Paragliding... Mom LOVED It!

We have had quite an exciting day... 

Mom talked to Eddie and was much more alert... 

We took off at 12:30 and headed out to Wanli. On top of a cliff over looking the beach, we took Mom paragliding. Eight of us did it... Mom was first! And she loved it. She wanted to do it again, and again, and again! It was about 55US$ per person!

We left and went to the beach. There on the beach was a group of 'gang members' having a BBQ and playing mahjong! Mom wanted to have their food... they would have said, "Sure..." It was quite fun to see these wonderful individuals with their body tattoo, and their girlfriends and wives and kids! Alan went into the water. I was going to go for a run, but Mom got bored!

We decided to go to Costco for dinner as I also had to get a bit of grocery shopping done. Mom had pizza and desserts and ate and ate and ate!

We were home by 8pm and I got busy with putting away the food and getting Mom to bed!

Abby and I went down to World Gym at 10pm and after she signed up, I went for a run!

Isaiah was with Vikki all day. We have more plans for tomorrow... What a holiday!

Daily Lovely Insight:

At the paragliding site, everyone was amazed that Mom wanted to do it. Two young ladies said, "I hope I can be like her when I'm 89!" All the 'coaches' and helpers were super helpful. They helped with the takeoff and the landing. I'm glad I got them lots of business. There were 8 of us... and there was a steady stream of people. Flying up above and looking around, it was not scary at all. It was not like a thrill ride at the amusement park. It was just nice to be up above it all. So, it reminded me of the verse, Psalm 61:2.

Seek Him First!

A Day Out at the Wangu Waterfall... and PingShi... Eating, Eating, Eating...

What a day... 

Mom got to talk to Eddie... after she ate lunch!

Alan, Isaiah, and Abby all came home and we took off again. We went to Wangu Waterfall... the one Alan had a chance to swim in. But this time, when we arrived, they had signs that said NO SWIMMING! And they even had a guy to tell people to get out!

I went for a quick run as it's beautiful in this area.

We then headed to PingShi! We ate BBQ sausages and shaved ice. That was just a snack! We then went to a dumpling place and Mom would not stop eating! The food was so good!

Mom went to bed fairly quickly... 

We watched some TV and planned for paragliding... That's the plan for tomorrow!

Daily Lovely Insight:

What a promise! Thank you, God!

Seek Him First!

Vacation Is About To Start!

After such a hectic day, I tried to take the time today to rest... 

So, this morning, after Mom took off, I just did a load of laundry and ran a few errands, including getting books from the library. Then I came home to rest.

I went for a run... from home to the Regent! Alan rode the scooter. We had booked a room there as it was a great rate... including breakfast! Alan and I used the spa facility before I took home to get Mom. Alan and Isaiah had dinner with our friends. They booked at a Korean BBQ place... super delicious! Abby and I had tutoring... So, after Mom went to bed, I took off!

I went over to the hotel after I finished. They had a poolside movie night! And our friends brought all kinds of snacks and drinks.

At 11pm, I rushed home. Yes, I stayed home with Mom while Alan and the kids enjoyed staying at the Regent! The breakfast alone is usually 900NT$. So, with three breakfasts... the room was only 900NT$! For fun... why not? Next weekend, we are thinking of going off... but what to do with Mom? She can't stay at a hotel... because if she's there, I can't sleep at all! She will keep getting up! And I don't want to give her a sleeping pill as I know what happened last time when we tried that! NIGHTMARE!!!!

Daily Lovely Insight:

God's abiding presence... that's something to reflect on... as often as possible. In all the daily tasks, in your down moments, in your hectic moments, in the happy moments... and the not so happy moments... To realize that God is present! I think living in that reality should and will change our lives!

Seek Him First!

Go, Go, Go...

It was one of those extremely busy days... 

After Mom left, I got the food together for our Bible study. It was another great session on the Intimidating Tongue. We looked at the story of David and Goliath. 

After getting back home, I made a loaf of raisin bread... meaning I got it ready to rise! I then rushed off to tutor! When I got back, I went for a quick run. As soon as I got back, I had only 5 minutes to get Mom's dinner in the microwave and the oven preheated.

Mom enjoyed the dinner. While she was eating, I hopped into the shower and put the bread in the oven to bake! I had to teach this evening! And I wanted to bring something freshly baked for the students.

