More preparations...

Well, it's getting closer - i can't believe it! and wouldn't you know it - i haven't been sick in a LONG time and i have just come down with a cold or something:( I am praying very hard that i start to feel better - i have alot to do this week so i am hoping that i am able to get good rest when i can...

When we were in China to adopt Hayleigh, i never was too crazy about the inland China flights on the China airlines. Well, i was a bit uneasy learning that we were flying on a China airline from Seattle to Beijing - i am really praying that it is an enjoyable trip and that i will be able to relax:) It is an airline that has just started service from Seattle to Beijing in June 2008 - here is the plane that i will be going on: http://global.hnair.com/Content.php?page=about_Airbus_en.html
it looks really nice:):) And with no kids to worry about this time - it may be enjoyable -but then again how enjoyable is a 12 hr.+ flight??? I guess i will soon find out:):)

Here is an encouraging word from Steve (our fearless leader!) that i wanted to share - it really hit home to me:) I have been so busy with preparing, packing and organizing stuff at home that i had (momentarily) lost sight of the purpose of this trip - to serve!

His questions reminded me that and YES - i am READY to RUN the RACE!


"As we head into China, this is also time to check your servant's heart:
A. Are you willing to do anything, at anytime?
B. Are you willing to be completely flexible?
C. Are you willing to wait for someone who has "Just one more thing to get...again"?
D. Are you willing to clean up after others on our team?
E. Are you willing to give up your bus seat because someone is not feeling well?
F. Are you willing to get dirty and have no one notice the hard work you've put in?
G. Are you willing to not receive a thank you for something you've done?
H. Are you willing to be pushed aside by someone trying to get your place in line?
I. Are you willing to become uncomfortable for the sake of the Gospel?
J. Are you willing to live Luke 5:5 and say "Because you said so..." and do any of those things that Christ is asking you to do?

If so, then you are ready. Go run your race.
Steve"

Yikes! What to do with 3 kids for 2 weeks!!!

It takes great organization to figure out what to do with your kids for 2 weeks! Ever since I decided to go on this trip - i never worried about my kiddos - i knew that God would work out all of the details - and He did! This is what He did:

Check out the awesome schedule my hubby put together...
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p_YCHYn-6gAUWe8NlRS2-Fg

Thanks to everyone's help - i couldn't do it without you!!!

Preparing to leave...

Here are some things that we are busy doing trying to get ready:

Steve is awesome at emailing us with some great reminders:

11 Days before

Register at the US Embassy
Find two large suitcases
Double check the packing list
Tell your credit card company you are leaving for China
PRAY PRAY PRAY

I've pretty much done everything on Day 11... Whew!

10 Days before

10 days before you go to China, you call your people in China to confirm details. I called Leah at PHF and got some details. Here's what she knows and what she suggests:

1. she is expecting us on that date. She said no other teams will be there but there is one adoptive parent scheduled to be there. (Don't know if she is picking up or just visiting)
2. she recommended staying in Beijing for those couple of night with E. and K. rather than commuting as the fog has been very bad lately which makes travel slow. I'll let you know the cost of this.
3. It is fine to work with Harmony House. She asked that Kirsten set this up with John.
4. she said doing something for the nannies would be great. A massage would be $8 each and feeding them would be $5-6 each. She said a few had a massage recently and loved it. We can decide when we get there.
5. she is anticipating that we will be moving stuff from the Inn building to the kids building when we get there. It will require a lot of sorting, some cleaning, and a lot of carrying.
6. AND she said that the heat this year is not coming on until Nov. 15th. Please dress warm. Layers are good. I would bring some thin gloves and work gloves in case it gets really cold. The airport will at least be warm when we return!!! YIKES!! It's gonna be cold - i really don't like being cold - i'm trusting that the Lord will get me through this minor "challenge" for me:)

She wanted me to tell you that she is really excited to see you all and they are looking forward to getting to know each of you.

