Faith in Taiwan

The near future

I made a decision this week to stay on in my position in Taitung. My contract at my school ends in March and I am going to stay until the end of the semester, until June 2007. (Wow, I can't believe it is 2007, weird to write that!) I really enjoy living in Taitung, my students, my friends, my roommate, and in general my life here. This extra time will also give me an opportunity to attend a few different Chinese classes that are starting up this semester. I have found that it takes humbled practiced persistence to learn Chinese. I've been here for two years and still I struggle with basic communication. So I am looking forward to putting in extra study time to learn this fascinating language. I am constantly reminded of how important communication and language is. For me it is like discovering a precious jewel when I learn a little more. My goal is to be able to have a conversation, this I want to do before I leave Taiwan. So pray for me, for patience, persistence, humbleness, and a hardworking attitude.

Dinner with Friends

Rebecca, Casper, Scott, Me, and Fema. We decided to dress up and go out for a fancy dinner (Dec 2006). We went to a newer restaurant in town, "Daniels." The atmosphere was quite nice. But the most fun was dressing up and seeing everyone look so great.

Hello 2007, Hello indecision!

Hello friends! Welcome to 2007!

A little update for you as I've lacked posts for the last 2 months. Time has flown by with teaching, enjoying the cool temperatures, Thanksgiving celebrations, Christmas celebrations, New Years. A highlight has been my bible study group. They have been a great source of encouragement and fun. Together we are headed to Laos for our Chinese New Year vacation. We are so excited about this trip.

Some things coming up in the near future for me. I am trying to make a decision about whether I extend my contract here in Taiwan. I've been studying chinese for the last year and would really like to continue to make progress with that. In two months my second eldest sister is coming to visit me here in Taiwan. I am stoked!! It will be fun to show her why I love Taitung so much.

My friends and family who are reading, I hope that this next year is full of blessings, God's provision, dear friendships, joyful memories, amazing adventures, and a deepening of your understanding of who God is. I encourage you to step out in faith and step into many spontaneous adventures.

Love faith

Redecorating my room!

You can go back in my blog to see what my room looked like before. Now I have painted the walls and ceiling beige and purple, I have green curtains (not in the picts), a green bed spread, paintings from Cambodia, candles, paper lantern lamp, and a drop silk ceiling. Feels like home.

Biking in Guan Shan

Bike path in Guan Shan

Biking through Guan Shan

Girlz Night

Pedicures, facials, food, movie, music, and fun girls. What a great time!

Flin Flon Fish Fry

Hmmmm....

Mark and Emily frying up fish for us to try. Fish they caught themselves.

A Trip Home

In August, I got a chance to travel home to Canada to visit with my family. This was a special trip because Timothy was born (and I got to meet him for the first time) and it was a family reunion with everyone together (It had been a long year and a half since the last time we were altogether.)

So I got to enjoy hanging out with friends, go camping at Kenosee, eat 'real' sandwiches, enjoy homemade meals with 'real' ingedients, have a fam reunion, hang at Mal + Matt's house for a few days, go shopping, go shopping at Wal-mart (this is a treat because in Taitung we only have one big shopping department store, so I could spend all day in Wal-mart after being in Taiwan for a year. hmmm.. shopping... English labels, Canadian food, hmmmmm....).

It was a great trip, especially seeing my fam. I miss ya all so much.

Sisters

My sisters enjoying the warm summer afternoon while we waited to take pictures of the whole family.

Dino Museum, a walk through the past

When we went on family holiday's together when we were children, my dad would always stop at all the museums along the way. Of course as kids, this grew boring quite quickly and we would complain about it. I'm not sure as adults we have come to appreciate the experience yet!? So to keep the tradition alive (as adults), Mom, Dad, Mark, Em, and I piled into the camry (a far too small vehicle for 5 people), and drove for 3 hours to this Dino Museum.

Timothy loves his bath time with Malisa. I got a chance to stay with Mal + Matt for a few days when I first arrived back from Taiwan.

Sleeping Timothy looks like an angel or a prayin' baby. Too cute!

Camping

Camping with Melanie, her sister- Kari, and I at ??

Family Reunion, Summer 2006

1st row: Great-Grandpa, Matthew, Carolyn, Dad (Grandpa)
2nd row: Grandma, Timothy, Malisa, Mom (Grandma)
3rd row: Emily, Mark, Faith

4 Generation Picture: Dad, Timothy, Malisa, and Grandpa.

Great-Grandpa and Timothy with matching hats!

Home Sweet Home

My parents apple trees. Their first 'real' year of produce. Yummy.

Dad's garden in the backyard! Good work!

Feeling a bit grumpy early in the morning, as my kind brother takes a picture of my sad state. I would never have posted this picture (i'm sure you can understand why), but did you notice my dad in the background making a silly face. I didn't notice that at first. Haha!!