Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Titus is having the time of his life in Minnesota

He made it! Ani said the trip went great.

Titus descended the escalator to the baggaage claim and broke into a run when he saw all his relatives lined up waiting for hugs!

Titus is staying at Waigong & Waipo's hobby-farm house now. Basically he's having the time of his life exploring and delighting in all kinds of first experiences unique to rural midwest USA.

Saying goodbye to our son was joyful. Titus is richly blessed to have many grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends in his life who shower love on him.

Envy is a new emotion that I've never felt towards my son before. I'm homesick. My parents. My brothers and sisters. Green grass, blue skies, clean air. All the traditions, games, family togetherness, familiarity, foods, way of life where I grew up. It seems impossibly far away from where I am in this cheap motel in a dirty corner of Shanghai.

Yep, I'm in Shanghai. Exhausted in Shanghai. Yesterday Michael, Jonathon and I made the seven-hour train ride. Drew's back in Changsha working. We're here to visit a hospital and see if we can figure out why Jonathon is regurgitating and swallowing only liquids. Pray for me. I wish I was home -- if not my parents' home in Hutchinson, MN, at least mine & my husband's home in Changsha.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

Mom Louise's stories and findings in Sweden -- your plans and grace shown through generations

caught in the rain on top of the mountain! in the downpour, running into our friends who were on an intentional outing

perfect smooth and happy trip for Titus and Ani

bunch of people who love Titus picking him up at the airport, going out for breakfast as a big group

grandparents and grandchild together

bench seat open for us on the train to Shanghai -- so the boys could nap and have a table to color/play cars on

friendly aunties and uncles to play, talk, share snacks, help with luggage

driver picked us up so we didn't have to navigate the subway late at night

opportunity to get help for Jonathon

1 comment:

JoAn Brown7/02/2013
Dear Rachel, Little Sister, I can see your pictures on our fridge as I sit at the counter where my computer lives. The Lord has placed you deep in my heart, and I pray for you as you go about the drab and necessary tasks that take so long and may not have the miracles waiting at the end. I pray for the Refreshing, His presence, a place next to Him at His table, so that you can rest your head on His breast and feel His arms around you. I pray for momentary parting of the veil so that your eyes catch glimpses of His purposes and promises that are unfailing. You are precious in His sight and I ask that some of the rewards stored up in Heaven will be released in GREAT measure for you and Drew and your boys right NOW. Your sister, JoAn Brown
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Hi friend! We like to hear back from you. -- Rachel & Drew.

Neighbors 邻居

“It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor's glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. ...

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit. ...your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory