Where did October go?

It's been such a long time since I sat down to write anything on this blog. The days in October just slipped by, most quite full and meaningful. I think it is the same all over the world; the Fall days tumbling past. Of course, here in the Spring City we transitioned from cool rainy days to colder ones. Which leads me to the following proverb.... We have "four seasons like spring; except when it's cloudy, and then it feels like winter." (They never tell you the second half of that proverb.) The climate does seem to be changing here. Anyway, October.... Early in this month I had the rare opportunity and pleasure to travel with Allen and see him using his talents and gifts. We went to Singapore and left the teenage boys home without me for the first time ever. Pete went to stay with a friend, and Tim and Josh (though cared for by our househelper Hai Zhen) had complete responsibility of getting up and out, and anywhere they needed to go, and homework done, etc. They did beautifully. Thank you to our friends in the neighborhood who kept a watchful eye and were available if needed, and to David who went with Josh to his first hockey practice. Hockey!? Yes, after watching "Miracle" several times, Josh has skated into the world of hockey. It all started with rollerblades, but now he is on ice. It is different, but he's learning and loves to be doing something that none of his friends or brothers have tried. There is an adult ice hockey team in our city. They skate at the one rink in town in the Hongta sports complex. And they let younger hockey enthusiasts practice for an hour before their game. Some times they get to play in the game as well. So our Virginia boy, who'd never even seen much ice is now scraping it up to a fine dust. Also this month we had a special retreat time with our co-workers, Science Fair work began in earnest for the older boys, and we had our first China trick-or-treaters. We sure miss the brilliant changing leaves, and the smell and warmth of a crackling fire in the fireplace, and football. But life here has it's own rhythm and surprises.

Josh has a real hockey helmet now.