Old Piano in A New Home

On Friday we got a piano from our dear friends who are leaving Taiwan.  We paid only for the cost of moving it, which was 2,000NT$. The piano was completely free. And tonight I heard the story that goes to this old piano.  It was in a church for more than 20 years, used to bless the congregation as many pianists played a variety of hymns on it throughout the years.  When the church moved, they decided to give this old piano away and that's when it ended up in our friends' home. The strings and the pads are so old they didn't think it was worth repairing.  She had it tuned when it was moved to her house and the piano tuner said, "It's not worth tuning as you're not going to get any better sound from it."  She needed a piano to practice on as she was serving as a pianist at a Korean church.  Now that she was leaving, it would be so sad to just trash it.  But she warned us that the sound was not precise and can't be tuned.  Abby played on it at her home and we decided to take it.  Well, it seems to like our home as it sounds wonderful. Yes, there are a few notes that at times seem to have an extra TWANG. But my kids are enjoying this old piano. And Alan and I love listening to them as they play. 

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Lead On Lord

It's already the end of November.  2014 is just around the corner. 

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.  As I look forward, I always pray for God to lead me!  He is my Shepherd and I am His sheep!

As He has in the past, so He will continue to carry me through each day.  I don't know what tomorrow might bring, but I know the One who has tomorrow in His hands and I can rest in His goodness. He has promised to be with me always. I can count on that!

The verse that comes to mind is -- Isaiah 40:31



With each new sunrise and sunset, may we see His hands and wait upon Him to lead us on!



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Give Thanks

I couldn't let the day go by without talking about giving thanks... not just on the fourth Thursday in November, but every day.  Here in Taiwan, Thanksgiving is not celebrated. And there won't be long line at the stores for the Black Friday Sales.  But restaurants are beginning to serve turkey dinner. And you can usually find pumpkin pies for sale at some bakeries that cater to foreigners.  Some supermarkets will even take orders for baked hams or roasted turkeys.  We don't do much.  This year, Thanksgiving happened to be on my daughter's 14th birthday. So, that was fun.  Alan's school had a Thanksgiving Luncheon, so he brought back two sets of turkey bones.  We will have turkey soup in December. YUMMY!  But the food is not the most important thing to celebrate.  The sales are not the most important thing.  I think the most important thing is to take time to reflect and give thanks. 

All we are and have is a gift from above.  We need to be appreciative.  We need to express our gratitude more often.  Take time each day to give thanks. Make it a daily habit.  I think it's a habit that will bear precious fruits.


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One Reason Why I Love Taiwan

 

 
You might not understand how these pictures show the reason why I love Taiwan. 

Where else can two teenagers without a license get to drive these great super fast go-carts around a slick track on a rainy day for only 10 US$? 

Where else can two teenagers drive without any protective gears?

Where else can two teenagers drive without previous experience or lessons?

The track was so slick you just spin as you round each curve and sometimes, you crash.  It was a lot of fun!  No one was worried about getting sued.  No waiver to sign. You pay. They put you in the go-cart and you GO!!!

Where else can a junior high school athletic day have events such as Frisbee toss and pass the hula hoop as class activities?

The Frisbees were flying every where... and it was FUN.

The kids had to thread the hula hoop all the way down the line, exchange for a smaller hula hoop and thread it back.  It was FUN!

I LOVE TAIWAN!

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Glad that Unused Things Are Being Used

After getting lots of Korean food items, I wonder what I'd do with them.  My kitchen counter was lined with bottles and jars.  My freezer was filled with bags and containers.  It occurred to me that we have a neighbor from Korea. So, I gave them a call and they were delighted to take all the items and were so happy as the items will be used in the things they cook.  Then I received an email from Eva my sweet co-worker who is from the Philippines and was collecting blankets, clothes and stuff animals for those who were seriously hit by the recent typhoons.

