There is a quote: "LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORMS TO PASS.... IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN."
With 12 children and 5 adopted from Russia, we have had challenges and trials along with our joys. We have decided that we must
learn how to "dance in the rain." We must notice and acknowledge the joys and miracles in our lives.
They exist daily -- we just need to make sure we do not miss them!! This blog is to remind us of these miracles and joys!
Showing posts with label Mason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mason. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

JANUARY 22, 2015 -- HOUSE COMPETITION

"FAIRY TALE THEATER"  HOUSE COMPETITION
January 22, 2015

The kids this week were busy with their regular school stuff but they also had extra practices for their “Drama House Competition” that was on Friday.  Dad and I went to the school and really enjoyed the competition.  Each house was assigned a Fairy Tale and then the students in the house had to write a script and retell the story.  There were some interesting interpretations AND some really great creativity in script changes, costumes and scenery.    Each of our kids did a great job with their parts.  Richard says he doesn’t like drama, but he did a great job as the laoshi (teacher) in the script that he and Benjamin helped to write.  Rebecca was the mother in Jack and the Beanstalk and memorized a lot of lines.  Bethany was the old woman that tied the story together and did a lot to help lead their play.  Rachel was a fairy in Sleeping Beauty and also had memorized lines.  Daniel was an old man in the same play and helped to defeat the dragon.  Benjamin, Richard and David were all in “Cinderella.”  Benjamin wore his scout shirt and beret and was the “duke” who delivered the message about the ball and then searches for the foot to fit the glass slipper.  David was the prince!  I will try to send pictures this week.  The school has provided a lot of great experiences for our kids.

























JANUARY 17, 2015 -- JANE WHEELWRIGHT'S BAPTISM

JANE WHEELWRIGHT'S BAPTISM
January 17, 2015

Today was a day we will never forget!  Jane Wheelright was baptized!  Jane is a native of Suzhou and is married to an American.  They are such a great couple and have been married just a couple of years at most.  Because Jane is married to Brother Wheelright, she is allowed to attend church in the expat ward and was allowed to be baptized.  The leaders of our branch were amazing in their execution of the baptism.  Our branch has a font that last time was set up outside for the last 2 baptisms.  With it being winter, we wondered what they were going to do.  They set up the font in the garage.  They worked all morning and afternoon (prior to the baptism at 3pm) to fill the font with warm water.  They covered all the things in the garage with white sheets and ran space heaters in the garage to warm it up.  They also hung a mirror behind the font.  It was an amazing thing.   The baptismal service was completely in Chinese with some English translatation.  The talks were in Chinese and the program had the talks printed in Chinese characters as well as English.  Brother Scott Wheelwright even worked to learn the baptismal prayer in Mandarin and performed the baptism in Mandarin.  Super cool!  It really was an historical and a remarkable event.  Sister Wheelright is the first Chinese woman baptized in our branch.  We are told there is a local branch, but even our leaders are not allowed to have contact with them and we have no idea how many members there are or anything.







DECEMBER 30, 2014 -- A DOSE OF DAILY LIFE

A DOSE OF DAILY LIFE
December 30, 2014

The family together at church in Suzhou, China

Family Calendar
Joseph, Melissa and Stephanie leave to go back to the USA.
Mason tries German Pancakes
Hello Mr. Taobao Man!
Trying the Alligator Jerky that Melissa brought for the family!
 

A sketch of our home in Arkansas
Grandma Beach sent Christmas cards to us all.

DECEMBER 25, 2014 -- CHRISTMAS EVENING AT THE MALL

CHRISTMAS EVENING AT THE MALL
DECEMBER 25, 2014

The night of Christmas Day, Dad took all the kiddos to the AEON mall to hang out and go to the arcade.  It was a nice change to a big day.




 

DECEMBER 25, 2014 -- SKYPING ELDER HYRUM RICHARDSON

SKYPING ELDER HYRUM RICHARDSON
December 25, 2014

We were all so, so excited to talk to Elder Hyrum Richardson on SKYPE on Christmas Day!!!  We introduced him to Richard and they talked in Chinese.  We sang "I Am A Child of God" to him in Chinese and he said we sounded like "Main-landers."  We have a "main land accent" according to Hyrum.  Pretty funny.  Melissa had the wonderful idea for us to have a family prayer together which was so cool.  We love you Hyrum and are so proud of you!




DECEMBER 25, 2014 -- CHRISTMAS DAY

CHRISTMAS DAY
December 25, 2014

A day of celebration and a gift giving.

Everyone is ready for the Christmas races!!!  We are all gathered in Dad and Mom's room and are clarifying the rules for the race and the path that everyone will run.  Ready to race!











Here we go to see what Santa has brought!  We always line up youngest to oldest!  Can you tell me how David got in front of Mason?????


















Bethany likes to be the one to pass out presents.  Everyone gets 1 present to open and then we go around and see what everyone received.  It spreads out the fun and lets us all see what is going on.


 
  















Goggles!
Alligator Jerky from Melissa
 


Melissa got some pearls!
Rebecca loves Paul Frank stuff
Benjamin heads off to pick up our Cinnamon Bread!




Benjamin's mission is accomplished -- Delicious Cinnamon Bread!!!!



The boys are flying the helicopters

Matching sisters