coast, before coming to China we lived in the MidWest for 12 years. All huge changes. Sometimes things that feel familiar can be stressful-the internet makes the world smaller but there are still movies, TV shows, cultural things that we don't know about. We are coming back in an election year....and not looking forward to all that negatives advertising and issues that goes with that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
China is the third country that we have lived in. We lived in Germany for a few years in the1980's. It was magic- no kids, two income and no debt. We traveled, worked and just really enjoyed our time there. We also lived in the deep South- outside of Savannah, Georgia. That was our hardest cultural adaptation- so close but not quite the same as where we lived in California. That sense of the familiar but not quite familiar can be disorienting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We came back from Germany with two paychecks and no jobs. Paul went back to school and I went to work. Now we are coming back with a kid in college, financial obligations and all that comes with adulthood. We will need to buy a car...and at some point another car. It feels massively expensive to come back to the US. Fortunately we have a house to stay in until we find another. That is a huge relief.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So re-entry programs help you deal with loss, grief and re-adaptation. We need to grieve well so that we can move on. It's an emotional time for us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-68012737253999400662012-06-25T09:07:00.001+08:002012-06-25T15:42:01.244+08:00The foster families came back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A few months ago I hosted the foster care get-together for the foster moms and dads. It was a relatively small gathering and very enjoyable. So even though we are emptying out our apartment, I agreed to host another gathering.<br />
This time, about 30 or more people gathered-children and adult. We had foster moms, foster dads, foster kids, caregivers and a few more people. The children played, the adults talked and prayed. It was a good morning. It's amazing to see these families break out of cultural and social norms to care for these children. The concept of blood and family is strong here- caring for someone outside of that circle is rare. The true love of these families for truly high need children is amazing to see. Many of these children will not be adopted as their medical issues are high. They need families like these to foster them in order to live and thrive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf251trkacmXXP8rBBDdgxMQd6zA8TiaXhxYI-ociSwsXFOkwXgUt8iZr6tQDHPMWTgjmw5z4zz-kTeJBaDIk9mqlDaviWQ46klt64jJBs3SnTA0id7_Dw0IrD_FCPlGra1SKuh5Am0k/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf251trkacmXXP8rBBDdgxMQd6zA8TiaXhxYI-ociSwsXFOkwXgUt8iZr6tQDHPMWTgjmw5z4zz-kTeJBaDIk9mqlDaviWQ46klt64jJBs3SnTA0id7_Dw0IrD_FCPlGra1SKuh5Am0k/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Caregiver to child ration was pretty good!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWGFTkErYx1IuBIkJfvQppAknLANHPy8xfTMqiGYDBJlFcHoB1_syL6Kt5x5oz9MyR08w0LVP5CIkpflJpBekXty5necqQLif17i1zqCMqJfxsAc8UgpA0gUDvqgwfqxX19XwLQWYb48/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWGFTkErYx1IuBIkJfvQppAknLANHPy8xfTMqiGYDBJlFcHoB1_syL6Kt5x5oz9MyR08w0LVP5CIkpflJpBekXty5necqQLif17i1zqCMqJfxsAc8UgpA0gUDvqgwfqxX19XwLQWYb48/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The heartbreaking-this little guy has undefined issues...and even an undefined age.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooAKo1LZBVmyBqURe9JQ15Q6ZKCPVs8IxMFdNn_L4xGLQQC-FOcxESdFZ4zJToSzatb7b_8S9xnTmnahohQyR5Zl-2hUt41YRY_V5WD4NwDzaA1E__IzDDsLtOBgAhgFFlDq5XO5Iwyo/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooAKo1LZBVmyBqURe9JQ15Q6ZKCPVs8IxMFdNn_L4xGLQQC-FOcxESdFZ4zJToSzatb7b_8S9xnTmnahohQyR5Zl-2hUt41YRY_V5WD4NwDzaA1E__IzDDsLtOBgAhgFFlDq5XO5Iwyo/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think she has cerebral palsy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV-D_jmAZXrk8OlQo7lc5_JpHcNH3xpZI7mVe7a_bTrmxxAzP5PoCTWDW-YuFxAoPGYYRnujuFVmJG4up6BiDGf9e9kQqFgVc63k0Q1jYYWW86EY_PimIAHpor7djgaXJrH6SMU-1S_8/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV-D_jmAZXrk8OlQo7lc5_JpHcNH3xpZI7mVe7a_bTrmxxAzP5PoCTWDW-YuFxAoPGYYRnujuFVmJG4up6BiDGf9e9kQqFgVc63k0Q1jYYWW86EY_PimIAHpor7djgaXJrH6SMU-1S_8/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These two littel guys are so sweet-one handed out candy and the other played with trains all morning.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cpq4Q9TIaCi1ZT5aedJnvcz_gpbD4uvAp1WIQAEN55GWDNnQSMc0QQM2K1prpdPiUkVyT1rGwBjDuIvtb3VcX6kBboT7OtB4TYC5DFjfwKVw9Kc3ZGgoVZlegcF45jXXVR_zIl-LBX8/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cpq4Q9TIaCi1ZT5aedJnvcz_gpbD4uvAp1WIQAEN55GWDNnQSMc0QQM2K1prpdPiUkVyT1rGwBjDuIvtb3VcX6kBboT7OtB4TYC5DFjfwKVw9Kc3ZGgoVZlegcF45jXXVR_zIl-LBX8/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8r4ndMFXEAJOWqlG5-bkmIU9S7EIQ2-L6PL6UwNn4sxI33btYVsKLsEQRd410tseUz939JpfVnwHql-zPtQJFAX5ftG37fP9Q-tnnfdJMhNbHpa5gwEKn8hrAReFHNjhi5SQmABMD7w/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8r4ndMFXEAJOWqlG5-bkmIU9S7EIQ2-L6PL6UwNn4sxI33btYVsKLsEQRd410tseUz939JpfVnwHql-zPtQJFAX5ftG37fP9Q-tnnfdJMhNbHpa5gwEKn8hrAReFHNjhi5SQmABMD7w/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some have autism.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBLiYEGmVs5Aiwu8nqJ8wC20hAAPCkOl1UVwfXsHbYw5RE3FkgErKLacujOSRO_dk8TbgF07ot1GYtCQSkPuo6rWRdRgaq1D2ZN11qOsj_OCx_y-99SgOqsZak8uoAQrZe_xASZ1PJhk/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBLiYEGmVs5Aiwu8nqJ8wC20hAAPCkOl1UVwfXsHbYw5RE3FkgErKLacujOSRO_dk8TbgF07ot1GYtCQSkPuo6rWRdRgaq1D2ZN11qOsj_OCx_y-99SgOqsZak8uoAQrZe_xASZ1PJhk/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some were exhausted!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKW64Y6M2bhGUyN-HkNaILHmtQyvNQIwAINsth7rRCSX6bnG1ImM5zhhQfxx-h_gDaZ-qPJfgYZ0MsP0CnF45FinQVjk5Kg6OGxEnlZJQS2MbY-FZBKq0yBv_Ye8yE4q2a2c1nvR4op0/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKW64Y6M2bhGUyN-HkNaILHmtQyvNQIwAINsth7rRCSX6bnG1ImM5zhhQfxx-h_gDaZ-qPJfgYZ0MsP0CnF45FinQVjk5Kg6OGxEnlZJQS2MbY-FZBKq0yBv_Ye8yE4q2a2c1nvR4op0/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This liitle guy was happy to have a lollipop!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaIdtDhi8m7nwPETO4DOVJIEJ8r_7TVMDIUfBKs2hoeXnpScMrz_IZfnNnqWRaiWXlbhadEsmdnxpVFP7_tw1XGLoI1jXpgewd07iWiDUtLq_IoVICcnDCmKorZuUBEPyw7dDF2Y_7mw/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaIdtDhi8m7nwPETO4DOVJIEJ8r_7TVMDIUfBKs2hoeXnpScMrz_IZfnNnqWRaiWXlbhadEsmdnxpVFP7_tw1XGLoI1jXpgewd07iWiDUtLq_IoVICcnDCmKorZuUBEPyw7dDF2Y_7mw/s320/IMG_0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This liittle guy is really dexterous despite hand malformations!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2yKZDx7Z2tQHvaQU25cUpYDAVxbkDVQgiBxU_pzWYpCfwHV34V1zWRHlT5YTXJ-NohIBntQIqABmi5SA8vFONNV5Gfx7eMdADjgSxmGW1GBJBODpO6uNaMlo96F_hrKx_rHPIqGxyEY/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2yKZDx7Z2tQHvaQU25cUpYDAVxbkDVQgiBxU_pzWYpCfwHV34V1zWRHlT5YTXJ-NohIBntQIqABmi5SA8vFONNV5Gfx7eMdADjgSxmGW1GBJBODpO6uNaMlo96F_hrKx_rHPIqGxyEY/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "I like attention kid!"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouarQ2MwLILuG1MvU-kq7pFs5r_W77HURV5pIFz09zSIBZT62GFJ-7ze98TSCM2NNRRxnVIP3uSj9oYXzypAsopx52jqiEu5Dg5aTVjiOu15f1g7E7cvEGLimDfPIZJMOhEXqaCIjrVs/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouarQ2MwLILuG1MvU-kq7pFs5r_W77HURV5pIFz09zSIBZT62GFJ-7ze98TSCM2NNRRxnVIP3uSj9oYXzypAsopx52jqiEu5Dg5aTVjiOu15f1g7E7cvEGLimDfPIZJMOhEXqaCIjrVs/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dr. Eva talked.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatx-9yBN7w1JwTVv7WHWYxuoX5JGIfbuwgJLaOLNvEmtcBe1cx_xtEmydQPJ4zmw0j4lriSbUmVVqHLLfea47bjy__j902xugMLgMtgD4BOSOGcP09V1pumnvS7_WqEoZ8iFPmAu_E2w/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatx-9yBN7w1JwTVv7WHWYxuoX5JGIfbuwgJLaOLNvEmtcBe1cx_xtEmydQPJ4zmw0j4lriSbUmVVqHLLfea47bjy__j902xugMLgMtgD4BOSOGcP09V1pumnvS7_WqEoZ8iFPmAu_E2w/s320/IMG_0291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The moms listened to other's stories.