Eva wrote: "It all started with a small, very quick presentation in a Department of Applied English, Ming Chuan University faculty meeting. Originally, planned for two boxes, the overwhelming response included donations of goods (blankets, rice, instant noodles, used clothes, etc) and cash from faculty members, staff and students of the University. Then, with the help of Linda Lin and Lilibeth Tan from the Taipei European School, and Lovely Ko from her church, Maribeth Sun and Emma Almonte Cheng from their Kweishan friends, Jacky from the China Post. We ended up with seven jumbo boxes. We will be sending the left-over cash to purchase school supplies for children. MCU students (Andrei Maier, Vencia, Sherry, Nguyen and my son, Joshua and best friend, Lily helped in the packing. So, now the boxes are off to the province of Antique for delivery direct to the victims of Yolanda. Duro gid nga salamat (many many thanks to all)

How delightful to know that unused things we have in our home are being used to bless others.  Let's be generous in our giving... as our God is so generous with us.

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The Mess in My Living Room

Well... my living room is not usually like this.  But so many things are happening this month.  We are collecting blankets for the Philippines and thus, I cleaned out every nook and cranny that might have a blanket.  We donated about 30 blankets plus some stuff animals and the blankets that are still here in our living room are the ones we're going to keep for the Danhsui House. That goes for the two fans as well.  Then I went and found all these CD players and DVD players that have something wrong which I haven't had time to figure out what is wrong.  So, they are waiting to be fixed.  We also have friends who are going to move to Korea, so I am helping them sort through things, trying to give things away that are still useful since we are really not into wasting anything.  The sofa is going to be moved since we will be getting an old piano. The piano will be coming on Friday, but the sofa won't be going until the end of December.  The living room will be quite "interesting"... and we haven't even taken out the manger scene we like to display each year during this special season...  When the living room gets back to "normal", I will take another picture. 

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Things People Do

Krispy Kreme opened a donut shop in the wealthy district of Taipei.  For the grand opening, they gave away a dozen donuts... I don't know to how many people. But our friends actually went and waited for three hours and got the free dozen.  They actually gave us 5 of the 12 donuts they got!!!  In fact, as I am typing this post, I am eating one with a cup of coffee.  They will officially open on 12/12 and again be giving away free dozen donuts and you can become their gold, silver or bronze member.  I have no idea what that would mean.  Alan and I are not even into Krispy Kreme donuts. We usually bring back four dozen donuts from the States and stash them away to enjoy throughout the months until we are back again.  But I must say... a fresh donut tasted quite good.  I savored every bite. But would I wait in line for three hours??? NO WAY!!!  Thank you Dear Friends. They came last night and the donuts are all gone as of typing time. I ate the last one.

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Footprints in the Sand

These last few weeks have been extremely busy. How I have needed to lean more into my LORD and as I do I have found Him to be ever so faithful.  When I face fears and worries, I know He carries me.  When I feel so tired and wonder what to do, I hear Him calming my heart and His Word has been my Firm Foundation.  One day while trying to get things done, I tripped on the stairs going up our local supermarket. I didn't even notice that my entire credit card holder had slipped out of my purse because I was so worried about the eggs that I was carrying.  The eggs were all okay, but my credit card holder was gone.  In life's big and small problems, I cry out to Him and He is God and He leads me through. I hope this picture and this song will speak to you about who God is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NHyK8WKcGo

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I Love Thursdays

Most people love Friday or Saturday or Sunday. But I have come to love Thursday. It's the day that both of my kids are home.  They usually have piano class in the morning and then we run errands together. Today we went to drop off things to donate for the Philippines and then went to pick up things at my dear friend's Rita's place.  We sorted through bags of things to give away and went through our entire house, looking for blankets which are also for donation.  Lunch was Chinese fried noodles made by Rita.  Very delicious.  The kids finally started on their homeschooling assignments at 2:30.  I worked on my talk for Sunday while they sat across from me at the dining room table. On Thursday evening, they both have to go to cram school, so I drop them off and then go for a quick run.  I'm back at the cram school to pick up Abby by 9:20. Alan picks up Isaiah and we're all home by 10 and we eat a "late night snack" of some sort.  Thursday just flies by... The kids and I always find something interesting to do. 

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The Mom I Know and Love

Tonight for class, we talked about our childhood.  And as I thought back about my childhood, I remember so many wonderful things about my sweet mom.

