Another Old Lang Syne

Last year Taipei 101 had a spectacular fireworks display. This year promises to be another great show. 

Yes, it's already the last day of 2013.  Tomorrow is January 1st, 2014!  It's a holiday here in Taiwan and we plan to hang out with the Jao's.  Last year the weather was cold and wet and we went out to a museum in Bali and then took the ferry to Danhsui. This year, the weather looks fabulous.  We're planning on having afternoon tea together after a workout at the local sports center.

As I consider the start of a new year, Lamentations 3:21-26 comes to mind --
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.

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God Is Able

Today in Bible study, the topic was GOD IS ABLE. I totally agree... I have experience this truth over and over again in my life.  Let me give you the most recent example.

For over a year now, I have had this strong impression to buy a place in Danhsui as a Northern Prayer Tower -- NPT.  (These initials can stand for Northern Prayer Tower and Neihu Prayer Tower, which is our first home in Neihu!)  Every available block of time, I'd be out there to look at different apartments for sale.  Up to this October, nothing opened up. And within this year, the prices have gone up.  Nothing seemed affordable.  God is able! 

Since returning from the States in August, I started to look again.  It seemed that every place I liked, I would ask for three days to pray. When I was ready to make an offer, either the place would be "in escrow" or the owner would not accept my "low bid".  Finally back in October of this year, I saw a place which I didn't like. There weren't enough windows and when I went to look, the next door neighbor was singing KTV!  The kitchen was on the balcony and it needed work. I walked away, saying NO WAY.  A month later, it was still on the internet.  So, I prayed, called the real estate agent and made a low bid.  To my utter amazement, my offer was accepted.  Now, how in the world was I going to come up with the money?  God is able! 

In less than 3 weeks, escrow closed.  I found a guy to do the remodeling.  The remodeling finished today.  I still have to touch up the paint job, clean up the place, move furniture in, buy a few appliances, hang curtains (might have to make some first), and organize the household items.  I hope to do this all before we depart for the States.  God is able!

Then I want to open it up for people to spend time there to pray, to have a personal retreat, or whatever God has in mind.

Here are a few pictures. I don't have the final pictures yet because I did not have time to go over there today.  I will run there this Saturday when I run the North! 

The kitchen in the balcony

The peeling paint on the wall with moldy wooden flooring

The Remodeling Process -- The kitchen is gone.
The moldy flooring is gone.
The peeling paint is gone.

Bathroom Horror

The bathtub is gone.
The ugly sticker trimming is gone.

 God is able!  Believe it. Wait until you see the place now! 

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The Last Weekend of 2013

November 2012 we had made plans to see some dear friends who have moved down to Taichung. On the way down, our car broke down.  We never made it to Taichung!

After returning from the States in August, we searched for a decent second hand car, but finally decided on a brand new Nissan Livina, which we have named Lightning.  We immediately emailed our dear friends and made plan to visit them.  This past weekend, we finally made it down to Taichung. It was a perfect weekend.

They had bought a turkey and that's what we had for dinner on Saturday night.  Their kids are big on sports and so are our kids.  They live on the Morrison Academy Campus in Taichung and they opened up the gym. It was so much fun for the kids to play volleyball and basketball indoors.  I took the entire volleyball cart and tried serving one ball after another, just to get ONE over the net. I wasn't going to leave the gym until I got at least one over. I couldn't believe how poorly I now play.  I think I served over 100 times and got 3 over the net. (Trust me... as I sit to write this post, the entire right side of my upper body is sore!)  They ordered different kinds of tea drinks throughout the day.  They bought Chinese breakfast for us. They made fresh pots of coffee for me.  we watched the Lone Ranger on Saturday night.  We went to church on Sunday morning and then bowling.  (Peilun and I went and walked around the entire newly opened Ikea Store. I can't tell you how much fun that was!!! I haven't done that in at least 10 years!)  Sam and Isaiah played a lot of video game.  Abby and the girls hung out and did their nails.  It was just such a relaxing weekend.

Before leaving, we stood around in a circle, holding hands, with our heads bowed and prayed together.  What a joy to know them and to be a "family" in Christ.

I think we want to do it again -- same time next year -- the last weekend of every year -- hang out with the Manus'.

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The Greatest Gift of Christmas

 

We celebrate Christmas with simplicity.  We don't buy gifts.  We don't really decorate our house except for a manger scene that is displayed in our living room.  We listen to Christmas music and we love to read the Christmas story.  But we are so grateful to our brothers and sisters in Christ who bless our kids with presents that they delight in unwrapping on December 25th.  They attend the Youth Group at New Life Church.  The counselors of their youth group prepared gifts for them every year.  They each got a warm scarf, a file folder and a mp3 decorative item.  The leaders also wrote cards for our kids.  Our kids posed for pictures with each of their gifts and we just had such a great evening.  Abby has her uniform on because she just got back from school. In Taiwan, December 25th is not a holiday. So, we waited until she got home to open their presents. 

