Dinner with Janet and Jennifer

Many of you probably remember our friend from Taipei, Janet. She and her sister, Jennifer, were in Taichung for the day on Thursday and decided to give us a visit. It was so great to see Janet, and this is the first time we met Jennifer. They have three other sisters and one brother! We took them to our favorite resturant in the village where we live. It is one where the cook makes the meal in front of you, similar to the Japanese restaurants in the States, but much more casual and not as much food per plate! (plus MUCH cheaper - all 4 of us ate for less than $15 US - Milly stayed at the house with the boys)

This is a picture of us taken by the lady who runs the restaurant.

This precious lady, the matriarch of the family who runs the restaurant, affectionately called "Grandmother Chen" always waits outside. Her job is to talk to people who walk by and make them comfortable in chairs outside if they have to wait for a seat. One time Page reached out to touch her shoulder when we were leaving, and she grabbed Page and hugged her. She said, "Please come back often! Please come back often!" - so we try to do that!!

Fun at the water park!

Last Thursday, the kids had a half day of school for staff development purposes. Therefore, a few other moms and Page decided to go to a water park called "Small Kunting". Kunting is the most popular beach on the island, thus the name. The weather was perfect, and we were the only people there! In all we had 3 adults, 3 high schoolers, and 10 children (middle school and under).

Here is Hunter coming out of the end of a long swirly slide!

This photo is Milly and three of her new buddies: Grace, Julie and Shawna

Levi is on the big wide slide going down head-first!

Wade and Levi at the bottom of the swirly slide. This park is different than the ones we have been to in America. There are no people telling you when to go down so you often end up running into the person in front of you. Sometimes you have these fun "pile-ups" and a whole group comes out together into the water!

This last photo is of Wade and his friend, Andy (Wade pictured on the left). This is the fastest slide - you actually soar in the air for a short time!

The instruments are bigger than they are!!

We thought you may like to see Wade and Hunter as they are learning to play their new instruments.

Wade chose the bass clarinet. As you can see in the photo, it is much larger (and heavier) than a normal clarinet. It has a rich, deep tone. He has only had it for two weeks now, and he already knows eleven notes. He can play "Ode to Joy" beautifully!!

Hunter had the option of violin, viola, or cello. As you can see, he chose the cello. And because his hands are so big, he got the largest one in the class! (It is a 3/4 size, for all you music people out there). He is not allowed to use the actual bow yet, just plucking notes so far. He is doing a great job.

Needless to say, Milly's petite little oboe looks quite different compared to these giant instruments. We have quite an orchestra at our house now. Levi plays his little recorder when he wants to join in...

A tribute to Linda

Last weekend we went up to Taipei to pay tribute to our friend, Linda Phillips, who is retiring after 30 years of service with the International Mission Board. She has been working as librarian at the seminary in Taipei and has held instrumental roles in several Chinese churches on the island. We all gathered to have her "going away" party. The celebrations was entitled "Jeans and Jewels" in honor of Linda's casual, easy-going style and also her professionalism and her value (like a jewel) to the people of Taiwan and to us as fellow laborers. The photos were taken on the seminary campus at the Taiwan mission museum. Establishing this museum has been Linda's pride and joy. It is quite a collection, and the items and narrations beautifully tell the story of the history of IMB mission work in Taiwan. She will now retire and head back to America. Please remember Linda in your prayers as she transitions back to the States and says "good-bye" to her home the the people she loves here! Thank you for your years of service, Linda!!! We love you!

On a funny note: We were explaining to our children about the celebration before we arrived, telling them we were going to honor "Aunt Linda" for so many years of service as a missionary, etc. Levi's one questions was, "Do you mean she is even older than Dad???"

Levi's first day at Si Chang Li

Levi had his first day of kindergarten on Friday. He is going to Si Chang Li Elementary School. It is a public elementary school close to our house in Taichung. He was a little bit anxious about going back to a Chinese school. After a summer of being at home, he has forgotten a lot of his language! But we hear he will pick it up again quickly. His teachers' names are Teacher Hu and Teacher Ding. Our plan is to hold him back a year since he has a late birthday. Next year, Levi will probably go to Morrison Academy with his siblings and have another year of kindergarten there - unless he loves this new school so much and decides to go onto Chinese first grade! Way to go, Levi!! Jia yo!! (Chinese for "way to go")