Monday, December 21, 2009

Enjoying our post-holiday weekend!!

Since we celebrate Hanukkah, we've already wrapped and unwrapped all our presents by Dec. 19th this year. As everyone is still shopping and preparing for Christmas. We are relaxing and enjoying our week.

As the end-of-year approaches, I am reflecting on how far God has brought us. The kids have grown a little bigger, we've grown to know how little we are comparing the Creator of the Universe and yet He cares so much about us.

I have always been a dreamer, but not until recent years that I have begun to write down most all my dreams as well as my children's dreams. Last week, I dreamed that a friend of mine told me she thought she was pregnant. After waking up from my dream, I found that interesting since she just got married and came back not long from her honeymoon. I called her later and shared my dream with her. To my surprise, she responded, "I think I may be with child." Then, this morning, I got a text from her saying, "I am pregnant!!!" I am amazed how the Lord still speaks to us through dreams and visions. I am amazed He chose to reveal that joyous news with me first, as if I had some part to play in this. And, of course, I joined my dear friend in thanksgiving and prayers for this precious life God is creating in her.

I am always in awe of God's GOODNESS, it does endure FOREVER!

Friday, August 7, 2009

My Swimming Babies

 

So cool to see our kids enjoying the water so well, since I was never a swimmer.
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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Circus Fun 2009 Review



We went to the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus a few nights ago. It's one of annual events that our family looks forward to. Last year's theme was "Bello-bration". The character, Bello, was so full of life and there seemed to be a lot of excitement as you'd expect for a circus. This year's theme is "Over the Top", and the main character (clown) is Tom and through the show, he follows the ringmaster to get his hat. There was a few moments that the skit dragged out a little too long. But there are the usual favorites, the parading elephants, tamed tigers, adorable ponies, the acrobats, .... .

Tom the main clown, at one point went into the audience and picked out a random man and sang him "Happy Birthday". Then, he turned around finding a young lady on the phone in search for her seat. He teased her since it was 30 minutes after the show had started. He took her phone and tried to lure her out onto the circus ring. She was so embarrassed. Then the whole act lasted about 15 minutes, we all felt so bad for the lady, "give her back the phone already!" we were thinking. But, my husband said that it couldn've been an act. Whether it was or not, it was not an entertaining filler of the show. Anyhow...

The most impressive part I feel was the 7 motorcycles went into a sphere-cage, one by one, forming a circle inside the sphere, then they started the engine at full speed. They were defying gravity by running full speed going around and around the internal parameter of the sphere. We were looking with amazement, as if something impossible just has been achieved.

The trapaze artists worked their magic, flying while doing flips in mid-air.

We did miss the Human Canons this year that were missing in the final act, but overall, we enjoyed a fun time as a family and was able to walk away without paying $20.00 for a piece of plastic toy that is valued at $1.00 elsewhere. That was empowering!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The writing juice is flowing...keep flowing!

I just attended the most amazing Writers Conference hosted by Roaring Lambs Ministries this weekend. I am super-energized and feel the writing juice flowing...

There were several dynamic speakers who talked about their experiences as writers, their journeys, their struggles with God's grace weaving through all of that. They are genuine and have such passion to see others writing gifts manifested to change the world for the Kingdom. They are sincere and want to get to know each person they meet. I am so inspired by their love for God and people.

One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Gene Getz, a 77-year-old godly man who has authored over 50 books, and has pastored and taught at bible colleges. His current project is a "Principles to Live By" Study Bible, each page with principles and cross-references with other parts of the bible, questions to ponder on that is cross-cultural and ready to be translated without bias. He said he starting publishing books before anyone knew what "an agent" was while discussing the topic of whether a writer needs an agent. During lunch, after walking away for a few minutes and returned to our table, Dr. Getz and another speaker were at our table. I was thinking to myself, "What are they doing sitting at our table?" Well, I joined the conversation along with my friends there. We were in awe that we were dining with 2 of the speakers and one of them being Dr. Getz. As we were sharing, they listened just as intently to us as we were to them. They were interested in the little projects we involved in compared to the gigantic, world-changing ones they are charging over. Dr. Getz has been to Hong Kong to speak to pastors at churches three times, and I quickly interjected, "I'm from there." He then expressed his interest to go back there again and we saw his love to share the Word of God with the Chinese people.

My favorite radio program is "Point Of View" on Christian radio 5 days a week. Two of the hosts were there, Kerby Anderson and Penna Dexter. They are as down-to-earth as anyone can be. I had the opportunity to talk to Penna extensively which was amazing, she kept asking questions about me and my writing and home-schooling. I was surprised that she really wanted to know. She was even delaying lunch just so I would finish telling her about me.

