MOVING

Just wanted to let you know that this blog has MOVED... to:  http://newlywedjourney.wordpress.com/ 

The site is easier to use and I like the format!  I moved only two posts, so it's new and fresh.  Enjoy!

One semester down...

Finishing up the last few assignments for my first semester has brought me great relief.  For the past 15 weeks the hours between 9am -3pm used to be full of reading and writing papers, along with trying to make healthy meals and keep this apartment clean.  Now I have five weeks of freedom before the start of summer classes.  I really don't know what I'll do with all the time on my hands.  The first thing though will be to catch up with friends and on emails.  It's been far too long!  

Keeping the Jones' At Bay

Keeping the Jones’ at Bay

Elated to have just been united in holy matrimony, Mr. and Mrs. John Doe delicately feed each other their elaborate chocolate, mocha, and lemon wedding cake. Covered in fondant icing and stacked four layers high, the couple indulges in its decadence.  Guests are wined and dined with four course meals, while live music plays.  When the celebration finally winds down, guests leave dreamily, with candy, coasters or candles in hand.  The appearances of this celebration mask the truth that soon faces our couple, basking in wedded bliss.

Upon returning from tanning on the beaches of the Caribbean, touring across Europe, or cruising through the Greek Isles, said couple will return home to feel the pressure of the Jones.  Why live in a one-bedroom apartment when you get a mortgage for a three-bedroom house?  Of course every newlywed couple needs the latest coffee maker and a flat screen high definition T.V.  How will we stay entertained without a Wii and memberships to the local gym?  Sometimes it feels as if the Jones’ are shouting expectations through a loud speaker. If our couple heeds the luring call of consumerism, they may soon find themselves reviewing their latest bank statement wondering why they have more “month” than money.

 

After a long day of teaching English to tired, Taiwanese children, my knight in shining armor arrived at my school to whisk me off to our castle.  Nic and I hopped on our grey scooter and headed to our one bedroom studio on the 23^rd floor of our apartment building.  It was payday and we had had our prized New Taiwanese dollars stacked neatly in red envelopes; in the Chinese culture red is considered to be associated with luck and wealth.  That night I would cook dinner in our over sized toaster oven in our make shift kitchen. Then, it was date night.

The recent world economic situation can only make matters worse for the average American newlyweds.  Everyone is aware of the joys and stresses that newlyweds face.  Not only are two lives merged, usually two financial situations are combined.    In a country where 20% of divorces occur in the first five years of marriage, and the number one topic that sparks a fight between couples is debt, it seems that the Mr. and Mrs. Doe are fighting an uphill battle.[i] Paying for a wedding can set the average couple back $21,000 - $24, 000. [ii] When you consider this expense combined with the $37,600, which is the average debt for graduate students, we realize the possibly hazardous situation that newlyweds can find themselves in. [iii]

Upon returning from our own tour of Europe and paying off student loan debt, Nic and I decided we would not chase after the Jones’; we determined not to become a statistic and to make a change.  A McMansion with a two-car garage is an impossibility for us right now, but we are satisfied. A TV isn’t a fixture in our home, but from our perspective via the Internet, it looks like that Jones’ have recently found themselves in a precarious situation.  

When newlywed couples lock themselves into a 30-year mortgage in a three-bedroom house, they are often stuck with monthly payments that strip their bank accounts bare.  The average principal amount owed on a mortgage is $69,227. [iv] Most personal finance books discourage the purchase of a brand new car.  Cars devalue the minute you drive them out of the lot.  The average automobile loan in the United States is for five years. Today’s average car owner owes $4,221 more than the vehicle is worth at the time it is sold. [v]

I hurriedly pulled our most recent account balances off the computer and jotted them down in our little green notebook.  There were still a few things left for me to do before “date night” began.  Running over to our wooden closet, I opened Nic’s underwear drawer and dug through our stacks of red envelopes that sit neatly in an old soap box.  I pulled out envelopes labeled “vacation”, “Roth IRA” and “Masters”.  I counted the New Taiwanese Dollars in each envelope and scribbled those totals in the notebook, while Nic grabbed his iBook and shoved it into his backpack.  We drove off on our scooter to the closest Starbucks.  I was the first one to notice the line.  It extended across the first floor of the building and back towards the stairs.  The frustrated, exhausted visages of impatient customers, juxtaposed against the stressed and frantic looking faces of the baristas, greeted us at the door.  Nic and I gave each other that look; the look that asks whether this date night was a good idea, the look that suggests that we should have stayed home instead.  After a brief discussion, we decided that our purpose for being there was most important and we would wait out the line. 

