I don't feel that anything is missing from my life. But tonight I am missing some people and things. I know this is very normal, and I don't really feel sad about it. I just feel that I need to express this and know it's ok.
I miss going to a store and being able to talk to people there without looking like a fool.
I miss having an oven.
I miss having access to a vehicle, not necessarily driving but the freedom that comes with a vehicle.
I miss Mexican food, this is not a good place to find it. Don't worry, I didn't expect that it would be.
I miss AC.
I miss the radio.
I miss Target. Silly, I know.
I miss Starbucks.
I miss the Public Library.
I miss friends. You know who you are.
I miss the ladies that knew me before Father changed my heart and I was not a nice person but they loved me then and I think they love me now that I'm different, even if we have differing views on things.
I miss the ladies that saw Father change my life and have been with me each step since then, good, bad and ugly.
I miss the one who was with me when I came to love this place, I think she loves it too.
I miss the one who understand all my food issues, struggles and battles. She is also the one who has helped me become the mommy I am today.
I miss the one that went through big life changes the same time I did: marriage, babies, moving from our comfort to where Father called us. She is oh so wise.
I miss the one that went through the long journey that brought us here at the same time. She's in a different part of the world but she understands what I go through each day. Bojangle's date in 3 -4 years?
I miss the one that I've only just met but understands my exact calling to this place and this people.
I miss the ones that I saw every Sunday in small group, if not more often, and called me out, loved me and encouraged me.
I miss so many more.
I love you all. I am so thankful for the friends that I have in each of you. I hope this didn't make you sad. I just feel so blessed and that makes me miss you. My home is open to anyone that wants to visit. :)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Life and Village TIme
So life has been incredibly busy. Several nights a week we try to spend time with local friends. This is something different for us but the nature of life now. In the States we would maybe see friends once a week and usually on the weekends. I tried very hard to make sure the boys were in bed on time every night. Here we go out to dinner at least 2 or more nights a week--it's just as cheap to eat out as to cook--and sometimes don't get the boys home until 9:00. Those of you who know how strict I was about their sleep schedule in the States can imagine how this is a stretch for me. I made very few exceptions before but am much more lenient here. Some of that probably has to do with the fact that we don't have 'normal' jobs anymore. And it may change once we start classes in a few weeks. Speaking of classes--please 'remember' us this weekend as we start to try to get things straight for our student visas. Right now our tourist visa is good until the 29th but we have to get registered and have some documents for the boys make it from the States so we can avoid having to leave the country for a few days and reentering. We are thankful that we have this option but it would still be a big hassle with the boys.
I also added a picture of my latest pedicure. Sorry if pictures of my feet gross you out. It's just my new thing. Some friends and I have decided to see how crazy we can go. So far I've stayed pretty conservative. You wouldn't believe some of the things they will do. They have books with tons of pictures of outrageously painted toes. I have several that I want to try. This time we even got spray on tattoos. Unfortunately it makes me want to get another little one on my foot. Hopefully that will pass. Anyway, as BFF said, this is soooo not me. But it's fun and we are hoping to build relationships with the young ladies that work at the shop.
Monday we took a family trip to the village. Our house helper and her family are a great connection and we wanted to go meet her son and daughter-in-law in particular. It was a long day with us leaving at 10 and returning at 5, not eating lunch until about 2:00 and no naps for the boys, but it was a great time. Stan got to talk some with the son who speaks and reads Mandarin--most of the people only speak the local dialect and are illiterate--and has also been leading their small group of believers. I got the chance to 'talk' (with the help of a friend) with his wife--we are not sure if she is a believer--to help build up that relationship. Overall it was fun and the boys being there really helped open the lines of communication. Unfortunately we scared poor Kirby trying to keep him from messing with the village dogs. That night and the next he had night terrors again. Please 'remember' that as well. We think the dog issue is what triggered it so last night we talked about things he wanted to dream about and he didn't have one. He hasn't had one since we moved here so we weren't expecting it.
