How Can That Be?

Early last week I opened an email addressed to the parents of seniors. Yep, I should have known better. Sometimes its better to hide from reality than let it smack you hard in the face.

 I've only had 18 years to know and prepare, but somehow just having the knowledge didn't quite prepare me. 

Nick is graduating in May!

 How, or better yet, when did that happen? 

That email  reduced me to tears. That email  rocked my world. That email  left me shaking and quivering. What kind of email can do that to a rational adult? It listed all the dates concerning my graduating senior. It wasn't meant to create such emotion,  but it did. I wonder if it made all the other mothers emotional, or was it just me?

The first date to be noted was this past Friday at 3pm where the senior class would "chalk" their names onto the plaza and then toast (sparkling apple juice) the last 2,013 hours of school till graduation! 

Can you find Nick's name?

Oops! I cut off the N.

What a cool tradition! And a great way to kick off the beginning of the end. Although, Nick just joined this class for their senior year, I realized many of these seniors have been in the same class since the early primary years- possibly Kindergarten. I think of my second graders. For the majority, they have been together already for three years. What will they be like in ten years?

I know that moving to Taiwan for his senior year had to be difficult. I know many people thought we were cruel and inhuman to subject our son to  such a move. Some things just don't make sense to us humans.  But God knew exactly what Nick needed.  

I am very proud of Nick. He put aside his expectations and allowed God to put His plan into action. For his senior spotlight in the yearbook, Nick has included Jeremiah 29:11. Wish I had rested on that verse when I was graduating!

I Was Wrong

I didn't know these existed until today. I was not at the city meet when Ben and Abbi competed but someone with a camera was in attendance. 

A Couple of Firsts

New experiences... yep, been there, done that.

 A lot, lately.

Here is a couple of new things to add to my list.....

Last week was the city wide track meet. Three years ago Taichung City swallowed all of Taichung  County, so when I say city,  I am talking about a huge chunk of area. About thirty-five schools participated and it lasted over a  four day span. Four members of the Dingi clan were involved- Nick, Ben, Abbi, and Carl.

Carl, along with Morrison's athletic director, shuttled track members back and forth during the meet. Nick and Ben threw in several events- shot-put, javelin, and hammer. Abbi ran 100 meter hurdles. Since these were held during school hours, I missed Ben in his first ever track meet and Abbi take fourth place against a talented field.

Fortunately for me, the hammer throw was scheduled for Saturday morning, a bright sunny day! I rode along to watch Nick in a event that typically, at least in Ohio, isn't done at high school track and field meets.  And in case you don't know, neither did I, the hammer throw really isn't a hammer- it's a heavy ball on the end of a chain! 

Please ignore the date/time stamp- it's obviously wrong!

Nick preparing to throw.

Nick was in fifth place after the preliminary round. In the finals, he finished in 7th place!

Now, while I admit this was a first for me, its not the first I was referring to at the beginning of this blog. 

I have been to many stadiums in my life. My dad took me to watch the Cleveland Indians. I marched at a Cincinnati Bengal's football game. I cheered through four years of OSU football. Carl and I took the kids to see the Columbus Clippers. And in all these incidences I have never been the only female Caucasian in attendance.

Abbi had the same experience several days before. She, however, was on display for all to see. She felt "obvious" as she prepared for her qualifying heat. Carl noticed several hurdlers looking in Abbi's direction, obviously discussing their untypical looking opponent. Ben, too, shared a similar feeling as he prepared to throw the javelin. Definitely a new strange feeling.

 While I missed Ben's and Abbi's events last week, I did catch them pole vaulting during an inter squad meet Thursday afternoon. Who would have ever guessed that little old me could have brought two pole vaulters into this world? 

 Abbi started pole vaulting last year during eighth grade. Ben decided just this year to give it a try. He spent many hours learning and practicing during our recent Chinese New Year break. I look forward to watching these two, as well as Nick during the next couple months of track season.

