2020 --->2021

Bye bye 2020 and hello 2021. 

Composting, planting and cleaning.

Incredible Easy

Make your own Fermented Rice and Yogurt are not hard. Just make sure the containers and utensil have to be sterilized thoroughly. And a thermal pot is the best to create the warm for yeast and bacteria to grow.

Use the yogurt that I make to make Mango Lassi, delicious!

Day 225 - 102562020 - 11292020

I decided to take a break from prayer meeting leading and daily devotion sharing until I don't know when.

Daily Devotion 11112020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-I4Y961BT4&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3NpxS-FmOHW2nlrzIj7D80ho49Du7db4KJqpuEGd96hb8yInWpDG_STac

Hello everybody welcome to join me for today, Wednesday November 11th 2020 devotion on 2 Thessalonians2:1-12. Let's pray, dear Heavenly Father we praise you and we love You. Lord please calm our hearts so we can have peace in Your Love. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

2 Thessalonians2:1-12 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

This is Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians which he tried to clarify information about Lord Jesus's second coming and the related signs. There are only three possibilities for Jesus's second coming: you missed it, are in the midst of it, or it has not happen yet.

We should be prepared and be alert at all times and listen to Him only.

Satan and evil know about God, His word and His power thoroughly. How Satan tempted Jesus and the serpent tempted Eve, you will likewise be tempted.

Think about how and why addiction to drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling and more are so wide-spread. There are lies about how it will bring healing, how you will forget about the pain or hurt. All you need to do is just try this one time.

Let's pray, dear Heavenly Father we praise you and we love You. Lord please help us to redirect and refocus on You in every circumstance we might face and in every decision we need to make. Fix our eyes on You no matter what. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

Day 205 - 224 - 1007 - 10252020 Sunday

Terrible! The new version of the blog it won't work on both iPhone and iPad. Which is convenient and I used to use for almost everything. Now!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbLyZuSUZ8

Day 204 - 10062020

None!

Day 203 - 10052020

Blank!

Day 202 - 10042020 Sunday

Silent!

Day 201 - 10032020

Greek food today.
Speechless!

Day 200 - 10022020

At last I recorded and upload the daily devotion video for next Thursday.

Day 199 - 10012020

October first!!

Made lemon bundt cakes and bagels.
https://www.facebook.com/alice.chen.10048379/posts/10157913295649755?notif_id=1601606551377919&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

Today I went to Aldi for grocery shopping a lot of produce is on sale. I bought plenty of them like I was buying the whole supermarket home.

Day 198 - 09302020

Years ago when I was in my early twenties, I decided not to brush my teeth completely. I neglected the importantance of brushing my teeth after meals or the advice from my mom. And then not long after that I started feeling something wrong with my teeth. So I had to go see the dentist since I had a couple of cavities. Years later something similar happened again, except it was about my younger son. He was maybe two years old or younger. I didn't know where this weird thought came from; I didn't help him to keep his teeth clean after every meal because I thought he would have a second set of teeth eventually. So why bother to do the extra work for the baby teeth!? You probably know what happened to all his baby teeth, cavities! And you may think I must have learned my lesson by then, but unfortunately I didn't. I was around my early forties and I felt like I didn't care about myself, therefore I stopped brushing my teeth again. The same consequence, I needed to go to the dentist for the cavities. I hope we all can learn the lesson from our mistake the first time.

Day 197- 09292020

Finally, I finished the script of my daily devotion. And my ear infection was gone right when I finish this. I am healed. Thank God! Tomorrow will do the video recording. Also, I want to sow more seeds like basil, tomato and onion. Garlic will planted next week.
This ear infection was so bothered me. I was feeling that I wanted to message my pastor tells him that I wanted to give up on it. I am glad that I insisted to do it for His glory, praise the Lord.

Day 196 - 09282020

Oh Lord, please help me, I need to finish the writing and record the video and upload the video by this week for October 8th daily devotion.

Day 195 - 09272020 Sunday

Miss the seaweed crackers so much therefore I made my own. 
https://www.facebook.com/alice.chen.10048379

First time bought the young coconuts from Mexico, it tastes really weird. And then later when I cracked the shell open guess what the bottom of the shell was molding. The good thing was that we decided to discard the coconut water. I bought total three of it. The second and the third one tasted ok, but still not very good and the it turned out that the coconuts were not very young, the coconut meat was thick. Will never buy the coconut from Mexico again! Stick with the ones from Thailand for now.