Nic worked his way past the crowd of Taiwanese men and women and upstairs to wait for a seat at a table.  Thirty minutes passed as I stood, waiting, shifting my weight from one foot to another.  I finally placed our order, and at about the same time Nic was able to secure us a table.  Another thirty minutes later I walked up the stairs, caramel macchiato and decaf skim mocha in hand, to my husband who had his ibook out and ready to go.  I pulled out my green notebook and we got straight to the task at hand; setting our financial goals, reviewing our budget and planning our expenses and savings for the next six months.    

According to a recent study, 70% of couples talk about finances on a weekly basis. [vi]  This may lead the reader to wonder why all the problems centered on money?  Research suggests that it’s how couples are talking that is the problem.  Conversations based around money can too quickly become emotional, reactive and therefore quickly heated. 

Some might find it ironic that we chose Starbucks as the venue for our financial date night.  After all, isn’t the infamous “latte factor” an expense that we would avoid like the plague?  Restaurants and coffee shops are, for us, special occasions.  In our opinion, the cost of a coffee is well worth a stable financial future.  To our elation and surprise, after thirty minutes of waiting in a long line of Mandarin speakers, we were let in on the secret of the masses, it was buy one get one free night.

Discussing the details of our envelope-budget, we matter-of-factly discussed any possible areas where we might be able to slash our spending.  Money is not an explosive issue in our relationship.  We discuss our finances often, whether on dates or on an afternoon run.  Student loans are no longer an option for us; we are committed to saving $10,000 to pay for my Masters’ classes as I take them.  Months ago we carefully crafted a rigid budget that allows us to pay this expense.  Before we receive our red envelopes each month we know exactly where that money will go. When the envelopes are empty, our spending for the month is done.  Everything that is left is poured into the envelope labeled “Masters.” Working in Taiwan, teaching English to the masses allows us to work part time and still save enough to pay this seemingly colossal expense. 

Examining the day to day finances of the average American household really opens ones eyes to the reality that the Jones aren’t as happy as they appear to be.  About 43% of Americans spend more than they earn each year. [vii]  Specifically, the average American spends $1.22 for every dollar that they earn. [viii]  Credit cards have encouraged spending beyond our means with the mantra of “buy now, pay later.” The psychological effect of using plastic, rather than seeing the cash move out of your hands, affects spending habits. Even for the disciplined user that pays off the balance every month, the average credit card purchase is usually 112% more than if cash were used. [ix]   If Mr. and Mrs. Jones have at least one credit card, they are likely to have $10,700 in credit card debt. [x] On top of that, they also pay $1,200 in credit card interest annually. [xi]

Dreams of exploring Beijing, isolating ourselves from the crowds of tourists and scaling the Great Wall, have lingered in our minds for months. Consistently stashing some cash away each month has made this trip do-able for us.  Hashing out the financial details of this trip, airfare, hotel, visa costs and daily spending, concluded our date night.  Three hours after parking our scooter and battling the lines of locals, we had broken down our budget, planned for an adventure vacation, shared our dreams for the future, and set up a plan for the next six months.

The Jones’ continue to shout their expectations, however, we turn a debt-free ear.  We may not have the same surface level luxuries of the Jones,’ but in our opinion, our lives are rich.  Has it been worth it, all the budgeting, scrimping and planning, you might ask?  How about you ask the Jones.

---

[i] Lawler, Mary K.  “Transitioning Through Divorce:  The Six Types of Divorce,” Oklahoma State University.  14 Apr. 2009.

[ii] “They’ll Never Know:  Eight Hidden Ways to Cut Wedding Costs,”  Smart Money  June 11, 2008. 14  Apr. 2009             

[iii] Wines, Leslie.  “Should Schools Warn Students About Debt,”  Boston.  October 24, 2007. 14 April. 2009

[iv] Khan, Kim.  The Basics:  How Does Your Debt Compare? 14 Apr. 2009

[v] Bensinger, Ken.  “New Cars That Are Fully Loaded – With Debt – Americans are Rolling Over Loans, Often Ending Up Owing More For the Vehicle Than It’s Worth,”  L.A. Times. December 30, 2007.  14 Apr. 2009

[vi] Todorova, Aleksandra.  “The Six Financial Mistakes Couples Make,” Smart Money. June 11, 2008. 14 Apr. 2009

[vii] Khan, Kim.  “The Basics”

[viii] Khan, Kim.  “The Basics”

[ix]  Bannister, Paul.  “25 Fascinating Facts About Personal Debt,” Bankrate. September 20, 2004. 14 Apr. 2009

[x]  Money 101:  Lesson 9:  Controlling Debt.

