Another "TOO BUSY" Day!

I had to get up super early and get Mom ready. A neighbor sat with Mom downstairs in the courtyard so that I can rush to work. I got there three minutes late... but I got there before my two supervisors! YIPPY. I forgot my badge, so I will not forget next week. It was very troublesome! 

I had one paper to edit... and the morning flew by. 

Class was great... and this afternoon, I had my afternoon office hours completely booked! Then another paper showed up to edit! So, the day passed very quickly.

I was out of the office by 5:03 and did not make it to the Center by 5:45. The downpour came and I had to drive very slowly. I think it's going to be 5:55 at the earliest! I had to ride home, park my scooter, go get the car and drive over to the Center, lugging my teaching bag of stuff. 

I could not go out while the rain was happening... WAHHHHHH... 

This evening, I had prayer time with Alan and with another sister. Then at 10pm, I finally went to World Gym for a dreadmill run... Then I treated myself to two caffe latte... for tomorrow morning. I had coupons from my students that I never finished using. I have three more cups... I hope to buy them tomorrow. They are going to be so delicious for my morning time with Jesus. 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I don't feel lonely when I'm alone... People think that since the kids and Alan are gone that I must be quite lonely... And I'm NOT... I'm actually quite content to be home alone... Unfortunately, my days fly by with tons of things to do... But I decided to give myself a day off this month... I am in the process of planning it! Any ideas?

Seek Him First!

Can I Squeeze More Into A Day?

The answer is: NO!

I tried, but I had to cancel my tutoring this afternoon.

Mom went off and I rushed off for a run at World Gym. Not my favorite... but what can I do?

It was only 50 minutes as I had to rush back for my morning Bible study. I had every prepared and set out already. 

It was a great study on Psalm 103: 4-7. 

After cleaning everything up, I had planned on going to drop off the AC Fan unit at the company warehouse/repair shop. I had no idea what a trek it was. The google map said 52 minutes... but that was without a heavy thunderstorm DOWNPOUR with almost zero feasibility. Only by God's help did I get there. And I knew... I won't make it back by 4pm for tutoring as the guy took the machine apart and proceed to fix it. He told me to wait... oh my... It cost 50US$ and about 45 minutes. I was back on the road at 4:07! I got home as the van was already downstairs! WOW!

Mom had dinner... and I blogged, put away the clothes from my load of wash, and tested the machine! With ice, it feels so nice!

Tonight I had my second Bible study!

And I had to edit Isaiah's paper... due tomorrow! YIKES!

I also went to pick up a bag of stuff from a dear friend who is leaving with her family tomorrow. They've been here for three years... sad to see them leave!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Here are the first two verses from my morning study:

Seek Him First!

A Super Productive 4th of July!

As soon as Mom left, I started cleaning up the front area of our apartment. We now have one walker, one wheelchair, five basketballs, three tennis rackets (and a very big tennis bag), a box of tennis balls (Costco size), and the list goes on and on and on. I had to get things better sorted... I was finished just 15 minutes before my tutee arrived. I had already prepared the lesson for the day!

We went a little long... but when he left, I was out the door, heading to World Gym. An easy run on the dreadmill... 

It started to rain as I headed to get an oil massage! Yes, I'm trying to finish up the coupons that I bought three years ago! At least they don't expire. I have one more left and I am hoping to be finished before I leave for the UK.

I rushed home to get Mom's dinner ready and hook up the WiFi... it was 5pm! Alan and the kids had some free time, so I got to talk to them and to pray together with Alan! We missed yesterday since they were at Wimbledon!

Mom was home and enjoyed her dinner. I had to do an antigen test and send a picture over to the Day Care Center. I forgot to do it this morning. Twice a week until July 31st! Very "MAFAN".

After Mom went to bed, I rushed off to my tap dancing class... I was late! We have only two more sessions and then it's summer break. I did sign up for the Fall Semester. I hope I will have time to attend!

Daily Lovely Insight:

God is really good to the kids and Alan. While waiting at the food court, two gentlemen who had bought Center Court tickets were leaving and asked if Abby and Isaiah would like their tickets for FREE. So, they got to go in and watch Djokovic play! 

God so often times do more than just supply our needs... He supplies our heart's desires... 

Seek Him First!

Super Sunday...

At least for those in London... they got up early and waited in line for hours and got into Wimbledon! They are all watching different games... doubles, singles... I hope they get some good signatures. I'm sure they are having lots of memorable moments!

As for me... what can I say? It was hot!

I spoke this afternoon, and that's always a blessing. I love all the preparations for each message.

Annie was able to talk to Mom for 30 minutes. 

