Chinese (Lunar) New Year - Year of the Tiger

Last Saturday was New Year's Eve of the Lunar calendar. Sadly, I didn't do much of anything that night. It also hasn't stopped pouring down rain in over a week now. But, I have been enjoying the break!

Dihua Street Market


A few of us went to Dihua Street which is known for it's Chinese New Year Market. It sells snacks, decorations, toys, etc. There were huge bins filled with anything and everything. I didn't know what was in any of them.

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Friends

Bins of who knows what?!?!?

Chinese New Year Decorations - Red and Gold

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This week, I went to Yangming Mountain with friends. It was so beautiful. I can't believe that it is basically in the middle of my city! A huge mountain with breathtaking waterfalls, monstrous volcanos, and about a million fumaroles. It literally rained on us most of the day, but we all had a blast anyway.

Wonderful Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend. It really didn't involve a huge activity, but it just involved people.

Saturday

Bev, Sharyl, and I went to the flower market. We walked through so many stands of beautiful flowers and pots. Also, it is nearly Chinese New Year, so there were several stands with decorations for the holidays. It was beautiful. I purchased my first set of flowers for my apartment.

Here is our load that we had to carry back. Bev and I each had an 11 pound bag of dirt. We made it halfway across the park near by before we gave in and got a taxi ride home.

I bought all the flowers in my flower box for $100NT (the equivalent of $3US).

This orchid was a little more expensive. I paid $100NT for it. But, like Bev told me, get something that you think is beautiful and enjoy it! So, this beauty sits on my TV for me to enjoy.

Let's just hope that I can keep everything alive. Cross your fingers for me!

After the flower market, Sharyl, Ken, and I went on an adventure in search of Carrefour. Carrefour is like the equivalent of a Walmart Superstore on mega-steroids. It was 4 HUGE floors of anything and everything. It was very overwhelming, but so much fun! I was able to buy a few fun presents for some of my favorite little girls. We even stopped by McDonald's on the way home for a treat!

Sunday

I visited a church near my home. This is the second time that I have attended that church. I liked it better this time. I really like the people that attend the church. All the members truly have genuine joy, which can sometimes be hard to see in the States. I have been challenged in finding a church where I fit in. This church could be the place. I just really need to pray about this decision. Please lift me up as I continue this search that He would give me discernment.

Also, this afternoon I was so pleasantly surprised by a Bible Study. A friend asked me to come to her and her husband's Bible study that they have with young, single adults. I showed up a little early to chat with the couple. Turns out I didn't need to show up early, because everyone showed up an hour late! haha! Taiwanese time is a little different than our time. Anyways, it turned out to be such a wonderful time. The group was so inviting and asked me so many questions. We read through John 9, where He heals the blind man with spit and mud. It was so interesting to discuss certain words that I would have totally skimmed over and thought nothing about. It was also intriguing to hear what they learned from the passage. After the Bible study, we went to The Diner. This is for sure my new favorite restaurant in Taipei. It has Dr. Pepper! And juicy cheeseburgers! And ice cream! What could be better?!?! We laughed all through the meal as the American's used their broken Chinese. I had such a lovely time! I will definitely be joining them again! So many of them are very close to accepting Him and jumping faithfully into His loving arms. Please lift up my new friends that they, too, will see the Light and have no more fear, but everlasting life!