Merry Christmas

As darkness descends over Taiwan,  Christmas 2016 draws to a close. Just in time for Christmas to begin in Ohio.

My thoughts are of Christmas' past.  

Coffee percolating.

Cinnamon roll aromas wafting from the oven.

Presents.

Many of my favorite and most remembered memories are wrapped and sprinkled with holiday traditions; traditions such as caroling, Christmas eve cantatas, candle light services.

As parents, Carl and I blended traditions from our childhoods into new traditions for our family. Traditions are the skeleton onto which Christmas is built.

Many of those traditions were altered when we moved to Taiwan. A new structure was needed in which to hang our celebrations and festivities. 

Once again, time has moved on, ever changing and rearranging.

Instead of six, we are three.

But the show must go on.

A Taiwan Christmas tradition, created to fill the gap of missing friends and family, was to get out of town. Every Christmas finds us spending some time in Kenting. Kenting is special because it is the beach town. While being  hot and crowded in the summer, it is not in December.

If we are lucky, the weather gives us at least one nice day at the beach.

This view will never grow old!

This year we were EXTREMELY lucky.

We not only got two days of warmth, but three! Not bad for December. Each day was bright and sunny, if not  bit windy at times. The temperature in the mid 80's, making sitting on the beach with an occasional dip in the water, very enjoyable! 

The "haunting "dog was haunting Carl!

Witch's Hat- once climbable, but now off limits!

Our days were filled with sun, friends, and food!

Ocean Blue- Thai food.

Noodle shop

Arriving home, we jumped right back into Christmas mode: shopping, baking, and wrapping!

Meanwhile back in Ohio, Nick, Ben, and Abbi were being reintroduced to Christmas- American style.

Too grown up! 

Off to Christmas eve services with my sister and her family.

All by himself!

Early Christmas morning, we joined my family's traditional Christmas eve gathering via the internet. While hugs and kisses were not possible, it was the next best thing.

Our Taiwan Christmas traditions continued on as normal, but in a much smaller fashion.

The internet will once again be employed to join Nick, Ben, and Abbi at Carl's dad house Christmas afternoon. This, of course, will require another early morning skype call.

But, that's ok. Its a sacrifice I am willing to take!

A new tradition in the making!

Merry Christmas!

Busy Busy Busy

No matter where you live, this season just seems to be filled with a never ending list of things to get done.

You would think living in a country where Christmas is not a national holiday, December would be more relaxed and laid back.

Not!

Of course, working and living on an American school might be the reason for the busyness this time of year.

But, I am not complaining. Being busy helps me not miss these three quite as much.

Both Nick and Ben have safely arrived in Ohio. Friday morning, they went to pick up Abbi at Ashland. While I am sad that they are not on a plane to sunny, warm Taiwan, my heart is content that they are together, not only with each other, but also friends and family. 

This week found me walking my first 5K!

 I was going to run/walk a 3K,  but I didn't get out of a meeting early enough to change into the appropriate clothing. Wanting to support our 3 - 5th girls after school running club,  I showed up anyways and walked. Somehow my 3K became a 5K!

That evening, my muscles complained about the change of plans!

A favorite moment of this week was Friday morning. In an effort to share a treasured holiday tradition; I took my class caroling. Luckily, the weather somewhat cooperated. The mercury took a slight plunge, so the wearing of hats, scarves, and mittens were actually welcomed instead of endured!

After students were dismissed Friday, our staff enjoyed a lunch of grilled hamburgers and African sausage. Our superintendent and his wife, the director of Human Services, prepared a meal for all the staff and their families that evening. 

While my stomach was happy by Friday evening, the rest of me was quite exhausted. So when a scooter ride was proposed Saturday morning, I was willing and eager to comply!

Out of the city and up into the hills!

I can't think of a better way to relax and rewind after a busy week.

Please remember to pray for all the Christmas outreaches that will take place around the world this week. Many will hear about the gift of salvation for the very first time. It is my prayer that the eyes of their hearts will be open to the truth and love of Jesus.

Will you join me in that prayer?

Ho! Ho! Ho....Hum

Well. Here we are.

December 11.

Christmas is a mere two weeks away.

I have to be honest. I am having trouble feeling excited about Christmas this year.

While everyone around me is happily putting up their tree and decorations, I am slogging through holiday ups and downs.

In years past, when asked what she wanted for Christmas, my precious mother-in-law would answer without hesitation... 

"All I want is my kids home for Christmas!"

