Stuff That Matters In Life

Teacher: How many people do you think live in Los Angeles?

3rd grader: zero?

I think she thought it was a trick question.

Teacher: What percentage of people do you think are Buddhist in Myanmar?

2nd grader: 5?

Teacher: much more than that.

Another second grader: 7?

Children’s perspective of size is always interesting. They have a limited view of what big is.

That must be how we are to God. We don’t know how big God is.

When we pray for something, God says I am much bigger than that.

And then we only ask a little bit more.

We have a limited view of what big is in God’s view.

Kids teach me so much about God.

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After having people here, I always say to my husband, let’s have people over more often. And then I don’t take any steps to do it.

But I share in Mom’s Fellowship that it’s something I want to create as the tone in our home life.  I’m going to try to go ahead and set some dates for 2020 to invite people over as part of the rhythm of our life.

Some people can journal all their thoughts. I am not one of those people.

I like to reflect, but I don’t write it all down. It’s too much to write and it’ll take too long. During STM I do write my thoughts. And it is great to read them, to remember what God taught me. I’ll try to journal main points as God shows me.

I found out that one of the parents I know, whose kids I love, is in charge of badminton at church now. So I’m going to try to go on Thursday, for exercise and to hang out with them.

The thing about working in Christian ministry is that you can’t call in sick when you’re not really sick.

I felt tired tonight and wanted to skip prayer meeting. But I can’t justify calling in sick. So I went to prayer meeting and I’m glad I did. It’s good to pray with the church. Honestly I pray for things there that I don’t pray for at home.

Staff lunch today. I always get to pick the place because they know I have a sensitive stomach.

Today I chose California Fish Grill. It’s so good, but most of us were not full even though it was a good portion.

Appreciate the guys for their wisdom and dedication.

What I learned today:

I heard on a podcast how to ask intentional questions in a friendship – go from external, to internal, to eternal. What’s happening, how do you feel, what is God’s eternal perspective. I shared that at staff meeting today that it’s also helpful to think through that for sermon prep. They liked it.

Pastor Albert, in answering criticisms of Operation Christmas Child, said people have hijacked OCC to mean what it was never intended to do. No project can solve all the problems of poverty, and no endeavor will be free from all criticisms. Our church has merely chosen OCC as a way to encourage giving a gift to children across the world to express Jesus as our ultimate gift. I agree. Whether you give a goat or a water well, or even sponsor a child, there are downsides to every project. But it doesn’t mean we don’t do any of it.

I am glad that the English team is going to do more future planning of the calendar into 2021 so we can build one thing upon another rather than going from year to year with no connection. This is what I need and would help me in my ministry. This is where I feel inadequate in my job. I think if it was someone else is in my position, they would have started 5 years ago with a plan to take CM where they want it to be, whatever that may be. I have a general idea of what I want to head towards, and wait for the door to open in that direction.

A good example is JOG. I want JOG to be a big part of our church. I talk to people about, share why I think this is a ministry we should embark on, support it and advocate it in any way I can.  But I’m looking for open doors. It’s starting to crack open more now, so I’m excited for what God will do. But I don’t particularly have a step by step plan to get people onboard. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but then having a plan is good.

From Sunday Children’s Worship:

1st grade girl: Does God need food?

Me: Why do you ask?

Girl: I mean, does he die?

She asked this question after I gave a message about the sin of Adam and Eve. The idea of eating a fruit that leads to death must have prompted that question. I thought I was very clear in explaining our first parent’s rejection of God. You never know how kids process what you say.  So when we explain something to a child, never assume they understood.

3rd grade girl: Why did God put that tree in the garden if they weren’t suppose to eat it?

That is an excellent question that did show understand. When teaching kids be ready to answer hard questions.

I evaded it by saying it was a good questions that will take another message to answer. Maybe I’ll answer that in the next message I give. It’s too good to pass up.

Today Monday:

I was thinking of skipping the drive to LA to visit my granddaughter this week, but since it’s Veteran’s Day holiday, we took advantage of the lighter traffic and went. She is much more fun now with more expressions, but still sleeps a lot.