When Mom went to bed, I took off. The students enjoyed the bread tremendously! 

Students sent me their essays to look over... And there were so many other 'little' things to do... I had to calculate the grades for my NSB class. Next Monday will be their last class! I am also reading through the major revisions from my student's dissertation. That's over 200 pages... Tomorrow starts the long weekend and I have to send out the worship focus for Sunday. I also wanted to plan a fun day trip...something that Mom can enjoy. Maybe hang gliding in Wanli!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Goliath taunted David with an intimidating invitation... "Come here...and I'll be using your flesh to feed the birds of the air..." But David's response comes from a faith in a big God! He listed all that Goliath had. He saw those weapons that Goliath was bringing. He saw Goliath size. He heard Goliath threats. But what Goliath failed to see was the God behind David! The LORD will deliver you, Goliath, into my hands. And so, in the midst of all my days, the LORD continually reminds me -- IT IS I WHO WORKS ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO MY BEAUTIFUL PLAN AND TIMING! 

Seek Him First!

Teacher's Day

The kids and Alan had the day off... 

Isaiah and Alan were up early to watch the Chargers' game. They lost!

I went for a run in the rain... and then met up with Abby for a nice hair wash!

Then I had to rush to the DMV. I couldn't get what I needed done finished!

I rode back and took a nap as I had to teach in the evening at NSB, so no tap dancing tonight!

The class went well and I was back by 10pm. I have class again tomorrow. Then my last class will be on Monday, 10/5. I will go back to tap dancing after that!

Abby went for her workout and Isaiah had his tutoring. It was a wonderful day... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Paul closed his letters with this... and it's a beautiful prayer. The grace, the love and the fellowship... Of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Throughout the day, I find God very present with me. Today, running in the rain, I saw three strangers who waved at me... the rain lightly landed on my face... the wind blowing ever so softly... as my feet hit the pavement, splashing water here and there... The skies was overcast, but my heart was singing!

Seek Him First!

 

Very Wet Day!

 I rode out in the rain as I had to tutor. It was a very productive two hours. Yes, it rained the whole day... and the temperature dropped!

I came home and cut Mom's hair and gave her lunch!

She was hyper all night... 

Then it was time for church!

I spoke on The Elements of Encouragement!

1. humility

2. patience

3. practice

4. wisdom

5. fear of the LORD

We had a newcomer -- Zola, from Mongolia. And we celebrated Janet's birthday!

Daily Lovely Insight:

In the midst of our hardship and suffering, God has hopeful thoughts towards us. He invites us into His presence and He affirms to us that He is very present when we pray. Jeremiah 29:11-13 speaks these truths!

Seek Him First!

A Very Productive Day!

It's a makeup work day, so Mom went to the Elderly Center.

The kids, Alan and I planned a whole day of activities... I made reservation at a curry restaurant. In the morning, Alan and Isaiah played tennis and basketball. I went for a run. I ran 33.1 MILES this week! I ran 6:06:59, just a little over 6 hours! I am not back to my usual 'speed'... but I do feel a lot better!

The soup curry was delicious. Then we went to buy drinks before heading to the educational fair. Isaiah and Abby both talked to several 'counselors' from about 10 different schools. One was interesting -- Singapore International. The classes are held in Singapore, but the professors and diploma are from different schools. Isaiah was looking at the University of Birmingham in the UK for Masters of Global Business Management. It's a one year program right in Singapore, which is only 4.5 hours away via flying. The cost... about 800,000NT$ plus room and board, which would be about 800US$ per month, which would be additional 10,000US$. 

After that, I had to rush home for Mom while they went shopping for basketball shoes. We had wanted to go together... but... That's the limitation of caring for my mom. We can't be 'free' to go and travel or do things! 

They found some great shoes with some great discount! The deal is: we pay 50US$ and the rest they pay. So, they each had to give me 30US$. They found them at the Nike Store!

We had family time this evening. None of us was feeling hungry, so I just cut up some fruit and veggies.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Big events are happening in Washington DC... Prayer March, The Return and the Viewing of R.B.G.... I am praying... Isaiah 45:8 spoke to my heart... We need to ask the LORD to pour out His righteousness like rain upon the States... and for salvation and righteousness to sprout up together. God has had His arms around this nation and I know He wants to bring continual fruitfulness!

Seek Him First!