Ketchup on Noodles

Greetings To All:

How in the wide world are you? On this side of the Pacific Ocean life is good. We seem to be in near-constant motion. In approximately forty hours we will be headed back to the states. The time spent here in Beijing has been uplifting and hope-building. As Kathy and I both feel at home here, it's hard not to make any decisions about our future solely based on our feelings. What is truly important is knowing where God wants us to be. Will you please join us in continuing to pray for our future. I know that is a bit vague, so I'll give you a little more direction (and then maybe you can help give us some.) We would like to have a sound financial support system. We would like to be a part of a team here in Beijing. We would like to have "clear" direction for being here.

Some items listed above have been made more apparent since we've been here. There is a (small) team from our organization, and they would love to have us as a part of their team. They are very supportive of eachother in pursuing the individual calling that each of them has on their life. I visited a university that has a good Chinese language department. That seems like a very good prospect for me to learn the language. (Kathy won't have to order our food and tell the taxi driver where we're going all the time herself.) The program I would like to join starts in the second week of March 09. Kathy would enjoy helping one of the team members with tasks for which she desires help. Being together as a family in this city has felt natural.

We are aware of the financial situation across the country. Understatement: not good. It certainly has worsened since we left for Oregon. But, as we reflect on that time in our lives, we know we were very blessed to have been so strongly supported financially! Those times were not as bad as the current situation, but they weren't exactly easy. As we stepped out to do what God called us to do, He provided. We believe He wants to again. Hey, gas prices below $2.00 again? Awesome.

On the lighter side. Tonight at dinner Kathy ordered a noodle dish that had a red sauce. After it arrived she wanted more sauce. The waitress took it and brought it back with ketchup poured on top of the dish. As much as she argued, Kathy couldn't get them to change it. Chaulk that one up to cultural differences. Another unrelated story: this morning after church (one that is only for foreigners) three people approached us and asked if they could take Dakota's picture. (What's new?) But these three people handed me a card that said they were an agency representing foreign actors. Ah, a star is born. I told them that we were leaving in two days and that we may be back in March. They wanted to keep in touch.

Well, the next time we contact any of you will be stateside. It almost seems surreal. But, our path has not come to a lengthy resting place, yet. Each step of the way so far has had its blessings; some we have to look harder for than others, but they are there. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us! Send us a line to let us know what is going on with you. Sorry, we don't have any videos this time. You'll have to settle for still pictures only. Maybe you can look at them while you listen to a cassette tape. (Hopefully at least some of you understand my sense of humor.) Enjoy!

God's Blessings To You,

Carson, Kathy, Dakota