Results From Abby's Speech Contest

Abby went... and she did a fantastic job on the prepared speech. But when it came time for the impromptu, she had a difficult time.

By God's grace, she did make it into the finals, which was another impromptu.

The judges were looking for specific things. So anything outside the box was heavily marked down. Abby came in "last".

She was very disappointed.

She now says she doesn't want to go again.

I hope she will see this as a learning experience and move on and JOIN again next year as a high school student. Isaiah might be recommended as the speech contest candidate next year as well.  I hope Alan gets to go every year... until Abby graduates from high school!!! and maybe for two years, both Isaiah and Abby will be in the competition and competing against each other.  They will enjoy that!


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Dining Out with Coupons

My sister goes to eat out always with a coupon in hand.  Here in Taiwan, it's more difficult to find coupons. But this year I found a web site that offers discounts on meals at different restaurants. At first I was a bit hesitant. Will the food really be great?

After going to a few of these different restaurants, I find that the deals are really great deals.  I took Alan out for our Friday date and this is what we had --

And these pictures only show PART of the meal. We also had a huge plate of water dumplings, a plate of dessert, and all you can eat of porridge.  Okay, the two of us could not finish the meal.  How much did all this cost? With the coupon -- 10US$!!!!

With all the food that was on the table, I was reminded of Ps. 65:11 --

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Good Tidings of Great Joy

Tonight during family time, we were talking about why this season is so special.  And the reason is that although we might not know the exact date of Jesus' birth, we celebrate the truth that Jesus came!
Matthew 1:23 says,

BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Indeed, Immanuel, God with us.

What a wonderful truth to cling to...

What a wonderful truth to celebrate, not only during this 'holiday season' but every day throughout our every year!


Luke 2:10-11

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It's Chilly Here

Alan came home and said, "This is when I'd like to have a fire place in our house!"  That's how cold it is.

The low for today is 11 and the high is around 17. That translate to about 54 low and 66 high.

It was sprinkling but in the afternoon, the rain stopped and I went for a run.

So nice to run in such cold nippy weather.

This weather should last until this coming weekend.  Don't know if there will be snow up on YangMing Mountain!!!



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Upcoming Speech Contest

Abby has been practicing her prepared speech all week. Today while at school, her teacher asked her to do it in front of her classmates.  I helped her write the speech -- A Perfect Day.

At first we thought it would be fun to write about a future perfect day, Her Wedding Day. But the teacher didn't like that idea.  Oh well... So, we wrote about the first day of the missions trip to the Philippines. The theme at VBS was Facing Fear, Trusting God.  I think this is exactly what she is clinging to -- II Tim. 1:7



Abby is quite nervous.  After the prepared speech, she has to do an impromptu speech based on a picture.  We're going to take the next few days to practice.  So, here are some random pictures I am going to show her and she will have to make up a story!






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Time to Rest, Time to Catch Up

I didn't know I was feeling so tired... or maybe it's because of the drop in temperature... but all I want to do is sleep... So, I let myself take two naps today.  That felt so good.

Then it was time to get some household chores done.  Changing the sheets and pillow cases for my kids' beds, cleaning both bathrooms, sweeping and mopping the floor... yes, there was a lot to do.

I still have a to-do list next to me... but it feels good to get these things done.

Tomorrow... I think I'll be spending the day COOKING!!!


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December!

We usually put up our Christmas decor just after Thanksgiving.

So, after the wedding on Saturday, I got started.

This is it!

We like to keep it simple!

We want the focus to be on Christ, the Emmanuel!

I took out the display and arranged it on top of our piano this year. And yes, we started listening to Christmas music!  So very nice!  And today, the temperature dropped dramatically.  I love it!

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