I find myself spending more time on the computer and less time on the blog as I struggle to get ideas and content for my classes. This term is a struggle for me. But life continues and I want to let you all know that there is still the desire and willingness to write here and hope you all enjoy it.

We had a great Naw-Ruz celebration last week with the foreign Baha'is. We ate at a banquet hall in a very nice restaurant and spent time visiting and laughing. The devotional program before the meal was inspiring as well thanking God for the end of the fast and then partaking of a meal of epic proportions. I could certainly use more growth in the area of moderation where eating is concerned. But the food was very good. We had a very good visit with many of the Baha'is we don't get to see very often. Some Baha'is over 60 are not having their contracts renewed so they may be leaving China. Fortunately my contract was renewed for another year.

You all probably know that the heat is turn off in China on March 15th. I truly hope it is not turned off in the provinces north of us because they really have cold weather - Iowa and Minnesota cold weather. But the central heat on our campus is turned off March 15th. Luckily for us, we have a small heater, air conditioner in our living room. The student rooms do not have this luxury. This year it is more like a necessity. This morning it is 28 outside, cloudy and cold. I don't know what the students will do today. There is no heat anywhere on campus. The high today will be about 45 - and it may rain. How miserable for them. We will probably stay pretty close to home today. We even had a little snow on March 22nd. Very odd for this time of year according to those who know. We are so grateful for our heater, although it is chilly in other rooms. I'm finally starting to dress for cooler weather. I think I was believing that the weather would warm up any day now and dressing for spring and being cold. And I caught a cold which I still have but am getting over. Sometimes I think we should invite students over to visit just so they can get warm. According to the forecast it will warm up this week. And according to the students it is always warm by "Tomb Sweepers Day" which is next Saturday.