HUBBY'S 2010 BIRTHDAY

What a special birthday Marcel had this year!!  Unlike his normal birthdays with just the two of us and a Happy Birthday song, this year Mamih and Mario joined us for the celebration.  Too bad Papih couldn't be here with us.


Mamih has been my Spiritual mom/mentor/role model.  I love her and enjoy having her around.  She knows only giving and serving her loved ones.  An angel to her husband and children (in-law).  I am blessed to have a blessing Mamih.


To add her personal and motherly touch to Marcel's celebration, Mamih played some songs with her harmonica.  Songs that she'd practiced for awhile.  It's our first time to celebrate a birthday with time of worship.  It's different; but we truly enjoyed it.  Yes, the new year is an amazing grace given by our Great God.  It's worth praising and thanking our Father in Heaven.  


Need a little time of worship, check this video out:

May this be a blessing!

INTERESTING CHURCH SIGNS IN UK

My mother in law emailed me the following catchy church signs.  I thought of sharing with you.   

Can't sleep?  Don't count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd!

Speak well of your enemies.  After all, you made them.

Almost 2000 years old and STILL under the Maker's guarantee.

The meek shall inherit the earth, if it's alright with you!

Adam blamed Eve.  Eve blamed the snake.  And the snake didn't have a leg to stand on.

May this be a blessing!

I HAVE A REWARDING MINISTRY

Happy Monday, y'all!!!!

Remember my sharing about how God spoke to me during my devotion to prepare for Nursery?  If you haven't read it, you can click here.  If you have, I would like to share an encouraging testimonial from my very own best friend Elisse.

This is the email she sent me this past weekend: 

Yan.. the other day pas aku anterin Jas ke skul pagi-pagi, kita lewatin 101North. Tiba-tiba Jas bilang 'Cross Cross', sambil nunjuk keluar (dengan mulut penuh sambil breakfast di mobil). Aku cari-cari mana ada salib. Eh, ternyata dia nunjuk ke salib-nya River of Life Church. Trus Jas bilang lagi 'Jesus died on the Cross'. Aku ngangguk ngangguk sambil amazed. Kok dia tau ya? Ternyata selama ini bacain alkitab, dia tuh nyantol tuh (so happy and so proud of her). Trus dengan  pikiran mau ajarin dia kenapa Jesus died on the cross, jadi aku giliran yang tanya, 'Why? Kenapa Jesus died on the cross, Jas?' Si Jas 'nyam nyam nyam.. ngunyah' Pas aku baru mau ceramahin, trus dia jawab 'Because Jesus loves us'. Heh??? Gejubrak! Aku ampe kaget. Aku kagak tau dia tuh tau. Amazed and my heart was just so in gladness!!! senenk banget gitu loh!  So.. I want to say thank you to you as one of her Sunday School teacher.. THANK YOU and keep it up! Even though it might be crazy in class sometimes, at least I know one kid for sure is listening. =) 

Isn't it rewarding or what?  I mean, I'm already thrilled to hear about Elisse's moment in the car.  And my investment is just 1.5 hours per month with these kids.  But I wonder how much more thrilled Elisse (as a parent) was to hear this from her very own little daughter.  It's been her daily investment on Jasmine.  I would be in tears if I were Elisse hahaha :-)

What a living God I have!!!

May this be a blessing!

KATELYN'S RANDOM COMMENTS

I had a new company this past weekend while Marcel's gone.  It's Katelyn (KK).  We went to BBQ at Vasona Park, eat Blizzard at Dairy Queen, play with Miso at Nana's place and finally watch Up! at my place.

At first, she was really shy.  But she was getting more talkative towards the end that I could hardly keep up with her funny comments.  Here are some of her random comments I'd like to share with you:



In the car on the way to Vasona Park 
Ie Ie Yanny, "K, are you feeling hot?"


KK, "It was snowing in Cupertino.  I went sliding.  Mommy loved it."

[I thought to myself, "REALLY?  I didn't see that!"  OK, next topic.]


While chasing her to eat at Vasona Park
Ie Ie Yanny, "K, let's eat some noodles before you play again ok?"


KK, "My mommy said that I ate already."

