Happy New Year!!

A happy new year to everyone! This is my final full day in the USA, I head back to Taiwan on Saturday, arriving Monday morning Taiwan time (yeah - Sunday just doesn't exist for me this year).

An update to what has been happening and what will change in the year to come:

Sarah's dad has been in the hospital with some heart issues. We are now at the point where he is waiting for a heart transplant. His spirits are well and he is otherwise doing great - but at this time he requires some additional help and support and will for the near future. So Sarah and I have talked about this option for about a month now, even more so since we've been home. Sarah will stay here to help her family at this time while I return to Taiwan. So yes, we'll be back to the long distance relationship thing again for a while. We've done it before, we can do it again.....

There are lots of benefits to this solution - besides the obvious one of helping her dad and family, she can also start planning our wedding!!! We're getting closer to establishing a date and location, just have to make a few calls next week and we can get all that information out to everyone. She will be closer to her cats who I know missed her very very much while she was gone. The only bad thing is that she and I will be apart, but it happens.....

We have been driving between Marion, Iowa (where my parents live) and Iowa City Hospitals daily to see her dad and spend time with him. Even snuck in some beer and watched the Iowa bowl game yesterday with him! He should be going home next Monday for the time being. Please keep him in your prayers!

I hope everyone starts the New Year out safely! Next update from me will be from the other side of the Pacific!!!