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！

Some disappointments come with built-in blessings

I have been taking classes to receive a certificate in teacher mentoring for the past year and a half. Before beginning the program, I knew that a practicum was required that involved taking a trip to a teacher training center in Northeast India. Last year, Joel was too little to leave behind for the 10 day trip, so I have been anticipating this India experience for about two years now.

This year was ideal as far as being able to leave Steve, Olivia, and Joel in Thailand and go mentor Indian English teachers, but my heart was obviously a bit torn about having to be away from them for such a long time. The longest I have been away from my kids was two nights; a train ride to Beijing, a day of meetings there, and the train ride back to Harbin. So, 10 days! Not my idea of fun.

Nonetheless, they were to be at the beach being taken care of in regards to their meals all being provided and such. As far as it went, ideal. I was scheduled to leave February 14^th and return to meet them on the 25^th in Bangkok.

Little did I know what was in store. When we all got to Thailand, the three other people in my class scheduled to go on the trip and I went to the Indian consulate here in Chiangmai Thailand. We were told to apply for tourist visas which turned out to be a big mistake and we didn't get them. Later, the next week, we were planning to return to the consulate with the proper forms. A couple of Indian friends went on our behalf to talk things over with the head consulate man and explain our situation. Evidently, in order to apply for a business visa, we needed to do it in our country of residence or home country which meant.... no visa this year.

As the reality of this hit me, I was filled with a sadness that I would not be able to serve the teachers at the training center, and that our absence would cause more difficulty in their training process; however, I was also filled with an incredible peace. I knew that this was meant to be for some reason that the three of my classmates and I may never fully understand.

Only the Lord knows if we were protected, saved, or spared from something or just given a special blessing at a very busy and rushed time of the year. Since arriving in Thailand, I hardly had time to breathe between being in class, having team leader meetings and then our conference beginning (two sessions of which I was responsible). Perhaps there was some divine intervention, but it might be that it was seen as good and right that I too join my family for a few days of rest before beginning another busy and trying semester.

As we look at the semester ahead, it is filled with teaching, mentoring, preparing one teammate for the role of team leader while we are on home leave, preparing ourselves for home leave (packing up as well as setting things up for the States). Additionally, we want to serve our team well in helping set them up for success in whatever they have next year; team leading, language study, staying or going... We also want to end our year well before being away for a year so that we will be ready when the time comes to return.

Not going to India means that I must find another way to fulfill the 20 hours of mentoring that it would have entailed along with the 30 that I already had to complete on my own; however, I believe that His grace is sufficient and I am still at peace about the situation and whatever lies ahead. God is good and I need not worry or fear; He is in control.  

新年快乐！Happy New Year!

Fireworks, hongbaos (red envelopes of money given to kids) red clothes, visiting neighbors, clean homes (getting rid of the old to welcome the new), jiaozi (dumplings), TV watching, going home, family, greeting in the street, togetherness. These are some of the wonderful things that mean Chinese New Year (a.k.a. Spring Festival chunjie or 春节) to people we know and love. This year it was on February 10.

For the next fifteen days or so, China will celebrate like it doesn't any other time of the year. This is the biggest holiday of them all. Nothing compares in their culture to this one event. One of the most interesting things is that everyone gathers around a television to watch the annual Chinese New Year program filled with dancing, singing, skits, and even introductions to the “phrases/ words of the year” that you begin hearing everyone say after 春节.

We'll have to see what it will be this year when we get back to China. (We are still in Thailand at our annual conference).

This year is the year of the snake, which also happens to be my (Robin) year. Both of our first 春节in China was the year of the snake as well, so this is a milestone of some sort.

So.. 恭喜恭喜恭喜你！(Give you joy!)

Robin

Thailand phase 1

This year in Thailand, it is anything but a holiday; however, we are able to squeeze in some fun from time to time.
Our first full day in Chiangmai, I took Olivia to get her toes done. She loves this outing.
The best time to take her was during nap time, and since she hasn't been quite in the habit of taking them, I thought it would be a safe bet. Well, I guess the relaxation was a little overwhelming! :)

My class was wonderful, and I learned so much. I have truly enjoyed the year and half of working on this Teacher Mentor certificate. I have one more semester of homework and then I am finished with class, but I see a lifetime of application to follow.

The 1st through 3rd of February, Chiangmai celebrates the Flower Festival. There is an annual parade, and it is a treat to watch. We were able to get some pictures of a few of the floats that went by. Hope you enjoy them as well.








再见！

小白兔 (xiao bai tu/ little white rabbit)

   It seems that this semester has been one performance after another for Olivia at her preschool. Two days after Christmas, her class performed the story of the lazy and greedy fox. The gist of the story is that a number of different animals were on their way to a party for Little Bear when they each meet the fox. He asks where they are going and if he can go too. They all refuse him and go along their way.
  After all the friends arrive at the party, the fox comes to crash it and get some good food. Little Bear organizes a plan to throw food at the fox and chase him away. It works and they all celebrate.
   At the end of the performance, each child introduces him or herself and asks if they all did a good job. Olivia was one of the little white rabbits.

Enjoy the pictures and parts we could upload!

新年快乐! (Xin nian kuai le/ Happy New Year!)
By the way, Chinese New Year is February 10 this year and will be the Year of the Snake.

A Christmas Party

For the past couple of years, we have invited the freshman English majors over to our apartments to enjoy, experience, and learn about Christmas. Each apartment has a different theme and snack, and all the students rotate through in 20 minutes stops. This year there were five stations. Our team put together a little video this year highlighting the event. Hope you enjoy!

圣诞节快乐！Merry Christmas! (quite a bit late)

To view the video on You tube, click HERE.
If you have trouble with the link, this is the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACr2mNbJ6-Y

Blogger Blues

I have not been able to get onto our blog recently because the best time to use the Internet for such things happens to be the middle of the night when I am sleeping. So, I have a couple of posts ready except for video and some pictures. Please be patient, they are worth the wait. :)

One will be a Christmas video that I just need to find a link to because I cannot upload it to the post.
One will be Olivia's school performance.

The holidays have been a great time. I really enjoyed spending time with students and friends as well as just going through the meaning of it all with the kids again. I love watching them enjoy Christmas!

Christmas day was also Joel's birthday, so we enjoyed an hour of non-Christmas from 4-5 where we ate cake that looked like a hammer and played. It was fun to see my big 2 year old enjoy himself.

So, although this blog is less exciting than it could be, I just wanted to send a post of hope saying that better posts are coming soon. :)

Blessings to you who stop by for a chat!

再见！See ya later.