[xi]  Bannister, Paul. 

 

(This is a piece that I recently wrote for Master's writing class... it's an experiment with the Creative Non-Fiction Genre.  Enjoy :) 

Karaoke

In Taiwan, Karaoke is huge.  Buildings, such as this one,  called "KTVs"  are the homes of Karaoke.  

This afternoon there was some sort of event in the park next to our apartment building.  I don't even know what was going on, but could here a Karaoke version a song from Momma Mia.  

Kids...

I decided to take some more pictures of the children I teach.  Here are the little ones... they look cute, but don't be deceived.  :)  They can be little rascals!

This is typical.

This is Genny - his brother's name is Nemo!  :)

Brothers- Mickey and Cody

Our God Conquered the Grave

With the passing of my grandmother just under two months ago, Easter means more to me than ever.  Sin and death are conquered.  We have hope.  Death has lost its sting.   It makes me smile.

We Can Cry Out to Jesus

This past week has been one of reflection for me.  I often think about Grandma, how I miss her, wish I could hear her voice, try to recall her voice, and think of precious times that we shared.  

This week in one of my classes we were discussing superstitions.  Students shared with me more about Ghost Month here in Taiwan.  The grip that death and ghosts have on some people here is really sad.

Today is Good Friday.  In a few hours, people in Bermuda will be flying kites, eating hot cross buns and fish cakes.  I miss that.  I have been reflecting a lot on Good Friday and Easter.  Jesus conquered death. We can be free from fear of death, we have hope for the future.  Jesus closed the gap between us and God.  We can cry out to Jesus.  I was really blessed by this song this morning.

To everyone who's lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough

when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

The Mosquitos are Back!

We really have no idea as to how these mosquitos are getting into our apartment, but every few months they show up.  They are gigantic, human devouring mosquitos.  I despise the mosquitos; they eat me while I sleep.  There is a solution.  There's a plug-in, similar to air-freshener , that makes them disappear.  Good bye mosquitos.  

Fire!

This morning I was working on assignments, as normal, when I smelled smoke.  I looked around the house, everything seemed normal, so I went back to work, typing away at my laptop.  The smell of smoke got stronger and stronger.  I took a break from typing at looked down.  There was smoke rising from my laptop charger.  Turns out it was melting somehow (ibooks chargers are infamous for this, so I hear) and as I moved it sparks started flying.  Well, I have experience of technological fires (last year I put out a fire in a microwave) and have learned from this experience to unplug the item from the source!  So I did that, and then unplugged it from my computer.  The cord has melted and it's "safe to say" that my laptop will be out of commission until we can find a new charger!  We'll look around here first, if we are unsuccessful, then maybe order one online...thankfully, Nic has a laptop so the work will continue.

Culinary Adventures

Although we both work until about 9pm at night, we have been trying to eat at home in order to keep in our monthly budget for food.  We will be reworking the budget this month as cooking meals at 9:40 at night is overwhelming, especially since I am usually exhausted from working on Master's assignments and then teaching for 4 hours.  Taiwan is really convenient for this new plan as we have the night market right next to our place and we can easily pick up fried rice, noodles, chicken or anything else.  

Last night was one of my final nights to make dinner before we change up our meal plans.  I decided to make Shake and Bake chicken legs for a treat.  They didn't turn out so well.

It was scary

Yikes

This is a photo of the chicken legs.  For some reason, purple, lumpy blood oozed out of my

 chicken.  I'm sure it was thawed out - it just didn't look healthy at all.  I hope this doesn't make anyone feel sick.  I still feel a little woozy thinking about it.

So instead Nic got McDonald's (he's going to hate me for telling you all that... :)  and I got Gi-pi, otherwise known as extremely unhealthy fried unidentified part of a chicken.... and fries.

Gi-Pi

Fries

On a more upbeat note, here's a new Taiwan discovery.  Yellow watermelon.  That's right folks.

 It's yellow and it's a watermelon (there is pineapple closest to the camera - but behind that is watermelon).  Have you ever seen anything like this before? 

