you're feeling emotionally drained and you can talk about it, so you know you're still o.k.? Then, sometimes, you're so emotionally drained that it kicks into the way you feel physically and you can't really talk about it 'cause it takes too much energy? Well, I've been feeling so weary emotionally here over the past month, that I've just been putting one foot in front of the other and not had much joy, certainly not enough to write an entry in my blog.
So, my sincere apologies to the likes of my sister who was telling me yesterday that she checks my blog everyday, and she's been beyond bored with me lately...I've been bored with me lately, too. Show me a teacher who isn't at the end of their rope in May each year, and I'll show you the exception to the norm. It stands to reason that as we near the summer, the kids are getting more excited about the break and so are the teachers and administrators.
It is no different here in Taiwan, where we maintain this schedule year round, but still long for a break at this time of the year. I am exhausted, AND it's that time of the year, AND I'm not anticipating being off in four short weeks, so my attitude wavers from positive to negative on a daily basis.
Saying all that, TODAY is a good day! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
It's Sunday, June 1st for me, and I'm getting ready for worship. It's communion so we're singing songs about how much Jesus loves us. I'm looking forward to the day because I've missed the fellowship. Last weekend, I went camping with some friends and wasn't at church. Then yesterday, I had a pretty solitary day, staying home, talking on the phone, running a few errands, baking banana bread and watching movies. I needed it, and I enjoyed it, but I'm ready for the fellowship today will bring.
After church, today, I will scoot over to Chudong to give out the awards at our school's annual speech competition. I am the M.C. and have to give a "short speech", at leas that's what the organizer of todays event has told me no less than two times a day for the past two weeks. (These people repeat themselves A LOT!) So, today will be a little different than normal, and also a day to be proud of my students and others at the school. I need this day. Sometimes I feel I'm not making a difference, as I think I'm too close to the process to see significant changes, and the process of language learning is so slow at times it seems like nothing has changed. But when you hear a child that speaks very softly in class with his peers, standing on a stage with a couple hundred people looking at him, and he recites a speech by memory, strong enough to be heard and judged, you can see something's getting through.
Well, must get going here. Rehearsal begins at 7:45, so I'm dashing.
Until next time...sooner than last time, let's hope...LC from the TW!
5.31.2008
5.11.2008
A good Friday, a relaxing Saturday and Sunday, and it's...
Monday again!! The weather is beautiful this morning and I'm in a decent mood to enter the week, so that's a blessing. I'll tell you about yesterday in a moment, but first let me explain the picture and video.
Friday, I gave E2 a party, sort of, since they had done their final test and we'd talked about it, I took them some snacks and we went out to the courtyard at the back of our building to play some games. Lee-Sheen is my little wonder child, with whom God's given me favor, and to whom I've referred in earlier blog entries. So, he's in that class (and in B3) and he was being his normal 2nd grade self, playing with his friends outside. I don't often get to see this side of Lee-Sheen since I'm always teaching him and he's always studying very hard and trying to finish assignments. So, I made a video of the kids playing and him talking to the camera.
The picture below is from the last class on Friday, it finishes at 7:35 and then I get to leave, which is always a happy time. I am currently teaching 17 or 18 classes a week, each lasting 90 minutes, so by the time the last one rolls around each week, I'm usually really tired. Friday was no exception, and if you read my previous blog you'll understand some of the reason why. The kids were all sort of chatty and giggly and I had to keep them on task, trying to help them understand the difference between noun, verb, adjective and preposition, which I think is too difficult for their level, but that's another topic. I was wavering between discipline and fun most of the class period, but I was getting pretty close to my edge by the end of it. Then class was over and I dismissed them, but these three stayed behind, looking embarrassed but determined. Finally Cosmo, the wonder child, burst out with, "Teacher, I love you, Happy Mother's Day!" followed by a fit of laughter on the floor then he, Mavis (the glasses) and Angel all gave me pictures they had drawn on pieces of notebook paper. I had to take a picture with them because they were so cute and pleased with themselves, (and because the co-teacher walked in right at that time.)
That was Friday. Saturday I met Julie for 10 breakfast and didn't return home until about 1, which was great. Julie's my American friend here (though she hardly qualifies after living in Taiwan for 9 years!!) She's great to talk with and we were both unscheduled lazy girls so we just took our time chatting and catching up.