Please pray for the last monies to come in. We still have a few that need some help.
Steve

VBS Plans

I've attached the plans that we are using for our VBS - if you are interested~click on this link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p_YCHYn-6gAVIMPzwhz2vYQ

It doesn't have details but has the overall concepts...

PHF Video

Okay - i've been busy online today getting travel insurance and registering my trip with the US Embassy (so i did accomplish something!) but then i got a little side tracked...

Check out this video of the children and facilities at Philip Hayden Foundation. I am just getting so excited! I can't beleive that i've been praying about this trip for 3 years and it's finally happening. I have a feeling that i'm going to want to take all of those precious kids home with me! This video was made 6 months ago so, i am thinking that most of the children in the video are still there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q27teR2hsA


and this one too...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=250HavnJM2Q

October 19th - Last Team meeting

WOW! what a night! We all gathered at Bonnie and Jeff's house tonight for dinner and packing. It worked out great - everyone brought food over and while it was cooking - the rest of packed suitcases. Their living room was full of supplies and i am amazed at what we packed. Each person can bring 2 suitcases at 50# each (in addition to a personal item & carry on) - so, everyone's 2nd suitcase is full of supplies. Each suitcase was packed, weighed and inventoried. We inventoried them so we knew if we had the correct supplies needed from the list and if a suitcase got lost - then we can report what is in it with a value. Brooke and I quickly checked over the list that CCTC was trying to gather and it looks like we got pretty much all the necessities and all that will fit! See - why worry!!! God will take care of everything - He does provide!!!

Our families were all invited to the dinner tonight, which was nice for them to be able to meet the rest of the team from Spokane. Since, my VBS planning is pretty much done - i'm sure my emotions will start getting the best of me as i now start to pack my own personal suitcase and realize that i will be leaving my precious family for 2 weeks. Please pray for them (and me) while i am gone - i am so thankful that i am married to my bestfriend who is willing to allow me to go on this trip. We pretty much have a schedule figured out for help - and i am so thankful for that.

During the rest of the meeting, we double checked our passports, visas and airline tickets. I was thrilled to learn that i was issued a "multiple" entry visa - which means when I return in the next 6 months for our daughter, that i won't have to pay for another visa!

Our Airline flights are:
Leave PSC at 9:30am on Nov.1 to Seattle - where we meet up with the rest of the team.
Leave Seattle at 2:00pm to Beijing (nonstop)- arrive in Beijing at 4:35pm on Nov.2

Return at 4:50pm on Nov.15 to Seattle (nonstop)at 11:20am on Nov. 15
Return to PSC at 7:25pm

We also went over all of the plans for VBS - i will post those in the next few days...

Preschool Help

I am really excited! PHF called me last night (after exchanging a few emails...) to talk about how i could possibly help them with training their preschool teachers while i am there!! I just am really excited to be able to help. They said that last summer a special ed teacher came to help train the teachers there on behavior management, assessment, lesson plans, curriculum, sensory learning and center time. So, i guess that they have tons of stuff but they are having a hard time implementing it. I am hoping that in the short time that i am there that i will be able to show them what "circle time" should look like with songs, music, stories etc... Right now they have circle time for 1 hr.!! Can you even imagine 2 1/2 - 4yr. olds sitting for that long doing teacher directed learning (such as: holding a picture or letter and having them repeat after you.) I can't wait to get there and have some fun!! I guess they do "the calendar" but all teacher directed - and not child interactive at all. Playtime for the last hr. sounds like it might be interesting - the teachers do not know how to play or facilitate learning play with the kids so from what i understand - not too much productive learning through play is taking place.

I can't wait to go and try to help - please pray for clear direction on specifically what i should focus on in the short amount of time that i will have there.

CAR WASH!!

