Quality of Life

 

Quality of Life

I would like to share a scripture that has been on my heart: 

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” — John 9:1–5, ESV

This passage came to mind as I reflected on my mother-in-law’s last stage of life. For about six months, maybe more, she was confined to a wheelchair and, eventually, to her bed. To many people, that kind of limitation seems terrible. After her stroke, she also lost her ability to speak. Many would say that is “no quality of life,” and I confess there were times I thought the same thing about her situation.

But her condition did not hinder her from continuing to glorify the Lord she truly believed in. She let go and let God work through her life, even in that difficult season. She demonstrated how to glorify God with the little she had left — with her smile and her facial expressions, whenever she could.

We saw it again and again. When visitors, caregivers, or nurses came in, her face would light up with a big, welcoming smile. As much as we had to get used to her not being able to speak, there were moments God broke through. When we brought her Bible to her from Florida, she opened her mouth and said, clearly and with a smile, “Oh, my Bible.”

My prayer for her when she lost her ability to speak was that she could speak again to tell us what else she wants us to do for her.  But the answer to prayer was, she said, “Oh, my Bible.” I was enlightened: what else is more important than God’s Word!

The Sunday before she went to be with the Lord, we visited her as we always did. We shared the Sunday sermon with her, and then we sang a hymn. I was holding my cell phone, playing a YouTube video with the lyrics on the screen. Her eyes were fixed on the words, and then she began to sing along. It wasn’t the whole song, but she made the effort to offer praise to the Lord.

In that little corner where she lay, so helpless and weak, that image reminded me of the song from my childhood, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but He is strong.”  Lillian at that moment might be helpless, but not hopeless. She continued to let God work in her life and reflected the light of the Lord Jesus Christ. She had brightened the corner where she was. 

That hit me hard: this is quality of life. It isn’t defined by mobility, speech, or independence. It’s defined by whether the light of Christ can still shine through us regardless of our circumstances. She lived that out until her last days.

She will be greatly missed. Mama, I love you.

生活品質

我想分享一篇一直在我心中的經文：

「當他經過時，他看到一個天生就失明的人。 他的門徒問他：「拉比，誰犯了罪，這個人還是他的父母，他生來就瞎了？」 耶穌回答說：「不是這個人犯了罪，也不是因為他的父母犯了罪，而是要將上帝的作為在他身上顯現出來。 我們必須趁著白天做那派我來的人的工作；黑夜即將到來，那時沒有人能工作。 只要我在世上，我就是世界的光。'」——約翰福音9:1-5，ESV

當我反思我婆婆人生的最後階段時，我想到了這段話。 大約六個月，也許更長時間，她被限制在輪椅上，最終被限制在床上。 對許多人來說，這種限制似乎很可怕。 中風後，她也失去了說話的能力。 許多人會說這是「沒有生活品質」，我承認，有時我對她的處境也有同樣的想法。

但她的狀況並沒有阻止她繼續榮耀她真正相信的神。 她放手，讓上帝掌權渡過她的一生，即使在那個困難的時期。 她展示如何用她剩下的一點來榮耀上帝——只要她可以，她就用她的微笑和臉上表情來榮耀神。

我們一次又一次地看到這樣的情境。 當訪客、護理人員或護士進來時，她的臉上會露出熱情洋溢的微笑。 儘管我們不得不習慣她不能說話，但有的時候上帝在她身上動工突破語言障礙。 當我們把她的聖經從佛羅里達帶給她時，她張開嘴，微笑著很清晰地說：「哦，我的聖經。」

當她失去說話能力時，我為她祈禱，求主讓她能再次說話，告訴我們她希望我們為她做什麼。 但祈禱的回應是她說「哦，我的聖經。」 我如當頭棒喝，還有什麼比上帝的話語更重要的呢！

在她回天家之前的星期天，我們像往常一樣去探望她。 我們和她分享了週日的講道，然後我們唱了讚美詩。 我拿著手機，播放著螢幕上有歌詞的YouTube影片。 她的眼睛盯著這些歌詞，然後她開始跟著唱出歌詞。 並不是整首歌，但她努力盡她所能地讚美主。

