{Wordless Wednesday} Foster Home Staff

Last Few Days in Pictures

Today I really dropped the ball on documenting our day but I will try better tomorrow. We had a crazy busy morning which started off by talking to my Dad and then Skyping my nephew who turned 5 today!  We then spent some time with the toddlers before lunch and then headed downtown to show my mom and sister around "my town." I'm embarrassed to say I only took one picture. Like I said, I'll try to take more tomorrow.

After walking around for a few hours, we headed back to my apartment to drop out some groceries and then off we went to our local pizza place for pizza, greek salad, and nachos. Oh my were they delicious!

Since I don't have pictures from today, here are some pictures from the last few days.

I absolutely love this one, especially in the black and white.

The kids just love Kiah and she is so great with them!

Of course we all already knew that my mom is a natural.

The little sweetie who I had the privilege of naming after my brother a few months ago and who my parents sponsor.

It is hot, hot, and hot around here! We attempted to cool off the other day with a visit to our local smoothie shop.

Mango, watermelon, and papaya. Delicious!

On Thursday, we had my "Going Away lunch." Our director will be flying to the states in just a few days and so we had my farewell party a little early. It was a wonderful afternoon full of good food and great fellowship. I am truly blessed by all the amazing friends I have met here these last two years and I will miss them all so much. 

Kiah was brave and tried chicken feet! She actually liked them!

My Mom and my "China Mom." Janice, our director's wife, has been such a huge blessing to me these last few years when my mom wasn't always able to be here to give me a hug or a listening ear because of the time difference. I am blessed to have two amazing women of God in my life.

Sarah and Kiah. They have heard about each other for the last two years and have finally met!

Delicious food, as always. Have I mentioned how much I'll miss the food?

Our director was able to get several good "group shots" which I will share soon. I have loved my "home" for the last two years, the amazing friends the Lord has placed in my path, and the wonderful staff at the foster home. I will miss them all so very much. Dreading the "see you later's" that will be coming this next week.

So Much

My brain is in a fog. What a crazy, emotional week it has been. And yet, there isn't much time to stop and think about it because there is still so much to do. And I have a feeling these next few weeks are going to be just as crazy, if not more. 

So I just keep plugging away. Yesterday was "cleaning" day around here. Laundry, my bathroom, kitchen. Then last evening was packing. *Sigh* So very much to do and I am just not thinking clearly.

Today is Sunday here. On Thursday my Mom and sister will be in China. IN CHINA. After so many months of planning this, they are almost here and I couldn't be more excited. Although that means, so much to do.

It also reminds me how soon I'll be leaving. I know I keep saying it, but it's true. And even though I know it's happening, it's still hard for me to believe that it's really happening.

As crazy busy as these next few days and weeks are going to be, I'm going to try to stop and soak it all in.

Please be praying for me and my family at this time. There has been a lot going on and many changes.

What I want to Remember

Precious babies. I get to work with precious babies each and every day. And those days are running out. I only have a limited number left. But yet, I try not to think about that too long. Too often, I find myself in the sadness of what's to come rather than living in the here and now. With just a few more weeks left, I want to live in the here and now. 

I am getting done what needs to be done. Working ahead on social networking for the foster home, packing, cleaning, weeding out, giving away, picture taking, and then of course lots and lots of baby holding. That is what I want to remember about my last few weeks in China. Not about the "work" I needed to get done or developmental assessments that need to be updated. Yes, some of that is necessary, but holding and loving on precious children, now that is a requirement. And that, is how I want to remember my remaining weeks here.

The paperwork will get done. Yes, even the blog posts will get written. Actually I've been trying to work on those from home so that I can spend more time with the babies when I'm actually in the foster home.

The pure sweetness of a baby's fingers and toes and their soft little coos, now that is what I want to be doing for the remainder of my time.

Wordless Wednesday: Kung Fu Baby

Sunday Snapshot: Hutong

When Laura and I were in Beijing a few weeks ago, we stayed in a hostel in the hutong area. A hutong is a narrow street or ally-way. This is very common in northern China, especially Beijing, and there are homes in these areas. They are becoming less and less as apartment living are becoming more common. Our hostel was located right in the middle of them and it was such a cool area! 

Here are a few pictures from the area where we stayed for four nights. 

Linking up with Ni Hao Ya'll

Sunday Snapshot: Weekend Outing

Last weekend was gorgeous and so we took full advantage of it and headed to a shopping area in Zhongshan called "walking street." I have learned that most cities in China have a "walking street" somewhere. 

Walking Street.... I just love the buildings around here!

Exclamation mark! What a wonderful name for a store, right?

We found a camo store. This is for my brother, Cael!

 A typical scene in China. Meat just hanging on the side of the road. Doesn't it look appetizing?

Linking up with Ni Hao Ya'll

Macau

I am so behind on blogging, it's not even funny. Laura and I went to Macau on March 22nd, friends. MARCH 22nd.... that was what, three weeks ago? And I am now finally getting around to blogging about it. Never late than never, right? 

Why did we go to Macau? The main reason is because of my visa, I have to make an exit ever few months and my time was up. Second, it's very close and kind of fun to see. It's only about an hour to the border so we decided to just go for the day so I could get my stamp and Laura could see Macau. Let me tell you, however, if you ever plan to go to Macau on the weekend, do NOT go to the main border. This is what you will find...

Rather than wait for hours in line just to cross the border, we took a taxi to the less busy border. It was such a wise choice!

Finally we made it! We ended up having an absolutely gorgeous day. Could not have asked for better weather.

We walked around several casinos. In one of them we decided to get a treat. The crepes looked delicious and so we gave them a shot. They weren't bad although looked way better than they tasted.

The "hidden diamond" in the middle of the casino. Unfortunately it only shows every half an hour and we just saw the end of it, but I wasn't able to get my camera out fast enough. It was still beautiful though.

The Galaxy casino. No worries, we didn't gamble, just walked around!

Inside the "Venetian" casino. Isn't is lovely?

You can even go for a gondola ride! We decided to pass.

SO. MANY. PEOPLE. This is the casino friends and just one. I can't even imagine how much money comes in and out of that place daily. Very sad, really.

After looking around a few casinos, we decided to go the "old town."

St.Paul's ruins.

I love this picture of the cross.

Well there you have it. Our day in Macau. It was a long, tiring day but I got my stamp and Laura got to see Macau so the day was a success. This upcoming Tuesday, Laura and I are flying to Beijing! I'll try not to wait another three weeks to post those pictures...