I have overall been having a good week. I'm really starting to dread classes. I don't like to study but I know this is the only way I will learn language. So I will most likely be taking 8 hours at the University each week plus 4 hours of private tutoring. I'm hoping I will be in school Tuesday-Thursday so Mondays can be my day to get the weekly shopping and such done and Friday free for a long weekend so we can travel and have family time. My biggest struggle right now is not eating well and not exercising. I know a steady schedule will help all that but it's not any easier here than in the states. Even without the temptation of fast food I seem to find bad things to eat. And my running has ended. Running on the streets here just isn't the easiest. So here's my plan: Once I have my school schedule I will be able to see it joining the 'gym' will be possible--really a workout room at a hotel that allows you to pay and go but is only open in the afternoon. Then I can go run on the treadmills 3-4 times a week while the boys are napping and our house helper is here. I think I have a workout partner for at least some days so that will help. Then I just have to work on portion control with my food. I'm not going to be able to do First Place since when we eat out we have lots of veggies, some meat and everything else is fat and carbs. Veggies--great, meat--ok, a lot of fat and carbs--not so good. I try to do the best I can so like I said, portion control is my best bet. I did finally buy a scale so I can monitor myself too. Of course it's in kg and not pounds. I kinda like it cause I can pretend I'm an Olympic Gymnast but then I remember I have to multiply by 2.2 and then I'm more like an Olympic Shot Put thrower. Oh well, the battle continues.
On a random note: Did any body else watch the Olympic Trampoline competitions? Please explain to me how Softball gets voted out as an Olympic event but we keep Trampoline jumping. I do see where this takes some skill but come on. There are several other sports I could comment about but I'll just leave it be. I also would like to say that I think it's awesome how well Michael Phelps did. As a former swimmer I have only seen a slim amount of what it takes to get to that point. 8 golds in a single Olympics. It's crazy. I have no idea what kind of person he is, he may be the cockiest man alive, but Congratulations to him!
I also added a picture of my latest pedicure. Sorry if pictures of my feet gross you out. It's just my new thing. Some friends and I have decided to see how crazy we can go. So far I've stayed pretty conservative. You wouldn't believe some of the things they will do. They have books with tons of pictures of outrageously painted toes. I have several that I want to try. This time we even got spray on tattoos. Unfortunately it makes me want to get another little one on my foot. Hopefully that will pass. Anyway, as BFF said, this is soooo not me. But it's fun and we are hoping to build relationships with the young ladies that work at the shop.
Monday we took a family trip to the village. Our house helper and her family are a great connection and we wanted to go meet her son and daughter-in-law in particular. It was a long day with us leaving at 10 and returning at 5, not eating lunch until about 2:00 and no naps for the boys, but it was a great time. Stan got to talk some with the son who speaks and reads Mandarin--most of the people only speak the local dialect and are illiterate--and has also been leading their small group of believers. I got the chance to 'talk' (with the help of a friend) with his wife--we are not sure if she is a believer--to help build up that relationship. Overall it was fun and the boys being there really helped open the lines of communication. Unfortunately we scared poor Kirby trying to keep him from messing with the village dogs. That night and the next he had night terrors again. Please 'remember' that as well. We think the dog issue is what triggered it so last night we talked about things he wanted to dream about and he didn't have one. He hasn't had one since we moved here so we weren't expecting it.
I have overall been having a good week. I'm really starting to dread classes. I don't like to study but I know this is the only way I will learn language. So I will most likely be taking 8 hours at the University each week plus 4 hours of private tutoring. I'm hoping I will be in school Tuesday-Thursday so Mondays can be my day to get the weekly shopping and such done and Friday free for a long weekend so we can travel and have family time. My biggest struggle right now is not eating well and not exercising. I know a steady schedule will help all that but it's not any easier here than in the states. Even without the temptation of fast food I seem to find bad things to eat. And my running has ended. Running on the streets here just isn't the easiest. So here's my plan: Once I have my school schedule I will be able to see it joining the 'gym' will be possible--really a workout room at a hotel that allows you to pay and go but is only open in the afternoon. Then I can go run on the treadmills 3-4 times a week while the boys are napping and our house helper is here. I think I have a workout partner for at least some days so that will help. Then I just have to work on portion control with my food. I'm not going to be able to do First Place since when we eat out we have lots of veggies, some meat and everything else is fat and carbs. Veggies--great, meat--ok, a lot of fat and carbs--not so good. I try to do the best I can so like I said, portion control is my best bet. I did finally buy a scale so I can monitor myself too. Of course it's in kg and not pounds. I kinda like it cause I can pretend I'm an Olympic Gymnast but then I remember I have to multiply by 2.2 and then I'm more like an Olympic Shot Put thrower. Oh well, the battle continues.
On a random note: Did any body else watch the Olympic Trampoline competitions? Please explain to me how Softball gets voted out as an Olympic event but we keep Trampoline jumping. I do see where this takes some skill but come on. There are several other sports I could comment about but I'll just leave it be. I also would like to say that I think it's awesome how well Michael Phelps did. As a former swimmer I have only seen a slim amount of what it takes to get to that point. 8 golds in a single Olympics. It's crazy. I have no idea what kind of person he is, he may be the cockiest man alive, but Congratulations to him!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Toes, KM, Olympics and the King of Kings
None of things have anything to do with one another other than they are all in this blog. I know, random.