That gave me time to put in a load of laundry but not long enough to get much more done. That's the problem. You have to watch Mom all the time, unless I can strap her down. You can tell her a million and one times, not to get up or don't touch that... but with her dementia, she can't remember. That's why it's so frustrating. It was great at church as people will help keep an eye on her, especially when I have to speak or translate!

After Mom went to bed, I went to World Gym and did a treadmill walk. No running on Sunday!

The week looks very busy... three Bible study, full day on Wednesday... but I've decided to treat myself. Well... at least use up all the massage coupons. One place sent me a message -- it's been almost 30 months and I still haven't finished the last two sessions. I made an appointment and will go on Monday. And then I'm going to set aside time to go again... I have several coupons for another place that I have not used up and those were from 24 months ago! WHAT??? I have really been that busy. So, this summer, I'm going to set aside time to go! I don't speak again until July 24th! Then I translate twice in August and I'm off on my vacation... Of course, I have to call the long term facility, get Mom's physical and also her PCR. I am hoping that they won't require that come August! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

7 Highlights:

1. Your past doesn’t define you. God defines you.
2. Rejection is a vital part of life. How you handle rejection shows your true character.
3. God is in the business of elevating the least likely! Never be too quick to dismiss someone’s potential.
4. Blindness comes in different form.
5. It’s never too late to fulfill God’s calling.
6. God’s redemptive narrative doesn’t always happen the way we think or like.
7. As God’s children, we are also His mighty warriors to honor and glorify Him.

Seek Him First!

Super Duper Sad!

Isaiah has now joined Alan and Abby... and looking at the picture just breaks my heart... I WANT TO BE THERE! We were planning to be there together back in January when I got Mom checked into the long term facility. BUT, we had no idea how bad that place was. So, when it didn't work out, our plan went out the window. I tried so hard to find another place... a nicer one... I called and begged... but no bed! So, I am stuck in Taipei with Mom... the weather there is my favorite kind of running weather... the weather here - blaring hot!

I must give thanks... for that's God's command. He has good purposes... 

The day went by quickly... the clouds did come... In the morning, I got the smog check done for our car... then in the afternoon, I took Mom to Carrefour and hung out there as it has AC. Plus, Mom loves eating... I bought a few different kinds of snacks and she just feasted. With every Twinkie, she'd say, "I like that." It was as if it was the first... and she had THREE! Then she had sliced cheese... and water dumplings... and when we got home, she had dinner! 

I went for a workout after Mom went to bed.

Daily Lovely Insight:

I am trying to keep in mind, like the message that I'm preparing for July 24th -- God encounters us in the dailyness of life. In the common activities, in the crisis, at the crossroads, in the known and the unknown... in the happy and the sad...in the ups and the downs... I TRUST HIS PLANS... His ways have been and always will be the BEST!

Seek Him First!

Treadmill Running... and Other Things...

Well... I'm not sleeping enough... So, I took the time to take a nap today.

After Mom went off, I got busy!

I wanted to go for a treadmill run at World Gym and get some errands taken cared of... then pray with Alan, even though we are in different time zones. He is enjoying running in the UK. I bet... the weather is so much cooler!

I tutored at 3:30. And I started working on my talk for July 24th. I have to get things done as early as possible! 

Mom was home promptly... I had dinner ready!

After she went to bed, I continued with my message prep and started on my Bible study homework. I have a new Bible study on the book of Isaiah... The homework is quite extensive!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Always a great reminder... 

Seek Him First!

Active Mom... Tired Me...

Yes, Mom was so active... she was able to remove the padded restraints THREE TIMES... And walked to the dining room table in the middle of the night... go to the bathroom (she removed the diaper and got them back on)... I didn't go to bed until 1am, but she was up two more times before her shower at 7:30. I couldn't believe it.

After she took off, I went and fell asleep on the sofa for an hour.

Then it was time to clean... And Amy came this afternoon to finish the job. I sorted through Abby's room, putting things away. Folded the clothes that were hanging on the line. 

At 11am, I went to World Gym and ran on the treadmill for an hour! It was boring, but at least it wasn't stifling hot. I was able to run a few errands before coming back home. 

Alan had tried to call. So, we had our prayer time! YIPPY! He went to the airport to meet up with Abby. And yes, she has arrived safely!

I worked on message prep for this Sunday and my translator will help me put the Chinese verses into the ppt. THANK YOU JESUS! Usually Abby does it for me... 

Mom was home... and I had dinner ready.

After she went to bed, I went and met up with a friend who will be going back to the States next week. I was hoping to go for a weights workout, but no time!

The house is so nice and clean! What a praise!

And Abby arrived safely in London and Alan was there to meet up with her!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The thought for today:

Seek Him First!