Civil Wedding...

Alan went to play tennis... but before he took off, he turned on the WiFi and watched the San Diego State basketball game... 

Isaiah had to work and Abby had her internship. I did a load of laundry and when Alan came home, he cleaned the bathroom.

Then we had our couple's devotional time before we headed out to Danhsui. We went to the Carrefour that was right next to the New Taipei Household Registration Office and had lunch and walked around. At 1:20, we went over there to check out the place. At around 2pm, the couple arrived with a few of their friends and the bride's sister. The registration procedure took a lot longer than we had planned as we had to get their Chinese name just right... 

At 4pm, we went to a small corner and had a Blessing Ceremony. We got both sets of parents on a line call. One set of parents was in New York. The other set of parents was in Swaziland. Alan MC the ceremony. We had three songs... and I shared from Deut. 4 and prayer of blessing by the bride's older sister, who lives in Taipei. We finished at 4:40 and headed back. Abby was home to get Mom and I had the dinner prepared before we took off this morning. What a day! I was hoping to run a few errands, but I couldn't until later on this evening!

We got back at 5:50! Abby then went for her workout. When Mom went to bed, I went to pick up library books and run those few errands, plus to go for a short run. Just 5k. No time... because... 

We had family time tonight... We needed to catch up as we didn't have family time last week as Isaiah was away! In fact, two weeks in a row he was gone... And we had our retreat... So, it was super nice to gather around and pray and catch up and read about CT Studd. We are almost finished with the book. Time to start another one!

Daily Lovely Insight:

For Family Night we finished the book about CT Studd, who was part of the Cambridge Seven who went to China and started the Worldwide Evangelistic Crusade. Here is a poem written by him. May God use it to speak to you!

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Seek Him First!