I have been calling my mom every day since I got back from the States in August.  Our conversations can be 2 minutes or 20 minutes or longer.  We talk about the same things -- what Little House on the Prairie did she watch, what did she eat, did she go to the workout room.  There are many strange antics that she now has.  There are many things she cannot remember. But in my mind, she will always be the greatest mom. I often cry as I pray for my sweet mom. She is funny and I have so many wonderful adventures together with her.  She backpacked around Europe with me and my brother and my sister when I was living there for a year.  We went to China together.  She worked hard to make ends meet when my parents were divorced.  She took us horseback riding. She took us ice skating. She tried to play tennis. 

I will be going back to the States for Chinese New Year and we're planning to take her up to San Francisco and down to San Diego. She is so excited about those trips. I am excited about the trips as well. I know there will be difficulties, but when I reflect back, I know it will only be the happy moments of being together that I will remember. 

 

How many pictures can I upload to show you the wonderful mom I know and love?

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Lime Pie "Creation"

Today for our Bible study I decided to make something different.  Looking at what I had, I decided to make "lime pie".  What ingredients did I gather together for this Lime Pie Creation?

One package of lime jello
Half a can of sweet and condensed milk
Milk
Two eggs
Sugar
Flour
Custard Powder
Crumbled graham crackers
Diced pineapples
Water

I whipped the ingredients together, put it in a pie dish and baked for 45 minutes.  When I took it out, I asked my son to try a bite.  My daughter and husband were sitting around the dining room table.  Before I can dish some out to bring with me to the Bible Study, the pie was ALMOST completely devoured.  It was DELICIOUS. Wish I had time to take a picture to post... so I found one on the internet...

I enjoy making up recipes... and wondering what will come out of the oven.  And I love seeing how much my family enjoy the results.

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Strange Things Happening All The Time

Living in Taiwan you get to see some strange things... Here is one example --

And this was at a construction site right near our complex.  Imagine my surprise when I was trying to get home and the street was blocked off.  I then spotted three newscaster trucks parked by the side of the road.  I look towards the direction of their camera and saw what I captured on camera.  No one was hurt and it took many engineers to figure out how to remove the crane without causing further damage to the apartment... and that apartment was for rent. I don't think it will be rented out for a while as there might be some structural damage.  The crane just toppled over.  Looking at the construction site, it reminded me of how we are to build our house. If we build on sand, things can so easily come tumbling down. God wants us to build on the FIRM FOUNDATION of HIS TRUTH. 

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An "Easy As Pie" Pie Crust Recipe

Well... after posting about baking my own pumpkin pie, my sweet mother in law sent me this recipe which I had to share with others... It beats even 2US$!  I haven't tried it yet, but I am sure it will be easy and delicious. 

MIX IN PIE PAN CRUST

1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. sugar or 2 envelopes sweetener
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cooking oil
2 tsp. milk
Press in pie pan. Bake at 350 deg. or until brown (about 10 minutes).

If you have any delicious and easy recipes, please do share them with me.


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The Simple Recipe

Costco no longer sells pumpkin pies during this holiday season. I was shocked.  We have always bought our pumpkin pies from Costco. What a deal as they were big and delicious and quite inexpensive.  We went there several times and no pumpkin pie...So, I decided to call and find out if we had to order them.  The lady told me the sad news -- for this year, Costco would not be making or be selling pumpkin pies... So, I got on line and found a simple recipe... with less than 5 ingredients... I decided to make them.  The time it took to bake one was what took the longest... everything else was easy.  And I found a place that sells ready made crust for about 2US$ each.  This made me think about when we face obstacles or difficulties.  We are paralyzed, trying to figure out what to do.  Instead we need to get on line, not on the computer, but on line with God.  Go to Him. Often times, He has already prepared a way to overcome the problem... It might take time. It might take some waiting.  But it might be as simple as a less than 5 ingredients pumpkin pie. 

 

"Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer."

