We had a big snow two days before the Valentine's Day. I've never seen such snow in 10 years while I'm in Texas. Emily learned to say "snow" (her version is more like "no"). Because Emily and I are both recovering from the cold, we didn't play much in the snow. Here is her asking:" Can I go out to play in the snow?"
Finally we couldn't resist the temptation and went out.Emily trying to catch the Snow
"I got snow!!!"
Can I call Grandpa?
Hi Grandpa, listen: We got snow!!!
Quitting my job is not as easy as I thought. I proposed the resignation orally to my manager on Monday. Then my manager wanted to work out a plan for me to work from home for a couple of years. On Friday we were told that the upper management denied our request of working from home. So I am back to my formal resignation now. During the past 10 days, I experienced high and low emotions constantly. On one hand, my head told me that I'm risking our family's job security and stability. At least, it is a job that I can have for many more years, it has great benefits, it is very close to home, I have good co-workers, and the work itself is not stressful. What else can you expect from a job? On the other hand, my heart told me that it was the right thing to do to be with our kids, to instill a Godly character in them, and to maintain an orderly Christian home. I was so worried that things might go wrong after I quit my job. If only I can see what things will look like in a couple of months ... But Bible told us that faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". A real test of faith happens only when you can't see the path right in front of you.
Sunday night David and I were reading Hebrew 11 (the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter) before going to bed. I was so encouraged by Abraham and Moses. By faith, Abraham left his home land and went to the promised land; By faith, Moses left Pharaoh's place and chose to be mistreated with People of God; Both of them obeyed God's highing calling and gave up their comfort. That reminded me of what Moses said when he led the people to cross the Red Sea:"Then Moses said to him (God), "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." (Exodus 33:15). That was exactly what David and I desperately prayed.
Sunday morning (Valentine's day) in our Bible class, we learned this beautiful new song and it touched my heart deeply. You can hear it on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWB1HCdoA44)
We Will Ride (Andy Park)
He has fire in his eyes
and a sword in his hand
and he's riding in a white horse
all across this land
(Repeat)
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?"
He has fire in his eyes
and a sword in his hand
and he's riding in a white horse
all across this land
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?" (x2)
We say "Yes" ("Yes Lord")
"We'll ride with you."
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
And we say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We'll ride with you."
He has a crown on his hand
He's leading the armies
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?" (x2)
We say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride"
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
Can I hear you say "Yes, Lord?" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride."
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
If I were you I would say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride"
You see that fire in his eyes?
Is his love for his bride
And he is longing that you be with him
riding by his side
Yes that fire in his eyes
Is his burning desire
that his bride be with him
riding by his side
Can you hear him calling out to us right now
Saying "Will you ride with me?"
Lord, I know what I want my answer to be
When you say "Will you ride with me?"
Don't want anything down here holding on to me
When you say "Will you wide with me?"
Can you see that number (no man can number)
Riding along side Jesus
But he's calling out to us right now
Saying "Will you ride with me?"
And we say
"Yes, Lord" (x4)
It's not easy to "ride with Jesus". Sometimes it involves giving up money, status, or some life style changes; other times it involves being mistreated or misunderstood. But "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. " (Hebrews 11:40).
After a week's constantly joggling between being fearful and walking in faith, I finally decided to submit the formal resignation request.
Below is a Valentine's Day prayer to remind me of what a true love is on this Valentine's Day. I pray that it will manifest more and more in my life as I start the journey to ride along with Jesus.
A Valentine’s Day Prayer
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV
Lord,
Because love is patient…
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind…
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You”
because those little things still mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking…
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.
Because love always protects and always trusts…
Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perseveres…
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means.
Amen.
Holley Gerth
Writer/Creative Manager
Sunday morning (Valentine's day) in our Bible class, we learned this beautiful new song and it touched my heart deeply. You can hear it on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWB1HCdoA44)
We Will Ride (Andy Park)
He has fire in his eyes
and a sword in his hand
and he's riding in a white horse
all across this land
(Repeat)
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?"
He has fire in his eyes
and a sword in his hand
and he's riding in a white horse
all across this land
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?" (x2)
We say "Yes" ("Yes Lord")
"We'll ride with you."
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
And we say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We'll ride with you."
He has a crown on his hand
He's leading the armies
And he's calling out to you and me
"Will you ride with me?" (x2)
We say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride"
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
Can I hear you say "Yes, Lord?" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride."
And we say "Yes, Lord"
"We will stand up and fight"
"We will ride with the armies of Heaven."
"Gonna be dressed in white" ("We'll be dressed in white")
If I were you I would say "Yes, Lord" ("Yes, Lord")
"We will ride"
You see that fire in his eyes?
Is his love for his bride
And he is longing that you be with him
riding by his side
Yes that fire in his eyes
Is his burning desire
that his bride be with him
riding by his side
Can you hear him calling out to us right now
Saying "Will you ride with me?"
Lord, I know what I want my answer to be
When you say "Will you ride with me?"
Don't want anything down here holding on to me
When you say "Will you wide with me?"
Can you see that number (no man can number)
Riding along side Jesus
But he's calling out to us right now
Saying "Will you ride with me?"
And we say
"Yes, Lord" (x4)
It's not easy to "ride with Jesus". Sometimes it involves giving up money, status, or some life style changes; other times it involves being mistreated or misunderstood. But "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. " (Hebrews 11:40).
After a week's constantly joggling between being fearful and walking in faith, I finally decided to submit the formal resignation request.
Below is a Valentine's Day prayer to remind me of what a true love is on this Valentine's Day. I pray that it will manifest more and more in my life as I start the journey to ride along with Jesus.
A Valentine’s Day Prayer
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV
Lord,
Because love is patient…
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind…
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You”
because those little things still mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking…
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.
Because love always protects and always trusts…
Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perseveres…
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means.
Amen.
Holley Gerth
Writer/Creative Manager
Finally, Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Hope you had a great one!
(Here is a video of Emily playing with the balloon)
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