First day of school

First day of school is hard for me emotionally.  A small part of me is glad for the schedule and routine.  But mostly, I am sad that summer is over and that academically my kids are one year older.  C is now in 3rd grade, J is 1st grade, and K is 2.5 years old and can start Pre-school.  Where has the time gone?  Every year it has been hard, but since I was also in school the past 4 years, I just push those emotions aside because I don't have time for them.  But now, I have time to feel and think.  And the tears began to flow.  I've made so many mistakes in the past 8 years as a mom, what if my mistakes caused a permanent scar or worst yet, I didn't give them what they need to thrive?  What if I didn't prepare them adequately academically, spiritually, and emotionally?  What if, in the cut throat world, they are not equipped? 

I realized that I dread the first day of school because the time I have with my kids are decreasing.  I fear that I don't have enough time to teach and mold them.  Fears can paralyze a person and bring about guilt.  For me, my fears remind me that I need to trust in God's faithfulness.  Time and time again the scriptures tell me that God is good and faithful to those who obeys.


Deut 7:9 says that "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."  

Deut 11:13 - 15 says,  "So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — ¹⁴ then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. ¹⁵ I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. "

John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

All I need to do is depend on Him.  He wants me to come to Him for parenting advice and when I don't know what to do.  He wants me to be dependent on Him for everything, not to take matters into my own hands.  I need to trust in His perfect plan for my children and do my best in obedience to Him. 
 

Master of Business Administration

After so many years of hard work, my graduation day finally arrived.  I can’t believe I made it!  It seems like it took me forever.  I praise God for giving me the strength, stamina, and perseverance to endure this process.  I am good with numbers, but writing is neither my strength nor passion.  The MBA program requires writing countless papers and presentations.  God took me through them all one at a time.  Not only did He give me the time and energy to write, but He also gave me the wisdom to have good content.  Writing is an arduous process, but through it, I acquired better skills and confidence.  Even so, writing is still not my favorite thing to do.  All the praises be to God because despite my weaknesses, I not only survived, but thrived and received high honors.  I hope that through my example, my kids will learn that with hard work, dedication, and faith in God, they can overcome their weaknesses and deficiencies and reach for the stars.  

Another thing I am thankful for is that while I pursue my master degree, I never had to put any aspect of life on hold.  I still served at church, actively managed the boys’ activities, volunteered at the boys’ school, went on vacations, and so much more.  I could have chosen a more prestigious program, but the reason I choose Golden Gate University is because it causes the least amount of disruption to my family and our kids’ lives.  I thank God for all the following events and activities that I didn’t have to miss in the past four years.

·         Celebrated holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter with special activities.

·         Organized birthday parties for my kids and attending their friend’s parties.

·         Attended numerous weddings of good friends.

·         Volunteered at school and chaperoned fieldtrips.

·         Went on vacations with family and friends to Disneyland, Mexico, snow trip, camping, Legoland, etc…

·         Grieved the lost of my grandfather.

·         C and J started Kindergarten.

·         Moved to our current house.

·         Gutted the kitchen and remodeled the house.

·         Finalized K’s adoption and traveled to China to bring her home.

·         Both my sons accepted Christ.

·         Boys learned to ride a bike.

·         Boys started Awana and I also taught there.

Wow, God is more than gracious in allowing me such precious time with my family in the midst of school and work.  Many people often asked me how I balanced it all.  Of course, it’s by God’s grace.  Also, I learned not to expect things to be perfect.  Besides those, I want to thank my wonderful husband for being so supportive and helpful.  I couldn’t have done it without him.  In the past four years, I have only done a couple loads of laundry.  He willingly took that over and also does most of the cleaning.  Although most of the time I have to remind him, none-the-less, it was done.  I still had to cook and manage the boys’ activities and academics, so I had to be super organized and planned ahead to make sure that I meet all deadlines at the boys’ school, my school, and work.

