The little things

I am learning more and more about the daily provisions Father has for me and my family. I have always known how He has been working on my behalf my whole life. And my parents did such a great job teaching me to trust Him and how He would supply all my needs. But it is the things I don't even ask for, that when He supplies them......WOW!!

Hannah and Hudson have done so well in all of this transition (aka....move). They have been flexible and we have really made it an adventure. He has faithfully provided friends and people along the way to help make it easier. One thing Hannah and I talked about a few weeks ago was the fact that she had been asking for YEARS in OK for a friend to move onto our street who she could be "kindred spirits" (we are currently reading Anne of Green Gables) with. Someone who she could walk to their house or vice versa, daily spending time playing together, go to school, church, etc....everything, together. While she has some wonderful friends in OK, she has always wanted that "someone" to live near her.....(and we couldn't get the Wrights or the Morans to move next door). Guess where that was answered.......here. And who would have thought the answer to the prayer she had been praying was a little girl from Georgia.

Then this week, I have seen another example through some people from Arkansas. Once again, Hannah and Hudson have not complained about all the "stuff" they are missing at home. However, the only thing that has been hinted at is missing VBS. Of course what we have been used to is a huge production that is talked about by children all year til the next one. So, of course that was going to be something we "laid on the altar" and said we would be ok doing without. But would you believe we didn't even have to give it up?!?! This week some very kind people came to put on a VBS for all the "foreigners" here. My kids were a little nervous about going yesterday (as they always are on the first day of something new), but today they hopped out of bed (even hannah), Hudson had his teeth brushed, clothes on, bed made, and was waiting for breakfast. They had a great day and loved doing all the crafts, snacks, games, and stories yet again this year. One other thing wrapped into this is that they got to meet more people they will be going to school with. This was great for Hudson becasue we haven't met any boys his age, and he was beginning to think there were only girls here. Yesterday he finally met and played with a lot of boys his age.....he is feeling very thankful for this.

So today I am feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness to Father for so many things . He has answered a lot of big things lately and is still faithful to find ways to bless us in the little things. He gently reminds us He knows where we are and what we need even before we know it.

A Week with new friends and family

I just want to say "Hi" to all my new friends from Tennessee. We miss you guys and had such a great time with you!

Also....I left out a HUGE THANK YOU to my Grandmother....who also contributed, I believe did the shopping, for some of our goodies from the US!!

So, we have been out and about since the last time I blogged. My brothers came for a visit, bringing some others with them. We saw the sights and what sights they were. We poured a lot of sweat and ate TONS of local food!! Needless to say, Pizza Hut was a welcome sight when we returned!!

We have spent the last few days resting, recovering, spending a lazy weekend at home. Hannah and I got lunch and pedicures while Hudson and Rob spent some good PS2 time together.

Here are a few pics we took, thought you might like to see them.

This is a great picture, especially knowing Ryan, who is NOT an OU fan. He feels like OU fans are too FANATIC for him.....ummm...have you seen him during a Mavs or Dallas Cowboy game?

Here we were sweating....a lot.Cute Ryan and Hannah pic....please notice the girl in red in the background using her mad language skills to check into a hotel, and Reagan looking on in awe!!

A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!

As most of you know, my brothers came to visit this last week. They both brought suitcases with them full of "stuff" for us. It was like Christmas!! So exciting! The day after they arrived we all went out of town for about a week. When we got back last night....not one, but 2 packages had arrived!!! Once again...Christmas part 2.

I can't say thank you enough to my Mom, Bob and Donna, Krista and Phil, Heather and Reagan, Tom and Rikki, Dad and Kerry Ann, and Ryan for ALL the love you sent our way the last week or so. Here is a picture of most, some had already put away in little children's rooms, of the "things" we got. You all are such a blessing to us!!

What more can I say but.....WE LOVE OUR FAMILY!!!!

Kinda like Sonic Breakfast Burritos

My favorite food on this side of the world are jaozis. In the USA they are called pot stickers or fried dumplings. They are a flour wrapper filled with whatever the chef wants and boiled or fried then served with soy sauce and vinegar. They are really good. Hannah's favorite are filled with mushrooms. My favorite are beef and celery, veggie, water chestnut and pork, and a few other things I just don't know what they are. My boys will eat them when they are starving, but it is not their favorite.

A few weeks ago I went to a party where we learned how to "wrap up" jaozis. It was an all evening affair and lots of fun. I learned how to wrap them basically and I also learned how to wrap them all fancy. The fancy ones I did didn't look too great, but you know, I am a simple girl.

I told Rob last week that we could make our own breakfast jaozis. Rob made sausage last week and had some left over, so.....the idea came. Scrambled eggs, cheese, and browned sausage mixed all together. Then you "wrap" up the jaozis. My handy helper Hannah and I had a fun time doing this together. I taught her how to wrap them and she did a GREAT job!! After we cooked them.....the result is the above picture. They were excellent!! Hudson thought they tasted just like a Sonic Breakfast Burrito....which is saying something. (I think it is saying we haven't had REAL American food in a while and don't remember what it really tastes like) But, we had fun and enjoyed making our own asian food.

