Seek Him First!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The Start of 2014
As I think about the first day of 2013 and the first day of 2014, the weather alone was so different. Today's weather was just fabulous. There were so many people out at the River Park. I was running with a tank top on. Instead of going to the Neihu Sports Center, the Jaos and the Alagatas went to the park just to soak up some Vitamin D. We then went to our favorite Teppanyaki Place and had lunch. I am not going to have dinner since we had such a big lunch. I think we will all go to bed early. This has been such a relaxing day!
Seek Him First!
Seek Him First!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Another Old Lang Syne
Last year Taipei 101 had a spectacular fireworks display. This year promises to be another great show.
Yes, it's already the last day of 2013. Tomorrow is January 1st, 2014! It's a holiday here in Taiwan and we plan to hang out with the Jao's. Last year the weather was cold and wet and we went out to a museum in Bali and then took the ferry to Danhsui. This year, the weather looks fabulous. We're planning on having afternoon tea together after a workout at the local sports center.
As I consider the start of a new year, Lamentations 3:21-26 comes to mind --
Seek Him First!
Monday, December 30, 2013
God Is Able
Today in Bible study, the topic was GOD IS ABLE. I totally agree... I have experience this truth over and over again in my life. Let me give you the most recent example.
For over a year now, I have had this strong impression to buy a place in Danhsui as a Northern Prayer Tower -- NPT. (These initials can stand for Northern Prayer Tower and Neihu Prayer Tower, which is our first home in Neihu!) Every available block of time, I'd be out there to look at different apartments for sale. Up to this October, nothing opened up. And within this year, the prices have gone up. Nothing seemed affordable. God is able!
Since returning from the States in August, I started to look again. It seemed that every place I liked, I would ask for three days to pray. When I was ready to make an offer, either the place would be "in escrow" or the owner would not accept my "low bid". Finally back in October of this year, I saw a place which I didn't like. There weren't enough windows and when I went to look, the next door neighbor was singing KTV! The kitchen was on the balcony and it needed work. I walked away, saying NO WAY. A month later, it was still on the internet. So, I prayed, called the real estate agent and made a low bid. To my utter amazement, my offer was accepted. Now, how in the world was I going to come up with the money? God is able!
In less than 3 weeks, escrow closed. I found a guy to do the remodeling. The remodeling finished today. I still have to touch up the paint job, clean up the place, move furniture in, buy a few appliances, hang curtains (might have to make some first), and organize the household items. I hope to do this all before we depart for the States. God is able!
Then I want to open it up for people to spend time there to pray, to have a personal retreat, or whatever God has in mind.
Here are a few pictures. I don't have the final pictures yet because I did not have time to go over there today. I will run there this Saturday when I run the North!
God is able! Believe it. Wait until you see the place now!
Seek Him First!
For over a year now, I have had this strong impression to buy a place in Danhsui as a Northern Prayer Tower -- NPT. (These initials can stand for Northern Prayer Tower and Neihu Prayer Tower, which is our first home in Neihu!) Every available block of time, I'd be out there to look at different apartments for sale. Up to this October, nothing opened up. And within this year, the prices have gone up. Nothing seemed affordable. God is able!
Since returning from the States in August, I started to look again. It seemed that every place I liked, I would ask for three days to pray. When I was ready to make an offer, either the place would be "in escrow" or the owner would not accept my "low bid". Finally back in October of this year, I saw a place which I didn't like. There weren't enough windows and when I went to look, the next door neighbor was singing KTV! The kitchen was on the balcony and it needed work. I walked away, saying NO WAY. A month later, it was still on the internet. So, I prayed, called the real estate agent and made a low bid. To my utter amazement, my offer was accepted. Now, how in the world was I going to come up with the money? God is able!
In less than 3 weeks, escrow closed. I found a guy to do the remodeling. The remodeling finished today. I still have to touch up the paint job, clean up the place, move furniture in, buy a few appliances, hang curtains (might have to make some first), and organize the household items. I hope to do this all before we depart for the States. God is able!
Then I want to open it up for people to spend time there to pray, to have a personal retreat, or whatever God has in mind.
Here are a few pictures. I don't have the final pictures yet because I did not have time to go over there today. I will run there this Saturday when I run the North!
 |
| The kitchen in the balcony |
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| The peeling paint on the wall with moldy wooden flooring |
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| The Remodeling Process -- The kitchen is gone. The moldy flooring is gone. The peeling paint is gone. |
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| Bathroom Horror |
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| The bathtub is gone. The ugly sticker trimming is gone. |
Seek Him First!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The Last Weekend of 2013
November 2012 we had made plans to see some dear friends who have moved down to Taichung. On the way down, our car broke down. We never made it to Taichung!
