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Here’s a quick timeline of significant events over the last two months.

Feb 27. Memorial service in Kaohsiung for Ian Ullstrom. His was a remarkable story. Highlights include the eulogy by his parents towards the beginning of the service, and a powerful translated sermon at about 52:00 (you can watch it by clicking this link).

Mar 2. My roommate moved to Chiayi, where she is continuing her two-year internship.

Mar 6-8. Went to Taipei to bid farewell to my mom before her return to the United States, bringing closure to the formal mourning period for my grandma, who passed away on Dec 31.

Mar 8-13. My home became a clinic and guesthouse!  OMF’s Field Medical Advisor stayed with me and saw patients here. It was a special treat to chat with her and hear her stories, as she and her husband have been in Taiwan for about 30 years (I forget exactly how long) and have worn many hats in that time, including being the Field Directors and New Worker Supervisors .

Mar 18 and following. We welcomed new teammates that week.  The Jansens are family of four from Germany/United States. And Nancy Elumba arrived later that week from the Philippines.

Mar 27-April 5. Went to Taipei to visit OMF’s ministries in Wanhua, where I will move when I finish language school in August.

I owe an update to my email list but I’ve been breaking my head trying to summarize what’s been two pretty intense months. So while I work that out, let me try posting bits here.

A friend from home wanted to see photos of some of the people who have been a key part of my life since I arrived in Taiwan. So it’s my pleasure to do a short intro:

These are Susanna and Steve Gribble, two Aussies who live a few floors above my apartment in the same building I live in.

And here are Thomas and Jenn McIntyre from the States. They are flanked by the director of our language school (far left) and one of our Taiwanese teachers (far right). Thomas just won the “Spirit Award” in a Taiwanese language competition in this picture. He was competing against Taiwanese people!

Honestly, I don’t know how I would have survived the last six months without the prayers and friendship of these two couples.

This is Beate Harr, from Germany, who’s been in Taiwan with OMF for over twenty years. She’s our Regional Supervisor in Taichung and has been an incredible support and mentor to me over these last difficult months.

Finally, here are Jen and Tim McCracken, the New Worker Supervisors, who hail from Ohio. Their job is to keep tabs on all the new workers… like me.

There are many others, but I’ll keep it to this for now!

It started as just a leisurely ride around the neighborhood this afternoon, but somehow the weather charmed me onto a mountain trail.  Who knew 30 minutes could get me somewhere  quiet enough to notice for the first time what a bamboo grove sounds like, with its odd percussive crackling?

While I had a day of rest, others were working hard.  Saw this on the way home…

…and worried a motorist while trying to teach myself how to take motion photos.

Thanks to those of you who prayed that our Field Conference would not be thwarted by the typhoon that was coming our way.  The storm turned around just as we were headed for the conference.

Was encouraged and challenged by the conference sessions, particularly by the daily studies on 2 Corinthians, as well as a session on ancestor worship given by a local Taiwanese pastor.  I’m praying about thoughtful ways to honor my ancestors in a way that will be meaningful in this culture and honoring to Jesus.  I’m excited about the prospect of learning more about my grandparents and other relatives who have passed away.

I saw this cool tree at the campsite, which I hope is emblematic of these early days of my life here in Taiwan.  May I grow deep roots!

My friend, SJ, sent info about mailing stuff to Taiwan and suggested that I post it.  Good idea!  So here you go:

Letters and postcards are $0.98*

All other info can be found at:  http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/tz_001.htm#ep1133477

* This price is for letters 1 oz. or less, and postcards at least 3.5” x 5.5” but no more than 4.5” x 6”

Tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival.  It’ s a big-deal here. This holiday and Chinese New Year are the two big holidays where everyone travels to be together with family.  The vibe is a bit like a cross between Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Throughout the streets and courtyards, you see family and friends out lighting fireworks and barbecuing.

The legends vary but one popular version is explained in this short video: Moon Festival Legend Video

Here’s what my neighbors were up to tonight:

This boy was really into fire tonight.

His family invited me to sit and eat with them.  He grilled the shrimp.

“It’s smoky here, Papa!”

“Pretend we’re looking at the full moon!”

I think this family was grilling huge squid.

Last Monday was Teacher’s Day, a holiday that the Taiwanese celebrate to commemorate Confucius’ birthday.  Here’s the video of the spoof karaoke song that we did to thank our teachers.  It’s only really going to be funny for Taiwanese speakers, I think:

Hak-Hau (學校)

If you don’t know the song that we’re spoofing, “家後,” then here’s the original karaoke video:

Ke-Au (家後)