Its Never Too Late

Swim season is in full swing here at Morrison Academy.

Perfect, because it has been hot. Autumn, obviously has not found its way to Taiwan quite yet. Might need to send out a search party soon!

But, with the fall semester comes swim season and with swim season comes the annual Community Swim Meet. 

Growing up, I learned how to swim. After, I might add, a near drowning. If it wasn't for my observant dad, I probably wouldn't be here today. The following summer, my mom signed me up for lessons. In the years since, swimming has been one of my  favorite ways to exercise. 

I am very blessed to have access to a pool. I am doubly blessed to be able to use that pool nine, sometimes ten months out of the year. With that being said, I must add, I am not a fast swimmer. Abbi had the corner on that one. Not me.

However, it never hurts to be part of an event, even when you know you are not competitive. It's about being a part of the community.

For the last couple years, several coworkers and myself have combined forces on two relay events. 

So blessed to have these ladies in my life! We might not be the fastest but we have loyal fans. Apparently, students love cheering on their teachers. 

In case you wondered, those are my current students. Two of them are in danger of passing up their teacher in the height department. I should have stood on my toes for that picture!

I also enjoy watching current, as well as future and many former students doing their best in the different events. 

Eventually, many will join the swim team. Several students from my very first class here at Morrison joined this year as seventh graders!

To be honest, while hanging out at a pool in a bathing suit in from of students and parents isn't high on my list of favorite things to do, being a part of a vibrant positive community is. From the youngest swimmer to the oldest spectator, we all shared an experience unique to our community.

Not a bad way to spend a Monday afternoon!

The Dragster

"From the rising of the sun

to the place it sets;

the name of the Lord is to be praised!"

Let's be honest; easier said than done.

I wake up every morning wanting to praise the Lord, but then things start going down hill. Or the day starts going faster and faster and all my energy is diverted into survival mode. 

It's like the Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point.

To see what I mean watch this. 

When I rode the Dragster a couple summers ago, I really didn't want to. It was the first time as an adult, I was truly terrified of a roller coaster. But, as I watched it, I realized that I could hold my breath the entire ride, and if I could hold my breath the entire ride, how bad could it be? I could endure anything for that short amount of time.

So I did.

I conquered my fear and stepped onto that incredibly scary thing.  After it was over, however, I realized I forgot to enjoy it; savor the thrill of it. I should have opened my eyes. I should have checked out the view from the top. I should of let out a scream of excitement.

I should of...

I should of...

But, I didn't.

My heart's desire is to praise the Lord from the time I arise to the moment I close my eyes in sleep. Not only is it pleasing to Him, but it also helps me through my day. Giving praise fills the praiser's heart with peace and joy.

But, many times, I find myself consumed in the busyness of the day, and I forget.

Or, I experience some difficulties and instead of praise grumblings and complaints come out of my mouth instead.

Or, I simply run out of time.

Fortunately, for me and every other person doing this thing called life, God gives us a brand new day every twenty-four hours.

I push on.

Each morning is a clean canvas, just waiting for me to pick up the paint brush. It is up to me to choose the color in which to dip the tip. Today, I will choose the color praise!

How about you?

"The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens."  Psalm 113:3-4

T.H.I.N.K.

It never ceases me the amount of technology that is utilized in our every day lives.

To think the first computer I ever saw didn't even have a monitor.

Or that when I left teaching to raise our family, emails were just being introduced to the world of communication.

We've come a long way.

Abbi's senior year and Jake's freshman year, the high school went to BYOD- bring your own device. Students were required to bring a laptop to school every day. That summer, we invested in three laptops. One for the each of them and one for Ben who was off to Oklahoma Baptist University. Last year, at Morrison Academy, Chrome books were introduced on a 1-to-1 basis in the middle school. This year, they have filtered down to our upper elementary. Next year, us lower elementary teachers may have the same opportunities using a tablet of some sort.

That's a lot of technology!

But, there has got to be some balance.

Thus, the creation of T.H.I.N.K.

This past week in the EMS side of the campus was our 2nd annual digital citizenship bootcamp.

Each day, a different letter was highlighted.

