God-led Day!

It was a very packed day!

Before the Bible study, I went on a fast run! When I arrived home, the ladies were at our house already. They were 10 minutes early! I didn't take a shower and we got started after I prayed with Alan and he took off.

When the study finished, I got the dishes cleaned and put away, and rushed to Costco. I had to buy things for tomorrow's Soochow Bible study.

I came home, put things away and laid down for 30 minutes and it was time to tutor!

That went from 4-5pm. But at around 4:50, I heard people coming in. Friends arrived with their adopted daughter. They were 10 minutes early!

Mom was home and we all hung out. Then our neighbors came over with their two kids. It was so fun!

I got Mom to bed and everyone left at 7pm.

Abby had tutoring until 9pm. Alan had class until 8:30.

I had a few hours to prep for my message before everyone came home.

Daily Lovely Insight:

In our study this morning, this verse just spoke to my heart!

Seek Him First!

 

A Productive Catch-Up Day!

Yes, it was a very productive day... 

Doing another load of laundry, making Mom's bed, getting the White Elephant Gifts organized, putting away the clothes, cooking for my Bible study and NSB... I even had a short nap and a good run! The weather was splendid.

I also had to do some editing... and I'm not finished with two more projects, plus my message for this coming Sunday!

I had NSB tonight... and we always have a great time! The only thing was the rain, which made riding over there a bit more difficult... I just don't like my shoes being wet!

Abby had tutoring but Alan was home.

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm reading Tim Keller's book on Walking with God through Pain and Suffering. I had such an insight that I must share it with you. Keller talked about Elisabeth Elliot's novel, No Graven Image. In the novel, the translator depended on one man to help with the work of getting the Bible into that tribe's language. But when he fell sick, Margaret, the translator, administered a dose of penicillin, which ended up killing him. The work is halted and the book ends with a very confused young missionary. How can God do this? The last page had this line: "God, if He was merely my accomplice, had betrayed me. If, on the other hand, He was God, He had freed me." And through a lecture, Keller understood what that meant. Suffering treats God as the infinite, sovereign, all-wise, and yet incarnate and suffering God that He is.... And if we do... we will find, as Elisabeth Elliot argues, a rest not based on circumstances. 

Here is what Elliot says, "God is God. I dethrone Him in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice. It is the same spirit that taunted, "If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross." There is unbelief, there is even rebellion, in the attitude that says, "God has no right to do this to five men unless..." (Five men referring to the men who died trying to reach out to the Waorani tribe.)

Two more quotes from her:

Seek Him First!

Investment 101, Part 1

Yes, I shared at HOP this afternoon.

Amy came over to take care of Mom. We can't bring her anymore... unless it's a special event. She wants to go to the restroom. She wants to go home and rest. Unless we are giving her snacks, she won't sit still! It's a different phase of her dementia. We all enjoyed the service more this afternoon.

Amy tidied up the house and Mom was happy to be home!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Proverbs 4:23

I Chronicles 4:10

Psalm 119:32

Seek Him First!

A Run-Around Day

Last night was a 'noisy' night. Mom was very active!

So, this morning, she was up but went back to bed. So, I went out to run a bunch of errands! I got back in 30 minutes!

Abby had gone to do stats for a basketball tournament near our home. The pay wasn't great. Only about 5.50 an hour! She was quite disappointed. At least it was only about 10 minutes away.

Alan went to do a short run and stretch as his calf is still in recovery.

I got Mom into the shower and she ate... a lot! She got to talk to Annie! Then she went back to bed, but throughout the day, she made so many messes... It was so frustrating! I thought she'd be more sleepy... 

I went out for a real run! The weather was great. I got back and Abby came home. She had to prep as she went out for a movie with friends from church!

I took Mom to a Christian bookstore as I wanted to buy a few things for my Soochow Bible study kids. This coming Wednesday is our last time for this semester!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Today was a character building day... I hate the smell... and it was not a relaxing day! God is my all sufficiency and strength! I was crying out to Him... 

I just have to post this verse again! This was the reality of today!

Seek Him First!

YangMing Mountain!

Abby got her second shot and then we headed out to YangMing Mountain. There are so many nice trails up there... we could have walked around for hours. But we didn't... no time!

We went to the Brick Yard 33 for lunch. Very disappointing... Very expensive! Now we know!

The traffic was bad, so we got back just in time! I had dinner made already! What a rush! That's the problem. It will be much better when Mom is at the long term care facility! And yes, this morning, I had to do another load of laundry! She was again very active last night!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I went to mail off our Christmas cards, thinking I'm way ahead of the game. But the postal clerk told me, "These won't get there until after the New Year." I was shocked... It's three weeks before Christmas... I guess Isaiah won't be receiving his Christmas gift on time either! Less planes...More packages...  The holiday season has started! Christmas music is being piped through at Carrefour. Lights are up at most malls here in Taiwan. In the midst of things that might not go as planned, I am reminded... God knew exactly at what time the baby was to be born... Through all the years of waiting, the Advent of the Savior came in the most timely manner... I'm learning to "Selah" and reflect... I hope you will too!

Seek Him First!

A "Free" Day!

I was very vigilant about keeping this day "free". Thus, I was even able to take an hour nap! Oh... How refreshing! I could have slept a lot longer... 

I worked on my messages and read. It was just delightful. The weather was fantastic, so in the afternoon, I went out for a run.

Abby went to school at 12:30 and had practice in the evening.

Alan had class and decided to not play basketball as he is still letting his calf muscle rest! So we went to drop off a dehumidifier to a Master's student from Vietnam. She came and tried with a friend to carry it. No way! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

FIND REST IN GOD! Those four words really spoke to my heart today! Indeed, my HOPE comes from Him!

Seek Him First!

Message Finished... Next Series Decided!

The day always goes by so fast... 

I had to do a load of laundry and get Mom's bed made again... 

Then it was sitting in front of the computer to finish the message. I emailed it off and went to Carrefour to buy dessert for my Soochow University Bible study!

We had nine people and a great discussion about obedience!

I rushed home and went out for a 50 minute run. Alan was kind enough to be the one to pick up Mom while I took a shower. I had made dinner, so I only needed to heat it up!

While Mom was eating dinner, I got caught up on my emails. I also started on my next message as well as the series I have in February. I will speak from the book of Jonah!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Jabez was named HE MAKES SORROWFUL... and so he asked God to 'rename' him. God granted his request. 

Seek Him First!