Lovely's Year In Review!

I was up early and decided to run 12.12! Why not?

I was home and after a shower, I started to pack the box that will be shipped to the Philippines... I also went to the traditional market to buy Chinese Romaine Lettuce and veggies! Alan came home at around the same time I did. He got ready and we went to Yehliu for lunch. I wanted to go to the Yehliu GeoPark as a remembrance of Mom... 

First, let me write my personal 'newsletter' for 2025.

This has been a tremendous year... this time last year, I had no idea what God was going to carry me through. As you recall, it was one of the most difficult years in 2024 as I was on the board of our complex and the care of Mom weighed heavy upon my shoulders.

The verse the LORD gave me was Mark 4:39. I will copy and paste the exact picture/scripture I had in my post from last year:

This verse has been extremely meaningful as the wind, the storm of life, belted me this year. I went to the States at the end of March, and Abby joined me... We spent our time in San Diego as I didn't know when I'd have a chance to visit with Mom Bea. The day after I arrived, Judy had a Celebration of Life for her dad: Bill Jones. I was blessed to attend that Service! Abby returned with me to Taiwan and she stayed for 17 days and what a joyous time that was. We again had our Family Portrait done.

Then on the morning of May 7th, my Mom passed in her sleep... shocking... for the next four days, my life was spinning. The cremation happened on Saturday, the 10th. My brother James flew over from Malaysia. Everything was in a blur... Plans were made for Isaiah, Alan and I to go back to the States in July with the ashes and we would have a graveside service. My brother Eddie joined us and the Service was held on July 19th. I came back to Taiwan on August 10th. Isaiah returned a week earlier and Alan stayed until September! 

And on the morning of August 16th, I had a conversation with our pastor which led to havoc and turmoil. As things progressed, the pastor decided to resign by December 31st, taking a five month paid Sabbatical, which brought the church into a state of chaos. Again, Mark 4:39 was what God sang over me. I won't go into all the details, but in my 50 years of being a follower of Jesus, I have never experienced what has happened in these past four months!

Even in the midst of 'grieving', the Lord has brought comfort and surprises. My Bible studies gals and the Soochow students... A trip to Nepal to see Abby... House hunting with Isaiah (and you can read his newsletter tomorrow to know more about that...)... Our God is faithful... He is my Refuge and He speaks calm in the midst of the chaos. He speaks peace in the midst of upheaval and conflicts. He indeed silences and calms the storms.

What does 2026 look like? What is the verse that the Lord has put upon my heart for this upcoming year?

Abby will be back for a month: from March 8th to April 8th. And of course, we will do another Family Portrait!

I plan to travel to Heidelberg: most likely from May 5th to May 19th. I'm still praying and looking for the best price for the round trip ticket.

House of Praise will continue... but perhaps with only half of the number of people. I will be more involved as a Deaconess and perhaps be a board member. I hope that House of Praise will also be involved in a missions trip this year: maybe to Nepal or Cambodia!

I hope to work on tossing and cleaning and sorting and organizing. 

I will continue to run, but will not be joining any races. Maybe the year I turn 70! I hope to do another ultra in another country!

I might be getting a few more students... and perhaps letting go of a few students! MOE asked me to go back, but I have committed to being at Soochow on Wednesdays and they couldn't work around that. They needed me on Wednesday!

I don't plan on traveling to the States!

So, here are my prayer requests:

1. For God to build up HOP and to spark the hearts of those in our congregation to maybe partner with another church on a missions trip!

2. For God to give me insights and strength as I lead or speak or help others.

3. For God to reveal truth in the midst of lies.

4. For God to plan the trips in the New Year!

5. For God to provide job opportunities either tutoring or speaking.

My verse for 2026 is:

John 15:16 (2025-2026)

What a powerful verse! To know that I am chosen. I am ordained. I am to go and bear fruit. I am to ask in Jesus' name. And I trust that God the Father will answer!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Alan and I had lunch in Yehliu and then went to the GeoPark. It was windy but I quite enjoyed it. We drove back through the mountain and I had ordered pizza for dinner! Isaiah came home and we just had a simple supper at home. Alan and I were too full. Tomorrow night, we have a ladies' Bible study potluck. So, I'm planning to make a main dish and a dessert! 

