The Juice

For my faithful xanga friends...here is the latest in my life:

July 21, 2006 was the day that my childhood friend, Faith Sabel, got married to Josh Bianchi. I took a weekend off from VOICE (where I was team leader and English teacher at a summer conference for Taiwanese high school / college students) to stand as Faith’s maid of honor at her wedding in Cape Cod. Little did I know how that wedding would change my life…

I was paired up with best man Joel Bianchi, third born of the legendary Bianchi brothers that I had been hearing about since my elementary school days when their cousin and I were classmates. As we talked at the reception I found myself surprised at how comfortable I was with him. This is not typical...it usually takes me a while to warm up to people. As I pondered the day’s events, I ventured to think there was a connection with Joel that I’ve never felt with anyone else before…but quickly dismissed it as a fleeting infatuation.

The Sabels hosted a brunch the next morning, and I found myself hoping for more time to talk with him. It wasn’t until I was on my way out, though, that we saw each other. He later told me that he had been planning to ask for my number…but the opportunity never presented itself. As time went by, I resigned myself to the fact that he was never going to call. I tried to put Joel Bianchi out of my mind, but I don’t think I ever really succeeded…God used that time, though, to help me find my worth and contentment in Him.

Eleven months after the wedding, I got an email from Joel asking about teaching English in China. We ended up keeping in touch over the summer (I even got to see him once), and with each conversation I found my respect and admiration for him increasing. I kept my parents in the loop, and they were fine with us being friends. In September, though, I felt like I was getting closer to Joel than my parents would’ve been happy with. I tried to explain our unique family situation to him…said we needed to keep our friendship “casual”, and gave him my dad’s email address in case he ever wanted to contact him. (Poor Joel…)

After that, our communication was casual, sporadic…I didn’t know what he was thinking. Come to find out, he emailed my dad in mid-October. This was followed by six months of intense emailing between the two of them…each email from Dad containing a list of questions for Joel to answer. During the week of Thanksgiving, my dad asked Joel to stop contacting me through any means, so that we could both focus on God. This was hard to take…I felt like I was being treated like an ignorant teenager. But whether or not it was human error (I know my dad was doing what he thought was best for me) or could’ve been handled in a better way, God used it for good in our lives. My faith in God was tested and strengthened, my relationship with my parents improved, I received clear leading from God about Joel...and now, every form of contact seems like a gift. After three months of not communicating, my Dad lifted the embargo. He also booked Joel a ticket to Taiwan during spring break so he could come and meet the family.

Joel arrived in Taiwan April 21. The following morning after family devotions, my parents sat us down and made our courtship official. I wasn’t sure how things would be…seeing as we had only “really” seen each other on two occasions…but there was nothing to worry about. It was an amazing week…an incredible start to a very exciting relationship.

Now Joel is back in NYC where he teaches robotics at a high school in Harlem. I am eagerly anticipating the next time I get to see him.

I’m awed at what God has done and look forward to what He has in store. If we were to pick a “theme verse” for our relationship so far, it would be Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” However God leads in the future, we know this promise is true. May He be glorified!

Seminar season is here! The Children's Institute (CI) staff members (minus one) got here last week and have been preparing their hearts, fine-tuning lyrics (hmm...bet you can't wait to hear The Bubble Song in Chinese!), and planning for the teachers and the kids. The CI is camp where kids learn about the Bible. We also hold seminars for adults that run concurrently with the CI. I stay busy serving the adults that come and making sure our teachers get fed.

This is going to be a year of transition. It's my brother Tim's first time to be the team director. Karen, who has been one of the CI leaders for the past 10 years, is joining the Basic Seminar staff team. She is getting married later this year, so this will be our last seminar season of serving together as a family. Who would've guessed last year that a year later she'd be engaged to be married and getting ready to move back to the States? God moves in mysterious and awesome ways.

Some things are still the same. Mm hmm, I'm the food lady again. I've pulled out my food files and have been perusing through all the business cards and menus I've accumulated over time. I put Hsinchu info on a Google Map...it is so cool!  Most people know I love food, but by the time the trip is over, even the thought of food sickens me. But...it's all good. Here's what I'd like to *try* to do differently this year:

• provide healthier (but good) food
• lower expenses
• minimize the amount of times I resort to ordering pizza

I'm also leading an accountability group for 5-8 teachers. I enjoy spending time with the teachers and hearing what God is doing in and through them. Lots of great memories from years past, and I look forward to what God has in store this year.