I thought I would share a fun pictures of my painted and bejeweled toes. This is something that I would never do in the States, partly because it would be expensive, but I think I will enjoy getting fun toenails here. Just cause I can. Some ladies and I have decided to make it a date at least once a month. It will be great girl time. You just have to excuse my weird tan lines.
The last couple of weeks have been filled with so much. We took a two day and one night trip to the capital city, KM, and that was an experience. Next time we have to go get some supplies--there are a couple of import stores there where we can get cereal, cake/brownie mixes, spices, etc.--we will not take the boys. It was good to meet up with some friends. I even got some girl time with my friend Kelli at a coffee shop. A real coffee shop where I got an iced latte and a peanut butter bar, Yummy! We've also had the apartment painted. That was a bit of an ordeal. We went last Thursday and showed them the colors we wanted and had one of the painters come to tell us how much paint we would need. Then Monday, after our long weekend away, we went back to the store to mix it, but the store was in the process of moving--which they failed to tell us was going to happen when we were there Thursday. So we got the paint at the old location, took it down the street to the new location to be mixed and then had to get it home. We had the boys with us and we don't have a car. PTL the ladies walked with us to get it back and up the stairs. It wasn't a lot but we would have had to take several trips up and down the stairs and leaving things unattended is never a good idea. Anyway, the painters came Tuesday and after 10 hours our apartment was done. Well except for us scrubbing the hardwood floors and base boards to get up the drips and sprays. That was not fun.
Friday night we had a little Olympic Opening Ceremonies party at a friend's house. A bunch of us got together and had great food and watched the amazing show the Chinese put on. I felt like they did not disappoint with the show. And we had a lot of fun being with friends. Just in case you are wondering why they are really hitting in on the #8 thing--some of you may already know this--in China the #8 is said as 'ba' which when it's said sounds like the word 'fa' which means luck or blessing. So 8 is traditionally a lucky number. This whole weekend we have spent watching the games--getting cable hooked up this week was a whole other experience. It's really different watching from the perspective of another country. I watched the archery finals for the first time ever today. I never remember them being broadcast in the States. Plus I have no idea what the commentators are saying. Stan and I like to make up our own version to entertain each other and sometimes it's nice to not have to listen to them go on and on about something silly just to be talking.
I've also had a an encouraging week spiritually. I had a couple of low weeks and just felt empty. I have really been encouraged this past week though my quiet times just remembering what is important. I had started to dwell on the things I was missing. All that I had sacrificed to be here. I was ever so gently--like a hammer to my head--reminded that the Greatest sacrifice was in no way mine. The Greatest sacrifice is the reason I'm here. The Greatest sacrifice has brought me salvation. A friend here reminded us last Sunday that if a King asked us to do something we call it an honor but when the King of Kings asks us to do something we call it a sacrifice. That totally doesn't make sense. Once I started focusing on Him and not me, I got right out of my spiritual hole and things just got better. I love how HE uses those around us to remind us of the things we so easily forget.
I thought I would share a fun pictures of my painted and bejeweled toes. This is something that I would never do in the States, partly because it would be expensive, but I think I will enjoy getting fun toenails here. Just cause I can. Some ladies and I have decided to make it a date at least once a month. It will be great girl time. You just have to excuse my weird tan lines.
The last couple of weeks have been filled with so much. We took a two day and one night trip to the capital city, KM, and that was an experience. Next time we have to go get some supplies--there are a couple of import stores there where we can get cereal, cake/brownie mixes, spices, etc.--we will not take the boys. It was good to meet up with some friends. I even got some girl time with my friend Kelli at a coffee shop. A real coffee shop where I got an iced latte and a peanut butter bar, Yummy! We've also had the apartment painted. That was a bit of an ordeal. We went last Thursday and showed them the colors we wanted and had one of the painters come to tell us how much paint we would need. Then Monday, after our long weekend away, we went back to the store to mix it, but the store was in the process of moving--which they failed to tell us was going to happen when we were there Thursday. So we got the paint at the old location, took it down the street to the new location to be mixed and then had to get it home. We had the boys with us and we don't have a car. PTL the ladies walked with us to get it back and up the stairs. It wasn't a lot but we would have had to take several trips up and down the stairs and leaving things unattended is never a good idea. Anyway, the painters came Tuesday and after 10 hours our apartment was done. Well except for us scrubbing the hardwood floors and base boards to get up the drips and sprays. That was not fun.
