To Addisson with love,

Good day Addisson,

Grandma and I love you and talk a lot about you, as well as Quinlyn and Asa IV, these days.  We think about you and pray about you a lot.  For you are on a curious path in life and asking us to help support you on that journey.  But we are not sure you have much of an idea where that journey is taking you.  And perhaps that is not bad, but it leaves us concerned for you and your preparation to take care of yourself in the future.  We will not be providing this current support forever.  Right now, it is in the range of $30,000 a year, and all we are getting from you is that you are seeking fluency in Mandarin Chinese.  There are well over a billion people in the world fluent in Mandarin Chinese.  What use is another fluent person and how does she hope to support herself in this life?  Where does Mandrin Chinese fit into her life?

I recently read a quote from Eric Hoffer, called The Longshoreman Philosopher, which was interesting.  He wrote: “God has implanted in us the seeds of all greatness and it behooves us to see to it that the seeds germinate, grow, and come to flower.  We must see learning and growing as a sort of worship.  For God has implanted capacities and talents in us, and it is our sacred duty to finish God’s work.”  Hoffer also stated that a writer must above all entertain the reader.  So, to write and grow God’s given talent is needed, but we should make it interesting to the reader, even entertaining.  You might be in exactly the right place for God to use you, are you aware of any calling to use this Mandarin Chinese? 

Now that you are not attending classes, have you had time to become more fluent or finish your TEFL course?  You are not in Taipei to have a long vacation or travel tour, unless you are writing a travel book or column.  What are you doing?

Well, Grandma and I are not writers, but we have pursued our talents, simpler than writers, but servants are a talented group also, and one often discussed in the Bible.  God has a high appreciation for faithful servants.  Be it just cleaning up the kitchen, doing the laundry, or providing income to support the family’s extra expenses.  Grandma and I are faithful servants.  And to be sure, God has blessed us.  This extended family we live in is a blessing. 

So I ask you to think about your position right now, respond with some of your thoughts, and let us know what our oldest granddaughter is doing these days.  And as always Stay close to God and His Love - Focus your life on God and His goodness and share his love and ask for His guidance.