The Last Day of April

Today was another tremendous DAY!

Because I'll be gone by June 6th, one of my tutees asked for extra sessions. So, we had to make it on Sunday afternoon. I got everything ready for church and left it for Alan to bring.

I scootered over and tutored from 1:30 - 3:30 before heading to church!

For the Love Feast tonight, I wanted something light and easy so that people can mingle and talk. I ordered sandwiches and bought chips and made two kinds of drinks -- cocoa and milk tea! Delicious!

This was Pastor Matthew and Sherry's last Sunday. They ended the service by praying for everyone!

After I finish this post, I'm heading off to bed!

I can't believe it's May 1st tomorrow!

Seek Him First!


P.S. Thank you for noticing -- yes, the verse yesterday was in German. I did that on purpose as I try to keep up with the study of different languages!

Wedding Fun!

We went off to attend the wedding of a gal we have known since she was 15!

It was delightful to be asked to read the Scripture from I Cor. 13: 4-8, the Love Passage!

We, of course, saw old friends! It was a small wedding with a banquet following the ceremony!

And the best part was that we brought home lots of leftovers!

We will be eating well this week.

I asked Alan to drop me off near an MRT station and prayer walked the area before getting on a bike and rode home!

What a splendid day!

Oh... at the wedding, everyone asked about our kids as they weren't there.

Abby was at the cram school.

Isaiah was down in Miaoli, playing in a tennis tournament. He got third place! And his entire team did very well... coming in first, second and third in both the single and double matches!

Seek Him First!

Time to Rest & Hang Out with Alan

I started the day my usual way -- sitting with God! That's the best way to start every day!

Then I baked two pans of chocolate mint brownies to drop off to Candice, who I tutor on Wednesday! It's her birthday tomorrow!

When Alan came home, we headed out, dropping off things and going to Costco and RT Mart!

We had lunch at Costco and went home to start the dinner for the Overseers' meeting at our house. The menu was set as sloppy joes and salad and chips!

Alan and I went and visited a new 'mall' as there is a more elegant movie theater where you can rent. It's dinner and theater for about 25US$ per person! We're thinking of having a couples only core there!

The evening went well as sloppy joes were a hit! Oh, we also had root beer floats!

Seek Him First!

A Very Long Day!

I had to head out to Danhsui at 9:15 this morning as the technicians were coming to change the AC units in the apartment! I got there right around 10:47, just a few minutes late. They unloaded their stuff while I was upstairs moving things out of the way!

They started at 11am. The complex has a rule: No working during the lunch hour. So, they went out for lunch at 12noon. I used the time to clean the place a little as they had removed the screen and the window panes to get out to where the major machine was!

They got back and started at 1pm. While they were working, I helped my tenant to organize her cupboards. They didn't finish until 5pm! I then had to stay to put things back and to vacuum...

It was 5:30 when I started to head back to Neihu!

What a journey!

I biked part way. Walked. Took the MRT. Waited for the free shuttle bus that never came, so I decided to take a regular bus. It was better than standing and waiting in the rain! Walked some more and finally got home! How good it felt to be home! I forgot to mention that I was carrying about 10 kilos of stuff with me!

Isaiah and Abby came home on their own!

It was a very long day!

Seek Him First!

A Totally Different Kind of Day

Today was totally different from yesterday!

I got so much done.

Changed the kids bedding. Did a load of laundry. Met up with a friend for lunch. Mailed off Isaiah's 'refusal' letter. Paid for the A/C units that will be installed tomorrow at our Danhsui house. Got the refund check by bringing the correct ID card! Tutored at two different places.

I didn't go for a run! Didn't have time...

No word from Alan as this was a super busy day for him.

Isaiah tutored this evening and Abby went to cram school!

Is it already the end of April???

Seek Him First!

Didn't Get Much Accomplished Today!

