First thing first, I've added a "translate" function on the left so if you want to read it in your language, please give it a try.
Fall is when the leaves turn yellow (or orange or red). Fall is when you wake up looking for your jacket. Fall is when your lips will start feeling the dryness. Fall is when we say bye to the summer and be prepared for the winter. Fall is also when school starts. Having both parents as teachers, Fall is always a new beginning for my family when I was young. No matter if it's getting new books, new pencil box, new school uniform and school bag or if it's the last minute cramping for our summer work books, Fall means a new chapter to me in my life.
Fall is when the leaves turn yellow (or orange or red). Fall is when you wake up looking for your jacket. Fall is when your lips will start feeling the dryness. Fall is when we say bye to the summer and be prepared for the winter. Fall is also when school starts. Having both parents as teachers, Fall is always a new beginning for my family when I was young. No matter if it's getting new books, new pencil box, new school uniform and school bag or if it's the last minute cramping for our summer work books, Fall means a new chapter to me in my life.
No difference, this Fall, Jake started his full time JK student life. There is no more up-to-his-mood activities, nor part time pre-school programs, just like how I go to work, he's going to school full time everyday, rain or shine. And his school life will probably not end until maybe 20 years later, or more (if he's Fian's type of material). He'll start treasuring summer holidays for sure. We were kinda worried about if he's gonna have a tough time transitioning. Thank God, by surprise, he never cried and not even whined for once going to his new school. He wakes up early in a good mood, does his morning routine in a good mood, finishes his breakfast in a good mood, gets out of the house in a good mood, and says bye to me in a good mood. Dropping him off to school has become so enjoyable I have to say, much much better than two years ago when I almost cry with him every morning saying bye to him, haha. We have been praying for public school, private school, and which private school for the longest time. (Yes, home schooling is never our option as neither Gloria nor me are that capable with enough patience, hahaha). So far, God is answering all our prayers.
Going back to our summer end English Division Retreat that I briefly talked about last time, Jake and Jonah had lots of fun. Gloria and I also enjoyed it a lot. The two and a half hour drive wasn't too bad after they got well trained from the Montreal trip, especially when we throw in McDonald's dinner on the way. It makes it pretty easy. Jakie only asked "are we there yet?" twice, hahaha. Jonah didn't ask at all. We also had to stop twice for washroom break. It's more like "roadside break", hahaha. Thanks to the emergency plastic bags of course (highly recommended to all parents - a must have in car especially during road trips)! Yup, Jonah even went number TWO and he somehow stepped on his own poo (good thing it's from the outside of the plastic bag, haha).
As mentioned last time, Pastor Kevin's wife Shawna put us in the room at the end of the hallway with no one above, across and beside us, hahaha. The highlight for Jake and Jonah was definitely sleeping on the bunk bed!!! They have been asking for one ever since our Vancouver trip (thanks to Gavin, Mitchell and Tyler). It's like their dream come true, haha.
Being two experienced travelers, they had no issue sleeping at all, both at night and in the afternoon. That's right, they were napping in their own bunk bed while Gloria and I were enjoying our time listening to Pastor Steve's second session upstairs. When we came down afterwards, they were still sleeping peacefully, hehehe. When they are both sleeping, somehow that gives Gloria and I a peacefully feeling. It's something I can't really explain in words, hahaha. It's good to know that they are resting, that they won't be fighting and breaking things for at least a short period of time and that we can also have some quiet time together, hahaha. So yeah, we had to wake them up for more activities. As for the outdoor activities, since the weather wasn't the greatest, we were limited to only a few of them. Both Gloria and I enjoyed canoeing the most. It was cold and even raining a bit but God gave us a good 10-15mins of rainless/windless moment. It was so peaceful, calm, and quiet that we could only hear the sound from our paddles breaking the water. The food was prepared and it was pretty good! We had fun sitting at different tables talking to different groups of people. It was a great getting to know each other better. For a church like ours, there are so many familiar faces that you know who they are and they know who you are, for maybe up to almost 20 years but you never get to really spend time and grow close with them. It's the perfect chance for that in this retreat. We would definitely come again if there's one in the future!
Please pray for my 5 Gu Jeh and her family in Vancouver. She got admitted to the Palliative Care unit about three weeks ago and she passed away the week before last week. Dad flew there right after he heard the news about her condition, just to spend time with her and her family and to support them in whatever ways he could. 5 Gu Jeh chose to rest at home instead of staying in the unit so she'll have more time to spend with her family. Dad actually stayed with her during his visit for a good week. She's a retired pastor who's retired last year. Her plan was to spend more time with her grand kids (the three cousins that Jake and Jonah miss so much) and they even moved so much closer to them. God's plan is sometimes a bit surprising to a lot of us but my 5 Gu Jeh and 5 Gu Jeung never lost their faith! They actually told me how perfect God's plan is. Like how perfect the timing is after 5 Gu Jeh's retirement when when she really have the time to take care of her own health. And like how they don't need to worry about the money after the move. I'm glad we visited her after our HK trip earlier this summer when she's still very "active". I'm sure it's tough, I'm sure there'll be lots of tears but God's plans are always perfect and I'm sure their faith will only grow stronger. That morning, Daddy was on his way to come back to Toronto. At about 5am, Michael drove him to the airport. And at about 5:45am, 5 Gu Jeh went home to be with the Lord. Daddy was probably still checking in at the airport at that time. Thanks to His plan, and thanks Michael for driving Dad. So 5 Gu Jeung could stay with 5 Gu Jeh when she left. Dad kept sharing with us about how perfect God's plan is and what if 5 Gu Jeung had to drive him to the airport, 5 Gu Jeung could've missed the goodbye. Thanks God for giving Dad a chance to spend time with her and walked with her during her final journey. It'll be tough for Dad losing both his wife and his sister in the same year. Even though we know this goodbye is temporary, we still struggle as we are just too weak. Thanks also for the great timing for Dad. His originally plan for dropping by Vancouver before going back to HK to visit 5 Gu Jeh now became a trip that he can attend her visitation and funeral service. Here is the information:
We'll pray for you guys in the west for sure. Pray especially for my cousin Rebekah and her family and also for my 4 Gu Jeh. It will not be easy for them and pray that God will give you guys peaceful, joyful and thankful hearts always. With lots of hugs and love from us including Gloria, Jake and Jonah.
