Christmas Eve and Day

WOW. What a Christmas season! Full of good things, food, friends and cookies! Christmas Eve we had some great friends over for games, the Nativity play and a gift exchange!


Miraim with her new "dog" from Christy Gma

Salome with new dolly from my Mom

Salome turned two on Dec 23rd!!!

More to come soon!!!

Orphan Christmas Outreach

Joab and I are able to lead a team from our church once a month to a local orphanage called Huge Grace (this month we had almost 20 people volunteer!). The director for this orphanage actually receives orphans that regular state run orphanages can not handle (medical problems too severe) or they basically do not want (like blind children). So Huge Grace takes them in to raise from babies until they are about 16 or 17. Going once a month to see these little guys is just wonderfully hard. They are so sweet and love LOVE when you come. But they still do not have a Mom or Dad or a real permanent family. Our church is working closely with the orphanage director and have given a lot of money to try to make life for these kids a good one.

The first picture is a little guy called Er Mao. When we first met him he could not walk at all. His spine is so twisted it has made his arms and legs unable to work properly. Our church has paid for two surgeries and now Er Mao can walk a little bit! I spent the whole morning holding on to him while Er Mao took ME for a walk. It is so great to see him get stronger.

The second picture are "Joab's girls". Every time we go Joab teaches the class a Bible story. But most of the kids (ages 7-16) are really unable to understand what is going on. But not these girls! They track with Joab and are just thrilled to learn about the Bible . We also gave them some gifts for Christmas this time and Christmas cards.

China will probably always from orphans. The orphan situation is a complex, sticky one. We are trying to be faithful to what God has called us to do- but it will be a long road.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a wonderful, fun, full of people Thanksgiving here on Saturday! Above the ladies kicking me out of my kitchen! They were busy frying up a whole fish and making corn soup.

Pies!!!

The ironing board is out! Filled with deviled eggs and muffins.

Fruit, drinks and bread

Here is some fried shrimp paper thing (really have no idea what to call it- but it is good) then some beef , tofu dish in the bowl and and in the pot some mashed potatoes. We also had all the traditional stuff, turkey, stuffing etc. But I got too busy to take any pictures of that!

Before we ate we talked about what it really means to be thankful. Also, everyone had to go around and share something they were thankful for. It was just great to hear everyone share.
Kids all decided to eat at one table!

We took all the desks out of the office to make the office into a second eating area. Here is the adult table and kids table is above. We did have two kid tables- but kids refused to eat apart! So all 10+ of them squeezed into this space! At first I thought I would not have enough room for everyone to sit. We have some amazing neighbors and with all their extra tables we were able to make it work!

Miriam playing Simon Says with the kids.

The weather was amazing this weekend! We took the kids outside post dinner to run off some steam. This is a waterfall (which they never turn on!) in our complex.

We have a friend here who translated the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving story into Chinese! We had fun with the kids telling this story again. Here are all the Native Americans and Pilgrims!

And the gifts! Our friends were so kind and gave us A LOT hostess gifts! Some are included above. From left to right they are: a case of coconut juice (which is now half gone as Asa and Salome can not get enough), homemade wine from a friend's Mom who makes this up in her kitchen, dried fruit dates and grapes, a whole bag of 'hometown' eggs that my friend swears are the freshest in town and lots and lots and lots of fruit. Also pictured (this is Joab's idea) is a Husker napkin because they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend in football!

We are THANKFUL for friends to celebrate here with.

Count your Blessings

Today as I biked my three kids, in the smog to school, I reflected on two big things I am thankful for.

One is the family I came from- the Franks.

Thanksgiving at our family was never really the same year after year. Sometimes we would make the whole thing (Dad usually grilling the turkey) sometimes we would buy the whole thing made (Lunds Grocery store). Sometimes we would pack the whole family in the car and drive eight+ hours to my Grandparents in Iowa. Here we would be put at the "kids" table for the big meal and usually we would complain that we were not grown up enough to eat with the adults. But no matter how we "ate" the meal it was always so fun to just be together. It was always wonderful to laugh, play outside, visit with people, watch TV and generally be a family. I am truly blessed that my family just loved to BE together.

