connie's space

After over 32 hours, from a 4 a.m. flight out of Indianapolis to Atlanta to Incheon, Korea to Vientiane Laos, I am finally here!!

What a relief to have my luggage arrive (100 pounds full of gifts, clothes and personal items), whiz through the visa line, show my work visa document and be given the stamp of approval for entry.

Next, to be greeted at midnight by Angie Broncano (current coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, SVLC), Modester from the country Malawi(a Global Mission Fellow, teaching with the Center as a 2-year young volunteer) and Amos (Angie’s adult son, living with his mom and dad here while he takes online seminary classes.)

The three loaded me into a taxi and off we went for the 30-minute drive from the airport to my temporary apartment, where I’ll be staying for a month while settling in and considering if I want to remain here or rent somewhere else. 

Day 1 had me staying awake most of the rest of the night, not able to sleep. Modester, who lives in the apartment next to me, was my savior in taking me market shopping the next day on the Center’s motorcycle. Here I am, seated behind Modester as she speeds along a traffic-filled Main Street. Notice the shops are carrying Christmas clothing, of all things! Laos is 61 % Buddhist but Christmas commercialism has set in with a vengence.

We went to a supermarket and open air market for all my temporary needs: vegetables, meat, milk, shampoo, soap, hangers, house slippers . . . Everything one would ever need is here in the capital city. And so many clothes, which I already have. I was a bit astounded at the prices, however. It was not as cheap as I had imagined, including USA costs for some items. I went through my $50 dollars of Kip (local currency) in a hurry.

Settled into My Apartment

I have now unpacked, decorated for Christmas with what I brought with me and am trying to get over jet lag.

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Ready to Meet the Staff

I have not had time yet to venture too far out, although I walked the streets a bit with my absolutely zilch Laos language ability.  I can say “Hello” and “Thank you,” which seem to have endeared me to the street sellers.  Today, I will be meeting the staff  at 10 a.m. Angie has arranged a welcome party for me and we will go out to lunch afterwards.   Modester will be motorcycling me off about a 4-minute drive to where the Center is located. I will dress appropriately and bring the following items:  gift of chocolates for the 11 who will be in attendance (Angie told me to bring chocolate as it’s very expensive here),  vitamins for Angie and a MacBook Air connection cord for Afijul’s computer. (Afijul is another Global Mission Fellow who was in dire need of this item yet couldn’t find it in Vientiane, the capital city where we are staying.  I ordered on Amazon Prime, with a 2-day delivery, for a mere $15 and brought it with me.)

I will be sure to post more pictures of Vientiane and the outside world, the one I have not yet been able to fully appreciate. Stay tuned for more news and adventures from here! Know that I am overly happy to finally be in a place I feel called to be.

Peace, until later, from a very blessed and grateful Connie

5) Decorating the House

My mom and I hunkered down to decorate the house for Christmas. We started by digging through the carefully labeled bins in the garage.

6) The Christmas tree hunt at Danke’s, our nearby tree farm.

7) Outside Light Display

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8) Decorating the house Inside Tree

9) Saying Farewell to friends

Aside from finishing up Christmas decorating, I squeezed in a few farewells.

My neighbor’s children, Ariel (8) and Dee-dee (5), and I have a special relationship. My mom mentioned I needed to carve out a playdate with the two of them to have some closure before I depart. Ariel would have been devastated to come over, ding on the doorbell in anticipation of me being there only to find out I’m gone and won’t be back anytime soon. Thanks to the Dollar General, I picked up several ornament craft items for the girls and me to make. I hung out at their home, with their kitties wandering about the table and parents Jessica and Derek preparing dinner, while we colored. I haven’t colored in years! We really had a lot of fun.

Another highlight was dog-sitting for our other neighbors. After losing all 3 of their dogs to various old-age illnesses, Rich and Debbie finally found a rescue which tugged on their heartstrings. Mixed hound Penny was found running around the streets of Paris (that’s Paris, Illinois, 20 miles away) for over a week. She was a friendly little thing, about 6-7 months old, and is now a part of the Bernadoni household. Rich is a University of Illinois (U of I, in Champagne Urbana) graduate and faithfully attends all the home football and basketball games. U of I is 1 1/2 hours from Marshall. For the last home game, an all-day affair, I was enlisted to sit with Penny and keep her company. As a new canine to house living, plus being so recently adopted, Debbie didn’t feel comfortable leaving Penny all on her lonesome for 10 hours so over I came to spend the day with Penny. I had so many sofa cuddles and rub-my-belly sessions. (The latter being for the dog, folks, not for me.) What a sweetheart! I can’t wait to return in a year and see how much she’s grown.

