Mustangs win tournament!

In spite of a pinched nerve in his back, Keith managed to coach the JV boys MCA team to victory on Saturday at the season-end tournament. They won all three games that day, but the last one was especially exciting. They played against their rival, Taipei American School (TAS), and won by 28 points! This win came after two previous meetings against TAS this season in which we lost by a total of 4 points (the first loss was by 3 points and the second was by only one point on a last-second shot). These circumstances made the victory Saturday all the more sweet!

We celebrated the season's end with a team dinner on Tuesday night prepared by Page and the campus principal's wife, Doni. Their son, Sean, is a freshman on Keith's team.

Keith thoroughly enjoyed coaching basketball again. He is already looking forward to next year! Go, Mustangs!!

Wade's sports party!

This afternoon we had Wade's eleventh birthday party at Morrison Academy. Wade decided he wanted a sports party, so we planned on basketball, capture the flag and football. However, a cold front arrived today with a cool, drizzly rain - therefore the games were moved indoors. It was a great party. Coach Curlee was the referee for an intense game of basketball and then hand ball. Mom was in charge of refreshments for all the athletes. Milly took advantage of the opportunity to hang out with her buddies, so you won't see her in any of the photos.

After the party, Hunter commented that the first part was more like PE since Dad had them all doing all the drills. Wade said he was a little embarrassed about it - he had never been to a birthday party where the dad made everyone do hamstring stretches and sprints. Here are some photos - one group photo of the whole gang (brothers included) and another one of the boys doing pre-game drills.

Wade is 11!!!

Wade celebrated his 11th birthday this past Wednesday. He had a great day. Thank you for all that sent presents, cards and e-mails his way. The picture below is of Wade and his 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Lima.

A Great Visit

We had a great time with the Severs and Scarboroughs this past week. Both families are from our home church, Green Street Baptist. It was great to be able to show friends where we live and what our lives are like here in Taiwan. It was also neat to be able to do ministry with them. Because of their visit we were able to meet some new friends, share the Christmas story with around 100 students in Levi's school, distribute hundreds of salvation bracelets and also prayer walk some streets in Taichung. Above is a group photo of the "team". The dog is named Amy. The Severs were fortunate enough to dog sit Amy the entire week :)

Severs and Scarboroughs are Here!!!

We have had a great time with the Severs and Scarboroughs. They arrived on Christmas night and are here for a week to help us in our ministry. We have had a great time in reconnecting with each one of them and all the kids -- both families have 3 kids -- have enjoyed each other's company. The picture is of the adults hard at work preparing for tomorrow. We will be putting on a short drama at Levi's school.

Christmas Party!!

Our apartment building had a Christmas party today. It was a great way for us to meet many of our neighbors. They asked Page to teach them a song -- so she chose Silent Night. Below she is singing it with the children. (She led it in Chinese and English).

We also had an opportunity to teach the kids and their parents that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birth. Page made a birthday cake for Jesus and we sang happy birthday to Him.

We had a great time and look forward to some other opportunities to share Jesus' love.

Coach Curlee!!!

Little did we know when we left for the mission field 2 years ago that Keith would ever coach basketball again. Well, he is at it again, coaching the JV boys team. We figured the other day -- out of the 18 basketball seasons we have been married, this is his 13th year involved in coaching a school team. Of course, he loves it. It really is amazing that God led us to Morrison and Keith's work is somewhat similar to what he did in the States, most recently HPCA. His team's record is 7-2 heading into the Christmas break. He coaches a diverse bunch. About half of his players are MK's while the other half are from Taiwan or known as business kids. His starting five are all originally from different countries -- Taiwan, Philippines, America, Australia, and New Zealand. We will let you know how the season ends up.

Softball season comes to an end

Milly decided to play softball and the end of season tourney ended this past weekend. The Mustangs finished in 2nd place and Milly had a good time hanging out with her friends.

Prayer Requests of Children

Tonight as we were putting the "little boys" - Hunter and Levi - to bed, we asked if they had any prayer requests. Hunter said he wanted to pray for the old Chinese people who were about to die to know about Jesus and for missionaries around the world not to be persecuted. Levi said he wanted to pray that Santa Claus would not die before Christmas! What more can I say?

MCA Elementary School Christmas Concert

Here are some pics of Wade and Hunter at the Christmas concert for the elementary school.

This first one is of the two handsome boys before leaving the house.

This one is Hunter as King Herod.

Following his acting debut as King Herod, Hunter was able to perform with the other beginning strings class members on his cello. He had a terrible cold and felt awful, but he hung in there and made it through the performance.

Finally, here is Wade in the beginning band class on his bass clarinet. We were very proud of our boys! What a great way to celebrate this special season!

Page passes Level 3 Test!!!

We have both been studying Chinese for close to two years. This past Friday, Page was brave enough to take the Level 3 test that our company gives to all m's on the field. She passed it!!! Although, this is a big relief and shows the hard work that Page has put into her language it does not mean that she is done studying. She will continue to study. Many thanks to you who were lifting her up during this time.