Planted twenty of sweet peas. And second batch of onion over one hundred of it this afternoon. Around one forty.

Day 194 - 09262020

Ballerinas
https://www.facebook.com/alice.chen.10048379/posts/10157902213279755?notif_id=1601184893015255&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

Where is mama bear?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157901445154755&set=a.10155766122904755&type=3&theater&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1601159321675911

Autumn, ready or not, here I come!
Summer, but, I am not ready to go yet!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157901083949755&set=a.10155766122904755&type=3&theater&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1601144142191631

Day 193 - 09252020

First time in more than six months I went to the store Ross. And I realized that there are things that I can find easily in that one store at a fairly good price too. But I already bought them at another store.

Time to plant a second batch of onion and the sweet peas. Let's say tomorrow. And garlic next week, maybe.

Day 192 - 09242020

This was the fourth time that when I need something for the house and then I found in Aldi supermarket at a very good price. It doesn't normally carry a big variety of products. Besides the regular grocery some other household need will appear at store randomly. Things that I need like, garden gloves, pruners, brush for baker and laundry basket. It is like always surprise every time.

Day 191 - 09232020

Life is like cracking the nuts you may encounter some tough ones, some easy ones, some may even hurt you or hurt the people around you. And people who have a tough outside may be soft inside please handle them with care.
Should I move the okra and green bean to the garden now!?
Getting ready to plant more onion and green pea and the garlic.

Day 189 - 09212020

Being appreciated by kids about my cooking, happy!
Eggplant my older son can never take it. Pumpkin my young son hate it. Me I love them both.

The first flower of green bean. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157890468194755&set=pcb.10157890468839755&type=3&theater

Today's  grocery shopping at Ralphs a black senior pull the mask all the way down to her chin, nose and were not covered, horrible!

Went to store only because need to buy milk, but end up buying a lot stuffs..

Day 190 - 09222020

Nineteen years ago a boy was born.
I made chocolate cakes, dinner rolls and bread. Three in a row, tired but fun! Especially when someone says, the cake is good! And I think that I probably still to own a stand mixer.

In N Out

In and out the car. For any of the reason that you cannot easily in and out the car. Make sure exercise daily not just walking, but some other exercise to enhance muscle both arms and legs. Why arms because you are going to need a lot of help from your arms. If you only want other people to help you get in and out of the car. Then you probably need to stay home and never get out of the house. Or you can consider moving into a nursing home. There will be people to help you 24/7 for anything.
For getting into the car you may need to use your hands to help your legs to get in the car. Get out of the car is more complicated. First step, of course opens the car door. From second step you are going to use your arms a lot turn your body 90 degrees to your right or left depends on which side that you sitting on. Third now your legs are out the car with one arm holding on the body of the car the arm holding on the car door slowly move your butt toward the edge the seat. Lastly, with the help of your both arms slowly standing up. Here you may use the walker to help to steady your step or someone can be there to make sure your safety.
Never assume that because you are old so people has to help you with everything. If you don't want to help yourself, then nobody can. Remember the rule of use if or lose it.
Again, I have to say safety first. If you are not capable or strong enough to help others. Don't  do it otherwise there will be two injuries instead of one. And don't let abusers waste your empathy.
P.S. For the people who lend the helping hands. When you are trying to help someone up, please do use the whole arms not just the hands and always stay lower for better balance to prevent injury or accident. For the people that need to be helped. Don't be afraid to hold on the body of the car or the wall to make sure your own safety you rather dirty your hands than fall down.

Day 188 - 09202020 Sunday

Celebrated my younger son's birthday two day's ahead. Will make the cake on the of his birthday.

Day 187 - 09192020

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake was reported Friday evening around 11:38pm, rattling a wide swath of Southern California. Right before it, I felt so depressed and cried a bit. Suddenly the sorrow all gone. First I checked to see if everybody ok. Then I knelt down to pray and then standing up and lifted my hand continue to pray.
2020 = pandemic + wildfire + earthquake

Day 186 - 09182020

Never laugh at the people who is weaker or less capable than you. One day you may be the one is weaker or less capable. But don't worry, they won't look at you the same way as you used to look at them.

Day 185 - 09172020

Had the window shopping with my young son.

I never had any super early super late classes. Cannot image how can I handle it.