[I thought to myself, "Hmm, that can't be true.  If she did eat, it's probably breakfast.  It's only 11:30am.  She couldn't have eaten lunch but is hungry enough from breakfast."  So I insisted to feed her]

[One and half bowls later, the one who said already ate FINALLY felt full]


At Dairy Queen while talking about her baby brother Kevyn
Ie Ie Yanny, "K, are you happy being a big sister to Kevyn?"


KK, "My mommy said I'm funny.  If Kevyn cries, I laugh.  If Kevyn eats, I laugh.  If Kevyn sleeps, I laugh.  My mommy said I'm funny."

[Nana and I did not see the connection between the question and the answer.  Ok next question.]



At Dairy Queen while talking about her school
Ie Ie Yanny, "K, do you like going to school?"


KK, "I have buds you know."

Ie Ie Yanny, "Buds?  You mean like flower buds?  Your school has a lot of flowers?"

KK, "Buds like 'my people' you know."


Ie Ie Yanny and Aunty Nana, "Ohhh, buddies!!!  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  I see I see."

Photo taken by Nana

Lots of her answers were pretty random.  But they gave me and Nana a good laugh!!!  :-)

May this turn your frown upside down!

TIP: CLEAN ALMOST-EMPTY LOTION DISPENSER

Have you ever felt like you wasted the last pumps of your lotion and wished that the dispenser would pump it out for you (but it didn't)?  I have.  

Before, I used to turn the dispenser upside down.  But oh boy, I always created a little bit of a mess each time I wanted to put the lid back because all the remaining lotion just wanted to get out of that opening.

Last December, I visited my best friend Evelyn in Indiana.  And she taught me the following alternative to use up your lotion until not even a drop left.  :-)

1) Get your lotion dispenser ready.  Then, throw away the "straw" from the dispenser's pump.  Seriously, you don't need the "straw" anymore.

 

 2) Use a scissor or knife to cut the container into 2 parts.  I recommend leaving a tiny section attached and not cut all the way through.  

 

3) This new opening allows you to put your fingers to scoop the remaining lotions from the inside easily.  :-)

   
4) With the tiny section still attached, you can put the 2 parts together again to avoid the remaining lotion from getting dry.

   
Before you know it, you wasted none of it.  :-) 

May you find this helpful!

ROAD TO RECOVERY UPDATE

Click here for week 2's recovery update

When I saw my doctor last week, she informed me that I've been on an improper wrist support.  The one I had was a rubber-type that wraps around the wrist.  The one that I should be using was the hard one that goes from the thumb to the arm.  For this reason, my wrist hasn't been healing as well as the other injuries; and that therapy and a plastic cast are recommended. 

Today, I went to see the therapist for my neck, back, and wrist for the first time.  And the result?  It's GREAT.  It's so much better than she and I thought.  Praise the Lord!

According to my therapist (Christina), I have an excellent recovering process.  She thought she would be seeing me today to put me on a plastic cast for my wrist.  To her surprise, my wrist was able to respond really well to her tissue adjustment treatment.  I had some misplaced tissues that disable certain moves and cause pain.  She had to relocate them back to their position.  At the end of the session, my wrist's able to do more moves with less pain.  Thus, the plastic cast is not necessary.  Ohhh, what a reason to be joyful for!

In the next 3 weeks, I will be doing some suggested exercises for my neck and wrist.  And I pray when I come back for a check up, Christina will be giving me a GO sign to start biking again.

Before leaving, Christina said, "It's a really good outcome for such an accident.  Excellent recovery.  It proves that you're athletic and in a good shape which really help your recovery."

The fact is:

• I'm not athletic
• I've been on an improper wrist support
• But I have a speedy recovery (twice faster than normal) 

I don't have logical and medical explanation to that.  Where did my help come from?  My help came from the Lord the Maker of Heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2).  It's the work of the Holy Spirit that I am in the condition that I am today.  It's the power of prayer. 

Thank you, Friends, for keeping me and Marcel in your prayer. 

May this be a blessing!


Click here for week 6's update

TIP: NO MORE SMELLY MICROWAVE

Have you ever heated up your strong smell lunch in the office?  The one with curry, onion, garlic, cabbage, shrimp paste, stinky bean (read: pete), or other smelly ingredients?  Well, that lunch probably only smells and tastes good for you.  But your co-workers probably don't appreciate the smell that contaminate the office air and/or the microwave.

