A Day in the Life...

Welcome Home

2010-07-08T10:24:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to let you all know - they are home! They arrived home 7/7/10 and were welcomed by many happy grandchildren!

Last Letter From a Student

2010-07-06T06:47:00.000-06:00

my dear teacher:tomorrow you will far away from Qingdao university.I feel sad .because i can not see your face and listen your voice in the near future.but I am happy at the same time,for you can accompany with family again.good luck and farewell.
Susan

Only 13 days left...

2010-06-24T09:39:00.000-06:00

Dear Family:

As we made preparations and began teaching "last classes" this past week, I have been reflecting on the past two years and the changes that have occurred in my students. It is with a full heart I see them reach out to hug me and kiss my cheek, when two years ago, they were so shy and frightened to show any emotion, let alone look at, or embrace a foreigner!
It is with a heavy heart that I go to my classes and face these dear people which have become family to me. As I enter the classroom, I feel sad, knowing that it will be the last time I will see many of them! I look in their eyes and see the hope of youth, with all the expectations and dreams which youth posses. What a blessed person I am, having known each one of them, yet so aware of the responsibility which is mine - to be the example my Father in heaven expects of me. The spirit here in China is very real and we have felt our Father's hand in everything we have done. It has truly been an experience of a lifetime and we are so thankful to have been a part of the BYU China Teachers Program.
As our students say, "I hope you have a happy everyday and I'm very miss you!"
With much love,
Mom and Dad
P.S. I am also sending a few "last class photo's."

Roger and Jane (a different Jane)

2010-06-24T09:23:00.001-06:00

This is Jane the massage therapist/acupuncturist/acupressurist - AMAZING lady! We love her... and wish we could bring her back to the states with us.

Last Days in Class

2010-06-24T07:47:00.005-06:00

James Yang

2010-06-23T09:42:00.001-06:00

This is James Yang - Love this kid...
Here is a sweet email from him:
Subject: Thank you very much!!
To: Jane Halladay

Dear Mrs Halladay,
Thank you for that you have been my teacher for two years . We have a lot of sweet memories . There is one saying "Only you have lost it ,then you know how you love it.".It's just like you . Now we know how we like you . We will never forget you . You teach me think ,sing and write . You use your own method to effect us . Thank you .
Today in the class I want to ask you ,if you don't mind if I say your age ,like you ,in such an old age , how can you come to China to teach us with enthusiasm. I always think if I was in such an age ,what would I do . I think your life just is a legend . Sometimes when you tell us your experience,your famliy and your children . You never know how I admire you . I would like follow your step to taste the life .However ,I know I have my own life . Thank you for teaching me you should smile to your life , others and yourself.
Thank you !
Much love ,
James Yang

Jordan

2010-06-19T09:20:00.001-06:00

I just had to write and tell you about Jordan, one of my Post Graduates from last year... I haven't seen her for about 6 months, due to the fact that her class is now studying in a hospital as well as working with the Doctors in that same hospital.
She usually comes to visit with Ronnie (a girl) Simon, Edward and Never. I can't even remember the last time they all came together to see us.

I need to give a little background on Jordan, so I will remember her and you will have an idea about her and her personality. She comes from a poor family. Her father is a "worker" and her mother has a shop which sells fresh flowers. Jordan is a very serious girl and looks very serious at all times. Her determination to be the best student in her class comes because she is very aware that females traditionally do not make good doctors and academically they usually are not as smart or serious about their studies as their male counterparts. She is not one to smile often or laugh and giggle. She is in school to achieve and be the best in the class! Whenever I would hug her goodbye she always "held back."

Yesterday Doris called us and ask if she could drop in and see us for a little while
and we were delighted. She said that Jordan was with her and we were especially
happy. I was not prepared for the welcome we both received from our dear little Jordan. As she entered the apartment she walked immediately to me and put her arms around me and kissed me repeatedly. She held my face in her hands and looked very closely into my eyes, almost as if she couldn't believe she was seeing me. She just kept looking in my eyes and kissing me repeatedly. Then she kissed my neck and held my hand, as if I might escape. Needless to say, I was astonished. Then, she hugged and kissed Dad and kept touching him and looking in his eyes. She then ask him if she could rub his head, something she has always wanted to do! The look on her face is something I will never forget and it touched us both. Tears came to my eyes and she kept telling me that she didn't want me to be sad and ask me to promise her I wouldn't cry. As we sat on the sofa, she whispered to me and told me that I understood her like no one else ever has. She said there is not a Chinese person or family member who understands her like I do! Needless to say, I was flattered. And then she told me something that really made the tears come to my eyes! She said, "Mrs. Halladay, you have changed me for the better and I will never be the same because of you and no one has had a bigger effect on my life than you."
She went on to say that I had told her something once that changed her life...
It was: "don't ever take yourself too seriously, no one else does."
I sat close to her on the sofa and she held my hand as if I might escape. I could hardly believe that this was the same Jordan I taught a year ago... She has matured and she is at the top of her class! She told me that someday she would come to the U.S.A. to see me AND I know she will. She kept rubbing my hand and holding it and looking at it. I mentioned that my hand is an "old" hand and she just smiled and kept rubbing it and looking at me and smiling.

We were on our way to May 4th Square and they escorted us down to the front gate
of Qingdao University, and she held my hand, with our fingers entwined.
I felt very cherished and special yesterday and as Dad and I talked about her visit, we both felt the the profound change in Jordan. All day I have reflected on her visit and I still feel the "magic" of Jordan...
It made me think, with reverence and humility, that the things I have been teaching and everything I have said and done for the past two years possibly DO make a difference..
Maybe!

Much Love,
Mom

Last Week of Teaching

2010-06-17T09:56:00.001-06:00

Dear Family:

Well this is the last week of teaching school for us and I have been very melancholy and sad. When I look in their eyes and see the trust and love they have for me, it is very humbling. They totally trust me and they have given their love to me with no restraint.
Last Thursday night Dan's class invited us to a class party. It was a humid, rainy night and we had to climb four flights of stairs BUT my dear Rocke and Habby met us at the door and escorted us up the steps. I baked peanut butter cookies and put a big Hershey's kiss candy on each cookie for them. They were so excited when they saw that we had brought a treat and as we walked into the room, they were singing a song for us - "My Love" by Westlife. I stood there with tears running down my cheeks and it was hard to get a grip on my emotions. We played two games and we both participated! I played the "apple" game and Dad played the "drawing" game. I had to stand behind my partner - Dan, close my eyes and hold an apple for him to eat. The twosome who finished their apple first was the winner. Needless to say, we were not the winners! As punishment we had to sing for the audience. Dad's game was for him to draw a face on the blackboard blindfolded, with a girl telling him where to draw what. They were not the losers, therefore they did not have to perform. Dad and I had copied the words to some American songs, and we all sang together. We even sang a duet for them and they cheered and clapped for us. Your old Dad has turned out to be a real singer for the Chinese. Somehow, I can't imagine either of us singing for anyone in the USA like we do for these special people who appreciate every little thing we do! As we left the building, walking down the black steps WITH NO LIGHTING, my sweet Dan and Rocke held my arms so I wouldn't fall. It was like walking down steps blindfolded! They all stood on the steps telling us goodnight as we walked away and my heart felt full.

Today I taught my last class! It was something I have dreaded since I started teaching in China... As I looked in those dear faces - faces I have grown to love so dearly - I thought my heart would break. I kept telling myself not to think about leaving and I managed to do it! Our lesson was on "choices" as they are preparing for the CET4 test.
Oh my, my old heart may just break this time...... As I walked up the street, away from building #2, I tried to remember the first day I walked down the street to building #1, room 509 for my first class as a BYU China Teacher. I recalled all the fears I felt. I remember the feeling of walking into that classroom and seeing 30 Chinese students glancing at me with wonder in their eyes but never really allowing me to "catch" their eye. When I spoke, they all bowed their heads. I sang a song and I will never forget the looks in their eyes as I sang. They looked at me as if I was TOTALLY crazy and I loved it!!!! As I walked out of the classroom that day, I realized that this is what I have been searching for, all my life! This fulfillment, this total trust, this adoration, this reaction, this joy! I knew that day the Lord had been preparing me for this for a long time and I knew that it would be a life changing experience for me. Every day in China has been a joy and I can honestly say that I have never regretted going to class to be with my students.

I have taken up a new hobby! I am learning, in the last two weeks in China, how to play the Chinese flute! Am I crazy or what? I have wanted to do this for a long time and the opportunity presented itself to me, and I took it! My friend, Tang ( pronounced Tong) is an expert flute player and I ask him about teaching me and he jumped at the chance to try teaching this old gal! I don't think he realized what he was getting himself in for!!! May I say that it is definitely hard to teach an old dog new tricks! Enough said... But, I will continue to try my best. Merlene said that she fully expects to be invited to Cedar City for a concert, presented by me as the soloist, playing my Chinese flute. I told her that I would have Barbara Shakespear accompany me on the ukulele!!!! ha ha ha

Life is good. We have SO much to be thankful for and the Lord loves us very much. We realize our many blessings every day in this country which is so different from ours. We do not take our freedoms for granted and we are grateful for our freedom of choice as well. We realize how precious our family is and they are the reason we are here on the earth - they are our joy.

We look forward to returning home, even if our parting here will be so difficult. It is absence that makes the heart grow fonder.
Until we see you all again...
All our love,
Mom and Dad

Airport SUPRISE!

2010-05-24T09:52:00.004-06:00

Hi again:

Just wanted to tell about our weekend in Korea with our dear friends the Kang's. We left Qingdao on Thursday, May 20 to go to Seoul Korea and upon arriving at the airport - we noticed something unusual - several Americans! They all had red t-shirts on and they were all so happy. I looked closer and saw De'l Beatty!!!!!!! He is employed at Dixie State University now and he had been touring China with a group of students, doing a talent show. What a surprise!!!!! They were on their way home after 3 weeks on the road.
As we talked, we discovered that the President of Dixie State and his wife were there as well as a "Howard Spitzenberger" who served a mission in Cedar City in 2005. It just so happened that "elder" Spitzenberger was one of the elders I had agreed to do mending for and his temple pants were so damaged that I went and bought him a new pair. He goes on to tell me that I had given him and his companion goodies ( imagine that?) and I also made him a "Snoopy" pillowcase - which he still uses!!!!!!! SMALL WORLD...
We EVEN met two young men who ask if we were related to an "Erik Halladay." One of them - Reece Jacobsen, lived by Erik and Michelle when they lived on the east side of St. George. The other one - Mark Whitehead, lived near to Erik and Michelle in Santa Clara!
When we arrived in Seoul, the friends from Dixie flew on to LAX and we met our friend, Harrison Kang. He dropped us off at our hotel and agreed to take us to the Korean "folk village" on Friday morning. Saturday Dad went to the DMZ for a tour which he has been looking forward to and I went shopping with Brother and Sister Kang, their children, as well as Merlene Ellington. Saturday night, the Kang's treated us to an authentic Korean dinner, which was wonderful! But, the highlight of the trip, at least for me, was the chance to attend church with the Kang's on Sunday morning.
Those Korean Saints are spectacular! There was such a feeling of love in that chapel and of course the missionaries were there, as it was Ward conference. The music was all in Korean and such a spiritual feast. After the meetings - the Koreans had a big, tasty lunch prepared for us, before we left for the airport. I must explain about the Kang/Kim/Yeom family - they are the perfect example of Christ-like love for others. They give everything they have, willingly, to others! They treat company as family and consider you as an honored guest. How we love them! We NEVER witnessed an unkind word between them. They never talked about others unkindly. They are the kindest,dearest,most Christ-like,most pleasant, genuine, people I have ever met. It is a joy to be associated with such people.
It was a great weekend and as we told them good-bye, there were tears in my eyes and my heart was heavy, knowing that it could be the last time I would see them. We consider it a privilege to be their friends.

Mom

China Update!‏

2010-05-24T09:49:00.001-06:00

Dear Family:

We have been busy!!!!!! I just thought that I should update you on a few more ideas plus what has been happening in our lives!
Last week was a busy one.... Monday night we went over to the "Yellow River" for dinner and as we walked in the door I couldn't
believe my eyes! A man was waiting for a "take-out" order and as all the food was being put in the take-out plastic bags I saw
the waitress go over to the Tsingtao Beer ( 15 gallon keg containe and fill a plastic bag with beer! "Take-out" beer
"to go" in a single layer PLASTIC BAG..... I really had a good laugh over that!ea

It won't be long, and we will be home to stay! I have such mixed emotions just knowing that I won't be returning to China for another year to teach English. I have a hard time not looking at my students and crying. They are the dearest people and I love them so much. I feel like a young mother - afraid to let her children stay alone for
the first time. I have taught the same students oral English since they first came to Qingdao as Freshmen and I
can't imagine my life without them!
I must say that they are not frightened of "foreigners" anymore and they look me in the eye when they speak now BUT I will miss seeing their faces light up when I walk in the classroom. I will miss them just waiting for me - only me - on the days we have class! I will miss the calls on my cell phone from them. I will miss reading about their families. I will miss walking to class in the mornings and seeing all the Chinese "Ni Ni's" and "Ya Ya's" with their grandchildren. I will miss all the sights and smells and emotions in China. But mostly - my dear Chinese family - my beloved students........
I am SURE that there will be days - when I return - that will be pretty lonely and I am sure that I will shed many tears of loneliness for China and my little apartment here. Even my hard bed and the hot water for the 2 hours every morning and the 2 hours every evening!!!! Even my crude little kitchen and hot plate AND my washing machine that causes me so much grief.

We both feel very blessed that we have had the privilege of living and loving China. We thank Heavenly Father
daily for our MANY blessings. We are so lucky to have such good health and each other. We have grown very close and we really rely on each other for everything.

We are most anxious to see all of you - family and friends. We have our return trip travel plans now - so it seems like a reality that we will be leaving China.
We look forward for the chance to be with all of you and spend some time with each of you. We have missed you - from the oldest to the youngest and we know there are many changes in all of us. Hopefully those changes are all for the best!

We arrive in Las Vegas on July 7 at 4:10 p.m. and will drive a rental car directly to Cedar City. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Much Love,
Mom

I Love You So Much

2010-05-16T10:05:00.001-06:00

My Dear Sweet Little Susan... she is so sweet and kind. How I love her!

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Dear Jane,
I was very happy taday,and I will never forgert this memerable day in my life. I feel that we are a whole family, making me think of my parents.I promise I will go back to my family in Qingdao University in weeks and Utah in several years.
It is told that if you love somebody, then you must let them know. Otherwise, you will be regreting for not doing it forever.So i must tell that I love you both so much from my deep heart.
Yours sinserely,
Susan

Wonderful Week!

2010-05-08T22:43:00.001-06:00

Dear Family:

What a wonderful week we have had with Lesa and Kimber here to stay! It was great to show them our students and
our beautiful city of Qingdao. We enjoyed every minute they were here and it was a tearful day when they left us.
We both felt like we were in mourning.

Yesterday we had my Post Graduate girls over to visit - Doris, Vicky, Karen, Fern Heather and Susan. They are always
a joy to us and they took us to lunch to celebrate Mother's Day. We really hated them to spend their precious
money on lunch - but they were insistent. They are so concerned and loving to both of us and I am sure that our
friendship with them will last a lifetime.

Then, yesterday afternoon we went to watch my Sophomores do a dance competition! It was lucky for us - because
all the dancers were my students!!!! It is great to see them outside of the classroom and the learning environment.
They were all so happy to see us there and I took many pictures. As soon as we arrived at the arena, , they took us
right to the front of the area and sat us among the judges. They also asked us to help give out the awards to the
winners. By the way Lesa, I took pictures of Daniel and Henry for you. Daniel had a new haircut and he wore some
elaborate eye make-up!

I feel very emotional lately, knowing these are my last few months in Qingdao! I love these dear people and this
gorgeous city. I love the little girl at the "Yellow River", I love the sweet people on the buses and I love my dear
students best of all! They have been my proxy family for the past two years and I will miss them. I will miss
walking into the classroom and seeing 65-70 smiling faces waiting just for me. I will miss my dear little Li Yang
watching for me every morning, with a big smile on his face, waiting to carry my suitcase to class.
I will miss the friendly doorman in our building with his "Nin hou". I will miss my sweet little cleaning lady, who
rushes to me every day and gives me a big hug and kiss on the cheek. I will miss walking everywhere I go or
taking a bus, loaded with Chinese faces. I will miss the delicious fruits and vegetables and the authentic
Chinese food we have grown to love. I will miss my trips to "RT". I will especially miss my visits to my beloved
Jimo Liu market and the dear friends I have made there.

Many of the the people I have met and associated with, do not speak a word of English and you all know that I
do not speak Chinese! BUT we talk with our eyes, hands and a nod of our heads. I have learned that gestures
are an essential thing in a foreign country! And I have learned that we are ALL children of our Heavenly Father.
I never dreamed that I would fall hopelessly in love with the country and the people. I love the traditions and
the display of respect. I feel as if the students idolize us and revere us because we are Americans and especially
because we are old enough to be like grandparents to them.

From the moment I walked into my first class as a teacher of English in China I fell in love totally and forever. I had not planned for this to happen quite so instantaneously, like a mother seeing her new baby for the first time, only my “babies” came in hundreds and ranged in age from 18 to 25. Looking back I realize I had been preparing for this moment many years before it happened and it will be with me forever.

I love all of you and I am anxious to be home BUT I am sure that in August I will get real sad and think of China. Be patient with me - PLEASE.

Much Love,

Mom

来自yp20056@126.com的邮件‏

2010-04-11T14:44:00.001-06:00

Dear Mrs Halladay,
It's a long time since we met last time. Now I have been in the new place for three months,but I'm still unfit for the life here. I usually feel unhappy about the sad things. I even can't find any other things to do except studying. I went back to the campus alone yesterday, to think of the good memories there,the studying room, the library,the playground I ofen jog in the evening.
I remember the nice smile on you face and your young heart. How could you do that? Why I usually feel sad? I like quiet and don't like people talking and laughing together. What I can do? I need your help.

Yours sincerely
Karen
Post Graduate class

Karen:
Thank you for the beautiful picture you sent to me. You are so very beautiful, my friend. :)
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay

2010/4/11 Jane Halladay

My Dear Sweet Karen:

It was wonderful to hear from you! I am sad that you must study all the time and that you are so busy.
I really wish that you would come to see me and we could talk.
I think of you often and wonder how you are doing and if you are happy. It sounds like you are not so happy and that makes me sad. I wish all the good things that life has to offer for you. You are very special to me and I would love to help you in any way that I can.
I have learned the secret to a happy life and it lies within each of us. We MUST decide that we will be happy and put a smile on our face and try to make other people happy. I have found that when I am sad, it helps to try to help other people and make them happy. When I do that, I seem to forget my troubles because I am only thinking of other people.
Please call me on the phone when you are sad or e-mail or chat with me. You should not feel sad all the time. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating well? Please phone me so we can talk....
I love you very much and I hope that you will try to help others, as I suggested.
I will wait for your return e-mail or a phone call....
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay

Dear jane:

Thank you very much fou your e-mail! As you said, I didn't have a good sleep for about a week, I often weak up in the night because my nerve is tense. I am very concerned about my study so I feel nervous. And I don't even know very well about how to make friends with other peple.So I feel lonely even can't find a true friend to talk about my happiness and sadness, beause everyone seems to have his/her world. So I remerber you, the smile I really admire.

hello, Mrs Halladay‏

2010-04-08T14:43:00.000-06:00

Dear Mrs Halladay,
It's my pleasure to write a letter to you. Long time no see, and I miss you very much.
You are the best teacher that teach me English practice, and I learned a lot from your class. You love us, and do a lot to us. I remember the happy time in your house. We really enjoyed it and thanks for your delicious food. I t's wonderful.
Now we are studying in the affiliated hospital of medical colleage of Qingdao University. As a medical student, I find time is so limited that I have a lot of things to deal with everyday. I'm sorry that I didn't write to you in time.
Best wishes.
yours
Albert

Qing Ming weekend - April 2,3,4,5, 2010‏

2010-04-06T17:07:00.002-06:00

Just thought that I would drop a short message for you to add to the Blog site regarding our Qing Ming weekend with our friends, the Henderson's. We had such a great time. Attached you will see Nancy and I at the pearl market, with Rita - the gal we buy the pearls from. Nancy bought a load of pearls and so did I. My list of pearls to buy for everyone is dwindling - slowly, but surely.

Also, you will see the fresh fish "catch" we saw that night - just hanging out on the busy street to dry!!! It looks kinda distorted and odd colored because it was taken at night! This was the second batch of fish outside drying - must be the season!

The Qing Ming festival is celebrated every year on the 106th day after the winter solstice. Actually in English, it is the "grave sweeping" or "grave cleaning" holiday. Sort of like our Memorial day. On this day, the family gathers to eat the food the matriarch of the family has cooked the day before, as they do not cook food on that day. The left-overs are taken to the grave site of loved ones and left for the deceased spirits to eat, along with wine. They also take large sticks of incense and "play money" to burn so the deceased can have spend the money in the afterlife.... They also clean the grave site sometime within a 10 day period.
Everywhere we went, we saw yellow "pretend money" which could be purchased to take to the graves. This is one celebration when the Chinese DO NOT use fireworks. Heaven knows - they light fireworks for EVERY other occasion.

We continue to sporadically have the use of the Internet and we continue to wait for the hot water every morning from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and every evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. But - life is good and we feel very blessed to live among these dear people. I guess, as frustrating as it is, there are big "pay offs" in the time spent with our students and dear Li Yang. It is all worth it because of the cherished memories we will have of Qingdao and our time spent living here.

We are planning on Lesa coming at the end of the month and we can hardly wait to show her our "life" here in China. We pray that she will have the same feelings that we have for these dear people. I really do not know how anyone could live among them and not see their many virtues and their kind, gentle ways.

Much Love to everyone,
Mom

Days in China

2010-03-30T17:04:00.000-06:00

Dear Family:

Been busy here and it seems that the weeks just fly by lately. Yesterday I saw some things that I do not want to forget, so I thought that I would write to you to post on the Blog.

We went to Jimo Market with the Blakes yesterday afternoon and had a good time helping Sister Blake shop for pearls for her family. Well, I will say that I had a good time pearl shopping, Dad was nervously pacing!!!!
The Blakes invited us to their apartment over by Oceans University after the shopping and as we prepared to return home, we noticed it was "rush hour" for the buses! All the school kids were at the bus stop, as we approached our bus stop and we looked at each other and wondered why we decided to leave at that particular time of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When our bus - the "202" arrived, I noticed a cute junior high age girl board the bus at the same time we did. She sat by a much older gentleman and as I was sitting directly across from them, I couldn't help but notice them. He smiled at her and handed her a plastic container filled with sliced apples, which she ate. What made me notice them in the first place, was the love and concern the "Yah Yah" or Grandpa had for the young granddaughter! He was so patient and loving with her in a very Chinese way. I noted the pride in his eyes as he looked at her and spoke with her and especially the detail he took as he handed her each food item to eat. He watched her eat with such love. He had a newspaper that he kept reading to her and they would look at each other and smile. He did this for at least one hour, as the bus kept stopping at each stop - people coming and going constantly. I wondered if they lived together or if he had just "gone to pick her up" at her stop???.. I will never know. How sad for me! Finally, he got off the bus, smiling at her as he exited the bus. She then moved to a seat by herself and then she got off the bus three stops later.

Family Love is the same in any language or culture. It made me stop and think of my own grandchildren and how much I love each one and how proud I am of each one of them. I am sure that foreigners in our country can see the same thing I saw yesterday in my eyes - as I look at my grandchildren - at least I hope so...

