The End of May!

I was up early and went back to bed... it was so nice... but it got hot so fast...

I went to pick up some curtains but the box was too big for my scooter... so we had to make another trip with the car!

Alan and Isaiah went to play tennis and then Isaiah practiced parallel parking... it's not easy in Taipei!

We were all home by lunch time and just hung out around the house!

At 2:57, in the heat of the day I went out for 9.83K, finishing the week with 63.31! It was so hot... blaring heat!

I took a shower and we took off... Lalaport Mall! Everything was quite expensive! But it was good exercise as we walked through every floor! It was jammed packed! Wanting to not hit the traffic lights on our way back home, Alan took the long way home... We almost ended up in Ilan!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Holiday!

I was up early... and yes... I went back to sleep until 8:30 and then went out for a run at 9:21! Isaiah did not go to play tennis. Alan did after his men's small group.

We were home and ready to go out by 10:30 and we left at 11:30 to head out to Danhsui. First, we stopped off for Coco! The gal had moved and we wanted to go and clean up everything.

The traffic was bad, but that was expected.

We finally arrived at around 1pm and started working. Isaiah and I did a lot... Alan was a bit slow... He worked on the bathroom while we did the rest of the house! I think Alan was low on food!

We finally finished at 5:30 and went out to a steakhouse... Alan was very happy!

We didn't get home until 8:45 and I posted things to give away and did a load of laundry!

It was a very productive day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Day of Rest!

I was up early... and after my time, I went back to sleep...

At 8:45, I did go for my usual 10K!

When I came back, I showered and used my morning to read and called Ms. Hsieh for an appointment at 1pm. At 12:30, I dropped things off for a friend and went for a massage. It was so nice! She gave me two tzongtzi made by her mother in law and they were so delicious.

I was home by 3:30pm! And I settled on the sofa and read and rested! 

Alan and Isaiah went to play basketball and came home for dinner.

I got to talk to Abby but we didn't have Family Time as she had to be off to be with the American Team at the Mountain!

Tomorrow is a holiday, so I had cancelled my tutoring! YIPPY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Lots Happening Wednesday!

I was up early and went back to sleep... I slept a total of seven hours last night! YIPPY!

And then after helping with the recycling, I was off to meet up with Elaine. We changed from Monday to today... We usually meet up on the second Monday of each month... but this month... well...

I left at 12:30 to try to make it to the Water Polo Masters Game Award Ceremony... and God worked it out. I made it... then my tutoring cancelled... so I was able to go home and rest. I finally went out for a run and came back to bake and cook: zucchini muffins and cream cheese zucchini veggies... I made three veggie dishes... Alan can have a grilled ham and cheese sandwich... ha, ha, ha... Isaiah can have a tzongtzi!

I had tutoring at 7:30... and when that was finished, I blogged and checked my email and went to bed.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Taxes Filed...

I was up early... and did not go out to run until later on in the morning. I went back to sleep... 

I ran my 10k and then came home for a shower and made some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and fried up some zucchinis. YUMMY!

Alan came home and after he ate, we went out to get the taxes filed. Very easy and fast! We didn't get a refund but then we didn't pay any taxes this year! Nothing was deducted from our paycheck!

We then went and ran a few errands, including buying Coco drinks for Alan!

We were home by 4:30 and it was nice to relax... no tutoring or Bible study tonight!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Raining Monday...

I was up early but went back to bed after my morning time... 

I decided to run to the SongShan Sports Center to cheer on a dear brother who is on the Taiwan Masters Games Water Polo Team! The next one is in 2027 in Japan. They think I should sign up for an event... 

I got a ride from the wife as I would have never made it back in time for my tutoring!

It was a great hour as we talked about the Dragon Boat Festival. I then decided to scooter down to Chung Shan North Road Section 2 to pick up our family portrait! YEAH!

I was home and put things away and had prayer time with a dear sister. I had done a load of laundry when I came back from the Water Polo event and got everything out from the dryer.

We had plenty of dinner for Alan and Isaiah.