At that time in my life, it was impossible for me to totally comprehend the depth of her request.

This year I can honestly say, "I get it."

The little tree in my classroom

Last Saturday, I unpacked the dismantled Christmas tree. This is a job I haven't had to tackle since Abbi was old enough to organize her brothers. Together, they would sort the branches, eventually attaching them to the center post. Under their young hands, the tree would be transformed from a mangled heap of green into a regal Christmas tree. Afterwards, Abbi would take upon herself to carefully run the lights up and down the branches. 

I was going to ask Jacob to help me, but he was cleaning his room. I wasn't about to end that miracle, so I proceeded on my own. 

Sunday afternoon, I took out the strands of light and began attaching and arranging. With only the bottom third covered, my forward progress stopped. None of the remaining strands worked. 

In America, a quick trip to Walmart would easily remedy the situation. 

Not so here in Taiwan. A 100 light strand costs the equivalent of 30 American dollars.

Obviously, I needed to change my way of stringing the lights on in order to make the lights that did work cover the tree. So off the tree came the lights. Fortunately, a coworker shared a couple extra strands of light with me. 

The tree in the school atrium.

A wave of emotion threatened to surface as I lifted Nick, Ben, and Abbi's ornament boxes from the tree box. Each year, they hang their personal ornaments on the tree. Not so this year.

Only Jacob's ornaments will grace our tree this year.

Many of my coworkers' college children will be arriving throughout this week. I am so happy that their loved ones will be coming home for the holiday season. But, I must admit, I am a bit  jealous. 

While Carl, Jacob, and I will be celebrating Christ's birth here in Taiwan, Nick, Ben, and Abbi will be together in Ohio with our families. I guess this is what they call growing up. 

And about those ornaments? I decided to take some from Nick's and Ben's boxes and hang them up myself. Via modern technology, Abbi was able to choose a few from her box and helped me decide which branches they should hang on.  

Our tree finally completed.

I am so thankful for the technology that allows me share a tiny slice of tradition with my daughter.

It is the same technology that will allow me to be a part of their Christmas even though we are half a world apart. 

All this gives me a new respect for the missionaries who served before the internet existed. Only letters, cards, and brief phone calls allowed them connections with their families. I am only now beginning to understand the commitment and dedication it must have required.

So, as Christmas approaches, please take time to say a prayer for a missionary. It is during this season that the sacrifices they and their families have made are the most evident.

Thank you for supporting us through your thoughts and prayers!

Thanksgiving 2016

This was our fifth Thanksgiving away from our extended families

Our third without Nick.

Our second without Ben.

And our first without Abbi.

Our very first Thanksgiving in Taiwan was extremely nontraditional. While we did have a Thanksgiving meal with our mission family, it was the day before Thanksgiving. My oven was too small to cook a turkey, let alone all the fixens that go with the traditional Thanksgiving feast.

We were also  carless that year, so our options were limited. But, fortunately, Carl and I had stumbled onto a little family owned dumpling shop that was only a few kilometers from our home. So our meal consisted of pork dumplings and noodles! If my memory serves me correctly, it was delicious and satisfying!

Four years later, only three of us remain on island for this day of Thanksgiving.

But, this year I added two more feasts to my celebration.

My first Thanksgiving meal was Monday at school. Every year, the cafeteria will prepare a Thanksgiving meal for the students. For most of my students, this is the only exposure they will have to a traditional American Thanksgiving meal. My students come from every continent, except South America, and Antarctica, of course. Very few have actually lived in America!

As you can see, they were very excited about turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie! The food was delicious, except by the time I got to sit down and enjoy its yumminess, it was cold. But not to worry, because for supper that evening....

I ate another Thanksgiving meal.

Carl serves as a dorm parent substitute. So once a week, he spends his afternoon and evening in the dorm supervising and building relationships. Monday, our family was invited to join the dorm in a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This time I was able to eat my fill while it was still hot and tasty!

 Wednesday evening, we boarded a train and traveled four hours to the east coast to join the OMS family is our traditional Thanksgiving meal. While Jacob is a well seasoned Taiwan train traveller, this was Carl's first opportunity to travel this way. Typically, getting to Hualien requires either a 6 hour trip north, and then across the island where the mountains are not quite such an obstacle, or a seven hour trip up, up, and up, followed by down, down, down. While the views on this route are undeniably amazing, it can be hazardous at times, as well as uncomfortable to those who are sensitive to altitude changes or prone to car sickness. Since our break was only four days, we decided a four hour trip with none of us driving to be the best option. 

