Movin' on up...North

Next August, we'll be in a new city (Father-willing). Changchun, northeast of us now. Closer to Russia. Which means cold. I try not to think about the average winter temps and icy roads people keep telling me about. I cling to the fact that they have great indoor heating! :)



We're moving there to attend our company's language school. It's at a local Chinese university and we'll be in classes with our colleagues as well as other foreigners wanting to learn Chinese. The Chinese professors are very well-trained in working with foreigners, which is a plus.

Michael and I both want to learn the language, so we're going to take turns because it's quite demanding. I plan to go first. I'll be in classes 6 hours a day and have mandatory tutor time 2 hours a day. Since I'll be gone so much, Michael will get to fill in the role at home a bit more. He'll be great! The boys will bond, I'm sure. Can't wait to reap the benefits of his secret cooking skills!  He also wants to tutor a few times a week. His hope is to build on the Chinese he already has, then jump in with the 2nd year students after I'm finished. Knowing the language sponge he is, I don't think he'll have a problem with that.

I'm sure you can imagine why we want to learn Chinese. We can't read the signs that surround us. We can't understand what people ask us. We can't ask for things we need. The list goes on and on. We won't be completely fluent after language school, but we will be able to communicate easily with people, read simple signs, and best yet--have the skills to continue learning after we finish the program.

Our lives are going to look very different than they have the past 2 years. No teaching. Fewer contact with students. A bigger "team." More families! Learning + using the language every day. And...no income from teaching.

The last change seems to be the biggest one looming over our heads. Most of you know we raised support to get here and stay the past 2 years. Well, that has officially run out. (Note: To those of you who support us now, we are thankful for you! We still receive that, but it's just not enough right now to keep us afloat.) We are trusting the Father will gather a team of people who will help keep us here for the next 2 years. It will take a lot more money since we will have no income, and we will have to pay for things that are usually paid for by the school, such as a plane ticket and housing costs. Those are some big-ticket items to lose! But, we have faith He will provide. We feel called to stay here, so we know if it's also His plan, He will make things happen.

If you would like to invest in us to help us invest in others, let me know! Email, FB, comment. I'll be sure to get back to you. Also, if you aren't on our mailing list to receive our (mostly) monthly newsletters, let me know. I'd be happy to add you!