I saw the love of Christ transcended in people at this little conference like no other. Everyone walked away inspired, with fear dissipated and ready to pen down words straight from Father's heart, doing our little parts and not feel little as the world would have us think. Questions like "How can I possibly make a difference?", "Who would even care what I have to say?" or "How my life experience would be relevant to them?" are no longer relevant. I LOVE THAT! Like my friend, Sacha said, that day was a total divine appointment.


There's been a desire in me to write a book for sometime. It was my dear husband, who first approached me about it 3 years ago. He gave me an idea and said, "now get started!" I said, "HOOOOOOLD ON, Mr.! I am not sure about this. I have to pray about it." Then, my sweet God-father said to me once prophetically, "Oh, I know you are a writer, you'll be writing a book alright, I know you'll write 3 books." WOW, okay, Lord, I am listening.

I believe there's no coincidence. I have been distracted for sometime by different things in life, interesting and fun projects. But, I was drawn to go to this writers conference, and feel that "The time to write is now."

At the conference, I was inspired by some veteran writers, the most sincere people and genuinely desiring to see other believers succeed and fulfill God-given purposes for us with our writing gifts.

Writing takes discipline, it takes prayers,diligence and sensitive observation. I find myself energized, refocused, organizing, prioritizing and strategizing, by God's grace!

I have slowly started the process to write, and look forward to all that God is downloading in me to write,and to express what's on His heart for His beloved.

So, read on... I will keep everyone posted.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

YOU'RE THE BEST THING...

I just had this song on my mind the other day and here it is on my Playlist if you go to #42-- You're The Best Thing (Ever Happened to Me). When I thought about God, our Lord, He truly is the best thing ever happened to me while I hear this song, it brings tears to my eye...

Let me know what you think ;)


I've had my share of life's ups and downs
But fate's been kind, the downs have been few
I guess you could say that I've been lucky
Well, I guess you could say that it's all because of you

If anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
Ooo, you'll be there between each line of pain and glory
'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me
Ah, you're the best thing that ever happened to me

Oh, there have been times when times were hard
But always somehow I made it, I made it through
'Cause for every moment that I've spent hurting
There was a moment that I spent, ah, just loving you

If anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
Oh, you'll be there between each line of pain and glory
'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me
Oh, you're the best thing that ever happened to me
I know, you're the best thing, oh, that ever happened to me

Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party!!

Yesterday, we went to the library for the Summer Reading Program kickoff party. As fun as it was, it was also stressful around a couple of hundred kids and to wait in line for various things.

What's hilarious was that they had a balloon lady that makes a rodeo-looking balloon which you child could wear it, she made the same thing for each kid. It took her about 15 minutes to make one and after waiting 40 minutes in line, we gave up.

Then, there was a line for face-painting. Immediately, I pushed my husband to take the kids over to that line. He did not move with disinterest and said, "Have you seen the kids with face-painting here?" Then I turned and saw a few kids with red large dots on their faces with a few black lines, supposedly to look like clowns. Clearly they were done by "Very Amateur Face-painters". My husband added, "we're going somewhere after this party, I don't think we need to have to kids with faces painted like that. It was the worst face-painting job I've ever seen.

We did get some Chick-Fil-A coupons! I love Chick-Fil-A coupons. They had a prize-wheel for us to turn and win whichever prize the pin lands on. My children won coupons for a cup of coffee and a cup of iced tea...go figure. At least, I got us some free chicken minis, Hooray!

Needless to say, we were exhausted after the 1-hour-party...the things we do for our precious children!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Blessed to be born a woman!!!

The other day, while shopping with my mom and my 4-year-old daughter, I commented to my baby girl, "How wonderful that God made us women that we get to wear pretty shoes and clothes!" She said, "Yes!"

I just read an article by Rebecca Walker, daughter of Alice Walker who authored the infamous book .

To my surprise, Rececca Walker has a complete opposite viewpoint from her feminist mother. She talks about how opposing her mother's ideology costs their mother-daughter relationship.

Feminists have us believe that staying at home to raise our children is a sign of weakness and that we should be out in the world achieving and accomplishing something instead of being belittled and doing the mindless things like cooking and cleaning...serving our familiies. How the world has perverted and distorted what motherhood God had intended!!

I believe that God's calling for each woman is different. Some are called to be perhaps someday President of the United States, some are called to be teachers and many of us are called to be mothers, the biggest job in the world... raising our children to fulfill their God-given purposes! (...which we simply cannot do on our own strength and wisdom).

Once we accept the incredible assignment of motherhood, understand the enormity of the task and realize that only our Creator can enable us to achieve the assignment, joy of motherhood begins.

