Kids in our class

I thought you might like to meet some of the cool kids who are in our class on Sunday mornings! 

Just when I begin to dismally list all the ways our situation is lacking and limited, I then recall what a grace it is that these students are permitted to meet together to explore important matters, and what a privilege it is that we are allowed to join them. I remember that it is always in within my ability to focus on the students, to connect with, love and encourage each one in my classroom.

This fall and winter I introduced three new co-leaders into our group, to do a superior job facilitating the group, to share and thereby lighten responsibilities, and to give the leaders a place to use their abilities for good. One is now pregnant and not able to come, one has been ill and hospitalized, one moved to her hometown in northern China today. So I'm back to square one training in co-leaders. It feels a bit lonesome at the moment, but I am determined to remain committed to the task entrusted to me until it is fulfilled, focusing on making each meeting time a rich experience for the kids.

It's alright! Truly. This is the Father's work and it is really up to him what happens here.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

wisdom and peace to handle a difficult and grievous problem

generosity of folks who have made it possible for us to follow this path

in this season, lots more time for play

the best surprise for Ethan

faithful example of many friends, today thinking of Wang Ayi, Nichol, Kayla, Ellen, Heidi

partaking of superior music that I could never produce myself, when I accompany Noah

and singing at the top of our lungs!

laughing with best friends, making fun of ourselves 

snow day! snow fights, balls, slides, happy kids and suddenly a million childhood memories recalled

watching Chronicles of Narnia with Titus & Mike; they grasped the metaphors

Diligence

Last Monday Titus completed his First Grade exams, concluding the first semester. Earlier this winter for a class storytelling event he recounted the tale of The Little Red Hen, a successful chicken who turned out to be his parallel character!

Friends, how can I convey what a difficult semester this has been for our family? We were warned that Chinese primary school would be grueling -- and yet I was caught off-guard.

There was a point of disillusionment at which I was tempted to quit and begin homeschooling the very next day, but we kept going and put forth our best effort, being conditioned in perseverance and humility.

And so, after an intense semester, working our way up from the bottom through a system we don't understand, in a language we partially grasp, Titus not only tested above expectations, but also received generous praise from his teacher for being a hard-working, responsible, teachable student.

Like the Little Red Hen, Titus worked hard every day to complete assignments in Chinese and math. Because we are not native speakers, we put in extra effort and time working to meet grade-level objectives.

Unlike the Little Red Hen, Titus had ample support. Success was earned only by God's many graces: A calling which compelled us to stay the course, encouraging friends, good advice, a quality tutor, invested teachers, and Titus' resilient personality.

So right here, I lay the proverbial monument, "hither by Thine help I'm come".

Deeper relationships, new friendships (particularly Titus' best buddy Zhao Zixuan), community camaraderie, experiential understanding of the education system, better Chinese and thus better ability to listen and speak with neighbors, momentum to continue on this trajectory of deeper immersion -- Rewards far more gratifying than the Red Hen's loaf of home-baked bread!

Winter holiday, liberation! and TRIUMPH! We did it. 

By the grace of God, we did very well. 

 

counting the graces today, by Michael

thank you Father for

finding and chipping ice

playing snuggling with Titus

friends and Aunt Leslie

throwing clay pots

eating ice cream

watching a movie at the restaurant

playing with kids and a string and it was sunny

the sky looked cool (a sunset)

Roped In

Do you love children?

I love children.

Children make life rich. What would I do for fun without kids?

Someone has said, "Only where children gather is there any real chance of fun." True!

This was a happy day, a day to store in the heart and remember forever:

Two imaginative boys, their mother, a rope, a picnic lunch, a wooded hillside and good fall weather, at home in Southern China.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

an encouraging msg from Drew, phone calls with a couple friends

Titus open-handed, sharing with his friends

affirmation from Mrs. Yang, Titus's teacher

enough strength

your word is a lamp

kissing smiling, smooth boy faces

help from Zhao Zixuan's mom picking up Titus

singing with Michael

chips and salsa -- a surprise for Drew

Give thanks in all circumstances

(Atlanta, GA)

Thank you, for giving us life and sustaining our lives continuously.
You are Good.
Thank you that we even have any air to breathe today.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

so much hope for what is stored up for us! free from worry

this life is a vapor and we have eternity in the new restored place you are preparing for us

my children's bodies and lungs are in your care entirely

I can sing today

Paul & Silje's genuine encouragement, their joy, steadfastness and their excellent example to us

laughing with Titus at the lunch table, red Christmas stockings on our heads

Drew will be well again, he will

avocados

I've got nothing to lose! nothing to prove! nothing to earn

I am loved by you, by Drew, my kids, my parents 4 and many siblings and friends

HEFC prays for us, they care