No pouting... No asking... No tears.
Tonight... the little koala bear came to Prayer Meeting with me!! WOOHOO!!! There was Kids Prayer Club (KPC) and he had a wonderful time!!
Ironically... my little princess decided to stay home tonight. Shucks... I guess last month's Joint Prayer Meeting scared her and bored her too much. Maaaaaaaaann..... until next time! My SW will end up encouraging NN.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Breaking Bread with a Stranger
I broke bread today with a complete stranger. Literally.
In the past 6 months, I've noticed a lot of cars parked outside our house and on our street. They park for about 20 minutes and leave... but the traffic has certainly gone up. Turns out, that 6 months ago, a Persian bread shop opened up at the little mall down the street. It's so busy there, that there isn't enough parking in the lot. Day in and day out, I see people walking with sheets of bread in their hands.
Today... I couldn't help it. I saw a man park outside my house while I was playing in the front yard. 20 minutes later, he returned with 2 sheets of bread (about 2' x 4') and I asked him what he bought. And what do I say if I want to try it.
First of all, he said, "You're so lucky... you live so close here." We got to talking about the bread and as it turns out, the Sangak bread is a delicatessen of the Persian culture. He describes it as "divine" and "heavenly." He broke a piece off of both types of bread for me to try. It's good... .but it's not great.
One thing led to another... one topic led to another. Then he introduced himself as an Iranian, with an Assyrian background (yes, the Assyrians that conquered Israel), and is a devout Christian. He went on and on about how the Assyrians were the first missionaries to China. In fact, he reads the Aramaic bible (the original text) and says there are monuments in China that are inscribed with Aramaic words from the missionaries. His goal is to trace his roots back to his ancestors, who for many generations, were missionaries.
I didn't get a word in there... didnt get to say that the apostle Paul was directed away from Asia and off towards Rome. Didn't get to share that I'm also a Christian. Didn't get to say anything about Robert Morrison or the Ching Dynasty or Falun Kung. That'll be for another day -- when I see another stranger that walks by and breaks bread with me.
In the past 6 months, I've noticed a lot of cars parked outside our house and on our street. They park for about 20 minutes and leave... but the traffic has certainly gone up. Turns out, that 6 months ago, a Persian bread shop opened up at the little mall down the street. It's so busy there, that there isn't enough parking in the lot. Day in and day out, I see people walking with sheets of bread in their hands.
Today... I couldn't help it. I saw a man park outside my house while I was playing in the front yard. 20 minutes later, he returned with 2 sheets of bread (about 2' x 4') and I asked him what he bought. And what do I say if I want to try it.
First of all, he said, "You're so lucky... you live so close here." We got to talking about the bread and as it turns out, the Sangak bread is a delicatessen of the Persian culture. He describes it as "divine" and "heavenly." He broke a piece off of both types of bread for me to try. It's good... .but it's not great.
One thing led to another... one topic led to another. Then he introduced himself as an Iranian, with an Assyrian background (yes, the Assyrians that conquered Israel), and is a devout Christian. He went on and on about how the Assyrians were the first missionaries to China. In fact, he reads the Aramaic bible (the original text) and says there are monuments in China that are inscribed with Aramaic words from the missionaries. His goal is to trace his roots back to his ancestors, who for many generations, were missionaries.
I didn't get a word in there... didnt get to say that the apostle Paul was directed away from Asia and off towards Rome. Didn't get to share that I'm also a Christian. Didn't get to say anything about Robert Morrison or the Ching Dynasty or Falun Kung. That'll be for another day -- when I see another stranger that walks by and breaks bread with me.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Prayer Meeting
A new high.
I was pulling up my jeans and putting on my belt when... I felt a koala bear wrap himself around my leg.
"你真係要去?"
"係阿."
And he started crying and walks out of my room. Walking after him... I saw drops of tears on our hardwood floor...
Sigh..... and what's worse. I get to PM on time - 7:29PM sharp. Sit around for 20 minutes waiting for people to show up. It starts late. Ends late. I get home. And the kids are asleep already. I miss putting them to bed.
