More Summer Happenings...

Learning to walk on stilts...


At a baseball game...


It was rally cap time...

Summer Happenings...

These are a few shots from the past few days...
This was a crabby (albeit not above accepting some fresh green grass) sheep.


This was a really stinky and funny pig.


This was at a tour of a candy making shop... kinda like Willy Wonka.


This was a day at school... in 1906.


This is my band. For some songs, the guitar is traded for the recorder... or sometimes a violin, except the violin has a broken string.

Mystery #1

I'm calling this mystery #1 because I'm banking on the fact that there are going to be further mysterious items...


Okay, so here's the deal with this stuff. I'm pretty sure that at training this item was being discussed. However, I had not opened it yet, and so didn't pay attention to the conversation... blast. But now, as I'm going through things here, I find this little green snack-ish looking package that was part of a very nice care package from Taiwan. My sister and I were excited that we had a treat that hadn't been opened yet... so we guessed at what might be inside. I thought dried beans. My sister thought tea. We were both wrong.... I think.

Here's a couple of pictures of it... and a brief description. It looks like large green flakes of mica, except it's kinda sticky. The smell is nothing I can compare to anything I've really smelled before. And it's not bad. It's just different. I just don't have a schema in which I can place this new... food? So that's what I need your help with. Can you tell me what this is... and if it's safe to eat? I was sure it was food.... until I read the little package that came with it. I thought it would be some dip or something for the green... crackers? But it said, "Do not open. Do not eat. Do not get wet. Keep away from children." That's pretty much what has made me suspicious about the whole thing.

Sorry if everyone else going to Taiwan knows what this is already...has been there and done that as far as solving this mystery. If that be the case, I have learned my lesson and will work on paying better attention.

But I guess this way, I can educate everyone else who has never seen this great stuff before!

"Prayer Card"

Hey, all!

I just wanted to announce the arrivial of my official prayer card online. You can check it out at the LCMS WM website, or by clicking the title of this entry, OR by copying and pasting THIS: http://www.lcms.org/ca/mission/prayercards/index.asp

Pretty much, it's just an info card for people to find out who is out in the field in different areas of the world. The new missionaries being sent out this coming year are all in the process of getting their cards done, so as they are completed, you'll be able to learn a little bit about the people I'm working with (Here's a shout out to Team Taiwan!) and a little bit about all the LCMS missionaries serving throughout the WORLD! It's pretty cool.

In other news, I found this little piece of paper on which I had jotted some lines on returning home after my family's vacation. Though I do claim to be an aspiring writer, and well, poet, don't you go thinking I'm sharing this because I think it's actually spectacular.... but more because I like it and think you might too. (Or maybe it will inspire you to write your OWN poem... "Gosh... she wrote and posted something like that? Well, hey, I can do that too... maybe even BETTER!" :)

Ah-hem.

"A Taste of Home"
by Anna Meyer (please respect all copyright laws ;) )

A taste of home is
The feel of the home breeze
On your fingertips.
A taste of home is
Seeing that the grass is green
On your side of the fence.
A taste of home is
Hearing your favorite radio staion
Blaring
As a familiar steering wheel
Glides through your fingers
As you round an old and friendly
Bend in your road.
A taste of home is
Feeling arms around you
Of the people you love.

Okay. It's cheesy. But I like it. And maybe writing little things like this is part of the process of leaving one place called home and moving to another place that will be called home for a while.

Still, in other news, my mom just told me that she had given my brother a gas card (We have this program called Script at church where you can buy different cards to businesses and then part of the money you spend goes to support the church/school.) and he brought it back with 5 cents on it. Ha... and my mom kept it to use it again. I would like to see the amount of gas that 5 cents buys in the world of $2.35 a gallon.

And something cool from the Gospel reading today: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:45-46.

I didn't understand that parable for a long time. But today it struck me, "God's kingdom is greater than EVERYTHING else I have COMBINED." Maybe that should be obvious, but today it hit me like I had never read it before. Thinking of this was appropriate for the day as I had just been part of a discussion on persecution, talking with someone who was afraid they would give in and deny God if any one threatened her life or the lives of her family. I've had those fears too. But what a comfort when we remember that, regardless of our trials or persecutions, the greatest thing, God's kingdom given to us through Jesus Christ, remains the greatest thing. And God tells us, though we are weak, He is strong. It can be our prayer, a prayer I do not doubt that God will answer with a big YES, that when/if that day of severe persecution comes, God would give us the strength and peace to stand firm and faithful in Him.

Plus, when fears creep in, as unfortunately, on this side of heaven, I think they will, God tells us that His love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) He tells us that we'll have trouble but to "Take heart!" because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

And speaking of persecution, someone was talking about Hebrews 11 the other day. We have a huge "cloud of witnesses" surrounding us, all the brothers and sisters of the faith gone before us. I think God teaches and encourages us so much through their stories.

Another neat story about people rejoicing through persecution is in Acts 5: 17-42. I had a professor who talked about that story once, and it's been one of my favorite ever since.

