螃蟹蘭 Christmas Cactus

客廳裏的螃蟹蘭，因為有充分的陽光和營養，就在聖誕節這段時間裏熱熱鬧鬧地開了起來。其實種植室内植物並不困難，只要利用洗米水和泡過蛋殼的水交互澆灌，就可以養出健康漂亮的植物哦！ 噢，對了，先生説還有一個原因是因為他常常和它們説話。。。難怪它們都長得比女兒和我漂亮一些。。。

Our Christmas Cactus is blooming during the Christmas season. Actually it is quite easy to grow healthy and beautiful in-house plants. I always water them with the leftover rice-rinsing and eggshell-soaked water, and place them at the location with good sunlight. BTW, my husband said that part of the reason is that he talked to them often... No wonder they are much prettier than Vivian and me...

德布西第五號鋼琴序曲 Debussy Prelude Book I, V for piano

最近雖然學校正在放寒假，但是Vivian一點也不得清閒，在家裏忙著練鋼琴、大提琴和錄音。這一首是德布西作的鋼琴序曲第一冊第五號，標題是Les collines d'Anacapri - Anacapri的山丘。學音樂是一條漫長又艱辛的路，若不是有熱情和興趣，是很不容易走下去的。

Even though it is winter break now, Vivian didn't get to break at all. She has been busy with practicing and taking recording of cello and piano. This one is the Debussy piano prelude no 5, Les collines d'Anacapri, meaning the hills of Anacapri. Music is a long and hard road, very difficult to continue without passion and ambition.

充滿歡樂的季節 T'is the Season to be Jolly

聖誕節就快到了，到處洋溢著一片過節的氣氛。馬路上車來車往，尤其是靠近購物中心附近的街道，更是車潮不斷。剛來到美國時不是很習慣這個送禮物的習俗，直到這幾年我才漸漸體會出來，送禮物的意義不在它本身的價值，而是在於它背後蘊藏的那一份心意。當我在列送禮名單時，我開始記起過去這一年中有這麼多的人照顧、關心、幫助過我們，我們曾經一起同工，彼此鼓勵，也願意用這個機會，向一些人表達對他們的感謝和關懷。尤其是像我們不是很善於用言語表達的民族，這一份小小的禮物抵過千言萬語。

可惜的是，許多人專注於送/收禮物，卻忘了為什麼我們要慶祝這個日子。那是因為在兩千年前的這一天，神賜給我們全人類一個最大的禮物 -- 祂自己道成肉身，來到我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理！有許多人甚至改口稱「聖誕快樂」為「假期快樂」。殊不知，若不是祂自己的降生，所有的慶祝都是徒然，我們今天無法活在恩典之中，一切的快樂都只是表面的假象，也沒有永生的盼望。

所以，親愛的朋友們，讓我在此祝你聖誕快樂！願主的恩典充滿在你的生命中！耶穌愛你！

Only two days left before Christmas, you can smell the holiday everywhere. Traffic is busy especially on the streets surrounding shopping centers. I didn't understand why people give gifts on Christmas until recent years. The significance of giving gift is not about the gift itself but the thought and heart behind it. When I started to write down names on my list, I recollected that there were many people helped me and cared for me in the past year and I remembered how we have worked together and encouraged each other. So I love to use the small gift as a token of my appreciation and care. It means a lot especially for us who are not good at express ourselves in language.

The only thing is, a lot of people only focus on the gift and forgot why we celebrate this special day. It is because God came to earth in human form on this day about 2000 years ago to give us hope and lead the way. Some people even changed from saying "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays". If it is not for Him, all the celebrations are meaningless and there is no hope of eternity.

So, my dear friends, may you have a wonderful Christmas with your family, and may the Lord bless you abundantly in the coming new year!
Merry Christmas!! Jesus loves you and me!

