Chocolate. Birthday. Heaven.

Friday morning it was pouring rain but we had an important engagement -- open house at the new shop of the chocolate factory where Lydia works. It's a 90 minute trip, three city bus lines, from our house to the factory, but so worth it even on a soppy day.

Yes one son is using a giant plastic bag as an umbrella. Works awesome.

Lydia was very excited to invite us and a crew of administrators and teachers from the welfare institute/orphanage, her former home. Coincidentally, we arrived at the 3-day open house at the same moment as the administrators, many of whom we have met before...and one important man who we hadn't met - the Director! Inside the elevator on the way up I had an inkling it was him, I'd seen his picture before, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Long?" 

The Director is a kind man, responsible for thousands...thousands of elderly, disabled, orphaned people. Jonathon has the Director's surname as all kids abandoned to the welfare center do, like a big family. I was so impressed that these people came all the way out just for Lydia! They honored her, her supervisors and even us, expressing their pleasure with her work. Lydia's chocolate boss was just as genuine and courteous in honoring the administrators. 

Well anyway, here's the morning party which was so fun, and scrumptious, and reminded us of a Christmas tea! Wish we could have stayed longer!

Well then, Friday night was something special too, a break from the usual routine -- a birthday party with friends! The birthday man turned 31. Seriously good times. Three moms connected while kids romped in a neighborhood gym. Three dads played the blues -- guitar, slide guitar, violin and mandolin. There was fudge-y cake. Manly baijiu drinking. Genuine family love. Kickin back. Six small children who stayed up past ten watching Cinderella like zombies on the couch. Yes. 

Friendship so full and fun and loving and good, I think this might be a glimpse of heaven. 

During the birthday party Drew received a message on his phone. Grandpa Gordy passed away. While we were catching only a foggy glimpse of heavenly goodness, Grandpa moved to actual Heaven. The memorial service is tomorrow.

counting the graces 

thank you Father for

rainboots to keep little feet dry

merry parties

good men

seeing Mark, Stephen and Peter all together on skype

gift- homemade buckwheat bread

baby steps toward reconciliation here in Changsha

If you asked...

 

    

   

 

 

... I'd say that these days, we've been stressed-scrambling, nonetheless sustained and purposeful. 

Burdened at times but ever-joyful, ever-hopeful. 

Praying more intentionally. 

Growing.

Writing thank-you notes and thanksgiving greetings.

Basking in the year's most beautiful weather and taking great pleasure in the company of three little guys.

Way behind on email. 

House is, has been, a mess for days. No transformation in sight.

Devouring apples and oranges. 

Snuggling five in a bed. 

Meticulously preparing all the details of family Christmas gifts and shipping them to the US (done!). 

Yesterday when we shipped boxes, the kind post office ladies let me stay in after-hours to finish the paperwork. It was nearly six o'clock when the guard re-opened the metal gate and I emerged with three boys, hungry. Spontaneous supper date -- Mom and Sons, Dad had another engagement -- and it was the most fun ever with three good-mannered, happy, eager little eaters. Tummies full, they shared a thick car magazine at the table. I bought tea to go, Titus insisted on carrying it for me, big smile, "At school my teacher said we need to help mama. Yep I learned that." Home and in good spirits, we watched Pinocchio under a blanket, with oreos, and got boys tucked into bed just before Dad stepped in the door, 9-ish. 

counting the graces

thank you Father for

Jonathon eating noodles

a ride home 

next-door neighbors' new baby boy

other neighbor granny's handmade buns

two finished projects

conversing about the hard questions

feeling growth, we're not the same kids as last year

old Disney movies

spinach in season

sleep

Counting the graces while grieving

The purpose of this blog is to show you a representative picture of our lives. We experience both joy and sorrow.

Friday night Drew met me at the door, weeping. Heartbreaking news from family on the other side of the world. We have been grieving deeply, yet with hope. If you are a person who prays, please remember us, trying to be a good support to our family.

We've been practicing the discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances. This one, too.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

• impeccable timing of a skype call from a friend, shared values, deep understanding
• beautiful fall photos of a mother and her son
• jars of homemade pickled hot peppers and ginger, gift from older sister
• this pain, you didn't create it, but you allowed us to experience it and it's teaching trust and fostering growth. thank you, we know you grieve more than we do
• husband Drew, submits to you as king in everything and this has made all the difference
• your word, we'd be reckless and winding without it. soaked in, perspective aligned and heart stops racing and we hope
• teachable moment with Titus. he was ungrateful, a struggle I know too well. a long talk about heart issues, his changed, felt need for you
• rats have been away for several weeks now
• neighborhood garbage lady's been saving up kids shoes from the trash. she surprised us with a bag full, tender and humbling kindness
• afternoon nap
• this place, home. these neighbors, living behind the mountain, our university and preschool, our little apartment
• sunshine and cold wind through purple eyelet curtains 
• two brothers, ages 2 and 4, apologizing sincerely, forgiving sincerely
• repentance. sometimes I don't go that way as fast as I should, but I won't take that option for granted, even the option to repent is grace
• my flaws, Drew's flaws, so many shortcomings and often lacking for wisdom, we remember how dependent and needy we are
• new coffeeshop, green tea latte with whip
• waterproof bedsheets over the boys' mattresses
• four parents, alive, beloved
• me and Drew and a bottle of wine to take the edge off sorrow. a game, before each drink, one must propose a toast in Chinese, two lines, and it must rhyme. clink! laugher even!
• song: faithful, you are faithful, I have found nothing but good in your heart / loving, you are loving, I am in love with the way that you are / thankful, I am thankful, I had been running away on my own / and then you found me, oh how you love me / I know you'll never leave me alone
• Drew's good feeling after taking that Chinese test, several months of hard work
• Mikey says cute stuff every day, "hey buddy" "not funny" "ugga mugga, boogers"
• Jon can now answer the question, "what's your name?" he replies, "Jon!"
• sufferings that identify us with your suffering
• homemade bread and snicker doodles, generously shared at friend's home
• this confidence, not afraid of insult and difficulty with you by our side, calm, joyful to extend grace as you have extended much grace to us