Hello Family & Friends!

Currently sitting in the SEATAC airport, emailing with Chase a bit on the whereabouts of his contact lenses. We were up dark and early...3:30AM to load our beds back into storage, clean bathrooms and empty trash, finish packing. STUFFING. Two duffle bags ripped...we tied a neon green nike shoelace around one bag and by then we were just happy they would take our bags. Todd ended up with 3 lbs of frozen bacon in his carry-on bag outer pocket. Oh boy. Security was surprised to see a kitchen aid mixer and a sewing machine go through the scanner and they did some extensive X-rays of the innards of both, but we made it through somehow, on time and fairly in tact. We arrived at the airport the same time as the Staker & Evans girls so that was fun to say howdy/goodbye all at once. PHX>LA>SEA>HKG.

It is still so strange to me to get into a flying tube at 5:50 AM on a Monday and exit at 7:35PM on Tuesday. I used my express pass through Hong Kong immigration and had all 14 checked bags onto 4 luggage carts a good 15 minutes before the rest of my family showed their faces at baggage claim. David, our stand-by cross-border driver and his buddy loaded all the bags and we were off on our 2nd year in China. Our helper, Yao Feng, had our house ready for our arrival, beds made, stacks of fresh towels, and staple foods in the fridge...eggs, orange juice, fresh fruit and vegetables. Very thoughtful and welcoming. We were struck with familiar yet fogotten smells...does our house really smell like mothballs? Oh, yes, it does, and a flood of memories, all good, some bitter sweet, came rushing back. I still haven't peeked into Chase's room, can't go there yet, I get a deep pit in my stomach and my throat goes dry and my heart hurts and I feel like I can't breathe thinking about it. I'm so glad I have many, many distractions right now or I'd never make it through sending out these two loves of mine. I think moving to China in timing and deed, was a tender mercy just for me to help ease my missing Ally so much. We got the job offer on the weekend of her farewell so from day one we've been able to focus on other things while she is serving away.

We located the perishables-blocks of cheese, shredded cheese, butter, bacon, tortillas and a few other things before heading to bed. I walked into the family room where three bodies were flopped every which way on couches and chairs, and one already in her bed..their bodies not knowing whether it was morning or night. We quickly said prayers and released them to bed. After 61 nights in beds that weren't mine, it was so nice to be back in my own bed with my own pillow.

Wednesday: Black-out drapes. Priceless. Still awake by 5 something AM but looking forward to all this year has to teach us. It feels like a New Year's Day and I don't want to lose any time or have regrets that I didn't do this or that with our limited time clicking by here. We check the flight deals every Tuesday. Today there was a Tokyo ticket for $200 r/t. I was so close to booking that baby. Kicker was that it leaves at 1AM tonight…If we hadn't just spent 61 of the past 62 days away, maybe it would have worked.

Brooke texted Todd:

Tokyo :)

Todd: no! :)

Next time, maybe.

I had a few people ask what we missed and were taking back to China. As I unpacked today, here is some of what we lugged : goldfish crackers, cereal, herbal tea, slim jims, butter, cheese, tortillas, hotdogs, bacon, beef jerky, vitamins, protein powder, dish and laundry soap, candles, essential oils, toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, lotion, muffin mix, brownie and cake mixes, chicken base, hot cocoa, jam, pancake mix, waffle iron, immersion blender, blend tec and kitchen aid, bandaids, medicines, air freshener, thread, paints, brushes, watercolor paper, index cards and stationary, books, cashews and almonds, vanilla, wheat thins, triscuits, Chia seeds and quinoa, dry shampoo, mascara, paper cups, plates, napkins, almond milk, coconut syrup, berry syrup and maple syrup. Chocolate and caramel sauces, chocolate chips, bbq sauce, cookie butter and parmesan cheese. Fun sized candy for Halloween, laundry soap, softener and unstoppables and a jump rope.

