Happy Thanksgiving

As normal, Thanksgiving was not normal.

Thanksgiving, for me, began last Monday at our annual K2 Thanksgiving Feast. 

We believe firmly in the division of labor.

First grade parents decorate.

Second grade parents serve the food.

And because, we let the Kindergartners and their families eat first, they do the clean up! 

That evening, I partook in my second Thanksgiving Feast. We were once again joined the Stacey Dorm as they celebrated with traditional Thanksgiving meal. 

As always, Penny's decorating talent amazes me!

This was much more tasty and inviting than the "feast" from earlier in the day. Even though the cooks are not American, they did a good job on some of the traditional classics: roasted turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, rolls, and mashed potatoes with gravy.

 Thanksgiving Day was not spent with our biological family members, but rather with our mission family- an extended family of the heart!

Every year, we gather  for several days to worship and fellowship together.

This year, we traveled four hours to the southern tip of the island. We stayed at a resort consisting of little cabins. The location was restful and serene, nestled in the foothills, with the ocean just a short drive away. Our little cabin came to us with an added bonus- a four legged one.

Early Thanksgiving morning, before sunrise, I heard Jacob moving in the room. It sounded like he was looking for something in the dark. After a few minutes, I asked him what he was doing. He was in bed, he sleepily replied. Uh oh! 

At five am, Carl and Jake successfully isolated the little guy in the bathroom. Unfortunately, there was a gap between the edge of the floor drain and the floor where we couldn't het to him. So, we shut the door. As Carl went back to sleep, Jake and I listened as that little fellow did everything he could to escape. 

Later that morning, he stayed hidden as we showered and prepared for the day. That afternoon, we moved to another cabin, hopefully mouseless.

 Since our options for a Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day were very limited, our retreat organizers settled on Smokey Joes, a western restaurant. I chose smoked chicken spinach ravioli. Not Thanksgivingish, but certainly delicious! Carl's meal was even less traditional- chorizo served over rice. Jake had a hamburger!

After our meal, the teens asked to visit the go cart track..

It was here I realized that perhaps Taiwan lawmakers were very wise to make 18 the legal age to drive in Taiwan! 

 Of course, a trip to Kenting isn't complete with out a hiking adventure. (Don't worry Nick, Abbi, and Ben. We didn't make Jake do the same old hike. This was a new one!)

It was a great time of resting and reconnecting.

And as you can see in the above picture, an adventure in breaking the traditional Thanksgiving food options!

Thanksgiving isn't about the food you eat, or where you are, or what you do. It is all about the attitude of your heart. Despite the fact, that I missed Nick, Ben, and Abbi, as well as the rest of our families, there was plenty to be thankful for....

I am thankful for the opportunity to get out of the city.

I am thankful for the time spent with Carl and Jacob.

I am thankful for my OMS sisters and brothers in Christ.

I am thankful Mickey, the cabin mouse, didn't climb into bed with me!

Love Never Fails

It's been a hard week.

There's no way to sugar coat it. Sometimes life just stinks.

Sharon, one of our dorm parents, lost her battle with cancer Friday afternoon. 

Her involvement with our community began as a student. She later returned as an employee. Always joyful, always positive. She was a person everyone enjoyed being with. I loved to sit near her during soccer or volleyball games, because she cheered loudly and often  shouted out encouragement to the athletes on both sides of the net or field. I'm not an outward shouter, but often she shouted out what I was thinking. Thanks, Sharon!

Her earthly departure has left an immense hole in our community. Her circle of influence reached past the students in her dorm. Family, friends, coworkers, students have all been touched by her life.

However, our tears of sadness are not for her.

She is healed.

She is in the presence of God.

It is for her husband and three sons that our hearts break.

Unlike most occupations, being a dorm parent is a partnership that is an extension of a healthy marriage relationship. Their home. Their work. All wrapped up together. Her husband, not only lost his wife, but the other half of his ministry, 

My heart was heavy with sadness Friday evening. 

