最近兒子進入了傳說中最可愛的鸚鵡學語期，每天都有新的進步，不像傳說中的Terrible Two，反而更像是Wonderful Two，甚至Amazing Two，語言能力和邏輯思考都令人驚艷。時間像沙在手中握不住地流逝，不知不覺孩子就瞬間又長大了許多，看著他的可愛模樣，總是感嘆時間快得令人心痛，但除了把握當下，似乎也沒有其他更好的辦法。感謝的是，最近手邊剛好沒有翻譯的案子要趕，得以24小時全天候與他相處、見證他的成長，他似乎也對媽媽的用心陪伴有所感受，這兩天睡前故事都指定非要媽媽讀不可（媽媽已累翻，連續三天九點躺平）。
今天下午和劉姊妹與她的三個孩子一起去了自來水樂園，哥哥姊姊們（十二歲、十歲、四歲）一看到麥可來了就熱情地拖著他（沒有誇張，真的是用「拖」的）去玩水上溜滑梯，麥可第一次見識到這種群魔亂舞的大場面，一開始只想在淺水區玩玩岸邊的微弱小噴水柱，但不久就被熱情的哥哥姊姊們連拖帶拉地拉上去溜滑梯了，原本有些擔心他會嚇哭，但是他從頭到尾都玩得無比盡興，完全不用媽媽擔心（離開新加坡也一個半月了，是這次回台灣後第一次下水），連一旁路人也驚奇他這麼小就深黯水性。晚餐吃了台大對面的老店鳳城燒臘和台一紅豆湯圓，甫戲水完大家都飢腸轆轆，而麥可的吃相和食量又再度驚豔四座。
晚上回想一天經歷，突然有股莫名悵然。想起今天在池裡，兒子說了好幾次：「媽媽游泳、媽媽游泳！」那時，我彎著腰牽著他的手，因為水深僅及膝，加上覺得水冷，就沒蹲下來跟著他一起「游」；後來他再次邀請，我正在岸邊忙著幫大家拍照、幫他錄影，只得再次令他失望。現在想起，那時的行為實在太愚昧，浪費了珍貴的大好機會。
最近讀完Leonard Sax的Boy Adrift後開始讀Girls on the Edge，書裡令我印象深刻的是Dr. Sax提到許多女孩work hard but "don't know how to have fun"。仔細回想，自己確實有這種傾向，似乎總是放不開，例如在派對裡只擅長扮演辦活動的角色，學路加福音的馬大一樣忙進忙出，而沒有真正單純地享受、與人交際。在泳池裡，也總因為怕冷、不想弄濕頭髮（懶得洗頭吹頭髮...）或喝到池水，而鮮少玩得盡興。也正因如此，總是在活動結束後，才因為當初的有所保留而感到悵然若失，覺得Why did I miss the fun even though I was physically there?
「媽媽游泳、媽媽游泳！」孩子一聲聲真誠的呼喚，喚醒了媽媽渴望live more fully的內心。當媽以後，不免偶爾感嘆礙於目前角色無法去做某些事情，比如壯遊、冒險（其實不怕麻煩的話還是可以去做...）可笑的是，以前未有孩子時，也根本沒想過要做那些事情；再者，現在的自己連在水深及膝的池裡痛快地玩一場都做不到，更遑論甚麼冒險犯難了。
作為父母的一大祝福，是自己總會從孩子身上，看到自己言行舉止帶來的後果。孩子總會提醒我怎麼變得更好，活在當下、活得「更像個人」；即使當下自己沒反應過來，事後也會在心裡發酵。孩子幫助我更常自省，更渴望變得更好，也更有動力去調整生活的步伐。有了孩子之後，我越來越打從心底相信，每個孩子來到世上，都可以為父母（或主要照顧者）帶來救贖與重生，前提是我們必須願意為了他去學習、去改變，即使那意味著我們需要犧牲眼前的享樂，或忍受短暫（也許長達數年）的不便。只要我們願意去做，就能體會到世上最純粹的愛與幸福。
如馬太福音所述，「因為凡想要保全自己生命的，將失去生命；凡為我的緣故失去自己生命的，將尋得生命。」兒女是耶和華所賜的產業（詩篇127:3），親職是神聖的職責，若你感覺自己正為善盡此職責而失去自我，這表示你正在找到真實自我的路上，值得慶賀。The days are long, but the years are short - enjoy it when you can!