My hometown church gave me a lovely planned send-off on Sunday, with prayers and a cake. The support I’ve been given, including permission to have an office space in the building (I took over the prayer room), has been such a blessing. To show my gratitude, I presented the congregation with the following, a Chinese paper cut made by Chinese Christians. This was my last one. It seemed only fitting that it be hanging somewhere in Marshall 1st as a reminder of my time here and the blessings I received from everyone.

Yet another in-person farewell (unplanned and a great surprise) was from Don Lindsay. Don and his wife, Kate, and I taught in China at the same time many years ago. They are now living in Indiana, not too far away, but we just hadn’t managed to get together. They visited briefly during Covid 2 1/2 years ago but since then, we’ve just stuck to emailing. Don was passing through my area, having attended a classmate’s funeral, and called to say he had pulled into my Marshall exit and was staying in one of the Interstate hotels. You’re kidding!!! We met for coffee at McDonalds the next day. What a wonderful way to spend my morning, reminiscing about China and catching up with all Don’s news of the family, grandkids and his church involvement.

Then we have goodbyes to Lucy and Beanie, my two rescues brought from China who now have a loving home with PJ. We four (the dogs, PJ and I) took a last walk around the Clark County fairgrounds on Wednesday afternoon. My heart misses them immensely but knowing they have the perfect home gives me great relief and great joy.

And my very last farewell I save for last:  The goodbye to my mom.

Who would ever have imagined my many years overseas would come to a sudden halt, stranding me in the States for 4 years?!  This incredible gift of being with my mom for so long has become  a treasured part of my adult life.  It was hard to leave her today, especially with Christmas around the corner, but we both knew it was time.  My 1-month yearly vacation time will definitely be spent with her.  And with this incredible technology we now have (cell phones and computers), connecting with her on a daily basis will be just as if I never left.

Goodbye, Mom and Bridget!  Time goes quickly.  I’ll be seeing you again in person before we know it.

It’s late in my nearby-airport hotel room and I have a 3 a.m. wake-up call.  Suitcases (2 at 50 pounds each) are ready to go and so is my VERY heavy backpack.  My colleagues are waiting for my arrival.  Let’s hope all the flights go well.

Next bit of news will be from Laos, everyone!  Watch this space for all the travel and arrival details.  I’ll have a lot to write about, I’m sure.

The countdown begins: I have less than 24 hours before my new life in Laos begins.

What have I been doing to prepare? Let me give you the updates!

Marking off my “To Do” List

1) The first has been waiting anxiously for my work visa document, which was completed last week, attached to my email and has been printed out to show to the visa agent upon arrival.

2) Researching Vientiane city real estate on Youtube:  Apartment/house rentals and tours

     In China, apartments on campus with other teachers and staff  were provided for me.  I had no choice about accommodations, with the perks being no rent and all my electricity, Internet and water costs were covered.  

      After 30 years of never worrying about where I was staying as it was always assigned to me,  I am now thrust into a situation where I get to house-hunt or apartment hunt on my own.   And what a selection there is in the capfital city, Vientiane, where I’ll be living!  I have already enjoyed Youtube videos of Laos real estate agents (English subtitles), touring clients through  various fully furnished city homes, apartments and housing complexes.  According to my colleagues, my budget can only go as high as  $700 US per month.  After that, I am required to cover the rest of the cost myself.  To me, that sounds like quite a high amount considering China had rents as low as $200. However,  I quickly found out Vientiane is pricey, with the lowest rent being $350 US per month, often a rather dingy place and one without electricity, water or Internet services covered.  That was all extra.

 I’ve also been told that going too cheap will compromise your safety.  Burglaries and break-ins, especially for those of us who are considered the rich foreigners, is a problem.  One Youtube video I saw had the resident setting up trip wires throughout his courtyard and keeping a big, mean-looking, noisy dog as a deterrent for unwanted folk coming onto his property, especially late at night.

With all of this in mind,  I have agreed upon a temporary 1-month, 1-bedroom furnished apartment rental for December at a price of $450 US, Internet provided and laundry service as well as gated security.   I was told the complex is near the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center so I won’t have to go far to get to my new work place.  If I had not chosen a rented apartment, I  would be staying in a hotel ($50 – 75 per night) until I could find a more permanent place to stay.   The immediate apartment rental will  obviously save money and give me time to rest, adjust and search out the perfect place for my next 3 years in Laos.  

Curious as to what that apartment looks like?  Here are the pictures sent by Angie.  Quite a swanky dwelling, wouldn’t you say?