The second is the family I married into- the Meyers

My first Thanksgiving with the Meyers I ask my Mom in Law how I can help. She opens the freezer and put two frozen packages of cranberries on the stove. She then tells me to "make some cranberry sauce". I look up at her- thinking it only came from a can. She says- just add sugar, boil and you will have cranberry sauce! I had never thought this is HOW you make it! So, as I stood there watching the cranberries explode and make amazing cranberry sauce I also learned the ins and outs of how to make a whole Thanksgiving meal. I am truly blessed to have been taught how to make so much from scratch from Christy Meyer!

So this year as I plan and prepare our Thanksgiving meal I am so very thankful for where I have come from. Our meal this year will be mostly with all Chinese people. Most of whom have never tasted a turkey, cranberries or gravy. Most of whom never think about being thankful. Most of whom don't come from very nice families. Most of whom are thankful for our family who loves them here in China. Perhaps that is why I love Thanksgiving best of all- to show love to those who need it the most.

Happy Thanksgiving blog faithful!!!

Lesson I learned yesterday...from Miriam

Picking Miriam up from school each day is...well...and adventure. In the past few months I have discussed/debated/been lectured about the following while we (mostly Grandparents) wait for the school gates to open so we can get the kids:

- What fish you should buy only alive. Some you can buy dead- but others I guess are really dangerous to buy already dead.
- How much money the government pays me per year for my children.
- If I speak only Chinese at home with my kids
- How much the groceries I am carrying in my hands cost.
- How much I pay in rent
- How long have a lived here and am I from France?
- Why I don't take the month long rest after having a baby and are you not so scared when you get older your body will be crippled from not resting enough.
- Do I hit my kids if they do not do their homework
-Why can't you speak Shanghaiese (local dialect)
-Why do you wear so many clothes when it is not even cold out
-Why do your parents not live in China to take care of your kids
- How much does your husband make a month?
-How much is a plane ticket home to America?
- Do you perm your hair?
-Why do your kids have red hair and you do not

I am pretty good at the above questions. They may sound very direct to you- but that is kind of how people talk here. They will not come up to you and say "Hi, nice to see you ! How are you and the kids?" but they will say "You look skinnner- why are you not eating". You have to translate in your head what they REALLY mean is the first sentence but say the second.

Well, something happened yesterday at school that totally threw me for a loop. I was a little late so everyone has already gone into the school. Once I climbed the three floors to Miriam's classroom I noticed all the kids were still at their desks and one lone Grandpa was waiting in the back of the room. When he saw me he yelled across the classroom "Why is you daughter writing with her left hand. Don't you know that is really bad and in China we do not do that".

I did not know what to say. His tone of voice was not the normal "how much does your government pay you for your kids" tone. It was meaner and nastier. I bee lined to Miriam and with my head down just told her to get her stuff and we are OUT OF HERE. Then the Grandpa comes over to me and starts in that Miriam should not be allowed to eat with her left hand either. Thankfully, Miriam's teacher (who we love) spoke up and basically said to leave Miriam alone she is from America. Grandpa then realized I was mad and started saying things like "But Miriam is so pretty" ect. His sweet words were not going to make me any happier! So we said our goodbyes to her friends and teachers and we were out of there.

Once I kind of gained my composure I told Miriam I was sorry I did not defend her more. It is true that 99% of kids that are left handed they force to change to right hand. Writing Chinese with your left hand is really, really hard. But Miriam seems to be just fine! So have not really thought more about it. Until Grandpa showed up...

I asked Miriam what she thought I should of said to him. Thinking that she would know from a cultural perspective what would be best. Miriam then said this to me:

"Mommy, you just need to pray for him. Pray that God would change his heart about being left handed in China"

Her words first shocked me. She was the one that was wronged! But then her words convicted me to the core. Indeed it is only prayer that can change anyone.

I am thankful for a little girl who can teach her very stubborn Mommy.

Asa's field trip

Joab and Asa had a wonderful time at Asa' fall field trip this week! The weather was amazing!

Above (with matching Husker Shirt!) on a very small tractor

You usually can not see clouds like this. Miriam calls these "American Clouds" when/if we ever see clouds! Usually it is so overcast you can not see very many defined clouds like this.

The kiddos




Asa loves to say he is from Arizona (he was born there). So we was more than willing to dive right into the cacti garden and pose!

Asa

Asa and his swords

He decided to use all this swords at once. Asa truly enjoys himself!!!

Children are the future for the Motherland

"Mom, I can not breathe!!!" Miriam said to me as we sped home on the bike a few weeks ago. My mind was racing to what happened while she simply sat on the back of the bike! Asthma attack, bee sting, a gun pointed at her? I got home as soon as I could and said - "what in the world happened"?