Okay. I'm going to take this point to say that sometimes I just write, and I want to be kept accountable. If I ever say anything that doesn't "jive" with God's Word or that you just think is wrong, please call me on it. Thanks much!

Have a blessed day. Maybe find a new simple pleasure. May I suggest putting on "Beautiful One" by Jeremy Camp, dancing to it like a 4 year old (which would incorporate a lot of spinning moves), then writing a cheesy poem about it?

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." - 2 Thessalonians 2:16

*Applause*

I really really really like simple pleasures. I like being in a hammock. I like going on a run into the west as the sun is going below the tree line and leaving a trail of colors reflecting off the clouds. I like thunder and lightning and applauding for the loudest booms and the most impressively lit lines across the sky. I like dancing to a beat. I like watching people and guessing what might be on their mind or who or what situations might be awaiting them when they get home. I like playing the alphabet game in the car and baking cookies. I like eating frozen pea pods and calling them my pod-cicles. I like making facial exressions and mimicing animals at the zoo. I like talking to my dog in a funny voice and playing badminton. I like friends that call and ask if it's okay that they stop by in 5 minutes to say hi since they're in town and it's such short notice, you don't have time to care how messy your house is. (Great to see you, James!) I like surprise packages in the mail and guessing at the mystery of what's inside.

What do you like?

Here's some other things I like: 1) That's a picture of my sister and I riding a giant fake (I know, it almost fooled you!) cow at the zoo. 2) That's a picture of a really big flag pole in Sheyboygan, WI. I heard a rumor it was the biggest in the country, but I'm convinced there's one at Mahoney State Park in Nebraska that's considerably taller. However, I still liked seeing it because it had a beepy light at the top to make sure no planes would run into it.

Wedding Dress

So today was a tough day. I mean, it's all a matter of perspective. I've become good at becoming ambiguous like that. Depending on when someone catches me, I could tell them what a great day it's been, full of blessings, or what a challenging day it's been full of tears. Both are true. It's all about perspective though, and whichever perspective I'm sporting at the time.

I wasn't going to post today, but glancing over some others' blogs inspired me to do some online reflection of my own this evening. I think it does us good to sit back and reflect. In all my teacher-ed classes, they encouraged (aka required) us to "reflect" and told us how it would help us learn and grow. This really was true- it was helpful and insightful -however, when anything is required, I don't know about you, but I begin to develop this weird attitude toward it - it becomes a chore. So I've not been reflecting for some time now. And I don't mean just online on this blogger-blog thing, but all together. I've not been reflecting on life, on my calling, on God's goodness and grace. I've not been in prayer, and I've not been in God's Word like I have the opportunity and priviledge and joy to be. (If I say, "like I should be" I'm afraid that the chore-attitude pops up again. Blast.) And I have to confess, I'm confessing this only after hearing a similar confession from a friend and realizing how convicted I was of exactly the same - and more!

I've heard numerous warnings about how, without even knowing it, we can become so busy, so consumed, that we lose sight, touch, and sound of our God. But holy cow, it's so true. And knowing that full well, what do I do time and time again? I think, "Boy, I'm feeling down, I'm feeling empty. I really need you, Lord..." as I run to the phone, to the computer, to the latest novel I'm reading, to the store, to a game of croquet, a bowl of cereal... to fill my empty time with activity, my weak eyes with movement and color, my dry mouth with rich taste, my wandering mind with stimulation. But what my aching heart, and my whole self, really needs is put on hold. I used to scoff at the seeming foolishness of the Israelites in the Old Testament. "They are so ridiculous! Look at how they run to those stupid idols! That is so weird." Then I realized. That's exactly what I do.

I just heard a song by Derek Webb called "Wedding Dress." Being drawn in by the beautiful opening with a simple guitar, I was then turned off from it by a couple questionable words. I didn't even bother listening to all the lyrics and thinking what the song really was about. I labeled it "offensive" and didn't think I'd be concerned with it again. That was until a friend of mine commented on how it was a "Christian" song. "What?" thought I, "They used the words 'whore' and 'bastard' in that song. I'll have to figure this out." I listened to it again, and sure enough. The message was loud and clear and convicting. I, like Hosea's wife, run from my Husband, my Love, my Savior and to other "lovers" or idols. It's crude. It's offensive. It's disgusting. And that's what this song is about. And now I'm embarassed I jumped to such a prejudiced opinion of the song on my first encounter. I feel like a pharisee.

Thankfully, these facts don't leave me disgusting, lost, and hopeless. What a glimpse into the heart of God! Though it's all true, though I'm rebellious, though I'm grossly undeserving - completely and utterly underserving - the Lord is the one who always loves, who again pursues, reclaims, renews, forgives, washes, and calls me His beautiful child, or as in the Hosea analogy, along with all His people as the Church, His beautiful bride.

Hmm. I'm rather at a loss of what to write next. My thoughts are now going toward the incredulousness of such love as we have been shown by our God in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I will say, check out the story of Hosea in the Bible, and then also, check out Ephesians 2. What do you think?