Environment pollution, waste of water and more. Pray for human beings pay attention about the wake up call for Mother Nature. Start to cherish and preserve we have and stop abusing it.

Day 184 - 09162020

So wanna get out of the house to anywhere. But with this pandemic and the poor air quality due to the wildfire, I hesitate!

Day 183 - 09152020

Don't just think about it, do it!
Plan well and make it into action, even it sounds difficult or wrong or impossible! You never know what will come out until you fulfill it!
Finally, move my pineapple plant into a bigger pot. And move the water spinach plants to a better growing location.
Lately a lot of the unripe lemons being fell off the tree. Is that because the smoke!? It is usually the ripe ones drop off.

First made a dish out of baby Lima beans not so welcomed by my kids.
腐肉生蛆 

Day 182 - 09142020

想做綠豆椪和逛街。

中心的基本開支有被 coverEd，中心的老人有被ntaken care，辛苦你們了。
我這大半年回歸到非常自閉的老我，除了ㄧ點點的教會的服事，超市的買菜，其餘時間都全部呆在家裡。

Day 181 - 09132020 Sunday

You go to sleep and wake up the second day, that is called a day.
You go to sleep and never wake up that is called a lifetime.

Today's air quality is much better than yesterday!

Made the rose steamed bun kind of ugly after steaming. So no picture.

Next project moon cake.

Day 180 - 09122020

Pump the gas yesterday. 
Exactly six months today since our center closed.

Old Testament Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT7C9QUnMJY&list=PL4sbg6ng23C6s9TBKh5d-GL9kvm5503Pd
Lecture#4

Day 179 - 09112020 9/11

https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/9-11-attacks
Nineteen years ago after the attack there was a perception of the chemical weapon attack. So I keep the windows and doors closed at all time. These days, because the wildfires I keep the Windows closed.

Psalm 121:8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
https://www.facebook.com/alice.chen.10048379/posts/10157866737739755?notif_id=1599879766991489&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

Mango Dragonfruit Coconut Tapioca Ball 芒果火龍果西米露
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157866737884755&set=a.10155766122904755&type=3&theater&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1599880479898172

Old Testament Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT7C9QUnMJY&list=PL4sbg6ng23C6s9TBKh5d-GL9kvm5503Pd
Lecture#4

Day 178 - 09102020

Lately, when I went grocery shopping there will be tons of seniors. There were shopping and talking loudly never keep social distancing with other shoppers. And whichever product was on sale they bought tons of them. If there was a limitation for that particular item they will constantly checking out several times! Feeling really uncomfortable whenever they were around.

Old Testament Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT7C9QUnMJY&list=PL4sbg6ng23C6s9TBKh5d-GL9kvm5503Pd
Lecture#3

Day 177 - 09092020

Pandemic+wildfire+weird weather=2020

The other I bought some kind of date that I never bought and eat before and tasted astringent.

New project rose steamed bun.

Prayer Request

"**UPDATE**. #BobcatFire is now at 10,344 acres with 0% containment. A total of 401 personnel are assigned to this fire. Be prepared and follow Ready, Set Go!"

Pray for the wind will calm, the weather will cool down, the humidity will increase, safety of the residents and the firefighting crews.

Day 176 - 09082020

Today's baked beef short ribs was a success. For some time I was so afraid to cook the beef short ribs because almost all the time the result came out bad it was tough and hard to chew. I did a different way of preparing the ribs I marinated the ribs with a mixture of sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder and the coconut purée for some time before baking it. Before I just seasoned it with salt and black pepper and then bake right away.

This morning before I did my watering routine the plants. I put a pot of water on something was not quite sturdy and I knew it would fall soon but somehow I ignore it. After I watered the plant it was only couples of minutes later the pot tilt. What was in my mind I truly don't know.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Old Testament Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT7C9QUnMJY&list=PL4sbg6ng23C6s9TBKh5d-GL9kvm5503Pd
Lecture#2

Day 175 - 09072020 Labor Day

Really need to work hard on my English pronunciation. Today I tried on the caption function on one of my videos. Turned out that my pronunciation of God sounded like CAR and faith sounded like FACE!!!

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E
Lecture#10
Speak with the authority of God.

Start another new lecture on the old testament.
Old Testament Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT7C9QUnMJY&list=PL4sbg6ng23C6s9TBKh5d-GL9kvm5503Pd
Lecture#1

Parents vs. Children

It is the parents' responsibilities and obligations no matter what!