一個夢 A Dream

昨天和Vivian有一點不愉快，她回家後就把自己關在房間裏不出來，我們一直到睡覺前都沒再説過話。我想是因為這樣，所以我做了一個夢。。。夢中我和Vivian有點爭執，我又因她動作不夠快上學要遲到了在生氣，反正夢裏是一團混亂。後來夢境轉為她爸爸要開車帶她出門，好像她要去日本還是臺灣。我因為還在生氣（不知道為什麼自己氣那麼大），甚至不願意和她説再見。一直到周圍的人開始唱詩祝福她，我記得很清楚大家是在唱「從今天起」，我的心就軟下來，忍不住跑過去緊緊地抱著她哭了起來，後來我是從夢中哭醒的。。。那時的心情是原諒、歉意、愛和不捨，錯綜複雜。

我知道神在對我説話。其實我心裏也很清楚，她再過兩年就要離家讀大學去了，我們能常常在一起的時間所剩不多，而且我們的生命並非自己能掌握，每一天都仰望神的恩典，所以每一天甚至每分每秒都應該好好把握。記得幾年前我在上班途中看到一個車禍，從那時起我就時時提醒自己，要珍惜和親人在一起的時間，所以當以後他們想起自己的時候，記憶中是充滿了愛而沒有後悔或遺憾。雖然理智上知道該怎麼做，但是由於肉身的軟弱，有時候行起來由不得我。神藉此提醒我，要把神的愛放在我的心裏，因為祂的愛能勝過一切。

最要緊的是彼此切實相愛．因為愛能遮掩許多的罪。-- 彼得前書４：８

Vivian and I had a little disagreement last night. She stayed in her room the whole night and we didn't get to talk again until this morning. I think I had this dream last night because of this... In my dream we had an argument over something I don't remember anymore, and I was also mad because she was slow in the morning before school, anyway it was a mess. Then it turned to the scene that her daddy was taking her out probably to the airport, my impression was that she was going to Japan or Taiwan. Because I was still angry so I didn't even want to say good-bye to her until people started to sing a praise to give her blessing. I remember clearly it was "From This Day On". My heart was softened and I could not hold it any longer, so I ran to her, hold her in my arms and started to cry. I woke up in tears and a mixed feeling of forgiveness, sorry, love and compassion.

I know God was talking to me through the dream. I know clearly in my heart that she is leaving us in a couple of year to attend college, after that our time together will be very limited. I also need to constantly remind myself that our life is not in our hands and every breath I take is by God's grace. I remember driving by a scene of car accident on my way to work several years ago. I kept reminding myself that I need to cherish every second of my time with my loved ones ever since. So when they remember me, their memory is filled with love and no regrets. Even though I know it in my brain, but sometimes it is hard to do because of our own weakness. That's why God reminds me to keep His love in my heart, because His love conquers everything.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. -- 1 Peter 4:8

團隊建造 Team Building

昨天下午我們辦公室的幾個同事組隊參加了一個很有意義的團隊建造活動--到辦公室附近的一個公益機構「奧勒岡食物銀行」去當義工，總共有17個人參加。我們的責任是把一袋袋100磅的白米倒進一個罩有塑膠套的大容器中，再兩磅一包地分裝到貼有標簽的袋子裏並裝箱。開始的時候負責人要我們每個人都洗手，戴上頭罩、手套，穿上圍裙，舀米的人還得在手臂上戴上塑膠套，然後七人一組，兩人抓住裝米的袋子，兩人舀米，兩人封袋，一人裝箱、過秤、並確定每一箱都最少是32磅，其餘的人有的在袋上標貼使用説明，有的封箱，等等。雖然我想發揮聖經上「上尖下流」（不是尖酸刻薄帶下流的意思喲）的精神，讓收到的人多拿一些，但我們在嚴格的品管控制之下，必須用他們提供的容器，很精確地估算大約多少米是2磅，到最後我已經成了一個舀米專家。他們的要求很嚴，掉到地上或桌上、從米箱裏的塑膠罩漏到外頭直接踫到箱子的全都不能要。三個小時下來，我們處理了5376磅的米，根據食品標準管理局的數據，相當於4135餐飯，所以一個人包裝了243餐飯。這些米將會被分送給需要的人。我很高興能為這個社區貢獻一點力量，為需要的人提供一點幫助。

