I See The Light!

I was up early... which I quite enjoy... and then went back to bed... What a great treat!

Isaiah went to play tennis and then came home to sweep and mop the floor while I cleaned Mom's room! YUP!

I also started the huge crock pot of Mexican as we had a dinner engagement planned for the evening.

The helper came at 5pm and I took off first! I ride slow. Isaiah brought the food!

There were 14 of us and what an abundance of blessing! There were pot stickers, curry and Chinese rice, two kinds of fried cabbage, sushi, desserts, tons of different drinks. I made the Mexican dish! I had a mask on, but I knew I wasn't contagious. I had a little bit of voice... I didn't stay late as I forgot to tell the helper that I had to wash one of the hand restraints! And that was hanging out in the back! So, I got home at 10pm and secure everything!

Brenda and her husband Mark and son, Samuel

Elaine and Emily (sisters)

Stephanie and her three girls

Isaiah and I

Winston's three kids

Isaiah was back at 12:30 and after putting away all the leftovers, I went to bed!

I think I will be fine by Tuesday! 

Chinese New Year vacation starts on Thursday!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The get together was a wonderful reminder of God's goodness upon the youths from those who attended Evergreen back in the late 1980's. We have friends spread out throughout the world and yet, when we get together, the joy and connection never wane! Indeed, in Christ, we are FAMILY!

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Almost!

I was up early... and I actually am beginning to feel 'normal' again... 

After I got Mom up and out, I decided to rest. I had a lunch appointment at 11:30. 

It was to celebrate a gal's birthday. I picked this smokehouse restaurant and it was very good. I think Alan would love it!

The weather was nice, so the ride was very pleasant!

On the way back, I paid a bill and bought some lemon as well as other items. A friend told me to try drinking lemon with salt! WOW... I love it! I might get a voice to speak by Sunday!

I got home around 3:30 as I also went to make copies of the handout for my Sunday talk.

And I went back on the sofa to rest!

Mom was home right on time and I had her dinner ready!

It was a nice relaxing evening at home!

Alan has one more week in Brazil... He is having a great time with Abby!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I was reminded of my verse for this year:

Romans 12:12

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Getting Better... but NOT Fully Recovered!

It's this cough... 

Anyhow, I was up early.... then got Mom out. I had to change her bedding... But I didn't do a load of laundry! 

I looked over verses, read, napped, ate... 

At 12:40, I went out for a walk-about! I updated the bank/post office books, paid a bill, withdrew money for tithes and went and looked at Brooks again. Today was it's last day. I didn't buy anything. 

I was home and rested for the rest of the afternoon!

Mom was back and I had her dinner ready!

So, to explain... I don't have to cook as those who have been in Taiwan knows how inexpensive a bento box is. But one of the things that I'm trying to do while Alan is away is to clear out the freezer?!?!?! So, you see, Angel, that's why I choose to cook... I have two more turkey bones. I'm going to try to give those away! I have spaghetti that I can make as I have ground beef... and during Chinese New Year, restaurants will be closed... so... I will definitely have to be creative. I have Mom's meals planned for those eight days. And Isaiah is easy. He and I would do fine with a PB&J sandwich and cereal. I do have a lot of bread. When I go to Costco, I am not buying anything except for milk! It will be one of the first time that I might just have an almost empty fridge when Alan returns! I will keep you posted!

Daily Lovely Insight:

This comes from II Peters 1:3-9, a passage that would be wonderful for believers to take the time to study and live out. It's part of my talk for this Sunday!

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What Does Sick Feel Like For Me?

Getting up early is always... Monday to Sunday... But for these past few days... I'd get up and have my quiet time in bed with my Bible and devotional... I then fall back to sleep and wake up again and this time, I get up and go into the Study.

Now... with this illness, I've been going to bed at around 9pm and up at around 12:30, not because I want to, but because of the hacking cough. I'm back in bed and I fall asleep quickly, but I'm up again at around 3:30. The medicine has worn off or I need to go to the bathroom yet again! By 5am, I am up... in bed... and by 6:30, I'm up in my study.

I then have to fight to get Mom up. Why is that?

Because Snow White's 7 Dwarves have moved into my head and are mining for mucus nuggets, ear wax ores, or snot coal chunks. Ok, maybe not 7 of them as Sleepy went back to sleep. Then in my respiratory system, I've got the Minions working hard to move pellets up the trac and out of my mouth as I spit. When I look and I see that yellowish coloring, I wonder how many of them sacrificed their lives to bring that blob of sputum up what is most likely a long haul, similar to the last 12kms of my 63k run! They are working so hard because my bronchial is filled with these pellets... I can feel them when I cough. They won't dislodge... Those white blood cell Minions have to pry them off the bronchial wall... 

That's the closest I can describe as to what's going on with my body these days!

When Mom leaves, I clean up and by 9:05 or so, I'm back in bed, praying that I can sleep even just an hour without hacking!

Today, I worked on finishing up my Sunday ppt and handout and talk notes... and I rested.

At 11:45, I took off for a foot massage. I'm not usually a fan, but I bought the coupons and never used them. Today was the last day. I made an appointment for 12:15. It was absolutely amazing... and I got to talk to the lady... She grew up with a paternal grandmother who was a believer. But since her marriage (She's been married twice), she has not been close to Jesus. I encouraged her and I pray that she felt the Holy Spirit leading her back to God. Her parents are believers and she talks to them almost everyday.