On Monday, I used photoshopped pictures to show students how easily information could be manipulated. Obviously, not everything on the internet is trustworthy! I think this is a lesson that many adults are still struggling with!

Tuesday was the letter H for helpful. Together we brainstormed a list of online sites and apps. My students were able to discern that some sites were helpful for communication, while others were useful for practicing or learning a new skill. Obviously, some websites are more helpful than others.

Wednesdays lesson is my favorite!

The front of my T.H.I.N.K. t-shirt which I wore every day this week! 

I is for inspiring which is a hard concept for not just children, but especially hard for those to whom English is a second language. I started the lesson with a deflated balloon. As is, it isn't very useful. But, it has the potential to be a great party decoration or part of a fun game. All the balloon needed  was a little air. God created us all to do good things in our lives. Sometimes we just need some inspiration- something to spur us on to do good- just like the balloon just needs air to reach its full potential. Believe it or not, there are things on the internet that can achieve that goal.

At this point in the lesson, I always pull up my Facebook account and introduce them to  my friend Amanda. Amanda is the founder of Psalm 139:Love. No one has used Facebook as well as Amanda to inspire others to reach out in love to those in desperate need. Her ministry is the hands and feet of Jesus to many communities in Haiti desperate for the most basic human needs: food, clean water, shelter.

Much to my disappointment, my airplay decided to go on vacation! Fortunately, we have a great tech staff who were able to do some quick repairs and got me back up and running by the next day.

The last two lessons of the week revolved around emails. Second semester the second graders are given their gmail ids and passwords. From that point on, I begin receiving lots and lots of emails!

Thursday was Necessary. The main point- don't send silly emails and messages.Use the internet for necessary communication. Students enjoyed going through a stack of my printed emails looking for unnecessary emails (created by me, of course).

Friday's lesson, while centered on the internet was much more encompassing. Kindness is important in all kinds of relationships and communication.

The week ended with a celebration chapel, which included ice cream!

Overall it was once again a good week. A tiring week, but well worth the effort.

Boot Camp Cheer

On Hold?

I recently read a comment, well intentioned I am sure, about missionaries putting their lives on hold to follow the call of the Lord.

Is that what Carl and I did five years ago? Did we put our lives on hold to be obedient and say yes to God? If the answer is yes, then  shouldn't our lives be the same when we eventually return to our home in Ohio?

But, how can that be? We have changed, our children have grown up. Our families, friends, churches, and communities continue to exist in the absence of our presence.

I am pretty sure my life is not on hold.

I only have to look at the dinner table's three empty chairs. Or cheer on  my youngest as he plays his first varsity soccer game. Or look in the mirror and see a new generation of wrinkles. 

My life is not on hold.

I am just living it out in a country, a culture, not my own.

I am the same Kelli here in Taiwan that I was in Ohio.

And, my life is not on hold.

I continue to age. 

I continue to make mistakes and  hopefully, learn and grow from them.

I continue to mature in both my relationship with God and with others living out their lives around me.

I continue to do the daily things one must do in order to survive.

 We continue to press on choosing to be obedient to that which God has called. It isn't always easy; cultural differences, language barriers, long distance relationships. It certainly isn't glamorous. 

But, its more than just a job, its life.

Ball just crossing into the net off the head of Jacob.

If you would like to see the header shot here is a link to the game. Jake's scoring shot occurs at the 26 40  mark.

Look Up

This summer was a season of exploration.

Since we stayed in Taiwan, we had the time to explore the more natural side of this amazing island. 

Fortunately, travel is relatively easy. Except for several islands and the remotest mountain tops, most of Taiwan is easily accessible by car. We can get to the southernmost tip of the island in under six hours and across the mountains to the eastern coast in about the same amount of time.

One of the best way to really experience the great outdoors is through hiking.

Taiwan is a hiker's paradise!

There are various levels of hiking.

From the well laid out paved paths...

To the more challenging....

There are places where you can hike for days and never see another human being. 

While we didn't get to do any of those, we hiked many paths and trails through out the island.

I must be honest, however, my loss of vision field has made it more difficult.

With this loss, came the absence of depth perception- an important asset when climbing up and down a river bed or mountain side. 