The rest of the evening went by quite nicely. I even had time to watch another detective show.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Speaking Sunday!

Yes, I was up early and the day flew by... 

I used the morning to get a few chores done... and then this afternoon, I was the speaker on: PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER!

I love sharing... 

I gave them time to pray based on Ephesians 3:14-19 and then I asked them to pray for the persecuted! For dinner we had tzong-tzi and there were lots of leftovers... so we brought about 10 home! YIPPY!

This week is going to be a busy one... but Friday is a holiday: Dragon Boat Festival!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Graduation and Mission Impossible!

I was up early and did get my 10k in. I was thinking about going to run again in the afternoon but the day flew by... the weather was so nice in the afternoon... cloudy... cooler... 

OK... what happened?

I was invited by a dear sister to attend her graduation ceremony since none of her family members can be here. In Taiwan, not all the graduates get to walk across the stage. Only one per department and she was selected. So... I went... and knowing how crowded it would be, I got there early. God provided a scooter parking... and even getting there early, it was packed! But I found a great place to stand. The ceremony was long and after taking a few pictures at the end, I scootered home and then met up with her for lunch! So... that was finished at 4pm! And we had bought movie tickets for 18:50! I wanted to take a nap... so I wasn't able to fit in a second run! Darn it...

As for the movie... action packed... lots of running... the peel off mask... big stunts... entertaining!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Not My Usual Friday!

I was up at the usual time... and I ran 10k... but in extreme heat!

Isaiah didn't have to go to work this morning as he had a company 3 on 3 basketball tournament! His team did not move up to the semi finals... oh well...

Alan went to watch, so we didn't have our usual date!

I went to Costco and bought ketchup! We were out... this household cannot live without ketchup! I thought I had two bottles, but it turned out that I had five bottles of salsa! And NO ketchup! I also bought milk. I stopped to see where they were playing but I didn't stay. I had to preserve my voice! 

I was home and had a salad for lunch with Cantonese BBQ pork slices. So yummy! I got the meat from Costco!

At 3:50, I took off for my tutoring. The two hours passed slowly as the older student was just not wanting to work. 

I left at 6:30 and hopefully, they will transfer the money that they owe me... 

I ran a few errands: bought Chinese medicine, paid a few bills and bought movie tickets for Mission Impossible!

I was home at 8pm and our neighbor came down for a visit. It was very nice to see him.

Overall, the day went by relatively fast!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Bed Is Moved...

I was up early... but decided not to go out immediately... And by the time I did go out, it was boiling... But I ran 10k... The Lord sustained me...

I was home and spent the time to read. I finished the book, the Calling by Brother Andrew. 

I also messaged the Day Care Center as the neighbor wants the bed... So, they finally got back to me and set the time for this afternoon at around 3pm.

So, at 12noon, I went out to buy some veggies... I also made chicken rice for dinner! With this heat, I love eating a nice salad!

Four guys came and the bed was moved... It was a bit emotional for me... I'm still processing... 

I had tutoring this evening and then we had Family Time!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Last Soochow Study for This School Year!

I was up and went out for my run... 9K... it was already too hot!

Then I was home to take a quick shower and went down to do the recycling. The rest of the morning was spent working on my talk and my Bible study homework. I finished my Bible study homework but not my talk...

By 11:30, I fixed myself a nice healthy lunch and got ready for my Bible study. At 12:15, I had to lay down for a Power Nap... 

The study went well... YEAH!

I had cancelled my tutoring... I'm so glad... So I just went home!

Alan went for his MRI on his hip... and went down to eat at Burger King. He said the hospital had revamped the food court and it's super nice... ha, ha, ha... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Bible Studies...

I was up but not early... And after my time, I just hung around at home... put clothes away, baked the dish for my Bible study and then went to church early.

I parked the scooter and brought things up and set up. Then I walked around the area... looking for a mini rice cooker inner pot. None!

We had six gals at the study... how fabulous! And again, everyone brought something to share! We looked at Ephesians 4:7-16. 