I had a meeting on Saturday with the chair(man), vice-chair(woman), pastor, and my co-靈修同工 (Michelle) of the singles' career fellowship. We met at Mos Burger, which I normally like, but I discovered that their breakfast is bizarre. My bacon egg sandwich had PEANUT BUTTER in it.  My eyes widened when my tastebuds registered the strange combination of salty and sweet, but then again...I wasn't too surprised. This is Taiwan. It's just funny that it's taken me almost 13 years to come across that combo. Anyway...it was a good meeting, but in it I realized that I won't be able to fudge my way through this year of service...that I have to be real, that I have to give all, and that I really need wisdom from God (James 1:5!). My pastor pointed out that Michelle and I are doing a ton of administrative work, but this kind of misses out on the heart of being a 靈修同工. He proposed an idea that excites me and scares me at the same time. Thinking about that and all my responsibilities sent my mind reeling. Still, this is a challenge that God has called me to accept, and it's an opportunity to see His strength made perfect in my weakness. I know it'll be good. I'm learning a lot already...

Ok, that's it for now! Gearing up for the arrival of the teachers...

--FAC

Update and Reflections

In recent months I have neglected my xanga and spent more time on facebook...an easier (yet also a pseudo) way of keeping in touch with people. I've noticed my xanga subscription digests have become a lot shorter of the late...maybe I'm not the only one to have resorted to facebook? Still...I appreciate those of you who make the time to post an update!

I feel like I'm living in a whirlwind. It really WOULD be nice to hibernate for a while. Christmas is in 3 days, and next week I'll be making an international trip to attend my dear friend Christina's wedding. I will be Stateside for less than a week, which is way too short. Then, before I know it, I'll be in the middle of our seminar season! And then the VOICE retreat! Time flies, but at least I can say I AM having fun...and most importantly, I'm growing in my knowledge of and love for Jesus.

Quick recap on my life of the late:

In September/October, Grace and I returned to Rochester for a month to work on our studies. One of our favorite study places was the mall. It was the perfect study environment! Whenever we needed a break, we could get up and shop.  But the biggest reason why we loved it so much was...

...this barista.  Meet one of my white Brown brothahs! Jimmiah--SB is lucky to have you. And you make the best hazelnut caramel macchiatos.

At the end of October, Grace and I brought our Chen grandparents back with us to Taiwan. They stayed for a month and offered me a lot of good "grandparently" advice. Grandpa Ho also enjoyed their company very much, and on Thanksgiving Day we took all three of them to Starbucks. 'Twas a fun memory.

In November a few of us had the opportunity to teach English and character at a medical university. It was a good experience. I became more aware of the needs of students in Taiwan--what their desires and goals are, what obstacles they're up against...and the emptiness of life without Christ.

The homeschool kids' English class grew from 6 to 11 (two are missing from the picture below) this semester. I love this class and am thankful for each student. The card Tim and I received expressing their parents' appreciation was really touching. We've been teaching this group for three years now...and it's been pretty cool to watch them grow up. What an honor to be a part of their lives.

This was my second semester teaching Leo, my hairdresser's son. On Thursday I had him make frosting so we could decorate the cookies. He did a great job! He loved the mixer...

I've been teaching Bianca for over two years now...and I can't tell you how much I've been blessed by her friendship. Bianca doesn't really need me to teach her English, but I need my weekly "Bianca time." After our class on Thursday we decorated cookies with Leo's frosting...

Thanks to Karen and Grace's help the next day, all the cookies got decorated, and we were able to distribute the love and cheer to our neighbors and friends (who don't usually celebrate Christmas). I am very tired of food...

My favorite gingerbread people...(Karen's ingenuity)

And my favorite snowman. :) My mom said this reminds her of little Jason... What do you think, Bek?

Here's a picture of my rockin' small group.   Next year I am going to be a part of the career fellowship's leadership team. My goal/purpose/job description is to come up with ways to help my brothers and sisters grow closer to Christ. I need wisdom...

And the biggest news is that my sister Karen is engaged to Luke Kallberg! He planned a surprise visit to Taiwan and popped the question at the beginning of November. Congrats to both of you!! Thank you for being a testimony of trusting in God and living to bring glory to Him!

(photo courtesy of Charity Sanders)

It's hard to believe 2007 is almost over...but then I think about all God has done and all I've learned this year...and I am amazed at how much He fit into a year.  The lessons I've learned have been priceless...I've discovered and proved Jesus to be all I need and more. My faith has been tested and strengthened, and I know God will continue to do so as He teaches me to walk in His ways. I hope you have a wonderful season of celebrating God's greatest gift to us--Jesus Christ, His Son. There is no true fulfillment and joy apart from Him!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Picture Overload

Back to my studies on the rise of conservatism and liberalism...

I absolutely adore him!

Bek, Jeremy, and Jason came to visit us over the weekend! I just looooove little Jason!

We had such a great time...thanks so much for coming!

So...it's been a while since I've updated...but I'm back in Rochester with Grace. We've been studying hard and taking tests...but the pockets of fun and relaxation have been essential in keeping us from burning out! I need to study for my last exam (for this trip)--Western Civilization from 1648-present. Exciting... :)