Thursday, Busy Tutoring Day!

It was another full day of activities... 

I put away the clothes and tidied up the house and since the weather was brilliant, I headed out for an hour run! I got home and had a quick shower before heading over to New Life Church. Last night I had walked down there, so I couldn't carry two items that looked interesting. One was a crock pot. Both of my crock pots have cracked pots. One cracked so badly that I threw away the pot and kept the outer pot. I thought maybe this summer Alan would be back in the States to get me a replacement. The other one has a crack. I still can use it... but soon it will have to be replaced. Another item that I saw was a steamer. With my mom's habits these days, mopping the floor is increasing in frequency. I bought the crock pot for 5US$ and came home to check out the steamer. The one they had didn't have the cloth pads. To get those pads -- 20US$! So, should I or shouldn't I? I'm still debating on that one! 

I came home and started tutoring. The dissertation student wants to add more classes. She has to turn in the revised version by 1/16. We are so close! Next Thursday is Christmas Eve and so she wants to have class on the 23rd and perhaps three more times before the end of December!

My next student won't be having class for the next two weeks. So... I gave him extra writing assignments! 

Mom was home and enjoyed the dinner I had made for her! After dinner, I cut her hair, which meant she had to take another shower without arguing. 

After she went to bed, I headed out to my evening tutoring session. Two hours -- TOEFL prep! This kid also needed help with Composition and Lit. I would rather do those subjects then test prep!

Alan had his faculty basketball night. Abby had her usual basketball practice night. Isaiah didn't have tennis practice as the team decided to have a Christmas party! He bought a cap for the gift exchange!

Daily Lovely Insight:

For my reading this morning, I was on Philippians. 

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 2:3

Philippians 3:14

Philippians 4:4

Philippians 4: 6-7

Philippians 4: 8

Philippians 4: 13

Philippians 4:19

I just couldn't limit this post to one verse. I hope that as you read this post, God has used each verse to speak into your heart and bring a sense of peace!

Seek Him First!

Last Bible Study! Until Next Semester!

I baked the desserts last night... that was a wise decision.

I took the time this morning to rest!

I left early to go to school as I had a lot to do for our last study. One gal told me she's going to get baptized on Resurrection Sunday 2021! Yippy! It was another wonderful study!

On the way back home, in the rain, I ran two errands. I dropped off a gift and picked up the sign up list at church. It was so nice to get home.

I had dinner ready for Mom... And got her to take a shower!

I then walked to the neighborhood church before attending our complex meeting!

What a long day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Today we ended our study with II Cor. 9:11-12. 

God has generously blessed us so that we can help to meet the needs of others... and as a result, there will be an overflowing expression of gratitude to God! 

This is so very true of my life.

Seek Him First!

Chilly Day & Rainy, Too!

The weather forecast said that the temperature would drop and drop it did!

I spent the morning finishing up my Bible study and getting ready to tutor. Then went out for a run! It was cold and wet... But I liked it as there was no one out at the park!

I got back and showered and headed out. 

After tutoring, I stopped at Carrefour to pick up eggs and fruit! 

Soon after returning, Mom was back!

I had made mashed potatoes with cream of mushroom chicken and broccoli.

Isaiah came home and I took off for my Bible study. Alan had evening class and Abby went out with the freshmen to help one of the players get basketball shoes... I don't know why she needed to help her... I think it was just a good excuse to go to the Shihlin Night Market!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Tonight in our Bible study we talked about positive and negative influences in our lives. Jezebel was a terrible influence upon Ahab's life. His whole reign just brought the nation further down into a pit of despair and blatant disobedience. We also brought up the point about marriage relationship and the influence of our spouse. I really enjoy this group of sisters. It's amazing how the Lord connected each of us to know one another!

Seek Him First!

 

A Busy Monday!

The temperature dropped... but no rain! NICE!

After doing another load of laundry, I headed out to run errands. First, I dropped off Abby's scooter as the steering wheel was not working! I then went to the post office, the fruit market, the convenience store (we pay most of our bills there) and then went in search of candy sprinkles for a friend who is working on baking Christmas cookies. I got back at 12:30 and changed into my running clothes and took off!

I felt so good and ran for 14kms!

I headed back and took a quick shower and Elaine came over!

We had a wonderful time catching up!

This evening I went to my tap class and it was so much fun. We have the entire routine down and are getting ready for our final performance on January 9th! I also signed up for the winter class -- Improv.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Alan is speaking for the Christmas Service! And Psalm 96: 4-6 is only ONE of his many passages! I am praying that God will provide a translator for him because we don't have one right now!

Seek Him First!

 

Hope Never Dies!

That was my topic today at church!

At the end of my message, I just felt the Lord leading me to go up and pray for those who were weary and heavy laden... those who were feeling despair.

