Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2012 was quite the interesting day. My students made hand print turkeys and watched clips of the parade after I taught about it! My high school students made Indian and Pilgrim costumes and we did a short play where they had to gobble and pop and make Indian noises to a script!

That evening, we had a big Thanksgiving dinner at 515 restaurant complete with Turkey, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie! I made the Sweet potato casserole for the first time and it was very good I must say! It was a very loud and fun night as another group from church had an outreach night! I really enjoyed getting to chat with everyone and celebrating our thankfulness.

Babies!

My life is currently full of babies... Or should I say news of babies.. It seems that I have now reached the point in my life where everyone is already married and entering the baby stage. Two years ago, my friend Jill kicked off the baby stage when she had her first baby a few days before I left for Taiwan. I was so happy to get to see her and hold him before I left. She has now had Baby #2, a girl. At this point, EVERYONE around me is having babies. Two of my co-teachers were pregnant last year and had their babies over the summer and in October. I got to go visit Carrie and her son recently! Isn't he the cutest!

I also quite recently got some amazingly good news on a terribly bad day! Some of my dearest friends, Amanda and Adam are going to be parents too! And of course I will be this precious bundle's Auntie Hannah!

I am so very excited and happy for all my friends who have had children! I think this summer, I will just go on a long road trip visiting all my friends so I can hold their little blessings!

Recent Conversations.

I must have lost the sign on my forehead that says “Please don’t talk to me”.

I’m not sure if I am happy about this or not.

I have now been in Taiwan for a year and two months if you count the summer vacation. I shouldn’t count the summer vacation because I was in the US, but it’s easier to say a year and two months.

Anyway most of last year was characterized by a lot of staring and little talking. What I mean by that is this: people would stare at my white, blonde headed self, but would very rarely stop and talk to me.

There were a few notable exceptions. 1. The soldier in the Kaohsiung Train Station who approached me and proceeded to chat with me for 30 minutes while I waited for joy and 2. The mainland Chinese people who must have thought I was part of the scenery at Alishan Mountain. There are probably a dozen photos floating around China somewhere of me and tiny Chinese women. And of course number 3. Frank, the nicest man who helped me buy a printer cartridge at RT Mart one day. The cashier had no idea what I was saying and I had no idea how to explain to her what I wanted. He very nicely stepped in and translated for both of us. We chatted for a few minutes and he even gave me his number telling me to call him anytime I needed anything, also explaining that his wife spoke English very well too and would help me if there were any women things I needed help with. Thanks!

Other than these few people I have not been approached very often. Several of my Caucasian friends, on the other hand, are often approached.

Recently though, it seems as if whatever was the problem has been fixed. In the past two months I have met and spoken with several very interesting people. I am always amazed at how kind people are and wanted to share these two stories with whoever reads this blog.

A few weeks ago, my roommate and I went to eat dinner at a nice little restaurant called 515. We went there mainly because they serve Thanksgiving dinner and we wanted to find out about it in preparation for this year’s celebration! While we were there, a little girl kept staring at me. I smiled at her and made a silly face like I normally do with children in Taiwan. She just kept staring. Later, her grandfather came over and introduced himself saying “she was very curious.” She was so hyper and excited, but didn’t say anything to us. However he stayed and had a nice chat with my roommate in GERMAN! Turns out he studied German Literature in University. It was such a funny experience. Turns out his father was a Taiwanese ambassador and he now taught German and English at the University nearby. He gave both of us his card and was so kind.

Yesterday at Curves (my gym for anyone who doesn’t know) I had two different people approach me and speak to me in English. Now I’ll admit, I get approached a lot at the gym and my feelings aren’t always positive. After all, I don’t like to make conversation while lifting weights or doing aerobics. However, these two women kindly waited until I was finished and stretching/cooling down to come talk to me. The first was very brief but the second woman sat down on the floor with me while I stretched and we chatted for thirty minutes! She had lived in Dallas, TX for fifteen years and was very interested in what would bring a young America to Taiwan. Her name was Jaime and her English was perfect! We chatted about why I am in Taiwan and some funny things that had happened! It was very nice and refreshing. Since we got to the gym at the same time I’m sure we will be seeing each other more often!