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7ONMZDTlG_HVIFRv0EYXF7OVNG9UadHZFknY7WA_InxtD2a7DREfhCImKpBe_Na91nyklMM77WWAKovRJ5A4PHdIj6u8n0VBgZe9upFbmq_G_ui6JAmj0-Dhr954KRrbbxXoUjEg00s/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7ONMZDTlG_HVIFRv0EYXF7OVNG9UadHZFknY7WA_InxtD2a7DREfhCImKpBe_Na91nyklMM77WWAKovRJ5A4PHdIj6u8n0VBgZe9upFbmq_G_ui6JAmj0-Dhr954KRrbbxXoUjEg00s/s320/IMG_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our ayi with our little guy, our foster care liaison and a German nurse who has fostered three children.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABip9HkBy678Q_dcbSvn1vIohoMzEWACGiLOadJiFB-Ek564bhI3HTqw3Mw1Rif2T1GgDIAe4eOUquPjdreNjWKvGZAGxHAyy0OPRQ9FOhhA6-4Yt_cudPwk0WzymHUjFvOa3SHGN3A/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABip9HkBy678Q_dcbSvn1vIohoMzEWACGiLOadJiFB-Ek564bhI3HTqw3Mw1Rif2T1GgDIAe4eOUquPjdreNjWKvGZAGxHAyy0OPRQ9FOhhA6-4Yt_cudPwk0WzymHUjFvOa3SHGN3A/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This woman talked about the amazing changes in her family that having a foster child in her has brought about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCByoTdLYdzRx-AeDfD5RUJljEauvwjaN2p9akArucYdLoQ3yYcXsuNBKym_vQlYpHpDe7_aKpv3uM81916ufbg_niQSzvy-ibUE02JvXc-ucH8zLj-lxn2GGZDspBYygINdYCQQCbV0/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCByoTdLYdzRx-AeDfD5RUJljEauvwjaN2p9akArucYdLoQ3yYcXsuNBKym_vQlYpHpDe7_aKpv3uM81916ufbg_niQSzvy-ibUE02JvXc-ucH8zLj-lxn2GGZDspBYygINdYCQQCbV0/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots of listening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZrkvx-7ptG8Aro93a1NMC-dc7YIdnDiTYje06Ee4uYZOqhOnRkpDCU8mqlDJvB5dDiSUCkwWDfPD1VknRmLV4dpzMMNkGAKQ_f3vEpCGVCeWbZ74WBcc-jhl0298XATGP3DA1fKfwx4/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZrkvx-7ptG8Aro93a1NMC-dc7YIdnDiTYje06Ee4uYZOqhOnRkpDCU8mqlDJvB5dDiSUCkwWDfPD1VknRmLV4dpzMMNkGAKQ_f3vEpCGVCeWbZ74WBcc-jhl0298XATGP3DA1fKfwx4/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loving feeding of a new guy recently brought to an orphanage in another city. He has cerebral palsy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajENZP5FYNbL0L0Z3BHWJ-m7oEJkpNas105TG43kVG03I1FyfvQm33vMzb842hyverAK6NqtnADCyj_0KUu99eXi-X36wJUVAL6NJ5nAOKrEnSh925nwRDxoyZU5by3Ia1GdThT-1pbs/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajENZP5FYNbL0L0Z3BHWJ-m7oEJkpNas105TG43kVG03I1FyfvQm33vMzb842hyverAK6NqtnADCyj_0KUu99eXi-X36wJUVAL6NJ5nAOKrEnSh925nwRDxoyZU5by3Ia1GdThT-1pbs/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The child care giver and another little cutie with Down Syndrome.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKlUvI2lEfWsI9Jsgbp-DornihR0fpsMhaIYQ96b5H-hLeMQb4S0lEpyNuOebzQDElGFtqXUbMLnfyFNWQOpmVO-bqYxqHsiqXY-LHDPyZpxg7G32hKkCwUpXhbcad7qE-cVFM1HM2T4/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKlUvI2lEfWsI9Jsgbp-DornihR0fpsMhaIYQ96b5H-hLeMQb4S0lEpyNuOebzQDElGFtqXUbMLnfyFNWQOpmVO-bqYxqHsiqXY-LHDPyZpxg7G32hKkCwUpXhbcad7qE-cVFM1HM2T4/s320/IMG_0308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lot' of interaction with the caregivers.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm2yqjLyb-e34cf881asgllfH10JpAWG9I8bvwolcCxchhbNylRXMgCdOvZRP2SYFbJ13yxnBpwQyXyLxB0-T4tZmljWbsUGaBZAcnC9DSheX2mOzmbuKfD9TUhNdrO6YDWf5cfNgeHE/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm2yqjLyb-e34cf881asgllfH10JpAWG9I8bvwolcCxchhbNylRXMgCdOvZRP2SYFbJ13yxnBpwQyXyLxB0-T4tZmljWbsUGaBZAcnC9DSheX2mOzmbuKfD9TUhNdrO6YDWf5cfNgeHE/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isn't he a doll?</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-26798578179269489132012-06-24T06:05:00.002+08:002012-06-24T06:05:50.811+08:00Scenes from good-byes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3OEfUBmaO1k2hQeTuR7HdzaSNnBGagonI8uGnmQZsaEVFWqFarC95IdrIq_Wy8u64ESJw6e21jUQ72zcQvslphaT92cf8k8eSfSOSI0QQlhWNyo-ba5ogXI7KpqmwR7xDqPtkoCqwpU/s1600/DSC_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3OEfUBmaO1k2hQeTuR7HdzaSNnBGagonI8uGnmQZsaEVFWqFarC95IdrIq_Wy8u64ESJw6e21jUQ72zcQvslphaT92cf8k8eSfSOSI0QQlhWNyo-ba5ogXI7KpqmwR7xDqPtkoCqwpU/s400/DSC_0854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our friends took us out for dinner last night. Some of our Columbia friends may recognize the woman second from the end Paul's left.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOxbFhz9ETY98KplRUULJylZgwqoe2p3Eh9QTz0vatubxT8RCAGRMFgkVvXi5Of5D2RxwriQTbDJdRa3u7208zPb0T99lN1LGu65DcjdgFmAsG_mqv75zxcGU0IJZ8ZEFv8VglWhxBcg/s1600/DSC_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOxbFhz9ETY98KplRUULJylZgwqoe2p3Eh9QTz0vatubxT8RCAGRMFgkVvXi5Of5D2RxwriQTbDJdRa3u7208zPb0T99lN1LGu65DcjdgFmAsG_mqv75zxcGU0IJZ8ZEFv8VglWhxBcg/s400/DSC_0857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got gifts of traditional DongBei fabric.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXfhSHz4N29Gj7labFnBakh8clNnWyuPwLfuEk4ke7Ds68M-Ip8N5cZZk_RVEOxkxRK5NoXV93Q6iyEyAIkvRFeEvDK5TXo5qxmodB3DALTi0PH2OY56bD27azI9O7hEpILMBlTh9zs/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBXfhSHz4N29Gj7labFnBakh8clNnWyuPwLfuEk4ke7Ds68M-Ip8N5cZZk_RVEOxkxRK5NoXV93Q6iyEyAIkvRFeEvDK5TXo5qxmodB3DALTi0PH2OY56bD27azI9O7hEpILMBlTh9zs/s400/IMG_0329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our friend, Hongwen. We have known her since about 2002!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcpO58IxvNL0dWjsfrRn_qPokoYzZcsNx1KUj0xDH8RWdFu7MEEWfGFZflzsnFdxZWl1BE2IbQ0tOuvrAQ2U-9jPTVoYpiLRcS0Jsk4Hpx9r1RvelfUrKK1cc4UGmnWRTKkEAHHWiZ5U/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcpO58IxvNL0dWjsfrRn_qPokoYzZcsNx1KUj0xDH8RWdFu7MEEWfGFZflzsnFdxZWl1BE2IbQ0tOuvrAQ2U-9jPTVoYpiLRcS0Jsk4Hpx9r1RvelfUrKK1cc4UGmnWRTKkEAHHWiZ5U/s400/IMG_0330.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The fish with imaginative eyes.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCjEaFeKcPkPOrUEZtyLmT3JHUcW6sldCMUUckCBOp_QZLlmpvKzeU-q6QGqHo2lfSaBUbcjnXSli-YRDDLW_-BWgCM9RSvaHYb3Z9Hp13RGqgpxfqHuUdgiRXVPET_im87RkbqQa4iM/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCjEaFeKcPkPOrUEZtyLmT3JHUcW6sldCMUUckCBOp_QZLlmpvKzeU-q6QGqHo2lfSaBUbcjnXSli-YRDDLW_-BWgCM9RSvaHYb3Z9Hp13RGqgpxfqHuUdgiRXVPET_im87RkbqQa4iM/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shrimp and mushrooms and more.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTy2y9Y6tiinm8IsOaXNp75kqrugicx6igQik9VKnS9IWCDBny1JHIIiKD4iRmMJWooZ_YelOehTfZoqNyxOpd2FW_qyph3ZVxQl7OdzX9888wdPa3AKkqGhs3nQ6TNRXGVZFY2S15KI/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTy2y9Y6tiinm8IsOaXNp75kqrugicx6igQik9VKnS9IWCDBny1JHIIiKD4iRmMJWooZ_YelOehTfZoqNyxOpd2FW_qyph3ZVxQl7OdzX9888wdPa3AKkqGhs3nQ6TNRXGVZFY2S15KI/s400/IMG_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jiaozi with orange skins (from carrots)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa5IDBzaN9HPTTjglKUYzQAU-ISeGyCRHG7xQgE7FrBLC7tJVRvhJVfDBMNLf0L4jIk6rJEbsZjFT0LycskwgwkCRY_OMcs3Gm7c0sG_dcmxu5xvi7qg5U1lrrmVTDzbMgDuaY58uYBQ/s1600/DSCN1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa5IDBzaN9HPTTjglKUYzQAU-ISeGyCRHG7xQgE7FrBLC7tJVRvhJVfDBMNLf0L4jIk6rJEbsZjFT0LycskwgwkCRY_OMcs3Gm7c0sG_dcmxu5xvi7qg5U1lrrmVTDzbMgDuaY58uYBQ/s400/DSCN1228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rick Warren came to China again and took a call at our house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEYtpWio99Ic-aTEUTMYAG5Ju-SfZq_aj3k6x_7kC4qMyMsIH1ahqWWWTqyYtf-njzYC41CyqjKVJ0rH4Kg7wEa2Of59zr2R4eDLc8Qz30zB-ZHjKd3m8ZcpdYkNzKkN1mrGuKrqxK0s/s1600/Jolie+and+Isaac+2012+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEYtpWio99Ic-aTEUTMYAG5Ju-SfZq_aj3k6x_7kC4qMyMsIH1ahqWWWTqyYtf-njzYC41CyqjKVJ0rH4Kg7wEa2Of59zr2R4eDLc8Qz30zB-ZHjKd3m8ZcpdYkNzKkN1mrGuKrqxK0s/s400/Jolie+and+Isaac+2012+102.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took the little guy on a walk by the river near our house. We ran into a friend who took this picture I love it! I can't tell you how many startled looks we get in public when we are out with him. People don't know if he is ours, adopted, or our grandchild. It's even funnier when Elisabeth is with us as people can't figure out if maybe she is the mother!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGKaibgxAvx6pkVecOM1c3ezZpbs0QWlo6p6m5_YzkfqBGkzYQkbw2qhCROYTHT3LB8Xr-h4d5nTodt-XdcZNOh_Hf9f4CNsGolnkTnrPPYmcscpoiSwEqQm4deXYEDDtVrwWGVkf27o/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGKaibgxAvx6pkVecOM1c3ezZpbs0QWlo6p6m5_YzkfqBGkzYQkbw2qhCROYTHT3LB8Xr-h4d5nTodt-XdcZNOh_Hf9f4CNsGolnkTnrPPYmcscpoiSwEqQm4deXYEDDtVrwWGVkf27o/s400/IMG_0300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again with his beloved ayi-can you see the love between them?