Double Teaching, Triple Exercise!

Today was not like yesterday...

I went for an hour run in the morning... AFTER dropping Abby off at the MRT station. So... it was past 7am by the time I started... and I wanted to run 10K. I was hoping to finish in 60 minutes... but it took me 63 minutes. I wanted to finish the last kilometer fast, but my legs did not want to move... I was glad just to get back to the car and gulped down the bottle of lemonade that I had brought!

I tutored in the morning and rushed back home for lunch.

Then, in my insane state of mind, I decided to bike to NSB at 1:30 in the afternoon... YES, IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT! For the first 10 minutes of class, even with the AC on, I was pouring down with sweat... these students all know I'm crazy...

This evening after Abby's cram school, we went for an hour walk along the River Park because she didn't get her exercise in this morning. She didn't have time nor did she want to run!

By the time we got home... sleep just sounded so wonderful!

Seek Him First!

A Lay-back Summer Day!

Abby and I were up early this morning...

I dragged her off for a 30 minute run. Now, it was 5:45AM and I'm not exaggerating -- it was already HOT! I don't know how early I'd have to be out the door to avoid the heat!

Abbystarted summer school... For three weeks, she'll be at school all day and then be at the cram school three evenings a week! I sure do miss her!

I had a day to be home -- resting and cleaning and preparing!

It was the first day that I had to rest! My body wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep some more... It was very strange... I felt jet lag... groggy... Maybe jet lag finally caught up with me...

Or maybe it was just the heat... Yes, it was sweltering hot and the temperature never dropped even when the sun set!

I was going to tutor, but the student cancelled... I was very grateful as that gave me time to work on another message...

I looked on line and Gina posted some pictures from their cruise... They are having a blast!

Seek Him First!

Just A Few Things...

Several things to mention in this post --

1.  The corkage fee at that expensive restaurant is super expensive -- NT$1000 per bottle! And I have to pay a deposit to hold our reservation. I went today!
2.  Alan and 8 others have left on the Alagata family cruise! It's going to be so much fun for them!
3.  The bumper tap seems to be resolved. The husband took it somewhere and had it fixed and the wife texted Alan and said he doesn't have to pay anything! Hallelujah praise dance!
4.  I started on the book of Luke. When the service started this afternoon, there were only 12 people! But by the time I started sharing, we had a full crowd of about 40 people! I couldn't believe it! Several of those who were there today won't be around for the whole series. But I am praying that the Holy Spirit stirred them with excitement for His truth!
5. In the morning I spoke at New Beitou Baptist Church. Again, the church has grown. There were about 30 people in the congregation! And the pastoral couple made more changes to improve the sanctuary and made the church a lighthouse for the community! I was thrilled to see the changes!
6. The weather has been so hot... truly unbearable! But this afternoon, it rained... by the time we were driving home, it was around 85F! Unfortunately, it's still hot and sticky... but a bit more tolerable!
7.  I want to wish my mother in law a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope they do something special on the ship... maybe at the Captain's Table for her...

Seek Him First!

I'm Booked!

This morning before tutoring, I went  on line to book two things --

My plane ticket to the states in October and reservation for a fancy restaurant here in Neihu!

Yes, I have a window of time in October -- 10 days to be exact. I was hoping to get a ticket that was under 700US$. But I waited and checked and nothing. I will be speaking every Sunday for 7 months, EXCEPT for October 29th! Alan is taking care of that Sunday. So, I can be in the States from October 23rd to November 1st. In fact, I also do not have my NSB class that week.

The cost of the plane ticket -- 24,080NT$ (about 730US$). My brother, James, sent me a message and said HE WILL PAY FOR MY TICKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippy! He says he can't take these long flights anymore. So, he will support me when I go!

I then booked for this fancy restaurant RAW! I heard back from them. I will need to put a deposit on the reservation within 48 hours to secure the table for four! The minimum charge per person is 60US$! Yes... you got that right! And they don't even have a menu... I reserved August 25th, Friday, at 7pm! I will call them tomorrow to ask about the corkage charge! James wants to bring his own wine! And he will fly in for a week to get some business done and take us out for dinner! YIPPY!

Alan and Isaiah and the Alagata Family will be heading out for their 7 day cruise... Wish Abby and I could join them... but I will be sharing at two services on Sunday... and Abby is busy preparing for her exams!

Seek Him First!

Focus on Truth

In this morning's time with the Lord, He gave me Ps. 34-35 to calm my anxieties!

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
    fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
    arise and come to my aid.

God alone is able... I will extol Him at all times... His praise shall be on my lips!

Seek Him First!

An Addendum to Yesterday's Post!

Because of Alan's bumper tap, I have been quite stressed... I should NOT be as I know God is good... God is faithful... God is sovereign. But my 'old self' is rearing its head through this situation! What do I mean?

Before Jesus, I was a typical WORRY WART! I lived Murphy's Laws. A dark cloud always seemed to be above my head! But Jesus came into my life and set my feet to dancing and filled me overflowing with JOY unspeakable... He made me new! He changed me so completely!

But in this situation... Alan was way too trusting. He never took pictures. He didn't question the fact that maybe SHE BACKED INTO HIS CAR! He gave her his driver's license information and his cell phone number and email address. The only thing he knows about her is her first name!

Alan and Isaiah were in the car when they parked. They never noticed bumping the car in front and Alan is a great driver. He would have noticed. Because if he did bump her, it would have been the natural thing to back the car up a bit. This whole situation just seems fishy.

They were suppose to meet on Wednesday morning and she texted him on Tuesday night, stating that her husband wants to take the car to another repair shop for another estimate. What? Like 300$ is not enough! And this first estimate came from the Toyota Dealership and that's usually the more expensive place to get the car fixed!

Anyhow, my mind has been spinning...

I've been asking people to be in prayer.

Just this past Sunday for our HOP prayer walk, the verse of focus was Luke 18: 27 --
What is impossible with men is possible with God. 

I need to repeat that to myself until this situation is resolved!

Seek Him First!