Early Saturday, Carl received a message from Nick and Ben. They were four hours into a thirteen hour drive from Oklahoma to Ohio. They were to join Abbi and spend Thanksgiving with my mom and sister's family, but the car was experiencing transmission problems. Their current location was in the middle of no where and night was just around the corner. Should they push on or should they turn around?

Carl made the call. 

So they turned around.

My heart sunk just a little bit more.

Now, I know they are grown up boys, and are very capable of taking care of themselves, but they are still my kids. Nick had not seen Abbi or his grandparents (my mom, Carl's dad) since last Christmas. The last two Thanksgivings, Ben stayed in the dorm. Turkey potpie being his Thanksgiving meal. The frustration of driving ten hours and having no satisfaction of arriving. The worry of the cost to get it fixed.

It just makes me sad.

But, God is, and always will be in control.

He wasn't surprised, or caught off guard.

He knew.

We may not know why certain things happen, but God does. He knows the past, the present, and the future. We do not. His word promises that he works things for the good to those who love him.

God has a plan.

Just because we don't see it or understand does not mean it doesn't exist.

I remembered this as we sang this morning in church.

Higher than the mountains I face.

Stronger than the power of the grave.

Constant through the trial and change.

One thing remains.

This one thing remains.

Your love never fails, never gives up.

Never runs out on me.

Please pray for the McGill family. 

Please pray for the college MKs and international students far from their families this holiday season.

Please pray for those who do not have the hope, joy, and peace of a relationship with the Creator God through Jesus Christ, His son.

Because without him, you truly have nothing.

Jake's Turn

 Nick never did it.

But, Ben did, and then a year later was  Abbi's turn.

And now, two years later, finally came Jacob's turn.

What is  it?

The Junior Carnival!

Every year, in the month of November, the junior class takes on an enormous task that tests their leadership, cooperation, and building skills.

It begins the year before, when as sophomores, they 

clean up after the festivities.

A theme is discussed, tossed around, and eventually voted upon. This theme is a matter of extreme secrecy. Jacob's class voted to make their junior carnival theme State Fair.

The entrance to this year's Junior Carnival.

With just a class sponsor and some additional adult support, they plan, design, advertise, build, and carry out a carnival like event with games, activities, and food. Where else in Taiwan could you buy cotton candy, caramel apples, and a funnel cake?

Can you find Jake?

I can say with great confidence it is by far the highlight for most of the elementary students. The great thing is the evening is open to the community as well. Families and students from the surrounding community come to taste some American food and experience a window into American culture.

Juniors get all day Friday to set up and prepare which only adds to the elementary students' excitement.

Which is great, because the more attendees, the merrier and, more importantly, the greater the profit. With the earnings, the class will treat the senior class with a Junior Senior Banquet, buy a gift for the graduating seniors, finance their own senior trip, and give a gift to the school upon their own graduation. That's a lot of motivation to make their carnival the best that it can be!

Game booths provide fun for all ages.

Some of my students enjoy a rickshaw ride through the State Fair.

I had to find alternate routes to our various specials. If my students had seen this......

To hype up the event, as well as announce the theme, a video is usually written, directed and produced by a group of juniors. Jacob thought he would be a part of that, but when he was tapped to lead the group designing, building, and carrying out the popular haunted house, he changed his focus from tech to good old fashion hammer and nails.

An older house on the darker side of campus thought often to be haunted by many students provided the perfect avenue to "build" a haunted house. Once again, totally student lead, they dug in and spent hours planning and creating. Carl provided expertise in the tool area, as well as keeping an eye on safety.

Jake's team took their project to the next level by creating a younger kid "not too scary" version. They spent many weekends and after school hours perfecting their contribution.

On the evening of the carnival, I was up to my elbows in caramel apples so I didn't get to experience the finished project, but I heard that between 200 and 300 people screamed their way through the darkest house on the campus. As a mom, I was proud of Jacob taking on such a huge challenge.

