t w e n t y s i x t e e n

t w e n t y s i x t e e n 

Here are some blessings for you for 

t w e n t y s i x t e e n...

t- too much fun

w- well being

e- exagerated goodness

n- never ending love of God

t- tummies full

y- yellow sunshine on your face

s-several life changing Surprises

i- impossible things coming true

x- x ray vision to see Gods plan

t- totally blown away by Gods Sweetness

e- endless smiles

e- energy to laugh when your tummy hurts

n- news that makes you light up like a christmas tree!

May this year be the year of icing!

Love,

sweetened

Phoenix & Sarah

x x x 

Everything's Rosy!

I'm so very excited about the Pantone colour for 2016 because Rose Quartz is my favorite colour so I'm claiming this year as mine.  

Upon glancing on the stone or colour its calming and somewhat healing.  Its soothing, relaxing and unwinding in the most gentle way.  It slowly unbuttons the worries of this world and washes the thought of them away...  It allows one to breathe ... and by that I mean a intoxicatingly whole and deep breath.   One where you close your eyes and tilt your head back into the abyss of serenity and security.  The kind that says you could be anywhere in the world but one that makes you feel right at home. Maybe it reminds you of lieing in a bubble bath at your grandma's house.  It offers a freedom but a quiet contentment to stand still in absolute wonder.  The softness in colour and the coolness in temperature are all things that I aspire to in my emotional life.

It also alludes to feminity and the heart.  Afterall its known as the heart stone.  As Christians we are very heart centred.  You'll often hear Christians asking "How are you?" or "How's your heart?"... To outsiders this may seem strange or even patronizing.  The heart is central to all.  From out of it the mouth speaks.  A 'Heart check' is soothing to all.  

So, whenever you see Rose Quartz this coming year may you allow its beauty minister to the deepest parts of your heart.  May you tilt your head back and close your eyes.  May you allow yourself to take time for your heart.  As we beckon a New Year let's forget for a minute our self improvement plans, goals to be more efficient, richer and thinner and just soak in the beauty of God which is within and without. Oh and if its your birth stone consider yourself the chosen one. hehe ...

A new friend bought me the Rose Quartz in the picture below as a gift and it shall (most certainly) be a reminder for me this New Year to breathe... 

...

sigh ... 

(slowly inhales new air)...

Have yourself a Rosy year!

contentedly 

Phoenix & Sarah 

x x x 

T e m p l e s of G o d

G o o d  M o r n i n g 

Wandering the streets of Taiwan you'll see the intricate details in the temples, the precision, the effort, the beauty, the discipline it must've taken them to create such.  The hours of sweat and the years of dedication are visible on the walls, floors, roof and doors- outside and inside actually every inche of these temples.  The balance and unity of the bright colours is brilliant.  The mastery is without fault.  

When I appreciate the beauty and discipline of these temples the scripture in the bible that rings true is that God calls us His temples (1 Corinthians 3:16). While temples take years and years to build and adorn,  He's chosen to live in us.  Following on from yesterdays blogpost God chooses to fulfil His plan through our lives and He's not too concerned about the external factors.  But If He lives within us how much more is He concerned with our inner attitude,  the inner wall paper of our heart,  the fabricated mindsets,  the detailed thought patterns,  the carved character in our souls?  While God lives within and is not limited to the things that we are without He has chosen us to be His temple.  This serves as a reminder for me that although things don't always look a certain way, God is more concerned with what's happening on the inside, inside me- His temple.  

happy temple of God, 

Phoenix & Sarah 

x x x 

Here these two ladies brought their elderly mother to the temple.  It was a Saturday morning.

Merryily Mary...

Before I start... Good morning! 

I have my cuppa (no milk) in hand and am ready to share whats been lingering in my mind for some weeks now.  As Christmas has come and gone I haven't been able to shake a particular thought of Mary.  Called to carry the Saviour of the universe yet she was without much help or resources.  Surely she doubted her calling.  There've been times in my life when I've seriously reconsidered things I was once certain of.  "The bursary hasn't come through surely God would have come through if it were his will", Id think.  Although looking back it seems like foolishness in the moment its difficult not to doubt when circumstances are not lining up with our calling or plan of action.  