It just seems very odd that all of a sudden, so many people are chatting to me in English.... 

Dear You - via The Good Woman Project

Dear You,

Yeah, you. The one reading this.

Even the fact that you’ve stumbled across these words is further proof of the point that I’m about to make. Don’t believe for a second that you’re reading this by mistake.

Allow me to let you in on something you may or may not already know (or believe). If they’re words you’ve already heard, that’s alright, let them sink in one more time. Because Truth is something that never tires.

You, are invaluable.

Let me dig a little deeper into the meaning of that word to paint a clearer picture for you. The dictionary defines the word invaluable like this:

“beyond calculable or appraisable value; of inestimable worth; priceless.”

Here’s where the problem lies; you search for and attempt to find your value in so many other places than it’s true source.

“If only I had a body that looked like this…”

“If I have sex with him, then at least I’ll be worth something to someone…”

“I’m single. If I was really worth as much as you say I am, at least one guy would pursue me…” 

The only dictionary you should ever use to define your worth is the one that was written by my Savior. I don’t know if you’ve met him yet, but his name is Jesus Christ. His Word says a few things about who you are: you are his precious, beautiful, daughter. It’s been awhile, but if I remember correctly they taught us all the way back in elementary school that by definition, the daughter of a king is referred to as a princess. She is to be cherished, honored, admired, and revered. To disrespect her, is to disrespect the king. But don’t be mistaken, you aren’t just the daughter of any king; you are the beloved daughter of the King of Kings.

God knit you together in your mother’s womb and created you in His very own image. He refers to you, as His masterpiece. The Creator’s greatest creation. Pause for a moment and let that sink in.

For those reasons alone, your value is intrinsic and irrevocable.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you. It doesn’t matter how dark of a past you might have or how broken you may be.

Your value cannot be damaged, destroyed or even diminished.

So please, let the Truth scream louder than the lies.

Next time you hear a voice that tells you that you aren’t worth it, that you have no value, or that you’re unlovable, know this; there is a Love that was purchased for you on the cross. A Love that determined that you were worth dying for. And single, married, or anything in between that Love always has been and always will be passionately pursuing you. So run towards it and embrace it. And never forget that because of that Love, your value is not dictated by whether or not you have a man pursuing you.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m too broken for a love like that.” And if that’s you, I am sorry. I’m sorry that you had to experience whatever it is that left you broken. Let me say this: until you bring Him all of the broken pieces, He cannot begin to put them back together. But when you bring them to Him, I promise you that He’ll put them back together more complete and whole than they were before. Because He is a God who makes beauty from the brokenness.

In the same way that His Love cannot be earned, it cannot be lost or taken from you. So breathe easy, because there is nothing you could ever do that could make Him love you less.

Let that be enough.

Rest in that.

Because that is truth.

In Him,
Nick

For girls everywhere

Hey. Stop what you’re doing for a minute and listen. You aren’t going to believe everything I’m about to say, but I know you will understand it. I know you, and I know what you’re thinking. Maybe you will recognize me. Maybe you won’t.

First things first, you’re gorgeous. I know you don’t think that, and I know right now you’re smiling and inwardly negating my words; you do that a lot. Stop it. God made you. You don’t know Him that well yet, so you don’t understand this, but He formed every part of you. He molded your face, gave you that hair you try to cover up. He made you with hips (not the bad thing you think it is). And all those curves that make you feel disproportionate? He made those too. He made your nose and your eyes and he made you a little shy.