在她躺著的那個小角落裡，如此無助和虛弱，那個影像讓我想起了我童年時的詩歌，「耶穌愛我，我知道，因有聖書告訴我。 凡小孩子主牧養。 我雖軟弱，主剛強。」 那一刻，婆婆可能很無助，但並非無望。 她繼續讓上帝在她的生命中工作，並反映主耶穌基督的光。 她照亮了她所在的角落。

這對我是當頭棒喝：這就是生活品質啊。 它不在於我們的身體是否還有自理能力、不在於我們是否還能說話或是否還能獨立自主來定義的。 它取決於我們是否讓基督的光照亮我們並反映出來。 我婆婆，她，一直活出這光直到她在世最終的日子。

我們會非常想念她的。 Mama, I love you.

20250801珍愛自己的真實容貌

 六十歲這一年我升級做了祖母，一甲子歲月是我生命中的一個轉捩點，心境的轉變很微妙，彷彿突然又成熟了，越來越懂得接受生活中的現實，或是說真實吧！不去為別人找藉口掩蓋錯誤，也不再讓現實世界的偽真欺騙自己，是能識透的一種覺醒！其中一件事情就是決定不再染髮，反正我原本就沒有容貌焦慮，不染髮後被解放的自由！以後就頂著這黑中帶斑白的頭髮遊走江湖了！這告示一出，還有種爽的感覺了！甚好！

靜夜心語Nighty-night

November 12, 2014

Night, silent night, wall along the hallway, alone in here yet not lonely, knowing you are there sleeping tight, my honey bear, sweet dreams. Nighty-night! 

夜闌人靜，獨自淸醒，走廊沿牆，寂寂靜靜，卿此一廂，君彼一廂，孤而不寂，知君長伴，祝君入夢，美夢成真。

𡿨照片是家中一角，緑色植物是從一個葉子養在水裏的，從我做土地代書開始養的，有8年了! 好個枝葉茂盛！〉- Angie Berg 

60一甲子

 Thank you all for the happy birthday wishes.  Happy Resurrection Day to you all, too.  Hitting the big 60, double celebrations and double happiness.  It’s very significant to me.  Every good and perfect gift is from above.  I’m grateful. You has demonstrated God’s love to me.  I’m so blessed!  May every breath I take be God’s way in me as His Will be done in my life.

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

謝謝諸位的生日祝賀，也祝你們復活節快樂！復活節又逢我人生一甲子，第六十個生日，雙重的慶祝，雙重的喜悅，對我來說意義非凡！所有美善的事物都是從神而來，我很感恩！你們向我展現了神的愛，我很蒙福，願此生往後我的每個氣息都容神在我身上隨心而欲，照祂旨意成全。

“有一件事，我曾求耶和華，我仍要尋求： 就是一生一世住在耶和華的殿中， 瞻仰祂的榮美，在祂的殿裏求問。”

‭‭詩篇‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬ ‭CUNP-神‬‬

“我一生一世必有恩惠慈愛隨着我； 我且要住在耶和華的殿中，直到永遠。”

‭‭詩篇‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭CUNP-神‬‬

神不偏待人Godshowsnopartiality

人會偏待人，

神不偏待人。

在神的不偏待與恩待裏，

轉眼不看人的錯待，

感謝神對我這麼好！

許多生活中難以言喻的奇妙，

是神的恩待，感恩！

萬主之主的天父，

我愛祢！

“因為神不偏待人。”

‭‭羅馬書‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭CUNP-神‬‬

Humans show partiality.

God shows no partiality.

In God's impartiality and grace,

I turn my eyes not to look at people's mistreatment towards me.

Thank God for being so good to me!

Many of life's indescribable wonders,

It is all God's grace and kindness.

I’m grateful!

My Heavenly Father,

the Lord of Lords,

I love You.

