Geography first: Taiwan is an island off the southern coast of mainland China and north of the Philippines. It stradles the Tropic of Cancer so it's the same latitude as the Bahamas and Egypt. We will be living in Taipei, the capital city at the northern tip of the island. (I bet you've already launched Google Earth now and found it!) That leads into the question of why, exactly, we are moving there. Taiwan is centrally located within Asia-Pacific, so it makes a great home base for us as my husband works to develop market opportunities in the region.
As for how we decided to go - for that is the real question, isn't it?--about 3 years ago, we began to discuss whether we would like to live outside the U.S. at some point. I had lived in Finland with my parents when I was 12, and I was forever changed by the experience. The world--or at least Europe--became a place to explore, to make myself at home, and I was able to make two more European trips over the next two decades. When we began to discuss pursuing an expatriate opportunity with my husband's employer, I was all for it...as long as it was in Europe. Perhaps Munich or London or Zurich. I never imagined Asia would be on the radar. I will never forget when my husband mentioned (about 12 months ago, now) that his division was seriously investigating their presence in Chinese and Indian markets. I knew what was coming. Yep, he asked me what I thought about living in Asia. Honestly, I wasn't sure.
It took a year for the details to develop. Singapore was mentioned; then, Taiwan. Other people were offered the job. We thought the opportunity had passed us by. We both felt strongly that God was leading us toward a major change for our family - perhaps a new position inside or outside the company or a chance to move to a new home - so we had been preparing our house and personal affairs. We had even had a discussion on Memorial Day, prompted by watching a fascinating bio on George Washington, about moments in our lives when we are faced with a choice of paths: one path that attempts to maintain the status quo and meet short-term desires and another path that "follows where history is leading" (a quote from the movie) toward a larger, global purpose. Then, the day after Memorial Day, my husband was offered the opportunity to move to Taiwan, and we were researching, discussing, preparing, agreeing to go. Our hearts and minds were ready. Now we just have to get those suitcases packed.
As for the house, we are still not sure we are meant to sell it. It is in a fantastic location, and we have discussed in the past about turning it into a rental property. I believe God is opening that opportunity for us with a chance to rent it out in the short-term, and I am thankful that it will still be in Houston waiting for us if we need it. This seems especially important for our young son--he needs to know it is there--and frankly, so do I. But one of the fascinating truths I have learned this year as I've prepared the house for eventual sale is that a house is just a house. A home is where I choose to make it. That gives me great peace.
So, why Taiwan? Because it is there! Because Asia is a vastly under-appreciated region, brimming with possibility on all fronts. Because it is where history, and more importantly, God, is leading us. Because we are ready to go.
