The Beauty of Wireless

One of the other teachers, Mike, is back. And with him, he brought a wireless internet port. So now we teachers have parties like this:


Actually, that's the picture of just a few minutes ago...

Then there's this picture which was the reaction to our discovery of the amazing-ness of Google Earth. It's really cool. It doesn't work for Macs, but if you have a PC, you should check it out. You can tour the world!


In other news, we went to an International Church service in English tonight. It was encouraging to go there. The pastor preached on the fourth chapter of James. I met people from Fance, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and South Carolina. :) It was really neat seeing the other foreigners from the area and hearing about their various jobs and experiences. One couple said we should all come over to their place for Thanksgiving!

P.S. We also got some serious pitch going tonight! It felt like a regular Meyer family gathering. :) I made sure that I taught the greenhorns how to bid high.

God's blessings to you this day!
Bye for now!

Tainan

Greetings this lovely Sunday afternoon! As I write, there is another thunderstorm happening, and I think that's wonderful.

Yesterday, we spent most of the day in a park/resort called "Taiwan Sugar" in Tainan. We went with the staff of the middle school, many of whom I unfortunately do not yet know as I've been spending my days in the CELA office. But it was a ton of fun, and it gave me the opportunity to meet and spend time with a few of these new faces!

We were not really sure what awaited us at "Taiwan Sugar." We were told there would be hiking and swimming. Upon arrival, however, we were handed these tickets...

One was for admittance into the park, another for a snack at a snack shop, another for a boat ride, and another for a train ride. Woo hoo!!

Unfortunately, Anne and I got caught up looking at hats in a shop (where we were told looked like we were from England!) while the rest got started. So once we were properly hatted for the day, we ventured on our own, eventually catching up with the rest of the group near the port for the boat ride.
Here we are with a new friend we made, Melinda, on the boat ride.
She's a CMS student and it was fun talking with her about her classes. She enthusiastically said she liked Bible class and learning about God. That is what makes CMS unique... but I'm afraid many still see the Bible classes as something nice and warm and fuzzy and not much more. But that's the challenge... and that's what God is working through in this place. We were laughing here though because the boat had these heavy-duty life jackets that had snaps all around your middle as well as through your legs! And even though it was the hottest most humid day I think I've experienced yet, the boat drivers made sure that every person had their life jacket on and snapped properly! Safety consciousness at it's finest. :)

The train was actually a tram and we didn't get a ride on that because we were too busy exploring the vast collection of "botanical gardens" which we found by "following" countless signs with arrows pointing in almost every different direction. :) We also found "Stillthink Pavillion" and stopped to think there a while. We still think that was a good idea.

Music was being played throughout the park from little lights along the paths. It was a nice atmosphere. The wildlife consisted of many toads and snails whom we met along the paths and then two monkeys which were stranded together on "Love Island." This is what we were told.

Post boat ride and wandering, it was time to meet the group at the big nice hotel for swimming! We had to purchase swim caps. The pool was crowded. It was so much fun. Five of us put together a syncronized swimming show and performed it quite successfully a few times. I taught them the best moves I could remember from the Camp Okoboji and Spring Weekend routines from the past. :)

After that, we washed up, dried off, and headed to dinner. This dinner was amazing. The staff took up a whole banquet hall complete with a karaoke machine and LARGE screen. There were so many courses to this very Chinese meal that I can't even remember. But I ate a whole little octopus in one bite and Michael ate fish eyes. Won't forget that. It was crazy how much food was brought out. My favorites were the fish and the little fried sweet potato rolls!

Now, here's the story. There was a drawing going on for prizes throughout dinner. I was aware of this, but it was of course all in Chinese, so I couldn't really listen for my number. Suddenly, I heard my number shouted in English and Sam was enthusiastically waving my ticket in the air and pointing to me. Our coordinator Matt introduced me (with my English name... I'm still working on remembering the pronunciation of my Chinese name) and then I thanked them with the little Mandarin I do have under my belt. What I won was a free night's stay at this resort. Pretty exciting! But that was not the entire prize. The win also entitled me to a go at karaoke.

Let me explain. The people here are fearless when it comes to singing in front of each other. It's a desired opportunity, really, and so where in America it would seem like you might HAVE to sing to EARN something, here it was more you WON so you GOT TO sing. :) But I hadn't realized this at first. I just thought that the people going up to sing throughout the dinner were volunteers, but no, they were the people who had been winning as the drawing went on.