Tomb Sweeping Day

People at their relatives tombs

Today is Tomb Sweeping Day in the Chinese culture.  That means that it is a public holiday, so no teaching for Nic and I today.  It has been really nice to have a whole Saturday off.  Usually we both work on Saturday mornings.  This morning I cleaned our whole apartment down... (which is really easy and takes about an hour since it's a one bedroom studio!)  and then made pancakes.. which were a great success!  For some reason, every time I have tried to make pancakes here they have stuck to the pan and it's become a big mess.  I have tried and tried and tried again.. and today, the effort paid off with beautiful, fluffy pancakes!  I am feeling much better today after visiting the doctor yesterday and taking the medicine he gave me.  I only have a "common cold" but here they give you lots of medicine - 5 pills, 3 times a day!  It really helps and I have a lot of energy back now!  Nic went for a 10k run today!  He was out there for a good hour but is enjoying the free time to exercise.  I have been on a "running hiatus" the past few weeks due to getting back into school work after being in Bermuda, then getting the flu, and now this cold... but by next week I'll be back at it.  

Now on to Tomb Sweeping Day.  I asked my students what they thought about Tomb Sweeping - those who participate in the traditions of visiting relatives tombs didn't seem thrilled about it.  They said it's a long day as they have to wake up early and go to many different locations to cover all of the tombs. 

Here is a description from Wikipedia:  "For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honor one's ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, (joss) paper accessories, and/or libation to the ancestors. The rites are very important to most Chinese and especially farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They think that willow branches help ward off the evil ghosts that wander on Qingming. Also on Qingming, people go on family outings, start the spring plowing, sing, dance, and Qingming is a time where young couples start courting. Another popular thing to do is fly kites (in shapes of animals, or characters from Chinese opera)."  

Ancestor worship is a big part of the culture here and we are learning more and more about the details of that as we are here.  

Only 4 more weeks...

Yesterday before work I opened my planner in order to figure out how much time I have left to work on the big projects for my Master's classes.  There are only four weeks left!  My reaction was not one of panic but of pure elation.  Only four weeks stand between me and finishing my first 15 credit hours in the 33 hour program.  Our Beijing trip will be the break between this semester and the summer semester... when I will, hopefully, take another four classes (12 credit hours).  Technically you can only take 3 classes...  and I have tried to request an overload...  but am waiting to hear back on that...  waiting, waiting waiting.  

Paintball, Colds and Beijing

On Sunday we went into the mountains and played paintball with our church youth group and another youth group.  What an experience!  It was a lot of fun to get to know the kids a little better.  I'm still recovering from the game though; I got a huge bruise!  

In other news, I am also battling a cold, again.  It's somewhat ridiculous.  I had the flu two weeks ago, and today I am feeling pretty run down with a sore throat.  I don't know if it's the germ-y kids, Taiwan, or my busy schedule that has my immune system down.  

God is still good though and we keep pressing on!   

In our free time we are planning a trip to Beijing that we hope to take in the end of May.  We will be there for about a week, found tickets and now just need to sort out our hotel.  

Life is certainly keeping me really busy.  My 15 credit hours and 22 hours of work make sure that I'm constantly doing something important.  I'm excited for life to "calm down" a little bit.... I'm not sure when that will be.  I'll get a few weeks off before summer classes begin and I'm hoping to take another 4 classes then.  By summer I'll have 27 of my 33 hours towards my Masters completed.  It's great to be meeting goals and I love a challenge.  I do really look forward to some lazy days with friends and family in the future though!  :)

Things I'll Miss From Taiwan

The location of our apartment is very convenient here in the city.  Right below our apartment building is a laundry lady (who washes, dries and folds our laundry since we don't have a washer or dryer in our studio), a convenience store, a restaurant and then a 2 minute walk from our place there is:  a hardware store, a DVD rental, a plethora of tea shops and a night market for great food.  We probably buy fried rice from one vendor at least once weekly.  For the longest time we both ate pork fried rice but now we're really enjoying beef fried rice.  Yummy.  So on a rainy weekend or a cold Saturday night we can walk down to the market, buy fried rice or noodles, then I will go and get a freshly made apple juice from a juice/tea shop, and then if we want we can pick up a movie on the walk home.  

I like the fresh apple juice.  It's delicious.

Rain, rain, go away

Well, the sporadic rains have been continuing and I think the poncho may become a regular part of my wardrobe.  