Miriam explained she saw a picture of herself on a poster- painting! I had no idea what she was walking about- but Miriam was beyond excited (enough to take her breath away I guess!)! Our first year here Miriam was in an art contest and I guess it was pictures from that they were using for the banner.

So I finally went by this sign again and took some pictures. These type of banners/signs are everywhere here. Usually to cover up construction work (the wall behind this sign is a huge unfinished construction project).

The sign translated says:

Children are the future for the Motherland

After taking these pictures and looking more closely, I was really glad Miriam was not asked to play with birds for her picture! I also love this guy looking at me, as if to say "what in the world are you doing?!"

Children are indeed a blessing from God. Praying that Miriam would love China in a special way!

Birthday Boy

Having formatting problems. But wanted to share some pictures of Asa's sixth Birthday! First we started the say with some Krispy Kreme donuts with friends! Then had some Chinese friends over for cake, pumpkin donuts, fruit and games outside! Fun was had by all!

My friend Karen. Also behind me is a new clock. I love that it does not have any numbers. Joab thinks I am crazy. But I love it. It is fun (for me!) to have people guess what time it is!

She Shan Hike

China celebrates October Holiday every year! A whole week off to celebrate the founding of modern China. We took one day and went to a hotel about an hour away. Here are my kids when I told them to look "normal" for a picture. Salome goes into Chinese squat, Asa looks goofy and Miriam is telling Asa how to act. This picture pretty much sums up our lives parenting right now!



Then I told them I meant it "LOOK NORMAL". I also love the "ad" car in the background.

They call it the She Shan Mountain. It is just a really big hill. But being so near to the ocean here we do not have many hills...so we decided to climb it. Here is Joab with Salome in front on a pagoda as you enter the park on the hill.

There is a huge Catholic Church on the top of the hill. You can read more about it here

With anything on a National Holiday that is free to go to, you have a ton of people hiking up the hill and taking pictures of you hiking up the hill. Asa had enough and exited this picture- leaving Joab all alone.

Finally a picture! Oh October Holiday we loved you! Can't wait for next year! And for those (and I know you are out there!!!) who would love to come and visit us....this time of year is perfect for visitors!!!!

Happy at 13 Years

Celebrating your 13th Wedding Anniversary is fun- but it is not the special of your 10th of the landmark of your 15th or 25th! But still we are thankful to still be best friends and loving life at 13 years!

Joab is in America for two weeks now- for work. The kids and I are missing him A LOT. Not as fun (and a ton more work!) to do this alone here. Asa asked me today "Will Daddy get here everyday sooner or further away?". The dude has NO sense of time- but I assured him someday soon daddy will be home!

The many faces of Salome

You have your first little girl- you buy baby dolls, baby doll clothes etc. Your first little girl never touches a baby doll. You think,I guess little girls are not into baby dolls.

You have your second little girl. You don't even get out the baby dolls (actually you gave all the baby dolls stuff away) because you think she will not like them.

Well, I was dead wrong. Not only does Salome love baby dolls she prefers to have one strapped to her body in the form of a baby sling! She then sings to it, kisses it and tells it they are going to go outside to play. Beyond cute.

Telling Salome to "smile"

Can't wait to see what kind of mother she will really be like someday!!!

Home - Part Two

The above "DIY" table is a fun table for me. I saw this red old (a KTV bar was getting remodled) on the side of the road and Joab asked if we could buy it! They kind of looked at us funny but for about $3.00 they even delivered it to our house! So when our landlord decided to buy us this HUGE television (we did not say no!) we had the perfect table to set it on!

Master bath

v
view from bedroom

master bedroom

Home Sweet Home- before this home was ours it was our good friends Denise and Lisa's. We are thankful we got to take it over when they moved back to the USA. Joab and I both feel that this house feels more like home than our first place in Shanghai (which we were at for four years!). The space, the friends we live near to, the green spaces are all so much better!

Come see us soon blog faithful!!!!

The New Apartment Tour- Part one

computer is slow tonight! So this will be brief. More later in next post. Above is the guest bathroom.

The hallway- on left is guest bathroom, then guest room/office. Straight is master bedroom, on right is the kids room.

Looking at living room then kitchen.

Looking from kitchen

Kitchen (with new Ayi)

View from kitchen