I am proud of my daughter for being a good mom. I made sure I told her that because I could come off as critical. Every mom has to make hard decisions for the care of her baby. I will not agree with all her decisions. But as I say to other grandparents, including my own parents, we’ve had our chance, now give your kids the chance to parent their way. I never wanted advice from my mom nor my MIL. I wanted to do it my way. I cannot impose my views on my kids. But inadvertently I do. So I have to counteract that by purposely telling my kids that I am proud of the way they are taking care of their babies.

I also tell them they never have to take my advice no matter how insistent I may come across. Another new grandma and I were talking about this on Sunday. We agree we have to zip our mouths. I’ve unzipped my mouth too many times.

Saturday, November 10 was our 35th wedding anniversary.

At the Japanese restaurant where we celebrated:

Me: Do you do something for anniversaries? It’s our anniversary today.

Waitress with broken English: No, I’m sorry, we don’t.

Me: You mean you don’t do anything for birthdays and anniversaries?

Waitress: Oh, birthday yes. Oh what is anniversary?

Me: It’s our wedding anniversary.

Waitress: Oh yes, I can give you green tea ice cream and melon.

On the bill: complimentary birthday ice cream

Yay!

God gives us word pictures in the physical world to show us spiritual realities.

My granddaughter gained almost 6 pounds in 2.5 months just from drinking milk. She’s grown not only in size but in relational interactions and self expressions.

Our spiritual life should be like that, drinking the pure milk of the Word, and graduating to solid food of truths of the Word to grow strong in our relationships with God and people.

I’m getting very forgetful. I should do some Sudoku. They say learning a new language is very good for the brain. I’ve listened to the same Chinese sentences on YouTube many times and still don’t remember the word for table and chair…

Looking forward to shopping with my hubby tomorrow for our OCC box.

Two weddings to attend before the end of the year. Lost count of how many baby showers we invited to this year. Went to one last Sunday, that might be the last one.

Counting down to Christmas, bought more lights to hang outside.

“Nobody wants to do your job!” A friend at church said that to me yesterday.

My response: I do! I have fun with it!

Her response: Well, that’s your personality.

I thank God that He gave me a personality that loves this type of ministry. I know there are others who would love to do this full time too. I am praying that one of them will take my place. I’m just being realistic that I’m not getting any younger. A few more white hairs are coming in. I think I can still count them, on 3 hands!

Sundays are tiring because I don’t get to eat lunch till almost 2pm. I now bring my fatty bone broth to drink throughout the morning to keep me full. It works great. But after 6 hours without food I am tired. Since I cannot snack or eat on the run, I have to hold out until I can sit down to a nice meal of meat and veggies. I wish God gave me a cast iron stomach like my husband’s.

“How are your birds?” A boy with autism asks me that every time I see him. It does get a bit repetitive but I love that he comes up to give me a hug and talk to me, even if it’s the same question every single time 🙂

“Do a squat and let me see how you do it.”  Got some free PT advice from a PT student today. Clarified on the proper way to do a squat, in front of the worship hall at church haha! Also learned a different way of stretching my hamstrings. “Wow they are really tight, like a rock!” Would’ve been nice if she was referring to my muscles instead of my hamstrings!

“We are church hopping.” Saw a friend at our church today. I asked, why are you here? It always saddens me to see friends come from another church. I don’t want them to leave their church. That means something is wrong and that’s not good for the Kingdom of God for any church to have problems.

“I am going to the English service to improve my English.” I introduced a mom of 3 kids to the Mandarin SS teacher to encourage her to go. I often see her sitting outside, not actually attending English service. Now that she told me she goes to English service, and if I see her outside not in service…what do I do? I don’t want to police people but if she brings her kids to church, she is not doing them any favors if she is being a hypocrite.

I got this free book by Bill Gaultiere when I went to his free seminar. I like free.

I wasn’t sure if I’d want to read this since I have a stack of books I’m working through (wish I could read faster!) But I’m glad I did. There are better books out there on this topic but I did gain a few insights that help me in my walk with Jesus.

