Whew!

Wow, a lot can happen in a matter of days, or hours for that matter.

Today, I started out in Tainan, then to Ligang, to Kaohsiung and finally back to Tainan. David, Joanna and their two adorable little girls came to Tainan this morning because David preached for us. After lunch, the Zhang family graciously agreed to take me with them to Ligang and Kaohsiung so I could see everyone. All three services were amazing! In each one, it seemed like there was a part that was speaking directly to me and the situations I'm facing. I love how God can speak through the preaching, no matter what the language may be - He knows the need. It's so humbling to realize that God takes time to reassure me again and again of His many promises. I felt so refreshed in my spirit after today's three services, although I was growing a little weary in body.

After church in Kaohsiung, David and Joanna took me to the train station. Joanna came inside and helped with the ticket and finding the platform so I wouldn't get lost and have to sleep in a train station all night long. lol :) If you're reading this, Joanna and David, thank you so much.

Their two girls are so sweet and smart. The littlest one, endearingly called, "Mei-mei," said the following to me today in the car, "我坐，爸爸坐，媽媽坐，姐姐也應該坐！”/"I'm sitting, Dad's sitting, Mom's sitting, Big sister needs to sit, too!" I couldn't believe what I had just heard coming out of her mouth! She is hilarious! She is definitely not one to sit idly by while others get away with things they ought not. While the driver and any front-seat passengers must wear a seat belt, back-seat passengers in Taiwan are not required to wear a seat belt. However, because Mei-mei is only two, she still has to be fastened into a car seat - hence her strong feelings about the fact that her sister should sit down, too.

Sooo, exciting news!! Well, for me it is anyways. :) On Friday, I finished orientation and meeting people from my department so I got to go "home" to Tainan. Since most of my time last summer was spent there, there is a sort of home-i-ness about it. I left the dorm with my backpack, a purse and a small suitcase that I was pulling behind me. On the sidewalk, I was able to attract the attention of a taxi driver (Go figure ... a tall, white girl walking down the sidewalk with luggage wouldn't attract any attention at all ... no way.). Thank God I was able to communicate with him that I needed to be taken to the HSR station. Upon finding out that I can speak some Chinese, the questions began to pour in. We chatted for about the first 10 minutes of the drive. Finally at the airport, the meter read, "235NT," but he only charged me, "220." Then he pointed out which way I should go into the station. I'm glad he was kind.

So, there I went, bravely into an HSR station for the second time in my life and the first time by my self. But Jesus was with me. 因為神與我同在，不要怕！I started to use an automated machine to purchase my ticket but I don't think it had an English translation so I decided not to mess with it and just go to the counter. I waited in line for a while and then, the moment came: I had to walk up to another person I didn't know and ask them for some service in Chinese ... ah! And of course, in situations like that, getting tongue tied isn't exactly uncommon. But, Hallelujah, I got the right ticket and was off to find the platform. When Sis. B and I took the HSR from Taipei to Tainan, we were blessed to get a train that was leaving soon, but we almost missed it because it was set for a speedy departure. With that in mind, I was a little paranoid about getting to the platform right away as I didn't want to loose my money and miss the train.

Then I had to ask yet another person which direction to go in order to find Platform 1. I got there in plenty of time before the train came! :) Thank God! When I need to speak to people in Chinese but feel shy or awkward, I often take comfort in the fact that I will probably never see that person again! lol Perhaps the best way to practice is to be forced. Traveling alone forced me to take care of doing all the talking myself and to do it all in Chinese. Alisha was waiting for me at the HSR station and took me home, right after we picked up some to-go food and drink. At the end of the evening, I felt quite accomplished at having completed my first "solo mission." :D

Today was an awesome day all around. It was so good to see friends from last year! I miss you all when I'm in my Cali home! It was also great to be with another "leg" of the Bracken family tonight. I sat with Tiffany and the kiddos during service and got to do some chatting afterward. :) I needed that.

I have been too busy to put pictures up and haven't really wanted to sit down and make myself go through the ones I've taken ... but there is no foreseeable reason why I can't put a few up tomorrow. Hope I can ~

Until then,
kate