On the Road: Taiwan...NYC: April 2006

No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." 1 Corinthians 13:3b (Msg)

"Love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning , his command is this: Live a life of love." 2 John 1:6 (NCV)

Excerpts & quotes © 2002 Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

• Life is all about love
• It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That is why we are given a lifetime to learn it.

Through fellowship we learn three important truths...
1) THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE
• Life without love is really worthless
-Love is the most important part of your life.
-Relationships are what life is all about
-Busyness is a great enemy of relationships
• Love will last forever
-love leaves a legacy
"It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." Mother Teresa
-We will be evaluated on our love.

2) THE BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE IS TIME
-When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back.
-Important relationships are proven with how much time we invest in them.
-The essence of love is how much we give of ourselves...focused attention..SACRIFICE

3) THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW
-Love is what matters most so it needs to take top priority.
-The best use of life is love.
-The best expression of love is time..the best time to love is now.

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

3 Months to Go...

Wow...my time here has gone as quick as a snap of a finger. Surely as the days pass, the weeks have quickly turned into months...My 9th month in Taiwan is creeping up next week & I can't believe how fast life here has passed me by...I have spent many occasions in reflective thought & just how much I've been blessed. God is funny that in my unique life, He has always taught me the same life lessons. One of them being to always depend on His great provision. Before arriving here in late August 2005, I felt that I was making a big leap in my life. I've never left the country for longer than a month and I've never left the comforts of home. I was scared! Could I do it? Could I make it? God has humbled me during this time away in that though I've been half way around the world in geography, God has been at the centre of my world! This is His constant reminder to me. That with faith in Him, I can accomplish anything. As long as I trust God & depend on Him, He will provide the way as He has provided every step for me here. Since my arrival in Taiwan, my blessings have been endless...In retrospect, I see how God has given me such an abundance...

• I been blessed to travel: Japan, Singapore, & all over Taiwan
• Friends at work & outside
• Existing family & friends
• Great teaching opportunity & experience
• Great colleagues & students
• A nice home to live
• Convenience of school location and small city
• I'm becoming more fluent in speaking Mandarin
• I'm saving money!

Being in Taiwan has taught me a lot about myself, independence, and learning the different aspects of Taiwanese culture. It has been an opportunity of a lifetime & I give thanks that God let my dream come true! Although teaching & education is very different here in Taiwan compared to back home in Canada. I have come to adapt and accept the environment that I've grown accustomed to. Still, with teaching, students are always the most important and I can't say enough positive things about my students! I have really enjoyed teaching them and getting to know them.

With 3 months to go before I head home, I'm just taking as much opportunity to visit parts of Taiwan that I still wish to see. I want to enjoy the rest of my time with my students & colleagues at school. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world..it's all been so unreal & so amazing! I'm thankful...