Winter Sparkles...

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star how I wonder what you are..." It just seems appropriate that when you live in a household filled with children that you think in nursery rhymes. Especially when you see pretty twinkling lights. There is no snow here at the moment as much as we would all like there to be (the farmers in the villages around us need the moisture everything is so very dry) though the temperature mid day is not rising much above 10*C (right now it is a chilly -6*) so we all thought of ice sculptures when we saw the sparkles from this lighted castle in the city square. It also made us wonder just how cold we are going to be next weekend when several of us make the journey to Harbin to visit the Ice and Lights Festival!

January 5, 2011

A Happy Home to come home to...My little boys (some of them) busy with their toys!

January 3, 2011

Today I left home in South Carolina to once again cross the North Pole and return to my China Home - After hours of travel and connecting flights I finally saw the mountains between Beijing and Luoyang from my window on the afternoon of January 5th. I cried...wanting to be back doing what God has called me to do and in the same instant already missing home and those I love who are so incredibly far away.

Turning 33 Time to Party!

New Year's Eve!!!! and My Birthday, so if any of you ever wondered about my age there it is I turned 33...The little girls and Daddy brought me a big bouquet of balloons at breakfast- Pooh Bear of course as that is what a 2 and 3 year old would think was the "sensible thing to give." Later we opened gifts and as per usual Jing Ni gave me some more lessons in Sign Language so I could tell all the colors of my gifts. And Melissa baked a wonderful Cheese Cake with lots of Chocolate in it which helped us stay up late to ring in the New Year and send Birthday greetings to my youngest sister Heather who turned 25 on New Year's Day.

Special Moments with Friends...

Melissa and I were able to spend a day in Anderson with my friend Vanessa




















And I was able to have a special afternoon with my dear friend Kim. Both of these women are incredible encouragers for me and I am so grateful that God has placed them in my life.

Busy Waiting for the New Year...

On December 26th, there were actually snow flurries in South Carolina- IN BEAUFORT! Although the ground was wet where we live and the snow did not stick there was still white stuff from the sky to which the little voices squealed with delightful songs of, "It's snowing, it's snowing!"





Daddy made the traditional Lemon Meringue Pies that the Bywater Men always make...






There were games during nap times, and coffee/breakfast at Common Ground. And there were just sweet moments of time, captured in precious memories.

One Small Child...

“One small child in a land of a thousand
One small dream of a Savior tonight
One small hand reaching out to the starlight
One small city of life...

One small Child in a land of a thousand
One small dream in a people of might
One small hand reaching out to the starlight
One small Savior of Life. "

-David Meece

As you celebrate this Christmas season I pray that you will remember the one small child that was born in a lowly stable on a dark Bethlehem night to bring the love of God the Father and to save the thousands. Then please remember some other small children who are among the thousands who are waiting for their forever families, who are waiting not for Santa Clause but for mommy and daddy. These little ones who are so dear to my heart, they bring me laughter, tears, boisterous days, and quiet moments. They are my Christmas presents, reminding me daily of the love my Heavenly Father has showered on me as He choose to adopt me into His Forever family.
With Love for you and Prayers that you and yours will share a Merry Christmas,

Mariah