Something else I wanted to comment on, is how strange the school system is in China! For the past week, as I arrive to teach my classes, there are two girls standing outside the classroom waiting until the bell rings, signifying that it is time to start class.
Just before I start the class, the two girls enter the classroom and ask if they can talk to the students. Then, they call names of the students in the class, at random. I was curious as to why they are doing this and I ask Li Yang and he told me that they were checking to see if the students are attending class. So interesting. And, why do they do this??? I don't think I will ever know.

As I taught my Easter lesson today and looked in those faces which I have grown to love, I wondered what they would be doing a year from today and how their lives will have changed. I know that I will no longer be a part of their lives in a year and it really makes me sad.
They have such a child-like innocence that is so refreshing and I will miss. They speak and act with such respect and admiration-I will never forget them and the things they have taught me. I can honestly say that I love every one of them.

We are looking forward to Lesa and her planned visit to China. It will be so exciting for us to have her here and see the things we see and experience the things we experience. We just wish that every member of our family could come as well.

Hope your Easter weekend is a great one. We will relax and stay here in Qingdao with the Henderson's from St. George. Do a little or a lot of shopping, sight seeing and preparing for next weeks classes. Our thoughts will be with all of you, as we remember the Savior's resurrection and the celebration that He lives. We strive daily to exemplify His life as we live among these dear people, hoping that someday they will be able to have the gospel in their lives. We know that our example is the only way to spread His love for each of His children here on the earth.

All our love,
Mom and Dad

Life in China!

2010-03-24T11:22:00.000-06:00

Dear Family:

It has been SO long since I wrote to you, I am embarrassed and thought I had better send an update.

Life here in China is wonderful and busy! Dad's schedule stayed the same as last semester with classes 14 hours per week. He has Mondays off and teaches two, two- hour classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with one class on Thursdays.
My schedule is very different! I should expect that I would have an crazy schedule, as I always have... I also have Mondays off BUT now I also have Fridays off, as well !!!!!! I teach the "odd" and "even" week schedule, with four, two-hour classes one week and three two-hour classes the next week!
A lot less hours than Dad, BUT all my classes are writing classes. I have mountains of paperwork every week because I have papers to read and grade. I am learning so many things about my students and I am starting to love it. What started as something that I dreaded, I am now loving...
I still have predominately the same students I started teaching in Fall 1908, therefore I am VERY emotionally attached to each one of them.
They are all like family and I know so many of the little things about each one that endears them to me with each passing week. Such precious, kind, thoughtful, loving people. HOW WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEM - knowing that I will NEVER see them again in this life????????

We are so excited that Lesa is coming to visit us the first of May. The students are so anxious to meet her and become acquainted with her. They are all hoping that she is here on the week I teach their class. I have talked so much about my family - they all know our family members by name. This will be such an opportunity for them. I only wish that the entire family could see and experience what Lesa will see and experience in the time she is here. It is a "once in a lifetime" chance.

It has been a real adjustment for us this semester, with the new hot water schedule. We have to plan our morning showers between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m.daily. And the hot water is on nightly from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Then weather is still cold here, but the heat in our building will be turned off in two weeks. I guess we shouldn't put our thermal underwear away yet!

We hear that Google is going to be discontinued in China soon, so we will have new e-mail addresses soon. The government here is doing some very strange things lately and we feel the effect.
We have not been able to update or view our Blog spot or the Facebook sites.
Now, we are not able to send any of our pictures on Picasa. . .
Even the computers are not dependable.

Three of Dad's students; Snow, Meili and Natalie came to our apartment the day after my birthday and brought a birthday cake and candles to celebrate. They are so thoughtful. Last year I made them spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, cabbage salad and apple crisp - they want the same meal again! It was amazing - those three little gals ate an entire loaf of bread and the entire batch of spaghetti. They love American food. But, they thought the apple crisp was too sweet!!! The Chinese do not like things that are too sweet. They LOVE meat.

Our days are passing so rapidly and I feel panicky, knowing that the time in China is short for us. I must enjoy every minute here with these dear people. I do not want to ever forget them - each smile, each facial expression and the looks on their sweet faces. I love to see their reaction to the crazy things I do. This week I am teaching them about Easter and the Easter bunny and everything concerning Easter - non religious. I made an Easter Bonnet and really gobbed it up with artificial flowers, a feather and brightly colored ribbon and as I sang "In your Easter Bonnet" to them, I flipped that crazy hat on, and they all smiled and cheered. They are so loving and accepting of anything I do in the classroom - I love it...

I have been very lax in reporting on the Blog, but I promise to do better.
I am looking forward to using my newly re-modelled kitchen and bathroom and "being there" and near to all of you.
Our prayers are with Keith and Mary NaDean at this time and we look forward to seeing them soon.

All Our Loves,
Dad and Mom

Back in China - at last!!!!‏

2010-03-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Family:

Well, we FINALLY arrived back in our beloved China - without our luggage!
After a long flight from San Francisco, we discovered in Beijing that our luggage was NOT on the same flight we were on!
HOW FRUSTRATING !!!!!!!

We arrived back at our apartment at 11:30 p.m. to find that there was NO hot water in our apartment and there was a huge
mess in our building... ceiling tiles all over the place, pipes on the floors, paint splattered and white plaster everywhere !!
Luckily our dear friends, the Stevens', came in our apartment and cleaned our floors and wiped the dust off for us...
We had moved everything out of our kitchen and bathroom before we left for the USA and put it in our bedroom. So, we had
to clean all that up before we could even move around in our bedroom. Therefore,we finally fell into bed at 2:00 a.m.
And we STILL do not have hot water today. And we still DO NOT have our luggage today!!!!!!

I don't mean to sound ungrateful and like a complainer BUT it is really so funny...... I want to remember all these humorous things so that is the reason I am telling you! I think of those poor people in Haiti that were in the earthquake. They have nothing, not even a place to lay their heads, and I am just inconvenienced for a few days without the luxuries I am so accustomed to! It is a humbling thought....

It is very cold here and the wind has been howling since we arrived. We haven't been able to stay warm and I am back to
wearing my thick thermals again. To think that 3 days ago, in San Francisco, we wished we had worn shorts because it
was so warm!

Everyone we see is so happy to see us and we feel so loved. Li Yang has called us and is coming to see us
and the cleaning ladies in our building rush to me and give me hugs. It makes us feel so good. They are dear people and we have
learned to love them so much. I dread having to leave them for the final time....

I have my new teaching schedule and I am teaching writing classes this semester instead of oral English! Very intimidating.
The good news is that I only teach Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and only 1-2 classes a day!
This really excites me, knowing that Lesa is coming to visit us in May and I will be able to tour with her!!!!

We are feeling lonesome for all of you and we want you to know of our love and appreciation for you. You are exceptional people
and we love you so very much. You are our reason for living and we have such great memories of our time spent with each of
you while we were in the states. Josh is the only one we didn't see and we are sad that he chose not to see us.

We want you to know that we are where we are supposed to be and that Satan knows we are here because he is doing everything he
can to discourage us. The Spirit is strong among these dear people and we are privileged to be here and feel of their love. We are
just a small part of the preparation for the gospel in China and we feel the responsibility to be a constant example of the Savior's love
for ALL of his children.

All our love,
Mom and Dad

Chinese New Year - Dumplings and Student

2010-03-04T13:02:00.003-07:00

Dear Jane and Roger,
I am so glad to hear from you. I checked my e-mail again and found that you are right. I think I forgot to send you the pictures. How forgetful I am. I will send them this time and some other pictures I took recently.
I am so happy that you have got the present ready. I am anxious to see it. I have a very good time here in my hometown. It is really great to have fun with your family and friends. So are you. I think you must have a very very good time with your daughter and grandchildren. I AM ANXIOUS TO SEE LESA,TOO.
I have had many big meals since the Spring Festival. It is customs. Your relatives will call on you and have lunch with your family. Genearlly,there will be more than fifteen people, and we will make two tables of food and drink. One is for the man relatives,and the other one is for women and children. In the ordinary course of events,women and children have temperance drinks and men have beer or white spirit. The food is the same in two tables. We talk a lot while eating. We talk about the life in the last year and our plan in the next year. Occationally, we tell jokes. And then, children will be the objects. It will bring lots of fun when we talk about children. They are always so cute, and we love them.
We will call on back out of pliteness. And then we will have another big meal again. So even it is very fun to have big meals and delicious food, I am very worried about my weight. Now I guess I am ten pounds weighter than last year. I am afraid I have to take some measures to limit it.
I am looking forward to see you now. Miss you and dear Roger. Love you.
love,
Doris
PS: I will send you some pictures.I hope you will like them.
picture
1:dough making
The way to make dough is very simple as you need only to mix flour with water.

2: knead dough divide the big pice fo dough into seveal smaller pieces and then knead them.Anbout two minutes later the dough will be very pliable and tough.
3 4 5 Each piece of dough can make twenty or thirty dumplings.
6 mix meat and cabbige together,enfold a small ball into the dumpling wrapper,that is a dumpling then.
7 We put dates and coins or sweets into some of the dumplings, which means sweet and rich life.
the next two pictures are my dear young sister. She is very cute.I love kissing her. It is so sweet.
IMG 2004 2005 2006 2010 That is my uncle and his son. They are pateing the Spring Festival couplets.
IMG 2011 2013 I think it is beautiful.
IMG 2037 My mom and my aunt. The left one is my mom. They always wear quite similar clothe in that days.
IMG 2055 She is my best friend. We'v known each other since we were young. I am two months older than her. We are neighbours and we are close sisters. We love each other and treat each other like family member.
IMG 2062 This is my naughty sister. Though she makes us angry very often, we all love her so much. I hope she will find that soon. She is very smart. She plays cards very well.

Letter from a Student - Spring Festival

2010-02-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Jane and Roger,
How is everything going there? The new year is coming, happy new year!
I have come home for five days already. Things are fine. I am long for coming back home. To be true, I didn't have a good time in the hospital for the first three weeks. Everything is new. For the department is smaller than before, people seem to be in a stew. Something changes, though not1 apparently.In the last few days before we came back home, everybody seems blundering and cannot wait to start off. I try to be calm and happy in those days. And so do they, I guess. Now, we are at home finally. I should and I do feel very happy.

Everybody is busy at preparing for the Spring Festival. We buy lots of canjdy,new dress and spring festival couplets. We buy plentiful vegetables and meets for the festival. That is traditional. We have lots of dishes during the Spring Festival. Generally, the first big meal begin at the night of the last day of the old year.let me see, we have tofu, it represents good fortune in the next year. We have fish, in Chinese, the pronunciation sounds like the meaning that things are enough and spare in this year as well as the next year. We have chicken, in the same way, it has the similarly pronunciation of another word which means everythings goes well. We also have many other dishes,they all have certain meanings. Now I cannot remember all of them, but I will tell you after that big meal.

In the last three or four days of this year, every family will make lots of steamed bread,usually two or three pots. Each pot can contain twenty or so steamed bread. We will have them during the festival. We treat our relatives and guests with them. We will make hundreds of dumplings in these days.Similarly, we eat part of them. The other part, we will treat our relatives and guests.

We will fry the fishes in advance. Then we can pick them out and re-heat them and fate our guests in short time. It is easy. Because we will have many relatives coming to our home and wish us happy new year. Generally, guests will come one by one from the first day of the new year to the fifth or seventh day. Traditionally, the second or the third day of the new year is the day for daughters coming home with their husbands and children. Relatives will pay a vist to each other in those days. For example, my relative A come to my home on the first day, then my father and my uncles will call on them on the forth or fifth day.That is funny and lovely.

Back to the theme.We will do spring-cleaning on the off year.Diferent places have diferent customes. I will show you some pictures.You will see the rich activities we do on that day. In my hometown, we do the spring-cleaning and sacrifice to the kitchen God.We have dumplings on that day,too. By the way, I think you must know that in China , on the night of Spring Festival, almost every family will see Spring Festival Gala together. It ends at 24:00. That means the first day of the new year.After the Spring Festival Party (Spring Festival Gala),we have dumplings for the fist meal of the new year. Do you still remember we have told you that we will put some special things in the dumplings. That is for this meal. We put some coins,sweets,jujubes in the dumplings. If you eat coins, it means you will make big money in the new year. If you have sweets or jujubes, it means you will feel sweet and happy in the new year,as like as having honey. We do this every year and we feel excited when somebody have them.

After the first meal, adult sons will wish their parents Happy New Year with their wife and children. The grandparents will give the young children some money,that is money given to children as a lunar New Year gift. Children like that part of the festival.

Well, in our village,we will call on our nearby relatives and good friends then. Generally, men and little kids do that for their family. The old and women will stay at home and wait for their guests. Then you will meet many people on the streets. That is funny.
Oh, another important thing. Everybody will put on their new dress before 24:00. Then we wish everybody happy new year.We will have them on for the next three or four days, and when we visit our relatives.
Well, I will tell you more thins next time. I think you will be very interested in them.
I miss you VERY MUCH. Wish both of you happy everyday.
love,
Doris

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to wish you all a Merry Christmas...

Just want you all to know that the Christmas Spirit is alive here in China! There are so many evidences of Christ's love in this beautiful country - even without Christianity!

As I have been telling my beloved students about Christmas and explaining our traditions, I can see in their eyes how they yearn for understanding. If only I could tell them about Jesus Christ, His mission and His atonement....
I pray daily that the doors will one day be open for the gospel message to be spread in China. They are ready for the gospel message and when it comes, it will spread like a fire. They are so family oriented and they have such a passion for their children! It is heartwarming to watch them with their children and see the love... And, I feel that same kind of love for them - they have such a child-like innocence! And this innocence makes me feel very protective of them.
I am talking about ALL of them - the children, my students, the street workers, the merchants, and the old people...

I was thinking the other day about what my life was like before I came to China and how "shallow" I was.
Oh, I had all of you - and you were and are, my reason to live, BUT I was doing nothing meaningful - not really making a difference in anyone's life...
Grandma Pearl used to tell me that the greatest "need" a person has, is to be needed! And, in China, I am really needed and I really can make a difference in my students lives. And they take every opportunity to express their appreciation and love to me.

You - my dear family - have your own lives and you are all busy raising your families. Dad and I are pretty much just "looking" for things to keep us occupied, at this stage of our lives.... In China, we are "needed" in so many ways.. We feel that what we are doing is really making a difference in the lives of our students. They give us their acceptance and love unconditionally. It is VERY rewarding at this stage of our lives.
We have never been so busy as we are now. And, we are always studying or going somewhere to see or help someone. The only void on our lives is YOU. We miss not seeing you and the grandchildren. It is evident when we are lonesome to talk to you, knowing that you are so far away... We miss hearing those sweet, familiar voices and looking in your beloved faces. YOU are our life.... our reason to live.

We figure this is our last "hoorah" at teaching and giving back to mankind - a payment of sorts, for the abundant life we have.
We realize every day, how we were blessed to be born in the good old USA and have all the advantages afforded us.
We know our Heavenly Father loves us and is with us daily. We can feel His love and protection.
We also know this is where we should be at this time. Sometimes we question why we are here, but sometimes it is very evident why we are here.

On Christmas Eve, as we read the story of the first Christmas, we will be thinking of you and your families.
We will be thinking of the many blessings we have and how much our Father in Heaven loves us all.
We have so much to be thankful for and we need to express to Him, our thanks.

Know that we are counting the days until we see each of you. We can hardly wait to see our dear grandchildren and received the hugs and kisses we have been missing.
May you each have the knowledge that our Heavenly Father loves you, that He came to earth to atone for our sins and that we will return to Him one day.

With All Our Love,
Dad and Mom

Letter

2009-12-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

This is a letter from one of the professors I teach:

Dear Jane,
Thank you for giving us the poem "Myself". It is really a good poem, after reading it, I was encouraged and impressed. I think over about myself and all things I have done, I am not very satisfied with myself. First, I haven't use my time enough and sensible. Some time I waste my time, I really regret for it. Second, I don't think I am a good mother. Some time I am lacking in pacience to my son. I think when he need me so much, but I didn't do what he want, he must be very disappointed for me.
I think I have to do some change, I have to treasure my time, I have to be more and more pacient to my son, I have to do whatever I can to make my mom happy. Four years ago, my dad died of lung cancer, it was very very diffficult for us, especially for my mom. Now my mom have to be single, she is only 53 years old, she hasn't retired, she is not in the same city with me. Some time she feels so lonely. I must be a good daughter to do something to make her happy.
I want to be a good person, only do good things, Just like the poem said, I want to be self respecting and conscience free!
Dear Jane, you don't know how much I like you! I always think it is not enough even use all good words to describe you. I want to have more time to be with you, I want to be your friend, but my mother in law is not in good health, now she go back her home, I am very busy for I have to look after my son by myself, my husband is very busy with his job, he can't help me. So I have not much time to do what I want to do. You said you will go back America soon, I am so sad, I will miss you very much!
I hope it will not use your too much time to read my mail. Best wishes to you!
Truely yours Bonnie

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

Here are the photo's the Henderson's took over the weekend. You will note how we
spent our Thanksgiving holiday - at the pearl market!
Seeing the photo's sent from home, of Thanksgiving really made us feel homesick.
We are very anxious to come home in January and to see all of you and be
in our own home!!!
Miss all of you....
Much Love,
Mom

Thanksgiving Week!

2009-11-23T08:16:00.001-07:00

Dear Family:

Today I sat on the bus, as we traveled to Taidong to shop and I reflected my life and the wonderful experiences I am having - living in a foreign country!!!!!!!!

I sat directly across from an older woman and looked in her face and my mind wandered to thoughts of my Mother The woman's face was etched in smile lines and as I gazed into her eyes I saw kindness. I looked at her clothes, worn but clean and I could see where she had mended her coat - something my Mother would have done... Her concern for us was evident. She offered me her seat and when I refused - she told a young man to give me his seat! I took note of her aged hands and imagined all the "motherly" tasks they must have performed in her lifetime.

My mind was overflowing with memories of past Thanksgivings. All the excitement, all the wonderful smells and all the love of family!! Special memories of each family member who has left this mortal existance, but left precious memories behind. All the memorable Thanksgivings in Provo and Salem and Cedar City....
Your Dad and my first Thanksgiving together and our last Thanksgiving with all of you before we left for China. Good thoughts.... Happy thoughts.....

I saw 3 older women get on the bus and visit back and forth and I thought of Grandma Pearl and dear Aunt Mary and Aunt Reva and all the good times they had together. I can NEVER think of a time they said unkind or hurtful words to each other. What a great example they set for me! I must remember to always have love in my heart for my brothers and sisters and tell them of my love and appreciation.

"They say to count your blessings when Thanksgiving time is nigh, I have SO MANY BLESSINGS, I just can't count that high".......

We will celebrate Thanksgiving this year - teaching classes! I have a class from 8-10 a.m. and a class from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dad has a class from 8-10 a.m. We will probably spend the afternoon preparing for our classes on Friday, as we both teach all morning on Friday!
But, our hearts will be in Cedar City with all you special people who we love so dearly.. YOU are the ones we love the most - in the whole. wide world.
We have so very much to be thankful for and we thank our Heavenly Father every day for all the abundant blessings we have.

Have a memorable Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings - you have SO many.
You live in the greatest country in the universe and you are free to do as you please and go where you would like to go. You all have lovely homes, cars, and a family who would do anything in the world for you. SO much more than most people in the world have!!!!!!
I have a greater appreciation of the many freedoms we Americans take for granted. I pray I never forget the things I have witnessed.

We can hardly wait until January 6th - when we will be home for 2 months!!!!!! We are "living" for all the hugs and kisses we KNOW are waiting for us...............

All our love,
Mom and Dad

Learning Idioms

2009-11-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

This is an e-mail from one of the Chinese teachers I teach! They are so kind! I LOVE this class - they are all adults! In fact, a couple of them are about my age! Most of them are around between Natalie and Lesa's ages though. She is pretty smart.
Just thought you would enjoy it...
Much Love,
Mom
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Jane,
I am your student of Tuesday afternoon class. I like you so much! You are really glamorous! I am very very happy that I have the opportunity to know you and become one of your students!
The ten idioms are in one paragraph as follows. I hope you could help me to correct
my mistakes.
Thank you very much!
Truely your's
Bonnie

Last year, we got a new neighbour--Susan, she's a breath of fresh air. Becouse she is so beautiful and polite. A young guy named David who was a cut above when he was a college student, had a crush on Susan. Every time he saw her, his face was a dead giveaway. One day he told her that he had a bone to pick with her. When she heard that, she was a basket case, she didn't know what he want to tell her. The next day, David drived a car and carried Susan to a cafe. They talked a lot. Before they left, David told Susan he love her and she's a big shot to him. On the way home, there was a close call, a bus nearly hit their car! Fortunately, nothing happened. Few months before, they got married, and now, Susan has a bun in the oven.They have a blast.

Newspaper - Wedding Day!

2009-11-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Yeah... heat!!!

2009-11-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

Just a short note to tell you that today is a memorable day - we get heat!!!!!!
Mr. Liu came to our apartment and "bled" our ancient steam heaters. It was quite the process!!!
He bled the one in the bedroom and it started to feel warm immediately but the one in the living room
still felt cold....When Mr. Liu came back to the apartment to hang a hook on the bathroom door,
Roger pointed to the heater in the living room and said, "cold". Mr. Liu, with his limited English just
went over to the heater, released more steam , and now we are slowly getting heat in the living room!!!!
I was sitting here in the bedroom, at the computer, listening to Roger and Mr. Liu converse and I started to
laugh and could hardly control myself. Somehow we manage to make Mr. Liu, as well as most of the Chinese,
understand what we need. We do this by pointing, using facial movements, talking in English and physically
showing them what we want. It is very unique and very comical.
Love this country and its people!!!!
Mom

Greetings from China!

2009-11-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Ones:

I want to write and share some thoughts and feelings because I pray that I never forget the things I see and feel while living in China!
There are so many things I see, smell, and touch that are forever ingrained in my soul about China.
It is a place I would never have imagined, I would even want to see, but I have fallen hopelessly in love with the country and her
people and customs. I truly have become a "Chinacan".

I will treasure many memories of China and the ancient classrooms at Qingdao University. One of the memories that will always bring
a smile to my face, is the lighting system in the classrooms! As I walk into the classroom every morning, all the students are sitting
in their seats, waiting for me, with smiles on their faces! What a welcoming sight for these old eyes!
I automatically turn on the light switch in the classroom, as I walk in the room because it is usually dark in the room. BUT - no lights
turn on! I try a second and third time and STILL no lights turn on! It has taken me approximately 14 1/2 months to realize that the
electricity is NOT on in the classroom...... However, as I am teaching my class, out of the clear blue sky - the lights suddenly come on!!!!!
I am sure the Chinese think they are conserving energy this way...

When we go shopping at "RT Mart", about twice a week, we really see and learn alot! This last Friday afternoon, as we boarded the number 202
bus we saw a little boy get on the bus with his "Ni Ni" (Grandmother) They sat in the seats in front of us, where I could closely observe them......
It is customary in China that whenever anyone boards the bus with a small child - they get a seat! I have seen old people stand up and
offer their seat to a young mother with a small child OR the child will get the seat and the mother stands! Also - if an older person boards the
bus - a younger person will immediately offer their seat! SUCH gracious, kind people - so thoughtful of children and the elderly. By the way,
I am one of the recipients of the offered seats!!!!! I must be in one of the mentioned categories!
Also, there are a couple of older ladies that seem to have the same shopping schedule we have and they always smile and chatter to me!
We always make sure they are allowed and helped onto the bus and assured a seat.

