Advent Day 3

Advent day 3 - Matthew 1:20-23

...you shall call him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins

Reminds me of 2 years ago teaching this lesson to my students. Edward asked me -
"Mrs Thomas do you really believe Jesus can save the world"
Me -"sure do"
Edward - "I want to get to know more about this Jesus."
6 months later - Edward became a brother!!

Love these sweet memories and praying that God will send me people here in America that I can share of His great love with.

Remember to prepare your heart for celebration of Christmas. Don't miss out on what the Lord has for you because of what the world says it has. Seek Him above all else and you will find Him.

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving
On Thursday we went to spend the day with Wes family for a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch and time together. Unfortunately no pics were taken but we had a great time eating and laughing with each other!!

On Saturday we went to see my family. Here is a summary if our day in photos. It was fantastic!!

So blessed

Can't hardly believe someone graciously donated these to us!! So excited about using our new washer and dryer. No more laundry mat :)

Good morning

Peppermint Mocha
So happy to see you again!!

Celebrating the Life of ...

My Grandpa - Charles Joseph Marks

He went to be with the Lord on- yesterday
October 31, 2012

He was always supportive and liked to pull you close into a side hug and talk.
I like to make him chuckle.  

Wes asked me my favorite memory I had with my grandpa--
Even though we have shared many things- Christmas', Graduations, parties, summers etc...
My favorite thing is a name that he had for me
"Little One"

He was the only person that called me this...
and I loved it!!

I LOVED introducing him to my little one.
And I think his heart was captured.  

I will miss you Grandpa...
but I will see you again!

~~ Your Little One

Just wanted to share... Many times our American friends will say "Do you still talk to your friends in China?" 

Occasionally is the proper answer. 

E-mail is easy... but hard at the same time... 

But this morning I got an e-mail from my good friend Terence :) 

With pictures included-- I LOVE that he included one of him diligently studying :) 

I imagine the kind person that took this for him :) 

 Here is his e-mail... just because it is special

 My dear friend Avery
I am so happy to receive your letter and to know you are living a so wonderful life! I want to say you are the best mother and the best wife I have ever seen among my friends. Nowadays, in Chinese opinion, if you have a house, a car and a happy family, you are a successful person. So God really really loves you! :)
No doubt, Parker is so cute, he is a consummate charmer, the proverbial Sunday's child. I still keep the pictures you have sent to me which we took at the photo studio. But, is he still makes you restless? I hope he is doing well, now. lol~
And how about Wes? Does he find a new job? I know the situation of employment is not as good as people expected, but such a diligent man like him deserve a nice job. And I have a long time no hear the news of him. Please give my regards to him. I appreciate you invited me to your home. Actually, go to America is a dream of mine, I do really hope to visit you at your hometown, too! I wish it won't be a long time if it possible.
Now, how about me? I am living a simple but busy life. I go to the library to study from Monday to Friday, and I go to the Haidian Church to learn B on Sunday. I join in a brother group which lead by a priest whom comes from America. Last Sunday, we studied John 1. But I will take some lessons about postgraduate entrance exam at the weekends in the future, so I maybe couldn't go to the Church every week. The time is more and more less, it's only 82 days left for me to prepare. So I should be more diligent and be more care about my health situation. Some times I will do some running, I noticed that it's very important to my healthy.

And, I have to say the girl I have ever mentioned is not my girlfriend, I had met her just once, and she didn't come to Haidian Church often as she told me, but she is a nice and kindhearted girl. Haidian Church is so big and there are so many people in it, so it's hard for you to recognize people you have ever met.
Well, I attached some pictures about my study and living environment to you, my friend. If you will please pray for me to pass the exam. :)

 Terence
 OH I hope he can come to America so all of you can meet him. He is an incredible friend. Will you pray with me that Terence will pass this exam? It is very important for his future.

New Home

Many of you know we moved :)
We moved to Old Raleigh area... and we LOVE our new place. We live in a 3 bedroom apartment and it is home!  I thought I would make a list of some the things that we love about our new place...
So here goes- Top 10
1. Convenient to everything!!
2. Wooded areas and trees-- the complex backs up to a huge park in Raleigh... these pictures are from P and my morning run... right outside our door-- beautiful sky on fire in places and baby soft colors in others.  Fall leaves changing... the beauty of God's creations make me want to SHOUT :) -- good thing the rocks aren't crying out.

3. Regular running grounds-- about 5 mornings a week I load P in the jogging stroller and we head out for a run.  I love not having to get in the car to drive to somewhere to run.
4. Close to our church- Capital Community Church
5. A space of our own to decorate :) My fall decor is a work in progress... but currently I have "Thanks" on the mantel and a "T" pumpkin. (recently added but no picture-- a beautiful Mum that Wes brought home for me.)

6. Huge covered porch on the back.  We don't have porch furniture yet... but oh I look forward to sitting out there with a cup of coffee and my Bible.

7. My office/P's play room :)  Everybody says "what do you need an office for?"  I guess nothing super important expect-- Bible study, paying bills, meal planning, blogging, reflecting, reading... it is a well used space!!

8. A ministry opportunity with neighbors.  I am excited about building a relationship with my downstairs neighbor (a mom with two kiddos)

9. Nice kitchen for all that cooking I love to do... overlooking the dining and living room.

10. A wood burning fire place (haven't used it yet... but oh I look forward to it :)