March 28th

Well... what a day!

I arrived last night and Annie picked me up and the LAX was its usual 'self' -- congested and crowded! I walked to 7E-F to wait for Annie instead of waiting at Bradley! We were home by 10:45. Abby woke up to greet me.

We did not work on unpacking, but chatted and finally went to bed by 12:15 or so.

I was up early... and the day flew by.

Annie had things for me to look at and while working on that, I wanted to get a mug of coffee and thought it would be so nice to have some flavored creamer. To Annie's utter surprise, three bags of groceries showed up at her door. Inside were eggs and other groceries... but there were also two bottles of lactose free milk and... ONE BOTTLE OF STARBUCKS CARAMEL MACCHIATO CREAMER! What?? I opened it and used it for my coffee and headed down to work on sorting. The doorbell rang and the neighbor down the street said that it was her groceries delivered to the wrong house. Well... I felt so bad as I had opened the creamer. She insisted that we keep it and that we don't pay for it and one full bottle of the lactose free milk. What a miracle!

At 9am, we went to Chase Bank. We needed a document notarized and to close my account. It turned out that we needed to come back again in the afternoon. So, we went home and I headed to Bill Jones' Memorial Celebration. 

I had to drive and what a miracle again that we arrived early! What a delight to see everyone and to chat and catch up and share the many wonderful memories we all have with Bill.  And another miracle: some of Sue's friends are from First Chinese Baptist Church where I came to know Christ. We knew so many of the same people. And they used to live on Bartlett!

At 2:15 I had to drag myself away as we had an appointment at 3pm and those who are reading this, you know how I drive. And another miracle happened: Annie forgot that she had a MRI appointment so the notary public appointment had to be moved to 4pm. We got home at 2:57 and Abby and I went for a 5k run! I paced it faster than my usual so that we can be finished within 32 minutes and we did! Annie arrived just as we arrived! Another miracle. And we headed out!

We were finished and went to get Tacos for dinner! I was still so full from lunch which was at the Celebration Service!

Abby, Corinna and Kurtis headed out for Line Dancing. I finished sorting through everything and started packing up one suitcase!

I am quite alert still... but I did not have time to go over to see the newly remodeled condo.

In Taiwan... MIRACLES: Kathryn, a dear friend and sister in Christ, was able to get me a train ticket to Taitung as I wanted to go and cheer on the HOP "TEAM". Isaiah tried and didn't get it. Because of the Challenge Taiwan Event, tickets are sold out in less than 10 minutes! They wanted to go on Friday morning and couldn't get the tickets so they will have to go a day ahead. I wanted the late evening train which will arrive in Taitung at 12:15am on 4/26, the day of the competition. They can't do that as they need some rest as the event starts at 5am! 

More miracles: The "old" house painting was completed. The helper came and got Mom up and off to the Day Care Center. Alan fixed the closet and put everything back in place. And I drove without getting lost! And God sustained me. Tonight KR and Annie and I ended the day with prayer together. KR said, "Thirty years ago I would have never imagined having prayer together like this!" 

Miracles... after miracles... after miracles!

Daily Lovely Insight:

This was the opening passage from this morning's celebration! Grandpa Bill loved to sing and he is now in the presence of God, singing and shouting aloud to the Rock of Salvation in pure adoration!

Seek Him First!

Leaning On the Arms of Jesus

I was up early and just asked God to carry me through... I'm not sure if I will be blocking every day for the next 14 days... I hope so!

I got Mom up and out and rushed over to the old house. The young painter is the son of the owner. He started at 9:15 and was finished by 10:45! YIPPY! The crew will come tomorrow to finish up everything. Please pray!

I was home by 12:45 and made lunch in the rice cooker while I worked on getting things put away and packing the rest of my stuff. After my simple lunch, I laid down. My back is still not feeling well!

I called to get a guy over to the old house to look at the stove. I called to order a replacement lid for our hot water electric thermos. I gave away the suitcase and two blankets and a rocking chair. Yes... you read that correctly. Then I sorted and cleaned up the living room and set out Mom's clothes. I also got the meals for at least until next Wednesday!

Mom was back all too soon and when Alan came back, I went for a quick walk and then a shower. 

We headed to the airport at around 8pm after I got Mom to bed... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Exhausted!

I was up early... but the hours in this day flew by... and my back went out... 

Let me back track...

I got Mom up and out and helped with the recycling. At 10:05, I went out for my run, and it was hot! 

The AC people came and the house was in an absolute mess! Before going out for my run, I baked for my Bible study. Thank you Jesus!

Alan was home so, I left at 12:35 and we had two new kids for the study!

