For the record

Unprecedented times. Will our generation ever forget this?

Getting better

Volunteering has started up again!

Still semi-quarantining

Signs of summer: needing to bust out the fan.

Two new flowers and more buds!

New blooms!

Necessities

It's amazing how quickly this has become part of daily life here. I must say I want one, but I want one big enough so that I don't have to fold my mask in half. 

(My fingers, and probably arms too, are already tanned from just one hike!)

Jailbreak

I was so happy to spend the day out with human beings.... My lungs felt different!

And the weather was amazing.

We cannot have a crown without a cross

#pruning

The other disruptions

Nice to get out for a bit. We filled the smaller bottles with hand sanitizer.

I was supposed to do the Miss Hong Kong sign but since I don't know what it actually looks like, I guess I got it wrong.

Very foggy spring

Usually, it's foggy in the morning but this year, it can be foggy in the late afternoon too.

Prayer in a time of coronavirus

Father, the future looks uncertain to the world. Even tomorrow looks uncertain. But we PRAISE you that because of YOU the future is absolutely certain! You never change, your Word and your purpose stand! Lord, use this time to shine your Light into the darkness of the hearts of the world.  Humble our hearts, every people and nation, to our knees in repentance, to cry out to you for mercy, to seek You and find You and walk with You in intimacy and unity of your body.  Thank you Father that You hear our prayers when our hearts are turned to you! 
We do no want to return to the “normal” way of the world... through this time we want to step into the new thing you are doing and the normal way of Your Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven!

- C from LB1

Also want to praise Father in this time! I am seeing in the current moment how God can use the gift of administration. Learning slowly. 

Yes, some things are very minor like scheduling and making sure everyone knows where to meet. But I am slowly realizing that even something as simple as “waiting patiently” is a powerful act of obedience to God. It is a gift I can give to Father who has all things and created all things, and in whom all things are made. 

Mind blowing. Truly.

Rainy season begins

Family

Romans 5:1-2

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

Packing

Packing gift bags for street cleaners.

Dragon boat

The city is slowly coming back to life although classes will still be held online. And I guess dragon boat will proceed...although I'm not sure I feel comfortable standing in line for showers after. Need to figure out how to change out of wet things without spending a lot of time in crowded enclosed spaces.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is discovering what it's like to live with the virus.... and as it turns out, they're not always rational either, hah.

Saturday

I saw the wave coming but couldn't dodge it. My shoes got wet.

"Kingdom"

Alright, come on, let's go!

Said "Hello, how you doing? You took your time"
When I met You at the corner of insanity
I didn't know what I was doing, just wasting time
It was clear I couldn't see

And You knew that I was looking for something or someone new
I heard You knocking but I couldn't take the truth
See my reflection but I can't make out my face
I thought I heard a whisper that You say
I heard You say

Ooh, let 'em be forgiven
Let 'em be, Father
I heard You say
Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom
My sons and daughters

I feel the sound of many waters, it hits my chest
Like I wasn't even shining, started flickering
A voice beyond my understanding, it pulled me in
It didn't matter where I've been

And You knew that I was looking for something or someone new
I heard You knocking but I couldn't take the truth
See my reflection but I can't make out my face
I thought I heard a whisper that You say
I heard You say

Ooh, let 'em be forgiven
Let 'em be, Father
I heard You say
Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom
My sons and daughters
I heard You say

Ooh, let 'em be forgiven
Let 'em be, Father
I heard You say
Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom
My sons and daughters

Come into the light
Come into the light
All of Heaven's waiting for You
Just step inside
Come into the light
Come into the light
All of Heaven's waiting for You
Just step inside
Come into the light
Come into the light
All of Heaven's waiting for You
Just step inside
Come into the light
Come into the light
All of Heaven's waiting for You
Just step inside

Ooh, let 'em be forgiven
Let 'em be, Father
I heard You say
Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom
My sons and daughters
I heard You say

Ooh, let 'em be forgiven
Let 'em be, Father
I heard You say
Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom
My sons and daughters

My toddler niece carried her mom's phone to show me the kitchen on video call (I never saw it though). As she was walking she whispered to herself, "我的English不好," and it broke my heart. 

Father, hear my cry. 

And still....

Just thinking again today that God pursued me long before I ever thought to seek Him out. God is my future because He was everywhere in my past. Hannah! The answer to prayer that was set into motion twenty-one years ago!

Why do my hands still hold on to grubby, broken things when my Father wants to put His hand in mine?

Thankful that God is infinitely more patient than I am ....

Toilet paper

The things you learn

I didn't know that WhatsApp has auto-reply.

Winter to summer in one night

Coronavirus tales

Bumped into my boss in the corridor and he was surprised to see me, but I explained that I live within walking distance, and the walk is never crowded. Hardly anyone is here too so I feel very safe coming to work.

I think many people would like to get out of HK at this point.

Well, Isaiah 30:15-18 for me.

"Fear tells you that you will not be able to cope. Faith tells you that your Father in heaven knows when you will need strength to cope and he will supply all you need just in time." -- Nicky Gumbel

the thing with God

I was just thinking that despite all the trials for the past few months, I can't complain too much because God has given me a lot of what I have said is my "treasure," that is, to be able to learn. God has a sense of humor. In the last few months, He has taught me a great deal. Despite the pain, there has been a great deal of pleasure too.

I need to be careful what I ask for. He takes us at our words.

work humor

I often get password-protected files at work. Usually, they are randomly generated. The latest password chosen by one of our administrative staff is "2020beHealthy."

Haha.