Not February but Februbusy

February was a brutal month. Bruuuuuuuuuuuuutal. So many things went on. Birth of Eden, Superbowl Sunday, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Visitation, CSMT, Bro leaving for China, 60 hour work weeks, not to mention the premier of the Final Season of LOST (tee hee!).

There's no love lost when 11:59PM rolls around on the Feb 28th. Can't wait till March comes around.

Mood: well-aged

Regrowing some thick skin

It's been a while since I've gone out and randomly seeked people out to talk about church. I use to have it down. Had my little "elevator speech" handy. Had all my church facts straight. Had several personal testimonies to share in an instant.

Well... just like exercising, once you snooze, you lose.

Couple weeks ago, went to a Chinese supermarkets to pass out some flyers. And the confidence, the mood, the suave just wasn't there. And if you don't got suave... you're in deep poo-poo (baby language. That's how I talk now. Pee-pee and Poo-poo).

It felt good tho despite the blatant rejections. Felt good to be able to walk up to a complete stranger and completely interrupt them knowing full well they're ready to reject you. Some might say, "Sorry" and walk away. Just gotta love it when people give you "the hand." Or simply "shake their head disapprovingly."

Time for some OJT once again. In the meantime, gotta regrow that thick skin and have NO FEAR when it comes to evangelizing. "NO FEAR!! NO FEAR!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!"

Mood: fearful...ahhhh!!!!

A great invention...

One of the greatest invention in the past 10 years (for me at least) is the Brawny Paper Towels that we bought from Costco. What's so cool about it? Well... it's perforated in such a way that so someone can use half sheet!

For those times you want to dry an apple before eating. For those times when you have a tiny spill. For those times when the economy is bad... and you need to conserve as much as possible.

A great invention indeed.

Mood: impressed

Teething

Nui-nui's finally teething! What a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day + Chinese New Year. Finally felt compelled to update her little "Baby Book." You know... the book that documents her dad and mom's info. The origin of her name. Gifts she received at her Baby Shower. Her bio's on her birthday.

Then it got to the section of "firsts..."

First word...
First smile...
First sound... (????)
First time rolling onto tummy...
First time rolling onto back...
First time rolling onto tummy, then back onto back...

It it hits us... so much has happened in such a short amount of time. Despite the terabytes of pictures we've taken, there is simply no way of us going back in time and holding our daughter in the palm of our hand again.

Simply need to enjoy this time while it lasts. It is soooo precious.

Mood: blessed

U.S. Women Thump China 12-1

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The United States opened its preliminary round of the women's hockey tournament Sunday with a 12-1 victory over China, the second overwhelming rout in two days at the Canada Hockey Place.

唔緊要! 繼續努力! 加油!!

Mood: 滿有希望, 帶有點點失望...

Nui-nui's 3rd word!!!!!

"Daaaaaa Daaaaaaa"

Joyce may have taken the early lead...but the final victor is still me!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Mood: Victorious

The Covenant of Holy Matrimony

Was chatting up with a co-worker today and somehow we got onto the subject of her arranged marriage. This subject always intrigues me. How can two people who "aren't in love" get married -- and all that other stuff that comes with marriage? Conventional wisdom will tell you that arranged marriage will never work. Yet, American divorce rates are rising faster than the Googol's stock price.

Have you ever watched reality shows like "The Bachelor?" or things of that nature? Yes, we all know they're actors. We all know in front of a camera, anything goes. But does it send shivers down your back when the contestants say, "I'm in love..." If my memory serves me correctly, only 1 of these couples have stayed married, the first "Bachelorette."

So how does this play into the covenant that is established by God for a man and a woman? (no intentions of plugging Prop 8 btw... just happened to come out this way) What makes a marriage successful? To be continued...

I've always wanted to write a book on Marriage and Parenthood. Maybe this will slowly evolve into one.

Mood: intrigued

What's in a name?

There's a Chinese saying, "Fear not, born to a bad life; fear, of bestowing the wrong name." Partially, it's an old wives tale but in a way, it's also true. A name, whether you like it or not, defines you. It's a label that's stuck with you from the day you are born to the day you can legally change it to something else.

We visited a friend today in San Francisco who just had their first daughter. Her name:

Olivia - peace (as in olive branch, a sign of peace)

Neriya - "God is my light." (Hebrew origin)

榮欣 - 光榮, 歡欣 (glory, joy)

Without knowing it, Little Olivia is already blessed to be the light and salt of the earth, to be a peacemaker and a bearer of God's joy and glory. How meaningful... how precious. I wonder how long it took them to come up with this name?

And how long will it take for us to come up with a name for our fellowship?

Mood: reflective

WAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Nui Nui said "BA BA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Mood: Vindicated

Prop 8 Trial Begins

I like how the San Jose Mercury puts it... "In the first round of what may be the signature civil rights fight of the 21st century..."

Interesting observation... "Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has kept his views to himself, but his rulings so far have dismayed some of Prop. 8's supporters, who appear to be bracing their followers for a short-term defeat."

Also interesting in light of Sotomayor being appointed to the Supreme Court... "Andrew Pugno, general counsel for Protect Marriage said, the last word will come from 'the nine justices on the highest court in the nation.'"

This one from the Chronicle is most fitting... "...and force many religious Americans to 'choose between being a believer and being a good citizen.' "

It's going to be a tumultuous year!!

Mood: cansado

Beautifully written...

Very beautifully written...

"And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. " ~Gen 22:6a

Replace "Abraham" with "God".
Replace "burnt offering" with "the cross"
Replace "Isaac" with "Jesus"

I believe God wanted the scriptures to specifically write it the way it ended up being. The Father laid the wood on the Son. The Son must submit to the Father's will.


Mood: thankful