You could have the choice to bear and born this child or not. On whom be the father/mother of this child. On where and how to give birth this child. On where and how to raise this child. All these factors will affect on how this child will grow up to be.

Day 174 - 09062020 Sunday

"Extreme record breaking temps and energy demand has caused some equip to overload and power outages this evening. We have approx 14k customers without power out of 1.5 million."
Pray for the firefighter crews, the power company and the environmental alter awareness
Pray for the medical team.

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E
Lecture#9
Speak with authority of God.
Balance between preaching and pastoring.

Professor vs. Student

Professor standing and teaching the whole Tim without any restroom, drinking or snacking break in between.

Mom vs. Dad

Mom and dad are totally different in some way. For example, mom never wants to bother others for help or go see the doctor unless it is really necessary.
Mom has a strong sense of danger and always know how to protect her kids.
Mom does what she can to save the earth by recycle, reuse, reduce and repurpose.
By the way the heat and noise that  generated by the use of the air conditioner is really annoying!

Day 173 - 09052020

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E
Lecture#7
Preach boldness, speak out kindling, speak with certainty.

Lecture#8
The whole book of Deuteronomy is preaching.
A preacher should make it plain and clear for the heater to hear and understand Gos's word.

Day 172 - 09042020

Tried three bake goods today, one sweet, one salty and the other is a plain one. The sweet one was not sweet at all. The salty one was not flavored enough. The plain was ok. I used the yeast as the leavening agent. Except the bread which I had already made couples of times before the other two were not tasted quite as I expect it should be.

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E
Lecture#5
Lecture#6
Preaching is to raise the audience's affection for God. 

09042020 Devodevotion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZxd3cI5LjE
Good morning brothers and sisters, this is Alice from HarvestLA. Today is Friday, September 4th, 2020. We are going to have the devotion on Jeremiah 27:12-22. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and we love You. Please speak to us through your words. And give us wisdom to understand and follow it. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

Jeremiah 27:12-22 12 I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. 13 Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. 15 ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’” 16 Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. 17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin? 18 If they are prophets and have the word of the Lord, let them plead with the Lord Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon. 19 For this is what the Lord Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city, 20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— 21 yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: 22 ‘They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,’ declares the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”

In verse 18 talks about how to distinguish a false prophet. False prophets know how to pick the words that we love to hear which will only lead us to death. God has His way and timeline to fulfill His promises. It may seem unreasonable and is a rough long journey to walk through. We need to repent and submit to God and the salvation will come. Otherwise His judgement will come upon us. The price of sin is death. On the other hand, a prophet like Jeremiah needs to take courage to tell the truth that he heard from God. He needs to take the risk of being interrogated, being put in prison or even losing his life.
There's a Chinese proverb that says "bitter medicine cures sickness" so as faithful words grate upon the ear. (良藥苦口忠言逆耳) 

That's all for today's devotion and yet a lot to ponder.

Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and we love You. Help us to seek for your wisdom patiently and have the seeing eyes and hearing ears from You. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

Thanks for tuning in with me to study God's words. Stay cool and see you next time.

Day 171 - 09032020

"K-LOVE Wants to Encourage You Today! It's our mission to always be positive and encouraging. Now we're ramping it up even more with the 30 Days of Encouragement!"
Lamentations 3:22-23  22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Harvest some edamame, then boiled with one teaspoon of salt, yum!
https://www.facebook.com/alice.chen.10048379/posts/10157848354789755?notif_id=1599190858548475&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E
Lecture#4

Day 170 - 09022020

Fundamentals of Expository Preaching 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E

Lecture #1 
Explain the meaning of the scripture. The  meaning of the scripture is the scripture. God is the head of the church.

Lecture #2
We have the mind of Christ. You model how to handle/study the bible. When they learn how to study the word of the bible they can teach the bible. Jeremiah 8:9
The thing/people that you love the most dominate you. You live what you believe.

Lecture #3 The pastor's primary duty is to bring the people the proof of God by explaining the meaning of the scripture 

Day 169 - 09012020

Cannot believe it's September already soon the thanksgiving and Christmas will be here and then another new year comes.

Found another lecture, Fundamentals of Expository Preaching, explain the meaning of the scripture. The meaning of the scripture is the scripture.
I'll start to listen to it from tomorrow too tired today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCyfWwz3-Y&list=PLA4F1CA2C916E583E

Day 168 - 08312020

Yesterday I made the radish cake too soft and the sesame cake too tough! Need to adjust the way or the order that I cook them.

