The Brick

A young and successful

executive was traveling down a neighborhood street,
going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was
watching for kids darting out from between parked
cars and slowed down

when he thought he saw
something. As his car passed, no children appeared.
Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!
He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to
the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry
driver

then jumped out of the
car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up
against

a parked car shouting,
'What was that all about and who are you? Just what
the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that
brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why
did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic.
'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't
know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the
brick because no one else would stop...' With tears
dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth
pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my
brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell
out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him
up.'

Now sobbing, the boy
asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help
me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and
he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words,

the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling

lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the

handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took

out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh

scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything

was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless

you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too

shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy!

push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk

toward their home.

It was a long, slow

walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very

noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair

the dented side door. He kept the dent there to

remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life

so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to

get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and

speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have

time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's

our choice to listen or

not.

Just love this story... hope I get the attention before being stoned!!!!

One of Those Days!

Ok, I had a bad day to begin with.... my nose was still very congested and I did not sleep well last night.  Thank goodness Johnny worked from home, and he watched Jady for the most of the day so that I could get some rest. I was still very tired by the time I woke up at 2:30pm, but I had to get myself ready before the kids come home.   

Jeannie and Evan came home around 3:00pm, and we tried to come up with their transportation arrangement since they both need to be at a certain place by 6:00pm. We concluded of leaving home at 4:45pm, grabbed some fast food nearby, dropped off Evan at scout camp, then Jeannie at 5Below to pick up a birthday gift, and then her friend's house at last.  Sounds like a good plan!

Anyway, before Johnny left for badminton, he checked on my car and everything looks fine!

Now the kids were loaded but I couldn't start my car.  Okay.... Evan and I went to the neighborhood and asked for help while Jeannie stayed home with Jady.  We exhausted all our possibilities, either they were not home or don't know how to jump start a car.  I left with no option, but to call AAA for assistance.  The lady told me that it would take about 35 min to an hour before the mechanics showed up.

After I hung up, I warmed up some food for the kids in the microwave, called Evan's scout leader about us running late, and asked Jeannie to make ride arrangement to the party (she responded at that time that it will be okay if she runs late).  Then, the mechanics showed up much earlier than I expected!  He tested and recharged my battery in 15 mins. and in no time Evan and I were out of the door. We made it to the camp site  and waited for the scout leader.  But then, Jeannie called and said that her friend's parents were at our house picking her up!  Oh my.... I should have insist of the girls going with me so that Jeannie didn't need to get rides.  Since I needed to keep the car running after the battery being recharged, I dropped Evan off at a closer spot and watched him walked to the camp location.  I felt terrible!!!

Then I called home and have Jeannie ready for pick up.  I drove Jeannie to the store and she said she wanted to take a movie to her friend's from home.... "What? Why didn't you picked one before we left home?"  I asked, and she said she forgot!  I heard myself yelling inside!

Anyway, we got home and input her friend's address on my GPS, and it popped out that the address doesn't exist!  Are you kidding me?  I was really grumpy by then.  Jeannie eventually called her friend, and to find out that it was registered under a different city on our GPS system.   Thanks for the technology and it really magnify your usefulness for the people who live in a confusing city.  :)

So, I got home around 7:30pm, did laundry and fixed the door draft stopper.  Then, Johnny called and I went to fix dinner.  I talked about my 3 hrs. adventure as I sat down for dinner with him.  I believe it was about 9:00pm. I am glad that it happens on a Friday nigh!!!  :D

Road to Maturiy

I often wonder if Jeannie is mature enough to go to college, or should I ask myself if I've taught her enough to live on her own?  We had quite an adventure this morning and my daughter has proven to me that she is capable of being an adult.

My car went out of battery this morning as a result of Jady left the door open from last night.  I was a little hesitated to drive Johnny's car because I am not used to his settings, but I have no choice... Jeannie needs to go to seminary and I need to pick up Migal on our way there.  Test driving is not fun, especially when it's still dark at 6:00 in the morning and in combination with my cold and headache.  I probably drive his car twice since he bought it and I still don't remember where the button is for the garage door.

Jeannie handed me her dad's car key when I gave up on starting my car.  I worried about stretching his car as I backed out from our tight garage.  I panicked when it locked all the doors automatically after it starts, and I freaked out not knowing where the remote control is for closing the garage door!  Thank goodness that Jeannie was there with me.  She was so calm during all these... she gently pushed the remote button below the rear mirror, she checked on the button to unlock the car when I murmured, and she told me to drive home safely as she walked out the car.  Who's the adult here?

I was reassured by her behavior, and I think I should let go and stop worrying much about my child!

Wrapped Up!

Trying to remember what we've done this week...

Jeannie: works on Mon. as usual; PSSA testing; church activity on wed; went picnic with our church friends and then attended a birthday party on Fri; catching up with her homework on Sat; went chuckecheexx with her dad and siblings... yes, chuckecheexx for my 17 year old.  ever wonder why they are still in business? :D  i seriously need to adjust her alarm clock 5 mins. early since she's been late to seminary, and we made Migal wait for the ride!

