Update: Summer 2015

It's great to be back in the United States (for a while)!

Doug, Isaac, and Kelley at the
Xi'an International School Graduation

It has been another exciting and fruitful year in China. In June, Isaac graduated from Xi'an International School. This summer has been short and quick, filled with graduation parties (4 total!!! - 1 in China, 1 in Minnesota, and 2 in Iowa) and preparation for Isaac to attend college.  In just a few weeks Isaac will begin his collegiate career at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA.

Isaac with some of his classmates in Xi'an

We've had a busy summer of traveling through the US. First it was graduation parties, then a family wedding in Iowa, then off to GTC Directors and Board Meetings in Florida, and now, California to get Isaac set at School. Bless all of you who have allowed us to "camp out" in your homes

Isaac, Renee, Doug, and Nate in Stillwater

While we were in Minnesota, we had a special time with Nate and Renee. Nate is entering his sophomore year at DePaul University in Chicago and Renee is entering her senior year at Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota.

Before having dinner together in Stillwater we took some pictures!!

Renee will be a senior at Mahtomedi High School

Nate has been getting involved with many exciting media opportunities this summer. We'll try to post some of his creative work soon!

Having fun in Stillwater

Carly is still working for Committee Films in Minnesota where they had one of their productions ("In An Instant") picked up by ABC last Fall. She was the associate producer and wrote 3 of the episodes. ABC is continuing the series! Congrats to Carly!

Carly with the crew/team on a recent shoot.

In January, Liza went on a trip with Healing Haiti and had an awesome time loving all the kids - her sweet spot!!

Isaac has been growing in his skills as a song writer/composer and recently wrote and recorded a song with Kelley singing back up. Listen to Isaac's song it at...  https://youtu.be/oZly-zUnkug

If you would like to know when we will be in your area and would like to see us, please email us at dsamuelson@globaltc.org.

More to come.......

Summer 2014

It has been another amazing year in China, but we are so glad to be back in the United States for a short time. 

Family News!!

The big news is that our son, Nate, graduated from Mahtomedi High School this June and will be attending DePaul University in Chicago.

Carly is still living in Minneapolis and working at an independent film company, Committee Films.

Liza just turned 21 (!!) and is at St. Thomas working on a Criminal Justice/Psychology degree.

Isaac is a senior in High School, turns 18 in December, and is the only one of our children with us in China. He will graduate from Xi'an International School this spring.

Renee (our youngest) will turn 17 in October and attends Mahtomedi High School where she will graduate in just under 700 days.

We're celebrating all we can this summer with graduations, birthdays, Father's Day, etc...

Liza, Renee, Doug, Nate, and Carly at Nate's Graduation Dinner Party

The brothers at Nate's big Day!

Renee, Carly, Doug, Kelley, Nate, Liza, and Isaac

Enjoying some clean air and beautiful sunsets!

Isaac with one of his cabins at Hidden Acres Camp, Dayton Iowa

 Isaac has been spending the summer working at Hidden Acres Camp. All the kids love him and are amazed to hear him speak Chinese.

Kelley with her new niece, Evelyn June

In other news.... Kelley was able to make it back just in time for the birth of her new niece Evelyn June (her sister Marlene's first baby). She is also anticipating the birth of another nephew (due to her sister Kim in Mid-July).

Isaac testing out his new drum set at the music store.

A special Thank You to the kids at Converge for giving Isaac a drum set in China.

Summer 2013 update

We have had a wonderful summer in the United States. It has been absolutely packed with meetings and busy Sunday's, but we have been blessed to spend time with friends and family and have also had opportunity to make many new friends.

It's already time for us to return to China, so we want to take a moment to update you on the amazing summer we have had. There's no way we can capture it all, but this gives you just a glimpse into our lives this summer. (also see the "Summer 2013" pictures to the right)


 
In the midst of a packed schedule Doug had a wonderful summer spending time with the USA Samuelson kids. Going out to eat, camping in thunderstorms (on Father's Day), going to Como Park with Liza and the kids she nanny's, and.....

Father's Day

being part of the welcoming of the newest family member.... Carly's dog Quincy!

Look out! New driver on the road!

Isaac had a great summer working as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Iowa. He also completed drivers ed and is now a licensed driver!

Isaac as a counselor

Shopping in the US!

Shopping in the US is so much easier than China!

Kelley at Iowa Father's Day Celebration

John Schuler at his Maple Grove store.

We were blessed by such generous and creative support! One example is John and Nancy Schuler (Schuler Shoes) outfitting our family with shoes for an entire year of walking in China!

We won't be seeing this for a while!!!

It's going to be hard to leave behind amazing meals,

Iowa Farm Fields

Washington State Sunrise

beautiful scenery, fresh air, most of all... you!