The main takeaway is the idea of taking on Jesus’ yoke that is light. How is his yoke light when he had so much to do and certainly did not have an easy life?

The way that Jesus lived connected to his Father and doing his Father’s will is what makes his yoke light. He is not detracted or distracted. His priorities are in line with his mission. He knows when and what to say yes and no to. We learn to live this easy yoke by first submitting to King Jesus and then be his apprentice in Kingdom living p. 52. It’s just another way of saying be his disciple.

I skimmed the last two chapters because it was getting repetitive with more opinions than Scripture basis.

I wouldn’t put a priority in reading this book, but it was not a hard read, and I’ve completed my November book.

Seven years ago when I came to this church, I felt like a stranger, a visitor, in what is suppose to be my church home.

I came from a small church where I was for over 20 years. I knew everyone, everyone knew me. I go to church and see all my friends. We’ve had many shared experiences, know each other well, give each other grace because “well, that’s just the way they are and we love them.” It was a church family.

Seven years ago when I transitioned to this church, I only knew a handful of of people. Most people didn’t know me. We’ve had no shared experiences to understand each other. Everyone else knew each other. They talked and laughed as old friends. I felt I was intruding into their family time. I felt left out, a feeling I’m not used to at my old church. I remember saying I didn’t like working at a church because I felt like I was just “hired” to do a job. It didn’t feel like ministry because ministry is always about the people.

Seven years later, I am fully integrated into the church. Even with over 1000 people, I know a lot of them, and they know who I am. Some have become close friends. When I come to church, it feels more like a church home. I am still here to do a job but it’s with people I know and love.

A person told me on Sunday that I seem to know a lot about what goes on and involved in many things at church. I take that as a compliment. My former small church was a church plant. I still have that mentality of being in everyone’s business, and serving in many areas. Everyone should know everyone. We should not limit ourselves to certain age groups of demographics.

I imagine it’s quite hard for a newcomer to feel comfortable at our church of 1000+. It takes time, it takes intentional efforts to make friends. It took me 3 years to get comfortable, and that’s with me being on staff and being here all the time and making efforts to talk to people. It takes effort on our part to not alienate new comers. It would help if we just treat them like old friends. Just jump right into it, I don’t like going through all the politeness. That would make me feel like always a visitor.

I did not technically read this book. I read the beginning third of the book, and skipped to the last 2 pages to find the murderer. I didn’t want to waste time with the details in the middle.

I read slow so unless the writing style is one I can follow easily, I read even slower. This book was somehow hard for me to read. Maybe I’m just not that interested in the characters. I didn’t feel any connection with them to want to know what happens to them. It’s so hard to write a good book, it’s so hard to be a good author.

This is the second Tey book I read. I’m not too motivated to read another right now.

God is so good to our family! My son and DIL, after experiencing the stillborn death of their firstborn last year, just gave birth to a healthy baby girl. They say only 5% of babies are born on their due date. She’s in that 5%, born on her due date of October 30. God graciously granted the parents desire of their daughter not be born on Halloween.

Being grandma hasn’t changed my life other than using up my day off to visit them.

My couple of my friends go to their daughters’ house to babysit their grandkids regularly, 1-2 days a week. I suppose if I wasn’t working I could do that. It sounds fun but tiring. We are grandmas, not moms anymore.

I’ll be building into my schedule to visit one granddaughter in LA and one in OC. Of course they have to live in opposite directions!

My job now is to pray for the next generation.

Pastor Albert says we are not naturally drawn to pray. That is true of me. In our culture of activities and productivity, prayer is seemingly a useless passive activity. But as a grandma I can do nothing for my kids but to pray.

We’ve been driving out to LA to see our granddaughter every Monday on my day off.

Roundtrip driving time is over 2.5 hours. We try to be productive with that time – catching up, listen to Mandarin lessons on Youtube, bouncing off ministry ideas. But it’s still a long drive to me.

Yes, I know some people do this drive, and longer everyday. But we are not used to this kind of commute. I don’t know how people do it! It’ll take a few years off their life with this daily commute.