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVJWqRmIDQEMErpuN_Y_GBPUoXN5sPbMxsVATs2UEYzN1Vj_GatjfDpNccjOT3W2OIO0Mv9nzugMgjX4ge6HvMVlynB98W80I98aY7KFRlc3NnMy7FrI0gI3iFPfAXJ_2I1qJthEamZE/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVJWqRmIDQEMErpuN_Y_GBPUoXN5sPbMxsVATs2UEYzN1Vj_GatjfDpNccjOT3W2OIO0Mv9nzugMgjX4ge6HvMVlynB98W80I98aY7KFRlc3NnMy7FrI0gI3iFPfAXJ_2I1qJthEamZE/s400/IMG_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paul just took the HSK- Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. This woman was his teacher and tutor. She was also my speaking teacher when I was at Dong Bei Da Xue. She is fantastic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i7Dx-AU_qlmpSHLb2-rMeWMy4RiLj3z1LBaYvDNbxrKctEVqo0O_B6822Ss-97lnHhETx8Kr1ZQWUiHhX2Ys0EMMKiLeHkZWRIBmc8VCBXGA7eaVBPtdSRYtk3LFKydUDiQiw066Zyw/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i7Dx-AU_qlmpSHLb2-rMeWMy4RiLj3z1LBaYvDNbxrKctEVqo0O_B6822Ss-97lnHhETx8Kr1ZQWUiHhX2Ys0EMMKiLeHkZWRIBmc8VCBXGA7eaVBPtdSRYtk3LFKydUDiQiw066Zyw/s400/IMG_0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally- the boxes. The shipping company sent three men to drop off 14 empty boxes and to confirm that we did not have an elevator in our building. We live on the sixth floor of our six floor building. You need seven floors for an elevator. So we do a lot of stairs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the boxes were packed, they sent one man back for the boxes. One- for 14 fully packed 30 kg boxes. After some phone calling, another guy came and the boxes went off to Qingdao to get on the boat! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are hoping they will join us in the US in about 50 days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-31093619746076275942012-06-21T20:14:00.001+08:002012-06-21T20:24:40.868+08:00For this child I prayed.When Elisabeth was about three, I was reading her the story of Hannah taking Samuel up to the temple. If you don't know the story (found in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel 1:1 - 2: 10), Hannah suffers through many years of childlessness. She prays and promises God that she would dedicate a child to Him if he would just give her a child. She conceives and has Samuel. She keeps him for three years and then brought him to the temple to be brought up by Eli the priest....not exactly a model parent.<br />
As I read this story to Elisabeth, I suddenly understood exactly what Hannah had done...she <i>brought her three year old to the temple to be brought up by a less than stellar parent...and she would only see him once a year. Her three year old.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart clutched as I looked at my three year old....could I trust God with her life? Could I do what Hannah had done?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now my three year old is 18 and is less than 100 days away from starting college, as she likes to remind me. Can I trust God with her life? Can I even trust that she will get out of bed on time to make it to her first class at 9:30? Can I trust that she will make it to the cafeteria to eat? That she will study? Make it to church on Sunday? Grow in her walk with the Lord? Can I trust that God will be faithful to her...no matter what?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj9lZkD_Vtyn6NnXWRaTfCa_Ei5ZHenM-H-rrioLDBq4y63KrHFe0e9Q1PU4WXq23FBOxbNLmS7StFhlq5C6M7fpnMJzrhir5iUeUNoLyfRaJ6J9XujyIYsKSJMn0m1um0qBeV2eOuiA/s1600/DSCN1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj9lZkD_Vtyn6NnXWRaTfCa_Ei5ZHenM-H-rrioLDBq4y63KrHFe0e9Q1PU4WXq23FBOxbNLmS7StFhlq5C6M7fpnMJzrhir5iUeUNoLyfRaJ6J9XujyIYsKSJMn0m1um0qBeV2eOuiA/s320/DSCN1226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we have our little guy. We have two weeks left with him. The tears are flowing pretty often for me. Can we trust God with his future? He is two and a half...and wonderfully ali<span style="background-color: white;">ve. If his adoptability status hadn't changed and his future was to be in an institution rather than with a family, would I still trust God and say that He is good? I want to say with Habbakuk </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though the fig tree does not bud</span></span></div>
<span class="indent-1" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Hab-3-17" style="position: relative;">and there are no grapes on the vines,</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">though the olive crop fails</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="indent-1"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: white; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Hab-3-17" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">and the fields produce no food, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1">
</span><span class="text Hab-3-17" style="position: relative;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Hab-3-17" style="position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">though there are no sheep in the pen</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Hab-3-17" style="position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: white; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Hab-3-17" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">and no cattle in the stalls, </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1">
</span><span class="text Hab-3-18" id="en-NIV-22787" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">yet I will rejoice in the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="background-color: white; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Hab-3-18" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">I will be joyful in God my Savior.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Hab-3-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Habbakuk 3: 17 - 18</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Hab-3-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Hab-3-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">I want to say this...but it would be a struggle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text Hab-3-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If there is any thing that I know about God, it is that He is faithful and that His faithfulness depends on His character, not mine. Despite my lack of faith that our little guy could ever be adopted, despite anxiety about our daughter going away to college...He is faithful.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can say this with Isaiah</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="chapter-2" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-1" style="position: relative;">But now, this is what the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> says—</span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-1" style="position: relative;">he who created <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>you, Jacob,</span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-1" style="position: relative;">he who formed <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>you, Israel: <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="text Isa-43-1" style="position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;">“Do not fear, for I have redeemed <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>you;</span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-1" style="position: relative;">I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> have summoned you by name; <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>you are mine. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18507F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /></span><span class="text Isa-43-2" id="en-NIV-18508" style="position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>When you pass through the waters, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18508G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative;">I will be with you; <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18508H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;">and when you pass through the rivers,</span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative;">they will not sweep over you.</span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;">When you walk through the fire, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18508I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative;">you will not be burned;</span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-2" style="position: relative;">the flames will not set you ablaze. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18508J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="text Isa-43-3" id="en-NIV-18509" style="position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>For I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18509K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="position: relative;">the Holy One <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18509L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>of Israel, your Savior; </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Isaiah 43. 1 -3</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">I believe that God will be with them...both of them for the rest of their days. For these children, I prayed.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When our little guy first came to our home, we used to sing this over him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Isa-43-3" style="position: relative;"> </span></span></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-08YZF87OBQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He is trustworthy...and mighty to save.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-63173740489917307532012-06-19T19:37:00.001+08:002012-06-19T20:38:52.281+08:00On boxes and stuff.<div style="text-align: left;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>We are deep in moving mode now. Most of our furniture has been sold and making its way to new homes. Our boxes from Seven Seas World Wide shipping have arrived and we are determining what goes in them and what doesn't. Apparently Chinese books have great priority. Our plane tickets are purchased, our de-brief plans are confirmed, and we have a house to stay in for a while. I am uploading resumes and Paul is preparing for his new position. We are saying good-bye to someone almost every day and that is very, very hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uZltN_l-Sm_K_hVPOYMwh_SuPlIQSfB9wEM9Ue5KuWk7sUBAIwaLDZln-M0Qoe5RvfrHn5vRo4NMpKaWXZb5IkiWxUHNSwagK-AQcgogzmPQYIrkfzcp5Bk9FcaGW2UQS4whcsKxIqk/s1600/DSCN1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uZltN_l-Sm_K_hVPOYMwh_SuPlIQSfB9wEM9Ue5KuWk7sUBAIwaLDZln-M0Qoe5RvfrHn5vRo4NMpKaWXZb5IkiWxUHNSwagK-AQcgogzmPQYIrkfzcp5Bk9FcaGW2UQS4whcsKxIqk/s320/DSCN1224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our little guy is getting ready to go to stay with his ayi. Of course he has no idea what that means and it is tearing us up. We are so thankful that we are leaving here with his future settled. It gives us great peace to know that he has a secure future ahead of him.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
China has no official foster care system. Foster care is done through orphanages or charitable organizations. We have received no renumeration for our care for him-it has come from our own resources and the kindness of people in our local community.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Currently there are no funds available in our foster care charity to pay our Chinese helper to care for our little guy for the year or so until his family arrives. It's not a high salary by any means but his expenses and her salary add up to too much for us to carry alone. People often think that China is cheap and in some ways it is. But inflation is rampant and costs are going up. Diapers alone are about $50.00 a month.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So many people have loved and cared for our sweet baby and we are so thankful. Would you consider helping us care for him until his family comes? Small amounts add up to big amounts.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can click on the paypal link below and I can guarantee that 100% of what is given will go to his care. It's hard for us to ask, but we need to be sure he is well cared for. Thank you so much.<br />
If paypal isn't a good way for you to donate, e-mail me at the e-mail in my profile and I will give you another way to give. Thanks!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /><br />
<input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----MIIHVwYJKoZIhvcNAQcEoIIHSDCCB0QCAQExggEwMIIBLAIBADCBlDCBjjELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxCzAJBgNVBAgTAkNBMRYwFAYDVQQHEw1Nb3VudGFpbiBWaWV3MRQwEgYDVQQKEwtQYXlQYWwgSW5jLjETMBEGA1UECxQKbGl2ZV9jZXJ0czERMA8GA1UEAxQIbGl2ZV9hcGkxHDAaBgkqhkiG9w0BCQEWDXJlQHBheXBhbC5jb20CAQAwDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEBBQAEgYB3w6h7ffPDj0HzCaM9M6RDkUt1snLIW9BHrfwjH/SmDR/e6qBYi+Z/R75pbeyHpMB+JCn/shE4OgBKfQx4ghZtrV4crniesr+dMSVqsEcP5jO2rd0uhIiqFFd2FYN2R/aig6u/dabLhtjyF31EREZAfc77YhJZylGfmtNya8P6qTELMAkGBSsOAwIaBQAwgdQGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAUBggqhkiG9w0DBwQIx09Gux3oRR6AgbBWeOCSsHs53c6M4PaRR5hdqvJowWvXnSyXLCOHlEST+Lj8WjVlfmplO5/9mom1S0LY7LZBh5ccwBgx1kW3bsEJb2Yu/S2jfGj/AiXy6RdggRFQ3eWvxmHCBgV9ZtmP56L4M4V68EcoxDZBvdBxzJblnKqi4Y33zg4Ey4EJhP8Qb44+k2Nt2DuzVUyf5yVmjBeJCdWn1fssH8dp4xdyX+R8uqZTZ5XeZiRgeOi/eNgvlaCCA4cwggODMIIC7KADAgECAgEAMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBBQUAMIGOMQswCQYDVQQGEwJVUzELMAkGA1UECBMCQ0ExFjAUBgNVBAcTDU1vdW50YWluIFZpZXcxFDASBgNVBAoTC1BheVBhbCBJbmMuMRMwEQYDVQQLFApsaXZlX2NlcnRzMREwDwYDVQQDFAhsaXZlX2FwaTEcMBoGCSqGSIb3DQEJARYNcmVAcGF5cGFsLmNvbTAeFw0wNDAyMTMxMDEzMTVaFw0zNTAyMTMxMDEzMTVaMIGOMQswCQYDVQQGEwJVUzELMAkGA1UECBMCQ0ExFjAUBgNVBAcTDU1vdW50YWluIFZpZXcxFDASBgNVBAoTC1BheVBhbCBJbmMuMRMwEQYDVQQLFApsaXZlX2NlcnRzMREwDwYDVQQDFAhsaXZlX2FwaTEcMBoGCSqGSIb3DQEJARYNcmVAcGF5cGFsLmNvbTCBnzANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOBjQAwgYkCgYEAwUdO3fxEzEtcnI7ZKZL412XvZPugoni7i7D7prCe0AtaHTc97CYgm7NsAtJyxNLixmhLV8pyIEaiHXWAh8fPKW+R017+EmXrr9EaquPmsVvTywAAE1PMNOKqo2kl4Gxiz9zZqIajOm1fZGWcGS0f5JQ2kBqNbvbg2/Za+GJ/qwUCAwEAAaOB7jCB6zAdBgNVHQ4EFgQUlp98u8ZvF71ZP1LXChvsENZklGswgbsGA1UdIwSBszCBsIAUlp98u8ZvF71ZP1LXChvsENZklGuhgZSkgZEwgY4xCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVTMQswCQYDVQQIEwJDQTEWMBQGA1UEBxMNTW91bnRhaW4gVmlldzEUMBIGA1UEChMLUGF5UGFsIEluYy4xEzARBgNVBAsUCmxpdmVfY2VydHMxETAPBgNVBAMUCGxpdmVfYXBpMRwwGgYJKoZIhvcNAQkBFg1yZUBwYXlwYWwuY29tggEAMAwGA1UdEwQFMAMBAf8wDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEFBQADgYEAgV86VpqAWuXvX6Oro4qJ1tYVIT5DgWpE692Ag422H7yRIr/9j/iKG4Thia/Oflx4TdL+IFJBAyPK9v6zZNZtBgPBynXb048hsP16l2vi0k5Q2JKiPDsEfBhGI+HnxLXEaUWAcVfCsQFvd2A1sxRr67ip5y2wwBelUecP3AjJ+YcxggGaMIIBlgIBATCBlDCBjjELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxCzAJBgNVBAgTAkNBMRYwFAYDVQQHEw1Nb3VudGFpbiBWaWV3MRQwEgYDVQQKEwtQYXlQYWwgSW5jLjETMBEGA1UECxQKbGl2ZV9jZXJ0czERMA8GA1UEAxQIbGl2ZV9hcGkxHDAaBgkqhkiG9w0BCQEWDXJlQHBheXBhbC5jb20CAQAwCQYFKw4DAhoFAKBdMBgGCSqGSIb3DQEJAzELBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHAYJKoZIhvcNAQkFMQ8XDTEyMDYxOTExMTYxNFowIwYJKoZIhvcNAQkEMRYEFPT3wbb0YFHVFKjY/ptwdeUQCk/iMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUABIGAmMABJR5EwqAOXQ3rx1XVuiHHso+0QPCvlVpNoqkLrRY0bETyGiGZuPxRevQO1CPiYnxTTZznp1XAjrOg/AFGU1qDNalj6itdL3rCTd8FLIlAigsdUsq76Vt6YsCMUpp/9tr/bA+x6W17Lmn0GoDKWO/oylcpoY8ypAQuQeQZFqY=-----END PKCS7-----</p><p>" /><br />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" />If the link doesn't work, my paypal is Sandyf61@yahoo.com. Thanks!<br />
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" /> <input name="encrypted" type="hidden" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7----- " /> <input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" /> </form>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-33003197132715217092012-06-13T19:53:00.001+08:002012-06-13T19:53:21.797+08:00Toddler Wrangling.Paul had to travel to another country for a few days so we sent the little guy to his ayi's while he was gone. That gave me an opportunity to sort through some things and get a little break. He is a super fun little guy but six days of solo care would have been too much for me.<br />
So we got him back yesterday, sweet as ever. Here was his day today.<br />
<br />