“For God shows no partiality.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

https://youtu.be/SxD37yGkzh0

Amarillis孤挺花如約而至

感謝神！柏先生在腦溢血十年後再度拾起他的相機拍照！孤挺花每年如約而至地在春分時刻綻放，從來沒讓人失望過！其中一棵是我們從加州培育的，十幾年了！仍然美麗如初！神的信實，恩典與應許也是始終如初，不會令人失望，全然的美好！

“因為耶和華本為善。 祂的慈愛存到永遠； 祂的信實直到萬代。”

‭‭詩篇‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭CUNP-神‬‬

Thanks to the Lord of lords. Mr. Berg  picked up his camera again 10 years after he had the aneurism(brain bleed).  The amaryllis blooms at the spring equinox every year as promised, never disappointing us. One of them we've grown in California for over a decade now. Still beautiful! God's faithfulness, grace and promises are always the same, not disappointing, totally good!

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

2023HappyLanternFestival

 Happy Lantern Festival. 今天是東半球的陰曆正月十五，適逢元宵千里共嬋娟的時節，這裡西半球的月亮也圓圓滿滿了，分享一下我們家後院的月色和我寫的一首詩。

https://youtu.be/gjr5Yy_ghBY

Simple pleasure in life

Simple pleasure in life, hers & his  

Simple pleasure in life is…I bought my owl mug a few years ago, then recently came across another larger owl mug unexpectedly, so I bought it for Mr. Berg.
Now, we drink tea in pairs!
It makes me happy just look at them!
生命中簡單的喜悅，她的和他的。
生命中簡單的喜悅 - 就是幾年前買了我這貓頭鷹的杯子，然後最近又不期而遇另一個大一點的貓頭鷹杯，於是買了給柏先生，現在，我們喝茶也成對成雙地！看著就好開心！

https://youtu.be/FNcWr3XG21M

My Father

      Front page of my first photo album- a Christmas gift from Dad.

  

My Father by Angie Lee Berg

My father won’t be here to celebrate Christmas with us this year.

My father was imperfect just like you and me.

There was no internet or information on how to be a good father in his days, but he loved us in his own way. Sometimes, it was not how we like it. Sometimes, it made us resist his love. In spite of this, he continued to love us even more so in his own manner. Although he was not a perfect father, we still love him resolutely, especially in his final days. 

My father was truly blessed. He was surrounded by my devoted family who catered to his every need towards the end of his life. I want to thank my mom, my sister and my brothers for caring for dad when I was far away from home. I am sorry that I couldn’t share your burdens. I truly appreciate your hard work during those difficult days.

My father grew up in turbulent times. He witnessed the political instability of the early Republic of China followed by World War II and the Chinese Civil War between the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party, that led to broken families and the displacement of many people in Greater China. He left home to join the army led by General Dai Li in his teens. Thus, he began his life of uncertainty. Later on, such insecurity revealed in how he behaved and how he treated us. For example, he checked on us with a military flashlight every night to make sure we were sound asleep. He surprised us in the middle of the night and flashed bright light on our faces which was ridiculous, but he wanted to make sure that we were safe. He was mysteriously secretive for no reason. He told us to turn on the parking lights instead of the headlights. Don’t let people know when you are coming or going. We can only turn on the headlights after we exited our driveway. These curious behaviors may be connected with his training as an intelligence officer under General Dai Li!

My father shared his past with me many times and I enjoyed listening to his stories. Some of his spy stories made me think to myself “Oh boy! We have 007 living in our house!” He told me how he maneuvered his motorcycle wheel to cast stones. He used the front wheel to throw rocks wherever he wanted and he always had a perfect hit. He recalled breaking the window of a Japanese military office with rocks to steal information during World War II when Japan invaded China. When the Chinese Communist Party took over, he snuck on the train of Yunnan-Myanmar Highway without a ticket. When the train conductor came to inspect tickets, he climbed out of the train and clasped his hands on the side of the train while it went through a cave. It was extremely dangerous but he escaped China and arrived in New Delhi. He hid in a cardboard box and waited until no one was around after midnight before he came out and left the station. He went to Myanmar shortly after New Delhi. I asked my father, aren't you afraid of being so dangerous? He replied in Cantonese, "At that time, I knew nothing about fear. All I knew was that it was cool." 

Ever since he left his home in China as a young man, he was unable to return home in China for more than half of a century. Therefore, my father was always reluctant to leave home. He did not like any of us to leave home either. He enjoyed being surrounded by us, his wife and children. He was happy to say that we are a "Big Family". Now that I am more than half a century old and a mother who has adult children, I can totally understand how my father wanted his children to be around!

