A Surprising Day!

When I looked at my calendar for this week, I thought today would be horrific... busy, busy, busy... 

I think the Lord did it... He worked... 

I had to drive down to the southern part of Taipei and I was so nervous about getting lost. I am using one of the old phones with Abby's SIM card so that I can use the data. That phone has no volume. But surprisingly, when I used the GPS, it had volume! So, I could listen and follow the direction and got to the place without getting lost! The YWAM couple was there already and had loaded up their two vans. They helped to load up my pieces. And amazing, there were two bar stools and the lady said I could have them! And they all fit in the back of my car! I was finished by 10:40 and drove home!

That gave me time to make dinner in the crock pot before meeting up with a sweet sister for lunch. She's struggling... but she always treats me to the most exquisite restaurants and insists on paying! So, needless to say, the lunch was absolutely amazing! And she forced me to take home all the leftovers.

I then headed to Carrefour as I want to mail another package for Abby. Her birthday is coming up and she still has not received my first package. I got instant noodles and snacks that she likes. I was home by 3pm. I put everything away and rested a bit. Then by 3:40, I was off for my 60 minute run! 9kms in the rain! Splendid!

I had no time for a long relaxing shower... as Mom was going to be back. Sure enough, I dried my hair, put her dinner in the microwave and the phone rang! Time to go downstairs!

Tonight I didn't have tap... I love tap, but I think an evening home was even better!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm preparing for my talk on November 27th. And I found a great book by Stephen W. Smith, the Lazarus Life: Spiritual Transformation for Ordinary People. I think the premise of his book is that we are all Lazarus and we all need Jesus to call us out of our tomb and live a resurrected life! It's another book that I'd like to find and read! 

Seek Him First!

Preaching Today!

Yes, I preached last week and I preached again today! The Lord carried me through... 

This morning, I went out early to run errands. Then came back and got Mom up.

Alan and Isaiah were home, so they stayed with Mom while I went to World Gym to do a treadmill walk! I didn't have time to do weights... 

Then it was home to get things together before leaving for church. We try to get to church early to set up! I love it... 

We had a smaller group together. After we got back, I put things away, took care of Mom, and then arranged for furniture pick up for tomorrow! Yes, I'm again helping people to give away things! What a ministry this has become!

Daily Lovely Insight:

For the message tonight, I had prepared two cups for each person. One was filled with water and the other had wine. I wanted the congregation to sit and take sips of each and consider some of these questions: 

1. How can you honor God?

2. How is His power and authority true in your life?

3. How is obedience in the difficult moments being changed into the Wow Moments to reveal His glory?

4. What is God wanting to change from the ordinary into the finest?

5. Are you giving God full authority in your life?

6. Can you see the 'cross' that God wants you to bear as the 'joy set before you'?

7. Consider what God wants to do in and through and with your life. Are you ready?

Read John 2:1-11!

Seek Him First!

Fun Day Out!

This morning started very early... at 5am... Abby called at 6am as we finally had Family Time!

We finished at 7:30 and Alan and Isaiah went to play tennis. I kept talking with her until 8am, which was 2am in Germany!

I then went for a quick run and got back to get Mom ready.

We had a helper come at 11am. I went through the routine with her and we took off to YiLan! We had planned this day trip since Isaiah came back a month ago!

There's a fun farm out in YiLan. So, we first went to the Teppanyaki place that we went to with Abby during Chinese New Year. Then we went to the Farm. Even though it was sprinkling, the place was packed! It was like a petting zoo and a farm... Alan slept in the car and Isaiah and I went in! They also had desserts at the end, which we brought back to the car for Alan.

Next, we were off in search of the famous onion pancakes... we went to two different ones for comparison plus we got bubble milk tea! YEAH!

We also went to the night market and found Isaiah watch band. 

We headed back at around 5pm and the traffic was very light! We were at Costco by 6:15. And that place was packed!

We got meat, and milk and Alan got the cord and plug for his iPhone! Another 40US$! Alan is a spender... for sure!

We headed to a night market in Neihu and got stinky tofu before heading back home!

Mom was in bed and the lady left!

What a fun day! 

I have booked two more Saturdays in November! And I hope to book more Saturdays for the month of December, January and February and use up all 84 hours! I paid only 492NT$ and the rest was subsidized by the government. She doesn't do any housework, but I know Mom is being cared for and we can go and have fun!

