Tag Archives: Adventure

Life

Rainy Days

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Have any of you other dear Omaha people been getting the rain too?  It’s been damp over here for days!

On Wednesday night (at 8:00 p.m. or something) I went outside with an umbrella.  I was actually contemplating just going out and getting drenched, when Mama suggested I bring an umbrella, which I decided was a better idea! 🙂

I don’t know how long I was out there, just wandering around in the rain, in the dark, with a pink Chinese umbrella.  Everything looked different (and much more fairy-tale-ish) when it was dim and wet. . . all the porch lights were on, making little pools of light in our dark yard. . . it was sooo pretty!  I’m sure a story was inspired last night, but it hasn’t quite formed yet.

I went in when the lightning started.

Continue reading Rainy Days →

Life, Literature

??? Mystery Quote #18} ???

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It has been quite the week.  I think we’re all exhausted.

It was good though.  The best things are exhausting.  I went to Outreach everyday week-day this week for various amounts of time, got my ears pierced, and cried about my first Disney/Pixar movie.  Nice list, huh?  And we watched Big Hero 6 at Outreach and I almost cried about that too.

I know.

Stories get to me.  (The first one was Inside Out, which Spencer, Dad, Becca, and I went to see in the theater on Tuesday–neat movie!)

And we’re having company tomorrow night, and Bright Lights on Tuesday!  *nervous laugh*  We’ll make it.  A spirit of adventure can get you pretty far.

Anyways:

Last week’s quote was from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.  It is from the last chapter, Chapter 10: “The Breaking of the Fellowship”.  The ‘he’ in brackets is Frodo.

Ellen and Savannah guessed the right trilogy, as did Juliana who also got Frodo’s name.  Great job!  Now:

“And be careful how you look on [her], whom he cherishes with the most jealous care; an he take the least alarm in that quarter we are but lost men.  It is said he banished his only son from his family for lifting his eyes in the way of affection towards this beauty.”

Happy guessing! 🙂

Life, Literature

“Into the Dragon’s Lair” #6

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So, I had a bit of an adventure last night.  Rather different from the big one I just went on, but an adventure nonetheless: helping Dad unclog the bathroom drain!  Plumbing being something quite out of my experience, I was rather scared at the prospect.  And, of course, Spencer was off swimming with some friends–and probably having the time of his life–so I had to do it. 🙂  Cue Dad’s comment about how Becca and I are now ‘learning what it means to have a brother’.  Really, I think that should have been directed solely at me, as Becca just sat on the bed in the other room on her computer, using college as an excuse. 🙂  I must say that Dad did most of the work.  And, that kind of thing is somehow less gross when you’re doing it, not just standing around watching your dad and brother do it.  (I know, I know, that doesn’t follow.)  But only a little less–to say I felt like I needed to wash my hands afterwards is an understatement; I felt more like pulling them off and throwing them away.  Suddenly wishing I was a Lego mini figure and could grab easy replacements out of  the toy-box! 🙂  Even after I washed them they still felt dirty–and probably would have for hours had I not already been planning to shower.  Oh! and I bumped my head while climbing around under the sink.  Pathetically classic.

Okay: enough about my adventure, let’s get to Hannah and Spenser’s!

Hey! one more thing: for those of you who were disappointed because you were expecting a more classic, medieval dragon-story–don’t worry: the next one is a good ole’ unoriginal, knight-in-shining-armor, princess-story.  

And, in the original version part of this was in Chapter 4.  I decided that the chapter ended better the other way, so I cut it off on here.  And like always, here’s the last one.  Now:

:-: INTO THE DRAGON'S LAIR :-:
:-: INTO THE DRAGON’S LAIR :-:

Hannah and Spenser pick up as much of the treasure as they can carry and start up the tunnel.  It’s very difficult to carry twenty pounds of hold and diamonds over two miles, especially when all you have to carry it in is a bunch of old chests that are so rotten that when you pick them up the bottoms break because of the weight.  It takes Spenser and Hannah three hours to move all the treasure back to the helicopter.

The two of them have a lot to tell Kirsten and Bekah on the way home!  The day after they get home, Reporter Mike Joseph comes to to Spenser’s house.  Hannah and Spenser get to tell their story on the news!  After that Spenser calls Jason Daniels, who is the director of a museum in Omaha.  Mr. Daniels says that he will buys the Rothfuss’ gold and diamonds and display it in his museum.

After that Spenser makes Hannah his official navigator, and The Darting Dragon becomes their official transportation.

Spenser, Hannah. Kirsten, and Bekah have many, many adventures together and become very good friends.

And someday, perhaps, I’ll write another book about this quartet! 🙂

THE END

_____________________________________________________________________

Which I never did! 🙂  And, yes, the smiley-face is original. *sigh*

So: what did you think of the first story I posted?  Who was your favorite character? (I know characters were limited, so if you don’t have one that’s fine! 🙂 ) What was your favorite part?  Any other comments, thoughts, concerns?  I want your opinion!  I won’t be offended if there’s something you think I should have done different!