聖經上是這麼形容好的量器的：
你們要給人、就必有給你們的．並且用十足的升斗、連搖帶按、上尖下流的、倒在你們懷裏．因為你們用甚麼量器量給人、也必用甚麼量器量給你們。 -- 路加福音6：38

Several of us from our office attended a very meaningful team building event this afternoon. We went to a charitable organization "Oregon Food Bank" to do volunteer work. There were a total of 17 people attended this event. Our mission was to pour the white rice from 100 lb bags into a huge container covered with plastic sheet, use the measuring cup they provided to separate them into 2 lb bags labeled with instruction, seal and box them. The supervisor asked us to wash our hands cleanly, put on the hair cover, plastic gloves, plastic apron, and plastic arm cover. We were divided into 7-people team: some scooping the rice, some holding the bag, some twisting and tying the bag, some boxing them, weighing the box and making sure it is 32 lb each. The rest were responsible for putting the label on the bags and move the finished box to the pillar. At the end I had become a scooping pro. I thought about the good measure in gospel of Luke... but we were under strict QA so we had to adhere to their rules. After three-hour of hard work, we processed 5376 pounds of rice which is equivalent to 4135 meals. Each of us helped 243 meals. The rice will be shipped to those in need. I feel good for being able to give back to the community and contribute my time and energy to the needed people.

This is how Bible describes a good measure:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." -- Luke 6:38

指揮家陳美安 Conductor Mei-An Chen

昨天PYP在例行練習時，指揮陳美安對他們說了一席話，讓我很感動。

陳美安是來自臺灣高雄的一個年輕指揮家。她十六歲時拿到新英格蘭音樂院的全額獎學金來美就讀，專攻小提琴，但指揮一直是她的夢想。所以在大學小提琴及指揮雙主修畢業，研究所拿到小提琴演奏碩士和指揮碩士後，專攻指揮學，並拿到博士學位。畢業後不知多久，被聘請來PYP帶領PYP五年，給這些年輕人很大的幫助。她在2005 年在丹麥舉行的Nicolai Malko國際指揮大賽中展露頭角，擊敗其他參賽者，從240人中脫穎而出得到首獎，是他們史上第一個得到這項殊榮的女性指揮家。今年她應亞特蘭大交響樂團的邀請，到那兒去擔任副指揮。這是PYP的損失，但是是她事業的一個轉捩點。PYP的這些孩子們到現在還在為她的離去而難過，頻頻地拿客座指揮來和她比較。。。

我很欣賞她的指揮，我覺得她的音樂很真摯並充滿了生命及活力。我也相信她真是認真又有才華的一個音樂家，值得最好的樂團，但這些都不是真正讓我感動的原因。她鼓勵這些年輕人，給新的指揮們以及即將來的候選人一個機會，打開他們的心胸，也許新來的指揮將是一個非常適合來帶領他們的人，她自己也曾走過這條路。她並且勸誡這些年輕人，不要認為他們所擁有的一切都是理所當然。在她讀博士的時候，為了掙生活費減輕家裏負擔，她替別人割草、清潔房子。畢業後一時找不到適合的工作，於是她以教小提琴為生，並在擔任樂團經理時做盡了一切粗重的工作，打雜，並搬重物搬到腰受傷，一路跌跌撞撞，直到五年前PYP給了她這個機會。當初她剛來時，也沒有立刻被完全接納，同樣地被拿來與前任指揮作比較。但若不是PYP，她今天也不會有這樣的成就。她放棄了一年中唯一的兩個禮拜假期，來擔任他們聖誕音樂會的指揮，因為PYP的這些孩子們在她心中有非常重要的地位。