Showing posts with label LDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LDS. Show all posts
Friday, July 14, 2017
Friday, March 25, 2016
A Tender Mercy of God - My Street Performance Debut in SG
Once in a while, I feel lonely and depressed for no good reason. I know there are many things which I should be grateful for, and there are things I ought to do. But I still feel this way from time to time. Today was one of those days. Maybe it has something to do with the teething baby who woke up from his nap fussing. Maybe it has something to do with the husband being away traveling 6 days a week recently. Maybe it's the homework which I have been trying to avoid to do. I just don't know.
I decided to get out of the house, not sure where I (we) were heading to. "Maybe we should go get some groceries? No, that's just lame." I decided to go to the Clarke Quay Central mall. 200m after we left home, I realized there was dried baby food on my glasses. "Oh. This is just great."
To be honest, Clarke Quay Central is not even a good mall. We walked around, but nothing made me want to shop (except for the custard puff from Beard Papa). I had salmon salad for dinner, thinking at least I did something good for my body today. Then I got a custard puff which balanced out the healthiness of the salad.
It was 5:40pm, almost dinner time for the baby. "Well, we should probably head home." At first, I was going to take the main exit, which would lead us to the main street. But then I changed my mind and took the side exit, which led us to the riverside. There was a gentleman in his 50s singing with his guitar, and his wife was standing behind him as his assistant. (Based on his accent, I am guessing he's probably from HK.) I always support street performers with some donation (mostly because I used to perform at a café myself). I took Michael out from the stroller, and we sat by the river to listen to the performance.
The man was singing "Country Road, Take Me Home", which made me want to cry. "I miss home. But I Am home. This is my home. I don't know. Sometimes I just feel homeless." He finished the song, but not many people were applauding even though the performance was pretty good. I decided that we moved to the staircase in front of the singer to listen more carefully and to show our support. As he was singing the next song, "Love, Me", I thought, "it would be nice if he could sing 'Here Comes The Sun' - or just anything from the Beatles." Then the next song he sang was "Imagine". "Oh, how nice! Thank you, Heavenly Father. This is good enough." I thought.
After the song, the singer smiled and waved at us. He asked where we came from. "Taiwan." (Now that I think about it, I wonder why he knew I wasn't from Singapore. I was wearing my workout outfit, Georgetown Basketball T-shirt and the navy shorts which I sleep in. Didn't I look local?) "Taiwan. Then we should sing 'The Moon Represents My Hearts'. How about you come here and sing with me? My wife can hold your baby." Even though I dressed like I was on my way to do my laundry or take out the trash, somehow I did not hesitate and joined him. Maybe I was just too desperate. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the live performance from Taiwan." he declared. To my surprise, Michael was totally cool with being held by the lady he met for the first time. I wish I saw his face when I was singing, but I was too focused on our performance. It was a song I have performed many times on stage, so I know it very well.
"Thank you, that was really fun." I told the singer. His wife seemed very happy to get to hold the baby. "He is very dense!" Ha ha. Everyone says so. We left for home for Michael's dinner. "Wow. That was a special experience. How a special day. Thank you for letting me feel so special, Heavenly Father." It was funny how I was hoping to hear a song about the sun while it turned out that I got to sing a song about the moon. It was truly a tender mercy from God. He made my day by letting me know that I matter to him and I am not unnoticed.
I decided to get out of the house, not sure where I (we) were heading to. "Maybe we should go get some groceries? No, that's just lame." I decided to go to the Clarke Quay Central mall. 200m after we left home, I realized there was dried baby food on my glasses. "Oh. This is just great."
To be honest, Clarke Quay Central is not even a good mall. We walked around, but nothing made me want to shop (except for the custard puff from Beard Papa). I had salmon salad for dinner, thinking at least I did something good for my body today. Then I got a custard puff which balanced out the healthiness of the salad.
