following an unknown path

a fave Taiwanese sweet treat

This is 花生豆花 or "hwa shung dou hwa" or Peanut DouHwa or Peanut Tofu Pudding.

Whatever you wanna call it, this is my second favorite Taiwanese sweet treat (first place is chawbing or shaved ice).

It is a soy bean based pudding topped with brown sugar water and peanuts.  Yummy!!

A small cup (this one) costs 20 NT or about 60 US cents.

 

Theme: Sweet | See More Sweet Stuff

care packages

Jim, who maintains Missionary Blog Watch, has asked missionaries to write about care packages.

The thing is most missionaries I know would say they don't "need" anything.  Living overseas has taught us to learn to do without a lot of what we thought we needed before coming to our new countries.  Also, there are now so many things that we are able to find here.  Here in Taiwan, we have a Costco near-by where we can get brownie mix and extra chunky peanut butter.

The greatest thing about care packages though is the little glimpses of home they offer.  They scream "we miss you," "we are thinking about you," and "we care."  I guess that is why they are called "care packages" and not "things-you-need-to-survive packages."

So, even though most missionaries I know would say they don't "need" anything, we all delight to receive stuff from back home because it is a reminder that we are not alone.  And, little bits of comfort are nice. :)

I brainstormed about things we'd like to receive in a care package with a good friend of mine who has been a missionary in Taiwan for 12 years--she is married and has 3 small kids.  Together we came up with the list below, so please know that this is NOT an Amanda wish list). 

Things that might bless an overseas missionary family:

• (Sugar free) Koolaid packets
• (Sugar free) Jello packets
• Envelopes of prepared mixes (sloppy joe, taco seasoning, salsa mix, ranch dressing, Italian dressing, gravy, so on)
• Instant cooking things (ex: Shake and Bake)
• Other dried foods, like cereal, oatmeal, or poptarts  (Here in Taiwan, we have a good supply of oatmeal and cereal, but in other countries these things are not so easy to get a hold of.)
• Extra-active yeast (for making bread)
• Hair stuff (clips, barrets, pony tail holders)
• Candy (things like Jolly Ranchers, Starbursts, Twizzlers, Smarties)
• Sugar Free candy (Lifesavors, things like that)
• (Sugar free) Chewing Gum (in Taiwan we have trouble finding Spearmint and Cinammin flavors, I'm sure children would appreciate strawberry or grape bubble gum)
• Magazines in English (My grandmothers occasionally send me copies of Woman's World and Reader's Digest)
• Scented/Smell good things (for example: small candle, potpourri, or Plug-ins, with the plug-in device unless you know they already have it.  Scents are so important to me now.  Especially at the holidays it is nice to have a "smells like Christmas" feel in my home.  But, something like plug-ins might not work in other countries, Taiwan has the same electricity system as the US)
• Decorations for holidays (holiday plates and napkins, even something like a paper 4th of July table cloth could be fun.  My grandmother also once sent me Easter clingies to put on my windows.)
• Other holiday related items sent near that holiday (like an Easter egg dying kit before Easter or candy canes near Christmas).
• Things that are "American" or "Canadian" or in my case "Texan" . . . you get the idea. (I loved it when my mom sent a very Texan "fixin' do list" pad and some chili mix.)
  
• A memento from their fave sports team
• DVDs (especially for children, might want to ask if they have a Region 1 DVD player if you are sending DVDs from America)
• CDs but itunes credit would work too
• Books in English
  
• Tampons
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Mascara
• Socks
• Over the counter meds (cough drops, coldeze, aleve)
• Children's books in English, small toys (match box car or stuffed toy), or things like fruit roll ups or gummy bears (IF they have children)
• Hobby supplies (things for scrap booking, quilting, cross stitch, card making or stamping--IF they have those hobbies)
• Small games (new card games or logic puzzle to solve)
• Online gift certificates (amazon.com and landsend.com both ship overseas)
• My friend even suggested a including a list of websites or blogs they might want to check out when they have online time.  She said she doesn't have time to search and find good sites, but loves being encouraged by sites that do get recommended to her.
  ...