3) Enjoying Smalltown Christmas Festivities with My Mom

Saturday, December 3, had my small town in Marshall, Illinois, celebrating Holly Days. This year featured numerous live nativity scenes around the courthouse lawn. Different churches hosted snapshots of Bethlehem which were displayed in individual booths.

To serenade the spectators, different church choirs were given 30-minute time slots to fill. We dressed as angels. Here is Marshall First.

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4) Holly Day’s Evening Light Parade

As darkness fell, we town folk gathered for a 20-minute light show parade. Bridget, rescue dog from China, came with us as well.

(See Part 2)

To all those who made my mom’s birthday special, thank you so much! She received 41 cards in total. I had hoped for 25 so 41 is a bonus — definitely a well-deserved haul!

We started out taking Bridget for a walk at Lincoln Trail State Park. We were the only ones there!

After our hiking about, we dressed up and had a late afternoon buffet at Richards Farm (a restaurant in Casey , Illinois), which serves a gigantic Thanksgiving Day feast for the masses. We’d never been before and were told, “If you go home hungry, it’s your own fault.” (True, true, true!)

Our neighbor girl came by to give my mom a painting which her grandmother made.

Special cupcakes arrived from my friend, April, who lives in Hawaii. April spent Christmas Day with us in Illinois, her first ever cold December 25th, in 1989. She and I lived in a women’s dormitory house in Washington, DC, at that time. She was working for her Hawaiian senator; I was completing my USA placement as a Mission Intern after spending over a year in Japan. I invited her to come to Illinois for her Christmas Day and she took me up on the offer. We’ve stayed in touch ever since.

My mom’s brother, Rolf, and his wife, Becky, had flowers and a b-day balloon delivered. What an appropriate gift, not to mention the lovely display it presented in the living room.

For myself, I picked up a few fun items. She’s wearing the Christmas T-shirt I gave her in the picture with her flowers. Also included in her gifts was a pottery angel by our local artisan. She had seen it a few weeks ago and thought it was quirky, something right up her alley. Surprise! it’s now on the wall for her to enjoy.

Her lottery ticket numbers, sad to say, didn’t win her the millions she’d hoped for but the well-wishes of so many surely must have made up for it. That old saying, “Money can’t buy you happiness,” I still think holds true. As for my mom, she’d definitely agree.

Enjoy the visuals below. They make for a nice memory for us both.

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(This article has been published in area newspapers. Connie Wieck is a Marshall, Illinois native who will soon be leaving for Vientiane, Laos.   She will be assuming duties as Coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, which serves the needs of local elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, as well as outlying villages, by providing educational workshops, seminars and English language courses. )

“I don’t want a big fuss.”

That was my mom’s recent comment concerning her birthday. 

 But how can I, her daughter, not want a big fuss?  Aside from it being her 90th, her November 23^rd celebrations fall directly on Thanksgiving Day itself. 

       For those who have late November birthdays, you might have similar stories of doubling jubilees.   November 22 – 28 births, on certain years, fall on Turkey Day itself. Anyone reading this know of a friend, a relative or even yourself whose pumpkin pie has become the focal point for candles and the traditional “Happy Birthday” song?  

      If you’re like me, you might have wondered how often such birthdays fall on Thanksgiving Day.  A Google search found me reading an interesting post written by Scott Forbes in 2010.  The patent attorney’s blog, which he wrote out of Seattle, gave his fact-finding research concerning his own Thanksgiving Day birthday.  It’s a mish-mash of calculations, and took me several reads for full clarity, but I include it below as it does make for a fascinating read:  

      ”The simple formula for calculating the date of Thanksgiving is to take last year’s date and subtract a day, and then add seven days if you’ve ended up on the 21st… so if Thanksgiving 2009 was on the 26th (which it was), then Thanksgiving 2010 would be on the 25th, and in 2011 it will be on the 24th.”

“But then things start getting complicated, because 2012 is a leap year. Thanksgiving 2012  is on the 22nd, not the 23rd – that extra day in February pushes us back two days instead of just one. And then, in 2013, we wrap around: One day earlier than the 22nd would be the 21st, but now we’re looking at the third Thursday of the month, so we add seven days to get Thanksgiving on the 28th.”

       “All this adds up to a pattern that takes 2800 years to go through a full cycle, thanks to our calendar’s quirky rules for determining whether it’s a leap year or not. In the short term (that is, from 1901 to 2099) there’s a leap year every four years, and your birthday will be on Thanksgiving four times out of every 28: If your birthday falls on Thanksgiving in a given year, then it falls on Thanksgiving again exactly 28 years later, and three other times in between at intervals of six years, five years, six years, and then eleven years.”