What do you do?


Take a cup of tap water and heat it up in the microwave for about 2 minutes.  The steam will catch the smelly particles from the air and de-smell the microwave.  

Now your co-workers can heat up his/her food in the microwave without having to worry that the smell of your food will contaminate his/her.


If you want, you can also drop a wedge of lemon in the tap water.  As you heat up, the steam will send a lemony fragrant to the air.  :-)


May you find this helpful!

DIY: GREEN TEA TONER

Apply toner before you put on lotion.  Toning is important to close up your pores before the skin is getting exposed to dust and make-up.

Area: face and neck

Benefits:

• Green tea: is a natural anti-oxidant that repairs skin damage; soothes skin; treats acne

Ingredients:

• 1 tea bag of Green Tea
• 1/3 cup hot water

Direction:

• Dip the tea bag in the hot water for 15 minutes
• Cool in the refrigerator before use
• Apply gently using cotton on face and neck and let it sink into the skin
• Apply lotion

You can store the extra in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.  Can be used twice a day.

May you find this refreshing!

DIY: STRAWBERRY HONEY LIP SPA

Apply this lip treatment as you wait for your skin to absorb the mask.

Area: lips

Benefits:

• Strawberry: removes dead skin cell
• Honey: aids skin healing (especially dry lips)

Ingredients:

• 1 large strawberry
• 1 tsp honey

Direction:

• Blend strawberry
• Add honey and mix well
• Apply on lips using cotton bath
• Let it sit for 5 minutes and rub your lips against each other to remove dead and dry skin
• Apply more and let it penetrate for 15 minutes
• Rinse it as you rinse your facial mask

You can store the extra in the refrigerator for a week.  Can be used everyday.

May you find this refreshing!

DIY: STRAWBERRY MASK

I like this mask the most for its versatile benefits.

Area: face and neck

Benefits:

• Strawberries: treat blemishes; absorb excess oil; refresh and exfoliate the skin; repair skin damage (anti-oxidant); make skin shinier
• Yogurt: refines pores; soothes and nourishes skin; provides anti-bacterial effect
• Olive oil: nourishes and moisturizes skin
  
• Honey: aids skin healing
• Oatmeal: relieves dryness; heals minor irritation; restores skin moisture; exfoliates dead skin cell
  

Ingredients:

• 3 large strawberries
• 2 tbs plain yogurt
• 1 tsp olive oil (or baby oil)
• 2 tsp honey
• 3 tbs finely ground oatmeal

Direction:

• Blend strawberry
• Add yogurt, oil, and honey and mix well

• Add oatmeal and mix well

• Using clean brush, apply on face and neck

• Let it sit for 20 minutes.  You may feel a tingling effect as you're waiting.  And that's fine.  That means the strawberries are working really hard for you.

• After 20 minutes, gently run wet brush on the mask to exfoliate for 2 minutes.  Do this step 1 - 2 times per week only.  Don't overdo nor do it everyday because you may irritate your skin.
  

• Wipe clean with facial sponge or rinse with warm water
• Pat dry with towel
• Put on toner and facial lotion to finish up

You can store the extra in the refrigerator for a week.  This mask can be used daily.

May you find this refreshing!

DIY: STRAWBERRY BODY SCRUB

I really like to pamper myself every now and then; but I am discouraged with the spa price here in the States.  So I've been into home spa in the past 3 years to do it at a cheaper price.

This past weekend, I had the privilege to share some of my homemade spa recipes with my Small Group girls for Ella's bridal shower.  The girls said that they enjoyed the spa very much.  So I thought, I would share my recipes for others to enjoy too.  

I didn't invent the recipes.  I got the recipes from researching online, reading about ingredients' benefits, and experiments the combination that fits my skin.  They are mostly ingredients that you can find in your kitchen cabinet or refrigerator.  Here you go the first one: STRAWBERRY BODY SCRUB.

Area: hands, feet, and body 

Benefits:

• Strawberries: cleanse skin
• Olive oil: nourishes and moisturizes skin
• Coarse salt: acts as scrubbing agent to remove dead skin cell and smooth the skin 

Ingredients:

• 3 large strawberries
• 2 tsp olive oil (or baby oil)
• 1 1/2 tbs coarse salt (Kosher Salt)

Direction:

• Blend strawberries
• Add oil and salt
• Mix well
• Apply on hands, feet, and body
• Rub gently on your skin
• Rinse well and pat dry with towel

Mix all the ingredients together

Store extra in the refrigerator for up to a week.

