I cannot believe that we are packing to come home. As Randy and I walked to Starbuck's this morning, we talked about how it will feel to get home. Randy said that he might kiss the ground. After many trips internationally, I can say that I always feel that way. There is nothjing like the great U.s of A. There is so much to update but all of our minds are mush!!! I can tell you that we survived an almost riot at the Chengdu airport and averted an International incident thanks to Mr Gould!!! Ron, you rock man!!!
We take off at 4:15 china time depending on weather. there have been some intense thunderstorms that have caused tr4avel delays. If we are delayed I will call mandy and she'll let you know. If all goes as planned, we will land in vancouver at 12:00 your time and then Vegas at 4:15 your time.
Can't wait to be home.
Miss Dianne
PS forgive any typo's I don't really care right now
Well here we are again. We are now in Chengdu. We arrived yesterday at 6:15pm. Saying goodbye to the students in Xichang was one of the most difficult things I and all of our team has had to do. The students were in tears and so were we. It is amazing the bond that was built in 5 days. The hotel was full of students and they did not want to eave. many of us had to just go in the elevator because we could not say goodbye anymore. Pat and I had a class of 8 boys and 7 girls. All of the girls were crying and holding on to both of us. Poor Pat finally broke down. He was Dad to all of them and they loved him. Pat has already said that he is ready to come back next year!!! The Father is good. I on the other hand was heartbroken to leave the boys...Imagine that... They of course were very stoic. no tears...sort of. There was one boy in particular that stole my heart. His name is Mark and he wants to be a Doctor. There was somenthing about the way he would watch Pat and I. I fell apart when it came time to say goodbye to him. I asked one of the interpreters to tell him that Jsus was a great healer and that one day he (Mark) would be also. Mark is one that joined the family. When the translator told him he started to cry.. needless to say that was all I needed. I know that he is destined for great things. I also am sure that the emotions of Patrick coming home added to it all. Today we went to see the Panda's. Thet are truly amazing creatures. We have tons of pictures to share with you all. Tonite we will go to the Chengdu Opera and see the "Changing Faces Opera" It will be a cool experience. Right now Randy and Pat are having dinner with Peter. He is the man that Randy shared with on the plane the first day we left Beijing. We will see what happens. We are all tired and ready to be home. The youth have done an amazing job. Parents, you should be very proud of each and every one of them. Tomorrow we leave for Beijing. Patrick left Irag on Friday evening sometime. We have not heard anything else. I am so anxious to see him. The flight home will be endless and the drive to Havasu even worse. We miss you all. Thank you for the priveledge to represent all of you and the Father here in China. Till next time Miss Dianne
Hello to all in China, We are counting the days till your return. Relda I put Scheele's house in escrow yesterday!!!!!!!!!! Thought you might want to know that. Hope everyone is feeling better. I am anxious to hear some news from you all, it has been a couple of days now and we are really anxious to know how things are going???? Dianne I am thinking about you because I know Pat was supposed to come home today, I haven't heard yet, we are hoping to see him tomorrow. Randy we are glad you and Jess finally decided to tie the knot!!! Dust, I am so glad you are having a good time and keeping in touch. We really miss you and love you LOTS. Will talk soon. Love,Kathy MOM
Today has been an awesome day! Today we talked about our American custom of weddings and Jessica and I got married. (about time, huh kids). What was really cool was Chad was able to tell them more about the Father through the ceremony. We even had cake and I "fed" it to Jessica. Lots of weddings pictures were taken. We actually celebrate 30 years next month so I consider it an official renewal of our vows.... In our class we told them of our dating and customs of marriage in the church, ”etc“.. We have been very open today about him with our students in many situations, but still are cautious. We saw some Chinese cross necklaces on the mountain hike (whew) and I reminded them what the cross means to us!!Tomorrow is the last day of class, but Saturday we are able to spend some time with them off campus. Chad and I are playing basketball with some of the boys and I believe we will have a great opportunity there. Please keep us in your "thoughts", the enemy is defeated, but still waging a battle.
G Bless, we miss you guys! (Hey to Andrew, Andi, Addi, and Rachel from Papa)
Randy
PS.. Kathy and Bill: Dustin is an awesome man of G, you have much to be proud of!
Neehow (Hello). Here it is, Thursday morning and I can't figure out how to use the calling card, sorry Mom But anyway, we are doing great, the students are really starting to bond with us. It is wonderful to watch them progress not only in learning English but also in their curiousity and wanting to know more about our culture, especially the Father. It was surprising though because we are allowed to be more open than what I had expected. Some of the teachers and students are very open about Him and I was very shocked. But it opens up big doors Please not only be praying for us, but also our students. Some have made commitments and some are very close.
I would like to share a little story really quick, a praise if you will. The FIRST day, we took a 15 minute break for bathroom and such. At this time, I was arranging pictures that I brought to match the certain days and topics. One of the teachers and about 7 students came over to me and the first question she asked was "You were talking about God earlier, do you believe in God?" I was like... "Wow, thank you Father!" We had a few minutes to talk about Heaven, mercy, grace, love, and stuff like this. It was very awesome.
Then yesterday, we talked about Easter. My class really started to ask a lot of question in the Culture class. So at lunch, I sat with one teacher and like 8 girls and they really started loading the questions on me. But thanks to Him, I knew all the right things to say. I didn't even think about what I was going to say, He just gave me the words to say. I hope to continue these conversations today, even though I am not feeling well.
I miss all of you back home. And Mom, Dad, Gramma, Sis, I love you very much. I can't wait to come back home! If you could, contact my friends and tell them I love them very much and that I miss them as well. I can't wait to see you all again. <3 Saijin (goodbye)
Dust, I am so glad you are having a good time and keeping in touch. We really miss you and love you LOTS. Will talk soon. Love,Kathy MOM 
But anyway, we are doing great, the students are really starting to bond with us. It is wonderful to watch them progress not only in learning English but also in their curiousity and wanting to know more about our culture, especially the Father. It was surprising though because we are allowed to be more open than what I had expected. Some of the teachers and students are very open about Him and I was very shocked. But it opens up big doors 
and they really started loading the questions on me. But thanks to Him, I knew all the right things to say. I didn't even think about what I was going to say, He just gave me the words to say. I hope to continue these conversations today, even though I am not feeling well. 
