Comings & Goings

The past few weeks in English class, we have been reading a book about Helen Keller.  I chose this story because I knew it would be one they could relate to and the vocabulary they would gain would be useful to their lives here at Shepherd's Field.  We finished the book yesterday and Stacey sat there for a minute pondering.  She got out her phone to translate something (something I only let her do if I am at a loss for how to explain/draw/act out something) and said "Strong.  Helen Keller was a strong woman.  She no see, no hear, help many many people." Melt my heart. It was such a blessing to hear that the story inspired and encouraged her.

Shepherd's Field Rummage Sale

Last Friday we held the first ever "Shepherd's Field Rummage Sale".  The ayis (nannies) buzzed with excitement the whole week in anticipation of sorting through the goods and finding a good deal! Tables filled with books, toys, and used clothes lined the front entrance by the gates.  Word had spread through the villages and there were people lined up at the gates.  I was stationed at one end of the clothes table.  It was fun to use the little bit of Chinese I have learned! The morning was spent yelling "Wu Kuai!" meaning "5 RMB" (a little less than $1).  In the end we made $474 (almost 3,000 RMB!) which was a huge blessing and much needed!

Perry turned 3 just last week!

"Gotcha Day" is a term used in the adoption world for the day the family gets their child.  I keep seeming to miss these, as there were some right after I left this summer and right before I came back.  I have been asking Him to pretty please let me witness one before I leave.  With only two and a half weeks until I am back in the States, and no word of travel approval from the waiting families, my hopes began to dwindle.  That is, until yesterday... The cyber world of SFCV is a pretty tight knit community of families, supporters, and volunteers.  Throughout my time, I have become facebook friends with several waiting families who scour through pictures hoping to see their precious waiting one.  A status popped up yesterday from a mom that said "TA! TA!! TA!!! SO close now!!!".  My heart leapt, could it be? It was soon confirmed that Perry's (soon to be Will!) family will be here next Wednesday!!! I am so overwhelmed with gratefulness that He would grant me the opportunity to witness this miracle! You can follow his family's journey HERE !

Meet George! 

Due to hard financial times, SFCV had been unable to accept any new children for some time but that is beginning to change.  A new little boy arrived just this week! He is the fourth new arrival of the year (PTL!). We call him George and he is quite handsome and precious! George is just under a year old and has an ear malformation of his right ear.  He is now living in Zachry House and is adjusting quite well! New friends, like Ethan, are helping him feel right at home!

George & Ethan

For those that have been asking, yes, it is cold here.  Like you can see your breath inside the house kind of cold.  The heat comes on November 15 (3 days after I leave) so until then, we are staying warm with lots of layers and hot water.  The Chinese drink straight hot water as a remedy to most ailments and to help stay warm in the winter.  I began using my water bottle as a hand warmer and can now drink the hot water as well.  I was quite proud of myself for this accomplishment and it really does warm you up!

Time is flying by and I am trying to savor every hug, giggle, and moment here!

Check back next week to hear about my first "Gotcha Day" experience!

Grace & Peace,

Mollie

Cooking Cake

aka Baking Brownies...

Yesterday was May's last day at SFCV.  She is a university student in Beijing and has to go back to school.  May, on top of helping in the clinic, has been teaching us Chinese each afternoon.  She is so kind and patient with our horrible tone pronunciations and million cultural questions.  One evening a while back, we had baked a batch of brownies (the mix was a very exciting find in Beijing) and offered some to May.  She was SO excited to try them because she had heard that "American cake" was very good (the culture here does not consume a lot of sweets and their cakes are a lot less sweet than ours).  Needless to say, she LOVED the brownies and would frequently talk about them after that night.  We decided that we would make them again as a surprise during our last Chinese lesson with her.

Wendy was hanging out in the Inn so I invited her to help me.  She agreed and wanted to know if "cooking cake" was hard.  I chuckled and explained the difference between cooking and baking and different names for desserts (they call all sweets 'cake' ).  After a quick trip to a vendor across the street for some eggs, we got started in the kitchen.

Adding the mix

"hey, this is fun" 

mmmm... thank you Betty Crocker!

Ready for the oven!

Wendy did all the work, from cracking the eggs to pouring the batter, and in the end decided that "baking brownies" (we learned some English along the way) was really quite easy!

Our baked goods, turned out delicious and May was thrilled with her farewell surprise! (we took a picture with someone's camera which I will post when I get a copy)

Today some visitors arrived from Australia! 3 Teachers are chaperoning 9 high school students on a history trip across China for 10 days.  They are staying the night and I am so excited to talk with them some more.  I have already learned that a "jumper" is a sweatshirt and I am only mildly obsessed with their accents!

Although it's Saturday, today is considered a normal working day in China because of this week being a holiday.  The children are in school and everyone is back to work as if it is a weekday.

Grace & Peace,
Mollie

Those Golden Arches

Last Friday the primary class took a field trip to visit the golden arches.

That's right; McDonalds.

      9 kids
     4 wheel chairs
     3 Baker boys
     8 adults
  + 2 vans                        
     1 crazy fun adventure


Upon arrival, we realized that there is a flight of stairs to get in the restaurant.  With no accessible entrance, we ditched unloading the chairs and instead carried them up the stairs and to a table.  The combination of foreigners and kids with disabilities created quite an attraction to the locals.  It was seriously a blast and one of my favorite memories so far!

Elizabeth, Blossom, Me, & LingLing

Grady 

*Precious moment: Grady paused to bow his head and silently thank Him for his food prior to eating.  Oh my goodness, how these kids daily bless me! (there is a video here)

Elizabeth

Seth

Cheers and applause erupted from the gleeful faces of the children when the food came out.  All of the boys ate 2 whole meals and everyone got to enjoy a mini ice cream cone for dessert.  Now, I'm not the biggest fan of MickeyD's back home but for some reason it tastes SO much better here! 

The first week in October is a holiday here to celebrate National Day.  All of the local staff is off work (minus the nannies of course) so things have been pretty quiet around here.   

Tuesday marked the half way point of being here which is really bittersweet, 40 days in to this 80 day journey! 

I apologize the updates have been sparse, the internet is slow and unstable.  Check my facebook or the SFCV page for more pictures.  

Grace & Peace, 

Mollie