SO, thankfully, after this was explained to me, I went to the front and saw there were a couple pages of English song selections. I had never heard of some and the rest were everything from "Do Re Mi" to "Missing You." I decided that the most winning choice would be "You Are My Sunshine." It was a hoot and a half. I suddenly had the whole place clapping along and some singing along too. OH.. ha ha... and in the middle of every song, I noticed there was a break, and a little Chinese writing would come up on the screen. Michael's sister, who is visiting from Taipai this weekend and who knows quite a bit of Mandarin explained that the phrases say, "Take a break. Drink some water." ha ha... this singing is tough stuff. I'm glad they work that break into each song. The other funny thing about karaoke here is that behind the words on the screen there are completely random video shots of things like bridges in Europe to people working on boats in Asia to underwater fish shots to golf courses to SUVs driving down country roads. And they have nothing to do with the song lyrics. It's pretty funny.

After all that excitement, we left the park and stepped back onto the bus. It was a beautiful evening, and I sat right by an open window and enjoyed the breeze and night sky the whole way back to campus. This also was not without a bit of excitement, however. Anne fell asleep on the seat beside me, and all of sudden, when we were turning a corner, I heard a thump and there was Anne, waking up with a start on the floor of the bus. :D

Later in the evening, all of us sat and shared stories of our families, occupations, siblings, how we came to be here, etc. It was really good. I love how each of us here comes bringing something unique to the table, different experiences, strengths, trials, successes, and gifts. I love how God equips each of His children in such different ways and with different perspectives. Thanks for sharing, Team. :) And thanks for listening!

I must say, though, the most entertaining story of the evening was when Anne told us about her cocker spaniel who ate two hearing aides! Hahaha!

Today at church, we had a guest preacher who talked about sharing the Gospel with people at work. The Scripture of the day was Psalm 5, and he talked about how that chapter can teach us some about what it means to be a Christian. At church we have little ear pieces through which a translator (both weeks this has been a good new friend named Annie) translates the prayers, sermon, and announcements for us. It's very helpful. For hymns and readings, they have Chinese/English Hymnals and Bibles which we can use. So we hear the hymns in Chinese, but sing along in English. :) Many of the hymns are ones I have sung in the States. A youth choir sang today (about 5 youth singers plus the two pastors there today), and did a very nice job. After the service, there was a birthday party just outside to celebrate the July and August birthdays of the congregation. Taiwanese cake is fantastic! Here is a picture of some of the congregation memebers and the colorful, fruit-filled cake and the watermelon and tea drink boxes that were offered.

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement! God be with you and bless you this day. :)

Weekend

Look closely... to pick up three peanuts at once with a single pair of chopsticks is not as easy as it *might* seem...

Well. Week one of office work has drawn to a close. It was pretty productive, informative, and fun. I really enjoy the people with whom I am working.

This is going to be a kinda bullet-point entry as I'm tired, but wanted to put some news online... you see, I found out some of the other Taiwan Teamers' relatives keep up with their news by reading all the other Team Taiwan blogs. I think that's great... and so I can't let them down! :)

* As I mentioned, this week contained times of great productivity... but also great confusion. I am looking forward to classes actually beginning this next week so I can get a feel for the school day and also find out where the students are in their English ability so that I can plan accordingly.

* One project of mine this week was to clean the aluminum blinds in my classroom. You wouldn't believe these things... It's quite the process to go about de-griming them. I felt a little daunted walking into the classroom. Just the way things are built with lots of open air here makes things get dirty and dusty much quicker I think. But seeing the dust and grime in the classroom made me feel like Millie (from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) when she walks into the kitchen for the first time, and she finds it in a state of filth and disarray... but she then rolls up her sleeves and gets crackin'! So Wednesday was my day to really get cracking on those blinds and it made me come to this conclusion: I will never have aluminum blinds in my home.

* This evening we ordered pizza (a special treat!) and played games. It was a very wonderful, relaxing Friday night. Tomorrow, the staff of CMS national teachers and all the foreign teachers are going on a day trip to Tainan. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Taiwan. We have been told that there are places to hike a swim there. Woo!

* Last night at a Chinese restaurant and then today when one of the teachers ordered Vietnamese noodles, I was blessed with the taste of cilantro. Wow. I feel like I write about food a lot... but it's quite different here, and when I find something that is very tasty or familiar, I feel it is noteworthy. :) And I think cilantro is very tasty. I'm glad they have it on this island.

*Speaking of lunch, I ate my noodles today with all the Chinese teachers. They taught me some Chinese, but mostly just carried on conversation in Mandarin with some English thrown in here and there. It was a good thing. We've been talking a lot in our Team Taiwan morning meetings about leaving behind what we have known, our ways, our culture, and really becoming a part of this culture. Yesterday was kind of a hard day for me as I was going through this mini identity crisis of, "But I don't want to be Taiwanese!" But this morning, after talking about it more, I realized that I simply will never be Taiwansese, no matter how much I become aclimated into the culture or how well I learn the language and customs or how many friendships are built here... so it's a silly thing to "worry" about... BUT it IS important that I leave behind my schema of how things are done and I humble myself to learn from these people and to laugh at myself and to, by God's strength and by His love, work and relate to others here in that love!