Since my sister and I are 8 years apart, this is the first time we are graduating together

Awana Grand Prix

Our boys go to Awana every Wednesday, and this past Saturday, they had a special event where kids (or more like their parents) make little wooden race cars to race down a metal ramp. It is a competition to see who can make either the fastest or the prettiest car. We all start with a plain block of wood, four axles, and four plastic tires. I was a little hesitant to enter the race, as I am not very good with wood working. Luckily, they had a special wood shop day where they have people who knows how to use a band saw help you cut your car to shape. The boys chose a shape that they liked based on some templates they have. Now that we have the basic shape, we can paint the cars and try to do different things to make them race faster. There are certain rules that we all had to adhere to: the car cannot be over 5 oz, it must be 7" or shorter, we must use the stock axles and wheels, etc.. Since this is our first time racing, I told the boys there's a good chance we will not win, but I will try my best to make the cars as fast as possible.

The day of the big race came. We arrived to Awana at 8:30am and we saw a lot of different cars in different sizes, colors, and shapes. They divided the race into three different "divisions": K to 1st grade, 2nd to 3rd, and 4th to 5th. Each division probably had around 20 cars, and out of those cars, they will pick a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner for speed, and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner on design. Each car will race four times, each time in a different lane (so to prevent any lane advantage), and the four finish times will be averaged out to some final score. The odds were against us, as ours was definitely not the prettiest, and I only did a few things that I know to make our cars fast. Again, I told the boys that even if we don't win, it's OK, because we're having fun watching the race.

They started with the K to 1st grade division, and J. got called to the tracks. We placed the car on top of the ramp and waited for the other three cars to do the same. When everyone was ready, they pulled the level, and whoosh! Our car crossed the finish line the quickest! Wow!! Well, that was just one race. We need to do it three more times, and there are 20 other cars to compete against, so let's not get too excited here. A few other races came and went, and then it's our turn again. Whoosh! We're first again! That was pretty cool. Let's see what happens with the third and fourth race. Whoosh, whoosh!! First again!! At the end of each race, I noted our speed, which was read to us after the cars crossed the finish line. Our top speed was 197.6 MPH! Holy smokes! They calculated all the scores for this division, and they announced the winners. First place: Joshua Mak!! Wow, we won, we won!! We couldn't believe it! It was quite amazing!




Now, the next division was up, which was 1st and 2nd grade, in which C. was a part of. The parents in this division were more experienced, so it might be a harder race. We raced Caleb's car down the first time, and whoosh! First place! Second time, first place again! We finished the third and fourth race, and we won first place in those as well, but we're not all cleared yet. There was this one other car that raced in between our races and I noted his speed was about the same as ours. In fact, one of his runs was actually faster than any four of our runs. This was going to be a close call. I prepared Caleb by telling him that it's OK if we won second, because we'll still get a trophy. They tallied up all the scores. And the first place winner was... Caleb Mak!! We cannot believe it!! We won first place in both divisions!! Amazing! All three boys were ecstatic! We definitely want to race again next year, and there are a few more tricks that I think we can do to make our cars even faster. (Sorry, can't share the secrets here, as our competition might be reading this now!)

A True Desire to Live out God's Word

For awhile now, C have been having some problems with friends at school.  He said that two girls always tease him, play with him and touch him.  He doesn't like the way they interact with him.  So I coached him to respond in kindness.  But his problems continued and it got so bad that he didn't want to go to school.  One of the girl even told me that he is her enemy.  Obviously, there are lot of annamosity between them.  So I finally talked to his teachers.  Everyday C has to interact with them because he has to stand between them in line in alphabetical order.  He complaints that they tried to keep him out of line and get him in trouble.  Long story short, they said that he hits them and say gross things.  He said that they did it first.  Anyways, after a long talk, C understands that a gentleman does not hit or touch girls.  We explained to him that God wants us to love people even though they might be hard to love.  After the teacher stepped in, things are good again.

C's birthday is coming up but we can't have a big party for him because we are having a party for Mui.  So I allowed him to invite 10 friends to bowling to celebrate with him.  He has been working on his guest list.  Last Wednesday at Awana, the story was about Elisha in II King 6.  The Isrealites army was to fight the Aramean army, but the enemy was strong.  Elisha asked God to make the Aramean blind and it happened.  Elisha then lead the enemy to the Isrealites.  After capturing the enemy, people asked to kill the Arameans. But Elisha said, "No, let's feed them."  C learned that God wants us to love our enemies and feed them.  Two days later, C began to tell me who he wanted to invite to his party.  He said he wanted invite the two girls.  My first thought was WHY?  He only has 10 spaces, why waste two on people he doesn't like?  Of course I withheld my thoughts and asked him why he wants to invite them.  He said, "At Awana I learned that we should love our enemies."  WOW!!!!!!!!!!  My mouth dropped open.  I didn't know he was listening.  And even if he was, I didn't think he would actually take it to heart and put it to practice.  I am so proud of him for desiring to obey God even though it means doing something he doesn't like to do.  I feel ashamed that most of the time, I let things that I learned to go in one ear and out the other.  Or I say that I will obey, but will push it to another time.  Personally, I don't want him to invite them because I saw how they give him mean looks sometimes.  But I must set a good example to my boy, who truly desire to live out God's word.  So I allowed him to invite 12 people instead.