It was 5:40pm, almost dinner time for the baby. "Well, we should probably head home." At first, I was going to take the main exit, which would lead us to the main street. But then I changed my mind and took the side exit, which led us to the riverside. There was a gentleman in his 50s singing with his guitar, and his wife was standing behind him as his assistant. (Based on his accent, I am guessing he's probably from HK.) I always support street performers with some donation (mostly because I used to perform at a café myself). I took Michael out from the stroller, and we sat by the river to listen to the performance.
The man was singing "Country Road, Take Me Home", which made me want to cry. "I miss home. But I Am home. This is my home. I don't know. Sometimes I just feel homeless." He finished the song, but not many people were applauding even though the performance was pretty good. I decided that we moved to the staircase in front of the singer to listen more carefully and to show our support. As he was singing the next song, "Love, Me", I thought, "it would be nice if he could sing 'Here Comes The Sun' - or just anything from the Beatles." Then the next song he sang was "Imagine". "Oh, how nice! Thank you, Heavenly Father. This is good enough." I thought.
After the song, the singer smiled and waved at us. He asked where we came from. "Taiwan." (Now that I think about it, I wonder why he knew I wasn't from Singapore. I was wearing my workout outfit, Georgetown Basketball T-shirt and the navy shorts which I sleep in. Didn't I look local?) "Taiwan. Then we should sing 'The Moon Represents My Hearts'. How about you come here and sing with me? My wife can hold your baby." Even though I dressed like I was on my way to do my laundry or take out the trash, somehow I did not hesitate and joined him. Maybe I was just too desperate. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the live performance from Taiwan." he declared. To my surprise, Michael was totally cool with being held by the lady he met for the first time. I wish I saw his face when I was singing, but I was too focused on our performance. It was a song I have performed many times on stage, so I know it very well.
