well we finally have our new website set up so we're moving our blog there. we thought it would be cool to have a place where we could blog and also post photo albums.
so we hope you enjoy the new site. (fyi: the menu bar for navigating the new site is at the top of the homepage.
the new site is - http://web.mac.com/bryan.tammy
one new thing:
the new site is password protected (to allow for a little extra security) so you'll need the user name and password to access it. you should have already received an email with this info.
however, if you haven't received the email and would like the password info, please leave a comment and let me know. i'd be happy to send the user name and password to you. (please include your email address in your comment.)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
found this information on the cnn website today. i thought you might enjoy it. i find it really interesting.
World's most expensive cities 2007
1. Moscow
2. London
3. Seoul
4. Tokyo
5. Hong Kong
6. Copenhagen
7. Geneva
8. Osaka
9. Zurich
10. Oslo
11. Milan
12. St. Petersburg
13. Paris
14. Singapore
15. New York City
16. Dublin
17. Tel Aviv
18. Rome
19. Vienna
20. Beijing
if you'd like the whole article, you can see it here.
World's most expensive cities 2007
1. Moscow
2. London
3. Seoul
4. Tokyo
5. Hong Kong
6. Copenhagen
7. Geneva
8. Osaka
9. Zurich
10. Oslo
11. Milan
12. St. Petersburg
13. Paris
14. Singapore
15. New York City
16. Dublin
17. Tel Aviv
18. Rome
19. Vienna
20. Beijing
if you'd like the whole article, you can see it here.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
A bit of history
Most people can't believe that we have had as many different job expereinces as we have had. It is pretty obnoxious to tell you the truth, but so far has seemed to serve us well. One of our past jobs had us living in Peru, South America teaching English amoung other things. It has been fun to reflect on our time in Peru as we prepare for China. We did many things right, and sooo many things wrong. I have sat in amazement (and maybe a tad bit of frustration) over how different our experience in Peru could have been if we had some of the training we are recieving now. (That could be a whole other post.)
Anyway, with Peru heavy on our minds, we just happened to pass a Peruvian resteraunt. CRAZY uncommon. So, today we had free time at lunch and went to check it out. It was amazing! The cheif was actually from Peru as well as our waiter. They had all of our favorite dishes we had eaten so often in our Peruvian home. We told our waiter that we had lived in Peru and which city. So I told him my one sorrow in eating at the resteraunt was them not serving the dish that was special in our city. He surprised us by going to the kitchen and brining us a plate of Carapulcra! We ate until we could eat no more. The only sad part about the lunch...as we were speaking to the waiter in spanish I had a horrid revelation. I have to start all over again learning Mandarin. Oh, what a thought.
Anyway, with Peru heavy on our minds, we just happened to pass a Peruvian resteraunt. CRAZY uncommon. So, today we had free time at lunch and went to check it out. It was amazing! The cheif was actually from Peru as well as our waiter. They had all of our favorite dishes we had eaten so often in our Peruvian home. We told our waiter that we had lived in Peru and which city. So I told him my one sorrow in eating at the resteraunt was them not serving the dish that was special in our city. He surprised us by going to the kitchen and brining us a plate of Carapulcra! We ate until we could eat no more. The only sad part about the lunch...as we were speaking to the waiter in spanish I had a horrid revelation. I have to start all over again learning Mandarin. Oh, what a thought.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
ESFJ
For all of my work friends, I am sure that you will get a kick out of knowing that I was required to finally take the Myers-Briggs personality test. I have been doing everything in my power not to take it for the past five years. The idea of a test being able to tell me who I am drove me crazy. Not to mention I don't test well which added a whole other level to my desire to avoid being "profiled." Some of you might wonder what the big deal is...but you see in our organization EVERYONE asks everyone else what their "letters" are. I hated it. "Don't ask me my letters, get to know me and find out for yourself." That was my internal scream every time someone asked. My regional director laughed at me when I told him why I didn't want to take it. He said he knew exactly what my letters were just because I said that! Maddening!
