Hiking Elephant Mountain

At the trail head

Not far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Taipei, just to the east of the city, lies Xiangshan, or Elephant Mountain. Apparently one of the points of the mountain looks like an elephant head, though it is hard to make out with the densely covered jungle-like forest covering it like a soft blanket.

Taking the MRT to the end of the Red Line, the walk is just a few minutes to the trail head. The trail is 1000 steps up. It was a P-day, and many of the senior missionaries gathered to enjoy this very popular hike.

Besides being very beautiful, peaceful and well-marked, the hike is particularly popular because of the exquisite birds-eye panoramic view of Taipei, with its crowning jewel of Taipei 101 rising distinctively in the distance, (101 floors high). 

Fall is officially here, and with temperatures in the upper 70's, a cool breeze, and no rain, it was a perfect day for an adventure. 

There are three viewing platforms along the way up. Each has amazing views of the city.

Large outcroppings of boulders make an excellent stage for a photo-op at the second viewing area. People patiently wait in a line up beside the boulders for their turn to scramble up the rock and get some good poses with the Taipei 101.

The rest of the group went on ahead while I waited my turn. It was Saturday, with plenty of young people making the climb to catch a photo. 

The trail wasn't too hard, but there are spots to sit and rest along the way for the weary hiker. Lots of friendly people surrounded us, all making their way to the same destination - the pinnacle of the trail. With it's very own "great and spacious building" in the background, I couldn't help but think of the beautiful path we walk in this life with its every enticing distractions that can sometimes engulf us. President Nelson has invited us all to "keep on the covenant path." 

The reward is definitely worth the journey in life, no matter how long or hard it may seem. And when you are surrounded by good friends of solid faith who also consecrate their lives to the work of the Lord, the blessings are multiplied. 

Xiangshan - Elephant Mountain, with Taipei 101 in the distance.

The amazing skyline of Taipei.

Attending our Daughter's Wedding

How does one describe the wedding of their youngest child, their youngest daughter? While some may make such an attempt, the emotions often defy accurate articulation. We’ve been through seven other weddings - eight if you count ours 42 years ago. Each has been different, with unique experiences, unique pulls on heart strings. Joys, sadnesses, relief, worry, gratitude and a profound sense of loss and a joyous gaining. But mostly gratitude and joy of course. One day they are tiny, and the next they are grown.  How does it all happen so fast?

Our little Kristi has found the love of her dreams- a man who is patient, gentle, kind, and steady. Cody makes a joyous addition to our own family as Kristi also is added to his. There is something triggered in the souls memory- something about no beginnings and endless duration. Something about one eternal round. Something that says - this is right. Greg and I were blessed to be able to return to the States to attend their wedding- sealed in the Provo City Center Temple. Senior missionary privileges!

Such a blessing to be in the House of the Lord with them on this sacred occasion - to have them sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity by the priesthood authority from God. The most important thing you can do is to marry the right person in the right place by the right authority.



Coming in from across the world, we couldn’t have done it without lots and lots of help from family on both sides- we are so in debt to so many. A special thanks to Kristi and Cody themselves for having to shoulder so much of the preparation burden while we were miles away.

Does this make us official empty nesters? Or is our family just growing?  

Such joy to stand along side our children in this sacred celebration. Eight of our nine children were there, making great sacrifices to come from the far reaches of the country and the world. It was so great to have them all there.

Then we returned to Taiwan to continue our mission, while Kristi sets up a home of her own with Cody in their new apartment home in Utah. He’ll continue his schooling and they’ll both work, pulling their weight alongside each other in their journey together.

May God’s greatest blessings, bestowed in holy places, be yours forever, Kristi and Cody. We love you.

Setting Our Lanterns Free at Pingxi

Pingxi District is a quaint area about 45 minutes by car to the east of Taipei. It is surrounded by lush foliage-covered mountains, streams, old coal railway tracks, and many tourists from all over the world. It was our P-day - and the mission president and his wife arranged for the senior missionaries to enjoy a day outing together.

We first stopped to enjoy the Shifen Waterfall. It is 66 feet high and 130 feet wide - the widest waterfall in Taiwan. It was gorgeous.

Along the way we were greeted by petitions to Buddha - red ribbons draped over tree branches or local dragon gods and statues - wishes for prosperity, health or wealth.





Some petitions to Buddha are of Japanese tradition, as are these hanging bamboo tubes.

We then enjoyed the streets of Old Pingxi - shops full of lanterns and wonderful foods to try. 