The trails with man-made steps are easier, as long as the steps are evenly spaced. The trails with just rocks and boulders are much more difficult for me. Each step is an opportunity to slip and fall. Each step, a chance to misjudge the distance and sprain an ankle, or worse, tear another ACL.  On one hike, I actually did miscalculate the edge of the path and tumbled down into a ravine. No worries. I jumped right back up and continued on. It did, however, open my eyes to how quickly and easily a fall could happen.

To compensate, I often found myself watching my feet, concentrating on each place a foot would land. It was hard work and to be honest, the joy of hiking diminished. Silently, I would wonder why I had agreed to this adventure. Grudgingly, hoping for the end.

Fortunately, every so often, I would look up. 

Then I would see God's handiwork all around me! 

The beauty of Taiwan with its majestic vistas reminded me why I was there; why I was working so hard. I just needed to look up and see God's handiwork. The joy, despite the obstacles, returned.

Now that I am back in a school routine, I have found myself repeating this scenario.

Teaching is hard work. 

I have put in long days, working six days each week. My students don't know the daily routines. They fidget, lose focus, tattletale. Thousands of decisions to be made every minute of the day. Lesson plans to be written. Materials gathered. Papers graded. The cycle goes on and on.

Once again, my eyes are down, looking at the obstacles, trying to overcome, but losing focus on the important part.

God brought me to Taiwan to share His love with those who do not know Him. If I am always focusing on the little things, the hard things, I will lose sight of the big things!

My joy will slowly slip away.

Like hiking, I need to keep looking at the big picture- God's plan. 

God called me to teaching to share His love.

This is where my eyes should be!

How about you?

Are you facing struggles? Are the obstacles in your daily life causing you to look down?

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, 

the maker of heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1

Look up!

Take your eyes of the rocks, boulders, and other obstacles that might cause you to stumble and fall. God has a bigger better plan!

And, with His plan comes joy and peace!

One Week Down

One week down,

Only 35 left to go!

Here are the faces of those I will spending many, many hours with over the next nine months!

This year, I have two staff kids and only one missionary kid. The rest come from business families.  I have had older siblings of seven of them. One was born in Australia. Another in Canada. The rest were either born in Taiwan or the U.S. Two of them are new to our school.  There is not just one set of twins, but two! But, all of them are precious in the eyes of God!

I count it an extreme privilege to share an entire year with them. I pray that the love, joy, peace, faith, wisdom, kindness, gentleness, and self-control God gives to those who love him will fill my life so those with whom I am with, will see Jesus through me.

May God bless our time together!

Ready, Set, Go!

Wait!

What if I am not ready?

Ready or not, here they come.

Yep. That's right.

School starts tomorrow.

Where did summer go?

I think I might have a touch of summer remorse.

I was going to get in shape. I was going to study my new Language Arts curriculum and prepare lesson plans. I was going to explore a couple ipad apps. I was going to become an efficient Mandarin speaker. I was going to....

The list could go on and on. 

But, how much of that list did I actually accomplish?

Ummm.... I am too embarrassed to answer that question.

Let's go back to my original question.

What if I am not ready?

I think I need to first discern if I am or not.

The first thing ready this year was my outside bulletin board. I am not a huge Pinterest person, but I loved this idea. After the first day, I will add each student's picture to their kernel.

My door is ready....

 I just wonder how long until a strong burst of wind that comes along once in awhile takes away one of my letters. Last year, I actually lost the word "to".

And, I think the room is ready.

No more desks. I am moving toward more flexible seating during independent work. Plus the tables allow better collaboration and group projects.

The view from my desk!

So, as far as I can tell, the room is redy.

But, am I?

That's a good question.

Emotionally, I am missing my college age kids. Abbi left last Tuesday and it has been over a year since I have physically been with Nick and Ben.  I miss being a part of their every day lives! Fortunately, they will all be able to come home for Christmas. That's good. So in that respect, let the school year begin!

I will miss my lazy summer days. I will even miss studying Chinese, but the time is right!

It is time, the perfect time, for another school year to begin.

My prayer for this year is that I will be an empty vessel that is ready and willing to be filled with God's love, joy, faith, wisdom, peace, and patience. I pray when my students see me, they are really seeing a reflection of their Creator and Redeemer!

So ready or not?

I am ready!