Today was Jacob's soccer tournament, which meant back to Taipei for me. Again. With only living in Taiwan eight months, I think six trips to Taipei is a little excessive. So far I have made this trip via  bus, high speed rail, and van. One bus was public, one was private. I had hoped to travel with the team on the team bus but I signed up too late. So that left the next logical choice.... public bus.

So.... we planned on riding our scooter to the bus station, and a bus to the main station in Taipei. From there we would take the MRT (subway), and finally a taxi. We planned that, but it didn't happen exact;ly like we thought.

Now at this point, you are probably expecting an amusing story of taking the wrong bus, ending up in Kenting (the southern tip of Taiwan), or another lesson learning mishap. But just so you don't worry before I get to the point......

We did arrive safely...... 

and 

in 

style!







Instead of doing it like we planned, another parent offered us a ride. This is where my "first" comes into play. While I have ridden in vans many times before, I have never ridden in a van where there was a hired driver. This parent's employer hires a driver for him. Wow! I didn't know that happened, well besides tv sitcoms and the such.

In any case, I am so thankful. He saved us money and time.

As for the soccer game... it was cold and rainy. Jacob's team won their first two games, tied the third, and lost the fourth. They played several great games but seemed to lose steam as the day proceeded.

Tomorrow is a brand new day.

Will it be like every other Sunday, or will I have another first?

Only time will tell!

Super Sundays

Sunday.

The day of rest.

The day of worship.

The day Christians gather together to worship and fellowship.

But what happens when you move all the way to the other side of the world....to a mostly Buddhist country?

Good question! I'm glad you asked.

When Carl and I began our married lives, we  agreed to stay at the church we felt God had lead us to until He told us to move on. We were at Faith Worship Center for over 20 years. Faith was the only church Nick, Ben, Abbi, and Jacob knew. They loved it. We loved it. It took God calling us to the opposite time zone for us to leave. Although, let me add, we still consider Faith our home church. And we dearly miss and love our family at Faith.

So trying to find a new church in a foreign country was a daunting task. Our choices were some what limited:

1. An all Chinese church

2. An all English church

3. A bilingual church

For obvious reasons, the all Chinese church was not a viable option.

So the first Sunday we attended the closest- an all English church that meets at the school.

The next Sunday, we walked with friends to the church they had attended the previous week, a bilingual church. I liked that idea- we could understand, yet practice hearing (and more importantly understanding) Chinese. House of Blessing meets in a nearby Chinese Middle School. The church's sign definitely caught my attention.

 We tried out one more all English fellowship, but quickly decided House of Blessing was the place for us. So, I guess this is where we will remain until God tells us its time to move on. Last time, it was 20 years.......

Past/Present//Future

The older I get, with more of my life to look back upon, the more amazed I become at the tapestry of my life. Or more specifically, how God has weaved people and circumstances in and out of my past, present, and future.

Take Michael for example. I met Michael over twenty years ago during my first Taiwan experience.  Michael was our coworker who translated our classes, Bible studies, and English camps. We were young, healthy, and in style with big hair (well, at least I was)!

Michael, along with his wife, Anna, and four beautiful children, have been woven back into the fabric of my life in a way that only God could have intricately orchestrated. Jeremiah 29:11 continually dances through my mind.

Michael is a math teacher at a local school.  Along with his full time job, he and Anna own and operate a cram school. He conducts math classes on the evenings and weekends for students who want to get ahead. Besides supplementing their income, they also use it as a means of ministry.

Recently, they took several of their students on a mini retreat in Hualien. Needing another driver to make the five hour trek across island, they began to seek out another available adult. A mutual friend recommended Carl. Along with driving, Carl also taught a  lesson on keeping your faith alive and growing.

Besides studying the Bible, they went to the beach, hiked, and biked through Eastern Taiwan. It was a wonderful time of developing friendships and discipleship opportunities. Carl also experienced the joys and tribulations of authentic Chinese cuisine! Deep Fried Silkworms!

