A Crumy Anniversary

Generally people think of woman remembering special events and anniversaries and then get upset that their husbands forgot . . .

I'm not that woman, I usually have to pull off my wedding ring and look at the engraving to even be sure of what day our anniversary is. But you know what, my husband is the same way (I guess that makes us perfect for each other). It's really funny when other people tell us "Happy Anniversary!" and we realize what day it is and quickly wish each other congrats.

Not only do we forget but the days themselves aren't usually very well celebrated. Our first one we were returning to America from our first 6 months of living in China. We spent the night in Hong Kong, but I was pretty sick. Our forth was the day after my dad's first brain biopsy and there have been more anniversaries where we have been apart than together.

Looking at all our anniversaries I might have to say that this one, our eighth, tops them all in worst ever. (This is a bit ironic since in China 8 is such a good number, very lucky, and so this one should be the best.)

Today was pretty stressful and busy. We had decided that it was time to move on from our current position here in Qingdao several months ago. We were told that we had to move out by June 28. We then would have 4 more days until we leave for good.

We have been working for about a month now packing up our stuff, shipping some to America, selling some, throwing lots away and packing some for the next six weeks. I knew that this whole process would take a long time in and of it's self and then add three small children you get a task that would never get done.

On top of just life in general two weeks before we have to get out my helper calls and said her son was sick and in the hospital and she couldn't come for the next two weeks. Then my two boys and myself get really sick and I end up on the couch not able to get up for two days.

June 28th arrives and I have to take the boys to the doctor and my husband has to run around delivering stuff to people. By the end of the day we were no where near packed up. We couldn't spend another night (we sent our bed off to it's new owner), so we decide to call it a night, move just our clothes over to where we would be staying for the next 4 days and come back in the morning to finish up.

None of those things are how I want to spend my day ever, especially my anniversary. And can I add that my husband & I, because of lack of sleep and the stress of moving were kind of at each other throats during the few minutes that we were actually in the same room together. I would say it was a pretty crappy day and definetely a horrible anniversary.

Even though this was the crumiest of crumiest anniversaries I think that in the end it was actually a prefect way to celebrate eight years of marriage. This day is the epitomy of marriage. If we can still chose to love each other through this day it shows what marriage is all about. Loving through the hard times, loving despite our grumpiness, and comitted to be there for each other.

I love you hubby, thanks for eight years of sticking by me, hard times and good times!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saying Goodbye to "Ayi"

After packing up the house and doing a final sweep our family took our helper out to lunch. This would be the last time, after two years we would see her.

Xiao Zhao has come to our house every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the past two years. She has been a great help with washing, folding and ironing our clothes, cooking lunch, washing dishes, cleaning the floors, watching our kids and anything else I asked her to do.

Xiao Zhao we will miss you!! Thanks for taking such good care of us and treating my kids like your own!

(unfortunatly I was so fried that I have no pictures to post, something I will always regret)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's ok to shed a tear

We have two more nights in our apartment so we are having a huge "Everything MUST Go!" Sale. My friend was helping me get stuff ready for it and asked me how I was doing. I didn't think anything about it and replied "oh, fine!". It wasn't till she left that I thought, she probably wanted to know how I was doing emotionally with getting rid of our stuff, things we have used almost everyday for almost 8 years. A tear came to my eyes as it hit me, this is really happening! I have known we are leaving but it hasn't felt real till now.

I look at my empty cabinets and drawers and watch people care out their new found treasures. I feel the pressure to clear out so the landlord can rent out the apartment.

I can easily just take things lightly and not really make things into a big deal. But I don't want to leave in 5 days and then crash, heartbroken and realize that I didn't take the time to process what is going on, really take time to morn and say goodbye. I tend to be the nonemotional one, not think about things too deeply or just brush things to the side as if it was no big deal.

I don't want to do that with, Its ok if I shed a tear or two as we say goodbye, as the reality of the move sets in. Tears are healing.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonebz

The Remote

The day I got married I wasn't scared or nervous. I was excited as I anticipate this day that I had been planning for months finally unfolded. I wanted to enjoy every minute. I remember wishing I could one of those remotes my dad & I used for video editing. This remote had a turn wheel that once you paused the video you could slowly turn and get to the exact spot you wanted. I wanted to pause this day and then just slowly move it forward. That way this day wouldn't go zooming past and I would be able to observe and take in every last millisecond.

Today I woke up with a similiar feeling, movers came to pack up our house and now we only have 7 more days here in Qingdao. I want to use that remote so I can really soak up every last minute of our lives here in Qingdao & China.

Qingdao has been our home for the past four years (which is the longest we have lived anywhere for our married lives). We have built our family here, not only the Carman clan but also with friends who have become like family.