Happy Tuesday!

P.S. And don’t give up on me.  I have another surprise for next Tuesday! 🙂

Adoption, Life

Two Weeks

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You know that scene in “Frozen” where the king and queen are packing, and Anna comes skipping in and is like “See you in two weeks!” all bouncy and cheery?

Well, two weeks is seriously a LONG time, Anna!  Don’t be so chipper about it!

We ordered Jimmy John’s like weeks after we got home from China or something, and there was a piece of lettuce stuck to my sandwich and I had this wait-can-I-eat-this? moment, before I realized: I’m in America, I can eat anything!

And after we got home I didn’t want say thank-you to people: I wanted to say xie xie–which seriously would have made me look crazy back here! 🙂

Two weeks is truly an awfully long time–but even after two weeks things wear off fast.  I’m honestly glad we have pictures so I can’t forget how things were!

China at its fullest
China at its fullest

Yes, those are eggs! 🙂

 

P.S. And no pressure, but seriously if there’s something I’ve posted about that you want to hear more on, comment.  Any time, any post; if there’s a tag or just a subject you like the best, by all means tell me.  I write because I like to, but this blog is for you.  There’s no point in it, if you guys are bored.  I want your in-put!

Happy Wednesday! 🙂

Adoption, Life

What we did and didn’t eat in China

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A while back Dad did a post on the family blog of pictures of things we ate in China.  You can read it here.  And just for my own bragging-rights, I did eat one of the fermented shrimp chips.  In all honesty though, I didn’t know what it was.  I thought it was just some ordinary potato chip, so when Lucy offered me one I ate it–and then got a drink as fast as I could!  Though considering, it wasn’t that bad; as I realized when Dad read me the package! 🙂

And then last night Dad did a post of things we didn’t eat.  And (for some odd reason) it’s shorter! 🙂

P.S. The little pita-thing and the live seafood and amphibians (except the salamanders) are from the restaurant I said was our default.

Adoption, Life, Literature

I. am. in. CHINA!!

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We’ve been in China for a little over twenty-four hours now, and it’s been great!  The jet-lag was pretty bad on the plane.  I was expecting it, but not that bad, and (for some reason) not until we got home; but I perked up when we got to Xi’an… and could go to bed.  I’m never sleepy when I’m supposed to be–like, never!

I had my first conundrum about food at lunch yesterday, when almost everything was SPICY, but we found some mild noodles and some pork that was only… flavorful.  But breakfast is wonderful.  They have Asianie things like noodles and rice and baked yams (for breakfast?), but they also have some more western things like fried eggs, pancakes, bacon, and french-toast.  And they also have different flavors of juice–one of which was grapefruit which I had never seen before.

Our hotel is very nice, and it is a lot like American hotels.  The view out of the window is just short of breathtaking!  There’s a pond out there that the building is kind-of built around so it’s almost like a courtyard.  In some places the water comes right up to the hotel-walls, and in some places there’s a little patio or strip of land in between.  It is SO beautiful!  With the goldfish clustering around in the water, the little trees and patches of green grass, the vines climbing up the yellow walls, the red roofs, the palm-trees, the little wooden porches and long wooden benches, the stepping-stones; with big Chinese buildings and a foggy Chinese sky rising behind it… can you tell I’m in raptures about this little spot? 🙂

Our guide is also very nice.  She is organized and friendly and cheerful.  She’s the only guide I’ve ever had, so I don’t have anything to compare her to; but I decided I liked her before I’d known her for an hour!

I stick out here like a banana in a smoke-house!  People stare at us a lot.  Sometimes people stare at you in America, but I think it’s worse here…. though I could, of course, just be making that up.  We were standing by the fence around our hotel today, and people on the street outside kept looking at us as they walked by.  “It’s like we’re in a zoo!” mom said! 🙂  Sometimes I just ignore people that stare at me, sometimes I smile (especially if they’re children), and sometimes I just stare back.  I’m not sure how I should be responding!

AND-

(Drum-roll please)

WE’RE MEETING LUCY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The two king-sized beds in our room are pretty close together; and I think it was a long time after we all woke up, but shortly after we turned on the light and all admitted that we were awake (which was a long time before we all got up), mom looked over at me and said, “It’s Lucy-day!”  I just grinned, because it was too early to freak out–but I was freaking out inside!  FREAKIN’ OUT!!!

I can’t believe it!  I’m meeting my sister today!  I’ve wondered about this for a long time.  I wonder what she’ll be like.  What she’ll think of me.  But all my anxiety melts into absolute insignificance when I think about what she might be thinking!  Does she know that she’s meeting her family today?  I hope so.  Is she happy?  I hope so.  Is she excited?  I hope so.  Is she scared? I hope not.  Is she nervous?  Probably.  Is she curious?  How could she not be?!  I pray she is not scared or confused!

 

There is so much more I could tell you!  This is in a nutshell.

