NYC with our friends

We had a couple of Chinese friends come with us to America for their first time.  Their names are Scott (That's his English name) and YiNan and their 15 month old daughter Miao Han.  They traveled with us to NYC, they went on to DC, and then met us in Missouri for 4 days.  I think they LOVED the U.S., especially all of the good quality shopping they could do for cheaper than what you get in China.  In China, you can get cheap goods, but the quality is not as good.  They had fun loading up for themselves and their friends and family! 

YiNan loved the Nike store

 

I think they had a great time, they enjoyed getting to know our extended families and seeing what living here is like.  We will miss them and our other friends in Beijing VERY much.

My good friend Ashley met us in NYC too!!  Yay!!  We had a blast!

Will became an American Citizen!

 Grace was excited to eat the newly fallen snow.  In Beijing it snowed just a dusting maybe once or twice a season but I would never let her eat the snow.  When it falls it is falling from a smog filled sky so it's pretty gross, we always told her that she could eat the snow in America as long as it wasn't yellow.  (Ha!)

We all had fun in NYC especially with that first snow of the season for us!  Our kids really struggled with the time change while we were there.  It was sad to see them sleep through the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  What a travesty!!



Whispers Before Bedtime

On the Eve of moving back to the U.S. I am the last one to fall asleep.  My mind is racing.  I whisper a prayer on behalf of the five of us....

Thank You 

Thank You for China

for Beijing

for the people we have met

for the people we have begun loving

for the people who have expressed love to us

Thank You for our safety

Thank You for Your provision

for guidance

for Your presence

Thank You for opportunity

for free will

for Your Grace

Thank You for our family's closeness

for Your closeness

for what lies ahead

Saying goodbye to Miss Holly

Jack's PATH (goodbye) ceremony

Grace's PATH (goodbye) ceremony

After a few emotionally tough days for all of us, it's time to.....

get this Caton clan on the road!!

Pick your transport, we've about got it covered with this move back.  

Stuff's on the boat, we're in the air.



Re-Patriating

A few years ago, I had never heard the term "expatriate" before.  Here are the definitions: 

ex·pa·tri·ate  (k-sptr-t)

v. ex·pa·tri·at·ed, ex·pa·tri·at·ing, ex·pa·tri·ates

v.tr.

1. To send into exile. See Synonyms at banish.

2. To remove (oneself) from residence in one's native land.

v.intr.

1. To give up residence in one's homeland.

2. To renounce allegiance to one's homeland.

n. (-t, -t)

1. One who has taken up residence in a foreign country.

2. One who has renounced one's native land.

adj. (-t, -t) Residing in a foreign country; expatriated:
I open my thoughts this way tonight because........drum roll......the Catons are Re-Patriating!!  Meaning.....we are moving back to the U.S.!!  
Not only that, we are moving right back to the same city we're from!!
Not only that, but we are moving in three weeks!!  WHAT??? 

 Yikes!

I am not going to go into private details as to how this decision/opportunity became available.   I can chat personally about those kinds of things.  But, my husband is taking a new role within his company and will begin transitioning into that role after Christmas.  So, when we come home this time, it will be to stay.

It is a bittersweet feeling.  We have friends in China who are sad and hopefully we have friends and family in Missouri who are happy.  We are sad to leave Beijing in many ways, but we are also looking forward to bringing back a new member of our family and raising him in a similar environment that we did Jack.  

When I think about our journey to Beijing and the experiences we've had in 2 1/2 years of living here, THEY ARE PRICELESS!!  We would not trade them for anything.  God has done some amazing things:

• Allowed us to meet some amazing, inspiring people.  Not only Chinese, but people from all over the world!  
• God has showed us how big the world is, how many wonderful people and places there are that He made and He loves, how to reach outside our comfort zone, how to get outside of our bubble.
• He has also showed us how small the world is, meeting people from everywhere, realizing some people live in the same city that you are from, knowing that it will be easier in this day and age to stay in touch, trusting to "Never say never" again.
• Our family of 5 is very close now.  We have relied on each other and spent more time together than we could have back home.  A fear of mine is that we will lose some of that closeness.  The U.S. is a very busy place with many things that can preoccupy your time and attention.  My prayer is that we will make time as a family first.
• We were able to share our faith with so many and see many people come to a personal faith themselves!!
• We learned more about ourselves, our talents, our gifts, our passions, and how to best focus in on what our task is here on earth.
• We learned how to be more patient and take our time in the every day activities.
• Our kids got off to a fantastic education at the international school.  
• Last, but certainly not least, we were given a new son from China!! 

There are more things that we gained from this experience that are better left in private, but the point I want to make tonight, is that we have loved being in Beijing.  Of course, you have read and seen some of the struggles we've had as well.  Not everything is peachy when you move to a new place. 

But we are looking forward to coming HOME.  There is nothing like home, we realize that more now than ever.  From the American holidays to FAMILY and good FRIENDS, we are excited to let everyone know....."I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS".

 





Random....

Random.....

 

So True!

 



Cute, but not really.....

A great analogy

So, I've been thinking about a great analogy.  
I have been amazed at how much Will is changing.  He has been with us for only 3 months and the changes, progress, and person that he is becoming is exciting to see.
From the time we picked him up till now, he is blossoming.

He smiles all the time now

He tries more and more new things that require energy, strength, and vulnerability 

He is developing a great sense of humor and play

He is progressing with new skills and learning all the time

He is talking constantly even if we can't understand everything he is trying to say

He is developing a love for each of us 

 
Seeing my child grow into a new creation reminds me of how God sees us.

Because He made us, He designs each of us with unique qualities, gifts, and interests. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139: 13-14)

There are many things in this world that can try to destroy who we are in Him.  Circumstances, environment, sin, etc separate us from who we can be.  When we come into His family, He makes us a new creation and takes all of those wonderful things about us and the not-so wonderful things about us and makes a beautiful masterpiece.  We are always changing and developing into His design.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17)

We are His canvas in which He makes His art for His glory.  

I can see how God took Will's unfortunate beginning and how He can and WILL make something extraordinary. He does the same through each of us as we walk with Him. 

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget you, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.  (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Praise God....How Great Thou Art!  My prayer is that I will allow God to do His artwork through me as I see His glory through my children.