I love the simplicity of our celebration.  I love the focus on Jesus as the greatest Gift for all mankind.

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Choices and Consequences; Discipline and Discipleship

It's been a long and winding road for my sweet son Isaiah.  As a 15 year old who professes a personal relationship with God, he has come to realize that he is still on the throne of his heart and that his choices are leading him down the wrong path.  He has developed some very un-Christ-like habits, such as being disrespectful towards his teachers, belligerent in his words, actions that challenge authority, or what others might define as "normal teenage rebellion".  But in our opinion, we are not going to excuse his actions as the "normal teenage rebellion". We don't want to label it as a "phase".  We are taking steps to point him towards making Christ the center of his life.  Isaiah likes to blame others, make excuses, fake change, downplay his part in the problem, and the list can go on.  And at time, he has even feigned senility, stating that he can't remember exactly what happened.

So, I have been thinking a lot about choices we make, the desire to be obedient and the simplicity of discipline.  Christ is our perfect example. He was tempted in every way, but He stayed true to His calling and character.  He is the Son of God.  My son needs to realize that he has been transformed. He can't go back to being his old self.  II Corinthians 5:17 says,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. He is made new.  The old has passed away.  The new has come.  By his actions these past few years, he thinks that a butterfly can become a caterpillar and vice versa -- back and forth like changing clothes.  We are trying to help him see that once a butterfly, you can't be a caterpillar again. 

Don't get me wrong. Isaiah is a wonderful son and a talented young man.  I love him dearly. 

Here are just a few pictures of him.

This is my son -- a loving and sweet kid.  But with the phone calls that I've been getting and the changes that I have seen, it's been a matter of great concern for me. But one thing I cling on to -- GOD IS SOVEREIGN.  He gave Isaiah life and He put Isaiah into my life. He is the Author and the Perfecter. He is the One who is molding and caring for Isaiah.  I walk by faith. I walk in trust.

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I Love Taiwan!

Riding around on my scooter today, I realize again, how much I enjoy living in Taiwan.  My daughter and I were talking -- we better eat as many of our favorite items before we take off for the States.  Why?  Because what we love to eat here would cost a fortune in the States. For example, a 700cc of bubble milk tea -- Taipei 30NT$, USA 4US$ plus tax which would be about 120NT$.

Ten delicious water dumplings -- Taipei 50NT$, USA 6.95 US$ plus tax, which would be about 260NT$. (not to mention potstickers!)

These are just two food examples.

There are many other reasons why I love living in Taipei.  I can ride my scooter around. In the States, I have to drive and I don't enjoy driving. Most driving in the States would usually involve being on the freeway and that's just too fast for me.  And the distance is quite long -- a 20 minute drive in the States is nothing. Here in Taipei, it takes me like 7 minutes on my scooter to get to a pretty major supermarket and that's me riding slowly on my scooter.

My scooter is not like the one above.  It's more like this one --

But it works and it's great!

I also love that there are still gas attendants that fill up the gas for you.  They are friendly and helpful.  They don't clean your windshield but they always seem to have a great attitude and the service is fast.

Oh, how about finding someone to fix things? I have a guy who helps me to fix all kinds of household appliances and I won't even talk about the cost.  How about a handyman?  I can get the entire interior of my house painted for less than 1,000US$ and they will finish the job in three days and clean up the place for you!

I can go on and on... I am truly blessed to be living in the city where I was born. Yes, there are some disadvantages, but I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.  So, each time my mom asks me when I'll be returning to the States, I have to tell her -- Mom, I won't be returning to the States.  I will live in Taipei until the LORD calls me home or He leads me else where.







Okay... I was going to just cut and paste a few sample pictures of Taipei and I had to add one more FOOD ITEM that we love -- strawberry/mango shaved ice with sweet and condensed milk!!!!

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Christmas Every Day

I like to tell people -- celebrate Christmas every day!  Why not?  Christ came to be Emmanuel, God with us. With that truth I can celebrate the joy, hope, peace, love of Christmas every day.

So, I wish you all a blessed CHRISTMAS on this December 25th and every day of 2013 and on to eternity!




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The Run!

