He Is Risen!

One of the most famous 'attractions' for Ali Mountain is to get up to the Sunrise Ridge before the 'sun rises'. So, we wanted to do that... This was the first time for Alan and the kids to be at Ali Mountain. Alan and I got up early... at 2am. Then when we were about to leave, we woke the kids up. We were in the car by 3, heading to the 'little train station' of Ali Mountain. In the pitch dark, Alan drove superbly. 

By the time we got there, the parking lot was full and we were directed to the outside parking area. It was already 4:15. We grabbed our backpack and a few snacks and water, and ran the 700 meters to the entrance. Paid the park entrance fee, which was only 600NT$ for the four of us. That's 20US$! We proceeded to run! The last train was leaving at 4:40 and we got to the ticket counter at 4:38! We bought our tickets, totaling 480NT$, ran to the upstairs' platforms. Standing room only... We were not the last people. Four others were behind us and we all made it! 

The ride on the little red train was 22 minutes, 5.5 kilometers. When we got off the train, it was a 20 minute walk to the ridge! We were at the ridge by 5:25! The place was packed. There were stalls on the side, selling French Toast and Fried Egg Omelets. 40NT$/1.33US$ each! Plus hot chocolate or coffee or milk tea! Souvenirs were also sold there. The area is called YES MO HO, which is an aborigines' dialect, meaning GOOD MORNING! 

The sun finally popped over the mountain ridges at around 6:17... I worshipped and sang softly, Worthy and How Great Thou Art! On Resurrection Sunday, up on Ail Mountain, with hundreds of spectators... And I prayed that God would move upon those who were there. I didn't know them, but He does!

In less than 15 minutes, the sun was up and people were leaving. We bought our breakfast and ate it up there before we charted our hikes. 

There were lots of paths to hike to all the different 'sites'. We walked, and walked, and walked... The weather was spectacular... and by 12:45, Alan and the kids had seen enough 'trees'... I, on the other hand, would have enjoyed more walking... According to my watch, we had walked 23, 967 steps!

We exited the park and had lunch at one of the restaurants. Fried rice, fried noodles, mapo tofu and egg omelet. 400NT$! 

The park had a free shuttle back to our car... They didn't provide one early in the morning... We stopped at the 7/11, bought drinks and rested in the car! We all fell asleep!

We heard about the famous FengQiHu, the place of the original steel lunch boxes. So, off we went there. That place was so packed. Parking was very difficult. God provided! We ate their famous cronut donuts... bought four different lunch box take outs at four different places. Only indoor dining are the lunch boxes served in the original steel containers. We drank their famous jello drinks... and drove back to our lodging. 

It was already 6:17! For the evening, we ate the food... all very delicious... played Rummy-Q... watched the new Men In Black... And we were going to share and pray together, but Abby had a big assignment that was due tomorrow... So, she got on the computer and worked, while Isaiah studied the notes he brought! Midterms are a week away... Yes, Abby tends to procrastinate!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Everyone needs to have time to have God push the 'pause' button of the spin cycle of life! This has been an amazing time for myself personally and for us as a family! There were so many miracles this day. Catching the train... getting to see the sunrise... having toilet paper in all the restrooms and clean bathrooms, and not squatting toilets... With the time to pause, we become more aware of the goodness of God, the truth of His constant and abiding presence... We hear the birds chirping. We appreciate His provisions. And pausing should be daily... It is when we pause that we can truly 'appropriate' the word of God that He has fed us with in our time with Him.

Seek Him First!