Imagine how Mary must've felt carrying the greatest Saviour & creator and not being able to provide 5 star accomodation.  I would feel pretty ashamed.  Yet,  God found her fit.  He didnt need her to be dressed in head to toe in jewels, he didnt assert his rights for the penthouse suite although He holds the whole world in His hands.  He didn't demand the finest food although he created all living things.  He didn't promote and push his position of power although He is the most powerful.  I could go on forever but I'll stop there.

These sort ponderings have made me check my heart and have humbled me.  They've strengthened me to be Merrily Mary regardless of situation or circumstance.  Plus tricky situations cause for good stories.  Truth is, God acknowledges your hearts desires- He put those desires there.  Additionally He will see them come to pass.  It may include 5 star accomodation or it may not but His plans will be fulfilled in your life.  In closing let me leave you with a verse ...

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--

1 Corinthians 2:9

We may not understand or come to grips with the plans of the Lord but He has planned them and they will come to pass.

The picture inserted below is of my coat that I am using as an extra layer to keep me warm.  I'm missing my fleecey blanket but this insulates the warmth just fine!  Thanks mom for the great idea xxx

Merrily Mary, 

Phoenix & Sarah

Twists and Turns in Taipei

Yesterday, I woke up and headed straight to the station and by that I mean had a Cama coffee (you place the ground coffee and filter on top of your cup and pour the water over) that I had recieved in a Christmas parcel.  Oh did I mention without milk? Yes, no milk!  Americanos for me from now on.  More about that later.

I wanted to go on the HSR (High speed rail) because you're secured a seat but it only left in an hour.  I opted for the train and just arriving at it it sped off.  I asked a man where I was supposed to get on and he helped me.  He also saw that I JUST missed it.  I thought that I had to go buy another ticket and he explained to me in perfect broken English that I could just get on the next one.  

So I plopped onto the next one.  I then arrived at Taipei main station and it took me about an hour to find my friends.  Fatty fried foods were their desire and so it was.  I tried to sort out my banking on Sally's laptop but it didn't work.  It still won't let me login. 

After a fun frenzy lots-to-catch-up-on day I headed again for the station with about NT$200 in my purse (Kath Kidson may I add?).  'Hsinchu?!' I asked the man queing behind me pointing towards the vending machine.  He said 'Yes' and asked me if I knew how to use it.  I just said 'English' and I think he then decided he'd just keep an eye on me.  The HSR was more than expected and the correct ATM was not to be found in the mall.  He offered to pay the difference for me but I refused. He was also going to Hsinchu and I felt like God had sent him to help me.  He was insistent the train was not a good idea and that I'd have to transfer from one train to the next?!  Which wasnt how I came here.  My phone battery had died and my friend had used my power bank, which was also empty now.  

Finally I accepted his offer and got on the HSR to Hsinchu and got another train to the Hsinchu terminal.  

I was relieved to be home, charged my phone, didn't attempt to make popcorn and went straight to bed.

Definitely an interesting day and I will most certainly go somewhere with a bit more planning next time.  It was great to see Sally again.

Today I am writing this from 18 peaks.

Praying while you sleeping that you have a refreshing day without too many topsy turvy turns 

Love, 

Phoenix & Sarah

x x x 

  

atmospheric gas and unspoken expectations...

This morning I am sitting on a train to Taipei without a cup in hand but please dont think the inspiration hasn't already brewed and spil over! 

For Christmas I was given some popcorn seeds by an alie to protecting the popcorn consumption.  While it may seem like a random gift it was much appreciated as it was a connecting point- much like Star Wars fans congregate or when you see another foreigner whilst overseas.   Its a point of reference, a shared passion and where friendship begins. 

Yesterday after a cycle and a big lunch I was imagining myself drowning in a combination of duvet, pillow and popcorn as my dinner in front of my TV.  So I switched on my gas stove (First time having gas in the house) and eagerly anticipated the popcorn popping.  My lips were licked and mouth started getting excited.  However, with the extractor fan on it was difficult to hear how much popping was happening .   'Wow, this gas stove really involves a lot of smoke while cooking', I thought.  I peeped into the pot by adjusting the lid slightly and well it turns out it looked like the black hole or Big Bang- if there ever was one.  Mission not accomplished and well the popcorn was more like coal. 