The hours flew by. I finally left at 3:35 and went to visit a friend's new house. They haven't received all the furniture or appliances but it's so nice! I was home by 4:30 and it was a mad rush to get things back in order and that's why my back went out.  In between getting Mom to bed and putting everything back, my back slipped! I'm praying... I still have another full day tomorrow!

The house is somewhat back with two small piles of things which I will get to after I get back. I worked on getting myself packed and filling out the forms to get the refund. I wanted Isaiah to get that done, but he was being a pill bug... meaning not very helpful at all! He did step in whoever I got stuck! But it took about three hours to complete!

I told a sister that I will have to skip praying as it was already 10:30 when I stopped cleaning and I still had packing to do! I also did a load of laundry.

I will definitely sleep on the plane!

Abby has safely arrived in the States and Annie picked her up!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Different Sabbath!

I usually have my Sabbath on Thursday,. But because this week I have to be over at the old house for the painting job, I set today as my Sabbath!

I was up early and continued to pull things out of the back before getting Mom up and out!

When she left, I did a bit more work on the back and then went for my run. It was very warm!

Alan and I met back at 11am and we went to the old house to pull things away from the wall for the painters. Then it was Coco and lunch since we won't have our date on Friday. We bought Cantonese food and went home to enjoy the feast!

He worked on re-doing the shelves while I took a short nap and then went for a massage! YIPPY! He was home when Mom came back. I had dinner set already!

After Mom went to bed, we finished putting things back on one of the shelves! SUPER NICE! Tomorrow, the AC people will be here and then we can put everything else back. Our house looks like a bomb exploded as we have so many things out in the living room! I sorted and posted things to give away.

Daily Lovely Insight:

I am so grateful as God has been my constant helper... I am under the protection of His wings... 

Seek Him First!

No Time To Rest!

It was a fast and furious day... 

I was up early and got Mom up and out.

Then it was time for my run as I knew I had too many things to get done. If I didn't go, I wouldn't have time.

I came back -- 10K -- and got everything to go to WGE for a quick shower and then headed to the bank. I wanted to pay the credit card bill so that I can charge the cost of the AC units on it. And that's where I went next... The payment took longer because the credit card amount was too large... We had to call the bank to get that cleared!

I was checking the time as I wanted to go to RT Mart and Costco before getting home to pick up my tutoring bag. I had tutoring at 2pm. I postponed the prayer time to 6pm and that was a great decision. I didn't finish tutoring until after 3:30! 

I was home and put everything away and started to clean a bit. There is a lot of stuff to move from the back balcony. 

Mom was back all too soon... and while she ate, I had prayer time with this sister.

I had a 'free' evening... However you'd like to define the word 'free'...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

It's Sunday!

What a day... 

I was up early and then went for a quick walk to get bread and update our passbooks and get cash to pay for things, like the helpers!

Then I got home and baked some banana corn meal bread. It was delicious. I also got the old percolator and went to church. I was sharing a short message at the Young Adults Morning Service. The group was very small -- only four people. Oh well... 

I came home at 1:20 and the helper came at 1:45 to see the routine. She jotted down the notes and I looked them over and edited. We all went to church and I worked at setting everything up. The good thing was: after the Young Adults Service, I had the chairs and most other things ready! I just needed to set out the snacks and make the coffee!

The service went well and Isaiah and Fenny went out with a group of newcomers. Alan had a meeting and one of the church friends dropped Mom and I off at home! I was so happy as I had a lot to get done!

After Mom went to bed, I put things away and cleaned up! We will not move anything else out until Tuesday night! I also wrote this blog and then prayed with a sister!

Daily Lovely Insight:

God brings me through fire and flood into a place of great abundance... How delighted I am to be under the shelter of the Almighty!

Seek Him First!

It's Saturday!

I was up early, even though Mom didn't have to go to the Day Care Center. I get up early every day!

I lined the AC guy and asked about the price and the date for the work to start! The total is 140,000 and the work will start on 3/26! Alan started pulling things out already... so the house is going to be a mess for this next week... and I'm trying to pack! At least I have started the packing process early!

I also worked on getting Abby's dental appointment set as well as her hair and nails... That's the fun part of being back in Taipei. She will also go and get a. massage or two!

I finally went out for a run at 9:12! Yes, I ran 10k, finishing the week with 62K! I headed to WGE for a quick shower and then went to buy bread for Mom!

I rushed home and the helper was late. She arrived at 12:19 and I showed her what to do with Mom! Once Mom settled to eating, she started to help me clean. Of course, it was difficult to clean as things were all over the place from the back balcony!

Isaiah went off to hang out with Fenny.

Alan went to take a nap!

The helper left at 4pm and I finished my talk prep for tomorrow! YEAH!

Tonight was a 'free' night... That doesn't mean I had nothing to do... It just meant I had no appointments.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!