week 2 day 3

has begun! peter had a stage 4 meltdown--9 on the richter scale. he is all done with china. and it all started over ice. he wanted ice water (the chinese drink their water hot, warm or room temp--NEVER cold--ice is only to be got at the western restaurants and even then only after begging). we tried conversation and consolation, then distraction and denial. lastly it was conflict. he wanted daddy to fly home, get a ziploc bag of ice and fly back with it. there is not rational speech with a 3yo who is gone. i just bowed down and pleaded for peace which goes beyond understanding. and for a sound mind. kind and witty mr. bolt (our neighbor) said he googled "can you die from crying?" and since the answer was no, he reassured me that the damage won't be lasting. so there is something to start out with this wednesday morning. thanks for talking with our Good Daddy about my baby. change is so hard on little people. well, it is hard on big people too but we respond to it in more "mature" ways--like snapping at our loved ones and frowning or complaining. babies just scream and cry over ice.

everyone else, i am happy to report, are doing fine. the teens have found their niche this week. they are so dear to watch. last night during prayer, even though she was exhausted and gets a headache when she is overtired, kristen prayed for "her" girls. and bethany is so tender and sweet with hers. reilly and bethany and their two girls are joined at the hands or hips at all times. it really is a blessing to behold. my girls are being shaped and influenced by such wonderful young people this week. more bang for our buck! the hugging and handholding is too much for me but they like it. bethany's girl speaks english! so that has been fun. they both play the guitar. wish i had one for them to jam on. 

we can do so much more since the crowd is older. not just basic needs. we went on a tour of the recreational facility we are staying at, went to town for ice cream cones (a first for many of the kids. it ran out before peter and i was hoping to avert a 10 blow up! it was fixed just in the nick of time!). we had a scavenger hunt for candy and though we lost, we did get one of the coveted rice krispy treats. 

after dinner, kristen got into a soccer game with the boys here. now let me tell you, they do NOT play by the standard rules. or ANY rules. i call it kung fu soccer. but she jumped right in and surprised them all. it is so funny to watch quiet demure, classical pianist and ladylike kristen kick some soccer hiney! i have photos to prove it.

reilly and one of the new volunteers did some dancing with a rapt audience and then we went upstairs for a wild assembly night. the songs and games are always over the top. my kids love it even if it is way past their usual bedtime. no more naps and very late bedtimes. hmmm. that will have to change when we return to the states.

last on the docket was the virginian reel (is that how you spell it? how do you do it? what is it? you ask? me too!) but i learned quick. and from chinese staff no less. it was fun even if we were all really pooped. tyler and steve bolt and john playing and singing Oh Susanna over and over again is not something i will soon forget. tyler is a hoot. and he lives right by us. what a servant's heart.

bob and his translator really get along. today they played a water game that defies explanation (i have photos to help) and then it was on to ping pong. harvey has played ping pong since he was 5 and he whupped bob. kinda hard on his competitive nature.

i know that one of the teens got to share with bob the other translator a bit this morning so that is all the good news i have to share at this point. still seeking and knocking and asking about boldness and opportunities to tell the Truth. these kids are so ripe and seemingly open to listen. waiting. 

if you are wondering why i have had so much time for extra posting these last two days it is because i have been skipping swimming time (always a favorite with our kids and "our" kids) since i have an ear and throat thing going on. so i am sitting here in the quiet, a/c sharing with you and with Him. it is so restful and nice. thanks for joining me. 

and thanks for all the comments. maddie you made us all giggle this morning. i am sorry i cannot respond to each separately, but at least i squeeze in time for photos and updates. 

i know tonight is sleepovers and family time so asking for extra endurance because even though the late night affords great opportunity for talking, it makes for a really ong day.