*Have you ever played Cancellation Hearts? I did today and it was really fun... until Michelle and I decided, in a moment of everyone else's absence, to see what would happen if we stacked the deck for one hand. Oops. We learned our lesson - cheaters never prosper. :)

* Did I write about riding on a scooter here? I don't think I did. But it did happen. And quite frankly, I was scared to death. Molly is a good driver... I'm just not what you would call "used to" Taiwan traffic and two-wheeled motorized vehicals. But I think I still want to get a scooter as soon as I can... which will be when I get my Alien Residencey Card (ARC) and take the driving test. I heard that the driving test has more moral type quitions on it than actual rule-type questions.... like, "If you see someone laying on the side of the road, do you A) drive around them, B) drive over them, or C) stop and call the police." Hmm. I don't know how accurate this example of the test was, but at least I know that if I study really hard, I might have a chance at passing. :)

* Learning the Mandarin language is... coming. I ordered a mango icy drink the other day and was pleased as punch with myself for having done so. I also, in Mandarin, told a seven year old that I don't speak well. He corrected me. But once again, I was proud at my valiant effort. Oh, and then in the office, we were arguing, in Mandarin, over ownership of Asan.

* I have this new "Skype" program on my computer. It's a free-downloadable thing that allows you to call for FREE from one computer to another. Also, you can buy minutes to call from one computer to any actual phone line. It really is a great deal, so if you have Skpe, please let me know and hopefully we could talk sometime! But I have to tell you, the first night I had it and was trying to use it, I (apparently) had my country codes mixed up. I was attempting to call my home phone number in Wisconsin, but instead, I heard some crackling and all of a sudden, "Bueno! Bueno! Bueno? Bueno?!" Well, it seems I aimed a little too far south with that phone number. I don't know where the nice Spanish-speaking man lived, but I was so shocked that I had called somewhere in Central or South America that instead of putting my great Spanish skills to use, I said, "Ooops! Sorry!" and abruptly hung up.

Prayer requests:

*There are many people here (at the school) who hear about God's love in Jesus Christ often... but do not yet believe. Please pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to work through His Word and through us so that He may bring these people to faith here at CELA and CMS and throughout Taiwan.

*A prayer of thanksgiving is requested as the last member of Team Taiwan, returning veteran Mike, arrived safely back this afternoon! May we continue to grow and work together as members of the Body of Christ.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." - Psalm 40:2

May the Lord give you confidence and strength this day in the knowledge that He has placed our feet on the firm foundation of His love and grace.

What's in a Name?

Hey, all! Some people asked about what my new Chinese name was... and I really couldn't tell... because I didn't know. I still can't remember quite how to say it, and I'll be working on learning how to write it, but here it is! I was told that it contains the characters for attractive and music. All the names given were very nice things like that. Handsome, king, bright, and flower are some of the meanings of the characters that I can remember from some of the other new teacher's names. :)

麥娜音 (Mai Nuo Yin)

The English Pub was delicious tonight! It's actually run by a really nice lady who is our coordinator's Chinese language teacher. I had fish and chips... and then some apple pie too. Mmm. But it was a hard choice. They had so many good things on the menu from Chinese to Thai to British to American to Italian cuisine.

Thank you for continued prayers and encouragement. I am really looking forward to getting to know the people here better and meeting my students and learning, learning, learning... and will be excited to share it with you as I go. And I'll say again, I will also be excited to hear about what is going on in your life and what you are learning. We just were talking the other morning at our staff devo about how Jesus Christ came to earth as a "learner." He was among us for thirty years, "learning our culture" if you will, before he began his ministry. Now, I do not doubt that God could have just come and began his ministry right away. But I think that maybe looking at how Jesus was humble and a "learner" is a neat example for us. We can't just bust into peoples' lives and think we know everything. Especially in cross cultural situations, I think being a learner is a vital part of beginning to share the Gospel, a part of being the hands and feet of our Lord. And I think it's a good reminder that when hearts are moved and faith springs forth, it will be God's work in God's time. (See again, the end of the 1 Corinthians 13 entry) :) And with that, as great as it may be to be a student of another culture, another language, another people, we should most importantly be a student of our God, hey? Hmm.

Please pray that we may be humble learners here and that we may see and love people as God sees and loves them.

Thank you! Have a great one! May God give you strength and encouragement!

Office Hours

Today, I was one of two people to fall off my chair/stool in the CELA office. James fell because his stool just plain broke. I fell because I was overdramatizing my appreciation for Michael's generosity with sticky notes. I don't know what the other teachers must think of us.

Michelle and I visited Asan again today after our office hours. That monkey is the most adorable thing ever. She reached through the cage and held our hands. She makes this little "hoo hoo" sound... I think when she is content. That is not to be confused with the times she is just plain thrilled and screaming her little monkey lungs out. Molly warned us that one difficulty with classroom management may be when all our students decide to do their Asan imitations for us all at once. Wow.

