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Well, it may not be the biggest transition ahead for us Spinellas, what with three emerging adults and two fifty-plus, still think we're in our (fortys?), not yet mostly gray-haired empty nesters. Still this month is full of comings and goings. I'll just use this email update to keep you posted.
First, the typhoon in Taiwan mainly affected the very steep mountain areas where they got eight feet or more of rain in a few days. We haven't heard specifically about our apartment, but if anything, there are probably some puddles of water on the floor. And my sister Carolyn Drevets, her husband Brian, and their four kids are now in Taichung, living in a brand new apartment at the school where our kids (previously) attended and Brian is the new high school chaplain. But we're still in Colorado.
Last Saturday Sarah headed to Rice with Laura along for the ride. Sunday night they made it into the heart of Texas (Lampasas, you can google it) before Sarah's Dodge minivan (formerly known as Violet) began shuddering and did not stop (unless it was in neutral.) So there it sits--the minivan, that is. A helpful local called a mechanic, who came with his wife and helped them get the car diagnosed (dead torque converter), checked into a motel, and now hopefully can dispose of the car (costs more to fix than the value of the car if it was fixed!)
All the same, with rides from friends, Sarah made it to Rice, and Laura made it (by airplane) back to Colorado yesterday. Sarah is at Rice early to be a co-adviser for Orientation week for a group of freshmen. She's looking forward to these relationships and connections, so keep her in your thoughts. This is her senior year at Rice, and she's also contemplating a future--a ministry year, an internship, a psych grad school, an option yet to be named? It's hard to believe that she is on track to graduate next Spring.
Joey meanwhile is just finished with finals after an intense summer of Chinese study in Suzhou, China, and immersion in Chinese language and culture, and connections with his fellow "critical language scholars" courtesy of the US state department. We hope to pick him up late Friday at the Denver airport. We look forward to debriefing and reflecting with him this next week before he heads to Rice. But we won't be surprised if he sleeps a lot, even with jet lag. (We also look forward to any gifts he brings us!)
Robby has been mountain biking, racqetballing, painting, and entertaining his younger cousins this summer, often without the presence of his siblings. It's been fun for us, though not as exciting as his sibs' adventures. Right now he's in the garage with Laura refinishing baseboards for the kitchen.
Laura, as usual, has been keeping us all connected, facilitated, and fed, networking with extended family, and participating with Steve in his journey of restoration.
Steve has been juggling the restoration journey, with readings, Bible studies, counselors and mentors, along with the family connections, networking, and general contracting/filling in the pieces as we help Laura's parents get their house in order after hail damage and deferred maintenance. It's definitely been a change of pace and focus, between the times of reflection and the physical work.
Next week Laura and I plan to travel to Rice with Joey and Robby and return by air, since they and Sarah will now be keeping a different car, "Wendy." Pam and Randy, yes, this is the '03 Ford Windstar we bought from you in Conneticut, while you were in Taiwan, in 2006, and drove across the US. The upside is that we won't need to drive the car back (about 20 hours) to Colorado. We'll then have one week before we leave for Taiwan September 1.
So in the midst of our transitions, we're also saying goodbye to a year based here in Colorado. It's been good to rediscover our "American" identity even as America itself changes and the community here also. When we left in 1996, this was the north edge of "town." Now we are in the middle of a larger and still growing suburban area--not so densely populated as Taiwan, but with about 1/2 a million people, many international organizations and communities, and still a lot of really beautiful scenery. While we've been around, we've seen snakes, a bear, foxes, coyotes, deer, a ferret (outside the kitchen windows,) and heard more Chinese and Spanish (the languages I recognize,) than ever before.
With love from the far sides, Steve and Laura
PS Remember I sent you a link to a survey? Feel free to fill it out and pass it on to others who might be willing to reflect on my journey. Don't worry, it gives you a chance to say when, where, and for how long we've connected in our journeys. So far over 90 friends, family, clients, and colleagues have responded, some briefly and some with extensive comments. Each response is read carefully and valued as input that the father can use in my reflection and growth process. One thing to note--if you don't specifically give me your name in the survey, I don't know who you are. A few survey responses have assumed that I do. I also have received many notes by email and some great interaction in person and by phone. I've even gotten some very thoughtful comments and notes through facebook. Each of these comments is treasured and I have sought to also respond to each comment so that you know I've heard you. I would still like to hear from you if I haven't yet, whether your input is affirming or challenging, or both. Here is the link to the survey again http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MIwStoNb6rUx8NtIXeSH4w_3d_3d
Dr. Steve and Laura Spinella, Sarah, Joey, Robby
Da Yi Street, Lane 29, #18, 2F-1, Taichung 40454, TAIWAN
011.886.4.2236.6145, of 4.2236.1901, fx 4.2236.2109, cell 9.2894.0514
USA: 9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, 719.528.1702, cell 713.408.7208
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60187, 800.343.3144 <www.team.org.tw/ccg>, <http://groups.google.com/group/TEAMspinella/>,
<spinella@alumni.rice.edu>, <lauraspinella@alumni.rice.edu>
