One Quick Post

It's been 8 days since Abby and I got here to the States.

And it's been a fast and busy week.

I've been up in Torrance and just came down to San Diego this evening. I'll be here for the next five days.  Mom Bea has a list of things for me to get done.

And while I was up at my mom's, I've been cleaning, sorting, sorting and cleaning. I have also been baking a loaf of bread each day!  My mom has enjoyed having me around.  Abby has also been doing quite a bit of swimming. And we biked around a couple of times. The weather has been so great.

I'll be heading back to Taiwan in another 8 days.

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Abby's Graduation Ceremony

Abby with her classmates

Going on stage to receive an award

Her name -- 904

With her award and gift

Church friends

Her teachers and classmates

I videotaped her performances, but I can't get them to uploaded.  I'm too low tech!

We fly out to the States tomorrow.  I probably won't be posting every day. 

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Family Graduation Dinner

Tonight was the only night we'd have time as a family to celebrate Abby's graduation. So, about 6 weeks ago, I went on line and found and bought coupons to this Korean restaurant. Abby likes KPOP (Korean Pop Music) and Korean soap operas.  So, after I finished tutoring, I scooter over and met up with Alan and Abby. Isaiah came from practice and we had such a great meal. The kimchi as well as four other appetizers were 'all you can eat' as well as the iced tea.

Tomorrow, Abby will be her graduation ceremony. She will be doing two performances -- one is a dance performance to a KPOP song and the other is the cup song with her as the lead singer.

She got her diploma today. The school also made different gifts that the students can purchase, such as a backpack (120NT$) and a deck of cards with pictures of their classmates (100NT$).  They also got their yearbook (700NT$).

Many of you have asked if we know which school she got into. Thank you for asking as I know you are all praying for her. But no, we won't find out until July 3rd. Then on July 6th, she will report to school.  After that, the school will administer a special two-day, two-part exam for those who want to get into the Advanced English Class.

One step at a time... 

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Two Messages Today

This morning I shared at the Baptist Church on Heart to Heart with God.  The church had 15 people! That's a record.  Three of the people came for the first time just last week. I'm so excited.  We did a prayer walk on May 31st and the very next Sunday God brought three new visitors and they came back this week!!!!!!!!!!!!

This afternoon I shared at House of Praise on My Healthy Home.  We had a smaller crowd as many people were out of the country. But what was amazing was that it was my first time to share in Chinese.  I printed out my talk for those who needed the English translation as I didn't have a translator.  I just kept praying that God would speak to His people. I give Him thanks, trusting Him to have answered my prayer...

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A "Thunderous" Saturday

What a Saturday!

I tutored Rachel and then rushed to have lunch with Wendy, Ryan and Kimmy.

Abby and I got there and then I got a phone call from Isaiah. He was at the MRT Station. So after ordering, I went off to pick him up.  Then Alan showed up. He was at Soochow University's graduation as they didn't have enough faculty and staff there from the English Department.  At 1:30, it was time for Isaiah to go off to the cram school. I took him over there and got back to the restaurant.  We were able to hang out until 2:20.  The skies were getting really dark.

I took Abby over to her youth group and got home only to find out that Vicky, who was coming over to get her haircut, wasn't coming over.  In her area, the lightning and thunder and the down pour were so strong that she didn't want to go out of her house.  Plus, there was a slight leak in her house!

That gave me time to finish editing my talks and get things printed out.

Thank you God!

At 4:40, it was time to go pick up Isaiah and Abby. Isaiah had to go over to the orthodontic place AGAIN.

We had dinner at home and Family Time!!!!!

I went off for a night run as it was much cooler while the kids and Alan watched a movie.

We're going to bed early as we have many things happening tomorrow, too.

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A Shopping Date

Friday is our usual 'Date'. But this afternoon, we had to do some shopping at Costco in order to stock up the freezer for when Abby and I are in the States. I also needed to buy a few more items to bring back.

