6.9

 Year 6.9 was noteworthy for my turn to speak at coworkers chapel and interns preaching class that got going. Monday was a normal day for flowers purchase and a  chiropractor visit.  The only dilemma is that I didn’t get to shower in the morning.

Day two’s chapel turned out good especially the crazy songs. Q testimony also went well. Hopefully it’ll be my last now that leadership has disbanded.

On Wednesday I got my haircut to remember Doris but I had to take an indirect way because I almost forgot! At night we had the all important leaders meeting to elect new leaders, but it was not smooth.

Day four was another month remembering Doris loss! The interns preaching class response was excellent because I pieced all notes exactly right. We had tea with a student.

On Friday morning I had breakfast with couple fellowship Ed talking about Grammar!   Immediately after, we had handover talks and lunch plus dessert!

Day six was quickly here. The youth were here for rehearsal and I stayed around a bit. Fellowship was at night, so I stayed behind.

Sunday was a big v birthday. Sadly guys will have to hear a departure sharing that I avoided but it turned out I got to talk to a law student newcomer. I kinda found out I have to do more among the guys with the lack of help, but so far we are doing fine.

July 28,2021

6.8

 Year 6.8 was a tricky week. On Monday I happily finished my nicodemus sermon from John 4, so I’m just one sermon away from my second Jesus series, with Paul’s conversion the last one.

On day two I was awarded a ten years denomination souvenir. It doesn’t seem that long or I have done that much because I was part time for the first two years. There’s much to be done in the tumultuous days ahead. Definitely not for the faint-hearted or the undecided.

On Wednesday I was getting ready for my chapel service message next week. It sure eats into my time, glad it’s my EC last. We had a good guys prayer meeting with two dropping out.

Day four was Canadian bound lunch with ZY and our coworkers. They are planning to leave by next summer with a few alum applying to the same school.

On Friday we met with a former coworker hoping the latter would return. We will know by next month. Enough said, the person is reading😃! There’s so little time to serve locally because the times are uncertain and we are aging. I’m 60 and counting down.

Day six was a buddy chat before fellowship, where my colleague did a wonderful synthesis of the 20th century church in China.

Sunday was hard because group leaders were notified of a departure. My coworker did a video for my 文法聖經 which will be classic. I’ll be looking forward to bb night next week with newcomers C and F joining. They joined us for lunch today.

July 18, 2021

6.7

 Year 6.7 was the last week of Ecclesiastes Sunday school. Monday was a relaxing day off as I purchased flowers and visited my chiropractor. 

Day two was voting day for new structure leaders, where I was selected. It’s not a shoo-in and I’m torn between the choices. It was announced coworker P would be returning to USA to be replaced by J.

Wednesday was leaders prayer meeting but there was nothing to share except to fill pastoral holes, with more coming. We had tea with Jeffield for his birthday.

Day four was with T to find out if seniors need help. I’m working on revelation 6 in the meantime. K confirmed family is leaving mid December.

Suddenly it’s Friday and I checked a coworkers sermon for next week. Person’s got ways to go but it’s a good start.

Day four was lunch with a sister who’s lost in love. I’m at a loss as how to help her second time around merely months apart.

Sunday was last Sunday school and my two songs were a hit. Even SZ laughed like crazy over zoom!

July 13, 2021

6.6

 Year 6.6 was a good week with a worship sermon to top it. Monday was bland without buddy but I had lots to do other than a chiropractor visit.

Day two was week off for coworkers meeting so we strolled to yum cha. It was needed time to work on my Revelation 4 sermon that is a few days off. 

Wednesday was the second last day to work in my sermon because Thursday is a public holiday. I think it would be ready by Friday. I must admit I enjoy the preparation.

Day four was a public holiday so I took v n E out for lunch. They ended up paying and v told about his potential gf, to which we shook our heads.

Friday was back to work and finally finishing up my sermon proper. It’s beautiful as is! I stayed at home rest  for the coming weekend.

Day six was morning core followed by lunch, 3pm hr, short tea with buddy and xb, ending with fellowship.

Sunday was spit fire day and I did my best. I welcomed a few to the English worship and then pth fellowship later. It’s on me with staff leaving.

July 6, 2021

6.5

 Year 6.5 ended with preaching the last chapter of 2 Peter! On Monday I had my haircut to remember 5.1 year anniversary of Doris’ loss the next day. The rest of the day was slower but still meaningful with buddy and xb.

Day two was my turn to share my mvp for the new structure, which I did with five Ds to introduce myself- different, direct, determined, delightful and dutiful!