One of my most favorite things to do at RT Mart is to go to the meat counter!!! Roger just stands back and lets me do "my thing"....
At the meat counter, it is a "fight" to get to the front of the counter! Those seemingly kind, shy, unassuming little women can be vicious.
Shoving, pushing and bumping is allowed at the meat counter and believe me - it gets pretty nasty there... I make it a game or personal
challenge to make it to the front of the line, in as short a time as I can!
Friday, two old gals had their shopping carts wedged so no one could get near the front !

I know some of you will find it hard to imagine BUT I was at the front of the line within 2-3 minutes.!!!!!
I just started to poke at the meat in the bins and kinda nudged my way in... It helped that I caught the eye of
one of the ladies and smiled a big smile at her and said, "How are you today pengyou ( friend)"... She shoved all
the other gals back and made a place for me!!! I spotted a choice roast over on the chopping block which had
not been thrown in the meat bin AND she even told one of the butcher's to fetch it for the American!!!
And he did!!!!!!!!
I love this place..... I don't think that I have ever felt so loved and admired by anyone. They are so kind and thoughtful...

We are looking forward to coming home in January for about 7 weeks to put our house back together.
There truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME.....

We love and miss you ALL.
Dad and Mom

Doris

2009-11-09T07:11:00.001-07:00

This is our Doris!! SOOOOOO cute and sweet. Also, us with Doris and her roommates - they are the Post Graduates from last year. They will go to the hospital after Christmas to study and practice for 3 1/2 years!
Much Love,Mom

Qingdao 2009

2009-11-09T04:40:00.001-07:00

A few pictures of beautiful Qingdao... the first picture is of a 1500year old tree!!!! Love you, Mom

Student Nate's Farm

2009-11-06T07:21:00.003-07:00

Nate sent these to me when I was in the USA. They are of his village and home. You will note his father pulling the wagon on the way to sell his wares. Neat...Love you, Mom
Nate and I at the Rewards Ceremony last year.

Korean Wedding

2009-11-04T07:26:00.005-07:00

This picture is of one of our Branch members the night of her reception in her traditional Korean wedding dress... Isn't she pretty? Her husband is not a member. This is your Dad and "Strong", one of his students, on our "wedding day"...This is me, Merlene Ellington and a little Communist official on our "wedding day". He was so cute and wanted to have his picture taken with us..This last picture is of the "group" of Americans who were "married". It is so funny, all the Communist officials ALL wanted to have their pictures taken with us. The wind was blowing SO hard that day.

Chinese funerals...‏

2009-10-23T07:36:00.000-06:00

Hi:

I see in all my notes from our trip that I never explained to you about Chinese funerals! We saw 3 of them on the trip and the guide explained - in detail.
At a Chinese funeral, all the family members and those attending the funeral, wear white. And they all wear a wide, white head band on their heads too.
They usually hold the funeral at a public place - at a local restaurant where a "funeral feast" is held. But, wherever they have the funeral, there are large white
banners hung to signify there is a funeral. There is also alot of paper money for the dead person to take on his or her "journey" to spend. The
Chinese worry that their loved ones will need money in the next life and on their journey there and that is the reason for the play, paper,money. At one of the
funerals we saw, there was a large, white, life sized paper horse for the departed one to ride on his journey to the next world. Sometimes there
is a paper rabbit to take on the journey also. There are also some of the dead persons favorite clothes or even some new clothes for the departed
to wear on the journey.

All these symbols are gathered and placed beside the casket for everyone to see. As soon as the short viewing is over, EVERYTHING is burned.....
The horse, the play money, the rabbit, the clothes - even the persons body is burned.....
Then the ashes are put in a jar and buried.
A stone tablet is placed over the grave with the persons name carved on it, as well as his family members names.

Every year, on the anniversary of the death, the family visits the grave. They take the dead persons favorite foods and leave the dead person a generous
serving of his favorite food. There are many dishes prepared for the dead person and the family meets after the food is delivered to the grave,and has a
feast.

These customs are the way the older generation of China celebrate death. The younger generation doesn't feel it is necessary to continue the ancient
customs. How sad that this custom is only still practiced in the small ethnic villages. I think the Chinese way of death and burial is interesting and I
was fascinated with the ritual.
The Chinese, interestingly, believe in life after death. This really fascinated me. They believe that the departed one can influence family members and
that he could possibly be "re-born" as something or someone else. They are very superstitious.

This all was so interesting to me and I just wanted to share it with you as well.

Much Love,
Mom

Korean Family‏

2009-10-20T00:35:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

More thoughts on the past weekend.... We attended a Korean wedding reception and dinner which was fabulous. The bride is a member of our little Qingdao Branch and she wore a traditional Korean wedding gown. She looked stunning and we had a great evening. Not all the members of the Branch were invited, just us and we felt honored.
We took a 45 minute bus ride, in the pouring rain, to Brother Harrison Kong's home, to ride to the reception with him. He and his mother-in-law, sister Yeom, went with us. It was another hour and a half to the reception. It was a memorable evening because we shared it with our dear Korean brothers and sisters. I will send pictures.
Oh - and the bride and groom had a special gift for all the guests - 2 hand towels each, with their names and the date stamped on them!

We were married AGAIN the following morning on the Beach - here in Qingdao. It was a fun day,with the Chinese treating us like monkeys in the zoo....We are the "token" Americans. They don't understand a word we say and we don't understand a word they say. The wedding "ceremony" was so funny and there were photographers all over and there was a feeling of celebration. We went to dinner after the "ceremony" and the meal consisted of both kidney, as well as liver - fixed Chinese style ..YUCK..YUCK..YUCK
Oh - and there were gifts too. Another plate, with Chinese writing on. Two t-shirts that will probably fit Marin and "1", very small - single bed sheet!!!!!!!!! So funny........

Sunday we had another baptism in our Branch. It was Brother Yoon's middle son, who just turned 8 years old. The baptismal font was filled as we had Sacrament meeting and the children kept going back and sticking their hands in the water. As soon as the block of meetings ended, the baptism took place, with your Father officiating. Brother Yoon ask Dad to confirm his son and it was a beautiful confirmation prayer - I wish you could have all been there to hear it!
Then, the Koreans fed all of us! Peking duck! It was really pretty good and it was a wonderful afternoon.

There is something I wanted to add here because I don't want to ever forget it....
There is a very reverent, loving, caring, kind, feeling among the Korean members... They are so generous to everyone. Generous with their time. Generous with their money. Generous with their affections. Generous with all they have. As I sat there at the baptism, I watched them and the way they treated each other and each others children. They treat all the children as the Savior treated the little ones. They all had a small one on their laps and they all were hugging, either their own child,or anothers child. And, the children were perfectly content with whoever was holding them - even if they weren't their own parent.
Are we as Christlike to other peoples children? Do we truly love and care for all of God's children? It really caused me to think and look at myself and how I act or re-act to the situations in my life. Am I as Christlike?
Please think about this.... I know I have!
Much Love,
Mom

Information learned from our trip October 1-7, 2009‏

2009-10-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Family:
As you know, we have just returned from a trip to the poorest Province in China this past week - Guizhou!
What an experience.... It has been a week with a variety of emotions and I feel so very thankful for
all the Lord has blessed me with. I feel so grateful to Him for the privilege of being born in this dispensation,
in the USA, with all the blessings and advantages life has to offer.
I don't remember ever seeing such poverty and lowly circumstances. It was a very humbling experience for me - one
that I won't soon forget! I feel very emotional when I think of the look on the peoples faces and the hopelessness in
their eyes. Even the children....

We left Qingdao on October 1, 2009 for the celebration of National Autumn Festival and Moon Festival for a week.
We arrived in Guiyang in the late afternoon and as we rode the bus to the hotel, we noticed the poor living conditions
and poverty. We were fortunate to have a great guide by the name of Howard. His knowledge of the area was
remarkable. He took us places we otherwise would never have seen, because he is a native to the area.

Howard explained that the Miao minority worships the water buffalo. The water buffalo does much for these people and
they would be unable to accomplish their farming without the buffalo.
The Chinese people all think of the dragon as something very special. The rest of the world thinks of the dragon as something
awful or frightening. The Chinese say that the dragon has horns just like the water buffalo, which they worship. They say that
the dragon has the body of a snake, the face of a cat, the tail of a fish and of course the horns, like the water buffalo. Virtually EVERYTHING in China has a significance, such as the Dragon Boat which has 50 oars - 25 on each side,- representing the 50 ethnic minority groups.

Each minority group dresses differently. We saw several minority groups on this trip, but predominately the Miao's (pronounced meow) and the Han's (pronounced han, as in hand).
The Chinese dress of the Han women is called a "chee pow" (my spelling as it was pronounced!) The Han women dress daily in the Han native dress. The women wear head bands about 3-4 inches wide. The married women all wear a white head band and the older women or grandmothers wear a black head band. Eligible young women wear nothing on their heads. The Han women wear a 12 in long embroidered belt that has colorful embroidery on it. There are 12 different florals or scenes on the belt, signifying the 12 months of the year. There are also representations, through color, for the different seasons. Their blouses are sky blue and button on the left shoulder and a skirt is always worn. Very interesting and so symbolic.
.
One tribe of Maio people that had "broken off" from the main body of Miao's, wears a special hat or headpiece that looks like a large hat or hair which comes to a point on either side of the woman's head. It is made of black yarn and also of the hair of Miao women - woven with the yarn!
The Miao women dress very festive. The Miao's love silver and they adorn themselves with silver. All the women, in the native dress, had eleborate silver headpieces, huge necklaces and gorgeous waist adornments. However, they do not wear the silver everyday. The Miao's, especially, worship the water buffalo and for some occasions, the women wear a hat resembling the horns of the water buffalo.

The Miao houses were all made of wood with the traditional Chinese tile roof. However, the Han houses were made of slate or bricks - they even had a slate or a cement roof ! In ancient times the Hans made their homes of slate, with the slate roofs so their emenies could not burn the homes. Today, both Han and some Maio homes have a cement, flat roof and on the roof is water about 3-5 inches thick! The reason being: the water cools the home in the summer months and warms the home in the winter months!

In the small village of Tian Tai, which is a Han village, we saw an ocean of corn drying. It was so amazing..... they cut the ripe corn, saving the husks for food for the water buffalo. Then they dry the corn and put it in sacks for winter. All the houses had clusters of corn drying on the porches. There were also big piles of dried corn cobs, which was saved for fuel for the winter. The Chinese waste NOTHING.....

We were on some of the most frightening, winding, dangerous, roads I have ever travelled on. Disney, with it's frightening rides, couldn't compare with some of the life threatening rides we were on! I felt the Lord's hand in keeping us from harm on this trip, more than ever before in my life. We nearly had a frightening accident one night - one we will all remember for a long time. Remind us to tell you about it someday...

One night when we stopped, the guide told us to be careful where we ate supper because the city was known to eat dog meat...... He said that the local people raised dogs to eat and dog meat was served at every restaurant. Made us a little worried to eat. That was in the city of Kaili. It is hard when you cannot read a menu and the only way to choose something on a restaurant menu is to look at the pictures on the menu and point at what "looks" like it is something you can recognize to eat!!! What an experience.

The rice growing along the road is a wonder to behold. It is hard to imagine the rice paddies and how they grow. I hope the pictures I sent can somehow show you how it is done.
The rice grows as tall as a Chinese man and the harvest is around October 1-10. To harvest the rice, the women cut it in bundles about 3-4 feet long. The bundle is laid on the ground, beside the rice plant - to allow it to dry out. As soon as it is dry, the bundles are "thrashed" with a bamboo stick or "slapped" hard against the ground to dislodge the rice kernals. As we drove by the rice fields, we could see the farmers harvesting the rice.
As soon as the kernals are taken from the rice "reeds" the farmer spreads the rice kernals, single file, on the ground to dry out.
These kernals are spread and repositioned several times per day. They dry for several days BUT they must be swept up every night and put somewhere safe for the night and re-spread the next day!
As soon as the rice is dry, it is stored for the winter. The rice "reeds" or the stalk where the rice grew, is then laid in bundles and tied near one end. These bundles are stacked "teepee" like. Some farmers "teepee" stack the rice stalks in a large circular fashion - even around a tree trunk - higher and higher and higher...
Rice irrigation is most fascinating! The rice must be kept constantly wet or damp - without allowing to mildew. Rice paddies are planted on different levels with a drainage system allowing the water to constanlty flow downward without becoming stagnant. As we drove from village to village among the rice fields, we noticed all the terracing for the rice growth and it was beautiful.
Every available inch of soil is used to some advantage or another, and it is a sight to behold. EVERY part of the harvested fruit or vegetable is used for one purpose or another - nothing is wasted.
Tomatoes are not "bush" grown as we grow them in Utah. I saw a great idea on tomato planting here in China! They take two 6-7 foot long bamboo poles and make them in a big "X", on either side of the tomato plant. Then they run a longer bamboo pole down the center of the X's to connect all the X's (at the top) and the tomatoes are tied to grow up the two sides of the poles - NO tomatoes on the ground for the bugs to eat....
The Chinese are genius' in the art of growing anything. They have been doing it for centuries! I don't know why I marvel at their skill - but I do..

How blessed we are! We live such good lives and we take so much for granted. We waste so much in our country and we expect there will always be more . These people live life each day, hoping for food the next day - never really knowing ... I know that I will think twice about the food I waste and the things I throw away. I see people every day, "dumpster diving" for any scrap of food they can find and I live so abundantly! The thought has crossed my mind, more than once, that I am so blessed to be an American and have such a good life. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for all I have in my life.
I love each of you and you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Tonight, when you lay your head on your pillow, try to think of all the people in the world that have so much less than you have. You will have to count your blessings... You must!
All our Love,
Mom

Guiyang

2009-10-07T14:00:00.001-06:00

This last day of the tour we were on our own. Our flight didn't leaveuntil 3:45 p.m., so we decided to go to QianLing Park - which isfamous in Guiyang for it monkeys and scenic views.

Poor Village

2009-10-07T13:49:00.000-06:00

This is without a doubt - the poorest village people I have everseen... We had to drive 3 hours to reach them, on a winding,frightening road and then 3 more hours, after dark, on the same roadto get back to the hotel. It was a frightening day and I felt aspirit of unrest while here...

Huangguoshu waterfall,etc. near Anshun‏

2009-10-06T13:55:00.001-06:00

Today we visited Hauangguoshu waterfall where we climbed to thewaterfall. The waterfall plunges down 74 meters to Rhinoceros Pool.This is the largest waterfall in Asia. Below the falls is the StarBridge scenic area, which is known for its "potted landscape". We sawStone Forest on the water and visited the Buyi minority Stove Village.We walked across the Sky Star Bridge and rode the longest escalator Ihave ever seen. Long day...

Temple, Dragon boat cave - great day!‏

2009-10-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Today we visited a famous temple - the Temple of Mercy, which was noton our itinerary. It was beautiful and so peaceful. We also went toLiuzhi, hometown of the Changjiao Maio's. We also took a boat trip tothe Dragon Palace cave or the Karst cave. Great day...

Han minority village

2009-10-05T23:55:00.002-06:00

Today we visited the Tianmountain Dragon Temple. We visited a Hanminority village. In that village, all the houses were built out ofbricks or stone and so were the roofs! The reason being that inancient times, enemies could not burn the villagers out because thehouses and roofs were stone.. We saw a "ground" opera with gorgeouswooden masks. It was a great day. Note all the corn. The harvesttime is here and they were either drying the corn or getting it readyto take off the cobs.

Kaili and Xijiang Maio village‏

2009-10-03T23:46:00.001-06:00

Today we visited Kaili and went on a scenic ride to the Xijiang Miaovillage - th elargest Maio village which is well known for itsembroidery and silver ornaments. It is very picturesque, set in anatural basin and bordered by rice paddy fields, with wooden houses onthe hillside. Only a few of our group went to the Datang Maiovillage, which was very unique. We saw things there we will treasurefor the rest of our lives...

Guiyang/Kaili/Xijiang‏

2009-10-02T23:37:00.001-06:00

Visited Qingyan ancient town and Zhuangyuan mansion. Also a Miaominority village. Also Kaili - the center of the Miao sliver culture-the gateway to other minority villages. Also visited the Langde Miaominority village - seeing traditional Maio architecture.

Arrival in Guizhou Province in Guiyang‏

2009-10-01T23:34:00.000-06:00

Pictures of our arrival in Guiyang - Guizhou Province on October 1, 2009.

WHAT a weekend!!!!

2009-09-29T20:48:00.001-06:00

Dear Family:
What a weekend we have had.......
To begin - we had Branch Conference and your Dad was basically "in charge" of all the coordination of meetings and speakers. He really worked diligently to make it a great conference and he did a super job. You all would have been so proud of him, I know that I was!
The Beijing District Presidency attended and spoke as well, with President Steven Toronto presiding. It was a great conference and the Spirit was strong. Dad gave two talks and he did a great job. It was a great two days - a real spiritual feast.....

There was a BIG Communist National Celebration planned for Sunday night as well - the Communist party has been in China for 60 years and there was a huge celebration planned.....All us "Foreign Expert Teachers" were invited and we received a beautiful written invitation. When the invitation was delivered, we noted that we were to sit at the "VIP table"!!!!!!!!!! All the other teachers sat at other tables.... Shirley, our waiban, really likes us and we felt it an honor to be seated at the VIP table!!!
She told us that we would be seated by all the "big wigs" in Qingdao! She said that as soon as we arrived at the Hotel where the dinner was to be held, she would take us to the VIP room where we could relax and visit and have a drink. AND, she said that we would walk into the banquet after everyone else was seated and make an entrance...We were very intimidated by this!!!!!!!!!!!! But the BIG thing was.....we were to sit by the Mayor of Qingdao, as well as the President of Qingdao University!
There were cameras flashing and people walking around offering toasts everywhere. It was just like in the movies!!!!!!! Why we were the honored ones we will never know........
I sat next to the President of Qingdao University and visited with him all evening. Rog sat one person away from the Mayor and they chatted. What an evening.
Beautiful fresh flowers everywhere and some of the fanciest food we have ever eaten. I will include the menu.. And, the desserts and fresh fruit was unbelievable!!!!
Victoria took pictures and I will send them to you... You will get a big laugh at us....

We will leave in two days for the National Holiday/Moon Festival celebration... We will go to Guizhou - a very authentic ethnic village where we will see alot of the poor people dressed in their native dress...It promises to be an outstanding trip. I will try to send the information on it also.

I will send photo's as people send then to me...

I miss all of you and it is so wonderful that we can at least talk on Skype. I love to hear your sweet voices.

Much Love,
Mom

China News

2009-09-25T06:40:00.000-06:00

Dear Family:
It seems like we have never left China, now that we are back and teaching school again. I am already dreading the thoughts of
having to leave this wonderful country and her people.
We have had some interesting things happening and I wanted to tell everyone what is going on here. As you all know, China as
well as the USA, has been concerned over the H1N1 OR "swine flu" epidemic. When we left the United States there had been
several cases we were aware of and when we arrived in Qingdao there wasn't much talk of the flu. NOW there is alot of talk about
the flu. On Friday we received word that an Art student here at Qingdao University had the H1N1 flu. My monitor in my 8:00
class told me that the boys in one of the dorms had been quarantined and therefore would miss my class that day. On Saturday,
our Waiban told us that we were to take our temperatures every day and if we had a fever, we were to report to her. We were also told
that we were not to have any students over to our apartment, not meet any students outside of the classroom, and not go anywhere
there are alot of people. This morning one of my students called and said that she could not leave her dorm - it was quarantined and
Angelina - another student, just called and said that she could not leave her dorm either. She told me to expect a call from the Medical
Department telling me that all classes had been canceled. I have not received a call BUT this is getting pretty serious.
Long story - short.... I have NOT been to class this week because the entire medical department has been quarantined and therefore unable to leave their dorms. They have stayed in their rooms for the entire week, never leaving the building! No baths either because they all bathe in the public bathhouses! Reports from my little Angelina say that the students are literally "hanging" out of the dorm windows. She said that all the entrances to the dorms are guarded by masked, armed, guards. I guess that a newspaper man came to the dorm to interview and take pictures and the students were all hanging out of the windows, waving and yelling as their pictures were taken. What a week!!!! One I am sure I won't forget...
Next week we will teach class Monday through Wednesday and then leave on a vacation to Guizhou for the National Holiday. We will be gone from October 1 through October 8. It is a place we are all anxious to see as it is very beautiful and one of the poorest regions in the country. We are promised to see many of the ethnic groups with traditional dress. I will take many pictures and keep a detailed journal to send home..
We are enjoying the time here. This is an especially busy weekend with our Branch Conference which will be visited by the District Presidency. I must say that President Halladay has been very busy getting the agenda all arranged... He has such great organizational skills and is so meticulous that I am sure that all will go well. He has had to prepare two talks and he has really been busy and stressed. Please include him in your prayers!
We have ordered food for the Brethren after the meetings tomorrow and we ordered it through Kentucky Fried Chicken. Due to the fact the we don't speak Chinese, Shirley - our waiban - agreed to order the chicken for us. She is so helpful and kind to help us but I have had a good laugh at her use of the English language! The Chinese call the chicken sandwichs at KFC "chicken hamburgs".... Also, a chicken breast was referred to as a "chicken chest" !!!!!!!!! We were told that if we ordered chicken from the Chinese KFC, we could get a "bonus" gift of 2 free chicken wings for every 75 RMB we spend OR a free egg tart for every 50 RMB we spend! Oh - and we must pay an additional 6 RMB to have the food delivered to us!!!!!!! By the way, 6 RMB doesn't even equal one U.S. dollar...... How we have learned to LOVE these dear people.
I will write more tomorrow telling you all about the big "shin dig" we have been invited to...
We love and miss all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers ....
OXOXOXO Mom

Arrival in China

2009-09-05T00:47:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

We have arrived back in China and we are in "full swing" again. We are so happy to be all situated and ready for the coming semester.
Our trip over across the sea was much shorter - or so it seemed - this year, because we left the states at night and went immediately
to sleep on the plane!
We did have a little scare as the plane was preparing to land in Beijing though. It seemed that the plane was going much too fast to make
a landing and as we touched the ground the pilot hit full thrust on the engines and we started back up into the sky! I must say that my heart
was in my stomach and I was plenty frightened. I just bowed my head and prayed because I couldn't think of anything else to do!!!!!!
We circled the airport for about 5-10 minutes and then came in for a landing.
We did arrive in Qingdao on August 27, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. and we had the day to get unpacked and situated, unlike last year when we arrived
at 2:00 a.m.
Our apartment was a sight to behold!!!!! As you all know, when we left Qingdao in July to return to the USA, it had been raining and the rain
had leaked in our bedroom and there was a good inch of water on the kitchen floor. The University assured us that they would fix our
ceiling and the roof and then paint our apartment for us before we returned. And they did..............
There was paint splattered everywhere!!!! I have never seen anything like it. They painted, as promised, BUT they painted around the map
on the wall, splattering paint all over the map. They had splattered paint on our wardrobes - which were covered. And there is paint that
has dripped from the ceiling, down the tile walls in the kitchen. I was so upset, and then I started to laugh and could not stop laughing - it
is so funny !!!!!!!!!! Our bed even had paint splattered on the mattress (box springs!) Paint had been left to drip everywhere they painted!
Oh, and they painted within an inch of the corners with the paint roller and never finished the job in the corners! They painted around
anything that was in their way. How funny it has been to sit and look at the walls. What an experience...
As soon as we arrived, we met with our Department Co-teachers and were told when we would start teaching and given a copy of our Fall
teaching schedules. We had grand ideas that we would be the "returning, seasoned, teachers" therefore, having better teaching schedules :(
WRONG.....
Unlike last year - my classes started immediately. Roger's classes do not start until September 11th!!!!
I have the "odd week and even week" schedule AGAIN... I teach 3 Freshmen classes, 7 Sophomore classes and one Junior class. BUT........
All my Sophomore classes and the Junior class are students that I taught last year!!!!!! Yeah for me - I was so happy to see them. However,
this means that I will HAVE to have an entire new set of lessons - more preparation............... Also, I have the Juniors every week, not every
other week. Yes, I have a much harder teaching schedule than last year and I will be constantly preparing lessons!! But I do have every other
Friday off :)
I will STILL have time to go to the Pearl Market though....

