Three Years

This is a video we put together looking back on the three years we spent in our city. Thanks for following us on this three-year adventure!

Back in Tennessee

After our short tour of America via our families' homes, we are here in Tennessee. We'll be spending this week in Cleveland and next week in Knoxville.

We have been encouraged to hear from some of our China friends that are doing well; it is a great answer to prayers. We have been overwhelmed by God's faithfulness, as within a week of coming back to the States, I have a freelance writing contract and Matt has a job interview. We are so thankful for His provision!

We plan to post a wrap-up video of our three years in China soon, so don't stop checking the blog yet! And I'm thinking of starting a new blog on world missions, as well. So, stay tuned!

We hope to see many of you soon.

Readjusting

We got back into America last night at around 10pm eastern time. Now, we are visiting some of Amy's family in the Pacific Northwest and having a great time. Today, we visited downtown Portland, then tomorrow we will drive an hour west to the coast. Next stop: Matt's grandparents in St. Louis. Then, we're off to Tennessee next week.

Last Night in Hangzhou

We have bags packed, apartment cleaned, and most of the goodbyes said (with just a few remaining in the morning). What's strange is that we're doing well--too well, it feels like in some ways. We are definitely really excited to come home, but it hasn't quite sunk in that we are actually leaving here. I think because we always come home in the summer holiday, it just feels like the same old routine. It's definitely a bit bizarre. Matt thinks it will hit about the time we are carrying all our bags out to the car and locking up for the last time. But I'm not so sure... I think it may not come until a month from now when we don't return to China as the old routine goes. Whatever happens, we'd appreciate your thoughts during this transition time.

About Leaving

The thing that makes leaving a bit easier is that several of our closest friends are also leaving. Many have either graduated or will graduate early in January, so even if we stayed in Hangzhou, it would be quite different.

Yesterday, we went to the train station with Jake to see him off. Lift him up as he moves to a new city and starts his job. We hope he can get plugged into a new group where he is going.

We also had a farewell dinner with my language tutor Cathryn. She is a fantastic tutor and great friend, but is not interested in The Way. She will continue tutoring our American friend next semester. We hope for change in her life!

Many others will also be moving on during the next year. Please lift up our like-minded friends, especially, as many cities are not nearly as open as Hangzhou.

Going Away Party

Today, we hosted a going away party for our former students whom we don't see very often. The plan was for it to be a drop in and out thing between 1 and 4pm. At 4:30pm, I looked at the clock and people were still coming strong. We finally had to call it a night at 5:30 because we had made dinner plans. But it was great to see some old friends, laugh about old memories, and say goodbye!

Leisure Time

Classes are finished. Matt's grades are turned in, and Amy is finishing up grading. And... we still have a week and a half to go, which means free time! We are doing lots of good-bye lunches, some packing here and there, and enjoying some of our favorite China things for the last time!

Last weekend, we hosted a big dinner for many of our good friends. It was great to get everyone together in one room.

Like we said, we've also had some free time, during which Matt finally learned how to play Chinese Chess.

Indoor Yard Sale

In America, there are yard sales happening on nearly every street this time of year. But in China, not so much. Until recently, second-hand goods were very taboo, as it was thought that evil spirits could live in the objects and be passed on to the new owner. These days, atheism has pretty much nixed the belief in any spirits, but second-hand goods still haven't taken off too much.

When I mentioned having a yard sale in my classes, though, my students were pretty excited. The indoor yard sale (it's too hot to do it outside) began at 10am this morning, and we had students waiting outside even before then. It was a much bigger success than we could have ever expected and, more importantly, a lot of fun! We were even able to hand out some good materials at the event.

A Bit Overwhelmed

This week has been a bit crazy, as Matt is finishing his final exams and I am giving my last week of classes. We're feeling a bit overwhelmed these days and are having a hard time figuring out how to balance our time, a feeling which (to be honest) could easily lead to giving up and spending the evenings doing not much of anything. Please continue to lift us up. We have only 17 days left here, and we really do want them to be meaningful ones.

Despite the three-day holiday promising rest and relaxation, it has been crazy here lately! We are trying to hang-out with people, wrap things up, say good-byes, pack, finish classes...

It's a bit overwhelming, but to prove to my dad that I am not procrastinating on packing, here is visual proof of my efforts (during the holiday, no less)!