The Good & the Bad of Today

The good:

I went to my friend's newly purchased apartment and everyone who was to come to pick up things came and took all the items and some... There are still several things that I have to organize. So, I think I am on schedule and will finish by mid April!

The good:

I was able to talk to several of the people who came. One couple had wanted to buy bunk beds for their boys. So, getting a free bunk beds was a real gift. Another gal had injured her ankle two weeks ago and she loves plants. To pick up plants that she can 'work with' is her happy place. Another man, who was one of the movers, wanted things to ship to the Philippines. I gave him two bags of shoes, flip-flops, household slippers and more. He was very happy!

The good:

I did have time to go for a run! YIPPY. It was a bit warmer than what I like, but still... it was great! The park was quite crowded and one kid ran over my left foot, the same foot that I had sprained. I guess this belongs in the 'bad'.

The good:

Alan and I had time to go for a massage with our blind masseuses. Delightful way to end a very long day!

The bad:

Alan had to take care of Mom and she was super hyper. I came home at 2:15, quite exhausted, but I had to take care of Mom until she finally went to bed. She was up at 3:50 or around 4am and talking, talking, talking. I thought for sure she would be tired and more at rest. NOPE! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I love reading about Elijah and how God provided for him. And I love reading I Kings 18:46:

The power of the LORD, or the hand of the LORD, or the strength of the LORD... that's what I felt today! Not just for my run, but how the LORD sustained me when I had very little sleep!

Seek Him First!

Even Faster Monday!

I was up super early... as we went to Ilan to look at a friend's storage unit to get costumes for the upcoming children's musical that HOP is putting on for Resurrection Sunday. Because it's a holiday weekend, we had to leave at 6:30! It was crazy. We got back by 11:30. Alan was home with my Mom!

I got Mom her lunch and Alan and I had a zoom counseling session.

When that was over, we were headed out for an afternoon get together. First we stopped at two different places to pick up things.

We were there at Brenda's with our old friends... the 'kids' played mahjong and we talked.

Mom kept wanting to go home... so we had to leave at 7pm.

I got Mom settled, but she was hyper... And when we were at Brenda's, she kept saying she was tired and wanted to go home to rest! AIYO!!!!!

We had Family Time at 8pm.

I didn't have time to run, so after Family Time, I went for a walk! The evening was nice... 

Tomorrow is going to be another packed day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

In all the seasons of my life, I see God's hands to be very involved. Even in the darkness, God's Spirit was moving. And in His ways, He made the formless, the void, filled with light!

Seek Him First!

Fast Sunday!

I went for a quick walk to get the money for our tithes and offering and see what's on sale at Carrefour. Mom slept better... and after breakfast, talked for a short time with James.

We were off for church at 2:15. 

It was a nice service and then dinner at church! Yummy!

We came back and Mom went to bed at 8pm and we had Family Time!

It's an early day tomorrow and a busy three days!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Highlights from today's sermon:

1. God's laws never change.

2. How do we see God? As King & Father?

3. Jesus taught his disciples to pray: Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

4. Jesus came to restore the authority that Adam lost.

5. God created Man and gave him dominion.

6. Do we ask God how to live in ways that reflect His Kingship in our lives?

7. Do we seek God daily? To know His passion, purpose, and desire?

Seek Him First!

A Rainy Day...

 Mom was up early... again!

I was going to get Mom to the blind masseuse but with her active mood, Alan said better not. So Mom got to talk to Annie, James and Eddie! Alan and I went for the massage while Abby was home with Mom. Abby's friends came over to hang out and play board games. Fun!

I went for a run in the rain and made 59.10km this week! YEAH! That's pretty impressive for me!

Abby was going to go play basketball with all the friends, but with the rain, they all just came over at 3pm and stayed. We love having people over at our house.

I went over to the friend's house again as I wanted to drop things off at Margaret's as we're getting boxes off to the Philippines next week. I called and order four boxes! That's how much we have collected!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Two pictures that we took ourselves from yesterday's family photo shoot! 

It was so fun!

God is so good to work everything out!

Seek Him First!

Another Super Productive Day!

The day started early... Mom was awake and talking, talking, talking... We had to close the door! 

After she went off to the Center, Alan, Abby and I took off to Muzha to pick up a free jacket! And then we found a nice breakfast place.

We stopped at a bank to transfer money to Isaiah and then we dropped off the camera to be fixed!

I decided to run back from the place... and got 13.8 kilometers! YEAH!

Then it was a quick shower before going to get a hair wash, pay a few bills and run a few errands.

Alan was home. I had fixed dinner already.

We had our family photo shoot this evening. Isaiah was online! Abby picked the outfit colors -- yellow and blue! Isaiah borrowed a shirt from his housemate as he didn't have a yellow shirt.

We also walked around the area... what a fun evening!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I read a beautiful poem and let me share just part of it:

I will not doubt, though all my prayers return

Unanswered from the still, white realm above;

I will believe it is an all-wise love

That has refused these things for which I yearn;

And though at times I cannot keep from grieving,

Yet the pure passion of my fixed believing

Undimmed will burn.

Seek Him First!

Facility's Evaluation!

We went and got Mom's medical records including the psych evaluation at Yang Ming Hospital. The Social Worker at the facility we visited as a possibility for Mom's Long Term Care called me and unfortunately, Mom is considered a 'high maintenance' case. I knew that! Because she's mobile but with limited vision and hearing, she can be 'independent' and yet needs a great amount of assistance to complete most tasks. They want either elderly individuals more able to function independently or those who are less active and more wheelchair bound or bedridden. I'm finding out that the in-between individuals are not what these facilities want. I guess one thing that we can do is hire a Taiwanese caretaker for the time that we are away! That's a possibility. This person must be someone we know and very trustworthy. It will be quite expensive! We will continue to pray and seek the different options.

After going to the facility, Alan, Abby, and I went off and had lunch. Then we were on our way to look for a jacket for Abby when we passed this big sign "BROOKS", buy one get the second one for half price. Alan was kind enough to stop and I hopped off. Wow... I bought six pairs of shoes in under 15 minutes for 5785NT$, which is about 32US$ a pair! YIPPY! I'm 'running happy', even though I did not have time to go for a run and the weather was so nice and cool!

We got back just in time as Mom is back by 5:15. Abby went to do free tutoring and then a workout. She helps her coach with her English ability, free of charge.

After getting Mom to bed, Alan stayed home while I went off to tutor. Not for free! I need to make money for the shoes that I bought! God sustained me because I was super tired!

Daily Lovely Insight:

This was the verse from Wednesday's study! So encouraging!

Seek Him First!

Another Productive Day!

After Mom took off, I rode down to my friend's place and picked up more stuff to sort and give away. I was planning to go to Costco, but I asked Alan to do that instead. He had a meeting, but after his meeting, he went. Unfortunately, several of the items on my list was not on the shelves: ice cream, hash browns, French fries... just to name a few!

Alan had a meeting at school, but in the morning he got the hotel booked for London! YEAH!

I had my Bible study. Abby had a basketball game and Alan went to watch. They lost by two points and Alan said that they should have won!

The Bible study was great. I baked a lemon 'creation' as the theme of our conversation starter was on celebration. So, the top of the 'pie' was stacked with roasted marshmallows and we stuck candles on it. Hilarious! It took four people to get the candles lit and we sang, Happy Birthday. The students and I had so much fun! And it was very delicious.

We also talked about Nehemiah.

With Alan going to Costco, I went for a run... it was hot and I was slow.

Alan was home to pick Mom up. I came back and she was still finishing up her dinner.

I had tutoring tonight as the counseling session was changed to tomorrow night.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!