Year 3.5 covered the 25th month without Doris. On public holiday Monday I went with the youth to university for lunch, then to Yuen Long for famous grass jelly dessert, eventually gathering the group for dinner at my place and watching the world cup together. They took the 11pm bus home.
Day 2 I received a call from Asus saying that the screen repair charge was $1020, so there was no reason to keep the phone. At night a neighbor ordered iPhone 7 for me with 128g at 15 off. I decided to switch since most of my WhatsApp message were already lost.
By Wednesday I was frantically working on my Philippians 4 Sunday sermon. There was much to cover on verses 13-
19. I still did not get the flow of the verses. Language meeting was rocky, but at least I did my piece. Buddy's nomination was approved with no objection. Proud of him.
Day 4 I met with a fellowship member who asked for counsel on a lawsuit. I have no counsel but for him to ask new believers at his office about what to do so that they can grow together. After lunch I had a haircut and bought lilies for Doris. Hand treatment was at night.
Friday was Doris' 25 months of loss. I dreamed I was brushing or massaging Doris' hand or arm so that she could get to sleep faster - her favorite habit. As usual I wore black but I was glad I did not have to accompany Doris' sister for night fellowship, so I joined 馬友組 for dinner.
The phone finally arrived before lunch on Saturday. I stayed behind for fellowship and our ABS grads were in force for a last farewell. Eli gave me a cover for my new PC, which I'm sure he did not know I bought one.
Sunday school and sermon were blessed, with a few expressing appreciation. I met with Arthur at noon over coffee to see what ministry opportunities were available for our new seminary student in his city. The youth and a neighbor joined me for dinnerand prayer.
June 26, 2018
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Year 3.4
Year 3.4 was a week of recuperation from USA trip. On Monday I went to get flowers for Doris and then had a chiro appointment. I missed smelling fragrant daisies. Dinner was with buddy, but another was on a mission trip.
Day 2 was a long day because there were a morning meeting and evening fellowship. Lunch was farewell party with one of my fondest coworkers. Men's was disappointing because only three showed up. I left USA almonds for staff and coworkers on the table but even the packet was gone by next morning.
On Wednesday I attended a leaders meeting and I was glad it ended by 2pm. At 3 I had to intervene into an emotional conflict, not my strength. Dinner was with a USA friend C who is planning to attend seminary, but has no breakthrough.
Day 4 The half day was full. Lunch was with CBI rep who wanted me to be involved with a new certificate program. Next I had tea with a fellow leader who took the time to find out how I'm doing, but it was cut short because I had to visit cais. I was glad I could install an old Bible program in my new PC after an arduous attempt. Dinner was with 馬友組
On Friday i had lunch with a possible language candidate. It was also my Timothy's last day. I had a sinking feeling and a lump in my throat. It was the Doris loss effect that makes loss, separation and absence a challenge.
Day 6 an admin person broke down emotionally, so I had to hear the case. I assured the person that ministry was not worth a mental breakdown, not that I have not seen it.
Sunday was Father's day, and I was glad an English coworker had a pulpit breakthrough. I did some work on Bible grammar before dinner. At night I was invited to celebrate dinner with buddy and his future in-laws.
June 19, 2018
Day 2 was a long day because there were a morning meeting and evening fellowship. Lunch was farewell party with one of my fondest coworkers. Men's was disappointing because only three showed up. I left USA almonds for staff and coworkers on the table but even the packet was gone by next morning.
On Wednesday I attended a leaders meeting and I was glad it ended by 2pm. At 3 I had to intervene into an emotional conflict, not my strength. Dinner was with a USA friend C who is planning to attend seminary, but has no breakthrough.
Day 4 The half day was full. Lunch was with CBI rep who wanted me to be involved with a new certificate program. Next I had tea with a fellow leader who took the time to find out how I'm doing, but it was cut short because I had to visit cais. I was glad I could install an old Bible program in my new PC after an arduous attempt. Dinner was with 馬友組
On Friday i had lunch with a possible language candidate. It was also my Timothy's last day. I had a sinking feeling and a lump in my throat. It was the Doris loss effect that makes loss, separation and absence a challenge.
Day 6 an admin person broke down emotionally, so I had to hear the case. I assured the person that ministry was not worth a mental breakdown, not that I have not seen it.