我曾經在報導上看過，她全家都是虔誠的基督徒，因此她即使站在這麼高的位置，仍不忘將榮耀歸給神。感謝神！ 我真是以她為榮，也覺得很有幸能親眼看見她在這些孩子們身上作的工。

「指揮不只是揮揮棒子，如果沒有心靈的感動，就只是製造聲音。音樂不只是音符，如果沒有生命的養分，就稱不上是音樂。而生命中種種的挫折，則讓我的生命更甘美。」 -- 陳美安

只要仔細觀察用心體會，你會發現人生時時有驚喜，生活處處充滿感動！

Yesterday during PYP rehearsal time, their conductor Miss Mei-An Chen said something to them which really touched me.

Mei-An came from Taiwan. She received full scholarship from New England Conservatory at age 16 and started her study in the US. She majored in violin initially, but decided to double-major in both violin performance and conducting. She received her bachelor and master degree majoring both, and doctor's degree in conducting since conducting is her dream starting at young age. After she obtained her dr's degree not sure about how long, she was invited by PYP to lead these young musicians for 5 years. In 2005, she attended the Nicolai Malko International Conducting Competition in Denmark and won the first prize among the 240 competitors from around the world. She is the first female ever to win this competition. She left PYP in 2007 because she was invited to be the assistant conductor by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This is a great loss of PYP but the turning point of her career life. The kids of PYP are still suffering from her departure, and they keep comparing other guest conductors with her...

I really appreciate her conducting style because her music is full of life. I believe she is a very talented musician and she deserves the best. Very proud of her!! However, what really touched me is what she said to these young people. She encouraged them to embrace the change and to open their hearts and give the guest conductors and candidates a chance, just like what PYP has given her 5 years ago. She also told them not to take everything for granted. When she was studying her PhD degree, she worked 3 part-time jobs to support herself. She had cleaned people's houses, mowed the lawn, taught 30 violin students in a week, and worked as an orchestra manager. She has even hurt her back by carrying and lifting heavy stuff while she was an orchestra manager. She struggled and stumbled until finally she and PYP found each other. When she first started as a conductor with PYP, she was not well-received immediately and was compared to the past conductor as well. Had PYP not offered her the opportunity, she wouldn't be what she is today (but I believe she would still eventually succeed regardless!). Instead going home to see her family, she uses her only two-week vacation time to come here for their Christmas concert because these kids have a very special place in her heart.

I read in a report that her whole family are Christians, and she gives thank and honor to God for what she has accomplished today. Praise the Lord!! We feel so blessed to be able to witness her work with the kids in the past.

"Conducting is not just waving the baton. It is simply producing sound without the touch from the bottom of one's heart. Music is not just notes. It is not music without the nutrition from life. And all the struggle and suffering is to make my life more beautiful." -- Mei-An Chen

北風南風 North Wind South Wind

今天聽了一個師母見證分享的錄音，我一邊聽一邊流淚。這位師母與我們年齡差不遠，但她自己十幾年前曾經經歷過一個大車禍，躺在病床上十八個月，身體裏面打了鋼釘才能把身體撐起來，從此以後與疼痛結下了不解之緣，現在無論走到哪兒都帶著拐杖和座墊。在五年前她又被診斷出得了乳癌，但她再次經歷神的醫治。雖然她生命中有許多的疼痛，但她知道神與她同在。她在人生的道路上遇過許多基督徒，他們對她的苦難有著不同的反應，有的躲避，有的生氣，有的為她禱告到處求醫治。然而她知道，她在神的手中，我們的神是一個醫治的神，而且她知道神要她向世人作見證。她說每個人生命中都有不同的痛，也許是婚姻、健康、孩子、工作、財務、等等，要有信心向神求，即使神不把我們的痛完全拿走，祂也一定會有話語給我們。也許我們的生命中現在是吹著和煦的南風，也可能正刮著凜冽的北風，她鼓勵我們要勇敢地面對自己的痛，倚靠神，神必帶領我們經過我們生命中的曠野，就在我們覺得沒有力量無可指望的時候，祂必定會緊緊地牽著我們。