It was wonderful to see our dear Korean Branch members last Sunday and renew our friendships. They are dear people and very special to us.
The children have grown in the 6 weeks we were gone and it was wonderful to see each of them.

We love the people we are in Qingdao with this year. We convinced Victoria Brinton to return with us again and we are happy to be here with
Mike and Merlene Ellington as well - they are dear friends. We also have the Stevens' - John and Cathy here at Qingdao University. The two
couples at Ocean University are Burton and Pat Shields and Dave and Cherry Blake and we are looking forward to getting to know them better.

It was wonderful to see Judy (Lulu) and Andy again. They have recently married and they seem so happy. I cannot tell you how happy I am that
I have the opportunity to teach the same students again this semester! They are so dear to me and I especially loved the hugs and kisses they
each gave me on the first day of class. Also, my dear Post Graduates from last year have been over to the apartment to visit. And LeeYang was
here to walk me to class and carry my bags - as usual. We feel so welcome and appreciated.

We miss home and reminisce about the good time we had with each of you. Chad and family were so gracious to have us stay for such a long
time and we appreciate their love and patience. Lesa and Darren always make us feel so welcome and treat us royally - seeing to our EVERY
need. It was great to see our new Master bathroom, in our home and we appreciate all the efforts of Erik and Michelle on the re-model mess.
They seem to know just exactly what it is we need and will enjoy. Michelle is so talented. It was great to see Natalie and family and spend time
with them. You are our world and we love you all so very much. We appreciate your love and support.
Please know that you are in our every thought and prayer and we love you very much.
Mom

Last week "count down"‏

2009-07-01T09:19:00.001-06:00

Dear Family
We are down to the last week in Qingdao and it seems unbelievable..... I seems like just yesterday we arrived. What a lifetime of memories in 10 1/2 short months!!!!
I never dreamed that I would fall so hopelessly in love with my dear students. They are wonderful.... I am sure that you are all so tired of my ranting on and on about them,
but they are very precious to me.

It has been so hot and humid here in Qingdao. As soon as we leave the apartment, in the morning, the sweat starts to roll down our backs. And, as we walk home or
uphill, on our way home, we are soaked in sweat. It has rained a every day, which is refreshing. However, yesterday, I went across the street to a little market
and as I ran home, hoping to reach home before the storm "hit" - I was caught in a cloud burst... When I got back to the apartment - I was soaking wet. My clothes were dripping wet and my shoes were full of water and my hair was stuck to my head!
As I go to my classes, for the last time - I really get emotional ! When I tell them this is the last class, their eyes fill with tears and so do mine! I feel so protective of them
and it never ceases to amaze me that I love them so unconditionally. Every single one of them.....
I have received some of the most tender notes of appreciation - notes I will always treasure. Roger's students are older than mine and they give him lavish gifts. Yesterday,
the class gave him a fancy photo album as well as a t-shirt with all their pictures printed on it! And tomorrow night 3 of this students will pick us up in a taxi at 6:00 p.m.
and take us to dinner. . . One of my girls gave me a little notebook she has had for 5 years that is her favorite. It was so special to her that she had never written in it - but
there was a note for me as she presented it to me. I was very touched. They have so very little - materially. Yet, they are so willing to share whatever they have with others.
They are a perfect example of Christlike love. As I have said before, they have taught me much more than I could EVER teach them. And, I have also learned alot about
myself during my stay in China. I have done things that I never dreamed I could do, I have eaten things that I never thought I would ever eat and I have been places that I
never knew existed. But, I know I am a better person because of my association with the Chinese.

We have missed all our family and friends. As the time to return back to the "good old USA" approaches, our hearts and thoughts are of each of you. And, with this week
being the 4th of July, we are thinking of the founding Fathers and the sacrifices that were made for the freedoms that we enjoy and cherish. We can hardly wait to set our feet
on the soil of freedom and all it stands for.

Much Love,
Mom

Smile a Day - from a student

2009-06-26T09:17:00.001-06:00

Mrs. Halladay , you know I love you very much . In fact , I'm not too shy to talk as you said . I haven't talk so much just because my English speaking is not very good, and I didn't want to bother you for I really care of you so much that I don't want you annyed with me. Love you forever!

yours, Frank

Time is Flying!!!

2009-06-24T12:51:00.004-06:00

Dear Family:
I know that it has been a very long time since I wrote the Blog, BUT I have been so busy. There has been so much happening and I just hope that I can remember enough to give you a sketch of what has happened.

Did I tell you about the award the Medical Department awarded me? A student ask me to attend a closing program and brought me a nice invitation. He told me that we both had to attend and that there was a surprise for me. The night of the program, he met us at the door of the auditorium and I thought his class would be sitting together and we would sit with them. As we walked into the auditorium, a spotlight was on us and the audience stood up and cheered for us. We wondered what was happening....
There were about 2,000 people in attendance and I couldn't figure out what was happening. The program started and of course, we could not understand a word that was said! It was a talent show of sorts - as only the Chinese can perform. Half way into the program, one of my students leaned up to me and told me that I would be asked to go up on the stage. I told her " NO - I'm not going up on the stage". However, I was wrong . . . they announced several men which stood up and the audience clapped as they went up on the stage. Then, they said, "Mrs. Halladay, from the USA" and a student came and took my arm and led me to the stage. What a shock! Why were they taking me up on that stage????????????
Derek (my student) leaned over, as the Chinese were babbling on and on, and told me I was receiving an award from the Medical Department. All the award-ee's were handed a bouquet of fresh flowers and an official looking certificate. I was the first one awarded and they said something in Chinese and Derek told me to say something about my students.. What a shock!!!!!!! I got very emotional, thinking of the honor of being awarded by the students and I don't even remember what I said. Camera's were flashing and I felt like a celebrity.........
They made me feel like one - they are so generous with their love and praise.
All in all it was an award for the "Most Loved Teacher" in the Medical Department. I was speechless and very honored and felt undeserving. Later, one of the Post Graduates (Hancock) told me that they were especially excited for me because a foreign teacher had never been nominated before. I was the first!!!!!!!
Please know that I am not putting this incident on the Blog site to brag, but it is for my records. I am not a teacher by profession and I felt so honored and unworthy of the award. It also was very humbling for me - to think the students voted for me. Who ever thought?????

As I start to tell my students good-bye, I feel sad. I have grown to love them with all my heart and I will miss them. The Sophomores will go to another campus next year, for 2 years and I doubt that I will ever see some of them again. They have been a big part of my life here. There are tears shed as I bid them farewell and I pray that we will meet again someday.

Yesterday I cooked an American meal for my Post Graduates. We had pulled pork sandwiches, a green salad and apple crisp. All 30 students commented on the American food and how good it tasted. They could not believe that I had cooked meat for them! And they devoured the green salad and loved the Ranch dressing. Many thought the apple crisp was too sweet and couldn't imagine that I had cooked apples!!!!! They left our apartment, with tears in their eyes, as I bid them farewell. Even those big boys who were so shy and so afraid that I would talk directly to them, who could not even look me in the eye when I first met them!!!!

They have come so far and I believe there is no doubt in their minds, that I love them. I have made it a habit to sing to all my classes every time we meet and I think the music has had an effect on them. Today, "Lemon", in my class told me, "Mrs. Halladay, you always sing to us that we are Your Sunshine, and you are our Sunshine!"

What a great year this has been and what an experience for us! I am so thankful the Lord allowed us this opportunity. We have been so blessed by these special people. There is no place else, I would rather be, than in Qingdao China at this time.......

Many changes have taken place in our lives and one big change is the fact that Roger will serve as the Qingdao China Branch President!!!! He was called to serve on Father's day, June 14, 2009. President Steven Toronto is the District President for this part of China and he called us early Sunday morning and ask us to meet with him and Roger was called. What a nice surprise, I am sure he will do a great job. He is a great father, grandfather husband, brother and friend. The Lord knows his capabilities and has confidence in him. So do I....

We will be leaving China, to come home, on Thursday, June 9, 2009. We are anxious to see the family and spend time with everyone. We are especially looking forward to spending time with the grandchildren. We have missed them very much and can hardly wait to see them and get our hugs and kisses in.

Much Love,
Mom

Thank you Letter

2009-06-23T13:09:00.001-06:00

This is one of the Post Graduates that I fixed lunch for yesterday.
So sweet - this is SO hard to say good-bye... I love them..........
Mom

---------- message ----------

Dear Mrs Halladay,
How are you? Thank you for your treatment today, it is really delicious. And i am sincerely appreciated for your present.I enjoyed a wonderful aternoon today. I feel sorry we have to separate now, i will miss you very much. I want you to konw it is real my pleasure to be your student, though i don not have much time to talk with you, but i hope i could have the chance to visit you when you come back. You will always be my teacher and friend, i am sure i will miss you. Wish you a wonderful travel and holliday!
Best wishes for you!
Yours,
Sally

Hello!Mrs.Halladay! This is Frank. I have to thank...‏

2009-06-22T13:12:00.000-06:00

Hello!Mrs.Halladay! This is Frank. I have to thank you for the things that your and Mr.Halladay have teach me. Without you, I don't know what the english will be like. It's you that make us english class active and full of joy. It's you that all the students love. It's you that teach us a lot of things in english learning. Thank you very much! I do believe all of us will miss you during the holiday.

---------- message ----------

My Dear Frank:
How very kind of you to write to me and say such nice things. I have grown to really love you and I will miss you when I go to the USA. I am happy that I will return next semester and I hope that I will see more of you.
Did you still need us to help you with your speech? Please let me know.
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay

Thank you

2009-06-10T13:15:00.001-06:00

Mis Halladay:
I am Peter. I send this e-mail just to say you are a good teacher. No, not just good, you are the best. It's no wonder that, you were one of the best 10 teachers. You desert it.
Your student and friends
Peter

I love you

2009-06-08T13:17:00.001-06:00

I just received this e-mail from someone unsigned.....
I looked and looked for the e-mail address among all my sweeties and saw that it
was my little "Dove". She is an especially sweet little thing. How sweet of her
to send me this..
Mom

---------- message ----------

Thank you for the sweet e-mail. You are so kind to me. I love all of you students and consider you my family!
Who is this???
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay

-------------------------------------------------------

I just want to tell you that how lucky I am to be one of your chinese students, I really love you very much!

China Times...

2009-06-06T06:30:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone:

I can't believe that another week has passed and I haven't reported to you lately. And so much has happened....
Last weekend we had more company and we had a great time. Mike and Maradel Brown came from Beijing
for the weekend and we had so much fun with them. It was the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival and the
entire country was celebrating. A feeling of celebration was in the air and everyone, everywhere was happy.
We shopped (of course!) went to the tailor for more clothes and to the Pearl Lady for pearls to match the new
outfits!!! What fun.

Friday night we met some of my students down on May 4th Square and we had a ball. Mike bought about 10
or 12 kites from our "kite man" and we also bought another 4 or 5 ourselves. I wonder how we will get all these
things back home @#$?&^
My students were so cute to all us "old people". They helped us "bargain shop" on the wharf and they were so
helpful and cute. There were 11 or 12 of them - all from one class. When I see the students out of the classroom,
it seems that I see a side of them that is more relaxed. I also can actually have a one-on-
one conversation with them. It helps them with their English, as well. As we were returning to the apartment,
Maradel mentioned that she could now understand why we wanted to return to Qingdao next year - because of our
close association with these unusual kids. They are exceptional. They even allowed me to buy them all a cheap
little bracelet to remember our night together.

This past week I have had my little Japanese friend come over to the apartment almost every day to read the Bible.
She is so interested in the Church and she needs help with her oral English, so she has been reading the Bible
out loud to me. She is so anxious to read and the stories are so interesting to her and her eagerness is so
refreshing.

For the past 3 mornings we have been awakened at 6:00 a.m. by the sound of a power drill, electric power lift and
shovels scraping on the roof above us. Throughout the day the "jack hammer" is grinding away too. Apparently
they are going to put a new roof on the building and it is a slow process. Today the workers were throwing the
garbage off the roof and it was falling on the neighbors veranda. What an experience..... AND so funny..

The past two weeks, I have been helping several of the students with speeches for a competition. There are 8 students
collectively and it has been such fun for me. They are students that I don't know as well as others and I have had
a good time with them. These students are so smart and so appreciative.

I will include some pictures from the past week. You will see the ones that we took at night at May 4th as well as a ]
few more from the week.

I have given my classes a writing assignment and have been reading them all day. The first assignment was to write the
story of their lives - ages 0 to 6 years old. I have had my eyes opened and learned so many things about the
culture and customs. I will look at these special people with different eyes, from now on. They are amazing people
and they have had some experiences I thought people didn't have to experience these days. My little students are
amazing people and I love them so much. I am so blessed to be associated with each one of them and have the
privilege of getting to know them. They are amazing...
The next assignment will be, ages 6 to 12 years old, and then 12 to present age. I have had my eyes opened and I
have a new appreciation for these kids. They are exceptional...

I love you. Today we were in the market and saw a darling little Chinese boy in a cute red outfit and he came over to us
and smiled up at us. He looked SO MUCH like our little Deken !!!! I got a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes,
thinking about all my dear Grandchildren and realized that I am homesick and ready to come home and see all of you.
We think of you often and want you to know that you are in our prayers. I believe we have a new appreciation for all of
you and that our love for you has increased. Can hardly wait to see your dear faces and to have a big hug...

Much Love,
Mom

Thank you for your movie titles‏

2009-06-05T19:25:00.000-06:00

A letter from student, Cloud...
--------------------------------------

Dear Mrs Halladay,

Thank you for your movie titles!

I will watch these movies carefully.

Maybe, I am too busy to watch them all because I have to prepare my final exam.

I will tell you when I finish them.

I hope that I can talk about my feeling about them with you this summer vacation, if possible.

Some of the movies I have read in Chinese books, but hanven't seen them.

So, I think I will like the movies, as well.

I really look up to you and like being round you.

You make me happy and warm.

Yours, Cloud

Debate Thursday night‏

2009-06-05T14:37:00.001-06:00

Soooooo sweet. She is a beautiful Chinese girl and I really like her alot - real sharp. She will be a fantastic Doctor next year...
Mom

---------- message ----------

Mrs. Halladay,
Thank you for your encouragement. It’s my honor to be your student.

I can always feel your love for us. Love you, for ever.

Yours,

Jane

WOW!

2009-05-27T15:27:00.002-06:00

Dear ones:
Wow - what a week this has been! We have had so many rewarding and special moments - some good, some not so good!
The week started with a student of mine - Emi Sakamoto, coming to the apartment to have us help her with her oral English.
She has been preparing for a test to determine her mastery of the English language and has failed it twice. She is an older
Japanese student who has a nursing degree and wants to be a Pharmacist.
She ask us where we had been all day and we told her we had been to Church. She ask so many questions about the
Church and every time we tried to change the subject, she kept referring back to the Church. She saw our picture of the
Salt Lake Temple and ask all about it too. She has a visa and carries a passport - the same as we do, meaning that she
is not a Chinese citizen and we are free to talk to her about the Church!
We really tried NOT to talk about the Church and she kept referring to the Church. To make a long story short - she wanted
to read the Book of Mormon and Rog ended up giving her his copy to read!!!!
He also invited her to go to Church with us... We will see what happens. I will keep updated.

This past week Rog and I attended the finals of the debate competition here on campus. My 7th year Medical students
were vying for first place, against Rog's Post Graduates!!!!!!!! Can you believe that???
40,000 students on this campus (larger population than Cedar City!) and our students are against each other for the championship!!!!!
I am sad to say that Rog's students won. I really thought that my students had won - they did the better job! But the judges
proclaimed Rog's students the winners. Rog's other students - all girls - took 4th place. Two of his girls won top honors, one
for the best English speaking student at the University and the second one as best debater at the University. Needless to say,
he was very proud.

Today is May 27 and we have the next 4 days with no classes, as it is the celebration of the "Dragon Boat Festival". As I have said
before, the Chinese love to celebrate and this celebration is a fun one. The special food eaten is a "Junsie", made with sticky rice and bean
curd or nuts or meat and cooked in twisted bamboo leaves. They taste very good and I had the chance to watch a woman making them at the street
market today.
Every day is a new adventure. I never know what I will see when I leave my apartment. I never look for different things - they just seem to be
EVERYWHERE!
Today I had 20 of my Sophomore girls with me at the market and they were so helpful and showed me so many new and exciting things. I took many more pictures and as soon as Rog downloads them, I will post them.

The Miller's have gone to Korea for the holiday and we will stay here and wander Qingdao. There are so many things we still need to see and
experience here. Our friends, the Brown's, will spend the weekend with us and we are sure to have a great time. Of course I will go to Jimo
Market and look at pearls... I am known as the Pearl Lady of China to all the BYU teachers because of my knowledge of pearls I learned
while working at a jewelry store. And, I can bargain !!!!!!

Time is getting short here - I only have 2 to 3 more times with my students before the end of the semester.. I can't believe it.
They are such a big part of my life, I can't imagine what my life was like before coming to China. I love these dear people.
I love the rich culture and history. But I love my students best of all... each one has touched my life in a special way. I love
seeing their faces light up and the smile spread across their faces when I peek in the classroom every morning.

I am getting very anxious to see everyone at home. We were so sad to hear of our dear friend and family member, Bud Bowman's
passing. We pray for our sister, Diane, and her family at this time and realize that it is time to come home and see our dear ones.
When I look at our family photograph I realize how much I miss all of you. I can hardly wait to see you all again........

Much Love,
Mom

Debate

2009-05-23T17:33:00.000-06:00

Letter from a student to Jane:

To my the best teacher and friend,
Do you know what's the most happy thing on that day? It's just your attendind to our debate! Your attending gave encouragement to me, and I can feel there is one blessing us sincerely.My heart is filled up with your kindness and our achievement is composed of your friendship.
Though my english is not so good,but I am always trying to express my appreciation to you and Mr Halladay.
I have a small secret to tell you, my Chinese is very very good,and nearly all the views of my team are thought out by me~~hoho~But my oral English is not good enough to express well,so I wasn't so active when debating...But i'll try my best to practice in the future.
It's our honor and luck to have such a good teacher and friend as you.
I'm sure that our friendship will last forever.
yours sincerely,
Justin

May 4th Square

2009-05-22T08:21:00.001-06:00

This place is awesome! We love to go here as often as we can. There are so many vendors selling their wares and so much action going on.I love it!

Remarkable Day!

2009-05-19T09:10:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,
I just have to write and tell you about the things that happened yesterday...

Last night Rog and I helped 4 of my students prepare for the upcoming Speech Competition and as we were finishing, another student - Kaye, came by our apartment.
Kaye is one of those souls who is a misfit in the class. Her little face looks as if she has had a stroke - it sags on one side. She is a very intelligent, sad little girl and
I have always had a "soft spot" in my heart for her. She usually comes to the apartment with her 5 roommates, but she came alone last night because she had
something that she wanted to discuss with me.
She ask me if I had noticed a change in her in the past 2 months and before I could answer, she said that she is much happier and not as sad nowadays. I did not
say a word, I just sat and listened to her as she poured her heart out to me. She said she feels loved and she is very happy, now that she has found "him". I thought
she had found a boyfriend, but continued to sit and listen. She went on to tell me that she isn't lonely anymore because she now has brothers and sisters.
It took her time to express herself, she said that "he" had made a difference in her life. I ask who "he" was? She said, "You know him".. and held her hands like a cross.
She knows she cannot talk about this - she was taking me into her confidence! She told me that she goes to church and there are many
churches here in Qingdao. She went on to tell me that church is where she talks to her brothers and sisters.
I just sat there listening to her and wondering where all this was going....She told me that she knew I had religion in my life, that I was a Christian and she
ask me to please help her and tell her more about "him". What a temptation!!!!!!! She told me the reason she had come to see me alone, was because she needed
to talk to me about this and she would tell no one what we talked about. She pleaded with me to tell her more about "him." I explained to her that I had signed an agreement with her government as well as Qingdao University that I would never discuss my religion.
Then she told me that she wishes she could live in the United States and worship as she pleases. She told me that she knew that I worshiped as I wanted because
I always seem to be so happy and content. She told me that she always sees me with Mr. Halladay and we hold hands and smile at each other. She knows
there is something different about us.
I can honestly say that I just sat there wondering what to say. I just sat and let her do all the talking. I said a silent prayer that I would say the right
things to her - appropriate words that would put her mind at ease. I will say that many things went through my mind as I sat there with tears in my eyes. I put my
arms around her and told her how much I loved her and the subject turned to her new internet friend.
After our little talk, we walked her back to the dormitory and she kept tell us that she was so proud to be with us. It made me feel sad for her. She said that she loves
to tell the girls in the dormitory that I am her teacher and that I love her, because everyone knows me. What a humbling experience for me....... I tell you this - not to
brag, in any way - but to share with you, how very dear my little Kaye is.
So what do you all think of this??? I know we are not on a mission......But are we? I think that everything we say or do is a reflection of the United States of America
and of the Church and they are watching everything we do. They are interested in our actions, thoughts and deeds and it is a very humbling, spiritual experience.

Today I had a wonderful class of Sophomores - they had collected pine cones and wanted to know of a use for them. I tried to explain the pine cone turkey's we
make at Thanksgiving and could not, so I told them to collect as many pine cones as they could and bring to class. I took all sorts of things to embellish the pine
cones, such as glitter, glue, ribbon, feathers, marking pens, colored paper, etc. They had a great time. I let them use their imaginations and I wish I had taken
the camera to class.... It was unbelievable. They made some darling things - the boys having the best imaginations. I walked around the classroom and
visited with each one in the class and really got to spend some "one on one" time with them. It was a spectacular day for me, one I won't forget.
Much Love,
Mom

Week of May 12, 2009‏

2009-05-16T08:30:00.000-06:00

Here is a report of our latest adventures..

I always think that I have seen it "all" here and that there isn't another thing that would amaze me. And then, another crazy thing happens!!!!!
The other day we went to our favorite super market - "RT" to buy some supplies and as we were dodging between all the people I saw something that made me stand with my mouth opened, in amazement... In the super markets they have live fish and live "things?%#@ in a big area near the meat. There are all sorts of fish and chicken parts (yes - even the famous chicken heads, inner parts and feet) in huge tubs' just sitting out with a thin layer of ice under them. As I looked the place over, I saw several women talking excitedly and grabbing the pigs feet, examining them and tossing them back into the pile. One woman grabbed a couple of the pigs feet that were stuck together and she dropped them on the floor to separate them. ON THE FILTHY FLOOR..... Apparently she had found the object of her search and it was too large,so she tried separating it by dropping it on the gross floor. I had to stop and stare in amazement. Unbelievable......

