QUICK FIX

"Swallow a toad in the morning and

you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day."

Nicolas Chamfort

 

 Now that's what I'd call a 'gulp of a way to start a day'...nothing could be much worse, you think?  Well, there are worse things...but you'll agree that's a disgusting experience.  Sets the tone...ha!

 

These days?  It seems to me there's so much anger in our society that's climbing the charts at a clamorous rate; high intensity with much ammunition...dangerously damaging!  Do you sometimes have the feeling that we'll never have harmony in this country?  Rather than united we seem more divided by the day...or the event...and there are plenty of eventful events!

 

I believe it's a great privilege; a great blessing to live in this wonderful United States of America.  At its inception the founding fathers called it a republic...interesting to bone up on it.  A 'Republic' is defined as a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote (the electorate) and is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them. 

 

I cannot recall a time filled with so much dislike for opposing views, especially concerning politics.  There is more than the major two party system and all seem to be at each others throats...24/7. 

 

We've lived in many other countries; Greece, Germany, Ethiopia and of course China.  Those countries have been around a very, very long time.  Each one is different...Republics?  Democracies? 

 

Take China for instance.  China has recently changed their policy on foreigners in their country.  Up until now we could go there and work for an indefinite length of time.  A rule was just established that foreigners no longer have that option; the government is changing the arrangements.

 

While living there we were required to keep the government informed about our whereabouts, our comings, goings...all our activities.  They're very rigid about it; they certainly don't have an immigration influx as we do.  Can you imagine them adding more people to an already full nation? 

 

By the way, the smog index there at this time is the highest its ever been.  The airports have been closed in Northern China...buses, etc. are having trouble even seeing the roads!  Schools and many institutions are closed and most everyone is wearing a mask.  It was bad when we were there but that was nothing compared to the present time.  They have a most serious problem that may begin affecting the entire world.

 

Switching to the personal relationships in China...more concerning our sweet girl Pearl...you remember I posted about her a few weeks ago.

 

Today I received another e-mail from her; and yes, I cried; as I always do when she reaches out and touches me and my heart.  I believe she's going to 'stay closer' which makes me feel much better. 

 

Read this:

 

Dear Vesca; you two always look great , I barely take pics of myself these days, because I don't think I look great there, so , I always throw myself at the trash bin,  I want to send u some pics of my family , but my phone doesn't work well and this computer is new ,so we do not have any here.

*This morning my mom called and told me that her new almost done house was pushed down by the government and they warned her , but she thought she just be lucky as the others ,, but this time, they just did it, not mentioning the money she already put in .. but her hearts broken down. 

 

I am thinking going back visit her tomorrow.. what can I say ? how should  I comfort her?  I will tell her that our Father has a meaning for letting them did it ? and even we did not know now. we need to believe it's for our sake in a long run .. right? but my mom she did not believe in Jesus , hope she will think about what I will say to her and get peace in her heart ..poor mom .
    

Vesca, there are secrets in peoples hearts and most of them are bad ones.  But because I see the whole process I realized how weak people are and how evil the evils are.  But why does God want me to be there?  Does He want me to save them or is God just testing me to see how strong I am.  Oh God, He is such a good game player.

 

Oh, my Mitty  has grown a lot ,she now can speak simple words like mom and bye, and for just once I let her tried some ice cream, and then a few days later, I just said the ice cream word one time, she started to scream and danced for it .. ..

 

Olivia reads a lot, the first thing when she opens her eyes and last things before she goes to bed, she goes toilet with books and even when she told me she had a stomachache, she will deep her head down at books at no time.. she surely found a world in books.  she is waiting to go to school in march next year..
 

Did I tell u I work half a day at a school  with an American guy, he married a Chinese girl and they are going to have another baby soon. He is such a brilliant guy , smart at work and be very nice to his wife; the other day he just asked me a favor to buy his wife something really expensive for her Christmas.  His parents came visited them a few months ago and they remind me you two, you have no idea how much I wanted them to be you .. have a great day .
and I will try to make my day worthy too.                          pearl".

 

 Yizhu...Olivia...Mettie...Pearl

Korean Celebration

 

*Pearl's parents live in a rural farming community.  They were peanut farmers and poor people so it was a huge thing for them to build another house...no matter how small or simple.  When Pearl says they 'pushed it down'...that's exactly what happened, it is not simply a figure of speech.  Never mind they had already put money into it...they wanted it down and down it went.*

 

While living in China we had a few pictures of our life/home/family and friends in the U.S.  One thing we had on the wall was a congratulatory message from President George W. Bush for our fiftieth wedding anniversary.

 

No one failed to notice that and they were totally shocked that our president would do such a thing; they were also shocked to learn we could write our elected officials...including the president.  They cannot do such things...a wide gulf there.  And oh my; they could not dare voice any criticism of their officials...no matter how low on the totem pole w/o fear of reprisals of a serious nature!

 

So, what do you think? 

 

Okay, swallowing a toad anytime would probably make most anything seem a better option;

I'm going to do my best to be an encouraging influence on everyone I meet...toads or no toads!

 

As always,

From my heart...to yours,

Vasca