Something is NOT right here.
I was pulling up my jeans and putting on my belt when... I felt a koala bear wrap himself around my leg.
"你真係要去?"
"係阿."
And he started crying and walks out of my room. Walking after him... I saw drops of tears on our hardwood floor...
Sigh..... and what's worse. I get to PM on time - 7:29PM sharp. Sit around for 20 minutes waiting for people to show up. It starts late. Ends late. I get home. And the kids are asleep already. I miss putting them to bed.
Something is NOT right here.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
薪火相傳
Earlier this evening, I officially handed my duties of Eden Shepherd / Coordinator to Royce.
It was anti-climatic. Uneventful. And not as I had envisioned. But alas.... my 8 year term is over.
Looking back in time.... I still remember emailing PAL that I wanted to start a Young Couple's prayer group back in 2008/2009, before Nn was even born.
I still have that email... where 29 days (not even 1 month) after Nn was born, PAL asked me to set up breakfast with the 4 other couples. Slowly and surely... Joyce and I felt it was time to move away from Joseph Fellowship into a Young Couple fellowship. We officially got permission to and was added to Heart of Christ Fellowship. We were even on their email alias!!
Was digging through my emails. I found that on January 15, 2010, I emailed Pansy telling her that Joyce/myself/Nn will be attending fellowship since she was preparing dinner. I also have the email from Stella saying it's wonderful we're moving to HoC together!!
Then came that fateful day on January 16th - the annual SJCAC Vision and Prayer Summit. That morning... I arrived a little early. PAL pulled me aside and said, "I want to start a new Young Couple Fellowship. And you're the coordinator." I don't think I was given a chance to decide. It was an assignment. I still have that same email to Pansy saying, "Sorry... we will not be coming tonight afterall." To which she replied.....
Over the years... we had bouts and bouts of flus and colds, where we cancelled more than we met. Regardless of the challenge, we always came up with a CNY program. And never once, did I think of folding the fellowship. Slowly and surely, we started having new families join. To my disappointment, the new families were essentially from our Young Adult fellowship "graduating" to be a Young Couple. How I long to have new life, new believers, new members. That never happened.
And so.... 8 years. A US President, at most, serves only 2 terms (8 years). So it was time to move on. I felt like I could so much more. The kids are getting older and the parents are much freer. But alas... it was time. It was time for new ideas. A new direction. A new vision.
I had 2 families in mind to pass the baton. But it wasn't ME choosing my successor... it was the Lord. And as He would have it... the baton fell on Roy and Joyce's lap. On the night I had to pass the baton.... it wasn't even at all emotional. The most emotional part came two weeks earlier when I told my Core Group that our service was coming to an end. To which I summarized it by saying, "能和大家一起事奉是我的榮幸和驕傲!"
At that moment in time... I suddenly realized... that by giving up my title as Shepherd, I no longer had the official authority to look after the sheep. And I suddenly felt that I was much more separated and alienated from them. But alas... all good (or bad) things must come to an end. And it's time to turn a new page....And I am 100% confident, that Royce will write an exciting new page for us!!
It was anti-climatic. Uneventful. And not as I had envisioned. But alas.... my 8 year term is over.
Looking back in time.... I still remember emailing PAL that I wanted to start a Young Couple's prayer group back in 2008/2009, before Nn was even born.
I still have that email... where 29 days (not even 1 month) after Nn was born, PAL asked me to set up breakfast with the 4 other couples. Slowly and surely... Joyce and I felt it was time to move away from Joseph Fellowship into a Young Couple fellowship. We officially got permission to and was added to Heart of Christ Fellowship. We were even on their email alias!!
Was digging through my emails. I found that on January 15, 2010, I emailed Pansy telling her that Joyce/myself/Nn will be attending fellowship since she was preparing dinner. I also have the email from Stella saying it's wonderful we're moving to HoC together!!
Then came that fateful day on January 16th - the annual SJCAC Vision and Prayer Summit. That morning... I arrived a little early. PAL pulled me aside and said, "I want to start a new Young Couple Fellowship. And you're the coordinator." I don't think I was given a chance to decide. It was an assignment. I still have that same email to Pansy saying, "Sorry... we will not be coming tonight afterall." To which she replied.....