她說舊約的雅歌書是她非常喜歡的一部書，裏面描述了一個基督徒與神關係的成長，也在過去的苦難中給她很多的安慰與提醒。透過她的見證讓我對雅歌書有了新的認識。有時候我們自己的苦難，會成爲別人的祝福，那時我們的生命就流出了基督的芳香之氣，就像這位師母一樣。神知道什麼時候給我們南風，什麼時候該刮點北風，讓我們的生命更成熟。

I listened to an audio recording of a testimony by a pastor's wife today. I was weeping as I listened. She is not much older than me but she has experienced way more than I have. She was involved in a serious car accident more than 10 years ago. She had to stay on sick bed for 18 months and she has to carry a cane and a pillow with her wherever she goes ever since. She had to receive steel implant in her body so she can stand up again, and she has the constant pain all over her body. Five years ago she was diagnosed breast cancer yet she received healing once again from our Lord. Even though she experienced many wounds and pains, but she knows God is with her. She had met many Christians in her life and they have different reactions about her current health situation, some are angry, some try to avoid her, and some keep praying for her and take her to all different healing crusades. However she knows that she is in God's hand, our God heals, and she knows she is to witness to the world. She said we all have different kind of pains in our life, whether marriage, children, work, health, or finance, but we should keep praying by faith. Even though God may not remove our pains completely, but He will give us words and comfort us. We may be in a comfortable situation and everything is going smoothly like the soothing south wind, but it can also be the bitter north wind blowing in our life right now. She encouraged us to face our pains bravely and trust in God, He will lead us through the tribulations. Even when we feel hopeless and find ourself lost strength to fight, He will hold our hands tightly and never let go of us.

Song of Songs is the book she likes the most in Bible. It describes the stages of a Christian's spiritual growth and relationship with God, and it give her great comfort and encouragement when she is in trouble. It gave me a brand new perspective of this book. Sometimes our own loss can become blessings of others, at that time others can smell the fragrance of Christ through us just like this pastor's wife. God knows when to provide us south wind and when to blow the north wind to make us stronger.

總算完成了 Finally completed

忙了好一段時間的樂譜校正工作總算是告一段落了。原本只是協助王子音樂事工校譜的，但是由於我「龜毛」（挑剔又囉嗦，好聽一點叫完美主義）的個性，後來演變成鋼琴編譜。雖然真的是忙得不得了，常常要熬夜趕工而且長途電話不斷，但是我很感謝神讓我有這樣的機會，藉由我過去所受到的訓練來參與一個音樂事工的事奉，我也因此學到了許多只有真正動手做時才學得到的經驗。現在我開始期待接下來的服事，聖誕夜慶祝活動以及2008宣教聯會（Mission ConneXion)，期間我還要帶Vivian 去一趟達拉斯(Dallas, TX)。。。真是豐盛！　

我們曉得萬事都互相效力、叫愛　神的人得益處、就是按他旨意被召的人。 -- 羅馬書8：28

Finally, the music score validation/correction work I have been working with Children of God Music Ministry for the new album has come to an end. It started out with validation, but turned out to be piano score re-arrangement due to my picky personality... Though I was extremely busy in the past month or so, often times had to stay late to catch up with all the work piled up on me, I also had to stay on long distance call frequently, I learned a lot through this working experience. Thanks to God for the opportunity so I can use what I learned in the past to serve Him and this music ministry.　Now I start to anticipate the future events, Christmas Celebration and 2008 Mission ConneXion, in between I will take Vivian to Dallas, TX... How exciting!!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. -- Romans 8:28

