Safe Arrival

We arrived in Beijing at 9:30 am China  time Friday morning which is 8:30 pm Thursday night in Illinois. So after being up 30 plus hours did not help our mental state much  but  the adrenalin compensated! Our friend Sherry and Cliff's student Sunnie met us at at the airport and we rode bus hour to Beijing train staion and then a short walk to the hotel. After checking in with a bit of money confusion (I had not changed currency) we all went to lunch at a nearby ibg (inexpensive but good) restaurant}. We discussed many important things. We gave  Sherry her gift and she was surprised. She shared new work details and invited us to help. We will consult with our board about that. Sunnie is gracious and kind and has  arranged for us to consult at a Chinese Migrant Children camp on Saturday. I was so tired I crashed into bed around 2:30 pm and Cliff toured the area. Unfortunately our delightful market next door closed, so we must find a new market for fresh fruit. He went to a bakery we like and brought back coffee and buns. Yummers.  He went to bed about midnight.  We are trusting and obeying. TIC for goodness sake. After a good sleep, we will be ready to follow where He leads. From the thank tank:Thankful for gracious new and old friends and a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Hope

XI WANG is the Chinese character for hope.

The first character means to thirst for something, or to be thirsty. The second character means to hope for, to expect, to gaze (into the distance) or to look for something.

Today we are filled with xi wang. 

Last minute details ( Camille's friends want us to bring some salve only available in US), phone numbers are written down to put into our cell when we arrive.  I have  taken a chill pill ( I wish there really was such a thing) Cliff is eager to get going. Last night our daughter Kathleen came over and cooked for us (yummers!)  and our daughter Vanessa and her husband Jeff brought their 4 gypsies (said in love)  for a visit. The little ones made us cards of love and we all had a good visit. The 6 year old is digging a hole to China. We saw our other children at the party last Sunday. Our Boston daughter called and we had good chat.Family details are the details that matter.

We will board the bus at 5:50 pm, board the plane at 1 am and arrive in Beijing 9:55 am Friday 

(Thursday 9:55pm cst ) 

Hope springs eternal and eternal hope springs from the good shepherd. 

Next post will be from China. 

Hang on to your hat!

Windy today. We heard on radio that flights are delayed in Chicago today due to the wind. Hopefully it will huff and puff itself out today. Tomorrow night we travel to Chicago to catch our flight. I am sure that Ohare is filled with passengers waiting for the daily flight to China. I hope they do not have to wait long. What a disappointment it must be for them.
 All this wind got me thinking about truly American phrases about wind. Bag of wind, catch wind of, gone with the wind, throw caution to the wind, something in the wind, take the wind out of your sails,blowing in the wind. There are many more. I think of one my grandmother used to say, "between wind and water". That just means, we're in a bit of a situation. OR  As Bette Davis said in one of her  movies, "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!" 
Today is the day we take things out of our bags and rethink whether we really need this or that. As my Irish ancestors said, "May the road rise to meet you and may the wind be at your back" That is my hope for all of us today. 

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Happiness and Joy

 

I am fascinated by Chinese calligraphy. This is the symbol XI. It is the symbol for joy and happiness. Making music and singing brings joy and  that's how the symbol for happiness and joy is formed. It shows a hand beating a drum placed on a stand and a mouth at the bottom.

Today I am feel like I am beating my drum and singing. My heart overflows with joy. I know where my joy comes from. 
I am reminded of Annie Sullivan when Helen Keller finally understands. Annie says," My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! the light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!" 
I feel that joy today. There is purpose in our trip. Another student has asked for a Book. Our hearts are full and our bags are full and we are eager to visit our friends and family.

Party time!

This morning we went to a party with family and friends. it was a "going away" party. We were touched by their kindness to us. We all ate cookies and sang family songs. We visited with an old friend Haggai. He reminded us that it is difficult to stay healthy if you are around sick people . We will be sure to take our medicine every day and share our medicine with others who are sick.Most of our friends are healthy, but we all can benefit from vitamins. We are taking  vitamins for our healthy friends. We look forward to going to parties with our friends in China. They are so memorable. 

I love these dolls. They remind me of Cliff and me. Heads bowed, hands folded and hearts set on things above. (bobble heads and round bellies just like us too!) I love the pointy head and the flat head too. Who knows, we may find the real deal at one of the markets.

Seeds

When our children were small, they enjoyed a book that described seeds as "little boxes filled with surprises". As you probably know you cannot take any seeds in or out of China. One of our friends mailed some small seeds taped inside a card to us one time. We were surprised that  huge donggwa  (winter melon)would grow from such little seeds. Cliff planted them and they grew and  we shared the melons with many friends. Our friend  took the risk to share seeds of the winter melon with us and we took the risk to plant them. Rain and sunshine and a bit of weeding brought a bountiful harvest .

Cliff  shares  seeds from John's garden with his language students . He does not scatter the seeds,  but rather he plants each seed individually on his knees.  The ground is stony and hard, but he keeps planting. He recently heard from one student that her seeds are growing.She has met some family members who are tending her garden with her. We are eager to consult with her and see the little sprouts. We are planning to take her a Book to help her garden grow.What wonderful surprises are wrapped up in those little boxes.

Thank Tank

I heard this song the other day and I put it in my Thank Tank. It says better than we ever could what marriage means to us. As I double check and triple check our packing and Cliff continues to think of new gifts to take in our baggage,( candy, snacks, books, for students) I remember how blessed we are. Forty three years ago (44 in December) everyone told us we were crazy  and didn't know what marriage was about. They were right, but we got married anyway. Enjoy!http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=11&id=1049548