Eight is Great

For Chinese the number 8 is considered lucky just like the number 7 is considered lucky in the West. In China you have to pay extra to have the number 8 in your phone number or license plate. In addition, home and business owners like to have the number 8 in their address.

So, why is the number 8 considered lucky in the minds of Chinese people. The main reason has to do with the pronunciation of the word for the number 8 in China. It is pronounced "ba" and sounds like the word for prosperity which is pronounced "fa". Another reason why the number 8 could be considered lucky is because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. In Chinese Astrology, perfect balance is considered the ideal.
(from http://www.onlinechineseastrology.com/content-detail.aspx?ID=108)

The number 8 is great for the Benefields too! Today marks 8 years since Kyle was diagnosed with cancer. Congratulations to Kyle!! Eight years cancer free!!!!!

Typhoons and Black Rain make lots of puddles!

Psalms 147:8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

Summer Time..Headed to the pool.

Flower Market

 

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Rice

I have always been afraid of cooking rice. I don't know why.

My mother uses instant rice, boil in a bag, if you will. Or, one specific brand that she swears by that her friend told her about, this year, that same friend came down to Louisiana from Mississippi to help cook that specific rice for a party my mom threw. My grandmother, BB, carries a special pot with her on holidays so she can make the rice wherever we are. BB's rice is always delicious, but is it the pot at makes it so?

Why is cooking rice such a mystery? The directions on the bag are simple. But it ain't that simple y'all. Rice burns, it turns mushy or crunchy, it doesn't fluff or it separates. White rice, yellow rice, brown rice, basmati rice


Being in China for a month, I have eaten my fair share of rice already. Our apartment even has a rice cooker. Although I have no clue how to work it. They sell rice in bags at the grocery store as large as the huge dog food bags at Wal-Mart in the States. Rice is a staple here and I am not going to be afraid anymore.

I am going to concur rice these next few months, not by boiling in a bag or by using a special pot or even a rice cooker, I am going to learn, probably through trial and error, how to cook rice.

Updates to come, I am sure the three of you who read this are just thrilled!!


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Location:Headland Dr,,Hong Kong

Humbled.

This week I am completely humbled.

I found myself complaining about our living situation in Hong Kong, bringing Kyle down my path of wanting answers, feeling unsettled, stress and pure desire for more, more, more.

Yes, it has been tough trying to figure everything out in HK and living in temporary housing is not ideal, and some days I think nothing will change and things never go our way. Blah blah blah.

Frustrated I set out for a walk around Lantau Island. I had no idea that God was about to open my eyes to my selfishness.

Passing the marina filled with beautiful expensive boats, fashionable apartments and people, I started to feel ole jealousy spring up, but a small sign to the right caught my eye and I turned down a path toward a little beach with small fishing boats for rent.

I was pushing Hoyer in the pram and the narrow concrete path led us to a part of Discovery Bay I did not know existed. Winding through the path, the scene in front of me brought me to tears. I wish I could say they were tears of sorrow for things I saw, but I was crying because I was so humbled.

I felt so embarrassed that I had prayed so hard for more things, a bigger house-nicer furniture- when right around the corner, my neighbors are living with no roof at all, and I certainly have more than a roof over my head, much, much more than that.

How could I complain? How could I do anything but get on my knees and thank God every second of every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon me and my family?

I don't know why it is so easy to get caught up in the material world, or why it is so easy to forget to say thank you to God, but I do know that God wants us to come to him in all circumstances. And on this day, that is exactly what I did.

God stopped me in my tracks and showed me just how silly and human I am. I got lost in this old world and forgot just how blessed I am.

I know that a home is where your family is and I have my precious boys here in Hong Kong with me and we are making our home a place that serves the Lord. What more can I ask for?


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Help is on the way

We have hired a full time live-in helper. Her name is Jocelyn and she is very sweet. She is 31, from the Philippines and has been working with a family here in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong for the last 4 years. We are thrilled to welcome Jocelyn to our family. I know she will be a huge help to us.

First Day of School

Hoyer enjoyed his very first day of school! He attends the Discovery Bay Montessori School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-12:30.  He learns a lot and has a 20 minute session in Mandarin, where he learns songs and words for colors, body parts etc.  At snack time, Hoyer could not get enough, the teacher was trying to stress small bites and chewing with mouths closed, Hoyer put all his cookies in his mouth at once, then asked for more...we have some work to do! Click here if you are interested in learning more about the school and the methods

 All dressed and ready to go!

 

On the bus

  Hoyer participated in his first science experiment, he held on to his cup, taped his name on it, poured water, picked out a color to use as the food coloring and then placed his flower in the cup. Next time he is at school the flower will have changed color.

They ended the day with play time and Hoyer had a blast!

Trike

Hoyer got his first bike, a Thomas and Friends Trike. He is in love and rushes to it every morning, like it is brand new-he is learning to pedal so that he can keep up with his grandfather when we get back to the States!

Location:Headland Dr,,Hong Kong

I believe in God because of rainbows

A view from our window-Discovery Bay, Hong Kong

Future's so bright...I gotta wear shades!!

Brazilian Blowout

 

I got the Brazilian Blowout.  My hair is amazing now. I highly recommend it.  The humidity in HK is outrageous and so was my hair, now it is smooth and looks like I just stepped out of the salon-all the time. I do nothing to it and it looks like I have spent 2 hours on it.  No frizz at all in the highest of humidity, it should last 3 months too!

Potty Training Begins

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We have started potty training Hoyer. He has a potty and he understands what is supposed to happen, but I think we have a long road ahead of us! 

Our new home, Discovery Bay. We are already in love with it here!

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A wonderful playground for Hoyer, there is also an indoor playground all at our country club!

 

Hong Kong island in the distance, so close, yet so far away!

 We are cooling down everyday at the pool! 

 

Enjoyong dinner and a beautiful sunset, then fireworks!

 

Our View

Kyle and Hoyer enjoy the fireworks from our new place. We can see an amazing fireworks show every night at 8 pm thanks to Disney Land. Hoyer says,  "Wow!"

The Grass is Greener on the other Side...Moving Day

 We packed up and headed to Discovery Bay on Sunday. Everything went very smoothly!

Here is Hoyer watching a DVD while we finish packing

The view is green....

Happy Mom and Hoyer! (with a new haircut!)

 Hoyer rushed over to the grass as soon as we pulled up! We have lots of exploring to do!