"Henry and Joyce... I was thinking and praying for you while I was preparing for dinner. I remember the testimony you shared about conceiving Nn. Freely you have received and freely you must give. May you bring blessings to those in your new fellowship."Thus started this new fellowship. From coming up with the name.. to our Vision.. to our Mission Statement. We had our struggles. The first year was fine. Then we all got pregnant around the same time.... and baby talk took over. Of the original four families, one family decided to not have children. And they felt left out....to a point where they left our church. So we went from 4 families to 3.
Over the years... we had bouts and bouts of flus and colds, where we cancelled more than we met. Regardless of the challenge, we always came up with a CNY program. And never once, did I think of folding the fellowship. Slowly and surely, we started having new families join. To my disappointment, the new families were essentially from our Young Adult fellowship "graduating" to be a Young Couple. How I long to have new life, new believers, new members. That never happened.
And so.... 8 years. A US President, at most, serves only 2 terms (8 years). So it was time to move on. I felt like I could so much more. The kids are getting older and the parents are much freer. But alas... it was time. It was time for new ideas. A new direction. A new vision.
I had 2 families in mind to pass the baton. But it wasn't ME choosing my successor... it was the Lord. And as He would have it... the baton fell on Roy and Joyce's lap. On the night I had to pass the baton.... it wasn't even at all emotional. The most emotional part came two weeks earlier when I told my Core Group that our service was coming to an end. To which I summarized it by saying, "能和大家一起事奉是我的榮幸和驕傲!"
At that moment in time... I suddenly realized... that by giving up my title as Shepherd, I no longer had the official authority to look after the sheep. And I suddenly felt that I was much more separated and alienated from them. But alas... all good (or bad) things must come to an end. And it's time to turn a new page....And I am 100% confident, that Royce will write an exciting new page for us!!
Thursday, November 09, 2017
More Random Observations
In a 5 day training session... despite the fact the recommended attire is Business Casual. Day one, everyone comes in slacks. Day 2, it downgrades to khaki's. Day 3 and 4...everyone's in jeans now.
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Random Observation
I'm in training this week... at a hotel with people from different companies from all over the country. The training company booked a conference room at a hotel. The room has 3 tables. Halfway through the first day of training... I noticed that all the minorities (Asian, Black, Mexican, Filipino) somehow sat at the same table. The other two tables were Caucasian males.
I think I made a similar observation at another training session.... where the minorities / women somehow sat together.
Interesting psychological experiment.....
Saturday, November 04, 2017
The Power of a Post-It
A couple of weeks ago.... I was signing Nn's Daily Planner, where the teacher wants us to initial it, to ensure parents are aware of her daily assignments. One night, I decided to add a little post-in note to her planner saying, "Jesus loves you. And Bah-B loves you too." Just a simple message... hoping to bring a smile to my little princesses face.
Well.... as luck would have it... a week later, SW found out about the note and kept asking where his note was. I didn't write one for him, so I kept saying, "You haven't found it yet." He looked EVERWHERE for it... until one morning, when I was packing his lunch, I left a note for him.
He found the note during lunch and he was so excited.
The past two days..... both kids have started leaving me notes. SW told me he hid a note in my room.... to which I couldn't find. And this morning, I found a post-It on m closet with the words, "Jesus loves you. And so do I. XOXO -Nui nui".
How wonderful...and powerful... a simple Post-It note can be.
Well.... as luck would have it... a week later, SW found out about the note and kept asking where his note was. I didn't write one for him, so I kept saying, "You haven't found it yet." He looked EVERWHERE for it... until one morning, when I was packing his lunch, I left a note for him.
He found the note during lunch and he was so excited.
The past two days..... both kids have started leaving me notes. SW told me he hid a note in my room.... to which I couldn't find. And this morning, I found a post-It on m closet with the words, "Jesus loves you. And so do I. XOXO -Nui nui".
How wonderful...and powerful... a simple Post-It note can be.
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