Evan: a relaxing week indeed.... more PSSA testing done and therefore, no homework; went to boyscout for the prep. of the camp this Fri and Sat; did a good job organizing our attic and of course he earned his trip to chuckecheexx.  i was especially impressed of him offering Jady to squeeze his hand as i tried to clean up her blister on her foot the other day.  he also gave me massages on my shoulder and neck where the pain was several times this week.  he is a sweet young man.

Jady: went to preschool on tues and thurs. as usual;  i have been having issues with her "i don't wanna do it"  behavior.  she is the least cooperative kids among my three and has been refusing to do what i said lately.  i need to find ways to tackle the problem or else she would end up having trouble following directions at school. she got a cold and stayed home with me on sunday.      

Johnny: happily working from home; went out to lunch with him to a nearby italian restaurant and he loves it; spent a good two hours cleaning up the garage... thanks for doing that.  it looks clean and organize now!  took the kids to chuchecheexx while i stayed home. 

Me: not much... eventually took ibuprofen and went to the chiropractor for my lower back and neck pain.  i was miserable.  i had trouble sleeping the whole week last week and unable to perform basic chores because of the pain.  i rarely take pills or go to the dr. but i did both... i was that desperate!  with a bad combination of sore throat, i stayed home with Jady on sunday... no church.  i took a nap and felt better last night, so i quickly mopped the whole house and cleaned the kitchen.  my shoulder is still sore, but i can handle it!

Japan

My heart goes out to the Japanese people and their country. May the Lord remove their pain, and give them comfort, peace, hope and strength in the rescuing and rebuilding effort.

I've been following the news in Japan since day one, and it's hard to imagine Japan, one of strongest nations in the world would suffer such a massive, devastating disaster. Yet, the most worrisome of all is the explosion and leaking of radiation from the nuclear plant. I truly admire the 50 dedicated, selfless heroes who stand behind their work knowing the fact that they are sacrificing their lives in preserving others. Their work ethnic is impressive and honoring comparing to the hospital personnels who fled and abandoned their patients during evacuation. I am not here to judge... I proposed the question to myself and my family and none of us see ourselves staying behind in such a critical condition. I am weak in many ways, but I learned from the heroes that if I stand firm on my conviction and keep my covenant from the very beginning, then my belief will not be sway in times of crisis.

We can no longer ignore the issue of global warming. In D& C 131:6, "it is impossible to be saved in ignorance." We cannot fight with mother nature, but we can start educating our family to be responsible, and conscious about the environment. Our children, and their next generations rely on us. We must teach them to conserve energy, resources, recycle and reuse when possible. Countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are now reconsidering alternative green energy.

I am touched by the united effort of many countries who offer to assist the Japanese and it's government in this process.

Together we Thrive!!!!

SAT

Jeannie had her 1st ever college entrance test last Sat. Since when my oldest turned 17? How can I comprehend the thought of her leaving and staying away from home? Mom just reminded me that I left home for 19 years... things would have been very different if we had not stayed in the US after we graduate. My parents would have seen her grandchildren growing up. Johnny and I would have a close relationship with both of our parents, and be responsible as children and take care of them when they are sick or become old. I seriously thought of moving closer to where Jeannie is if she happens to attend school far away.... hum...

Good luck sweetheart... you are entering an exciting stage of your life!

Time to Say Goodbye...

It's hard to believe that mom and dad were gone. Where did the time go??? Has it really been three months? Mom cleaned and organized my house before her leaving and she literally did it until the minute she left my house.... where did she find time clean up my dishes from the dishwasher before we headed out? And as for dad... cutting the dead branches off the tree, building me a greenhouse, fixing my garden fence, replacing the toilet seats etc, etc.... I missed my parents, I missed picking them up from Walxxx after church... I missed the light and sound of the tv from their room... I missed them bad!

Be peace, good health and safety be with them!

Lesson from the Temple

Johnny and I went to the DC temple with the Smalls on Mar 5. It was a wonderful trip and a nice session at the temple. The temple is surely a great place to visit. I was thinking about this particular person when I was in the temple. A thought came to my mind as I thought of her look, dress and profession, etc. Does the Lord care about what we do for our living, and the trophies we earned? .... All He cares is how we govern our lives, if we've been sincere to ourselves and others, and live the way He wants us to live. I wish to work in the HK temple and I know it will come true someday!

I'm Depressed!!!

It's been almost three months since my parents came. We had a great time!!! Mom has been counting down her days. I can't believe they will be gone in nine days. I knew they missed HK and are ready to go back. I wish the time would stop.... I wish they live here, but it would be too selfish to make them stay with us. They have friends in HK and everything is so fun and convenient. I am terribly depressed!

Johnny has been working from home since 2/14/2011. So far so good...