Tricks and Hints

• You don't have to send a lot to mean a lot.  A small envelope with a few packages of gravy mix and a card would mean a lot.
• Don't be afraid to ask the missionary specifically for help.  For example, "I'd like to send you some reading material is there a book or magazine you've been wanting to read?"  OR "We are wanting to send you some personal items, do you need razors or deodorant?  If so, which brands and scents could we get for you?"  By asking specifically, it helps us not be so shy in telling you what we need.  It is really hard to answer the question "what do you need us to send you?"
• If they have children, try to include at least something small for them.  It is nice for them to know that they are remembered too.
• The USPS has an international shipping envelope--Priority Mail International--that up to 4 lbs costs a flat rate.  Each country is different--to Taiwan it is $9.  If you ship this way, you can send it on Monday, and we will have it by Friday.  Wow!  That is awesome.  They also have a box with a variable charge rate, but it costs more. 
• If you are sending big packages, consider sending it by ground and not by air to save on shipping.
• You can cut and paste the address in the country's language--ask the missionary for an image of their address (well, if they are computer savvy).  Just add in all caps the name of the country in English underneath the foreign language address.  (This is how my family sends me stuff.)

That is all I can think of for now.  If you are an overseas missionary, and have thoughts on things that would bless a missionary or some other tricks and hints for sending stuff, please either comment here or even blog about care packages on your own blog.

humility

Scripture tells us that "knowledge puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1).  It is so easy to get puffed up.  We all know stuff and this stuff-knowing fuels our pride.  But we know that God opposes the proud, and commands us to "humble ourselves." 

We are told to "clothe [ourselves], all of [us], with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5). 

So, what is humility?

Humility does not mean having a low self-esteem.  It is possible to have a low self-esteem and be prideful at the same time.  I know because I've been there.

Rather, humility means having a right understanding of who we are in light of who God is. 

Humility does not mean downplaying the gifts and talents he has given us.  Humility does not mean denying the abilities God has given us. 

Rather, humility leads us to serve others with the gifts, talents and skills God has graciously given us.  In Phillipians 2, Paul calls us to have the same mind as Christ, who humbled himself and took on the form of a servant.  We are able to honor others and serve others with the skills, talents, and gifts God has given us when we "in humility count others more significant than [ourselves]."

For an even better look at "What is Humility?" John Piper explains what God has told us about humility:

1. Humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Christ.
2. Humility does not feel a right to better treatment than Jesus got.
3. Humility asserts truth not to bolster ego with control or with triumphs in debate, but as service to Christ and love to the adversary.
4. Humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing.
5. Humility knows it is fallible, and so considers criticism and learns from it; but also knows that God has made provision for human conviction and that he calls us to persuade others.

Read his full article for the Scriptures he uses for each of these five points.

Oh, how I long to stay humble--but how very often I see pride rearing its ugly head into my thoughts and actions.  Help me to stay close to the cross--where I can more clearly see the holiness of You and the sinfulness in me.  Father, help me to actively be humbling myself, counting others as more significant.  Like the song says, make me to be a servant, humble and meek.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Humility and is being hosted by Scribbling by Blair.  Join us next week for The Beauty of  . . . (your choice) over at Leslie's Lux Venit.

what is Kaohsiung like?

Well, check out this 4 minute video to see every day stuff you are likely to see in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan--a harbor city on a tropical island. 

Even thought I live in Kaohsiung County and not city, these are still things I see daily.

(If the song is too much for you, turn down/off the volume.)

the sky today was awesome!

First off the day started with a brilliant blue sky.  Now, this is nothing special if you live in Texas (or many other spots on earth).  I can't stop staring at the sky whenever I go home. 

But, here, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the sky is normally gray.  Yeah, sadly it's gray from all the pollution.

But not today.  Today it was a brilliant blue!!  It was so wonderful!!