By using this service, I don't have any days for Mom to stay overnight. I'm ok with that as it's very troublesome to get into these overnight facilities for short term stay. Mom has to have a full health check up, which is valid for only three months. I have to pay for that. And they can't promise that beds are available, so that makes it difficult for me to make any travel plans. That's why I decided to use this 'weekend' service. They come for up to 10 hours. And they will not stay overnight!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Raining Again...

This morning I had my Bible study at 8:30, right after Mom left! Actually, I was 15 minutes late because Mom wasn't picked up until 8:35!

When the study finished, Alan and I were out the door as we had a Team CA Thanksgiving Service. The organization bought a place and remodeled it and it was their 'grand opening'.

By the time that was finished, Alan and I went for a quick lunch and then went to the Apple Store at the Taipei 101... Alan wanted the iPhone 14 Plus with 256 memory! It was a pretty penny!

We had a few more errands to get done... Yes, I mailed a package to Abby. I will mail another one on Monday. Hopefully, they will both arrive before her birthday. I also had to buy bananas and little paper cups. We got home at 4:30 and I immediately laid down for a quick nap. Mom was back right on time!

I called about the place for the White Elephant Christmas Party and WE GOT THE ROOM! Amazing! So, I will start planning for this big annual party! Crazy!

After Mom went to bed, I went out for a run by the River! There was no one out there... and it was wet! I ran slowly!

Isaiah and I got another document to translate... rushed job... They wanted us to revert it back tonight!

Daily Lovely Insight:

John 12:46

Seek Him First!

The Persistent Widow!

After Mom left, I just went back to sleep... Again, I felt as if I could have stayed in bed all day... But no can do!

I'm glad I had baked already... 

I had lots of phone calls to make: Costco, to check on membership renewal for the church (very complicated), Bread of Life Church, to find out if we can rent their fellowship hall for the White Elephant Party (they will have to get back to me), AC Rack repair man, to confirm when he will be coming to install the rack (not until 11/3)... I still did not go and buy communion cups nor did I have time to mail the package for Abby!

I came back after the study and went for a run! I had made dinner already... It was a fast hour. When I got back, Alan was here with Daniel, our friend from Taiwan who now lives in San Diego. He brought over snacks from Trader Joe's... THANK YOU, JAMIE & DANIEL! I don't know how they knew, but every package was what I love! It must be God-inspired! I opened one bag and almost gobbled the entire packet while chatting with him. 

Alan and Daniel went off to play basketball and Mom was back already. 

Mom enjoyed her dinner... It's a rice dish that I made... I had some too... very delicious!

I will make grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for Alan and Daniel. Isaiah is going to have a salmon pizza.

Daily Lovely Insight:

The study was great! 

What is prayer? One gal said, "It is HOPE!"

Seek Him First!

Back at the MOE!

What a crazy day!

Yes, MOE started!

So, the day was at the 'office', sitting next to Isaiah. Luckily, we didn't have anything to translate, so I had time to work on my Bible study and I did translation for my other project! Wow... to have time to get that done was a God-sent! 

I had only one appointment in the afternoon, so that was great.

Alan was to rush home to care for my Mom at 5:10, but he was late. He had a meeting and didn't get back until 5:18. The driver called me while I was on the way home!

I got home, made grilled cheese sandwiches, and had tutoring at 8pm, then instead of prayer time with a sister, I went for a quick workout at World Gym...

I didn't get the package mailed. That will have to be tomorrow! At least the chocolate cake is baked! And my lesson is done!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I had time to listen to several songs, trying to choose a closing song for my talk this Sunday. I found the group "for King and Country". If you have time, listen to their song, Shoulders. Here is the link!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5NnzYK5tFA

Seek Him First!

Still More To Do!

After Mom left, I got to organizing her pills as my vitamin and medicine cabinet was getting a bit overwhelming! Then I also did the bathroom cabinets! Much better!

By that time, it was already 10am... So, I started baking. I had to bake for the Wednesday MOE and the Thursday Soochow Bible Study. I made chocolate cake with chocolate chips. Then I melted different candy bar and poured it over the top. Very sweet!

After a quick lunch, I was on the computer... it was already 1pm! I had a quick lunch and started working on my PPT and going over my talk notes. I also order lids for my glass lock lock containers! Alan is looking to buy a BRAND NEW iPHONE 14 PLUS! So, we were lining each other!