Overall, it was a wonderful birthday... 

Seek Him First!

A Low-Key Sabbath Day

I was up early... but didn't go out for my run until 9:30. The weather was warm... and sunny... 10K... finished.

Alan and Isaiah had already left for work... and I had the house to myself!

I made some delicious coffee and had my brunch/lunch after a shower... And I trimmed my hair... NICE!

The afternoon was spent on the sofa, reading... I alternated between several books... and I also dozed on and off.

At around 3:30, I turned on my WiFi and bought coupons at a restaurant in Yehliu. Yes, that's the plan for tomorrow... head out towards Yehliu for the day!

At 4:20, I headed out... I had to drop off some CDs to a friend... check on my MRT cards... get money to pay for the coupons... and then I had an oil massage... 

I was home by 8pm... and Alan was home at 9pm and Isaiah walked in soon after that... We watched two episodes of House while eating dinner!

It was just a very nice low-key Sabbath!

I do need to start working on several things next week!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Last Soochow Bible Study... For This Semester!

I was up early and started cooking... I wanted to make a chicken shepherd's pie and a dessert!

I did go down to check the recycling as this new janitor just don't seem to know how to sort things! Anyhow, the people from the recycling truck always like to see me... we work well together.

After that was done, I went out for my run... and it was hot! But I finished my 10K and came home for a quick shower. I layered the shepherd's pie and finished making the dessert. I realized that I had too many things to bring, so I cancelled tutoring. I was feeling tired... and it was great that I cancelled as the kids all wanted to stay around and chat after our 'mini' party!

I have so enjoyed this group of students!

I got home and put everything away... and was so glad that I cancelled my tutoring as I didn't get home until 5:10!

No meeting tonight... Fenny came over for dinner... and I had prayer time at 9pm.

The day flew by... I didn't work on more file tossing... I realized that I should just wait until I go 'home' and my kids or Alan can toss everything as they won't have any emotional attachment to my first class of students at Castelar where I did my student teaching and then landed my first full time job... That sure was an easy decision!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Trying to Toss Files... Not Successful!

I was up NOT early... I really slept in... I guess I didn't take a nap yesterday and was quite exhausted! It felt so good... 

Alan was home at 9am... as the game started at 9:15: Chargers Against the Eagles! I didn't know that the Eagles were the Super Bowl Champs last year... Anyhow, I worked on sorting through files while Alan sat in the living room to watch. And like the title: I was not successful... the key was TOSS... I didn't toss anything! I did reorganize and that was great. 

While working on that, I also cooked two different dishes in the crock pot. The first one was a beef stew, which turned out very very delicious! The second one, which is still cooking, is a Mexican chicken dish! I'm sure that's going to be nice too... I'm cooking quite a bit because now that Fenny is living in Neihu, I invited to come over for dinner whenever she has time. And Isaiah also packs his lunch, so we have lots of food in the fridge! YUMMY!

At 12:40, I went out for my run. Delightful... 10K... not too fast... easy pace... weather was great.

And Chargers won... it was a great game according to Alan and Isaiah!

I resumed my cleaning and sorting... while listening to another CD: Luminate, a Christian band. Their songs are quite nice!

The complex management director called: a neighbor has a bag of bedding to give away. Do I want them? I went and looked and the stuff was nice. It turned out that a bed and breakfast lodging closed and gifted our neighbor with tons of bedding items. I sorted and called for a box and will give away the stuff!

I must say... it was quite nice to have a day without any appointments and just do some much needed time consuming tasks. I need to set aside days like this more often! To tackle the files alone will need many days! I can toss other people's files, but it's so hard when I have to do files of my own notes and papers! I'm going to set this task for the year 2026!

At 7pm, I had tutoring for an hour... that flew by... and the day drew to a close!

By the way, the chicken dish turned out very yummy... even without sour cream!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

 

Tackled A Huge Task!