Later, after classes this afternoon, my students called me to the office window.  And, then they showed me a beautiful rainbow! 

It totally arched all the way across the sky.  I don't think I've ever seen a complete (I know its really only half) arching rainbow in the sky,

Thank you, Father, for the reminder that you always keep your promises. 

recent finds

Two blogs I recently added to my Google reader which might be of interest to other missionaries are:

Kingdom Journalism and Missionary Geek.

Here is what they are about in the words of their authors/keepers/blogger owners(?).

The purpose of the Kingdom Journalism blog is to challenge and encourage Christian mission communicators around the world as they "describe God's mighty works" (Acts 2:11).

and

Missionary Geek is a blog about technology, productivity and ministry. Focusing on the modern missionary, we'll look at the latest tools, processes and hacks that will help you do your job easier, more cleanly and leave you with more time to drink coffee with your friends. 

Know of any other blogs along these lines?  If so, please do tell.  I wanna check em out. 

HT: I found KJ via Missionary Blog Watch and MG via KJ. :)

design styles

When I was in Dallas last summer, I got to stay with both my sister and a good friend from college.  I have always admired both of them for their decorating abilities. 

LeAnn always made our college dorm look cozy and inviting.  Sarah has always had cute rooms and decorations.  Whenever I visit either of them I have to guard my heart from coveting after what they have--both their decorations and their knack for decorating! 

Which is kinda funny since their styles couldn't be more different!!  LeAnn is more homespun cottage with a touch of romantic or country depending on which room you are being hugged by at the moment.  And, I love it.  Her home is so warm and inviting. 

Sarah, on the other hand, uses a more contemporary style with a touch of Tuscan from her beautiful wrought-iron accessories that adorn nearly every room in her new home.  And, I love it too.  Her home is also warm and inviting--just in a different way.

I love that as women, we get to add touches of beauty to the world around us.  I enjoy visiting Sarah and LeAnn's homes to see how they are creating beauty in their living spaces, to see how they are expressing parts of their personalities through decorating the areas around them.

Since I love both of their styles and then have my own style preferences too, it shouldn't be a surprise what the results were to this really fun quiz I took from hgtv.com.  According to their twelve questions, my design style is "eccentric with a touch of sweet and classy."

They say: "for you, it's all about the mix.  Any style is welcome in your world as long as it complements something else.  You're drawn to funky interiors and eye-catching color combinations (think red and blue, orange and turquoise, purple and gold).   You like contrasting patterns and unconventional architecture.  You enjoy furnishings that remind you of your travels mixed with modern pieces and offbeat antiques." I think they hit the nail on the head (except for maybe the color combo thing).

They also suggested for decorating inspiration, I should look at rooms in one of these three styles: eclectic, southwestern, and Mediterranean. Of these three, I like the eclectic best.  Some of the Mediterranean style rooms appeal to me; however, I personally don't care for the southwestern style in my own living space. 

I do, however, like the styles they call contemporary, transitional, and Asian (I wonder why?). Oh, and just for FYI, I really like this Asian style living room.

 [The top photo is my "pre-pink" bedroom; my mom made the curtains for me.  The bottom photo was taken in my living room two years ago (and not much has changed since then).   My mom and I sewed the pillows in Texas, and my students helped me stuff them and stitch them closed here in Taiwan.]

So, what is your decorating style?

bloggy smarts

Leslie at Lux Venit mentioned in her bloggy story two weeks ago that she wished she "had known more about blogging etiquette" before beginning to blog.  Several of us asked in the comments for clarification.  Someone even asked for a class on the topic. :)

Well, Leslie didn't disappoint at all.  Last week she posted a mini-series on Blogging Etiquette.  It is well worth your time to read these three thought-provoking posts.

Blogging Etiquette (I): thoughts on what to do on your own blog

Blogging Etiquette (II): thoughts on how to behave on other's blogs

Blogging Etiquette (III): all about bloggy community with thoughts on blog rolls and the "weirdness" that makes blogging the joy it is

God's free mercy

"The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made" (Psalm 145:9).