I had promised a friend that I'd attend one of the exercise classes that she helps run. So, this morning, I went on the MRT and got there by 9:15. The class started at 9:30. It's called Power Fitness Yoga. I'm not into yoga! The bending and twisting are NOT for me!

My friend wanted me to go because she says it will help correct my lack of flexibility!

This place was packed!

Everything was very low impact and yoga was not the main thing. It was all about posture and form. The class was for two hours and I later found out -- each class is quite costly! And some of these people buy 100 classes! Even at 200NT$ per class, that's 200,000NT$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess for some people, it's an investment towards their health and fitness!

I didn't sweat much, but for dinner, I was super hungry!

My friend paid for my class, which I found out was 600NT$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I almost fainted!)

The instructor encouraged me to stretch more and gave me a free book of easy stretching exercises. And she kept telling me -- No more running! Running is not good for you. Do fast pace walking! That's better for your joints!

I sent a thank you message to this friend. But I can't see myself forking out the money or the time. I realized that I don't like the uniformity of attending such an exercise class! I don't like having to pay so much money when I can exercise for free! And I like being outdoors, biking or running, on my own. I like seeing the birds and feeling the wind! (It's more difficult to enjoy the outdoors in the summer months here in Taipei!) I realized that I like the alone time and I like the freedom of going when I have time. Exercise is not such a high priority on my list! Oh... yes, they have a monthly plan, which people really love! 7,000NT$ per month and they can attend however many classes as they like! But times that by 12 and that's 84,000NT$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok... After the class, I tried to find a part for an old rice cooker. The repair guy laughed at me!

I went and tried to get a refund check. When I called, the guy told me to bring the wrong ID card!

By then, I was feeling tired... so instead of trying to do a few more things, I headed home and fixed myself a big salad and took a nap!

The rest of the evening passed nicely as I got distracted with reading books that I had borrowed for Isaiah, trying to get him into some of the novels he will be reading when he starts university!

Alan's team did not make it into the final round for the speech part of the competition. Tomorrow is the debate competition!

Abby went to her cram school this evening and biked and walked back so that she can get some exercise!

Seek Him First!

A Relaxing Day with A Run and Running Errands

Today turned out to be such a fantastic day!

In the morning, it was drizzling and Alan had to pack as he will be with the team for most of this week! The BIG COMPETITION is here!

I worked on my sermons from the book of Luke and did quite a bit of inputting and editing.

By 2pm, I went out for a run as the rain had stop and I knew, if I didn't go, I would not have the time.

I did my usual 10km and took a quick shower before heading out again to run errands. I had to pick up a huge pot in order to return it to the restaurant. I had a bag of stuff to donate, which I dropped off. And then I had a rice cooker pot to return to the church!

I had soup cooking in the crock pot and leftovers still in the frig! YIPPY!

Isaiah called for pick up at 7.

Abby called for pick up at 8.

We all had dinner at home!

The evening was spent, each doing our own thing! I looked at other possible places to buy. Isaiah was on his cell phone and the same with Abby!

I called Alan at 10:33 to ask how things were going! They were enjoying an evening snack from the Shihlin Night Market... ha, ha, ha...

Seek Him First!

The Growing Church at NBBC

I spoke at NBBC this morning and the church has grown to over 20 people!

The new pastor is doing great. She has made many improvements!  And there is love feast after the service every Sunday!  I put together my first ppt file in Chinese and it really went well!

One of the members is a high school student like Isaiah. And he is Number 7 on the waiting list. But the first 9 people who are accepted also got accepted to better schools and will most likely take the better school. So, he is most likely 100% in! What great news!

I came back and got ready to go to House of Praise.

Alan came back right about 2pm. His team did not win so he got home in time to go to church! YIPPY!

Abby also got to church at around 6pm, just in time for HOP Love Feast!

Tonight we again had our family prayer time.

So wonderful to be together!

But Alan will be going to stay with his team on Monday and Tuesday nights!

Seek Him First!