"Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer."
Seek Him First!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Simple Recipe
Costco no longer sells pumpkin pies during this holiday season. I was shocked. We have always bought our pumpkin pies from Costco. What a deal as they were big and delicious and quite inexpensive. We went there several times and no pumpkin pie...So, I decided to call and find out if we had to order them. The lady told me the sad news -- for this year, Costco would not be making or be selling pumpkin pies... So, I got on line and found a simple recipe... with less than 5 ingredients... I decided to make them. The time it took to bake one was what took the longest... everything else was easy. And I found a place that sells ready made crust for about 2US$ each. This made me think about when we face obstacles or difficulties. We are paralyzed, trying to figure out what to do. Instead we need to get on line, not on the computer, but on line with God. Go to Him. Often times, He has already prepared a way to overcome the problem... It might take time. It might take some waiting. But it might be as simple as a less than 5 ingredients pumpkin pie.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Every Perfect Gift Comes from Above
It's November... Most people think of Thanksgiving... and for me, it's more than that. For in this month, I celebrate the gift of my children. Tonight, we went to a Korean Restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Next Friday, we will go to an Italian Restaurant to celebrate my son's birthday. My son is turning 15. My daughter is turning 14. I celebrate their birth not just in November. Each night when I tuck them into bed (yes, I still tuck them into bed) and pray over them, I am filled with awe. It is true, every perfect gift comes from above... I retired early so that I can spend more time with them. And that's one decision I will never regret, no matter how many times people tell me, "Oh, why did you retire so early? To give up such a great job and the nice salary..." Sorry... you don't know what I have in exchange for that great job and the nice salary... memories... memories that money can never buy... Yes, there are times when I am physically exhausted from the tasks involved in parenting... Yes, there are times when they don't seem to appreciate what I do for them... And yes, there are times when they act up or talk back... But as I look back over the years... I must say, the good outweighs the bad a million to one...
Seek Him First!
Seek Him First!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
The Penalty of Following The Crowd
After living in Taiwan for the past 27 years, I have caught a very bad habit. I don't even blink when it comes to parking on the sidewalk of Taipei. Oh... for those who don't know -- I have been riding a scooter for the past 7 years. I still pray whenever I am on a scooter. I still ride very slowly. (Sometimes my kids tell me that they can run faster!) I love riding my scooter around. It's so convenient when I want to run errands or go and buy things at the local supermarket. I love the convenience of being able to park it anywhere, or so I thought!
About two weeks ago I took Abby to the local clinic to get her eyes check. When I came out, I saw a little white paper taped to my scooter. Hum? What can that be? The person next to me said, "Oh, you're going to get a ticket in the mail. They came and took a picture of your scooter parked on the sidewalk. It's going to cost about 300NT$." What? That's 10US$. But there were about 20 other scooters parked on the sidewalk?!?!?! As I looked, I noticed that every one of them also had a white paper taped on them. Just the other day, I received the ticket. WAHHHHH... It was not for 300NT$. It was for 600NT$!!!! For a person who strongly dislikes wasting, it was difficult to fork out the money. But I learned my lesson -- it isn't always wise to follow the crowd.
I think that's true in life, too.
Swim upstream.
Make choices contrary to what's popular.
Do the godly thing.
Go the extra mile.
And park where you're supposed to park.
Seek Him First!
About two weeks ago I took Abby to the local clinic to get her eyes check. When I came out, I saw a little white paper taped to my scooter. Hum? What can that be? The person next to me said, "Oh, you're going to get a ticket in the mail. They came and took a picture of your scooter parked on the sidewalk. It's going to cost about 300NT$." What? That's 10US$. But there were about 20 other scooters parked on the sidewalk?!?!?! As I looked, I noticed that every one of them also had a white paper taped on them. Just the other day, I received the ticket. WAHHHHH... It was not for 300NT$. It was for 600NT$!!!! For a person who strongly dislikes wasting, it was difficult to fork out the money. But I learned my lesson -- it isn't always wise to follow the crowd.
I think that's true in life, too.
Swim upstream.
Make choices contrary to what's popular.
Do the godly thing.
Go the extra mile.
And park where you're supposed to park.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
11.12.13
I heard on the radio that many couples are choosing to get married today as the numbers are all lined up, even though it's a Tuesday. Those numbers are pretty special. But I realize that it's not in the date you choose... it's in how you choose to live each day. Choose to live with eternal perspectives and the glimmering things of this world won't blind your eyesight to the true glory that only eyes of faith can see.
Seek Him First!
Seek Him First!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
2013 HOP Family Clean Retreat
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Seek Him First!
Main Events for October
So, what did happen back in October?
Isaiah and Abigail were recommended for this Pre-AP English Program and after a brief conversation with several English teachers, they were accepted into the program which takes place every Saturday morning from 9-12noon. They love what they are learning and doing in class.
Lovely had several dear friends leaving Taiwan. One went back to South Africa and a family of four returned to North America.
Alan was in charge of the annual White Sunday which is a Samoan tradition of letting children lead the service. He did a fantastic job and the entire service was filled with the joy of the family feel.
Isaiah and Abigail took their first set of exams. They did fairly well considering that they are partly homeschooled. Abigail had a perfect score for her English exam.
Lovely was invited to speak at a Chinese church for three consecutive Sundays. Only by God's continual presence and promise did she get through this challenging task.
Finally, we had some great time with different visitors who came through Taiwan. We enjoyed seeing Phil and Fran who are now in England. Angel came through for a very fast visit.
Overall, the month was a blast... except for one thing -- Lovely got a ticket for parking her scooter on the sidewalk. The ticket came -- 900NT$ (30US$). For Lovely, it's a tremendously HUGE amount of money. She is going to scan the ticket and post it for all to see in November! The ticket came with a picture of her scooter... Now, there were about 20 scooters on the sidewalk and they all got a ticket. And, she would have left just in time but a woman fainted while she was leaving so she stayed to help get the woman into a wheelchair! That was when the cops came to ticket everyone...
Seek Him First!
Isaiah and Abigail were recommended for this Pre-AP English Program and after a brief conversation with several English teachers, they were accepted into the program which takes place every Saturday morning from 9-12noon. They love what they are learning and doing in class.
Lovely had several dear friends leaving Taiwan. One went back to South Africa and a family of four returned to North America.
Alan was in charge of the annual White Sunday which is a Samoan tradition of letting children lead the service. He did a fantastic job and the entire service was filled with the joy of the family feel.
Isaiah and Abigail took their first set of exams. They did fairly well considering that they are partly homeschooled. Abigail had a perfect score for her English exam.
Lovely was invited to speak at a Chinese church for three consecutive Sundays. Only by God's continual presence and promise did she get through this challenging task.
Finally, we had some great time with different visitors who came through Taiwan. We enjoyed seeing Phil and Fran who are now in England. Angel came through for a very fast visit.
Overall, the month was a blast... except for one thing -- Lovely got a ticket for parking her scooter on the sidewalk. The ticket came -- 900NT$ (30US$). For Lovely, it's a tremendously HUGE amount of money. She is going to scan the ticket and post it for all to see in November! The ticket came with a picture of her scooter... Now, there were about 20 scooters on the sidewalk and they all got a ticket. And, she would have left just in time but a woman fainted while she was leaving so she stayed to help get the woman into a wheelchair! That was when the cops came to ticket everyone...
Seek Him First!
Could NOT Blog for October -- REALLY!
I tried to get on during the month of October and for some reason, it would not let me post anything -- not a word, a picture or even a title! So, please... I will post a few more items for the month of November.
Seek Him First!
Seek Him First!
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