It has been quite awhile since our last blog entry. We prepare now to leave our beloved Suzhou and are filled with various emotions. We are sad to leave the wonderful community of people we've gotten to know but excited for the new adventures that life has in store for us. We leave in three days for our month long journey back to America. We will spend 3 weeks in India and 8 days in Egypt and are thrilled to experience two more fascinating and ancient cultures. We have narrowed down our belongings to fit into three backpacks so we can travel easier with the children.

Living in China has been a tremendous environment for personal growth. We have evolved to live comfortably with much less and are confident going into the future that we will continue this conscious lifestyle.

I personally will miss the sheer chaos that is the living, breathing machine of city life in China. The crazy driving, the endless steady stream of motor bikes, the plethora of smells that permeate the air we breathe, and the always curious and gentle attitude of the Chinese people that we've come to love and respect. Nowhere else do you see groups of old ladies doing synchronized dances to tiny radios on the sidewalk at 9:00 at night. Nowhere else do you witness a large group of street food vendors all selling various concoctions only to see them swiftly disappear at the sound of a police siren then suddenly reappear as if nothing has happened. The sites, the sounds, the smells, everything combined creates such a phenomenal place to experience and we have been so blessed to have been here. Thank you, China for giving us such a great year!

We will be using this blog in the coming weeks to post new pictures of India and Egypt and write about things we experience so keep an eye out. Love to all the family and friends!