The Seven Puffs...Trying To Live By Faith: A Special Visit

My parents have been, overall, very supportive of us living overseas. Yes, it would not be there choice to live on the other side of the world from their children and grandchildren, but they have been encouraging and understand what an amazing opportunity this is for us. More importantly, they see how the Lord has opened doors for us to do this, and realize our desire to be obedient.

So when we accepted our three year commitment originally, they thought they would come halfway through our time here...which would have been in the winter/spring of 2014. But, fortunately for us, my father's job was taking him to Asia one more time...so with about two weeks notice, they both came in August of 2013 for a quick 10 days...such a gift. Because of this, and the fact that our commitment got extended another year, we started planning on pushing back their original timing. They also had a strong desire to visit Australia and/or New Zealand while they came to see us. It seemed like a lot, but my dad finally retired and they had the time.

Then last April, about 11 months ago, our world was turned upside down with a cancer diagnosis. This came as a shock and huge surprise. With this news, it also felt like our plans and dreams were done. There would be no planning ahead...from then on we would be living one day at a time...hoping and praying.

A lot has happened since then...including figuring out how to trust God to a deeper level in the midst of great uncertainty. He has been faithful in so many ways, not the least is what occurred this last Christmas. If you read any of my previous blogs, you know that my parents were able to join us in Sydney, Australia. This post is to share about their visit to Hong Kong...a huge answer to prayer.

After four straight days of rain in Sydney, my parents were happy to join us in Hong Kong the Thursday after we arrived home on Monday. It was so nice that they were over jet lag and were finally with us at our home. They had a short list of things to do since we had done most of the touristy things when they came before, but overall, they just wanted to spend time with their grandchildren and see them thrive in their Hong Kong lives.

We went to visit Stanley on a beautiful day

One of the big reasons the timeline worked out the way it did was for them to see Grace's Show Choir performance. This was a highlight for them, having never seen their oldest grandchild perform after all the practicing, starting at the beginning of the school year. She was thrilled that they could be there, and they were amazed at the talent.

They enjoyed the time they had together playing bridge on the computer

It was a bit blustery at the top of Kowloon Peak at Fei Ngo Shan

Another highlight was going to Macau for the day. The three of us took a high speed ferry to Macau and watched the show "House of the Dancing Water" I've seen the show a couple other times, and each time it blows me away. They enjoyed it as much as I thought they would, and after wards we had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe before taking the ferry back to Hong Kong. It was a long day, but a good one.

We strolled through the Venetian on our way to the show

A few other moments to remember...they were able to see Abby's gymnastics class, Emma's basketball game, Josh's basketball, and even my tennis match. I couldn't remember the last time my parents were spectators at my competition...it brought back lots of memories. I was also grateful that my dad was able to play a couple rounds of golf...nine holes with Andy, and then eighteen holes with our friend Matt Barker, who is in our small group. He graciously offered to take my dad with a couple other friends and they had a blast, while mom and I moseyed around Sai Kung, and she bought me some more kitchen necessities at a Hong Kong "everything" store:)

Dad and Andy played a round...at a course they had to take a ferry to...it was on an island

The time went by much too fast, but I could not miss God's tremendous grace in this visit happening...yet another reminder of His constant faithfulness and goodness in our lives...so thankful for the memories that were made:)