Christmas Tradition Cont.

Christmas is our family's most favorite time of the year.  For the kids I am sure it's because they get gifts.  But for me it's a time for tradition, giving, and focusing on Christ as the most precious gift to us.  Ever since Caleb can walk and play hide-and-seek, we have established the family tradition of reading through the Christmas story and acting it out on Christmas day.  Then we play find baby Jesus.  Someone would hide the doll and we dressed up as wisemen to find Jesus.  I love any opportunities to direct the boys' attention away from gifts and to Christ.  We didn't get anywhere during the break, but had lots of rest and fun at home.

Right after we put our tree up after Thanksgiving, Mui-mui started to not want to nap.  She would cry hysterically every time we put her down to sleep, during the day time and at night.  H's theory is that the Christmas decoration triggered some memories from the most traumatic part of her life.  We brought her home last Christmas.  It was a lot for a baby to go through having been removed from what she is used to.  She spent a few weeks of crying herself to sleep.  At one point, she climbed out of her crib multiple times because she just didn't want to nap.  The crib is pretty high, but she managed to get both her legs out and just jump.  She is very strong willed and determined.  Now her sleep is much better.  She is willing to sleep at night.  But still fights her nap.  She will sleep if I put her down, but won't do it for the nanny.  She has to sit next to her until she falls asleep. 

First time Mui-mui trims the tree.  She loves getting into my fragile box of ornaments.  Makes me nervous.

J is getting too big to sit on my lap.  But he is still my bebe.

Leading the way to Jesus.

My cute wisemen.

Disneyland on Thanksgiving

We spent two fun filled days in Disneyland on Thanksgiving and had a blast.  Our kids are so blessed to be able to go to Disneyland so many times (this was the boys' third trip and Mui's first).  I remember going to Disneyland only once my entire childhood.  All three times, we went with our vacation buddies, the Tran family.  We travel well together with them because both kids and adults are friends.  Our hotel was only two miles from the park and it has full kitchen and hot breakfast.

Holidays at Disneyland was magical. It was nicely decorated with Christmas lights. 

The boys are taller now and can ride on most roller coasters. They went on almost every one, even Space Mountain (roller coaster in the dark). I have to admit it was a bit scary for me, not knowing what to expect next.

 This ride goes pretty fast. Even baby J is on the ride. 

Mui loved the fast ride.  What dare devil!

Mui was mesmerized by the parade.  Just like the boys were the first time they saw it.

Buddies.

Another Spiritual Birthday

Lately J has been learning in Awana about missionaries and what they do.  He naively thinks that once someone tells a non-believer about God that he/she would become a Christian.  He knew that my parents are not Christian and asked how come we didn't tell Gung-gung and Po-po about God.  I told him that's not the case and some people may choose not to believe. He became concerned for my parents and others who are not Christian.  He volunteer to pray for those who do not know Christ.  So he's been thinking a lot about salvation.

Yesterday, he told me that he is glad that everyone in our family are Christian.  I personally didn't share the gospel with him yet and wasn't sure if he had officially accepted Christ.  I asked him whether he pray to confess his sins and let God know that he believes that Jesus came to die for our sins and rose again on the third day.  He said no.  I told him that he is not a Christian because his parents are Christians or because he goes to church.  Everyone must choose for himself whether we believe or not.  Then I told him that I will show him how to be a Christian after dinner.  So after dinner he reminded me that he wants to be a Christian.

Just like we did for C, we took J to ChuckeCheese to celebrate because the angels are rejoicing.  Praise the Lord that J is thinking about spiritual things and are ready.

Mui's first time to ChuckeCheese.  Loves all the excitement!