Okay so this is a very long intro to simply tell you that I took the test; found out that I am an esfj (extrovert, sensing, feeling, judging) and actually liked the whole process. It was even more fun that Bryan and I were in the session with the psychologist together and were able to compare notes. WE ARE COMPLETELY OPPOSITE! Well all except the Judging which means we both like to be organized, scheduled, and predictable...that is probably what saves our marriage! :) It was fun to have the counselor tell us how to better utilize our personalities to serve one another better and tips on how our personalities will affect us living overseas. like - because my personality type is known as a "people gatherer" I will do better at learning Chinese in a group setting and practicing with my neighbors. Makes total sense. Bryan on the other hand a total introvert (yes, he really is an introvert) will do better with a one on one tutor. The counselor also gave us a few marriage tips, but maybe we will keep those confidential! :)
Anyway we are having fun in Madison. And all you IV folk can be smug about the fact that yes, you were right. I am glad that I took the stupid test.
Tammy
Okay so this is a very long intro to simply tell you that I took the test; found out that I am an esfj (extrovert, sensing, feeling, judging) and actually liked the whole process. It was even more fun that Bryan and I were in the session with the psychologist together and were able to compare notes. WE ARE COMPLETELY OPPOSITE! Well all except the Judging which means we both like to be organized, scheduled, and predictable...that is probably what saves our marriage! :) It was fun to have the counselor tell us how to better utilize our personalities to serve one another better and tips on how our personalities will affect us living overseas. like - because my personality type is known as a "people gatherer" I will do better at learning Chinese in a group setting and practicing with my neighbors. Makes total sense. Bryan on the other hand a total introvert (yes, he really is an introvert) will do better with a one on one tutor. The counselor also gave us a few marriage tips, but maybe we will keep those confidential! :)
Anyway we are having fun in Madison. And all you IV folk can be smug about the fact that yes, you were right. I am glad that I took the stupid test.
Tammy
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
equalizing
After a week of much work and even more emotion, I am able to say that sitting through hours of meetings every day actually feels like a vacation! Crazy I know, but so true. I haven't seen a box for at least three days now and none of us have broken down in tears- which is huge.
The kids are having a good time with Nana exploring the capitol building, the children's museum and tomorrow I think it will be the zoo. And all joking aside, Bryan and I are really enjoying our time in Madison as well. It has been nice to get to know our new supervisors better, to learn more about the international movement that our organization is a part of and to receive training for living overseas. We feel very cared for. For example part of our training includes seminars and meetings with a psychologist and spiritual director. I am learning so much about my emotions, cultural expectations, my personality and weakness. I kinda wish I had known some of this stuff years ago...it probably would have made Bryan's life much easier! :)
So all that to say we are learning much, have settled into our hotel room and our emotions are equalizing out. Thanks for pr-ying for us.
Tammy
The kids are having a good time with Nana exploring the capitol building, the children's museum and tomorrow I think it will be the zoo. And all joking aside, Bryan and I are really enjoying our time in Madison as well. It has been nice to get to know our new supervisors better, to learn more about the international movement that our organization is a part of and to receive training for living overseas. We feel very cared for. For example part of our training includes seminars and meetings with a psychologist and spiritual director. I am learning so much about my emotions, cultural expectations, my personality and weakness. I kinda wish I had known some of this stuff years ago...it probably would have made Bryan's life much easier! :)
So all that to say we are learning much, have settled into our hotel room and our emotions are equalizing out. Thanks for pr-ying for us.
Tammy
Sunday, June 10, 2007
moved out and in madison, wi
sorry that it's been a week since our last post. things have been a little crazy in the past week.
in the past week we have packed up our house, moved everything to be stored in a storage barn at tammy's parent's house in croswell, and are now in madison, wisconsin at our LINK orientation. we're doing well and the kids have been troopers. we're excited to finally be here since this seems like the first travel step towards our journey to east asia.
we'll be here in madison for 10 days and then we'll get in the van and drive to florida. :-)
we'll try to blog off and on this week to keep you up to date with some of the stuff we're doing here and some of the funny stuff the kids say.
here's a funny ruthie story from today's travels. we stopped at fazoli's for lunch. the kids wanted a lemon ice for dessert. tammy was teasing ruthie that she had eaten too much spaghetti and that she was too full. she looked at tammy and said, "no, i'm not mom. see." and then she promptly opened her mouth to show tam that she still had plenty of room.
