If Only I Had Their Zeal...

I was watching my son watch Dora. He was on the couch on all fours with this huge goofy grin on his face waiting with eager anticipation to see what Dora's map would say and what would come out of her backpack. His zeal for watching Dora is so strong that when I told him he had to take a nap before he could watch an episode, he put himself to bed!

When was the last time I had that kind of drive and anticipation about anything worth getting worked up over? When is the last time I asked the Father for something and when He told me I had to wait, I eagerly did what would normally made me fuss and complain because I knew it would get me closer to the "now" moment?

My son, just like many three year old little boys, is obsessed with Thomas the Train, but for some reason, Dora wins out at times. When he has that tunnel vision for Dora, not even Thomas can turn his head. Anything other than Dora, and we only have one Dora video to choose from, is met with weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When was the last time I was so focused on what I have been called to do that the momentary pleasures of this world paled in comparison to what He had in store for my life?

Sometimes I watch my children enjoy little pleasures like ice-cream, and you would think that frozen dessert held special powers. They savor it until it is nothing more than a puddle of sweetness at the bottom of the bowl. The world dissapears and all that matters is that chocolate treasure.

When was the last time I delighted myself in the Lord with that kind of savoring bliss? Where I sat at His feet because no matter how much time it took, I was going to enjoy the moment. Where everything vanishes and all I see is my Savior.

It seems like watching my children enjoy the simple pleasures in life has opened my eyes to how much time I spend on the mundane without treasuring anything. I stop in the middle of a movie during the major climax and feel THAT is the moment I need to clean the kitchen. I find myself doing the same thing with quiet times and devotional moments. I am quick to check the box, but slow to let it seep into my thinking.
I want to sit on the edge of the couch waiting for what the Lord has to say to me. I want to focus my attention on His Word and what He has to say to me. I want to drink in His presence and savor the sweetness of his grace, forgiveness, love, joy, acceptance, patience, and even his discipline. I want to remember that out of all the moments in life, the ones with Him are the only ones worth anything.

As we prepare for going back to China, I am thinking about what life will be like on the other side of the ocean. I want to live intentionally and make the moments count. I don't want to look back and say, "what happened"?

What about you? What are you doing and learning about life right now?

Third Culture Kids - nothing is wasted

I remember the first time I went to China. I felt scared and excited and eager and incompetent all wrapped up in one nice package. I didn't understand what people were saying to me, and I certainly didn't know what to say back. I was lost in a sea of Chinese, and I didn't know what was happening around or to me most of the time.

I remember the first time I looked at my first child. I felt scared and excited and eager and incompetent all wrapped up in one nice package. I didn't understand what this little person was saying (crying) to me, and I certainly didn't know what to say back. I was lost in a sea of unknown, and I didn't know what was happening around to or in me most of the time. 

Yet...

As I grew to know and understand China, the Chinese people and language better, I developed a love for a people and place that will be forever seared on my heart.  It was hard work, but the work was worth all the effort. I don't always get it right, and I still don't always understand, but I have learned how to enjoy the journey. 

As I grow to know and understand my children, and their needs better, I have developed a love for these little people that is forever seared on my heart. It is terribly hard work, but the work is worth all the effort. I don't always get it right, and I still don't always understand, but I am learning how to enjoy the journey. 

So...

As I raise my little ones in a culture that is not fully their own, I am overwhelmed by how the Father has worked. He allowed me to fall in love with the culture before bringing up a family in it. My hope is that my children will develop a love for the nations. No matter where they are sent when they are older, my prayer is that their love for the Father will motivate their every move. I desire for them to see past the color and words and hear the hearts of the people they are serving. 

Therefore...

I need to live my life as an example for them. I need to extend grace to those who may not "deserve" it because it is extended to me who doesn't deserve it either. I need to show love and hospitality to those who might seem awkward because I too am awkward and in need. I need to teach my children to see past what the eyes see and search for what the Father sees in the people we meet. 

And...

That scares me sometimes. I don't always get it right. I don't always portray the image that I want reflected in my children. I don't always have it together with a ribbon on top. 

But...

That's okay. A good friend said something to me once that went a little like this. I won't quote it because I cannot remember exactly how she put it, but the message was that the Father is raising our kids not in spite of our shortcomings but through those shortcomings. Meaning, I don't have to get it right. That gives me hope. 

It is true that nothing is wasted. He uses every piece of the puzzle to make the picture beautiful and complete. I just have to trust that He is doing that in me and in my children. Being in China won't destroy them, I hope. Being out of the Father's will however.... that will crush them. 

As we journey together in this life, may they look back and see not a perfect mom, but an imperfect mom who did her best to reflect the perfect Father. 

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A Little Update on our Little Ones

Our children are growing faster than we wish they would, but they are all doing quite well as they adjust to being spoiled by grandparents and the other joys of being in the States.

Olivia is attending a homeschool group called Classical Conversations on Monday mornings. We started this in Peoria and found a group in South Carolina where she could continue with the curriculum. She is doing very well, and we are excited that we will be able to do the same curriculum on our own at home when we return to China.

