{Sunday Snapshot} Water Ski Show

Yes, I am still here. Hang in here with me, it may take a little bit of time to get back into the blogging groove again. I do plan on it, it just may take a little bit of time. For the last few years I have been in China, sharing about my life and ministry there. Now I am in the US, living at home, trying to figure out what the Lord has next for me and where. In all honesty, I'm not sure what my focus and calling is at this point. So with that in mind, I'll just share a little about how life back in the states have been! Another reason I haven't been posting is that my camera is currently being repaired. Since I have been itching to take pictures again, I pulled out my old Nikon camera!

The weather is a lot tad cooler than where I was living so that has been an adjustment. Going from tank tops and shorts every day to jeans, sweatshirts, and scarves. Although it's has been refreshing, I would like a little warmer weather since it is just August and not October! It'll come, I'm sure. In the meantime, I have been loving the clear air. *Sigh* it is so nice to be somewhere without all the pollution. 

Yesterday, my friend, Laura, Kiah and I headed out to the lake (big surprise) to grab some ice cream (oh how I've missed good ice cream) and watching a water-ski show!

This view never gets old....

I don't even remember the name of this ice cream but it was delicious. Marshmallow ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate swirls. Yummy!

We found some fun photo shoot opportunities!

Laura is a terrified, little boy apparently. I apparently love my new hat.

 Love this sister of mine!

Ice cream!

Apparently Laura didn't know we were getting our picture taken. She is going to love me for posting this!

Anxiously awaiting the ski show!

I don't know if I'll ever take the clear, blue sky for granted again.

Our little duck friend!

There they are!

They did jumps and everything. It was rather impressive.

And there you have it. They reminded me a little bit about the acrobat show Laura and I went to in Beijing in April. 

On Wednesday of this week, I'm heading to Kingdom Bound with my family and then on Friday we are celebrating my brother, Asa's, 23rd birthday, and my nephew, Landon's, 5th birthday! Should be a fun time! 

Hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend!

Throwback Thursday: {Beijing ~ April 2014}: Great Wall

I just can't get over how gorgeous and breathtaking the Great Wall really is. This was my fourth trip there (my fifth will be next week!) and it always amazes me. It is always fun to experience it will new people, makes each trip different and special. The day Laura and I went, it was raining on the way there and it drizzled the first hour on the Great Wall (we were there fore three hours). Thankfully it cleared up!

This is my, "I'm leaving China very soon" face.

And this is my... ummm.... yeah, not really sure. 

What can I say, I am sad to leave (really, I am).

Throwback Thursday: {Beijing ~ April 2014}: Forbidden City

So remember that time like two months ago when Laura and I went to Beijing for a few days? And I said that I would post pictures "next week?" Well folks, I guess it's "next week!" Ok, not really.... I'm really two months late but better late than never, right? Isn't that how the saying goes? 

Anyways, I decided that since I'll be back in Beijing in a few weeks with my mom and sister, it's about time that I post pictures from my LAST trip. So without more to say.... here are pictures from our day at Forbidden City!

Season of Change

What a week it has been. And what a week it is going to be. I haven't been blogging because I don't have anything to say. I actually have a lot to say, it's just every time I log into my blog, and try to come up with a post, I just don't know what to write. Or maybe, how to say it. So much has happened in the last few months and there is so much on my heart.

On Saturday, I said goodbye to Laura who has spent the last seven weeks with me here in China. It was quite the adventure and not one I will ever forget. We traveled to Macau, Beijing, and Hong Kong together. We made memories with our silly antics and loving on such precious children in the foster home. This will be a time in our lives that we will never forget. I am so thankful for such an amazing friend as Laura. She has been with me through the ups and the downs. She has blessed me in more ways than she will ever know. And I can't help but be thankful for her friendship in my life.

Laura, thank you for your heart, love for God, and your love for orphans all over the world. You have blessed these children more than you will ever know. Thank you for giving two months of your life for them. They all miss you already!

If saying goodbye to Laura wasn't hard enough, in just seven short days, I'll say goodbye to my precious Sweetheart. 

It'll be a goodbye that is very bittersweet. I am so very happy for her and that she is leaving to join her forever family. The family the Lord has had set aside for her all along. And even though my heart is filled with joy and happiness for her, it is also breaking. Every time I think about going into the foster home after she leaves, and not having her there, the tears begin falling. It's not only that she's leaving. It's that in just a few short months, I also, will be leaving.

It's a season of change. And change, no matter how good it may be, is still hard.

And so, I am cherishing my last moments with her. And here.  No, I know it's not the end of our story together, but it's the end of this chapter.

This little one has been such a huge part in healing my heart. During all those months of not knowing if I could go a step father, loving on her brought me such purpose and joy. She played a huge role in God putting the pieces of my broken heart together again. And because of that, I will forever be thankful for her and the blessing she has been in my life.

I came to China not quite sure why God was calling me here at such a low time in my life. Looking back, He called me here to heal and to restore. I needed Sweetheart as much as she needed me. And for her life, I will always be thankful.

This is What Happens....

THIS is what happens when you put a tu-tu, an adorable child's hat and sunglasses, two crazy girls, and someone willing to take our picture, together. And THIS, my friends, is why I'm usually the one behind the camera...

Our adoring fans.

 

See? We can take serious pictures as well although they are few and far between.

Laura is leaving me tomorrow and heading back to the US. It has been wonderful having her here the last few months. I am going miss her a lot but so excited to see where the Lord takes her in the coming months. And, I will be seeing her in just over 2 months.

After talking about this for over 4 years, she FINALLY made it to China!

Thank you, Roberta, for taking these "awesome" pictures of us.