Life is short and we are weak. He is in charge and He loves us. Find hope through Him and hang on tight. We will fail but never give up cuz' His love is greater than yours to your kids, way greater.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
" 應 當 一 無 罣 慮 ， 只 要 凡 事 藉 著 禱 告 、 祈 求 ， 和 感 謝 ， 將 你 們 所 要 的 告 訴 神 。神 所 賜 、 出 人 意 外 的 平 安 必 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 保 守 你 們 的 心 懷 意 念 。" (
腓 立 比 書 4:6-7)
As mentioned last time, Pastor Kevin's wife Shawna put us in the room at the end of the hallway with no one above, across and beside us, hahaha. The highlight for Jake and Jonah was definitely sleeping on the bunk bed!!! They have been asking for one ever since our Vancouver trip (thanks to Gavin, Mitchell and Tyler). It's like their dream come true, haha.
Being two experienced travelers, they had no issue sleeping at all, both at night and in the afternoon. That's right, they were napping in their own bunk bed while Gloria and I were enjoying our time listening to Pastor Steve's second session upstairs. When we came down afterwards, they were still sleeping peacefully, hehehe. When they are both sleeping, somehow that gives Gloria and I a peacefully feeling. It's something I can't really explain in words, hahaha. It's good to know that they are resting, that they won't be fighting and breaking things for at least a short period of time and that we can also have some quiet time together, hahaha. So yeah, we had to wake them up for more activities. As for the outdoor activities, since the weather wasn't the greatest, we were limited to only a few of them. Both Gloria and I enjoyed canoeing the most. It was cold and even raining a bit but God gave us a good 10-15mins of rainless/windless moment. It was so peaceful, calm, and quiet that we could only hear the sound from our paddles breaking the water. The food was prepared and it was pretty good! We had fun sitting at different tables talking to different groups of people. It was a great getting to know each other better. For a church like ours, there are so many familiar faces that you know who they are and they know who you are, for maybe up to almost 20 years but you never get to really spend time and grow close with them. It's the perfect chance for that in this retreat. We would definitely come again if there's one in the future!
Please pray for my 5 Gu Jeh and her family in Vancouver. She got admitted to the Palliative Care unit about three weeks ago and she passed away the week before last week. Dad flew there right after he heard the news about her condition, just to spend time with her and her family and to support them in whatever ways he could. 5 Gu Jeh chose to rest at home instead of staying in the unit so she'll have more time to spend with her family. Dad actually stayed with her during his visit for a good week. She's a retired pastor who's retired last year. Her plan was to spend more time with her grand kids (the three cousins that Jake and Jonah miss so much) and they even moved so much closer to them. God's plan is sometimes a bit surprising to a lot of us but my 5 Gu Jeh and 5 Gu Jeung never lost their faith! They actually told me how perfect God's plan is. Like how perfect the timing is after 5 Gu Jeh's retirement when when she really have the time to take care of her own health. And like how they don't need to worry about the money after the move. I'm glad we visited her after our HK trip earlier this summer when she's still very "active". I'm sure it's tough, I'm sure there'll be lots of tears but God's plans are always perfect and I'm sure their faith will only grow stronger. That morning, Daddy was on his way to come back to Toronto. At about 5am, Michael drove him to the airport. And at about 5:45am, 5 Gu Jeh went home to be with the Lord. Daddy was probably still checking in at the airport at that time. Thanks to His plan, and thanks Michael for driving Dad. So 5 Gu Jeung could stay with 5 Gu Jeh when she left. Dad kept sharing with us about how perfect God's plan is and what if 5 Gu Jeung had to drive him to the airport, 5 Gu Jeung could've missed the goodbye. Thanks God for giving Dad a chance to spend time with her and walked with her during her final journey. It'll be tough for Dad losing both his wife and his sister in the same year. Even though we know this goodbye is temporary, we still struggle as we are just too weak. Thanks also for the great timing for Dad. His originally plan for dropping by Vancouver before going back to HK to visit 5 Gu Jeh now became a trip that he can attend her visitation and funeral service. Here is the information:
Life is short and we are weak. He is in charge and He loves us. Find hope through Him and hang on tight. We will fail but never give up cuz' His love is greater than yours to your kids, way greater.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
" 應 當 一 無 罣 慮 ， 只 要 凡 事 藉 著 禱 告 、 祈 求 ， 和 感 謝 ， 將 你 們 所 要 的 告 訴 神 。神 所 賜 、 出 人 意 外 的 平 安 必 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 保 守 你 們 的 心 懷 意 念 。" (
腓 立 比 書 4:6-7)