"Thank you, that was really fun." I told the singer. His wife seemed very happy to get to hold the baby. "He is very dense!" Ha ha. Everyone says so. We left for home for Michael's dinner. "Wow. That was a special experience. How a special day. Thank you for letting me feel so special, Heavenly Father." It was funny how I was hoping to hear a song about the sun while it turned out that I got to sing a song about the moon. It was truly a tender mercy from God. He made my day by letting me know that I matter to him and I am not unnoticed.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The Power of Everyday Missionaries 中譯版 即將發行
千呼萬喚始出來...
(其實還沒印)
終於要出版了!
10/19/2014 寫信給作者毛遂自薦
6/26/2015 初版譯稿(拖了老半天終於)在陣痛中完成，當天午夜出發去醫院生孩子，可以說初稿是跟麥可一起誕生的...
4/?/2016 即將發行
--覺得 感動
感謝老公一路的支持鼓勵鞭策
感謝婆婆幫我坐月子期間幫忙校對
感謝劉慧珠姊妹一手包辦編輯找印刷廠商和出版
感謝何於振會長和陳雍玲姊妹幫忙潤稿 (一孕傻三年的文筆有時實在令人不忍卒睹)
感謝克雷頓柯丁森弟兄寫出這本好書
感謝天父的恩賜 讓我們能一起從事祂的事工
Monday, February 22, 2016
演講心得
已經不記得上次在教會做英文演講是什麼時候了，這次的題目對我而言又格外的具有挑戰性，三個星期前就開始緊張，上個星期讀了幾篇總會大會演講，摘錄了一些陶德克里斯多長老的演講內容，但還是不太確定要怎麼做。昨晚又加了一些內容，想確立一下架構，但還是一點一點慢慢地搞到今天中午才大致底定，一直到到了教會、坐在台上、聖餐時間還在做最後準備...千鈞一髮的感覺真的很不舒服。
聚會結束，好幾個人來跟我說喜歡我的演講、講得很好，但我還是覺得不甚滿意、很心虛。今天真的緊張到吃不下(昨晚還做惡夢，夢到我要在台北演講，但起床後人卻在嘉義)，到教會時好想問主教可不可以不要講...還好，聚會前在廁所裡作的懇切祈禱發揮了功效，感謝天父的幫助，聖靈確實有賜給我說方言的恩賜，讓我可以順利的表達想說的重點。
緊張是因為缺乏自信，而缺乏自信則是源於準備不夠充分。
「如果你們已預備好，你們就不懼怕」（教約38：30）
印象中自己曾做過的大多數演講都是這樣的結果...除了去年初在教會講初級會的年度目標那次有準備周全，覺得滿意以外，其他的經驗幾乎都是到了最後一秒還在準備。我想我必須繼續學習提前準備到100%，然後期待90%的結果，而不是準備到80%，卻期待90%的奇蹟--心臟(和胃)真的承受不了。
聚會結束，好幾個人來跟我說喜歡我的演講、講得很好，但我還是覺得不甚滿意、很心虛。今天真的緊張到吃不下(昨晚還做惡夢，夢到我要在台北演講，但起床後人卻在嘉義)，到教會時好想問主教可不可以不要講...還好，聚會前在廁所裡作的懇切祈禱發揮了功效，感謝天父的幫助，聖靈確實有賜給我說方言的恩賜，讓我可以順利的表達想說的重點。
緊張是因為缺乏自信，而缺乏自信則是源於準備不夠充分。
「如果你們已預備好，你們就不懼怕」（教約38：30）
印象中自己曾做過的大多數演講都是這樣的結果...除了去年初在教會講初級會的年度目標那次有準備周全，覺得滿意以外，其他的經驗幾乎都是到了最後一秒還在準備。我想我必須繼續學習提前準備到100%，然後期待90%的結果，而不是準備到80%，卻期待90%的奇蹟--心臟(和胃)真的承受不了。
我需要增強自信，而唯一的方法就是努力增強自己的實力、做好準備，才不會有懼怕，才會有信心。信心的表現是行動，尼腓是我要學習的榜樣：「我會去做主所命令的事，因為我知道，主決不命令人類兒女去做任何事情，除非祂為他們預備道路，來完成祂所命令的事。」(尼腓一書3：7)
另一節關於自信的經文：
「你的心腸也要對所有的人和信心的家族充滿仁愛，要不停地以美德裝飾你的思想；然後你的自信必在神面前愈發堅強；聖職的教義必如來自上天之露，滴在你的靈魂上。」 (教約 121: 45)
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
I am a child of God
可能是有史以來聽過最美的版本
唱過無數次的一首歌
沒想到可以唱得如此美麗
是一種 令人覺得快要窒息的美麗
記得在傳教的時候
常常在第一次上課時和教導的對象一起唱這首歌
有幾次歌都還沒唱完
對方的眼淚就已經在眼眶裡打轉了
那是感動的眼淚
是感覺到自己被愛的眼淚
是更加認識自己寶貴價值的眼淚
神認識我們每一個人
我們都是兄弟姊妹 都是祂寶貴的孩子
祂愛我們 也關心我們
祂希望我們快樂 希望我們都能變得更好 更像祂
有一天能回到天家與祂團聚
這個簡單的真理
是我們信仰的基石與核心
我們所說 所做 所追求的一切 皆是因為這個信念而來
當你感覺孤獨 迷失 困惑 傷心時
請記得 你是神的孩子
祂決不會拋下你 也不會放棄你
跟隨祂的腳步 你就會看見希望和光明 就能找到平安和幸福
--
1 我是神的孩子，
祂差我來此地，
賜我一個世上家庭，
有親愛的雙親。
2 我是神的孩子，
應學習許多事，
助我明白祂的教訓，
不至為時太遲。
3 我是神的孩子，
有祝福等待我，
若我照祂旨意而行，
能再與祂同住。
領我，導我，與我同在，
助我行正路。
教我所有應做事，
他日與神同住。
1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I'll live with him once more.