bryan
in the past week we have packed up our house, moved everything to be stored in a storage barn at tammy's parent's house in croswell, and are now in madison, wisconsin at our LINK orientation. we're doing well and the kids have been troopers. we're excited to finally be here since this seems like the first travel step towards our journey to east asia.
we'll be here in madison for 10 days and then we'll get in the van and drive to florida. :-)
we'll try to blog off and on this week to keep you up to date with some of the stuff we're doing here and some of the funny stuff the kids say.
here's a funny ruthie story from today's travels. we stopped at fazoli's for lunch. the kids wanted a lemon ice for dessert. tammy was teasing ruthie that she had eaten too much spaghetti and that she was too full. she looked at tammy and said, "no, i'm not mom. see." and then she promptly opened her mouth to show tam that she still had plenty of room.
bryan
Friday, June 1, 2007
graduation dinner
you'd be surprised at what i cooked for dinner last night.
since it was sam's graduation day, i told him i'd cook him whatever he wanted for dinner. his choice: grits, eggs and sausage! nothing could make a southern dad happier. seems you can take the boy (and his kids) out of the south, but they're still going to find a way to eat grits. must be genetic somehow.
now, if we could just find a way to convert tammy to the culinary wonders of grits. wait was that a pig i saw flying by. :-)
bryan
since it was sam's graduation day, i told him i'd cook him whatever he wanted for dinner. his choice: grits, eggs and sausage! nothing could make a southern dad happier. seems you can take the boy (and his kids) out of the south, but they're still going to find a way to eat grits. must be genetic somehow.
now, if we could just find a way to convert tammy to the culinary wonders of grits. wait was that a pig i saw flying by. :-)
bryan
Thursday, May 31, 2007
our graduate
well, it's official. we now have a preschool graduate.
sam had his graduation ceremony today - complete with paper graduation cap. it was fun and he was really proud of his accomplishment. ruthie cheered him on as he got his little diploma. (of course it's in chinese and we have no idea what it really says. maybe sam will translate for us. :-) )
hope you enjoy the photos. one is of sam and ruthie before school. the other is sam with his diploma.
bryan
sam had his graduation ceremony today - complete with paper graduation cap. it was fun and he was really proud of his accomplishment. ruthie cheered him on as he got his little diploma. (of course it's in chinese and we have no idea what it really says. maybe sam will translate for us. :-) )
hope you enjoy the photos. one is of sam and ruthie before school. the other is sam with his diploma.
bryan
Monday, May 28, 2007
The countdown
A week from Wed. we are going to load our whole lives up into a truck and move it to a storage barn. It is a bit surreal to know that it is just over a week away. If you would please lift up our family in the next several days. It is emotional to say the least. The days are filled with good-byes, giving away belongs, and desperately trying to find closure. We are trying to be healthy in crying our tears as well as looking forward with anticipation. In some moments we experience the full range of all those emotions.
For example this weekend we visited Croswell. It was fun to share with my home ch where we are going and what we will be doing. The excitement builds as we share the Father's vision with others. It was great to reconnect with so many childhood friends and know that they are supportive of our family. The next day we worked on getting the storage barn ready for our stuff, which was on the other end of the emotions.
We are doing stuff to help with all the emotions. Mom took the kids to "build a bear" where they each picked a stuffed animal to make. They stuffed it with lots of hugs and kisses from Nana so when they need one in China they just need to give their new bears a hug. I was amazed how Ruthie latched on to the bear and told Nana that would help her when she is lonely.
Here is a photo of the two newest members of the family...super dog and pink bear bear! (yes, pink bear bear is wearing a bright purple tutu. Nana let her pick exactly what she wanted as you can tell!)
tammy
Thursday, May 24, 2007
It's not about us
We were blessed by a couple from ch--ch who asked to take us out to eat. We enjoyed steak and sweet potatoes without any expectation of was to come. Half way through the meal they slid a check our way. "We pr@yed about the amount and feel like this is what He would have us give." I was struck by the tears in the eyes of the husband. There was such great joy in their giving...a deep sense of calling and purpose.
We opened the check and basically came unglued. $3000.00. The exact amount we had been asking the Father for. The exact amount that we needed before we could purchase plane tickets and set a departure date. Just to add a bit more to the miracle...the check was postdated two weeks earlier. HE had laid the amount on their hearts even before they knew the amount needed. Amazing.