      Scott’s article included a rundown of Thanksgiving Day birthdays from 2017 onward, including my mom’s on November 23rd.  Here’s what he had listed for her special day:  2017, 2023, 2028, 2034, 2045, 2051, 2056, 2062, 2073, 2079, 2084, 2090.(Scott’s full Thanksgiving Day chart for November 22 – 28 birthdays can be found at scottforbes.net, the July 7, 2010 blog entry.)

But what about my mom’s past Thanksgiving Day birthdays?  

Yet another search gave me the ability to count how many birthdays my mom, in her 90 years, had landed a turkey dinner for her birthday festivities.  

For my mom, this has happened 12 times in her lifetime, with this year being her 13th.  If you believe that number is unlucky, read on:  My mom’s 13 actually should be 14.  

 In 1863,  President Abraham Lincoln called for “A Day of Praise and Thanksgiving” to fall on the last Thursday of November as a national holiday.  In 1933, my mom’s birth year, November had 5 Thursdays.  Thus the fifth Thursday, November 30^th , became Thanksgiving Day instead of the fourth Thursday, November 23^rd. (That would have given her 14 Thanksgiving Day birthdays  instead of this year’s 13).  In November 1939, yet another 5^th Thursday calendar year came around.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving a week earlier to make business leaders happy by adding more days for Christmas shopping.  In rebellion, some state legislatures voted their states celebrate on the 5^th Thursday of November; others sided with the president by celebrating on the 4^th Thursday.   Two years later, the holiday dilemma was settled.   On December 26, 1941, FDR signed Congress’ executive bill making the 4^th Thursday in November the official day of Thanksgiving for the United States.   It has remained so today.

 I know my mom insisted on a no-fuss 90th, but looks to me as if her special day can’t be anything but. Sorry, Mom. You’ll just have to put up with a little bit of birthday hoopla mixed in with a whole lot of love.

(From daughter Connie:  Anyone wishing to add to my mom’s “no-fuss” celebrations can mail cards to:  Priscilla Wieck  710 Mulberry Street  Marshall, IL 62441.  Your birthday wishes will be greatly appreciated.)  

Retracing the footsteps of Charles and Louise Killie brought about my recollection of more China stories from years past.

These happened to be from the Canadian Methodist missionaries who founded the church I attended in Luzhou. Those missionary founders were Rev. Charles Jolliffe and his wife, Gertrude. The two, along with their children, left for China in 1906. Charles went with his tight-knit graduating class whom all became known as the “Victorian Eight” or the “Vic Eight” for short. They attended the Methodist founded Victoria College, in Toronto, thus the name Victorian Eight. (This educational institute is now known as Victoria University, connected with the University of Toronto.)

The “Vic Eight” were given the following assignments:

Chengtu — N.E. Bowles–Church, Junior and Senior Primary and Charity Schools and H.D. Robertson — Theological and Middle Schools
Penghsien –W.E. Sibley – Church and Outstations, including Tsungninghsien Day and Boarding Schools (until Sept. 1st)
Chungking –E. W. Wallace — Schools (On rise of Council).
Luchow (Luzhou) — C.J.P. Jolliffe – Church, School and Outstations
On furlough–E.W. Morgan

Excerpt of Memories by Charles in his “Our Work in China” memoirs

A Reminiscence of the 1906 Voyage on the Empress of China

I must tell you about the other members of our party. There were Rev. R.B. McAmmond and wife, both of whom are now living at Beamsville Ont. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Carson. The latter is Aunt Florence. He died in 1910 of typhus fever, got when itinerating. Typhus is caught from the bite of a body louse, sometimes referred to in China as China’s millions. Rev. W.E. Sibley and wife. The latter was beheaded on a Chengtu street in 1926 by a demented Chinese man. Then there were 3 unmarried men, Bowles, Morgan and Wallace. The last of these was afterwards Chancellor of Victoria University. He and Wes. Morgan are both gone. There was another couple, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Allan. Frank was in charge of the Chungking hospital. He worked himself to death. One day after a hard morning he lay down on a couch and went to sleep, his long last sleep. Besides these men and women there were 3 W.M.S. Ladies, Miss Caroline Wellwood, Hattie Woodsworth, afterwards Mrs. Morgan and Uberta Steele. The latter two still live.
“We Go to China”, Our Work in China, (1) & (2)

(Note: Pictures of those mentioned above can be found here: https://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/exhibitions/vic_in_china/portraits/)

Szechwan Traditions and Expressions

The Confucian classics teach filial piety as you know. But is is sometimes shown in ways strange to us. Hsu Hwan Tin helped me [C.J.P. Jolliffe] with building operations [in Luchow] for several years. When his old mother became sick and they thought she was going to die, Hsu had carpenters bring lumber and make her a coffin in the courtyard just outside her window. The sound of the men working on her coffin was music to her ears. Especially did it please her to know that she had such a filial son.
“Notes and Incidents”, Our Work in China, VII (b).