We have had a wonderful few days, with the Ferrel's from Nankai University. They are dear BYU China teachers and they are so much fun to have come and visit. They wanted to have a trip to the famous - Jimo Market, or Pearl Palace, as I call it!
Friday we spent a great day at the market and they found some real treasures - we literally shopped, until we dropped. After the "shopping frenzy" we met the other BYU teachers at a new Mexican restaurant and had a great dinner. It is such a welcome change to spend time with other Americans.

Today as we walked back to our apartment, we heard someone hammering on something metal and we looked up and saw a man leaning out of a 6 story building window. He had a hammer in his hand was pounding, as hard as he could, on something metal near the window. He kept leaning out, further and further - he was standing on something and I was so frightenend that he would lean too far and topple out the window. I swear, sometimes the Chinese really take risks that could be harmful OR far even fatal.

It is such a comical thing to be in China, when you think of all the things that are SO different from our way of life in the United States. Just because they are different does not mean their ways are better or worst, but it really causes me to reflect on the many blessings I have as an American citizen. I guess I have always assumed that all people did things pretty much the same way. Wrong. I've lived a pretty sheletered life and I have sure had my eyes opened to a completely different way of life!!!
I guess what I am trying to say is.... some of my views on life, as I have assumed it should be, are not always the best ways.
I do not need a large, spacious place to live. I do not need a big bathroom. I do not need lots of dishes to be happy! I do not need hot water in my kitchen to wash dishes - I can carry water to my small kitchen sink and still do dishes. I do not need a big clothes washer, with hot water, to clean my clothes. AND, I can wear the same 5-6 outfits for nine months and survive. I can sleep on a hard bed and really learn to love it. I can walk to school in the hot sun or blowing rain and be perfectly happy. I can see the good in all races of people and love them because they are Heavenly Fathers children, just like me.
Have I changed??? YES. I will never be the same person who left Cedar City, Utah on August 27, 2008. I have learned to love these wonderful Chinese people with such a strong love, I wonder how I survived without them in my life before now!!! I see beauty in all their faces and I pray that I am not as judgemental as I was when I arrived here in Qingdao, China. They readily accept us Americans and I pray that we Americans are as accepting of them. I know I will forever defend the Chinese people and their strong family ties and respect for me as an elder and teacher. They readily accept me and love me for who I am. They always have a hug for me and want to hold my hand and protect me. How cherished I feel when I am with them - any of my students or any of Roger's students. I thank Heavenly Father every day for all my blessings and the chance to be in China. Hopefully I return to the United States a more loving, accepting, caring person.

I love you all very much,
Mom

Our life in China!‏

2009-05-13T03:22:00.002-06:00

Dear Family and Friends,

The time is passing rapidly and we have been so busy with school, students, and school functions. Last week was truly a memorable one for me.
I only had one class all week long, as it was mid-term exams and there are no classes for one of the days. Also, there were 2 days of "Sports Day" for all
my Freshmen and Sophomores. On Thursday and Friday I went to the track and watched the sporting events and I really had a great time with the kids....
Some of my medical students participated and some did not. It was very strange how the entire thing was handled.
All students are required to attend the two day event - they have NO OTHER choice but to attend. There are several students assigned to each class that
take "roll" and record who is in attendance - every 30 minutes. They actually walk around with a paper and pencil recording who is there and who is not!!!!
I could not believe it. I went and sat by my students and they were so sweet to me and they explained the consequences if a student does not attend the
events. This is how it is: all the students are required to attend - if they do not attend they will be in very serious trouble and they will have "points"
deducted from their school record. There are no excuses accepted for someone not in attendance. It is a very serious offense to not be in attendance.
And ALL must cheer and encourage the competitors and write the competitors words of encouragement. Does this sound very Communist??????????
BUT, they are all so cheerful and happy to be there and they cheer and act as if there was nothing unusual happening in their lives - and I guess this is
not unusual for them....
When I walked to the bleachers they all cheered when they saw me..... Made me feel so special. And, they all wanted me to come and sit with them and
their class. Happy times and memories for me. I love to see them out of the classroom - they seem to be so much more relaxed. I took many photo's,
which I will attach.

Two nights last week, we walked down to "May 4th Square", ate supper, and walked among the vendors. There were people who were out for an evening
stroll or to watch the tide come in. It was amazing - so peaceful and relaxing. It seems like we never allow the time to take walks in Cedar City....I guess
we just allow too many"things" to prevent us from making it a priority in out lives. Here in China, life is so "laid back" and relaxing - it seems. Such a
carefree time for us, a time we will always treasure among these special people as well as the dear friends we have made in the Miller's, Goodrich's, Nona
and Victoria.

Saturday we were invited to go to a "tea picking" with my co-teacher, Aron and his wife and daughter. We discovered that Aron's wife, Linda, is also one
of Rog's co-teachers. We went to Yang Kou on a bus with about 15 different Chinese parents and children. The children all speak English - the parents
do not speak English. They were a delightful bunch of people and we had a wonderful day. We went directly to the tea patches and were shown how to
pick the tea. Then, we were served a delicious lunch of dumplings which were made of tea, flowers and unknown vegetables. It tasted great.
Then we went to the beach and the children played in the sand and the ocean. We were exhausted when we got home - but what a great day.

Yesterday, I had my class of Post Graduates come to our dormitory and I served them French Toast and taught them how to use a knife, fork and
spoon. They were so excited and they really did well with the utensils. They were something to watch. Most of them thought the homemade
maple syrup was too sweet BUT others wanted to drink the leftover syrup ! ! ! Such sweet people and I can honestly say that I love them with all
my heart. Some of the most intelligent people I have met and so kind and considerate. They each gave me a hug on arrival as well as a farewell
hug and kiss on the cheek. Melted my heart. Next year, after Christmas, they will be assigned to assist the Doctors in a local hospital and I will
not see them as much, but they have promised to keep in touch. I know that I will never forget them - they were the first class I taught at
Qingdao University and I was so frightened that day.

I have been teaching my classes - the past 2 weeks - facts, as well as trivia about Mother's Day. They celebrate Mother's Day here
in China and we had some good ideas and discussions on Mother's Day. I gave each student a piece of stationary and assigned them to write
their Mother's a letter of appreciation and to tell their Mother "I love you". This was a hard assignment for my Chinese students, as
the Chinese culture does not express feelings of love to each other....
Today in class, I ask if anyone had given their letter to their Mother and one girl raised her hand and said that she had given her letter to her Mother.
I then ask her what her Mother said. She said that her Mother read the letter and turned her head so that she could not see her crying as she read
the letter. The daughter (Natalie) said that when she saw her Mother crying, she started to cry also. It was a very touching moment, as Natalie got
tears in her eyes, as she retold the story. Natalie went on to tell me that she was thankful to me for making the assignment to write her Mother a
letter of appreciation because she never expresses her love to her parents and they do so much for her. Wow........

I love you all so very much.We are getting anxious to come home. We only have 6 weeks of teaching left and we are keeping busy so as not to
dwell on the fact that we will see you all soon. How we miss you dear family. I think our love and appreciation for each of you has grown in the
time we have been gone. Can't wait to see your dear faces.
Loves,
Mom

Trip to Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghi‏

2009-05-07T14:58:00.001-06:00

Dear Everyone:

Well, we have been traveling again! We have been on some wonderful trips, with wonderful people and seen some wonderful places....
This was our last trip for this year and it was so enjoyable and gorgeous. It is hard to say goodbye to our dear friends, who have
taught with us, in China this year. They are such talented, kind, loving, generous people. I feel honored to have been so closely
associated with them and we will miss that association.

Last week we went to Hangzhou on Thursday, April 30th. When we arrived, we met BYU teachers from Beijing and Marvin Wu took
us to a traditional Chinese noodle dinner.
The morning of May 1st we toured the West Lake and went on gorgeous boat ride around the lake. We saw a huge Dragon Boat that
was magnificent. The average depth of the lake was 1.8 meters - less than 6 feet! As we got off the tour boat, there were many little
shops and vendors. What wonderful buys we made! Then on to Suzhou.
The morning of May 2 we visited the largest traditional garden in Suzhou and it was beautiful. "Humble Administrators Garden" is a
10 century creation and "Tiger Hill" is located within the garden. Within the park is a leaning pagoda - a 7 story structure dating
back to 961 A.D.
In the same afternoon we took a boat trip to the Grand Canals in Suzhou or the Venice of the East. It was absolutely gorgeous -
something I would hate to have missed. There were people living along the waterways. We got some great photos. I will send them.
Then we went to Suzhou's famous embroidery factory, where we saw some awesome stitchery on silk.
The morning of May 3, we went to the small ancient Chinese town of Zhouzhuang. We took another boat trip on a different canal
to visit "Old Street" and the Zhang and Shen family mansions. LOTS of great shopping... We ate the famous "sweet pig's elbow"
for lunch (alot of fat - not much meat!)
Then rode to Shanghi and flew back to Qingdao.

It was a wonderful trip and we were happy to return to Qingdao. This week I only had one class - it is mid term and the students are
busy with that and also it is "sports day." I have been helping BYU friends purchase pearls and preparing for classes next week.
Dad keeps busy too.

We are anxious to see all of you and get things in order at home. The world, as we knew it, has changed in the USA. In some ways,
it has drastically changed and will never be the same again. We feel so sheltered over here and almost like we don't realize what is
really going on in the USA.
But, the most exciting thing is that we will see all of you. I can hardly wait to see your sweet faces - faces I love with all my heart.
I have dreamed of the day when I will see you again. I can hardly wait. You have been in our every thought and prayer. How we love
and appreciate all of you. You are the most important part of our lives.
I Love You,
Mom

Trip to Zibo and Wei Fang‏

2009-05-05T21:43:00.003-06:00

Dear Family:

It is such a gorgeous time of the year and we have seen some unbelievable sights here in China. What a beautiful country!!!!
Our trip on April 21 and 22 was to Zibo and Wei Fang - a place that is internationally known for it's kites. The Chinese are the
culture that invented the first kite and we had the chance to see the first kites made and to actually go to a small, authentic kite
producing site.

On Monday, April 21 we traveled to Zibo - a city close to Wei Fang. When we arrived in Zibo we went to a ancient village that is
400 years old. The buildings are still standing and people are actually living there! (If you can imagine that!) The streets are all
bricked and there is much to see. There are little stores all along the street and smiling Chinese people of all ages. Especially older
people, mainly women.
As we walked down the street I felt like I had stepped "back in time". As we leisurely strolled down the street, I spotted a group of
women sitting and I walked up to speak to them. They were all smiling and laughing. A little boy with his "Ni Ni" ( or Grandma)
was hollering and trying to free himself of the harness Grandma had secured to him.
But there was one very old Chinese woman sitting on a chair and I was immediately attracted to her. Her face told of a hard life, with many wrinkles - but what character... She had small feet which had been "bound" when she was a young girl, possibly as young as 6-8 years of age. I was drawn to her and put my arm around her and looked in her eyes. Could she have been someone I knew in the pre-existance? She stuck her little feet out for me to see - they measured 5 to 6 inches long and extremely narrow!!!!!! I put my foot beside her little foot and it was a shock. She had white socks and little black shoes on her feet.
IF ONLY I COULD HAVE SPOKEN TO HER........I 'm sure she has a tale to tell.
Her eyes were full of expression and I felt such a kinship to her. As I looked at her dear face the deep grooves or wrinkles in
her face told of pain and strife and I am sure she would have a "story" to tell.
The younger women near to her, showed me that she is 92 years old. She was so gracious and allowed us all to take as many
photos as we wanted of her and her feet. I kept putting my arms around her and patting her arm - hoping that she would
somehow understand my love and admiration for her. I hated to leave her.
I purchased a darling hand made Chinese hat-with much stitchery and detail to take home, also some little wicker type shoes.

The next morning, April 22, we had another "hair raising" bus ride to Wei Fang to see the kite festival.
The festival is held in a huge arena, and I am sure there were 5,000 Chinese people there!!! The Chinese love to celebrate anything and they were all so happy to be there. The kites were wonderful and some of them took
6-8 men to fly. The biggest kites I have ever seen. What an experience.
Then on to a kite making place. It was really fascinating to watch the artists paint the kites. Then we watched them assemble
the kites - what an interesting process. The unique thing about these kites, is the fact that one person makes an entire kite
by himself, from start to finish. They are not mass produced. Also - these kites were all made of a special, sheer silk fabric.
What a great form of art and really interesting to see. By the way, after completion, each kite is tested or flown before they are
ready to sell. We all bought kites to take home. Rennen ask us to bring him a dragon kite and we were looking for that as well as a kite for Jack
and Deken. We found the perfect kite for Rennen, however it is more of a collector's item than a kite he can actually fly. Same
with Jack's and Deken's. I will watch for kites they can actually fly, as well....

Every place I shop, while I am in China, I look for items I can use to decorate a Christmas tree. I have found some precious items, but I am still looking for more... They will be a lasting, sweet reminder of China.

I will send pictures to post with this entry to the Blog.

All my love,
Mom

Students Visit

2009-05-05T21:31:00.000-06:00

These are 3 of my students who came to see us....

Chicken Dinner

2009-05-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Lesa
I HAVE to send this entry to you because we have all been so amazed and shocked over this experience....

One day the Goodrich's invited us to eat lunch at their apartment and Joe ran to the canteen in our building to
get some rice to eat with our lunch. While he was at the canteen, he saw some soup that looked good to him
and so he brought the soup for us to eat as well.
Rog ate the rice as well as the soup and Jo Ann said how good the soup tasted - I chose not to eat it because
I am dieting. As we were clearing the table, after we had eaten, we looked at the remaining soup and noticed
that - in the soup was a "chicken head" - the beak, the eyeballs, the comb on the head - EVERYTHING......
Attached is a picture we took to prove our findings...
Mom

Cute note from Student!

2009-04-24T09:39:00.000-06:00

hello,Mrs Halladay,my English name is Dawn .I love you very much .I fell that you like my grandmother .Good luck for you forever!

Kite Festival

2009-04-22T12:18:00.002-06:00

Here are some pictures we took at the Kite Festival in WeiFang. Notice the little old woman with the unusually small feet - her feethad been bound as a young girl...

China Update‏

2009-04-12T12:42:00.002-06:00

So much has been going on since we returned from the Chongqing and the cruise. It is hard to believe that we returned a week ago tonight..

After the trip, Marvin Wu - our tour guide, invited us to his home for a home cooked Chinese dinner with his family. His wife Betty and little Yoyo - their daughter, were very gracious and we had a wonderful evening. Betty made 6 or 7 different Chinese dishes for 8 of us BYU teachers and it was a wonderful evening. Betty agreed to take us to the market to buy spices and agreed to even teach us how to cook the dishes. Now, we just have to find a day and time we can get together !

This weekend has been a wonderful one for us. We had the chance to finally watch General Conference, which was last weekend. Yesterday, we went to Brother Harrison's apartment, where we usually hold our Branch meetings, to watch conference. The District was supposed to send us copies of Conference in Chinese, Korean and English BUT they mistakenly sent us ONLY Chinese! Therefore, we had to listen instead of watch - which was just fine. Yesterday we watched the Saturday afternoon session of Conference and today we watched the Sunday morning session.
It makes us realize how much we take General Conference for granted, when we are at home, in the USA! We are just "thirsty" to hear the Prophet and all the General Authorities. It was very emotional for us to see them on the T.V. today. Joe Goodrich had downloaded it off the internet for today.
After Conference, we prepared dinner for the Koreans - Hawaiian haystacks. The Koreans thought they were unusual. They could not quite understand why we would mix all that cold, sweet, food with gravy and chicken #@$%*&. Every Sunday, the Koreans have food prepared for us to eat, after church. Sometimes it is a meal and sometimes it is fresh fruit. Lately they have been serving the best Asian pears for our eating enjoyment! The mangos are in season now and they are wonderful. China has the best fruit I have ever eaten. I especially love the pomellos, which are ripe in the Fall.

On the ride to Church today I saw a funny thing that I keep forgetting to add to the Blog site. All the young people here think it is "cool" to wear glasses. BUT, they wear glasses, if they don't need glasses! I mean, they wear the glass frame - with NO glass in..... And they think they look so good... We all have to laugh when we see it.

I had an odd thing happen to me this past week at school..
I was teaching a class on idioms and we were having fun, as the students in each group presented their definitions of the idioms they were assigned. I was walking around the classroom, when I noticed something strange looking in the back corner of the classroom. Now, I have seen some pretty disgusting things in the back of these classrooms - things I really questioned their origin. BUT, this one really "takes the cake" as far as disgusting goes!!!!!!!! I could not believe my eyes....

I truly believe that you must live life to the fullest and enjoy each day, because you may never pass the same way again. Take time to "smell the roses". I must say that I am doing just that while I am in China. It is a chance of a lifetime and I feel so blessed to be among these exceptional people. The students have taught me MUCH more than I could ever teach them. They know something that many people my age NEVER know, and that is how to love and accept others unconditionally. Each day in China is such an experience to cherish and it is my prayer that I remember to do just that. We are so blessed to have a loving, caring family whicht has so many material advantages. I pray that I never forget my experiences here. I doubt I will, because I am a changed person because of the time I have spent among these dear people.

All our love,
Mom

Letter from Student - Oliver Twist

2009-04-12T10:56:00.000-06:00

How are you,my teacher? I really miss you! !!The methods you teach us to say 'usually' is groovy.It can be regarded as an invention!
I know a nice medical website it may be of some help to Mr.Halladay:
http://www.medhelp.org/
Happy Easter Day!

Letter and Pictures from Student Andrulia

2009-04-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

Hello,Mrs Halladay,I'm Andrulia.We are very busy these days,you know.I haven't see you a few days.that day,I see you and Mr halladay walking together from a distance.Wow,it's so sweet,you must love each other very much.
Besides,do you remember that I'v ever tell you that I learned belly dance in winter holiday .It's come from India and full of mistery.At the end of the course ,I take some photos.I hope you can see my performance,one day.Now I'll send some of the pictures to you and hope you'll like it.
At last, I'll call you when I'm free.But,well,the terrible work!!!!!!!I even regret picking up this major.But,as you say.Never cry at the poured water.So.cheer up.Ha ha!!!
Love from
Andrulia

Letter from Student - Roger

2009-04-11T22:52:00.001-06:00

Here is another note I received today from my student Roger. Note the attached picture of him. He is tooooooo cute. He and another classmate brought me some of the famous Chinese "flower tea". It literally has flowers in it - chrysanthemums.
Actually, it is really good - also has lemon and orange rind in it, some cinnamon and other spices...
Much Love,
Mom
_______________________________________________
Dear Mrs. Halladay
We should say thank you. Thank you for giving us so much in such a fun way. The present is your deserve.In the future,we will have more ways to show our thanks to you for teaching us so well. Very nice of you to e-mail me. I should say thank you again. God bless you and your family.
Roger.Xu

Yangtze River trip‏

2009-04-08T11:02:00.002-06:00

Dear Family,

We just returned from our delightful trip down the Yangtze River and I believe it was the best tour we have been on!
On April 1, at 5:00 p.m. we left for the airport to fly to Chongqing ( pronounced: Chong ching)
We arrived in Chongqing around midnight and went to a very quaint hotel, which we loved and wish that we could have stayed there longer!
The morning of April 2, we went on bus to tour the city of Chongqing. We visited the 3 gorges museum, the Great Hall and Stillwell museum.
That evening we boarded the American cruise ship "Victoria". Note: the staff on board the ship were all Chinese!
It was a VERY eventful trip to the cruise ship - we climbed down some of the most frightening steps I have walked in China.... It was starting
to rain and the walkway to the ship was all muddy and the path was very uneven and scarey.

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the 3rd longest in the world. Between the towns of Fengjie and Yichang lie 3 great gorges - Qutang,
Wu and Xiling. These gorges have some of the most spectacular scenery in all of China.
Of the 3 gorges, the Qutang Gorge is magnificent and precipitous, the Wu Gorge is deep and beautiful and the Xiling Gorge has rapids and many rocks.
There are 3 mini gorges and the water in the 3 mini gorges is clean and the banks are blanketed in trees, historical sites and legends.

Early the morning of April 2, we started on our journey down the Yangtze. In the afternoon we visited Fengdu - the Ghost City and it was really
something to see. We saw many forms of torture - in statues. We took many photos and will send them as soon as we download them. We even saw the
statue of the drunkard and had to take photo of him - he was frightening! There were statues of nature, a"fallen" woman, a lustful man and many others.
Very interesting. However, the tram ride up to the Ghost City was the most frightening.... Supposedly this Ghost City is where all the evil spirits reside and
they are supposed to remain there eternally. Included in the city - which sits on top of a mountain - is a replica depicting the awful ways the Chinese tortured
those among them who sinned in any way. Example: they supposedly cut a persons tongue out if he was a liar. A thief had his fingers cut off. Anything you can imagine was done to the sinner. Ghost City is also supposedly the pathway to the "underworld". It is the Chinese way of expressing the atrocities of Hell. And, I must
say, it was frightening.... Sure am glad I believe what I believe about life after death or this would have really scared me!
That evening, after returning to the ship, we had a welcome dinner hosted by the Captain of the ship.

April 3 we were on the river for the entire day and really had a great time visiting with the other BYU teachers and resting!

On the morning of April 4 we docked at the Daning River - at the 3 mini gorges, for our excursion into the gorge area in a Chinese motorized "sampan". It was so
neat - a real authentic Chinese experience and we all loved it. Many photos of that!
Then back to the ship and more evening entertainment. I met a darling young man "Lucas" who reminded me of my beloved "Nick" at SUU. Lucas was a
real highlight of the trip - he is such a dancer and waiter - all in one. I taught him how to wink and everytime he got on the stage to perform, he searched for me,
in the audience and smiled and winked at me.. So cute, so innocent. He also waited on our table everytime we ate and was so attentive.
Also, on Friday, April 3 - we entered the 5 grades or "locks" where the ship is lowered from the reservoir level, to the river, on the "down stream" side of the Yangtze.
It was a phenomenonal experience, one we will never forget.

April 5 we left the ship to visit the large dam site - 3 Gorges Dam. Then we went on a 5 hour bus trip to Wuhan to take an afternoon flight back to Qingdao.

While on the ship, there was a medical Doctor who was very proficient in acpuncture, acupressure, electrolysis and "cupping". Roger had 2 treatment and I had one.
He really knows how to cure people and we both feel much better. Roger, with his pinched disc and me with my ever present, neck pain. We both believe in the
art of acpuncture and have been very impressed with the results. However, Roger was having his treatment and the Dr. hooked him "up" to the electrolysis machine,
and his foot started to "thump" - just like the dog does when you scratch him in a good spot. We REALLY had a good laugh at that!

The time is passing very fast - it is already Easter this week! We love what we are doing and the time seems to fly. The weather has turned so beautiful and the signs of
Spring are everywhere we look. There are buds blossoming everywhere we turn. Before we know it, we will be back in Utah for a short time. We still aren't sure when
we will fly home, but we will let you know as soon as we know anything.
Easter brings some very tender memories. I remember the Easter we had in Vernal, when the electricity went out for the day and we had to eat the Easter eggs, potato
salad, baked beans, jello and ham by candle light! I also think of the many picnic with all of you. The year we went with Grandma Pearl and Aunt Mary Dean and Uncle
Keith to Beaver Dam to look at our property. We always seem to end up on Easter, with the Jones'.... Remember the year when Lesa and Darren and the kids came to
Cedar and there was snow on the back lawn - but we STILL had our Easter egg hunt?
These are treasured memories for us and we will be thinking of you as we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior. What a memorable occasion Easter is for us. We will
be missing everyone..

