The Girls First Annual Beach Trip!

Last Thursday the girls and I set out on our first annual beach trip. It was such a WONDERFUL vacation. Our dear friend from China, Kari, has lived in the states for almost 3 years and had never been to the beach. So we picked her up on the way and headed south.

BOYS WEEKEND! They were just as excited.

Beautiful

We spent hours enjoying the ocean.

We met Kari during our paperchase for Grant. She had come to the states to get her master's degree. Once she finished school she came to live with us while she looked for a job. She has had a very hard hard year trying to find a job that immigration will approve. She was hired twice by two different universities, but the job description did not match her education level. Had she had a HS diploma she would have been able to get a visa ~ basically she was too educated for both jobs. However, each position needed someone to speak Chinese fluently.

We had an idea she would have to leave soon to return to China, but we were very shocked when we heard Friday at the beach that she had to be out of the country by Sunday. Kari has really become like a daughter to us and we have tried everything to help her stay in the US. She had also tried everything. We are all at peace believing God has much bigger plans for her than we could orchestrate!

Despite the news, we had such an amazing time together and only God could allow for the time to be filled with the silliness and fun we packed in around closing bank accounts and arranging for international travel ~ all while enjoying the beach. Kari was so generous to give us this time. She had a lot of people here to say good-bye to but she chose to stay at the beach with us.

Sunday, we drove her home and packed everything she owns into two suitcases and two carry on bags and she left the country at 7:30 PM. We will really miss her, but look forward to meeting up when we travel to get Ruthie.

Precious