Cultural Differences

Living in another culture generally tends to open one's eyes to the differences of your birth culture with the culture in which you are currently residing.  Most of us know these differences exist, but until you are exposed to them day and night, twenty-four seven, this reality simply is head knowledge.

Some of these cultural differences are big while some are small.

Some I understand.

Some I do not.

But that's ok.

There is one cultural difference that makes me sad.

I love watching my children play sports. I can't tell you how many hours I have witnessed Nick, Ben, Abbi, and Jacob engage in one sport or another. 

Football, baseball, softball, soccer, gymnastics, tennis, track, swimming, volleyball.

Some I enjoyed. Some I did not. 

But that really didn't matter. What did matter was supporting and encouraging my children in the activities they chose in which to participate. 

I am not alone.

Thursday evening we watched Abbi compete in a swim meet. We traveled  to Taipei Saturday to attend Jacob's middle school volleyball tournament. 

Looking around the spectators of these and other similar events, one of those cultural differences became evident. We westerners like, no better yet, love watching our children in sporting events.

This is not so with most Asian parents. While I know a few who come on a regular basis to games, to meets, most do not.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am simply making an observation. 

I am neither smart enough, wise enough, or have the authority to evaluate.

It just makes me sad, because I so greatly enjoy it and I think the parents of the students competing would probably, too. It just simply isn't part of their background knowledge. 

While Asian parents support and greatly encourage their children in other areas, sports simply are not a high priority. 

So with all this said, please excuse me for adding some  pictures and videos from a few of these sporting events. Do not feel obligated to watch.

As stated in an earlier blog, I post these videos so my mom and Carl's dad, and all the aunts and uncles, can share a little part of my kids' lives, even when they live so far away.

Once again, thank you for being a part of our lives!

Few Words Needed

I am just continually in awe of the beauty God created for us to enjoy! I am so thankful that God has allowed me to live in a place where His handiwork can be so easily experienced AND I am healthy enough to get to the best places to experience it AND I have the eyesight in which to behold it! 

Enough said.

 The pictures can talk for themselves.

The beginning of the hardest/steepest part of the
climb to the top. Thank goodness for ropes!

I made it!

The reward at the top-

The view was unbelievable. As we stood admiring God's handiwork, the clouds started to roll in!

We did it!

For me, going down was harder than going up! I know many people would have told me I shouldn't have attempted such a climb, that I need to just accept my limitations, but I am not ready for that! I may never be ready for that!

God is so good!

A Few More Pics

I may have blogged too quickly!

More fantastic pictures from the eighth graders' leadership camp.

Since I was not there, I obviously am not the photographer. So thank you to the amazing artist behind these pictures- Jon Ralls.

Here are a few with my favorite eighth grader!

Jacob's class plus high school leaders and chaperones. 

David G- notice what he still wears on his arm!

These last two pictures are not of Jacob, but I think they are great, but obviously for different reasons!

Amen! 

God's amazing creation!

A Tough Life

Life as an eighth grader must be difficult. 

Things like algebra and science, and if you are a MK in Taiwan, Chinese,  can be mentally taxing.

Juggling homework, sports, and a social life can continually drain and sap all energy reservoirs.

And, oh, don't forget the eighth grade leadership camp. 

Missing three days of school (with no homework to make up).

Three days of friends- old and new.

Hiking, river trekking, waterfalls.

Tough, tough life!

Every fall the eighth grade teachers pause in their teaching to focus not on the students' academic abilities, but rather on their development, not just as a  person, but as christian leaders. Eighth graders from all three Morrison campuses join together in this adventure. 

Since I am not an eighth grade teacher and Jacob is the only one of our children to be a participant in the Morrison middle school community, I am not quite sure of all the activities that took place.

Jacob's science teacher!

I can say, however, all the eighth graders looked tired, but happy when they returned.

I would ask Jacob for more details, but 24 hours later, a  train carried him away to the eastern shores of Taiwan. Here he will spend his fall break with a friend and his family.

Did I mention that they live directly across from the beach?

Tough life indeed!

This One's For Grandma!

Yes. 

This post is for my mom.

It's ok if you are reading this, and you are not the grandparent of my children.

I'm sure she won't mind sharing this blog.

But, I must confess I have nothing truly witty to say. This post totally lacks any insight into Taiwan's culture or any interesting facts about being a foreigner within its borders.

What it does have, however, is a couple videos (at least I hope it will, if all goes well with my technology) that allows my mom and hopefully, Carl's dad, to enjoy the endeavors of their two youngest grandchildren.

When Carl and I moved to Taiwan, the daily activities of Nick, Ben, Abbi, and Jacob were removed from not just my mom, but Carl's dad, also. The daily activities didn't stop, but their inability to witness concerts, games, meets, and other achievements did. And yet, they both continue to be supportive and encouraging.

For that, and more (much, much more), we love them dearly.

So from our side of the world to yours!