The kids sent us new pictures this week – so I had them printed along with a couple of photos we took not long ago of us.

your sandwich has – scrambled egg, ham, lettuce…… and yes, that’s peanut butter on it.

As a foreigner living in Taiwan, all I can do is pray for God’s will do be done concerning the outcome of the presidential election today. Please pray it will be a clean, corrupt free process, and that whoever wins – the result will eventually be unity, and respect. See Romans 13:1-5. I don’t know if this is the best article to read – but at least it seems to quote both parties.

This morning, Jackie phoned me after he arrived at the office. He announced he was at the office all alone. When he arrived, the gate was down; as he pulled in the tiny parking lot, it was empty; when he opened the office on the 3rd floor….. nobody! He looked at the office calendar, “oh yea, it’s a holiday”. So he invited me to come join him for lunch. As I got off the subway and entered the city park called “2-28 Park” to meet up with Jackie, I remembered of the reason for the holiday. Chairs were set up in the walkway as an extension to the amphitheater, and police were scattered about. I could feel the spiritual darkness and see the sadness in faces all around me. So I prayed as I walked across the park, and The Lord reminded me that until his return, there will always be wars, and rumors of wars; political healing is not the answer, but pray for spiritual healing.

“Lord, bring spiritual healing to this land. Help the people to stop looking for a political savior. Help the people forgive, let got of their bitterness and to begin loving one another.”

Only Jesus can bring such healing to this people and their land.

To learn about 2-28 National Holiday:

Click here

The crate has been in port since Sept 20, but had to sit until all the customs/forms cleared.  Praise God for the perfect delivery date for us – Sat at 10 am. All 40 + boxes (mostly small boxes) arrived intact; all arrived safely except for one item that was laying loose (a plastic round tube full of blank cd/dvd’s).  About 4 hours later, the delivery man brought it to our door – so nothing missing!  It’s been nearly 2 full days of unpacking, rearranging, and putting things away – but we are almost done.  Much of the stuff was food that we cannot get here (if we can find, it is triple the cost).  We cleaned out the pantry and re-did it .  We still need to put up lots of books.  Jackie got the new printer set up and is still fiddling w/the turntable.  He got the new phone hooked up; can’t wait for someone from the US to phone our packet 8 number so we will be able to hear how the sound of the ring is different from the TW house phone.

Fran

Jackie got home after midnight from his recent travels.  We’d not been asleep an hour, when “rattle rattle, shake shake” at 1:55 am. “Jackie we are having an earthquake.!” He was so tired, I think he slept through it.  I was just glad I wasn’t in bed alone (even if he was unaware).  It’s a startling sensation, but not frightening. Fran

stats on the quake:

added 9/8/07:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2007/09/07/121551/Quake%2Dshakes.htm

Fran has just posted the first in a series called “Fran’s Mission Moments” – check it out here: Fran’ Mission Moment #1

A new attraction opens soon in Taipei – a Cable Car!

I look forward to a new “outing” after our return to Taiwan. One of the things about living in Taiwan, progressive attractions are always in the process of being built. The amazing thing, most things are very affordable, so the cost is rarely a hindrance to checking out new developments.

While in the US, we checked into visiting the famous American Airlines Center, and also checked into going to a concert at the Meyerson Concert Hall….. the price eliminates us every time.

Reflections of His fullness (June 5, 2007)

Today’s devotional (Power of his Presence) described how Abraham let God choose the land for him, and, as a result – God said “look to the North, South, East, West, and know it is yours” (paraphrase). Ray Steadman helps us understand this is an OT picture of the NT parallel that exhorts us to possess the fullness of the spirit that is ours in Christ.

As I thought about the BSF class, and especially the leaders, I realized that in the Roman’s study this past year, not only did they learn the true biblical doctrines of the Christian faith, but I have the honor of seeing and hearing from them reflections of how each of them implement and reflect the fullness of Christ.

Last night (Mon June 4 TX time), it was Tues June 5 morning in Taiwan. I knew that some of the leaders would be gathering for a farewell party for a coupe of our leaders that are being transplanted in other parts of the world – one to New Zealand, the other to an Islamic land. I phoned them during the party, to be with them via phone. They did the most amazing thing…. After they all greeted me one by one over the phone, they sat the phone down, and the leader who is being transplanted to the Islamic land played the piano, while the rest sang the precious hymn “God be with you ‘til we meet again”. I had a smile on my face from TX to TW!

As I pondered on the devotional in Gen 13:5-18 and Eph 3:18-19, I was overjoyed by realizing that all these ladies have truly come to know how to possess the daily reality of the fullness of Christ. I wish I could go into the depth of testimonies among them, and that is my blessing obviously, but knowing each personally brings me pleasure, for each possess a testimony that reflects the fullness of Christ.

Today, I went on a walk in the neighborhood. The first thing I notice, is there are more birds, squirrels and cats than there are people out and about. In Taiwan, there are people everywhere. I notice the multiple differences daily – yet, that is not what this entry is about. I borrowed Jackie’s mp3 player and headed out for my walk this morning, it was not until this song/lyrics came on that I was able to be honest with the Lord with the many emotions going on within me. Since we arrived back in the US in late March, I’ve struggled with understanding “grief”. Grief of missing Taiwan, the people I am involved with, the ministry, the discipleship, the relational witnessing. But I am quickly reminded how, while living in Taiwan, I experience grief of missing family and friends as well as being regularly involved/updated in their lives. Listening to this song today helps me accept, that no matter where I am, I will have grief of physical separation, and bottom line is being in God’s will (be that in Taiwan or Texas) does not spare me of separational grief .

The lyrics are set to a tender hearted melody.

“All I Want To Do” – Ginny Owens

All I want to do, is give this life to You
All I want to do, is give this life to You
All I want to do, is give this life to You
And let Your will be done, until it’s all I want to do.

How does doubt slip in, so silently?
And why does condemnation come so naturally?
Why do I still get the best of me?
Loving so little and living so selfishly?

When all I want to do, is give this life to You.
All I want to do is give this life to You.
All I want to do is give this life to You,
and let Your will be done until it’s all I want to do.

What have I been given by Your grace?
Will I come to understand this mystery I embrace?
Make of me a new creation now,
Fill me with all you are and be all I am some how.

Cuz all I want to do is give this life to You.
All I want to do is give this life to You.
All I want to do is give this life to You
And let Your will be done, until it’s all I want to do.

Faith so fragile
Reaching for Your hand

All I want to do, is give this life to You.
All I want to do, is give this life to You.
All I want to do, is give this life to You,
and let your will be done, til it’s all I want to do.
And let your will be done, til it’s all I want to do.

Lord, Help me embrace those I am blessed to be with each moment; may grief of missing others, not rob me of the ability and opportunity of embracing being in your will moment by moment.

Lord, giving my life to you is truly all I want to do. Hold my heart, keep me from missing you, your blessings, and the love offering found in all relationships, no matter where they may be, no matter where I may be. Lord, thank you for your comforting promise in [bible]Matthew 28:20[/bible]… “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Thank you that I will never experience seperational grief in my relationship with you. In Christ’s strength and in His sweet name I pray. Amen.