Lunch Break

Often at midday our house helper (what a sweet blessing!... more on her later) will go out to a nearby Muslim-Chinese restaurant to buy our lunch.

All this for less than $5 US. (And we already ate the spring rolls.)

School Daze

My second and third boys have been great about getting up and getting started on their home school work. They read their Bibles and then work their way through Arithmetic, Handwriting, Spelling, Reading, Language, Health, History, and Science. Some of their work is merely in textbooks or workbooks; while the rest has dvd accompaniment. They were disappointed not to return to the International School this semester - especially missing the class experience and hanging out with friends. We're hoping their classes wont still be full in the Fall, but are also trying to see this season as special. The boys take a break about midday for rice, chicken, goat cheese, red beans, and stir fried vegetables; at which time they usually try to sneak in an episode of "Hogan's Heroes" or "Scooby-Doo." We are getting the hang of all this; though, (as you can see by one of the pictures) that if they are left to their own devises very long, all school work breaks down into a wrestling match. They are also adept at procrastination and martyrdom, but some wonderful learning and self-expression is coming out of it all.

Savouring Small Solitude

MeiMei (pronounced "May May" means "Little Sister")

After I send our oldest off, I like to sneak back up to bed. This only works well if the house is still quiet with no young men stirring and ready to start home school. This is my favorite time because it is still fairly dark and cool. (Our apartment is constructed out of concrete which keeps the interior pretty cool most of the time.) Fully dressed, I slip back in bed, pull the covers up over my knees, and wait for "Little Sister" to come and have some snuggle time. Being the only girls in the family, we have to stick together; besides she makes a pretty good heater curled up close by. This is my time to read and think and pray and get my heart ready for the day. It's also an introvert's much needed solitude in the midst of the some times chaotic and rowdy rhythm that we call life.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 NIV

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3 NIV

Weekdays

Most week days start with me trying to wake up my five foot several inches taller than me teenager (who is at least two times stronger than me and nearly as tired). Once he stumbles to the shower, however; he livens up enough to speak coherently, find the downstairs sofa and a warm throw, and eat a bowl of cornflakes (the leftover milk goes to the ever begging dog). Then he makes his way pretty easily out the door. With headphones on; he heads for the elevator, rides to the bottom floor, and loads up in the waiting van. He takes a small van (called a "bread car" due to it's loaf-like shape) to and from school with several other kids/children ranging in ages from 6-13.

Getting Started

Over the years many of you have asked what a typical day or week is like for me. Though no days are really typical and my life has changed quite a bit recently, I will try to show you some snapshots of life on this side of the world. I hope you enjoy it.