Up at 6 AM for breakfast of scrambled eggs. Wait until big sister wakes up so he could bug her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88ZArYxRxUBJDXjT4rleC7NEE9AZuG-k8l7jK05dmdxvvu8wqetMMV00jAbfS12gk_MVrpyiHu27gdalmdg2ik-XdQ1sZ8ZJWAL3WtsgqhYLnNRpixMt3pgZvrHdeURbwN7oPkW_YR4A/s1600/DSCN1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88ZArYxRxUBJDXjT4rleC7NEE9AZuG-k8l7jK05dmdxvvu8wqetMMV00jAbfS12gk_MVrpyiHu27gdalmdg2ik-XdQ1sZ8ZJWAL3WtsgqhYLnNRpixMt3pgZvrHdeURbwN7oPkW_YR4A/s320/DSCN1184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying to prepare for her tutoring job with an audience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqJH5DcDYuBjrVDSxeSA8OLX2cLZ0GYgopXTEN11ky65BAuoKBRq5_S4NhMp7W8nqhr0PlB_4lMs0bVgjDESGixWSICOsfdAyPWhyphenhyphenHuy46AXyp3BKR4jIjI5969aGemla4pN6jhazFYs/s1600/DSCN1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqJH5DcDYuBjrVDSxeSA8OLX2cLZ0GYgopXTEN11ky65BAuoKBRq5_S4NhMp7W8nqhr0PlB_4lMs0bVgjDESGixWSICOsfdAyPWhyphenhyphenHuy46AXyp3BKR4jIjI5969aGemla4pN6jhazFYs/s320/DSCN1183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But the book has to go up high.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30DRVjt9pp19wjaf3ni8037bsYYiiXJXc1vZI9795Q_t_DVjTLs5kaXT4ovuX7I5qBQjnW7ExC0G8SGypqluPupoty_tFAv5N6CrFiEjkm9OUz8xjA8Tld5lyJe3HZHKBuhvP50zDGS8/s1600/DSCN1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30DRVjt9pp19wjaf3ni8037bsYYiiXJXc1vZI9795Q_t_DVjTLs5kaXT4ovuX7I5qBQjnW7ExC0G8SGypqluPupoty_tFAv5N6CrFiEjkm9OUz8xjA8Tld5lyJe3HZHKBuhvP50zDGS8/s320/DSCN1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying to check e-mail...if you look at her mouth you an see she is saying "Noooo'</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBVZtYq4QC9fGm2KoYSYlbFbT1w9Tc9sMhU6HKb4lgOfeH0L1Uufoe91HmGnKW87XRBv_taZe0T8y8w-um1zdz9HKOfQAMkL4g9UqhdpybR9ilrMSIfkww3VYPIaXuxmKtVzfBPWHYII/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBVZtYq4QC9fGm2KoYSYlbFbT1w9Tc9sMhU6HKb4lgOfeH0L1Uufoe91HmGnKW87XRBv_taZe0T8y8w-um1zdz9HKOfQAMkL4g9UqhdpybR9ilrMSIfkww3VYPIaXuxmKtVzfBPWHYII/s320/DSCN1185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Computer out of danger...he is obsessed with trying to get the computer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUEyb-iTHIa3bkNzCDBVYIVrKCT79QGLg0CF2ZSc3C2MMMeKj2Lh-Jeu3HSf5XGcRBRPBC0qN094hrIEmkCHc1gg0CF0EIZa6rIE86SzXm6ZOYuGoSuOITNDRYjMMPA0P5BwaKcIDBXk/s1600/DSCN1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUEyb-iTHIa3bkNzCDBVYIVrKCT79QGLg0CF2ZSc3C2MMMeKj2Lh-Jeu3HSf5XGcRBRPBC0qN094hrIEmkCHc1gg0CF0EIZa6rIE86SzXm6ZOYuGoSuOITNDRYjMMPA0P5BwaKcIDBXk/s320/DSCN1187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He crawls all over the place. See his cute haircut?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1LsAtB70jjb7qkstK7nD5001eQ-QFO1yCqa_8QELKmrVlH7VgvXQrubNphSKOFiOtAg-x2XAYihEglxfOaTP_g_XY5QzaqF1Chi2YHgLGepUjBBlyHWucNvdaY0DYk4vu3LCujV7fZU/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1LsAtB70jjb7qkstK7nD5001eQ-QFO1yCqa_8QELKmrVlH7VgvXQrubNphSKOFiOtAg-x2XAYihEglxfOaTP_g_XY5QzaqF1Chi2YHgLGepUjBBlyHWucNvdaY0DYk4vu3LCujV7fZU/s320/DSCN1188.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Getting up on the couch-this is such major progress for this little guy!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR8dloW3Z3YxD0x7DSq_4-PZiy5WJsQluluhK_FR-_RQTN7zmx_m2Edn-uL1UorwRFV571KABbo3oZNbHtTJsLTo0XtmFJ4UaAB8w2dFhG30urRp5UrZfBFMFNhel899wNZnztKPN0G0/s1600/DSCN1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR8dloW3Z3YxD0x7DSq_4-PZiy5WJsQluluhK_FR-_RQTN7zmx_m2Edn-uL1UorwRFV571KABbo3oZNbHtTJsLTo0XtmFJ4UaAB8w2dFhG30urRp5UrZfBFMFNhel899wNZnztKPN0G0/s320/DSCN1189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Talking on the phone to his friend, the recording that says "please hang up and dial again."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdpLnr8Bu2o0G39WiIEkL0D56UcX9AXSO75lOHDhMoN3Pc7H02oVkgMydxX6cD8lPAEqq8wiCfeJo55SL4KBuUZKzOgbMtV2GzksoAYHOdnlw3krbYDuPKLX7adu5kPEdz8fG4JX2YLc/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdpLnr8Bu2o0G39WiIEkL0D56UcX9AXSO75lOHDhMoN3Pc7H02oVkgMydxX6cD8lPAEqq8wiCfeJo55SL4KBuUZKzOgbMtV2GzksoAYHOdnlw3krbYDuPKLX7adu5kPEdz8fG4JX2YLc/s320/DSCN1192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little break to read the daily devotional "My Utmost for His Highest."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hBoilBMwuHXyVFPsf61tWQekzh_3XSpoeKzT4rWsBZgyysuvCUEjGeBjEkNpHM-GIZOYB1eiM4zKI6ql2ZF7D01Fxx3cDyU5oegou2i-6To-Qtfo7qjSEM4tV9EN1pOJBNvN9OXa_kA/s1600/DSCN1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hBoilBMwuHXyVFPsf61tWQekzh_3XSpoeKzT4rWsBZgyysuvCUEjGeBjEkNpHM-GIZOYB1eiM4zKI6ql2ZF7D01Fxx3cDyU5oegou2i-6To-Qtfo7qjSEM4tV9EN1pOJBNvN9OXa_kA/s320/DSCN1193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Break with his favorite blanket and a little texting with my cell phone.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16yx4N5_RzWt3IAvRBjLuCHkU0vRtdxXDhUNYnXhsO5KjXFvXAtAZ3D-9pY26uyVrGp6bBeTitF2S1b40YQ2eo2CkCMqLv7THxwYrEIIoEi8UvuPZiHqyJOUNQAUSghmr4SFCKnTnqrs/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16yx4N5_RzWt3IAvRBjLuCHkU0vRtdxXDhUNYnXhsO5KjXFvXAtAZ3D-9pY26uyVrGp6bBeTitF2S1b40YQ2eo2CkCMqLv7THxwYrEIIoEi8UvuPZiHqyJOUNQAUSghmr4SFCKnTnqrs/s320/DSCN1194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now for some magazine reading/ripping.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cvj4-MFAtF2mceBenDNhnZx3k5OP0UOWiYdN-8YwKN2mWUMl2dI5U7NgZUzuZjEx1YP90z0hOFhBGPz7CJhPaaQ9H9jgSvQlpxkyQwA0jaDsQNhhehG6N3oe7aj8xjINkz-d4V4zwgI/s1600/DSCN1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cvj4-MFAtF2mceBenDNhnZx3k5OP0UOWiYdN-8YwKN2mWUMl2dI5U7NgZUzuZjEx1YP90z0hOFhBGPz7CJhPaaQ9H9jgSvQlpxkyQwA0jaDsQNhhehG6N3oe7aj8xjINkz-d4V4zwgI/s320/DSCN1195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Down off the bed...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFamy9vndJzvs2Svhe0oMgRvKnIEoVc5UJqCXPqHQsZHLhjHm1fVP9AfWT3AuSfkbqg5RRUtYsuPBLUszblp4CiUhh3t7oFnESGLY_NmQcKqBvqHVBEI2p-0PvTQQAF2YDqD4c5rBoQRQ/s1600/DSCN1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFamy9vndJzvs2Svhe0oMgRvKnIEoVc5UJqCXPqHQsZHLhjHm1fVP9AfWT3AuSfkbqg5RRUtYsuPBLUszblp4CiUhh3t7oFnESGLY_NmQcKqBvqHVBEI2p-0PvTQQAF2YDqD4c5rBoQRQ/s320/DSCN1196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off down the hall.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQTdFCIZk02-ogI_3lUU8EqeX5naoemGj0bAd_8eBt4m2OXWNhzDeN4N3waiBJMIVcFQtEtJABpcNKvSrJfLlSoGZqtihVSjQ-nTO0ZV4SrzKRcPXDY-N7arR2vYccINgBAwtySDPE0/s1600/DSCN1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQTdFCIZk02-ogI_3lUU8EqeX5naoemGj0bAd_8eBt4m2OXWNhzDeN4N3waiBJMIVcFQtEtJABpcNKvSrJfLlSoGZqtihVSjQ-nTO0ZV4SrzKRcPXDY-N7arR2vYccINgBAwtySDPE0/s320/DSCN1198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lunch-noodles, cherry tomatoes, banana and peanut butter smoothie.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOCxrSgrYDUwR1sFnh6btzy7iI5pMq0gRuozBtIb2SfiP6xYeWEhmSeh6CR_NnHjI6CWNOHfKa4bEp1ps564-A6SYDybtdGf9dnOw8_IMRaIMxeiBP0k7WWfhGpeEG_Cy8diYrkWC5lY/s1600/DSCN1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOCxrSgrYDUwR1sFnh6btzy7iI5pMq0gRuozBtIb2SfiP6xYeWEhmSeh6CR_NnHjI6CWNOHfKa4bEp1ps564-A6SYDybtdGf9dnOw8_IMRaIMxeiBP0k7WWfhGpeEG_Cy8diYrkWC5lY/s320/DSCN1199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking at his cards.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qhhONBcs1RKhHZFMR6STv8lnLzn3SRCin8TgmjJfnWPnMQe-UaRKx_OyFJjCDqz7UmFKfT4Qzo8OsSzYrWAiERzIclZRu-PJ2hhl5YpqcDrvi56xZZ7zA9hjgVSzp-kIBBqaiAT37A/s1600/DSCN1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qhhONBcs1RKhHZFMR6STv8lnLzn3SRCin8TgmjJfnWPnMQe-UaRKx_OyFJjCDqz7UmFKfT4Qzo8OsSzYrWAiERzIclZRu-PJ2hhl5YpqcDrvi56xZZ7zA9hjgVSzp-kIBBqaiAT37A/s320/DSCN1202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3 hour nap! Yay for both of us! He is a deep and hard sleeper. We have changed his diapers while he has been asleep and he doesn't wake up.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlWPuFtoURqrIokvqPdHRaZHiVHfhCkMfOGpbFXiRhs5JiDzzvk6g7acvtSmoAds97b4iUa8XokYJnLvmGRQWTqJNG2GkiysNaKkw7Dklb6RgwT3VHF8dWQRdbxtB-35gOXjADrSVqoY/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlWPuFtoURqrIokvqPdHRaZHiVHfhCkMfOGpbFXiRhs5JiDzzvk6g7acvtSmoAds97b4iUa8XokYJnLvmGRQWTqJNG2GkiysNaKkw7Dklb6RgwT3VHF8dWQRdbxtB-35gOXjADrSVqoY/s320/DSCN1203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Practicing for soccer by kicking paper.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2chAQYGBtIoJ7e8Cqxrmgi0e1IhoTyMEVPeVi1bOCyfiRN36XWefsVv_mbk1UNGLPFWgcUGsCJYO5uKeaVF2A_XHg1RraBToca-VW71o6HAPGRTv3kJ5dJDEwq-HoG_wjQeIMeruwFsI/s1600/DSCN1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2chAQYGBtIoJ7e8Cqxrmgi0e1IhoTyMEVPeVi1bOCyfiRN36XWefsVv_mbk1UNGLPFWgcUGsCJYO5uKeaVF2A_XHg1RraBToca-VW71o6HAPGRTv3kJ5dJDEwq-HoG_wjQeIMeruwFsI/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off to the market with Mama and Baba. Yes, we do walk through traffic! It's the only way.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KlnXOZBLRo6y-7d5MZeU5u2RxgrgZgY982UIw2W-NkZiRxWUqIwq9PTFTNZLDh7S8XQ2mhLbppz9o90H2ClrYRe4X4_uUCcEXL0D6Ky24o-juN-S9LUdwcYo34wUdsUhAqAjaolm_64/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KlnXOZBLRo6y-7d5MZeU5u2RxgrgZgY982UIw2W-NkZiRxWUqIwq9PTFTNZLDh7S8XQ2mhLbppz9o90H2ClrYRe4X4_uUCcEXL0D6Ky24o-juN-S9LUdwcYo34wUdsUhAqAjaolm_64/s320/DSCN1207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