Today was the RUN.  I got up early to spend time with God. Can't do anything without time with God.  Before leaving, I called my mom since I knew I wouldn't be back until 3 or 4 in the afternoon, which would be too late to call her because of the time difference.  I rode my scooter over to JrShan MRT Station and caught the MRT to Danhsui. The weather didn't look too favorable, but I was trusting that the LORD would provide the perfect condition for the run!  I went to the Danhsui apartment to wait for the painter guy as I had to give him the rest of the payment. By 9:45 he still hadn't shown up, so I ran over to the Danhsui Church.  Benjamin was already across the street at the OK Mart for a cup of coffee. I bought a peanut butter sandwich since I knew I didn't have enough to eat for breakfast.  Just before 10a.m., we saw three people ride up. It was John, Ariel and Kylie.  YIPPY.  We prayed together, got someone to take a picture of us and Benjamin and I were off.  The bikers decided to go to the coffee shop at the MRT station since they had plenty of time.  I couldn't believe what Benjamin was wearing. He had on a pair of crocs and he was going to run carrying a huge umbrella.  He carried no water or snacks...

By my usual water filling station, Benjamin decided to keep going. (He cannot stop. Once he stops, he can't continue.) So, he ran ahead. I chatted with the guy at the bike rental place and continued on. While in the Shihlin area, the three bikers passed me. It was 12:00noon. I had been running for almost 2 hours.  It was sprinkling a bit, but not too bad. I actually liked having the water on my face as I was sweating a lot by then.  I told them that Benjamin was ahead of me.  I hadn't seen him.  I ran towards Tachih and suddenly, Benjamin showed up behind me. He had made a wrong turn.  He charged ahead and soon we were out of the River Park and going towards the JianNanRoad MRT Station.  The last four kilometers were fast.  We arrived at the HOP Office and the bikers were already there.  It was not yet 1:30!!!  We spent time in prayer.  The prayer time was not long, but I felt that there was such a sense of unity.  I know we all felt that the LORD carried us through.  It was not something we could have done on our own!

Ariel wrote this evening saying that her legs were sore but that this was a great experience. I agree.  I think running has helped me to press on, despite how I feel.  Running has helped me to take my eyes off of pain and look to Him to carry me.  I think running will help people to focus on obedience and discipline -- two very necessary components of a surrendered Christian Life.

Next December 24th... Hum?  I wonder if we'd do another PrayeRUN!!!!



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Treasures for Others

I have been collecting things at the HOP Office to donate.  I found out that there is a homeless shelter in Taipei. They need blankets, men's clothes, trial size toiletries, etc.  The HOP Office had accumulated quite a bit of stuff, but I could never get everything to the homeless shelter unless someone can drive me there.  This afternoon, I got Alan to help me out.  We went to the HOP Office, loaded up everything and he drove.  I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica and Ms. Yang.  We dropped off a computer desk, a computer, purses, bags, blankets, sleeping bag, toiletries, and clothes. I found out that they would take books, too. They need people to share during their evening Bible study that happens after dinner.  They have a piano, and Ms. Yang likes to write songs. She has written the words and she can sing the tunes, but she can't get the songs written on paper.  She can't read notes. I have asked her to record the songs and maybe someone from HOP can transcribe them
onto song sheets.  I hope to go over there again and give them all the books that we have at the Office.  They minister in Taipei, in China, in Tibet and in the Philippines.  I don't know how I can be of help but I love giving unwanted things to people who would treasure the items and find good use for them.  For example, Audrey had left a small white purse to give away. I took the purse out of the car and said, "Would you have need of this?"  Jessica said, "I could definitely use a small purse like that."  She loved the purse.  She will also be going to the States next year and so when I gave her the computer bag, it was exactly what she needed for her trip (John and Kathryn, I think the computer bag is from the two of you. So, another great gift for someone!!!, like the bag for David!)  HOP focus next year is the four L -- Love, Lord, Lost, Luke.  I think it means to Love the Lord, Lord of the Lost, and the Lost redeemed through the Book of Luke.  Of course, you can put those four L's in different formations, but the important truth is to live them out.  God has such a heart for those who are in need... and I believe He wants to use us to draw all people to come before His throne.

Here is the HOP 2014 logo designed by John:


The colors have different meanings... the tree in the background has meaning... I think even the 4 looks like a candlestick...with the cross in the middle...  I just love it.

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The True Meaning of Christmas

Today while on my scooter, I saw about 150 people getting out of the MRT dressed as Santa Claus. They were on their way to the "Christmas Run" held at the River Park that I usually do my prayer run.  All along the way, there were people dressed as Christmas tree, reindeer, wreath, and other decorative items, holding signs, directing people to the 'run'. This disturbed me.