Missionary Dress Code Prior to the 1911 Revolution

The members of the China Inland Mission, who went to China as missionaries from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, U.S.A. and other countries were compelled to wear Chinese clothes as well as the “pig tail”. 
   Gertrude Jolliffe, “The Queue”, Album, [page 39-40], undated.

Recalling a Gruesome Gertrude Story from “Our Work in China”

Years ago, I met the grandson and great-grandson of the Jolliffe’s who shared with me a copy of Our Work in China, the memoirs of Gertrude and Charles. I remember one story I read that stood out to me so vividly that I have always remembered it. Here is my recollection of the incident:

Dr. Ferguson was among us and helped to establish the Western dispensary, which was greatly used by our small clinic. He told this story concerning a Chinese woman who had gone into labor. He was called to assist, and so was the midwife. She had fashionably long fingernails, which the Chinese women of high status wore. Such nails indicated that one did not have to engage in manual labor. Often times, to protect the nails from breaking, the women wore metal guards. In this instance, the midwife had removed the guards, exposing extremely sharp and deadly nails which, as the child was removed from the womb, accidentally sliced across the tender belly of the newborn child. The intestines were exposed, pouring out in such a manner that I was unable to relieve the child’s distress. Needless to say, the baby did not survive.

To this day, I have always wondered if Dr. Ferguson ever again allowed a Chinese midwife with such knife-like appendages to assist in his deliveries.

The Entire “Our Work in China”

If you are truly interested in reading the Jolliffe’s full account of their time in China, here is the digital copy of all 99 pages.  It is one fascinating read.  I encourage anyone who has a curiosity about life in China over 100 years ago to take a look.  It will NOT disappoint!

https://digitalcollections.vicu.utoronto.ca/RS/pages/view.php?ref=6472&k=

The voicemail from one of the Clark County Historical Society members was a surprising one.

“Connie, this is Edie. I’m putting together a cemetery walk as a historical society fundraiser. Different people will portray a Marshall person of interest who is buried at our Marshall cemetery. I came across a couple who were missionaries in China for 27 years and thought you’d be a perfect fit. You’ll have to dress in costume. I already have the script for you to read. Let me know if you’re interested or if you’ll be gone by then. “

Interested?! Absolutely! Gone by then? Fortunately not.

Before receiving Charles and Louise Killie’s story from Edie, I researched a bit more about this couple. I found quite a lot about missionaries to China via the Presbyterian Historical Society’s carefully documented website.

Charles Killie’s brief history

Charles Killie was born in Marshall, Illinois in 1857. After completing high school, he obtained work first at a newspaper, then as railroad clerk and finally in the insurance business. In 1879 he married Louise Scott. In 1886, at the age of 29, Killie entered Princeton Seminary. Following his graduation in 1889 Killie and his wife applied and were accepted as itinerating missionaries for the PCUSA’s Board of Foreign Missions. (PCUSA is the Presbyterian Church of the USA.)

Killie’s first appointment was to the Shantung Mission at Ichou-fu. (See the above, the Killies and Chinese converts at the mission). In 1899, he and his wife were transferred to the Peking Mission. Killie’s work in Peking corresponded with the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and he used that opportunity to report and photograph the events. (See a few of his photos below)

As a result of his services during the siege of Peking, Killie was voted the bronze and gold medal of the Military Order of the Dragon by the U.S. Army and Navy officers. Killie left Peking in 1902 and was then transferred to Paoting-fu where he served until 1912. In 1912 he withdrew from the field in ill-health, and returned to the U.S. with his wife and spent the remainder of his years lecturing for the Board of Foreign Missions.

More of Charles’ Photos Available Online

Interested in viewing even more of his incredible photos documenting the Boxer Rebellion? See the below link

https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/search/%22rg%20226%22?type=dismax

And this one will lead you to his published album, 50 Views of Siege of Peking (1900).

My Person, Louise Scott Killie: Her Story and Life

My research into Charles intrigued me greatly but what about Louise, my person?