When I got home, two sisters sent me a message... they wanted me to know that the prayer really ministered to them! Praise God!

And today, Alan finished getting that 'newly fixed' iPhone S ready. I had to log in... what a hassle that was. But it's done! I now can use one phone for all the social apps -- Line, What'sApp, WeChat, Messenger, FB... Those are the ones that I have. And I can now update the iOS! My old phone had 8GB of memory. Now I have 64! What a huge leap! Annie talked to Mom this morning and asked when I'd be getting a new lap top... So nice of her! James talked to Mom, too, this morning! Eddie was out taking a walk with Em. By the time he got home, we were already at church! Next weekend!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I shared a few verses from the New Testament in my message... Here is a simple summary about HOPE:

Hope of eternal life

Steadfastness of hope

A living hope

Set our hope fully on Christ

The hope of glory

The hope in which we were called

Hold fast to hope

In hope we were saved

Rejoice in hope

Seek Him First!

 

Yes, It's My 59th Birthday!

The day started just like any other day... Alan went to play softball... Abby's departmental freshmen girls were in the top four, so they had their competition this morning. They got third place! Now we wait to see if Abby made it to the All-Star Girls' Team! Isaiah was volunteering with the New Life Church Children Christmas Program. He led the songs! I was home taking care of Mom!

When Alan came home, I went out to pick up a few items... but the time was way too short as I had to rush back. Alan and Isaiah had plans to meet up with friends to play tennis in the afternoon. So, I had to be home! Mom watched one episode of Little House and we were out for her afternoon massage. I booked two hours for her because there was no one to help. Sure enough, I couldn't find parking. So, after dropping her off and walking her up, I had to drive the car home. I put in a load of laundry and went for a quick run! I had to rush, rush, rush... Quick shower... Quick to get the clothes hung and DASHED out the door to pick up Mom. Again, no parking... So... I had to park illegally and rush up to get her!

After Mom finished her dinner, Abby and I went out to meet up with Alan and Isaiah as one of the tennis friends was hosting a party at a special Spanish restaurant! With no rain, we rode our scooters.

We got home and had Family Time! 

I was hoping for a more relaxing day... but not today! I think next year, I should do a little more pre-planning and hire someone to be home for 9 hours so that I can roam without worrying who can be home to supervise Mom, especially since Isaiah might be living in the UK. I must write that down on my calendar!

Daily Lovely Insight:

That's my prayer for today and for this coming year!

Seek Him First!

Getting Together with Old Friends...

It's our Date... and it was packed!

We first spent time reading our devotional books and praying together. I had made reservation at 11:30 for lunch with old friends. But first we had to stop at Soochow University as I wanted to try to find a second hand rice cooker -- the traditional kind. I didn't have time to look, but I instructed a student to look for me. She thinks she has found one for 100NT$. I will get it next Wednesday and pay her!

It was raining pretty hard when we got to the restaurant. It's the same place that we want to have our White Elephant Party. So, I ordered the 6-person set menu for the five of us. And definitely, the food won't be enough for 6 people! What to do?? I asked to add a soup for each person and also unlimited drinks, but the price will go up... I will pray... The luncheon finished at 3 and we went to pick up the iPhone that's fixed. Alan also dropped off his phone to replace the screen and battery. That was 100US$! We then headed to Costco as we needed to order the desserts for the party on 12/26! It was a madhouse... It was better as we were on the scooter. The line to get into the parking was winding around the block!

When we finished at Costco, we went back to pick up Alan's phone. YEAH! We got home, put everything away and the phone rang -- Mom was on her way home. (When the phone rings, it means the van is already on our street!) I put her dinner in the microwave and Alan went downstairs! How did the "Date" go by so quickly?

Abby had her internship all day and basketball games tonight. Isaiah had class and dinner with Vikki's family! After Mom went to bed, I went for another hour 'jog'. The weather was nice!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Continuing with the thought from yesterday -- God Things! 

We were at the Apple Repair Store and I start talking with this lady. She drove a Mercedes Benz, had an iPhone 11, wore some very nice clothes and jewelry and had done a couple of facial cosmetic changes. She just needed some encouragement, affirmations, gestures of care. I chatted with her... I think she felt better. After Costco, we were back at the store and I had bought a box of hot chocolate. I took out five packets and gave it to the sales clerk. She was very happy. When we arrived in our parking garage, I saw our cleaning lady and gave her a few packets. She was very happy. It occurred to me... Maybe I should just buy a box or two of 60 packets of Swiss Hot Chocolate and stand at the MRT station and hand them out and wish people a Merry Christmas! I think with all the social distancing and "work remotely', people are getting depressed and feeling lonesome! I think God made people to be relationship with one another. I think talking to someone face to face brightens people's day! So, don't be stuck with just chatting on a cell phone or texting people. If at all possible, get together with people during this holiday season!

Seek Him First!