 

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Every Perfect Gift Comes from Above

It's November... Most people think of Thanksgiving... and for me, it's more than that.  For in this month, I celebrate the gift of my children.  Tonight, we went to a Korean Restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Next Friday, we will go to an Italian Restaurant to celebrate my son's birthday. My son is turning 15. My daughter is turning 14.  I celebrate their birth not just in November. Each night when I tuck them into bed (yes, I still tuck them into bed) and pray over them, I am filled with awe.  It is true, every perfect gift comes from above... I retired early so that I can spend more time with them. And that's one decision I will never regret, no matter how many times people tell me, "Oh, why did you retire so early?  To give up such a great job and the nice salary..."  Sorry... you don't know what I have in exchange for that great job and the nice salary... memories... memories that money can never buy... Yes, there are times when I am physically exhausted from the tasks involved in parenting... Yes, there are times when they don't seem to appreciate what I do for them... And yes, there are times when they act up or talk back...  But as I look back over the years... I must say, the good outweighs the bad a million to one...

 

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The Penalty of Following The Crowd

After living in Taiwan for the past 27 years, I have caught a very bad habit.  I don't even blink when it comes to parking on the sidewalk of Taipei.  Oh... for those who don't know -- I have been riding a scooter for the past 7 years. I still pray whenever I am on a scooter. I still ride very slowly. (Sometimes my kids tell me that they can run faster!) I love riding my scooter around.  It's so convenient when I want to run errands or go and buy things at the local supermarket.  I love the convenience of being able to park it anywhere, or so I thought! 

About two weeks ago I took Abby to the local clinic to get her eyes check.  When I came out, I saw a little white paper taped to my scooter.  Hum?  What can that be?  The person next to me said, "Oh, you're going to get a ticket in the mail.  They came and took a picture of your scooter parked on the sidewalk.  It's going to cost about 300NT$."  What?  That's 10US$.  But there were about 20 other scooters parked on the sidewalk?!?!?!  As I looked, I noticed that every one of them also had a white paper taped on them. Just the other day, I received the ticket.  WAHHHHH... It was not for 300NT$. It was for 600NT$!!!!  For a person who strongly dislikes wasting, it was difficult to fork out the money. But I learned my lesson -- it isn't always wise to follow the crowd. 

I think that's true in life, too.
Swim upstream.
Make choices contrary to what's popular.
Do the godly thing.
Go the extra mile. 
And park where you're supposed to park.

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11.12.13

 

I heard on the radio that many couples are choosing to get married today as the numbers are all lined up, even though it's a Tuesday.  Those numbers are pretty special.  But I realize that it's not in the date you choose... it's in how you choose to live each day.  Choose to live with eternal perspectives and the glimmering things of this world won't blind your eyesight to the true glory that only eyes of faith can see.
 


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2013 HOP Family Clean Retreat

The last activity at the retreat was to make several creative bars of soap... What some people are holding in their hand is the final result.  We had a wonderful time... but the time together was way too short!

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Main Events for October

So, what did happen back in October?

Isaiah and Abigail were recommended for this Pre-AP English Program and after a brief conversation with several English teachers, they were accepted into the program which takes place every Saturday morning from 9-12noon.  They love what they are learning and doing in class.

Lovely had several dear friends leaving Taiwan.  One went back to South Africa and a family of four returned to North America.

Alan was in charge of the annual White Sunday which is a Samoan tradition of letting children lead the service.  He did a fantastic job and the entire service was filled with the joy of the family feel.

Isaiah and Abigail took their first set of exams.  They did fairly well considering that they are partly homeschooled.  Abigail had a perfect score for her English exam.

Lovely was invited to speak at a Chinese church for three consecutive Sundays. Only by God's continual presence and promise did she get through this challenging task.

Finally, we had some great time with different visitors who came through Taiwan.  We enjoyed seeing Phil and Fran who are now in England.  Angel came through for a very fast visit.

Overall, the month was a blast... except for one thing -- Lovely got a ticket for parking her scooter on the sidewalk.  The ticket came -- 900NT$ (30US$). For Lovely, it's a tremendously HUGE amount of money.  She is going to scan the ticket and post it for all to see in November!  The ticket came with a picture of her scooter... Now, there were about 20 scooters on the sidewalk and they all got a ticket. And, she would have left just in time but a woman fainted while she was leaving so she stayed to help get the woman into a wheelchair!  That was when the cops came to ticket everyone...

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Could NOT Blog for October -- REALLY!

I tried to get on during the month of October and for some reason, it would not let me post anything -- not a word, a picture or even a title!  So, please... I will post a few more items for the month of November.

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