SLW

Spiritual Life Week

One of the nice things about working at a missionary school is being able to share my faith with my students and their families. It's so much a part of who I am.

While that is an everyday, all day thing, the EMS once a year gets to spend a week focusing on Jesus and his love for us. Typically, a children's evangelist or pastor is invited to come and lead our special chapels. In the past, we have had ventriloquists, puppeteers, and several magicians using their skills to help teach the spiritual theme. Last year, Adam, a talented and energetic children's evangelist wowed us with his wit and magic.

This year, Steve Greenwood, a children's pastor from Tennessee brought us the messages centering on the theme of reach. While not having any flashy tricks up his sleeve, his delivery was engaging and solid. Each day had a big idea; a key thought that encapsulated the scripture and lesson. He didn't have a dummy or a puppet, and he didn't know any magic tricks. But, that didn't stop him being able to share his love, faith, and wisdom.

When you're early for chapel!

Besides the chapels, Steve came to each classroom to share more of his testimony.

 He became quite popular with the students- from the kindergartners to the older, more mature middle school students. He was invited to sit at multiple tables through the lunch hour. It takes a talented speaker to connect with all ages!

"You the man!"

The teachers also enjoy getting to know our spiritual life speakers. It is especially fun when they are from the US, and not acquainted with Taiwanese food and culture. 

Dessert? Nope. Fried shrimp with sweet mayo and sprinkles.

A question that kept coming back around was "Do you truly know Jesus?".

It's so easy to think you do, especially when you attend a school where the Bible is openly taught and applied. But, do you know him or do you just know about him?

I know a lot about Abraham Lincoln.

But, I don't know him.

I know a lot about Michael Jordan.

But, I don't know him.

What about you?

Do you know a lot about Jesus or do you truly know him?

I Can't Stop It!

As much as I wish I could, I can't.

There is no way I could possibly even begin to think of how to  stop the forward march of time.

The ever present passage of time begins to speed up as children approach the age of stepping out of childhood and into the adult world. It has happened three times so far in my lifetime and I am currently experiencing the symptoms again. Probably worse this time, because it is the last.

I felt that familiar punch in the gut while we were in Kenting, the beach town on the southern tip of Taiwan. Jake, along with his friend Marcus, asked to rent scooters for a day. They wanted to explore, but more importantly, they wanted their independence.

Of course, my heart wrenched with typical mommy thoughts. But, with age comes wisdom and I wisely held back those emotional and somewhat irrational what ifs. Both boys, besides having experience driving a scooter, have proven themselves to be trustworthy and good decision makers.

Since these were electric scooters, no drivers license was required. So, with the help of the dads and approval of the moms, the nice scooter man was paid his fee, and the boys were given the time and equipment to wander along the coast and up into the nearby hills.

While it may be labeled as Fast and Furious, it wasn't. Since any novice could rent and drive one, the scooters were set to only go so fast. That fact alone salvaged a few gray hairs! The batteries only lasted a few hours, so they couldn't wander too far away. Plus, it was January. The roads were void of the typical good weather tourists.

With his lunch money in his pocket and fashionable helmet strapped on for protection, away he went. Now while my face may show despair, I assure you it was all for the benefit of the camera. I learned long ago, that my worry can't change a thing (except add more gray hairs). 

Every hour, we received a text assuring us he was still alive. Later that evening, the scooters were returned damage free after a somewhat chilly and misty day.

In May, Jake will turn 18, which is the legal driving age in Taiwan. He will be eligible to get a scooter license. That's when I will need to completely trust that God is with Jake wherever he goes!

It will be another exercise in faith growing trust for me!

Christmas 2018

 If this tree could talk....

 Carl and I bought our Christmas tree in 1992. Carl had just invested in his first house and we went had spent many days looking for and agreeing on the perfect live tree. Not wanting to spend so much time each December tree hunting, Carl decided to invest in a more convenient, but realistic looking tree. 

Besides the year we didn't own a house and the year our friends convinced us to try a live tree again (not a good experience, by the way), this artificial evergreen has graced our living room every Christmas season. It has seen us through every stage of our lives-dating, engaged, newly married, and married with children.

It has stood in three homes in America, traveled across the Pacific Ocean, and decorated three different apartments here in Taiwan.

Just think of the many memories of our tree could share if it were able to talk!

This year, it observed a quiet, yet comfortable Dingus Christmas. 

Last Christmas, we were able to bring Nick, Ben, and Abbi home to celebrate the season. This year, due to work commitments and finances, Nick stayed in Texas. Ben and Abbi were together in Ohio. This left Carl, Jake, and myself here trying to carry on Dingus family traditions.

My Christmas officially began the last day of school. Each year two things happen; I take my class caroling throughout the school and the staff gathers to share a last lunch before everyone scatters for the holiday break. This year was no different.

Usually everyone wears hats, scarves, and mittens, but the weather was so warm, many opted out!

Loved his shirt!

 This year, despite the lack of family members, we still carried out many of our Taiwan Christmas traditions. 

On Christmas Eve, we did something new. Strange as this may seem, I really wanted to sit by a fire and roast marshmallows. So we did!

Christmas day was spent in the typical fashion: the giving and receiving of presents, cinnamon rolls for breakfast, dinner at Chilis, and a movie.

I know the dinner at Chilis and a movie may not sound like typical Christmas traditions, but they developed the first couple years of living in Taiwan. With the kids being teens, which meant no toys to play with, and no relatives to go visit, we needed to fill the day with activities that didn't happen very often. Going out to eat at a western restaurant, with six people can really add up, so we only went on special occasions. The movie afterward just naturally became part of the package.

With Christmas so near the beginning of the break, we had lots of time to relax and enjoy living. We took advantage of that time to do some exploring on the scooter.

Glad I wore the scarf! The higher up you go, the colder it gets!

Not having any responsibilities also allowed us to share meals with friends and coworkers.

The three older Calmes children graduated with Abbi. They attend OBU where they have developed great friendships with Nick and Ben. It was great to have the entire family, including Chris's wife, Natalie, over for an informal meal.

New Year's Eve found us on the roof of our nine story apartment buiding enjoying the 20 some fireworks displays throughout the city.

The next morning we headed south to Kenting.

Long tunnels through the mountains of Taiwan!

 Despite extremely windy conditions, we were still able to enjoy the sun, surf, and beauty of this area. And even though  it was January, Jake got a nice sunburn!

On the way home, we stopped at the best and probably most authentic Mexican restaurant in Taiwan- Don Burritos. 

The best way to end a family vacation!

The last few days before returning to work was filled with cleaning, lesson plans, and the sad, but necessary, putting away of the tree. It appears my real looking artificial tree mimics a live tree in more ways than just its appearance. But, I guess that's to be expected from a tree that is twenty-six years old!

This May, Jake will join his siblings as Morrison alumni. He will travel back to the states to attend college. When Christmas 2019 rolls around, it will find Carl and myself as empty nesters.  This tree will once again see us into the next stage of our lives, this time as empty nesters.

Who knows what adventures that will bring our way!