Finished the series of Pastoral Leadership.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttvpAK-y1k&list=PLF1EF86F7951CD551
Lecture#13
The book of Nehemiah 1-3
Equip people and assign them the tasks, motivate them to keep them focus. Keep yourself motivated and feel the feel. Let the project become theirs. Build self motivation and respect to people. Give the glory to the God. Renovation. 
Showing the appropriations of their doing. By recording their names, their accomplishments and how they do it.
Do the modeling do what I do show them. Show your integrity earn and maintain the trust. Never stingy your praises.

Lecture#14
Handling the obstacles. Learn to our Lord in prayer take your issue to God. If the Lord cannot solve the problem nobody can. Keep your eyes on the big picture. To discern a mountain and a molehill. Don't turn a molehill into a mountain. Ask the Lord for wisdom. Be humble and have your a good self image. Learn to recognize that you may be the problem. Small church produces great preacher. Humility stand up and confront. Learn to keep calm, self control, keep cool on circumstances. Have the courage to confront to against the enemy. Known the written and unwritten steps the problem resolution, Matthew 18. Preservation, not quitting. The law of the dog's, Proverbs 26:17. The law of underdog, the weaker party. The law of the barking dog. Don't lose your dignity. The law of a sleeping dog; don't make the problem. The law of a life dog, Ezekiel 9:4, live to fight another day. Better be a live dog than a die lion.

Rediculous

Case#1 It was a Sunday 
Dad: I fell and had a scratch and it's painful I need to go to the ER!
Me: Who's got hurt and not painful!?
Case#2 It was also a Sunday
Dad: My shoulder hurt and I called the doctor and the Doctor told me to go to the ER!
Me: When you called the doctor after hour the answering machine will say that to everybody!

First of all it's not an emergency. And most of all no one will want to go near the hospital in this period of time unless you work there or you are going to die!
If I work in the ER and see you I will tell you to get lost!! Stop abuse the medical system and put others' lives at risk!

Both fall on the Sunday that I need to go to lead the prayer meeting!!

Day 167 - 08302020 Sunday

Led the prayer meeting today.
https://praisedance123.blogspot.com/2020/08/prayer-meeting-08302020.html?m=1

Pastoral Leadership 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttvpAK-y1k&list=PLF1EF86F7951CD551
Lecture#11
Priority and venison.

Lecture#12 Exodus 18, Mose tried to do all the work himself.
Delegation, it's not an option, learn to be good at delegate. As a leader you need to recruit. To delegate the responsibility. Never do the task alone. Otherwise you and your people will burn out. We meet the needs of the people. 
The organization will not be perpetuated. To reproduce to keep the organization going. Why the leader don't delegate? #1 We confuse the rule of the leader. We think you must have the provision for the problem to result and everything is your personal responsibility. You are there to make sure the job gets done. #2 The fear/guilt of failure, fear of lost control. #3 They want the glory. Why not share the glory around. And we are for the glory of God. #4 we ignore the process of delegation. #5 Sometimes we are just lazy because delegation takes effort to teach. #6 The leaders are so over committed they don't have time to train others. Then you need to take a step back you must make time. #7 Because nobody out there can/ wants to do it. No one taught them how to.
Give right gift to the right duty. Put ten men to do the work not to do the ten men's works.

Prayer meeting - 08302020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XFYwLaAS1k&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3xIKzFfKhnZvGosr_v7XzIAwR-rS0mONy41LB1CSt4MYePzJOakvAZlm8
Good morning everybody, welcome to our big family, HarvestLA for prayer meeting. Thank God that we can connect with each other through the Internet. 
Today I have two worship songs that I want to share. The main reason that I like to share songs with not only because I love to sing along with it also there times that those worship songs keep me company when my heart was in trouble and I couldn't find any words to pray.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_0tD1UhR2aDOa0ybFAqkmulgrx8dDhWA

Though the year 2020 probably been the worst of the year for most the people. Still, there are a bunch of blessings to be counted.
The graduation of the class 2020, the ordination of pastor Jacky, Jacky and Charlotte is expecting their baby girl, welcome the new member of the 5th graders to HarvestLA! They are Amanda, Elizabeth, Emily, Ephraim, Isabel, Johan, Joovy, Joyce, Matthew, and Renee,  the engagement of Joel and Emily, for the birthday boys and girls, the anniversaries, the new 2020 class, for all our safety and health etc. The list can go on and on. 

