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© 2009 Created by Linda Chase on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
Welcome! Language-immersion tours and exchange students!
© 2009 Created by Linda Chase on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
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Rose and I are always thrilled to hear from the "coolest German we ever met"! We are so glad to hear that everything is going well and that you are now enjoying your time in France. I know your parents must be proud of you - we sure are!
It is quite an accomplishment in itself to assimilate another culture - especially the French - and adjust so quickly while learning such a difficult language. Your international experiences, along with your knowledge of languages, is far more valuable than time spent in class on a college campus. I am really glad to hear that you still plan to attend college, but I'm sure you understand the significance of your decision to delay your formal education and the invaluable experiences that you have already obtained - Rose and I are certainly impressed!
Although we had some early setbacks - our first two Pacific Rim students had trouble with the U.S. Embassy and could not get their visas. We also discovered later that they apparently had trouble telling the truth as well - Embassy officials had a hard time with this. However, our first student finally arrived this week - Rose picked her up in Seattle and spent a few days there with her before bring her to Spokane last night. She is a sweet girl (17 years old). I met her and her family last fall while I was in Qingdao. She has a cousin (Shao Jei) and his girlfriend who will arrive next month. Although our tour groups were cancelled due to Swine Flu concerns, it looks like we could have as many as 5-6 full-time students arriving throughout the summer. These kids will spend the next 4-5 years working on their Bachelor's degree here in Spokane. I will return to China in late August or September (Lord willing) in hopes of securing students for the following school year. By 2011, we expect to have 25-30 students enrolled in our program. This is significant for us as these kids will provide a financial base for our business that will allow us to work in Europe (Germany, yea!) and South America. Yes, we have reserved your position in our company - Director of European Operations! Of course, you will need a complete criminal background check and numerous letters of recommendation (just kidding). Seriously, I think that would be awesome to have you share in our dreams of developing this international student exchange company. Besides, it would give us a great excuse to get to Germany (Mahlis will be listed on our website as our European headquarters). I still have that bottle of wine that we will share with your family when we return (you can't imagine how difficult it was to keep that wine corked, especially when TJ lived with us).
By the way, TJ and the kids have their own little apartment in Cheney, real close to Rachel, Shea and Josh. I love my grandkids, but it is so much better when they visit, rather than being here all the time. Honestly, I can't imagine how Rose an I had six little girls at home and managed to survive! TJ is doing so much better now and had finally broken the unhealthy and increasingly abusive relationship with Blaine. Personally, I feel bad about Blaine's decisions to choose a life of alcohol and drug abuse over his wife and precious little kids.
We have been busy around the house doing some minor remodeling. We put in new wood floors in our kitchen and dining room, along with new carpet in the living room. I think this is truly the first time I actually finished my projects before the exchange student arrived!
I had better wrap this up since we need to get ready for Shea's graduation - I'm sorry you couldn't be here for this one! We do really miss you and appreciate you remembering us!
Oh, and yes, I would love to write you a letter of recommendation. Just let me know what is required and I will get it out right away.
Please tell your family we said hello and that we wish them blessings on their 25th anniversary!
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV... I CORINTHIANS 13:13