Ode to my sister (Mrs. Szu-Wan Rita Chang Young)

I remember my first time going back to Taiwan after a number of years in the States.  I was in jr. high and my sister was in high school.. The next morning after I arrived, American, broken Mandarin and all, she took me on the back of her moped and rode me through our hometown, telling me and showing me all the various places. That summer and all the subsequent summers afterwards, I could always be found on the back of my sister's moped with her. She has always taken care of me and she knew how to show me what fun was.

We both grew up. I had my own little tumultuous time in high school away from my folks and my sister went to a little private Christian college in Taiwan. Then she came out here to study in Ohio for her Master's program without ever having been out of Taiwan with the exception of travel.  She did SO well transitioning to a new country by herself.  She learned the ways, finished up her program, toured various parts of that area of the States. Eventually she met my brother in law, a truck driving, motorcycle riding, football refereeing, ice hockey playing white guy who's just the nicest, kindest guy in the world! Oh yeah he works in the computer industry..so he's not THAT wild. And she learned to like burritos; beans, guacomole, steak and all.

My sister has become this little silent glue in our family the last few years. She never forgets our birthdays and is constantly getting us these little practical gifts to brighten our days!  She also very patiently mails me back my personal items that I accidentally leave behind in LA everytime I go to visit...my phone charger, my planner..., you know..these little essential things.

My sister recently advanced in her position at work after having only been there for less than two years!!  There's nothing like good old Asian work ethic, "be respectful, mind your own business, and work hard!"  I am proud of you, jie!!  I am so proud of the way you've adjusted to life in CA, marriage and all that it entails, and work.  I love you and I know that God loves you and will never abandon you.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."  Isaiah 43:1

One of the best things about being overseas and being surrounded by these missionaries is the abundance of stories. You cannot be around these old saints and not fall in love with God.  

One older gentleman nursed his wife through a debilitating illness for 19..yup, nineteen!! years before she finally passed away. As he was sharing this with me yesterday, watching the tears trickle down my face, he told me he wouldn't have traded those memories for anything.  

"God had been, and is good."  He said this with the face of a true saint.. 

The Christian God is a redemptive God.  This means that everything in our lives can be turned for good if we believe and have faith in Him. 

God desires this..

He is not a tyrant who can't be pleased. He is not looking at us in apathy. God is as tender as the most tender of mothers and as strong as the strongest of fathers. He will not stop the natural consequences of our actions, but He promises to redeem, to make purpose, to make GOOD everything of our lives if we would give ourselves to Him.

Do you believe this?  God has summoned us by name.

One of my students (a missionary kid) told me today he couldn't finish his homework because he was climbing his mango tree and fell off. 

that cracked me up.

There is such joy in serving Him overseas..

I'm obviously still in honeymoon phase.  It's been a continual high..I literally walk around with half a smile on my face at all times.  Right now I feel made for this.  I grew up, was taught to be very comfortable with different cultures..total social chameleon. I love that my parents took us traveling so much around the world...I love that I got to spend so many of my summers in Taiwan.  I love that I've been gifted with the ability to fall in deep sleep anywhere and I can "go"  (bathroom speak) anywhere. The crazy traffic, the smoke, the crowds don't faze me. And neither does the other extreme of the dirt road, the shacks, the country side.

I'm trying hard to learn the language here.  It's been a few phrases here and there. "Kamustika?"  (it's just like como estas? ..how're you)  "Salaamat!"  I make myself talk to the natives here..ahh this is where my people skills are helping the most!  It's nice to see them feel useful and get a few laughs at my expense b/c I make so many blunders...

Ministry with the missionary kids is going well.  The kids text message me and ask me the funnest questions "What is your favret color?"  lol...It's 9:00 at night and that is my most pressing question at hand..=)  One has asked if I can move in with their family..I understand them a bit more easily and readily b/c I grew up for periods of time without my immediate family, I've traveled some to be able to know a little of almost every place they're from. They're cultural mutts like me..not quite white but not quite asian either..

All I can think is that it was absolutely PERFECT timing that I came out here when I did. I would have had so many unresolved issues, no experience, been so much more immature if I'd come here right after college.  Now, I can look at the future with more sobriety and pray with more confidence and experience of Him.

I know I'm still in honeymoon phase.  =) 

My dad is too funny! =)  He has a Xanga site now (just to comment) and in a very short amount of time has grown to be more tech saavy than I could ever hope to be!!

So, I'm very aware of what I'm called to do this next year in the Philippines, but it doesn't stop me from dreaming dreams..=)

(all of this is of course is open to my Father..He knows what's better for me than I do)

My dreams are this... 1. Learn another language fluently 2. Join a missions organization as a member 3. Participate in a triathlon (ok..this one is FAR future) 4. Teach at a seminary 5. Work with a translation team for an unreached group 6. Write a children's book and get it published. 7. Raise a family 8. Raise funds, education, and medical services for an orphanage 9. Learn Greek and Hebrew 10. Travel to Greece, Egypt, and tour the Middle East. 11. Share the gospel with my grandparents 12. Write a script..get over my stage fright and act in a community play. .....this is ALL too fun...

For now though..I'm to stick to the BIC principle (butt in chair) and draft up curriculum and lesson plans for junior high language arts and Bible for the rest of the semester. =) After I'm done with that..I can go on with the rest!