May you find this refreshing!

A CAB DRIVER AND AN OLD LADY

This story was told by the cab driver.


When I drove up in my taxi cab at 2:30am, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.  Under these circumstances, many taxi drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.

But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.  Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.  This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked.  'Just a minute,' answered a frail, elderly voice.  I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened.  A small woman in her 90's stood before me.  She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase.  The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.  All the furniture was covered with sheets.  There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.  In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bad out to the car?' she said.  I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.  She kept thanking me for my kindness.  'It's nothing,' I told her.  'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.'

'Oh you're such a good boy,' she said.  When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly

'Oh, I don't mind.  I'm in no hurry.  I'm on my way to a hospice.' she said.

I looked in the rear-view mirror.  Her eyes were glistening.  'I don't have any family left,' she continued.  'The doctor says I don't have very long.'  I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.  She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.  We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.  She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.  Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.  As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.  Let's go now.'

We drove in silences to the address she had given me.  It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.  Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.  They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.  The must have been expecting her.  I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.  The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.  She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.  Behind me, a door shut.  It was the sound of the closing of a life.  I didn't pick up anymore passengers that shift.  I drove aimlessly lost in thought.  For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.  What if that woman had gotten an angry driver or one who was impatient to end his shift?  What if I had refused to take the run or had honked once and driven away?  On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.  But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

People may not remember exactly what you did or what you said.  But they will always remember how you made them feel.


May this be a blessing!

DEAR MY FELLOW CHURCH WORKERS

In my quest to clean up my Inbox, I ran into the following email I sent to Brothers and Sisters who served together with me in English Service last year.  I sent this at the beginning of 2009.  If you're really close to me, you probably had heard enough of my struggles in this ministry by the end of last year.  

Well, this year is no exception either.  But I praise the Lord for the blessing of the wise mother in law (Mamih Santi).  My trip to Indonesia last October was a life-changing moment.  Being around Mamih, talking to her about her ministry at Church, testifying how she constantly seeks God for every decision she has to make as a Deacon, and watching her wisdom in action rebuked me.  I lost myself in the struggles of my ministry last year.  And Mamih was God's deliverance that came just in time to rescue me and prepare me for 2010.  But other fellow Church workers may not have the same privilege like me - blessed with such a role model like Mamih.  So I thought I would share my devotion that I emailed out over a year ago.


The Bible says in Genesis 1:28: "...Fill the earth and subdue it..."  It is clear that God intends for us to multiply and fill the earth -- not only through the new family that we build but also through our ministry.  When filling the earth, we will run into diversity -- in culture, language, belief, preferences, and even opinions.  It is not by mistake that each one of us has been orchestrated to serve together this year.  Of course differences are inevitable when we live and serve in a community.  My encouragement to all of us this year is to "subdue" these differences under the influence of love and prayer!

Our prolonged frustration is just another proof that we need God's Divine power to intercede for our weaknesses.  As we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  As we sit and out of speech to pray, the Spirit will groan the words that we cannot express.  We have already been more than conquerors in God's eyes the moment we accepted His call in this ministry.  (Romans 8:18-28) 
 
So lift up our Spirit for the adventurous year!!!  We're in it together (just like my husband always tells me)!   :o)


May this be a blessing in whatever struggles you are facing in your ministry!

CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS

I was cleaning my email and found this one from my dear friend Jamie sent to me awhile back.  I thought I would share.

"Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case."

"It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one."

"People are funny.  They want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church."

"Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever."

"Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong."

"If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has."

"Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set."

"Peace starts with a smile."

"We were called to be witnesses not lawyers or judges."

"Be ye fishers of men.  You catch them - He'll clean them."

"Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous."

"Don't put a question mark where God put a period."

"God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called."

"God grades on the cross, not the curve."

"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage."

"He who angers you, controls you!"

"If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!"

"The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us."

"The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you."

"We don't change the message; the message changes us."

"You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage the person."

"The best mathematical equation I have ever seen is: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given."  

May this be a blessing!