A zip line and obstacle course tested their bravery and fitness.

Keeping to the theme, a pie contest was held.

In the past five junior carnivals, fireworks have been the finale to the evening. This year was no different.

A huge crane held up this fireworks sign. It stayed lit for several minutes.

This was probably the best fireworks display I have seen here in Taiwan. That's saying a lot since fireworks are extremely popular and not regulated to one holiday. 

I was so tired by 9pm after teaching all day and standing at a food booth all evening, I almost went home. If I had I would have missed one of the best parts of this year's Junior Carnival!

Awesome Fireworks Display


While I am sad that Nick never got to be part of this experience, I am glad that Ben, Abbi, and Jake did. Not all learning is confined to a classroom. 

Disclaimer: My phone battery died early in the evening, so I "borrowed" most of these pictures from FB friends.If a picture looks familiar to you- THANK YOU!

Halloween in Taiwan

Goblins, ghosts, witches, super heroes, and princesses.

Last week in America, the much anticipated holiday of Halloween was celebrated.

For adults, it's the chance to don a costume and have a little fun. For mommies and daddies, it's the opportunity to dress up their little angels and pirates.

For most kids, it's all about the candy.

While living in America, our family celebrated autumn and harvest, more than Halloween in itself. The reasons are multiple and varied, but that is not the reason for this narrative.

I will just add, for those who do not know the culture in which we now live, ghosts (ancestors) are perceived as powerful entities that are pivotal to one's security and success in life. An entire month is devoted to appeasing these ghosts so they will not "haunt" or make your life miserable. This appeasement includes burning money and other representations of  items needed or wanted in the after life, the setting out food on tables, and various other sacrifices. For most Taiwanese, the thought of ghosts are not entertaining or fun. 

I was first introduced to this during my original six months of living in Taiwan back in the 1990s..Let's just say it left quite an impression on this young adult.

Halloween, however,  is mostly a fun part of American culture.

It is not here in Taiwan.

In recent years, it has begun to make more of an appearance. I have seen some stores begin to carry a small selection of costumes, as well as spooky decorations.

I unexpectantly, saw this sign the week before Halloween outside a Thai restaurant.

While we love living in Taiwan, we do miss some aspects of American culture, as do most expats. Its just natural to miss what you grew up with. For me, fall in Ohio and Christmas time are the two times of the year I feel that tug the most: changing leaves, pumpkins, cider, football, bonfires, and of course, the various traditions of Christmas. 

All that to say, Americans living in in an non American culture will sometimes adapt traditions because it creates a connection- culturally, as well as emotionally. Kinda like curling up with a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold, dreary winter day.

It comforts. 

For example, pumpkins are not readily found, and if they are, the price tag is high. So carving pumpkins is not an easily accomplished task. Unless, of course you are a creative problem solver.

These carved pumpkins are the mastermind of high school students from the dorm Carl substitutes in once a week. Never crossed my mind to substitute the inexpensive yellow watermelon.

Or how about this one?

This was created by a first year Morrison community member. I think maybe adaptability is high on the list for expat wannabes!

Another tradition our K2 classes have carried out for several years is the Storybook Character Day. This gives the teachers a chance to provide a little bit of fun and creativity while teaching and assessing  language arts benchmarks. My students were giving oral book reports on their character's picture book. The report and parade was the culmination of a reading unit on fiction story elements.

To be an effective educator, a teacher always needs to be prepared to demonstrate expected outcomes!

Meet Viola Swamp, the alter ego of a very kind and loving teacher from the picture book Miss Nelson Is Back.

She only existed about an hour before the makeup and wig became intolerable!

She did stick around for the parent loved character parade.

 Our wonderful librarians always join in the fun!  

Our parade began in the upper hallway where the third, fourth, and fifth graders applauded for their younger counterparts.Then on through the library....

down to the atrium...

and into the front office!

While traditions can not always be recreated in a different culture, they can be adapted!