Three Weeks Already

Yes, it’s been three weeks since my last blog post! People have been asking, what have you been doing?

The answer - A LOT!

Upon arrival, I was feeling totally sick! That night my mom was higher than a kite and would not sleep! She walked on top of Isaiah’s shins and tweeked her back! Early that morning with almost no sleep we took off down to San Diego! We had the rehearsal and the dinner that evening! Because the wedding was at a park, it was one of the hottest weekend in the history of San Diego! We were melting ! Mom Bea almost fainted in the parking lot and was talking about not attending the wedding! We went to dinner at the groom’s house where pizza was served! We met so many wonderful people!

The next day we were up early! I went in search of a misting fan but did not find one! I did go into a Mediterranean grocery store that had a deli! They had the most amazing food! I wanted to have lunch there but there was no time! I said a prayer, hoping to be back for a meal! (The Lord answered! Read on to find out the rest of this story!)

We were at the park by 3:15 and Mom Bea did join us! It was hot but not as bad as the day before - thankfully! Alan did a wonderful service and the party with tacos was fabulous! My sister and KR and two of their boys and my mom were all there! But mom was not her usual self!

After that busy weekend, which we didn’t even have time to celebrate Alan’s 60th, we took the time to rest! For Alan that meant getting up each morning to play three hours of tennis! Abby started her swimming routine and I started my 30 minutes of running six days a week! Isaiah was going with Alan for tennis, not every day but at least three days a week! We weren’t sleeping much but I started taking vitamin C and lots of EmergenC and Airborne! Mom Bea also had a list of things to do so I started by showing her how to get pictures downloaded and blogging each day! We also went over to hang out with Alden as he still was on vacation! Each day I tried to get one job done as I knew Alan would not get to them! I also borrowed DVDs from the clubhouse and enjoyed lounging around at the house in the evening! We went to Seaport Village! We went shopping at the second-hand stores! I was in search of a second-hand soda stream, but still have not found one! I did find a coffee maker for the church! At the second-hand store for 50% off!

We went to eat lobster at the Boat House! We went to Black Angus for Mom Bea’s birthday dinner! Alden and Gina had us over for an amazing dinner celebration for Alan and Mom Bea’s birthday! We drove to Jamul to see Aunt Ethel’s grandson’s new piece of property! And Isaiah and Abby both got their hair done by cousin Hailey!

The list of tasks is finished!

Today I spent the day organizing our stuff as we leave tomorrow for our family trip to Northern California! It will be another three weeks brfore I blog again! Yes, it’s true! In three more weeks we will be heading back to Taiwan! I know these next three weeks will be filled with lots of God’s special moments!

So, the rest of the story...

Last night we were invited to have dinner at Daniel and Jamie’s house! They are amazing hosts and Jamie always blesses us with a Chinese feast! When we arrived, on their dining room table was three big take-out containers! I thought she probably went to a Chinese restaurant as she had to work all day! When we sat down, Jamie said, “Clara and I love this little cafe near her art school. We used to go there and buy their flat breads and eat them hot on the way home! It’s not even a restaurant but more like a deli that’s right near our house. I hope you like Mediterranean food!” She lifted one of the lids and it was filled with basmati rice! I chimed in, “Is it right next to Big Lots?” “ You know this place?” I couldn’t believe it! As she lifted each lid, she had bought all the items that I love! Even the yogurt dip and the hummus and the cucumber salad! God heard my simple prayer and inspired Jamie to go there... She was going to make Chinese food when the Lord reminded her of this place! Truly amazing! I felt like God just wrapped His arms around me and gave me a big hug and kiss! I love ethnic food and that’s one thing I don’t get much of in Taiwan! And for three weeks we’ve been eating at home or at American restaurants and the Lord worked it out... and what an amazing evening we had - feasting and catching up and their kids taught us a great card game called Red! We didn’t want to say goodbye!

I think I’ve rambled on long enough... hopefully it’s three weeks worth! Until August 16 or so...

Seek Him First!

All Packed & Almost Ready To Go

As expected, it was another extremely busy day...