My father was very generous. He loved giving red envelopes to neighbors’ kids and was always willing to entertain our classmates and friends! My dad enjoyed dancing very much. We all call him the Dancing King in our house. My friends went dancing with him once. Even though my father was not rich he paid for them. This was his way of welcoming people who shared his passion for dance. I scolded him for his misguided gesture because the young couple made more money than he did. Later I understood that he was simply happy that he could give unselfishly. He did not have much but he was more generous than I am. I give when I have. When I don’t have much, I’d hold my pocket tightly. If I had learned any bit of generosity, that is a credit to my father and my mother!

I have always enjoyed writing and have written articles since I was a kid. I may not be the best writer but my father always praised me. When I got student honor roll awards, I secretly placed them on the dresser and waited for my father to come home from work to find them. 

Back when I was in elementary school, I looked up to my father and thought he was really smart and highly educated. I often waited for my father to get off work. One night I waited past my bedtime. When he finally came home, he had a small piece of calendar in his hand. On the back of the calendar, he wrote something that looked strange to me. He wanted me to guess what it means. It was a poem with just four lines. I studied the poem for a long time. I admired my father’s handwriting. The characters were so beautifully written but I didn’t understand what they meant. Later, he patiently explained the poem to me.

I recently made a video of my calligraphy but my characters looked like chicken scratch. I wanted to share the meaning of a quote from an article. I didn’t expect people would tell me that my handwriting is so beautiful that I must have been specially trained. Growing up, my family was poor. My parents barely had enough to make ends meet. They certainly didn’t have money to pay for Chinese calligraphy lessons. They were too busy or exhausted minding their five children. Neither did they have time to make us study. Instead, our family adopted a laissez-faire attitude. I am grateful that my parents did not pressure me in that regard. I can only say that if my handwriting is any good it is all because my father’s DNA was so good!

My father was humorous and sometimes playful, especially around Christmas time. We spent Christmas together every year. In the U.S., my parents would always buy a big Christmas tree and decorate it with money and red envelopes. If you have been to my mother’s house during Christmas, you probably have seen our tree decked out like that. I have proof of that on my YouTube channel. My father loved packing, not wrapping gifts for us. Sometimes, when I open gifts from him, it’s a box, then inside is another box...box after box, layers after layers until you reach the last box holding a precious gift. That was the romantic side of my father. It was his language of love. He always filled a cookie box with sandalwood soaps. The smell of sandalwood soap makes me miss my father dearly. 

My father was particular and pristine like a peacock. He loved dressing up in suits immaculately. I have inherited this from him. I also like to present myself dressed neatly and beautifully. When we were young in Taiwan, he taught us to wear closed-toe shoes when we go out. Never slippers! He forbade us to eat at a street vendor’s cart. I did not understand why we can’t when everyone else does it. Later on, I understood he was protecting us from unsanitary habits. This was before disposable plates and utensils were readily available. He also instructed us to use chopsticks properly and to grasp the chopsticks in a particular way. My father once said that he would give me $50 if I can hold my chopsticks well. His insistence had a subtle influence on me. He instilled good eating habits in me. He said that we should eat small bites and not rush to swallow the food. Someone once praised me about how delicate I eat. I remember this because this was a healthy habit I benefited from my father’s rigorous training.

My father was temperamental and strict. Back in our days, there was no gentle parenting. Parents disciplined us by scolding and spanking - the so-called spank harder, love deeper. My sister Cynthia, my brother Danny, and I were all beaten when we were young! But it was only once. Compared with other kids, we were very fortunate. However, there was plenty of scolding. My father yelled at us so loud that he did not need a microphone. The whole village heard him. Believe me, it was hard to endure when my dad was scolding us with bitter sarcasm.

My father was not perfect, but he was filled with goodness. He spoiled me. I remember when I was about 20, my mom asked me to cut vegetables and learn to cook. My father said that he would cut them for me. This is my excuse that I am a lousy cook because of my father! He had many imperfections but he treated us well. What I thank the most is that he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior when he was young, so we could be raised in a Christian family. I have known the Lord in my mother's womb before I was born. I am thankful for my salvation and knowing Lord Jesus Christ is the most beautiful blessing in my life. It is all because of my father that I have such a blessing. My father was imperfect, but he gave me the opportunity to know Lord Jesus Christ.  Most of all, our God, the perfect Heavenly Father, had made up for all of my father’s imperfections.