I am extremely blessed to be home to raise our children while my husband provides for us financially; by no means I feel I contribute any less than he, and fortunately, he feels the same way.

Every moment with our children can be teachable moments, both for them and for me.

I am often touched by my children's little sayings confessing their faith, signs of their precious relationship with our Creator, and praises of thanksgiving of life's special moments--happy or sad.

I am blessed to have a mother that shows me what motherly love looks like.


Every day, I am thankful that I am a stay-at-home wife and mother; most of all, I am thankful for having a Father in heaven that makes His love known to me in a personal way.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

911 call...testing, testing...

Well, here's a funny story for you...

A couple of weeks ago, I was out for a meeting leaving my mother with 2 kids. Mom has experience keeping the kids alone before and it's never been a problem for her.

I called home on my way home that day and asked mom, "Is everything okay? Have the kids been behaving for you?" She replied, "I'll let your son tell you, hold on..." Then Matthew got on the phone hysterically, "Mom, I haven't been good." I asked curiously, "Why? What happened?" He cried, "I called the police." I did not know what to think...what police? why would he do that?

I drew a blank.

Then my mom came back on the phone and said that he'd called 911 and 10 minutes later, 2 policemen showed up to the door. My mom answered the door as both of the kids bolted to their hiding place in one of the rooms. The police asked if everything was alright. (My mom actually speaks English when I am not with her!!!)She said to the police that she thinks that one of the kids had dialed 911 and there was really nothing wrong. The police were understanding and left.

When I got home, I asked Matthew why he called 911, he explained that he'd watched a kids program that day about safety and emergency and they talked about calling 911 for emergency.
He did not do that out of mischief, which gave me comfort.

When his dad came home, he was able to get the "step-by-step" detail from our son. He explained further that as the TV program taught about fire emergency and different safety tips, he remembered that his mom (me)has told him not to believe everything TV tells him. SO... Matthew decided to test it out. Well, he found out that it's true...911 will get the police to come.

He has learned his lesson on when to and when not to make an emergency call this day.

Wow, have I abandoned my blog??!!

Time has completely slipped by me between meetings, reading, kids' birthdays, birthday parties and mom's visit.

I hope to not leave this blog for this extended time period again, by His grace!!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

My Best Birthday EVER!!

My birthday was last Sunday! It's been a few years since I spent my birthday here in the States. I know my family loves me and I love them (I am referring to my mom and sister), they always think of me and buy me things, so my birthday just doesn't seem like a really big deal to them...

So, this year, my sweet husband took me and the kids to the Cheesecake Factory and had a very nice dinner, and with me picking out my perfect gifts. Then, a few days later, my friends at our women's group celebrated me with a beautiful birthday party. They started out blessing me with amazing, kind, encouraging words to and over me. Then, they showered me with fun, beautiful gifts and balloons. I had my friends, Lisa made me Chocolate-covered strawberries and Ryane made me my chocolate birthday cake. They were delicious!!

I felt so loved, honored and blessed.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"You won't relent"



This is such a powerful song!
Pause my Playlist here and listen...
"you won't relent until you have it all, my heart is yours..."

"Place me like a seal over your heart, or like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, and its jealousy is as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with everything he owned, his offer would be utterly despised." Song of Songs 8:6-7

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Pancakes or Dinner rolls??????????

Well, every now and then, I like to make pancakes for breakfast, when I am in the mood. So, a few days ago, I was in the mood. I got the flour out, my favorite pancake recipe, and started making pancakes. I fried them on the griddle, but this time, I notice something very different. They don't look or taste the same as far as texture. They were a little more chewier, not in a bad way, just different.

As we were enjoying the pancakes, I notice my son sawing the pancakes with his knife, it was hysterical... I started picking one and eating it and realized they were more like dinner rolls than pancakes. Since my husband is a chef, he began to help me investigate the cause of the dinner rolls. I used the same recipe and everything the same as many of the times before. We could not figure it out.

Then, as I was putting things away and noticed the flour and started reading it. I had bought flour for bread instead of the all-purpose flour that I usually buy. Well, well, well... I have always afraid to make bread because it seems intimidating and all the kneading sounds like a lot of work. I guess after all, Father, is trying to tell me that I can make bread, even accidentally; and I can do things which I may not realize I can do.

So, next time, make sure you got the right kind of flour for your recipes. LOL...

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Value of Purity

I was led to read a book on New Year's Eve and finished in 3 days, called "Purity - the second sex revolution" by Kris Valloton.

It is such a great book, I highly recommend it.

