Free Friday!

I was up and went out for a very slow 10K. It was more of a walk than a run... My knee is just weird... I can't really bend it... 

I came back and rubbed pain-free cream and put a patch on after my shower. And of course, I iced it some more!

Isaiah was up and out... and I had the house all to myself!

I ate the last German pretzel bread for breakfast and read. Then I took a long nap! It was absolutely refreshing... I napped with an ice brace on my knee. Unfortunately, I did not wake up completely healed... The knee felt better but not healed!

I ate kiwis for lunch. They were already cut and in the fridge and very refreshing! I also had my apple slices with my delicious salad.

It was 1pm and so I turned on the WiFi and Alan called. How nice!!!! The 'situation' has continued... Please pray!

I had to prep for my tutoring this afternoon and I left early as my knee slows down my movements.

Tutoring went well... the second kid was just not motivated and feeling too tired.

After tutoring, I scootered all the way to Neihu and Isaiah joined us. We hung out with Gabe and Wei and their kids. They just moved. What a nice place!

We didn't get home until 10:25!

I just wanted to go to bed...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Interesting PR Day!

I was up and ran my 10k but my right knee feels completely 'off'... After a shower, I started icing it... it looks swelled up. I also put a brace on throughout the day!

I was home and it just felt so great to have a day... 'off'. I had planned things... Like reserve books from the local library, contact our scooter guy to see if he has a good second hand scooter as a friend is looking, clean up Isaiah's corner, get the clothes off the line, and READ! I just can't sit for too long, so I always plan little side jobs that are easy to get done.

I had a delicious breakfast as the gal on Monday gave me GERMAN breads and two salads. I'm still finishing up the breads including one that's a pretzel bread. SO DELICIOUS.

For lunch, someone gave me veggie fish soup. Now, the veggies and noodles were great, but it was difficult as she made it with fish that had BONES! I had to be very careful!

On Monday, I had made an appointment for a massage with Ms. Hsieh at 4pm, so I left early to stop at the local library to pick up some books for tutoring!

Two hours... and I fell asleep... On the way back home, I stopped to ask about a second hand scooter for our friend, Emily and I went to Carrefour to buy Coca Cola and soybean milk.

When I got home, I had dinner ready, but Isaiah went to play basketball at Soochow. I had the house to myself. And yes, I sat and read some more... And I also worked on the Bible study for HOP and the chapters in the book, Heaven! And I watched two episodes of the Rookie!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

 

Lots Going On

I was up early and went out for my usual 10K. It was hot and muggy and humid! Not fun!

After getting home and having a shower, I did take the time to rest!

Isaiah didn't need to get up so early as he had a 'day' in the military... They paid him like 30US$. And he learned CPR but did not get certified. 

I went down to assist the recycling pick up and then went to meet up with a gal... our monthly appointment to catch up. She always prepares lots of goodies... and it was the same today! We talked until almost 2:30 and I had to rush home as I had tutoring this afternoon.

I stopped to get salad and made grilled cheese sandwiches and went to tutoring and got there right at 4:30. Wow!

It was the first time back with this sweet kid. She's now in Kindergarten!

The hour flew by and I was on my way home. Earlier I had tried to mail something to the States and that cannot be done anymore! So, I will have to give this small packet to Judy on Saturday and ask her to mail it for me. It's crazy!

I was home and Isaiah got home at around 4:30 and ate two grilled cheese sandwiches.

What a day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

  

Great Tuesday!

I was up early and went out for my 10K.

I had nothing planned for most of the day, except for Bible study at 7pm.

So, after I got back, I took a shower and then rested. 

Isaiah was up and out and I had my breakfast: coffee and a German danish. The lady yesterday gifted me a bag of German breads and goodies and two boxed salads! Wow...

Then I read and finished a book on Communion and then started cleaning these great containers that I got from the recycling area.

I rested more in the afternoon as I will be heading out to my Bible study this evening. 

And yes, I posted more things to give away!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Started Tutoring

I was up and went out for my 10K. There was a slight cool breeze as it rained yesterday.

I was home and after a shower, I rested... It felt so refreshing.

Isaiah left and he needed me to do a load of laundry as he has a basketball game tonight. So, I got that started and then had breakfast before sitting down to read!

I also napped on and off. I finished reading the chapters for tomorrow's study on Heaven. And I'm reading another book on Communion.

At 1:15, I left to drop things off at church and then to tutor. At 3:30, after finishing my tutoring, I met up with a sister who needed some advice. She also bought lots of German breads and two Caesar salads for me! WOW...

I was home before 5pm and two other people came over for some counseling. So great... they also brought snacks for me!

Isaiah came home at around 6:15 and got dressed for his game and he will stop at the old house to pick up two small black fans for work!

Our friends left at 7:30... and I had the evening free. 

But after what happened on Sunday, the pot has been stirred and people were messaging back and forth like a wild bee hive... It was insane!

Tomorrow is a 'free day'. I hope to avoid all the mean messages and just have tie with God and read and pray! I do have Bible study tomorrow night!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Different Kind of Sunday

I was up early... and yes, I didn't run, but went and walked around the block. It was nice and cool.

