Alan's Newsletter/Update!

I was up early and went out and I hit my 63.37... ha, ha, ha... I was trying for 63.36...

Then I worked on my talk and headed out to buy veggies... 

Isaiah took off to meet up with his co-workers as some of them are taking the bus to Ilan!

Alan went and played tennis.

I got Mom up and eating... and worked on my talk some more...

At 3pm, the helper came. We had been invited to a get-together with my co-workers from Ming Chuan... Yes, for every dinner or get together, I'm still on their invite list... It was a very casual Christmas event... The food was so fabulous.

Unfortunately, when we came home as I walked in the door of our house, I smelled the most foul odor... I walked into Mom's room and saw the mess... She had undone her gloves and proceeded with her bad habit... I cleaned what I could and will have to wait until tomorrow to strip everything! That's the problem with taking the time off and having a helper... you never know what kind of mess you'll find upon returning home!

Here is Alan's 2024 Highlights:

Traveling for five weeks during Chinese New Year—Three weeks in the States and two weeks in Brazil. Being with my daughter and seeing the ministry at Hope Mountain. Attending church with Abigail. Playing beach tennis. Meeting various supporters and staff of the ministry there. Helping out with coaching their sports 'teams'. 

Teaching at Soochow University – ICEE Week and being able to teach Speech and Debate classes. Not having to teach Night School. 

Being a part of EMAW, Every Man A Warrior, at House of Praise: Friday group at 5:30am. Isaiah attends the Saturday morning group at 7am. 

Traveling for twelve weeks during my summer vacation to the States and Brazil – Visiting two major cities in Brazil, Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Seeing the other campus of Hope in Campinas, near Sao Paul. Staying at one of the YWAM bases in Sao Paulo.  Attending three San Diego Padres games and going to the Chargers’ Opening Game against Las Vegas at the new SoFi Stadium. That was a real treat!

Joining a 12.5K run with Isaiah – It was a Nanshan sponsored run! I actually finished faster than Isaiah. The time limit was 100 minutes and I finished in 95 minutes! My goal was to jog non-stop, even though I had issues with my right hip. I told Lovely afterwards: NO MORE RUNS FOR ME! I won’t be signing up for another race, no matter what the distance!

Prayer Requests for 2025: 

Pray for my trip during Chinese New Year to the States. I won’t be going to Brazil! 

Pray for what the Lord is going to lead me to do in relation to summer 2025.  

Pray for wisdom as I witness to my students and handle issues with students who are struggling with depression. 

Pray for the expansion of the EMAW groups.

Pray for my role as an Elder at HOP.

My Bible Verse for 2025:

Pro 19:21  Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

Pray that I will be a better listener when it comes to making any plans!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Repeat of Last Friday!

 I was up early and even though I was feeling tired, I went out for my 10k. I'm trying to reach 63.3K this week... ha, ha, ha... 

I got Mom up and out and then went to WGE for a shower.

Isaiah, Alan and I went to Burger King again, and of course, we first stopped at Coco for Alan's drinks. After lunch, we headed home as Isaiah had an appointment to get a haircut. I had tutoring. They were there. The two hours went by quite quickly and I was back on my scooter, heading home.

I had a salad for dinner and worked on my talk after Mom went to bed.

Isaiah had another dinner engagement with his co-workers and then he will be traveling to Ilan with them for the weekend. Unfortunately, he won't even make it to church!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The amazing gift of Emmanuel... 

Seek Him First!

Time for Sabbath

I was up early and went out for my 10k. It started chilly but ended up hot...

I got Mom up and out and then took down the clothes and put everything away. I then sat and read... 

I was going to work on my talk, but decided to do that this evening. This way I can spend the morning to observe my Sabbath. I made a fresh pot of coffee and had two cups... 

At 1:30, I left to pay three bills and get a massage. YIPPY!

On the way there, I also bought romaine lettuce and apples and Greek yogurt. 

I was home by 4:55 and got Mom's dinner ready. And I also drank a nice bowl of soup... so yummy!