4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
Words: Naomi Ward Randall, 1908-2001. (c) 1957 IRI. Fourth verse (c) 1978 IRI
Music: Mildred Tanner Pettit, 1895-1977. (c) 1957 IRI. Arr. by Darwin Wolford, b. 1936. Arr. (c) 1989 IRI
https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-am-a-child-of-god?lang=eng
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Mission Testimony 11.16.2013
“神為愛祂的人所預備的，是眼睛未曾看見，耳朵未曾聽見，人心也未曾想到的。”(哥林多前書2：9)
我2009-2011年在台灣台中傳道部服務。在這十八個月中，我學到了我一生中最寶貴的經驗。我見證了神對世人的愛、復興福音為個人與家庭所帶來的祝福，也感受到基督贖罪的偉大力量，傳教幫助我看到自己的潛能，學習如何悔改，成為最好的自己。
年少時，我曾經一度偏離福音道路，為了討好世人的眼光而活，以為那是真正的快樂，內心深處卻總是感到空虛，對未來感到悲觀；直到去傳教時，我才了解福音才是真正能為人類帶來長久幸福的方法－真正的快樂和平安是透過每天努力跟隨基督的榜樣而來。在《宣講我的福音》中，最令我獲益良多的是第六章“基督般的品格＂，在這一章內列出了信心﹑希望﹑仁愛﹑耐心﹑勤奮等基督所具備的特質。我發現，當我努力研讀並培養這些特質時，我變得更明白神的旨意﹑更能傾聽聖靈的低語﹑也在傳道事工上看到更多成功。學習變得更像耶穌基督是一個悔改蛻變的過程，它幫助我看清自己的軟弱，也教我如何將軟弱的事物變得堅強（以帖書12:27），感受贖罪的潔淨力量。
傳教也幫助我如何去愛神﹑愛每一個人，用屬靈之眼看見他們真正的價值﹑為他們服務，而不是用人的眼光標準去衡量批判。我看見人們因為感受到神的愛而從心開始改變﹑開始渴望更多屬神的事物，甚至願意犧牲原有的事物來跟隨救主的樣式生活；有人為了守安息日為聖而換了工作，有人為了智慧語而戒菸戒酒，還有人為了貞潔律法，決定與交往多年的男友分手。他們都為了追求一個更好世界的事物，而放棄了原本的生活習慣，甚至重建人際關係，但是神給他們的則是更無與倫比的祝福。
最近我的一位新成員與一位優秀的弟兄結婚了，看到她的幸福模樣，我實在無法用言語形容我的內心有多麼為她高興。我還記得她第一次與我們見面時，我問她為何與我們見面，她說：「我只是很好奇你們這邊到底在做什麼。不過你們最好要有心理準備，因為我是很難被說服的一個人。」從她一開始的充滿防備﹑不信任，到後來徹底卸下心防﹑改變生活，只有短短幾個星期；洗禮後她成了最積極有愛心的成員傳教士，為許多人的生活帶來祝福，著實成了一個新造的人。「謝謝妳，讓我有了幸福的可能。」她在喜帖上寫著。她是我的榜樣，也大大鞏固了我的見證。得以見證這一切，讓我深感謙卑；我感謝神讓我成為祂手中的工具，讓我能為祂的兒女帶來幸福。
在準備傳教時，我有好一陣子反覆思索自己到底是否該去，猶豫的原因有一大部分是不想與朋友斷了聯繫，不想錯過這一年半和朋友們相處的時間；後來我告訴自己：如果我不去，老了以後一定會後悔人生少了這段經歷，但是如果去了，一定不會錯；我就這樣說服了自己前往。傳教時，我逐漸領悟到，傳教的目的並不是為了我自己能學習多少或有什麼收穫，而是因為有人正在未知的彼端等待著我將救恩帶入他們的生活，而且這份工作除了我以外，沒有別人能做。這些人是我的姊妹弟兄，我曾經在前生答應過他們，我會在今生找到他們，並將他們帶回通往天家的道路。想到這裡，我不禁為了自己當初曾懷疑是否該來傳教的念頭而顫慄不已，並慶幸自己選擇了這條道路。