At 3:30, I had to go out for a run or I won't have time! Another simple hour run... the weather was fabulous. A day like this is a day I'd like to be out longer... but no can do!

Mom was back and I had dinner ready.

Tonight I had my Tuesday evening Bible study. I also went over to drop off more donations. The boxes are being packed and they will be picked up tomorrow!

I did not have time to mail a birthday package to Abby. I have to do it now because it might take a month before it gets to Germany. 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Throughout the day, I just kept turning my eyes upon Jesus! He is the Vine... I'm the branch... He is my Strength! He carries me through each day!

Seek Him First!

God-led Day!

Today I wanted to finish my talk notes and start working on the ppt. God did it! Finished!

Then I had time for a short nap! God did it!

Angel called and she needed some paperwork to 'reopen' her housing registration, which is listed at my house. So, I'm glad I didn't go out for a run!

I found the paperwork and went down to my scooter and I 'ran' into the mother of the gal who had committed suicide. I've been praying for the opportunity to see her. God did it! We talked and I have her cell phone number. She is not in a good place! Please pray for her! 

I got there and gave Angel the paper and the lady was at lunch. But just as we were there, she came back. I didn't want to leave until we were sure that everything is ok! So, the timing was perfect! God did it!

I did have time for a short run and came back for prayer time with a sister! God did it!

I made dinner... super yummy and cream of corn soup! That's what I had for dinner!

Tap dancing tonight! I went there and left early as I still had too much to do!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Christ suffer so that I can have a restored relationship with God... The scourging, the crown of thorns, the crucifixion... I think we really need to be reminded of His sacrifice and respond daily in reverence and worship!

Seek Him First!

Short Post... Long Day!

Yes... it was... A VERY LONG DAY!

I had to share at HOP... and we were going to have Family Time at 12noon, but Abby couldn't make it. So, I used the time to prep for next week's message!

Angel Lin came to church! YIPPY! And we had dinner at our house and talked, and talked, and talked!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

From Early to Late...

I was up super early as my kindergarten classmate, Angel Lin, was visiting Taiwan. Her plane landed at 5:30am. And I thought she wouldn't get to the hotel until 7:30, but she was through the immigration and customs and got her luggage and at the hotel by 6:26. What? No saliva test... no health report... somewhat back to 'normal'! So, I made it to her hotel by 7:30 and we went out to breakfast! It was so much fun!

I had to rush back to our complex as we had the annual complex meeting. This one was calm and organized! Mom was up and enjoying her breakfast... 

I went up and down... Isaiah was home!

That meeting ended at 1pm and I went out to get some errands done. Buying fruit, returning a library book, dropping off my shorts (yes, I went to my usual lady and she only charges 150NT$!)

Mom had her lunch of potstickers!

I went out for a run. I hit 67km this week! I was hoping to go for more, but I will now taper off!

A friend dropped off one carry on and three bags of stuff to give away. I sorted and posted and this evening, gave most of it away! YEAH! Nursing students from Indonesia needed winter clothes, so they came and picked up almost everything!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Trying To Get Too Much Done In Too Little Time!

It was our date... but the list of what we wanted to do was long.

We went to look at two possible church facilities. One was just perfect but the rental price was sky-high! The other wasn't so ideal... but both can't seem to work with the time of our service. 

We then went to look for a new phone for Alan. We went to the Apple Store... But they didn't have an iPhone 12 Pro Max 256G. Darn it... that's the one Alan likes. We then went to a second hand iPhone store (which sometimes sells new items). They had a second hand one, but nothing new. Then we were at two supermarkets to buy snacks. Did we even have time for lunch? Yes, between the two 3C stores we stopped at a nice little shop and had lunch.

On the way back home, we stopped to check about changing the elastic for my favorite pair of shorts... Too expensive. I think I'll try to do it myself. We wanted to buy dinner as we had friends over. Stinky tofu and water dumplings and pot stickers. But our corner store was closed! Darn it!

Well... that actually worked out as we had to rush home for Mom Care!

I had Mom's dinner ready and we only needed to heat it up.

While Mom was having dinner, I rushed out to buy the food!

The evening was spent with friends and we had a feast!

Tomorrow early morning, I'll be meeting up with Angel who is here from the States!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Great Study!

This morning after Mom took off, I cleaned a bit before going for a run. This time, I ran a bit farther! YEAH! The park is in the process of being cleaned from all the mud and trash that washed up from the river. The smell was still there, but it was much better.