All our love,
Dad and Mom

Fun Letter From a Student...

2009-04-07T11:06:00.000-06:00

Dear Roger,
I do think that you can read this mail today. I am very sorry and have to tell you I can not take part in your classes tomorrow morning.
My two right fingers were hurt on Thusday. Don't worry ,It was not serious very much ,but actualy made me painful . The doctor of universty hospital told me to change the bandage and check again tomorrow morning .So I have to go there when you enjoy the class.
By the way , my 5 Journals will be taken to you by Strong or another guy . Finally , I don't know how to exprss my sorry
Jeremy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Jeremy,
and I am very sorry to hear that you have hurt two fingers on your right hand. I hope that they will heal quickly and that you will be back doing your regular things and be able to attend your classes. I am sorry that you will not be there tomorrow to our class, but fully understand that you need to go see the doctor and get your bandage taken care of.
I wish you well and appreciate your letting me know about your hand. I hope that the pain you experienced was not too great and has now gone away!
Regards,
Roger

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Roger,
Thanks for your understanding . Please allow me not to write a note for absence , because it's hard to write for me now .My fingers can not bend freely.
I am sorry trouble you so much and get my job down .
And thank you for all wishes .Everything could be better.

Jeremy

Time passes so fast!‏

2009-03-30T13:56:00.001-06:00

Dear Family;
Time passes so fast and I keep thinking that I will write and I just keep getting side tracked.
Rog is doing MUCH better now, all the prayers rendered on his behalf have been felt. Thanks to everyone who prayed for his recovery. He walked to school today, the first time this semester and did very well. It has rained all day long and the wind has blown as well. But, he made it and feels better :)

We have been flooded with students that want to come over to our apartment and visit and practice their English. Last week we had 6 of "my boys" come over and visit for about a hour and a half. What a delight they were. They are so smart and have so many interesting things to tell us about themselves and their villages as well as about their families.
Two of the boys, William and Roger were in the same class and the other four, Jay, Bill Mike and Dick are in another class. It is so easy to become better acquainted with them in our apartment without so many other students vying for our attention. Most of them come from very poor families and Mike's father passed away and his mother is a farmer and supports him at the University, as well as her other children.
By the way, China does have the one child law BUT the poor farmers in the villages sometimes have more children but, they must pay the government a fee to have the extra children! The fines are very stiff and it is a real hardship on these families. However, if a family has a daughter first, in some cases, they are allowed to have another child, in hopes it is a son to carry on the family name. Many strange, outdated customs here. But, I imagine the large population has alot to do with it...

Saturday night my Post Graduates - Never, Edward, Jordan and Ronnie came to supper here. I had promised to make them an American meal and they were so excited to come and eat. I fixed spaghetti and garlic bread, with apple crisp for dessert. They were so funny. They LOVED the food. They all had second helpings. The Chinese do not use butter or margarine and they were fascinated with the garlic bread. They swooned over the warm apple crisp with ice cream. Rog showed them how to do American cross word puzzles and it was so entertaining. We also showed them a PPT presentation on some English songs and they loved it. Before we knew it, they had been here four hours.

Sunday night we had Leonardo, Michelle, Rita,and Skeelpenny come over for a short visit as well as Jenny and Song - who are trying to get to to the USA to go to school. Rog is their "adviser" and counselor. They have many questions and they like him because he tells them exactly like it is!

It is a delight to go to school and talk to these sweet people - our students. I dearly love them and they make me laugh. My little hero - Lee Yun, meets me every morning to walk me to my class and carry my small suitcase up the stairs for me. He always has a smile for me and is forever happy.

We went on a "venture" Saturday afternoon to the downtown area and as the bus was driving thru a busy part of town, I saw a boy, about 6 or 8 years old, crouched over by a tree, using the bathroom! I just had to laugh and remember that I am still in China.

We also went to Taidong to the tailor and Rog was measured for a suit. It is hard to imagine that a custom tailored suit costs $80. US money!! And they are beautiful. You go to the lady and she measures you from top to bottom, and tells you to return in a week and you have a suit! Wish I could take all of you with me to the tailor. I have never seen so much fabric - in huge rolls - stacked to the ceiling... And the buttons..... every color, size, and type - in rows and rows and rows... ( and everyone KNOWS how I love buttons!)
Rog broke his zipper on his coat and we took it with us. A lady was mending, sitting at an old treadle sewing machine... She replaced the zipper in an hour and did a great job. Only cost us $2.25. What experiences. We have seen, smelled and experienced things we NEVER thought we would ever experience......

I have added some pictures of Taidong,along the street. One is of a young girl eating a grub! Yes, you "get" to choose the live grub you want to eat and the man deep fries it right there on the street, before your eyes!!!
There is also one of a little man with a deformed body who was drawing beautiful drawings on the street. Also a picture of the "days catch" drying out for dinner or to sell.
What a country. I love it here and I wish you could all spend a week or two and let us share some of the sights, sounds and smells we experience daily !!!!!!!!!

We love you all very much. Can you believe that we have been in China for 8 months? We will be home in no time at all and we will be missing China as we miss you now!

You are in our prayer and we wish you the best in all you do. Please know that Heavenly Father is watching you for us, in our absence.

All our Love,
Dad and Mom

Our Corner of the World‏

2009-03-11T15:28:00.004-06:00

Dear Family:

It seems like a long time has passed since I have written to you. Things change around here on a daily basis and the time passes so fast.
Especially with school starting again, with the routine of classes and seeing the students again and renewing our acquaintances. Before we
know it, we will be on the airplane headed for home and family :)

We have both been taking acupuncture treatments twice a week and it really works ! ! ! Rog for his back and stomach and I for my stiff
neck and shoulders. It seems like such a primitive treatment method and it is hard to imagine that having needles stuck into your
muscles could help you!! I have sent photos. I must say that having the needles stuck in my hands are the most painful. It is such
a strange sensation with needles sticking out all over your neck, shoulders and back. It feels as if an electrical current runs between
the needles and she twists them as part of the treatment and that is a real treat! I never thought I would have such an experience.
But, it does work.
And, the lady who does the acupuncture has turned into a very dear friend. We both love and trust her. She is 38 years old and a
widow with no children. It just so happens her name is Jane also! I feel as if I have met her somewhere before. Do you suppose in
the Spirit world?

On Monday, we went to Jimo Market to a store that is going out of business. We were told the store sells quality, expensive items,
and that all items were marked at unbelievable prices - up to 90% off the original price!
We went not expecting to find much BUT we "hit the jackpot".
The store was located in an obscure, out-of-the-way place, with many unusual and questionable sights en route.
As we were winding through alleys, up and down filthy secluded stairwells, with many smells and sights - I thought to myself,
"What am I doing here?" Have you ever done that? Gone somewhere, when you were out of your comfort zone and
really felt out of place? I thought, "What is a girl from little Cedar City, Utah doing here, in a foreign land, going - who knows where -
to a sale?"
BUT, I kept going !!!!! I must tell you, I found the real Chinese "treasures" I hoped I would find when in China. Things I have seen
on Chinese documentaries and in books about China. Real treasures... Need I say more??????
You will have to come to our home in July or August, if you would like to see.

En route to the "sale" we passed a sight I could hardly comprehend...
We saw several men lined up, about 100 yards apart, with a chair and a pair of hair clippers.
They were all cutting peoples hair and chattering and having a great time.
We took a picture and the little guy whose picture we snapped, became very angry with us - he DID NOT want his picture taken......
This place was in the "bowels" of China, mind you. So funny.

It was wonderful to see my students after the 2 month break. I have missed them and they are all so happy to see me. The
smiles on their dear faces, warms my heart. How I love them! I will take more pictures and send. They do not look like
Chinese to me anymore - they look like very dear friends who love me, as I love them.
It is a comfort to know that we will return next Fall and teach for another year. We know that our work is not finished here.

Please know how we love and miss all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we know that Heavenly Father watches
over you for us. You are exceptional people and we are proud to be your parents. We especially miss our dear grandchildren..
All our love,
Dad and Mom

2009-03-11T15:00:00.000-06:00

A letter from a student...

2009-03-11T14:30:00.000-06:00

Hello.Mrs Halladay.
Long time no seeing each other.
Our new teacher is Ben,he is also very kind,and interesting.
We are very active in class,and there are many volunteers ,just as in your class.I must say that you are such a good teacher that you have made such a good impression on each of us.We all love you.
We all wish you well.
Kinglee

Reporting In!!!!

2009-03-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I haven't written for a while, so I thought I would take a few minutes and send an update.

We have been so busy getting lesson plans ready for the semester to start. Rog has 8 lessons all ready to go! I am not so organized :(
School started Monday, March 2 and it was so great to see the students again. The medical department took 2 of my classes and gave them
to the new teacher and gave me 2 new classes... Seemed strange to me, and I must admit that I was upset. I have become VERY attached
to my students and I will miss those 2 classes. I only have to prepare a lesson every 2 weeks, as I teach 11 different classes in a 2 week period.
Therefore, I only have to prepare 8 different lessons during a semester instead of the 16 different lessons Rog has to prepare. His schedule is set,
meaning he goes to school everyday Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon - in the same building, in 2 different classrooms. My
schedule is crazy /?@W#!$%.
The first and third odd weeks of the month, I have 1 class on Monday, 1 class on Tuesday, 1 class on Wednesday, 2 classes on Thursday,
and 1 class on Friday of the same week. On the second and fourth even weeks, I have Monday off, 1 class on Tuesday,1 class on Wednesday,
1 class on Thursday, and 2 classes on Friday of the same week. Crazy huh? And, very hard to understand.....

Yesterday, as I walked home from class, I spotted two Grandma's with a stroller containing a small someone that was crying and fussing. They
were trying to get the little person out of the seat and having a real struggle. As I passed them, I leaned over and smiled at her. She stopped crying
and allowed the Grandma to remove her from the stroller. I must add here, usually the Chinese babies are frightened when they see me and cry - which
she did!!! Both Grandma's laughed, as did I. The Grandma that took her, carried her over by the shrubbery, leaned over and started to make little
noises with her mouth - and the toddler started to use the toilet! Yes - the small children in China DO NOT wear diapers, they wear pants with a
hole in the crotch, and the Grandma's watch the child's every move, waiting for the little one to signal that they need to use the toilet.
Grandma's make a certain noise or sing a certain song, which is a signal the child is trained to recognize, that triggers the urge to use the bathroom!!!!!
It is amazing and it fascinates me.

Rog has sure been miserable with a pinched nerve in his back. We have had him to see a Dr. and even resorted to a Chinese acupuncturist. He has
literally been on his back for 2 weeks. He has had to have another teacher teach his classes this past week. I have been very concerned about him,
he has been in so much pain. Last night was the worst, with the acupuncturist making a second call in one day to help with the pain in his stomach
muscles. Thankfully she did a marvelous job and helped him so he could breathe and sleep without pain. Today he has been much better, but very
stiff and sore. He looks so peaked and sore. We feel of your prayers on his behalf. Thank you for your love and concern.

We feel so richly blessed and thankful for our many blessings. We have been reading the Book of Mormon and we have come to understand so
many things the scriptures are telling us about this day and age. We know that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to obey Him and we
are doing all we can to follow His counsel. We are very happy and we know that we are in China for a special reason. These students are
wonderful and we love them dearly. We are planning on returning to China to teach again in August. We will come to the USA in July and stay
until the end of August and return to China to teach a second year.

Please know of our love for all of you. It is so great to talk to you on Skye and hear those sweet, familiar voices. We love and miss everyone and
look forward to seeing you in July.
Mom

Last week before Spring Semester begins!‏

2009-02-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Family:
What a week this has been - all the weeks are unusual in China. These are weeks like I have never before experienced. Just when I think that I have seen it all, or that nothing could "top' what just happened - it does.....

Sunday afternoon when Roger came home from church, carrying his huge bag with all the church files , he complained that his back really hurt. He spent a sleepless night in terrible pain. Monday morning, he could hardly stand on his feet. The only relief he had from back pain, was to lay on the living room floor.(The living room floor is wood and it is cold!) I was concerned, especially when he was in such pain that he could not go to Jimo Market with us. I went to the Market with the girls and called him several times to see if he felt any better. When I returned home, he was still in pain. We had everyone over for dinner Monday evening and the men gave Rog a blessing and that night he slept well.
Tuesday morning, he still could not stand up and would crawl to the bathroom, as it hurt too much to stand. I was concerned, but he still felt like it would get better. Tuesday night, the Home Teachers came and he decided that we should see a Dr. Our waiban, Shirley called and made all the necessary arrangements for our visit to Qingdao Municipal Hospital on Wednesday morning at 9:15 a.m. Another sleepless night.

Wednesday morning we went with a Chinese student, Leon, to the hospital. Roger rode, laying down in the back of a van, to the hospital. Terry Miller , thankfully, went with us.
It cost us the equivalent of $3.00 in RMB to see the Dr. . He checked Rog over and ordered an MRI and a CT scan. By the way, the Chinese hospital required that we pay cash for
all services rendered, at the time of the service! The CT scan and the MRI cost us the equivalent of $57.00, which was 390 RMB. By the time we returned to the 4th floor, where the Dr. was, the results of the CT scan and the MRI were on his computer screen! Hard to believe.... He said that Rog has a pinched nerve, between the vertebrae, causing much pain. He prescribed 2 pain killers and a muscle relaxant. It took 15 minutes for the prescriptions to be delivered to us - they cost us the equivalent of $20, which was 138 RMB!!!! All in all, the Doctor, the tests and the prescriptions cost us $80 !!!!! Can you believe that???
We came home from the hospital, he took the prescriptions and I went back to Jimo Market to shop !!!!!

Today is Thursday, February 23, 2009 and he is much better. He is very sore and still in some pain, BUT nothing like the pain he had before. I feel very blessed and thankful that is all that was wrong with him. It could have been something very serious. Heavenly Father is watching over us and blessing us and we feel so thankful.

Wednesday as I returned from Jimo Market, I stopped at RT Mart for some groceries. As Victoria and I waited to board the bus, we saw a sight we could not believe...
On the streets in China, there are various fruit and vegetable vendors selling their wares every day. And as we waited for the bus, we looked at the pineapple vendor and watched him peel a pineapple. There were also 2 different vendors selling bananas. We were talking and laughing, when we heard a commotion behind us. When we turned around, we saw 5 or 6 policemen apprehending one of the banana vendors and taking his weight scales away from him. But, the 2 pineapple vendors were running as fast as they could, pulling their carts behind them into the alley. Both banana vendors had their scales apprehended and they had to pay a stiff fine to reclaim them. We just stood there with our mouths open, staring in disbelief. Something we have NEVER seen before, and are not likely to see again. We felt so sorry for the poor vendors - people of the street. People who make their living, selling fruit on the street, having to pay a stiff fine.

This morning I went to a Medical Department staff meeting, to find no one at the appointed place! I called Aron Chen to check on the time and place and he apologized and said that the meeting was on Saturday morning, not Thursday morning! I wondered if I was loosing my marbles and he said that he had told me the wrong day and apologized. Typical China, where we learn patience and understanding and who we really are....

We love all of you very much and miss you. We thank the Lord every night for all of our blessings and for this beautiful country that we have come to love and appreciate.
Mom

Living Life as We Please...

2009-02-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Family:
Just a few lines to report what we have been up to for the past few of days..
Monday, February 16, we decided that we would take a bus to Bathing Beach #1 and walk along the beach, and on the boardwalk, for as long as it took us to find the stone sculptures we have heard so much about. It was a chilly day and we bundled up. It turned out to be a gorgeous day and we walked for several hours and clocked about 5 miles of enjoyment. We took our time, even went down on the shoreline and collected seashells. I do love to collect seashells and it was one of those rare days that turn out perfect. We walked until dusk and stopped at the Sea Aquarium and had a ice cream and then took the bus home. A perfect day, as far as I am concerned.....

Tuesday we went to a Korean sisters apartment to have lunch. They live out by the Qingdao airport and it took us an hour and a half to get there. We took the airport shuttle and then Shelly came to the airport to drive us to Jennifer's apartment for lunch. Shelly is the Chinese sister who was baptized in November. Jennifer is Korean. The food they prepared for us was something right out of a food magazine. And it tasted wonderful. They are such special people, we feel it is a privilege to associate with them. What a grand time we had. It was a "chick day" and we even went to their spa and everyone had facials, full body and foot messages!!!! What a day - one we won't soon forget....

Today we have been to "Computer City" and then on to Jimo Market. I just keep buying pearls and they are all so very beautiful.. We had little Judy or Lulu with us and we were celebrating her birthday, which was January 30. What a great time we had and the "buys" were exceptional. Money here is unbelievable - what you get for the yuan..... It will be SUCH a hard adjustment, to have to pay the high prices in the USA when we return home. I am sure that we will seem like real "cheap skates" to everyone.

We only have a few precious days until school starts again - 11 days, to be exact. It is such fun to tour the beautiful city of Qingdao and find places we want to take our family that will hopefully come to visit us. Hint, hint, hint.....

We are also anxious for Joe and Diane Ward to join us, to teach for the upcoming Spring semester. It looks like Joe will come first, as he is the one with the teaching contract, and Diane will follow in a month or so. It will be such fun to have them here and to have the opportunity to get to know them better.

We have so very much to be thankful for, and we thank our Heavenly Father every day for this opportunity to live here and teach these special people. This truly is a chance of a lifetime and I treasure every day and dread the day we have to return home. We do love and miss our dear family BUT we are SO needed here and we are engaged in a worthy cause. How blessed we feel. Know of our love for each of you...

Much Love,
Mom

Sweet Letter from a Student

2009-02-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs.Halladay:
I'm really glad to hear from you. It's very happy to know that you have a wonderful time and enjoy youselves.
I'm very sorry to say that I don't know if you will teach us the next semester. Though we have the schedule, but they usually mistake the teachers who will teach us. But I really hope that you can teach us as you are so kind a friend to me and I love you. So does everyone in our class. You give your best smile to every of us. The smile is so sweet that we can get the feeling of warm sunshine. You are very patient to us. So when I talk with you, I don't feel nervous at all. Even when we can't express ourselves well, you smile, look into our eyes and try to help us. I think you are very smart as you can quickly know what we are trying to say in these situations. It's very happy to talk with you.
Thank you for the cares and I'm glad to say that my parents are in good health. But what makes me heartbroken is that my grandma become weaker and weaker now. She got cancer two years ago and the cancer cells spread very fast. She is too weak to take another operation.I'm very sorry to tell you that. She is very kind-hearted and loves everyone in our family. As I'm the only girl of her grandchildren, she often misses me. That makes us very sad.
I may come back to Qingdao at the end of February. I made a promise that I would teach you how to make dumplings and cook Chinese dinner.
So just wait me to come back(*^__^*)
I'm looking forward to your reply.
Best wishes for you and Mr. Halladay ^-^
Much love
Emma

Thoughts...

2009-02-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Family:

As I sat here today I pondered on how fast the time is passing, and realized that our stay here is getting short. It makes me very emotional - I have learned to love this beautiful country and her people. I realize every day what an impact this year will have on the remainder of my life.

The people of China are so refreshing and loving and accepting. I know that I must sound like a broken record, but the things I say are so true......
Sunday when we went to our little Branch, the Korean members were so happy to see us and greeted us with such love. I have learned to love them as my family and they are so dear to us. The babies are just like our own grandchildren. I get such great "loves" from the Yoon's baby - he thinks that I am wonderful and allows me to give him kisses and hugs. And the Yoon children are treasures, just like their Mommy. And our little Relief Society is exceptional, with the Koreans sisters reading their portion of the lesson in Korean and us reading ours in English, both understanding the sacred feelings we share.

Today is February 11, 2009 and the Chinese are STILL doing their Chinese celebrating with fireworks.....
Monday night, was the celebration of the lantern festival. We went down to "May 4 Square" and there was a fireworks display like I have never seen before.
The Chinese were lighting paper lanterns and letting them drift into the atmosphere. The sky was covered with paper lanterns, of all colors. It was a beautiful sight to see. We went with the Millers and Victoria Brinton and it was one of those memorable evenings we will not forget. There were about 2,000 people there and they were all lighting lanterns and sparklers. And the sky, on all four sides of the square, was lit up with a breathtaking fireworks display. It went on for the four hours we were there and as we got on the bus it was still continuing. AND, it continued well into the night. . .
It still continues today !!!!

We have the Browns, visiting from Beijing and we took them down by the ocean today, to the Naval Museum. It was great - the men especially loved the ships, airplanes and the submarine that can submerge in 40 seconds. We spent the afternoon at the museum and met Marvin Woo and his wife Betty and little YoYo for a Cantonese dinner.
But the highlight of the day, for me, was this morning when we went to the little markets across from the University.
I have not been there for about 4 weeks and I saw all the little vendors I have grown to know. They were all so happy to see me and the little vegetable woman had a big hug and kiss for me! She always gives me the best vegetables and fruits she has and there is always a "freebee". And the little man, with the cockeye, that sells the coats and vests. I call him Charley - he is always so happy to see me and he loves to barter with me. He pulls the funniest faces I have ever seen - I love dealing with him. He makes me feel so happy, and glad I saw him. Another familiar, kind face was the woman in the bakery. How blessed I am to have such friends. We do not understand one word each other speaks, but we understand each other. People I will always treasure when I think of China and my time here in Qingdao.

We have been busy trying to organize ourselves for our classes next semester, it is nice to know and understand just what is expected of us. We are looking forward to the students returning - we miss them. They are the REAL reason we are in China and we are anxious for classes to start.

I know that our lives will seem very slow and boring when we get home. I have plans to take some classes at the University and finish projects I have started.
Please keep in touch with us - we need to hear from each of you.

Much Love, Mom

January 2009

2009-02-06T09:03:00.002-07:00

Hello Everyone:
Just want to tell everyone that we just returned to Qingdao after 3 weeks on the road.
We finished our last day of classes on December 31 and we have been on vacation since... We do not return to the classroom until March 2, 2009......
On January 15, we went to Hong Kong for the BYU Teachers Conference and a temple session at the Hong Kong temple. Hong Kong is s huge city of about 12 million people and it is very American oriented. A person can get almost anything American in Hong Kong, if he knows where to look.

On Sunday, January 18, after attending a great church meeting, we took a bus back to Shenzhen and boarded an airplane to Guilin where we spent the night.
The next morning we took a 41/2 hour boat trip down the Li river - to Yangshuo, where we found some of the best shopping we encountered during the trip. The prices were very good and very negotiable. We were also treated to a ride in golf carts to see the countryside. We travelled the backroads and fields to see the lush farmland, rice paddies and beautiful scenery. That same evening, Rog went to watch the cormorant birds catch fish for the fishermen. I stayed in the hotel, as I was not feeling so good.

The next morning, we got on the bus and drove back to Guilin. The same afternoon, Rog visited the Reed Flute Caves, 240 meters underground, with dramatic rock formations, shapes lit by colored lights. I sat in the bus not feeling so well. However, one of the BYU Teachers who speaks Chinese, took me to a military hospital, to be examined. It just so happened that the bus we were travelling on, parked in the parking lot of a military hospital.... WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. It cost me approximately 60cents to get an appointment, and then we had to go up a flight of stairs to see a Doctor... It just so happened that there was a Respiratory Doctor RIGHT THERE!!!!! He examined me, doing all the necessary things that have to be checked out for ear infection and congested chest. He wanted to have me check into the hospital and have a 3-4 hour IV injection, but we told him that the bus would be leaving in 1/2 hour. He wrote out 4 prescriptions for me and we went down the steps to the Pharmacy - in the same building. What a miracle !!! The medicines all cost me about $20.00 and I walked out of there feeling very blessed indeed! That same evening, January 20, we took a flight to Kunming.

