Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

I’m not an adventurous traveler.

I grew up with a mother who told us to never eat street food when we were growing up in Hong Kong. She hated crowds, taught me that you can contract horrible diseases from public bathrooms, held her breath when she walked passed beggars on the street, and always wore closed-toed shoes so as not to get contaminated by dirt.

Read more of “Traveling in Taiwan”

I couldn’t put down this book. A Place Called Blessing by John Trent is both heartwarming and inspirational. The story is engaging from beginning to end.

The story follows a boy growing up in the foster care system, starting life with two strikes against him. Then an accident occurred that scarred him, until he meets a family who blessed him more than he imagined.

Though it’s fictional, the characters showed such honor and compassion that they inspired me to be more open and loving to people, despite their background. When committed love is shown, even the hardest hearts can melt.

My only complain about the book is the abrupt ending. Other than that, I highly recommend this book. I have not read The Blessing, also by John Trent that outlines the principles illustrated in the story. I imagine it would be pretty good as well.

Disclosure:  Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this review. Opinions are entirely my own.

Traveling across the world used to be a big thing.  Well, it still is, if you think about the amazing airplane that not only defy gravity, but holds 200+ people and tons of luggage with it.

But most people nowadays take for granted our ability to travel thousands of miles in a relatively short time.

I will be going halfway across the world for our vacation – in a mere 13 hours. And during that time on the plane, I could probably finish reading a couple of good books.

I grew up with my dad encouraging us and giving us the opportunity to travel. I went to Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong by myself after college. It would’ve been really fun if I was mature enough to enjoy it, and if I had a companion. That experience did not instill in me the travel bug.  I can take it or leave it.

However, my children love to travel. They are adventurous and global-minded. And from them I am once again encouraged to travel. How fortunate I am to have so many chances to do fun things in this life.

And when I am finished in this life, there’s the one to come where it would be a greater adventure.

John Maxwell is one of my favorite authors. His writings are practical and inspirational  Put Your Dream to the Test is a book appropriate for those want to make the most our of their life; that hopefully means everyone.

Maxwell outlines ten questions to define our dream and put a plan to our dream. He uses a lot of examples to illustrate, which makes the book particularly easy to read and understand.

The end of the book gives a Dream Map, summarizes the ten questions along with more questions for you to evaluate yourself, as well as action steps to take. While some of the points in the book may be obvious, they are good reminders nevertheless.

Disclosure:  Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this review. Opinions are entirely my own.

Due to shoulder pains when I sit at the computer, I’ve not posted.

With age comes aches and pains, and I don’t like it.

A friend said that when she keeps busy, she forgets about the pain.

I think it is a true principle that when we do things to serve others, a lot of our own pain doesn’t seem to hurt as much.

The way we live may be considered “the good life” – prosperous and doing whatever we please, having  a good time. We think the “gray areas” are not so bad; the ends justify the means and the means justify the ends. We are accountable to no one.

But God sees all. From God’s perspective, sin is always sin. His standards are high.

Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight. ~Isaiah 5:20-21

Moving Stinks!

Filed under Generalby Joyful

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

I didn’t realize it was going to be such a big adjustment to move out of my parents’ house and into my own place. First of all, I didn’t even think about the fact that I didn’t have any furniture and I would have to buy some – until I save up enough I’m still going to be living on this beanbag chair! I also didn’t think about the fact that I’d need to call the utility providers and have things like cable and electric hooked up before I got there…woops. At least I already had wireless from www.wirelessinternetproviders.net so I didn’t have to worry about being offline. So far, so good in the new digs but paying rent and even doing laundry has been much harder without my mom around to nag me and tell me how it’s done! I’m lucky to have had such supportive parents but since I’m almost 23 it just made sense that it was time I moved out and got a place to call my own, you know?

As much as I like to change things up once in a while, like repainting a wall color or moving the furniture, there is comfort in the familiar.

Take for example our church’s annual Memorial Day picnic. We knew what would be served, because it’s the same every year. In the car on the way there, we joke about the ghetto way we serve corn every year, directly from the can. Sure enough, we were not disappointed. There is the usual spicy noodles, tea eggs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken wings. And for dessert, various kinds of sweet bean soups, apple pie, and cake. And of course watermelon. No surprises, except one. Lo and behold, there was a new item this year – yam.

I am trying to separate what is for me true spiritually growing experience and what is merely familiar and comfortable about our church. And when I visit other churches, I cannot make my opinions about the church based on the lack of familiarity. I have to focus in on what is the core of a vibrant church that matches what God calls us to.  Since we have been at the same church for 20 years, all other churches will seem strange, uncomfortable, unfamiliar. It’s like that feeling of moving into a new house. It’s exciting to be in a new home, but you don’t know where everything is.