As we thank God for all the blessings we still a lot of things we need to pray for. There are over 600 wildfire alone in California. Pray we won't lose hope and bring all your needs to God.

Pray for brothers and sisters health and safety. Pray for the spiritual growth, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Pray for our Sunday school teachers. Pray that through their teaching, people would further take root and bear fruits in His Word. Prayer for Sri Lanka, among 22 million of population majority are Buddhist and then there is Hindu and Muslim the percentage of Christians is the least only 7.4 percent, prayer the faith and safety of the Christian and pray them be the salt and light unto others.

Lately I've been watching some lessons online. My attention span is like five minutes I am constantly checking how many minutes are left. I only take down some notes, no inactive with the teachers, no homeworks and no exams to take. Good job to you all are taking classes online. So proud of the students and their parents. And cannot image if I have young kids to take care of in this typical situation. How am I going to entertain them, keep them learning and everything.

Closing prayer, let pray for the following Sunday service. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise and we love you. May Your light shine upon us. Pray for the worship leader and today's speaker. May everyone be blessed and touched by God's love. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen!

Day 166 - 08292020

I'm going to lead the prayer meeting tomorrow. Preparing for the prayer leading. So tired!

Day 165 - 08282020

Need to have my car's automatic window fixed and the brake checking on the next car oil change.

Pastoral Leadership 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttvpAK-y1k&list=PLF1EF86F7951CD551
Lecture#9 Teaching and preaching.
Content and material more persuasion and lecture on teaching. Preaching add on more action.
Teaching plan, interact with student with questions and answers high participation. Help with pictures, role play, note taking, homework, handout, testimony, teaching is more than teaching, guiding discussion, lead with questions, rearrange the furniture, to educate not to embarrass.
Never read your sermons, memorize your sermon, be thoroughly prepared, visualize your sermon, be passion about what you say, use body language, utilize your time (use less of your time), keep clear, concise, concrete, preaches the cross, lift up the Christ.

Lecture#10 Leaders are made not born. The leadership also is a gift from God.
Christian leadership is spiritual leadership. Church is an organism Not organization. Two spiritual tools, prayer and the word of God. Spiritual Motivation. Glorified Christ. Spiritual result, bring people to Christ like people.
Servant leadership, serve to the needs not the wimps. Shepherd the flock of God. Spiritual influence. 
Position/title/pastor -> give the permission to lead, build relationships-> production -> people development, empower/ train others -> Provide of leadership/trust.

Day 164 - 08272020

Never ceasing  feeding your spiritual needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ujkhdYBocI
The Prayer of Connection, Refocusing, Cooperation, Serenader, Dependence, Clinging, Relieve, Protection, Deliverance , Victory.

Today, while I was driving on saw a car in front of me without the rear bumper and then when I turned to my right a spot a car body frame, on a tow truck.

Day 163 - 08262020

The germinating rate for okra is over 90%. For green bean so far less than 50% pray for it will have more beans to survive.

Pastoral Leadership 
Took some notes while I was listening to the lecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttvpAK-y1k&list=PLF1EF86F7951CD551&index=5
Lecture#5 Discipline one's life. Mater the time, conduct yourself, cleanness (dress, car, living place), organized your life, plan and prioritize your life.
Overdressed embarrassing others or underdressed to shame them.
Private and public worship. Utilize your gifts serving others. Be teachable. Don't tolerate bad relationship. Have a balanced life. 

Lecture#6 Money on serving, paid or not paid, be careful in handling it. Learn to be content. Thank God for everything. Freedom, nobody owns you. Passion for the ministry.

Lecture#7 The attitude toward people. Along with wife giving the hospitality, love and be proactive to people. Roman 12:13. Be gentle. Win an argument and lose a friend you are still loose. Ethical. Never be a two face person. Care of your own, family and the like. 

Lecture#8 The leader's gifts and ability. Titus1:9. Two different voices; the voice in preaching and teaching and the voice to drive away and defense the thief/wolf.
Understanding the scriptures. The law of the language, simple and understandable. The law of lesson. The law of teaching process, guiding the learning. The law of learning process, reproduce in your own words. The law of review the application, when teaching becomes their lives. Sermon outline, proposition and structure and main point and create the need for the audience.

