My first Day as 梅老师 or Teacher Mellinger

OK! So, I was pretty nervous when I went into my first class, to teach Chinese to a bunch of little 5-7 year olds. Their parents were there, waiting for me to start...gulp. Should I talk in English or Chinese? Well, all I remembered was praying and asking the Lord to give me wisdom. I had 7 kids in my first class, and 8 in my next class. I was teaching them the very beginnings of Chinese.
One little girl told me that she didn't want to be there but that her dad told her that Chinese was the next big thing. I chuckled, hoping to win her over by the end of the semester. Let's see if I'm successful.
These kids were so fast in picking up Chinese. I have been so impressed with their spongy brains. Oh, if only we could learn like that. I could pick up 5 more languages at their rate.
I've been so privileged to have them pray before class, and whenever one prays, she or he is praying that the Chinese will one day have a chance to know that Jesus loves them. Doesn't that just melt the heart of the hardest heathen?

Update on our new pets

Well, Paxton found out that our new pets have to dig underground in order to enter the pupa stage. They will dig there, then grow their cocoons during the winter. In the spring, they will come out as the Achemon Sphinx Moth. Dad and daughter sent them back outside, much to the relief of mom...:D

A few days ago, the 3.5 inch caterpillar some out escaped the jar while I was hanging out with Hope. We searched all over the house, only to find him hanging off the kitchen counter. He was hanging on for dear life. Poor guy.

Again, we are pet-less.

We have two NEW PETS

OK! Here are the vital stats of our two new pets:

• They both eat lots (of leaves)
• They sleep a lot during the day, and eat lots during the night
• The big one is 3.5 inches long (Paxton measured it)
• The small one is about 1 inch long
• Dad and daughter like to "snuggle" with them
• Mom is close to "grossing" out when Dad and daughter take them out to play
• They live in a jar
• They are kind of pretty, in a gross kind of way

Are you still curious?
Here are a few pictures of them: If you happen to be curious what they are, you can click on: Achemon Sphinx Moth
Blame Dad and Daughter for calling these things pets, but they are actually quite pretty when they grow up, eh?