Washing Machine Problems

When I was in Heidelberg, the gals there made up a song... it went something like this, Our washing machine must be shrinking things, or could it be, oh no, not me... referring to us gaining weight and our clothes all fitting tighter...

Well... here, our washing machine likes to chew and eat our clothes... In fact, it has shredded several of Alan and Isaiah's favorite shirts... It's as if there is a piece of metal and the clothes get stuck on that metal when the washer starts spinning... It's a Whirlpool, but it's a front loading kind... We have had to change the rubber piece on the door twice, call in the repairman to drain it twice as a sock or an underwear got sucked into the drainage pipe (for some unknown reason)... There is nothing wrong with the motor... or the computer panel... A new one would cost about 1100US$... and now that I'm doing more loads... the rubber piece is again in need of replacement... The repairman came this afternoon and told me it would be 130US$ for parts and labor! I went on line... I can buy a smaller machine for about 700US$... on sale right now for Mother's Day...

It's a LG... and there is no guarantee that this machine will NOT eat our clothes... We have had LG machines before... the main problem with that brand -- the computer panel. That was the main part that broke and that replacement is very costly... Hum?

What a dilemma...

Seek Him First!

Baby Dedication & Intro to Philippians

We had a great service today...

Abby translated for Alan... and she did a superb job. She spent many hours going over Alan's script and then typing everything out.

I followed the Baby Dedication with my introductory talk... and I had to cut a lot out as I had a limited amount of time...

Well... I must share a praise... God had led me to speak from the book of Philippians, but I had no idea how I'd have the time to do all the research since I can no longer sit in front of the computer... I have my mom here and it's a 24/7 job... Amazingly, Andy Noch, Suz's husband, spoke from this book... Suz asked and he agreed to email me his notes... What I then do is read and gleam his key research and quotes and then add my own illustrations and examples. He even emailed me his ppt files, which I change and adapt... It has been such a tremendous help! And I love reading his notes... His talks are a bit different as he takes a passage and I'm only focusing on one verse for each of my talks. God knew... and already prepared a way for me to share...

That brings me to another point... We were thinking we'd have a pastor for House of Praise by September... but it seems as if that might not be... So, perhaps I will have another chance to speak... I leave that in God's hands.

Seek Him First!

Fitting In A Run!

It has been difficult... but I have gotten in four runs this week... OK... the runs are only 30 minutes... and I run at time, during the hottest time in a day... like today! I was melting... and I only ran 6 kilometers... which took more than 30 minutes!

I took the day to make different dishes... and Alan fixed the pipes under the bathroom sinks. I was going to call someone to fix them... but just for a plumber to come was going to cost 50US$! I can't believe how costly it has become... So, Alan went and bought the parts and did it himself. YEAH!

Thank you for the prayer support... My mom is doing much better at LISTENING!

Seek Him First!

Everything Arrived!

The handicapped papers arrived today...

The coupons for Abby's graduation party arrived today...

The pound cakes for the baby dedication arrived today...

The acceptance letters from all the different universities for Abby arrived today...

I just kept going down to pick up all these registered items...

I still need to order some gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day... I will work on that this week...

Oh, what I have not finished doing... getting the tombstone ordered... And Annie put in a list of items she'd like for me to find... I already ordered two bathroom shelves... and yes, they have arrived...

I was also busy with preparing for my NSB class plus my messages...

On Monday, I will have to go to the Neihu Housing Report Office and with the handicapped approval letter, get all the handicapped permits... Then I can ride on all the public transport for free... I can get the handicapped parking on the side of the streets... I can get these mini vans to pick up my mom for special activities... It's like a free taxi service! Oh, I can also go with Mom to the Sports Center for free... I have been wanting to get her to work on weights and walk on the treadmill... and do a bit of stationary biking... I will have to see where I can fit that in her already packed weekly schedule... Not to mention that I will start to teach in June...

Seek Him First!

Only By God's Strength!

Today was so packed...

Morning program for Mom...

I rode the bike to pick up the USB Alan left at the copier...

I took Mom to Costco as her hearing aid was having problems... So, since I was there, I decided to get the groceries I needed.

Then I drove Mom to her physical therapy assessment appointment! They were running behind and I had to park somewhat 'illegally'. One of the ladies was super nice. She offered to take care of my mom, while I drove home to drop off the groceries. I had bought ice cream and meat and milk! All the way, I was praying... That God would time everything... just perfectly. And HE DID!

I got back and there were two spaces in the parking lot... I dashed upstairs and Mom had not been called. She was the next person!

We finished the assessment and yes... she needs physical therapy sessions... FREE! I don't know when it will start but it will most likely be scheduled on Wednesday afternoon!

I got back home and started dinner while Mom had her 30 minutes of massage chair. Then I put on Little House while I dashed out to tutor. Abby was on her way home! Praise the Lord!

Another big news... Abby found out that she got into every one of her selections! She has five schools/departments to choose from! She will have to decide by May 10-11! We were so thrilled and totally praising God! I will keep you posted as to which one she 'accepts'!

Isaiah also announced that he will do a double major -- English and International Trade. He might need five years to finish, but he wants to go for it... Hopefully, his grades will continue to be high so that he can get the scholarship every semester! Plus the extra money for being number 1!

I also made an offer to buy another small flat... unfortunately, the offer was turned down! I thought my offer was quite fair... Oh well...

As for my mom, yesterday when it was hot, Mom was longing for Torrance. Today, it cooled down again, and she was once again, saying how much she loves Taiwan!

It has been a long day... and I'm learning to keep trusting God to lead every minute of each day...

Seek Him First!

Changed My Hairstyle!

Alan was home today... so I made an appointment to get my hair permed! I got a coupon... Hair wash, perm and cut for only 27US$! Abby had her hair done and it looks beautiful... So, since I'm trying to have long hair again, I decided to go for it...

The whole process took 3 hours and I sat and read and rested...

I love my new hairstyle...

Seek Him First!

It's May... and It's Getting HOT!

Abby took the day off from school as Alan and Isaiah had the day off... Labor Day!

I took Mom to her morning program and found out that the church is starting a new exercise class -- Monday afternoon from 2-4 pm! YIPPY! I immediately signed up for it as the group is limited to only 15 seniors! I also found out that Mom might be eligible for free dental work... and I'm going to get her evaluated so that she can qualify for free physical therapy sessions... once to three times a week! I made an appointment for this Thursday with the physical therapist/social services! YIPPY!

The handicapped document has not yet arrived...

And with the weather getting a bit hot... my mom is talking about the great weather in Torrance. But, she really enjoys being with her new friends... The church ladies were talking about adding a ballroom dancing class on Wednesday afternoon... Mom would love that!

Isaiah spent the day hanging out with his girlfriend. In the evening, Alan and Abby went to see the new Avengers movie with church friends...

I spent the evening finishing up my first talk for this Sunday HOP Service!

Seek Him First!