The summer of 2020 was hard but good for me. How about you? We had our daughter’s graduation from high school pieced together in a series of small events. Our summer vacation plans got altered and I found myself at home a lot more than usual due to Covid-19. Did you experience a challenging summer as well?

I was challenged to read the book You Are What You Love” by James K.A. Smith over the summer by my school. I used my extra time at home to really dig in and read this book thoroughly. It became a highlight of my summer and helped me adjust the way I was viewing my current situation and how I wanted to choose to live daily.

Continue reading “Prayer of Examen”

I asked Ed this week if there were any students who I could interview to see what they’re doing to pass the time during quarantine. I was envisioning my blog to be about kids on video games, enjoying snacks, downtime, completing school online, and sleeping in.

My expectations were very wrong. He introduced me to David and Charlie and said I might enjoy hearing what they’re doing during this time. So, I set up a ZOOM call with them tonight and couldn’t believe my ears as they told me about how they’ve chosen to use their quarantine time. I hope you’ll be blessed by these two young men, as I was. 

Let me introduce you to these two amazing young men.

David is a junior at Brentwood Christian School in Austin. He’s lived in the United States for four years. He’s enjoying living his second year with Derek and Miranda. He really enjoys Derek’s cooking and his favorite food that Derek makes is his korean pork ribs. Sounds delicious!

Were you able to read last month’s blog What Makes a Family a Family? I was honored to interview Gina about her experience while hosting our Chinese Prep students in her home. 

Tony is one of the young men she is currently hosting and I had an opportunity to hear his perspective on family. Tony is a junior at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School in Austin, Texas where he loves studying math, physics and computer sciences. He hopes to attend a college on the east or west coast of the United States and study engineering or business. 

Ed, the founder of Premier Education, asked me to interview Gina saying, “They (Gina and her husband) have made a profound impact on students in their home.” 

I was excited to get to know her and ask her about what she thinks makes a family a family. We chatted for 30 minutes and it took no longer to discover why Ed used the words, “profound impact,” to describe Gina.

Continue reading “What Makes A Family A Family”

The Cornonavirus has rocked the country of China in more ways than we can imagine. As of February 27, 2020 there have been 83,379 total cases of it reported by the Worldometer, and 2,858 of those cases resulted in death. You can track these and other similar statistics related to the coronavirus on the worldometer website.

Continue reading “The Coronavirus and How To Pray For Our Students “

 

Hosting an international student is rewarding in many ways, but we also know it can be hard. Not only are you hosting a student from another country, but you’re also inviting a teenager into your home. You’re brave, and we have a great deal of respect for you. 

Continue reading “Parenting Teens Is Not For The Faint Of Heart…Especially If This Is Your First Time!”

 

I had the honor of interviewing Wilson Wu for this month’s blog, highlighting one of our newest Premier family members.

What constitutes a “Win” while hosting? 

What motivated you to host a Chinese student in your home? It’s essential to determine that, because your motivation will drive every decision you make as you bring a temporary new family member into your home. 

Continue reading “Establishing Realistic Church Expectations as a Host Family”

Hey there, Hedy. Our Premier family wants to let you know that we’re grateful for you. The month of November is a great time to consider all that we’re thankful for, and you are one of them.

You came to us from China when you were turning 13 and in 7th grade.  When you arrived in the United States, you already knew Jesus as your personal savior, and you’ve known the value of having a grateful heart for all that Jesus has done for you in your life.