We are doing better!

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since we've let you know that we are still alive in Taiwan. Actually we are better than we were when we last wrote a "Friends" letter in July. We have adjusted to many, many things and are also enjoying our life here more. The things that shocked and amazed us are now just common, everyday life. It actually has cooled down a bit and once in a while, we feel a whif of cool air as we walk home.


Typhoon season is almost over. We have experienced several with the one two weeks ago being a category 4 out of 5, whatever that means. Our President actually called the missionaries in about 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon because too many things were flying through the air. We are the most protected area of Taiwan because we have a large mountain range behind us and the storms hit much harder in the north and south. We're grateful. We have been interested in observing the storms and even walking to and from work in them several times but are not eager to see any more action than we do. Evidently some years ago the government didn't act decisively enough and several people were killed, so now they are very cautious and shut down schools and government offices in the face of any danger. The rule is that when that happens, the Church here also cancels meetings. We missed two Sundays of meetings in September. Don't hear of that often, do we? The rain here is truly spectacular. It absolutely comes in sheets when it wants to. It is not the rainy season now except when the typhoons come through--at least 15 of 29 over for the season.


We are catching on to more things. We have found our way to Costco which really helps us in the eating department. We have had our Chinese missionaries write down a couple of menu items which helps us to go to more places to eat. We are even getting braver just eating "on the street" which is what the missionaries and the local people do most every meal. There are hundreds of eating places between here and the office. All they need to set up business is a little portable stand. It's amazing to see and smell. We haven't eaten in most of these places including the "stinky tofu" stand across the street but opt for the enclosed-on-three-sides buffets. We haven't tasted anything except for rice that is in any way similar to Chinese food at home. All which adds to our "interesting experiences" list.


The scooter-riding population adorned in masks, helmets, gloves and all manner of interesting coverings continue to amaze us. The cars here are mostly high-end, black-windowed vehicles and everyone else is on scooters with some bicycles. We have seen families of five on them and many parents with little children. We always wonder if our little ones would stand so still between their mother and the handle bars as obediently as these children do. I guess they learn early that their lives depend on it.


The people we work with are wonderful. We work in a very modest office with two Elders, one Taiwanese and one from California. President Hoer has an office and the two assistants have an office and are in and out a lot. Our Recorder and Office Manager are just the most wonderful men. They do so many things that we can't believe that they keep going--just like energizer bunnies. Between 6 and 9:00 p.m. they are out proselyting. They have special permission to work at the office until 11:00. They live in an apartment upstairs so they don't even waste time traveling. One has been in the office for several months so we live in fear that he will soon be transferred. I'm sure we will get used to the new office manager but I can't imagine it. He is 25 years old and was the VP of a Fortune 300 company when he and his girfriend decided to go on missions. He knows everything about everything (including video editing) and is so kind to help us learn and trouble-shoot. We have 150 wonderful missionaries and are happy that we now recognize all their faces and can put names with them.


Our families at home are doing well. Our girls all got together in Denver with Cristy recently with the boys baby-tending. Wasn't that great! Our grandchildren are thriving, still brilliant and beautiful. I'm sure we've told you more than you ever wanted to know but there it is. We promise not to write for another couple of months. We wonder about you all--we imagine you are all so busy with life, as usual. They said in Conference today (we were a week behind) that life was meant to be busy and hard so I guess we're all doing what we're supposed to. We appreciate your being our loved ones and wish you the very best.


Love, Hank and Judy