I scootered home and Alan was back... I shared the leftovers with him! I then took a nap! I got up at 4:30 and went out for a short run! 7K! 

This evening I had my second Bible study on Simplicity. The topic of discussion was: PERFECT PEACE!

I was home by 10pm and didn't stay up much later...

It was a really simple and pleasant day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Sluggish Day!

I was up early... and just felt sluggish...I went out for a run... and it was a very sluggish run... 

I took a shower... and felt drained! 

I decided to take extra vitamins because I hope this is not the onset of another bout of shingles! I need to curb it immediately!

I worked on my talk.

I went out to run a few errands.

I made a sandwich dish for my Bible study tomorrow.

But the important thing is: I let my body rest. I realize that perhaps I've bottled up my stress... and I need to take it easy. I am also trying to overcome this dry cough. 

With all these thoughts, I decided to cancel my tutoring for Wednesday! I will only have my Soochow Bible Study. It's our last one for the semester! 

So, I'm processing... and two words: waiting... unexpected... 

Prior to my Mom's sudden passing, I felt as if my life was on hold. I was waiting to move forward with my life, being stuck in this season as a caretaker. Each morning, I tell the ladies in the van and the driver: My Mom is going to live until she's 105. I got that number from the doctor here in Taipei when she first went in for a full physical. She was on no medication and she had a great appetite. With those two factors, the doctor gave her a 'clean bill of health' and jokingly said that about her living until she's 105. So that number was stuck in my head. I thought... if she lives until she's 105, I'd be 75... The first three years... I quite enjoyed the thought of Mom living that long... but then the change came and it became extremely difficult to be her full time caretaker. The heaviness became increasingly greater. 

The second word: unexpected... Because my mind was set on her living to 105, her passing came even more of a shock! I'm still processing... and walking in grace... leaving behind guilt or stress and anything else that entangles me. I will blog more as the days pass... 

Isaiah came home at 2:30. His computer broke down so his supervisor let him have half day off!

Alan was home and we all had dinner together: leftover bento boxes from last night!

At 8:30, I had my online Revelation study. And when that was finished, I went to bed! (But before I went to bed, Annie lined me: "Where is my post?" And I realized I didn't hit "Publish"! Thank you, Annie!)

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Productive Sunday!

I was up early and I was very productive!

I did a load of laundry and cleaned the washing machine! Then I went and switched over my clothes: getting the summer stuff out! What I mean is that I switched things around. I try to streamline my wardrobe! And even though it was quite warm, I went for a short walk! 

Alan was back from playing tennis. Isaiah slept in!

We went to church at 2:30 as I do the set up! Isaiah did a great job translating! We had three sets of family tonight: Michael's siblings came to surprise him for his 60th birthday, Pastor James' sister and Mom were at the service, and Jianni and Dave's son was back from the States!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A More Difficult Day...

I was up super early... and went for my 10K and finished the week with 63.33! That was the number that I was aiming for!

After I got back, I went down to check the recycling and there were so many items: a microwave, two shelves, kitchen gadgets... I put everything by my scooter and carted everything to the car! I will donate everything!

I took a quick shower and started on my talk notes: Pray for One Another! I also looked over my Revelation study... 

I told Alan... it is more difficult today than last Saturday. 

So much was happening last Saturday: helping a friend do the inspection for her apartment, cremation service, dinner together with James and Fenny, playing Rummique... preparing for Sunday message and making sure all the snacks and 'gifts' were purchased!

Today... it would be Mom Care! And I'd be thinking about having the Helper come at 5pm and making sure the food is set as we have our Marriage Builders event tonight... 

So... without the go-go-go of last Saturday, I had time to 'think'... 

God is gracious... I made myself a pot of Ethiopian coffee! And this evening, we had a wonderful time with three other couples. It was the Marriage Builders "Fun Night Out". First we played pool at the Neihu Sports Center then we had dinner at a buffet restaurant with such a great selection of food!

Isaiah went out with Fenny and Fenny's elementary school friend! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

 

Another Day...

I was up early... and yes, I ran my usual 10K. And yes, it was HOT!