This summer, I was able to spend one month with my father in the last mile of his journey of life. I am grateful that Heavenly Father gave me time to spend alone with my father. He was so helpless and dependent. When he was in pain and didn’t want to live, he lost his temper and talked nonsense. No matter what I said, he retorted sarcastically. When he did that, I told him no matter what happens, just know that I love you. Suddenly, my father calmed down and fell silent. I felt he simply needed reassurance of my love. My father was not perfect. But he was my father. I love him just as I am his child. Although I am not perfect, he still accepted me and loved me. What’s more, we have a perfect Heavenly Father, God who fills every imperfection with Himself.

My father has no more pain and sorrow. I know where he went and where he is right now. He will be waiting for us with my Heavenly Father God until we meet again in heaven. There is no place better than being in the house of the Lord and I know my dad remembers that I love him!

2019-12-07

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

Psalms 27:1, 4 ESV

Happy Valentine's Day

我們天堂再見

清彤，R.I.P. 1991-2016
昨天九月三十日星期五上午11點多，清彤回天家了，給了自己一宿恢復情緒，還是感謝神的美善，讓我們相識，成為主內姐妹，彼此陪伴走過一段，只想靜靜地收拾起涙水，靠主喜樂，我的情感是柔軟，然而內心是平靜的，因為知道也有信心我們與清彤必再相聚。

這是Anita昨天想我做的影片，今早趕著做出來，沒有什麼準備，只是看著照片懷念一些片段，只想最自然的表露⋯⋯

妳入院前説想來我們家，我不知道為什麼妳不舒服，卻想要來，記得那天聚會完，妳暈眩，我問妳：「仲想來我屋企'嗎？」握緊我的手的妳閉著眼睛，用廣東話堅定地說：「想！我想！」雖然那時我也很累了，但我又如何忍心拒絕呢？

 當來到時妳卻倒在沙發，而我們幾個「大人」，Jeff, Anita，Kevin 和我則在飯桌吃著義大利薄餅「比薩」談笑風生，因為是聚會完臨時起義的決定，我們在Costco買了pizza等妳們過來，見妳還無心吃晚餐，我心疼，於是想𨍭移妳的注意力，知道妳喜歡音樂讓妳聽音樂，或是唱唱歌，我們頭一次一起在我家唱歌，妳開心地不得了，咳嗽休息一下又唱，終於肚子餓了，吃吃喝喝，聊聊，多數時候我們只是聊天，聽音樂，單純的相聚卻是放開了心懷，以赤子之心相會，當我也回那天上更美的家鄉時，我們一起在天父的殿中瞻仰祂的榮美⋯⋯

“有一件事，我曾求耶和華，我仍要尋求： 就是一生一世住在耶和華的殿中， 瞻仰祂的榮美，在祂的殿裏求問。”-詩篇‬ ‭27:4‬
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭ESV‬

【传12:7】[和合本]塵土仍歸於地，靈仍歸於賜靈的　神。
[ESV]and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

【约3:16】[和合本]「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。
[ESV]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

【来11:1】[和合本]信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。
[ESV]Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