Wednesday was full gear preparation for Sunday’s sermon. I had to do sermon and translation, which is much harder, but the text is exciting.

Day four was half day but I had lunch with new pastor Terry and tea with departing Daniel. The latter will be missed in admin and support.

Friday was full steam ahead and I got the last illustration to close it out by lunch. C announced a change of plans to our shock! I declined tea with P and D.

Day six was thinking hard for next week’s Revelation 4, but at least I got a virus story to tell.

Sunday was a good Sunday school and preaching day, richly rewarded by v for Father’s Day breakfast and E lunch treat. P called me for tea and we watched parts of seminary graduation.

June 29, 2021

6.3

 Year 6.3 took an emotional toll on coworkers and members. On Monday I had lunch with a Y young man who is planning to go to Canada with his family and a few fellow alum families. The exodus has truly begun.

Day two was tense because I had my third and final round of talks with a coworker to see if he’s returning. I am glad my preaching week was behind me.

Wednesday was day leaders meeting. At the end of the meeting I was persuaded to inform them of a coworker leaving, but the chair didn’t know how to respond.

Day four was working in translations at night and two different sermons coming up at end of the month in mandarin and English. It’s tricky but I thrived in these challenges.

Friday’s meeting didn’t end good when a coworker shared emigration plans. We had lunch and the matter was not brought up again.

On day six noon I invited an unhappy coworker to talk and the person didn’t like the way the the person handled it in front of all. 

Sunday’s Ecclesiastes 4 Sunday school was full of tears. Over lunch a youth disappeared crying. I attended a funeral with buddy who invited me to dinner. The couple is a family to me. At night coworker said the persons happiness scale is 2/10. Sigh.

June 15, 2021

6.2

 Year 6.2 was taxing but thrilling because of my new revelation series. This week I dreamed of Doris after a long lapse. I forgot what she said but it seems like our lives never stopped!

Day two was a more than normal meeting day where I lose a lot of sermon preparation time. P and KE D joined us for lunch. D has lots of talent to spare.

Wednesday was full steam ahead writing Revelation 3. My brain is running overtime, which is not good but it got things done. At night youth prayer I announced no more prayers third and fifth Wednesdays.

Day four was half office day and I was working on the Ecclesiastes translation Seven sent me. El helped me to give him a love gift because life is tough abroad.

Friday was 64. I lit a few candles since the island was devoid of activities. Life is upside down but I hold my ground.

Day six began with language ministry’s core meeting, then putting the final touch to the sermon and attending night fellowship.

Sunday arrived and I was busy with Sunday school before my sermon, which was my best in the short series so far!

June 8, 2021

6.1

 Year 6 and counting has arrived! Monday was my sisters birthday and I had trouble sending money to her. Otherwise I skipped flowers due to an abundance of flowers given her.

Day two was all meetings but I was focused on translating Habakkuk after seven sent me the latest. 

Wednesday was leaders night meeting so I can multitask because I was glad for the lucurt of moving full speed ahead with translating and putting all my sermons online. I even had night prayer with a few guys.

Day four was getting ready for my Ecclesiastes Sunday school into chapter 2. It’s been an exciting class so far. The pc was terrible though.

Friday M had a long talk with me. Might not renew because it’s not all roses so far. We will see what it leads to with pandemic in full force.

Day six was P return from quarantine and he’s in prayer for his future. I got to stand in the gap earlier than I thought.

Sunday sermon was taxing and I was dozing. Later all coworkers had to attend a talk meeting protocol. K brought dessert and we had a long discussion on their wedding future.

June 1, 2021

5.51

 Year 5.51 was busy as ever. On Monday I had McDonald’s lunch, then got a hand massage, followed by a chiropractor visit! After doing more web revisions I head home for dinner.

Day two began with worship meeting that ended early. Lunch was joined by KE, Buddy   Xb and we had a good chat, followed by the usual coworkers meeting where I’ve been called to pray lately. 

On Wednesday I started working on Revelation 4 because work time is often swallowed by meeting. After an hour I was to attend leaders prayer meeting.

Day four was half day but I’ve started to work  harder on my new message because time is running out. 

Friday was P return to HK, so I had to work on a lot of issues. I was focused on revising New Testament links, so I’m happy with my progress.

Day six was department meeting and we ended on time. At night I was back to fellowship but the crowd was still sparse.

Sunday was a delightful day because Sunday school on Ecclesiastes had started but the AV was not cooperating. Nevertheless the class was exciting. T got Doris Mother’s Day flowers and I remembered fondly she used to grab flowers from church, mother or not, for the occasion!

May 11, 2021