In the morning, I met up with a dear friend to help her sign into our household report! Then, I rushed back as Abby and Mom had their hair appointment at 11am! Three hours later... we were headed back home for a quick lunch and then Mom went off to her exercise class while I got busy with packing.  At 5pm, the people who will be staying at our house while we are away came over. We had a delicious dinner together and I asked Abby to buy all the bubble milk tea drinks and shaved ice. We also had a birthday celebration...

They left at 8pm and I went out for a run at 9. 

There was still laundry to do and last minute cleaning and organizing...

Tomorrow morning I ordered a van to come at 9am to take us to the airport... We will stop in Korea for 4 hours (and I hope to get my 30 minute run in at the Incheon Airport) and then fly to Los Angeles. I think Mom is going to love being on the plane again... I hope I can get some rest...

Until my next post...

Seek Him First!

Two Bible Studies Day

Since I'll be gone for over six weeks, I met with both of my Bible studies today... One at 10am and the other at 7pm... I'm blessed to be with these sisters...

In between, I ran errands and packed! I had to mail a package for my brother and get our passbooks updated and changed! I had to call the credit card companies to ask what our total bill will be so that I can put in extra money since we won't be here for the next billing period... Oh, did I tell you that our rental property needs a new air conditioner and the people above have bad bathrooms? Yes... just a few more things to take care of before getting on that plane... Not to mention that I have friends who are coming and they want to sign into our 'housing report'... That will be a job for tomorrow...

What were the kids doing?

Abby got her nails and eyelashes done. (She and my mom will get their hair done tomorrow!)

Isaiah hung out with his girlfriend all day...

In addition to all the 'running around', I went for a quick run... yes, in the heat...

Our living room is 'packed' with suitcases... The kids still have not put out the clothes that they want to pack... But I have piles of things sorted... Tomorrow will be our packing day... plus last minute errands...

And I have a family of three coming over for dinner... I've already got the meal cooked...

Seek Him First!

Picking Up More Things for Donation!

I finished getting rid of things for our upstairs neighbors!

And I got another call from another friend who had things to give away... Could I drive down to her house to pick up the donations? So... while my mom was at her afternoon exercise program, I headed down to the center of Taipei and picked up everything. She had a mini crock pot. I decided to keep it. And she had a four slice toaster... Alan said he wants that... God continues to provide.

Alan's students came over and I had made more than enough food! So, we will have leftovers for the Bible study tomorrow! And perhaps even enough for Wednesday. I don't think I'll need to cook for the rest of the week!

Abby got home from her retreat, totally exhausted.

I had time for a run while the students were practicing their debate.

Just a few more days...

Seek Him First!

A Much Busier Day than I Had "Planned"

It has been an extremely long and busy day...

I slept only three hours...

Mom was up at 5:30 and yes... it was a big big mess...

I had to send her into the shower and soak her PJ and clean the entire bathroom...

Then, a friend emailed me to let me know that she has shoe cabinets to give away... Can I come today to pick them up? I sent Alan over...

Then, our upstairs neighbor knocked on our door at around 8:30. His tenants moved out and left a lot of stuff... Can I go up to take everything away for donation? Today!

I had planned to ride over to this one particular store in Shihlin to buy some specialty snacks for a friend in the States. So, off I went at 10am. The store opens at 10:30.

When I got back, Alan was back with the shoe rack and we started cleaning out and throwing out our old one.

By 1:30, it was time for Mom's lunch and we all napped for 30 minutes before church. I had to translate... and of course, we always help out with setting up and cleaning up after the service and love feast.

This evening, after church, we had to go to Costco as Alan had invited students to come on Monday night. He wanted me to make my famous Mexican food and brownies... And it's no fun going to Costco on a Sunday evening! Getting the items was fast... checking out and getting out was not!

I asked two friends to come over to help me clean out our neighbor's house! We were finished by 10:30pm, and we had the car loaded up to do two trips for donation!

I had brought down some stuff that couldn't be donated... laundry detergent, cleansers, etc. After two hours of sorting and I also had laundry to fold... I'm sitting down now to write this post!

I'm ready to hit the sack... Yes, I think these next four days will be the same like today... Thank you, Jesus... You carried me through!

Seek Him First!