Back By The New Year!

What a lightning trip!

What did I do in these past two weeks?

I attended a wonderful Christmas celebration and brunch at Mom Bea's church.

I had time to chat with Alden's family.

I saw Jenny's second grand child and hung out with Frank and their family.

I went to Target, Ralph's, Salvation Army, JC Penny, and ate out -- all only ONCE. At Target, I bought two CDs. At Ralph's, I bought a few items from the Manager's Special area. At Salvation Army, I bought an electric paper shredder for only 3.67US$. At JC Penny, I bought 10.39US$ worth of things and paid only 39cents as I had a 10$ coupon. 

I had breakfast at Mimi's with Suz and Pam and on another day, I had lunch at my favorite ramen place with Angel.  Heather Taguchi came over and hung out. Adele and Annie came over and hung out.

The rest of the time was spent cleaning and helping.

I got back to Taipei by 9:35 and was out by 10:01. Alan, Abby and Jane came by 10:35 and we were back in our front door by 11:05. I unpacked and we watched the Taipei 101 fireworks from our living room windows!

Yes, Happy New Year! How nice to welcome 2016 sitting in my own living room and to write this last entry!

Seek Him First!

The A-Team 2015 Christmas/Year-End Newsletter

Since I will be going to the States tomorrow and not have internet access for two weeks, I decided to write our annual newsletter today. I re-read our newsletter from last year and am astounded by how this year, like the many previous, has flown by so quickly!

Our 2015 Annual Family Portraits --



When Alan reflects over 2015, he would describe it as 'different'. One main reason is that we can no longer go back to the States as a family. Abby stayed in order to prepare for her high school entrance exam. Isaiah stayed to practice with his tennis team. Because of the experience we had with Isaiah's test results, Alan was also quite anxious about Abby's high school situation. After the test, it was a tense time trying to help Abby choose and rank her choices. Once everything was 'sent', Lovely took Abby back to the States for almost three weeks. Alan then went back on his own and had opportunities to visit and see old friends that he had not been in contact with for over 15 years.  He also spent time with his mom and Aunt Ethel. With two kids in high school, he can't believe that maybe in another two years, he might be having one of his children as a student in the university where he teaches. He is beginning to feel old.  He has continued to spend time each morning praying and reading God's word together with Isaiah. This has enriched their father-son relationship. With Abby, he has enjoyed seeing her mature and become a young woman with a servant's heart filled with inspiring creative songs. Although this season has given him more time to spend with Lovely, he also feels a bit sad thinking about how fast his kids have grown up. Looking into 2016, he again will take two trips to the States. Hopefully, in the summer, Abby will be able to go with him (if she passes all her classes). Isaiah and Lovely will stay in Taiwan as Isaiah again has tennis practice. Alan hopes to grow in his understanding of God's truth and be able to pass that on to his kids and the men around him. The verses he wants to focus on are Prov. 1:4-5 -- To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.

Isaiah learned a lot from being a part of the Nanhu Tennis Team this past year. One particular senior, Leo, was a great encouragement to him as he learned from Leo's example of how to be a better leader. He is grateful that for the first two big exams of the first semester in 2015 he was able to be ranked number 1 in his class. Overall, he has grown a lot in his tennis skill, and in his maturity and independence as he has traveled quite a bit in Taiwan this past year. This has helped him realize that the developement of character is something that cannot be bought with money. As he looks towards 2016, one highlight is that he will be turning 18. He also hopes to maintain his grade point average and class ranking. The verse that he would like to highlight is Col. 3:23 -- Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,


Abigail has had a very blessed year as she took the high school entrance exam in May and tested into the school she wanted -- Nanhu Senior High School.  But the process of getting there had been filled with lots of stress.  During that time (which she considered to be the "Dark Ages of Abby"), she learned to trust in the Lord and never give up.  After taking the entrance exam, it was a busy summer for Abby (a period which she describes as the "Rennaissance of Abby"). She attended many Christian camps.  Whether it was to serve as a volunteer or being the camper, Abby learned to love others and find rest and peace in God.  In September, school started for Abby.  She enjoyed meeting her new classmates in the English Elite Class and to find her way around the new campus. It was a little difficult for her to get used to her busy high school life, but through God's grace, she has adjusted well.  In November, it was her sweet16th birthday. In addition she won second place in an English speech contest! Another highlight for her has been the start of her composing career. Yes, she has started to write and sing her own songs, even at church. As she looks towards 2016, she hopes to invite at least two classmates to her youth group or a Christian camp. She wants to write more inspirational songs. Finally, the verses Abby would like to focus on are Proverb 29:23, 25~26 -- "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor...The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.  Many seed the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice."
 

Lovely continued to speak at New Beitou Baptist Church and House of Praise. She also helped those at NBBC to begin to prayer walk the area as part of their morning worship service. This past year she was able to ask that every 5th Sunday be set aside as a Prayer Walk Sunday. Even though the congregation is small, she knows God works through the prayer of His people.  With both kids in high school, she started tutoring.  For her, being in Taipei this summer was a "new" experience. She survived! It was unbearably hot but she enjoyed being with her kids. As she looks towards 2016, her heart is more than ever drawn towards prayer. Both Taiwan and the States will have their presidential election. She clings to the truth that God is sovereign. The theme the Lord gave her for this new year is "I love you, LORD!" from the verses in Psalm 116:1-2, "I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."

As a family, we have chosen

Psalm 139: 23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

As we draw closer to Christmas day, we just want to lift up the name of Jesus. He is the Name above every name. And one day, every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus. How we pray that those knees will bow now, on this side of eternity!

Please do remember us in your prayer. We want to live for Jesus and influence others to know and love God.
Merry, Merry Christmas...

Seek Him First!