Update: Well... i'm thinking that it wasn't totally God's will for us to have a car wash yesterday but we were still blessed!!! It started out that Albertson's had mistakenly double booked us with another fundraiser but theirs was a little different than ours... So, we decided to stay because we had told so many people that we'd be there and if anyone came to help we wanted to be there like we said that we would:) But, no one really showed up to help - but, if anyone that we knew stopped by they ended up being roped in to help us -hehehe:) (Thanks to the Damrell's and Lance's parents whom we roped in - they were great sports!:)) So, after 3 hrs. of Taylor and myself washing cars (Lance was on the street holding signs with Hayleigh)- my back just couldn't do it anymore - i must be getting old and out of shape! But we did raise $$ for VBS supplies, which was an awesome blessing! Thank you to all that stopped by for a car washing!!! Just know that your $ will be blessing a child in China with VBS supplies.

We are having a Car Wash on Saturday, October 18th from 10-3:00 at the Albertson’s Express on Clearwater by donations. All proceeds will benefit the China Mission Trip team.

If you’d like to help – come on over!
If you’d like your car washed – stop on by!

Or spread the word and let others know:)

Humbled...

WOW! I am truly humbled and amazed at the wonderful serving hearts of the people at our church. They are awesome!

Last night was the "opening night" of the Uncle Phil's Diner dinner theatre and it was fantastic! The amount of people involved for this production is amazing! They have rehearsed and planned sooo much this past 6 weeks that it just fills my heart up to think of what they are doing for our team. The cast and kitchen crew are just wonderful giving and hard working people it is sooo awesome! We served at least 140 people last night and are planning on more for tonight! I am hoping to take some pictures tonight to post - so check back for an update:)

The Cast...

Brooke (she's going to China with me)...

Bonnie (is going to China with me:))...

Damon (is going to China too!)

We also have a China Mission Trip information table there with "wishing stars" for items that are on our supply list - i noticed that a few of them are gone:) we will have it out tonight and at church on Sunday too. We are hoping to get all of our supplies by next Sunday as we will be meeting to pack next weekend - YIKES - we are getting closer!!! I can't believe it!

ps. We all have our Visa's now and should be set to go!

Questions & Answers...

I really got a "kick" out of this email from Steve yesterday - i thought that i'd share it ...

OK--really this is just answers to most of the questions that I have heard from our team and previous teams--
1. You get two suitcases, 1 carry on, and a personal item.
2. The max weight of a suitcase is 50 pounds
3. yes it's a long flight
4. yes you should exchange your money at the Beijing airport for a better rate.
5. it's up to you but I would bring a minimum of $250 for personal spending
6. The $2174 does cover all costs except souvenirs
7. I haven't heard from Leah about commuting or Kaifeng
8. Try to get supplies donated and not spend your own money.
9. the flight is nonstop from Seattle to Beijing
10. It's an airbus 330 so it has tvs in the facing seat
11. get to the airport 2 1/2 hours early since it's an international flight
12. yes you will get your tickets and passports when the PPs are sent back to me
13. I still have no news about mine and Judy's
14. yes we will all ride the same bus from Beijing airport to Phf
15. it's about 1 hour to PHF
16. yes you will be tired
17. yes the rooms are clean and nice
18. yes they have western toilets at PHF
19. No, you can't flush your toilet paper
20. yes it's awkward for all of us
21. no, I don't know the best technique for disposal, but you'll figure it out
22. yes you get water bottles each day
23. no, you can't drink from the tap or the sewage canal. You can but shouldn't
24. yes your heart will be changed
25. yes, I get scared too meeting people that I don't speak their language
26. yes, there will be food you like
27. no you won't go hungry
28. no I don't know what projects we will be assinged to do yet
29. no, KFC is not just like ours in the states
30. yes Andrew is leading music
31. No I haven't heard him sing
32. I don't know, his wife says he's good.
33. It's up to you what time you get up in the morning.
34. yes, we start morning devotion at 8:00 AM
35. no, lunch is not always good.
36. yes, dinner is always good.
37. I don't know. Last time they had chocolate and strawberry pop tarts.
38. yes, they have a phone and calling cards there.
39. yes they have internet and wi-fi
40. yes, you have to be careful about what you write.
41. no, I don't know any swear words in Chinese but I do know that "missionary" is one for our team
42. yes, I really do think it will be one of the greatest things you will ever do in your lifetime!

