Soochow Bible Study Started Up Again!

Yes, the study has started back up and we have 8 students! One from China is back... and four old students from before...  and three new students. I know it's going to be a great study on Living Life God's Way!

I came home and had time for a longer run as Alan was home to take care of my mom. I'm trying to start back on my training... Don't know if I can keep up... So, when I have time, I go for a longer run!

This morning, I finished my talk notes and ppt file for Sunday talk and started to work on 11/1 talk -- Dare to See! I did not get to the dissertation... but praise the LORD... She had to cancel class for tomorrow. 

Alan wanted to meet up with his old students for dinner, so we all went out after Mom was in bed. The kids had their activities. We were all home by 10pm.

Daily Lovely Insight:

For the study, I asked for 7 favorites related to the Bible:

Favorite verse

Favorite person

Favorite book 

Favorite story

Favorite parable

Favorite Psalm

Favorite Proverb

We had quite a fun time sharing and it was very encouraging.

So, how would you answer those questions?

Seek Him First!

Tuesdays Are Always Busy...

In the morning, I had my wonderful Bible study. 

I rushed home and put everything away and I got all the stuff for tutoring... and I was out the door!

When I got back, I had 45 minutes for a quick run before Mom was home. No time for a shower until after Mom was in bed... 

Now... If I don't have my morning Bible study, then I have my evening Bible study. Again, rush, rush, rush... After Mom goes to bed, I'm out the door!

The kids are usually home on Tuesday evenings... and Alan gets home at around 8:45! And I usually get home by 10pm.

Now... with my different jobs... I have to take a lot of time to prep... plus I am helping people read their papers... I am also speaking at HOP... and editing... and I might get another part time job... We will see!

Thus, I feel that my days fly by way too fast!

For 2021, I am going to work on slowing down... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Continuing with what I'm learning from my sermon prep... 

The blind men said, "Have mercy on me, Son of David." In Jesus' parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, the Publican also used that phrase in his prayer in Luke 18: 13. And Jesus said the Publican went home justified! And the blind men... they went to share about Jesus for they were healed! But I think what they shared wasn't just about the healing. I think they shared about knowing the Messiah!

Seek Him First!

 

A Day to Prep... and A Day for A Longer Run!

With the cooler Fall weather, I wanted to be outdoors... but I had to sit and finish my talk notes... 

So, I glued myself to the chair and worked!

By 2:30, I knew that if I didn't go out now, I wouldn't have enough time...

I finally took off at 3:15 and got back by 4:45... splendid run... 

Mom was back... and I had tap dancing tonight. Alan was home and I took off... 

Isaiah got a hair cut this weekend as he will be taking his senior pictures... Alan wanted to look good so I gave him a hair cut after I got back from tap dancing. After missing two weeks, I was really behind!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I am learning a lot from my preparations for the talk on Sunday. My passage is from Matthew 9:27-31. The two blind men crying out to Jesus, "Son of David, have mercy on us." And Jesus asked, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" And they answered, "Yes, Lord!" This is the first time that the term, Son of David is used by the writer, Matthew. And Matthew was writing this Gospel specifically for the Jews. So, using this term here is very significant. Son of David refers to the Messiah and the Jews have been waiting for the coming Messiah. But it took two blind men to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and not the scribes or the Pharisees or those who were more educated! These two were probably beggars as being blind, they had no way to earn a livelihood. So, my question to you is: What is your "This" that you need to trust God to 'do'? 

Seek Him First!

It's Sunday!

The weekend went by way too fast!

We had a slower day... I went and bought some groceries and did a load of laundry! Then I started to prepare for translating the talk this afternoon and read all the emails!

Mom was actually feeling tired... So after lunch, she sat on the chair and fell asleep!

Church was great... And we had dinner there.

We came home and had our Family Time!

One amazing miracle: The coffee packets I mailed have already arrived at Mom Bea's house!

Daily Lovely Insight:

When God's face shine upon us, that brings salvation! That's a beautiful thought!

Seek Him First!

 

Happy Doube Ten Day!

What a beautiful day! 

We left early for Taichung! There was very little traffic despite it being a long weekend!

We went to the wrong elementary school, but still got there at 11:20! It was TEAM CA's 130 "Anniversary" of being in Asia. 70 years in Taiwan!

We had a fabulous time! During the lunch hour, we went shopping at GU and Uniqlo that were practically next door. Mom didn't want to stay there as she didn't understand what was going on. But as long as she was eating, she was happy!