After returning from the States in August, we searched for a decent second hand car, but finally decided on a brand new Nissan Livina, which we have named Lightning. We immediately emailed our dear friends and made plan to visit them. This past weekend, we finally made it down to Taichung. It was a perfect weekend.
They had bought a turkey and that's what we had for dinner on Saturday night. Their kids are big on sports and so are our kids. They live on the Morrison Academy Campus in Taichung and they opened up the gym. It was so much fun for the kids to play volleyball and basketball indoors. I took the entire volleyball cart and tried serving one ball after another, just to get ONE over the net. I wasn't going to leave the gym until I got at least one over. I couldn't believe how poorly I now play. I think I served over 100 times and got 3 over the net. (Trust me... as I sit to write this post, the entire right side of my upper body is sore!) They ordered different kinds of tea drinks throughout the day. They bought Chinese breakfast for us. They made fresh pots of coffee for me. we watched the Lone Ranger on Saturday night. We went to church on Sunday morning and then bowling. (Peilun and I went and walked around the entire newly opened Ikea Store. I can't tell you how much fun that was!!! I haven't done that in at least 10 years!) Sam and Isaiah played a lot of video game. Abby and the girls hung out and did their nails. It was just such a relaxing weekend.
Before leaving, we stood around in a circle, holding hands, with our heads bowed and prayed together. What a joy to know them and to be a "family" in Christ.
I think we want to do it again -- same time next year -- the last weekend of every year -- hang out with the Manus'.
Seek Him First!
After returning from the States in August, we searched for a decent second hand car, but finally decided on a brand new Nissan Livina, which we have named Lightning. We immediately emailed our dear friends and made plan to visit them. This past weekend, we finally made it down to Taichung. It was a perfect weekend.
They had bought a turkey and that's what we had for dinner on Saturday night. Their kids are big on sports and so are our kids. They live on the Morrison Academy Campus in Taichung and they opened up the gym. It was so much fun for the kids to play volleyball and basketball indoors. I took the entire volleyball cart and tried serving one ball after another, just to get ONE over the net. I wasn't going to leave the gym until I got at least one over. I couldn't believe how poorly I now play. I think I served over 100 times and got 3 over the net. (Trust me... as I sit to write this post, the entire right side of my upper body is sore!) They ordered different kinds of tea drinks throughout the day. They bought Chinese breakfast for us. They made fresh pots of coffee for me. we watched the Lone Ranger on Saturday night. We went to church on Sunday morning and then bowling. (Peilun and I went and walked around the entire newly opened Ikea Store. I can't tell you how much fun that was!!! I haven't done that in at least 10 years!) Sam and Isaiah played a lot of video game. Abby and the girls hung out and did their nails. It was just such a relaxing weekend.
Before leaving, we stood around in a circle, holding hands, with our heads bowed and prayed together. What a joy to know them and to be a "family" in Christ.
I think we want to do it again -- same time next year -- the last weekend of every year -- hang out with the Manus'.
Seek Him First!
Saturday, December 28, 2013
The Greatest Gift of Christmas
We celebrate Christmas with simplicity. We don't buy gifts. We don't really decorate our house except for a manger scene that is displayed in our living room. We listen to Christmas music and we love to read the Christmas story. But we are so grateful to our brothers and sisters in Christ who bless our kids with presents that they delight in unwrapping on December 25th. They attend the Youth Group at New Life Church. The counselors of their youth group prepared gifts for them every year. They each got a warm scarf, a file folder and a mp3 decorative item. The leaders also wrote cards for our kids. Our kids posed for pictures with each of their gifts and we just had such a great evening. Abby has her uniform on because she just got back from school. In Taiwan, December 25th is not a holiday. So, we waited until she got home to open their presents.
I love the simplicity of our celebration. I love the focus on Jesus as the greatest Gift for all mankind.
Seek Him First!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Choices and Consequences; Discipline and Discipleship
It's been a long and winding road for my sweet son Isaiah. As a 15 year old who professes a personal relationship with God, he has come to realize that he is still on the throne of his heart and that his choices are leading him down the wrong path. He has developed some very un-Christ-like habits, such as being disrespectful towards his teachers, belligerent in his words, actions that challenge authority, or what others might define as "normal teenage rebellion". But in our opinion, we are not going to excuse his actions as the "normal teenage rebellion". We don't want to label it as a "phase". We are taking steps to point him towards making Christ the center of his life. Isaiah likes to blame others, make excuses, fake change, downplay his part in the problem, and the list can go on. And at time, he has even feigned senility, stating that he can't remember exactly what happened.
