Always an Adventure...

This past Sunday, my local church put on a Tomb sweeping service. It’s the first our church has ever done, and the first I have ever attended. And I found it to be deeply meaningful. Growing up in a Lutheran church for a while, and being part of this generation that seems to be moving away from consumerism and entertainment-driven worship and toward liturgy and a deeper connection to past, future, and community, I found it refreshing to be a part of this service. Now for those unfamiliar with the holiday, Taiwan celebrates Tomb Sweeping Festival on April 5. It’s a day off when families traditionally visit the family plot where their ancestors are buried, and, literally, sweep or clean it up. Cemeteries in Taiwan do not, to my knowledge, have groundskeepers or other employees. Thus it is the family’s duty to make sure grave sites are maintained. Traditionally this would be accompanied with burning incense or ghost money, making food offerings, and prayers to the ancestors for blessing...

I have a few friends in my social media network who never fail to impress me with their prolific use of #hashtags and I can admit to googling them and one point and trying to figure out why on earth I was suddenly seeing these weird metasubliminal messages on peoples' posts.... so on my way to embracing the hashtag, here are a few thoughts: Monday: Spent 20 minutes at the acupuncturist with 8 needles stuck in my legs. #ouch #notreally #justpsychological #didntlook Tuesday: Bought new socks from a truck on the side of the road. #myglamouroustaiwanlife Wednesday: Took off my sweater only to realize my shirt was on inside out. #adultlifefail #gettingold Thursday: Had homemade oatmeal with peanut butter chips and craisins for breakfast. And lunch. #comfortfood #yummy Friday: Reading Isaiah, I suddenly want to rename my bible study class "Okes of Righteousness." #inspiration #suchanerd

2004-2012. Who would have imagined I'd be here for so long? I still remember that nervous girl who got on the airplane from Castlegar, promising her mom she'd only be gone for a year. Who didn't know a word of Chinese. A passport. A suitcase. A job waiting on the other end. What an adventure it has truly been. My 7th year marked a season of milestones, what will the 8th year bring? So far, it seems to be a season of change. A lot of people here who have been in my life for a long time seem to be taking their leave. Saying goodbye is hard, though a part of life for expats. When we are far away from our families, the people around us become like family. So much more so in Christ.  So maybe my 8th year will be a year of change. A year of being commissioned (commanded to mission) and making space in my life for new things. If you somehow missed it, I also updated the title photo for this blog. The hymn Come Thou Fount has been playing in my head this week, and part of the...