new endings

with our trip hitting in the time of year that it does we get some special bonuses. higher plane ticket prices. crowded flights across the pacific. hotter then the sun temperatures in subtropical climates. and we miss the transition from summer to the start of school here in the states. with that we're having to say goodbye to dear friends incredibly early.

last night was the last meeting of the china group as it had been since the first of the year. we've added two chinese women but have to say goodbye (for now) to one very special one. leaf will be gone before we make it home. i'm sad that joy doesn't get to meet her this summer. i'm sad to see her go and am hopeful we get to have her back sooner rather than later.

to catch up the new readers leaf is a chinese student getting her masters at ft. hays state university here in town. i took the mandarin class she taught in the spring semester. then we invited her to join us on thursday nights as the three couples in town all made their different journeys to china to get their daughters.

fortunately, last night, we had ice cream cake and a pantless batman to do the entertaining. a great time was had by all.