Today I was offered cherry tomatoes as a snack twice.  I don't particularly enjoy cherry tomatoes.  I will eat them in food, but not on their own, in a snack like fashion.  Well today, that happened, twice.  :)   It's really hard to turn food down when it's offered by locals.  

On the topic of food, Nic and I went for dinner last night with co-workers to a great  local Cantonese food place.  It's the type of food that you would consider to be "Chinese" - like sweet and sour chicken and chicken with peanuts.  Nic and I are now pros with the chopsticks and eating rice dishes with chopsticks is normal.  I also have grown a new love for snow peas.  They are very common in stir fry type dishes and come as a common vegetable with chicken dishes.  I love them!  

It's time for the... PONCHO!

That's right, it's poncho time in Taiwan.  The hazy and muggy air finally dissipated this afternoon and the spring rains came, slowly, but surely.  We hear that we can expect daily downpours from now on, which makes our ride to work on the scooter more exciting.  Unlike in Bermuda, where you have rainy days and then sunny days, in Taiwan you have a rainy season and a dry season.  We just enjoyed about 6 months of dry weather, and now comes the rain.

I'm sure that we will give the motorists in Taiwan a smile as they see the foreigners in their big, light green ponchos.   Some might say that I look like a honeydew melon.  

Kids and Daken

On Saturday morning I teach a class of about 10 boys and one girl.   Sometimes they are little monkeys - or they really act like them, but other times they are cute.  I love when they smile.  I've posted some pictures of them below and of Nic's hike today in Daken... he went back and climbed to the top of the ridge.  It was a more "polluted" or "foggy" day today so the pictures aren't super clear, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Ian Lin - The one in the red - He has two English words perfected, "I'm sorry."  Then he bows.  It's hard to get really annoyed with him.

Kevin - His toothless grin makes me smile

Shawn - Sometimes he's a little too hyper - having a hearty laugh in this photo

The studious ones. 

Typical Shawn face

Missing Grandma

Mrs. Olive Corriea, or Grandma, or G-ma - my favorite, was called to be with Jesus 4 weeks ago today. I often think of her and am inspired to live like her. I miss her a lot. I wish I could get on Skype and call her and give her an update on Taiwan. I wish I could have spent more time with her. I wish I could just tell her one more time how much I love her and how special she was to be.

Sometimes I think of her and cry. Other times I think of her and smile. Those times are more frequent - and for that I am thankful. I read the following at her funeral. It was a letter that I wrote to her before Christmas when she was struggling with congestive heart failure and had been hospitalized. I'm glad I was able to share my thoughts with her then.

How Do I Say Thank You?

Dear Grandma,

I want to let you know that I am praying for you as you go through this difficult time. Last night when I heard what had happened and didn’t really know what condition you were in I cried and cried. I am so glad to hear that you are breathing easier now and that you are resting. I want to let you know that last night Nic and I prayed for you. I prayed for your healing – that God, our great physician, would heal you. I prayed that He would be your comforter and rest. I prayed that He would be your peace. I prayed that He would give wisdom to the doctors and that they would give you the best care. I prayed that God would keep you safe and take good care of you. I know that He will and I trust Him with that! I wish I could come and visit you, but since I can’t, I thought I would write you a letter to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. Some people think great thoughts about others and value them so highly, and only after that person is gone do they express their gratefulness for that person and the role they played in their life. Well, I don’t want to wait until that time Grandma. I want to let you know now how much you mean to me, how much I have learned from you and how much I love you. So here is a list of things that you have taught me; either directly through time spent with you or watching you, or through my mom – who, obviously, learned directly through you!

Put God First
You have been an example to me of putting God first in your life. I can see this by your priority of spending time reading the Bible and praying in the morning. You also show by your example your commitment to God through your church attendance. I know that you hold firm to his word and that you live what you read. Your reading through the Bible yearly has also been a challenge to me.

Prayer
I will never forget how, as a young child, I would spend the night at your house, and you would kneel and pray by the side of your bed, for what seemed to me to be the longest time. As I have grown and matured in my faith I know that your prayers have reached the heart of God. I know that God has worked through and in our family due to your prayers. I also have a great peace knowing that you pray for me. Not only do you tell me you pray, but I know that you do pray, you pray often – and that blesses me beyond words.

Hospitality
Not only have you shown great hospitality to our family, as your home has been the meeting place for many family meals, but also to strangers, believers who are new to our church and need an “adopted” family. You have shown me how, even in the simple ways, we can reach out and welcome others and show them love.