I was up early and did go out for my 10K... the weather was perfect!

I got home, took a shower and put in a load of laundry as I didn't get to that yesterday! 

Alan and Isaiah took off for work... and I was off to meet a dear friend. It's our usual monthly prayer and share time. And again, she prepared a feast for me!

I came home and started the task for the day: organizing all the CDs in the house! You can't believe how many we have! The dining room table was stacked up so high... I grouped everything first and then took out the CD player to listen to some of the CDs to check them out! After over three hours, I finally started to put them back to the different racks! I was hoping to finish before 6pm, but I did not!

I pushed everything to one side of the dining room table and had dinner! We had our first in person prayer meeting tonight! We have not had this for many many many years... what a joy!

We used YouTube for a worship song and then we shared verses before praying together. The hour flew by.

Fenny came and we dropped off the last of her stuff at the old house and she will be sleeping there starting tonight. Isaiah had to go to the office, so Alan dropped me off before going there. It was sprinkling, so Alan didn't want him to be riding his scooter. Plus, it got quite cold.

I came home to check on the meat and to finish up with the CDs... YEAH! Tomorrow, I'm going to try to tackle another big task: getting rid of some files and sorting through some stationery goods. 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The 7th of the Month!

I was up early and went back to bed and napped until 9am. Then it was time to get things ready as I had decided to go to the morning service and then hang around before attending a prayer and worship time for a sister who will be undergoing a cancer operation.

So... the Taipei International Church started at 10:30 and it was a wonderful service. Dior, a gal from YWAM, is back from the Philippines, which means she got her work visa to be at TIC as a professional coordinator, serving at the church. The church was beautifully decorated and the message was on Hope, the Advent of Christ. And of course, as it was the first Sunday of the month, we had communion, which was beautifully done!

Alan came... so that was nice. And I met several new people. After the service, he left and I stayed to organize the books in the church library. I donated 7 books and got 7 more books, which I will give away! I then headed to get money to pay a few bills and then found out that the Dazhi Carrefour closed on 11/30. SAD! I went to PXMart instead and sat there to have lunch before heading out the house of the host of the prayer and worship time. I got there right on time. 

The songs sung were beautiful and we just read Scriptures and prayed. 

I walked one of the gals to the MRT Station before walking back to my scooter and getting home. 

Alan walked in 15 minutes after I did.

I had stayed down at the recycling area, cleaning and sorting, as the janitor is off today!

Isaiah came back from his trip quite late.

The week has started!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

New Hot Pot Place!

I was up early and did go for a run after Isaiah and Fenny left for their trip to WuLin. Alan went to play tennis.

We set to leave the house at 10:30 to help a couple to get to the HSR with all their stuff. They are the ones living in the Danhsui House! We also wanted to treat them to lunch, so we stopped at a Hot Pot Place that we've been wanting to try and it did not disappoint! Absolutely delicious but we weren't able to enjoy all the food since we had to rush to the HSR.

I was able to go with them to the platform and help them get on the HSR before coming back up and waited for Alan to pick me up. We were going to go to the Travel Expo but we went around several times and could not find parking. So, we headed home. We did not get home until after 4:30. 

We had a nice free evening and I was too full to eat!

How did the day fly by so quickly?

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Quite A Date Day!

I was up early and now that the weather is cooler, I can go back to sleep and run later in the morning. So, I went and ran 10K at 8:50! 

Alan and I had wanted to head out at around 10:15. We had a lot of do... We went to the church to pick up the plants. We then went to Coco and bought the drinks and then to a Cantonese Restaurant and bought lunch. We headed to the old house. I cleaned while Alan ate. Then he measured the back to make sure the dryer would fit. I also got two check ins and two carry ons to give way. 

We were back in our car, heading home. It was already 2pm. He went to drop off the suitcases while I went to meet up for prayer and then tutoring!

The dryer delivery was done at around 5pm and then Alan went to pick up the last load of Fenny's stuff and then dropped everything off at the old house. They all came over for dinner. I had made mashed potatoes and chicken curry!