I sometimes struggle with fund raising. At one time it made me feel like I was always living life with my hand out. The Father challenged my thinking about a year ago. The work in China is His, not ours. If I don't share with others how they can be a part of that work I am selfishly holding back what could be a huge blessing in their lives. This couple was a perfect example of that. They were blessed to know that He had spoken so clearly to them and that they were able to be a part of what He is doing. The work in China is just as much theirs as it is ours. It takes a team and we appreciate everyone who gives, pr@ys and serves on that team with us.
Soooo....PG! We are on our way. Plane tickets will be purchased next week.
by Tammy
We opened the check and basically came unglued. $3000.00. The exact amount we had been asking the Father for. The exact amount that we needed before we could purchase plane tickets and set a departure date. Just to add a bit more to the miracle...the check was postdated two weeks earlier. HE had laid the amount on their hearts even before they knew the amount needed. Amazing.
I sometimes struggle with fund raising. At one time it made me feel like I was always living life with my hand out. The Father challenged my thinking about a year ago. The work in China is His, not ours. If I don't share with others how they can be a part of that work I am selfishly holding back what could be a huge blessing in their lives. This couple was a perfect example of that. They were blessed to know that He had spoken so clearly to them and that they were able to be a part of what He is doing. The work in China is just as much theirs as it is ours. It takes a team and we appreciate everyone who gives, pr@ys and serves on that team with us.
Soooo....PG! We are on our way. Plane tickets will be purchased next week.
by Tammy
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
95%
just wanted to say that He continues to surprise us!
we're now at around 95% funding. we're getting close to being able to set an official departure date and buy tickets. thanks for lifting us up to the father. we're grateful for your partnership and His grace.
we're now at around 95% funding. we're getting close to being able to set an official departure date and buy tickets. thanks for lifting us up to the father. we're grateful for your partnership and His grace.
travel schedule
we thought we'd post our travel schedule. a lot of people have been asking what we'll be be up to between now and late july. as you can see, we'll be doing the nomadic traveling thing.
we're looking forward to hitting the road because we'll get to see many of you over the next month.
june 8 | move out of our house in lansing
june 10-21 | Intervarsity LINK orientation in madison, WI
june 24-30 | bethlehem campmeeting in fl
june 27 evening | gateway baptist ch--ch in blountstown, fl
july 1 morning | rivertown community ch--ch in blountstown, fl
july 1 evening | blountstown umc in blountstown, fl
july 6-7 | lexington, ky
if you would like to keep in touch with us during our travels, feel free to email us or call our cell phone. we'll be posting on the blog right up until we leave. we'll try to do so as we can during our travels.
we're looking forward to hitting the road because we'll get to see many of you over the next month.
june 8 | move out of our house in lansing
june 10-21 | Intervarsity LINK orientation in madison, WI
june 24-30 | bethlehem campmeeting in fl
june 27 evening | gateway baptist ch--ch in blountstown, fl
july 1 morning | rivertown community ch--ch in blountstown, fl
july 1 evening | blountstown umc in blountstown, fl
july 6-7 | lexington, ky
if you would like to keep in touch with us during our travels, feel free to email us or call our cell phone. we'll be posting on the blog right up until we leave. we'll try to do so as we can during our travels.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Sunday Musings
We recently have been going through a series of teachings Sunday mornings entitled "imprint" which have spurred much thinking. I really do want my life to make an impression on those around me and I often find myself struggling to make that a reality. As I sat and listened to the core values of our community being presented again...it hit me. It is not my job to make an impression. It is my job to have my values in line so that He can make the impression. That takes so much of the pressure off. Okay, it doesn't take all the pressure off. But it does help.
I find myself getting my values mixed up so easily without even realizing it. I cry out over having to purge my life of stuff...but what do I want to value more - things or souls. Even more, what example do I want to give the kids.
My pr@yer for today is for Him to help me get my values in order.
So those are my musings of the day. I need to stop making it all about me and make it all about having Him in the right place in my life. (Hey that almost could be a song.)
