our last day with the kids

this week has been much less physically taxing but so much more emotionally exhausting. because they are older, our children can share more of their stories and they actually enjoy talking and hanging out (teens are the same world over :) 

yesterday the team went to a new beach and the kids had boat rides. my kids went on jetskis and did a little shopping in the street markets. ice cream was involved--again. unfortunately, kate and i stayed back in the dorms as she is ill. sweet girl. she has been such a trooper. working hard, not complaining and pressing in with new friendships. and she is kristen's right hand girl. so i was sad she caught the bug that i have been battling. it is nasty. please ask for healing for her. quickly as we fly on saturday and this flu has tons of congestion and earache involved and i dislike thinking our her flying with it.

no pictures from thursday. i know, such a disappointment! and we would have captured some great ones. after dinner, david asked us to ask the kid 3 questions:

1. what does it mean to become a man?
   
2. what is the purpose of your life?
   
3. and what do you want to be when you grow up?
   

it was very challenging and thoughtful time. stewart is very engaged and attentive. he is so gentle and sincere. i wish i could make all his dreams come true. leaving that to the Father. stew shared that to be a man, one had to take responsibility and do his best. and be a good one. he said the purpose of his life was to be a successful man. he wants to be the governor of an orphanage and elder-folk home when he grows up. he giggled when he added that he would like to earn some money too.

jimmy is less enthralled with hanging out with us. he usually copies stew's answers and falls asleep. but i think he hears bits and pieces. it was funny to see tiny nikki tell him to not disrespect his elders (that's us!) by falling asleep or texting. he snapped right up! 

we had sleep overs too. the boys wrestled and played. the girls ate popcorn and painted nails. shiloh (the one who always asked pointed questions) grilled the girls on dating. you should have seen them blush! i shared a tiny bit about meeting bob and it made kate blush.

bob has been sharing boldly with harvey. i have had a few opportunities to ask some questions of him since he is so insightful and curious. we have shared with each other much about our respective cultures. and reasons for being here this week! keep talking to Dad about enlarging His family.

i don't want to steal anyone's thunder but B & K shared clearly the Truth with their translators during family time and the young women were less than receptive. i talked to the Father on their behalf intently as they were sad for sunny and anna who have both had really hard lives even though they are translators. well, b & k were not deterred and were able to have a really deep and meaningful talk with shiloh after sleepover fun that may bring fruit. please ask the Comforter and Counselor to work on her heart. we have had so much more time this week to invest in really good and intentional talks. Win and Woo Daddy!

today is goodbyes and parties for kids and translators. we leave for xi'an tomorrow morning. i will post again when possible.