Now, don't get me wrong... I don't have anything against a run or a charity event. What I don't like is when anything distracts from the true meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is about the birth of the Savoir, the coming of Christ, the Emmanuel, God with us.  And when I see the focus being taken away from what the angels proclaim -- "Good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Lord." --  then that disturbs me.

I want the world to celebrate the good news of great Joy that comes through knowing Jesus. I want the world to celebrate the Hope that comes through Jesus.  I want the world to celebrate the Love that comes through Jesus.  I want the world to know the greatest gift given on Christmas.  I want the focus to be back on Jesus.


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Long Run On A Cold Day

Every Saturday morning since October 5th, I have been taking my kids to their Pre-AP Class.  I park the car in the school parking lot and I would run to Danhsui and take the MRT back.  Since the end of November, I have been taking the MRT to Danhsui and running back to the car. 

The run today was an extremely difficult run.  It was VERY cold.  I felt as if my body was burning up all that I ate for breakfast just to generate enough heat.  It was 12 degree C according to the bulletin board at the MRT Station, but it felt like 9 with the wind blowing.  It didn't rain, so that was a praise.  But my nose was running and the sweat was getting into my eyes.  As I started to sweat, the wind would blow through my clothes and I felt colder and colder with every step I was taking.  I tried to miss all the puddles and then my mp3 ran out of battery.  I just had to keep praying. I thought I would never make it.  My kids were so patient as they got out early today.  I came home and took a hot shower! 

On Tuesday, I've invited people from HOP to do a prayerun -- from Danhsui to Neihu.  It will be almost twice the distance as what I have been running each Saturday.  I was told this evening at the Annual White Elephant Party that according to the weather report, 80% chance of shower. I looked at the forecasted temperature -- 14-17 degree C.  I am praying.  We are planning to run from 10-2p.m.  Why the run?  What does it symbolize?  I hope to answer those questions in one of my later posts.  But for now, I know there will be many things that will try to oppose or discourage us from doing this.  For me, I am determined to complete this run. It is an act of obedience. I didn't think I'd have time to do such a run before the end of the year. But God worked it out -- Alan has a day off on December 24th, so he can be home with Abby.  I know God is merciful and faithful.  He is also the Sovereign One. He is in control of the weather. So, even though the present weather report is not too favorable, I will "run" in trust. After today's experience, I already know how difficult it will be to have a long run on a cold day.  I also know that He is with me always and He will carry me through -- just as He did today.



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White Elephant Gift Exchange

I teach part time at Soochow University and I really wanted to give my students a FUN Christmas Experience.  We sang the 12 Days of Christmas.  We did the White Elephant Gift Exchange. And I told them the true meaning behind the celebration of Christmas.  The evening was a blast. Many of them took videos or pictures and posted them on their FB page. 

At House of Praise, it has become an annual tradition to have the White Elephant Gift Exchange Party.  Unfortunately, I have a bad reputation of bringing the worst gifts.  The funniest thing is that Alan doesn't know which ones are our "gifts".  This year, I'm going to show him so that he won't be picking our own "junk". And this year, I have toned things way down. I actually packed some nicer stuff.

Here is a picture from last year's party -- at least everyone is smiling.

 

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A-Team's 2013 Christmas Newsletter

"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD

AND SHALL BEAR A SON,

AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,"

which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Matthew 1:23







 

Isaiah turned 15 and is now a 9th grader.  He is looking forward to attending high school, but not the hurdle of the exams that needs to be crossed.  He is also seriously praying about which school he will be able to get into.  Some of the highlights for this year are going to the Laker's game, getting his first cast, joining the school wide athletic meet and the relay race (his class got second place and was very disappointed as they had won first place in 7th and 8th grade), winning first place for the school basketball tournament, driving a go-cart, and reaching the final round of the Northern Regional English Speech Contest.  The word for this new year is Renaissance, meaning 'new beginnings'.  The verse that he would like to focus on is Prov. 4:23 -- Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. His biggest prayer request is for the BIG EXAMS on May 17th and 18th.  He needs to do very well in order to attend his number 1 choice of high school.

Abigail turned 14 and is now in the 8th grade. She continues to do well in school and is liked by her classmates and teachers.  She tried out for the lead singer of the school's club band and will be performing at the Christmas Outdoor Concert on 12/22.  Some of her highlights are going to the One Direction Concert with her cousins this summer, her class winning first place in the relay, the best sportsmanship, and actually first place in every event.  She also won first place in the school wide English Reading Contest. The focus for this New Year is Fullness.  She would say that this past year has been one of Giving.  The verse that she likes to focus on for this New Year is I Peter. 2:2

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.  Her biggest prayer request is to continue to grow in her love relationship with God.



