The last few days I’ve actually had a mild case of writer’s block. I’ve wanted to write something thought-provoking or humorous or simply expound on some idea I’ve been having lately, but not a lot has come to mind. When this happens, that usually means it’s time for me to make a list…

Since my tendency lately is towards "creative whining" I’m going to try to keep this list as positive and cheerful as possible.

Here’s my ten positive highlights of this past week (in no specific order):

   
1. Making construction paper jack-o-lanterns with Anna & Sarah. Sarah’s pumpkin looks a bit like a Dali painting while Anna’s is more Cubist. My pumpkin is a bit scarier than I intended for it to be and reminds me of the Latin American artist (?) Frieda (can’t remember her full name). I used photographs of leafs for the eyes and mouth.

   

2. The really choppy 2 minute conversation in Chinese I had with a taxi driver tonight. In every sentence he spoke I understood maybe one word. Using the context and the words I knew, I got about half of his meaning (I think?) And…he actually understood a few of my responses! (Tones…we don’t need no stinkin’ tones!)

   

3. Sarah’s big hugs in the morning followed by the statement, "I wuv you, Daddy."

   

4. Writing psuedo articles for a psuedo paper depicting quasi-real events in my life.

   

5. Realizing that the Chinese word ‘shan’ 山 (pronounced somewhat melodically in English as shawn) is the word for mountain.  I thought this was cool because my friend, Shawn C., epitomizes the concept of mountain in my mind.

   

6. An answer to a specific prayer and concern. Specifically, when Hurricane Wilma landed in Florida it was a Category 2 hurricane instead of a Category 5. I know it was still very serious for many people, but I’m thankful it didn’t pound Lee and Charlotte County like Charly did last year.

   

7. Making my Chinese teacher laugh with wacky responses when we’re practicing dialogue.  Some of the wacky responses were even intentional.

   

8. Being proud of my wife’s response to the many adjustments we’ve gone through and knowing how her perspective always seeks to honor God and protect and love our family.

   

9. This conversation I had with Anna tonight (paraphrased):
   "Daddy, God loves all the people of the world.  Babies, kids, and even adults."
   "Anna you’re right.  He does love everyone.  Old people, young people, nice people and he even loves mean people, too," I told her.
   "Yeah, God loves mean people and can make them nice."
   Yes, he can.  Yes, indeed.

   

10. A vision of my daughters cycling by on the back porch (i.e. yang tai)…Sarah hanging on for dear life as Anna pedals. Pictured below…