We have many great memories here starting our family, watching the kids grow, crushing my husband at games, making friends, walking and playing at the beach, trying new food, learning other cultures, learning a new language and the list goes on.

Sure we have had our share of struggles and things we would probably like to forget but the hard and bad things make the good things even better.

If I had a remote that I could use I would totally use it these last few days to slowly move through them to make the most of every millisecond.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

When it rains it pours

I'm laying on the couch feverish, mucas taking over ever open space in my sinuses, coughing up a lung every 10 minutes wishing someone would put me out of my misery.

I'm laying on the couch surrounded by boxes, toys, clothes, pictures and anything else that has been collected over the past 7 1/2 years in China that has been deemed worthy of making the move across the world.

I'm laying on the couch listening to my son cough up his lung, eyes puffy and red and his cheeks rosy from a fever.

I'm laying on the couch listening to my second son squirm and whine because he wants his mommy to nurse him.

I'm laying on the couch watching as my husband runs around keeping the daughter entertained, feeding the son, packing up the stuff for the big move, making healing soup for the sick wife, and bringing her water and tissues.

I'm laying on the couch looking out the window watching the rain fall down and thinking "When it rains it Pours!"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blogging A Photo

I hate the quality photo that my phone takes but I can't get enough of that baby boy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blogging From My Phone

Living in China makes life interesting, for one thing the Internet is not all that it is in the USA. It's slower and you can't always get to things like facebook, blogs, YouTube, etc. This makes connecting with friends and family back home more challenging.

My husband, the awesome tech guy he is, works really hard to make sure (to the best of his ability) that we can stay connected.

As most of you all know in 10 days we will leave Qingdao, our home for the past 4 years, and go south to Beihai. We will be working at an orphanage for 3 weeks. (We will work a family camp as well as survey for possible long term ministry.) Heading down there we aren't sure what the Internet will be like or if we will have it at all. So my husband has been, again, working deligently to make sure we can stay in contact with family, friends & supporters.

So here I am, testing my new way of blogging - from my phone. Hope it works, and I look forward to keeping in touch.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Update from The Carmans in China

*Want to be on our e-mail update list? Email us your e-mail address.
*Want to be on our "Snail-Mail" update list? Email us your address.

Dear Supporters,

Four months ago I officially resigned from my position at International School of Qingdao. These last four months have been an intense time of seeking His will, dealing with the emotions of possibly leaving our home of 7 and a half years, and saying goodbye to our incredible friends here. We are still formulating our long-term plan; however, we are excited to tell you about a short-term project that we have decided to do in the meantime.

From July 1 to July 24, the Carman family will be working at Living Stones Village (LSV), in Beihai, Guangxi Province, China. LSV is an orphanage for disabled and abandoned children in Guangxi, China. Children with missing limbs, cerebral palsy, polio, hearing impairment, blindness, and crippling burn injuries are being raised and treasured in the Village.

I initially visited this place in February to see about the possibility of joining with them. I was impressed with the vision of the leadership as well as the obvious blessings that He has shown at this place and to the people who live there. One of LSV’s goals is to be a vital part of the surrounding villages for the purpose of building relationships. This summer LSV has organized several camps to help facilitate this goal. We have been asked to participate in the family camp. Along with us, several families from the US will be working with about 30 children aged 9 to 11. These children come from the neighboring villages. As the resident orphans who are cared for by LSV are all above 11 years old, they will also participate in helping to run various activities at the camp.

We will be engaging the children in various activities, including: English study, sports, hobbies, movies, and games. Week 1 will be orientation and training. Week 2 will be the camp. Week 3 will be getting to know the city, LSV staff, and the director of the orphanage to consider future work. Our objectives are to share the love from above with the children and help LSV create solid relationships with the surrounding villages for future work. Our final goal is to assess how we can further help LSV in the future. As such, this camp will also serve as a survey trip.

Requests:

• That He would do a great work with the children at the camp
• His guidance as we consider working there long-term
• Logistics of getting there and back and then to the US

Financial Needs:
Total Cost of Trip: $4,193 (See attachment for breakdown of financial needs.)

If you are interested in supporting us financially, you can give a tax-deductible donation by sending a check to the following address:

GFMA
PO Box 3326
Chattanooga, TN 37404

Please endorse checks to "GFMA" and signify in the memo line that the money is to go to Jeremy & Jacquelyn Carman

Thank you very much for the continued support over the years.

Sincerely,
Jeremy & Jacquelyn Carman & Family

Jeremy: jalopyhead @ gmail.com (remove the spaces); blog.jalopyhead.com;
Jacquelyn: jalopygirl @ gmail.com (remove the spaces); jalopygirl.blogspot.com
LSV Website: www.livingstonesvillage.org