We spend 4 hours with my daughter and granddaughter. I leave the house at 9:30am and get back 4:30pm. That’s 7 hours of my day off. Yes, I love seeing them, but it’s not a relaxing use of my day off.  I cook lunch there in an unfamiliar kitchen. The drive makes me nervous, even with my husband driving, and he is a good driver.

I wish they would move closer. They will probably do so eventually. In the meantime, I’m getting a Tesla just to feel safer with this drive. It’s suppose to be here in 6-8 weeks!

I don’t care about cars, I don’t care about the color. I don’t care if my new car gets scratched. It’s just a mode of transportation. I don’t care about having a Tesla. I just want a safe drive weekly to see my daughter and granddaughter and not get nervous during the drive. A plus is not to have to get gas.

Before my granddaughter was born, Monday was a relaxing date with my husband. We’d go to Costco, go eat lunch, go to Lowe’s, go to Huntington Library. Find a park to walk around. I miss those relaxing times with a bit of exercise.

I’m not a good grandma. It’s been hard for me to go see my granddaughter. I envy the grandmas at church whose grandkids live in close by suburbs. But then I suppose there are the grandma’s whose grandkids are hundreds of miles away…so I can’t complain.

I read this easy children’s missionary biography to keep up with reading one book a month. (I actually read 2-3 books at one time, switching back and forth when I get bored with one.)

I had not heard of Grenfell. He is a contemporary of Hudson Taylor in the early 1900’s. Those were the golden years of missionaries being sent from England.

God used Grenfell’s love for the outdoors and for adventure to go to the remote coast of Greenland to reach fishermen. It reminds of a post I read that it takes a bit of an adventure spirit to do cross cultural work.

He married a woman 20 years younger than him when he was in his 40’s. But she died of stomach cancer in her 40’s, and he outlived her to 75.

Under Grenfell’s leadership, many social and economic changes were made to better the lives of fishermen. It’s encouraging to know the influence we can have to help an entire society if we are committed to God’s work.

He was asked by D. L. Moody if he regrets not making a lot money as a doctor. The answer was of course no. There is no greater joy than using his skills as a doctor to lead people to Christ.

I’ve read quite a few of these children’s missionary biographies published by YWAM. They are very inspirational, and of course fast reading.

I like baskets, glass jars, and craft material. You never know when you need those.

Actually I don’t really use baskets that much but I can’t explain why I like them. My husband says they take up too much room in the garage. It’s true. I’ve held back on getting more. I haven’t gotten a new basket for a long time. I saw a nice one at a thrift store for only $4! I talked myself out of it; there was a slight imperfection though the quality is good. Whenever I go to a thrift store, I always check out baskets. Never buy new. I need to give away the ones I don’t love so I can be guilt-free to buy more!

Some people like mugs, I don’t care to collect them. So that’s how I justify my collection.

We’ve been watching Tiny Homes on Netflix. When I declutter, I pretend I’m going to move into a tiny home. But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get rid of enough to do that. Baskets, glass jars, and craft materials, and oh books also, will take up the entire tiny home.

God gave me the inspiration I need to give the message in Awana tomorrow. I’m excited now to finish writing it up.

I don’t like it when something is not done efficiently. I get impatient with people like that.

I am impatient with extra slow clerks, or when my husband doesn’t run a yellow light.

I don’t like it when I am not efficient.

Maybe that’s why it’s hard for me to sit down to read. I am such a slow reader, I’m so inefficient. I’ll just go do something where I feel some sense of accomplishment.

I am very impress with high production people.

I wonder if there’s a core issue that I should deal with. I remember my father was an impatient man who had to work efficiently in running a busy restaurant. He told us to never take one dish to the kitchen to be washed; always bring as many dishes as you can to save making extra trips. Always fill both hands. I find myself using this principle when I am cleaning the house.

I am trying to let go of this idol by thinking of something else when driving other than which lane is faster, and not giving an impatient glare at the slow clerk at Vons.

I have to consciously fight this impatience of inefficiency. There are many things at church that are inefficient and I don’t want to be critical of the church. I am the problem too, I am inefficient. Look how long it’s taking me to get a soft pad for the preschoolers play area!

I immediately applied the principle in this One to One book to read the Bible with a friend.