Sunday worship went well, and I believe because God knew where I was emotionally, He sent two people to encourage me after worship. It was great to hear that worship matters to people, although I know it does from leading and sensing the Spirit inspiring the body to worship. But it's always good to hear people say it. A Chinese gal, named Joy, whom I'd never seen that I know of, approached me after service to say that each Sunday when she leaves she has the worship songs on her mind all week. I thought that was awesome and it's certainly one of my goals as a worship leader so that was encouraging. Then I grabbed this South African lady I know here to chat with her about something else, and she was also encouraging. Thank God for those two conversations.
The rest of Sunday had moments of relaxation and good conversation, wishing my mom Happy Mother's Day on the phone, and making chili and mango sticky rice (not to be consumed together). We invited friends for an early evening meal, and there were 8 of us. All of us satisfied and happy, everyone left and the house was still again by 9.
So, I'm pleased to have had such a good weekend, and now look forward to the week of teaching and reconnecting with each class.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts many of you have expressed concerning my friends Todd and Timberley and the tragic loss of their daughter. I believe some of the mystery has been settled as I spoke to mutual friends this weekend who heard that the accident involved a bike and a car. I assume this means that Anna was riding her bike when she was hit by a car and killed. Please continue to pray for this family as they grieve and determine their future plans.
Until next time, LC from TW
Cosmo, Angel and Mavis
E2 Video
Friday, I gave E2 a party, sort of, since they had done their final test and we'd talked about it, I took them some snacks and we went out to the courtyard at the back of our building to play some games. Lee-Sheen is my little wonder child, with whom God's given me favor, and to whom I've referred in earlier blog entries. So, he's in that class (and in B3) and he was being his normal 2nd grade self, playing with his friends outside. I don't often get to see this side of Lee-Sheen since I'm always teaching him and he's always studying very hard and trying to finish assignments. So, I made a video of the kids playing and him talking to the camera.
The picture below is from the last class on Friday, it finishes at 7:35 and then I get to leave, which is always a happy time. I am currently teaching 17 or 18 classes a week, each lasting 90 minutes, so by the time the last one rolls around each week, I'm usually really tired. Friday was no exception, and if you read my previous blog you'll understand some of the reason why. The kids were all sort of chatty and giggly and I had to keep them on task, trying to help them understand the difference between noun, verb, adjective and preposition, which I think is too difficult for their level, but that's another topic. I was wavering between discipline and fun most of the class period, but I was getting pretty close to my edge by the end of it. Then class was over and I dismissed them, but these three stayed behind, looking embarrassed but determined. Finally Cosmo, the wonder child, burst out with, "Teacher, I love you, Happy Mother's Day!" followed by a fit of laughter on the floor then he, Mavis (the glasses) and Angel all gave me pictures they had drawn on pieces of notebook paper. I had to take a picture with them because they were so cute and pleased with themselves, (and because the co-teacher walked in right at that time.)
That was Friday. Saturday I met Julie for 10 breakfast and didn't return home until about 1, which was great. Julie's my American friend here (though she hardly qualifies after living in Taiwan for 9 years!!) She's great to talk with and we were both unscheduled lazy girls so we just took our time chatting and catching up.
Sunday worship went well, and I believe because God knew where I was emotionally, He sent two people to encourage me after worship. It was great to hear that worship matters to people, although I know it does from leading and sensing the Spirit inspiring the body to worship. But it's always good to hear people say it. A Chinese gal, named Joy, whom I'd never seen that I know of, approached me after service to say that each Sunday when she leaves she has the worship songs on her mind all week. I thought that was awesome and it's certainly one of my goals as a worship leader so that was encouraging. Then I grabbed this South African lady I know here to chat with her about something else, and she was also encouraging. Thank God for those two conversations.
The rest of Sunday had moments of relaxation and good conversation, wishing my mom Happy Mother's Day on the phone, and making chili and mango sticky rice (not to be consumed together). We invited friends for an early evening meal, and there were 8 of us. All of us satisfied and happy, everyone left and the house was still again by 9.
So, I'm pleased to have had such a good weekend, and now look forward to the week of teaching and reconnecting with each class.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts many of you have expressed concerning my friends Todd and Timberley and the tragic loss of their daughter. I believe some of the mystery has been settled as I spoke to mutual friends this weekend who heard that the accident involved a bike and a car. I assume this means that Anna was riding her bike when she was hit by a car and killed. Please continue to pray for this family as they grieve and determine their future plans.
Until next time, LC from TW
Cosmo, Angel and MavisE2 Video
5.07.2008
If it would only snow tomorrow...
we would have "enjoyed" all four seasons this week. I can't believe the weather this week in Hsinchu. We have wind most days, so if I tell you it's been windy, you must know it's been VERY windy. That said, on Sunday, it was so humid and hot, I changed clothes about four times I think. Then in the night, it turned cold. I mean really cold, and by the time I scooted to work, it was raining and windy! That continued on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the clouds parting late in the evening while I was in class , so I drove home last night in a mist rather than deluge. Now it's Thursday morning and the sun is bursting through blue skies and I can feel the heat returning. Global warming I guess!