In such a day and age where anything goes, teens are encouraged to experiment. Grown-ups are saying, "we can't control them anyway, let them do it and be safe." They even tell us that abstinence education doesn't work because the kids don't listen anyway. It's ironic that we tell kids not to steal, not to murder, but when it comes to sex, we say that they just would not exercise any restrain on this one. Why bother? What a BIG FAT LIE!

The book "Purity" is encouarging because it gives the positive side of keeping purity and the "why"'s and not so much the "why-not"'s.

Purity (sex only within the premise of marriage)is truly something valuable that we should treasure and share with our children... what blessing this is for them. Purity is something so valuable that is worth fighting for!! I haven't heard that before.

God did not give the young teens sex drive to see how much fun to see them struggle, instead it's opportunity that they experience the struggle in order to have the prize. I love the analogy of a trophy. A trophy means NOTHING by itself, if someone were to give you a trophy without working for it, it would mean NOTHING to you. However, a Superbowl trophy is priceless to those that have worked so hard for it, though they own millions. The same thing goes to purity. It's worth it!! God is also a God of restoration and a God of second-chances. He indeed can restore purity.

I recently was at a friend's party and someone said that the pro-life movement is so backward and so wrong in denying a woman's right. I could not believe his words. He went on to explain that the meat that I was eating is a result of a murder, no different from an abortion. As a matter of fact, he said that even the Bible (which he does not believe in) says that all creations were made equal by God, killing a baby is like killing a cow???!! Can you believe my reaction at that very moment? I was in complete shock and disbelief in the lack and twist of information and knowledge this guy had, his girlfriend was in total agreement. What a pair... I told him that God made him special, above every living thing... he would not hear a word I had to say, and he stopped abruptly our conversation by saying that I would not win this argument and walked away.

I pray that God would open his eyes and so many's that do see that they are magnificant masterpieces of God. They did not come from apes. Every life has a God-ordained purpose, even those with disabilities. God does not make mistakes!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Wow, where has January gone? Well, February is going to be here in just 4 more days.

Yesterday was the first day of Chinese New Year, so Happy Chinese New Year to you, in case you realize it. For the last 2 Chinese new years, the kids and I spent it in Hong Kong and China, lots of fun. We miss it this year, the fireworks, all the festivities, ... . Yesterday, we went to the Musuem of Asian Arts to see the Lion Dance (a Chinese tradition), where a prop lion held up with 3-4 people inside and parade around with drums and cymbals playing in the background, lots of noise. It was fun because they actually allowed the children to participate, so Matthew got to participate inside the lion, played the cymbal and beat the drum. Mollie also joined her big brother to beat the drum in the end, after having realized how much she missed out by being shy. When she was handed the 2 drum sticks, I was a little nervous that she would miss the beat and mess up the parade of the lion. I guess no one can mess up beating the drum after all. The brother-sister team worked hard and beat that drum with all the might. They did such a good job. I was so proud. It was worth it going down there in a wet day.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to ALL!!

Before midnight on every new year's eve, we can see info-mercials on workout equipment to help lose weight and commercials to invite to join a health club to get the "Dream-body". We can hear everyone's best intention to fulfill their new year's resolution that probably will fail by the second month of the year.

I find that when I have myself to be accountable to, I am less likely to fulfill that promise, but if I am accountable to someone else, I am more likely to hold myself to that promise.

Take library books as an example. If I accidentally draw in my own books, or rip a page, it's not a big deal. But if I have borrowed a library book, I try at all cost to protect it and not to lose it because I am obligated to return the book as it was allowed to be in my possession, in my trust.

I feel the same way about new year's resolution. If we make it for a selfish reason, for my own good, it may not work out very well. But if we make a committment to someone outside ourselves, we feel more obligated to see it fulfilled.

God asked what Solomon what he wanted and he answered, "God's wisdom and knowlege to rule as king whom the Lord made him to be". It's an act of humility, Solomon was made a king and knew that he couldn't do that on his own wisdom, he desperately needed God's wisdom. For that, God gave him not only wisdom and knowledge, but also riches and wealth and honor!!
God sees our hearts, when we sincerely want to know Him and receive the revelation in the knowledge of Him, His blessings pour onto us beyond material things.

I encourage you to draw deeper into the Lord this year, to know Him, not for your own benefit, but enter into genuine worship to know our Creator as He so yearns for a relationship with you. His word says, "Ask, you shall receive; seek, you shall find; knock, the door shall open to you." He is so ready to give as you ask. He is not about religion, but all about having a relationship with you.

I believe when we do, we can look back on January 1st, 2010, and see our Father's hand on our lives and His faithfulness in ways unimaginable.