His favorite gate guards- they love him too.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaxxwHQaUJkTIFKJTCA_EKiFzCsuulCHYZJ3bO6yFjkfrUi3MwWAtjhLcUJG322F3ijT2PJhtOBceORTX8QhQ7iHafGUoc6g9EZMgdvEloBSWw2QsuMQIvt0qBALpQyDRQgcCbg0nBgI/s1600/DSCN1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaxxwHQaUJkTIFKJTCA_EKiFzCsuulCHYZJ3bO6yFjkfrUi3MwWAtjhLcUJG322F3ijT2PJhtOBceORTX8QhQ7iHafGUoc6g9EZMgdvEloBSWw2QsuMQIvt0qBALpQyDRQgcCbg0nBgI/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jie Jie was forced into hard labor- she had to make crumb muffins to go with the chicken and salad for dinner. Please notice the C and H brown sugar- heaven!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb9F6aqOF8iF2sNF_asKNccEd9O6Nc440RIaZ9zR4UIVNTbLOGCJH7iPDy7TIv5JdhLHJy1gC_E2zYL0wCsJUfb3Rt-0-eXrwyFJ3lEU1dw3XYupOpX2Y-7-eUJn6XDFQFtkE5jRpCuA/s1600/DSCN1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb9F6aqOF8iF2sNF_asKNccEd9O6Nc440RIaZ9zR4UIVNTbLOGCJH7iPDy7TIv5JdhLHJy1gC_E2zYL0wCsJUfb3Rt-0-eXrwyFJ3lEU1dw3XYupOpX2Y-7-eUJn6XDFQFtkE5jRpCuA/s320/DSCN1211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little crying time with Baba since he closed a door on his hand. It may sound strange but the crying because of pain is a huge step for him and we really make a big deal of comforting him when he cries. It's common for children from orphanages to not cry when they are hurt as there isn't always someone to comfort them. He needs to learn that crying is the right response for distress.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw22Z27Chd-rZGOybNcd-4thWH_upaeamr88RXTgzcYukSNAZ03poPpHixf_GDWsgx3dGzJXcFl-_OgyKFe4G-zL-jB4eiCL_Ac0kDbSRCpYDmp-iBY5D-6cagbccX8sRiHXAeVeqE9TQ/s1600/DSCN1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw22Z27Chd-rZGOybNcd-4thWH_upaeamr88RXTgzcYukSNAZ03poPpHixf_GDWsgx3dGzJXcFl-_OgyKFe4G-zL-jB4eiCL_Ac0kDbSRCpYDmp-iBY5D-6cagbccX8sRiHXAeVeqE9TQ/s320/DSCN1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brushing his teeth before bed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wOgVE0Ibq5ub30RVZMkhiKrtlWaQvhWZFq5gG5VJr5wnMqLoU0XG0rZepr_eDS4YJQa5JHDKGstzLxYTbm0ivtAO5oxZJRap8rxhqWw_VcjzTn38XBEAcSyUqLDTFn9OAMkxTx3T2RQ/s1600/DSCN1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wOgVE0Ibq5ub30RVZMkhiKrtlWaQvhWZFq5gG5VJr5wnMqLoU0XG0rZepr_eDS4YJQa5JHDKGstzLxYTbm0ivtAO5oxZJRap8rxhqWw_VcjzTn38XBEAcSyUqLDTFn9OAMkxTx3T2RQ/s320/DSCN1216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little milk and his bunny and then out like a light at 7 PM.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-88483660886040213342012-06-10T16:18:00.001+08:002012-06-10T16:18:13.079+08:00One of the hardest decisions we have ever made.I've thought many times about how I would write this. There is no right way.<br />
A few days ago I emptied out a purse that has a zipper that needs to be fixed. Out fell coins from the US, Canada, Thailand and China. In my wallet right now I have money from Korea, China and the US. But it will all be turned in next month for American money as we have decided it is time to return to the US. <br />
There is no crisis, no marital issue, no family issue, no security issue. We just think it is time to be back there and provide a home for our daughter as she starts college and to be closer to our extended family.<br />
We are sad because we love China and we love the people here and the work we are doing. But we do believe that we have made the right decision. We will be moving to the Pacific Northwest to do some similar work.<br />
Our little guy will stay with his ayi until his family comes., hopefully within the year. He stays there often and it's the least stressful transition for him. Leaving him, of course, is the hardest thing and the thing that makes me sob several times a day. But there will never be an easy time to leave him and we have always known that his time with us was not forever. But his impact on our lives is forever. What a privilege to be part of his story. As his adoption gets closer, it's good not to blog much about him to preserve his and his new family's privacy. But rest assured- he has an amazing future ahead of him. When he actually gets to his family, I'll let you know with out letting you know who or where he will be.<br />
I started this blog as a way to keep our friends and family updated about our lives. It took on somewhat of a life of its own as we got the sweet baby and used it to advocate for him. I'll keep blogging here until we end up in the US and then I will open a new blog about some of the things that are important to me.<br />
China is an amazing place. It's loud and alive. There are things that make me nuts and things that I love. As a family, we are so glad we came. It's been a privilege to be here. We came to serve and to learn and I think we accomplished that. <br />
We have about a month here, a few weeks of transition and then a new start. Our life is about to change dramatically-we won't be in China, we won't have our sweet baby and our daughter will start college. Those are all things that involve grief and loss as well as joy. Transitions are hard and this one has a lot of pain in it for us. We are excited about the next but right now we are deep in the losses. We need to walk through the sadness before we can move on.<br />
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.<br />
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-42813843736515859612012-06-09T12:11:00.001+08:002012-06-09T12:12:39.693+08:00And she graduates......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ehdM1g1DDGqiCs3b-euqjQkNce3EoyYNxCAMVG1t8aGWTNG9JA03Qc_5gBDeJiSXQnmdsJUjK4G9xDp3Z-MxCoc_KJ6knvKg6eZkI9J_4onMAcIB_QMmY7NhDusJkIsGytNJeGfV60/s1600/DSCN1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ehdM1g1DDGqiCs3b-euqjQkNce3EoyYNxCAMVG1t8aGWTNG9JA03Qc_5gBDeJiSXQnmdsJUjK4G9xDp3Z-MxCoc_KJ6knvKg6eZkI9J_4onMAcIB_QMmY7NhDusJkIsGytNJeGfV60/s320/DSCN1158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Somehow we blinked and Elisabeth grew up and graduated from high school. Our night started with dinner at the Sheraton. Then each of the dad's stood up and talked to their sons or daughter in whatever language they chose. It was very, very moving to hear the tenderness and love in the voices of these father's.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B1UKIN_vKPbzTcwXVbHd8RDKNtcwIA23a26eL5VFANdfYgzL-EPaGDXRheQPWEOUnJ1rvpzrhDZUw9j9oI8FyGbO0wderPCdnCWww8CsTiLPhEy232jGb2rig701nz1r2yFWyqkBVaY/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B1UKIN_vKPbzTcwXVbHd8RDKNtcwIA23a26eL5VFANdfYgzL-EPaGDXRheQPWEOUnJ1rvpzrhDZUw9j9oI8FyGbO0wderPCdnCWww8CsTiLPhEy232jGb2rig701nz1r2yFWyqkBVaY/s320/DSCN1159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying not to choke up as her dad talked about her love for our little guy and for letting him into her life.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eT6LQWwt6c8_VjBgODYGRtux2OjupLWMS-Pyc9fS_f3NeiVIXUd5q54Vs1f9Gh4dud4oWyQ-wk3nkFK3CJDdngNiqNPqKQYV8Jdkauocb1rIxrbf2ZIk0Z5pqJfZPu-2BDmH6HYpfp4/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eT6LQWwt6c8_VjBgODYGRtux2OjupLWMS-Pyc9fS_f3NeiVIXUd5q54Vs1f9Gh4dud4oWyQ-wk3nkFK3CJDdngNiqNPqKQYV8Jdkauocb1rIxrbf2ZIk0Z5pqJfZPu-2BDmH6HYpfp4/s320/DSCN1161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Each graduate got a class picture.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_zXPBN5aRL1LF014HzwLXpi16S3hkxd0097B3pPDM46OZrZ6N8AtIZYROughx6lKNqmiPagcmnXrO_ZBrafi7_RoTYIapnIWib9FE90J89keMpVBMtA1DsfHJMQgrLvOeVBOr5xTsiA/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_zXPBN5aRL1LF014HzwLXpi16S3hkxd0097B3pPDM46OZrZ6N8AtIZYROughx6lKNqmiPagcmnXrO_ZBrafi7_RoTYIapnIWib9FE90J89keMpVBMtA1DsfHJMQgrLvOeVBOr5xTsiA/s320/DSCN1162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many of our friends came.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2eIAV4M-3qgf4jVuIRP_8_M43DRPy-ZUXZNGIdiRf1kWfJYdwsGpcpMfxNUet4YCGP_4Huq4dUSrp4HBLRJua_ILjSMzKbOxbvI6pMaEb_65diExeVtqhnz7vJUQf8fc_PxfJlQN38k/s1600/DSCN1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2eIAV4M-3qgf4jVuIRP_8_M43DRPy-ZUXZNGIdiRf1kWfJYdwsGpcpMfxNUet4YCGP_4Huq4dUSrp4HBLRJua_ILjSMzKbOxbvI6pMaEb_65diExeVtqhnz7vJUQf8fc_PxfJlQN38k/s320/DSCN1166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elisabeth really wanted our little guy to be there so he came too. He peed on me during the ceremony- poor diapering technique on our part!