Monday, November 3, 2008
Fun with Skype
The kids and I talked to Kirsten yesterday using Skype. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the video to work -- only the audio. Maybe we'll have better luck next time. And Kirsten has an old laptop she is using -- which is very slow. But at least we all got to hear her voice. She was getting ready to go to Wal Mart after our call.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
After Some Turbulence, We Are in Beijing!
Wow! what a great sendoff that we had at the airport! Come to find out my hubby was the reason behind this! it really was overwhelming to have such good friends and family to pray with us and send us onour way! Thank you!
We had a good flight here - there was alot of turbulance and about 5 people inour group got sick:( I did not!:) Thank goodness! We made it through customs very quickly and no problems! We drove here for about 1 hr and then went strait to bed! All 8 "single" girls are in 1 bunk bed room - i will try to send a pic later.
I've go to go - i will email more later to post!!!
love you guys!
We had a good flight here - there was alot of turbulance and about 5 people inour group got sick:( I did not!:) Thank goodness! We made it through customs very quickly and no problems! We drove here for about 1 hr and then went strait to bed! All 8 "single" girls are in 1 bunk bed room - i will try to send a pic later.
I've go to go - i will email more later to post!!!
love you guys!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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"
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"
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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!!!
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
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...
It doesn't have details but has the overall concepts...
Monday, October 20, 2008
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
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
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