Taiwan Xi En & Project 117

project 117Taiwan Xi En

As you know if you’ve spent any time on my blog or being my friend, I adore Taiwan Xi En (台灣希恩), an orphanage in Kaohsiung, Taiwan that supports unwed mothers and helps orphans in a country where there is a desperate need for this kind of love-in-action. I’ve volunteered with Xi En for the past four years, and I can testify that this ministry is changing and saving lives. The organization is already flourishing in Taiwan (having processed over 50 adoptions and assisted multiple women in need), but because of recent changes to national adoption laws regarding which organizations qualify to process adoptions, Taiwan Xi En must become a licensed adoption agency, legally recognized by Taiwan. In order to do this, the organization needs to raise a large amount of money in a short amount of time. Continue reading “Taiwan Xi En & Project 117”

Book Look: Death By Living

notes-from-the-tilt-a-whirlNotes from the Tilt-A-Whirl

“An illuminating and refreshing, whimsical and weighty work of philosophy and apologetics and poetry in prose” — that’s how I described N.D. Wilson’s Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl when I was reading it a year ago. It inspired me to write some poetry, and it was one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading even if I was faced with pressing obligations or enticingly fun activities. In Notes, every page is dripping with meaning and beauty, every word hand-picked, and every sentence artistic and fresh. It is a book about Creation ex nihilo and the wonder of this spoken world. I bought this book for my best friend, practically impelled Charles to read it, and shared excerpts of it at staff devotions; I couldn’t over-share or over-sell this book. Continue reading “Book Look: Death By Living”

I Love a Good Storm

After all the hype about Super Typhoon Usagi bearing down to batter Taiwan, I am looking out my window at a completely dry, albeit a bit overcast morning sky. What’s the deal?

According to the latest Wunderground weather map, we should be getting some precipitation by now. Where’s the wind and rain and the excitement?

You might be thinking, “Well, that’s great! You’re being spared the worst of it.”

You’re right. I’m thankful that I’m not bailing water out of my house or lighting candles and quickly realizing how much I depend on electricity.

But…

I love storms. That might mean I’m crazy, but I do. Continue reading “I Love a Good Storm”