By the way, Keith hopes to pass his test in June of next year.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We had fun celebrating with four other IMB families here in Taichung. We had a big feast!!!

Keith enjoyed his time talking sports with the guys.

Wade and Hunter enjoyed climbing trees after eating their Thanksgiving meal.

The Curlee girls enjoyed their time as well -- eating, talking, and relaxing.

Busy Weekend (Friday night)

We had a busy but fun weekend. It all started with the Junior Carnival that Morrison Academy put on. This is an annual event where the Juniors in high school put on a carnival filled with games and food. They raise money to help support their Jr-Sr. banquet and their Senior trip. Our kids enjoyed it!!! (See pictures below of Levi and Hunter enjoying putt-putt and boxing)

COSTCO Grand Opening!

Just to let you all know, the long-awaited COSTCO opened on Friday! There have been rumors of it coming to Taichung for several years now, and it has finally happened. About a month ago they had a special day at Morrison where you could go and apply for a membership card. I already had one from when we lived in Taipei.

I had previously decided I would not go on opening weekend. However, my curiosity got the best of me and I ventured out that way right before opening on the first day. My plan was to go inside only if it didn't look too crowded. If it was really bad, I would just go to the new Carrefour close by to buy my weekly groceries. (Carrefour is a European chain store sort of like Super Walmart)

As I drove down the road toward the general area where I knew COSTCO was located, I noticed an unusual amount of cars turning left with policemen directing traffic. I thought, "Surely that isn't it, I must not have gone far enough..." When I realized I had gone too far, I did a U-turn and headed back towards all the cars. Sure enough, the traffic was for the grand opening! It reminded me of the traffic going to an NC State ball game! Then I saw a line of people coming out of the store and wrapping around the block. Needless to say, I turned around again and headed for the Carrefour. I love people, but this was definitely overdoing it!

Later that day, I heard from other people who ventured out there that the people were neck to neck, and check out lines went all the way to the back of the store. One person said he was there for three hours and didn't even get to buy anything.

I did make it out there this Tuesday after my language classes. It was still more crowded than I would've liked, but I was able to get in and out in about one and a half hours, so I was pleased. One thing I noticed was many people with only one or two items in their huge buggies. On the other hand, mine was very full - that's what happens when you buy for 6 people. I got a little tired of people staring at the crazy foreigner and laughing at all my purchases. But it was worth it.

I think COSTCO will be a hit here! I, for one, and very thankful it is here and I can go there to purchase the western things we crave!!

Volleyball in Taipei

Last weekend, Milly finished up her volleyball season with a tournament in Taipei (where we used to live). Milly, Wade, and Hunter all got to go a little early and see their Bethany friends on Friday afternoon. The tournament was all day Saturday at Bethany (their old school). Milly's team finished third and Milly played great. Below is a team picture. Milly is going to take the next sport's season off (softball)but plans to play basketball in the spring.

NC State Apparel in Taiwan

Ever since we have moved to Taiwan (close to two years now) I (Keith) have been looking for NC State shirts, hats, shorts -- not to buy -- just to see if the Wolfpack stuff had made over to this side of the world. Through my search, I have seen plenty of Taiwanese wearing Carolina and Duke stuff. I even spotted an ECU jacket here in Taichung. Finally, last weekend in Taipei I spotted a person wearing an NC State cap. I went straight to him and in my best Chinese asked him if he knew about the school that his cap represented. In perfect English he replied back, "Yes, I go to school there." Small world isn't it? In fact, this is the third person that I have met here in Taiwan that either currently goes to NCSU or has graduated. Go Pack!!!

Page -- Playing the guitar again!!!

Page played the guitar in college but had given it up until recently. Keith bought her the guitar you see on her back and she has begun to play it again at church and different events. She needed one more thing to add to her plate -- along with language school and taking care of all the kids (and Keith!). The place behind Page is an excellent tea stand that we all like.

Pa and Kaykee are here!

Pa and Kaykee arrived last Sunday to Taichung. They were supposed to arrive on Saturday but were delayed in Korea for an extra day + a few hours because of the typhoon that hit us that weekend. We have had a great visit so far. We went to Taroko Gorge for a few days, and now the Curlee kids are back in school. We will stay around Taichung this week before they return to the States on the 22nd. The photos were taken at Chili's the day after they arrived - Yum! It is wonderful to have them here!!

Typhoon KROSA

Today, Oct. 6, Pa and Kaykee (Keith's dad and stepmom) were supposed to fly into Taiwan. However, Typhoon KROSA has changed those plans. Pa and Kaykee are stuck in Korea (in a very nice hotel) waiting out the storm. Hopefully, they will get here on Sunday or Monday. We have been here for close to 2 years now, and this is the biggest storm we have had yet. Many trees are down but we still have power -- at least for now.

Care Package from Rope Holders!

We just want to express our gratitude for the wonderful care package we received last week! It is from the Rope Holders, our Sunday school class back at Green Street Baptist Church. As you can see, we were thrilled to receive it! It means so much to us that you continue to remember us on this side of the world!