It is God's free mercy which every day keeps hell and my soul asunder.

It is God's free mercy which daily pardons my sins.

It is God's free mercy which supplies all my inward and outward needs.

It is God's free mercy which preserves, and feeds, and clothes my outward man.

It is God's free mercy which renews, strengthens, and prospers my inward man.

It is God's free mercy which has kept me many times from committing such and such sins.

It is God's free mercy which has kept me many a time from falling before such and such temptations.

It is God's free mercy which has many a time preserved me from being swallowed up by such and such inward and outward afflictions.

(Thomas Brooks, 1669, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels. Public Domain as seen on Grace Gems.)

"Great is your mercy, O Lord" (Psalm 119:156).  Oh, let us rejoice that we have such a merciful God!!  "I will sing of the tender mercies of the Lord forever!" (Psalm 89:1).

shiny memories.

This was graduation day two years ago.  After the graduation ceremony, we went out "to play."  While we were waiting for some of their classmates to come join us, my students took the opportunity to take lots of pictures.  When I found the shiny door and showed them what they could do with . . . well, they got excited. :)

I miss you guys!

Theme: Shiny | See More Shiny Stuff

The Beauty of Babies

This week's carnival surprised me a little.  I thought for sure we'd get lots of pictures of cute little babies.  There are lots of you out there with those kinds of pictures to share. 

Instead, we have a great assortment of different kinds of reflections all centered around the idea of babies. :)

Join me traveling around bloggyland to read about The Beauty of Babies.

First, and probably most exciting, Revka finally realized that she had been trusting in her profession of salvation rather than in the Person who saves.  Monday morning, she became a "new creature" in Christ. Read all about it, in her long, but great post: A Beautiful Birth.

Next, travel with me to the UK, where Susanna who is expecting, posts just about the changes that takes place in a baby and how each one has its' own beauty.

Next lets go back to the States--the deep south--and visit Bethany who is reflecting on her young son, how he's growing up too fast, and how he'll always be her baby.

Then, come on back here to my little corner of Asia, to read about how a single woman deals with mommy-longings in oh, baby.

Thanks for joining this week!  Next week will be over at Blair's Scribblings for The Beauty of Humility!  Come join us!!

oh, baby!

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

Babies--they are so precious. 

I know not if I will ever be a mother.  I know not if I will ever experience what if feels like to have a human being intricately woven inside of me.  I long to . . . I desire to . . . but, I know not.

For now, I must be content with holding little bundles of blessings that belong to others (like the one pictured here who belongs to one of my students).  I can cradle them, snuggle with them, sing to them, rub my cheek against their fuzzy heads, kiss their chubby little cheeks, and then I must give them back to their moms and dads.  It is not easy to stay content when everything inside of screams with the desire to be a mother. 

Instead of children to raise, all I have for now is hope.  And, I don't even know if that hope will ever not be deferred.   All I know is that for now it is. 

But that is ok, because like I mentioned yesterday, the Most High God is both all-good and all-powerful all the time.  He saw me while I was still an unformed substance. He cannot not keep His promises.  He is a great gift-giver, a Father who likes to give gifts to his children.  He is trustworthy.  It is far more than worthwhile for me to trust Him alone--even with deferred hopes and strong desires.

Father, I thank you for so graciously helping me not to covet, not to envy.  I could not on my own.  Please continue to keep bitterness at bay and hope, even though deferred, burning bright.  I place my trust in You alone.

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Babies and is being hosted here. Join us next week for The Beauty of Humility over at Scribbling by Blair.

check out my cool new guestbook!!

and sign it too, please!!

HT: Wholly Devoted

P.S. I'm keeping this post sticky for awhile, scroll down past this for new posts.
 

lucky stuff

From blogging with my students (in the internet English course I am teaching), I learned two new things about The Dragon Boat Festival this week.