After Mom went to bed, I worked on my talk... Alan and Isaiah were playing basketball, so I had th house to myself. I was thinking about going to Costco, but decided against it... And it was a wise decision.

Daily Lovely Insight:

This is so cute... I hope you can watch it...

watch

Seek Him First!

Fun Wednesday...

I was up and out... I didn't want to chance running later as I actually got sunburned the other day.

After Mom left, it was the recycling... 

And then I was up back home to eat a nice breakfast. The morning flew by... and it was time for me to head out to Soochow as the church has a rummage sale and I always support it. I give my Bible study students 100NT$ each and they have to spend and post pictures of what they bought. I also spend money... I bought a lot... shampoo, body wash, hand soap, kitchen wipes... they even had a bag of adult diapers... I bought those too... ha, ha, ha... I spent all the cash I had... 

I rode back home, stopping at WGE for my shower and a quick workout. Alan had a meeting and then went and dropped off a plastic storage unit for a friend... 

I rested for 20 minutes before heading out to tutor... Today, 4:30 and again at 7:30pm.

Isaiah had dinner out with his co-workers.

Overall, it was a fun day... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I never get tired of this verse...

Seek Him First!

Soochow Study Finished for 2024...

It was a full-filling day...

I was up early and went out for my 10k.

Then I went to supervise the cleaning lady before going to take a shower and helping with Mom. After she took off, I headed to church. I wanted to set up and get the food in the little oven to heat it up. I had a lot to bring... 

The study went well and we had such an abundance of food... 

That ended late, but I was still able to get to Soochow by 1:01. I set up and we had five students... two didn't show up. It was our last time for this semester and we did a few Christmas games and I ended by inviting the kids to consider taking a step of faith in giving their lives to Jesus.

I was home by 4:10 as I didn't stop at WGE. I had too much stuff... and I was tired.

I cleaned up and laid down and soon Mom was home... 

It was a very short Power Nap!

Tonight we had Family Time!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Much Needed Catch-Up Monday!

I was up early as the boys were up at 2am to watch the game... The Chargers won... but it was pretty close!

I didn't go out to run, thinking it would be cool... Boy was I wrong?!?!?!

I decided to get out the Christmas decor before getting Mom up...

What do I mean by Christmas decor?

One strand of tinsel

One strand of lights

One small ceramic Christmas tree

Three small manger scenes and one larger one

THAT'S IT!

I love the simplicity and beauty of Christmas... 

After Mom left, I decorated and then worked on calling the social worker for Mom's evaluation that's coming up. The good news: I can start using the services even though the evaluation won't be until December 18th. YEAH! Then I took the time to sew Mom's pants... the elastic needed redoing... 

Finally at 11:08, I went out for my 10k. It was so blaring hot. My legs melted... I dragged myself home and took a shower. Forget going to WGE.

I had errands to run... Alan's candy canes to pick up, bills to pay, books to return, worksheet to copy off, eggs to buy. I got home and started making the carrot raisin bread for the Soochow Bible Study tomorrow. Very yummy! And I also made soy bean milk for my coffee... Again, very yummy!

Mom was back... and I had her dinner ready.

Tonight I had prayer time with two sisters... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I love listening to Christmas music... and reading the Christmas passages.

Seek Him First!

Soochow 24hr Ultra and Others Things

I was up early and then went to Soochow to see the runners... Just astounding... To run for 24 hours around a 440 track and at such speed... The three runners, two men and one lady, were averaging 11-12k per hour, for 24 hours!

I went to WGE and then went and bought bread before coming home for Mom Care.

We left early for church because we had to pick up the guitar. Isaiah was leading worship and I was translating.

The service went well and we dropped off Fenny before coming home. I got Mom to bed and then I had two prayer appointments. 

What does this week look like? You already know the answer...

Oh... Abby has arrived safely back in Brazil... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Well... We've voted and the Family Verse has been decided... starting January 1st, 2025, I'll end with this verse:

Seek Him First!