一段錄音 A recording, finally

昨晚我們磯法（G5)音樂事工小組和阿布弟兄到教會去，把送給那位伯母的生日快樂歌錄影/音下來了。我們要把這段影音送給她作為紀念。

這是我頭一次貼上有人物的照片。。。照片中有G5成員及影音同工阿布。我們小組在一起同工將近六年了。很感謝神讓我們能一同事奉祂，也讓別人從我們的事工上得到一點點的益處。事實上，雖然我們奉獻了一些時間，但我們自己在這過程中學習到的彼此鼓勵等候、互相寬容、彼此相愛、如何同工，以及在音樂上小小的長進，使我們成為在這個事工中，獲益最大的人。雖然神沒有給我們很大的舞臺，但是只要我們在祂託付給我們的事上忠心，一樣能將榮耀歸給祂。

所以弟兄們、我以　神的慈悲勸你們、將身體獻上、當作活祭、是聖潔的、是　神所喜悅的．你們如此事奉、乃是理所當然的。 不要效法這個世界．只要心意更新而變化、叫你們察驗何為　神的善良、純全可喜悅的旨意。 我憑著所賜我的恩、對你們各人說、不要看自己過於所當看的．要照著　神所分給各人信心的大小、看得合乎中道。-- 羅馬書12：1-3

G5 went to church last night to do video/audio taping of the birthday song for the grandma at our church. We plan to present this recording to her as a souvenir.

This is the first time I posted a picture with human faces... These are the G5 members and video/audio coworker A-Po. We have been coworking together for almost six years. We are truly blessed to be able to serve together, and we are also grateful that if other people can be benefited somewhat by our offering. Actually, we are the ones learned the most through our coworkingship. We learned how to wait on, encourage, love, and cowork with each other. Along with the musical improvement we made over the years, we are the ones with the biggest gain. Although God didn't provide us with a big stage, as long as we are faithful on what He entrusted us to do, we can still give glory and honor to Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. -- Romans 12:1-3

我主真偉大 How Great Is Our God

這首Chris Tomlin 寫的「我主真偉大」是我最喜愛的一首英文敬拜歌曲。歌詞的大意是這麼説的:
何等尊貴君王，充滿威嚴榮光
讓全地同歡唱，讓全地同歡唱
發出榮耀光芒，黑暗無處隱藏
顫抖於祂聲響，顫抖於祂聲響
我主，真偉大，齊頌揚
我主，真偉大，都要看見
我主，我神，真偉大

祂堅立到萬代，永恒由祂掌權
從亙古到永遠，從亙古到永遠
神聖三一真神，父、子、與聖靈
獅子與羔羊，獅子與羔羊
我主，真偉大，齊頌揚
我主，真偉大，都要看見
我主，我神，真偉大

超乎萬名之名，祂配得一切讚美
我心要頌揚，我主，真偉大

為何説獅子與羔羊？主耶穌是榮耀的君王，祂戰勝罪惡，就像獅子一樣撕碎獵物。但祂同時也是神的羔羊，代替我們承受一切罪的責罰，為我們獻上生命，用血洗淨我們一切的不義，使我們能夠再次回到神的面前。

This is my all time favorite English worship song written by Chris Tomlin. The lyrics says:
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing How great is our God

我最近缺席的原因 The reasons that I have been absent

最近我們教會的詩班正在積極地為聖誕節的慶祝活動作準備，我們要唱彌賽亞中的幾首選曲，而且要和我們教會青少年組成的樂團聯合演出。同時，感謝神使用我們，很榮幸地我們被西北區一個宣教盛會Mission ConneXion邀請去帶領明年大會中的一場聚會，那是一個通常有千人以上參加的大型聚會，所以現在正在緊鑼密鼓地練習中。今天他們的負責人親自來我們教會看看我們的敬拜隊和詩班，他並且告訴我說，我們教會將是第一個參與這個事奉的少數族裔團體，所以我想我們的責任是很重的。