Day 162 - 08252020

Pastoral Leadership 
Started to watch the series of Pastoral Leadership got to learn something serious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttvpAK-y1k&list=PLF1EF86F7951CD551
It actually can apply to our everyday life, our family, leaderships and relationships.
1 Timothy 3/Titus 1
Characteristics Qualification 
Lecture#1, leader's calling. Threefold of office; Pastoral Leadership pastor, elder and overseer. Do your work joyfully, willingly, seriously and congeniusly and faithfully.
You can be old/mature when you are young

Lecture#2, qualifications. You can be tired in work, but never tired of work. A 24/7/365 job.
Have you sensed the call? Strong desire. What evidence that God call me to into this ministry? Gifts of teaching and leading. Do others affirm my giftedness? Does my home church appeal that I have been called to this ministry? Feel my strong desire. What ministry that I have involved, let me think I have the gifts?

Lecture#3, pastor's wife.

Lecture#4, pastor's child (ren). You lose your family you lose your ministry. Master yourself. Know yourself. Check yourself. Walk with spirit.

Day 161 - 08242020

The green bean seeds are starting germinating.

When you don't have time you complain about wishing have some time to do the things that you want to do. When you truly have some time you are so lazy to do the things that you used to want to do. Human!

Day 160 - 08232020 Sunday

The okra that I planted are starting germinating. It's a joy to see the seed germination. But feeling lazy to take care of it.

I am thinking to make my own yeast. Since the yeast is nowhere to be found also the majority of them have the adding of Sorbitan monostearate as an emulsifier. Or I could use beer to sub yeast to make bread. Therefore, I need to find out how and also the ingredients of the beer.

Need to transfer the pineapple and rosemary to a bigger pot soon.

Day 159 - 08222020

Yesterday the first time got a young coconut without the coconut meat!

It's so hot and I drank so much water and it felt like I drank more water than the food that I ate.

Day 158 - 08212020

Finally, I bought a new fly swatter at 99 ranch after a long time searching for it. Actually, I did find it weeks ago at Ralph but the quality was not so good.
The yeast still nowhere to be found I only have one last pack left.

Day 157 - 08202020

Another stay still and do nothing and still sweating hot day.

Planted 1 pack of each okra and green bean seeds that I bought the other day. That makes 30 okra seeds and 16 green bean seeds.

Tomorrow I am going to buy young coconut and continue to look for yeast and wheat flour. And radish too, I want to make radish cake.

Day 156 - 08192020

I transferred the onion plants to the yard ground. Pray for their growing. Watching and taking care of the plants growing like my own kids.
Preparing for second of onion planting within the week.
Tomorrow I will try my first taro milk.
Never bake the taro!

Next project, taro cake, radish cake and sesame cake.

Day 155 - 08182020

I made two batches of dumplings yesterday. The first batch of the dumpling skin is drier. The second one is much softer. And it turned out the second batch is much easier and to make.

Last year this time time we had plenty of homegrown apples. But not this year the tree dead.

We also had endless tangerines last year, this year it only has a few.

And heat weaves made the lemons had sunburn.

Day 154 - 08172020

Dumplings that guarantee no leftover. It's a hard work to make your own from scratch. It puts the smile on your face when you see the empty plates. 
Made some frozen dumplings and turned the leftover dumpling filling into meatballs by adding one egg and some cornstarch. 
Also, I cook the dumplings and the meatballs in the beef soup smell so good.
Just an idea if your family doesn't like to drink soup, then use the soup to cook dumpings, noodles or rice. By this way they are not just having the soup in some other forms it make the food that cook in it especially delicious.

Day 153 - 08162020 Sunday

I want to make Taro Cake, Sesame Cake and dumpings.

How are you guys doing so far!? The year of 2020!

Doing the composting for couples of months now. Sometimes I want to give up. But thinking of how doing this can reduce the trash and give the natural fertilizer for our yard I continue. Each one of us can do our own part of saving our environment. Unfortunately, most of the people ignoring this, how sad!
Today I start something new, saving the urine as the fertilizer for the plants. At first I felt awkward doing so, but recalled when I was little I used to urinate directly in the yard. Now I am only saving them in the jar for later use. Also, I will save the water to flush it down the toilet.