And speaking of nuts, I got to try roasted chess-nuts yesterday for the first time!  They were… interesting.  They reminded me of potatoes, honestly.  It was fun to get to try them, because now I know what they are.  You hear about them a lot in English literature!

So far China has been great!  Becca told me before we left: “I think you’ll like it (paraphrased) if you just think of it as an adventure.”

And that’s what I’m doing.  I just keep telling myself: “It’s an adventure.  Just have fun!   Don’t lose your bag.  DON’T DROP YOUR PASSPORT!  Stay under your umbrella (it’s been COLD and WET here!) but don’t bump into  anything with it (even though our guide already hit someone on the head with hers).  Look both ways.  See as much as you can without losing mom and dad.

“Live it up.  Breathe it in–even the smog.

“It is beautiful.”

 

“Then let’s look on the bright side: we’re having an adventure…”

-The Princess Bride, by William Goldman, page 295

Adoption, Life

Tomorrow?!

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Are we going to China tomorrow?

I don’t think so.  It isn’t possible, is it?

Come on, people, give me some grace: I haven’t convinced myself yet that we are going to CHINA!

During our first adoption, I never would have guessed that we would ever do an international adoption.  We actually wanted to do a second domestic adoption… but that door was closed–God closed it.  Because he knew Lucy was out there for us.

He knew she needed us… and we needed her.

We weren’t thinking China either, it was just an open door.  It was just the option that seemed like it was the best fit for our family.

Lucy was born in 2006… the year we went to Florida as a family (at the time, which was without M and Lucy 🙁 )

I wonder what my little five-year-old self was doing that day when, on the other side of the world, things were happening that would change my life–forever.

Yes, we are leaving tomorrow–probably earlier than I’ve ever left the house before.  This is going to be a adventure!  Will you pray for us?

*for Lucy, that she would not be scared or confused

*for health and safety while we’re in China

*for health and safety for those of us staying home, and that God would give them grace and peace

Thank you for coming on this journey with us!  I don’t know if I’ll be able to post from China, but if not then I’ll see you in two weeks!

Faith

Blessings and Stories: “Going on an Adventure!”

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Exciting title, huh?  🙂 Things have been crazy around here with China coming up in two days!  (I can’t believe it!)  But there is still a serious lack of packing going on over here.  We are last minute packers for sure!  This post is an entry I made in my notebook this May.  (By the way- all posts that start with “Blessings and Stories” are going to be from that notebook.)

Recently, in our series about the book “Live Ten” by Terry A. Smith, our pastor talked about adventure (I’m not sure if that was his name for it or not).

In “Live Ten”, Mr. Smith said he once knew a pastor who lad a very quiet life, and once actually told Mr. Smith that he had asked God for this peaceful lifestyle: simply saying he wanted to live a quiet life and not suffer too much–and God had given him just that.  Think of what he could have missed!

Pastor Matthew (our pastor) used a story from “The Hobbit”: Bilbo Baggins is sitting outside.  Earlier in the book, you get this description of Bilbo’s family:

“The Bagginses have lived in the neighborhood of the Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him.” (11)

Bilbo was sitting outside, when Gandalf comes by and they strike up a conversation.  Gandalf at last explains that he is looking for someone to take on an adventure and is having trouble finding anybody.  Bilbo’s answer is simple:

“I should think so–in these parts!  We are plain quiet folk and have no need for adventures.  Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things!  Make you late for dinner!  I can’t think what anybody sees in in them.” (14)

After some more conversing, Gandalf right out announces that he is bringing Bilbo.  Bilbo makes it quite clear that he’s not interested and “scuttles” (15) inside.

“Gandalf in the meantime was standing outside the door, and laughing long but quietly.  After a while he stepped up, and with the spike on his staff scratched a queer sign on [Bilbo’s]… beautiful green front-door.  Then he strode away, just away, just about the time when Bilbo was… beginning to think he had escaped adventures very well.” (15)

But anyone who is familiar with the story will already know he had not at all.  And, as Pastor Matthew put it, “We’re glad he went, because it makes a good story.” (Paraphrased)  I mean, think about it: that would be a pretty boring story!

But it’s not easy!  (Though adventures generally aren’t!)  But not one place in the book did I ever find Bilbo say after he got home, “I wish I hadn’t gone.”

The Christian life is hard, but it’s worth it–SO worth it!

Katie Davis, a missionary to Uganda, said in her book “Kisses from Katie”: “I view nothing as a sacrifice in light of eternity with Christ.”

I too, find myself hoping that I can go on living peacefully in the suburbs of Nebraska, and have nothing horrific or tragic happen to me.

BUT–when I really  think about it, I don’t want to be the one in heaven standing next to martyrs and saying:

“I lived a nice quiet life, in a nice quiet neighborhood, and sometimes told my neighbors ‘Jesus loves you’ and only left my country once for a vacation.”

Jesus, I want to give you my ALL!  Take me on an ADVENTURE!!!

“But what was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.   I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”  -Philippians 3:7,8