At 9pm, we had family time!

The weekend has started and if it's anything like today, it's going to be a busy one!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Sabbath: A Delight!

 I was up early... and I just wake up now... I love it. I didn't go out for my run... No rush... It's my Sabbath!

Alan and Isaiah took off and I settled on the sofa to read, Heaven, Chapters 16-17! And I then ate a great breakfast... with freshly brewed coffee. The couple who came last night gifted me with more flavored Starbucks coffee pods... WOW... I was back on the sofa reading... and I also worked on putting things away.

At 12:45, I got all the chairs up and started the iRobot and got ready for my run. I ran 11K and after a quick shower, I sat and checked my emails and read some more!

At 5pm, I went and checked the recycling before going to my two hour massage! WOW!

I was home and made some hamburger patties for dinner. I ate a salad and watched the Rookie. Alan came home and had two cheeseburgers and we had the chance to talk with Abby. She is thinking about going for seminary in São Paulo.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

God's Sustaining Strength!

I was up early and went out for my run after I got the recycling cleared and the truck came to take everything. The reason was the janitor was gone and the day time security guard did nothing!

I ran 12KM because I missed 2KM yesterday! I got home, took a quick shower, ate lunch and took off. I wanted to be at school by 12:30 as the flea market was going on. I gave out money to my students and then shopped. I spent 210NT$. 

The study was great... five students! And then I was off to tutor. The weather got cold and riding back home was chilly!

Alan was home and yes, he bought his tickets last night. He's going to the states from August 4th to September 11th. He also got Isaiah's tickets. YIPPY! His ticket was only 816US$! ROUND TRIP!

At 7pm, the couple came over and we had a great time going through some 'issues' to help build their marriage relationship. When they left, I cleaned up the kitchen and did a load of laundry!

Yes, it was great to head off to bed!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Almost Triple Bible Study Day!

It's true... 

I was up super early... I like it... It's so nice and quiet. But I didn't go out for a run until it was 8:30, which meant I only had time to run for 8KM. It was already quite warm.

I rushed off to my Bible study, forgetting the food in the fridge. So on the way, I bought these veggie buns and soybean milk. I had brought empty containers to return to church, so that worked out perfectly.

Six gals came... And it was a great time of sharing. I always enjoy our study. We also had our new booklet ready! They turned out beautifully!

I was on my way home by 2pm and stopped at the post office to deposit the money as Annie sent money to Nepal. What a waste of time that was trying to do it through the bank here in Taiwan!

We still have plenty of food, so no need to cook. But I had to bake for my Bible study tomorrow. And I will have to be at Soochow early as the church has their annual flea market event.

I was going to have my Tuesday evening Bible study at 7pm and scooter home at 8:30 as I had somehow scheduled my online Bible study to be at 9pm. BUT the gal who was set to lead tonight couldn't make it. So we cancelled and I tutored at 7pm. At 9pm, I had my online Bible. So, it was ALMOST A TRIPLE BIBLE STUDY DAY! 

Both Alan and I were hunting for cheap tickets. So far I haven't purchased anything. Maybe tomorrow... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

WHAT A MONDAY?

I was up early as I knew that Alan and Isaiah were going to be up by 5am. So, I was up before 4am! NICE!

I didn't go for a run until everyone left for their work.

I took down the clothes and just had a leisurely morning, leaving at 9:30 for my run! After getting home, I decided to trim my hair. NICE!

Then at 12:48, I headed out... I had several things that I was hoping to get done. I had a box to mail to Corenne's granddaughter, Genesis. But first, I wanted to donate money to Nepal. I stopped at the bank and found out that I needed my ID card. So off I went to pick that up and went back to the bank. Three hours later, the money still was not transferred. I left and went and mailed the box. I was home by around 4:50 and put together a salad as I was really hungry!

Isaiah had basketball.

Alan came home and we watched the Rookie together.

I blogged, checked emails and worked on church stuff!

The day flew by... 

Keep praying for the church situation.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

What A Sunday!

