Who am I?

I, or someone like me, have touched you hundreds of times, but you never saw me, never felt me.  I give you hope, provide joy, and unfortunately, deliver bad news.  I am never there to share in your excitement or comfort you in your times of sorrow.  However, I still feel these emotions from a distance.

I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist.  I am the one who discovered a pregnancy in the couple who had a slim hope of ever bearing a child but was not there to "high-five" them.  I gave closure to thousands of families of the 9/11 disaster by identifying the remains of their loved ones but was not there to share their tears.  I personally discovered a terrorist's weapon of choice, Anthrax, but could not bask in the limelight.

I performed the tumor marker tests that helped in the diagnosis of cancer in your father, mother, spouse, or other family member early enough for a successful recovery or at least in time for them to wrap up loose ends.

I recognized when you needed more iron, less medication, and a better diet.  I tested your serum for hepatitis markers and for HIV antibodies.  I identified the organism that was causing your infection and the antimicrobials that would be effective in treating it.  I identified the HLA markers in a donor that provided a perfect match for the stem cell transplant you so desperately needed.  I supply most of the evidence your physician uses to diagnose your ills.  My tasks are limitless, but always behind the scenes.  I am a vital part of the healthcare team and make substantial contributions to you r diagnosis and treatment.  But I never get to tell you so.

Karen Gordon
President, Virginia Society for Clinical Laboratory Science

Snow!

Contrary Walk

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

~Galatians 5:16, 17

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

~James 4:4

City Drivin

Wed. Leo & Roeum visited Chicago

...snow where are you hiding this time of year?

Dry Bones

"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 
And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest." 

Ezekiel 37:1-3

I started reading the 'Steve Jobs' authorized biography a couple of weeks ago.  I've always considered him quite the interesting man.  I've heard of his many antics, his rash personality.  But his public speaking skills are undeniably adept.  What a brilliant man.  A pretty good read so far.

But what is man's greatness?  Did Steve Jobs gain wealth?  Did he gain fame?  Was he happy with his life?  Did he live a meaningful life?  Did he know God?  Did he ever accept Jesus as his personal Savior?

I sincerely hope so.  As I was looking out the little window off my flight today, on my final descent approach to Midway airport, I couldn't help but to contemplate more about my life.  I've always had conversations with God on my flights.  Not sure if it's just me, but flying makes me think of how fragile life can be.  So I always say my prayers.  But they're not just prayers.  I meditate upon my life, talk to my Father and make sure that I'm right with Him.  I've always wondered how many people on a given flight would have similar thoughts running through their minds.

I met with a couple of friends this past Thanksgiving break.  But one of them asked later on why I looked a little downcast.  I couldn't really answer at the time.  Maybe because I didn't really like texting, or maybe also because it had been an ongoing struggle of mine.

My prayer request is also the same; my heart also cries out for faith and strength to walk with God.  Can these bones live?  There are very many, and they are very dry.

"Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

Psalms 90:13,14

Week Update!

Leaves were everywhere (Wed)

Wet snow (not real snow) came 

down Thursday

Just this morning. :)

"Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:6

Getting ready for another set of working week.  May it be a faithful and productive one.  Next thing you know it's Thanksgiving.  Will be home friday. :)

Be Thou my Vision by Jaime Jorge. One of my favorite hymns.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Proverbs

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

The Parentals :)

Times are Changing

Today

Last Month (Sept 26)

The Times are Changing

Persimmon (part 2)

Reunited with my persimmon
once more

Offended, Anyone?

"Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

Psalm 119:165

How You Live

One Sabbath closer to His coming... keep us LORD on the narrow path.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Matthew 7:14

 

Protein

A Heart of Wisdom

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

Psalms 90:12-14

Columbus

A little late, but I thought this was hilarious. :)

Indiference

Thanks Kellon for sharing this!

Daughters

"We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between a man who flatters her - and a man who compliments her. A man who spends money on her - and a man who invests in her. A man who views her as property - and a man who views her properly. A man who lusts after her - and a man who loves her. A man who believes he is God's gift to women - and a man who remembers a woman was God's gift to man. And then teach our boys to be that kind of a man." ~ Unknown

In Spirit and in Truth

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him."

John 4:23

(Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well)

It's been raining the past 2-3 days in Illinois.

Colors are Changing

"And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him."

Daniel 2:21, 22

Behold

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."

I John 3:1

Feeling Discouraged Anyone?

Repost from Kellon Linden Jones' "This is Real" :)

Someone has written these beautiful words.

I Must read and try to understand the deep meaning for myself.

1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

2] So a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today’s PEACE.

Fall Schedule

Why is Everybody So Serious? :)

Recession

Photo by Kelly Gabriel

The Vain Things that Charm Me Most

Six months have passed since I started working full time.  Vacation time start showing up on my paychecks now.  Getting the hang of things: managing income, tithe, student loans, grocery money (grocery that's such a funny word. Say that 10 times).

But how would I look back to this period of my life later in the future?  Maybe as that period of time right out of college when college loans seemed like forever to pay off.  Or maybe just the time when means were just enough, not too much not too little.  When single life was not so demanding with mortgages or family bills to pay.  When God was showing me the ways everyday how to be content.

Would I be a different person if I make more money today?  Would I be reckless on my spending -on that new camera equipment or lens- if God were to trust me with more?  He knows my name, He knows my every thought.

"Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me." Psalms 5:8

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee:
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

"You provide all my needs, and I call you Abba Father.  Hallowed be Thy name."

Our Worship

"You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes."  Haggai 1:6

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols."  I John 5:21

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10

Answer

Tennessee, Freshman Year '05

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Col 4:5,6

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Proverbs 15:23

Saddleback Caterpillar

They have a dedicated eHow page on "How to Treat a Saddleback Caterpillar Sting."
Thank you Bing for the cool picture of the day.

Core Lab

Meditate Upon

I miss those early mornings of studying/cramming and praying for God to help me pass my tests. A little over a year since graduation day. God is so good.

**********

"For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach." I Tim 4:10

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." v. 12

"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." v. 15,16

Lunch

lol

Prairie Vole

Reliable

I like things that last. That's the reason why I don't like Aldo shoes (they looked terrible after just one winter), and how I now start to appreciate my '98 Toyota Camry (soon to be 160,000 miles).

I have not been on this drafting page for a while now. The busyness of life and personal struggles have been hindering me to write about anything. I'd think of something to share on this blog and a second later I would think, nah that sounds too silly.

But here I am tonight, in my living quarter, contemplating my life that is full of blessings from my Father in Heaven. How by the end of this month, will mark the 6 months since I started work back in February. He is the Father of all things Reliable and more.

"Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;

spoil not his resting place:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:

but the wicked shall fall into mischief."

~Proverbs 24:15,16

"How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."

~I Kings 18:21

Teaching Our Youth

My first time teaching the youth this upcoming Sabbath. It will be a beach Youth Sabbath too. I hope it will be well.

"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day."

Deutronomy 5:15

Not monthly, not yearly, but weekly, and without exception--that is how important it is. The One who designed and made us is the same One who delivered Israel from Egypt and who delivers us from the bondage of sin... And just as God gave the marriage institution in Eden to meet the human need for horizontal intimacy, so He gave the Sabbath for vertical intimacy between the Creator and His creatures.

Sabbath School Lesson Study

Men

The greatest want of the world is the want of men,
Men who will not be bought or sold;
Men who in their inmost souls are true and honest;
Men who do not fear to call sin by its right name;
Men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole;
Men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.

Ellen G. White SD 214.4

-------------

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

~Proverbs 22:6

Folly

"To answer before listening-that is folly and shame." Prov. 18:13.

John Once More

Reading from John this morning (what a wonderful gospel). To be able to hear the words that Jesus uttered during His short time on earth, every sentence a purpose.

It was maybe 2 years ago when for the first time I read through this gospel. Reading it today felt like I never read it before ( Chapter 7 was about Jesus going up to the feast in Jerusalem after His brethren already left. "...then went He also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret." verse 10) I felt a little foolish just now. Oh how how much less wisdom than the little wisdom I have now, did I actually have 2 years ago. Hmm disappointments aside, how I'm very thankful for the Word that came to life this morning.

-------

"Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, wheather it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?"

John 7:14-19

Mind & Body

"Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body." -my fortune cookie

In Good Hands

"I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore."

Psalms 37:25-27

Lack of Nothing

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,
and that ye may have lack of nothing."

I Thessalonians 4:11,12

"I Will in No Wise Cast Out"

Discarded Fishing Tackle

Life can be a very vicious cycle sometimes. From what we eat, what we drink, what we watch, the things we say.. with school and work.. these things may bring us shame and hinder us from approaching our Savior and King. But that's how we think.

Reading from John chapter 6 this morning...

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed." verse 27

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." verse 37

"And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40

.....

I've been dropping the ball on Bible reading since PM shift started. Lord give me the endurance to continue this race.

Good Song

My old friend from school, Pastor Allen Decena.

Come to Church

"The Church is not a Country Club for Saints; it is a Hospital for Sinners."

~unknown

The Usual Breakfast

I've found a cheaper alternative to Triscuits. A big box of these guys,

with a side of 'honey something' peanuts (picture).

Glory & Beauty

"The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head."

