Catching up!

Happy New Year! May 2014 be a wonderful year for each of you!

It has been seven months (!) since my last blog post. I ended the last post with this -

The summer has already been quite busy, but hopefully I will be more diligent about posting in the next few months! 

While the first part was true, the second part was an epic fail. However, here's a quick update on the second half of 2013 -

• I went to Hong Kong, China, and San Francisco in the summer, and Chicago in the fall for work and research!
• I got to meet our new nephew for the first time over the summer!
• I had a busy but productive fall semester with teaching and exam preparation. Being able to teach students was quite a rewarding experience!
• Hubby made me a wonderful cake for my birthday! 
• We participated in Operation Christmas Child once again this year. Our goal was 500 packed shoebox gifts, and our church and middle school packed 549 boxes! 
• We hosted family and friends for Thanksgiving. Some of our family could not come so we missed them, but we had a great time with those who came. Weather was absolutely gorgeous!
• On another note, our family cat became very stressed out because of the big crowd during Thanksgiving. She developed an ulcer on her eye, which accelerated our decision to have her eye removed. It was the right decision because she did have early-stage cancer as we had suspected. After a very challenging recovery process, she is now doing much better!
• We went out of town for Christmas briefly (because we needed to take care of the kitty). It was a wonderful visit! 

I am thankful for a blessed year in 2013!

Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas week with family. Here is the list (again in somewhat chronological order). Enjoy!

• Getting our Christmas tree from a wonderful tree farm (that we heard about not long ago)

• Finishing Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve (close call!)
• Making my first ginger bread house alongside my cousin (who also made one)

• Going to Christmas Eve service at our church (with a full house!)
• Watching kiddos open their Christmas presents and sharing their joy
• Receiving one of the best Christmas presents ever from Hubby - donations to some of my favorite organizations
• Recovering from a cold and some kind of stomach virus (I am still not sure what it was) - being healthy is priceless
• Watching Tangled (the Rapunzel movie) for the first time with my sister-in-law -- and nephews!

• Participating in our family reunion (lots of family members). Great food and fun!

• Youngest nephews joyfully shouting "I love you" before my drive home (~swoon~)!

Merry Christmas!

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 2-20
New International Version (NIV)

Christmas Shopping

I am STILL Christmas Shopping. Five days before Christmas.

It had been a very busy fall semester so I had a very late start on Christmas shopping this year. Christmas shopping also meant I went back to the mall. It had been many months since I was at the mall last. After reading David Platt's Radical over Spring Break, one of the challenges I undertook was to not buy clothes (except for necessities) for a year. I liked to buy clothes on sale, so I wanted to stop doing that for a while in order to take the focus off of myself and be more sensitive to the needs around me.

As I walked around the mall looking for Christmas gifts, I saw a lot of great clothes along the way. The Christmas sale also meant very good prices for many clothing items. It would have been so easy for me to buy a dress here and a shirt there, and it was really quite tempting.

But I was not about to undo nine months of work to break the challenge, and I was not about to create an irony in which I would buy what I liked just because there was a great sale while I engaged in the spirit of giving to others as I shopped for loved ones.

In the end, I got some gifts without buying any clothes for myself. For that I am thankful! I still have at least one more Christmas shopping trip and I need to remember this lesson!

Merry Christmas!

It has been a long while. There is much to update, but first -

Merry Christmas!

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." - Luke 2:11

Christmas 2009

Happy New Year! As we welcome the new year - and decade, I am recapping some fond - and fresh - Christmas memories. Enjoy!

This year, our home looked nothing like it was a year ago. There was no Christmas tree, no lights, no candles. I never got caught up on the Christmas preparations, since I barely got the Christmas cards and newsletters out in the mail, and Christmas shopping done before Christmas. I was still wrapping Christmas presents after the Christmas Eve Service. On top of this busyness (which seemed more than usual than years past), Hubby was sick.