I got back and had to take a quick shower before I headed off to my SooChow Bible Study. Please pray for one of the gals... three are believers and one is not. I believe the LORD is inviting her to know Him.

I had to rush back as I had an appointment with the social worker for a helper to come. I have 84 hours to use up before the end of February 2023!

When she left, it was time for Mom to be home. 

How did the day fly by so quickly?

This evening after Isaiah came home and had dinner and Mom was in bed, we went to RT Mart to buy more snacks!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm praying for the verse of focus for next year. These two verses are among the ones I'm praying through:

Seek Him First!

An Unexpected Thing!

OK... I'm learning... With my mom and most elderly individuals, you have to be super careful... Too much or too little and they are 'set off'. Well... for example, my mom's constipation... I have to be careful. If I give her too much papaya, she has diarrhea and the Center will call and tell me to pick her up. Or if I feed her some Chinese mucus syrup to help with her spitting, she might vomit as she is trying to spit all the time! It happened today! I knew it when I walked her down to the van.

At 9am, they called. Mom vomited. Can I come and pick her up?

I am glad I didn't need to go to the MOE job today. Next week, I will be at the MOE office from 9-5! I had planned to work on my messages, get the AC/Rack settled, bake for tomorrow's Bible study... etc., etc., etc. and even go for a longer run since the rain stopped.

Well... I didn't get everything done. But I did finally get a hold of the AC/Rack person. That can't be done until the end of the month. So I told our neighbor. I did bake for my Bible study tomorrow, but Alan forgot to take it out as I was out for a short run. It's OK... just not as moist, and a bit more crusty, but still tasty. I did cook, which was great. And I did work on my message, although I am still not finished with it. I will tell my translator. I'm sure he's ok that I send it to him later on this week.

I did tutor at 8pm and prayed with the sister at 9:30. 

What a day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Luke 12:31-32: This is Luke's version of my favorite verse -- Matthew 6:33!

Seek Him First!

A Great Bible Study!

After sending Mom off, I got ready for the morning Bible study. We had such a great turnout... Almost everyone made it. And several of them brought food... We had a feast... feasting in God's word and feasting with food!

No one wanted to leave... but we all had many things to do.

So, I cleaned up and went out for a run. It was almost 3pm!

After a quick shower, I got Mom's dinner ready and Mom was back... I need to control her weight. She definitely now weighs more than me... I asked the Center to send the information. We were doing so good. She was down to 47 kilos and now she's back up to 50 kilos. It's not easy to assist someone who weighs more than you do... I need to go back to doing more weight lifting!

After Mom went to bed, I went to World Gym to cancel my membership.

Isaiah came home from work and tutored. 

Alan was at school all day.

We had lots of food in the fridge!

Daily Lovely Insight:

We continue our study on Psalm 22. 

Seek Him First!

A Busier than Usual Monday...

After Mom took off, I went for a run... fast one... I went to the park to see what that was like and it was a mess. The river had overflown and the path was littered with trash, fish, debris... I even saw a snake. I think it was still alive.

I got back, took a quick shower, and did a load of laundry. I went down to ask the management service people about the measurements for the AC rack and called to ask for their pricing. They will get back to me. I put dinner in the crock pot!

Then it was an online prayer time with one sister. It was a prayer and counseling time.

The rain was still quite heavy, but I had to get a new frame for my glasses. The assistant found a pair that fits my present lenses. Praise the Lord. But the frame still cost 1000NT$. I rushed home, picked up my computer and went to meet up with another sister, which had her place remodeled. It was so beautiful. After prayer time with her, I went to my tutoring. And that was a two hour session on a book that I really didn't like at all! I don't know why high schoolers are being asked to read such 'trash'.

I had two more errands to run, but I just went home as I had to care for Mom. Alan picked her up and I had dinner ready.  But I had to do the bedtime routine!

I just wanted to lay down... but I still had so much to do... Dishes to wash, dinner to put away, Bible study food to bake... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

This verse was so perfect for today!

Seek Him First!

A Very Rainy Sunday!

It was a very wet day... A typhoon is passing by, bringing lots of rain! Some areas in Taiwan have flooded!

I walked to World Gym to find out when I can stop my membership, the one that Abby transferred to me! I have to go tomorrow after 11am.

Then I went to Carrefour to buy sugar and milk for our love cafe!

