This year and Last year

Lately I have been thinking about the difference from this year and last year. This year is much better! Why?
I think the biggest difference is that we have a home. Last year when we got off the plane we were told that we would be staying in a hotel for a while. I really tried not to grumble, but I could not even really unpack—we hand no place to put things. All of our suitcases were stacked in the corners of the rooms. I wish I had thought to take pictures. This year I unpacked all the suitcases the next day.

Last year we were pretty tired, but couldn’t stay cooped up in the hotel all the time, so we went out. We really needed to explore the city some. We did, and we got lost! I mostly remember that it was VERY hot. We all got pretty dehydrated, which did not help the jet lag! This year, we have gone out in the heat some, but so far we have not got lost. We know how to get around the city now.

Last year all the kids got sick! It was terrible. This year so far (knock on wood) we have been pretty healthy.

Last year, while we were still in the hotel, we did not even have a way to do laundry. We washed clothes at Josh and Yan’s place at least once. We also hand washed some things. We did not even have a balcony to hang the clothes so we hung them around the room and on a rack that we borrowed from Josh and Gao Yan.
This year, I was able to wash clothes the day after arriving, and hang them out, and the Ai yi helped wash clothes too.

Last year we did not really have internet access for several weeks. This year we got on an unsecure network for 2 days but now have our own internet, and a way around the great firewall! So we are able to stay in touch with loved ones on the other side of the world

Last year, we were in a dingy, dark, cramped hotel room and then we moved into two apartments across the hall from each other until they broke the hole in the wall. Once we were in the apartment, the kids slept on a mattress on the floor in the room next to us.
This year we came home to our bright and clean apartment. The kids each have their own beds.

Last year we knew no one (except our team) in the city. This year we have friends and even more possibilities. Jon has already picked his studies with Alex back up!

To me it is amazing to see the difference. This year is much better than last year. We are excited about the potential for the new year! Please continue to pray for us, that doors will be open and that we will find those seeking Him.