Here's a colorful postcard I received in the mail recently from some of Amanda's students in Taiwan. I was thrilled to receive their note and also to acquire the Taiwanese stamps affixed. This picture shows the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas located in the city of Kaohshiung.
I don't know a lot about Taiwan, except what I've learned from Amanda's blog--which is very educational, in addition to being very interesting! She makes her readers feel as if they're right there with her sampling all the strange Taiwanese food choices, seeing all the colorful places she visits, and riding her trusty little moped around town.
The postcard was sent as a thank-you gift for participating in her students' study on eating dinner as a family. I'm not sure if the study was worldwide or just for families in America, but the questions were very interesting, and I enjoyed answering them.
Her students wanted to know:
- what topics of conversation are usually discussed as we eat together each evening
- if any one of us participates in other things while eating such as watching television or reading
- and how often we have dinner together as a family (which seems to be a rarity in our country these days to actually have the time to sit down!)
For our family, all five of us eat together every night of the week, and we usually eat at home unless there's a special occasion to eat out. (In my humble opinion, weekends classify as special occasions.)
No one does anything to distract from the mealtime together--no reading at the table or watching television, although sometimes Jonathan's humor might get us to laughing our heads off so we can't eat! LOL!
We normally discuss activities of the day and which friends we've heard from by email or phone. Jonathan enjoys telling us about his escapades at the airport, and Tom discusses which office he's traveled to in the Valley and some of his duties that particular day. Two evenings of the week end up being more rushed than others since Jonathan has to get out the door for an evening class at 6:30.
Not every evening--but maybe 3 out of 7--Tom will open the Bible after the meal and read a passage to us from his quiet time, and he or Jonathan prays to wrap up. In the past we've read lengthy articles together on courtship, and recently, we've finished reviewing the London Baptist Confession. I'm looking forward to starting a new series, although I'm not sure what Tom has in mind.
How would you answer Amanda's students' questions about your family's dinnertime? Is it a time you look forward to each evening? I'd love to hear what goes on at your house!
~Deb
Indeed, how would I answer those questions! I have never really thought of those things, as terrible as that might sound!
I guess things are a little bit different with there being only two humans in our family, but I'll answer for us right now. :)
Topics that are discussed: well usually it's about our days, what we got up to, who we met, what we have planned for future days and weeks to come - basically catching up!
We will occasionally watch TV while we're eating (on our laps in the lounge room - we have no table, yet, nor space for one) depending on the time, but we're trying to stop that habit because then we don't talk nearly as much!
As for the regularity of dinner together, I would say most nights, thankfully! My hubby's job takes him around the country (and world) a bit, so those are the stretches that I eat alone (well, not alone, I have 2 furry companions!) When he is here though, we eat together. :)
Speaking of which, I need to get dinner on! LOL!
Posted by: Amy C | Friday, July 27, 2007 at 01:37 AM
Hi Deb! You are the winner of my snowman giveaway. If you will please email me your address, I will get it right out. I really enjoyed reading your blog!!
Posted by: Amy | Friday, July 27, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Hi Deb, thanks for stopping by and commenting on Stepping Heavenward! :)
To be honest, I couldn't tell you how I came across the site - divine intervention?? lol ;) Maybe through Tammy's Times, possibly. :)
I actually ran across Mountain Musings a few months ago and never got a chance to have a proper look at the time, but I bookmarked it for later reading. Then around... 3/4 months ago I actually started reading past entries, keeping an eye out for new ones and regularly visiting/lurking. :)
This site has been such a blessing to me and I'm sure it will continue to be! Please stop by my place again, anytime! :)
P.S. I LOVE your quilt, Sarah! Totally inspired! :) ...and of course, yours too Deb. ;)
Posted by: Amy C | Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Thanks for sharing your family mealtime habits. Dave and I have watched Nancy Campbell's DVD about the family meal table, and part of our vision for our marriage is to eat together and to have family devotions at the dinner table. We are trying to start this habit now, so when I go to Dave's house for dinner we often read the Bible and pray together. We also sang once, and this was very encouraging! it is lovely to hear about your family's habits, as you are so much further down the track than us :). We hope to someday have adult children around our table who can perhaps even take the family devotions!
Posted by: Sherrin | Monday, July 30, 2007 at 03:27 AM