above zero

Finally, it broke zero degrees Fahrenheit today (Monday, January 11th) after 3 weeks of subzero temps and windchills that made our hands stop working in less than 20 seconds of exposure. We rejoiced in the warmth, still ensconced in our thermals, mittens and knit caps. Yet, it felt like summer. Our foreheads and chins weren't frozen solid! PLT for the changing seasons and His mercy. We all know that spring is on its way. Yay for vivid imaginations!

celebrating Pres' birthday with Japanese food

Orion's Belt, Rigel and Betelgeuse have materialized about 7 pm outside of our living room window this week. We marvel at the signs found in the night sky, signs of orderliness, 
creativity and power. What joy we find in the organization that our Father used in creating this world. 

Our Christmas season and New Year's holiday were times of blessing with our friends and family online. We laughed and learned and shared together for hours. Our friends P, A and Mr. Y consistently meet with us each week and we get to make three different lessons, which is keeping us quite busy, actually. We celebrated one year of lessons with Mr. Y this month. He can now hold English conversations without visual aids and his listening skills are much improved. We are proud of His progress. Our Father is good.

order in, Christmas Eve dinner

Students from our pre-education 2018 classes took part in the National Teacher Certification interviews over the weekend (Jan 9-10). Our colleagues worked through the weekend to monitor and be involved in the testing process. Now everyone is on holiday and can prepare for the lunar new year celebrations.

New Year's Day performances at the mall

This week our Belgian friend and his wife wanted to have us over to celebrate Christmas with brunch. They are tired of being cooped up and Pierre recently had his arm cast removed, so he was excited to be able to cook again this week. We declined their offer as we continue to practice social distancing and limit our activities, e.g. we aren't eating with people outside of our immediate household. Our friends were disappointed but eventually conceded. :-) We continue to ask our Father to give peace and contentment in the midst of so many challenges. 

Freezing weather, 
but still walking around

For Pres' birthday, we went to our favorite Japanese restaurant, which we haven't eaten at since last January. This was our first sit-down meal since the pandemic began. There were no other customers in the restaurant and we ordered some new-to-us dishes – spicy fish and a T-bone steak (which was 1/8 inch thick) and a sushi roll with mango. The food was yummy. And it was a relaxing and meaningful time out. 

We've managed to read several books and watch more than a few movies. We met our friend, Alexi, at the park one really windy afternoon and all enjoyed talking as we walked around. It was freezing, but it was meaningful. We haven't managed to go skating yet.

family time

The air has been smoggy, which is normal for winter here. K came down with her usual cough toward the end of December but didn't start feeling bad until early the first week of January. She managed to pass her cold onto Pres, who is continuing to recover this week. We haven't been sick in so long! We are grateful to be feeling better and, our Father willing, we will be 100% again soon.

"And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, 'For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.' ” Genesis 26

thankful

S's daughter is 3 months old!

W is getting her graduate degree.

Our former colleagues in the big city -
their son and daughter look just like them.