Okay, I've gotta jet here in a few minutes. We're going out to an English pub tonight called the "Golden Eagle." I can't lie. I'm excited to eat at a place that has things like fish and chips and hamburgers on the menu. Really excited. But I'm going to try to post a few pictures from the past few days.

God be with you and may He renew your strength in HIM!

This is a picture of a man and a boy throwing "ghost money" into a fire as a sacrifice for their ancestors. It is something very common here. Ghost money is sold about wherever you go. You can see bags of it sitting off to the right in the picture here. This was at a temple we stopped at on our bike ride last Saturday.

Sam and James are enjoying a very delicious drink - kumquat juice tea!! It is really probably one of my favorite things that I've found to drink here.


Here is a picture from the top of the temple we stopped at on the bike ride. You can see over part of the city of ChiaYi and then even the outline of the mountains in the background.


Here's a picture from the actual riding bikes part of the bike ride. This is a pretty regular street of ChiaYi.


Here are some of the dining selections from the night market we went to last Friday night! Many new things to try. :) And really, most of the things I did try were pretty good! This was also the night that we had an archery contest (offered at the night market!) I got a colorful bruise from the bow... but I popped two balloons!

The Useful Llama

At some point I really do plan on sitting down and reflecting a bit about my experiences thus far. There are great things to say about the people, scooter rides, the food, the city of ChiaYi, the wildlife, what we've learned as a team, the church we attended on Sunday, language learning, attempted phone calls, and the school.

However, I will just give a quick run down of today for the time being. Today was the first day in our offices. There is a middle school office and an elementary office, but we each have our own desk in one of them. We met our co-teachers and saw our curriculum, asked questions, received answers, and began going through the materials they have for our use at the school. It amazes me how fast everyone here has gotten down the new teachers' names. Perhaps having an Anne, Anna, Anna, helps them all learn the girls' names. :) I'm still working on names!

This morning, we also got to finish our tour of the campus. We saw all the elementary classrooms and the missionary's children school that makes up the top floor of the elem. school. I thought that was fun to see.

Tonight went out to eat at a CELA student's family's restaurant. Goose was their special dish and it was delicious! We also had the usual fried rice, tofu, and green vegetable. However, squid and starfruit were two other special additions to the meal. It really was wonderful!

Upon returning to the P.H., I was pooped. But it was time for our nightly Chinese lesson (courtesy of my friend, John).

At this point, I will give a shout out to all those learning a language right now and encourage you to sing, "Language is a Battlefield" to the tune of "Love is a Battlefield." Here's to you, language warriors!

I will also say that today was a great day for conversation. I felt like I got to know some of the people here a bit better, and it was so much fun talking with them! One conversation began when I was questioned about the llama picture I have on my computer. Granted, we talked about many things other than llamas, but before that, we needed some questions answered and found this site: http://www.greenbriarllamas.com/Uses.htm Apparently, llamas are not only entertaining, but immensely USEFUL. Who knew?! Seriously, check out this site and learn a little about our under-appreciated llama friends.

I can see why so many of the people who come to Taiwan fall in love with this island. Yes, it is hot and humid and busy, but it is also beautiful and welcoming and sincere. It's a neat gift to be able to see beyond the walls of what is familiar.

I remember when I was on my first flight towards China in the summer of 2002, one little boy just ahead of me on the plane was looking out the little plane window and suddenly exclaimed, "I can't believe Jesus made all THIS!" This encouraged me in so many ways. I think it is no coincidence that I happened to hear a little boy make that statement of faith and remind me of that fact that day. And I've often thought about that since. "Look at this land... and look at these people," I find myself thinking, studying faces as we go past in the van or on our bikes. "This is a land and these are people God made and loves so much... I hope they know that." Well, folks, that's what we're called to do... near and far. :) What a joy it is to be the hands and feet that share the Good News of the Gospel, of the love and grace of God.

Prayers: That God opens the ears and hearts of these people to the Gospel. It's encouraging to me, because although I'm considered a "missionary," there are Taiwanese Christians and pastors who are working so hard building relationships and proclaiming the Gospel! Please pray for them, especially at Salvation Lutheran Church, the church we attended on Sunday and with which the school is connected.

That God would calm our (the new teachers') hearts as we face a new work environment and curriculum. That we may have courage and patience and creativity! :)

Thank the Lord for His protection and for all He has provided!

At The Practice Hotel

Here's an attempt at showing you around my new home.

This is standing in the doorway of the main part of the "practice hotel" (P.H. or just "hotel" as we call it), looking to the left. A nice living area.

