Gifts

The past year, I have been receiving tons of gifts from friends.

It can be as small as a candy or cookie, but what matter is, the love, caring, appreciation and being recognized even it just a "thank you or warm greeting".

In the soon coming new year, I pray God help me to give love more, include the unlovable.

relationship

Relationship between people is subtle.

Some people you may see them day after day but don't even have a few words with.

Some people, you may meet them for only couple of times in the entire life, but you have strong impressions on them.

A friend's mom, she lived in Taiwan, she came to visit sometimes, and I only met for 3 or 4 times in total.

She passed away on January 20, and when I reminisce that the last time when she was here couple months earlier, she said that she was too old to fly again, proclaimed that that was the last time for her to come to America.

And I was joking with her, said, "Ms. Wu, you know what I was with the same fellowship as your son and daughter-in-law before, now I changed to a new fellowship and is with your daughter and your son-in-law, looks like I can never get away from Wu's family."

She laughed so hard and said, "when is your fellowship meet up, I wanted to join you?” I said, "Sure", and then her daughter-in-law, kindly reminded her that their fellowship is speaking English.

And then Ms. Wu said, next time when you come to Taiwan, I’ll buy you a meal.

It’s a not so perfect ending but I really appreciate for this special encountering.

She’s gentle, elegant, joyful, thoughtful and much more.

Lacy Park - 1

I have 3 different groups of friends, first one, a group of 3, include me, we meet almost every week, second group of 2, we meet once a month, the third group of 2, we meet once in a while.

When we meet, we walk, talk and sharing ups and down of our lives.

This week my first group of friends didn't get chance to meet this week, but God sent me another angel to meet with me and brought me some healthy food to share with.

Tired physically, soul refresh!

Psalm 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.

senior

Had a wonderful talk with a senior friend at the rehabilitation center yet I need to improve my English and the knowledge of history the whole lot.

He’s a third generation of veteran same as his son. He’d been to so many different countries and went through many events. 

His memory amaze me. 

And you can tell he loves reading. Though, his hands and arms shake uncontrollably.

National night out

National Night Out, Building Police and Community Partnerships to Prevent Crime in the United States.

I almost not go this year, number one, lately, it seems lots of crimes occurred, felt not so comfortable to go.

Number two, a friend of mine, for a couple of times we bump into her in this event, she went to Lord last year, so, this will be the second year without come upon her. Feeling rather sad to go to, but if I didn't go, I probably will cry at home, therefore, I go.

She is smiling and praying for you and me every day.

happiest

One of my friends ask me, when do I feel happiest.

Is that either at home, work, church, exercising or else?

Her answer is, when she is exercising.

Mind is, at church.

Will our answers awkward to you?

Not home with family?

Don't know what's yours and why?

Who? Me? Why is my answer?

Knowing kids are away from electronics, we all with friends, young and old, most of all, with God.

Fellowship with brothers and sisters, praising, singing, praying, talking, sharing, complaining, oh! Yes, sometimes and eating together.

I remember there's a video, the interviewer ask separately, between parents and kids, if there's a chance that you can eat with anyone in the world, who that will be?

All parents think about someone well-known or celebrity. And when the kids are interviewed, their parents are watching in shocked and tears, their kids' answer is, their own parents, solid and sole answer.

we all change in some way, when we grow up, impacts in our lives, struggles to solve, pressures to dealing with, our heart goes to directions, not vitae anymore, well, most of the time, most of us.

sad ending

A friend of my older son, commit suicide yesterday with the gun that he bought.

Sad to say that many times, gun hurts people more than protects them.

It’s really hard to prevent suicide, you are the one to make the decision.

Never hide or oppress your feeling, whether is joyfulness or depression, release them with a healthy way.

It’s totally fine to express feelings, laugh aloud, crying and so forth, even you are a grown up gentleman.

We should pay more attention and care for the people around.

Think about no matter what, God loves you unconditionally, never give up your precious life easily, and never isolate yourself from others.

This friend of my son, I haven't seen him since they graduated from junior high, as I remember, he is a nice looking and gentle kid.

Heard from my son about him and his family occasionally.

It’s sorrowful that a life end this early age and this way.

And don't forget to concern about the people that related to him too, after the incident, again, his friends and families, in this case, my son. Pay a little bit more consideration about his sentiment, comfort him, encourage him to talk about this happening whenever is needed.

It’s never anyone's fault that this occurred.

ivy

A friend that I know years ago from my last job. She’s from Taiwan, come to American for some years and then go back to Taiwan. She’s really a nice lady yet talented and creative and hospitality. After she go back to Taiwan, she come back to U.S.A. twice, she visits me and gives me treats and gifts. And the second visit, she tells me that that is the last time she visits U.S.A., feeling rather sad and don’t know what to say and do at that time.

Whenever I look at the desk and the computer that she generously gives them to me when she move back to Taiwan, my heart full of appreciation and speechless, although that computer already been replaced by another laptop. And thinking how can I ever thanks her in any way?

The job that I have now, she is the one makes it happens. One of the client that she refer to me, is still going on since then. She never asks anything back.

She owns a guesthouse (名宿), 巷小老宅子 at Hualien City (花蓮) Taiwan.

https://www.facebook.com/whatinn/

http://whatinn.blog.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E8%8A%B1%E8%93%AE%E5%B7%B7%E5%B0%8F%E8%80%81%E5%AE%85%E5%AD%90/122743991232073?pnref=lh

Her image comes into my mind so strong at this time is, one of our pastor is going to move to Hualien City Shepherds a church there. Then is this thought come into my mind, I can have little something to ask pastor to bring to her for me and of course at the same time invite her and family and friends come to church. God is the best gift after all, we should try our best to spread this good news to others.

Hoping through this opportunity, we can connect again in a different way.

Actually, to me, Hualien City, a special place and has some memories, mix with happiness and sadness. I used to live in Hualien City when I was very little for maybe 2 or 3 years. And also my kids’ father was born and raised in Hualien City too, what a coincidence, right? Therefore, for many years, I don't want to know or see or think or anything related to Hualien City at all, absolutely nothing.

God is the healer, let Him do His job. 

Couple years ago, there a group from Hualien City, they come to our church for some kind of mission sharing, and I can clear remember that day, as I listening to their sharing, within minute, I hurry out and burst into tears. Only because they are from Hualien City and that bring back some memories. My feeling then like, I want and happy to know and hear the people from Hualien City but too sorrowful to bear it as the same time.

And hey that’s that, the story of my Hualien City.