HOP Retreat!

Yes, we're on our HOP Retreat in Ilan!

I got Mom off and had my Friday morning Bible study via Zoom. Today we met from 8-9:45! Isaiah had an interview at around 9:45. And by 11am, we were out the door.

The drive was easy! As it is the start of a three day holiday weekend, we didn't know what the traffic was going to be like. We got to the Bubble Milk Tea Museum and found out that they don't serve the buffet meal on the week days! WAH... 

So, in the downpour, we searched for a place to eat. Every place had a long waiting list. We finally had lunch at a small restaurant. The food wasn't that great.

Check in was at 3pm. And then I went for a run in the rain. 10km. I didn't get to where the 'race' will be held in November, but I did do a 10k loop. Very nice... of course, my shoes got completely went! After a quick shower, people headed out for dinner. I was not hungry, so I took a nap!

The evening session started at 7pm and we were back in our room by 10pm.

I'll summarize tomorrow.

Lovely Daily Insight:

I was doing the next chapter of my Isaiah study! 

Seek Him First!

Another Busy Day...

With the retreat starting on Friday, I had to go and get things done! The luggage wheels are fixed. So, I picked that up and loaded it in the car along with the two bikes. Isaiah went with me to drop off the bikes for our friends and the luggages to be stored at Alan's office. I really don't know what we will do when he doesn't teach full time anymore. We are praying that they will let him have the office space for many many years! He most likely will be teaching part time and he might be having as many hours as he has now... 

OK, back to my day... 

I also had to buy fruit and food so that all Mom's meals are ready for Yenny!

On the way back from dropping off the stuff, I went and got the devotional copied!

Isaiah spent the rest of the afternoon translating Alan's devotional while I worked on my talk for 10/23. 

The weather is cooler, but I didn't have time for a run until this evening. When we are at the retreat site, I will have the opportunity to run the same route for my 'race' on 11/18. So, that will be interesting. It's a 10km loop! 5 kilometer down and 5 back!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm reading the book of Matthew and a book by Charles Finney on Experiencing the Presence of God. 

Seek Him First!

Family Time!

We only had an hour, but at least we had a chance to catch up with Abby! It was 6am in Freiburg!

This morning, Isaiah and Alan went to play tennis. I got Mom up and out and I headed out. I bought the old fashion insert pages for our calendar books, then went to Costco to get snacks and milk. Then it was buying birthday gifts at Starbucks, coupon booklets! I also had to go to the fire department to make sure that we have the proper fire alarm for our old house! I got back at 11:45! Family Time started at 12noon!

In the afternoon, Isaiah and I finished the translation project and then I went for a run and picked up the bike. Alan picked up Mom. I had prepared the dinner already! I rode the bike back in the pouring rain! It was still warm! I immediately took a shower and then worked on getting Mom to bed! This evening, I started back with tutoring and then prayer time!

What a long day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Adidas took God's motto:

Impossible is Nothing!

Seek Him First!

Starting Back to My Regular Tuesday Activities!

After getting Mom off, I set up for my Bible study. I didn't cook as the gals were bringing food over. And we had a lot of great food! Chicken salad, fried onion cake, guava slices, apple cobbler... What a feast. We started our study on Psalm 22. Since we hadn't seen each other, we went a bit longer than usual.

In the afternoon, I finished the next lesson of Psalm 22 and started preparing for our new study. We will be finished with our Psalm study by the end of January. Angela and I will adapt the fundamental concepts from the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. I finished Lesson 1 and emailed it to Angela. She will be doing Lesson 2.

Then Isaiah and I got another document to translate. 

This evening, I went for my run after Mom went to bed! Isaiah had tutoring... and maybe the possibility for a job for a month... I hope so... then he can earn some money!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Psalm 22:1-2

Being forsaken is the worst kind of suffering!

Seek Him First!

Out of Quarantine!

Alan and Isaiah were up early to watch the Chargers game... so, when they finished at 4:30, I got up! I didn't sleep much... But the weather was cooler... So after time with Jesus, I went out for a run!

Isaiah was asleep until 10:30 and I had booked a two hour massage for him. I went to run errands... but just mailing two packages took over 90 minutes. By the time I was finished, I decided to go home for lunch!

I made lots of phone calls and then went out again. Picked up the diapers that I had ordered. Got 200NT$ from a receipt. Tried to get Mom's meds, but will have to wait... 

Alan was back at 5pm and Mom was back at 5:10.

I had tap dancing tonight!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The highlights from yesterday's worship service:

1. Be still and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10
2. Breathe in God’s breath of life, God’s word… Breathe out all our anxieties.
3. ‘Praise the Lord’ is not just a ‘saying’, it is to give all glory to God, to worship Him. To praise is to have a grateful and joyful heart; to accept things that happen to us knowing God is in control. To see our current circumstances as part of God’s perfect will.
4. We don’t need to pretend before God, or come as ‘good kids’ or ‘good Christians’. We can come freely before Him, take off all masks to worship Him, in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24)
5. Prophesy to these bones. Tell them, ‘Dry bones, listen to the Lord’s message’. The Lord and King speaks to you. He says, “I will put breath in you. Then you will come to life again.” (Eze. 37:4-6)
6. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:17)
7. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. (2 Cor. 1:20)

Seek Him First!

Day 7 of Quarantine!

We are almost finished... 

We did go to church, but had our mask on and had to do social distancing.

Tomorrow, I will be able to take care of Mom!

It was nice to have Isaiah on the worship team! 

We still have not set up our family time as Abby has not been in touch. She's been too busy...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Isaiah 60:1-3

Seek Him First!

Day 6 of Quarantine!

I can't tell you how warm it is... I am so ready for some cooler weather!

We were all up early... Isaiah and Alan went to play tennis... and yes, Isaiah and I did another antigen test. NEGATIVE! By Sunday, we are 'free'... 

I went and got the wheels priced... for 30US$, I decided to get them replaced! It's a Wenger, which is usually 100US$! And I did roll it all over Europe and those cobblestone roads were tough on the wheels!

Then, it was doing a load of laundry and remaking Mom's bed. Mom was in the living room... 

I did finish the devotional for the Retreat! And I worked on more of Eddie's web site text, trying to rewrite what is there! One section at a time... 

Isaiah played tennis with Alan... then played tennis with his old Soochow teammates. While he was at school, he restrung his rackets. Then this afternoon, he went to church for the worship practice! Tomorrow he will meet up with Vikki.

Mom was happy to be listening to Chinese music... 

This evening, I went for a short run. My legs were sore!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm in the New Testament... And I'm always amazed at how many prophecies the coming of the Messiah fulfills!

Seek Him First!