Blessed

I am blessed

The last month and a half have been full of blessings. While the list could go on and on, I will refrain for explaining them all. 

The week after Christmas the blessings of family, friends, and living in Taiwan all came together in a wonderful way.

Each Christmas vacation our family along with close friends, the Heebners and Bettingers, travel to the southern tip of Taiwan . It has been one of our Taiwan Christmas traditions.

Until this year.

Another set of friends, the Gantz, live on the eastern side of the island. We have spent time in their home multiple times over the last four years. They graciously share their home built beside the Pacific ocean with  many Morrison and missionary families. This Christmas, they were traveled to the US and allowed us to stay at their house. What a blessing!

So what do you get when you mix family, friends, and the beach?

An amazing, relaxing, restful vacation!

The path from their yard to the beach.

In my opinion, the best beach in Taiwan!

For six days we....

took early morning walks on the beach.

Hunted for and found beach treasures. 

Enjoyed swimming, surfing, and other beachy kind of things.

With the house came the three dogs, Chocolate, Donut, and Mama Dog.

Anytime someone went to the beach, the dogs went with them. 

One evening, after supper, we had a bonfire complete with marshmallows and singing!

Time off the beach was just as fun and adventurous!

The evening hours were filled with card games and the such.

Ben brought his hammock!

Jake actually slept in it one night. He slept in a different spot almost each night!

Have I mentioned the food yet? Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and British fish and chips! 

There was also lots of exploring.

Some of the older folk found an off the beaten path trail.

One of the views overlooking the coast from the hiking trail. The Gantz house is along that beach.

An ornate and well lit temple was explored as well. Off of the main room was a hallway with a little room for other gods.

We also experienced an impromptu tea tasting at a local business.

There was also an interesting incident involving the Taiwan air force and local police, but we won't delve into that adventure. Needless to say, we returned home healthy and wiser! 

I don't know why.

Like most other things, our vacation came to an end.

But, the memories made will last a lifetime.

It's Never Too Late

It's never too late to share the love and joy of Christmas!

So even though I am twenty days late.....

Merry Christmas from the Dingus Gang!

Moving to Taiwan in 2012 threw a wrench into our normal Christmas traditions. Most were no longer feasible. And as our kids graduate from high school and return to the US for college, these traditions continue to morph and change.

With everyone home this Christmas, our traditions continued.

Such as Christmas morning breakfast, consisting of homemade cinnamon pecan rolls. My mom served these warm gooey treats every Christmas. The recipe came to her from my dad's mom. This year Abbi made them. Nothing says Christmas as delicious as these!

Of course, there was the individual pictures of each child with their stocking. Naturally, some were more obliging than others.

 
 

And, of course, the overwhelmingly favorite (insert sarcastic voice) sibling picture in front of the tree.

They were much more accomendating as toddlers!

After opening presents, our Christmas fun took an unusual turn. Since Christmas is not a national holiday, life outside our American bubble proceeded as normal. Shops and businesses of all sizes and purposes were up and running.

 Abbi and I decided to take advantage of this unique situation. We treated ourselves to a trip to the hair salon. Peaceful atmosphere, soft classical music in the background, warm towels, aromatic tea, and head massages- a very relaxing experience.

Afterwards, we joined the guys at the local mall for dinner and a movie.

Not a very Christmasy tradition, I know.

But, going out for dinner and movie is an American kind of thing. Especially since we rarely go to western style restaurants.  Eating at Chili's is a special treat! The movie part just started one year spontaneously and now it has become part of the tradition.

The best part?

We were all together. 

That's what makes traditions so special- they are done together, with the ones you love.

Next year, as far as I know, it'll just be Carl, Jacob, and myself celebrating Christmas in Taiwan. The year after that? Who knows.

That's what made this year so special.

So better late than never....

Merry Christmas!

A Full Heart

My heart is full.

Nick, Ben, Abbi, and Jacob.

All under one roof.

This Christmas, I celebrated the gift of time.

Time to just be with the ones I love.

I simply cannot find the words to express how good it felt!

All grown up. How did that happen?

Celebrating Abbi's 19th birthday!

Brother sister love!

Beautiful daughter. Beautiful view!

Perfect photo op!

The present of presence.

Family project!

A new ornament!

Brother brother love!

More brother brother love!

The Dingus Family 2017

Signs

It' s December.

I don't need a huge imagination to know what that looks like in America. 

This morning as we were eating breakfast, I pulled up one of those Christmasy play lists. It naturally was accompanied by wintery Christmas scenes. I felt a pang of homesickness. The softly falling snow. The brightly shining strands of Christmas lights. The immensely huge village center Christmas tree. I almost booked myself a flight to Ohio.

But, common sense, of course, kicked in.

Living in a country where Christmas is NOT a national holiday can be quite disconcerting.

My first year, I had a seasoned missionary give me some advice concerning the Christmas holiday. She told me to LIE. 

What?

No, not LIE.

L-Y-E

Lower Your Expectations.

It's just not the same.

Christmas is such a big part of American culture.

I've been told that at one point Taiwanese Christians asked for Christmas to become a national holiday. The government considered, but quickly realized if they made a national holiday for the birthday of the Christians' God, then all the other gods' followers would want their god's birthday to be a national holiday as well.

So, unlike America, Christmas is truly a religious holiday.

That being said....

It's December....

And it's beginning to look like Christmas even here in my little corner of the world.

The first sign appeared almost magically. It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This tree was not there when I walked through the atrium on my way to my classroom. By lunch time, there it was! Perhaps the school employed some elves.

Then came this display, perhaps the most Christmasy thing I have seen while living here! Thanks to Hola, an asian version of Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Next weekend is the school's second annual Christmas Bazaar and Hola wanted to get a head start! It makes me feel like I'm in an American mall doing some last minute shopping.

Saturday, I paused from lesson planning to set out my beloved snowman collection, a sure sign that I am getting into the holiday spirit. This will be the only "snow" I experience this December.

Another sure sign of the things to come was the first Sunday of Advent this morning at church. Done in English, with Chinese subtitles, I love that three nationalities were represented.

Not to be out done by the school's huge tree, I set up this little thing in my classroom this afternoon. Tomorrow each student will get to hang an ornament. Many of their families do not celebrate Christmas, so this will be a treat!

And in anticipation of all the Dingi family being together this Christmas, the stockings were hung. 

No fireplaces in our apartments, so the kitchen island has to do.

The most festive sign however is outside.

That's our building and for the first time in the three years we have lived on campus, everyone in our tower has decorated their balcony! It's a beautiful sight. I will add that balconies are much easier to string lights onto than a two story roof. And no hats, mittens, or coats were required in the process.

And, yes. That is the moon. How nice of it to be at the right place at the right time!

Christmas is coming.

Very few in Taiwan understand the significance,

But, that's why we are here!

Merry Christmas!

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.