We have our own dreams

What is your name?
My English name is Tommy. 


How old are you?
I'm thirteen years old.


What are you doing in this time of life?
I prepare to go to Singapore in August for my future. I will study there for maybe ten years.


Why do you want to go to Singapore?
Because my parents want me to go abroad to have a better life.


So then after ten years will you come back and live in China?
Yeah, and now every year I will go back to China for one time.


Have you already decided your career?
Maybe I want to be a doctor.


Tell me about your family.
There are four people in my family. My parents, my grandmother and I. My father is a doctor and he is a Christian. My mother in some way, she also is a doctor. My grandmother was retired. And I now am studying English  hard to go to Singapore.


When you're in Singapore, where will you live?
I will live others' house, maybe it's my friend or teacher. It's a host family.


How do you feel about moving to Singapore?
At the beginning, I felt excited but now in my opinion, it's difficult. I should learn English very well and change my mind from Chinese to English. I want to think in English.


What are you doing this week?
This week I stay in Drew & Rachel's home because I want to improve my speaking skill and also writing skill, and try living with a host family. Something miserable happened. My mobile phone was lost! On Saturday I will go to my mother's home, then on Sunday come back here. 


What do you like to do for fun and relaxation?
Maybe now I like to play computer games for fun. For relaxation, I like listening to some music.


Tell me something interesting about you.
I went to Hainan Island before. I stayed in a hotel near the sea. Everyday I swam in the sea. In that time I learned how to swim. I remember I was eight years old.


Describe your personality.
Most of the time I'm active. And when I encounter some unhappy things I also can be optimistic. 


What are your favorite foods?
I prefer to eat meat, especially sausages. As for vegetables, I like to eat some broccoli and lettuce. 


What are your favorite snacks?
I like some french fries with milk. 


Do you like to exercise?
Recently I do exercise every day. I run every morning and after supper I ride bike for one hour. But before I was lazy. 


Was your dad mad when you lost your phone?
No. My dad also was optimistic and he said he will buy a new one for me.


How did you lose the phone?
After English corner when I was in a taxi, the phone fell out without me noticing.


Do you know any jokes?
No. I forget all the jokes I have heard.


Tell me about your classmates or friends.
In my childhood there were a large number of friends the same age as me. After class we played together in the field. Sometimes we also played computer together. Now we are separated. We have our own dreams, so we can't help each other like before.

...

Tommy is staying with us this whole week, visiting his mother on Saturday. So far it's been fantastic! (Except as you read, he lost his phone.) We'll let you know how the rest of the week goes.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

loving the little years -- lessons, wisdom, refocusing 

friend delivering rehydration drink for Drew when he managed to get dehydrated with a bit of heat exhaustion

calling in sick and just staying home

ice cold water

morning lying in bed peacefulness

young polite bright self-sufficient helpful houseguest; a present and admirable big brother for our boys

ferns

'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

sudden cool blustery showery day to thoroughly refresh our bodies, welcome repose from heat

whole family hundled around reading a storybook together, Titus Mike and Jon listening intently and smiling

thermal comfy pants

waves and smiles from the postman

cheery friend Yang Cong who is always giggling and eager to hang out

Yu Qian sensitively and genuinely reaching out, trying to make me feel included and affirmed

everyone enjoying the dinner I cooked which, remarkably, turned out to be scrumptious -- asparagus mushroom chicken

Drew in red dress pants, color for the office