I learned this from Amy:

OH~~~ we have a very specially ＂Luckly Thing＂ and you can hang up it just like a necklace, AND it can protect you safe & well this year, moreover it's smell fragrant.

I call that ＂fragrant package＂in English, because I don't know how to say that word,HA~

I learned this from Tim:

Some say if we can stand the egg upright at noon on the day of Dragon Boat Festival, it would bring us good luck for the rest of the year.

No one ever said teachers knew it all.  I learn so much from my students!!

On a more serious note though, do you see a pattern here?  My students, my neighbors, my dear friends trust in "horses and chariots" (Psalm 20:7), they trust in auspicious items, and desire lucky things and lives. 

Would you please join me in praying for them they too will place their trust in the name of the Lord our God?  Please ask God to open their eyes to the truth that auspicious stuff has no power to make lucky things happen. 

The Most High God is an all-powerful, all-loving God, and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).  May they one day soon know it too!!

bloggy contests galore

Well, this is the week for bloggy contests!!

Back in mid-March, I entered one of Camy's book give-aways.  And, I was one of three to win a hard back copy of Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. 

Camy sent the book--internationally--back in early April.  And . . . I just got it this week!!

How cool is that?  Just in time for some summer reading!

Thanks, Camy!!

She is currently giving away two books that you can enter to win!  Go to her site and check it out!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Also, my students held a bloggy contest here on my blog.  They were giving away postcards from Taiwan to people who helped us spread the word about taking a survey about dinner in America.  They were hoping for at least 50 people to take the survey, but with yall's help . . . . they had over 150 people take it.  They were so ecstatic!

The winners of their postcard give away are . . .

Sincerity,
Deena,
Blair,
Candice,
Deb,
Ashley, and
Tami

If you'd ladies would please make sure I get your mailing address--email me--then I will pass it on to my students who will get you your postcard ASAP. :)

Thanks again to all who helped us out!  We really appreciate it!

Dragon Boat Races (video)

I found one of Sam's videos from last year and some of mine from 2004. 

So, below you can see and hear what Dragon Boat Races are like--at least here in Kaohsiung, Taiwan! :) 

Here is Sam's video:

Video from the beginning of a race:

Video from the end of another race:

If you want to pretend you are actually here watching, you will need to go find a steam room or some place where you can feel extra sticky from all the humidity. :)

Happy Belated Dragon Boat Festival!! (端午節)

Yesterday was the Dragon Boat Festival.  So, it was a public holiday for us here in Taiwan!  Yea!!

Sam took the above photo last year when he and I went to watch the races on Love River in Kaohsiung City.  Sam also took some awesome video of the races, but I can't find it right now.  If I do locate it, I will upload and share.

In addition to racing dragon boats, people enjoy eating "jong tz" or "sticky rice dumplings" . . . neither phrase tells you what these things are, right? :)

Basically "jong tz" are triangles of sticky rice stuffed with meat and mushrooms and then wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Here is a mosaic I made using one of my student's photos that she took of her mother making "jong tz."  [Thanks for sharing, Larina. ;)]

Can you identify all the items below that are put inside the "sticky rice dumplings"?

Graduation Taiwanese Style

Saturday night, I went to the graduation ceremony at my school. This was not a new experience for me, but because two bloggers recently commented about the whole Taiwanese graduation experience on their blogs, I paid more attention to the culture differences myself.

Charlotte did a great job describing exactly what a typical high school graduation is like here in Taiwan.  There are a few differences between high school and college graduations, but on the whole they are quite similar.

Taiwanese graduations tend to be quite informal, and there is no focus on the individual achievement of the students.  Ours even included a rock concert at the end (although about 75% of the graduates had left by that point).  At least at our school (but it seems like at others too) students take pictures the entire ceremony (such as the one above) and wander around at will.  No other teachers were present except the "mentor teachers" (or class adviser).  (I showed up because the students had asked me to--not because I was required to be there.)

