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!

Back in the US

Hello Friends and Family,

We are excited (and ready) to be back in the US for a short few months. Doug arrived in Minnesota in early May and Kelley will return  with Isaac after he finishes up the school year at Xi'an International School (in late May). Please pray that time will go fast (we hate being apart!).

It has been a hectic but blessed year for us. Thank you to everyone who so graciously helped us to get to Thailand for medical needs. It was a huge blessing to have so many of you support us in that urgent need. We can't thank you enough.

Another Goal for Nate (#25)

Doug has already been able to spend time with the U.S. Samuelson kids since his return. He is having the time of his life watching several of Nate's lacrosse games. (Doug reports 5 goals in the last 3 games!)

 

Renee at Lake Minnetonka

And watching Renee race in a sailing regatta!











Carly graduates from St. Thomas later this month and has recently accepted a position in a Minnesota film company that makes documentary movies. Liza is wrapping up her sophomore year at St. Thomas and is talking about the possibility of taking some time off next year to explore the world before declaring a major. 

Isaac as "Prospero" in Shakspear's The Tempest

In Xi'an, Isaac has had a great year sophomore year. This spring he was the lead in The Tempest ("Prospero") and did a great job with memorizing about 200 lines and monologues. This summer he will work as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Iowa.

We are so blessed to have such talented kids!



We are excited to be back in the US for a few months and are hoping to see all of you. Be sure to check out the calendar section of our blog to see when we will be in your area.

Also, take a look at the updated needs list and prayer list to see other ways that you can support us.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who support us in our calling.

We hope to see you soon!