今天還有一個大喜事，我們教會有一位伯母過九十歲生日，主日崇拜後我們給她唱了一首特別製作的生日快樂歌。這首歌是上星期天早晨起床後進入我的腦子的，於是我決定把它寫出來送給這位伯母。看到我們教會中的伯父伯母們，總覺得他們都好可愛，也很關心我們，有時好像把我們當成他們自己的孩子們一樣看待，常常給我們打氣與鼓勵。真是感謝神，雖然自己的父母親不在身邊，卻有這麼多屬靈的父母能常常與我們在一起。我也很羡慕這些能與父母常在一起的弟兄姐妹。。。
旁邊就是這首生日快樂歌，喜歡的話就印出來唱吧。

Our church choir has been very busy preparing for the Christmas celebration event. We will be singing some selections from Messiah with our church youth ensemble. At the same time, give thanks to the Lord, we are invited to participate in the 2008 Northwest Mission ConneXion event. We will be leading a worship session in this event which will be held in January of 2008. The coordinator came to check out our worship team and choir today. He told me that our church will be the first minority group participating in leading the worship service. So I think we are carrying an important mission.


Today we had another happy event at our church. A grandma is going to have her 90th birthday in a couple of days, we sang a special Happy Birthday song for her after our worship service. This simple song came to my mind last Sunday after I woke up, so I decided to write it down and dedicate it to this grandma. I feel very blessed to have these many grandpas and grandmas with us. They are all so loveable and they care about us. Often times I feel that they almost treat us like their own children. I give thanks to our God that though my own parents are not here, but we have these many spiritual parents with us. I also envy those brothers and sisters who are able to live close to their parents...
Attached is the Happy Birthday song. Feel free to print it out and use it if you like it.

祢提昇我 You Raise Me Up

這首很美的詩歌源自有名的愛爾蘭傳統歌調Londonderry Air，它曾被用來紀念美國911遭受的恐怖攻擊。我把歌詞翻譯了一下，大意是説：
當我消沉、心靈疲憊的時候
困難來臨，重擔壓著肩頭
我要安靜，耐心地靜默等候
直到祢來，在我身旁守候

祢提昇我，讓我站立在山頂
祢提昇我，戰勝狂風巨浪
我堅強，當我倚靠祢肩膀
祢提昇我，超乎所有想像

每個生命，時時刻刻在尋覓
不安的心，何時得到平靜
但祢來臨，使生命充滿驚奇
我深知我已看見永恆生命

每個人都有遭遇困難、苦難、與憂傷的時候，但主耶穌是我們永遠的膀臂。祂能提昇我們，帶領我們到更高之地，超過我們所求所想。


This beautiful praise has been used for commemorations of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The melody is based on the traditional Irish tune Londonderry Air. The lyrics say:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

背影 Backshadow

許多人都讀過朱自清的「背影」（如果你沒看過或想再讀一次的話，可以在這兒看到）。中學時代每次讀到他在文中藉著他父親送他上火車時爬過月臺為他買橘子過程的描述流露出對父親深切的思念，往往和他一同流淚。沒想到事隔多年，現代「新背影」就在我們自家上演。。。

我每天都送女兒上學。雖然有校車接送，但是上車時間很早。她因每天練琴讀書都睡得晚，我想讓她多睡一點，所以我自己送她到學校去。我通常會先幫她把早餐準備好帶在車上，然後她一邊吃著早餐，我們一邊聊天一起上班上學。到了學校停車場，下車後她需要走一段斜坡才能進到學校去，我在停車場迴轉一圈離開之前，都可以看到她背著背包，慢慢往教室走去的背影。我現在已經養成了一個習慣，在離開以前都會很快的在學生群中搜尋她的背影，然後面帶微笑滿足地離開，並開始為她的一天禱告。很快地她即將離開家去上大學，我相信我會想念這一段兩人每天固定獨處的時光，也會將她交託在主的手中，天天為她祈求與感恩。