Lovely immensely enjoys her retired lifestyle.  She still does not seem to have the time to run 5 or 6 times a week. She is happy if she gets to have an hour run 3 to 4 times a week.  She stays busy with baking or cooking for the church's different events, speaking at HOP and other churches, taking care of the household needs, and teaching part time at Soochow University.  She wants to continue to be obedient to what the LORD wants her to do, no matter how impossible the task might seem when it is first put in front of her.  She has learned that God can do all things through her as she finished the long run in March.  The focus for this new year is Forever Redeemed, Forever Redeemer.  This year she wants to go back and review all the verses that the LORD has given her over these past 7 years. Her biggest prayer request would be that "God's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven".

 

To Alan this year has been a year of reflection, joy and challenges.   In March when his Dad passed away, it was a time for him to reflect over his relationship with his Dad and the influence his Dad had on those around him. There were so many fond memories of time he had with his Dad.  It was also a time of joy, knowing that his Dad was no longer suffering in his earthly body.  Furthermore, the year was filled with personal challenges as he realized how much influence a father has on his children's lives. He felt challenged to be more actively connecting with his children and to spend time with them.  He took steps in committing himself to spending time each morning to pray with Isaiah and to read the Bible together.  He has also started to meet regularly with the HOP Pastor and his fellow overseers  in order to challenge one another and to pray for one another.  The focus for this New Year is Discipleship.  The verses that he wants to focus on is -- Matt 28:18-20

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." His biggest prayer request would be to have wisdom as he grows in his relationship with his children, students at Soochow University where he teaches full time and those at HOP Church.  He wants to influence others to be more like Christ.

As we look towards 2014, please do pray that we will grow in our love for one another as a couple and as a family.  We also want to be a family that prays often and for all people and all things.  In addition, we want to be a family that walks in obedience, bringing glory to God. 

Our family verse for 2014 is -- Eph. 2:10 --

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 We want to wish you
Merry Christmas

Happy New Year

Happy Chinese New Year

and God's Best Always!

 

Seek Him First!

 



Two Other Events

In my post yesterday, I had mentioned that there were two other events in 2013 which I did not highlight through the pictorial.

One happened on 3/15 and the other happened on 8/7.

On March 15th, Alan's father passed from here into glory.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Dad Alagata. My kids loved hanging out with "Tough Grandpa". Being there in January/February, we knew his time on earth was coming to an end.  Still when it happened, it was 'unexpected'.  Alan flew home and stayed for a little over three weeks. 

There are so many cherished memories I have of Dad. I don't think I can add enough pictures to express my heart and feelings. 

In the summer, when we again went back to the States.  The task was to find a place for Mom Alagata to move to.  The event that happened on August 7th was that Mom sold her house (picture below)

 

 

 

and she and Aunt Ethel moved into a senior citizen community called 7 Oaks in Rancho Bernardo.  We said goodbye to the homes that Dad and Mom built and the neighbors who lived there in Chula Vista. For me, it signaled the end of a chapter as the home in Chula Vista was always the place we returned whenever we came back for a visit.


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Down Memory Lane of 2013

Last year at this time, I put together a collection of pictures from this past year.  So, here it is again -- a pictorial review of 2013 --

January -- We took our usual CNY Trip to the States.

February -- At Suz' for the most delicious breakfast and
being introduced to 'monkey bread' -- Happy Birthday Pam and Suz!

 March -- I ran the North.

Here I am 9 hours later at the 'finish line' in Keelung.

April -- Alan attended the Soochow Senior Play.

April -- Alan said goodbye to his best senior basketball players.

May -- We said good bye to "Rainbow"

June -- We were invited as a family to attend the Senior Banquet

July -- My dear friend, Angel, came for a visit with her two sweet kids

July -- Our usual summer trip to the States
But this time, my brother and his family came and we celebrated
his 50th birthday together!

August -- Upon our return, our dear friends, Cameo and Jeff, and their kids
came to Taiwan and it was our first time to meet their kids

September -- We bought our new car, "Lightning".

October -- I went back to teach part time at Soochow University and
Alan was again invited to be in the senior class pictures.



November -- The kids had their athletic meet.

November -- Another 'old' friend (Michelle Ko) came back for a visit!

December -- Alan down in Kaohsuing with the Soochow Faculty and
Staff Men Basketball Team.

December -- A special date at the Kitchen Table and it
was just the two of us!



There are two other events of 2013 which I have not mentioned in this pictorial post.  I will write about them tomorrow.

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