Shower of Love

The Mom's Group I'm a part of threw a baby shower for me last week. It was such good time of celebrating with friends. We ate delicious food, opened gifts, chatted and decorated onesies for the baby. They turned out adorable so I'll have to post pictures later of their creative designs. I feel so blessed to have the support and encouragement of other Christian moms on a weekly basis. Thanks Emily and Sumiko for organizing such a fun morning!



Josiah testing out the swing we got for baby sister

When Michael was here were walked out in the "jungle" behind our house to snap a few family photos.






Kisses all around!



I think Josiah looks so old in these photos. . .hard to believe he's almost two!

Moments with "Mikey"

Michael, or as Josiah calls him "Mikey", arrived Saturday night. His visit came at a wonderful time and it has been such a joy to have him here. Jason has the week off from school for the Chinese New Year holiday. I am too pregnant to travel, so it's been great for Jason to have someone fun and adventurous to hang out with.

It is really fun to see Jason and Mike together. They have such a special bond and an irreplaceable role in each other's lives. I also really enjoy observing peoples' responses when they see the two of them together. Friends have asked Mike (thinking he is Jason) if he got a wig or extensions (:- can you imagine?!? It is their similar mannerisms and way of speaking that most strikes people. It is pretty fun to think that after 11 years of living in different states and countries, that they still have a common "twiness".
The weather has been absolutely FREEZING. . . the coldest we can remember in our four years in HK. I am sure that it is going to start snowing at any moment (wouldn't that be awesome!?) This has kept the guys indoors more than planned, but hasn't dampened their spirits. There has been a lot of tickle sessions on the bed- now Mike and Jason would do this anyways, but having Josiah join in makes it all the more fun (and slightly more acceptable now that they are 30)!!



We participated in some Chinese New Year festivities this year as well, including sampling Chinese tea and goodies brought over by our neighbor. Josiah loved the lion dance and kept saying "roar, dancing, dancing". He also collected quite a few red packets of money which is pretty fun and unexpected. Jason and Mike braved the crowds and cold to watch the great fireworks show at the harbor.

Had to Laugh

Women in Hong Kong have some fabulous handbags. Today in the grocery store a woman was sporting a very furry purse. Josiah got so excited pointing and exclaiming "meow!" "meow!"

Painting the Nest Pink

Well our baby girl will not have a very big nest (just a basinet in our window ledge for now) but there is evidence of girliness starting to pop up around our house. I am having so much fun!



Before Josiah was born my talented friend Emily helped me make a blue and white blanket for him. At Christmas Angela brought me fabric to sew a matching pink blanket. It was a really fun project and I think I could make it by myself now.





It is hard to believe only 6 more weeks til our daughter makes her debute! Even Jason has got in the nesting spirit (although he doesn't call it that) and has been creating more storage around our apartment. We are so excited to meet her and cuddle her soon.

Where is Hope?

Our world is lost. This city is so lost. Sometimes in the day to day routine or life, I forget the level of despair and hopelessness that defines the lives of many people around me. I get fooled by their handbags, designers shoes, and busy schedules that mask the intense hollowness of life without Jesus (95% of HK doesn’t know Him).

This week a woman hurled her four year old daughter off the balcony of a shopping mall and then jumped herself. By God’s grace the girl was caught in a suicide net, but the mother crashed to her death. By- standers report that the woman and her husband were having an argument over the girl’s future education. The woman felt that because they could not afford to send her to an international school that there was no hope for her life.

The crazy thing is, people in Hong Kong really can be that intense. These people do not know hope, only fear. I see the work of Satan all over events like this. John 10:10 says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” It makes me angry to see the enemy killing and destroying lives in my city. True hope- Life- cannot be found apart from Jesus. Education, finances, and status, can never bring this kind of security. Praise Jesus that our hope for eternity is rooted in Him and nothing can take that away. Again I am challenged, how can I share this hope that I have with the people in Hong Kong? We are all so in need of Jesus.

Busy at Play

"Children's games are hardly games. Children are never more serious than when they play." MONTAIGNE

I love to watch Josiah play. I found a wonderful play group that I've started taking Josiah to on Friday mornings. There are tons of toys and an outdoor area that he loves. It is a great chance for us to spend quality time together, although sometimes I like to just stand back and watch the choices he makes, the way he talks to himself, and focuses so intently on playing.




"Stay a child while you can be a child."STEPHEN SONDHEIM