If you were Dairy Queen, would you sue?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Hua Jia Ting and Xie Si
We headed off to the deaf school today, expecting just a normal Sunday morning. What happened was anything but normal. It began with meeting two new friends, and ended with incredible confirmation of a dream.
Usually, at the school, we play with and help the younger kids; from ages 2-10 or so. But today we got to meet two amazing teenage girls. There names are 胡嘉婷 ( Hua Jia Ting) and 谢思(Xie Si)
Since they were older, they are able to sign, speak ( Xie Si) read and write Chinese and some English. Because of that, we were able to communicate easier and break through some of those communication barriers. Through this event, two things became very evident to us.
1. We are exactly where we are supposed to be.
We have been in Changsha for 5 months, and though things are going well, we were beginning to feel frustrated with the lack of progress into the deaf community. But today, it was as if Father was telling us, it will happen. Wait, but it will happen. Which actually goes along well with what the B study with the college kids was about yesterday. When Father wants to get His point across..He will!
2. There is still an incredible need for outreach to the deaf and hard of hearing.

Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
天二十九
Some restaurant workers preparing the many vegetables needed for that day. A large part of their day is spent just cleaning and chopping the HUGE amount of vegetables people eat.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
天二十八
The deaf school is right next to a tombstone shop, and we often see him and his wife carving very intricate saying, and characters on these tomb stones and markers.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
天二十六
No, this is not a picture from China. Its actually our new niece, Katelyn Noelle McKee. The boys are very proud of their new cousin
Monday, October 25, 2010
天二十五
We had some students over a few weeks ago. These kids are all like minded, and we actually do a lot of one on one with them. They are all close to us and the boys, and we are privileged to have such special friends.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
天二十四
I know this is not the best, but this a view of a store called "The Good Life" a Chinese Wal-Mart-type store that is being built. As you can see, safety is huge as we were able to walk right to the edge! I love the way China does things.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
You Never Know Who's Watching....
This video was shot from our house tonight. For some reason, the complex across from us loves to display their fireworks at about 8pm, right after the boys go to bed. But this is China, what do we expect!
A different topic....
You never know who is watching....In China, that can mean many different things. It can be the government, it can be the complex (we got a visit yesterday about registering with the complex and area in which we live), or it can mean something else completely. In the past week, we have had 3 different times where people have recognized us; and we had no idea they were watching.
1. Last Saturday, we rode the bus home from our weekly B study, and we squeezed onto a very crowded bus. It takes about an hour to get home from this particular bus, and the woman crowded next to us tells us she knows us and our boys. That she works at the bank across the street, and she sees us all the time.
2. Renee and I were in the store with Preston, and the checker asked us where our other boy is.( Tegan was in school). We were shocked, this store has been in business a month, and we have only been in there with both kids once!
3. A new girl came to our weekly study, and she mentioned that she met us a few months ago in Wal-Mart. Who knew..
This is a city of over 6 million people, yet we are recognized and known all over town. It makes us think, and realize we have to be careful how we react to the stares, touche, and comments. We want to get mad, tell them why that is rude. But we never know who is watching, and what our future relationship will be. So thats our PR, that Father gives us grace to always be the example we need to be, to have the patience we need, when we need it. To always be alert to the situation and circumstances that He brings our way, to let our attitude reflect Him in all we do. A big request, I know. But He can handle it!
天二十三
Friday, October 22, 2010
天二十二
We have a small lake at our complex..with a few goldfish. I have no idea why they have a fishing net..but someone does! Here it is drying in the sun!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
天十九
This was taken at "Pet Street" Notice the man selling dogs, and next door you can buy meat.....Think about it...
Monday, October 18, 2010
天十八
The view across the street as they install an air conditioner. He does have on some kind of safety belt....I think.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Day 17 天十七
Two more of our favorite, well they are all favorite, deaf children. Here they are working on a Jungle Animal mural we made with them. We really look forward to Sundays and our time together.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
What is a life worth?
I have been thinking about what I could say in a blog. A lot of interesting things happen in our life, but I forget what they are when it comes time to write; so I have decided to wax philosophical about something else that has been on my mind.
What is a life worth?
This past week we watched as the Chilean Government spent over $22 million to save 33 people. I have a friend who's daughter had some serious medical issues, and they (or their insurance company) spent a HUGE amount of money. Exact sums will not be reveled to protect the innocent... The fee to adopt from Ethiopia right now, is about $10,000.00 per child. People spent huge amount of money to have a child-through adoption or otherwise. We do not balk when it comes time to save someone. Money is not an issue when lives are at stake.
But what is a life worth?
Are 33 lives worth $22 million? The people of Chile say yes, they are. In America, people would complain and protest..but we to would spend the money and do what it took. But what is a life worth?
In China, just last year over 2600 lives were lost in mining accidents. We see kids hanging out of moon roofs, as their parents speed the wrong way down a one way street. We see funerals where only the family members are in attendance. So what is a life worth? Who assigns the worth, and declares that 33 are more important than the needs of many? Who decided that 2600 lives every year are not enough to seriously crack down on mine safety? I dont know the answer to that question, but my guess is it is found in the underlining belief system of the people who are arguing that question. 33 here, 33 there, 2600 here, 2600 there....does it really make a difference?
Whats a life worth?
As people who have a solid foundation and belief system, we know the answer to that question. We know every life is precious and nothing should be spared trying to save it. We know that we were created special and unique and as such have an obligation to see that everyone is given the opportunities they deserve.
What is a life worth?
Its worth $22 million, its worth cracking down on mine safety, its worth $10,000.00, its worth the HUGE amount I wont mention..because we were created in the image of someone who gave it all, so we could live.
What is a life worth..everything
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 13 天十三
Renee holding on our favorite kids at the deaf school. She used to be so scared of us, now she just clings to Renee. This girl needs someone to love her, and it pains us that she does not have it. This girls is one we would adopt if we could!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 12 天十二
One of my favorite things about China are the crowds. I love getting lost among a sea of black hair, brown skinned people. When I do, I feel like I am one of them, and that I blend in. This is from a famous "Walking Street"-cool shops, and no cars-during October Holiday
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 10
The boys enjoy watching as the construction began outside our house. Its been going on for months, so its not as fun now!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Day 9
Deaf school where we volunteer. The poor kids never get to leave the school, so they really enjoy their time with us
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 7
Making popcorn the old fashioned way. We saw this man on the way to a park. The popcorn was all burned, and did not smell good...but people seemed to like it!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
day 6
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day 5
China is so modern, but at the same time has so far to go. This was taken outside our apartment complex.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Picture Day 2
We had been in Changsha a few weeks, before the smog finally went away; and we were left with an amazing view of the blue sky as the sun came up over this amazing city!
Our First Meeting
At 7 am we were wide awake, counting down the hours till we met our boys. We were looking out the window, at the care center next door when a boy began waving at us, and showing us a familiar book. It was Tegan! He recognized us, and got his family book.....
Three hours later, we were a family. This is our first family picture.

Friday, October 1, 2010
365 Pictures Day 1
I have some friends who are doing a 365 blog...meaning they will post a picture every day. We like the idea, and the challenge so here goes...Every day, we will try to post a picture of our life here in China.
Our family at "The Peak" in Hong Kong, while on a visa run. Thanks to my Mom for the dinner!
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