~Proverbs 20:29

Picture of the Day

Come Now

"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When you come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; they they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1

Heart Attack

Pretty interesting

God's Creation

One of the largest...

Love for Scripture

Last Sabbath was the first time I sang solo at church. Then last Thursday Pastor asked me to sing again. It was for a funeral service for the mother of one of our members at church. He could not find anyone that's available and not working that afternoon. Hmm, I wonder how many more times will i sing solo in my life. But all for His glory, can't just bury this ability on the ground and call myself a faithful servant, can't I? I sang "Give me Jesus."

During the service, one of her nephews had the privilege of reading the obituary. 88 years of age when God called her to rest. He mentioned how his Aunt was such a faithful reader of the Bible. He then addressed the congregation, "How many of us when we can't go to sleep at night, get up and read our Bible?"

That reminded me of my grandma in Indonesia. She is still alive and well, i think in her 80's now, living in the west (cold side) of the country. Back when I was young (grade school young), I remember once a year grandma would visit our house. In a span of 2 or 3 weeks, she would rotate her stay amongst her children in Jakarta. Well, back at her house she had a small store to watch. So i guess when she visited us, she had not much to do. When I came back from school, I would see her most of the time with her Bible. When Pops came back from work, they would spend some time talking in the living room. Then when I got a little older and more able to play the piano, she would time to time ask me to play the hymns and sing with her.

So, fervently reading the Bible, is that just something from the past generation? How did these two ladies develop their habits? Was it just something that came with old age? Lord help me to grow the desire to search You through scripture daily.

"Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little."

Isaiah 28:9,10

"Let no man despise you for your youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders."

I Timothy 4:12-14

Grandma's shop

Prophets & Kings

Not in mighty manifestations of divine power, but by "a still small voice," did God choose to reveal Himself to His servant. He desired to teach Elijah that it is not always the work that makes the greatest demonstration that is most successful in accomplishing His purpose.

(Page 168)


It is not always the most learned presentation of God's truth that convicts and converts the soul. Not by eloquence or logic are men's hearts reached, but by the sweet influences of the Holy Spirit, which operate quietly yet surely in transforming and developing character. It is the still, small voice of the Spirit of God that has power to change the heart.

(Page 169)


This chapter is based on I Kings 19:9-14

Train Ride

From a friend's post:

"Life is like a train ride. Some people will sit next to you and talk to you. Some will just stand around…oblivious to your existence. Some will have to leave the train while you’re having a great conversation and who knows when you’ll see them again. And if you’re lucky, there’ll be those who will sit and talk to you throughout the whole journey."

— From a dear friend

Elijah

After Psalms i wasn't sure what to read next. I tried reading the first book Kings for a while, but it didn't seem to work out. I thought to myself maybe I should put a separate time to read this book, for I needed something different to start my day.

So I decided to revisit one of the gospels. It was one of the first books I read, that moment in my youth life when I decided that I needed to read the Bible for myself, to learn from the Word and search Him early. Sure enough, God had a message for me.

There was the first Elijah,
Then came the second [John the Baptist].
Today we are the Elijah of our time.

So our message should be of the same message,
"I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the LORD, as said the prophet Isaiah." John 1:23

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain." Isaiah 40:3,4

What's your wilderness like? Is it classroom like? or maybe at your own church. Do you sometimes feel that you're the only one crying? Or are you still waiting to make your cry?

"For God has not given us the spirit of timidity; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." I Timothy 1:7,8

"And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17

Elijah = "Yahweh is my God"

Nice Video

for Mom.

Slumber

"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."

Proverbs 6:10,11

Hymn

As water to the thirsty
As beauty to the eyes
As strength that follows weakness
As truth instead of lies
As song time and springtime and summertime to be
So is my LORD, my living LORD, so is my LORD to me

Like calm in place of clamor
Like peace that follows pain
Like meeting after parting
Like sunshine after rain
Like moonlight and starlight and sunlight on the sea
So is my LORD, my living LORD, so is my LORD to me

As sleep that follows fever
As gold instead of grey
As freedom after bondage
As sunrise to the day
As home to the traveler and all he longs to see
So is my LORD, my living LORD, so is my LORD to me

....................

"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

John 1:4,5

My Friend Kellon

"A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

~ Proverbs 18:24 ~

The Annual Egg Hunt

Let's see if you can find 2 eggs

hehhe

I like this one

Yellow bushes

not for the faint-hearted. lol

nobody found this egg (the last one of four that had a

special $1 bill in it. hehhe)

Getting ready

Listening to the simple rule: Be nice to one another

Pray

Mia praying :)

Ready to go...

Finally

Dad documenting

Lara

Half way through the search

Hey what do you know

They found it!

Do you see it? (click on the picture if you give up)

Kevin happy counting

Eggs

~ The End ~