Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

Filed under Generalby Joyful

Do you like the puppy below? I got it from Amy!

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings I am the receptionist at the Arcadia office. It’s quiet there, and I use that time to pray and study the Bible. I am thankful to God for providing this quiet time for me while helping Mike at the same time. I couldn’t have planned it better! I know it is God who prepared this for me. When I obeyed His call to be BSF leader, He provides everything – the time and place to do my lesson, a great group of ladies, a little car with good mileage so I don’t have to use my van. He even gave me a personal struggle right now so I can apply the study to my life .

So I learn, do not be afraid to heed God’s call to do the right thing. He will make the path straight.

Rainy days

Filed under Generalby Joyful

Amy says she loves the rain. I don’t. But I am thankful for a roof over my head. Last night, due to the sound of the rain and wind, I kept waking up. The thought that came to my mind in the middle of the night was, “God, help the homeless, that they find shelter tonight. Help the rescue centers that the workers will have strength and compassion to care for the needy.” Take nothing for granted.

“Keep your mouth shut and people will think you a fool. Open your mouth and remove all doubt!”

“Let your conversations be always full of greace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

This is advice I need to heed.

Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

The persecution of Christians caused the believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria, thus expanded the preaching of the gospel to territories outside of Jerusalem. If not for the persecution, the Christians would’ve been happy building their 3000+ member church in Jerusalem. They would’ve failed to do what Jesus told them to do: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, Acts 1:8.

“We maintain a border of comfort around ourselves.” God allows some heat to move us beyond our comfort zone in order to expand us in our growth, and expand the preaching of the gospel.

Law of thermodynamics: heat causes expansion.

I was thinking, the believers could’ve scattered and kept their mouths shut as not to get into anymore trouble. But they didn’t. They expressed boldness by seizing the opportunity to share Christ wherever they went.

May I also be bold in sharing Christ, in all circumstances, wherever I go.

Bad hair day

Filed under Generalby Joyful

Audrey’s dog Chocolate did fairly well at the groomers yesterday. The last time we went, the pet store called me to pick him up because he wouldn’t cooperate. This time, he did take to this groomer, who is probably more experienced with fisty little dogs.

However, Chocolate was not completely done when we picked him up because “he was having issues with his paws.” He wouldn’t let her trim his paws, and she haven’t even tried to do his nails. He didn’t have this “issue” before, but she said he was probably having a bad day, the same way we do sometimes. Oh brother!

Maybe he is ticklish around his feet just like I am!

Last night, the girls and I were reading the Russian fairy tale of Finist the Handsome Falcon. The Falcon turns into a handsome prince when he comes to visit his beloved beautiful maiden. When her evil sisters found out, they hid knives at the window sill. When he tried to fly through the maiden’s window, his wings were badly cut. He told the maiden he will not come back, but she will have to go to “thrice nine lands” to find him. She will have to wear out three iron staves, three pairs of iron shoes, and gnaw away three iron loaves before she finds him. So in the course of her journey, she broke 3 staves, wore out 3 pairs of shoes, and she is down to gnawing on her last loaf.

What! She’s been eating loaves of bread made out of iron???? She is one tough maiden!!

Growing up

Filed under General, Kidsby Joyful

As of 2 days ago:

Elliot – 5 ft. 6 in. tall
Audrey – 5 ft. 4 in. tall
Katy – 5 ft. 2 in. tall
Amy – 4 ft. 1 in. short

I wish Amy can stay little for me, just for while longer!

But I also love to see them grow, discovering themselves as Elliot and Audrey are beginning to do, and finding their spot in this life.
They hopefully are assured of where they will be in the next life.

Today Amy turns 9 years old. Yesterday she had 3 friends over for a small party. Today, I will buy her sashimi for dinner, a special treat.

I took my van in to the mechanic this morning. I needed to fix a piece of plastic cover that came off. Then the front tires are bald, have to replace the 2 tires. Then the alignment is off, have to do a full alignment in order not to wear out my new tires. At least I feel good about going to this mechanic because they are Christians, the wife is a friend, and the husband is a competent mechanic I think.

Life, if you don’t have a higher calling, is pointless. You work hard to make money, then you have to spend it on something like getting your car fixed. What a waste.