Week One: Cross Lake, MN
After traveling for nearly thrity-six hours, the best place in the world to be was up north with nothing to do and nowhere to be 'cept on the sailboat/kayak/beach/deck/dinner table with the Addington family. Titus handled the travel well, though he hated hated hated riding in the carseat (we take the bus in China, so he isn't accustomed to being tied into a plastic box). He was also rather tired so it took about three days for his true personality to come out.
Week Two: Hutchinson, MN
The Smiths live on a picturesque hobby farm, with horses, a burro, a huge garden, some woods, wetlands, cornfields, and a front porch. This rural setting is like vacation after being in ubiquitous-concrete Changsha. We had special family visitors from Texas and Michigan, Owatonna, MN and Bloomington, MN. We spent wonderful quality time with the people of Hutch Free Ch.
In sum, it was busy, trying to see everyone who we'd want to see in one year...in one week.
Then we said goodbye to the Addington family :(
Week Three: Greeley, CO
Our organization brought us to Greeley for training in "cultural relations" among other content. It was absolutely invaluable. The Smith family joined us for the week: my (Rachel's) mom emailed fellowships in the area, asking if we could stay with anyone in their body. A fantastic couple responded, so we all stayed in their comfortable basement. It was a perfect fit because, as seasoned grandparents, they have more baby stuff than we do! They also blessed Drew and I with edifying dinner conversations about following the Leader.
It was a precious time with the Smith family, then we said goodbye :(
The Bottom Line:
We leave the US feeling that our tanks are full; our cups are gushing over; we are ready to take on the next year in Changsha.
from the Vancouver airport,
Drew, Rachel & Titus
