Birthday Blessings

I had a very special birthday this year, full of God's grace, joy, and wonderfully simple celebration! At our staff meeting, the staff ordered birthday cake and sang. Here are a couple pictures from that.
These are some of my fellow teachers and I. Three of them are assistant teachers who work in the office. This year I get to do a conversation class with them once a week to help their English grow. They are a ton of fun!

And here we have Elden... finishing off the remainder of the chocolate cake! :)

a taste of home :)

Thank you, Mom, who sent our old shower curtain from our house for me to use in my very Taiwanses little bathroom! It brightens it up tremendously and is cheerfully familiar!

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths. ~ Psalm 148:7

A Lineage of Grace

Two years ago, I began reading a series of novellas by Francine Rivers. A Lineage of Grace, they are called. Five books, historical fiction, based on the five women mentioned in Jesus' geneology in the Gospel of Matthew: Unveiled (Tamar), Unashamed (Rahab), Unshaken (Ruth), Unspoken (Bathsheba), and Unafraid (Mary). I read the first two two years ago and enjoyed them. I appreciated how Rivers took the reader there... to that place, that time, that culture, and into what may have been the thoughts and prayers of each of these amazing women... that at the same time struggled and faced remorse and received grace... just like us.

Well, this summer, a friend lent me Ruth and Mary. Reading Ruth, I was so inspired! I found my heart longing to be like her. I want to trust God and be a woman of faith like her. Rivers definitely takes some liberty to fill in conversation, inner thoughts, motives, characters, but also keeps true to the Biblical and historical account through all of it. I recommend these five novellas, quick reads, to anyone. Even thoughsome may argue they are aimed at more of a female audience, I think any man who reads these could receive valuable insight, and also encouragement. Throughout each book, Rivers looks at the Biblical account from the perspectives of all the main characters, male and female.

I think there's something valuable for spending time thinking on our brothers and sisters of faith, and even though we've always known that these people really did live, reading these books makes them all the more tangible and brings the lessons of their lives to the forefront. I love it. I'm so encouraged by Ruth... and now I'm in the middle of Mary. I got goosebumps (the really good kind) up and down reading the account of the birth of Jesus Christ with Rivers writing from Mary's perspective.

Now, remember, these are just little novellas. Maybe they are too silly at times, or maybe you don't care for Rivers' writing style. That's alright. :) Rivers writes herself in the beginning of each book that "the ultimate authority on people of the Bible is the Bible itself. I encourage you to read it for greater understanding. And I pray that as you read the Bible, you will become aware of the continuity, the consistency, and the confirmation of God's plan for the ages - a plan that includes you."

As we read and study God's Word, may we be inspired by the countless men and women of faith who have gone before us and have lived lives that can bless us with examples, warnings, lessons, blessings, and encouragement! May we think about who they were, their times and places, the challenges they faced, the culture in which they existed, and praise God for including each of them and each of us in His blessed family!

And if you get a chance to check out these books, go for it! And if anyone has read the one about Bathsheba, let me know what you think. I've yet to find a copy of that one.

Early Morning Wonders

A snail that is one of many making its way to and fro around the abundantly mossy island.

A rice field with mountains in the back... the view we encounter on clear mornings on the way to Chung Cheng University.

And even though this is a Friday Night thing and not a morning thing, I'm also adding a picture from our opening night of Friday Night Bible Study. We looked at the creation account in Genesis. We also had a small play with some artwork the teachers created the day before. I made one thing for the performance - that little brown monkey.

Tales From the Track

A few of the teachers here in Taiwan have begun heading north in the early morning to a place called Chung Cheng University. It is the same university where the English club is on Thursday nights. We applied for memberships to their athletic facilities and now are able to work out in a number of wonderful ways. My facilities of choice are the swimming pool (Olympic size!), the track (ah, sweet memories), and the weight/machine room. Today, let me tell you a little about my experiences on the track.

Jenny has been my running buddy on the track. The very first day we went there, an older Taiwanese man came up to us and asked if he could offer some advice. His English was broken, but quite good. He expressed his concern that we were not getting enough oxygen and it was not good for our lungs or heart to be talking while running. He insisted we not talk while running together. We thanked him for his advice and then talked about things like how old he is, how he is a retired teacher, what we were doing there, etc... which was much nicer than being scolded for talking while running. (I suppose we had brought it upon ourselves though by not just TALKING while we had been running, but singing and shouting "CHIA YO!" [GO!] as we sped around the track. Come to think of it, the guy probably just wanted some peace and quiet for his own workout.)

At any rate, we learned his name to be Mr. Guo, and we had a new friend. The next time we met Mr. Guo on the track, we were surprised to find him picking up right next to us in our run... and talking with us. I decided not to point this out. He insisted that he had see the two of us in movies. "Especially you," he said to me, "in a children's movie." I have no idea what he could have been referring to... but we assured him that we hadn't been in any movies - yet. He also told us that he was maybe a Christian, but that he didn't go to church much. We shared that going to church doesn't make you a Christian. It's knowing and believing Jesus - having the faith He gives to us - that makes the difference. But we told him he would be welcome to come to our church anytime. After a couple laps with us, he did suggest that we were breathing too hard, so we should not talk anymore. At the end of the run, Mr. Guo showed Jenny and I two interesting exercises that, if we do them before bed for 30 minutes, we "can have smaller waists and be more beautiful." I decided not to let this offend me.