FAITH...

I just love how the Lord speaks. I have been praying about how I am going to finish paying for my trip. I still have a good amount to raise and have been wondering how i should do it. It seems that we haven't had too many tickets sales for our big fundraiser of the Dinner Theatre and that started to but some "thoughts" into my head - like "i hope we are able to raise enough to help cover costs of travel" and then to finish buying supplies. Lance and i did reserve the Albertson's Express on Clearwater to do a car wash on Oct. 18th if we feel that we need it. But, i'd like not to have to do that b/c across the street Taylor's hockeyteam will be selling popcorn stuff and i'd like to help with that too:) So, i have been praying and praying about $ and what verses did i wake up to this morning!! :)

In my devotion this is what I read:

"Cause by faith to continue to grow, O Lord" 2 Cor. 10:15

"Lord, please help me to be like Abraham who, by faith, when called to got o a place he would later recieve as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" Heb. 11:8

In my Bible i happened to be at 2 Timothy 1:1 - the whole chapter is an encouragement to be faithful!!!

So, i am yet again reminded about having faith! I just love that!!!

September 29th Mission Trip Meeting

Well... there was a meeting last Sunday but i didn't go - i was kind of amazed that i didn't go. Usually when i make a committment to do something, i make sure that i do everything that is asked of me and juggle everything else around to see to it that i do it (does that make sense?) Anyway, i had planned on going right up until 5 minutes before it was time to leave but things were just happening to where i felt that God was telling me to slllloooowwww down and stay home with your family. SO I DID!! And i was so glad that i did:) when i called to tell Steve that i wasn't going to make it, Taylor was in the car with me and after i hung up, he turned to me and said "so mom, does that mean that your not going to miss my hockey game? - oh -good" right then, i knew that i had made the right decision! it was worth it!!

It doesn't sound like i missed too much. Several others weren't able to make either... There are several people that are feeling a spiritual attack - i've been aware of this possibility, so i've been praying for that. Usually when Satan knows that you are doing something awesome for the Kindgom of God that he will try to bring you down! so please pray for the team against that. They talked about the dinner theatre fundraiser - it is going to be our main fundraiser and right now ticket sales are down so we are hoping that many are just waiting until the last miniute to get their tickets:) And, the price of our trip has gone up a bit - it was supposed to be $1900 and since we only have 15 people (not enough for the group airplane rate) it has gone up to $2174. So, it looks like we'll be needing to raise more money than expected... We are still unsure about going to Keifang orphanage - we need at least 5 people to go and it will cost an additional $250 per person. We are trying to get some specifics on the trip or to figure out where and what else we can do - i really want to work more at an orphanage while we are there - possibly we can help John at Harmony Outreach.

I am busy finalizing VBS plans. I purchased a great curriculum from CEF and it has some great ideas that we will be using. I will have to post more about that later...

But i also wanted to share some more praises:
1. Vista Family Health gave me more meds - penicillin!!!! and more albuterol (which will be great! the air quality is aweful over there - we may need it too!!)
2. I called Carol Bush at CEF and she has some extra curriculum that i can take with me to give to John at Hamony (he had asked if we could bring some over for him to use)
3. I emailed PHF yesterday to find out what kind of supplies they have there to use for my VBS - like a sensory table and butcher paper etc..and told her that i taught preschool here and that i am trying to do some of those types of things as activities for our VBS. She was really excited and said that sensory activities is what their kids are lacking the most -which must be why i have had that sooo much on my mind from the beginning! And she asked if i could help train their preschool teachers while i am there! I am thrilled that i will be able to help!!! so stay tuned for details:):) that's all that i know so far!