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAo0msHq0-HkgIoUNgva-EaE8Rn2OE2DO6qNdOGf15O0yYoHTiIAz0Tua4gbELQsfzCSl6tm0FhMCHvjk0pIo4XcFlVjRkLBaUN4ReJrOnZFaOpEHcoBNeAL4YqnSVm83CkWD28HjZwg/s1600/DSCN1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAo0msHq0-HkgIoUNgva-EaE8Rn2OE2DO6qNdOGf15O0yYoHTiIAz0Tua4gbELQsfzCSl6tm0FhMCHvjk0pIo4XcFlVjRkLBaUN4ReJrOnZFaOpEHcoBNeAL4YqnSVm83CkWD28HjZwg/s320/DSCN1167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They entered through the back to the traditional music.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtH3jTVbUvR_mW-lhALw_sOvWteZUxAxv5gh4ZmwjPQ8ty9D9uHUzD1HhYFoWqOjSDu70oR5Uqihy1G22Tls3UQZvmVF_6dOXLEfE3fjJG_nmhKLcjwUZgD1aYmPTOG036bnbdrVR9LQ/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtH3jTVbUvR_mW-lhALw_sOvWteZUxAxv5gh4ZmwjPQ8ty9D9uHUzD1HhYFoWqOjSDu70oR5Uqihy1G22Tls3UQZvmVF_6dOXLEfE3fjJG_nmhKLcjwUZgD1aYmPTOG036bnbdrVR9LQ/s320/DSCN1173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and after speeches and getting their diploma's....they were actual high school graduates!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The yellow ribbon is for the National Honor Society and the medal is for the Honor Roll.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPLPQZpLTHUCvYQRbE5HsshHcOsC0-4f28vgf3eRYFTX5xYUpmS6fqsZH-g_j-nFQEfUh-Q4dAS1PGYGNC4mfniDK0ABSUuX2Y2v_KSe5YsdDJ6GnwMrbwAYiKTl-Wr3_BkAAGWJLGHI/s1600/DSCN1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPLPQZpLTHUCvYQRbE5HsshHcOsC0-4f28vgf3eRYFTX5xYUpmS6fqsZH-g_j-nFQEfUh-Q4dAS1PGYGNC4mfniDK0ABSUuX2Y2v_KSe5YsdDJ6GnwMrbwAYiKTl-Wr3_BkAAGWJLGHI/s320/DSCN1177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrXq0Pz9wV_DmRiM11_MXPROq2CWtZSXUnCX0v5FXARrQdj4fKxYlHHuwc1golBF4Lk0l0J_dus6zmDJ3cbHplY99xv6FYi1jMaXB9yifOY9jK0296k-59rE7MGD5_iA0tkb_MJKvSK8/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrXq0Pz9wV_DmRiM11_MXPROq2CWtZSXUnCX0v5FXARrQdj4fKxYlHHuwc1golBF4Lk0l0J_dus6zmDJ3cbHplY99xv6FYi1jMaXB9yifOY9jK0296k-59rE7MGD5_iA0tkb_MJKvSK8/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a good day...a Genesis moment for Elisabeth..and for us.</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-61410095811287690812012-06-07T08:27:00.001+08:002012-06-07T08:27:32.751+08:00Sure, we are normal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNATkZYYfpgZabo8PIfWFDFX7s6rqktdPX6sd3_ILXE2drM9OMURLF-1ynT0TDrE-dFi71ZxxwVF_KKVSB_IGCdnvmf7xOEFdWgp_ACQJcJs-Q7jccx5cjLcipGPd9eQjZPK9I630f7A/s1600/DSCN1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNATkZYYfpgZabo8PIfWFDFX7s6rqktdPX6sd3_ILXE2drM9OMURLF-1ynT0TDrE-dFi71ZxxwVF_KKVSB_IGCdnvmf7xOEFdWgp_ACQJcJs-Q7jccx5cjLcipGPd9eQjZPK9I630f7A/s320/DSCN1135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoqwC7ntoQRCzO2lNz1-uGOUFJXRUY3GV2Rvnix26a4uoqmV0BJKxladDwmF8MNauUcrlwrSU8OixqJj_5YedTj5Ms_4DjyiaTL2_UFa8o87dLSvrGBdUOwpzVl_nrAd_XOX0BNeq9NQ/s1600/DSCN1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoqwC7ntoQRCzO2lNz1-uGOUFJXRUY3GV2Rvnix26a4uoqmV0BJKxladDwmF8MNauUcrlwrSU8OixqJj_5YedTj5Ms_4DjyiaTL2_UFa8o87dLSvrGBdUOwpzVl_nrAd_XOX0BNeq9NQ/s320/DSCN1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the school play, the costumes needed to be washed. These clothes were gorgeous- beautifully made from curtain fabric. They also were heavy and because they were long, had to be washed one by one in our Chinese style washer. They then were hung on our drying balcony. I do sometimes wonder what our neighbors think...or maybe I don't want to know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3jH00_qM5yhJJR2ke-ZS8TXPM9urOhP2qzzIOuSRtkE-Z1L9raMF0FDkpAdEq_zERoIe67VbDctN42f-rA-s81mOd50yZnvXZ7b8_0yooiZ8EVuhtppzPeRmraxZhwFaitWCgfRle1c/s1600/DSCN1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3jH00_qM5yhJJR2ke-ZS8TXPM9urOhP2qzzIOuSRtkE-Z1L9raMF0FDkpAdEq_zERoIe67VbDctN42f-rA-s81mOd50yZnvXZ7b8_0yooiZ8EVuhtppzPeRmraxZhwFaitWCgfRle1c/s320/DSCN1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our little guy desperately wants to go outside all!the!time! So he put on a winter hat and got his shoes. He is wearing his pajamas. The funny thing is that I could have taken him out and no one would have even blinked!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxfs_a-80U_lT1s8Lsl3hDX5qxa_ycaUlwDcFMnlscv5x8jidrOz33AjOwiok6dh1-GC3q50z5bPJww_oia-k7Wb5rf1fuJ8fBTIzSmsnUrwkDwD5hidvlSyKYGSRpbdY3ENIkcL2eo/s1600/DSCN1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxfs_a-80U_lT1s8Lsl3hDX5qxa_ycaUlwDcFMnlscv5x8jidrOz33AjOwiok6dh1-GC3q50z5bPJww_oia-k7Wb5rf1fuJ8fBTIzSmsnUrwkDwD5hidvlSyKYGSRpbdY3ENIkcL2eo/s320/DSCN1143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of our favorite things- knitting and talking on the toy cell phone. He loves cell phones and loves to pretend text and call. I have many contacts in my phone with names like Xd7h or other randomness.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahoBlwIRG2-CDKnIAEDDZGVEZq0nQEp1hN3NVKUAFCNL1-EN7hQRdJlznXw_snr6CA62RjTSNur2q1QG3aWjEpnF6P_mHxUsX4ZZmhgdVeHF8d2VMvJtsLckEZowm_W4D_yEye4oaBnQ/s1600/DSCN1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahoBlwIRG2-CDKnIAEDDZGVEZq0nQEp1hN3NVKUAFCNL1-EN7hQRdJlznXw_snr6CA62RjTSNur2q1QG3aWjEpnF6P_mHxUsX4ZZmhgdVeHF8d2VMvJtsLckEZowm_W4D_yEye4oaBnQ/s320/DSCN1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, we like each other!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pCddjOmqOV4uZ0fnqZ-sVFuBRUKI_-yVDVRf3ThEvPY5GP_oAtQ2zu-udB5EgBue6B6iwVijOfIGutPZ8-IzjF_klBbCad6HZND6pQF70BG0HjVPUXkPumGWDj6vuVvyBpPM6OAcbao/s1600/DSCN1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pCddjOmqOV4uZ0fnqZ-sVFuBRUKI_-yVDVRf3ThEvPY5GP_oAtQ2zu-udB5EgBue6B6iwVijOfIGutPZ8-IzjF_klBbCad6HZND6pQF70BG0HjVPUXkPumGWDj6vuVvyBpPM6OAcbao/s320/DSCN1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love him! Look at that face!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_IWxGUQUY_C2nzhYrqrYX3bVSUIWrTgWZ8IfcJaDA2BS31uzu6qqPtSHw95omTEF1nGrxWhqdWJCkJMdPvq5OwKJfhOoz0FrNO5K6mgWlf2cJRSOwHuTOUNdXe6U4Cgnj6rOQCx8-DE/s1600/DSCN1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_IWxGUQUY_C2nzhYrqrYX3bVSUIWrTgWZ8IfcJaDA2BS31uzu6qqPtSHw95omTEF1nGrxWhqdWJCkJMdPvq5OwKJfhOoz0FrNO5K6mgWlf2cJRSOwHuTOUNdXe6U4Cgnj6rOQCx8-DE/s320/DSCN1146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Studying for the HSK- Chinese proficiency test.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGwaFbYLu_I61Yq0OSUAPaz6N4-wNv4QhmIQd7hBadv3j3aBdsQlXvltztBDyv6dMZFpWOJ9az-7Aqn4CGmrwPErOELRZ0ThDt5GX7cgzS1J8amJnIC3Uhyphenhyphen7VLwvTTpZ9xDMRgBmSWE8/s1600/DSCN1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGwaFbYLu_I61Yq0OSUAPaz6N4-wNv4QhmIQd7hBadv3j3aBdsQlXvltztBDyv6dMZFpWOJ9az-7Aqn4CGmrwPErOELRZ0ThDt5GX7cgzS1J8amJnIC3Uhyphenhyphen7VLwvTTpZ9xDMRgBmSWE8/s320/DSCN1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Apparently true love means you have to match. This is his beloved ayi and the match was totally random.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFDyzeh5i06EU1kCIzuUX8kGrkn2NzidrwphPZmI3tyrU-avKPuKz1J-zcvQ1eIWQ0CsTavYh1aGqFJ6cgnFfawujj2-cDocPKVjdcvVS2aJvPnVLHTGYVtERrjcYMir4A6k-CYkJaLA/s1600/DSCN1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFDyzeh5i06EU1kCIzuUX8kGrkn2NzidrwphPZmI3tyrU-avKPuKz1J-zcvQ1eIWQ0CsTavYh1aGqFJ6cgnFfawujj2-cDocPKVjdcvVS2aJvPnVLHTGYVtERrjcYMir4A6k-CYkJaLA/s320/DSCN1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK30B5CM_wZcUc6XC0_aTS3FWimGkZ8lzGJjbsWNhgC-go2zE_17naX7uxCcoPhYMggHOgE28kkdmwCq7wlg8rHg-kdocFUWkQlxCduIkgcp3kHofj5Z3HqC3IxZ9m7u5-mxqz_THgwRU/s1600/DSCN1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK30B5CM_wZcUc6XC0_aTS3FWimGkZ8lzGJjbsWNhgC-go2zE_17naX7uxCcoPhYMggHOgE28kkdmwCq7wlg8rHg-kdocFUWkQlxCduIkgcp3kHofj5Z3HqC3IxZ9m7u5-mxqz_THgwRU/s320/DSCN1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dancing with the (Chinese) Stars.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MC_BO-IjA1ufAw-4vHp71cI2kfvArA0TX4TPubNBOXek4dcvHXcp-UZiTa-I70RhSa3g4ZKb_olJn2KwYmj4JOIhXwu8YnGrHkfLAClT_EpW1sJckc42EEJKEWp-QBdIBfLaryg7sUg/s1600/DSCN1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MC_BO-IjA1ufAw-4vHp71cI2kfvArA0TX4TPubNBOXek4dcvHXcp-UZiTa-I70RhSa3g4ZKb_olJn2KwYmj4JOIhXwu8YnGrHkfLAClT_EpW1sJckc42EEJKEWp-QBdIBfLaryg7sUg/s320/DSCN1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Slacker toddler</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="18" src="http://free.timeanddate.com/clock/i28uiquc/n33" width="82"></iframe>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-35232053150381116822012-06-02T23:05:00.000+08:002012-06-02T23:05:01.010+08:00May you be blessed, Margaret ChoDear Margaret Cho,<br />
