Day 92

Renee singing with some other foreigners and Chinese students at the churchs Christmas service. These are the kids we work with on Saturdays. 

Day 91

                                              Tegan and Preston with Jesus' birthday cake

Day 90

Preston and Tegan with a Chinese Santa! We saw him at church, ater being told there were no such things are live Santa's here.

Day 89

Preston helping Tegan pull out his tooth. Did not work...

This Week is All Family Week. Enjoy!

Day 88

Another picture from our Christmas party. She is actually the daughter of one of the Foreign Affair Officers are my school!

Day 87

A view along the river. The Xin Jiang river is a major part of our city and its history. Its also very beautiful and 

Day 86

There is a Chinese-Western Restaurant we go to once in a while. Its close to our house and some decent pasta! They had this display up last week, so of course the boys had to pretend they were Mr. and Mrs. Shrek

1st Christmas in Changsha

 Today, our day started by going to church. They did not have a Christmas Eve service, and Renee had a part in the service so off we went. It was wonderful, and a great way to begin this day.
The service was about 2 hours, and was fileld with dances, skits and songs! The most moving part was the end, when we all stood as the choir sang the "Halleluia Chorus" It was amazing to hear it in Chinese, and was incredibly moving to celebrate the birth of our Savior in a country that does not recognize Him.

Renees part came from the choir the Saturday English corner put on. She did a great job!

Day 85

Tegan, Maggie and Preston! I love my family!

Day 84

Actual Cheetos! A gift for the boys from our boss, on a recent visit to our city. The boys were so excited to get these....Mom and Dad too!

Day 83

The boys and their babysitter. She comes over every Saturday, when we go to the church for English corner. They love her!

Day 82

One of Renee's students, at our Christmas party!

day 81

Todays deaf schol project!

Day 80

                                                           The boys and Natalie!

Day 79

Found out that the church we do things with, is the church where Hudson Taylor died in. He spoke his final service, took a nap and awoke to his eternal reward. What an incredible heritage!

生日快乐耶稣/Happy Birthday Jesus

The boys made Jesus a lego cake, and decided to sing Happy Birthday to Him. Tegan is really wanting to use his Chinese more, so they decided to sing to Him in two languages!

Day 78

Renee with the newest child to the foreign Mom's playgroup!

Something new

Today, Renee and I saw something we had never seen before. We had a friend watch the boys for a few hours, while we went to lunch and took a walk around the river. Right in fromt of us, we noticed a fire and some people standing around. We watched it for a few moments, and Renee pointed out that she saw a skeleton. We noticed some fireworks, and that the lady pictured below was wiping away tears. We had stumbled upon a funeral, and the burning of the body.

As we watched the family climb the steps back up to the street, the woman turned and blew a kiss to the remains, and the guys gave a farewell wave. We could not imagine how hard that was, to watch the body of your loved one burn, while you left and resumed your normal life.  I have no idea why they choose that method of saying goodbye, but it was very powerful and sad. 

We have never seen anything like this in China. They do not embalm the bodies here, so most people are cremated the day (or the day after) they die..but never in public. 

People do not get buried here very much, we have heard its because of a lack of space. Next to the deaf school there are some shops that sell engraved tomb markers, so at least a few are still buried, or at least a place is marked as a memorial.

Seeing things like this help us realize again just how much this country needs to hear of our Fathers love, and His hope and plan for us. That He can give us a peace, and give us something to look forward too; that in the end, life is more than just a pile of charred remains. 

Every day, it seems we learn more about this amazing country we call home. Its an incredible adventure, one we are honored to be a part of.

Day 77

A wanted sign posted all over the city. I think its something to do with the bus?

First Snow

The boys experienced their first snow yesterday. Well, snow may be to strong of a word...but they loved it. The forecast had been saying snow, and Tegan was desperate for it to come. So that morning, he prayed that it would snow. Later at school, he actually got on his knees and asked God for snow..and when he opened his eyes it was snowing! The flurries did not last long, but Tegan says he does not care. He saw snow...and Jesus brought it just for him! 

Day 76

Some of the former and famous Pastors of the church we are involved with. 

Day 75

Sunny, Abby, and Christina!

Day 74

Xin Ming, a cute girl that lives in our complex, and one the boys have become friends with. She is outside all day with her Grandparents, and is always so cute and precious.

Day 73

Our good friend Alex!

Day 72

Our family at The Peak in Hong Kong

day 71

My Mom at the deaf school with the kids, during her visit in August

Guess What Happened On The Way Home.....

I want to talk about something that happened about a week ago. I was riding home on a public bus from school, and I sat down across from three ladies who were furiously signing to each other. I was in shock for a few minutes, as I felt like this was the opportunity that I had been waiting for. Getting involved in the Chinese deaf community is not easy..and here was my chance.

I waited for my nerves and their signing to take a break..then bravely told them hi! I told them my name, and asked what theirs was. They looked at me in complete shock! Here was a foreigner, on a bus outside of the city, signing to them in Chinese!

When they recovered from their shock..I told them I was an American, and then I had to stop! Thats about all I know! But one of the women could hear out of one ear…we had a kinship, as I explained that I too was deaf in one ear, but can hear out of the other. She was able to ask me what I was doing there, and all sorts of other questions these ladies had! I discovered that I can still read lips in Chinese, and that the deaf women could read my lips…even when speaking Chinese! I have not seen these ladies again, and may not. But I am so thankful that Father gave me that opportunity. That in a small way, he allowed me to be a part of the deaf community here, and gave me hope for the future. He is always so faithful to what we need. I love this life, and every day am humbled by what I get to do! Thanks for playing a part! 

Day 70

Working on the subway..to be opened in 2013

Day 69

Preston with his Starbucks mug

Day 68

Our Thanksgiving feast!

Day 67

No turkey this year, so we had roasted duck. Not quite the same, but good!

Day 66

The best, most amazing boys in the entire world! No, its not quite that cold yet....they wanted to try the new stuff out!

Day 65

Tegan enjoying his food!

Day 64

Students hot water containers waiting to be filled. This is what they use for any hot water needs, but don't like carrying them around. So drop them off before class, then fill them up later!

Day 63

Preston and Aunt Jacki on the way to Nanchang.

Day 62

Renee working at our Thanksgiving meal. We all worked hard, but had a great time. 

天六十一

Cool looking apartment building.

天六十

Buying some delicious sweet potato chips!

天五十九

When you are little, anything can be fun to play with!

天五十八

We usually see his Dad sitting on this stool, selling cheap stuff from his store. But I guess like all boys, he wants to be like his Dad!

天五十七

Some workers heading back to the construction site. They all have one tool that they use, and focus on. No "Jack of all trades" here. These guys work HARD all day, 7 days a week.