From there, if one would look to his/her right, they would see this going on - Mahjong - a great rainy day (like today!) game. Thank you to Andy for teaching us the rules and to Anna H. for teaching us the Chinese words to use while playing! (yes, I learned to play too!)

Then, this is actually another shot from the same doorway. You can see where the Mahjong table is. The living area is still just on the left even though this picture doesn't show it. However, this shot also allows you to see the general layout of the P.H. The stairs are on the right. There is that balcony hallway along three sides of the second floor and the fourth side is the girls' bathroom. My room is the one in the top right with the door open and light on.


And here is a picture of my room, from standing in the doorway. It's presently a work in progress. But I really am so thankful for it. It's a wonderful gift of a place to call my own. :)

P.H. Cont...

Looking at the other side of my room. On the right you can see a great, big closet.


Standing in my doorway, looking out. (Looking to the right, past one other bedroom, you would see the entrance to the bathroom.)


I appreciate the recycling they do here... they recycle everything! Even at the practice hotel! Cartons, plastics, glass, and cans.


The P.H. has a great selection of reading materials! Thanks to all who have added to it throughout the years!



Okay! I'm going to have to go, but I have to say that today has been great! This entire morning and into afternoon, we were on a biking tour of the city and I hope to type more about it another time... and what stops we had along the way. Now we're leaving to go to a restaurant called the "Hot Pot." Mmm.

Last night the night market was full of new and interesting and fun things. Hopefully I'll put up some pictures and write some about it too soon... Oh, and I now have a Chinese name! We had what I called a naming "ceremony" even though it wasn't that at all, each new foreign teacher got a complimentary Chinese name. :)

That's what I have time for now! God's blessings.

Asan

Asan is a sort of mascot for the school here. Apparently, he had been someone's pet and was then donated to the school. The school children feed him and mimic his whoops and hollers and howls. I thought that he would seem unhappy since he's in a cage, but really, he seems very happy and swings back and forth hollering out with great gusto.

Someday, if I figure out how to put up videos, I could show you the video I took of Asan's swinging and hollerin'. :)


Asan touched my finger. He's the cutest happy little howler monkey ever.


This is called Dragon Fruit. It's colorful on the outside and has a kiwi-ish substance on the inside, except with seeds suspended throughout it. It's delicious!


Here're the photographer's samples like I posted about yesterday. :)

This morning we saw a show put on by the CELA summer school students. We saw dramatic and puppet renditions of The Three Little Pigs, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, the Country Mouse and the City Mouse, Chicken Little, and the Little Red Hen. There was a BBQ following, but some of us ended up eating at the school cafeteria and it was really good. This afternoon, we had a little break and soon we're going into the city to have health checks and to get some things at the big store... similar to a Target from what I understand.

I've met more really nice people today. One of the national teachers showed me my desk in the CELA office. It's fun as things become more and more real. We're really teachers! The school seems to be very well run, and I'm thankful for the organization and am really glad to be a part of this staff.

Later tonight, I think we're also going to go to a night market. And I might ride on a scooter for the first time... and be assigned my bike. :) That's the latest.

Thank you for the prayers and the words of encouragement! I appreciate it more than I can express. :) God's peace to you!

1 Corinthians 13

So I thought I would take a few moments to perhaps fill you in a bit more on the happenings here. Yesterday, upon arrival in ChiaYi, we ate lunch at one of many local restaurants that may soon be frequented by us foreign teachers. It's very inexpensive to eat out here. You can get a good meal for as little as 35 NT (New Taiwan Dollar) which is the approximate equivalent to 1 US dollar. You can, of course, spend more too, but we've been told it's much easier and cheaper to eat out. I've already made plans with another teacher though for some cooking... probably on the weekends when there is more time. It will be fun making some things from home, maybe needing to substitute different ingredients for those that aren't so readily available here. Although, I must say that thus far I'm very impressed with what we CAN find here. It's a paradox being here. On one hand, it is so entirely different from everything I've known and on the other hand, I can already say that it can feel comfortable and familiar... like "home." Perhaps one reason it doesn't feel so strange is that we have constant communication access with internet and a phone in our rooms. I hope that's a good thing.

Speaking of the rooms here, it is a great setup. Each of us has a room to ourself. All the girls live on the second floor of what is called the "practice hotel." Two of the guys live on the first floor. First floor also has a large living area and kitchen and washer/dryer. Since there are so many of us teachers here this year, there was not room for everyone in the "practice hotel." Therefore, the four oldest guys are living in what has been deemed the "Handsome Manor." (Previously known as the Hanson Manor :) , named after the missionary that used to live there with his family.) Both of these are on the campus of CMS/CELA. It's really a neat place. I wish you could visit and that I could give you a tour. I'm already proud of it and wish I could show it off.