First Halloween

This is Mui-mui's first Halloween. We dressed her in the Mak family costume made by K's mom. All Mak kids wore it. Can you recognize who is who?

We recently allowed her to have a lollipop. She loved it so now she knows what candy is. There was a parade and trick-or-treating at the boys' school. I brought Mui along. At first she didn't know what we were doing. I showed her how to go up to people to get candy. After seeing what she can get, she knew how to spot people who are giving out candies and she made her way up to them. With her cute look people would give her candies first.

All Church Camp 2011

We attended All Church Camp mainly because H loves leading a large crowd to worship.  I go because, as a family, I want to support H in an area that God has called him to serve in.  God knew that I needed to rest in His presence, be renewed spiritually, and go before the Lord in genuine worship.  I got plenty of rest physically because after putting the kids down to sleep, we basically have to turn off the light.  Once the light is off, I literally fell asleep in less than 10 minutes.
H and the team did a great job in worship.  They practiced and carefully choose songs that the Chinese and English congregations can sing, at the same time teaching new songs.  They are truly more than instrumental players.  Their voices and sharings led people to focus on God and His greatness.  I had a great time singing my heart out to God.  Here are some of the songs that brought me before my Savior unhindered.

The speaker was wonderful and very practical. He had action item suggestions after every sermon.  He talked about encouragement, forgiveness, integrity, and spiritual gifts.   Every sermon is applicable, but my mind kept thinking about the sermon regarding encouragement.    He opened with how encouragement is so important to everyone.  Encouragement is second on the list of what human need from each other.  Number one is a listening ear.  Love and affection is way down on this list.  This actually got my attention.  Encouragement is the second most important thing in our interaction with people, yet it is not offer much at all.  It's easier to crititize and complain than to encourage.  Even in the secular whole, Charles Schwab stated the following about encouragement:

I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.

I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

Perhaps I was captivated by this because I was criticized by my boss for doing something I didn't think was inappropriate.  Is it really true that if more encouragement is offered that people would perform better than criticism offered as constructive feedback?  I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Four aspects of encouragement:
1. Complement the faithful
2. Comforting the hurting
3. Challenging the complacent
4. Exhorting the discouraged

Techniques for encouragement:
1. A spoken word
2. A written word
3. A listenigh ears
4. A gentle touch
5. Hospitality
6. A thoughful gift
7. Acts of service
8. Prayers
9. A warm smile

God Met Me Where I Am At

I was upset at something at work today, it's so complicated that it's hard to explain.  However, it not important what got me upset, but what's more important is how God met me where I am and talked to me.

After experiencing unpleasant feelings and anger, I immediately called H.  He, of course, was encouraging and always on my side.  But even after our hour of conversation, I was still upset and discouraged.  I tried to work and do things to overcome those feelings and prevent it from happening again.   When I am unhappy, I also like to watch TV and eat to suppress my feelings.  But when I was about to do that, I asked myself, "Why are you turning to people and things to help you?  Why are you not turning to the Almighty God?"  Sometime I just don't go to God because at times I open the Bible and read something that is not applicable to my situation.  But tonight, I knew I needed to go to my Father.  And so I did.  I sat at my spot and opened the Bible.  I read an article from the a devotion that I put off a long time ago called Indeed.  Then I reminded myself that I need to read the BIBLE itself and not an article written by someone.  So I opened a devotion for mothers and did the first devotion.  It led me to 1 Cor 13, the verse about love.  I then asked God to speak to me, what does love got to do with my situation?  It's not applicable.  I didn't hear God or see Him, but the Holy Spirit was definitely at work.  I asked God, did I totally screwed up at work?  Did I disgrace your name because everyone knew that I am a Christian.  God made me realized that I shouldn't worry about what I did, but rather, I should focus on how I am going to react.  That is what sets me, a Christian, apart from others.  The passage about love was applicable after all. I need to respond in love.  We are called to love those who hurt us and persecute us.  Love is not easily anger and it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love never fails.  It never fails at home, at church, and even at work. 

So there it is, God met me because He knew I needed Him and told me what He wants me to do.  How do I respond in love?  What do I do?  That is what I am asking God now.  I am tired and my emotion and brain are drained, so I am sure He will tell me another day.

I hope that this encourages you to go before the throne of grace in your time of distress.  May Christ dwell in you richly.