After a quick shower, I had things to get done... There are always things to get done... 

Alan was home and we went out to lunch at a new place. I got coupons and the food was good. It was so hot outside... We decided just to head home... and we both took a nap. My throat has this dry cough... 

At 3:45 I headed out for tutoring. I got gas on the way... and the two hours went by!

The complex had an issue... one of the mechanical spaces had 'collapsed'! I'm so glad I'm not the head of the board! They will have a meeting tomorrow to discuss how to resolve the issue!

Isaiah had a dinner/party engagement tonight.

It was nice just to be home!

I do have one more thing to share:

As you know, the clock at the sink of my Mom's bathroom stopped at 3:33 and that's the time that's on my Mom's death certificate. Today, Annie sent me this picture:

This is the clock at Nadine Circle, my Mom's condo in Torrance! With a new battery, the clock stopped at around 3:33! (And I think the second hand is at 43?)

Here is the alarm clock that's on the bathroom sink counter:

The second hand is at around 45!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Day... My Sabbath!

I was up early... I think this is the norm now... since it's close to summer time!

I went out for my 10k and Isaiah and Alan took off for work!

I had two books that I wanted to read and that's what I did! First, I had breakfast! German bread with cream cheese and butter. The bread was from a dear sister who knew I love German stuff! Oh... that bread was so delicious. Then again, I settled on the couch and started reading! 

I'd get up and do a simple chore: I put a load of laundry in. I taped up the bag filled with Mom's clothes. I sorted through the box filled with gloves and talcum powder, etc. 

At around 3:30, I scootered over to church. I gave away stuff as the second hand store downstairs at the building where the church is was opened! YIPPY! 

On the way back, I stopped to buy veggies and apples for my salad. I also dropped off puzzles and games at the Day Care and picked up a tax form. I paid a bill. 

I came home and read some more... 5:24... Mom would have been home and eating dinner...

Tonight I had tutoring at 7:30 and then Family Time after Alan and Isaiah came home from basketball.

We are almost finished with all the leftovers in the fridge! YIPPY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Busy Day...

I think the title will either be: Another Day or Another Busy Day. And today: it was another busy day!

I was up early and went out for my 10k. It got hot really fast!

After a quick shower, I was downstairs, sorting through the recycling and the truck came! When that was finished, I scootered over to the Day Care Center right on time and got all that done! Mom was officially 'signed out'... and they have a waiting list, so the next person has been informed! The Center does such a great job. The elderly people were having their exercise class when I walked out!

Back at home, I didn't have much time as I had to get to my Soochow Bible study. I had a baked lemon cranberry loaf bread and I also brought chocolate covered bananas. YEAH! We had five people today and finished everything! Several students wrote cards of condolences and the pastor and the office assistant came to talk after class. 

I was home and had to do yet another quick switch and grab my bag for tutoring. The hour flew by and I was home and ready for a salad! YUMMY! After dinner, I blogged and wanted to go to bed... I realized that I was up quite early this morning!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Day...

I am getting up around 5am these last couple of days... and I am very conscious of not rushing... 

I went out for my run as I checked the weather and it was going to be too warm to run anytime after 8am! I came home and had a quick shower and had a nice chat with Annie! Maybe next summer we'd do some traveling around the States. She hasn't been to Yellowstone Park and Alan wants to go there as well... That would be so much fun! And we started to reminisce and I realized that I had gone because we stopped there on our way back from dropping her off in Boston! That's why she has never been there while I have! We went to Chicago on our way back and stopped at Yellowstone National Park! What a trip that was! I wonder if we can find the pictures from that trip this summer!

When we hung up, I got out some leftovers: this delicious tofu soup and had my breakfast! While on the phone with Annie, she asked how I was feeling? I said, "Tired!" So after breakfast, which was around 10:30am, I took a nap! It was very refreshing!

Since I am to have a meeting tomorrow with the Day Care Center, I took out the HUGE notebook of paperwork all related to Mom. But honestly, it was taking too much brain power to sort through, so I decided to file everything! I'll go through that at another time. I just took out what I needed for the meeting! 

