Meet Wang Ying, our lovely niece and big cousin for a week

Neighbors Yang Fan and wife Yafei are special. They are the same age as us, chilled-out, relatable, and have two little boys. We shared Chinese New Year in their village. His brother and sister-in-law asked us to be godparents to daughter, Yuanchao, the little girl with Down Syndrome. It's the first time we have bonded with a whole clan. 

The bonds have grown to another branch of the family tree. Yafei's 12 year-old cousin Wang Ying came in from her remote village in the mountains. Her parents work hard and are rarely home, so she needs a place to stay over school break. Wang Ying was excited and all set to join me at summer camp each day -- perfect for her! -- but then a grandmother died on the other side of the family, unrelated to Wang Ying, so while the others needed to trek back to their hometown for a funeral, Wang Ying had no choice but to return to her empty house elsewhere. She was sad.

Except!

We asked her to live with us.

It was like having a niece, a big girl cousin for Titus and Mike.

Wang Ying was a good houseguest, playful and respectful. She showed up with one change of clothes, a toothbrush and purse that her cousin Yafei had bought for her. Our shelf of Chinese books and a piano in her bedroom kept her happy. She joined in my errands, visits and meetings. The wok and I did our best to whip up spicy, homestyle Hunan dishes to make her feel more at home. She lent a hand in the kitchen too, "Often times my parents aren't home, so I just make a little fried rice for myself. I'm good at cooking."

When her cousin returned we were sad to hug her goodbye.


On the other hand, it is time for repose. Recently I have carried an elevated volume of relational responsibility. Many dear people are asking for support. I feel for all of them.


Wearied, gazing out the window on a taxi ride home, I was dreaming up incongruous analogies, considering what it means to depend on Jesus' strength when burdens feel greater than one can bear.

Is it like switching from aerobic to anaerobic?  You're jogging along and suddenly get a second wind?  Is it like a back-up energy source?  The power goes out in a storm so you hook up the generator?



How can I give more than I have?  Can I give more than I have?

What do I have that was not first given by God?


Where is the intersection, the mingling of my limitations and his limitlessness?




Anybody have a nugget of insight or experience? What is it, actually, to rely on Jesus' strength?

counting the graces

thank you Father for

fresh pictures of Jonathon

kids at a fun age for classic family games -- go fish, chinese checkers, sorry

blue skies, breezes and cooler temps

closing that summer camp classroom door for the last time! done!

"restart" can happen at any point in the day

admirable women who care and who share hearts, SW, AV

skin heat rash clearing up