June 19, 2011
In today's message in the church, Pastor Richard Bowman used a floral arrangement with 3 red roses in a single vase. It was very illustrative and made me easily understand one of the facets of his sermon. "We are all I interconnected with individual differences." The flowers are in one vase. Human beings have many "gifts and talents" but we all belong to one "human" genome. (All human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes = 46 in total.) Scripturally, "one body, one spirit."
As for me, it's pleasant to see how each of us differ from each other in many aspects: physically, mentally, culturally (language, gestures, costumes, customs and traditions, ideals and beliefs...and many more.) In effect, this makes this world a "colorful" place to live in which makes it challenging. Challenges are good! At least for me, it test my patience, acceptance (in contrast with tolerance), and my spirituality. This quote is not always true: "One size, fits all." If otherwise, life is so dull and bland...Envision a house painted with one color - grey everywhere! - What will you feel?
Another facet of the "floral arrangement" analogy is that we are not alone. At least in our daily existence, we interact (phone, emails, Facebook -hahaha, Twitter- hehehehe, friends, colleagues, parents and family with an exeption of those who are incarcerated in a dark jail). I am flying my life solo and I love it...As I always say to anyone who ask me why...my answer has been always ----> "I do not like compromise." Inspite of this fact, there is always interactions in my daily existence and I find it so welcoming and I approach it as new learning and awareness. I am so grateful to our Lord and I am so blessed with good people including my parents, brother, sister, nephew as well as friends and acquaintances at the gym, pool, work, few from the neighborhood, stores (such as 7-11 in Portola Ave., Santa Cruz) and elders at the church. Not to forget to include in this list is Dr. Charles Stanley who had been in every step of my way has been used as an instrument to keep my faith in God burning through his daily messages from his podcasts and Internet broadcast. In addition, the Daily Audio Bible family (www.dailyaudiobible.com) has been another instrument, too. I am always in touch of His words from the daily oral readings Brian do in his podcast, and of course, the people from Windfarm who, every time I post a prayer request specially for my world travels, always responds and always says a prayerful thoughts upon my request.
These past weeks, people who knows about my travels starting on Tuesday had been sharing good thoughts and prayers for me. Wow! They are all sincere people including my neighbor this morning who I always inform of my absence at home since no one except my plants are in my home each time I leave the country. The home security I have will not be enough. It's alway a great I move to inform a trusted neighbor. Doris at the church hugged me so tight and said, "Honestly, I do not ,want you to go there." What a real elderly concerned I felt from her. I was about to shed tears." I replied, I will safely return and I have praying for it." There are other important people in my life that I am very grateful because of their thoughtful wishes prayers they have for me in this trip --- my mother, my father, and my sister. Thanks mom for all the prayers....I know it and it has been very powerful. Thanks for the zucchini bread, too that you always bake for me each time I travel...so I have diet food on the plane....hahahaha....True. My sister, of course my travel companion in Costa Rica last November, who always there each time I ask for a request! Of course, my father, more often than not, always show some fears each time I leave the country. His fearfulness about where I go makes me feel "very special" for him. Jeah!
To be continued...I'm tired.
June 21, 2011
I'm very grateful for the safe trip from home to the San Francisco International Airport and the safe take off. It's been almost an hour now since this plane Air France took off. Hmm....I smell food..I hope they give me the pre-requested meal I asked almost 2 months ago. Opss, got sidetrack!
What a good timing this morning before I left. I saw my neighbor (who I seldom but a trusted one) and took the opportunity to inform them about my travel out of the country. it's always a great idea to inform a trusted neighbor each time out of the country. Also, they keep eyes of the surroundings of my home. I am grateful to have good neighbors.
I am grateful to have....
....a mother who is always there..and I know that I am always in her fervent prayers. I like the zucchini or banana bread she always baked for me each time I travel. They are light and healthy! There's no other mother like my mom.
...father who always think about me each time I travel. Last night, i went to their home and he looked worried (as always) in my travel. I assured him that all will be safe. I am leaving away safely and returning back safely. He has been a great provider for the family.
...a sister who always ready each time I ask or request something, plus, she is just wonderful. She is a one-woman band...a single mom, a worker, a marathoner, a student. She is "strong."
...work which provides me opportunity to grow professionally and, of course, the economy it provides...and not to forget to mention...many days of vacation I have..and that's why I decided to be a teacher....hahahahaha. I do not like swing shifts, grave yard shifts and I need my Saturdays and Sundays as weekends. Thank you work.
...church where I belong. I have been at Prunedale United Methodist Church for almost 7 years now. It's a small parish and mostly elderly. I feel like I'm home surrounded by people with great "wisdom." I believe that wisdom comes with age as long as a person looks at life with full positive learning opportunities and open for constructive change.
...time to swim and time to workout. Swimming and working out has been parts of my daily routines no matter what. I've established sets of swimming and workout routines. I am a self-thought swimmer and each time I hit the water there is always something new to refine and practice and get better. In addition, the workout routines I've developed have been so encouraging for me. This makes my work out day a brand new one with eagerness each time I hit the gym. Swimming and working out do not make me tired because the benefits it gives me. On the other hand, working (as in job) gets tiring oftentimes. As the saying goes..."You work for someone when you work and you work for yourself when you workout. Do you see the analogy?
To be continued...about to land in Paris...
June 21, 2011 in the plane en route to Tel Aviv
Before boarding Air France bound to Tel Aviv, the screen by the Gate E15 says: "Certain country follows other security measures in entering their country. Our sincere thank you for following security formalities. Carry on luggage will be hold by the aircraft upon boarding." At first it was not clear to me. I observed what was going on. Luggages hand carried by passengers were tagged and stored as they present their boarding passes. I waited in line and they just let me go with my luggage as I presented my boarding pass. As I walked in towards the tunnel, I looked around and found some passengers were pulling their luggages to the plane. Woowhooo! I was spared. I always wanted to have my stuffs next to me so I will not think about it as I unboard the plane. This is another simple moment that I am very grateful. I said a prayer and silently uttered Joshua 1:9 ("Be strong and courageous, do not be discouraged nor dismayed. God is with you everywhere you go.")
almost time to land now.... In Tel Aviv, Israel!
To be continued .....
Photo taken in Beijing, China July 10, 2011
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