I Needed That!

Tomorrow is the beginning of our 8th week of school.

Our school, ministry, and family schedules have been so full, there has been no time for escape.

By escape, I mean getting out of the city.

While I grew up half way between city and country, I have lived (prior to Taiwan) most of my adult life among corn, wheat, soy bean, and alfalfa fields. My body craves green- trees, grass, bushes, even weeds, will do!

A scooter ride was over due!

And today, was the perfect day- robin's egg blue skies, warming rays of sunlight, fluffy white clouds, all accented with gusts of typhoon induced breezes.

Need I say more?

All that I required now was a scooter and a driver!

One of the best buys ever made by my wonderful husband! Not only is it practical for driving in a car clogged city, but an excellent vehicle to escape the before mentioned city!

The window to escape!

One of the best things about living in Taiwan is that no matter where you live, country is just around the corner.

After maneuvering through holiday packed streets, we found ourselves near an area affected greatly during the 1999 earthquake. 

During the tremendous shaking and upheaval, a section of land was thrust 10 meters higher than its original location. 

Now roped off, visitors could once walk all the way to the changed area. Instability of the area led to the change. 

But, this was not our ultimate destination.

This gorgeous blue lake was the jewel we sought.

Parks around the lake offered a chance to walk and enjoy the beauty.

The narrow, twisty curving road circumventing it, gave us a different view. 

God knew what He was doing when He created the seventh day, the day of rest. We all need time away from the hustle and bustle of life.

I needed today!

It's a Privilege

It is such a privilege.

God has blessed me with not just a job, but, more importantly, a ministry.

Although, I will admit that some days it does feel more like a job than a ministry, but perhaps, on those days,  it is joy springing forth from  obedience and sacrifice that makes it worth the effort.

I became a teacher in order to serve at a missionary school. While it seemed like a long time in the making, God was in control. His timing was and will always continue to be perfect. Morrison was where God wanted my family.

Being a missionary school, weekly chapels are expected. While this weekly gathering isn't the sole factor in defining Morrison as a Christian community, it is one of the most obvious to non Christian families.

Our chapels vary. Sometimes the entire middle school and elementary classrooms join together to fill the auditorium with students, teachers, and parents. Other weeks, the middle school and elementary divide into separate chapels. I love these big chapels. There is nothing more exciting than to hear the voices of so many children joining together to praise and worship the Creator.

At other times, the number of participating classes is even smaller. The elementary will divide into a Kindergarten to 2nd grade or 3rd to 5th. This allows the chapel to be age appropriate with the truth presented in a more meaningful manner. 

It is in these smaller chapels that the classroom teachers take more responsibility.

Last Thursday, I had the privilege to lead a K2 chapel.

I don't know about Christian schools in America, but here at Morrison, our younger students LOVE to sing. Of course, who wouldn't love to sing Jesus, Your My Super Hero? or Hey, Jesus Loves Me?

In a previous chapel, I used chopsticks to help explain this year's school wide theme,  K2W (knowledge to wisdom), in a way six, seven, and eight year olds could understand. At least, that's what I hope happened! 

This chapel,  the second graders helped me retell the Biblical account of Moses going to Pharaoh asking for the release of God's people. Throughout all the horrible plagues, God continued to give Pharaoh a choice. Despite the suffering of his people, Pharaoh over and over again made foolish choices.

God also gives us choices.

Each and every day, we have the opportunity to make wise or foolish choices. While the consequences of our foolish choices may not result in rivers filled with blood or frogs hopping all over our bed and table, there are still consequences.

So I challenged the youngest of our students. Will you choose to make wise decisions that allows growth, or foolish decisions that continue to separate us from the love of God?

How about you?

  

Confessions

I have two confessions.

This is the time of the year that I miss Ohio the most. 

I am not talking about missing my family, my friends. They are missed year round. I am talking about the place, the location, called Ohio.

Warm days. 

Cool evenings. 

Warm, gentle breezes. 

Football Friday nights. 

Weekend festivals. 

Bonfires.

Last year, at this time, Taichung weather was still stuck in August.

Hot.

Humid.

Sweltering.

Smothering stillness.

Dry as a bone.

Here is where my second confession is found.

I am glad it is 2015 and not 2014! 

Our weather, so far this September, has been amazing. The humidity is not unbearable. While the temperatures are still reaching the 90's mid day, a cool breeze keeps the air from feeling too hot. Fluffy white clouds. Bright sunshine.

Definitely a great place to be.

And  a great place for watching sports.

Unfortunately, nothing can take the place of a Friday football night. But, a Saturday morning soccer match helps fill the gap.

Especially when the game is practically in your front yard! 

Not a bad start to a glorious weekend!