Weather report finished, I have to tell you something very serious and sad this morning. I have friends all over the world, because of my faith and my journey with other like-minded people. A couple that I've known since before they started dating, live in Indonesia with their two children. Todd and Timberley, are from San Mateo, California and Richmond, Virginia, respectively and they got married in San Francisco at FBC about a dozen years ago or so, after meeting and dating while we were all in seminary together at GGBTS. I met Timberley in '89 when we served as journeymen in the same class at the IMB. I would have visited her in Cyprus when I was living in Scotland but George the 1st started the Gulf War about the time I was set to travel there so I went to Spain instead. I was living in the dorms at GG with Timberley when she started crushing on the intellectually attractive Todd. So, I got to be part of the processing for her while they dated and were engaged. I was at their wedding at FBC after I helped them become associate members so they wouldn't have to pay to get married there.
I haven't seen them much in the past 6 years or so, because they've been serving overseas, but I had met their two children, Samuel, who is about 11 I think and Anna, age 9 or 10, in California when they were on sabbatical. Todd is a professor at a seminary now. I receive their monthly updates and prayer requests so I know what's going on with them.
This morning, I opened a somewhat cryptic email that said their daughter, Anna, had gone to be with the Lord after an accident yesterday. I am in shock and cannot imagine what they must be feeling. But, as they said in their email, they know that God is in control of all things, and they have peace that she is with Him. Wow! I can only ask that all of the people who read this would just take a moment to ask God for comfort and clarity as they deal with all the aspects of something like this happening. An accident...in an international setting...where they live as witnesses in a land of militant islamic believers...their heads must be spinning with all the decisions they must make for their future, not to mention just having to accept the loss and God's will when it comes at such a personal cost for them and their family.
Pray for Samuel, who was Anna's constant playmate since birth, for Timberley as a grieving mother. and Todd who has lost his little girl. With all the songs and books out on relationships these days, I think we all know that fathers have a special place in their hearts for their daughters, and Todd is a strong man of God, which will help sustain him through this tragic time. This family has been sold out to God for many years and they have deep love for their people group, so I ask God that they would have peace about how to continue life on these new terms. I've included some pictures that Timberley's sent me over the last year of their family. You can see how young and sweet Anna was. Full of fun and adventure, as is true for so many children who grow up in an international setting.
Anna getting braids on vacation. Sweet girl!
So, thanks for praying for this family!
On a personal note, I enjoyed a weekend of feeling well and had a great worship experience on Sunday morning, but woke up Monday morning with clogged sinuses again. I don't know if it's a recurring sinus infection or what, but it's pretty uncomfortable to live with, so I've had a hard week. I hate always complaining about life here, but the most honest thing I can say is it's difficult to be here. This week, because of being so exhausted and discouraged about being sick all the time, I've been entertaining the possibility of coming home for good this summer. I really don't want to, and don't have peace about doing that, but the entertaining of said possibility is something that keeps coming to my mind every time I blow my nose, or feel uncomfortable. Yesterday, during A11, I lost it on my kids because they just could not shut up! I have a new boy in that class who is older (in a class of younger more serious learners), and before he came to my class he walked past another class and gave them the middle finger, so you can see how charming this one is. His name is Victor, and he's been in my class 3 times now. Since the first day, he sits right under my nose, and still he manages to wreak havoc on the rest of the kids, changing the dynamic of a class that had finally gotten to a manageable place. He gets everyone all riled up and yesterday they all thought they could say, "Teacher, teacher, teacher..." multiple times each to get my attention. Well with 14 kids in a class, it doesn't take but one time each for me to start to lose it. So, they had to endure a 30 second loud lesson on what they can and cannot do to get my attention in the future. I then called up the Chinese assistant to reinforce what's o.k., and what's not o.k. in Teacher Larissa's class. We'll see tomorrow if they remember it.
I am longing for the weekend. Today is Thursday so it's very near, but I'm staring my longest day in the face and now feel so heavy because of the shocking news about Todd and Timberley's daughter. I am facing nothing today like what they are facing. I think I will do well to remember God doesn't put on us more than we can handle and all things work together for our good according to His will and His purpose.
Gotta grade some tests. Thanks for praying.