Regardless, I got a interesting blogpost out of it and drew some parallels to expectations in life- that are a bit more important than burnt popcorn .  While not all are popcorn fans and we may not connect over a love for mouth watering popcorn you and I both have expectations.   These expectations could encourage us to be goal centered, hinder us and deter us from pressing in or could leave us very disappointed if not met.  As I am embarking on a new adventure I didn't come with many expectations.  I didn't think Id make good friends, I didnt think there'd be good coffee,  I didn't think I would find so much peace and I certainly didn't think that the people here would be so sensitive to my foreign celebation -Christmas!  The decorations and festive cheer is heart warming.

On the other hand I imagined living with a colleague.  I imagined that the fruit at the fruit markets here would be super cheap,  I imagined I'd be living on fish daily!  While these are unmet expectations I'm making the most of living alone and managing the rest to match my expectations.  

Managing unmet expectations is no small feat for a dreamer like me.  You may also find it the same. However I've found it much better knowing my expectations than have them hang over me like a cloud of atmospheric gas.  While we may always be thinking we may not always be aware of our thoughts. 

So in concluding, may all your needs and desires be met and in the meanwhile may you manage unmet expectations well along the way! 

fondest care, 

Phoenix & Sarah.

These were socks that I eyed out at a 'supposed to be super cheap market' but I decided not to buy them and I got them in a Christmas parcel. 

Only in Asia...

Only in Asia do you not plan your outfit around your shoes cos 'lookey there we have to take them off at the front door! ' 

Only in Asia will you find Hello Kitty everything!

Only in Asia will you find oranges individually wrapped in plastic!  As if they dont have a natural protection covering.  

There are many things here that I'm adjusting to including the wind.  Hsinchu is known for its wind and I have lived in Port Elizabeth in South Africa which is also known as the Windy City.  This is a whole new level! It was so windy that it blew and locked my bedroom door from the inside.  I had to climb through the small windows above the door, bend and stretch over (Thankfully I'm tall) to unlock from the inside! 

There are many wonderful nuances, unspoken agreements and cultural cues that Im still to find!  Can't wait to share them with you! 

In the meantime enjoy the comfort of your motherland as I think of you all in Sunny South Africa and beyond.

Have a wonderful day friends! 

Christmas morning...

Christmas morning usually ushers children jumping on your bed or the inner child within each and every one of us to come out from hiding.  

This Christmas morning was the first Christmas morning that I woke up to an empty apartment and only now that I am writing this am I realising this because the inner child did jump out and the adult in me could sleep in.  Sounds like a fantastic combination!  

I'm currently sitting at my favourite cafe - Cama Cafe that prides itself in careful grading, A- ranked brewing skills, mellow roast daily and any time enjoyment.  No, this is not a paid advert!  The adult in me is pondering on making a long term commitment to this blog.  The child in me says 'No... I just want to play' and the adult says ' This is play '... 

So while I think we ( As in the adult and child within) can come to a mutual agreement of fun and sharing! 

The plan is to write everyday.  Some days it will be a child like post ( fun, creative and careless) and on other occasions it will be an inner adult post ( somewhat intellectual, a bit more stimulating and interesting)...

It is Christmas morning and I'm sure you all have presents to open but I'm hoping that you'll be back every morning to open the present Phoenix and Sarah have to give.  

Lots of love & Christmas cheer!

Phoenix & Sarah. 

xxx

this is the day I dreamt of...

While walking through shops in Taipei awhile back I came across a tee that said "Today is the day that you dreamt of"... It hit me in my middle.  Right there and then I realised that while I was feeling homesick and sorry for myself, I was living what I had been dreaming of for years.  

To travel and do all this and not have it positively affect someone elses life would be an absolute waste.  So, here I am writing to you in hopes of this positively affectihg YOUR life.  The truth is this is the dream Ive been dreaming of and yes that means there are up days and obviously down days...

So far Ive seen things Ive never seen before, Ive eaten things I never knew existed and been surprised and overwhelmed over and over again.  

Consider this the first of many posts to come!  

May it inspire you! May it encourage you! 

May it give you a desire to travel and to think deeply.  May it enlarge your capacity to live and love...

Also If youd like to receive my Newsletter once a month please comment below with your email address. 

fond regards, 

Phoenix & Sarah 

xxx