Make Home a Haven
Grandma, your home is a resting place and a place of great refreshment. Not only is it always smelling clean and fresh, and is organized, and everything is in its place, but also, there is always something available, food, tea or cake to nourish anyone who may stop by. I know that I, along with the rest of our family, I have been so blessed by the way that you have made your home a haven for those you love. You have taught me the importance of keeping my home clean and organized so that life is more enjoyable. You have taught me the benefit of blessing others with a meal to eat. You have taught me the importance of being faithful in the seemingly small areas, such as keeping my home, so that in that faithfulness I may also be faithful in other areas.

Service and Giving
You are always willing to lend a hand, to bring a meal, to help someone in need and you have taught me the value of serving in secret. I also know that you have taught me not to hold tightly to material possessions but that there is joy in giving. In a world that says happiness comes from how much we have, you have shown me that there is joy in blessing others. I have been the recipient so many times of your benevolence and I can’t put into words my thankfulness for not only what you have given me, but the truth that “it’s more blessed to give that to receive” which you have taught me through your actions.

The Value of Work Hard
Through your life you have taught me the value of work. You have taught me to work, as unto God, to be faithful in what I need to do and to do the best that I can. Your example at the Friendly Store and Lindo's as you pressed on as long as you were able was an example of commitment and perseverance. The work that you do at home produces such great fruit in that it provides the haven I wrote about earlier. You have taught me to not be idle but that there is value and reward in work.

Contentment In All Circumstances
In all that you have gone through throughout the years I never hear your complain. You always put your trust in God, you know that He provides, sustains and is our comfort. You never blame him but you trust him to meet your needs and be your comfort. It’s so easy for me to complain about a silly bruise or a sore muscle, but in all you’ve been through you quietly endure and that speaks volumes of your character.

Trust God and Don’t Worry
Throughout high school and college I always knew that I could come to relax at your house. Often, sitting around the table, I would share about what was going on – sometimes feeling stressed or worried about the future and what it would hold or how I would accomplish the tasks in front of me. You were a caring listener but also taught me not to worry; to do what was necessary and trust God with the rest. I also want to thank you for the time you helped me put my wedding invitations together. I remember how overwhelming that task seemed, and you sat there and struggled with me as I sought to tie bows. Thank you!

Loyalty and Love for Family
We all know that you have been the glue that has made our family so close. You taught us that being there for our family is so important and that we should bless each other and love each other always. You taught us the value of time spent together and of enriching each other’s lives. You taught me to value and appreciate my family for who they are and for what they do for me.

Grandma, these are things that I have learned from you. I hope that I will always remember these values and that they will be evident in my life. I pray my life will shine as brightly as yours has; that my family, children and grandchildren will be as motivated and inspired by me as I am by you. I pray that my life will shine, and that as the years pass I, too, will be found as faithful.

I love you so much, Grandma and will continue to pray for your health, for your body and for your comfort and rest. I wish I could be there to show you I love you or do something to bless you, but I hope that these words can express how much you mean to me.

I love you so much!

Days and weeks pass, and I'm sure the months and years will too, but I know that I will never be the same because of this incredible woman.

Busy... but we're back!

It has been a roller coaster month. One month ago today, my Grandmother, a woman that I love and cherish passed away. Dealing with the thought of this possibility had plagued my thoughts for months, and suddenly the nightmare became a reality. God is so faithful in small ways and in the huge, seemingly impossible ways. He provided a way for both Nic and I to go home to Bermuda for a week to celebrate the life of Mrs. Olive Correia and to be with family.

Now we're back in Taiwan. We're also really busy. I am nine weeks into my first semester of my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction - with a focus in literacy. On top of the five classes that I am taking, which keep me really busy, we both teach about 22 hours a week, are trying to build and maintain relationships with our brothers and sisters in Taiwan and then of course build other friendships and continue to learn and explore this amazing culture.

Teaching, studying, working on assignments and the daily tasks of everyday life have kept me pretty busy. Oh, and upon return to Taiwan a flu attacked my immune system and knocked whatever energy I had left out of my body. Thanks to prayers from family and friends, my energy is back, I was sick for less than a week, and I've decided to begin writing again. I want this to be a venue to share our hearts with family and friends, and also a way for me to document this journey that is "Taiwan."

Last night Nic and I read My Upmost for His Highest and were encouraged that in living this life of faith sometimes we don't know where we are going, but we love the One who leads us!