a relaxing evening

After a day's work, a light supper in a cosy quiet cafe is so refreshing, especially with a few lovely easy-going friends around. A gathering like this is perfected with a nice cuppa --and even better with THIS cuppa :)

... a round-faced cat became skinny after a few sips... =P

Merry Christmas

Originally I have reserved the Christmas Eve for inviting mom and dad to the evangelical meeting but eventually was left spending the night alone. No need to rush home, I slowly strolled down to the Star Ferry from the office. There were so many people shopping, taking photos of the Christmas decorations and enjoying the atmosphere.

They looked very happy, but what is making them happy is the highly commercialized Christmas and has nothing doing with the true meaning of Christmas -- celebration of the birth of our Savior and that people can be reconciled with God.

On the ferry, I asked God, "I can't take mom & dad to the evangelical meeting. What I can do to make this a meaningful Christmas?"

At night, I received her call. God has answered me.

May Your blessing be with her, replace her sorrow & grief with Your joy & peace, heal her broken heart and set her free.

Retreat

Work in the past few months has been demanding and draining. This retreat day was a get-away that I have long been looking forward to.

I love the state of mind when I feel a profound calmness emptying all the entangling thoughts and emotions from my mind. This is the moment when I'm more ready to listen to the small voice and refocus on God. But it often takes hours or even days to let my heart settle down. So I really appreciated this retreat -- with a short and easy hike, which I love, followed with a delicious healthy meal, that helped me to relax and be prepared for the personal quiet time, meditation, and praise & worship time following.

During the hike, God has inspired me that evangelical work is like planting. Some earth takes less work to cultivate but some takes ages. And some seeds take longer to start geminate and grow. But no matter how hard we work, it is God who give life to the plant. We cannot make a seed to geminate, we can only do what is suitable as much as we can.

God has been speaking to me on 2 issues recently and reminded me again during the retreat. One is the problem of my pride, and the second that I must learn to face and accept the true self. It was, probably, the first time that I admit explicitely that there are people I don't like. But this is important and can be done in a healthy way -- by presenting the issue in front of God and let God help me through. Well, I don't think the hurts will disappear all in a sudden, but I will be able to handle the relationship in a healthier way.

Thanks to F for taking time preparing and leading this retreat, and thanks to my b&s who are loving and caring and have made this retreat a warm and comforting fellowship time.

a wonderous call

Yesterday I suddenly missed JS very much and sent her an email. She replied quickly and suggested to call me instead of emailing me. Last night was actually the best timing for us to catch up with each other over a, probably very, long call as mom & dad were not home.

It was long -- almost 3 hours! I can't recall any longer call than this one in my life. I'm not the kind of person who like talking on the phone. But talking with friends like JS is different. We don't need time to warm-up and can go straight into deep sharings. We can discuss and share our weaknesses, failure and needs without any hesitation because we know the person one's talking to will and is ready to accept what one is. When we share our joys and God's amazing work in our lives, we give thanks for each other delightfully and praise God for His wisdom and grace in each other's life. This trust is built up through the years we lived together and the way we witnessed each other's growth in Christ. More importantly, because we share the same life and goal in Christ.

After we have talked for about 2 hours, JS told me that in the past few days, she was thinking in her pursue of holiness, who she can find support and encouragement from. I was one of those popped up in her mind. But she was a bit hesitated as we're so far apart and we share so little in common after I returned to HK. Then came my email, then her call, and then the conversation both of us found a blessing from God.

Who can make all these work together so amazingly except our Heavenly Father? :)

1 lb of blessing..

or 2...?

if you've even had 200+lb, you know how scary for me to gain weight... >_<''

but, my dear friends, i'm quite happy to gain this little extra this way...^^

thank you~~!!!

The OGPG Memory -- Love & Care

The many gestures of care & love among fellow volunteers have sweetened up the entire experience remarkably...

My buddies and team leader have taken care of me very well, their unexpected offers & gifts really got me. It feels like I was always on the receiving end!


Although "volunteers" sounds like they work for nothing, it is not true. Many workers on site or spectators show special care and kindness to the volunteers, building up a harmoneous atmosphere of the entire event.

There is one incident touched me very much. On the 3rd day during the PG, I was marshal at circulation east. The sun was burning hot that day and I had neither a cap nor sunglasses. The snack stand lady was so kind to have brought me a cap! She also offered to exchange my Minutes Maid with Bonactive, which is a much better choice to replenish energy..^^


And the nail clipper from a volunteer's company... making this requires either a stamping mold or casting mold. In either case, that company should have spent more than ten thousand to make this. What a delighting souvenir!