I headed back at around 2:30 and went to WGE to walk the dreadmill and take a long hot shower! After a quick stop for soybean milk, I was home and as I put the bowl into the microwave, the phone rang. DANG IT! I was hoping to lay down for a few minutes... Oh well... 

I amde an appointment for Isaiah to try the place and use up the coupon. His appointment was at 19:00. 

I made a simple dinner for the next few nights: chicken, rice and spinach. Isaiah had some when he got back. Yes, he also enjoyed the foot massage!

Tomorrow is my Sabbath! YIPPY! 

Friday, I have a lunch appointment but I cancelled tutoring! YIPPY!

I used the rest of the evening to finish up the ppt and emailed it off! It will be a very small group of people this Sunday as people have started their Chinese New Year Vacation! 

One miracle that I do want to share is that I wanted chicken soup and just as I was at the massage place, being served a bowl of chicken soup, one of my Bible study gals messaged me: She asked her son to drop of a bowl of chicken soup for me... How astounding is that?!?!?!?!?!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I've been calling on the Holy Spirit to walk me through each day... And today, after the massage, I started to feel a bit better... like my nose wasn't so packed with stuff... and the dwarves were pounding so hard... and the hacking cough was intermittent (versus a constant horrible tickle!). I realized that how difficult it must be for some who have struggled with chronic illnesses... Like the throne in Paul's flesh... How they never experienced healing and learned to trust their Master!?!?!?! 

Amazing Grace... 

It Is Well With My Soul...

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Still Feeling Tired!

I got up early and after Mom left, I cleaned up the room and went back to bed... What a nice sleep as I had no cough! MIRACULOUS! But I'm not yet healed!

Those three hours were heavenly!

I got up for lunch: spinach and taro meatballs... YUMMY!

Then I went back to sleep... until about 3pm. My body was feeling so sore from laying down for so long, so I went for a walk. Very refreshing. I went around the block three times!

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

It's her birthday today and I sent over two cakes: one vanilla with fruit filling the other was chocolate with pudding filling. They sent pictures... she was eating with her hands! I guess she loved the desserts!

Isaiah came hone from work later than usual... I was laying down on the sofa... I had made him pizza! And there was one piece left which I will save for my lunch tomorrow.

Yes, I am planning to stay home... another week of no tutoring... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Germs are so small... how can such a small thing do so much damage on my body? My entire immune system is working over time and this bug won't die!

And I realize... there are lots of small things that are very powerful... a small white lie... a mustard seed of faith... a person who keeps his/her word... a simple daily habit!

Don't look down on the small things in your life.... 

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Another Day Spent In Bed!

Well... I was up early... And then went back to bed after getting Mom OFF... Trust me... It is super difficult to get Mom ready when I'm sick... Everything task takes a bit ore strength! And this morning, she wasn't being very cooperative! Such is life!!!!!!!!!

I stayed in bed until 2pm, getting up a few times to drink more liquid or eat something. But at 2pm, I had to be off... Costco for cakes as it's Mom's birthday tomorrow. And I also wanted to get more medicine to really kill this bug that's gotten into my body!

The doctor near our place starts the clinic at 4pm. 

Costco was crazy... I can't believe how packed it was. I thought, is this a holiday??? I got two cakes, Kirkland tissue, milk and chips! I found a parking space right in front of the doctor's office. There was a long line... The numbers were called fairly quickly and I was finished by 4:40! I rushed home and heated up Mom's dinner, put away the items and the phone rang! Wow...

I had dinner and took the first packet of PILLS! I truly don't like Western medicine... my nose now feels completely dried out... BUT... I hope I sleep well tonight! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Well... the one thing that's been positive about having this cold is that I can't smell anything. That can be good and/or bad... I can't taste the food that I'm eating... BAD, as I have no appetite. I only eat because I know it's good for me to eat. I can't smell my Mom's diaper... GOOD, as I just hate that smell... not to mention I can't smell the poop either! SUPER GOOD!

So, in the midst of this current situation, I am learning to give thanks!

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Not As Recovered As I Had Hoped!

Yes, it was another day where I couldn't do much of anything but rest!

Mom Care... that's exhausting when I'm sick... Trying to get her up and showered... Only by the Strength of God!

Isaiah was a big help.

He went to TIC's morning service and came back and helped me with Mom at church before leaving to go to his basketball Sunday League Game. They won!

After church, I had church friends help me watch Mom while I ran to get the car... that's the situation for the next few weeks! What can I do???

I was to be the translator, but I had to get Pastor James to help as I still have very little voice! We had three people give testimony! And dinner box was great. Mom ate snacks and dinner!

Isaiah and I got back at the exact same time... Thank you, Jesus. So, he helped with Mom while I parked!

The evening routine is also feeling laborious... I guess everything feels laborious when a person is sick! Day Care Starts back... And I cancelled my tutoring for Monday... But I will have to go to Costco to buy birthday cakes for Mom, which I will send with the morning van on Tuesday. I cancelled my study and my tutoring for Tuesday... and please pray that I will be fully recovered by Wednesday!

By Tuesday, it would be a full week that I've been sick... truly, it's the longest that I've ever been sick... I don't usually get hit with any of these bugs... 

Please continue to pray!

And today is Pam's 65th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAREST FRIEND... from that first cup of tea, the Lord grew a friendship and sisterhood that have lasted over these many years... I'm so glad God brought you into my life!

Daily Lovely Insight:

It's difficult to apply this when I'm sick... This sure is testing my faith and perseverance!

James 1:2-3

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