Sorry for my lack of updates.

But quite honestly, I haven't felt like updating...sorry. I've been stressed out and frustrated more than ever. This past week was a "I want to go back to America" week. I'm much better after addressing the things that bother me with the principal and directors.

As for my wallet...no word on it yet. But let me tell you how God has turned it around for His glory!!! Everything has been replaced except for my drivers license (which I'm still waiting for someone to give me a copy of the number so I can fax paperwork...thanks)! I got my ARC on the spot instead of waiting 7 working days as I was told. All my co-workers were amazed with how quick doors were opening for me! I was amazed too! Many people were worried that I hated Taiwan and Taiwanese people. What an awesome opportunity to share what my God has done!!! I told them that I do not hate Taiwan or its people. In fact, I love the Taiwanese people I know! I told my co-teachers, whom I play badminton with, that they mean a great deal to me. They are my extended family here...and I'm their little sister! I also said that one person's actions will not define my experience here nor my thoughts about the people. One person can not speak for the whole. I could see how touched these men were! In a culture where people don't show their emotions...emotions were quite evident...Glory!!!

So, I have a great feeling I know why all these things have been happening this month. (By the way, I had a second eye infection last week).

I really think that satan doesn't like me....

It all started when I bought a ticket to our ladies tea for my co-teacher at church. It was her Teacher's Day gift from me. She said she would go. Then trouble started...

Time and time again, my co-teacher has asked me to go to the temple to say "hello" to the gods and ask for their blessings....each time, I've given a big, "No Way!" People keep telling me that all these things have happened because I haven't given honor to the gods...and I agree with them. And the devil will be the devil....and my God shall crush his head everytime!

Anyway, I could go on, but am tired. I will tell you that the ladies tea was on Sunday. Although, my co-teacher didn't go to service. She was touched by God! (And she almost didn't go...) At the end of the tea, she saw her friend, Susan (who goes to the church)! They were able to reconnect. It was completely a divine appointment! They exchanged phone numbers and will most likely get together soon. Praise God!! So now I ask that the seeds that have been planted will be watered and ready for harvest!! More than anything, I want to see this woman come to the Lord!

Good night. I love you all.

By the way, no one at school wants to deal with this boy. He has a lot of behavioral issues and his dad just died a few weeks ago. He never smiles. He hits others. Everyone calls him a "problem" to his face. I can't express the love that I have for him. My heart breaks for him.

At first he was really afraid of me...but now...because of God...he's beginning to take a liking to me...I can't imagine why... :)

PTA dinner given for teachers.

Popcorn (PC) and I.
A few weeks ago, the Parent's group (equivalent to a PTA) held a dinner to honor all the teachers. Many parents had a "good" time. And many more wanted private English lessons from me. Too bad for them, I can't!

PTA dinner given for the teachers.

Handsome teacher (my badminton teacher) and I.



My friend Jared. Or as I call him: AMJ (Asian Michael Jordan). We always play basketball and badminton together.





One of my students. My director and I.

In Kaohsiung with Judy Liu

The Love River

The British Councilate


In Kaohsiung....I have my own fan club in Kaohsiung! :)

Who knew...

The Lord has been teaching me about living a surrendered life...I never would have guessed it'd mean surrendering my wallet....You guessed it...My wallet was stolen this afternoon.
I've been kicking myself in the behind since I found out....
How did I find out? Well, I went and got gas...The attendent filled my tank and I had no wallet to pay! I paid a little over half (that's all the change I could find) and I paid the rest a few hours later.
I know better than to leave my bag unattendened, even if it is in the classroom.

Oh, and by the way, for those who know my mom...she broke her arm last week.
And my sister's rabbit died today.

What is going on in my family??

Please pray.

Please keep my sister in prayer. She called me at 2 am (her time) hysterical. I'm concerned for her safety, but there is not much I can do for her, except pray.

Thanks.

I want to crawl into a hole and die today!

There is this fairly nice looking teacher at my school. I play badminton with him often. We talk and have many common interests. I thought I would invited (re: as a friend) to a jazz show. But I wanted to make sure he wasn't married. I don't want to cause trouble. So my co-teacher said she would find out. She walks over to his classroom on the other side of campus to ask him if he got married yet. She also asked him if he would ever marry someone of another race. He then asked if she was talking about me!! They discussed whatever and then she came back. I taught today in his classroom. Which was awkward in itself for me, since I was completely embarrassed. I talked about Halloween with the students. I told them I would be a princess. They asked who the prince was. I said, I don't know. I pointed to a student and said he will be the prince. Then all the students said....no! our teacher!! He is a prince!!! I said ok, ok...I'll tell him later (yeah, right, like I would really tell him that)! He came into class before mine ended and all the student went wild...pointing and laughing and yelling things in Chinese at him. He gave the weirdest look and I turned so red! And of course all the kids saw, and said....oooooooo!! I ran out of the classroom and wanted to cry.....All this for trying to be nice and invite someone somewhere...

It's official...

I have conjunctivitis...blah!!! I went to the emergency room at 9:45pm and was out of the hospital by 10:11! Also, I paid $16 USD for the emergency room visit, and my two medicines: a bottle of eye drops and an ointment. With this type of health insurance, I'll never leave Taiwan!! ha! (Oh, and my visit to the ER was very easy....I couldn't get a hold of anyone to take me, so Judy Liu called her friend, whom we shall call Major. He is a medical student and a Christian...He picked me up, filled out my paper work, translated, and too me home...I taught him a valuable lesson about blessings tonight. I gave him some money for taking me and he refused. I told him that if he didn't take it, he would rob me of my blessing for sowing...haha....I have been taught well...) Now, that it's past my bedtime. I must sleep! Love to all.

Fish pictures.

Yum!!! NOT!

Teacher's Day and BBQ!!!

Thursday was Teacher's Day. Here is a picture all my cards and gifts! One of my students wrote: "I like you very much because you are pretty and young. You draw pictures ver beautiful. Your Chinese is real good! So you are very, very good! Many people want you to stay two years in the school. The card is for you. Thank you...When I grow up, I want to go to U.S.A!"

Last night, one of my co-teachers invited me to her parents' home in Kaohsiung County. The community put on this BBQ. The local goverment paid for everything. I even went up to sing KTV in English!!!! Everyone really stared at me then! Afterwards, her parents took me to Anping Fort, Anping Castle, and Anping Harbor. We took at stroll down the first street in Taiwan (um, I forget the name) at midnight. It was kinda creepy, but fun.

Prior to going to the BBQ, Lori and I went to a night market at a harbor in Kaohsiung County. Several times I gave out loud screams and jumped behind Lori. The shrimp, lobsters and fish were all alive!!! The Taiwanese people thought it would be fun to hit the lobsters and have them jump out of the dish they were held in. Of course, I freaked out!!! I took some pictures of these huge squid and a really pretty lobster from Australia. In the U.S., our lobsters are grey or red...This one had stripes and all different colors. Very beautiful!!