This morning, after driving to Chung Cheng, walking the few meters of mossy sidewalk (they don't have ice covered sidewalks in Taiwan ever... but the moss is just as treacherous), and stretching out on the track, I began my run. I was unaccompanied this morning, and enjoying the quietness and greeness of the campus at morning. I decided to run intervals where I would pick up the pace on the straightaways and jog the bends. About halfway through my workout, Mr. Guo appeared on the track, and I waved to him. There were some other older Taiwanese that shouted something as I ran past. Then Mr. Guo shouted, "No! Slow down!" (I think the others had been telling me to run faster, but Mr. Guo didn't want me to overdo it.) One time around, Mr. Guo joined me. "Your pant is severe," I believe was the direct quote. I tried to explain to him that I wanted to be "panting" because I was working out, and sometimes you have to pant to give your heart a good work out.... sometimes, but not all the time, I assured him.

I finished my workout and began stretching. Mr. Guo continued running around the track. He would stop every once in a while on his way around though, praise my running, and offer me tips on my stretching. At one point, he pointed to my calf and then gave me a thumbs up...

Oh dear.

I think if I wanted to hire a coach here in Taiwan, Mr. Guo would be that coach. He's concerned with my wellbeing, offers helpful hints, and encourages.

As funny as I find some of the suggestions though, I really am thankful for this new friend.

Here ends today's tale from the track.

This and That

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

I somewhat randomly found some marshmallows for sale at a nearby grocery store. Molly and I soon discovered the joys of pseudo-s'mores (using Digestive crackers since we can't find grahm crackers).


Jenny and I make for a dynamic early childhood team... we BECOME the kindergarten lesson.


Grocery shopping at the big Carrefour store.


A tiny loaner scooter that I used while mine was being fixed... Even though, granted, it had a lot of character, this loaner wasn't working much (any) better than the one I had getting fixed. Was it out of gar or was it just not working right? Perhaps both?



Some of my Taiwan family members. :)

The Croc Hunter

While I checking my email the other day, I saw a news brief come up on the sidebar of MSN that Steve Irwin had died. I just stared at it. I had spent so many hours watching his shows with my brother, talking like him, laughing at him, but I really really did appreciate him. One time a friend cheered me up by doing a Croc Hunter voice for me and I said (sincerely, though I still take slack for it today :)) "I love the Crocodile Hunter! God bless you!" I think it was his enthusiasm. I love enthusiasm. That's why I teach little kids. They are great models of enthusiasm and it's contageous. I also loved how he wondered at and found ever-new amazement at God's creation! He had a heart for caring for the environment and the animals that God created for us to care for... I learned from him, was entertained, and hoping that this is not sounding too corny, I really was inspired by him.

So I am grieving. It's a weird grief because it's almost like having your favorite fiction character in a novel die or something.... since I didn't really KNOW Steve Irwin... but it's not like that, because he is real. And he has a real wife and two real little children. I've been praying for them. I can't imagine their grief. I really hope he knew Jesus.

I suppose though, all the times I laughed at how many times he had been to an emergency room and in harm's way... now it's not really so funny. So I think I'll be enthusiastic about God's creation... but maybe in a less dangerous way?

At any rate, I liked him, and I will miss him. <><

The CU Connection

I just saw that today's front page of the CUNE website is about three university students' trip to Taiwan this summer. The pictures are from the congregation I am a part of here. Pretty cool! Check it out!
http://www.cune.edu/2005a.asp?durki=2628

Back in Session

Today was the first day of classes for our 2006-2007 school year here at Concordia English Language Academy. And I loved it! I met two of my three new kindergarten classes. (I'll meet the third one when I have them on Monday.) And I was so excited to welcome back ALL (save one who transferred to a different CELA closer to her house) PLUS one new student of my students from last year. I really think this is an amazing opportunity to have my same students a second year in a row. We can "hit the ground running" if you will. We already have an understanding of how each other works and how learning can happen. And it's good because over the summer, reevaluating and modifying some of the classroom structure, I think with some changes we can have an even more effective and exciting learning year! I was also really glad to see the parents of the students again. It seriously does feel like coming back "home" here in Taiwan getting to see everyone again.

I remember one of my friends a couple years back talking about how she just simply loved teaching. It was her passion. At that point in my life, I couldn't relate. I liked the idea of teaching alright some days, but I wasn't passionate about it. Well, today, I understood what she had met. It was one of those days that I was ridiculously happy with the work God has put before me. Isn't it in Ecclesiastes where the writer says something about finding satisfaction and joy in work and how that's such a great thing? Hmm.... I'll have to check that out, but just from past experiences and from the joy of today, I must say PRAISE GOD for allowing us to use the training and gifts he has given us to do work that is satisfying.

Today I also saw some of my kindergarten students from last year who are now attending CELA E-1. I love seeing kids grow... I love learning... I'm so happy to be a part of that here!

Okay, enough. May God be with us all and give us the strength and joy we need as we delve into this academic year!