DEAR MY FELLOW NURSERY WORKERS

It's been exciting to find interesting things hidden in my Inbox for soooooo long.  I found this in the email I sent to Elisse way back in 2008.  The email was about my devotion.  The content was to share with Elisse that God has chosen the best mom for Jasmine.  And if one day Elisse decides to stay home with Jasmine, that would be the best gift for her.


Today, I would like to share this with fellow Nursery workers for your encouragement.  So I'm gonna tweak the content of my email to Elisse a bit.

The Setting

It was on October 1, 2008.  I was having my devotion in preparation to teach Nursery.  We used to use Gospel Light as our teaching material.  At the beginning of each lesson, there is a "Teacher Devotion" section that I really liked to do to keep things in perspective.

The Message

The title of my teaching was "Safe in the Boat."  At first, I thought it's the story about Jesus when He fell asleep in the boat during the storm.  It's actually not.  In fact, it's about Noak's Ark and how God provided for Noah's family and the animals during the rain and flood.

On the "Teacher Devotion" section, there is an encouragement paragraph that stood out to me:

"God still intervenes in our circumstances today.  Is the space in your classroom inadequate?  Are the children crowded or restless?  Is the equipment worn?  Give your best effort and trust God for every need in your class, no matter how small.  He wants the best for each little child you teach!  He can bring calmness and love as well as providing for every material need.  Trust Him, expecting Him to help with the challenges you face.  He will!"


The Verse

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  - 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Take-Aways

Prepare ahead of time.  Let the teaching speak to us too (just like kids' sponges nature).  Bring our excitement.  Always start the class with prayer.  Trust Him.  And He will!

May this be a blessing!

Click here to read Elisse's testimony for your encouragement.  :-)

TIP: FACIAL BLOTTING PAPER

Do you have oily skin?  What do you do to control it?  Do you pat on more powder just to find your powder puff and your face become more cakey?  Or do you use  blotting papers to dab the oil off?  Do you spend like $10 for a 65-tissue-paper pack?

I have a cheaper (rather FREE) alternative for your facial blotting paper: TOILET SEAT COVER.  Yes, you heard it right.  It's toilet seat cover.  Wonder how it works?

1) Take out a piece of seat cover preferably the inmost or middle one. 

2) Cut it in smaller pieces.  Please keep the inside part clean.  This is the side you will be using to dab the oil off.

3) Place them in a zipped plastic or business card holder before putting it in your purse.

4) I just so happen to carry First Aid Kit and medicine bag with me.  So I put mine inside this bag before into my purse.

5) When your face gets oily, take a piece out and dab it on your face.  Remember not to rub it.  You want to gently tap tap tap tap it on your face.  The paper will soak the oil and become rather translucent.  Use more paper if necessary.

If you don't mind a clean piece of toilet seat cover on your face, there you have it!

May you find this useful!

MOMENTS FOR GOD

I thought I would share this: 

Happy moments, praise God
Difficult moments, seek God
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God
Every moment, thank God

May this be a blessing!

MARCEL GOT BUZZED

I am a wife who has been blessed with husband who always thinks that going to work is fun.  It's like a daily recreation for him.  :-)  Coding and helping coworkers and partners (developers from another companies) succeed drive him to get up and go to work every morning.  It is a blessing to be around such a positive worker like Marcel.  He often inspires me to be a better worker.

Earlier today, Marcel got buzzed by one of the partners.  For me, reading this kind of note acknowledges that Marcel's positive attitude towards work (and helping others) has blessed not only me as his wife, but also many people out there.

[Click to enlarge]

I am so proud of you, Hubby!  Keep up the good work.  It's your ministry.  And don't forget He who is in control.  Thank you, Father, for the blessing of hubby with positive attitude.

May this be a blessing!

MARCEL'S SPECIAL BIRTHDAY TREAT

Last week on his birthday, Marcel got the following email from Elianne.

[Click to enlarge]

Of course the email put a big smile on Marcel's face.  Elianne is definitely an extra ordinary 4-year old.  She's very unique and compassionate for her age.  Look at how she offered to give Marcel a gift!

On Sunday (3 days after the email), Elianne approached Marcel and showed her purse to him.  In her purse, she had a $20 bill.  While showing the money, she said, "Uncle Marcel, look!"

Marcel looked at the money but didn't understand, "Wahhh, so much money, Baby!"

