天三十一

If you were Dairy Queen, would you sue?

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.

Hua Jai Ting is probably 13 years old. She can not speak, but communicates by sign language and lip reading ( Reading lips in Chinese is just as easy as in English-and just as fun) Yet, the other kids at the school are far younger than her, they can speak, as well as use sign and lip read. That means one thing, she was not helped in time. I know there is an argument about making deaf kids talk-this is not the place for that. The simple fact is, she was somehow passed over. There is still a desperate need for education and intervention with the deaf community here in China, and we are ready to step in and help. Next week, we are taking both girls to lunch, and will spend some time with them. We will talk about their life, and beliefs, and just be a friend to two girls who desperately need it.

天三十

For once, China is planning ahead!

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.

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. 

天二十七

Want some goldfish, turtles or squirrels? You have come to the right place!

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

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. 

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.

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

Really cute girl and her Grandpa. They live in our complex and we see them outside all the time. They are a traditional family, as Grandpa and Grandma take care of the girl, while the parents work. They also use the old fashioned child carrier...can't imagine thats comfortable for girl or Grandpa!

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!

天二十一

This times its Tegans turn to be cute!

天二十

No explanation necessary..cute!

天十九

This was taken at "Pet Street" Notice the man selling dogs, and next door you can buy meat.....Think about it...

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.

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.

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

Day 16 天十六

A fairly common site here in town. Taking the recycle somewhere...

Day 15 天十五

My little man learning to cook. He is so proud of himself...

天十三 Day 14

This van reminded me of M.A.S.H Dont know what its for, but grabbed my attention. 

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!

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

Day 11

A family picture taken by our friend Sunny at 南郊公园

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!

Day 9

Deaf school where we volunteer. The poor kids never get to leave the school, so they really enjoy their time with us

Day 8

If you ever find yourself in a wheelchair and need to practice your tai chi, we got you covered.

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!

day 6

Our ground beef guy. Some of you may remember we had a conversation about this on Facebook. We finally found ground beef, in this tiny stall.

Day 5

China is so modern, but at the same time has so far to go. This was taken outside our apartment complex.

Day 4

Donkey meat, its what for dinner. Honestly, its not bad either!

天三十四

Michael Jackson impersonator we saw downtown. He actually did a really good job!

Day 3

Renee leading a group of High Schoolers at a local coffee shop. 

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. 

The original post from day 2 of our Ethiopian adopting journey

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!