Clarks: long time no see

Hey. It's us.
We've been busy of course, and we've neglected to write anything in a couple of weeks, I guess. So let us catch you up on some stuff (in random order):
1. Went to the Davises' new home today near the school. Cecely was in class; I was on campus with her and decided to walk over that direction; Gao Yan and Caleb showed up -- I didn't know they were coming -- so I got to play with him, talk with her, and see the new place. It's really going to be beautiful when they get it finished. It's a nice, quiet neighborhood; there's a lovely mountain view; the place itself is very spacious.
2. Chuck Harle just left our house this morning. He'd stayed with us for the last four nights while working here in HZ. He's the guy who places new teachers in China, in case you're not familiar with the name. Anyway, we've known him since 1998, when he and his wife and us all lived together in Jingzhou. That was our first time in China, and we've all been deeply involved ever since. It was good to see him and help him out.
3. This past Sunday our group had our weekly gathering outdoors, in a somewhat isolated and under-used local park. It was nice to be out and seemed somehow appropriate for Palm Day. We're also planning an outdoor event for Easter. We're inviting other friends to that one -- people whom we have maybe wanted to have join us but for whom the regular meeting might not be the best thing just yet. So this is a fun and gentle introduction, I guess you could say.
4. That same day -- this upcoming Easter morning -- we plan to help ShenLi to "tie the knot," if you will, between her and Him. She's decided that she is ready. We'll be doing that at Margaret's house, using something we borrowed from W3, via Frank and the Buick.
5. If you haven't heard already -- and if you have any idea who Frank is, you'll certainly be able to appreciate this -- he has bought a second-hand Buick and is driving all over the place. He's taken all of us, by now I suppose, out to dinner in the new car; he runs errands; he makes deliveries; he drives people to the airport; he runs between XiaoHeShan (in the far west of town) and XiaSha (in the faaarrr east) -- and hits [sometimes literally!] all points in between.
6. We've finished the children's English classes. Six weeks. Gao Yan has done a great job of talking and teaching with the moms [see her previous post] and hopes to continue, which may mean Josh taking over the role of teacher to the kids. If need be, we and/or George may pitch in, too. George helped us the last half of our teaching term, which made things easier.
7. We are getting close to some particular students: Ashley (a.k.a., Ice), her best friend Sophie, their classmate Cecelia (Cloris), "Hurricane" Katrina [sorry, but it helps us remember her name!], and the class monitor and "official class skeptic" Jane. Out of these, we are by far closest to Ice so far. But in a close 2nd place is Cecelia. And besides them, there's also Eric & Easter [boy & girl] who are both bright and curious. And even William -- if you knew him, you'd get the "even" -- asked questions and borrowed the Book I was reading in class the other day. So there's a lot of potential there.
8. There's more I could say, I'm sure, if I took the time to think. But we'll leave it at this for now.
9. The weather is nice, by the way, and the flowers have been blooming [again, read Yan's post if you haven't already]. We're really happy in HZ.
10. Thanks to everyone who's sent packages, written an email, prayed for us, etc. We appreciate it so much and are thankful every day for your care and support. Keep praying. You are helping to open doors and lift our hands.