I thought this picture would be appropriate for marking the start of a new year. I especially like how Hong Kong Island is sandwiched between the rising sun and the highest building on the Island, the IFC building. When I stumble to the kitchen before 6 in the morning, oftentimes this is the scene that greets me. Then I have to wake up enough to grab my camera and head to the window in the living room where I can get a clearer picture, open it, feel the cool breeze, and half hang out the window to get off a few snaps!
It gives me hope as I begin my day and what runs through my mind is the verse "His mercies are new every morning." I am so very thankful for that, because I get a new start each day, and don't have to wait for a "new year." The reason why I am so thankful is because each day, to a greater or lesser degree, I am in desperate need of God's grace and mercy!!
At the beginning of the Christmas break, I thought two weeks were going to go slowly by - I couldn't have been more wrong. Here are a few pictures of how we spent our time. . .
Ellen proudly modeling the fruit of her labour.
Had to get this picture of the man helping people on and off the ferry the other day. Don't see many orange Michigan shirts in the States.
Hannah was kind enough not to spin the teacup for her motion-sick prone friend Zoe.
Ellen wanted to knit a hat, had never knitted a hat before, so she went on the internet where she saw a pattern, and wa-la, after a few hundred "clacks" of the knitting needles, she made a perfect knit hat! I think she even surprised herself. Zoe and I are now waiting for her to knit one for us :)
Ellen in her new Uggs!! She looks very chic in them when she rolls the tops down too. Ellen has always loved soft and silky things and she really likes the feel of her bare feet cozy and comfy inside these boots.
Brad and I have noticed a distinct change in our kids Christmas morning behavior as they get older. We actually had to go wake Ellen up, as it was already 8:30 and Zoe was tired of waiting to open presents. Then in between opening presents, I snapped this yawn!!
Ahhhh, the bag she's been wanting for awhile - of course, it's real, how could you even ask!! (or maybe mom made a trip north of the border?)
Ellen's hands working the dough for Christmas cookies.
We were able to treat some kids from a Hong Kong orphanage to a shopping trip to the mall, lunch at McDonald's, and Christmas lights downtown. Here a few of the girls took a break after buying some clothes. There were about 30 kids in all, 20 adults, and we had a very enjoyable, though tiring, day of activity. Although we couldn't communicate very well with them, because most of us did not speak Cantonese and their English was limited, the little girl I was paired up with facing me in this picture was able to speak an English word while we were sitting down in McDonald's eating lunch. She turned to me and said, "Happy." Somehow made all the effort very worthwhile!!
It gives me hope as I begin my day and what runs through my mind is the verse "His mercies are new every morning." I am so very thankful for that, because I get a new start each day, and don't have to wait for a "new year." The reason why I am so thankful is because each day, to a greater or lesser degree, I am in desperate need of God's grace and mercy!!
At the beginning of the Christmas break, I thought two weeks were going to go slowly by - I couldn't have been more wrong. Here are a few pictures of how we spent our time. . .
Ellen proudly modeling the fruit of her labour.
Had to get this picture of the man helping people on and off the ferry the other day. Don't see many orange Michigan shirts in the States.
Hannah was kind enough not to spin the teacup for her motion-sick prone friend Zoe.
Ellen wanted to knit a hat, had never knitted a hat before, so she went on the internet where she saw a pattern, and wa-la, after a few hundred "clacks" of the knitting needles, she made a perfect knit hat! I think she even surprised herself. Zoe and I are now waiting for her to knit one for us :)
Ellen in her new Uggs!! She looks very chic in them when she rolls the tops down too. Ellen has always loved soft and silky things and she really likes the feel of her bare feet cozy and comfy inside these boots.
Brad and I have noticed a distinct change in our kids Christmas morning behavior as they get older. We actually had to go wake Ellen up, as it was already 8:30 and Zoe was tired of waiting to open presents. Then in between opening presents, I snapped this yawn!!
Ahhhh, the bag she's been wanting for awhile - of course, it's real, how could you even ask!! (or maybe mom made a trip north of the border?)
Ellen's hands working the dough for Christmas cookies.
We were able to treat some kids from a Hong Kong orphanage to a shopping trip to the mall, lunch at McDonald's, and Christmas lights downtown. Here a few of the girls took a break after buying some clothes. There were about 30 kids in all, 20 adults, and we had a very enjoyable, though tiring, day of activity. Although we couldn't communicate very well with them, because most of us did not speak Cantonese and their English was limited, the little girl I was paired up with facing me in this picture was able to speak an English word while we were sitting down in McDonald's eating lunch. She turned to me and said, "Happy." Somehow made all the effort very worthwhile!! 
1 comment:
Happy New Year! Ellen looks so old in the picture of her wearing her hat! I'm very impressed with her knitting skills! Hope the new year is filled with lots of joy!
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