I've never watched your comedy routines because they seem born out of sadness and anger and that doesn't appeal to me. Because we don't live in the US, we don't get the 24 news cycle of who said what and did what and so on and I don't miss that. But today a friend sent me a link where I read that you had said something along the lines of not wanting a baby at your age because you don't want a "retard."<br />
And so, Margaret Cho, as the foster mother of a little boy that many people would consider a "retard" because of his Down Syndrome, I wish for you some things.<br />
Most of all, may you be blessed. May you be blessed with a little boy that wakes up every day happy and enthusiastic to greet the day. May you be blessed with a little boy who waves goodbye and blows kisses from his crib when it's time to go to sleep at night. May you blessed with a little boy who sleep with his cute little but in the air. May you be blessed with a little boy who wears footie pajamas with dinosaurs on them.<br />
May you be blessed with a little boy who can't walk alone at 2 and half because of some low muscle tone. May you be blessed to hold his hand as he practices walking. May you be blessed as you watch him speed crawl on the ground. May you be blessed as you bounce him on a ball to increase his muscle tone so that he will walk.<br />
May you blessed as many people in our community are as we walk around and he waves and says hi to everyone. May you be blessed by a community of people who enthusiastically ask about your little boy and clap and cheer his every step.<br />
May you be blessed by a little boy that likes to play tiger and put up his "claws" and roar. May you be blessed as he plays with his stuffed animals tenderly and wraps them in blankets and rocks them. May you be blessed as he sings and claps to music.<br />
May you be blessed as he plays cars and trains and throws balls. May you be blessed as he screams his head off during a bath. May you be blessed as he throws food on the ground from his high chair. May you be blessed as he pulls your hair...hard.<br />
May you be blessed by the sweetness that pours out of this little boy and the open heart of love that he has.<br />
Maybe you be blessed as you look at this little boy at night and know how lucky you are to have him...for us just a few years until he goes to his forever family.<br />
May you be blessed Margaret Cho and may you learn from this experience that words are never just words and that labels hurt and destroy. May you be blessed.<br />
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-5916008369733202702012-06-01T07:29:00.001+08:002012-06-01T07:29:22.066+08:0018 years of waking my daughter up.Wednesday was the last day of actual high school for Elisabeth. Finals are finished and grades are complete. Yesterday she took off on a 30 hour train for Xi'An with the high school. She comes back next Tuesday, has a half day at school on Wednesday and then graduates at the Sheraton on Wednesday night.<br />
It occurred to me on Wednesday that it was my last day of waking her up for school. Let me just say "Hallelujah." Elisabeth has never been an early riser. Even when she was a baby, she slept late (take note, Mr. 5 AM riser foster son). Every day is pressing and prodding and often raised voices. Not fun.<br />
The other day, we sent Mr. Early Riser to wake her up. You can see how successful that was.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67_ndL4g33RtUlTTv2BxQ61YEDqJavRzxWyBIJhzGyqAsG_Guzf194d8pSglakDcbhLABzwgaw1GCkWrZLm2rmL8gNkHghDZ_0POadCz3UarH6D24WtohsNk5kaBsao2pzv05DV0h7us/s1600/DSCN1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67_ndL4g33RtUlTTv2BxQ61YEDqJavRzxWyBIJhzGyqAsG_Guzf194d8pSglakDcbhLABzwgaw1GCkWrZLm2rmL8gNkHghDZ_0POadCz3UarH6D24WtohsNk5kaBsao2pzv05DV0h7us/s320/DSCN1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cute though he is and despite mutual love, he was not enthusiastically received as an alarm clock (I have no idea why he was drinking water in her bed).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've told her that in college, she can not sign up for early classes. There will be no long distance phone calls to get her out of bed.</div>
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285145779903542153.post-6708728485446914342012-05-28T19:32:00.001+08:002012-05-28T19:33:20.110+08:00He knows his name...<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been thinking about names lately and today I read this quote on another blog from David Platt, the author of <u>Radical</u>. We saw a DVD of David Platt preaching yesterday and it was powerful. Here is the quote</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 25px;"><i>We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i> </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The thing is, we don't know our little guy's name. We don't know the name that his parents gave him. We don't know what they wrote on the hospital form before they had to/choose to/who knows why they walked away. We don't know. We know the name he has now- the same last name as everyone in the orphanage. His name is one chosen by the orphanage. For us it has meaning as his name means "treasure" and he is such a treasure.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">We call him lots of things- the sweet baby (because oh, this little guy is sweet). We call him "Monkey Boy" because he has gotten so active. We have chosen to keep his Chinese name rather than a Western name for two reasons. One- we thought that his future would be in China and he he would need to keep his Chinese name. Two-if the possibility for adoption opened up, we thought his forever family should choose his name.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But the name his parents chose...maybe full of hope at this son's birth- we will never know that name. Somewhere out there are parents who know his name and I feel so sad at what they are missing with their sweet little son. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">When his forever family comes, he will get their name- a name that identifies him uniquely as part of his new family. That is a wonderful thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Several years ago we worked at a camp way to the north of us. While we were there, the kids sang this song a lot.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">He knows my name</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
I have a maker<br />
He formed my heart<br />
Before even time began<br />
My life was in his hand</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<em>Chorus</em><br />
He knows my name<br />
He knows my every thought<br />
He sees each tear that falls<br />
And hears me when I call</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
I have a Father<br />
He calls me his own<br />
He'll never leave me<br />
No matter where I go</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<em>Chorus</em><br />
He knows my name<br />
He knows my every thought<br />
He sees each tear that falls<br />
And hears me when I call</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yROBWzGXy4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yROBWzGXy4</a>
</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
In speaking to Israel (and also to us)</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
</div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But now thus says the LORD,</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>he who created you, O Jacob,</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>he who formed you, O Israel:</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>I have called you by name, you are mine.</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">(Isaiah 43:1 ESV)</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So fear not, our sweet baby, You have a name and a future. The most important One knows you and knows your name. You are a treasure to us...and to your family that is coming soon.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FojDXn3587579aVJot9KI0Bo9WQjGRpCMhHURwSSSZasIXCqyTHvNXGxa9pGBkLJmFqvZsO6CgDdloFmB_21a5VmiebKnck_lE3UNDyQ30QjAL7c5ICT9jVNai5pWeHfLRx2nKj_lvM/s1600/DSCN1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FojDXn3587579aVJot9KI0Bo9WQjGRpCMhHURwSSSZasIXCqyTHvNXGxa9pGBkLJmFqvZsO6CgDdloFmB_21a5VmiebKnck_lE3UNDyQ30QjAL7c5ICT9jVNai5pWeHfLRx2nKj_lvM/s320/DSCN1134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="bodysmtext">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #191919; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05968771661846546449noreply@blogger.com2