Alan came home and we sat on the counter while he had lunch. We still have a lot of food in the fridge!

When he took off for a massage, I started to work on Mom's room... But I decided to sit down and read... I was thinking that I would use the time to prepare for my talk on May 25th. Instead, I sat there and read for almost five straight hours and finished the book, A Life Inscribed by Rob Penner.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Day...

I was up early... and life continues...

I didn't go for a run until 8:48 and ran only 9k as we had an early lunch planned for 10:30 with James and I wanted to drop by the Day Care Center to give them the Chinese Taro breads that I had ordered.

It was difficult to walk into the Day Care Center... and I'll have to go again on Wednesday!

Lunch was smashing... as I asked a few pertinent questions, talking to James... 

At 11:45, we had to take off: Alan went to class. I came home to get ready for tutoring. I did a load of laundry too!

Tutoring was very special as I had felt the Lord leading me to talk about having a bucket list and facing death. My student was very touched as she has a cousin with stage 4 cancer. Neither of them has yet come to know Christ... I pray that God would work miraculously!

After tutoring I went to pick up the pictures and got the letters mailed and headed home! 

Alan came home early as he didn't have class but an alumni speaking event. 

We had so much leftovers, so when Isaiah came home, we enjoyed a nice dinner at home!

Tonight I had my monthly ladies, In Jesus' Name, prayer time!

I was so ready to go to bed!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Busy Day!

I was up early... and it was raining... 

At 8am, we had our monthly HOP prayer meeting and I asked Alan to lead it. There were only five of us online... but it was a refreshing time of prayer!

When that was finished, I took out all the creams and ointments from the bathroom cabinets and sorted through them. Next I took out the clothes from her chest of drawers and she had quite a bit of clothes. I packed everything up. I think I'll bring everything back to the States and see what Annie would like to do with everything. We can drop things off at Salvation Army there on PCH or Annie donates to the homeless shelter as well!

At 10am, the bakery called. The breads/snacks were ready! Could I come earlier so that they can close up shop?!??!?!?! I loaded up the other items into the car and headed over. The elderly couple had packed everything into 7 boxes... I dropped everything off at the church and headed back home. 

I was feeling so tired and decided to take a short nap! That really helped. 

We headed out for church at 2:30 and helped set up... making coffee, putting out the snacks that I brought, setting up the table for Lord's Supper! 

Helen, the pastor's wife, and I were the speakers. It was a special message... God's timing is unfathomable because we had decided to share the Mother's Day Message five months ago, without knowing what would happen this past Wednesday. From now on, every Mother's Day, I will be reminded of my wonderful mother's home-going!

We had dinner at church and then dropped Fenny off! We were home by 8:45... and I didn't need to rush to get Mom to bed... 

The week has started... James will have brunch with us tomorrow!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

It Was A Long Day!

I was up early and the skies were gray... 

I thought I'd go for a short 5K run, but as I headed out... the birds on the trees that were on both sides of the lane started to sing. A gust of wind came. A clap of thunder and the down pour came. I ran 2.5 K and came back...

I messaged Alan... Can you drive? I had promised a dear sister to help her inspect her new place... So, Alan came home. We woke Isaiah up and we were out of the house at 9:30. It really was raining so hard. 

The inspection went well... They did a great job making a small space look bigger.

We left at 11:08 and we stopped to get money and then headed to pick up James. We were at the mortuary right on time... and got all the cell phones ready.

We went down to the individual rooms and they brought the body out... They had done a great job with the make up. If you're interested in seeing a picture, let me know and I'll post one for you!

Annie, KR, Eddie and Sandy were online... James, Isaiah, Alan and I were there. Mom was dressed in the outfit that she wears. And she looked just like Mom! We shared our memories, sang Amazing Grace and You Are My Sunshine and prayed together! I don't think they expected us to be in there for so long... Alan wore a Hawaiian shirt made by Mom Bea. I wore polka dotted shirt and sparkly skirt.  James was wearing a white T-shirt and a striped shirt! Only Isaiah was dressed in black. James said we looked like tourists in a mortuary! 