感謝您父神，帶領Vivian認識您這位又真又活的神。我祈禱她能全心尋求您，且在她一切的需要上依靠您。父神，求您牽住她的手使她不害怕，保守她的平安，領她經過困難的時刻，並讓她明白你與她同在；您是她的神，使她不驚惶。您必堅固她，幫助她；必用您公義的右手扶持她。阿門。

你不要害怕、因為我與你同在。不要驚惶、因為我是你的　神。我必堅固你、我必幫助你、我必用我公義的右手扶持你。 －－ 以賽亞書41：10

I am pretty sure many people know about the article "backshadow" by Mr. Ziqing Zhu. I am not sure how to translate the title into English correctly and it actually means the look of someone from behind. It was in our middle school Chinese textbook. He showed that he missed his father very much by remembering how his father climbed over the train station platform to buy tangerines for him(this was published in 1925 by the way). I am always touched no matter how many times I have read it before. Many years later, the similar situation is happening in my own family...

I drop Vivian off to school everyday. Though there are school buses available but they come very early. Vivian always stays late for practicing and school work, so I decided to take her to school myself. I usually get the breakfast ready so she can eat in the car, then we will hop in the car and go to school/work together. She needs to walk a 200-feet slope from school parking lot to the building, so I can still see her after I make a U-turn in the parking lot before I leave. I have developed a habit to look for her from behind, watch her walking among the students, and start to pray for her. I am pretty sure in a couple of years after she goes to college, I will miss the precious time we have together, and I will remember her in my prayer everyday.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for leading Vivian into knowing You, the living God. I pray that she will follow You and lean on You wholeheartedly. Father, please hold her hand so she will not be afraid, keep her safe, lead her through difficult time, strengthen her and help her, and let her know that You are her God and You will be with her always. Amen.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -- Isaiah 41:10

冥王星 Pluto

一個小小的常識測驗：太陽系裏最大的行星是哪一個？
最近Vivian嘗試著教我一些簡單的西班牙文，她從一週裏的七天開始。不知道是誰說老狗也可以學新花樣的？至少我這一條老狗就很難。光是要我記住哪一天是哪個行星代表的就已經很傷我有限的腦力了，更不用説要用西班牙文了。結果她測驗成果的時候，我沒有一題是答對的。在問到我星期四的時候，她很好心地給我提示：「最大的行星是哪一個？」我想了一下（不知道我為何要浪費這個時間去想，其實想不想結果都是一樣的），給了一個很沒常識的答案：「冥王星！不，土星，呃。。。」當我還在考慮要不要再換個答案的時候，已經聽到她在一旁無法克制地爆笑：「哈哈哈哈。。。冥王星。。。哈哈哈哈。。。」
後來她告訴我，原來冥王星不只是最小的一個（比我們的月亮還小），而且近年來已經被「矮化」成為「矮行星」了。她把這件事放在她的部落格上，得到的回應是一致的：「哈哈。。。」還有一個人留言：「我就說你媽媽很爆笑。」唉。。以後怎麼在他們面前擺出我的威嚴哪？

One small trivia for you: what is the biggest planet in the solar system?
Vivian has been trying to teach me Spanish recently, and she chose to start from the day of the week. By the way, who said that old dogs can learn new tricks? At least not this one. It is already difficult to remember which planet represents which day for me, not to mention that I have to translate it to Spanish. When she asked me about Thursday, she gave me a hint "what is the biggest planet in the solar system?" I "thought" about it for a minute, trying to find any information in my memory, and gave a not educated randon guess "Pluto, uh, no, Saturn..." While I was still considering to switch to another planet, I already heard her uncontrollable laugh "Ha ha ha.... Pluto...ha ha ha..."
Then she told me, not only is Pluto the smallest one, but also got downgraded to dwarf planet recently. She posted this conversation on her blog and received the same response from everyone who posted a comment "Ha ha ha...". One even said "I toldja your mom is hilarious!"