You feel cheated right now, wondering why the God of the universe didn’t make you alluring or talkative or anything like the girls you wish you were, but you’re wrong. You’re so wrong. Because, when God made you, he didn’t step back and look at the finished product and say, “good enough”. He didn’t grimace when he realized he made a few mistakes, but ushered you out into the world anyway. He didn’t even nod and think he had done pretty well. No. He saw you and he was enthralled. Girl, the king is enthralled with your beauty. Why? Because you – because the woman he made – was absolutely gorgeous.

I know you don’t feel that way, when the boys in the hallway try to rate your beauty on a scale of ten, when they make you feel unseen, unwanted. Don’t listen to them. Ignore them. For they are just boys and you are a woman – not one of their playthings. You surpass their scale; no one can assign your beauty a number, a rating, a degree. Those who try and do such things are mere fools, not worth being heard. Yeah, their opinion seems like the world to you now, and the things they say cut deep, but you’ll get through it and soon they will be as laughable to you as they are to me now.

You think your brain is your only redeeming quality; you feel threatened when people try to challenge that. You tell yourself that if you can’t be pretty, at least you can be smart, but that’s not true either. God made you beautiful and He made you smart, so stop putting yourself down, stop believing lies (you made most of them up anyway; in a few years, you will realize that). You feel like no one will ever understand you, and they probably won’t, but that’s part of what makes you beautiful. God made you mysterious.  You wouldn’t be you if people entirely understood you.

You don’t believe me. I know that. You won’t understand for another few years. You’re asking yourself how anything I say can be true, when deep down you feel so small and unseen. You don’t feel beautiful or powerful or anything like a woman when you sit in the back of the class room silent, avoiding eye contact with the “pretty girls” and the teacher who knows that, though you won’t speak, you have so much to say. That’s right; you don’t fool me. I know how your mind is racing, how badly you yearn to be heard despite your fear of speaking. Your stutter really isn’t that bad.

Girl, things aren’t going to be easy, getting here. Sometimes it’s going to hurt – a lot. But some day you’ll understand what I’m saying. Some day you will come to terms with the truth that God made you beautiful, and the lies you once believed will enrage you. Some day you will be angry at the world that pressed those unhealthy expectations and feelings of failure onto your heart, and you’re going to fight. You’re going to make war on those lies – in your life and in the lives of others. That’s right. Some day there are going to be women who look up to you, and you’re going to understand the struggle in their eyes. You’re going to see in them the girl to whom I am writing this letter. It’s still going to be a struggle for you; it isn’t always going to be easy, but God is on your side.

And you will grow, step by step, day by day, as I am growing now, as you learn what it means to be a woman deeply loved by the Lord.

Listen to me. Please. You are beautiful, just how God made you. If nothing else, please understand that. Cling to it. Cling to the truth that God made you well.

And keep fighting. I’ll see you on the other side.

Kenting!

As the students were enjoying Exams, I took a day off and spend the weekend in the coastal area of Kenting! It was so lovely! I rode a scooter all through the forest and mountains, spent all day lying on a beach and swimming, and just relaxing! It was some of the best time I have had here in Taiwan!

Double Tens Day!

Double Tens Day (October 10) is the national day of the Republic of China (ROC). It commemorates the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911, which led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty inChina and establishment of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912.

As a result of the Chinese Civil War, the Government of the Republic of China lost control of mainland China and relocated to Taiwan in 1949. The National Day is now mainly celebrated in Taiwan.

This year I had the opportunity to join some foreigners (mainly from South Africa) to participate in a Braii (bbq). We traveled to a national park and had an enjoyable day of eating, climbing trees and enjoying the lovely outdoors.

Halloween

This year Halloween was quite fun. Since last year, I taught about Halloween origins
and traditions, this year we played games.

First, they had a balloon with the Trick or Treat poem inside it. They had to pop it
and put the poem in order.

Next they had to wrap one person up like a Mummy using toilet paper. This one was quite hilarious as they had a time limit and were very competitive.

The last game was Pin the Bowtie on the Skeleton. It is just like Pin the Tail on the
Donkey, but with a skeleton and bowtie. It was also quite humorous!