Alan and Isaiah were home, watching the game. So, Mom was fine!

We headed off to church at 2:20. The Game was finished... Dodgers LOST! Sad, sad, sad... Padres Won! Happy, happy, happy!

The message was Come to Jesus If You Are Thirsty!

Daily Lovely Insight:

John 7: 25-44

Do we know that we are thirsty?

Do we know that we need to go to Jesus?

Only He has the Living Water that will truly quench our thirst!

Seek Him First!

A Busier Than Usual Saturday!

This morning I had an online zoom baby shower... it worked out well as I needed to be home to take care of Mom. And what's amazing was that the gifts I ordered arrived their house 15 minutes before the shower!

Alan had to be a school as it was the Parents Orientation for the English Department and the chair asked if he could come to share with the teachers!

Isaiah was watching the Padres game... And maybe you already know who won!

Alan got back and we all went to Costco and RT Mart. Isaiah is working with the English teachers to plan the Halloween event and needed to buy those nice big bags of candy! It was a nice outing... And we ate at RT Mart, which Mom really enjoyed!

We hung out there until almost 5pm!

Mom had a light dinner and went to bed!

I had a few more things to do... I didn't have time to finish my message prep! Oh well... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm looking at what to share on for my message in November and December, and the Lord seems to be leading me towards the first and last miracle of Jesus in the book of John. It's so fascinating. The first miracle helped the disciples to believe and started his public ministry. The first miracle was turning water into wine. Jesus' last miracle was the raising of Lazarus, which led the Jewish leaders to plot for his death and ended Jesus' public ministry and him leaving Jerusalem. John captured seven miracles. And John also had the seven "I Am" statements of Jesus. In the book of Revelation which John wrote, there are lots of seven: Seven Seals, Seven Churches, Seven Trumpets... I enjoy speaking because I enjoy the research and what I learn as I prepare. Please pray for me as I prepare these messages... 

Seek Him First!

Cooler Weather... YEAH!

I never know how a day can fly by so quickly!

After Mom left, I called to order boxes for the Philippines. Then I tried to contact people to work on the AC units because our neighbors downstairs are complaining. I am waiting on a quote! I was hoping to wait until next summer... But it might have to be done now. Steel prices have soared, so to make a safety cage and to have a crane to install it will be very costly, not to mention replacing the rusty unit. We will see how this works out!

I did go for a quick run, then Alan and I went out for lunch! YEAH!

I ran errands and then went to help out a sister who is dealing with living with her parents who are 'hoarders'. We got a lot done in two short hours. I have not helped her tackle the kitchen, which she says is going to be a major task.

I got home and Mom was back... Dinner was already cooked. I just needed to heat it up!

I used this evening to prep for my message... and I'm trying to decide what to speak on for November and December.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Bible Study Started!

What a day!

After sending Mom off, I was off for a run... I could only do an hour... so I just ran a bit faster!

I got back and made sure Isaiah was up. He had to go to MOE to start the job today.

After sending him off, I was in the shower and then headed out to the Carrefour by Costco. It's bigger and I was looking for squeegees for Annie. And the blood mobile was there. I was the first person to donate blood. The free gifts were a tube of toothpaste and a cup of Americano coffee. No squeegee... I rushed home and picked up the Bible study stuff and headed off to school. I had baked banana bread and brought the loaf of German bread. I can't keep that bread here... I eat it lavished with butter. No wonder I gained 15kilos in Germany!

We had only five students, three were newcomers. It was an amazing time... truly Spirit-led. Two newcomers are not yet believers. Please pray for them. And while we were having the Bible study, a group of high schoolers was having a tour. So, we talked with them and shared the banana bread and German bread. It was such a riot! And when I left to go, I asked the LORD about how many gifts I needed to bring? And three was the number... and there were exactly three newcomers. One of the newcomers asked for prayer. So, even though she was not yet a believer, we prayed for her after the study. Amazing!

I rushed to go to RT Mart, still in search of the squeegees. It started to sprinkle. I made it there and found them... well, several kinds... And I bought them! I hope they are the right ones. I then rushed home as Mom was back by 5:10.

I had dinner made, so I only needed to heat it up.

Free night... Alan was at basketball and Isaiah came home after work. 

Daily Lovely Insight:

The Parable of the Mustard Seed from Matthew 13:31-32. That was the focus of our study today!

