December 28, 2009

Christmas Weekend I



Mom & Dad took the family out to the Szechuan Restaurant. When I was just an infant myDad was trained by Wycliff in language study before being sent with Mom and I to Taiwan to create a written language for the mountain people. The Atayal or mountain people had been headhunters up until WWII when they were largely converted by a frail and elderly Chinese woman who had to be carried up into the mountains. The Atayal religion taught that when a man dies he climbs up the rainbow and must show God that he has blood on his hands in order to enter heaven. So each man would hunt heads with their long hunting knives. There are old national geographic photos that show stacks of skulls in tiny huts. The old woman explained to them that blood had already been shed with the atonement of Christ. The mountain people became Christian almost overnight and head hunting ceased. But they had no written language and so no Bible.
'
There is a tale of Dutch missionaries who first came to Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa). The story includes the missionary's beautiful daughter and a ruthless Chinese warlord but that is another story .... okay ... I'll get Dad to write it down for us. Above he speaks Chinese for his grand kids.

My sister Melissa, who was born in Taiwan, was there with her husband Bryce Craig, and children, Charles, Cherith, Julia & Sam.
Dave & I were also there with Jon and Gabs. Caelen & Samantha were Christmas visiting with the Walsh Family.

December 26, 2009

The Rest Of Christmas Day






It was a white Christmas.


Caelen & Samantha came over in the afternoon to exchange presents and stay for dinner. Later they left to meet freinds at Longwood Gardens then came back again and ended up staying the night. So glad I had a couple of extra toothbrushes!

Scout & Trouser had baths .... not really a Christmas tradition ... more of a monthly thing. Caelen brought his guitar and we had some live carols.

Mom and Dad came over in time for dinner and more presents. Jeffrey & Jessica joined us too. Thank you Jesus for having a birthday!

The Bird Family Scrapbook























I began this scrapbook about a year ago because my wedding pictures were turning yellow. It has turned into a little historical overview of the Bird Family. I have completed up to three high school graduations. Next are the kids college and dating years then weddings and of course grandchildren.

December 25, 2009

Christmas Morning







Slept in .... 7:00 AM.Waiting for Dad.
Christmas Stockings first ... there is no picture of me with stocking because I didn't get one .... honestly Christmas would fall apart without me. In any event I was aware that this might happen so I placed a charge on my credit card just for me. So I expect there to be no complaints when the bill arrives ..... and yes I was very practical ... it was underwear ..... er Victoria Secrets.
Yes, I did some knitting .... Jon would like his hat to be bigger .... he really likes my hats. I was going to sell them online but every time I finish one he carts it off .... and he's taken to making requests.


Jon got homemade peanut butter cups and a PS 3 NBA Game .... David got a scrapbook and some cough syrup.



David gave me a beautiful antique piece of Ironstone and Jonathan gave me a Susan Boyle CD .... they did good.

Blog Archive

 

The Bird House Blog | Nest In Bloom Design