When I got back, I got the fans from the recycling area and proceeded to fix them. Both of them now work! YEAH! I will be giving them away.

I then took a quick nap as we had our monthly HOP Prayer Time that started at 8am. When that finished at 9am, I got things together for Isaiah to take to church and I packed my stuff for the day. What did I planned for the day?

To start off with, I had planned to attend Taipei International Church. Their service started at 10:30. They also have communion on the first Sunday of the month. And after the service, they served some pepperoni and cheese pizza: my favorite! I saw so many friends... And I talked to a newcomer who graduated from Soochow University. Then I saw Gabe and another guy came up to talk to us. As he looked at me, he recognized me or maybe he recognized my voice. He was one of Alan's students from 22 years ago. 

As I walked out of the church, I saw their 'free' book rack! I couldn't believe it. There were three copies of My Utmost for His Highest and a book on Communion. I took one copy of My Utmost and the Communion book and headed out to my scooter. I was planning to take the MRT to the Taipei Zoo!

On the MRT, I started to read the Communion book. I liked what the author wrote as a sample text for making the Communion Meaningful! First, the author invited all to read together Matthew 26:20-26. Then this is what is suggested as the text to say before people take the communion (I will write only part of the text!):

The only requirement for you to take Communion is that you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If that is not the case, you can confess your sins and invite Him to be the Lord of your life right now. There's no better moment than this one to step into His freedom and grace. We do want to examine our hearts, though, before we take this together. Jesus came as our example. Everything that Jesus did here on earth was an example for us to model in our daily lives. In these verses that we just read, we see a stunning example of the purity of His heart. As soon as Jesus talks about the impending betrayal, He turns around and praises God. God help us to do the same. 

The text goes on to talk about bitterness or unforgivenss or any time when we've been unkind, etc. It was just an invitation for individuals to reflect.

I arrived at the zoo and it was already 1:15. I put the book away... and tapped my YoYo Card and got into the Zoo. I think it was 50NT$.

I walked to the Panda Pavilion and found seats upstairs and sat myself down and took out my computer. I had wanted to use some time to write... To reflect while my memories are clear about these past four months since my Mom passed. God had planned something special on the 7th of each month thus far, and I felt God was prompting me to continue this. So I will do that for this year. I will go to a place that's special on the 7th of each month until May 7th, 2026 when I will be in Heidelberg.

The day flew by... I walked and saw the elephants, the giraffes, the panda bears, the penguins... Mostly, I just walked and memories flooded my mind. Yes, I did sit and write... 

By 5pm, the zoo was shutting down and I took the MRT back to Neihu. 

I had only written three pages... but it was a good start: Joyous Journey through Grief. My next time will be Tuesday October 7th! I'm planning on going to YeiLio, the Queen's Head, another place I went with Mom!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Decluttering Saturday!

I was up early and ran my 10K... and yes, I hit 60K for this week.

I came home and trimmed my hair and took a shower!

Then it was nap time!!!! 

I got up and ate breakfast... and started to make a lot of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. I made a total of 12!

Soon, Isaiah was up... I thought it was because I had asked him last night to get up to start decluttering, but he got up because the Chargers' game started!

Alan and Abby were probably glued to the game as well... 

This was a special game as it was being played right in São Paulo. 

Isaiah was great as he really started decluttering with me at 10am. And we worked so hard! We pulled down containers of stuff from the closets in his room... and we sorted. I posted to give things away. It was intense... We worked with the AC on and at one point, the living room and dining room were stacked with things.

At 12:30, we took a lunch break! And we finished up by 3pm. 

I have so many people coming to get things. 

Isaiah left at 3:50 to meet up with Fenny. They are heading out to Keelung to meet Fenny's sister. I went to scooter to meet a guy who came to pick up stuff and our guard was so incompetent that she didn't know where the bag was. It was right there on the counter... So, I told the guy I'd scooter over there to drop it off for him.

I was home and had the evening free... so so nice!

And things were picked up! YEAH!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Flying Friday!

I was up early and my running was not flying... I trotted... Finished my 10K.

Yes, I was home and after a shower, I made chicken nuggets for Isaiah's lunch and then rested!

I like this new 'routine'. 

After Isaiah left, I sat and read and then started cleaning the floor... I also prepped for my afternoon tutoring!

Then at 11:20, I took off to pick up books for donation and then went to Burger King. I met up with our friend, Gabe. He is trying to consider a career change... and needed someone to bounce off his ideas. I'm totally supportive of this new possibility! We shall see...

I scootered back home and settled down to get the house back in order as I still haven't finished the floor. I haven't mopped in such a long time. I was going to make some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with avocado... but decided just to take it easy. It was so hot!

And I had tutoring at 4:30, so I left at 3:50 and headed out. Tutoring went well... And I was home by 7:15!

I had a free evening... It was good to have Isaiah home!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Splendid PR Thursday

I was up early and yes, ran my 10K. It felt cooler... but I was still soaking wet from sweat when I got back. It felt good to take a quick shower. I then went and rested.

