Friday, October 2, 2020
Sunday, September 27, 2020
5.18
Year 5.18 was a satisfying week in other ministries. On Monday I returned to church earlier to do my writing instead of doing nothing at home. The rest of the day was easy going; I even ate at home.
On day two we said farewell to Wilson, Jayson and Boni after last week’s farewell to So. It was lively as it was orchestrated by Jim.
Wednesday was a bad stomach day for me, rushing to the restroom on three occasions! Night was leaders night meeting that was livelier than usual. I asked when the job was ending.
Day four was student’s birthday. I wanted to take him out for dinner but he was popular with his friends. I just didn’t want to see a lonely young man.
On Friday P could not wake so we ended up doing coffee after lunch. He’s got online classes at the weird times of the day. Lunch was with buddy and xb at Star.
Day six was listening to coworkers Saturday messages. In between was birthday lunch was English staff. Noon was two music practices for the next day. We had dinner talk with possible incoming coworker. We started our first housemates prayer meeting with SZ!
Sunday Scool was better than last week. At least I failed minimally with zoom which is a lot to handle by myself. I cooked dinner for student for a change because he was busy with campus programs.
September 22, 2020
Friday, September 18, 2020
5.17
Year 5.17 was a restless week for me for all the good reasons. Monday was a late lunch and a return trip to the office to do some writing. Later I left before crowd gets off work. Praise God I remembered to use soup coupons before it expires this month.
Day two was a week of transition brought by the handover which will test the old and new leadership. I should be ok because I have started to be more proactive in coworkers sermon feedback, plugging a gap in local ministry I’m excited to export out.
Wednesday morning was leaders meeting with a farewell lunch. I am glad I wrote my coworkers piece for the transition, which I feel is a contemporary classic! But readers will have to find it first.
Day four must be an answer to prayer of some sort. After hearing Swindoll’s chapel online I wrote to DTS if I could put Chinese subtitles or rebroadcast them in Chinese and today they answered YES! It means this could be my final lap in ministry trying to bring the best of evangelical preaching to Chinese coworkers and believers. Lunch was with a departing AV coworker.
Friday breakfast was with a coworker into his 11th year of internship with me. The subject was calling. At night we had a pricey birthday buffet celebration with his wife.
Day six was two online meetings, English followed by pth. I rested before praise team rehearsal but I was still too tired, joining them later for dinner.
Sunday was nervous day because of online Sunday school. I’m glad a student managed to flash my notes on the screen because I was messy all over the place. I heard a few coworkers sermons before I went to wet market for seafood to celebrate student’s birthday with the single guys at my place. We had a blessed night!
September 15, 2020
Sunday, September 13, 2020
5.16
Year 5.15 was a big week at church. On Monday I returned to church and got some writing done. Surprisingly buddy was at church whole day being filmed for Sunday’s big event. Once the gathering limit is listed I don’t even feel the urge to eat out.
Day two was lunch with buddy, followed by coworkers meeting. There’s nothing urgent going on except for the leaders.
Wednesday was leaders prayer meeting. Four of us had lunch over two tables before the head joined. I shared my prayer of Sunday preaching. At night I was touched by the story of singer Jonathan Lee entering the guitar making industry.
Day four was a slow day but I was almost done with my Sunday sermon. I do more than others usual preparation because I woul to translate my message to Chinese, not my forte.
Friday as usual was morning breakfast with a coworker for his ongoing class, now down to 12 weeks left. My sermon plus ppt for the church transition week is finally done, praise God.
Day six was a rainy morning. I’m glad I did not catch a cold. Finishing my sermon means my energy slowing down altogether, but at least I finished up my SS ppt. I decided to broadcast my Ecclesiastes series in the new year.
Sunday was a big day for the incoming and outgoing pastors. My sermon was well received. I was shocked the church preacher used my grammar bible method for preaching after lots of resistance. The preacher definitely improved! I downloaded Ruth videos for next week. I went to PE to buy flowers by myself and celebrated the bid sermon orexvhkngvweek for myself. I even had to run up atdown to do English and mandarin Lord’s Supper.
September 8, 2020
Saturday, September 5, 2020
Year 5.14
Year 5.14 was a busy week getting ready for zoom Sunday school. On Monday I thought I was getting sick because my teeth hurt and my head was tense, so I slept earlier to get ready to see a local doctor; hopefully it has nothing to do with the virus, but I was writing a lot for my new book foreword. Two will take an intensive course on church history.
I was thankful in day two I woke up to a normal day. The teeth did not hurt anymore, so I slept more to make sure. I was happy that I finished the preface for my new book on Genesis and have sent it to a translator.
Wednesday was early leaders meeting and we said our piece for the new restructuring. I went to lunch and met J and paid for his lunch. I will miss his fearless input. We are a good left and right wing soccer tandem, attacking from both flanks. I worked on B’s Sunday sermon.
Day four was a surprise big tea party with KJR all returning to work. I was working hard to complete my Ruth SS study because I got to preach the pth handover sermon next week. I only have to work on the translation next week because it’s a eleven year old sermon on Acts 20.