8/11 Eventing: Cross-country @ HKB

This day is the only day competing at HKB. While the venue opened for spectators from 6am, we were required to arrive before 3am. Taxi is the only mean to get to the PTI. With the volunteer uniform on, the taxi driver recognized that I was a volunteer. After a short conversation, he told me that he is a volunteer worker of St. John. However, due to the limited number of entrance permits, he could not take part in the event. He asked a few times whether I can get reimbursement for the taxi fare. I believe if I could not get it back from the EqCo, he would have given me a free ride. It is so delighting to meet someone who shares the same passion for the event.
This day is also the only day that rained during the whole event. For an outdoor event, it might sounds discouraging, but in fact it is much welcomed. The 5000+ meter cross-country course with all those jumps is physically very demanding for the athletes and the horses. It is also very harsh for spectators to stand and walk around the mostly unsheltered venue for a few hours. The rain has brought down the temperature by a few degrees. Well, some might feel annoyed with the rain, but it is better to have many getting heat stroke.

It was cool to see spectators amused and excited by the performance of the athletes and the horses (most tribute to the horses, probably). My duty was marshal around jump no. 16, the Great Wall. It was a combination jump of 3 in a short U-shape course and attracted many spectators.

To us HK people, we of course were looking forward to the performance of Hua Tian, the 18 years old representative of China. I was waiting to take his photos at jump no. 16 but then decided to also take some galloping shots when along the pathway between jump no. 7 & 8, which is the other end of the area I was keeping. Right after I've taken this, he fell off the horse at jump no. 8..... R said, "It must be u.. What have u done??" (.....)

≪いつも香港を見つめて≫

Last night when I get home, on my bed laid a small packet. Again a surprise from JF :)

This is an interesting book co-authored by Gouki Yomota and Leung Ping-kwan, both professor of comparative literature, exchanging their perspective and thoughts about Tokyo & Hong Kong. In fact it is a collection of the letters exchanged between them in the 5 years from 2003.
But no matter how well written or inspiring it is, it will leave no mark in my heart as JF's note does.

a little progress

I was so glad to have this chance to chat with SS. It was as inspiring and mind-drilling as usual -- and it's what I enjoy about chatting with SS.

The long conversation somewhat ended on Dr. L's personal witness. It is so exciting that as both dad and SS appreciate Dr. L, it looks like more chances are opened up now... :)

amazing..!

before the Saturday training, i prayed that the weather would be "cloudy with a bit of cool breeze, no rain and no sunshine".

on Friday night, the red rain signal hoisted and it was pouring.
and on my way to the training site, it was still raining...
but during the training, it was cloudy with a bit of cool breeze, no rain and no sunshine..!

dear Heavenly Father, how can you be so nice to me..!

sweeties..

From Japan to Hong Kong, then from Hong Kong to Shanghai...
These sweeties have travelled a long way with me. Just looking at them has sweetened up my day.
Their buddies have fueled me through this hectic week. Every bite tastes friendship and support.

Thank you, Rie!!

Wonderful weekend…

Hummmm… How should I describe the past weekend? Relaxing, refreshing, fulfilling, energizing... it was just great!

The day trip to Nikko was a much wanted retreat – to be away from the crowd, work and the city, and to marvel at God’s creation. The misty air, the mixed smell of the trees, flowers and damp earth, the sounds of the waterfalls, birds, rain dropping on the tree leaves, the cold breeze -- it was the gentle whisper from our awesome Creator.

It was an unusually cold day, only 12 degrees in the morning and dropped to 9 in the afternoon. To me, it was an added bonus. I like the contrast of feeling the cold wind blowing on my face and the growing warmth from the inside when walking in cold weather. It may sound strange, but it is the moment I’m most aware of my own existence. I’m so glad that God has given me lots of chance to enjoy the colder-and-longer-than-usual winter in the past few months – the Holyland trip, then Japan, Korea, Korea, Japan. Wow…

On the first day of this trip, God challenged me with a message. And on this day, He made Himself clearer on the same message during our silent conversation. The peace left in my heart after the day lingered on and on.

I was glad to have found a church close to the hotel so that I can attend Sunday service. It locates in a small building and is a congregation of about 90 people. As I’m only a visitor, I didn’t stay for their lunch gathering. If I’ll have the chance to revisit again, I wish to know more about them.

The afternoon spent with Rie was delighting. She has always been a great friend to share every thought and feeling freely. Time spent with her is always too short. We visited the Tokyo National Museum but only had time to see 1 of the 4 buildings. I didn’t know there are so many museums in the Ueno Park. Got to spare more time for Ueno next time...

The 2 days was as good as a 5-day trip. Wish to have a lovely short trip like this soon.. :)

Torch Relay @ Hong Kong

The 1st day off taken for the Olympic events was for helping in the community celebration activities on the torch relay day. Although helpers might not be able to see the torch at all, but it is as good just being able to participate and help making the celebration successful :)

It was a bit discouraging to see the rain and I worried that the public will loss the passion to support the event. But this worry was soon proven unnecessary when the groups flied in with great excitment, wearing the "中國加油" stickers under their raincoats, and filled over 10,000 seats at the Shatin Racecourse. We reluctantly turned away quite a few comers. I was really sorry for a few who had flags in their hands and stickers on them.

Later when I found out from the news that over 100,000 people were on the street in the rain from early morning to show support, wearing red tops, waving China or HKSAR flags, and even directly confronted several protest groups, HK people's patriotic spirit has never been felt so strong.