Once I gave the go-ahead, Edie emailed me what she had put together for Louise. Here she is:

Hello. I’m Louise Scott Killie, widow of Rev. Charles Andrews Killie.  My husband and I were married in Vermillion County, IL in early 1879.  He was born here in Clark County, IL and I was born in Iowa.  By 1880 we were living in Indianapolis, IN where he was a salesman in a cigar store.  In 1881, when President McKinley was assassinated, my husband sent the Indianapolis newspapers back to Marshall so that the local paper could have all the details.  He had not forgotten his home town!

A few years later, while we were in Washington, D.C., we heard Dwight L. Moody preaching and my husband felt a call to the foreign missions.  He attended Princeton Theological Seminary and, in the Spring of 1889, we sailed for China under the direction of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.  We lived at the Shantung Mission, at Ichowfu and later at Peking and Paotingfu.  During the Boxer Rebellion we were in Peking, but were inside the British Compound during those terrible months.  After the Rebellion we were allowed into the Forbidden City, a beautiful palace complex which is surrounded by opulent gardens. Rev. Killie was able to photograph the beauty. We traveled from community to community often on the back of a donkey or in a Chinese style wheelbarrow.  We covered thousands of miles from 1889-May, 1912.  That is 27 years!  Rev. Killie had the educational background as a preacher, but I was there with him during those years.  I helped in whatever ways I could.  Rev. Killie became seriously ill and we returned to the States.  He was under a doctors care for about 18 months.  You might think that a man in his mid 50s would be at the end of his career, but you don’t know Rev. Killie!  He loaded up his photos(which he had made into slides)  and his experiences in China, and of course, his Bible.  For the next 2 ½ years he logged over 61,000 miles, making over 900 speeches.  Through these talks all over America, thirty-seven young people joined the foreign missions!  But Rev. Killie was still not well.  In the summer of 1916, after his third serious operation, Rev. Killie died and body was brought back here to Marshall.

I came back to Marshall also.  I found several ways to honor Rev. Killie. In 1938 a U.S. flag that he purchased in China was donated to Marshall Township High School for Armistice Day in his memory. During the Centennial Celebration for the Congregational Church I donated one of the large floral arrangements for the celebration.  In 1943 I was laid here beside him. 

Photo of Louise in China

Thanks to the Internet and the excellent Presbyterian Historical Society archives of PCUSA missionaries, I found the below photo. Charles is standing, on the far left, and Louise is standing to the far right. Others missionaries are pictured here as well, serving alongside them. No date was given but I would assume 1890 – 1900.

My Reflections during the Sunday, November 5 Event

There were 9 stations throughout the cemetery, with 9 of us taking on the roles of past residents of my hometown. During our 11 – 2 p.m. impersonations, over 50 attended, clustered in groups of two to six. In all, I gave Louise story a total of 8 times with each repetition creating more and more of a connection to this person a few weeks before I had never known.

When we finally finished, I hung back after all had left to reflect upon Louise.

I contemplated her commitment to missionary service, her deep-rooted love of China and its people, not to mention her fears, joys and struggles of living during such a turbulent time period in her Asian home. Then there came her final years back in the States, traveling with her husband to share their overseas experiences and the outcome of their 27 years preaching the gospel to the Chinese. What a life fully lived, and one worthy of recognition. I felt honored and humbled to be included in this wonderful, meaningful event.

Such a fitting send-off for me, one who has a similar commitment of serving others, as I leave for my new overseas placement in Laos.

So let me give you the updates from here and what is happening with poor, yet highly determined, Connie.  

My Halloween Night passing out candy to over 200 Trick-or-Treaters was to be my send-off to the neighborhood, the last big fling before heading off to Laos. I really overdid, too! Carved my pumpkins, dressed, prepared my candy . . . . October 31st was great fun, as you can see below.

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Almost!

I had exactly 4 days from today (Nov. 5) until I was to leave: China first for a month, to say goodbye to friends, to attend choir once again at my Chinese church, and most importantly to go through my things stored in my friend’s apartment, arrange the shippers to come and have all this dealt with so it would arrive in my new country, Laos. There I’d begin my new life as an English teacher in the capital city, Vientiane.

Everything was in perfect alignment for the above schedule until . . . my tourist visa to China was denied with no reason given.

Heading directly to Laos

This left me rather in a discombobulated state. It had me spending a day in somewhat of a daze, not to mention a few tears, before taking a deep breath and launching into Travel Plan 2.

I will now be leaving directly for Vientiane, Laos, from America, on Friday, December 8. This was the earliest air-ticket possible that was cost-effective and would allow all Laos visa preparations to fall into place before leaving the country. I will be flying out of Indianapolis to Atlanta where Korea Airlines will send me first to Seoul, Korea, then onward on December 10 to Vientiane, Laos.