The last two days, though we've toured much of campus and have been shown various stores and restaurants around the area, we have not seen everything. For example, the famed howler monkey named Asan, I've yet to meet. :) But from the stories I've heard, I'm convinced that Asan and I will be friends. The local animals I HAVE met (save the gecko) have not been so friendly. We went through the school's zoo today... yes...zoo. It's an area that has cages for all sorts of retiles and things. It would be pretty cool except that I didn't feel comfortable with the rather large population of poisonous snakes present. One cobra even flung out his flappy cheeks and snapped as we looked at his cage. Ick.

One of the greatest parts of campus I've seen is the kindergarten! Apparently, the kindergarten is very celebrated and has won many awards. Different students and such will come here to observe. It has a GREAT playground and the classrooms look very developmentally appropriate, colorful, active, and fun! We walked down the hall and waved in at some of the students today! Both the teachers and students seemed very enthusiastic and happy to be there. It made me SO excited to begin my work in this place!

We met quite a few people today, and I'm afraid it may take me a while with names, but I can say that there are many wonderful people here doing great work for this school that teaches not only academics, but the Word of God!

A big accomplishment of the day was that each of the new teachers had his or her picture taken professionally. This was hilarious. It's rare that I meet people more perfectionistic than myself when it comes to some silly things. (Not something I'm proud of, FYI). But the person that took our pictures was very amusingly perfectionistic. No English was involved, but the process we went through to get my shoulders-up shot for different IDs was really something. The ending result - a picture of me trying to smile, but really, looking rather confused. He moved my shoulders up, carefully smoothed my hair, tilted my head, retilted my head, retilted my head, had me button my shirt way up to my neck, retilted my head, motioned for me to open up my eyes wider, retilted my head, and snapped four pictures in the midst of this. In this photo shop there were many sample photos up, my favorite being of someone's pet dog on a plastic tricycle.

The best parts of my time here so far have been getting to know the rest of my team. We nine new teachers have met up with three other American teachers and it's been so comforting and fun spending time with them, hearing their stories and joining them in this work. We have also simply been building friendships through time spent playing card games (like the one where everyone is named a different animal and you have to yell out the animal name if someone flips over a card that matches yours... what is that called?.... the best game ever?) and singing, and playing instruments, and getting into theological "discussions," and riding on upside down crates ("benches") in the back of vans, and perusing through local convenience stores, and eating fermented eggs, and buying training-chopsticks for those chopstick-challenged members of the team. :)

Yesterday, I think I mentioned there was a thunderstorm, which is very unusual. However, it cleared out the air so that another unusual thing could happen. We could see the mountains of Taiwan from campus today. They are beautiful when the air is clear enough to see them. It was wonderful. :)

To finish off, because I'm getting crazily, eyes-can't-stay-open tired, I'm goint to share something that Matt, our coordinator shared with us today. Some people wrote it a while back and I found it to have some really good insight and encouragement... take it for what it's worth. Even though most of us are in a mission field of home or work where the people may look, talk, dress, and eat like us, I really hope this can give you some insight and encouragement too! Think about it, and then I'd also encourage you to check out the real 1 Corinthians 13 and see what the Lord has to say. :)

"1 Corinthians 13... Cross Culturally"
If I speak with the tongue of a nation, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette, and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, love is kind to those who mock his accent. It does not envy those who stayed home, it does not boast about the way we do it back home, it is not proud of his national superiority. It does not exalt his home culture, it does not seek his own ways, it is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, it does not think evil about this culture.

Love does not delight in criticisms of this new culture but rejoices in its differences. It always adjusts, always trusts, always anticipates being at home in this place, always endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails. But where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will lead to syncretism; where there is linguistics, it will change. For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part, but when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America, I talked like an American, I thought like an American, I reasoned like an American. When I left America, I put American ways behind me. Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly; but He will live in it intimately. Now I speak with a strange accent; but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain: cultural adaptation, language study and love. But the greatest of these is love.



My favorite parts:
"If I... spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I gain nothing."
"Now I speak with a strange accent; but He will speak to the heart."


So I'm completely beat and hope this entry made sense! I'm off to bed! God's blessings to each of you this day.

Stepping onto the Soil

Hello all! Greetings from my new home in ChiaYi, Taiwan! My whole team and I are now safely here. Praise the Lord! Thank you for the prayers! It was a long couple of days in flight. But everything went really well, Anne and I chatted or slept of goofed the hours away on the plane into Taipei. We arrived around 5 am Taiwan time and proceeded to explore about the Taipei airport as the 7 others of the team were no where to be found... yet!

Here we are at a Princess Party in the airport...



We did, soon after these pictures were taken, meet up with our 7 others. There was much rejoicing. :) We then waited over two hours to take a less-than-an-hour flight to Kaohsiung. It was GORGEOUS. We flew along the west side of the mountain range in Taiwan, and as the 9 of us made up half the total passengers on the plane, I asked to move back to a window seat to just sit and take in the beauty. Looking down, I could see the prefect circle of the sun reflecting off the countless rice patties. Then there were clouds and above the clouds, the mountain tops. Very nice.

