It's a wonderful life

My Christmas tradition is to watch the movie called "It's a Wonderful Life". It was inspiring everytime I watched it. Mr. Bailey, the main character, blamed on his birth when he was hit by a very difficult time in his business. An angel showed him how bad the world became if he was not born, and how he had made difference to others lives.

This year, I did not watch the movie. I felt that I was, in a way, Mr. Bailey.

Business is not moving anywhere. I was hoping that my business trip will be fruitful in one way or the other. My eyes were open, yet I did not see anything applicable to my business. I met some architects in foreign land, yet nothing substantial happened. I am back to Hawaii for three weeks, yet I still cannot discern the meaning of the trip. Why did I travel so far away?

Well, other things took place during the trip. I met a handful of old friends. I learned their new lives, and I pray for them regularly. If I did not see them, my prayers for them won't be lifted up. They absolutely worth my trip.

In the end of the movie, Mr. Bailey realized his role as a member of the community, family and friends. He loved his life, and when he returned to reality, his business problem was resolved. His family and friends flooded his house to help him out.

Life is adventurous. I don't know about wonderful, but God is good. I am gracious that life is as short as morning dews.

2011 rushed away quickly. In the beginning of 2011, my resolution was to simplify my life. I found that it is not quite possible. When I tried to simplify, I complicated the situation. For example, when I was in HK, I needed only one pineapple bun and milk tea for breakfast, simple as that. However, the waiter told me that it was more economical to order a meal, that came with two buns and milk tea. I had to do all the math in my head to figure out what I should feed myself. "Is it really more economical? What if I can't finish? What if all the excessive sugar and fat go to my butt?...... all kinds of questions....." Complicated process for the end of simpleness.

In short, I can't really simplify my live. However, when comparing with lives in HK, my live is pretty simple, and I am glad.

Looking back 2011, it was full of grace. Bella Pollard, my little 1 year old friend was cured from a deadly cancer. My church youth pastor's wife gave birth to twin girls, after many years of prayers. My company remains open, and my partner trusts me so much. I fought a war at the courtroom and gave testimonies for the first time. I designed company Christmas card with Bible verse. Hawaii CCM's new staff came in April, and works well with us. We struggle financially, yet our door is still open. Juanna and I re-started weekly prayer meetings at Hawaii CCM. I visited bak-leung and sister dai and 3 at Toronto. I attended Dr. Daniel Wu's anniversary and birthday celebration. Last but not least, I visited HK for the first time since my last departure in year 2000, and dined with friends whom I had not seen for 19 years. It'll go on and on and on.

In short again, no expectation this year. Trust the Lord God with all my heart, and love Him with all my strength, because He first loved us.

Destination

After the trip to Italy a couple years ago, I found that I have already been to all the places that I wanted to go. I do not have as much desire to travel for the sake of seeing places. I am so blessed, am I not? I am blessed because I don't have that many disires, and also because all that I had were already exceedingly fulfilled. Life is good.

People asked, where will be your next destination? My answer is, where my heart is, where my family and friends are. Last month, I went to San Joes for a good friend's birthday and anniversary celebration. I also visited Canada to see my aunt and cousins.

This past summer, while I was cleaning up my photo albums, I saw so many old photos that I took with friends whom I grew up with. I missed them. I prayed to God. Should I go to Hong Kong? What if none of my friends wanted to see me?

A few days ago, my aunt called from Hong Kong. She recently retired. A voice in my heart says, "places are always there but people aren't." I felt strongly that I should pay a visit. I asked for more signs, and in many ways, God answered positively.

I shall visit the place where I grew up next month. My heart is filled with excitment and uncertainty. I feel a little scared. Strange. Low expectation. I look forward to see what God has me to see, just like how the Almighty treated me in Canada! Praise God!

Tina Counting 1 to 20

Choose Your Battle

Jesus was at Capernaum, healed a lot of people, and they urged him to stay, because there was so much work to do. They needed him there. (Luke 5) However, Jesus retreated to the wilderness. Instead of staying at the place that needed him, he left for other cities. Jesus knows in his heart why he was sent to the earth. He followed his Father's direction, rather than the urge of the people.

Does it sound familiar? "This ministry needs people, go help!" I helped in a children tutoring class a number of years ago because it needed teachers. I did not ask God if it was a position for me. I just went in sympathy of the teacher shortage. It turned out that I spent double energy and gained half of the fruit. I was very frustrated in the class, and my spirit was torn. I realized that it was not a ministry for me.

In a recent Bible study, I learned that God does not put all ministries in my heart. He has a plan for me, and I ought to listen to the Lord's direction and guidance, but not the voice of the needies. God will feed the needies in his own perfect ways. I am only a tool to fulfill part of his work.

The key is to trust and obey.

The Light

Wandering in a tunnel, no bread nor wine. Stepping in the dark and dew, light is rare to find.

Towards the ending rugged path, a white spot shines. Brighter when it becomes, an exit is clearly defined.

Aligning with the only Way, dead end breaks through the rocky cave. Marching solely with the Truth, abundance is the promised prize.

Blessings.

Walk to Get a Malasada

Automobile gives us convenience to commute to destinations quickly. When driving in a car, we aim at accomplishing something by arriving at the destination, to get a malasada, to meet our date and client, to work, to pick up a child, to get a burger or a cup of coffee? Our mind is set to the destination and the task, and it is enhanced with our culture of speed. When I spend time to walk to my destination, I find myself tardy and slow, yet it is another world of discovery. I still aim at arriving at a destination, yet there will be much distractions that pull me away from my focus on the destination. I will see more interesting things in the new pace. There is actually more fun, and my body gets the work out as well! At the end, I arrive at my destination, and accomplish what I need to do. The 'loss' in time transforms to another form of enertainment and knowledge, something that I may never relize when I drive.

Grandma recovered!

After a long-term sickness in the holiday season, grandma has recovered, and started to joke again! Thank you all for your prayers!

Memoery

I looked through my photo albums today from 1987 to today. I just found that my memoery is pretty bad.

I looked at many photos, and I really wished someone would tell me who those people were. I know most of the faces, although not all. However, I just cannot remember their names. This not so far back, just....year 1989. How can't I forget? Once upon a time, they were my good friends, and that's why I have their photos, but who are they? I can't even find them on Facebook!

I don't remember anything on Po Lin Temple of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Yet, I found from the photos that I have been there!

I don't have any collection that I have been to Silver Mine Bay in Hong Kong. Yet, I actually biked along the Bay!

Let's talk about fashion. My taste never changed much. I like to wear shirts and pants/jeans at all times. I think I always dressed too old for my age.

Birthday photos are plenty, and I am thankful for my family. Every year, there is a cake, except in recent years, I requested no cakes.

But, again, who were those people? My friends, where are they now, and what are their names? I want to sent them the photos and pick up the funny stories that they happen to remember! That's usually my sisters' function.

Photos without memory is trash.