Little by Little...

I realize not all readers of this blog are members of the LDS faith and might not find this post very interesting. But the blog is also a form of a family journal for us and I wanted to record some experiences that have happend lately. I'm sure Jen will soon put up more entertaining posts with pictures soon.

Even though Jen and I think it is a great opportunity to come and work in China we have often felt like the job wasn't the real reason we came here. Hopefully during the years that we are here we will be able to find out why exactly we did move here. Lately there have been some neat experiences though. Some of you may have met big Corey from Shanghai while he was in Utah last June. During that time he visited Temple Square and attended church meetings. He was given a Book of Mormon which he started to read, a lot. It was interesting because while in the US I was able to answer any questions he might have. But once I moved to China I was no longer able to discuss religion with him due to the local laws. He continued to study on his own. A week or so ago we were in Taiwan for a trade show. During that time he arranged for himself to get baptized. The Taipei mission president conducted his interview and spoke at his baptismal service. I was also able to attend. It was a great experience. It's amazing that the gospel is being spread even in places without missionaries. (there are alwasy rumors, but there are no missionaries in China)

There have also been a few other neat things happen lately. A young man that one of my mission companions baptized just completed his mission. He used to come on exchanges with me a few times a week. He has no parents but he was still willing to give of himself to go out and serve. He finished his mission two weeks ago and contacted me. It was great to speak with him again.

When I returned from my mission I spoke about three people in return- talk at church. Some of you may remember. This morning I was in contact with two of them. Roger, who many of you have met, has turned in his mission papers and will be leaving to serve a full-time mission this summer. The other was No-No, yes this is his real name. I lost contact with him for a couple of years but found him this morning. Come to find out he is also living in Shanghai! We are going to get together this week for dinner.

One final experience. Two years ago when I was in Shanghai I met a young man from Taiwan. We met while running on the treadmills at the gym. Because he was from Taiwan the local laws do permit us to discuss religion. He started to come to church with me. After I moved back to the US I lost contact with him and shortley there after he stopped going to church. When Jen and I moved back I hoped to find him again but in a city of 20+ million people it is difficult to 'run into' someone. Jen and I hoped and prayed we would be able to get in contact with him again. Shortley there after I did 'run' into him! He has been attending church with us ever since.

It is neat to see the little bit of good we can do. Affecting 1 or 2 people's lives doesn't seem like a big deal when you look at the total population, unless of course you are that one person.

Our new Sunday walk

Guam

Because Taylor took a business trip this week, I decided to take a trip as well! Since my good friend and college running teammate, Nellie and her cute family, live in warm sunny Guam, only a couple hours flight from the Philippines, and her husband was gone for training, I decided to take this opportunity to visit her and Guam. If you all can remember my favorite ultimate fighter, Justin Cruz, lives in Guam. I hoped to see him on this trip but he was probably somewhere else winning fights;) It was so wonderful to see the sun again. For the last month the sun was struggling to find Shanghai. It was also wonderful to see Nellie again. She is a great friend and an even greater mother and I learned a lot from her about mothering. I learned all about nutrition for children, singing to children, playing with your children, discipline, and love. I also learned a lot of essential other things like new healthy recipes, running while pregnant, things that help ease pregnant nausea and so much more. I had so much fun as they showed me their favorite spots: Ratidian Beach, Haputo Beach-we had to take an awesome hike to get to this wonderful secret of the Earth beach, Inarajan Falls, Chamorro Village on Wednesday evening where I was able to try food from Guam, and Timon Bay. We even ran a few times in the morning. I loved being outside running in the warmth. I am having so much fun with Nellie and her beautiful daughters, and I have one more day to experience Guam. It's more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. The warmth is awesome!!!

Thanks Nellie for showing me around your new home! It's been a great week!

Fresh coconut from Umatac Bay.

Me and Analia in a small local village called Gef Pago.

The wonderful secret of the Earth Haputo Bay. I loved this secluded beach!

One of the most amazing sights I've ever before laid eyes on. The immensity of the ocean is just astounding!