A friend told me she’s been struggling with consistent Bible reading. So I said, why don’t we read the Bible together. We are starting with Galatians, one chapter a day, and will text each other with an insight/application each day to keep each other accountable to reading the Bible.

I know it’s not exactly what the book suggests, but I was quite happy that I am able to use this idea from the book. If I didn’t read the book, I don’t think I would’ve thought of reading the Bible together. It’s not often that I can put a book’s idea into immediate practice.

It seems so obvious, yet how often do we read the Bible with someone? Unless you were in a formal Bible Study group, one to one Bible reading doesn’t seem to be a common thing. My daughter is doing that with a friend. Everyone should be doing this!

Another thing the book motivated me to do is to use the Bible more in counseling children at church. Yes, I know the Word of God is central, but I forget to use the Word directly instead of just telling the children the principles.

I told the disciplers of Children Worship to counsel a particular boy with Galatians 5:22-25 by reading the verses with him every week. Instead of saying to the children we should live out the fruit of the Spirit, we should show them the verses.

As I myself looked at the verses, I think the most important verses there are not v 22-23 as most people focus on. What is more useful is verses 24-25: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

The children should know that Christ has crucified our fleshly desires. We can live by the Spirit, resulting with the traits of the fruit of the Spirit. 

“Don’t even think about retirement, Katy!”

That’s what my Senior Pastor said to me, no less than 3 times.

I want to be here at our church in 10 years when a new English senior pastor will take over. It’ll be an exciting season. I love transitions when the next generation takes over. I don’t like old people. I can say that because I’m old. I want young people to take over my job. I don’t mind working under young leadership. That would be exciting for the church.

But there’s more I want to see happen under my watch. So my pastor says to keep going. Don’t think about retiring. Look forward and work towards those things I want to see happen.

As I was talking to my pastor, I realized that going on STM is what refreshes me and keeps me going. Every year I say I don’t want to go – why take on extra work and get all tired and stressed? Finally it dawned on me: God uses STM to give me vision, to renew my mind and heart for the Gospel. Every year my prayer is to have more love for the lost. God is answering that prayer, giving me a greater love for the Gospel. As I share it with people in Taiwan who has such little knowledge and exposure to Jesus, I am more and more grateful that God chose me to be His child and my love for the Gospel grows.

STM keeps me going in children ministry. Now I’m more excited to go on STM next year, God willing.

This was a fast read, only 56 pages of content, and another 50+ pages of resources and outlines.

I borrowed this book from AL after reading his book review. After reading this book, I am motivated to read the Bible with someone. I’ll pray that God will bring someone to me.

I wish I could be back in Taiwan to read the Bible with some of the students we met using the methods given in this book. I am less confident of someone who would be interested here. But the book says that a survey showed that 61% of twenty-something said yes if a friend asked to them to study the Bible with them (p.15). Maybe I need to start asking.

I loved the author’s account of his experience of how a friend came to Christ after a year of studying the Bible with him. I do believe that should be how evangelism should work. And it’s not that hard because God speaks for himself. I don’t have to have clever words. It’s much easier than preparing a Sunday School lesson. Maybe all Sunday classes should just be reading the Bible together and discuss it using the methods outlined in the book.

I am also inspired to study Romans.

In keeping with reading a book a month, this counts as my as September book. I’m a week behind.

Jetlag has not been too bad this time returning from Taiwan STM. I am pretty much adjusted by the 4th day. The second day I slept till 12:30pm, but last year I remember I slept till 2pm more than one day.

I’m not experiencing as much “dissonance” in reverse culture shock this time. In past years, I complained how it’s too dry with no humidity or rain here and I have to use moisturizer, how expensive the food is compared to $1.50 boba in Taiwan, why we don’t have an efficient train system so I don’t have to drive, etc. This year, I am accepting the way things are here as good. I do like our public bathrooms much better (though no country can beat the bathrooms in Japan).

I only got one bug bite in Taiwan, but got 2 bug bites while cleaning up in the garage, and 4 while getting the laundry from the garage! This has been a bad year for bugs here.

