Cysts and Contracts

Yes, the cyst on my neck reappeared and just this week (as I was on antibiotics to try to shrink it) it turned nasty. Red and painful. I knew by Thursday afternoon that it meant going back to the doctor for another minor operation, just like last June. Thankfully I had more time to prepare myself mentally. So I took Friday off, headed to the doctor where he immediately took me to the little operating room and cut a hole in my neck. Yes, he did give me some local anesthetic. After a bit of prodding, poking and squeezing he patched me up. Just like last time, it was a giant bandage reaching from my chin to my ear! I think I remember praying earlier in the week that God would break my pride. Well, these cysts seem to chip away big chunks of it every time!

They like to give antibiotics by intravenous here, to speed up the process. So after a poke in the back end, they put a needle in my hand and I quietly watched some satellite TV while I was pumped with medication. THAT whole process was repeated again today (Saturday). He cleaned the hole, patched me up again (thankfully with a smaller bandage), and I got more needles. Except this time I got one free poke in the hand...apparently the veins in my right hand don't cooperate with the nurses...which she soon realized, so she took it out. So after all that, I have about 4 band-aids on me today! Same thing will be repeated tomorrow....hopefully with one less poke.

As far as contracts go....since it's that time of year when teachers are thinking about the next school year....We have decided to continue teaching here in Beijing. There are many reasons to love living here. But the biggest reason would be that we feel alive and in touch with what God is doing. It's also easier to stay in touch with the important things in life. We don't know how much longer we'll stay....but we'll take it one contract at a time, just trusting the Lord. We will be going to the land of maple syrup this summer for 6 weeks! From June 17 to July 30....those are the dates right now, but no flights booked yet. (Still looking for a good price!)

Thanks for reading :)

New Year Break

Just a few pictures from the few days we spent with our friends who live outside Beijing.

Feb.

The days grow longer and warmer
We wait with anticipation for bright days that were former.

Goodbye to mitts and hats
And it's not longer the year of the Rats!

The noisy fireworks have come to an end
It lasted two weeks! Big fire downtown might change this trend.

The rabbits run and play
Baby Spice (now an IT) saw the vet for a day!

Students for a basketball tournament arrive
3 nights they'll make us a family of five.

A cyst on my neck has appeared again
More antibiotics, shrinking we will attain?
Otherwise surgery will soon be down the lane.

We strive to hide God's word in our hearts
We know He alone takes care of all life's parts.