End-of-the-year banquet

The end-of-the-year banquet is a highlight of the entire year. It's a time to splurge (on the school's credit card) on a delicious meal, a small installment for some dear underpaid, overworked folks. It's a time to recap what God has shown us. It's a time to tell others, especially those leaving, how much they've meant to you. This year we ate at Quick China. I had ginger crispy fish and some steamed shrimp dumplings. (I still miss Singapore and suppose I always will!)
Our original crew of 6 is dwindling to just 4 of us after this year. We welcome the new folks, thankful for their sacrifice to come. We also cling to those with whom we have a history. They have become family.

Our Turkish caretaker loves Texas, can you tell?

We've got such a dedicated group of teachers.

Ross did a great job leading the meeting, in spite of running fever for several days. I think the hardest part was not that he felt ill, but that he had to say goodbye to the Lawrences.

Tonight was just one more installment in the finish of the 2008-2009 school year.