Sunday was Father's day, and I was glad an English coworker had a pulpit breakthrough. I did some work on Bible grammar before dinner. At night I was invited to celebrate dinner with buddy and his future in-laws.
June 19, 2018
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Year 3.3
Year 3.3 ended my USA trip. On Monday I had lunch with a couple who left for another church. My replacement phoneas maps app did not work, so I requestwd a stranger to call them from MacDonald to pick me up. Unfortunately the new place is no better than the old. After that I was on the way to San Diego to join Doris' family members for dinner, six including me, at buca di beppo, a usual haunt when Doris was with us. The drive was sleepy after lunch, so I dropped by at Elsinore for Starbucks coffee, finding a place we frequented.
Day 2 of the week was in San Diego too. I went with my brother in law from Doris' side to open an account because they were concerned I have no beneficiary. For the first time I saw a a bona fide book store, a thing rarely seen in Los Angeles. We had our lunch at the new Smash. After a short rest I headed to the nearby Barnes and spent more than two hours there before we had our Vietnamese dinner.
On Wednesday my brother in law created an online account for me to transfer and manage my money. After a short breakfast snack I drove to Orange county to meet my mentor Herman Tang for lunch at Habit. After lunch I decided to visit Biola, where Doris got her PhD degree from Rosemead School of Psychology. Like last week at APU, I bought the school T-shirt to remember my wife. It was my second last day in USA, but a student Doris supervised perviously texted me for dinner with her husband and daughter. I gave the student turned seminary lecturer a book last week and she reciprocated with snacks.
Day 4 I had lunch with my sister in Pasadena. As I was leaving I remembered taking Doris to nearby mater dolorosa retreat center, where we watched deers at night drinking from the fountain. It was hard to locate but I managed with new phone. I visited my former Deacon at a hospital but thankfully he was discharged.
Friday was the plane ride to HK. I was extremely thankful to God because I was seated cramped between two seats but the two passengers in front of me moved, so I got permission from the young man in front window seat to sit on the aisle seat. Previously I tried changing seats on the internet but it didn't work out. It was a taxing near 15 hours flight. I watched Downsizing before I slept and Man of Steel after.
Day 6 The plane arrived on time and I reached home 9am. After I showered a friend helped me transfer my card to Doris' old phone. I had to uninstall then install WhatsApp to get it to work. The challenge was to stay awake the rest of the day so that I could sleep normally at night. Praise God I managed to keep awake the rest of the day.
On Sunday a co-worker had to preach at a worship, so I took his place at the English worship. After worship I had lunch with an immigrating coworker. I will definitely miss him after eight years together. I had to attend an ordination interview a little later. My helpers came at 730pm and we ended with prayer till 1045pm.
June 12, 2018
Day 2 of the week was in San Diego too. I went with my brother in law from Doris' side to open an account because they were concerned I have no beneficiary. For the first time I saw a a bona fide book store, a thing rarely seen in Los Angeles. We had our lunch at the new Smash. After a short rest I headed to the nearby Barnes and spent more than two hours there before we had our Vietnamese dinner.
On Wednesday my brother in law created an online account for me to transfer and manage my money. After a short breakfast snack I drove to Orange county to meet my mentor Herman Tang for lunch at Habit. After lunch I decided to visit Biola, where Doris got her PhD degree from Rosemead School of Psychology. Like last week at APU, I bought the school T-shirt to remember my wife. It was my second last day in USA, but a student Doris supervised perviously texted me for dinner with her husband and daughter. I gave the student turned seminary lecturer a book last week and she reciprocated with snacks.
Day 4 I had lunch with my sister in Pasadena. As I was leaving I remembered taking Doris to nearby mater dolorosa retreat center, where we watched deers at night drinking from the fountain. It was hard to locate but I managed with new phone. I visited my former Deacon at a hospital but thankfully he was discharged.
Friday was the plane ride to HK. I was extremely thankful to God because I was seated cramped between two seats but the two passengers in front of me moved, so I got permission from the young man in front window seat to sit on the aisle seat. Previously I tried changing seats on the internet but it didn't work out. It was a taxing near 15 hours flight. I watched Downsizing before I slept and Man of Steel after.
Day 6 The plane arrived on time and I reached home 9am. After I showered a friend helped me transfer my card to Doris' old phone. I had to uninstall then install WhatsApp to get it to work. The challenge was to stay awake the rest of the day so that I could sleep normally at night. Praise God I managed to keep awake the rest of the day.
