HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!

Last year at this time I was in Merritt BC, on my way to Terrace after my immigration interview. It is always amazing to see how fast the time goes by. It is also around this time last year that we found out we were pregnant with Eternity. I still remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was jumping up and down, so excited and yet so surprised that it happened so soon after a recent loss. Yes, last year at this time was so full of emotions and exciting events. All part of a great story, a great testimony that God is building to glorify his name and draw people closer to himeself. 

I now can't help but reflect on the past year. What an awesome life I have. Thank-you Jesus. 

Today also marks 2 months until we had back to the States. September 1 is our goal date to be on our way to Kansas City, where we believe God is calling us to settle for awhile. How the Lord led us to this place will have to be put into a book someday. But I must say that this time in China has been absolutely revolutionizing in so many ways in our lives, as individuals, as a couple, and as Christians. The growth, the lessons, the experiences that we have had here have been so extrordinary. I believe that we had to come here in order to be prepared for the next phase God has for us. 

We have had about three days of straight rain and now I think the sun may be here to stay for the summer. Bright blue sky, a blazing sun and "I wish I lived on a beach" kind of heat. I love it, I only wish I lived on a beach. 

Eternity is having fun exploring the world in a new way, rolling. She has also found pleasure in batting at the toys that hang in front of her on her play mat. Yesterday we got together we our friends who have a daughter one day younger than Eternity. We went down to the water, near our place and took pictures to mark that our girls are now over 100 days old. Congrats Eternity and Alina. 

Amariah is back in school and is surprising us everyday with how smart he is. He is always reminding us that he is a big boy and that he can do almost everything on his own, so he thinks. Like last night, he decided that he is a big boy and can wash his own hair, and then this morning he decided that he is big enough to decide what he wants to wear and today he wanted to wear pajamas to school. I don't disagree that he is a big boy, but somethings do take some practice and therefore I still feel the need to intervene, whether it is accepted or not. 

Patrick has finished the TESOL course that he was taking, PTL!!!! He also seems to be working more than ever, taking on more English classes, trying to save money for our, yet another, big move. I am also working a bit on writing. I always feel that I can do more than I actually have time for. Definately a fault of mine. Pray that I don't take on too much work, which I am so known for doing. 

Blessings to all, have a beautiful day. 

Update

Apologies for not updating sooner, on Wednesday, I moved in with some friends who helped me look after the children. I was very grateful for the help. I haven't been on the internet since, but now you know where I have been.

Patrick has arrived safely back in China and we are very thankful. He is currently resting from the long journey.

On Tuesday Amariah had his last IV. Getting the IV put into his foot was a challenge as three nurse had to hold him down. My heart went out to him as he screamed and cried. I had to keep reminding myself that this was helping him. Once it was in Amariah was fine. I had earned from the previous day that sitting around for hours waiting for the IV to finish is boring, so I came prepared for this one. Once Amariah was set up in his chair I set up the movie Cars on our portable DVD player, and set out snacks and drinks for him to graze from. The time went by fast and Amariah was a happy boy. PTL Amariah has not thrown-up since Monday. He is now eating normally and is back to his normal self, just in time for Dad's return. Eternity's eyes are also back to normal. I am continuing to give her eye drop, though, just to be sure that we kill the infection.

Last night Amariah attended a birthday party for one of his church friends. It is hard to believe that in a couple of days we will be celebrating Amariah's 3^rd birthday as well. It is amazing how fast the time has gone. This friend of Amariah's, Joanna, has a mother from Peru and a Father from Scotland. The party food was a treat because it was 'so not Chinese.' The kids sang songs, played with play dough, and punching balloons, which were a huge hit. Amariah had eaten something with egg in it while we were there, and I was worried he would break out in a rash as he normally does, but PTL nothing happened, that I have noticed so far, anyways.

Since Patrick hasn't worked this month, we have pulled Amariah out of school. Today we got a call from Patrick's boss, the one who said she would talk to the police for us. She informed us that everything is fine and that it was a routine check-up that they had to do. We are feeling much better about things now. Patrick is planning on returning to the school tomorrow. During this week I have made a couple more connections in the kingdom here that we believe were divine and will aid us in the work we are called to do here before we leave. We have returned to our original plan to return to the States September-ish. We are always seeking the Lord for direction and conformation, so unless we are led otherwise, this is our plan, Lord providing.

Thank-you for your prayers,

We love you all,

Kari

In Need of a Healing Touch

Today is Monday, Patrick left Thursday and both of the kids have been sick since he left. Amariah threw-up at the dinner table the day Patrick left and it was that same night I noticed discharge in Eternity's left eye. Amariah threw-up three times the next day, unable to even keep down sprite and soda crackers. Eternity still had discharge. A good friend of mine came over and we prayed for the kids together. The next day seem better. Amariah ate a little, but not much. The good news was, he didn't throw-up. I thought that he was getting better, but starting at 2 am, he continued to throw-up. The good thing was he never acted sick, his spirits were up and he played just fine. After throwing up Sundays lunch I wanted to take him to the hospital. I called my friend who came over and convinced me to wait one more day. We prayed together again. But then this morning Amariah started the day leaning over the toilet, and Eternity's eye was looking really bad. I packed a bag and heading to the hospital where we stayed for 5 1/2 hours. Amariah was given an iv and Eternity's was given eye drops. Thankfully one of the Chinese workers from the school came to help, which was much appreciated. Amariah was screaming and crying and didn't want any of the nurses touching him. I started crying too. The doctor believes that Amariah's digestive system was inflamed and was caused by food poisoning. We are to go back to the hospital for another iv. Please pray for him and me. Pray for peace and healing. I believe that the medication is working, he has eaten since the iv, and so far we have not revisited the food. PTL. Patrick is due to return to us on Friday. Please pray that the rest of time with only with the kids will go more smoothly and that the kids will heal 100% before Dad gets back (by morning would be even better). 

Thanks for your prayers, 

Love you all, 

Kari

My follow through...

here's a quick update:

Patrick is currently on his way back to the states to be with family and attend his grandfather's funeral in Oklahoma. I am here with the kids, we are fine and we have plenty of friends we can call if we need a hand. 

The visitors the other night were 6 police men and a video camera. Asked to see passports and asked a series of questions. Patrick handled it and I stayed in the room. We were asked to get a set of documents together and register our family at the local police station. Patrick had registered but we were misinformed about registering the rest of the family before. We resistered without a problem. However, Patrick is no longer working until he can get the right visa. 

On Wednesday we applied for Eternity's American citizenship and passport. That also went very smoothly. 

We weren't sure what the whole police visit thing was about before, so that is why we were vague last time. We still aren't exactly sure, but we believe that it is taken care of. The principle at the school is talking to the police for us to find out what is was exactly about, if is was just about registration or if it was something else. 

And for a Riah moment: yesterday when getting off of the community bus Amariah paused at the bus door, turned to the driver, waved and said in a loud voice, "Bye Bye Screwdriver!"

Thank-you for your prayers, 

We love you all, 

Patrick, Kari, Amariah, and Eternity