We had friends who happened to be there... so that was a miracle, orchestrated by God. I had time to pray with them.

After the meeting, several families went to the nearby Mall for food and shopping... just to hang out. The weather was gorgeous. We ended up eating at a teppanyaki place that Mom loved! The meal included these little pancakes and ice cream. ALL YOU CAN EAT!

We didn't get back until around 10:10! Double Ten!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Three celebrations... and one more tomorrow as it is Annie and KR's Wedding Anniversary!

The word that comes to mind -- FRUITFULNESS!

I feel so blessed!

Seek Him First!

I Love SooChow University!

The holiday has started...

Mom got to talk to Annie for a little over 30 minutes, which gave me the time to hang the clothes up. I had done another load of clothes!

Oh... the morning started early even on a holiday weekend! Abby was late to her event... Alan was up early for his discipleship group. And we pray together before he took off. After my time with Jesus, I rode the scooter over for a friend who wants to use it and ran back home. That was so nice to run in the sprinkling rain! Isaiah and Alan were watching the Padres game... I don't think I need to say more about that. (GO DODGERS! ha, ha, ha...) I had a quick shower because Mom was up... 

Isaiah took off to meet up with Vikki. Mom watched Little House while Alan and I went to the Soochow 120 Anniversary Luncheon. We were invited to the "alumni luncheon" because we donate to the school! It was a fun lunch, but I could only stay for the first two courses. Mom was home alone... They had a bagful of gifts for everyone! We got two more titanium chops... So, if anyone wants one, let me know. I can get it engraved and mail it to you!

Mom had her massage appointment and I decided to join her. It was so fabulous as my neck was tweaked and after 90 minutes... RELIEF!

On the way back, I made Mom walk. So we stopped at one shop to buy tissue paper... and another shop to buy a dinner box. Four veggies, chicken chop and rice for 75NT$! Yes, that was Mom's dinner. Alan had brought home a piece of cheese cake. Mom had that plus a piece of See's Chocolate! 

Alan went to play tennis as he didn't have time this morning. I worked on catching up with emails and working on my talk. This laptop is not working properly. It might be time to invest in a new lap top... It shuts down without warning! And I must remember to hit save on a regularly basis! Very dangerous!

This evening, we all relaxed in front of the TV and watched another episode of the Blacklist!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'll be translating on Sunday. The passage is Hebrews 11: 1-7.

The focus is Dare to Trust and faith is needed and it must be a growing faith! To have a growing faith, we must put faith into practice... and we must put our faith in God, the only One who is truly trustworthy!

Seek Him First!

I Love Taiwan!

I had to help out a friend and get her housing report so that she can get a ROC passport for her son! I left early and the Household Registry Office was very busy. I guess they were doing flu vaccine and blood donation! I found a scooter parking place and went up to the third floor.

They provide tea and I got a number and sat down. The volunteers were all so helpful. The wait wasn't long and I was called. I gave her the POA and had to answer a few questions. Good news... I had the emails that my friend had sent me! Showed her everything and got seven copies... just in case! The fee was nominal... maybe 4US$!

I then walked to the post office and mailed every thing.  The fee was reasonable - 20US$! That was the speedy rate!

I was going to donate blood, but the weather was so great... and if I donate, they would tell me NO RUNNING! And there was a line... So I went to buy things at Carrefour... and headed home!

I got the dinner started... and Isaiah called. He ran out of gas... I helped him find a gas station nearby and he walked there and was able to get gas and go to the Downtown campus!

I then went for a run! I had to make it quick and short as I had tutoring!

Mom was back early... I ended my tutoring session and the phone rang! I put the food in the microwave and headed downstairs!

Alan sent me a message... I could go to Soochow and get an "INBODY" measurement. I wanted to see my body fat percentage! Usually it would cost money, but they got the machine and Alan got it done.

Daily Lovely Insight:

My sister, Annie, often talks about having to wait for hours on the phone just to get something done in the States. Here in Taiwan, it's amazing... the efficiency... the effectiveness... You go in and get out in less than an hour... 

That's the good news... 

The bad news... I had worked on the friend's dissertation and my talk for 10/18... And the computer went blinky blinky... and everything was lost! The file that was retrieved did not have all that I had done!

What's the insight?

Give thanks in everything! When you do, your heart is at peace, even when circumstances and situations might be chaotic!

Seek Him First!