The kids went to watch a movie over at the Ho's house-missed them! I fell asleep way before they came home. Not because they were late, but because this jet lag has a way of pulling me like a magnetic force into a deep sleep at odd hours. The first day seems to be okay, but days 3, 4, 5 are tough. Todd gets up early, 4-5am ish, and runs in the hot, humid mornings and is off in a taxi by 7am. I made dragon fruit bowls (dragon fruit, banana, orange blended and topped with chia and toasted coconut cashews and passion fruit) and homemade coconut greek yogurt. I have missed the tropical fresh fruits. We likey lychee. Brigham has eaten at muslim noodle everyday for lunch. Once with the girls (along with a city tour and stop at the import stores), once with Todd and Sophie and once by himself. He's working his way to their "best customer" spot.

We looked at an apartment in Fraser Place and another house here in Jingshan but neither felt like "home". We have some appointments Saturday so we will see what's out there and available.

The girls and I headed to the All City mall...they were so excited to be back on the subway, using the handles like monkey bars and swinging around the poles, scanning their subway cards like pros. We walked through Uniqlo and Gap, got ice cream cones at McDonald's while todd went to China Mobile, drinks from the pharmacy and headed home, a couple of skirts richer.

Raining today. We had 2 minute pickup in three rooms. With the 5 of us, it was pretty productive though we still have a lot of things to put away from our haul over the deep blue sea. Sophie worked on her keyboarding and girls painted cardboard diamonds for a project. Laundry. I rebounded the basketball as Brigham shot, almost going down in a puddle, phew! Rode a bike for a bit at the gym, yoga at home. We walked down to Sea World for dinner and a bit of shopping and brought dessert home. I worked on our itinerary for when we go pick up Ally and the family was laughing through a movie in the other room.

Sat. Todd had to work today until 1pm. Gym. We went to our nail place but it was "being redecorated" which means demolished, walls crumbling, cords hanging from ceiling etc. They have a second location so we went there. While waiting, we met a nice family who happens to be from Australia, happens to live right down the street from us, and happens to have two boys Brigham's age and a daughter Brynn's age. We will have them over soon. I made one of those language mistakes today with them. I asked what their dog's name was and the little girl said Klippa. I kept calling the dog "Klippa" throughout our conversation. Brooke was dying laughing at me. She said, "Mom, the dog's name was Clipper", so evidently I kept throwing in an Aussie accent. Brooke left to meet up with Hey and Ashley Ho and Brigham at the new SimplyLife restaurant that opened up here in Sea World. They were off on a photo shoot and Brigham back to play soccer. Todd picked up the girls and me off the street while passing to go look at a few apartments. First house...too gaudy and small. Second house 27th floor but nice, no oven or dishwasher or clothes dryer. third house had a great roof top deck for entertaining atop the 19 floor and is close to the subway and the last villa was really old and had lots of steps. We will have to decide by Wednesday if we want to move or stay where we are. I fell asleep at approximately 5:30Pm so I have no idea what happened after the rest of the day.

Sunday: So nice to be back at church, there's a great feeling in the house where we meet for church. There were a lot of visitors (approx. 8)-guys alone here on business, and about 40 people total. Milani, Colby and Pres. Ho gave talks on gratitude and being grateful in difficult times as well as good times (they were all SUPER). It started raining midway through, my favorite thing, it makes a beautiful backdrop. We just have two meetings on summer Sundays and the second is a combined youth/adult meeting. The children meet together downstairs. After church we hosted a lunch for 6 extras. It was fun to have people over and get to know them better. We had a Canadian (Holly), three Columbians (Reyes) , and two from US (Bro. Warr and Kimberly). All with a story to tell. Looking forward to seeing our other friends return back to China as the school year start approaches. Naps, weekly planning, a trip to the park and popcorn finished off the day. School starts tomorrow for the little girls, can you feel the excitement?

Hope you are having a fabulous summer break, wherever you may be. Keep in touch, come visit!

All is well.

Photos: Brigham at his beloved Muslim Noodle, Brooke & Sophie in downtown Shekou, Chase and buddies at MTC (sent from Cannon Cowley)

Love from AZ, Seattle & China,

Taylor Family

“You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others….” ― Gordon B. Hinckley

Ally & Chase-"You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."

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