Until next time, LC from The TW
Weather report finished, I have to tell you something very serious and sad this morning. I have friends all over the world, because of my faith and my journey with other like-minded people. A couple that I've known since before they started dating, live in Indonesia with their two children. Todd and Timberley, are from San Mateo, California and Richmond, Virginia, respectively and they got married in San Francisco at FBC about a dozen years ago or so, after meeting and dating while we were all in seminary together at GGBTS. I met Timberley in '89 when we served as journeymen in the same class at the IMB. I would have visited her in Cyprus when I was living in Scotland but George the 1st started the Gulf War about the time I was set to travel there so I went to Spain instead. I was living in the dorms at GG with Timberley when she started crushing on the intellectually attractive Todd. So, I got to be part of the processing for her while they dated and were engaged. I was at their wedding at FBC after I helped them become associate members so they wouldn't have to pay to get married there.
I haven't seen them much in the past 6 years or so, because they've been serving overseas, but I had met their two children, Samuel, who is about 11 I think and Anna, age 9 or 10, in California when they were on sabbatical. Todd is a professor at a seminary now. I receive their monthly updates and prayer requests so I know what's going on with them.
This morning, I opened a somewhat cryptic email that said their daughter, Anna, had gone to be with the Lord after an accident yesterday. I am in shock and cannot imagine what they must be feeling. But, as they said in their email, they know that God is in control of all things, and they have peace that she is with Him. Wow! I can only ask that all of the people who read this would just take a moment to ask God for comfort and clarity as they deal with all the aspects of something like this happening. An accident...in an international setting...where they live as witnesses in a land of militant islamic believers...their heads must be spinning with all the decisions they must make for their future, not to mention just having to accept the loss and God's will when it comes at such a personal cost for them and their family.
Pray for Samuel, who was Anna's constant playmate since birth, for Timberley as a grieving mother. and Todd who has lost his little girl. With all the songs and books out on relationships these days, I think we all know that fathers have a special place in their hearts for their daughters, and Todd is a strong man of God, which will help sustain him through this tragic time. This family has been sold out to God for many years and they have deep love for their people group, so I ask God that they would have peace about how to continue life on these new terms. I've included some pictures that Timberley's sent me over the last year of their family. You can see how young and sweet Anna was. Full of fun and adventure, as is true for so many children who grow up in an international setting.
Anna getting braids on vacation. Sweet girl!
Todd and Timberley, Samuel and Anna
on vacation in Bali.
on vacation in Bali.
MK's often make life more interesting for themselves
by playing with bugs and animals in their
country of residence. Here Samuel and Anna
have slugs on their neck and face and their mom
sent it to me with the subtitle "Sam and Anna's pets".
by playing with bugs and animals in their
country of residence. Here Samuel and Anna
have slugs on their neck and face and their mom
sent it to me with the subtitle "Sam and Anna's pets".
So, thanks for praying for this family!
On a personal note, I enjoyed a weekend of feeling well and had a great worship experience on Sunday morning, but woke up Monday morning with clogged sinuses again. I don't know if it's a recurring sinus infection or what, but it's pretty uncomfortable to live with, so I've had a hard week. I hate always complaining about life here, but the most honest thing I can say is it's difficult to be here. This week, because of being so exhausted and discouraged about being sick all the time, I've been entertaining the possibility of coming home for good this summer. I really don't want to, and don't have peace about doing that, but the entertaining of said possibility is something that keeps coming to my mind every time I blow my nose, or feel uncomfortable. Yesterday, during A11, I lost it on my kids because they just could not shut up! I have a new boy in that class who is older (in a class of younger more serious learners), and before he came to my class he walked past another class and gave them the middle finger, so you can see how charming this one is. His name is Victor, and he's been in my class 3 times now. Since the first day, he sits right under my nose, and still he manages to wreak havoc on the rest of the kids, changing the dynamic of a class that had finally gotten to a manageable place. He gets everyone all riled up and yesterday they all thought they could say, "Teacher, teacher, teacher..." multiple times each to get my attention. Well with 14 kids in a class, it doesn't take but one time each for me to start to lose it. So, they had to endure a 30 second loud lesson on what they can and cannot do to get my attention in the future. I then called up the Chinese assistant to reinforce what's o.k., and what's not o.k. in Teacher Larissa's class. We'll see tomorrow if they remember it.
I am longing for the weekend. Today is Thursday so it's very near, but I'm staring my longest day in the face and now feel so heavy because of the shocking news about Todd and Timberley's daughter. I am facing nothing today like what they are facing. I think I will do well to remember God doesn't put on us more than we can handle and all things work together for our good according to His will and His purpose.
Gotta grade some tests. Thanks for praying.