My contributions to the meal were the traditional sweet potato casserole and nontraditional ramen noodle cabbage salad. I did all the prep work in Taichung, so four hours before we ate, I put the prepared sweet potatoes and the topping in a borrowed crockpot. I had never thought of doing this before, but it worked wonderfully. About three hours in, I removed the lid so the pecan topping wouldn't be soggy. With only four ovens available to cook for over forty people, this really helped! 

Four nations represented here- Canadian, South African, Taiwanese, and American!

Which plate was mine and which was Carl's?

Our time in Hualien has been relaxing and enjoyable. Besides eating way too much food, we have enjoyed times of worship, fellowship, and hiking.

No more than one at a time?

Its a miracle nothing was broken- human and nonhuman!

Taiwan is full of these!

Carl's too tall for my selfies!

The growing metropolis of Hualien!

Tomorrow, we board a train back to Taichung and the busyness of normal life. This little get away  has rejuvenated and energized us for the upcoming Christmas season.

The only thing that could have made this a better Thanksgiving would have been the presence of three more Dingus children!

Even so, I am thankful!

Sunday Afternoon

We have been experiencing an abundance of beautiful weather!

Sunshine, temperatures in the low 30s (80s for my American friends),  and warm breezes- perfect weather for a picnic!

So, that's what we did today after church.

Our friends, Michael and Anna, attend church at a local university not too far from Morrison Academy. They called and asked us to join them for lunch.

The university was quite active with students and families enjoying the tranquil tree studded campus.

Located in the concrete jungle of Taichung, I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of nature and country atmosphere. It did not feel like a school. Several buildings, including faculty housing, was of a more western architecture.

After choosing our meal from a cafeteria style buffet, we walked to a picnic area equipped with stone tables and plenty of green "grass". I put grass in quotes, because most Americans with yards work hard and spend plenty of money to not have a yard like this. But here in Taiwan, this is good! Very natural, not pretentiously manicured.

It was a time to reunite with old friends and some new ones as well.

This little guy's Chinese name means the sword of the Lord.

The older children took advantage of the space to run and play; quite a treat since most homes lack a yard or driveway in which to play.

Please pray for the gentleman in the back row on the left. His English name is Emmanuel. He is a professor of philosophy and ethics. Like America, Taiwan is also wrestling with issues dealing with the breakdown of marriage and man's desire to corrupt God's plan. Thursday this past week, the legislature delayed passing a bill changing the definition of marriage, after twenty thousand some people rallied outside the building against such a change. Wednesday evening, Emmanuel will be interviewed on national tv concerning this issue. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to go before him, preparing hearts and for God's truth, as well as peace and love to shine out through him. 

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. And God blessed them." Genesis 1:27

What Was I Thinking?

Once in a while, I ask myself what was I thinking.

Friday evening, I was doing it a lot!

Every November, the junior class puts on a spectacular carnival for the school and community. With each class, a different theme is created. Many of the attractions stay the same year from year despite the changing theme. One of these is the dunking booth.

Typically, administrators along with high school teachers are asked to volunteer their time and sacrifice their comfort. These juniors thought outside the box and asked an elementary teacher.

And for some unexplained reason, I agreed. I don't know what I was thinking.

So after a day of trying to keep second graders from bouncing off the walls with excitement (I mean how many second graders have a zip line built outside their classroom window?), I quickly changed into something a little less professional.

When I agreed to do this, the weather was still very August like. Unfortunately, a cold front with rain had moved in during the previous days. Luckily, the sun decided to come out just as I was climbing into that dreaded seat. Maybe this would turn out ok after all.

My first obstacle was how to even get into position. Obviously, this dunking booth was made with taller people in mind! Never to be limited by my shortness, I somehow got up. Again and again!

 I was hoping for warm water. I also hoped for customers with really bad aim.

No such luck for me!

Somehow, even when the balls were not making a connection with the target, I was finding myself falling into that cold water. 

But watching some current, a few future, and a lot of past students try to dunk me was quite fun. But as the sun dipped lower into the horizon, its warmth slowly disappeared. Quickly, coldness rushed in to take it's place. Soon, I was shivering!

I did not recognize this little girl, but she was adorable!

I still don't know why I agreed to subject myself to such torture; a momentary lapse of judgement, perhaps. I have a year to practice that two letter word- no!

But, then again, why not?