The body was wheeled out and the guy played the song Mom sings at the Day Care Center from I Cor. 13:4-8. Once she was pushed in, we had to wait for 90 minutes and until things finished and then we brought the urn and the ashes were placed inside. The process was very interesting!

I must mention that the skies were so gray... but when she was pushed in and we came out, the skies cleared and the sun came out... the rain stopped!

We then went to pick up Fenny and headed to our favorite teppanyaki place at Neihu Ikea! We had a feast!

We dropped James off and then we came home to play Rummique.

We were going to have Family Time...but Abby wanted to change the time and we couldn't do it earlier. Alan and Isaiah dropped Fenny off and I stayed home to clean!

It was a long day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Another Day...

I was up... not at 4:44, although I was awake... I didn't get up until 5:14!

It was already quite warm... Again, I wanted to be unhurried... 

Alan went to play tennis and go to the gym.

Isaiah went to work.

I went for my 10k at 9:09 and it was blistering hot... When I got back, Annie message me: Want to talk? So, we were able to chat for 30 minutes before I went to get my haircut. I usually do it myself, but I was planning on getting a "real" haircut... but I didn't... Only a trim!

I was home and Alan came back. I asked him to get things out of Mom's room. We gave away a few furnishing pieces and her wheelchair, her walker, her shower chair, and all the packages of diapers I had bought or what Annie had sent over! I loaded up the car!

The bed is still there... Isaiah is not in a hurry to get his room back... I still have to pack up the clothes... Again, I'm not in a hurry!

This evening we went and dropped off some items to people and then met up with Angel Lin for dinner. Isaiah and Fenny joined us!

James arrived and met us at the restaurant. We dropped him off and then went to drop off Fenny.

I got an urn for the ashes... Tomorrow will be a long day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Very Weird Day!

I was up super early -- 4:44 to be exact! I just couldn't sleep...

It was just weird... I journaled... in a very unhurried manner. I read the devotional, "Streams in the Desert" and this sentence struck me: The comfort we have from Christ's revealed truth is not that it teaches us freedom from sorrow but that it teaches us freedom through sorrow. How God was ministering His comfort to me...

I went for my 10k run... It was slightly sprinkling at the beginning and towards the end of my run. I didn't want to go longer, even though I could have... 

I put in a load of laundry and still can not go into Mom's room... I know that will come... Annie, my sister, asked about dates for July... she's going to buy my ticket on Starlux! July 18th... returning on August 10th.

A sister messaged me... am I home? She came over... I wasn't ready to have company, but it was good of her to drop by. She brought food... I am not feeling hungry. We sat and chatted... three hours flew by!

I then went out to buy special breads to give out on Sunday... I bought 210 pieces of five different kinds of bread... Wow... People have been asking me when I'd have a service. We are not having a service. But I wanted people to receive something on Sunday... I will lay these 'snacks' out for Love Cafe and then after dinner, people can take something back home, maybe for breakfast on Monday morning... I know Mom would want to bless others...It's Mother's Day!

I had made an appointment for a massage... and Ms. Hsieh would not charge me for the 90 minute session! I am so blessed!

I came home and Alan came back. He went for a run. He had called Mom Bea on Team and she knows about the passing of my Mom!

Isaiah had work today... and he found out the regulations for bringing back ashes on the plane! He went to Soochow basketball and Alan and I went out to dinner!

Two things just felt so weird: in the morning, I looked to see the van pulling up to pick up our neighbor across the street. That's the usual routine! I wanted to go down to talk to the driver and those who rode with Mom each morning... but I just couldn't... Maybe tomorrow...

In the evening, the phone rang... It was about the time when Mom would be dropped off... but that can't be... it was the bread shop, confirming my order! The owners are two elderly people... very sweet... very small shop... I didn't go to a big place to buy these 'snacks'... I'm glad I went with this Ma & Pa Shop!

I miss Mom!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!