Until next time, LC from The TW
5.01.2008
Another Friday morning...and
I'm feelin' fine. Looking forward to the weekend, as always. I've been really exhausted this week after double duty last week, but thankfully it's been pretty uneventful. I have a lot of extra responsibilities to take care of this morning at school to finish the week a little better ready for next week, so hopefully I'll get to work early today.
Thanks to all of you who prayed for me last week. I totally needed it. The upsides to my taking that on were 1) the children were a welcome change to the children I usually teach, and
2) the co-teacher turned out to be a Christian Chinese lady that goes to the Chinese language service at my church, so she was great to hang out with for a few hours a day.
What does welcome change mean? Well, the children I usually teach have such limited language ability that I'm constantly having to slow my speech and choose my words carefully, then evaluate how I can better explain myself when I'm met with the blank stare of not understanding. This is tedious to say the least, and it's often discouraging and frustrating for me, and no doubt for the children. However, the children at Hsinchu International School (HIS) were mostly speaking English well for 3 and 4 year olds. It was like taking care of preschoolers back in Oklahoma when I was 15. The biggest challenge everyday was keeping them interested in whatever activity they were doing at the time, and making sure the three Japanese boys (Shogo, Ryota, and Masatoshi - no lie) weren't planning the next invasion of China in their daily summit meetings. (These three would speak Japanese to one another in these huddles that looked very intense when the rest of the children would be playing at recess. It cracked me up. When do these patterns form in children. Intensity at age 3? Wow!)
So, HIS was a great diversion to my routine, and I welcomed it. I was thinking this week, that although I was actually in the states just 11 weeks ago, it really seems like it's been much longer since I was there. It feels to me like I've been gone for 8 months or something, which I guess I have in total.
Anyway, please pray for me to be encouraged in the remaining 8 weeks until I get to take a 5 week break this summer. I'm excited about the plans shaping up for my trip to the states and Canada. I'll be singing in my friends wedding on July 4th in Toronto, so that will be a blast. The following day, I'll go to NYC for a few days with a couple of SF friends to enjoy the sights and culture of New York. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and family in San Francisco and Oklahoma as well. And then I'll come back to Taiwan to finish my contract, which I've extended until next March. I'm excited, but exhausted too. Thankfully, I no longer have a cold (but with children sneezing in my face on a regular basis that could change, so thanks for praying for my health.)
I will post some photos of the children later this weekend. What a crack up!
O.K., must run. Until next time, it's May, and I'm in Taiwan! Aagh!!
LC
Thanks to all of you who prayed for me last week. I totally needed it. The upsides to my taking that on were 1) the children were a welcome change to the children I usually teach, and
2) the co-teacher turned out to be a Christian Chinese lady that goes to the Chinese language service at my church, so she was great to hang out with for a few hours a day.
What does welcome change mean? Well, the children I usually teach have such limited language ability that I'm constantly having to slow my speech and choose my words carefully, then evaluate how I can better explain myself when I'm met with the blank stare of not understanding. This is tedious to say the least, and it's often discouraging and frustrating for me, and no doubt for the children. However, the children at Hsinchu International School (HIS) were mostly speaking English well for 3 and 4 year olds. It was like taking care of preschoolers back in Oklahoma when I was 15. The biggest challenge everyday was keeping them interested in whatever activity they were doing at the time, and making sure the three Japanese boys (Shogo, Ryota, and Masatoshi - no lie) weren't planning the next invasion of China in their daily summit meetings. (These three would speak Japanese to one another in these huddles that looked very intense when the rest of the children would be playing at recess. It cracked me up. When do these patterns form in children. Intensity at age 3? Wow!)
So, HIS was a great diversion to my routine, and I welcomed it. I was thinking this week, that although I was actually in the states just 11 weeks ago, it really seems like it's been much longer since I was there. It feels to me like I've been gone for 8 months or something, which I guess I have in total.
Anyway, please pray for me to be encouraged in the remaining 8 weeks until I get to take a 5 week break this summer. I'm excited about the plans shaping up for my trip to the states and Canada. I'll be singing in my friends wedding on July 4th in Toronto, so that will be a blast. The following day, I'll go to NYC for a few days with a couple of SF friends to enjoy the sights and culture of New York. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and family in San Francisco and Oklahoma as well. And then I'll come back to Taiwan to finish my contract, which I've extended until next March. I'm excited, but exhausted too. Thankfully, I no longer have a cold (but with children sneezing in my face on a regular basis that could change, so thanks for praying for my health.)
I will post some photos of the children later this weekend. What a crack up!
O.K., must run. Until next time, it's May, and I'm in Taiwan! Aagh!!
LC
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