萬事均有定時
“凡事都有定期， 天下萬務都有定時。 生有時，死有時； 栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時； 殺戮有時，醫治有時； 拆毀有時，建造有時； 哭有時，笑有時； 哀慟有時，跳舞有時； 拋擲石頭有時，堆聚石頭有時； 懷抱有時，不懷抱有時； 尋找有時，失落有時； 保守有時，捨棄有時； 撕裂有時，縫補有時； 靜默有時，言語有時； 喜愛有時，恨惡有時； 爭戰有時，和好有時。 這樣看來 ，做事的人在他的勞碌上有甚麼益處呢？ 我見神叫世人勞苦，使他們在其中受經練。 神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生 安置在世人心裏。然而神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。 我知道世人，莫強如終身喜樂行善； 並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是神的恩賜。 我知道神一切所做的都必永存；無所增添，無所減少。神這樣行，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。 現今的事早先就有了，將來的事早已也有了，並且神使已過的事重新再來 。 我又見日光之下，在審判之處有奸惡，在公義之處也有奸惡。 我心裏說，神必審判義人和惡人；因為在那裏，各樣事務，一切工作，都有定時。 我心裏說， 這乃 為世人的緣故，是神要試驗他們，使他們覺得自己 不過像 獸一樣。 因為世人遭遇的，獸也遭遇，所遭遇的都是一樣：這個怎樣死，那個也怎樣死，氣息都是一樣。人不能強於獸，都是虛空。 都歸一處，都是出於塵土，也都歸於塵土。 誰知道人的靈是往上升，獸的魂是下入地呢？ 故此，我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。他身後的事誰能使他回來得見呢？
http://bible.com/46/ecc.3.1-22.cunp-神”
‭‭傳道書‬ ‭3:1-22‬ ‭CUNP-神‬‬

A Time for Everything
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again. I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt! I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.” I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals. For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust. For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/ecc.3.1-22.nlt

Sweet Island Delight

終於找到一間道地又合我們胃口的越南餐館了！座落在進派恩島(Pine Island)之前的梅臘雪城市( Matlacha pronounced "mat-la-SHAY")，進了門我們選了靠窗口的桌位坐下，望向窗外可以看到可愛的涼亭及港灣，令人有渡假的感覺！我們是今晚最後一對饕客，和掌櫃聊了一下，掌櫃和藹可親，大家交個朋友，很是開心，原來他的正職是藥劑師，為親人製造就業機會開了這溫馨的餐館。我們想點餐後甜點，但賣完了！掌櫃於是將他們準備自己吃的香蕉蛋糕和我們分享，我們讚好吃之餘還建議加上香草或是椰子冰淇淋更好吃，結果他問我們那取個名字吧！我們倆一人一句，結果決定就叫sweet island delight，掌櫃的馬上去廚房告知他老婆大人，她點頭同意，於是掌櫃說以後會在菜單加上這道我們命名的甜點，還要標示我們名字，大家聊得好開心哦！臨走時我們也湊趣在進門的右邊牆上簽下大名留念！好一個忙碌一天後的愉快夜晚！感謝神所賜美好夜晚。

Had dinner here tonight.  What a wonderful experience of our taste buds! Sitting at the table next to window enjoy the gulf view, one can really immerse self in the ambiance of island like experience.  Owner was very friendly and provided excellent service.  Definitely coming back soon.  Feels like I'm on a super mini vacation.

立春－立體春字剪紙

農曆新年就快到了，我剪了些立體春字擺飾應應景，也順便錄成影片，如果您喜歡也動手做做看，聽說今天剛好是立春，祝賀大家春節愉快！恭喜恭喜！

Lunar Chinese New Year is around the corner.  I'm making some desk deco of the Chinese character "spring" to celebrate the new year and welcoming the arrival of spring!  Happy Chinese New Year and gong xi gong xi! Gong-hee-fot-choy!!!

“因此，我在父面前屈膝，（ 天上地上的各 家，都是從他得名。） 求他按着他豐盛的榮耀，藉着他的靈，叫你們心裏的力量剛強起來， 使基督因你們的信，住在你們心裏，叫你們的愛心有根有基， 能以和眾聖徒一同明白基督的愛是何等長闊高深， 並知道這愛是過於人所能測度的，便叫神一切所充滿的，充滿了你們。 神能照着運行在我們心裏的大力充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。 但願他在教會中，並在基督耶穌裏，得着榮耀，直到世世代代，永永遠遠。阿們！”～以弗所書‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭CUNP-神‬

http://youtu.be/mgnEZQ2bpSQ

丸丸有機小菜園

丸丸夫人及柏員外搬到有雨季酷似臺灣氣候的佛羅里達州珊瑚角，這個對於許多人而言是個名不見經傳的地方，其實位於發明電燈泡的艾迪生及汽車福特故居的邁爾斯堡西邊，隔了條河跨越大橋便是。目前亞洲人口大概佔了此地總人口的百分之二不到，根據2013年的市區人口普查大約十七萬人口中只有約三千不到的亞洲人（資料來源http://www.city-data.com/city/Cape-Coral-Florida.html#b ）；於是乎我高中時期的康樂股長深怕丸丸夫人從此吃不到中國菜，就從臺灣寄了些愛心蔬菜種子給丸丸，丸丸夫人收到包裹時超感動的，包裹裡居然還有當年伴著我們青春年少的民歌音樂碟呢！

