GOODBYE CHINA.

We're home. Well, that's a loose translation, as we no longer have a specific place of residence in the USA. But the point is, we've said goodbye to the Chinese people and places that have been so dear to us these past two years. Thank you, China. Our lives are much richer because of you.

To our students, who are the reason we love China so much, you have won our hearts and we'll forever treasure our experience with you.

And now it's time to move on.

In a few weeks we enter the MTC (LDS Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah to prepare to serve in the soon-to-be dedicated LDS Temple in Kiev, Ukraine. We'll live in Kiev for 18 months as we assist in the running of the first LDS Temple to be built in the former Soviet Union.

Life is good. Service is a mighty sweet thing.

FAMILY'S HERE

Eight of our kids and grandkids have been here with us for a few weeks before we leave China. Such a great time for us.

I've never figured out how to get text to match pictures on this blog, so I'll just explain some of the photos here:

The Great Wall of China, you see our son Luke, Ben and his wife Rachel, and their kids.

Here in Xi'an we were treated to a royal tour of the first class kindergarten here on our campus. One little girl recited for us "Mary had a little lamb..." all 15 verses, in perfect English. Part of the tour included a performance for us by some of the students. We then, in turn, performed a song for them.

We visited my friend's orphanage. Pictured is our daughter Kate, and son Nicholas and granddaughter Bec Terry.

One of my highlights was introducing our kids to our students. Even the grandkids gave a lecture, telling about their life in America. Our students loved listening to them. A TV station got wind of it, and interviewed our son Ben and his wife, Rachel on the topic of homeschooling. The program will be aired next month.

A wonderful event was our granddaughter Eva, turned eight this month, so she was baptized by her dad (our son, Ben) while here in China.

I took a picture of all ten of us eating an oatmeal breakfast in our little apartment.

I've included some photos of strangers asking to take pictures with our kids.



THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA



















KINDERGARTNERS PERFORMED FOR US AND WE PERFORMED FOR THEM
























PLAYING WITH BABIES AT AMANDA'S ORPHANAGE. ALL THESE BABIES HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS AND WERE ABANDONED. AMANDA GETS DONATIONS, MOSTLY FROM AMERICANS, TO PAY FOR THEIR NEEDED SURGERIES.












BEN AND RACHEL BEING INTERVIEWED FOR A T.V. PROGRAM








EVA IS BAPTIZED IN CHINA






WE CAN ALL FIT IN OUR LITTLE LIVING ROOM TO EAT OATMEAL FOR BREAKFAST











MAY I TAKE MY PICTURE WITH YOU?












EVERYONE PARTICIPATED IN AN EVENING LECTURE ABOUT THEIR LIFE IN AMERICA

GOODBYES, GOODBYES, AND MORE GOODBYES

We're plowing through final exams and at the end, students often ask if they can take a picture. They are so kind and gracious in their farewell comments, and they may also send an e-mail "thankyou" like this:

Dear Mrs.T,

I appreciate what you have taught me and I have really learned a lot from you. Frankly speaking, you are a total different old people from our Chinese old ones, and I like your way and attitude of life. Also, you and Mr T, your happiness really make me feel very comfortable and I'm happy for your happiness.

At last, what I want to say is that I wish you happy for the rest of your life. Rember that I'm always here in China giving my best wishes for you~~

I love you.
Yours,
Apples

WHO IS THAT CREATURE?

Our almost 6'8" blonder-than-blonde son, Luke has arrived in Xi'an for a summer internship with a local business. Most Chinese in our part of Xi'an rarely see foreigners, and almost none have ever spoken to one. Luke said the other day he was in an elevator with a Chinese grandpa and his little granddaughter. She stared up at Luke, then buried her face in her hands the rest of the elevator trip. This strange foreign creature was just too much for her to visually endure, and perhaps if she hid him from her eyes, he'd disappear.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR SKYPE!!!

If we were living in the states, how could we possibly pop in on four of our kids' families (scattered throughout the west) to chat, tell the grandkids stories, listen to them perform on the piano, etc.? I'd say Skype is the #1 invention,....even beating out microwave popcorn. Now, all someone needs to figure out is how to give a cyberspace hug and kiss.

In order of appearance:
Adam and kids in Forest Grove, Oregon
Kate's fam in Cornelius, Oregon
Newlyweds Jonathan and Lauren in Provo, Utah
Ginger's fam in Murrieta, California

BIRTHDAY IN CHINA

So what does a 66 year old lady do in China on her birthday?

Start off with a few skype calls with kids, a facial massage, followed by lunch with husband and friends (western restaurant, of course.)

























Then off to class to teach, but not before the class renders a serenade of "Happy Birthday". A lovely day.

CHINESE ARE HEP

One of the interesting things about the Chinese culture, is there's a very real mix of ancient Chinese with modern Western culture. This little guy is a perfect example.

Our students can recite just about every ancient Chinese story, poem, and you-name-it. But they also know more Western pop songs than I do. They can sing them all in English and constantly listen to them on their i-pods, cell phones, or whatever electronic gizmoes they carry around with them.