Thanksgiving Sabbath!

I started blogging back in 2009... It's been 14 years. Thank you for reading and commenting. 

Today, I'm posting Alan's "Reflection Newsletter". For many years, I'd post the "Reflection Newsletters" on consecutive days just before Christmas. This year, I thought it would be best to spread them out! I'll be posting the newsletters all the way until Christmas, ending with our Annual Family Newsletter!

Alan’s Highlights for 2023:

January -- Going to the US for four weeks to see my mom, having the opportunity to see two SDSU basketball games 

March-- Hiking Elephant Mountain Trail with Lovely and seeing the city of Taipei, our home for the past 36 years, from a mountain top perspective

April – Hosting the “Night Is Still Young” Event sponsored by the men of HOP.

May -- Having the ICEE week without Covid issues for the first time since we started this weeklong event in the English Department of SCU.  

June -- Having various retirement celebrations with SCU friends and teammates as well as seeing the Brantinghams in Taiwan, taking care of my mother-in-law for two weeks, while Lovely was in the States, (I overexerted her, ending up with her having heat stroke and being dehydrated.)

July-- Teaching a summer school class at SCU

August -- Participating in HOP Summer Mission Trip to the Philippines

September-- Beginning SCU teaching as a part-time teacher

October-- Participating in the HOP Leadership Retreat and leading the HOP Children’s Service

It has been a year of “changes and transitions”. I’ve been asked why I had to retire. That’s a rule here in Taiwan. You cannot teach full-time after the age of 65. I still teach six classes for a total of 12 hours, but I’m only getting paid hourly, versus with a salary. That means I’m getting half of what I received from being a full-time teacher! I am not required to attend meetings and I do not receive a Chinese New Year Bonus! Even though I don’t have meetings at SC, I have plenty of meetings at HOP. As a church, we are also in transition. I must also mention that turning 65 has a few advantages. I received my Senior Citizen Card! It gives me 485 points on a monthly basis, so I can go to the Sports Centers for free. I also can travel on the public transportation system, deducting points from the card! 

I’m looking forward to going to the States in 2024, during the Chinese New Year Holiday. I will also take a trip down to Brazil and see Abby! HOP will be moving to a new place in 2024! And I have no firm plans for the summer of 2024!

Personal Verse of Focus:

Psa 71:5-9  For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth. By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You. I have become a marvel to many, For You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise And with Your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. 

Prayer Requests for 2024:

Travel safety during CNY as well as opportunities to support and minister during my time with Abigail in Brazil. Plans for HOP's move to the new facility. Ministry at HOP. Summer plans.

Daily Lovely Insight:

I had a delightful Sabbath... Ran in the morning for 13k after Mom left. Went to WGE and talked to Tai. I had brought a thanksgiving muffin for him! I made my own favorite kimchi tofu lunch and then sat on the sofa and read for the rest of the afternoon. I would get up and do a chore, such as putting a load of laundry in the washing machine, or sorting through the food pantry. Mom was home all too soon... Alan and Isaiah were out playing basketball, so I spent the rest of the evening, READING, after I got Mom off to bed! THANK YOU, JESUS!

Seek Him First!