So, we had lunch at the food court.  Costco was quite packed when we got there.  We got frozen pacific cod, boneless fried chicken, fish sticks, chips, milk, hot dogs, relish, ice cream, and the list went on.  As we were piling the items in the cart, I realized, 'we're on a scooter'.  We had already bought other items at the local supermarket, and now, we got a lot more!!!  Needless to say, it was quite interesting stacking everything on a scooter!

After we got home, the afternoon downpour came.  It sure helped to cool down the heat!  So, I went out for a run and Alan went and picked up Abby.

We also found out that May, a dear friend of ours, and her kids will be able to come over for a visit!

We had sandwiches and cobb salad from Costco. YUMMY.

We're so glad we got all the food!

It's going to be a busy weekend!

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A Run & A Swim

Today was another blistering hot day. So, after taking Abby to school, I went for a morning run. And within 30 minutes, the pavement felt hot. The sun was blaring! And it was only 8:00!!!

Yes, Abby was at school as she had graduation rehearsal. The schools here rehearse everything. So, they will run through the entire graduation program at least three or four times.

I stayed home to finish up my ppt file and my talk notes. I realized that this is a very busy week as I will be speaking twice on Sunday. I'm glad I already finished a set of test for ORTV. The pay is not that great, but I get to do it at home.

I picked Abby up at 5:40 and we headed straight to the Dahu Park & Pool.  The outdoor pool was quite nice.  Abby swam 1.5 km and I just 'walked' in the pool. It sure was beautiful and relaxing to be in the pool in the evening!

Isaiah was home when we got back. He was going to have one last time of physical therapy but we didn't know that he had to get all five times finished within a month. So, if he wanted to have another treatment, he needed to make an appointment with the doctor. He didn't think it was necessary, so he came home.

By 9:20, Alan was home!

I think since I'll be here in Taiwan for almost the whole month of July and August, and I don't think it's going to get any cooler, I might be doing this run & swim thing more often -- except I think I'd have to get up earlier and run before 7 am and then go to the pool in the evening.

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My Last and My First

Today was my last Wednesday with Kimmy.  We have really gotten into a groove. I love going out with her. I'm really going to miss our walks. She is absolutely adorable. She has so many funny expressions.  Wendy took one more picture of the two of us!

Today was also my first time to see a student from Soochow University.  It's been maybe 23 years!  I kept in touch with ChingChing (the gal on the right). She was meeting up with Pauline (the girl on the left). So, I got there just as they were saying goodbye.  Next time they have a class reunion, Alan and I hope to attend!!!!   

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Started Packing

With my trip to the States just one week away, I decided to start packing.  I have to as between now and the date of departure, I have lots going on, including Abby's graduation!!!

I pulled out the big suitcases, gathered all the 'stuff' that I have been buying (and I have already bought a LOT of stuff), and just 'threw' the stuff into the suitcases.  Two suitcases are packed. I think I need to get another box... ha, ha, ha...

Abby and I will each have one carry on for our clothes. We're only going to be there for 17 days. Plus, we believe in traveling light, traveling right!  And I'm sure Abby will go thrift shopping with me as there is a new "Saver" right by my sister's house!

Everything in the two BIG suitcases and the extra box will be given away.

I am glad I started 'early' so that I can see what else I need to buy -- pineapple cakes, guava cakes, more coffee packets, Chinese snacks. Should I bring some instant noodles??? I think I better!

I'm planning to go shopping.

I will also have to stock up our freezer so that Alan and Isaiah will have plenty of food while we're gone. Alan doesn't have a Costco card, so I will have to go and buy the fish sticks, the chicken nuggets, the beef bakes.  Yes, things that just need to be placed in the oven or the microwave!!!!!!!!!! They will have to 'cook' and clean (including doing the laundry) for themselves!

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A Typical Monday

Today was a typical day. I finished up the laundry. I tidied up our house. I cooked.  I edited Abby's last three essays. I emailed people. I called my mom.  I had a short nap after lunch.  I even went for a bike ride with Abby.

Now, there were things I did not do --

My tutoring cancelled at the last minute as she had a slight heat stroke.

I decided not to go for a run because it was way too hot outside, hence the bike ride with Abby.

Overall, it was a wonderful day.

Seek Him First!