Feasting while Cruising

Just one of many delicious dinners that we had on board the Carnival Dream!

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Happy Chinese New Year

Yes, the whole month of January has flown by and we're already half way through February. I finally have time to post on our family blog. Really -- these six weeks went by faster than the speed of light. Why? Well, the semester ended in the middle of January and there were grades to calculate and papers to grade. At the same time, I had to get ready for our trip to the States. That meant shopping and packing and packing and shopping. After arriving in the States, I helped to pack my parents' suitcases as we were headed for a ROAD TRIP -- a 7 day cruise to see the Mayan Pyramids and a visit to Kennedy Space Center. Before I knew it, February arrived and I was again shopping and packing and packing and shopping in order to get things ready for our return to Taiwan. The day before our flight back in early February, I became deathly ill. I don't usually get sick, but this was the worse case of the flu that I have had in a long time -- my head ached and spun, I felt dizzy, I had no smell or taste, all I wanted to do was SLEEP. The flight was quite miserable and after our return, I slept for another FIVE days. And now second semester has started... and the only way I survived the first week back was by the grace and strength of God. I have recovered, which is a miracle. I know that so many were praying for me. The kids are back in school, Alan and I are back in school and everything is in full swing. So exactly one month after our departure in January for the start of our vacation, I finally have a minute to post some pictures and yes, it's already February 20th. Enjoy the pictures.

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Looking Forward to 2011

As we approach 2011, there are some areas of concern in need of your steadfast prayer support.

1. Isaiah's schooling -- We are in the process of filling out forms in order to homeschool Isaiah. The paperwork is extremely complicated. We want to partner with a local junior high school so that Isaiah would still be attending school three afternoons a week. Abigail will be in the sixth grade and this will work out well. But to get the school to cooperate, to get the right teacher, and to get everything approved are still heavy on our heart. We hope to get all the paperwork completed by Jan. 20th so that as soon as we get back from our Chinese New Year vacation, we would be sending in the application.

2. Our teaching schedules -- In light our first prayer concern, we surely need God's hands to orchestrate our teaching schedules. It is going to be a miracle. Once the schedule is out, it is very difficult to change. Presently, Lovely has to go out to Taoyuan once a week. It is a tremendously long day for her. It would be great if she can be teaching only in the Shihlin area. Along with Lovely's teaching, she is starting to write and hoping to get at least three books published in 2011. This will only become a reality with your prayer support.

3. Our church involement -- We have enjoyed the opportunities to speak and to counsel. We know that God wants to use us. We need wisdom when opportunities arise. We want to wait upon the LORD to lay His words upon our hearts before we agree to take on any speaking, counseling or other ministry. Alan will continue to be one of the Overseers of House of Praise. He needs God's wisdom as he and the other brothers plan for the direction of the church. We also hope that Abby will be serving on the worship team as a drummer and that Isaiah would be involved as a churcher greeter and to serve at every love feasts.

4. Our many celebrations -- Each year we have been so grateful for God's favor upon us. As we celebrate each holiday or birthday or anniversary, we want to be fruitful for His glory. We ask you to be in prayer for our safety and health. Isaiah still struggles with his allergies and Abby's eyes have not gotten worse this past year. We know that God is at work in their lives.

5. Our family time -- We have set aside every Friday as family time and couple time. In the morning, Alan and Lovely have time to be together to pray. Then in the evening when the kids are home, we take time to watch a special Christian program, discuss and pray together after reviewing our verses. Please pray that the LORD will lay upon our path the right Christian programs. We have gone through the Truth Project and That the World May Know. Both of these have been absolutely fabulous and such a blessing to us.

6. Our elderly parents and other family members -- Being away from our elderly parents and other family members is often difficult. We ask that you will remember to pray for them -- their health, their work, their every decision.

7. Our finances -- We praise God that He is our Provider. We have truly experienced that throughout our lives. When we look around our house, we are amazed at what we have found in the trash, in the dumpsters, from friends, in second hand stores, and how He always provide just at the right time. Right now we are in need of a car as ours is running on faith. Alan is also thinking of buying a better scooter and I will be riding his. (And that's a big prayer request right there -- for me to ride a 125cc scooter!!!) We wait upon the LORD and we ask that you would pray for God's insight and guidance when we make our decisions.

There you have them -- our 7 requests for 2011.

Thank you for partnering with us through prayer.

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Competitions -- 2010

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Family -- 2010

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Down Memory Lane -- Jan. 2010

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The Countdown -- Our Christmas 2010 Newsletter

For those who do not live in Taiwan, you might already be on your Christmas vacation! AHHHHH... how nice! For us, this year Christmas is on Saturday, so we actually have time to just sit and enjoy being together as a family. What are we planning to do? We don't exchange gifts, so there won't be the madness of unwrapping presents. We will have a special breakfast? What might be on the menu? Pancakes, waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs and moon over my hammy! (That's a Denny's breakfast special which we love and make on special occasions!) But I am getting ahead of myself. This post was to review this past year...

So, what are some highlights?

Celebrating our 23rd Wedding Anniversary!

Isaiah's 12th and Abigail's 11th birthday weekend! (We won't mention ours!!!!)

Two trips to the States to see our elderly parents, family members and friends!

Isaiah's wonderful accomplishment in the English Speech Contest!

For Lovely the miracle of her passing the scooter license (She now has a license to ride a 100cc+ scooter!)

The basketball teams that Alan coaches all placed in the top four in all the competitions they joined this year.

Abby excelling in all her school subjects and her extracurricular activities (She is one busy lady!)

What are some things that didn't happen?

Alan did not join a men's Bible study.

Lovely did not publish any new books.

Isaiah did not win his track and field races.

Abigail did not join her school's T-ball or swim team.

Despite all that didn't happen, it has been a tremendously anointed and blessed year. We want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY AMAZING NEW YEAR!

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