Tsai Family of the Parklands

Family & friends, Reminiscing through this year's events has reminded us of the bounteous blessings that our family has enjoyed. Here are some of the memorable events for our family this year: At the beginning of the year, our oldest, Jessica, embarked on an amazing adventure through a Study Abroad experience in New Zealand. In addition to an awesome journey in studying and touring the country, she managed to squeeze in some valuable introspection time to herself far away from the distractions of family and friends. Meanwhile in March, our youngest, Megan, chose to be baptized soon after she turned eight. Since this was to be the last baptism of our family, we were touched and very grateful that all of our children have entered into this path. Also, in March, we celebrated Joshua's sweet 16 birthday at Guapo's -- very apropos for the celebrity. This year we were fortunate to have at least 20 people grace our home with their visits: Cousin Larry and...

Taekwondo WOW! OOH! AAAAAH! OOH LA LA! Singles learn taekwondo from a taekwondo teacher. One girl and four boys are masters from the taekwondo class. There's a technique, a bad boy, and mostly breaking wood. They concentrate to bring power to break the wood. By Megan (We attended the Asian Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, November 21, at the Annandale Stake Center. After the dinner, there was a special demonstration of Taekwondo.)

It was cool, comfortable autumn afternoon, one of those rare Saturdays when it was warm enough to work in the yard and when it was not raining. I decided to perform the last rite of autumn by mowing the grass for the last time this year (hopefully). When what to my wondering eyes did appear, not one grandma but two grandmas did suddenly enter the scene with rakes and grass bags and gardening gloves and, yes, a small plastic trash container and a dust pan. Together they raked and gathered for over an hour. The result was 12, count them, 12 large grass bags, chock-full of leaves that had fallen from the three tree in the front yard by the curb. The work was definitely worth the clean cut yard and leave-free yard curb. Now, enjoy the pictures.

This past week, we were lucky to have our old friend, Yang Lei, from Taiwan visit us during his stay as a visiting scholar at the University of Missouri at Columbia. After patronizing the Washington DC Temple early in the morning, we drove to the US Capitol for a tour. The one-hour tour was very meaningful because it taught us the importance of the Capitol in the nation's history. The cool thing was that we found the statue of Brigham Young, who represented the state of Utah. Photos were in order.

Despite a drizzling evening, Melinda and Megan decided to brave the weather and join their friends, Emerald and Isaiah, at the Kentlands neighborhood. Starting before sunset, they strolled the streets, trick-or-treating, collecting candy, and admiring the diligently installed decorations of goblins, spiders, and monsters. At the end of the evening, in the comfort of home, the sisters engage in their tradition of sorting and trading their gains of the night. Happy Halloween!

In October, the Brown family came to stay at our home for a week before moving out West. We had so much fun with them while they were here. On the last night before they left, Evelyn and Megan camped out in the house. We sure will miss them. Good luck, Brown's.

This summer we have been busy adding a family to the back of our house. Here is a review of the progress over the last 4 months in pictures.

At the end of the summer, we were privileged to be visited by the entire Theodore clan, including the cute Oliver. They stayed at our home for a few days while house hunting. Before they left, they insisted on making a dinner for us, which was very delectable. Thank you, Theodore's, for sharing this time with us.

After visiting the Hershey Chocolate Factory, we drove straight to our friends, the Wang family, who had just moved to Pennsylvania. We had not seen them for one or two years. After dinner, we celebrated a double birthday for Jessica and for I-Ming. Although it was a very short visit this time, we thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together. Welcome to the East Coast again, Wang family.

No, we did not go to Hershey Park because we already have been there. But we decided to surprise Jessica on her birthday by driving up to the Hershey Chocolate Factory. To our surprise and satisfaction, the free tour was pretty amazing and fun. We rode in an amusement style car that fit our whole family of seven. With multimedia presentations and lively displays, we learned how chocolate is made from the bean to the bar. At the end of the tour, everyone received 2 Hershey's Kisses. We also had a chance to buy a photo of our ourselves while on the tour, the kind of photo from a roller coaster ride only a lot slower. It was so fun that we rode it a second time. Of course, after the free ride, we entered the enormous gift shop and sauntered around for a while.

In July, our family was treated to a delightful visit from Felipe & Petra Chou and their 4 children. As part of their whirlwind cross-country US history and Church history tour, they honored us by staying at our home for a few days. As such, they shared with us the celebration of the birthday of their daughter, Jesse. We shared with them the call letter for Jonathan. On Saturday, July 4, our families went to the National Zoo together in the morning. Since it was their anniversary, we took their kids to NIST to watch the Gaithersburg fireworks, while they went to the National Mall to watch the fireworks. On Monday evening before they left, we shared a memorable Family Home Evening together. Thanks, Chou family, for leaving us great memories of your visit. Come again! Tsai family.

Having travailed through an extra week of lab tests and physician affidavits, his mission papers were submitted one week later than his sister's. Nevertheless, the official white envelope did arrive in our mailbox yesterday. After work, Jonathan took a somber walk to our mailbox. When he started to scream, we knew it came. Nevertheless, out of respect and consideration for her sisters and mom, he exercised patience in waiting until today to open the envelope. After the caravan returned from Girls Camp, Jonathan pulled out the envelope. Again, the cameras converged upon the prospective missionary. He opened the envelope and read, "Elder Tsai, you are hereby called to labor in the Australia Melbourne West Mission for a period of 24 months. You are to enter the Missionary Training Center on September 30, 2009." Again our hearts are swelled with gratitude for these mission calls for Jessica and Jonathan, for the opportunity they have to serve, and for the preparation ...

When we came home from work today, we were pleasantly surprised by the receipt of a distinct white envelope from Salt Lake City. Although we were exhausted from the day, we could not wait to hear the news. We gathered in our living room, freshly filled with new sunlight from an additional bay window. Two cameras converged on the family, especially upon the reader of the letter. She opens it carefully and reads slowly but distinctly. Jessica reads, "Sister Tsai, you are hereby called to labor in the Colorado Denver South Mission for a period of 18 months. You are to enter the Missionary Training Center on September 2, 2009." We all cheered in excitement. Deep down in our hearts, we are so grateful that Jessica can have this opportunity to serve full-time as a missionary when the Lord wants her to serve.

How great and bountiful are the concerts our family has participated in or attended in the last two weeks! Let us count the ways (concerts). May 2 - ASCYO (Academy of St. Cecilia Youth Orchestra) performance at The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD. What a beautiful traditional theater. Joshua and Melinda participated in this ASCYO concert and in the next 2 ASCYO concerts. May 3 - Melinda's ballet recital was held at the Cedarbrook Community Church in Clarksburg, MD. This is a picture of her with her teacher. May 7 - Poolesville Middle School. At the last moment, Melinda was asked by her flute teacher, Mr. Fogleman, to substitute as the flute player for the 2nd annual Spring Concert in the Poolesville Youth Symphony Orchestra. Jessica, navigated by Jonathan, drove Melinda to the school at 4pm to start rehearsal. Luckily, food was provided. May 8 - ASCYO performance at the Olney Theater Center in Olney, MD. This was a more modern theater. Joshua was first clarine...