Emily keeps us smiling and laughing every day. We know three-year olds have a tendency to do that and say unexpected things at unexpected times. Here are some of the things she's said recently that caught us off guard:
Story #1: We're sitting at dinner one night and Emily is eating some bread with the meal. Out of nowhere she declares, "I'm a bread-etarian." She is just like Amy in that she loves to eat bread, but it was too funny to hear her describe herself this way!
Story #2: Emily and Johnny return to our apartment one afternoon after her school, and we can smell in the hallway that one of our international neighbors is cooking as the potent aroma has filled the hallway. Emily turns to me and asks, "Daddy, what is that awful smell?"
Story #3: The three of us are getting on a bus after an afternoon in Oxford to return back to our home and our bus stop at a street named Squitchey Lane. As we step up to show our bus pass to the bus driver, Emily says with great enthusiasm, "Squitchey Lane, please!"
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A Fun Family February!
In February, Johnny's mom - affectionately know as "NaiNai" (Chinese for grandmother) - and Johnny's brother Jason came for a visit. NaiNai was here for three weeks and Uncle Jason came for a week, overlapping with NaiNai.
We had a wonderful time with them and are so thankful they came to visit us. Amy and I know that Emily was the real draw as Jason even admitted before he came that he was excited to come see "Emily, Emily, and whoever was around Emily!"
We explored Oxford together, took some day trips to surrounding towns and villages, and introduced them to some of our friends here. Emily loved all the extra attention and loved sharing her room with NaiNai and playing games with both of them.
Here's a few pictures of the great fun Emily had with both of them:
We had a wonderful time with them and are so thankful they came to visit us. Amy and I know that Emily was the real draw as Jason even admitted before he came that he was excited to come see "Emily, Emily, and whoever was around Emily!"
We explored Oxford together, took some day trips to surrounding towns and villages, and introduced them to some of our friends here. Emily loved all the extra attention and loved sharing her room with NaiNai and playing games with both of them.
Here's a few pictures of the great fun Emily had with both of them:
NaiNai came and brought a Valentine's puppy!
Walking around Summertown.
"ShuShu" (chinese for Uncle) Jason came and we put puzzles together!
We spent a fun day in London.
Reading at bookstores with NaiNai!
Emily walking with ShuShu in the snow one morning to school!
Playing at the Wolvercote playground with NaiNai...
...and ShuShu!
Big smiles on the swings...
...role reversal fun!
Making pancakes with NaiNai (this was Emily's main request of NaiNai before she came)...
...and eating them with sprinkles!
We love you ShuShu and NaiNai!
More about Alpha
So last fall I volunteered to help out behind the scenes at the Alpha course at our local church here in Oxford, and these last six weeks in 2013 I've been a group leader for a second Alpha course.
In case you don't know much about the Alpha course, you can click here - http://www.alpha.org/ - and learn more. It was developed to create a safe, non-threatening space for people to come and explore life's big questions about faith. God has used this course in powerful ways to meet people across the globe who are looking for answers and beginning to search for more in life through Jesus.
This course has been a joy to serve as group leader and I am thankful for the new friends I have made. We have had some honest and challenging conversations about Jesus, the Bible, the church, evil, and the cross and resurrection. Several came with doubts and skepticism (and some still have questions), but several are now beginning to believe. It is exciting to see the Lord moving in their lives!
Because the school term is almost over, this version of Alpha was shortened to only six weeks. We finished on Tuesday night, but I don't see it as the end, but rather as a new beginning for these new friends. Even though we might not meet weekly to discuss spiritual matters at the church like we have been, several are committed to getting together regularly and building these new friendships.
Here's a few stealth photos I took (I didn't want to arouse suspicion) during our Alpha Saturday a few weeks ago:
In case you don't know much about the Alpha course, you can click here - http://www.alpha.org/ - and learn more. It was developed to create a safe, non-threatening space for people to come and explore life's big questions about faith. God has used this course in powerful ways to meet people across the globe who are looking for answers and beginning to search for more in life through Jesus.
This course has been a joy to serve as group leader and I am thankful for the new friends I have made. We have had some honest and challenging conversations about Jesus, the Bible, the church, evil, and the cross and resurrection. Several came with doubts and skepticism (and some still have questions), but several are now beginning to believe. It is exciting to see the Lord moving in their lives!
Because the school term is almost over, this version of Alpha was shortened to only six weeks. We finished on Tuesday night, but I don't see it as the end, but rather as a new beginning for these new friends. Even though we might not meet weekly to discuss spiritual matters at the church like we have been, several are committed to getting together regularly and building these new friendships.
Here's a few stealth photos I took (I didn't want to arouse suspicion) during our Alpha Saturday a few weeks ago:
Listening to teaching about the Holy Spirit.
Spending some time in worship.
The Lord touched several of my friends' lives during the prayer and ministry times.
Our post-lunch walk around one of the parks in Oxford.
Having worked in a Christian environment the last 12 years, I had realized how difficult it was to build relationships with non-believers. Participating in Alpha, however, has given me the opportunity to meet more folks who are searching. It has not always been easy in conversations because I wanted each person to feel heard and understood in their viewpoints, even if I didn't always agree with them. It has been a lesson in trusting the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and not trying to give all the answers myself.
I trust and belive that Jesus will meet each of these friends where they are in His timing, and it has been exciting to walk with them on this part of their journey. We'll see what happens next!
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