Elianne, "This is for me to treat you.  We go Pinkberry later OK?"

Then Marcel finally clicked.  He remembered Elianne's promise several days before that.  Baby then showed me the money too, "Cici Yanny, later Pinkberry ok?"  I was confused at the beginning like Marcel's reaction.  And I clicked later on too.  Ci Rini (Elianne's mom) heard and saw everything.  She smiled from the distance.

Right after the Church, Elianne looked for Marcel, "Come on, Uncle.  Let's go Pinkberry!"

Marcel, "But it's raining now, Baby.  If we go Pinkberry, you'll be wet cause we can't sit inside."

Elianne, "No, we can go to Borders.  I read book.  You eat Pinkberry ok?" [She's really good in following through huh?  Promise is a promise to her.  Rain or shine!]

Off the 5 of us to Pinkberry.  :-)  When the counter lady gave us the total, Elianne took out her $20 from the purse and paid.  The lady said, "Awww, she's so cute!"  HAHAHA.  Then, Elianne put the change back in her purse.

Marcel, "Thank you, Baby, for the treat!"

Elianne, "You're welcome, Uncle Marcel!  Happy Birthday!"  [HAHAHAHA]

While at Borders, Ko Paul (Elianne's dad) shared with Marcel, "You know, I asked her yesterday, 'Elianne, you want to treat Uncle Marcel?  How?  Daddy doesn't give you money.'  And then Elianne said, 'Remember, Daddy, my hong bao (red envelope from Chinese New Year) money?  Can I get the money please?'  So she used her hong bao money today."

 WOWWWWWWWWW.  I was so amazed at that!  Or Marcel would say, "She never stops to amaze me each week!"  Ci Rini and Ko Paul taught her very very very well.  It shows through Elianne's actions!  At 4, she already puts other before her, knows how to plan and follow through, and keeps a promise.

It has been my privilege to see her grow and testify her uniqueness.  The treat was Marcel's only birthday treat this year.  Thanks to the Tjams for making Marcel's 2?'s birthday unforgettable.  :-)

May this be a blessing!

LESSON LEARNED 5: ANXIETY IS THE SOURCE OF INSECURITY

Previous lesson learned

I was a very anxious person before I received my Salvation.  I often seek advice from friends, rarely from my parents, and never from God.  Wrong move!!!  When I testified how God could change people and take away bad habits of those believers around me, I craved for that "new Yanny" too.  So I prayed that God would teach me to not be anxious.

As I train with God in these past 4 years, several verses have been my encouragements; and they smile at me daily as I work on my computer: 1 Peter 5:7; Phillipians 4:6-7; Proverbs 3:5-6; and Jeremiah 29:11.

This training also requires lifestyle change such as: plan ahead (no procrastination), pray a lot, give thanks on little things, and let go let God.

The training progress?  Most of the time, I found myself more joyful in comparison to the first 22 years of my life.  But I still find myself relapsing to the "old Yanny" every now and then.  One recent relapsing example is the last week Yanny.  

Never in my life that I had to deal with legal authorities (lawyers, police, and claim adjuster) as intense as I had to last week.  Legal stuff has been out of my comfort zone.  Talking about it would drain me out.  I would stay away from it as much as I could.  But when justice was unjust and no one could help me to take the stand, I was driven to take it on my own.  The thought that I'm dealing with people who talk legal as if I drink water intimidated me (a novice).  I grew anxious day by day to fight for justice (yeah, you heard me right; I was playing HERO).  I started to shoot in the dark.  I didn't know who got hit by my shots.  My anxiety resulted in my insecurities about little things:

• When I got a call from my apartment manager that the Case Police Officer came to look for me, I had many questions running in my mind, "Why did he come?" "Why didn't he return my call?" "What does he need?" "What did I get myself into?" "Why do I have to deal with all these when I'm the one hit?"  Later I found out that the officer was just looking for my ID # to finish the Police Report.