由於雨季從六月開始到九月，只得等到雨季停止，秋季來臨時，才準備好種下種子，因為聽說這裡的秋季恰如丸丸熟悉的大地回春般地春季，正是播種好時機呢！於是，忙完感恩節後，丸丸就蠢蠢欲動開始「丸丸有機小菜園」計劃了!

柏員外幫丸丸夫人準備好了好幾個大花盆，填滿了土，淋了水，先養養土壤，兩三天後，丸丸就大施拳腳，展現從丸丸父母遺傳的綠手指基因，鏟土播種了！ 將種子蓋上土後又灑了水，丸丸夫人合十閉目祈禱造物主賜福，之後又對著幾個大盆愛心訓示，曉以大義，告訴它們責任重大，因為不可辜負康樂股長的一片心意啊！沒想到三天不到就看到一群綠蔥蔥的葉子冒出，真是大快人心啊！ 丸丸看到的是造物主的賜福，老同學友誼的生根發芽，不論我們身在何處，天涯若比鄰！

感謝上帝讓我在這陌生的城市建立新家園，一樣感受到愛的溫馨。

丸丸此時哼唱起那首三毛作詞的「夢田」：

「每個人心裏一畝一畝田，每個人心裏一個，一個夢，

一顆呀 一顆種子 ，是我心裡的一畝田 

每個人心裡一畝 一畝田 ，每個人心裡一個 一個夢 

一顆呀 一顆種子 ，是我心裡的一畝田 

用它來種什麼 ，用它來種什麼 ，種桃種李種春風 

用它來種什麼 ，用它來種什麼 ，種桃種李種春風 

開盡梨花春又來 ⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯」

今日體驗經句：

“倚靠耶和華、以耶和華為可靠的， 那人有福了！ 他必像樹栽於水旁， 在河邊扎根， 炎熱來到，並不懼怕， 葉子仍必青翠， 在乾旱之年毫無掛慮， 而且結果不止。" ～耶利米書‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭

我的腳襪

哈哈！本宮不喜矯情，連腳丫子也不喜歡束縛，鞋總買大一點的，也很少穿襪子的，可太后媽咪給我買了這顏色豔麗的腳襪，本宮看著極好！賞腳丫子個亮麗快活！本宮少女情懷不再！弟弟買的hot pink靴送鄰居小珍寶了！亮麗腳襪與此靴的相聚，此情只已成追憶！

追悼 Uncle Tom

印象中的姨丈Uncle Tom是謙和低調並且常常笑臉對人的。多數見面是在家庭宴會中，由於是長輩，也只是點個頭打聲招呼，並無深談。側面觀察到的是他對香姨的愛，原先不知姨丈與我夫婿一樣得過前列腺癌，後來姨丈癌症復發，也許是基於我與香姨人生際遇幾許相似處，在我探望之時姨丈有感而發，對於香姨委身於他後，他得了癌症，覺得對香姨的不公平，語氣中透露了憐愛之情。我想若不是鶼鰈情深，斷不會如此體恤對方而抱不平；這使我想到革命志士林覺民的 與妻訣別書，相濡以沫，愛情的真切，所以能體恤留下來的另一半會如何的思念之苦一樣的心情。

      Uncle Tom對香姨是愛屋及烏，雖然不是我表弟，表妹的生父，但卻給了他們一個正面的父親形象。

     也謝謝姨丈愛屋及烏不止於我表弟，妹而已，還不時在我外婆，或我父母有需要時提供接載帶他們去看病。我與我的家人都很感激他！姨丈令我尊敬的是他縱然年幼被生母遺棄(二戰期間，還是三歲的姨丈被親生母親遺棄在上海某百貨公司，成為孤兒），卻沒有苦毒的心態，所以他仍能選擇以愛回應世界。

