Taipei

 Taipei.

2.6 million people.

105 square miles.

It's huge!

We've spent some time there lately.

Sports, of course.

Eighth grade soccer tournament at the Taipei European School.

The morning started foggy, but  as the clouds lifted the surrounding mountains became visible.

Jake's team easily won their first two games.

It all came down to the last game.... could they continue their sweep of the eighth grade sports?

Yes, they could and they did! Not bad considering they came in second last year in every tournament.

All that is left is basketball.

The following weekend found us again in Taipei, but this time at the Taipei American School.

High school track meet. 

Besides the host school and ourselves, three teams from China joined us.

The middle school track members did not come to Taipei for this meet.  They attended a cross country meet in Taichung. However, since Ben and Abbi were competing in Taipei and Carl had responsibilities as a coach, Jacob came to Taipei, also. While not expecting to place in either of his two events, his goal was to not come in last place. As you can see in the above picture, he was  smaller than the other runners. Despite the height disadvantage, he did well! 

Lantern Festival

Taiwan has so many beautiful holidays.

I think possibly the Lantern Festival takes first prize.

Each year the government chooses one city to host the Lantern Festival. 

This year it was Taichung's turn.

I was blown away!

I can't even begin to imagine the time and talent required to create such beauty!

The earth rotated. I caught North America in the nick of time.

The ship was my favorite. It was so large that visitors could go up into it!

While our weather has been mild and pleasant, the evening we went was not. And since our mode of transportation was scooter- hats, gloves, and winter jackets were a necessity!

The Beginning of the End

I am just not ready.

I wasn't ready two years ago and I am still not ready.

But, ready or not, here it comes....

In less than three months, Ben will be graduating!

One thing that I was not expecting, when we moved to Taiwan, was the multitude of senior traditions.

It all begins with a piece of chalk. 

Each senior claims a little real estate and allows their creativity to take over.

Look closely. Can you find Ben's contribution?

Friday afternoon, the seniors gathered to toast their last 2,015 hours as a high school student.

Letting Go

Ok, lets be real for a minute.

Kids grow up way too fast.

One of the hardest things to do as a mom is letting our kids grow up, take chances, do things independently.

The following picture is the poster for this concept.

AND in case you wondered, yes, that is Jacob.

My Jacob.

My youngest.

The baby of the family.

Boarding a train.... by himself.

Flying solo.

In a foreign country.

Only possessing a limited amount of Chinese.

What? 

Are you crazy? 

What were you thinking?

Three years ago, if you had told me Jacob would be traveling through Taiwan on his own, I would have laughed. But that's exactly what happened.

After our OMS retreat, Jacob boarded a train in Hualien to join a friend and his family who live farther south in the city of Taitung. This is the same friend he visited during our fall break back in October. This being his third train experience, he felt comfortable traveling alone.

Several factors made Mom curve her natural instinct to hold onto her youngest.

1. It was a direct route.

2. We were allowed to walk him right up to the train.

3. He is the most train experienced person n the family!

4. Taiwan is camera crazy. Cameras are everywhere leading to....

 Low crime. Taiwan is the second safest place in the world to live (Japan is the first).

And finally....

Because even when I am not in control, God is!

When Carl and I returned to the van, Abbi and Ben wanted to know if I had cried. 

"Of course not!" was my hearty reply, but if they had looked closely they would have seen tiny pools of memories shining in my eyes!

Letting go is much easier said than done!

By the way, he arrived safely.

Hualien

Once a year, all of OMS Taiwan gathers for a time of worship, fellowship, and bonding.

Last year, we traveled to the south on Thanksgiving.

This year, during the Chinese New Year holiday, we went east.

Hualien is the largest city on the east coast of Taiwan. Even with that distinction, it is still much smaller than the cities on the west coast. It is more laid back, less modern. And, with an ocean on its front door and the mountains at its back, one of my favorite places to visit.

For four fabulous days, we spent quality time with our kids....

and friends.

Don and Marla Bettinger- friends for over 25 years!

While it wasn't Sea World or King's Island, we spent a day at the Farglory Ocean Park, an amusement park literaaly built onto the side of a mountain. Escalators, stairs, and ramps made each level accessible to park goers.

At the top sat Crystal Castle, which housed a terrific acrobatic show. It gave me that "I want to run away and join a circus feeling".

The next level housed a dolphin show. 

Sea lions starred in the final show.

Mixed among these shows and the numerous eateries were various rides. I personally enjoyed the log ride, swinging ship, and sky ride.

I am so grateful for time away from responsibilities- a time to refresh and reconnect.