Homecoming

Since our last post, we've been pretty busy. The most recent event was a visit from our Moms and Callie's sister. (Pam, Nancy, and Jodi) They came to China for about 9 days. We had a blast! We packed so much into those 9 days, it made the time go by so fast. We wanted them to experience as much as possible. It was definitely an experience for them, especially for Pam and Jodi, since they've never been out of the country! We picked them up in the airport in Shanghai and headed to Hangzhou, Xiasha the next day. We had to take a taxi, then a train, then a bus, then walk a quater mile.....with 6 suitcases. They definitely got their initiation into the China public transportation system that night. They definitely underestimated how difficult it is to get around in China. We explained it to them before they came, but I guess it's something you have to experience yourself!

We hung around Xiasha (our 'little' town) that next day. We had a Sunday meeting in the morning, and celebrated Lantern Festival that night....with about a million other Xiasha-rens. They decorated our town with lanterns on all of the light poles, and tons of blow up "New Year" decor. Luckily it didn't rain that day, so we were able to walk around all afternoon. I think this was our family's favorite part. A group of 5 white people walking the streets of Xiasha was definitely a surprise for the locals, so they took the opportunity to 'sneak' pictures of us with their phones. After a while, we all started feeling like movie stars, and ending up posing for hundreds of pictures. By the end of the night, our mouths were tired of smiling for so many pictures! :) We were so glad they were able to be here for the Festival, it was so much fun, and definitely a China experience.

The next few days were spent doing the 'touristy' things in downtown Hangzhou. Like Westlake, Green Tea Village, Linyin Temple, and of course souvenier shopping. Then we hung back in Xiasha a few days so that they could meet our new friends. One day we went to our friend's, Leo and Shannon's, house. They fixed us dinner (which ended up being their favorite Chinese meal), and let us all play with Baby Charlie. Then we went to our 'Dollar Store' shop, next door, to introduce them to our friends there. We had been telling them for weeks that they were coming to visit, so when we brought them, they were so excited to see them and meet them! Then, on another day, we met a new friend on our way to the market. He was a 6 ft, old, Chinese man, with out teeth, who started following us on our walk. He didn't stop grinning at us. After chatting with him for a bit, we said goodbye to him, and kept walking to the market. A few minutes later, we turn around and he's still following us.....and still grinning. :) He ended up following us for about an hour, just looking at us and grinning. Precious!

On our last day in Xiasha, we invited about 8 of our favorite student/friends over for a little get together, so that they could meet our family. We had so much fun! We played games, Nancy taught them the Hokey Pokey, and all the kids got up and sang a song! One girl, Shelly's old student, sang 'As the Deer' in Chinese, all by herself. That was really bold of her, and it was so beautiful! It was a really fun night! We're glad they were able to experience how a get together with our students is, and how much fun we have! Also, they were able to put faces to the names of the people we talk about all the time.

We put them on their plane on Sunday. We were sad to see them go, but enjoyed the time way had together. We're so thankful that they had the opportunity to come!

Classes began yesterday. We've only had two classes so far. Those classes were really good! We have all new students this semester. We have still been hanging out with the old ones, and hope to make some new relationships this term. Please lift us up as we make new relationships, and build on the old ones. We're really excited about this term, and can't wait to see what HE has in store for us!