January 21, we visited the Stone Forest - a massive collection of limestone pillars eroded by wind and rain to shape fanciful shapes. That afternoon we boarded a flight to historic Lijiang, which is near the Tibetan border, in the northern Yunnan Province.

The next day we spent the entire day exploring Lijiang's Old Town - a delightful maze of cobbled streets, rickety old wooden buildings, gushing canals, bustling street markets - tended by merchants in traditional Naxi costumes. I loved this place and the bargins were in abundance. I love the bargining ..... We also visited the Shuhe ancient town near Lijiang with the minority people.

The day of January 23, we travelled a breathtaking bus trip to Dali. Dali is a gorgeous city - one that would be very easy to live in. This historic city is set against a stunning backdrop - the Erhai Lake, with the imposing Cangshan mountain range.
The next morning we took a frightening boat trip on the Erhai Lake to a little ethnic village - Bai. I have never felt so threatened on a boat, like I was that day. The water was very choppy and we were on a small ill equipped boat, which was frightening. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over us that day - I am sure of it.
That afternoon we boarded a flight back to Kinming.

The morning of January 25 (Sunday) we had a very spiritual meeting in the hotel with the Qingdao teachers.
In the afternoon, we boarded the airplane to Hanoi, Viet Nam...

Upon arrival in Hanoi, we visited the old part of the city and the Dong Xuan market. That evening, we attended a very entertaining water puppet show.

Monday morning, the 26 of January, we visited the "Hanoi Hilton" and I felt a very emotional, sad spirit there. There were many awful things that happened during the Viet Nam war in the "Hilton" and the feeling there is eerie. I could not help myself from shedding tears of sadness for all the American GI's that were there in the late 60's and early 70's.
We also drove to HaLong Bay, one of the world's natural wonders. We took a boat trip to the Bay and visited the island with some awesome caves. We were served a neat lunch on the boat and it was a fun time. The boat ride was exciting and we had a great time with all the teachers from the Kennedy Center.

The next day we went to Cambodia - to the beautiful city of Siem Reap. We visited the ancient 12th century capital of Angkor Thom. We saw huge statues - the South Gate - depicting the churning of the ocean of milk. We also saw the Bayon Temple with its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. Also the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, we visited the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain - Angkor Wat. This temple covers over 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. It's distinctive 5 towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Rog climbed Phnom Bakent and watched the sunset with a spectacular view of the western Baray and Angkoe Wat. There must have been 1,000 or more people that climbed to see the sunset - I chose to sit in the bus and read a most interesting book.

January 29 we continued the temple visits. Included were Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (place once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei, Eastern Mebon(guarded at its corners by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in pretty good shape), and then Ta Prohm - one of the most beautiful temples. The Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered.

Friday, January 30, we visited the floating village of the Chong Khneas, near Siem Reap. We took a wooden boat ride on the Tonle Sap or "Great Lake" - the largest lake in Asia. In the afternoon we boarded another airplane and flew to Hochi Minh City, Viet Nam.

January 31, we visited the Viet Nam War museum - a very sobering experience. There were so many things displayed that showed the Americans to be cruel and unfair. But the thing that was the most unsetting to me, was the pictures they had with Viet Nam writing and no English language to explain - in other words, they were things that were negative about the Americans and our involvement in the war. When I saw the American soldiers uniforms and clothing, cigarettes and fighting equipment, I must admit that I shed tears. There was such a negative, evil presence there. I was very happy to leave that place...
In the afternoon we drove to the CuChi underground tunnel, which was where the Viet Kong lived and used as a passageway, to attack the South Viet Nam Republicans and Americans, during the night. The tunnels were very small and tight - something a claustrophobic person would not want to experience! I chose NOT to enter the tunnels. Rog did however, and he was really glad that he had the experience. The space was very tight and hard to squeeze through. He saw many things that he could never have imagined otherwise. I will sent photos to show everyone.
That night, we had a lovely dinner on a floating restaurant on the Saigon River. It was so beautiful and romantic.

February 1, we visited My Tho town, in Tien Giang Province - one of the 11 Provinces in the Mekong Delta. We rode on a boat and visited a farmers house and garden. Lunch was on an islet on the river and then we visited a coconut candy store. This was our last day on the road and we were most anxious to get home, to Qingdao.

We really felt the Spirit when we were on the trip. It was a "once in a lifetime" experience. There are many places we want to return BUT neither one of us want to return to Viet Nam again.
Southwest China was one of the best trips we have ever taken. But, the time spent with the BYU Teachers and the experiences we shared were unforgettable. They are some of the most talented, remarkable people we have ever met. We love them as family and the things we have shared are very special to us and we will never forget them.

We realize, more than ever, how much we love and miss our family at home. The blessings we have are innumerable and we are thankful for this time in China and in our lives. These people, the Chinese, are chosen and very special. We continue to pray that our influence will affect them in some small way. Also, we pray that we will never do anything that will have a negative effect on them. We also realize that we will meet them again someday, somewhere else and they will remember us. This we are sure of....

Much Love,
Mom

Christmas Memory

2009-01-09T22:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Family:

I haven't sent a message for so long to the Blog site that I am embarrassed. But, as I sit here tonight I have been thinking of the special Christmas we had in China this year...

A couple weeks before Christmas, on a Sunday night, "Silence" and his girlfriend, "Rose" called me and ask if they could come to the apartment to visit. I was excited to have them come over, as Silence is a very quiet, homely, withdrawn boy who is shy and never has much to say in class. In fact, I felt very flattered that they wanted to visit.
When they arrived, he was carrying some type of musical instrument he wanted to play for us. I still don't know what the English word for the instrument is, but he played it very well. He entertained us for several minutes and ask if there was any song we would like to hear. He ask me if I would like him to play "Over the River and Through the Woods", and proceeded to play it for us. I took "Over the River" on CD to class ONE time and he had never heard it before that day!!! He told me that any song he hears, he can play. He plays by ear and he is very gifted. And little Rose, just sits and watches him and smiles.
They stayed for a short hour and were preparing to leave, when I ask him if he would like a sweater Roger had bought which is WAY too small for him. Silence said, "No, I could never take that beautiful sweater". I told him several times that it did not fit Roger and that we were going to have to throw it away, if we could not find someone who would wear it. He kept saying NO, but I could tell by his actions that he wanted the sweater. Then Roger came to my rescue and convinced him to take the sweater. I just prayed that we hadn't offended him by insisting he take the sweater.....and I forgot all about it..

As I was giving my final exams and it was time for the class that Silence and Rose were in, I was anxious to see them again. When their turn came for the oral exam, they spoke so well in English and were So-o-o-o-o cute. As they were preparing to leave, I told them they could take a small Christmas gift I had for all the students and they could choose the one they would like. Silence looked at me and said, "Mrs. Halladay, how do I look in my new sweater?" (he had on a white shirt and a nice looking sweater - THE sweater we had given him!) I proceeded to tell him how handsome he looked and he was all smiles. I encouraged him to choose a Christmas gift and he said, "No, Mrs. Halladay, I have the best gift I have ever received, this nice sweater, from you and Mr. Halladay". Needless to say, I couldn't say a word because of the huge lump in my throat.... WHAT A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR ME.

On Christmas day, we both had to give final exams. I really was quite happy for that, I might add. I knew that if I was very busy, I would not have time to feel sorry for myself at missing Christmas with my dear family. It was just like any other day teaching and I was finished with the oral exams, when the entire class I had just tested, burst into the room singing "Jingle Bells" - in perfect English!!!!!
That started the tears...... and they would NOT stop. Then, as if that were not enough, they gave me a sweet card and a gift they had all chosen for me - a wall hanging. I know what a financial sacrifice that was for them....and all I could do was sit there and cry!!!!!! And, one of the girls gave me a framed picture of herself, another a counted cross stitched "pig" I had admired of hers, another a framed picture of two Chinese children. Oh, and on Christmas Eve - the same girl - Sara, left a sweet, sentimental Christmas card outside our apartmant door !
ALL my students were so concerned that I have a very Merry Christmas. They are so thoughtful, kind and caring. I cannot count the phone calls, text messages and e-mails I received wishing me a Merry Christmas. How blessed I am.

This is one Christmas I will NEVER forget. I always thought I knew the true meaning of Christmas, until I came to China......My sweet students don't know the real reason we celebrate Christmas, BUT they are the most Christlike people I have ever met. They exemplify the Savior in every action and deed and they show love to others, unconditionally, as He did. They care for and defend each other daily. They have their own "family" (fellow students) here at the University and they are true to them in every way. What an example they are to me. How I love them, with all my heart ! !

It is my prayer that all of you had a memorable Christmas this year. I hope your memories will be as vivid of this season as mine. I know that I will continue to learn from these special people and try to be like them and be as loyal to those I love, as they are. I am so blessed and I thank my Heavenly Father every day and night that I am in China at this time.
All My Love,
Mom

Final Examinations‏

2008-12-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Ones,
I have had a very special week, giving final examinations!
I teach Oral English and therefore, the finals involved the students talking. I must say that I was VERY impressed with them........ They had some very touching, heartfelt things to say. They were given a list to 10 different subjects and they had to draw a card to determine which subject their group would discuss. It seemed that the subjects they mostly chose were: 1. Talk about your mother and father or 2. Tell about the first day you came to the University or 3. Talk about the person who has influenced you the most and why.
When they talk about their parents, it is with much emotion. Some of the parents did not have time for their children when the children were young and grandparents had a big part in their rearing. Some parents who are Doctors were never home, but the children are taught that those parents were doing their duty to the "Party". Some parents are cruel but still have their childrens love and respect! Some of the students really worry about their parents who smoke or who work too hard. The students whose parents are farmers are so concerned about the hard work their parents do for them. These students want to be famous Doctors so their parents will never have to work again. I was very touched with the comments I heard. They ALL wish they had a brother or a sister. They all commented on the fact that they were always so lonesome as a small child and wish they had someone to share thoughts and fun with.
The comments about the first day at the University were interesting to me. Many of them came to the University all alone. Some traveled up to 24 hours on a bus or train. One boy boarded the bus and paid the fare, only to be told by the bus driver, to get off the bus because he had too much luggage! And, to add insult to injury, the bus driver kept the fare. This same boy was on the next bus for 14 hours and arrived in Qingdao at 11:00 p.m. and had to stay in a hotel because the dorms were locked for the night.... Every one of the students that told about their first day at the University, told about leaving their Mother. They told about looking at their Mothers face as they left her. It was very emotional. An interesting thing was, they did not want their Mother to see the tears in their eyes!
Many Fathers brought their children and left the Mother at home. One student told me that she was excited to go home to help her Mother sell the produce from their crops. They are so proud of their parents and speak so lovingly of them. One boy said that his Father had very dark skin, from working outside in the fields. One boy just about broke my heart when he said that his Father does not like him, but he is still a good Father. He said that his Mother loves him very much and thinks that he will be a good Doctor.
It was very interesting to hear about the people who had influenced each of them. Many chose parents, friends and one of them even chose me. Not to boast, but my "Dart" told me that he would never forget me. He told me that I had made him think positive about himself and that really was a touching moment for me. As he finished talking, the girl standing next to him had tears in her eyes, as did I. I must say that it was a very humbling experience for me.
This Christmas was a most unusual one for us. We both taught on Christmas day and it didn't seem much like the Christmas' we are used to celebrating. We spent the late afternoon with other BYU teachers and had a big turkey dinner and sang Christmas carols. But, we missed our dear family and all the traditional things that make Christmas for us. But Christmas is really what is in your heart. That spirit of giving and of loving is what it is really all about.
I cannot tell you how much it meant to us, knowing all of you would be together on Christmas. It is our prayer that this will be a Christmas you will always remember and cherish as one of the best ones for you and your family. We know we will never forget our Christmas in China.
We love you all so very much and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We want only the best that life has to offer for you and your families. Please know how much we miss you. You have all been in our thoughts these last few weeks. You all know the true meaning of Christmas and how to celebrate the occasion. It is our prayer that you will always think of others at this time of year and we know that you do. Thank you for representing us and doing as we would want you to do in our absence. We love you all so very much.
Merry Christmas...
Mom and Dad

What a ride - what a day!!!‏

2008-12-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I haven't written in too long, but we have been so busy getting ready for final examinations that we have hardly had time to eat....
Last Sunday was the Christmas program in our little Branch and it was wonderful - the Spirit was unbelievable! But - Sunday morning, we woke up to snow! Snow in Qingdao is most unusual, the last time it snowed here was 7 years ago!!!!
Rog had to go to Church early and I did not notice the snow until about 10 minutes before time to go catch the bus. We decided that it would be a perfect day to call a taxi, so we went to the lobby to tell the doorman to call a taxi. By the way, the doorman does not speak a word of English, as I do not speak Chinese! I telephoned a student and had her ask him to call a taxi for us. He said that a taxi would NOT climb up the hill to our building in the snow... I must say that we DO NOT live on a hill BUT, everything goes crazy here with a little snow.
So, we ladies trudged down the "hill" to try to get a taxi. We had to go in two taxi's, as there were six of us. The first three of us got to the meeting with no problem, but the second three were "dumped" by their taxi driver - he refused to take them as far as the meeting house. They had to try to board a bus. To make a long story short, they were late for the meeting and had been given the "run around". They arrived all wet, late and frustrated.
After the beautiful Christmas meeting, we had a baptism. It was a sixteen year old Korean girl - Stella. It was very touching and the Spirit was there in abundance. However, it was still snowing....
After the baptism, we had a big lunch - leftover Korean food from the Christmas party the day before. It was wonderful. We have learned to love these Korean Saints and their children. They feel just like family to all of us and we love them so very much. And we are SO fortunate to have the two five month old babies.
They let me kiss them and they are such happy, beautiful, lovable little souls. I really miss not having my little grandchildren to hug and kiss and these little people have filled a big gap in my life. Even little "Rosie" came and sat on my lap and let me love her. She is a doll - about four years old and so darling. I will try to send a picture of her later.
As the day progressed, we decided that we needed to get home, as it was still snowing and starting to get dark outside. The wind was blowing and it was SO cold. I really thought that I was going to freeze to death. We walked to the bus stop and tried to get a cab - there were no cabs running - they were all afraid to get out and drive in that snow!!! I want to add that there are no snow tires in China! NO snow plows, not one snow shovel and no salt to melt the snow and ice...
We stood at that bus stop, with the snow blowing the coldest wind I have ever felt, and waited for a bus for about 15 minutes! I just knew that I was going to freeze to death...... But I didn't! When the bus finally came, it was packed with a mass of humanity. The windows were all frozen over and it was bitter cold in the bus. Of course, the buses have NO defrosters and NO HEAT.......A "ticket lady" kept wiping the front windshield off and every time we came to a traffic light, the driver wiped the window off. Of course, there are also NO window scrapers either.... And, we were freezing .
We drove very slowly and as we turned to get to the University, there was a traffic jam ahead. . . The bus ahead of us was sliding all over the road and "fish tailing" everywhere.
BUT, we did make it to the bus stop! The trip home from church that usually takes us 30-45 minutes, took us 2 and 1/2 hours!!!!!!
And after we got off the bus, we had to walk up the "hill" to our apartment in the snow. Of course, I have no snow shoes and I had on a skirt and slippery shoes and nylons. Rog had on dress shoes and he was sliding all over the sidewalk as well. We walked into the apartment looking just like wet rats and freezing cold. WHAT A DAY AND WHAT A BUS RIDE......
But, we have a beautiful little Christmas tree in our humble little abode, with presents under it. Our dear, sweet Lesa Noel has the true spirit of Christmas and sent us the "Twelve Days of Christmas" with gifts to unwrap daily until Christmas. What fun we have had, getting up every morning and unwrapping a gift!!!
Such fun for us. Thank you Lesa..
I will go for now - I have more to write in another email later.
Much Love,
Mom

Sweet Thank You's From Students

2008-12-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs. Halladay,
It's my honor to be your student. You are always so kind that I couldn't help loving you. The days together with you is full of happiness. On you I have seen the beauty of humanity. Your love for life, your sympathy for those who are in trouble touched me so much. Thank you!
Love you for ever!
From - Jane

Dear Mrs Halladay,
How fast time flies!I am reluctant to accept that the woderful term shared with you is going to finish.I am grateful to your dedication on us. I can never forget your kindness，perfect teaching skill and the visitng to your dormitory.What's more, I carry the lucky coin not only in my pocket but also in my heart. With all good wishes for a brilliant and happy Christmas season. Hope things are going all right with you. I'm looking forward to enjoying your class next term.
yours sincerely,
Justin

I am very glad to hear from you!
i love you, and we all love you!
hoping you can teach us next term!
happy new year!

Dear Mrs. halladay, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm very excited to receive your e-mail. I ever sent you a short message to say 'thank you 'on the thanksgiving day .Maybe you had shut down your mobile phone .But as I can communicate to you through the e-mail ,I won't worry ahout not getting in touch with you. In my mind ,you are a very kind teacher.You always hug with us and I felt warm from nose to toe! And then, I learn many American cultures.Thank you very much! Have a good holiday!Best wishes for you ! Much love , your student,Dick.

What a week!!!!!‏

2008-12-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Ones:
WOW!!!!! What a week. I know it has been a long time since I wrote and I am sorry for the delay.
This past week was a very busy one. We have been preparing for our final examinations and telling the Chinese students about Christmas. Christmas is a hard subject, because we cannot tell them the real reason we celebrate Christmas. However, we sure have had fun with a cheesy old Santa Claus suit left by former BYU teachers....I have taken it to my classes and chose a boy in each class to wear it during the class - they love it. The Chinese love to dress up as much as I do....I have taught all my classes to sing "Jingle Bells" and they love singing. I even had one class that realized they would not get a Christmas lesson because of final examinations, arrange for a classroom and had me come and teach the Christmas lesson to them!!!! They were so cute and excited to learn of Christmas. I could just feel the excitement. I am having so much fun with these delightful people.
This week started with me making a breakfast of French Toast for four of my students - Kaye, Dawn, Paula and Ellen. They were so hungry, they finished off an entire loaf of bread.... I wonder how such small girls can eat so much food. They were so excited to see our "Smells of Christmas" book and they read it twice and loved it.
On Monday afternoon, Jim, one of my class monitors, stopped by and ask questions about how to be a better English speaking Doctor. He realizes that he needs to be much more aggressive and he wanted to know how to do that.... All these students want to be Americanized but I fear they will be so. If they do become Americanized, they will loose that Chinese finesse and charm. How do I tell them that? They are wonderful just as they are!
Tonight we went over to Ocean University and met with the Salmons, and the Taylors and had dinner and then went to another great concert. What a wonderful night full of beautiful music.
This season is such an emotional time for me - I am so homesick. I hear that Cedar City has alot of snow and I just love the snow, especially at Christmas time. I know that I will survive though. Sweet Lesa has sent us "Twelve Days of Christmas" gifts. We are to open a present every day until Christmas. She went to alot of trouble and expense to make our Christmas a merry one this year and we sure appreciate her efforts. She is one girl that knows what the true spirit of Christmas is. Thank you Lesa Noel.
Lesa was born on December 21 and she has always been a special girl who loves Christmas. I remember the morning she was born, and looking out the hospital window, at the snow falling. I had a new Christmas "baby doll" that Christmas, with a curl on top of her head!!!! She has always brought such joy to Rog and I and we have always been so proud of her. Thank you Lesa and Darren for making our Christmas so joyous and unforgettable this year. Your efforts are so appreciated!!!
We are supposed to have more real cold weather for the next few days and we hear that there may even be snow on Sunday!
It is late and I am so tired tonight, so I will close for now.
Much Love, Mom

Additional China‏

2008-12-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Ones,
I was talking to a friend about China and I remembered a couple of things that I definitely want to include in my notes. These are things that tell alot about the Chinese people and the culture. That is why I am continuing for today. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Monday night when we went to the market, as we were running to catch the bus I saw a touching sight that I don't want to forget about China.... I saw a Grandfather tenderly carrying a little boy in his arms and running with his daughter, to catch a bus. There were 3 generations: the Grandfather, his daughter and little grandson. There are many buses to stop at that stop and many people to catch buses. We always have to wait - it seems our bus #202 - is always the last bus to arrive, therefore, we watch many scenes. The Grandfather handed the little boy to the young mother and the mother and child boarded their bus. The Grandfather stood on the sidewalk and watched to see if the two were able to get a seat, as they boarded. He paced back and forth on the sidewalk, watching and trying to catch the little boys eye. I watched the entire scene and I never took my eyes off the Grandfather. I knew the exact minute he caught the little boys eye. It was a look of relief, BUT the the look of love on that Grandfathers face was something I can relate to. I know that look he had on his face - I have had that look and felt the same way he must have felt, as I watch my Grandchildren. It is a Universal feeling shared by all Grandparents, whether we live in the USA, China, Mexico or anywhere in the world. It is called unconditional love. I thought of my own grandchildren and how very much I love all of them and miss all of them - especially at this holiday season. You mean the world to Grandpa and I and you are the most important thing in our lives.

Last night I had a unexpected telephone call from one of my students. She was so excited to speak to me and she said that she had a secret she wanted to share with me. She was giddy with excitement to share. She explained that I am like a Grandmother to her, but she cannot share her secret with her Grandmother because her family would not be happy with the secret. ??????? She is in love..... It is not something that is encouraged, because these students are not supposed to fall in love or even notice the opposite sex until they are graduated and have a job - male or female. Can you remember the first time you fell in love? She can tell NO ONE, including roommates, because it is taboo. She was so happy and elated that she could share the secret with me and I would not tell anyone... You know, it is funny, I had noticed that they were flirting with each other in my class last week and I actually thought to myself, "I believe those two have "eyes" for each other". I was right!!! Sophie and Roger. She promised she would call me again and report to me and we hung up. I thought about her all evening. How sad, she has no one to share her happiness, but me...

I know why these special Chinese people do not have the fulness of the gospel. I have finally figured it out ! ! ! ! ! !
They are so innocent and pure - guarded by the Communists, therefore Satan has overlooked them. Unspotted in their innocence and love..
Just my theory.
I know that someday, these special students I have taught,will hear the gospel and realize that I am a member. I will do everything in my power to exemplify the Father, in all I say and do, without saying or doing anything that is against BYU China Teachers policy.
How I love them and I know that I knew many of them, before I came to this earth. How blessed I am to live among them and have the privilege of knowing and loving them in this estate. This is why I came to China - no doubt in my mind.

I love you all so very much.
Mom

China Times‏

2008-12-07T05:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Family:
Another week has passed and we are still hanging in here. It has been a fast, uneventful week. We are getting ready for our "finals" and it is taking alot of our time and effort. We think we have it figured out. But you never know!!!!

