We can't believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone! The older two kids only had a half-day of school on Thursday, so once they arrived home at noon (after I'd spent the morning baking in the kitchen with the younger two boys "baking" playdough along with me at the kitchen table), we rested for a short while then headed off to our friends' house to celebrate with a group of our western friends (there were about 24 of us in all). The very Thanksgiving-ish photo is of Hudson wearing a mask that was shared with him by his friend Andrew, one of the boys' favorite people here in Tianjin! We ate all the Thanksgiving regulars--even enjoying turkey that someone had found in Beijing.
On Friday we made a trek into Beijing to go to the international hospital. The plan was for Noah to get his 18 month old check up and shots, for the older three kids to get dental exams, and for all of us to get flu shots. The trip was a success, except for having to wait on the flu shots for the kids. They were required to return in exactly one month to get a second shot, and since we will be in the States then (woo hoo!), we had to put that one off. The photos are of the kids playing with some of the toys in the kids' waiting area (where I found, ironically, a sign stating "A quiet hospital helps speed recovery." Quiet! Not likely, at least not with my crew present!!) Kevin and I also loved having a Starbucks treat--even with holiday flavors (no peppermint here, but they do have a Dark Cherry Mocha and a Toffee Nut Latte that are both fantastic!). Oh, and Noah was so tired after the morning of travel and lunch before our dr appointments, that he ended up sleeping through half of his exam (not the immunization part, of course). It was the calmest dr. visit we've had yet!
On Saturday, we decided to stay indoors, keep on our pj's, drink hot chocolate, and put up Christmas decorations while listening to our favorite Christmas music. (What else should you do when it's 39 degrees outside and the wind is blowing the trees sideways?!!) We did get to enjoy Kevin braving the cold to venture out to the post office to pick up a much-anticipated package (thank you Rebers!) with fun baking goodies and toys for the kids.
I got to witness one of my favorite all-time interactions between the kids while decorating. Hudson came over to Karis and put her in a spontaneous bear hug with his arms around her waist. After first determining that he wasn't just trying to wrestle, Karis returned his embrace with her arms around his shoulders. The two of them just stood there for a moment looking up at the tree, as I was just finishing putting the lights on it. Karis let out a sigh, and said, "Hud, isn't the tree just beautiful?" in a wishful sounding voice.
Hudson responded with, "Yeah. I love you Karis. I'm gonna marry you."
Karis said, "Hu-ud, you CAN'T marry me. I'm not really sure why, but God says you can't marry someone who is in your family."
Hudson responded, "But dad and mom are married and THEY are in the same family!"
(Karis concluded the family by explaining that we weren't at first in the same family, and that is why they have both a G-Ma and G-Pa and a Nana and Papa.) It was priceless. What I wouldn't have given to have my video camera running!
We had a Chinese friend come by in the afternoon, and had the privilege of getting to talk about some of the deeper things of life as she struggles through some serious marriage and work problems. It's amazing how many opportunities there are here to be able to love people who are just looking for an ear and some sound counsel! Kevin and I were both blessed by our time, but also worn out, as our conversation was a good 2 1/2 hours long (luckily during the boys' naptime, or else it CERTAINLY would have been much shorter!)--and was all done in Chinese! (No, i didn't understand it all, but had Kevin there to fill in the gaps for me!)
On Sunday morning, Kevin taught at our fellowship, and I must say, did an incredible job. His message was the beginning of the Christmas series, so he got to talk about the passage in Luke 1 where Mary finds out that she is to be the mother of Jesus. His message was super clear, insightful, and challenging. It was his first time to do a full-length message at the fellowship, and I think the response was overwhelmingly positive. I even had one lady call me on my cell that afternoon to tell me how much it had impacted her! So the Rev Kev continues on.... :)