Pingxi is famous for it's lantern festival in the spring. But people come all year long, day or night, to write their dreams or special messages with ink and brush, then send their lanterns and their dreams up to the heavens. Thousands of people come from all over the world to send their lanterns into the heavens. Kind of reminds me of Letters to Juliet.

Writing well-wishes on lanterns before launching them.

Adding well wishes onto our lantern.

You get four sides of your lantern to write of your dreams and loves. 

The old railway, still active today, is just meters away from the shops on both sides. The tracks make a safe and convenient spot to set up for photo ops, lighting the lanterns, and then setting them free. Watch the lanterns being launched here: 

The train brings more tourists every 20 minutes or so. Someone who is keeping time blows a whistle, and everyone immediately empties the tracks.  The train bustles through, just a few meters away from all the tourists. Then everyone returns back to the tracks for more lantern launching. Check out the video: The Pingxi Express! 

The fuel for the lanterns is made up of "hell notes" - or fake money that is designed to be burned and "sent" to the spirit realm to finance loved ones on the other side, in case they need it. These notes are doused in oil, making them an ideal source of fuel to heat the paper lanterns.

Some lanterns never make it. Winds or other circumstances may cause the sides of lantern to catch fire before it leaves the rail tracks, leaving your dreams turning to ashes at your feet. So sad!

It's our turn. Our lantern is ready for launching. The names of our children filled one side. We didn't have room for all 23 grandchildren! But they're included with their parents well wishes!

We set our lantern free!  Click here for a video: 

Lanterns dot the sky

Downed and collected lanterns pile up, providing income for local residents
 who turn them in for cash.

Several suspension bridges cross the Keelung River.

So when you all come to visit - we'll take you here!  It is an amazing place full of culture, cuisine and class!

The Hualien Experience

Bananas and papaya trees spring up seemingly randomly in every crook and cranny, while rice paddies are neatly tucked in between houses and earthen ridges. Palm trees are interspersed among thick tropical foliage. I wish I knew the name of every plant (there’s an app for that!)

We were on our way to Hualien to open an apartment and take a van full of furniture to outfit the new place. The trip down winding mountain roads was amazing in our 12 passenger mission van. The trip takes over 3 hours one way. 

Thick forested mountains on one side of the road - ocean views on the other.

The beautiful Hualien coastline and Pacific Ocean

After delivering the furniture, signing the contract and buying needed supplies for the sisters, we enjoyed a meal of dumplings with the office elders.

Apartment contract signing

Bafang Dumplings - amazing!

We finally pulled into the Hualien Holo Hostel Hotel where the Elders had kindly made arrangements for us to stay the night. They would stay with the missionaries serving in the area in their local apartment. They spoke to the person at the front desk, (no English here), got us set up, then left.

International "signatures" from
hostel visitors

The gentleman took us up two flights of stairs to our room. I was curious what a Hualien hostel might look like.

Our hostel room

My only requirement had been airconditioning – and it had a very good one in the corner of the room. I knew I’d be okay.

The room was very clean – even came with basic extras like a hair dryer, shampoo, bath gel and WiFi.

The room even came with a Gideon’s New Testament, vertical Chinese in the front, opening from left to right as in standard old style books, and English in the back.

We were exhausted. The mattress on the floor had about 675 very prominent springs and it seemed that 653 of them ended up massaging my back all night long. I woke up sore, but I wake up sore every morning these days! Lol Nevertheless, I had slept like a rock.

The sign above the toilet read, “Please do not throw tissue paper into the toilet bowl. P.S. Our toilet is not as powerful as you think.” So I left the toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it away, feeling a bit awkward but wanting to comply. I’ve seen that before in some areas, but still it seemed awkward.

At least they had toilet paper. And a garbage can. I was grateful.

The view from the window greeted our morning.

Now we’re off again, heading back up and down the winding mountain road overlooking the steep cliffs on the Pacific Ocean, heading back to Taipei. Elder Coffey is driving. Glad it's him and not me!

Click here for a test drive: Drive from Hualien to Taipei

The message on the wall of our room sums up the Hualien experience, English and all. 

It's amazing to see these servants of the Lord, in all corners of the island, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone they meet. They are determined, faithful, hard working, and dedicated. It's an honor to serve among them. May we all find ourselves farther down the road toward eternal life each day. 

It’s another very good day!

Villages along the Hualien highway

Village stacked up on the hillside

A cheerful elementary school!

The "chop" stamp - making it official.