Tom & Jerry, Ice Cream, and Ranch Dressing

This week we have had some fun times around our house. Thursday night our language tutors came over for dinner. As if we don't spend enought time with them......but since we REALLY like them, it works out well. I fixed baked potatoes (a first for them), grilled teryaki chicken, and green salad with Ranch dressing. They hadn't had any of this food before. The really liked the potatoes but were THRILLED with the Ranch dressing. The even put it on their potatoes, which I think is good as well. Something about being here and having to try all sorts of new foods makes it fun when we get to introduce locals to new food as well. While our tutors were over, their 5 year old son and Hudson spent quite a bit of time watching Tom and Jerry. It was so fun to listen to them laugh in the back room all evening. The had such a fun time together, even though they couldn't speak to each other. Hudson told me he would like to have his little friend come over again sometime, he had some more things he was sure his new friend would like.

Here Hudson and his little friend watching Tom and Jerry.

Sunday, Hannah had some girlfriends come over for a movie and ice cream. There is nothing better on a a hot day than some ice cream in the cool A/C. Please not the chocolate fresh on several faces!

The Wreck

I don't have a picture but I still have to write a quick post about this. Rob had a wreck this week on his bike. He is ok, the bike is ok, but there is almost always a little drama surrounding the bike.

Apparently, as Rob drove to school listening to his ipod......ok, this is probably a bad idea becasue you can't hear the honking and other cars around you........a car turned right into him. He jumped/fell off his bike. Thankfully just injuring his finger. I couldn't help but think how thankful I was that Hannah and Hudson were not on the bike with him. At the same time, the thought of Rob on his cute little bike with the basket on the front, always makes me laugh. I was truly glad he was ok.

Now he wants a new bike. Bigger battery, which means FASTER. He plans to give me the one he drives now. I have to tell you, I drove to pay a bill one day, and I was a nervous wreck by the time I got home. The traffic flow and rules are so different than what I am used to.....and I am riding unprotected, no car around me. So, for now....I will stick to bus 33. We are friends, I know where he goes, how long it takes for him to get me there, and I can safely study, listen to music, or have a conversation while riding.

Finally....where we live

Today was a great day to make a video of our house, for those who are interested. While we were making the video there was a huge storm, and we caught the thunder on video....really loud.

A Day at the Beach..

So, I think I mentioned we had a lot of fun in Hong Kong. It wouldn't be summer however, without a little beach. So....we obliged. The above pic is one view from where I sat.

The picture is a reminder of how the Bible says "train up a child in the way she should go..." A day at the beach means the O girls have a book and a dr pepper. Right Lisa Moran? Just getting her ready for the girl trip of a lifetime.....exotic beaches and books! If you could see me....thank goodness you can't....I looked just like this, book and Diet Dr. Pepper.

And so here is Hudson doing his thing at the beach. Please look closely at the sand "city" he was constructing. The mound of sand in the picture is a basketball arena....no good sand city can be without one.

This next picture weill need a little explaining. Written really small on this picture are the names of Rob and Hudson. Hudson is about to jump off the platform and Rob is in the water. The other words are "shark net". nice. So, it took everything within me to allow Rob to take Hudson out there. Mostly because it was a LONG swim in the deep ocean...for an adult. Hudson is a really strong swimmer, but he is 8. In fact everyone else going out there used a tube or life raft. Not my boys... they swam the whole way. And the payoff was well worth it. Hudson jumped and jumped and jumped off that platform...with twists, cannonballs and flips. Then swam all the way back. He sure was proud of himself....and I was too. Good thing I let him go. Dads usually know best.

This last picture was the view from where we were staying....really beautiful.

Great stories to come....including more info on the infamous "bike".

A Long Weekend

Thursday we headed to HK....home of thousands of things we don't have where we are. Here are some of our highlights:

1. Krispy Kreme for lunch.
2. Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper at CitySuper....best grocery store ever!!
3. Cookout with Hot Dogs and Hamburgers and Guacamole!! - and fun new friends
4. Page One Bookstore....we bought a lot of books for our 2 readers who have read almost everything we brought.
5. WONDERFUL friends from OKC with a beautiful home and Amazing hospitality
6. The beautiful views from the 39th floor of our friend's apartment.....and the ocean surrounding it.
7. Our Beach Day!!!
8. Ruby Tuesday's and TGI Friday's
9. Great day of worship at ECC
10. Watching the rain blow come in off the south side of HK Island.....UNBELIEVABLE

Hmmmm...half of these are about food. As the saying goes....Good Food, Good Friends, Good Times~

Pictures to come!