At one point, after some dancing and bar tending on stage, the top student of each department was called on stage to receive in honor of all students in their department a diploma.  All the graduates stood and were pronounced graduated.  The dean of each department then went through the crowds and moved the graduates tassels from the left to the right.  This however was the first time I had seen this happen.  Then some awards were given to top students in each class.

Diplomas will be passed out to those who can receive them later--ie have actually passed all their classes and only took senior courses this semester.  If they have to attend summer school (or even one more year) or are are still taking a junior class (which isn't completed until the first week of July) they can attend the graduation ceremony but will not get their diploma.  The receiving of your diploma is a very informal thing done with no pomp and circumstance at all. (One or my former students told me that at his current school, they actually "graduated" before taking finals.)

Char makes two points I whole-heartedly agree with, first, she points out that unlike our western focus on the individual, here in Taiwan the "students were graduating as a class, as a grade, as a school."

It is another example of the "Big Me" (society) vs. the "Little Me" (the individual).  In Taiwanese culture the Big Me always outshines the Little Me.  In some ways I like that they were together as a class--that they were able to graduate with friends.  I remember in high school, college, and grad school graduating next to perfect strangers since my friends were not next to me alphabetically.

Char also points out that by only allowing the top students to be recognized on stage, "it doesn't do a lot to encourage the majority of the average or even mediocre students. They should be given the chance to feel proud of their achievement, even if they weren't number one in their class."  I agree. 

I would add to this that the focus is not at all what any of these students have done.  When I told my students "congratulations" in English or Chinese they were kinda dumbfound and would tell me "congratulations to YOU."  The short speeches made during the ceremony mostly wish the students good health in the future--one VP even reminded the students to exercise so they could live longer.  Nothing is said about "you worked so hard and we are proud of you."

Instead it is more like a goodbye or going away party.  The ceremony starts off by talking about what a sad day it is and how hard it is to leave and say goodbye to friends.  It ends with groups of students hugging and crying tears that can't be stopped--and this in a culture where displays of affection and emotion are very rare.  It is further not about their accomplishments because some of them won't even be graduating for another month, summer, or even school year.

Some other things of difference to note:

• "The graduation song" in Taiwan is actually the one we sing on New Year's, "Auld Lang Syne."  And it is played at the end, as in "And now we will play our graduation song."
• The red roses and ribbons they are wearing say "graduating student."  They all wear these--just like at weddings here the father of the bride wears one that says "father of the bride."
• Something Sandy has pointed out is the lack of family and friends who attend graduation ceremonies in Taiwan.  She is right, and this just goes to further support the idea that this is not about celebrating a great achievement, but is rather a goodbye party for the graduates.
• There are no graduation invitations to send or mail out.
• There are no individual graduation parties or dinners--it is all about the class and classmates and saying goodbye.
• Graduates are given flowers.  That might be the only sign of individual "congrats" given.  I don't really think they are given any other kind of graduation gift from family or friends. 
• This year, the entire time of diploma and award giving music--which sounded like it was from a movie soundtrack--played, which created an air of anticipation and suspense.  Later songs about "new worlds" and "good friends" from Disney movies were played, which helped encourage the emotional break-down.
• This year they students didn't march in or out.  Many left after they "stood to graduate" and their cap's tassel was moved over.
• Since we were outside this year and it was at night, we also had fireworks to go off near the end.
• There is only one graduation ceremony a year even for college students.  Graduating students finish the spring semester an entire month early.  And then graduate 2 or 3 weeks before the school holds finals for all the other students.

Carnival of Beauty Announcement

First, please stop by Bethany's blog to both thank her for hosting last week and then go check out all the neat posts on The Beauty of Truth that she was able to host.

Second, this week the CoB is here on my blog!!  Our topic this week is the Beauty of Babies!  And, we are changing things up a little this week.  Instead of emailing to the hostess, you can email our new carnival.of.beauty@gmail.com address with your post info.

Please submit your post by midnight Thursday--Texas time.