Do you ever feel small in this big big world? If so, when and how.

How might this parable relate to you?

Seek Him First!

It's Getting Cooler!

That's the good news... I think Fall has arrived... 

So, yes, I did go out for a run. And I made dinner. Then I went to Carrefour to buy some stuff for Annie! I also had a receipt that 'won' 7US$. Alan and I also went to the church to do a bit of cleaning. It was nice to get things more organized!

I spent the morning finishing up my prep for my talk on 10/23. That's not completely done... I need another day or two!

This evening, the gas company sent someone over to check on our gas meter. I had tutoring at 8pm and prayer time at 9:30.

Alan went for a massage.

Isaiah went to visit his high school teachers at Nanhu and had tutoring this evening.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Here is Swindoll's summary of the book of Habakkuk, which I will be sharing as my closing!

Seek Him First!

Teeth Cleaning & Prep Day!

Yes, Isaiah and I had our teeth cleaned. We get two free a year... Isaiah does not have any of his wisdom teeth and Abby has all four of hers. And the right lower one looks compacted but won't be coming up for a while. Her top ones will have room to come straight down. The left side should be ok as well. You might be confused... We were only looking at her x-ray from last year!

I also ordered Mom's meds and got my Bible study materials copied off! Then Isaiah and I finished the translation project and emailed that off! The deadline was today.

Tonight's Bible study was cancelled... I'm glad as I didn't want to ride in the rain... Plus, I'm happy to stay home to read, drinking a mug of hot chocolate! YUMMY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

This description of God penned by Jonathan Edwards some 250 years ago struck me this morning:

What makes Christ glorious is "an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies." He is both the meek Lamb and the Almighty Lion! Revelation 5:5-6

Seek Him First!

What A Relief!

God is merciful!

My Mom has slept the entire day... She is exhausted!

I ran errands... Alan got home at 11:30 and I went out for a run! The weather was so delightful! Isaiah met up with Vikki and an ex-coworker. In the afternoon, Alan went and played tennis and had dinner with our church friends!

I was home with a very calm sleepy Mom! 

What a relief! I was able to prep for my Thursday Soochow study. I decided to put together my own materials on the Parables of Jesus! I'm quite excited!

I was up early this morning as Isaiah was up from 1am to watch the Chargers game... yes, they won! Then the Padres are in the playoff... So, today was a big sports day for the 'sports fans' in my life!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Matthew 20:6-15

⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ ⁷ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ ⁸ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ ⁹ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. ¹⁰ Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,¹² saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ ¹³ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. ¹⁵ Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’

When I compare myself with others, it's easy to start complaining! 

The question is: Do I begrudge God's generosity?

Seek Him First!

Super Hyper Mom!

On Saturday, we got home late from Ilan and Yenny had left. Mom started talking at 12:30 am and did not stop until after 4:30am. Needless to say, Isaiah and I did not sleep well. She was able to get her hands free and then undo her diaper. Needless to say, I had a mess to clean up. I asked Yenny and she said she didn't tie them too tightly. What a mistake!

Mom continued to be hyper and was back to stuffing herself when she eats. And she was hallucinating a bit. We left for the Retreat and there was no traffic. Mom talked during the whole drive and was too hyper to stay inside for the worship. Isaiah and I plus another member of our church family wheeled her around the complex. After dinner, she calmed down a bit, so we decided to stay for the evening session.

We left at 10:30 and got home by 11:45. Mom talked during the whole drive back! But she did not talk after going to bed!

It was a very long day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The Sermon topic was: Our Response to the Passion of Christ! What sacrifice will we bring on a daily basis?

Romans 12:1-2

Seek Him First!

HOP Passion and Sacrifice Retreat

We didn't sleep super well as the door couldn't close so there were bugs... 

We got up and had breakfast. Chinese breakfast, but no eggs!

Then I walked to the meeting auditorium and led the devotion.

Pastor James shared Message 1: The Lukewarm Church.

We had free time this afternoon! I rested and then went for my 10k run. Splendid. Yes, it was raining!

Dinner was at a Chinese restaurant. For lunch, we had pizza!

Then at 10pm, Isaiah and I drove home.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Pastor James used Revelation 3 to talk about our heart. Is Jesus outside of our lives? We are believers, but we have actually kept Jesus out of the authority of our lives. It was a good challenge!

What are we pursuing? God's vision or our own purposes!

Seek Him First!