Swimming into the Deep End

One of the things that I love about being in Shanghai is that I have time to do things for myself.  Working out has been one of those things and I most enjoy swimming twice a week.  It gives me time to ponder and just relax my mind.  In the last few weeks, I've come to realize how settled we have become in our new home and how much I miss folks back home. 




I've realized that we've been here long enough that my children pronounce Shanghai correctly (Shung/hi),  I can't tell the difference between red beans and peanuts in the dried legumes department of the grocery store,  Robert is comfortable wearing his pajamas in public, and my husband scooters my children all over Puxi without a second thought.  I am even the proud new owner of a scooter.  Now all I have to do is learn to drive the darn thing without running into curbs, trees, or pedestrians.  I thought relearning how to ride a bike was tough.  The children can't wait until I am ready to hit the road so we can scooter to church.  They patiently ride their bikes along side me and give me encouragement hoping that I'll be able to leave the neighborhood sooner rather than later.  It is really quite sweet.

I also have time to enjoy an awesome Bible study group with 40 other women, volunteer at the children's school, and take part in a neighborhood book club that focuses on books about life in Asia.  I am so grateful for this time.  It is helping me grow as a Christian and as a global citizen.  A part of my Bible study homework last week was to come up with a Bible reading plan.  I've never really sat down and read the Bible regularly so I searched a plan on the internet that helped me get my feet wet.  It has been one of the most cleansing, soul searching, and honest experiences of my life.  Especially the lesson on gratitude.  Each day I begin my prayers for the things which I am grateful.  That is when I realized how blessed I am for having a family at home in the States and a growing family here in Shanghai.  It made me realize how much I miss my family back home but also how thankful I am for the people in my life here.


 I just feel the need to share my gratitude list with you.  I may not see you every day but I want you to know that you are never far from my heart.

1.  A gracious, merciful, wise, and forgiving God
2.  A strong, caring, and loving husband
3.  My precious gifts of Robert and Emma Grace
4.  The family that we had to leave behind
5.  Our tremendous support system in Shanghai
6.  Lessons I am learning about myself and my faith
7. Pastor Kevin and his passion for teaching God's word
8. The time to spend with family, friends, by myself, and with God
9. Roof over our heads and good food on the table
10. The means to purchase things that make our life more comfortable, nuture creativity, and the opportunity to give to the church
11. Creative gifts and talents, the desire to use them, and share them with my children and friends
12. Laotong is a Chinese word that means "old sames"  Young girls were carefully paired and they became laotong.  They built their friendship into a lifelong relationship. They were deep-bonded friendships that  survived distance, hardship, and even death.  I am so grateful for the "laotong" that I have in my life.
13. The smooth transition into our life in Shanghai


I hope you take the time to thank God each day for the things for which you are grateful.

Our Newcomer team at church