Our Departure and the Anniversary of an Arrival

We fly out tonight... Denver-to-Newark-to-Beijing, arriving Wednesday afternoon, local time. What many of you may not know is that Grace's Mom spent a few years in China (pictured below being tutored in Chinese in the mid-40's)

She left this earth July 30, 2002, making today the 10th Anniversary of her arrival in Heaven. Some would call that a "coincidence"... Knowing the Author of the Fifth Commandment the way I do, I see it as His way of allowing a daughter to honor her mother's memory on this occasion...

再见, Jacksonville！

Grace and I took a quiet moment to give thanks for her 14 years in this beautiful home (photo taken from the back porch)...

...sealed and weighed the last of our luggage a little after 11:00 p.m. I (Greg) am really proud of my bride's ability to hold lightly the things of this world... and to get everything in 4-50 lb. suitcases, 2 carry-ons and a briefcase!!

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...got 'em all in the back of the Explorer for our 5:00 a.m. run to the airport!




Here she is in our dorm room at the University of Northern Colorado, where we'll be housed through next Monday during phase 1 of our training!