We want to be the first to wish you a...

(and we love the perks of teaching children... free noisemakers!)

More to come on New Year's in Taipei...

Merry Christmas!

a Bambini Christmas, in photos.

This past weekend, my school hosted a Christmas party for our students and their families. We enjoyed sharing about baby Jesus, singing Christmas songs, watching a Charlie Brown Christmas, playing games, and handing out homemade Christmas cards from each student to their parents. I could elaborate, but honestly, wouldn't you rather just look anyway?

We had so much fun! I again feel so thrilled to be a part of the lives of these kids and their families... and am continually blessed by the love I recieve in return.

Then again, I don't often post on the days when I want to strangle each of them. You know how it goes, right?

our bistmas twee

On my way home from a friend's house a couple of nights ago, I noticed a little boy walking with his father, and heard this in a perfect child-like voice:

Oooooh bistmas twee, ooooh bistmas twee

Ba ba ba boo boo bwanches
Ooooh bistmas twee, ooooh bistmas twee
Ba ba ba boo boo bwanches
Ba ba ba boooo...
(you get the idea)

I laughed out loud... so loud in fact that the father turned to look at me. He wasn't smiling, maybe finding the tune a bit old, and cursing those darn English teachers who fill his son's mind with such songs. Ah well.

It did motivate me, however, to show you our Christmas tree, and share a bit about what Christmas looks like for us this year.

our flat, very cozy and perfect for us

our tree, thanks to my sweet mom!

(yes, complete with a tree skirt and nativity)

our stockings
(grand total of $.60)

All in all, Christmas is very simple this year. Many of the typical indulgences and favorites of this time of year are absent for us, and being away from our families adds an extra measure of difficulty. Without the usual distractions, however, we're encouraged to spend a bit more time reflecting on Christ.

For this, I am so thankful.

And, come on, it's not everyday that I get to hear

ooooh bistmas twee...

A Picture of Us for Posterity

A couple weekends ago we went to a small, coastal town known as Danshui. There are numbers of small eateries, little shows, lots of junk for the tourists, and artists. We happened upon one of these artists and this was the result...

What do you think? Does it look like us?