I was up early and had time to get a few things done. I went to get money and went to see the last hour of the 24HR ultra at Soochow University!

I was back home and fell asleep... and God woke me up as I had an appointment to pay the cement guy. I was 15 minutes late. 

When that was finished, I rushed over to church for the Young Adults Service! The time flew by and after getting things cleaned up, I had tutoring at 1:30. That hour flew by. May was there early to set up, so that was great!

The testimonies were great... And Abby finished her first half marathon with a time of 2:33:56! Then we had another bomb dropped. The gal who we worked so hard to get hired told us that she wants to resign and go 'work' with the pastor who is incubating his 'new' ministry. What a shock! Then another couple lined our worship leader and said that they will no longer be serving, starting effectively on December 1st. So, please keep praying for our church. May there be no more land mines...

I got hoe at 9pm and had prayer time with a sister!

I put everything away and ate a small dinner and blogged. 

It was great to head to bed!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

What A Saturday!

I was up early and went out for my run as we had to leave at 9am to head to Taichung. Alan got home late and Isaiah got up late... 

We finally did leave at 9:20 and the traffic was bad. BUT, we got there by 12:05 and I took off on my own. Alan and Isaiah went to the banquet. I walked and found an UBike and rode it to the Carrefour. That was fun! I sat and ate my sandwich and drank a delicious passion fruit yogurt and then found the route to walk to IKEA. I got there and they didn't have the right lid. At the IKEA, there was a Japanese supermarket... There were these great apple veggie sauce and they were on sale! I wanted to buy everything they had, but I controlled myself. I'm going to eat one just before I go for a run! YIPPY!

Alan and Isaiah finished their banquet and came over to pick me up, but it was already 4pm. So, we missed our friend's water polo match. They won both! So, we decided to head straight to the Gloria Outlet Mall in Taoyuan. It's our annual BIRTHDAY SHOPPING TRIP! But no Abby... I bought four pairs of Brooks for 2300 per pair. Isaiah bought two pairs of Vans for 1500 per pair. Alan did not find any Mitzuno. Isaiah also bought two pairs of pants (he's gained weight!). And I also shopped for Corenne's granddaughter, Genesis. I've been trying to find something that looks Chinese.. NOTHING... So I bought some traditional American style baby items. I can only mail 100US$ worth of things! 

We left at 9:30 and got home by 10:05. Alan went straight to bed and I put a load of laundry in the washing machine and started to put away the leftovers and all the goodies we got!

And I blogged... 

Going to bed felt so great!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Carefree Date

I was up early but didn't go out until after Isaiah left for work. It was still cool! YEAH! I ran my 10K and came back and after a quick shower, went back to sleep until Alan came home. He was working on sending things to Abby as God is moving things along.. .She's working on getting her visa extended for another year... I looked again for cheap tickets and decided that maybe 2026 is not the best time to go climb ABC Trek in Nepal. There is too much going on!

Alan and I finally left at 1:30 for our lunch date. First, a stop at Coco and then there's a restaurant right next door that we've never tried. So, we decided to have lunch there. The food was quite good and the chairs were comfy! We stayed until 3pm.

We came home and I rested before heading off to tutor. And the second kid again did not show up! I was home early, which was a good thing. But what I noticed was that with TAS and other international schools off for Thanksgiving, the traffic wasn't that bad!

Isaiah went out with Fenny for dinner so Alan and I had a free evening just to hang out. He was working on getting a cheap ticket for the states this summer... I'll keep you posted.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

 

Thanksgiving Thursday!

I was up early and went out... and the weather was fabulous... Ran my 10K! I got home and started the turkey soup with the bag of bones that Alan brought home from his Soochow Thanksgiving Dinner. Yes, this year he only brought home two bags of turkey bones... nothing else! No pie, no mashed potatoes -- NOTHING BUT BONES!

Isaiah took off for work. Alan took off for work. I took a shower and had a delicious breakfast! And the house smells so good... the turkey soup in the instant pot... I did our Christmas decorations. YIPPY! We keep the decorations very simple! I will add a strand of lights... Alan likes Christmas lights and I have a small ceramic Christmas tree and 'house' which light up... and that's it! Yes, no gifts! Jesus is the best gift, so we never got into exchanging gifts. 