So, I have been thinking a lot about choices we make, the desire to be obedient and the simplicity of discipline. Christ is our perfect example. He was tempted in every way, but He stayed true to His calling and character. He is the Son of God. My son needs to realize that he has been transformed. He can't go back to being his old self. II Corinthians 5:17 says,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
He is made new. The old has passed away. The new has come. By his actions these past few years, he thinks that a butterfly can become a caterpillar and vice versa -- back and forth like changing clothes. We are trying to help him see that once a butterfly, you can't be a caterpillar again.
Don't get me wrong. Isaiah is a wonderful son and a talented young man. I love him dearly.
Here are just a few pictures of him.
This is my son -- a loving and sweet kid. But with the phone calls that I've been getting and the changes that I have seen, it's been a matter of great concern for me. But one thing I cling on to -- GOD IS SOVEREIGN. He gave Isaiah life and He put Isaiah into my life. He is the Author and the Perfecter. He is the One who is molding and caring for Isaiah. I walk by faith. I walk in trust.
Seek Him First!
So, I have been thinking a lot about choices we make, the desire to be obedient and the simplicity of discipline. Christ is our perfect example. He was tempted in every way, but He stayed true to His calling and character. He is the Son of God. My son needs to realize that he has been transformed. He can't go back to being his old self. II Corinthians 5:17 says,
Don't get me wrong. Isaiah is a wonderful son and a talented young man. I love him dearly.
Here are just a few pictures of him.
Seek Him First!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
I Love Taiwan!
Riding around on my scooter today, I realize again, how much I enjoy living in Taiwan. My daughter and I were talking -- we better eat as many of our favorite items before we take off for the States. Why? Because what we love to eat here would cost a fortune in the States. For example, a 700cc of bubble milk tea -- Taipei 30NT$, USA 4US$ plus tax which would be about 120NT$.
Ten delicious water dumplings -- Taipei 50NT$, USA 6.95 US$ plus tax, which would be about 260NT$. (not to mention potstickers!)
These are just two food examples.
There are many other reasons why I love living in Taipei. I can ride my scooter around. In the States, I have to drive and I don't enjoy driving. Most driving in the States would usually involve being on the freeway and that's just too fast for me. And the distance is quite long -- a 20 minute drive in the States is nothing. Here in Taipei, it takes me like 7 minutes on my scooter to get to a pretty major supermarket and that's me riding slowly on my scooter.
My scooter is not like the one above. It's more like this one --
But it works and it's great!
I also love that there are still gas attendants that fill up the gas for you. They are friendly and helpful. They don't clean your windshield but they always seem to have a great attitude and the service is fast.
Oh, how about finding someone to fix things? I have a guy who helps me to fix all kinds of household appliances and I won't even talk about the cost. How about a handyman? I can get the entire interior of my house painted for less than 1,000US$ and they will finish the job in three days and clean up the place for you!
I can go on and on... I am truly blessed to be living in the city where I was born. Yes, there are some disadvantages, but I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. So, each time my mom asks me when I'll be returning to the States, I have to tell her -- Mom, I won't be returning to the States. I will live in Taipei until the LORD calls me home or He leads me else where.
Okay... I was going to just cut and paste a few sample pictures of Taipei and I had to add one more FOOD ITEM that we love -- strawberry/mango shaved ice with sweet and condensed milk!!!!
Seek Him First!
Ten delicious water dumplings -- Taipei 50NT$, USA 6.95 US$ plus tax, which would be about 260NT$. (not to mention potstickers!)
These are just two food examples.
There are many other reasons why I love living in Taipei. I can ride my scooter around. In the States, I have to drive and I don't enjoy driving. Most driving in the States would usually involve being on the freeway and that's just too fast for me. And the distance is quite long -- a 20 minute drive in the States is nothing. Here in Taipei, it takes me like 7 minutes on my scooter to get to a pretty major supermarket and that's me riding slowly on my scooter.
My scooter is not like the one above. It's more like this one --
But it works and it's great!
I also love that there are still gas attendants that fill up the gas for you. They are friendly and helpful. They don't clean your windshield but they always seem to have a great attitude and the service is fast.
Oh, how about finding someone to fix things? I have a guy who helps me to fix all kinds of household appliances and I won't even talk about the cost. How about a handyman? I can get the entire interior of my house painted for less than 1,000US$ and they will finish the job in three days and clean up the place for you!
I can go on and on... I am truly blessed to be living in the city where I was born. Yes, there are some disadvantages, but I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. So, each time my mom asks me when I'll be returning to the States, I have to tell her -- Mom, I won't be returning to the States. I will live in Taipei until the LORD calls me home or He leads me else where.
Okay... I was going to just cut and paste a few sample pictures of Taipei and I had to add one more FOOD ITEM that we love -- strawberry/mango shaved ice with sweet and condensed milk!!!!
Seek Him First!
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