But all was good. Hubby got better and off we went to my brother- and sister-in-law's for Christmas. We had a great time! It was a special year since my mother-in-law was back in the US  for a visit after almost 2 years of serving overseas, our new niece was born in the summer, and everyone from Hubby's side of family was there. We had a lot of family fun. We enjoyed a lot of food and laughter. Here are some highlights:

• Meeting our four-month-old niece. She is such a happy and quiet baby that she makes everything easy! I took so many pictures of her!
• Playing Dominoes with my 3-year-old nephew. He was really good at it.
• Seeing our 5-year-old niece in the outfits we got her; and putting a ribbon on her hair
• Watching our 5-year-old nephew build his Lego city.
• Staying in the cold (for a few minutes) with my oldest niece and nephews, one 9 years old and the other almost 9, as they tried to watch the moon and stars, and explore the universe with my nephew's telescope.
• Reading to my nieces and nephews.
• Listening to my oldest niece read the Cars story to me.
• Letting my 3-year-old nephew ride on my shoulders.
• Playing card games with the adults.
• Fourteen of us going to the zoo.
• All of us, plus our aunt who was off work that day, going to the best barbeque place for dinner right before we headed back.

It was another great Christmas with family.

Give

I am doing something special this Christmas season. I am trying to give this Christmas away.

When I was getting ready for Opeation Christmas Child earlier this year, I heard this song and was immediately intrigued by the title. Then I saw the book as I was Christmas shopping a couple of weeks ago.

I am reading 101 Simple and Thoughtful Ways to Give This Christmas Away by singer-songwriter Matthew West. This book has lots of ideas about taking the focus off of me and making others' Christmases special.

The first idea? Operation Christmas Child!

Other ideas? Holding the door for the person behind you, saying "Merry Christmas" to a complete stranger, cooking breakfast for loved ones, parking in the back to give people the closer spots, giving your family a memory......

These ideas are not difficult to do. It simply takes paying attention to others.

Go ahead. Give this Christmas away!

Christmas Reflections

Maybe this is the first year we hosted for Christmas, and the planning made me think more about Christmas this time than years past.

If we strip away the Christmas tree, the music, the food, the gifts, even the Church services, and everything else, believers of Jesus Christ still have Christmas, because what is important is what is in the heart, not the momentary happiness any external thing brings. But what about those who do not know Him and do not have a personal relationship with Him?

When hubby and I picked up things at Wal-Mart shortly before Christmas, the cashier greeted us with a smile on her face and asked if we were ready for Christmas. As we kept on talking, she told us she did not intend to celebrate Christmas, as her husband was no longer living. In fact, she had not celebrated Christmas since he passed away six years ago. Slowly, her smile that greeted us was replaced by sadness, while Christmas music was still playing and shoppers were still cheerfully buying for Christmas.

A couple of days before Christmas, I made another trip to get ready. On the way home, I saw the many bumper stickers at the back of the pickup truck in front of me. One of the stickers stated "Pagan & Proud." As I browsed his collection of bumper stickers which made the clear statement that he was not a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, the radio in my car was playing the song "Mary, Did You Know?" As the singer sang about baby Jesus as God Incarnate and the reason He came as a baby, multitudes of people did not know the Good News, and many chose not to accept it.

The morning after Christmas, our door bell rang. It was a lady who came to share the doctrines she upheld as a Jehovah's Witness. She told me we should not celebrate Jesus' birth, but only His death. As we exchanged thoughts and beliefs, I noticed the younger lady who came along with her two very young daughters, aged 4 and 3. Adorable as they were, these girls were not being taught about Christmas and the meaning of Jesus' birth.

Another Christmas has gone by - what does Christmas mean to each of them?

Christmas Memories

Hubby and I hosted part of our family for Christmas for the first time. With my brother- and sister-in-law and our three nephews, we had a great time celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Here are some highlights -

We had our first Christmas tree!

Hanes was trying to stay warm by the lights as we decorated a few weeks ago. A very warm and calm scene.


Hubby was putting ornaments on the tree as Hanes "supervised." She likes bags a lot.


Our tree surrounded by Christmas gifts.


Everybody had a good time opening Christmas presents. The excitement on the children's faces was priceless. The word "awesome" kept flying in the air.

Our guests opening presents. Sorry about my hand and hubby's foot.


When our middle nephew, Alex, age 4, tore off the wrapping paper of a gift, he said "It's a box!" thinking he received a box for Christmas. We all laughed with him. :) With mommy's help, he quickly realized that there were shirts inside the box.