Presently, I don't have time to give all the details of the rest of the day, but at the airport, our cooridator, Matt, met us with two others from the school. It was good to meet a couple of the people I'll be working with, and we had a drive in two vans then to lunch, and then on to our school. Amazingly, a thunderstorm met us here! Those are unusual here!

Okay! I gotta go for now! We're going to go exploring the campus!

P.S. A gecko greeted me last night. :)

If You're Going To San Francisco...

Hi. I am in San Francisco. It is really late. Anne is here and is helping me spell Francisco. I am about ready to board a large plane to Taiwan. The other flights today were adventurous... in a good way... complete with a Home Alone-ish run through the Houston airport. But the Lord was with me and here I raise my Ebenezer. The Lord has been with me in this journey thus far, and I know He will continue to be with me! Just like He is with each of you!!

If I had a picture of Anne and I now, that would be fun to post... but presently, I don't. SO, you can imagine us sitting here among many people who are now starting to stand in a line, so perhaps we will join them. "What? Did they just announce something important?"

Puppies

I just told my dog Tillie that I will be gone in Taiwan for the next year. I told her to be a good dog and that I love her and will miss her, but I should see her next summer.

She looked at me funny and let out one single bark.

I think that meant that she will miss me too, loves me too, and will eagerly await my return.

Here're two pictures of her...





And I have to put of a picture of my dear Gretel who was 15 years old when she died this March... she was the nicest dog that God ever created. I got her as a little runt when I was 8 years old. :) I'm glad that God thought to create nice animals and to share them with us. I miss her.

"Table of Plenty"

We are blessed. One of the countless blessings is the fact that we have food on our table. Here's a picture of an especially special dinner because all except the chicken and potatoes is the harvest of our garden and fruit trees.

Anyone who has been to our house has probably been a guest on my dad's "garden tour." :) He's definitely a farmer's son, and proud of it. And I am proud to be a farmer's grandaughter and hope to carry on the garden growing someday.

The Learning Shop

Today it hit me, as it sometimes does, that I am a teacher. Therefore, it makes sense when I think like a teacher, act like a teacher, dress like a teacher, and shop like a teacher.

I had a fun time at The Learning Shop today. Thanks to a generous congregation, who gave me money specifically for buying classroom supplies, I felt like I could actually invest in a few things that teachers sometimes just dream about - cool educational posters, flashcards, games, and stickers. (Though I was keeping it limited to things that I could pack with me...for the time being.) I am very excited to begin putting these things to use very soon!

I've should tell you this little story though. I found it entertaining:

As I was driving to The Learning Shop, right before I made my last turn, I was stopped behind a large vehical with a bumper sticker that said, "I think, therefore I'm single." Well, just as I had decided to feel sad for any person who actually held strongly to that belief rather than cry out, "Thinking singles of the world, unite!" I walked into The Learning Store and this is what met my ears: There was a jolly-sounding man and a guitar leading an enthusiastic group of children in singing (to the tune of God Bless America), "God bless my underwear, my only pair!" ha ha ha... This song had verses too, but sadly I can't quite remember them... something like "from my backpack, to the washer..." I couldn't help from laughing... and singing along.

Maybe that's why I went into early childhood education... the extensive use of music and the saturation of ever-amazing all-original lyrics. :)

In other news, I found out today that my dad still has not named the fish he has in a cool semi-new tank in his office. Those poor identity-less creatures.

Still, in other news, I really should be packing, etc! May God give you great encouragement and peace in HIM! "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." - Psalm 126:3

I Would Drive 1200 Miles...

The Body of Christ... I've been thinking a lot about the Body of Christ lately. Christ tells us that we, His people, the Church, are His body, His hands and feet, the people through whom we receive care and love, encouragement and support... Hmm.

Well, the Lord has been touching my life with what seems to be an extra measure of love and encouragement lately through different people in my life, and here is a picture of one such wonderful instance. I was surprised (to say the least) Saturday evening to find a dear friend of mine on my door step. You may ask why I found that to be such a surprise until l I tell you this friend lives a good 600 miles away and is newly married and starting a new job this week. She had talked with my family and put together this plan to come assist me in my organizing and packing campaign. It was not only a joy to spend time with a good friend, but thanks to her drill-sergeant-ish-resolve, I think I got more done in the three days she was here than in the whole rest of the summer combined!


Here we are, taking one last fell swoop at my endless supply of random paper-ness. As another friend said, concerning projects such as this, it always has to look worse before it starts looking better. The recycling plant is going to love my house this week.

Thank you to all of you who have given and do give love and support as you are the hands of Christ to those around you (or 600+ miles away).

