Goals ... February

It is really hard to believe that we are just about to the third month of the year!! What happened to January and February? It seems like just yesterday it was Christmas/New Year ... well at times it seems like yesterday I was 24 years old :) (I don't know why this number has stuck with me... but often I still think I am 24 :) haha
Anyways, since February is just about gone... I have done a look back and evaluation on my goals for 2012.
I just looked back at January and saw that I only updated you on my reading list (as I have the goal to read at least one fiction and non-fiction each month- no sandbagging or carry forwards) BUT I have other goals too. So a brief run through
Bible reading - Goal - Read through New Testament in 4 months. As of today, I am starting on Romans... on track to finish.
Memory work- not going great... need work in this area. - Goal - Memorize Romans 12:9-21 (equals out to about a verse a month)
Healthy living (including but not limited to weight loss) The month of January, I lost 5 pounds. February - I have consistently worked out every other day with Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred BUT I have done terrible in drinking water... so looking to March- I have set the goal to drink two Nalgene bottles of water a day.
Reading- For some reason, I have been on a non-fiction kick (surprise surprise- some of you know I devour fiction but get less than excited over non-fiction) BUT ... I have some great recommendations for you in the non-fiction department-

Behind the Veils of Yemen

Great read... I read this in about 2 days. It is more about Audra's experiences and life in Yemen then about what is behind the veil... BUT there is a lot of encouragement to get from this book...I really enjoying reading her story.

Warrior Prayers
This is an excellent book full of things to pray for your children. The author doesn't include many stories but rather a lot about how we need to pray Scripture for our boys. I highly recommend this book for reading... but more than reading... implementing into your prayer life.

Silent Tears

This is a collections of journal and blog entries from a lady that volunteers in a Chinese orphanage for 4 years. I loved reading about her culture experiences (can totally relate sometimes) and how she longed to make a difference in the lives of helpless children. It is heart-wrenching but very true look at what a government-owned orphanage is like.
There are 3 non-fiction for you. My fiction book was a great "beach" I read number 5 in the Shop-a-holic series. I don't highly recommend but it is cute and will give you some chuckles if you have read other in the series :)

So there you have it.
How are you doing on your goals? If you have already fell behind-- just pick them up again and start over... don't quit.

New Toy

Some of our friends that live in a big city in China helped us get Parker a new toy :) Cosco walker-- a welcomed addition. When we got home from Thailand, Parker made it clear that he wasn't having anything to do with his bouncy seat... gone were the days of him sitting contently while I cook dinner or washed clothes.
So... the solution (since it is not great to hold a little squimmy one while stir-frying veggies) a walker. Parker LOVES it. He can only move backwards right now. We will put toys on the tray for him to play with... he loves to throw them on the floor and then look at them and squeel. He will often back himself into another room.
The look on his face silently displays his new noise. "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" (while sucking in his bottom lip)

Meet Christine

I mentioned that I would blog about the sweet person that volunteered to send me Cinnamon... and here she is :)
Christine (I took this photo from her facebook page)
Isn't she beautiful. She is a fantastic lady... beautiful both inside and out. If distance wasn't a factor... about once a month I would want to sit on her porch, drink tea and chat. She has an amazing encouraging spirit and always seems to be optismistic even when life clouds loom. She is a WONDERFUL chef and baker. Her claim to fame is baking... but my taste buds can personally testify to her cooking skills. Her facebook often has pictures and descriptions of the fabulous things she is creating in her kitchen. If you are in the greater Charleston SC area... you might be lucky enough to place an order :)
Check out her webpage-- http://sweetcsllc.com/index.htm or "like" her on facebook at Sweet C's.
BUT more than her skills in the kitchen-- I LOVE her heart. She and her husband are a major part of our team here in China. Occasionally I will receieve an e-mail from her with words of encouragement... I know she consistently lifts us up to the Father.
Thank you Christine for sending us the beloved spice - cinnamon :) I am blessed to know you and to be able to call you friend.

Sweet Smiles

Every day is more and more fun. Sweet smiles, giggles and personality all on display. He moves ALL the time... you can only steal snuggles in the morning :)
My prayer for him recently-- Father, let Parker's life be a display of the fruits of the Spirit that all may see him and know YOUR glory.

Cinnamon

Hello friends-
So I just made Wes' favorite bread (Cinnamon Sugar loaf) and realized that we are almost out of cinnamon. Our family just sent a box... so I am putting it out there... anyone want to send us some cinnamon :) E-mail me (avery.thomas@elic.org) if you can and will send us some. I will do a post all about the person that is our cinnamon supplier :)
Love
Avery

We almost had heat...

One of our "space heating" units is a big tower that sits inside... and connects to a box on the outside of the window. Once our breakers started working... the "box on the outside" stopped :) haha. We almost had warmth. There was a THICK layer of ice all around the coils. While Parker was napping, Wes and I dumped buckets and buckets of warm water on the coils in hope to melt the ice. After about an hour of water pouring, we were able to get the ice off in chunks. Then... happy day :) we have warm air blowing again. I am so thankful for a husband that can fix things -- even Chinese things :)

What's for Dinner?

Recently I haven't wanted to leave the apartment :) I went to the store when we got home and got our fridge stocked back with normal items but not too much. When I got home (remember going to the store is NEVER a quick trip) I realized I was out of oil. It is very hard to cook anything in China without a little oil... so I have gotten creative. Last night we had a complete winner!! Totally made up and delicious. I really wanted pizza but we don't have cheese in Hengyang- so I started to think. I had some tomato paste (add some spices and have a sauce), homemade sausage, 1/2 and onion and zuchini... put it all togther and volia... zuchinni boats. Super yummy. If I was in the States or some other place with cheese, I would have added cheese to the top BUT it was great without.