On Friday I had dinner with student not to make him feel unwelcome. On the other hand God has blessed us with a good rapport and relationship.
Day six was a morning language meeting and lunch with E, who’s been a faithful servant to all groups. At late afternoon I joined Youth A for practice.
Sunday was B preaching and I was relieved it went ok for the newbie, who had more than a full plate and a half in life and family. I joined the Immigration talk which the speaker uncharacteristically gave a fair talk. We went for dessert and had home dinner.
September 1, 2020
Friday, August 28, 2020
Year 5.13
Year 5.13 was a good week remembering Doris. On Monday I returned to office and did some writing. At night I went to the Laus for my belated birthday dinner and got three masks in return!
Day two was an early coworkers meeting when buddy shared. At night I decided to reduce my meds to half because of my swollen feet. Typhoon Higos swept in at 10pm while most people were thankfully at home.
On Wednesday Higos left at 11am giving me enough time for lunch with Chris. He’s a dear brother who offered to do subtitles this week. At night we had deacons and our youth prayer groups divided to guys and gals group for the first time nicely.
Day four was a quiet day but no matter what I forced myself to finish up Ruth 1 for Sunday school. Buddy surprisingly came to office and we had yum cha together.
On Friday I began the first of fifteen weeks intern talk with a coworker. After that I bought flowers and cut my hair to remember Doris loss.
Day six was four years and three months after Doris’ loss. It was a day I turned grief to work when I texted all the first four months of Doris’ blog. Praise team was at late noon.
Sunday was a busy day as the praise team sang shakily to a few songs. I talked to a new intern to see what’s the future like for the person. At night student and I had dinner. I taught him a bit on how to read notes, even though I’m hardly an expert.
August 25, 2020
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Year 5.12
Year 5.12 was my 000000 birthday. On Monday I was working hard on the English translation for my marketplace series questions. My goal is to work on two chapters a day.
Day two I woke up thinking of Dors and loved one(s). It’s a challenge to live with one’s head held high nowadays but harder by oneself, yet I know I cannot complain because the Lord has given me strength for the journey. I prayed with tears for HK after last night’s 🍎 raid.
Wednesday was leaders zoom meeting where I announce my thanksgiving for this weekend. Immediately I got lots of treat even though it’s to testify to the Lord. I asked Q if he really believed in his sympathy for enforcement. The youth had a zoom birthday for me.
Day four was half day and my chiropractor appointment was canceled because I was the only patient. A few of us were in church and had lunch together despite the virus.
On Friday I visited my chiropractor and had a seminary zoom meeting. I have finished my next sermon for our church transition.
Day six was English zoom meeting, followed by X yum cha where I did a lot of follow up on the new pastor. It’s not easy in a color minded ministry and society for new ministers.
Sunday birthday lunch was with coworkers and night was with single youth. All wanted to join so I agreed to zoom because they made a great video for me. I really had an awesome year in an awful year.
August 18, 2020
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Year 5.11
Year 5.11 was a full week of revivals. On Monday I woke up late, ate my lunch and later went to office when it was less crowded to do some work and had dinner before 6pm.
Day two was a hectic day getting ready for church retirement message (not mine). I chose Acts 20 and revised an old message. It’s not as exciting as it seems. Revival asked me where I got 大樹菠蘿 picture and we made contact after a long absence.
Wednesday morning was leaders prayer meeting and it was an appropriate use of our time rather than just moaning and groaning.
Day four was a breakthrough as I could finally finished up the retirement message with newer illustrations. I was so tired I slept three times but at least I didn’t get sick.
Friday brunch was with English coworker and we sure talked a long time. Praise God my back held up even though we sat for more than one and a half hours at the restaurant!
Day six was a wonderful praise practice and dinner after. The young guys are surely growing up. They sure have their fans!
Sunday was a wonderful day even though live worship was rattled. We had lunch and dessert later, then head home to rest and listen to revival’s second last night.
August 11, 2020
Friday, August 7, 2020
Year 5.10
Year 5.10 was a slower week but dinner in HK was finally restored on Friday. On Monday I returned to church after lunch and did some writing.
Day two was zoom meeting and buddy finally came to church to chair coworkers meeting and we had four-person lunch for the last time for a long time.
On Wednesday EC and ICC were rested, the latter a victim of the two-person limit. I try to do a point a day for my sermons.
Day four surpringly saw the return of department workers and two of us had a drink at the garage.He has a lot of work on his mind.
On Friday I went to see my chiropractor who canceled yesterday. Night was anniversary dinner with student. Two recorded a song Previous Lord, which I sent out today.
Day six was a slow day but I did my best to keep up. Revival meetings started and I’m trying my best to keep up. There was no music practice to shelter older ladies from virus danger.
Sunday morning was with English worship fully for a change because I did not have to do pth worship Lord’s Supper. Youth has tension even over a politics history talk.
August 4, 2020