Next, here are the upcoming topics and their hostess:

June 20: The Beauty of Babies
     (Amanda @ following an unknown path)
June 27: The Beauty of Humility
     (Blair @ Scribblings by Blair)
July 6: The Beauty of (free)
      (Leslie @ Lux Venit)
July 13: The Beauty of Summer
      (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
July 20: The Beauty of Grace
     (Sara @ Stones of Remembrance)
July 27: The Beauty of Play
     (Susanna @ Through a Glass)
August 3: The Beauty of (free)
     (Bethany @ A Picturesque Life)
August 10: The Beauty of The Lord's Day
     (Susanna @ Through a Glass)
August 17: The Beauty of Prayer
     (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
August 24: The Beauty of Change
     (Ashley @ twentysixcats.com)
August 31:The Beauty of Learning
     (Bethany @ A Picturesque Life)
September 7: The Beauty of (free)
     (No Hostess yet, would you like to host?)
September 14: The Beauty of Autumn
     (Ashley @ twentysixcats.com)
September 21: The Beauty of Discipline
     (Blair @ Scribblings by Blair)
September 28:  The Beauty of Hope
     (Sara @ Stones of Remembrance)

There are still three weeks with no hostess, so if'd you like to host one of those weeks and haven't signed up yet please let me know.  If no one takes them, we are ok, because I've not yet signed up to host, and I know a few of you have volunteered to help out if needed, which I truly appreciate!!

One last note, I've updated the main CoB page.  But, for some reason the Google Group pages are blank when I go to edit them.  I will try from my office computer on Wednesday--because today and tomorrow are holidays for me!!  But, the email address still works fine for the google group, so if you'd like to get updates and notices via email about the carnival, please sign up:

       

Subscribe to Carnival of Beauty

Email:

Visit this group

Happy Father's Day!!!

When I was maybe in high school, I always thought what a rip-off it was to dad's that Father's Day came in the summer.  Since Mother's Day is in May, as kids we spent time in both school and Sunday school making things for her, but Father's Day?  Well, maybe, if we happened to be home that weekend we might make something in Sunday School for him. :)

Well, now that I live in Taiwan, June is now a school month.  BUT, today is not Father's Day here.   Father's Day in Taiwan is August 8th.  Because 8 is pronounced "ba" in Chinese.  So, August 8th is "BaBa" which is also how you say "daddy" in Chinese.  So, Baba's Day is on baba day.  Got it?

Which is also a rip off because in Taiwan Mother's Day always falls on a Sunday (it is the same day as the US Mother's Day), but Father's Day can be any day of the week.  So, everyone goes home on Mother's Day weekend and takes their mother out to eat on Sunday, but Father's Day?  Well, they go to work.

Anyway, our father's deserve our respect and admiration.  Today is a day to celebrate them!! So, Dad, today I celebrate you!

I thank you for all the ways you have impacted who I am.  I am the woman I am today because of who you are in Chirst, because of how you and Mom choose to raise me.  I am not sure, but I doubt there are many women who can look back at their childhood and teen years and rejoice because their earthly father was such a blessing.  I know you are not without your faults, but God has been so gracious to me by giving me such an awesome earthly Father.  I love you, Daddy!  Happy Father's Day!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Carla at her site, Reflections of the Times, recently held a contest about the Best Dad Ever.  I submitted this post that I wrote last father's day about my Dad.

And guess what??  We won!  And the prize was to pick out one of Carla's nifty t-shirts from her cafepress shop.  And, she even made a "Best Dad Ever" shirt for Father's Day, which is the one that I choose as the prize.  :)

Yea!  Thank you, Carla, for helping me celebrate my dad!

i do weird things

Yeah, that's right . . . you stick the whole head in your mouth, bite down, and chew. :)

I love shrimp.  And constantly having fresh shrimp from living on an island has spoiled me to no end, but I learned last night a new way to eat shrimp.  It is possible, if the shrimp has been deep fried to consume the whole creature--eyeballs, legs, shell and all! 

And you know what?  It is quite delicious that way! :)