Self quarantine

Since the pandemic I hardly go out of the city that I live. For all the have to grocery shopping and food takeout. The only times that I am out of the city are the necessary trip to my mechanic and the prayer meeting leading at our church services one to twice of a quarter.
I know this may sound weird or unreasonable to most of the people.
But think of if your city is doing better than others you want it keeping the good condition. Likewise the other way around. Shop local, eat local can be better to help your local small business. I don't order food delivery  to reduce the contacts. 
So when I realized that my older one been ordered some takeout from out of the city. That was hurt not only he ignore my concern and that he didn't about to share the food with us that was even sad.
The other day my younger one told me that he wanted to go to his friend's house. I didn't say no and I don't think I should make the decision for him or forced him to make the decision that I wanted. I reasoned him about not just consider about his own health and safety, but also consider others' he finally gave up to go. I meant that I really appreciate that he came to me first, regardless of him, probably he needed a ride from me in the first place. It is really not a good time to meet people in the closed space. Actually, I want to offer my son that they can meet outside like plaza instead. Hastily to tell him my idea still concern what if something bad happens after that outside meeting. Maybe I worry too much, but what can I say!? It's better to be than sorry!
If he dose asks me to meet his friend outside. I should give him the yes answer with three conditions; wear masks at all time, keep social distancing and pray for everyone 's safety and health.

Day 152 - 08152020

Super hot today, you take a shower and the next second you were all sweating again. It's like showering with the sweat. I felt like I shouldn't take a shower in the first.

Next week I should plant the second bath of the onion.

Survived

Now I recalled that I had five sexual harassment three at high school age two in college age.
At that time I didn't know the term of sexual harassment, but I knew that was inappropriate and very uncomfortable. I was lucky to get away from it both physically and mentally. I don't know how but I did. 
I had serious depression before and didn't or never used any alcohol or drugs to rid them.
Also, I had ever done things that real danger and might hurt myself deeply permanently.
I am not in perfect condition now at least I still able to take care myself and my love ones!

Used to be a young and naive one.

08142020 Devotion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9PHEpACvM

Good morning brothers and sisters, this is Alice from HarvestLA. Today is Friday, August  14th, 2020. We are going to have our daily devotion on Romans 9:25-33. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and we love You. May we all humbly bow down before You and listen to Your words. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

Romans 9:25-33 25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” 26 and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’” 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” 29 It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.” 30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

The book of Romans is the letters from Paul, who wrote to the church in Rome about God's salvation. In verses 25, 26, 28, 29 and 33 Paul quoted from Hosea and Isaiah the prophets. Why did God change His mind about His blessings from the Jews and Israelites to Gentiles? Or should we say that the Jews and Israelites changed their minds. They worshipped other gods and idols. They refused God's Son Jesus Christ. They abandoned their identifications as God's chosen people. They thought they could obtain the righteousness by pursuing the law and how many works they have achieved. You maybe memorize every single detail of the law, but no one can perfectly fulfill every single bit of the law. God gives us free will to make our own choices and decisions. Otherwise, we will be like robots. God wants unity, not uniformity. We are saved by Grace and Mercy through our faith. Not because our bloodline, culture, race, the color of the eyes, skin and the like.

If not because of God giving us His one and only Son, who died for our sins and rose the third day, I wouldn't have been able to join this big family, HarvestLA, Adult fellowship, the prayer meeting team and the daily devotion team. A safe place that I am able to fit in and share my ups and downs. Brothers and sisters, is Jesus Christ your building foundation or stumbling stone!?

Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and we love You. We want to trust in You alone. Lord you are the potter we are the clay, please mold us into the vessel for Your purpose. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen!

Thank you again for joining our daily devotion. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to subscribe to our channel! Bye!

Day 151 - 08142020

There is no such thing as 俗擱大碗 plentiful and cheap!
I returned the stand mixer that I bought online from Home Depot. There tons of people returning and buying there.
And now I am thinking about buying this mixer.
https://www.target.com/p/kitchenaid-professional-600-series-6-qt-stand-mixer-kp26m1x/-/A-13545265?preselect=12456904#lnk=sametab
I always wanted to have a mixer not for days, weeks, or months but for years.

https://praisedance123.blogspot.com/2020/08/08142020-devotion.html

108條好漢 108 Stars of Destiny.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157800520414755&set=pcb.10157800520479755&type=3&theater

Day 150 - 08132020

Made steam buns with some backyard vegetables, yum!

Onion seeds are germinating!

Sadly to say that I decided to return the stand mixer I bought days ago. Packing everything back in the box for tomorrow's return to Home Depot.