I don't think that I have EVER been so cold, in my life. Thursday morning, as we started to school I was sure my face would freeze off....The winds blowing in from Siberia are treacherous. And when I bundle up for school and scurry to class, I see many of the students with just a sweater and flimsy jacket on to keep them warm. They all seem to have freezing, cold hands when I take their hands and greet them. I ask one girl if she had gloves, and she said, "no, but I have pockets!" If I were a millionaire, I would see that every student had a good warm coat, gloves and a scarf. It is no wonder that so many of them are sick and have a continual cold. . . .
Wednesday, we had to go downtown to add money to our bus passes and to get computer supplies. As we walked to closer to the big store, there were an abundance of people begging for handouts. I don't like to look at the beggars, I cannot resist them. I also know that the Chinese people are very proud, and to ask a stranger, especially an American, for a handout, goes against their culture. As we walked in to the store, Rog noticed a young mother with a baby - I did not see her. We finished our shopping, and as we walked to the bus stop - there she was! She was sitting on the cold cement, holding a little baby. She was eating an apple and trying to encourage the baby to suck on the apple. But, the baby was crying. It was the cry that "got to me". It was a frail, sick, sad little attempt at crying. The young mother then proceeded to try to nurse the baby, but it cried and cried. I also, cried and cried!!!!!! I leaned over to give her some money and Rog did too, as did Nona, our dear friend. It was a touching sight for us and one I will not forget. I have thought of them every day and wondered how they are doing and if the baby is well.

This week has also been a week of many student visits to our apartment. What joy they bring to our lives. Our life here would be pretty dull without those students! They are very special and they know of our love for them. We are their adopted grandparents and they show us much love and consideration. I dread the thought of leaving China - I grow more attached daily to the culture and the people. I love my dear family and I cannot express how much I love and miss them them BUT this experience is choice beyond words. How blessed we are to be living in China and teaching such special young people. I feel as if I have known many of them before, somewhere else....

It is very cold again to day and I have invited Jenny and Song for dinner. After dinner, I have another group coming to "play with me". By the way, when they telephone me, they ask if they can come and play with me!!!!!! So sweet and so innocent. They are the dearest people I have met and I love them so very much.

Please know of our love for you - every one of you! At this season of the year, I am especially lonesome for all of you and the Christmas traditions we share as a family. You are all missed.

Much much Love,
Mom

Bejing Trip

2008-12-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Meal in Bejing - at Sizzler

2008-12-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Life in the "fast lane"‏

2008-12-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Family and Friends:
What a week we have had ! ! ! We have been to Beijing and back and had many visitors as well as teaching our wonderful Chinese students.
Last week Liz, Zoie, Trudy and Lily came to the apartment for lunch and I served them pasta/shrimp salad as well as peanut butter and honey sandwiches. They loved the food and they were so much fun to entertain. Such happy, appreciative girls. The following day we had one of Dad's class monitors, Cindy, come for lunch and I served spaghetti with garlic bread. She is an older student and she did not like the food as well and only ate half of it. I personally like my students the best - they are so appreciative and loving! By the way,
way I am NOT prejudice to my students at all! The same evening, Kay, Paula, Dawn and Ellen came for their first visit. They are all Freshmen as well and they are so full of questions and ideas. I love to have them come to our humble little apartment - they think it is wonderful.
Thanksgiving day we flew out to Beijing at 6:45 a.m. and it was one of those long, busy, good, days. I was so thankful for the busy schedule - it left no time to think of home and the things we were missing....We shopped till we literally "dropped". We ate at TGI Fridays and at the best Sizzler ever. No turkey...... And, it wasn't even missed - only the good times and family were missed. As we sat at the restaurant and talked of family and the many things were thankful for, I thought of all of you and the fun you were having together. How I missed you! I love you all so much and I realized (again) how very much I love you. You are the most precious thing I have. If every material item I own were taken from me and I still had all of you, I would be rich indeed...Please know that I think of each of you daily and you are individually mentioned in my daily prayers.
Beijing is gorgeous and the most beautiful, large, clean, city we have visited. The Great Wall is breathtaking and everything we dreamed it would be. The Olympic "Water Cube" and "Bird Nest" was awesome. Tiananmen Square is impressive as is the Forbidden City. My favorites were the fabled Summer Palace - the resort home of the Dowager Empress "Ci Xi" and the Temple of Heaven. I will go back to Beijing before I leave China - there are so many things to see and I need to spend more time there. Oh - and we had the famous Peking Roast Duck for dinner one night :( yuck..
We also saw a fantastic acrobat show - unbelieveable........
Our time in China is passing fast. We have been here for 4 months now and I feel like I am part Chinese. I love these people and their customs. They have such a love of family and I feel such a kinship to them. I truly believe that they do not look any different than my own family, who I love so dearly. They have the sweetest spirits and I see much love in their eyes. They are so dear to my heart and they will always remain there. They have the cutest sense of humor and they see humor in all things. I love being with my students - how privileged I am to live among them. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity we have to be here.
Our week is filling fast with many appointments to have the students in our apartment. They love to speak English in a private setting, and we welcome them here. I have found the neatest little shopping area with many vendors and I will venture there tomorrow with my friend, Nona. I have made friends with several of the "merchants" and I love to go visiting/shopping there. Neither one of us understands the other - BUT - we do manage to deal. I love it....
Oh - almost forgot to tell you about our harrowing ride home from the airport Sunday night!!! Our plane arrived right on time and we all picked up our luggage but Julie Miller, who lost her suitcase AGAIN....Anyway, we were told that there would be a driver at the airport to transport us to our University and we were gleeful thinking that we would arrive home early. WRONG. The driver appeared to know where we were headed, but we should have suspected something was amiss when we all loaded the bus and he just sat in the
drivers seat and did nothing...He spoke no English and we spoke no Chinese. We telephoned Wu Yu - our travel agent - and he told the driver to take us home. I am not kidding when I say that we did not recognize any of our surroundings as we headed toward the city. The bus appeared to have no shock absorbers, only one gear and the driver kept pushing the gas pedal and then taking his foot off the gas pedal - lunging us back and forth, to and fro...As we were riding along, we noticed that there were no headlights on and finally he turned them on. Each time he would brighten the headlights and then dim them - they would go different directions.....Unbelieveable. We rode on the most awful, frightening, road that was very dark and dingy. Big ruts in the road and the road was all torn up and uneven. This ride seemed to go on and on. It usually takes us 30 minutes to get to our University from the airport and after we had been travelling with this dude for about an hour, we came to a sign that read "Laoshan Campus of Qingdao University" - a satellite campus of the University!!!!! We were MILES from our part of the campus. We telephoned Wu Yu again and he "yelled" to the driver, and we were on the road again.... This time, we were delivered to our apartment at 11:45 p.m. How silly of us to assume that we would arrive home early - in China............
Oh well - life in China is NEVER dull and unexciting. How dull and mundane our lives could be...
Much Love to everyone,
Mom

Sweet Note of Thanksgiving from a Student

2008-11-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs Halladay,
I am Daniel.First,WISH YOU A HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY.This morning I felt really touched by what you have said!In China we don't express our love so straight,we usually hide it at the bottom of our heart, Maybe we,Chinese,are too shy to say "love" so straight.But I do really like the way you express your feelings.
As your student,I do really like your class,I feel really relaxed in your class,Happiness,Smile and Fun in English are what you what to teach us,at least this is what I think,I do really appreciate what you have done for us.
I know little about Thanksgiving Day before, but after this class,I got some information of Thanksgiving.The main idea is thanking giving(I'm not so sure),Thank whoever you think is worth it!
In the end ,I want to give thanks to the god for giving me the chance to meet you!
Yours appreciatively
Daniel

More visitors!‏

2008-11-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone:
Thought that I should start the week right, by writing to the blog site,before things get hectic. We only teach 3 days this next week, as we will leave at 5:00 a.m. Thanksgiving morning to fly to Beijing for a long weekend. It will keep my mind off the family I will miss so much !
This past week has been a good one with many students visiting our little humble apartment here in Qingdao... They really brighten our days and keep us happy. They are so interested in the American way of life and so interested in our family and customs. The love and respect they show us is delightful. They treat us like royalty and value everything we say. It is so refreshing.
On Saturday we arose early and caught the bus to Jimo market on a mission to purchase pearls for Maradell Brown. We had quite a list of items that made the Pearl Lady very happy. We spent 4 hours there and then on to the grocery store. At 6:00 p.m. six of my male students - Jim, Randall, Windy, Michael Williams, Kid and Miller arrived. They were so excited when I served them peanut butter and honey sandwichs. By the way, they loved them! We talked of many things - mainly about them. They each told me their Chinese name, as well as their American name and why they each picked the American name they have. They showed us on a map, where their families live in China, as well as detalis about their families. It was so interesting and informative for us. Jims parents are both Doctors and Michaels father is a coal miner and his mother works in a sewing factory. Kid told us that his mother has always hand made all his clothing until the past year - his father is a laborer. Millers mother is a farmer. They are so proud of their families and talk so tender about them. They do not want to disappoint the family. They are all very anxious to be Doctors and support their parents. They are all the only child in their family, except Windy who has an older sister. There were two highlights of the evening. The first was when Miller sang a song for me and demonstrated Kung Foo. Then all the boys sang a song together - it was so sweet. But, the most memorable thing, was when I tried to teach them to wink! I tried to explain when someone tricks you, or jokes with you and they wink at you, you know they are kidding. I don't think that Miller ever understood about the kidding and the wink!!!! But, I laughed myself sick when they tried to wink. They tried so hard, and every time I would look at one of them, they would say something silly and wink. What a great evening. One I will never forget....
Today at church we had the primary program. I sat and cried through the entire thing ! ! ! ! We only have seven children in our little Branch Primary but, I have never heard such singing....I wish the program could have been recorded, such sweet, strong little voices. Not a shy one in the group! And, each child sang a solo. The Spirit was very strong and as I sat there, I thought about the dear Chinese and Korean people who I have grown to love so much. We are all Gods children and he loves us so much, no matter what our circumstances in life are. I can honestly say that I love these people as I love my own family. How am I ever going to leave them??????
Tomorrow promises to be another busy day. I have a student, Liz, coming home with me after class for lunch and shopping for yarn. Yes, I am wanting to crochet and I haven't been able to locate yarn. But I have heard that there are some little outdoor markets where some yarn may be located nearby. And, tomorrow night , I have another 6-8 boys coming over to chat. Such a life I lead....... I love it.
Must close for now - the students are all starting to text me to tell me goodnight and wish me pleasent dreams.
My dreams will be of you, my dear family and how I love each of you.
Much Love,
Mom

A Big Thanksgiving Wish‏

2008-11-21T14:32:00.001-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,
Just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how thankful I am for each of you. Thanksgiving is a special time of year for me as I think back over the years of the special memories I treasure. I have so much to be thankful for. There are many things that I have always taken for granted and realize now that I am so far away from everything I hold dear. Just knowing you are all there, loving and supporting each other, means so much to us. We have exceptional children who make us proud to be their parents. Thank you for your love and support. We know that our living in China poses a hardship for some of you and we want you to know how happy we are. These dear people have taught us many things - especially about love and unconditional acceptance. We get emotional as we think of the grandchildren and their sweet faces, but know that they are being watched over in our absence. We aren't on a mission, but there are so many things that tell us that the Lords hand is in everything we do here. And we feel an overwhelming love for these sweet people - we love them as we love our family.
We pray daily that you are watched over and protected. We know the Lord listens to our prayers and answers them. We feel at peace and have an assurance that all is well at home. Know that as you are together eating your Thanksgiving feast, we will be in Beijing, but our thoughts and prayers will be in Utah with all of you... The Lord has been very generous with our family and we thank Him every day for the many blessings we all have. The knowledge of the Savior and His sacrifice for each of us is a big part of our life and we are forever in His debt. We will spend the remainder of our lives trying to attempt to show that gratitude by our actions.
I think of our many Thanksgivings together and many of them stand out in my memory. Our Thanksgivings in Salem, our special Thanksgivings in Provo at Grandma and Grandpa Halladays, the year Lesa went to California with Grandpa and Grandma Halladay. I remember the first Thanksgiving Erik was on his mission and how we missed him. I remember the year that Natalie had to spend her time with her new in-laws and not our family. I remember the year Darren and Lesa were in Australia and how hard it was for them, as well as all of us. And the year that Chad was gone at Thanksgiving and what a big hole it left in my heart. The year our little Andie was born just before Thanksgiving, and what a blessing she has been to us. All such precious memories.
They say to count your blessings, when Thanksgiving time is nigh, I have so many blessings, I just can't count that high!!!!!
May the Lord watch over and bless you, our dear family. We feel so blessed to be your parents and grandparents.
All our love,
Mom and Dad

WHAT a Week!!!!

2008-11-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends:
What a week last week was!!!!! I am sure that I will never forget some of the special thoughts and feelings I had....
Wednesday night, November 12, four of "my boys" from one of ,my classes called and wanted me to meet them at Library so they could come over and visit. They have been texting me for the last two weeks asking to come over and I felt that they really wanted to come. Jack Sparrow, Jack, Alan and Windy arrived about 8:30 p.m. They had a little gift for me, all wrapped and pretty. However, they were so excited for me to open it, they told me what it was, before I could open it!!!!! It was a very useful pencil holder. I know what a sacrifice this little gift must have been for them and I feel very honored to be the recipient of such a gift! They were so cute and so anxious for my approval and acceptance of them. The Chinese are very curious to see our living arrangements and they just sit and look around. They wanted to speak English, so I brought out my flash cards with phonics and we had a good time. They love the "one on one" interaction and I love to have them here. After they left, "Jack' texted me thanking me for the time spent with them and telling me to have a good nights sleep. He calls me "'my dear Hallday- so tender.
Ray and Maryann Andrus were here for four days on their tour of China for BYU and the Kennedy Center. We had a great time with them. Maryann had planned a trip to the Jimo pearl market with Marvin Wu and Ray couldn't go, so she invited me to go in his stead. Lucky me!!!!!!
Saturday, November 15, 2008 will be a day that I will always cherish as one of the spiritual feasts in my life. We witnessed a "first" in the Qingdao Branch of the Church, a monumental occasion. I feel so honored to have been here to witness the happenings. In our Branch there are 45 members - 12 of those being BYU English Teachers, the rest of the members are Korean. With the exception of "Shelly" who is Chinese and married to "Peter" who is Korean. Shelly has not been a member since we have been here, just an investigator. She listened to General Conference in October and heard the Prophet of the Lord, and the Spirit touched her heart. Saturday was the result... What a day. It was a "first" in Qingdao, and to realize that we witnessed such an occasion is very humbling. I will never forget that day and the feelings I had. The Spirit was very strong and there is a new closenesss and love in our little Branch. We have all been witnesses to something very unusual and historical. How blessed we all feel. What a privilege to be in China and especially in Qingdao at this time. I know we are here for something special and the Spirit whispers little reminders at times like this. What did I do to deserve such blessings as this? Such huge blessings......
Today, which is Monday, November 17th it is SO cold... I haven't been able to get warm all day long. And, with no heat yet, it is impossible. Thank the Lord, we have a little space heater. I must remember to thank my Father for the small things. It could be worse, I keep telling myself.
Please know of our love for all of you. We are so thankful at this beautiful season of the year for our many blessings. We have so very much. We thank our Father daily for the rich blessings he bestows on us. You are among those rich blessings. You mean the world to us.
All our love,
Mom

Another Crazy Week!!

2008-11-13T18:00:00.003-07:00

Dear Family;
I know that I have not written for awhile but I have had so many great thoughts and feelings.
Saturday, November 8 was another great day and to start the day, 3 darling students came to the apartment. They came to hand in papers they had not completed the day before. Mary, Ariane, and Gama came over about 10:30 and brought with them, a ray of sunshine to our meager apartment. They were so happy to be here and to "see the American teachers apartment". They agreed to stay for a few minutes and we had a wonderful talk. They really looked and pondered over the photo album Lesa made for us. They asked us every persons name and acted so interested in our family. They also did some interpreting for me, namely, the directions on a new hot plate we have recently purchased. They expressed the desire to cook for us and we planned a night they could come back and cook a Chinese dinner for all of us. They left us with big smiles on their faces and a hug. Started our day out perfect. It was a day to prepare for class and quiet for the rest of the day.
Sunday we had the usual rush to the bus, for the 45 minute "stand up" ride to church. Roger had to stay late and do Clerk duty and I came on home with the ladies after the meetings. Four of "my girls" telephoned that they wanted to drop by the apartment and they arrived about the same time Roger got home. Sara, Helen, Lemon and Banana were great to talk with and we discussed what they want to learn in the classroom. They were definite in their ideas and a help in my lesson plans. We promised them that if they would speak English for 5 minutes per day, their English skills would improve noticeably. They agreed to try it! Such cute, wholesome, lovable, girls... What a privilege to know and associate with people such as these Chinese people. How blessed we are to be here and a part of the BYU China Teachers program.
Sunday evening we were invited to dinner at Judy and Andy's apartment. Judy is one of Rogers students and she is a gem. Such a darling, sweet, intelligent, lovable little gal. She told us to walk to the front gate of the University and she would be there to meet us. As we neared the gate, a cute Chinese fellow ask, "Are you Roger and Jane?" It was Andy - we had never met him yet, but she had described us to him and he recognized us! I will include a photo of the two of them with this email. We walked to their apartment and they had everything all ready to eat. Such a small, compact apartment with every inch occupied. They set up a small table and they sat on folding chairs and we sat on the bed (the best seats, of course!) She prepared a traditional Chinese dinner, fit for a King. The food was delicious. I ask about everything she cooked and how to prepare. She said that she would be glad to go to the market with me to show me the special Chinese spices and seasonings and instruct me how to prepare the food. Next week we will shop.
After the dinner, Andy did all the dishes and Judy sat and visited with us. After he finished,we talked for about an hour as they showed us family photos, with them asking many questions about our life and family and customs. Then they bundled up and walked us back to our apartment. We invited them in to meet the other BYU couples and they came up to our place for another 1/2 hour. What a great weekend we were privileged to have. Special people and times. Times we will never forget. Times we will always cherish.
This week has been my "odd" week - with my Freshmen, as well as Post Graduates. They just keep getting more precious to me, with the passing weeks and months. Those dear, sweet, kind faces - always smiling - will be locked in my memory forever! How will I EVER be able to leave them ? ? ? That is a tough one... Also attached is an email from Derek, my class monitor. How dear to my heart....
Yesterday afternoon, Ray and Maryann Andrus arrived to check on all the BYU teachers here in Qingdao. It was good to see them and get a hug from home. They surprised us and brought a package of chocolate chips. ( Oh - the small things in life that mean so much!)
They will be here until Sunday afternoon. They have meetings scheduled tomorrow with the Qingdao University admimistration and also with Ocean University administration. Saturday they go to the Pearl Market, we will take them to lunch at our favorite place, and Saturday night they will take all the BYU teachers to dinner. Sunday, church and then they move on to another city.
As you can tell, we never have a dull moment!!! We are absolutely loving life. We know that we were meant to be here at this time - there is no doubt in our minds. These people will be forever engraved in our hearts. We will never forget them. How blessed we are!!!!!
Please know of our love for each of you... We miss you and think of you every day, and every minute.
Much, much love,
Mom

Deaar Mrs Halladay,
I miss your sweet smile.you know,next week,we will have our mid-term examination.We only have to take English exam.
Now,I have sensed the coming winter,cold outside.Don't forget to put on more clothes when nessecery.Be careful not to catch the cold.
Next weekend ,our grade will hold the tug-of-war competitions between classes under our dormitory.If you have time ,you can come and watch.I believe it is a wonderful match.

Love,
Michelle

Andy and Judy

Life in China

2008-11-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Today is Saturday and I have to stop, while I have a couple of minutes, to jot down some of my thoughts from the week.
It has been a very rewarding week!
I decided that the reason, and the only reason, we are in China, is to teach the Chinese students English..... S O, I have been really encouraging my students to come to our apartment and talk to us on a one to one. It has proved to be such a blessing and a real learning experience - not for the students, but for us!!!!!!
Rog had his little student - Judy - come by the apartment several days ago and she is such a sweetie... We invited her to eat homemade chicken noodle soup and she was so excited,grateful and gracious. She raved about how good it was ( I don't really know if it was all that good!) We offered to help her prepare for a big oral English test she will take in Shanghi in the Spring and she was most appreciative. Then, Rog had a meeting that afternoon and one of my students called me and wanted to meet,to give me a photo of himself for my records. I met him and invited him to come to the apartment and talk. What a great time we had. "King Lee' has a very hard time speaking English - he has very crooked teeth and that is part of his problem. He is such a sweet, kind person and SO willing to learn. We talked and I noticed many English words that he just could not say...
Before we left the USA, I purchased some flash cards for small children that are titled" Phonics"and" Ready for School" As I sat listening to King Lee try to speak, I thought of those flash cards and I grabbed them. We went through the 85 cards, three times and I was amazed at how much better he could say simple words such as "row" after just the 3 times. And, he was so pleased with himself. WHAT a rewarding experience for me!!! To watch him attempt to say simple words and struggle and gradually to watch him gain confidence. He was here 2 hours, and when he went back to his apartment he was practically jumping, he felt so confident in his speech. Now, I tell this - not to boast, but to show how taking time and genuinely caring about someone really affects their self confidence. In class, he won't even try to say some words, but on a one to one basis, he tries! I felt 10 feet tall as he left our apartment, because he was so jubilant. I must say that my prayers are being answered when I interact with people like King Lee.....
Then, last night Simon called and ask if he and "Never" could drop by the apartment. Of course, the answer was "yes". Simon, Never, Edward and Jordan, the only girl, arrived and stayed for a delightful 2 hours. They were SO cold, as the weather has turned very cold the past two days. They do not have any heat in their dorms yet either. But, at least we have a couple of portable space heaters, to take the chill off the apartment. They were so amazed that our apartment was so warm and Chinese looking. It was delightful to talk on a more intimate setting than the classroom. I will encourage all the students to come to our apartment in small groups - it really makes a difference in boosting self confidence and ease around Americans. How very blessed Roger and I are - we have so very much and we can keep warm and eat warm food. These students are so very happy and light hearted and they make us feel like we are so important to them. Such respect for us and our positions as teachers and grandparents as well. They are very special and we feel it is an honor to know them and see them daily. I just dread (ALREADY!) leaving this place. Each student has
such an appreciation for us and they show us such love by every action and deed. In the classroom they help me with my lesson materials, they erase the chalkboard for me and they want to walk me out of the building after class.
One thing that really puzzles my students is why I am always so happy. I would give anything to tell them about the gospel. But I also know that example is a great teacher and they will one day realize my real "secret" to happiness! I know, without any doubts, that one day they will have the gospel presented to them. They are already meek and mild as well as humble and loving and kind. Family means everything to them and they are so concerned for the welfare of others. I will always have an overwhelming love for them. And, as I have said before, I will never be the same person I was before coming to China.... I am a much better person because of the experiences I am having here.
Also, there are a couple more things I want to record about China which I overlooked in a previous email. Today as we boarded the bus to RT market we noticed the usual bus driver and his behavior and we had to laugh. They always jerk the riders all over the bus. They are quick to start off, as soon as the riders get on the bus - even before the passengers find a seat and this causes people to trip and fall all over each other. And.... when we come to a stop light, the driver turns the bus motor OFF.! And we sit there, at the stop light until it changes.Then the driver turns the motor back on, and jerks us forward as he guns the engine, until someone pulls in front of him or another traffic light appears... It is so comical..
In RT mart today, we picked up some cookies to purchase. When we got to the check out stand, the cashier noticed that the cookies did not have a price on them. Of course, neither one of us understood each other. Well, I was going to go back and get another package of cookies with a price on, but there were others in the same check-out line and I couldn't get past them to get another package of cookies. The cashier tried to find someone to get another package and one guy looked at him and told him "no". AND the cashier would not take our word on the price of the cookies - so he just set them aside and we didn't get the cookies... No question - we were just not permitted to get those cookies if they did not have a price on them..... It was funny, and we had to laugh.
I have rattled on and on and I must close for now. I will write more tomorrow or the next day.
Much love to all,
Mom