Wordless Wednesday: Black & White

Ribbon Fun

We receive a lot of donations and packages for our children. They are truly blessed (as are we!) to have so many wonderful people in their lives. People who will never meet them but love them from afar. We recently received a donation of ribbons for dancing and whatever else you want to do with them! I just knew these would make for a great photo shoot opportunity. 

Treasuring each moment I have with these sweet children as the days keep ticking down to my departure.

Wordless Wednesday: Dreamer

Wordless Wednesday: Rainy Days

Wordless Wednesday: Ready for Summer

Care Package

Receiving packages are always a highlight. I don't think packages have ever been so exciting in my life and probably never will be again. There is nothing quite like receiving a "taste of home" (often literally!) when you are on the other side of the world.

Recently, my Aunt decided to bless me with a package for Christmas/birthday. It took longer to arrive than usual due to Chinese New Year, but last week it finally came!

Look at all those goodies.... oh my.

I have to admit, this was one of my favorites and I have been enjoying it a lot lately with these chilly nights.

Thank you, Aunt Sharon! The kids and I love it! I showed them all of our fun, new craft supplies and they were pretty excited.

Little Piggies

Call me strange, but I just love baby and toddler feet. There is just something about them that is so very precious. 

Especially the little "piggies" of children who probably shouldn't even be alive. Yes, miraculous indeed.

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Psalm 139:14

Fun With Blocks

I keep certain toys  in the preschool room, to only be used there. Needless to say, these toys become very special and the kids love playing with them! I think it's because they don't always get to play with them, just once in a while.

This week in preschool, I brought out some new alphabet blocks we received.

My original plan was to work on their recognition of letters and colors but then realized that building towers was way more fun!

After all, we are working on fine motor skills so it's totally educational!

We built....

And we lined up.

For not really wanting to ever be a preschool teacher, I have come to really love it. We have such fun!

Miracle Students

Today was a big day. Two sweet girls joined my preschool class. My kiddos love school and when they aren't old enough to come, they try to come anyways and then throw a fit when they are not allowed. Today was the day. Sweetheart and Treasure got to join in on the fun.

As I was trying to find all my preschool material after being gone for 5 weeks and getting re-organized (still working on that one), I couldn't help but be reminded of what precious miracles I had in front of me. Both of these girls are living, breathing miracles. Without coming to the foster home, neither of them would probably be here today.

Sweetheart came to us as a tiny baby girl. Weak and sick. After two surgeries and lots of love, would you just look at her? Yes, miracle indeed.

Then there is Treasure. Remember all those months and months we all spent praying for this little girl? Interceding in prayer on her behalf and just begging God to let her live? That's right... this is the same little girl. Miracle indeed.

Even though having new students can be challenging and really tests my patience until they get the hang of how preschool works, I can't help but give thanks and praise to God. Because neither of these girls should probably be in my classroom. And yet they are. What else can I do but thank Him?

Spider Rings

My friend Laura, sent me a care package last week. And among other wonderful things (like candy corn, stickers, and leaves from home) there were spider rings!

 I wasn't sure how the kids would react to them at first as for some reason they really don't like bugs. I mean, come on.... my preschool class is currently all boys! Don't most boys like bugs?

 Well let me tell you... they sure LOVE these rings! I have kept them in the preschool room and they only get to wear them during class time. I will catch them occasionally just gazing at their spider rings.... it's too cute.

 Nope, not scared one bit. I even made a big spider out of paper and they were a little unsure at first until I had the spider start bringing them treats. Now they say, "thank you, Spider!"

 Spider rings unite!

Thank you, Laura! The kids love them!

Wordless Wednesday: Imported Leaves

Wordless Wednesday: My Sweet Girl

Wordless Wednesday: Lost in Thought

Today is the Day

I have really let the ball drop on blogging this past week. Oh well... I guess I need a little break. 

Fall is upon us! Back home in western NY, you all are gearing up for another school year. Fall clothes are out, nights are becoming crisp and cool, leaves are changing color, football season is underway and pumpkin spice latte's are in Starbucks. However, here in southern China, I don't notice much of a difference. Temperatures are still in the 90's and leaves don't change here. It's green all year long. 

We run our preschool program all summer long, therefore it's not the beginning of a new school year for us. However, we DO have a new student. Miracle will be joining our preschool class for the first time today. This little boy has wanted to attend class for months. Each morning when I take the other children into the classroom, he will sit by the door and cry and cry. I tried having him come for a little bit a few months ago but this little one is a ball full of energy. Energy is good, but he was a handful in preschool. So, I decided to wait on having him attend every day.

Until today. He will be leaving us to join his forever family in the states sometime in the next few months and in order to best prepare him, we have been working a lot on his English. He and I meet twice a week one-on-one which does help, but I felt it was time for him to be in class 5 days a week to hopefully speed up his English progress.

We will see how he does. Won't you all say a prayer for me? I love him dearly, but he can be a bit challenging to handle and control sometimes. Pray for patience, understanding, and of course, love.

Happy September and new start for the school year for you all!