At 12:15 I went out to meet the teacher who put together the singing contest yesterday. She couldn't find Alan's scoring papers... Anyhow, she brought the wrong page and I couldn't wait. I told her that I'll meet her at 4:15. So, off I went to run my errands: buy black jello, pay a bill, get my scooter tuned up, transfer money, buy soda stream cartridges. I was home by 2pm and the soup was ready. I took out all the bones and put in the potatoes, onion, veggies, etc. And yes, the house smells fabulous!

At 4:00, I took off again. She had the right paper and after signing it, I went for my two hour massage! So nice! What a treat! I was home by 7pm and started dinner prep: making lots of grilled cheese sandwiches and adding more stuff to the soup!

Our friends came over for dinner at 8pm and Alan and Isaiah were home from playing basketball and we had a great evening. At 9:15, there was a group thanksgiving prayer time online. What a fun and evening of gratitude!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Different Kind of Wednesday

I was up early and spent time with Jesus. But I was feeling tired, so I went back to bed.

Alan went to play tennis and Isaiah went off to work. I went to check on the recycling and went out running for my usual 10K. I was back and after a shower, I had a nice breakfast and started to see if I can get that elusive ticket for the lowest price possible. Nothing... well... not that it's nothing, but I did not find the price that I was hoping to get!

At 12:45, Alan and I took off as we were to judge the singing contest at a university near our house. There were 24 individuals/groups that signed up and the experience was great. 

Since I had to be at the singing contest, I didn't have my usual Bible study or tutoring. A dear friend had a celebration of life service for her father, but I could not make it as it was from 2-4pm. 

The contest finished at 4:10 and Alan dropped me off at home and he took off for school. Tonight is the Soochow Thanksgiving Dinner!

I got home and blogged and checked on my emails and worked on church stuff! We have 10 dates that are in need of a speaker. Someone suggested that I speak... but I don't want to 'hog' the pulpit! So please pray as I wait to see who else the Lord will bring to speak at House of Praise.

Isaiah came home and we had a relaxing evening. Alan came home and brought lots of leftovers.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Birthday Celebration!

I was up early and did head out to run my 10K as I didn't want to experience the heat... 

I was back and Alan had taken off for tennis and got Isaiah up and out.

It's his 27th Birthday. I had bought these kid's snacks for him to take to the office!

I had a breakfast appointment with my wonderful friend, who always treats me to the best restaurants. And today was no different. She also blessed me with the best snacks... and she said: You can give them to Isaiah since it's his birthday today!

When we finished at 11am, I headed to the post office and then to the gas station before getting home. 

I had a nice free afternoon... and took a short nap. We had dinner plans to celebrate Isaiah's birthday! We found a nice burger joint and went over there for dinner. It was a very simple celebration.

He turned 27 today... Wow... and on Friday, it's Abby's birthday! How fast the years have flown by!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Simple Monday

I was up early... and I could tell that the day was going to be quite warm.

I didn't go out for my run until 9am after Alan took off to work and sure enough, it was HOT! I completed my 10k and took a quick shower and had my delicious breakfast!

I took it easy, doing some simple household chores and resting. I went out to the post office to transfer more money into Isaiah's account ... Oh, the guy who is doing the cement work sent some pictures of what the walls look like now.

I could send you 20 more pictures... but you get the idea. This is what we are spending 8200US$ for! It should be finished by Friday. God is good as there has been no rain!!!!

I also looked at ticket prices... Maybe there will be a great deal this week... which I will buy for my trip to Germany and Alan is looking to buy for his trip to the States. Oh... I've also decided that I will splurge on two more pairs of running shoes for my birthday... And so I'm looking for some good "BLACK FRIDAY" sale... 

At 3:15, I headed out to meet up with a friend... just to check in with her to see how she's doing.

And finally, we had FAMILY TIME tonight... yippee!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!