Fresh bananas from Umatac Bay. The nice guy introduced himself as Big Johnny. He let us eat these bananas and cut us open some coconut and let us drink the juice. He let us feed his water buffalo Bessie, and even let Analia ride her. He pointed out to us the village cemetery below and joked that people were dying to get there...Funny guy.

I think Maya thought this was just as interesting as I did. I've never fed a water buffalo before!

On one of our hikes.

Thanks again Nellie for a wonderful week. I really have enjoyed my time exploring the island. We hope to see you in Shanghai this summer!!!

Wo de qing ren

My Husband

Valentines Day was last week, but I still want to say why I think my husband is so great!

We met on the track and cross-country team so long ago. We actually first met in 2002! He was this crazy fun guy (still is) and when we married we thought we were the same person. Probably because we loved to run, and ate, slept, and drank running every hour of every day. The more time that passes we realize just how very different we both are, but we complement each other in so many different ways. He loves life, and lives each day to the fullest. He has taught me a lot about that. He always has something to laugh about, and likes to make others laugh. He is a very optimistic person. He is an extremely hard worker. He is always pushing himself to greater heights in everything he does, and pushes me to do the same. He speaks Chinese well and is not afraid to fight for a taxi! He won't be walked over! He speaks out for the truth, even if it means others will think less of him. He isn't afraid of what others think of him. Sometimes he dances this crazy dance whenever no one is looking, and has vowed to share it with no one but me even though I hope to catch it on camera one of these days. Whenever he hears Shakira, or Beyonce, or Black Eyed Peas, or any other hip hop or upbeat music, he'll automatically start groovin' to the beat-no matter the location. He loves Karaoke and if anyone is ever up for it-there's no question for him, he will go. He loves a party, and friends, and being with friends at parties, and there's never a time he won't want to go. He is really smart and is a quick thinker. He can write a paper, or a talk, or a presentation in under an hour! I spent my entire college career writing papers and could never write a paper that quick. Still can't. We still run together. He treats me as his equal. He loves his nieces and nephews and loves spending time with his family. He calls his parents often to check up on them. He always calls to check up on me or just to say hi at least a few times throughout the day. He is excited for our new baby. I think he'll be a great dad.

Thanks TP for being the best and making life so fun!

Prego my Eggo!

Pop Quiz: which of these two people is four months along and which is about 10 weeks along?

Answer: subject #2 is the one who is actually pregnant. Subject #1 is in the process of growing a new resting spot for a can of coke and the remote (and yes, subject #1 is wearing subject #2's shirt for this photo shoot so they requested that their face not be shown and to remain anonymous).

Lots o' photos of Nanjing and Shanghai

This is the Shanghai subway at rush hour. If you get claustrophobic around crowds of people, this isn't the place for you... Karaoke during the break! You should have seen Taylor shake it during 'Baby Got Back'. It was comparable to MTV rappers girlfriends!

An alleyway in the city.

During our New Years Break in Nanjing, many of the sidewalks we came across had trees in the center of the sidewalk, so it was sometimes difficult to navigate through. Where did we walk then, you ask??? The road... along with all the traffic.

I once heard that Shanghai's National Flag is their underwear, flying and waving strong and proud out of all the apartment windows and balconys.

Photos

Hanging on hangers from a bamboo pole outside a window somewhere in Shanghai: pork and beef, then onto the leg of something, and onto some sort of fish. Below are beef sticks Taylor loves to buy on the streets. Let's hope the meat hasn't come from the hangers above...

From Nanjing: Halfway up the tremendous mountain stairs to Sun Yet Sen Mausoleum.

Woah! What a climb!

Goal accomplished.

At the top! Too bad we couldn't take pictures inside the mausoleum. It was pretty amazing. Thanks for the hat Ben! It was well used during this cold week.

Part of the wall surrounding Nanjing that's still left standing.

This is the Mexican Restaurant that was closed for New Years, but they opened just for us when we wanted lunch. Can you tell it's empty. There were no waiters or waitresses of course, they were on break. Who let us in then? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine. We think she was the maid...

If you zoom in on this sign, it clearly says the restaurant will be closed until after the New Year.