Embracing and Adjusting

It's been a wonderful summer filled with traveling, adventures, adjustments, and precious moments for our family.

Starting with our trip to Maui to celebrate our 10 years wedding anniversary:


Hawaii had been on my mom's wish list so we brought her and my local mom "Bobo" along. She is my church friend's mom actually but she treat us like her own. She is one of my older Titus 2 women from whom I learn A LOT.



We continued with an unplanned trip to San Diego upon my mom's request


In the middle of summer, we are blessed with a chance to go to Sacramento, where we stayed at a family friend's home. We had a blessed fellowship time. It's so true what the Bible says: "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9 


Their kids, whom the last time we saw was about Max and Wes' age have grown into very kind and sweet young boys. How time flies.


Ci Yuli, also kindly taught me how to make a homemade noodle. I don't think I can successfully do it without watching her.


The next day we went rafting:




and then going to the beach. Can't stop praising the Creator for His wonderful work:


We also went camping and visit the pools often

Ready?


Get set, Go!


A few months ago, Chris was blessed with a new job. The job comes a new working schedule, which requires him to work long hours then he got an extra day off. I love having him home for an extra day but still adjusting with the long hours. Having two energetic kids on my own for 12+ hours is not easy task. {not for me at least} But God is good and He gives me the strength, grace, and mercy that I need daily as long as I remain in Him and tap in His power.


I have been blessed and encouraged by these quotes:

"The longer I live,the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes,than what other people think of, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church.... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you..we are in charge of our Attitudes." - Charles Swindoll

“I had years of time as a single woman when I was ruler over most of my minutes. I decided when I would eat, sleep, vacation, work, or meet someone for lunch. I decided these issues according to my needs and desires. But once I had my children, as any mother will understand, my time was never my own again! Children simply don’t fit into neat little time packages.…children, by definition, take up our time. They’re supposed to do that; it’s the way God made them. But if we don’t recognize or accept that fact…as many mothers today don’t–we’re bound to make things difficult for ourselves and our children.” - Sally Clarkson

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded … So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you?  You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I gave you an example, that you also should do as I did to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.’” John 13:3-5, 12-17