Carl greatly enjoyed his time in Hualien with Don and Marla (Bettinger), Michael and Anna, and the youth group. On coming to Taiwan, we didn't know how or when God would use us but we knew since God called us, He had a plan! We  hope to continue being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and have the courage and faith to walk through open doors.

 Recently, Michael and Anna shared that they have been praying for years to bring a missionary family that could partner with them in the ministry that God created. They feel we are the answer to that prayer. So what does the future hold... only God knows but if God is the weaver, its got to be beautiful!

Hiking over Chinese New Year break

My little monkey!

What's Your Legacy?

This past week at school was Spiritual Life Week. This being my first year, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Chapel every morning?
Speakers talking about unity?
Will my second graders get it?
Really?

Yes, yes, yes, AND yes!


 Now that the week has come and gone, I can only say WOW! (oops! Sorry... strike that word from my vocabulary- insert amazing).

Every chapel began with praise and worship. And yes, they sang. Brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes (remember I am over 40 and those hormones have a way of making one's eyes tear up quite quickly and easily). I love hearing children's voices praising the Lord.

The goal of the week was to help our students understand  that real winners build up others, not tear them down with words and actions. Four talented men of God brought it down to terms that the youngest student could comprehend.

The final speaker on Friday wrapped it all up beautifully. He used the life of Jeremy Lin, Bill Gates, and Walt Disney to emphasis people remember you by what you do and did in your life. They will either remember whether you were an  encourager or a destroyer.

Afterwards, back in our class, we discussed this idea. Out of the blue, Max stated, "Mrs. Dingus, its like your friend Vangie."

Now if you were blessed to know Vangie Hughes you are already putting it all together. For the rest of you, stick with me.

Vangie recently lost her physical battle to remain here on earth. She instead stood victorious before her Lord and Savior. During her last days here on earth, many of my students, and their families, were praying for her. They had never met her but because it was important to their teacher, it was important to them. I shared how Vangie had the unique ability to encourage and support the people God brought into her life. She gave amazing hugs and you knew you were loved.

Even in death her legacy is teaching a generation, a population, she never met. How amazing is that?

I felt loved and accepted in the presence of Vangie.
Vangie prayed every morning, "Make me a blessing to someone today."

Am I a blessing to those around me?
Do my family, friends, coworkers, students, parents, strangers feel loved and accepted by me?
Do they see the joy from loving and being loved by the creator flowing out of my heart, my soul, ......my mouth?

How about you? Take a minute, think about it. What will be most remembered about you upon your death?

Thought provoking, isn't it?

My Morning Commute

I love our home in Ohio. The house is ok, but where its located, is the clincher for me.
 Fresh country air.
 Wide open spaces.
Corn, soybean, wheat fieds.
 Deer.
 Coyote.

I could see both the sun rise and the sun set, all in the same day, simply by walking from one room to another. What more does one need?

There was one major disadvantage- the commute to Carl's job. He lost at least two hours every day going to and from work. Precious time lost.

 Not me. I am blessed. I walk to work. I leave the apartment at 6:50 am, and 8 minutes later, I am sitting at my desk preparing for the day. Its a pleasant walk, too. No room for complaining from me... even when its raining!

Down the steps- turn left.

Cross the alley. You can't see him, but just to your
 left there usually is an older gentleman exercising! 

Potted plants are everywhere!
 People use all kind of containers to hold their plants.
 Can you see the old bathtub?

Squeeze between the two buildings
. Hope I never gain too much weight!

Doesn't look like it but, its a garden!

Back in the fall, I had to stop coming this way
 because the mosquitoes were so bad.
They still are, but since its chillier, I am wearing socks so
my ankles are safe!

7-11  Remember those? 

Cross the intersection.

Almost there. School is on the left.

My last obstacle.

Across the parking lot.

Through the lobby.

Past the kitchen, teacher workroom, and school store.

Second Grade classroom.

 .

Just in case you doubt me!

Open the door....

Ready for my students!

Although, I miss our home in Ohio, and especially our friends and families, I know we are exactly where God wants us. There is no better place than the center of God's will. If you've never given it a try, you are missing out!