My work visa for Laos is being processed as I write this. Those in Laos will have it ready for me by mid-November. I will be able to smoothly enter the country, process the full work permit in 3 weeks, and obtain a full 1-year employment visa. This will allow me to begin puzzling together the many pieces needed to get me settled into my new overseas home: searching for an apartment, meeting the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center staff, exploring the city, meeting colleagues and being introduced to area English teachers that I’ll be working with. I’ll learn my duties and expectations from others, plus start planning how to get my China things shipped to my new home without me being present to oversee the necessary procedures.

A Much- Appreciated Holdup: My mom’s birthday, Advent, Christmas City Celebrations

Despite this disappointing, sudden and shocking delay, I must say all is well. Don’t worry about me. I’m OK and continue rejoicing in my upcoming new life move.

First, my mom will be celebrating her 90th birthday this month and I will be here to make sure it’s a special occasion. The day itself? November 23, Thanksgiving Day! We are planning to dress up and go out to eat. There will be just the two of us, aside from China rescue dog Bridget, so might as well make it extra special by NOT fixing dinner, nor making a huge mess of the kitchen which we’d have to clean up.

Second, I’ll be able to enjoy a bit of my traditional Advent customs before I leave for a country that is 60% Buddhist with only a minuscule part of the population being Christians, 1.4 %. I always make Christmas no matter where I am in the world, as I did in China and will do in Laos, but for now, it’s nice to enter into the holidays without too much of an effort in doing so.

Third, my hometown’s Holly Days on December 2 will have numerous activities to participate in. There will be choirs singing uptown, live nativity scenes around the square and holiday shopping booths galore. I’ll have yet another great opportunity to record it all for my future students. I can’t wait to put together power point presentations highlighting Marshall’s downtown 2023 Christmas celebrations rather than rely on what I collected the last few years, which hasn’t been much.

Lastly, I’ll be able to help my mom drag out all the Christmas decoration bins from the garage and set up our seasonal favorites: the Christmas tree, heirloom knick-knacks, age-old tree ornaments, our 1930’s Christmas scene, outside lights and whatever else we’d like to add to celebrate our 2023 holiday before I leave.

Believe me, I will make this gifted extra 1 month very special, unique, and memorable, not wasting a single minute before beginning my upcoming life in Laos.

Watch this space for all the details of fun in the next few weeks. There will be a lot of them!

“Connie, you’ve been approved to go to Laos. Do you accept?”

My reply? “I do!”

That email came 5 months ago, leaving me excitedly hopping about the back room (my tiny living space in my mom’s house) in anticipation of my next journey as an overseas English teacher.

But that joy turned to anxiety. Looking down at my feet, prancing along with me were my China rescues, Lucy and Beanie, who as yet had no takers for adoption. This bonded pair just were NOT happy separated. All my advertising efforts continued to be in vain. Fliers had gone out, Facebook postings given, announcements emailed to friends and church communities nearby and urgent pleas to anyone willing to listen.

And, as a Christian, of course I prayed.

I prayed for a calm spirit. I prayed for faith and trusting in God’s plan. And I prayed for my two to find a match made in heaven.

A Nibble of Adoption Interest

Days later came a message on Facebook from my local veterinarian, Dr. Ericka Yeley, who had given check-ups and teeth cleaning to both of my canines.

“I have a client who recently lost her dog and is looking for another furry companion,” Dr. Ericka wrote. “She understands you have a bonded pair. She’d like to meet them. Her name is PJ and her number is XXX.”

Needless to say, I called her right away to arrange a visit. She was home! In a matter of minutes, I loaded up the dogs and off we went. She lived just 5 minutes outside of town, in Livingston, an unincorporated rural community in our county. In fact, I’d driven by her Rt. 40 home on numerous occasions as I drove to Terre Haute for my lap swims. It was a lovely 1-story brown-sided home, with a huge yard and a side deck overflowing with beautiful potted flowers. I often thought, “I wonder who lives in such a nice home? Obviously someone who takes pride in making the house look pretty and cared for.”

Wouldn’t you know it: that was PJ’s home, where I was about to go to.

The Initial Meet-and-Greet

On our first visit, it was fairly obvious Lucy and Beanie were right at home. Neither one hesitated in dashing out of the car’s back seat and racing up to PJ’s deck to enter the house. Beanie was first, paying no attention to the sand-papered strips on the steps. Lucy wasn’t happy with the feeling of such a new sensation on her feet so she leapt up from the ground to the top floorboard planks. That was quite an impressive height for such a small dog to manage but she had no trouble at all.