Joel is growing like a weed, but his speech has been quite delayed. In Peoria, we were able to get him started with a speech therapist, and that was extremely helpful. Since then, we found that he needed tubes in his ears and was not hearing things as clearly as he could have been. There has been marked improvement in the short time since the surgery.

Makayla will be six months old on Sunday, and we cannot believe how fast she is growing and developing. Just this past week, she has popped out two little bottom front teeth! She is a sweet baby, and we are enjoying these early days, weeks and months with her.




We are so blessed by our three precious gifts.

We are beginning the process of going back to China this summer. We're excited about returning, though we know that we are also leaving behind family and friends who have invested deeply in our lives. We're thankful for each person, conversation, cup of coffee, listening ear.... What would we do without the Body around us?

Blessings to you, and we hope that during our time in the States we will be able to spend more time chatting with you.

下次见！  (See ya' next time!)

Apple Orchards

Perhaps Fall is my favorite season of all. I love the brilliant colors and how the leaves cascade down in sweet silence. I love the crunch as I walk and feel the wind in my face. The cooler weather brings joy to my heart. Perhaps the best part of all is the harvesting time. Watching the corn fields slowly return to earth and the air being full of sweet sticky apple goodness makes me want to make a pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee.

Recently, we visited an apple orchard in town. We perused the market where there were yummy samples and then we went out to pick a peck of apples. (I didn't even have to make that up.) :)

We had fun and the apples were wonderful! The season has not let me down with the trees and treats and cool breezes! Yeah for FALL!

Olivia also turned 5 this past month! I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. We had a small get together with family and then another little party for her at the park. She had a blast and declared it "her best birthday ever". October 14, yet another reason to love FALL.

再见！See ya later!

Makayla Is Here!

We are happy to announce that Makayla Joy Schmidt was born September 2 at 2:55am at Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Il.
She weighed 7lbs 2.8 oz. and measured 19 inches long.

She is now a month old and doing great. Big sister and brother love her and have welcomed her well. Life is different with three little ones, but it is a great and marvelous journey that the Lord has us on right now.

Olivia's Last Class Performance for the Year

The preschool where Olivia has been attending loves to have the students do performances... lots of them! It is fun to see how well she is progressing too about being in front of people, speaking and singing in Chinese, and just trying to fit in as much as a blond haired blue eyed little girl can.

       There were many parts to this performance, some of which were the whole class, just the boys, just the girls, a combo of boys and girls... They sang, recited poems, did Chinese style performances that you might see adults do... It was pretty elaborate for a class of 4 year olds. The following is just one clip from the show, and I hope you enjoy it.

Since we will be in the States for a year, Olivia had to say good-bye to her friends and teachers. It was a sweet and sad parting even though we plan to have her attend the same school and be a part of the same class when we return to Harbin. It is amazing how wonderful her teachers have treated her and how close they became during the two years she was at the school. It makes my heart glad to know that they care for her so! It also brings me joy to know that they will be able to be together again after a year.

See ya later! 下次见!

Hidden blessings sometimes aren't fun.

There are times when we look ahead and think, “I bet there was a reason for that.” Then, after a not so long amount of time and say, “Oh. Maybe that is one reason for that!”

When the India trip was cancelled, I really had a great peace. I assumed the reason had something to do with India and God's providence. Maybe that is still true to some “unknown to me” degree; however, I believe another reason has to do with my kids.

We arrived at Ben's Guesthouse where we were planning to stay for four nights before heading to the beach. The first full day that we were there, Olivia got a fever of 105 and threw up what little of her breakfast she had eaten. (sorry for you weak stomachers.) After some Tylenol, her fever went down some, but later came back with a full vengeance. We decided to take her to the hospital and get her checked out. When we arrived, her fever was again in the 105 range!

The doctor determined after looking at her red and infected throat that she needed antibiotics, tylenol, high fever medicine and a stay in the hospital overnight to get her rehydrated by using IVs. We decided to just take her home with us and try to get her to drink more water.

Meanwhile, Joel is playing with some friends who have a meeting, so we collect him to discover that he too has a high fever. We get him checked out to find that he too has the infections, needs antibiotics, tylenol, runny nose medicine, and lots of water.

Many hours later, we return home. In the middle of the morning, Olivia throws up again and her fever is still high; however, she is not dehydrated (thanks to our scaring her into drinking by threatening a shot! Hey, ya do whatcha gotta do!) She is also more energetic. The doctor was mostly pleased. Joel had no fever at this point, so we felt like for the most part we were out of the woods.

Nighttime came with a hammer blow! Olivia threw up five times, but thankfully her fever never returned. Joel, thankfully, seems to be okay, but we will have to see what tonight holds. Olivia seems to be the trail blazer this sickness.

Steve feels “something coming on” which does not translate well for me. We leave on a plane tomorrow morning, and because of the change in India plans, I am actually on a different flight to save the money of changing airlines. So, there will be a possibly sick Steve with two hopefully all better kids on a plane by himself. Ugh.

So, whatever the deep divine reason for my not being in India right now may be, I am ever so thankful that I am here to help take care of my family. The LORD really knows what He is doing; He is in control; He is faithful. Pray that Steve doesn't get sick in spite of his 'feeling', and that I also do not get sick. May the worst be behind us and much needed rest ahead.

See ya! 再见！