My Oma - By Jeremiah

My name is Jeremiah Kai Christian. My parents gave me three names! They must love me A LOT! I think it’s fun too. Some people call me J. Kai or Kai Kai. I like all my names. Mommy says Daddy thought of the name Jeremiah just after they found out about me. I was just a little apple seed in my mommy’s tummy back then. A lot has changed, and I’m so glad to be here. OK, enough about me. Today I want to talk to you about a very special lady in my life. Her name is Oma. She just has one name. It’s Oma. Even though she only has one name, she is loved a lot. I love my oma. My oma is my mama’s mama. Did you know that my mama also has a mama? That is very neat I think. My oma came to visit me last month. I was just two weeks old when she first saw me. I loved her from the first moment I saw her. She says the same thing about me. My oma speaks German a lot, but that’s OK because I can also understand German. My oma has beautiful silver hair. I like to look at her hair. It shines! Mama says Oma’s hair is her crown of splendor. I’m not sure what that means, but it must be a good thing. My oma sometimes wears glasses. That makes it easier for me to see her face. Oma and I had a lot of fun together. Today is my Oma’s birthday, so I want to share some very special things about my time with Oma with all of you.

Oma took me on my first stroller ride and walk in the park with mommy. Once Oma and I went all by ourselves so mommy could have a nap. I guess I didn't let mommy sleep that much . . .

Oma bundled me in my blanket after bath time. Mommy and Daddy give me baths and let me play in the water. I like bath time.

Oma came to my shower. I didn't get a shower, so I don't know what that's all about. Mommy told me that I was showered with blessings from my Taipei Aunties. Oma was so glad she could be part of this, and she thinks all my Taipei Aunties are very very special. She is right.

I liked giving Oma kisses.:)

Oma is wearing blue, and I am too!

Here are Daddy and Oma at a restaurant called Din Tai Fung. It was my first time there. The waitress even gave me a cup  of water and a bowl.

Nobody better mess with my oma! I've got my fighting fists ready to protect her! :)

We went on a gondola to a special tea town. It was my first time in a gondola. I wasn't afraid. Neither was Oma.

On the way down we had a gondola with a glass bottom. My oma has a funny face here. Oma likes to be dramatic sometimes. :)

We also went to the Taipei Flora Expo. Oma was the prettiest flower there. :)

Just Mommy, Oma and I at the expo entrance.

Oma talked to Opa on the phone every day. Opa liked to hear stories about me. I liked to listen to their conversations. They really love each other.

Daddy says I look like I'm blessing Oma in this picture. I am! 
God bless Oma!

Oma made good meals for Daddy when she was here. Daddy says Oma is his mother-in-law. I think I was a little tired when Mommy took this picture.

Here we are at the airport in Taipei. It was my first time at an airport, too bad I slept most of the time. We said goodbye to Oma and that was sad. Mommy and Oma always take a picture when they say goodbye. This time I got to be in it too! Mommy says it's a family tradition. Oma, I love you and I miss you! Happy Birthday!

 

A Morning Hike

My hiking legs are so happy to be hiking again! I’ve been getting out on my old and favourite hiking trail, and it’s like getting to know an old friend again. This morning was surely filled with many special moments in God’s creation and the surroundings and journey of this trail. 

Let me share a few glimpses or sparkles of this morning’s hike :)

• I’m thankful for the man who was basically on my heels for a while! He gave me the motivation to keep going at a good speed; I was determined not to let him pass me!

• The most beautiful butterfly fluttered ahead of me on the path. It was quite big and black with two grand dramatic electric blue dots on either wing. Butterflies always speak volumes to my heart.

• The many smiles and good morning of fellow hikers were encouraging. There is power in a smile. That was a good reminder for me this morning too.

• A sweet old Taiwanese grandma greeting me with such joy. I could smell here fragrant perfume meters before we crossed paths and for moments after. It was a sweet grandma kind of scent, and just warmed my heart. 

• The trail ends by going through a little village. I normally hear a lot of karaoke and old Chinese songs playing, and that was true for this morning. But when I turned a corner, I heard country music blasting! I looked through the trees to see a group of ladies line dancing! This was a first and such a down home country tickle!

• While walking back to the rooftop along the road, I wowed at the beauty of blooming hibiscus flowers all along the sidewalk.