On Sunday a co-worker had to preach at a worship, so I took his place at the English worship. After worship I had lunch with an immigrating coworker. I will definitely miss him after eight years together. I had to attend an ordination interview a little later. My helpers came at 730pm and we ended with prayer till 1045pm.
June 12, 2018
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Year 3.2
Week 3.2 is quite challenging for the third year, first week of Doris loss. Monday was lunch with our former prayer group of Michael, Alan and Darwin. I did shopping before my meetings begin the next day. At night I picked up Paul and wife from Chino and took them to our favorite Japanese restaurant. The business is thirty years old. I was so glad to find it opened ten years we last visited.
Day 2 The faculty conference started at 915am in the morning. It was good and wonderful to see old friends expecially good friend Jon. One thing I wanted to do on this trip was to obtain Doris' previous call in broadcast recordings, so I wrote an email the night before to the gospel station, but was invited to share or be interviewed on live radio the next day. The host was praying for a guest this week
On Wednesday I woke up early and wrote two letters I mustered my coutage to pen.
The chair of the trustee board shared his story of growing up. His father died when he was 16 and his wife in her forties. I like stories rather than meetings. We shared an affinity because we met within a year of our wives' loss. My friends said the live interview on am1430.net was "very good." We had a snack later.
Day 4 we were introduced to new faculty candidates. All of them were fine think tank scholars. The China scholars were really humble and impressive. Their stories of growing up, having faith and serving God against all odds were too amazing to believe. One said at one time the word "Christianity" was literally forgotten in China.
On Friday I shared Grammar Bible to the group's delight. It was harder to show them how to download than to use the app. I was happy the seminary carved out an extra half hour for me even though they did not expect me to come because of a misunderstanding. I took Jon to stay overnight at his friends place.
Day 6 Graduation was at 10am so it was a challenge without WiFi to pick up Jon. I took Paul and wife home, followed by Walmart shopping with Jon. My phone broke at night and my WhatsApp in my sister's replacement phone did not work, therefore I could only use email and Facebook for contact
On Sunday I traveled to Riverside to meet former church members rather than go with Jon and his friends to Lake Avenue. I spent forty five minutes with a leader and others at lunch. After watching Han Solo, I dropped off Jon to an airport hotel, then had dinner at in n out with our nephew Joshua who found a new job but had a small accident. Hardest thing is to use email to indicate where to eat at the airport in an unfamiliar place without WhatsApp. So far I have not been lost without maps and wifi.
June 5, 2018
Day 2 The faculty conference started at 915am in the morning. It was good and wonderful to see old friends expecially good friend Jon. One thing I wanted to do on this trip was to obtain Doris' previous call in broadcast recordings, so I wrote an email the night before to the gospel station, but was invited to share or be interviewed on live radio the next day. The host was praying for a guest this week
On Wednesday I woke up early and wrote two letters I mustered my coutage to pen.
The chair of the trustee board shared his story of growing up. His father died when he was 16 and his wife in her forties. I like stories rather than meetings. We shared an affinity because we met within a year of our wives' loss. My friends said the live interview on am1430.net was "very good." We had a snack later.
Day 4 we were introduced to new faculty candidates. All of them were fine think tank scholars. The China scholars were really humble and impressive. Their stories of growing up, having faith and serving God against all odds were too amazing to believe. One said at one time the word "Christianity" was literally forgotten in China.
On Friday I shared Grammar Bible to the group's delight. It was harder to show them how to download than to use the app. I was happy the seminary carved out an extra half hour for me even though they did not expect me to come because of a misunderstanding. I took Jon to stay overnight at his friends place.
Day 6 Graduation was at 10am so it was a challenge without WiFi to pick up Jon. I took Paul and wife home, followed by Walmart shopping with Jon. My phone broke at night and my WhatsApp in my sister's replacement phone did not work, therefore I could only use email and Facebook for contact
On Sunday I traveled to Riverside to meet former church members rather than go with Jon and his friends to Lake Avenue. I spent forty five minutes with a leader and others at lunch. After watching Han Solo, I dropped off Jon to an airport hotel, then had dinner at in n out with our nephew Joshua who found a new job but had a small accident. Hardest thing is to use email to indicate where to eat at the airport in an unfamiliar place without WhatsApp. So far I have not been lost without maps and wifi.
June 5, 2018
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