    有幸在過去四個月中與姨丈幾次懇談，以下我要用他自己說的話來分享。他在受洗之前緊握我的手說他很感恩，並且說他其實原不知何去何從，但真切的悔改，接受耶穌基督為個人救主，與造物者的重新連結，使他靈魂甦醒充滿喜樂，感恩，他承認沒能早點接受主是錯了。他不只告訴我，也重覆的對別人說。他也要我對曾經傳福音給他的人的無理抱歉。並囑咐我他歸天家後以基督教儀式追思禮。我看到姨丈認錯的謙卑，他的喜樂與確信，也增添我的信心與確據。

     Uncle Tom的決志信主，讓我思考選擇的重要性，人生有許多的選擇，而我們的選擇決定我們的故事，這故事會傳承給我們的子孫，也因此成為他們故事的一部分。如果沒有姨丈決志信主耶穌基督的決定，沒有他在感恩節前夕決定接受洗禮，也許今天的喪禮會是不同的形式，故事會不一樣，我也無法在此對Uncle Tom說，雖然我們以前是毫無血緣關係，但因著他的決志，藉著主耶穌被釘十架為我們流出的寶血， 我們同為天父的兒女，我們是真正的一家人了！Uncle Tom雖被他的親生母親遺棄了， 但我知道從今而後不會在被遺棄的，因為，我們神，我的天上的父親應許了，聖經上如此記載：

「婦人焉能忘記她吃奶的嬰孩，不憐恤她所生的兒子？即或有忘記的，我卻不忘記你。」(賽49：15)

並且，我們的神說：“我總不撇下你，也不丟棄你。”（來13：5下）

我知道姨丈的安息是有盼望的，對我們活著的人也是有盼望的，我知道等我回天家那日我們會再見的。Uncle Tom, 再見！

My impression of Uncle Tom is that he was humble, low key, and with great smile.  We see each other normally at family reunions and parties.  We didn’t talk much, but my observation of him is that his love to my Aunt Shirley.  He always talked to her gentle and with respect.  He loves Aunt Shirley, so he loves her children as well.  Although he isn’t my cousins’ biological father, but he had provided positive father figure to them, to love them and to protect them, he had provided a place to them a place of their own where they called “home”.  I believe it means a lot to my cousins and it means a lot to me.

His love didn’t stop at my cousins, but extended to my grandmother and my parents by providing transportation and take them to doctor appointments when needed.  My family is very grateful for his kindness and caring.

I respect Uncle Tom the most is that despised what he has been through, without bitterness he was able to give love to others.

I am honored that I had the opportunity to talk to Uncle Tom in depth last 4 months of his life, and was able to share the gospel with him.  I have seen the most humble moment of Uncle Tom, right before his baptism.  I would like to share this part with his own words.   That day he held my hand tightly, he said he was very grateful, he said honestly he didn’t know where he will go after death, but after he accepted Christ as his personal savior, reconnected with the creator of all, he knew where he is going, and he admitted it was a mistake for him not to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior.  He said he has peace and joy.  He not only said these to me, he had repeated to others as well.  He asked me to apologize to people who shared the gospel to him, but was rejected by him.  His confession and assurance helped to increase my faith in my own relationship with the Lord.

There are many decisions we need to make in life.  Decision matters, because our decision determines what story we want to tell and to pass down to our offspring.  Our story becomes a part of our children’s story.  Without Uncle Tom’s decision to accept Christ as his personal savior, the memorial service of today would be conducted differently and the story of his life would be different.  I won’t be able to tell him that although we are not blood related biologically, but now we are truly family in Christ.  For the blood Jesus shed for us, we can be called children of God. 

Uncle Tom I know you are with our heavenly Father now.  Although Uncle Tom was once abandoned by his mother, but he will never be abandoned again, because our God has promised in Bible, and it was written: 

 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget,

I will not forget you!” – Isaiah 49:15

It was also written in Bible that:

God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.”  - Hebrew 13:5b

Uncle Tom’s death is with hope and us who are leaving behind also have hope.

 I know that we will meet again till the day I return to our heavenly home.

Goodbye！Uncle Tom.  See you!