PnK: East Asia: in the new year

Friday, January 14, 2022

in the new year

It's a very meaningful start to the year, and we find ourselves on the cusp of February's celebrations that mark the lunar new year in our country of residence as we all anticipate spring's arrival sooooon (not really soon, but one can dream). Although the festivities include lots of "bangs" from the fireworks, we're still spending plenty of time saying "brrr" because of the sub-zero temperatures and wintry winds. We are thankful for warm clothes, taxis and buses whenever we set off around town. For the holiday, our college gifted us coupons for pork, beef and mutton and our freezer is already stocked full. We hope to share the goods with others in the months ahead. We're also grateful that there are no reports of the virus in our community, thus far. Masks and health codes are still the order of the day and we're continually urged to be vigilant. Yet we can go just about anywhere, which is great. We're full of hope as we embark on His good plan for the months ahead.

We're blessed to begin each day hanging out with P's mom via the phone, as we drink our morning coffee on our side of the globe and she heads into the dinner hour on hers. It's always an encouraging time of conversation, chit-chat and comparing/collaborating on the daily crossword puzzle and cryptoquip from the hometown newspaper, which we both print out and then think through. We all feel accomplished when 1) the printer works 2) the crypto's solved and 3) there aren't too many empty squares left in the crossword. Our Father is good.

Dumplings, salads, pork strips and
corn porridge at one our fav restaurants.

In addition to our weekly English lessons, we've been happy that both "P" and "A" have been interested and available to join us for several meals around town. We've been to eat California beef noodles, dumplings and to a Muslim restaurant and a coffee shop. Hanging out with them is the best way to keep up with what's going on around town. "P" and "A" are both enthusiastic talkers and interested in learning more and practicing their spoken language skills. "P" has nearly completed remodeling his mother's apartment and has invited us over to eat together for the lunar new year. We're looking forward to celebrating his success.

K loves to eat chicken feet!

"P" is also doing his part to limit community spread of the virus in our area. He had another shift with his colleagues at the train station checking in travelers and verifying their health/travel codes. He has to be outside for hours, wearing his mask and medical suit and dealing with foggy glasses. It's challenging for sure. Fortunately, some of his colleagues don't wear glasses. His group has been assigned two days each month to help with virus-related activities. We're grateful for their efforts.

As our pool/gym remains closed because of fire safety issues, we've started looking closer to home for ways to burn off all those yummy dinners out with friends (and our new chocolate milkshake habit). Three times a week we're doing a cardio workout on the stairs in our building. Because we have to wear enough clothes to weather temperatures in the teens at ground level, we can't climb higher than the 7th floor because it gets too hot! The other day we met a neighbor in the stairwell while we were exercising and asked him if we were making too much noise. He said that exercise was important and assured us it was no problem and that he was used to hearing us go up and down in the early hours. The people in our community continue to be warm and friendly and willing and the workers are on the job keeping the paths clear. PTL!

Thanks for lifting up the people on this side of the globe that they can stay healthy and have a peaceful and relaxing holiday and be able to provide well for their families in the year ahead. Immanuel.

We've started meeting online with the 15-year-old
daughter of a co-worker. "A" is a confident speaker.

The owner of the little store nearby
had a lot of questions our holiday season.
She recently broke a front tooth. Thanks
for praying with us that she stays healthy.