Typhoon Haitang

As many of you have probably already heard, there was a typhoon that hit Taiwan and is now hitting mainland China. Please keep those people in your prayers as typhoons, like the hurricanes that hit the Southeast of the States, can cause quite the mess. There's a short article on Typhoon Haitang at this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4693031.stm

Ebenezer

The scriptural reference for "Ebenezer" is 1 Samuel 7:12 if you would like to check it out for yourself.

Pride and Prejudice

Hello, I'm back to the world of posting! And I think this time off has done me some good as just this morning I figured out how to give my posts titles! *cheer!* Or maybe it's the time of day. My family just got back from our vacation, which was truly wonderful. Thank you to those who covered our trip with prayer. The Lord did bless the time and experiences. But anyhow, I am jet-lagging and was wide awake this morning by 5:30. So maybe I've just discovered this is the time of day when I think most clearly? Um, we will have to see. This entry may prove entirely otherwise. (For example, I just now attempted spelling 'prove' like 'proove' and had to squint my eyes and think it over.)

Okay. It's offical. My entire family is now wide awake and running around like it's noon. My brother just put on the "Finding Neverland" soundtrack, his latest addition to his soundtrack collection.

Coming home from 9 days of traveling was an interesting experience for me. I was surprised at how glad I was to be "home". I had to run some errands and thoroughly enjoyed jumping into my own car, playing my own favorite radio station, flying my fingers out the window in my own familiar-smelling breeze... And in one short month (okay, actually, today, one month exactly) I'm called to leave "home" behind. I was just explaining to someone the mixed emotions of leaving to teach in another country. I must confess I am sometimes excruciatingly sad, nervous, convinced I was nuts in making such a decision when making an entirely different decision to teach in the States would have been perfectly acceptable, or just plain scared out of my mind. However, when I have things in the right perspective, in other words, when I remember God's goodness, the Gospel, the things that are infinitely more important than any fear or concern, in fact, when I'm in mind of God's perfect love, which He tells us drives out fear... it is THEN I am SO excited to go where God has called. And the peace that accompanies that excitement, and the joy are clearly gifts from God.

Do you know the hymn, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"? I like it. The second verse begins, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I've come." For a long time, I didn't have any idea what "Ebenezer" meant. However, thanks to the Hymnal Supplement '98 I was able to read a brief explanation. There I learn that "Ebenezer means 'Thus far has the Lord helped us' and was the name given to the stone of remembrance that Samuel raised to God's glory."

I know I look back and see how God has helped me, led me, taught me, and blessed me thus far, though I don't remember always realizing it at the time... often just in the looking back. I hope you look back and see the same in your life. And we can all "raise our Ebenezer" and say (in the words of another good song, The Servant's Prayer) "Lord, it's You who have brought me to this place, Who has carried and kept me in Your care, I look back and I see you in all my years, and so forward I go knowing You are there." As Sam likes to say in his posts, Go! Go forward, to school, to your job, to the ends of the earth, to your neighbor, to wherever God has placed you with the assurance He has been with you thus far and will continue to be with you for always!

In other news, I've tremendously enjoyed reading this summer! I'm on my fifth book, and granted, though a few of them have been young adult literature rather than full "novels," that is a pretty good record for my reading pace. I finished Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen on vacation, and have to comment on it.

Upon completing the novel, I found myself having fully forgiven Mr. Darcey for his early dumbness (in both senses of the word) and then even having fallen in love with him. I must now add him to my list of favorite literary men. (This list includes other such fine gentlemen as Gilbert Blithe and Aragorn.) I enjoyed immensely the humor and style of Austen's writing and her character, Elizabeth. To be able to express myself like Elizabeth does! Though I almost (more than once) quit reading the book on account of the extreme annoyance of the characters of Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, and Lydia Bennet, it really was one of the most fun books I've ever read. You know a book is fun to read when you find yourself keeping a list of your favorite quotes from it. If you've not read it, I would recommend it. Just be prepared for the characters to do nothing but talk about marriage and visit one another for tea. Enjoy it for it's humor and beautifully structured sentences.

Here I end this post as the computer is in demand and as my help has been requested in getting the house in order for company later today. :)

Wedding Joy and Other Awesome Blessings

Hello, everyone! I'm afraid I've been out of the communication circle for a bit here, and that I will be for the next couple weeks as well! I just returned from a dear friend's wedding in Nebraska, and it was a most wonderful and beautiful weekend! And now my family is taking off on another trip tomorrow! But I wanted to share the latest:

THANK YOU to everyone for the emails and inquiries about my healing! I'm feeling GREAT! Praise the Lord! He has truly blessed me with a speedy recovery! At the wedding reception this weekend, I took on the dance floor with some great friends and it felt great! Again, praise the Lord!

AMAZING blessings to report! I am financially covered for my first year Taiwan!! The response was humbling! The people desiring to share in this mission financially are an answer to prayers and it is exciting that they can help in this way! Thank you!

THANK YOU for the prayers to those of you who have decided to be a prayer partner in this mission! We need you! And the Lord is hearing and already answering your prayers! Thank you!

Okay! Happy 4th of July! I hope you get a chance to see some fireworks wherever you are! I love watching fireworks!

God be with you and renew your strength and your joy in HIM!