• On Friday, my boss called me to a meeting room.  These past 2 weeks, I've been typing, writing, and working with my left 5 fingers and right pinky due to my injury.  So when he called me, I ran questions again, "Why?" "Is it because I'm not that productive at work?" "Is it because I haven't been meeting his standard?"  When I went to the meeting, he actually asked for my feedback to improve certain process in my group.  Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

• Right before Good Friday Service started, I got a call from a 408 number.  I didn't pick it up because I was afraid the call would be from a legal authority and could potentially ruin my Good Friday mood.  I let it go to my voice mail; but s/he didn't leave me one.  I didn't bother to call back.  Later I found out that the call was from the Security Company hired by my organization.  Apparently, the office alarm went off on Friday; and the Security Company had to send police to come and check.  Since I am on the Master Contact List in my company, I got the notification call.  We later found out that it was the janitor who set the alarm off.

It was insane how little things that happened last week made me so insecure.  I kept *bam bam bam bam* shooting in the dark.  It's so not worth it to grow the anxiety tree.  Look what I became last week!

It's a good training session as always.  Great reminder.  So when Marcel and I returned from the Good Friday Service, we're determined to give ourselves a break from the legal stuff for the weekend.  We did.  And we enjoyed the longgggggggg 3.5-hour nap on Saturday!  Marcel also had a long sleep last night and gave me the first morning smile in 2 weeks!

Ahhh, let go let God is always the way to go!

May this be a blessing!

LESSON LEARNED 4: HE WHO IS IN CONTROL

Previous lesson learned

I think the whole accident situation has traumatized Marcel more than me.  

For me to see the physical recovery on my body really helps.  Every hour when I see the swellings go down and the pain decreases, I feel better about the situation.  It came to the point when I was praying, "Wow, thank you Father because my recovery pace is faster than my worsening pace."  I get better each hour this week.  However, last week, every day I was getting worse.  When Ci Nanny from our Church (oh, she's a nurse by the way if that matters) saw my speedy recovering bruises and abrasions, she said, "See, even in an unfortunate situation, a child of God is always protected!"  I smiled on her encouraging word.  It's true!!!  It's a reminder for me!!


But for Marcel, he's been struggling with regret and feeling of helplessness.  He told me that every time he blinks or rests his eyes for a little while, he starts to think, "I wish I was the one," "I wish I could protect her," "I wish I could stop it," and "I wish I didn't ask her to go biking with me that day."  I think the only thing that can make him feel better right now is to see me back on Mercy and bike to my deepest joy!  And he knows it will be a little longer before I get to that point.


When I asked Marcel what is God trying to teach him through this experience, he answered me, "God wants me to know that He is in control.  There are only so much that I can control with my own power and strength; even if it is to protect my family.  I feel like in my life to date, if I want to accomplish or be something, I just need to study or work hard; and I would get it or be one.  I rarely face rejection or suffering.  Sometimes with all those luxuries, I forget who's really in control and who enables me to be who I am today."

This incident has been a really good lesson for both me and Marcel.  These two crooked pencils are being sharpened!


Do you need any sharpening today?  You don't need to be in an accident to go through that process (and I pray you don't k).  It does not need a drastic change.  It could go as simple as in your daily task.  He's got all the sharpening tools needed.  All that God asks is yourself.  Will you give it today?  If yes, shoot me an email and I would love to be praying for you.

May this be a blessing! 

Next lesson learned

GOOD NEWS ON GOOD FRIDAY

Happy Good Friday, Friends!


Well well, Marcel took me for a follow-up check up this morning.  My doctor investigated me and was surprised of my speedy recovery.  I still have swelling on my right thigh and right wrist.  With the recovery pace I have, the doctor predicted that I may be able to get on the bike sooner - a month sooner.  Yayyyyyyy.  Praise the Lord!

Next in my treatment is to do therapies on my neck, back, and wrist.  My doctor would like to see if I am qualified for a plastic cast to speed up my wrist's recovery.  All other bruises and abrasions shouldn't stop me from getting back on biking .  Yayyyyyyyyyyyy.



If everything is alright, Mercy (my bike) and I can start cruising around together again in 3 weeks :-).  What a Good News on Good Friday!  Hmm, no it's actually a GREAT NEWS!  Yeah?

Happy Good Friday again!  Remember someone loves us so much and had died on the Cross for our sins even when we're still sinners.  Yes, that's Jesus Christ!  Remain in His love  by obeying His commands and living our life totally for Him.  It's never too late to have a little refresher or fresh start.  Start today!

John 15:9-10

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

May this be a blessing!

Click here for week 3's update