But I am proud to have cleaned out 2 boxes in the garage. Only 100 more to go…

I didn’t fall asleep at staff meeting on Tuesday or extended deacons meeting this morning. I really appreciate our staff. I’ve grown so much in the 8 years I’ve been here. The higher the commitment, the more you grow. This was true when I served as a Group Leader in BSF years ago. The expectations were high, but I grew more than I did when I merely attended as a member. I should remind people of this lesson to encourage others to serve the Lord. He will not fail you.

After the deacons meeting, I checked in with OWL and ended up talking to parents. Then a relaxing rest of the day. Went to Home Goods with hubby to look for a decorative clock, didn’t find one we liked.

One reason I look forward to retiring from the job I love is so I can attend worship service as a “normal” person without distraction of responsibilities. It is an occupational hazard of pastoral staff to not have worship time. I used to attend an evening service 2x a month. But since getting out of the habit with the Perspectives class early in the year, I haven’t gone back. I need to get back to it, but I don’t know where yet.

Finally got smart and had a cleaning company clean the bathrooms. No more college tuition to pay, it’s time I spend money to keep the house cleaner. I promise I will declutter! The best and surest way to have a clean house is to have less clutter. When you imagine your dream house, it’s always without clutter. I read those 2 quotes somewhere that I hope will drive me to declutter.

After Taiwan Short Term Mission – There are too many highlights, I cannot capture the fullness of what God did in and through us. Here are just some random thoughts, some more significant than others.

It’s been a while since I’ve shared the full gospel with an adult. So fun and refreshing, and challenging to test the depth of my understanding of God and the gospel.

It’s been a while since I experienced leading an adult to Christ. It was magical and a miracle to see someone struggle and then say yes with tears welling in his eyes. Thank God for giving us this experience that encourages me to go more courageously.

It’s easier to share the gospel in Taiwan than US. I am intimidated by the potential of a hostile response here, whereas in Taiwan, the people may reject, but are not hostile.

I am challenged to be more courageous with my faith at home. Maybe my perception of people’s negative response to the gospel here is not accurate. And even if they are hostile, why should I care? I should be more bold and forthright when I talk to unbelievers anywhere, not just in Taiwan on STM.

I only bought one cute notebook for myself this year.  I always regret not buying more…less than $1 each.

Spending 2 weeks in close community with my team gives a good experience of what Christian community life should be. We are with each other 24/7, eating, praying, sharing, serving, reflecting, laughing, rejoicing in the work and Word of the Lord.

Every year’s team is the best team. This year was the smallest team, which makes it special. And 3 out of the 5 members are my family – me, my husband and my daughter! God’s special blessing for me.

The airplane ride went by fast this time. I actually watched movies most of the time which I don’t usually like to do. Couldn’t resist Spiderman, Toy Story 4, Secret Life of Pets 2, Pokemon Detective Pikachu (fell asleep on that one), Tolkien (recommend).

Taiwan has really good Japanese food. The tonkatsu is still not as good as Japan, but comes close. And cheaper.

After every STM I resolve to pray as much as we did during STM. But I can’t maintain that habit. The distractions, the lack of urgency, and lack of accountability are my excuses.

After every STM I resolve to learn Chinese. My husband downloaded an app for that, maybe we’ll make some progress this year. The goal is to be able to navigate Taiwan on our own.

After every STM I resolve to clean my closet since I know I can live on 3 outfits for 2 weeks. Will see if I can at least reduce a few items to Goodwill.

My digestion felt good even though I ate foods with wheat and sugar that I avoided here to heal my digestion (couldn’t resist the good breads, desserts, fruits!) I think it’s because I don’t overeat on protein, walked a lot, and was free from the usual stresses of home.

I hope God opens the way for us to go to Taiwan for STM again. This year was one of the best in terms of the relationships built and tangible results. For that I am most grateful. But some of those co-workers we worked with for 4 years will be leaving Taiwan. I’m not sure what that would mean. I still want to go to Taiwan for STM though it would seem like starting over with new relationships.

I get a small glimpse of how Paul felt when he left Ephesus knowing he won’t see them again.