One Step Closer

Okay, there's been quite a few things that I've wanted to post about, but have not yet had the opportunity. I just saw something on our kitchen counter though, and had to say that I did not know that National Geographic had a catalog! And somehow, our household was one of the chosen to receive this catalog in the mail. Thanks to the USPS I now find myself wondering, "So if I would purchase one of these National Geographic 'Explorer's Rugged Canvas Shirt' or 'Three-season Micro-suede Travel Jacket Resists Rain' or 'Adventure Travel and Field Vest Packs Small, Wears Light, and Holds It All' would I be taking that one step closer to becoming the most celebrated photographer that National Geographic has ever employed?

Nothing Says I Love You Like Music

I just had this thought. Today I mailed a CD with a mix of music I had made for a friend, and I was so excited about it, I felt like my stomach was dancing and bubbling around inside of me... in the really good way. But that was due to a combination of exciting things. Just mailing anything makes me incredibly happy. If I need to cheer myself up, I write someone or mail someone something. And then I can hardly wait until the someone gets it. It's kinda ridiculous how silly excited I get waiting to hear when people get things I mailed. But also, I enjoy giving people music. We've heard about the supposed "Five Love Languages" and I think music must fit in there somewhere.

Hmm... one would think, if it was such a joy for me to mail things, I would do it more often. Perhaps that will become a goal of mine. To get even more mail moving through the system.

Okay, I really am supposed to be tackling my piles in the basement....five years plus of papers, nic-nacks, toiletries, more papers, art supplies, did I say papers? and just random, random stuff. This is a seemingly insurmountable task over which my dad persistently persists I attempt to gain victory.

Something About Music

Song lyrics seem to be one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. It seems like whatever I'm feeling, there's a song about it. I generally judge the "quality" of a song by deciding how well I relate with the words. Now, I say generally because that is not always the case. I've been known to like songs very well when I haven't the foggiest idea what they're talking about. But I can safely say, the majority of the time, I like a song because of its words. Sometimes I even trick myself and give the words my own meaning so that I can call the song one of my favorites. "Maybe this is what the singer was singing about, but I'll just say that it really means this." Other times, I change the lyrics all together and whenever I hear it on the radio, I sing along, but with my own unique wording.

I don't really know what it is about songs, but they've been a comfort to me for honestly as far back as I remember. From a young child on, in different situations, when I was afraid or frustrated, Psalty the Singing Songbook would come to mind singing to the Lord, "I cast all my cares upon You, I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. And anytime I don't know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon You," or "We are the body of Christ, we are the body of Christ, together bringing His love to the world...we work together, we work together, we do it with cooperation..." There are thousands of Psalty's Kids Praise lyrics that I could continue typing, but we'll move on. Amy Grant also was a childhood favorite, "Angels watching over me, every move I make... angels watching over me, every step I take..." or "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...When I feel afraid, And think I've lost my way, Still You're there right beside me. Nothing will I fear, as long as You are near. Please be with me to the end..." There were other songs from The Music Machine, G.T. and the Halo Express, Nanny Bird, and Evie that I really think not only taught me important concepts and values but also gave me an appreciation for song lyrics as well as for different styles of music.

As I grew older, music and songs became more and more important. My grandparents and my mom had fun record collections and record players. I listened to a great variety of music that way. I tried out the violin and took piano lessons, I sang in community and school choir. My dad sang strong and well and my mom played piano and I remember wanting to be like that. Later I played the trumpet, I began wanting my own tapes and then CDs (I remember hearing a CD for the first time - 4th grade music class), I listened to the radio, I took dance lessons (which is just another extension of music), and I decided I wanted to become a rhythmic gymnast who would dance around with a long flowing ribbon. My sister, our friends, and I would go out to the church's preschool playground with a little tape recorder and play music while doing "routines" on all the equipment to the different songs. Swing and cement barrel routines were the favorites. I often imagined myself winning many an Olympic gold medal there on that playground.

I was very blessed in that way, to be so surrounded by music.

Lyrics became extra special to me in high school when I realized that artists were giving me words to put to the different emotions faced in high school. In one study hall, a couple friends and I filled up the cover of a notebook with our favorite lines from songs... most all of them being about "love." One time I remember, to comfort myself after having my heart a bit bruised, I carried around a piece of paper with the lyrics from Linda Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time" and Roger and Hammerstein's "Many a New Day." I remember pulling it out a few times and finding solace within the words.

Hmm... I think I may reflect further in the near future about lyrics and how they can be comforting and attracting, but also how different lyrics can be dangerous if I allow them to more "define" how I am feeling rather than just express it. I think that's maybe why God has given us an entire book of psalms, or songs that do help teach and direct us to the truth of His grace. Because songs, because words, are powerful.

But I've really got to go for now!