Finally, they made tootsie pop ghosts and watched a Disney short with no words!

Back in Taiwan

Well… As it is almost October and I have been back in Taiwan for 47 days, I should probably write a blog about it.

As I am in my second year here, I had the great opportunity to go to the Foreign English Teacher Orientation and be a guest speaker! It provided a opportunity for me to meet the new teachers and give a comforting word to them. It has been very interesting to know that one year again, I was in the exact same position and had the same excitement about little things. Now… going to the grocery store is routine and a pain again.

But I am getting ahead of myself…

Leaving the USA was VERY hard this time around. Most of my anxiety centered around the fact that I didn’t know if I would be hired back at my old school or have to find a new job in a different location. In fact, I didn’t find out until about a week and a half after arriving in Taiwan that I would in fact still be at Tucheng High School. Most parents were wonderful and supportive during this time. Dad and I sat down and devised a plan for every single POSSIBLE scenario.

I was so scared and uncertain. I had peace from God that whatever happened, he was in control. In fact my verse that I clung to during this time was Psalms 121 – the whole chapter really, but the last verse really spoke to me, “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

However, this did not make it any easier for me to get on the plane. After Mom and Dad dropped me off at the airport, I went through security and sat down and cried. It took everything in me not to call Dad and tell him to come back and get me. But I did get on the airplane.

I arrived in Taiwan Monday night and immediately went to the FET Orientation. Tuesday morning, I had the privilege to speak to the FETs about Culture shock and how to avoid it. I enjoyed being able to tell them some things I wish I had known at the beginning. Plus it was great to get to know them! I definitely found some new travel buddies!

Nervous before speaking

I love Lina! Especially picking on her!

The whole group!

After leaving Taipei, I arrived back in Tainan. It was very nice to see my new roommate, Vanessa. However, right after I arrived, she left for the US!

So between a typhoon that wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone thought it would be and mentally making plans about what to do if I didn’t get rehired, I FINALLY found out that I was indeed rehired!

Although I was very very homesick and missing my family and friends, I have adjusted to being back in Taiwan! I do love it here! I’m looking forward to some awesome travel plans this year and a great year of teaching!

Some people I love - Summer 2012

My dear girls!

Awesome parents!

Getting pumped up!

Skydiving with Mom and Judson

Skydiving!

So one of the best things that I did this summer was going skydiving. Mom has always wanted to go, so for their birthdays, she and Judson decided to go! When I heard, I begged them to let me go as well!

After the “family reunion” we drove to a hotel and spent the night. After waking up at an unseemly early hour, we drove an hour or so to Cedarville, GA to Skydive Georgia! We got all checked in, signed our lives away and settled in to wait… and wait… and wait… We waited for a very long time…

Finally they called our names. We are paired with our tandem instructor and strapped into our harnesses. We were given our instructions on how to jump and then we were left alone. All I have to say for the harness is that it was TIGHT and uncomfortable… especially for large busted women….

We finally get on the airplane… packed in like sardines. My instructor was nice, but not chatty… so I was really quiet. We get to the jumping height and we all have to sit on our instructor’s laps so we can be strapped together. Then we inch towards the door and….

We jump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I barely remember falling… except that it was really hard to breathe. It was that feeling you get when you’re underwater and really need to breathe, but can’t get to the surface. It was very cold and exhilarating. It was also very very loud with the airplane and the wind rushing by.

When the chute opened, that was my favorite part. It was so quiet and beautiful. We floated down through the clouds. Mom and Judson got nauseous from the spinning, but I loved it. My tandem instructor pointed out our shadow on the clouds below along with a rainbow on a cloud!

We landed and my legs were like jelly! 

Paris

Arrived in Paris... Exhausted. We walked to the Eiffel Tower, then slept.

Today we spent all morning at Notre Dame Cathedral which was awesome! We also toured the Louvre and the Arch de Triomph!

Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower today. Ate lunch at the park then toured the Sacre de Coeur. Saw the Moulin Rouge…