Isaiah was up and out and I decided to clean one shelf in my freezer and threw out a few things: bones that I had been saving to make soup and a container of nice orange and lemon peel to make the trash cans smell better. But now that Mom is gone...  

I used the reminder of the morning to read and rest. At 12noon, I turned on the WiFi and started editing the new study. 

Alan called and we talked. That was nice... Maybe I won't be leading this study in January 2026. Please continue to pray... Alan is going to work on a letter of resignation as an elder of HOP.

I had made an appointment for a massage, so I took off and it was a downpour! Wow... 

I got there three minutes later... 

The massage was so great. I need to do this weekly!

I finished and headed to the old house to pick up the floor steamer. The rain had stopped!

I was home by 6pm and made a simple dinner of couscous with cabbage! YUMMY!

I also looked into Eurail passes... use 7 times within a month: 269$. But I don't think I'll need it that much. We are only planning to go to Heidelberg and somewhere in Switzerland! We have time to consider what's the best plan of actions.

The evening past all too quickly.

Isaiah had basketball practice and before he got home, I used the steamer and mopped the floor!

Daily Lovely Insight:

 

Seek Him First!

No Tutoring Wednesday!

I was up early and went out and ran my 10K.

After taking a shower, I went back to bed for my nap... That's so delightful!

Isaiah was up and out and I put away the clean laundry and went downstairs to make sure all the recycling stuff is taken!

I was back up and on the sofa to read for about 30 minutes before I had to head out.

I was going to meet a dear sister who got back from the Philippines and she brought back two bags of corn nuts... But before meeting her, I wanted to go to pay a few bills, go to the old house to pick up the desk lamps that I'm giving away (I forgot to get the steamer, which is ok as I had too many things on my scooter already!), and buy more bananas. She was on time and we stood there to chat a bit before we parted ways. 

I went and got a watch battery and then onto PXMart and bought some soda pop and came home with everything. I made vermicelli with cabbage for lunch. Isaiah can have it for dinner! I made a lot!

I also made more grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. He likes to take them for his lunch!

Since there was no tutoring at 4:30, I read and rested!

Tonight, I had counseling with the couple from our church.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Better Tuesday!

I was up early and ran my 10K.

I got home and put the shrimp poppers in the air fryer for our Bible study gals. I already made couscous!

After my shower, I rested! It always feel so good as I fall so fast asleep!

I got up and Isaiah was up and out and then I took off. I always check the recycling when I'm down by my scooter!

I dropped off donation for the elderly guy who sells things. His 'store' is right by our church. I was glad to get to church early as Tiffany called to check the WiFi system. I had asked her back on August 7th to give a testimony!

Angie, May, Audrey, Ariel, Angela, Grace and I were there and Kathryn joined us on line and supposedly Licat also joined us. The testimony was absolutely perfect! We then did our study and shared prayer requests and finished at around 12:30. After cleaning up, I went over to see Angela's newly remodeled bathrooms and cabinet. I was going to go over to the old house, but I had too many things. I couldn't get the lamps and floor steamer, so I decided to head home. I put things away and started to make grilled cheese sandwiches for Isaiah's lunch and dinner! He is low on money after buying the concert ticket. So, he has been bringing his own food to work.

I was feeling tired, so I laid down for a nap.

At 4pm, I had prayer time with one gal who has been feeling really down.

And then at 8pm, I had prayer time with the gals who I usually pray with the first Monday of the month. We couldn't do it yesterday... so we switched it to tonight!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Very Long Monday...

I was up early and went out for my run... it was hot but I was glad to be out... I was tired... but I was glad to be out!

I came home and went down to B1 to get things that needed to be given away! I was too tired last night to pick things up!

I took a shower and sorted through things and then I rested. 

Isaiah took off and I called the Toyota Dealership. 

They will come over sometime today.

Alan messaged me and needed to talk: the church issues... have... escalated! They will have a meeting and he wanted to ask me about my thoughts. We talked for over 2 hours! It was very 'enlightening' as I realized what has been happening over these past two and a half years. At the end of our conversation, we both came to the conclusion that love and unity are more important than these issues. We will move forward!

I had to rush off as I was meeting the students at Soochow. I had promised to buy them stinky tofu and 'fantwan' a traditional Chinese breakfast. I got there just five minutes late... and only 6 of them were there. We had fun chatting and eating. They did not like the stinky tofu!

I was on my scooter at 1pm and I had errands to run: updating bank books, paying bills, getting gas!

When I got home, the Toyota Dealership called and said that they will come sometimes this afternoon! Was I in a hurry to get the car fixed? I said: NO... So at 4:00, they called and came over and got the car started and we headed to the dealership. To make a long story short, the whole 'tune-up' cost 310US$! ＡAnd I still need to get the tires changed. We usually do that at Costco! I will do that some other time. I was home by 6:15!

I had prayer time at 8:30... and that was the same time as Alan's MEETING! 

I will write more in tomorrow's blog!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!