It has been a while since posting.
So many thoughts/posts have rolled around in my mind, but time hasn't permitted them to make it to the page.
This is a post I wrote last week but never finished.
However, as I thought about the many things I'm thankful for, the love, prayers and wisdom you have poured out on us is in the forefront of my mind.
The last couple months have been tough with sickness, Meisi's childcare transition, phone breaking, not moving to the next phase in language (being told we weren't ready) and then finding out horrible news regarding our friend who was caring for Meisi previously...
However, now I am counting it joy.
Being able to see my Father's hand in some of these things.
His protection for Meisi, His refinement and pruning of my sinfulness.
Thankful.
Childcare Transitions
When we first moved here we sent Meisi to a national preschool ("youeryouen").
We struggled completing our 35 hours of required language study hours while keeping the house running with pickup and drops offs at differing times for differing kids.
So, we hired an "Ayi."
We loved her from the beginning.
She not only cared for Meisi, cooked a meal each day, cleaned but also was our friend. She helped us with language, we'd laugh and cry together, went on our first double date together. We adore her.
Needless to say, we were shocked when she told us she was leaving.
It was a terribly emotional last week with her (we both cried daily, nearly all day).
She told us that her husband's friend had found them a new job at a factory close to their home making more money.
As hard as this was for us, we can look back and see His hand protecting and providing.
Her reasoning for leaving wasn't complete.
That is a post for another day though.
The next week a new "Ayi" started but Meisi wasn't much interested in bonding and we knew by mid week it wasn't going to work. She is a very sweet lady but needed to bring her four month old to work making it very difficult for her to also care for Meisi. Thankfully the Father worked it out and she told us on her fourth day she was leaving because of family circumstances.
The next week we prayed and prayed over what to do while trying to have class with Mei next to me.
Now, that was funny...
She'd play with my hair, sing songs... be the precious little one she... while I tried to learn new words, grammar, reading... haha..
Clearly that wasn't working well, so I took some vacation days as we continued to seek wisdom while looking at preschools.
Y'all... there is the preschool here called "The Golden Apple."
Umm,... yep, they must be growing some golden apples somewhere to pay for it!
I was shocked!
This preschool was around $700 USD each month!
Impressive it was, but wow!
Now I know there are many with that price in the US, but never dreamt they'd have them here and it is a chain - there are thousands of kids that go to these preschools. Wow!
National friends say that if you want a "really good youeryuan (preschool)" you must pay the equivalent of $8000 USD each year.
It gave me another example why many say they can't afford two kids here.
Meisi told us everyday for about a week she wanted to go there. haha
Yep...at one point in my life I wanted to go to Harvard too.
It didn't work out though.
Thankfully we did find a more cost effective preschool (about half that amount).
As we prayed for guidance on what to do I asked He would close doors.
He did.
No new "Ayi" was found.
The "Golden Apple" laughed when I asked for a discount - even volunteered to teach for them (for a discount). :)
Thankfully. Our little Mei seems to be enjoying her new school (not the Golden Apple one).
This was first day pics.
She started with a big smile.
Still smiling. ;)
Maybe a little less enthusiastic once we arrived.
Now the crying and clinging began..hard for my mama heart.
Pickup time.. happy but asking "Where we are going now?"
Yay! We are going home!!
The first few days were rough with tears and clinging.
The second day she wouldn't even walk up the stairs, so the teacher had to detach her from me and the scooter.
She seems to do better when hubby drops her off.
However, each day after she did better an better.
One day this week she cheered happily when we told her she was going to school. :)
God is faithful. There is power in prayer as our Father hears and always answers.
We truly can't thank you enough for lifting this up specifically.
Finding someone you can trust to watch your kids.
Finding somewhere you are comfortable with is hard.
Adding the language barrier (which we do still have)...
Thankful He has provided the best option for us at this time.
Thank you for pouring wisdom into us, faithfully praying and continuing to walk alongside us.
You have blessed us beyond measure.
Praying He continues to pour out His blessings on you for your faithfulness and love.
So many thoughts/posts have rolled around in my mind, but time hasn't permitted them to make it to the page.
This is a post I wrote last week but never finished.
However, as I thought about the many things I'm thankful for, the love, prayers and wisdom you have poured out on us is in the forefront of my mind.
The last couple months have been tough with sickness, Meisi's childcare transition, phone breaking, not moving to the next phase in language (being told we weren't ready) and then finding out horrible news regarding our friend who was caring for Meisi previously...
However, now I am counting it joy.
Being able to see my Father's hand in some of these things.
His protection for Meisi, His refinement and pruning of my sinfulness.
Thankful.
Childcare Transitions
When we first moved here we sent Meisi to a national preschool ("youeryouen").
We struggled completing our 35 hours of required language study hours while keeping the house running with pickup and drops offs at differing times for differing kids.
So, we hired an "Ayi."
We loved her from the beginning.
She not only cared for Meisi, cooked a meal each day, cleaned but also was our friend. She helped us with language, we'd laugh and cry together, went on our first double date together. We adore her.
Needless to say, we were shocked when she told us she was leaving.
It was a terribly emotional last week with her (we both cried daily, nearly all day).
She told us that her husband's friend had found them a new job at a factory close to their home making more money.
As hard as this was for us, we can look back and see His hand protecting and providing.
Her reasoning for leaving wasn't complete.
That is a post for another day though.
The next week a new "Ayi" started but Meisi wasn't much interested in bonding and we knew by mid week it wasn't going to work. She is a very sweet lady but needed to bring her four month old to work making it very difficult for her to also care for Meisi. Thankfully the Father worked it out and she told us on her fourth day she was leaving because of family circumstances.
The next week we prayed and prayed over what to do while trying to have class with Mei next to me.
Now, that was funny...
She'd play with my hair, sing songs... be the precious little one she... while I tried to learn new words, grammar, reading... haha..
Clearly that wasn't working well, so I took some vacation days as we continued to seek wisdom while looking at preschools.
Y'all... there is the preschool here called "The Golden Apple."
Umm,... yep, they must be growing some golden apples somewhere to pay for it!
I was shocked!
This preschool was around $700 USD each month!
Impressive it was, but wow!
Now I know there are many with that price in the US, but never dreamt they'd have them here and it is a chain - there are thousands of kids that go to these preschools. Wow!
National friends say that if you want a "really good youeryuan (preschool)" you must pay the equivalent of $8000 USD each year.
It gave me another example why many say they can't afford two kids here.
Meisi told us everyday for about a week she wanted to go there. haha
Yep...at one point in my life I wanted to go to Harvard too.
It didn't work out though.
Thankfully we did find a more cost effective preschool (about half that amount).
As we prayed for guidance on what to do I asked He would close doors.
He did.
No new "Ayi" was found.
The "Golden Apple" laughed when I asked for a discount - even volunteered to teach for them (for a discount). :)
Thankfully. Our little Mei seems to be enjoying her new school (not the Golden Apple one).
This was first day pics.
She started with a big smile.
The second day she wouldn't even walk up the stairs, so the teacher had to detach her from me and the scooter.
She seems to do better when hubby drops her off.
However, each day after she did better an better.
One day this week she cheered happily when we told her she was going to school. :)
God is faithful. There is power in prayer as our Father hears and always answers.
We truly can't thank you enough for lifting this up specifically.
Finding someone you can trust to watch your kids.
Finding somewhere you are comfortable with is hard.
Adding the language barrier (which we do still have)...
Thankful He has provided the best option for us at this time.
Thank you for pouring wisdom into us, faithfully praying and continuing to walk alongside us.
You have blessed us beyond measure.
Praying He continues to pour out His blessings on you for your faithfulness and love.
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