I arranged to pick up Rachel after her AP Computer Science Exam, to spend the afternoon together. We took the subway to a shopping area downtown. To both of our delight, we found a really nice dress for Rachel’s upcoming graduation. This is saying a lot, because finding just the right dress in China is not always easy. Afterwards we took a ride in a small 3-wheeled taxi-type vehicle over to a the historic Astor Hotel. Built in 1863, this hotel has a rich history as a prime venue for diplomatic activity in Tianjin. The Astor offers English Afternoon Tea which is one of Rachel’s favorite outings. We enjoyed tea and had a nice time planning for the busy weeks to come.

Sweet old gentleman who drove us in his 3-wheeled “taxi”

Historic Catholic church located at the end of the walking shopping street called Bin Jiang Dao.

A new family from Malaysia, enrolled in our school late last fall. We have become good friends, sharing life as foreigners in China. Although this family looks Asian, their language is different. They speak Malay and Cantonese, which is much different than Mandarin Chinese. I think it is often more difficult for these Asian foreigners because local people expect them to know how to speak their language. Whereas white faces like ours don’t usually speak fluent Mandarin.

Last Sunday night our friends treated us to traditional Malaysian food. Here’s a picture of our girls with their new friend, Poh Ann, enjoying dinner, and Sean and me with our new friends.

As we get familiar with our new apartment complex, we noticed many efforts to make the grounds nice. One way is to plant new trees in the spring. Here is an typical Chinese three-wheeled farm truck. When the engine is turned on, you can hear loud rumbles from the exhaust pipes that sound similar to a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

In the last month we celebrated 3 birthdays. Megan turned 6, Maddie turned 14 and Jessie celebrated sweet 16! In the midst of moving life has been upside down. My sweet Malaysian friend remembered the girls birthdays and presented them with this delicious fruit-topped birthday cake. We are so blessed by special friendships here.

Megan and her friend, Keli, pictured below as we ate a meal together at the White Market, near our old apartment. Lot of memories at this market, buying vegetables, meat, street food and odd & ends.

A glimpse of the small kitchen and passersby.

I accompanied 10th and 12th graders on a service project in our district. We were asked to help plant trees at a tree farm outside our city. Next year when the trees are more mature, they will be replanted to add more green to Tianjin.

After a long week of work setting up our new apartment, we celebrated Passover…it was actually the first full meal I cooked in my new kitchen, which made it more meaningful. Michael was able to join us from Hong Kong, since he had a long weekend for the Easter holiday. In the kitchen

Tables set in the cozy loft room and chocolate-covered Matzos.

Sean reads to Megan from a children’s Haggadah.

Thank you for your prayers over the last month. Our recent move was the easiest ever, physically, since we had movers to pack, load and unload trucks. Our organization provided this benefit and it was a big blessing to us. They showed up at 8 AM and began to dismantle our home; by 5 pm that day, we were moved in, with bunk beds set up, and furniture in place. Of course we still had lots of shifting and organizing to do.

Here’s some photos of packing and moving…kitchen, girls room and mine and Sean’s room

These guys did a fantastic job. We are so grateful to have had movers.

In the new apartment…Sean’s work begins with hanging our favorite chandelier that has traveled with us from Virginia, to Kansas and now to China.

And here is the reason we wanted to move a little closer to our new campus!

I had my helper cook one of the fish that the bike man gave to Megan. I gave my helper the other 2 to take home and cook for herself. The flavoring was so nice, however the bones are another story. It was such a little fish to begin with, so it was very hard to find a piece of meat with out getting a bone. Megan wasn’t too thrilled about tasting it.