PJ’s greeting was one which welcomed us in such a way that I knew here was a definite dog-lover.

As the two explored the kitchen area, PJ and I sat to talk a bit.

PJ’s Story

I learned she was originally from Michigan, working for TRW when she was moved to Marshall’s TRW plant. Her husband was working for the State of Michigan as their “wrench guy”. He designed specialized wrenches to use for specific equipment. Eventually, her husband moved to Marshall as well.

Her son married a local girl and is just up the road from her. But she lost her husband in February, 2020. And just recently, the last of the 5 dogs she and her husband had raised together died. This is what sent her on a search to find a companion, some loving little doggie to come home to from her Walmart position as a check-out clerk.

PJ had searched eagerly for a smaller dog, looking at rescue websites and mentioning to friends her needs and wants in a canine. Nothing seemed to pan out. She even considered buying a dog. Those dealings didn’t happen as some rather suspicious contacts gave her the run-around about purchasing and sending the animal to her.

When Dr. Ericka came through her check-out line at the Walmart, PJ mentioned she was still looking for a dog. That’s where the phone number exchange happened and Ericka’s connection with me.

Voila! The forever home journey began.

“The Girls” Find a Home

PJ and I took our time introducing “the girls” (as PJ called them) to a hoped-for new home.

We had short visits of a few hours, extending into full days and finally overnights. PJ carefully prepared them for the use of an electronic collar. This allowed them to fully enjoy out times, playing and sniffing about her large yard, without the fear of them taking off. It also gave both time to get used to a new routine, a new person, different surroundings and separation from me.

When we launched into a full week’s stay, it was time for the final hand-over.

Here we are below, Mother 1 (myself, holding Beanie) and Mother 2 (PJ with Lucy).

Grateful, Happy and Blessed

As my departure date (November 8) comes closer and closer, I am so very grateful to Dr. Ericka for the connection, and to PJ for her  loving acceptance of my canine pair.  Their quirks, interesting mannerisms and strange appearance (Lucy’s underbite is quite a noticeable feature) are not something many would find endearing but PJ does.  

Her last report to me was taking a nap on the couch with Lucy sprawled out full length next to her and Beanie curled up on the pillow at her head.

What more could I ask for my rescues than that:  A match made in heaven.

Until next time, here’s wishing you Peace for your day. 

That welcoming phrase, in both Chinese and English, has been a constant “ding” on my cell phone.

After almost 4 years, I finally announced my return to Luzhou in my China WeChat moments, a platform somewhat similar to Facebook and What’s App.

“To all my Chinese faithful friends, former students and colleagues,” I wrote. “I’ll be landing in Luzhou on November 10 and leave for Vientiane, Laos, my next teaching placement, on December 8. During my stay, I will be going through ALL my 80 boxes of things and 15 huge bags of books. I have so much stuff! No, I am not taking everything with me. I will announce in my moments the days you are welcome to come take whatever you want. I have quite a few English books which some of you might be interested in. There will also be wall pictures, house decorations, toys, stuffed animals and table-top items which I don’t want. Anyone coming will be welcome to take whatever you want a reminder of Teacher Connie. And I suggest bringing big bags. The more you take, the happier I will be.”

Connie’s Time Line

November 9, I will be flying out of the Indianapolis airport at 5:05 a.m. Central to begin my journey. I’m absolutely spending the night. I don’t think my older brother would appreciate driving me 1 1/2 hours from Marshall, Illinois at 1 a.m.

My wonderful dad did that once in February, many, many years ago, in horrible snow and ice on I-70. I was heading back to my teaching placement in Taiwan after a 1-month winter break. I remember trucks and cars sliding right and left off the Interstate as we crept oh-so-carefully along. My mom and I insisted we just forget it, turn around and go home. I’d be missing my flight but better miss the flight than end up in an accident.

My obstinate, stubborn father refused.

The result was we did make it on time, with the airport crazily having received not even a dusting of snow or ice.

That also ended any of my same-day, same-night drives to the Indy Airport. From then on, I did overnights at the local hotels.

So think of me on November 8 as I settle comfortably in my Indy accommodations, on my way to another teaching adventure overseas.

And my China rescues, Lucy and Beanie? Stay tuned, folks, for pictures and a truly remarkable story of their forever-home adoption. (If you missed their story before, check out the previous entry: https://connieinchina.org/2023/05/07/rescue-dogs-from-china-awaiting-a-new-home/)