One of the presents our oldest nephew, David, age 7 (almost 8!), received was a card game called "Frog Juice." He had never seen the game before (neither had I) so when he read the title, he was somewhat frightened. Unfortunately, I was not quick enough to capture his expression which was a combination of uncertainty and fear. But after reading the subtitle, he realized it was a card game, not real "frog juice." This picture was taken during this moment of relief. He actually enjoyed the game.


On a side note, David was very surprised when he accidentally found out I spoke Chinese. I did not know he did not know!

From Grammy!
(Those were Hubby's hands, and if I remember correctly, David took the picture)

Throughout the day, our youngest nephew, Miguel, age 2, came running to me many times to give me hugs and later, kisses.

Seeing a baby picture on our fridge, Alex asked me the name of the baby. After I told him the name, he carefully repeated it with a somewhat serious look on his face. Two seconds later, however, he broke out his usual bright smile and asked me another question: "when are you going to have a baby in your house?" I get asked this question on a regular basis, but he officially became the youngest to do so :)

After I gave him a bath, Alex gave me a long hug and said "Merry Christmas" to me. It was a very unexpected, and very sweet moment.

David told all of us "Merry Christmas" before he went to bed.

We got to talk on the phone with other family members with whom we could not spend Christmas together due to distance.

Watch out for "flying" child!

As a bonus, weather was very nice.

My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came to the world as a baby to redeem us, giving us the precious gift of Himself and the way to spend eternity with Him. I am thankful to be able to celebrate His birth with loved ones.

Merry Christmas

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2: 8-18

Porcelain Cup

I recieved a beautiful Christmas present from a faculty member in my Department today. She gave me a porcelain cup hand crafted by her husband who had been making pottery for many years. I was very delighted in receiving this present and certainly appreciated the thoughtfulness and kindness.

Since our Department is in the process of moving this week, I took home my Christmas present instead of leaving it in my current office. During the ten-minute walk to my car, I was holding the cup with both hands to make sure I would not accidentally drop it or break it. When I got to the car, I wrapped it with my scarf so it could be protected during its ride home.

The gift made it home safely.

Nonetheless, I was wondering about something. If I was so careful about a gift - beautiful as it was, but something that would not last for eternity - how much care do I give to the Greatest Gift of all that is invaluable? Especially during this Christmas season, it is a great time to ponder upon the wonderful and humble birth of Jesus Christ. However, I am not sure how much I have been thinking about it this year.

I have been going Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, visiting the post office, writing my newsletter, decorating and doing all kinds of things to get ready for Christmas Day...... But while I have been making preparations to welcome the special season, I find myself going around the Center doing these things more than preparing myself.

I was reading Luke 2 in the Bible and was reminded once again that Mary had to put Jesus in a manger because there was no room for Joseph, Mary and the newborn King.

During this Christmas season, I pray that I remember Who is more important and learn to be like Mary who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus rather than keeping busy with things that could wait. I also pray that I would treasure Jesus more than I do a beautiful porcelain cup, and always have room for Him in my heart.

From Empty Shoeboxes to Christmas Blessings......

I stumbled upon Operation Christmas Child - the "shoebox project" - about five or six years ago. I remember packing toys, school supplies and basic hygiene items in the empty, ordinary shoeboxes that year. Knowing that the shoeboxes would go to children who might have never received a gift in their young lives, and who had never heard the Good News and the true meaning of Christmas, made this project very special to me. Since that year, I have been packing shoeboxes every November. Some years, I did it only with hubby; some years, I had friends who came alongside the project. This year, several Sunday School and Bible study classes, and the missions committee at my church are supporting the project, and my neighbors and a local shoe store have donated dozens of empty shoeboxes!

I would like to invite you to participate too. If you have empty shoeboxes that you no longer need, you can easily turn them into Christmas blessings to children around the world. All you have to do is to fill the shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. You could also include a picture of your family and a letter before dropping off the shoeboxes to the collection centers around the nation during National Collection Week, November 17-24. Through these shoebox gifts, children will not only receive presents, they will also get to hear the Gospel and learn about the love of Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child, you can find more information online and also by watching the video below. Packing shoeboxes is easy and a fun family project that young children can participate. You are also welcome to make a monetary donation online to help offset shipping costs if you prefer to do so. If you have shoeboxes or filler items you would like to donate, please let me know and I would of course be more than happy to pack the boxes!

Blessings!