For the record, our Sunday morning community is going to be one of the things we miss the most as we move away from Lansing.
by tammy
I find myself getting my values mixed up so easily without even realizing it. I cry out over having to purge my life of stuff...but what do I want to value more - things or souls. Even more, what example do I want to give the kids.
My pr@yer for today is for Him to help me get my values in order.
So those are my musings of the day. I need to stop making it all about me and make it all about having Him in the right place in my life. (Hey that almost could be a song.)
For the record, our Sunday morning community is going to be one of the things we miss the most as we move away from Lansing.
by tammy
Friday, May 18, 2007
more about packing
I (Tammy) haven't wanted to post in the last couple of days, because to be honest all I can think about is packing. And a daily post about the progress (or lack there of) that I am making in my packing strategy just doesn't seem very interesting...even to me and I am living it!
We are making a bit of progress, but it just doesn't look like it. I keep telling myself that it always looks messier before it gets packed. Right?!
The kids are trying to pitch in and help. Most of the time Roo helps by taking stuff out of the boxes. But hey, she is trying! Sam went through his closet with me yesterday. He worked hard at trying on clothes and picking which ones to take with us. He then started talking about the games and puzzles on the shelves. Just as if it were natural he told me which ones he wanted to give away and which he would sell and which he wanted to take. After the conversation, I realized it probably is a way bigger deal to me to give away their toys. Then he blew me out of the water.
"mommy, in my trunk I don't think I want to take my toys. I want to leave room for Ruthie's favorite cinderella doll, a pack of daddy's favorite root beer and some of your favorite candy."
I am trying to learn from my generous sweet boy and pack accordingly!
We are making a bit of progress, but it just doesn't look like it. I keep telling myself that it always looks messier before it gets packed. Right?!
The kids are trying to pitch in and help. Most of the time Roo helps by taking stuff out of the boxes. But hey, she is trying! Sam went through his closet with me yesterday. He worked hard at trying on clothes and picking which ones to take with us. He then started talking about the games and puzzles on the shelves. Just as if it were natural he told me which ones he wanted to give away and which he would sell and which he wanted to take. After the conversation, I realized it probably is a way bigger deal to me to give away their toys. Then he blew me out of the water.
"mommy, in my trunk I don't think I want to take my toys. I want to leave room for Ruthie's favorite cinderella doll, a pack of daddy's favorite root beer and some of your favorite candy."
I am trying to learn from my generous sweet boy and pack accordingly!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Birthday pics
Thought you would enjoy a few photos from the birthday celebration with Tam's family. The last one is of Ruthie telling you that she is three!
Our Birthday girl!
Miss Sylvia Ruth turned three today. I really can't believe that my baby is three. I have heard people say that time flies, but I really did not understand that statement until I had kids. It feels like I blink and they change and I am afraid if I turn around they will be gone.
Just so you can see how much she has changed this year I am posting a photo from today and one from her birthday last year. She really is such a big girl!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
very interesting article
if you're wondering about some of the struggles being faced in china today, you will want to read this article. it's from today's new york times. click here to read it.
i can't comment now, but we have seen the struggles expresses in this article in interactions with students both here and in china.
this is one of the things we are lifting up as we study there.
i can't comment now, but we have seen the struggles expresses in this article in interactions with students both here and in china.
this is one of the things we are lifting up as we study there.
our house: an update on the sale
the sale of the house moves forward. our realtor called yesterday and the property inspection is now scheduled for monday. after this, things should be finalized within a couple of weeks. then we should be able to chose a close date for the sale.
as things progress we'll keep the blog up to date.
thanks for your pr@yers.
as things progress we'll keep the blog up to date.
thanks for your pr@yers.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Our new boy!
Tammy's younger sister gave birth to Nehemiah Earl last week on Saturday. Baby and mom are doing great. We really enjoyed visiting them today and getting to know the new boy in the family! As you can see Ruthie was LOVING Nehemiah. What three year old girl wouldn't love a live doll! Sam also is great with little ones. He picked out a blanket to give the new baby and then proceeded to "teach" him how to suck on the tag. (Sam still loves his blanket and tag at bedtime! But you didn't hear that from me! :))
I forgot how little babies start out. And I forget how big Ruthie is. Actually she is huge, but I guess there should be a difference between a one week old and an almost three year old. She will always be my baby.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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