Friday night we had a little Olympic Opening Ceremonies party at a friend's house. A bunch of us got together and had great food and watched the amazing show the Chinese put on. I felt like they did not disappoint with the show. And we had a lot of fun being with friends. Just in case you are wondering why they are really hitting in on the #8 thing--some of you may already know this--in China the #8 is said as 'ba' which when it's said sounds like the word 'fa' which means luck or blessing. So 8 is traditionally a lucky number. This whole weekend we have spent watching the games--getting cable hooked up this week was a whole other experience. It's really different watching from the perspective of another country. I watched the archery finals for the first time ever today. I never remember them being broadcast in the States. Plus I have no idea what the commentators are saying. Stan and I like to make up our own version to entertain each other and sometimes it's nice to not have to listen to them go on and on about something silly just to be talking.
I've also had a an encouraging week spiritually. I had a couple of low weeks and just felt empty. I have really been encouraged this past week though my quiet times just remembering what is important. I had started to dwell on the things I was missing. All that I had sacrificed to be here. I was ever so gently--like a hammer to my head--reminded that the Greatest sacrifice was in no way mine. The Greatest sacrifice is the reason I'm here. The Greatest sacrifice has brought me salvation. A friend here reminded us last Sunday that if a King asked us to do something we call it an honor but when the King of Kings asks us to do something we call it a sacrifice. That totally doesn't make sense. Once I started focusing on Him and not me, I got right out of my spiritual hole and things just got better. I love how HE uses those around us to remind us of the things we so easily forget.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I got tagged too...
A. Attached or Single? Attached
B. Best Friend? Blessed with so many wonderful friends, but Kitty is the one that has always been there for the last 10 years--wow, 10 years!
C. Cake or pie? CAKE
D. Day of choice? Sunday, it keeps me whole.
E. Essential item? Under eye concealer
F. Favorite color? Red
G. Gummy bears or worms? Sour gummie worms, oh how I miss them
H. Home town? Hmmmm....I was raised in Charlotte, NC, but now home is far from there
I. Favorite indulgence? Reading all day long--hasn't happened in quite a while
J. January or July? January--I hate hot weather, even though here it wasn't so bad, and love new beginnings
K. Kids? Two boys
L. Life isn’t complete without? Salvation
M. Marriage date? March 20, 2004
N. Number of brothers and sisters? One brother
O. Oranges or Apples? Both are equal
P. Phobias? Stairs, I always feel like I'm going to fall
Q. Quotes? God won't bring you to it if He can't bring your through it.
R. Reasons to smile? Too many to name
S. Season of choice? Fall
T. Tag 5 people: Kitty, Tara, Jennifer, Jessie, and Amanda
U. Unknown fact about me? I have a weird chewing pattern, partly because of my weird numbers/counting fetish and partly because I want my teeth to be used equally so one side doesn't get over used. Yes I'm aware that is quite OCD.
V. Vegetable? Broccoli and Green beans
W. Worst habit? Messing with bumps on my face
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food? I love Mexican, hard to get here
Z. Zodiac sign? Aries
(Another) Z. Which zoo animal is your favorite? Monkeys
B. Best Friend? Blessed with so many wonderful friends, but Kitty is the one that has always been there for the last 10 years--wow, 10 years!
C. Cake or pie? CAKE
D. Day of choice? Sunday, it keeps me whole.
E. Essential item? Under eye concealer
F. Favorite color? Red
G. Gummy bears or worms? Sour gummie worms, oh how I miss them
H. Home town? Hmmmm....I was raised in Charlotte, NC, but now home is far from there
I. Favorite indulgence? Reading all day long--hasn't happened in quite a while
J. January or July? January--I hate hot weather, even though here it wasn't so bad, and love new beginnings
K. Kids? Two boys
L. Life isn’t complete without? Salvation
M. Marriage date? March 20, 2004
N. Number of brothers and sisters? One brother
O. Oranges or Apples? Both are equal
P. Phobias? Stairs, I always feel like I'm going to fall
Q. Quotes? God won't bring you to it if He can't bring your through it.
R. Reasons to smile? Too many to name
S. Season of choice? Fall
T. Tag 5 people: Kitty, Tara, Jennifer, Jessie, and Amanda
U. Unknown fact about me? I have a weird chewing pattern, partly because of my weird numbers/counting fetish and partly because I want my teeth to be used equally so one side doesn't get over used. Yes I'm aware that is quite OCD.
V. Vegetable? Broccoli and Green beans
W. Worst habit? Messing with bumps on my face
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food? I love Mexican, hard to get here
Z. Zodiac sign? Aries
(Another) Z. Which zoo animal is your favorite? Monkeys
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