傳教所帶來的祝福與快樂是無法數算的，我感謝有機會為神服務，有機會更認識祂，並為祂的兒女帶來永恆的幸福。傳教就像一趟尋寶之旅，你永遠不知道等在前面的下一個寶物是什麼──一位金色的慕道友﹑一位天使般的教會成員﹑一位基督般的同伴﹑一個無價的寶貴經驗﹑或是一個神聖的個人見證……
神為你所預備的，絕對是你未曾看見﹑未曾聽見﹑也未曾想到的，上好的福份。
我2009-2011年在台灣台中傳道部服務。在這十八個月中，我學到了我一生中最寶貴的經驗。我見證了神對世人的愛、復興福音為個人與家庭所帶來的祝福，也感受到基督贖罪的偉大力量，傳教幫助我看到自己的潛能，學習如何悔改，成為最好的自己。
年少時，我曾經一度偏離福音道路，為了討好世人的眼光而活，以為那是真正的快樂，內心深處卻總是感到空虛，對未來感到悲觀；直到去傳教時，我才了解福音才是真正能為人類帶來長久幸福的方法－真正的快樂和平安是透過每天努力跟隨基督的榜樣而來。在《宣講我的福音》中，最令我獲益良多的是第六章“基督般的品格＂，在這一章內列出了信心﹑希望﹑仁愛﹑耐心﹑勤奮等基督所具備的特質。我發現，當我努力研讀並培養這些特質時，我變得更明白神的旨意﹑更能傾聽聖靈的低語﹑也在傳道事工上看到更多成功。學習變得更像耶穌基督是一個悔改蛻變的過程，它幫助我看清自己的軟弱，也教我如何將軟弱的事物變得堅強（以帖書12:27），感受贖罪的潔淨力量。
傳教也幫助我如何去愛神﹑愛每一個人，用屬靈之眼看見他們真正的價值﹑為他們服務，而不是用人的眼光標準去衡量批判。我看見人們因為感受到神的愛而從心開始改變﹑開始渴望更多屬神的事物，甚至願意犧牲原有的事物來跟隨救主的樣式生活；有人為了守安息日為聖而換了工作，有人為了智慧語而戒菸戒酒，還有人為了貞潔律法，決定與交往多年的男友分手。他們都為了追求一個更好世界的事物，而放棄了原本的生活習慣，甚至重建人際關係，但是神給他們的則是更無與倫比的祝福。
最近我的一位新成員與一位優秀的弟兄結婚了，看到她的幸福模樣，我實在無法用言語形容我的內心有多麼為她高興。我還記得她第一次與我們見面時，我問她為何與我們見面，她說：「我只是很好奇你們這邊到底在做什麼。不過你們最好要有心理準備，因為我是很難被說服的一個人。」從她一開始的充滿防備﹑不信任，到後來徹底卸下心防﹑改變生活，只有短短幾個星期；洗禮後她成了最積極有愛心的成員傳教士，為許多人的生活帶來祝福，著實成了一個新造的人。「謝謝妳，讓我有了幸福的可能。」她在喜帖上寫著。她是我的榜樣，也大大鞏固了我的見證。得以見證這一切，讓我深感謙卑；我感謝神讓我成為祂手中的工具，讓我能為祂的兒女帶來幸福。
在準備傳教時，我有好一陣子反覆思索自己到底是否該去，猶豫的原因有一大部分是不想與朋友斷了聯繫，不想錯過這一年半和朋友們相處的時間；後來我告訴自己：如果我不去，老了以後一定會後悔人生少了這段經歷，但是如果去了，一定不會錯；我就這樣說服了自己前往。傳教時，我逐漸領悟到，傳教的目的並不是為了我自己能學習多少或有什麼收穫，而是因為有人正在未知的彼端等待著我將救恩帶入他們的生活，而且這份工作除了我以外，沒有別人能做。這些人是我的姊妹弟兄，我曾經在前生答應過他們，我會在今生找到他們，並將他們帶回通往天家的道路。想到這裡，我不禁為了自己當初曾懷疑是否該來傳教的念頭而顫慄不已，並慶幸自己選擇了這條道路。
傳教所帶來的祝福與快樂是無法數算的，我感謝有機會為神服務，有機會更認識祂，並為祂的兒女帶來永恆的幸福。傳教就像一趟尋寶之旅，你永遠不知道等在前面的下一個寶物是什麼──一位金色的慕道友﹑一位天使般的教會成員﹑一位基督般的同伴﹑一個無價的寶貴經驗﹑或是一個神聖的個人見證……
神為你所預備的，絕對是你未曾看見﹑未曾聽見﹑也未曾想到的，上好的福份。
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| 《颱風天》 2010夏．彰化 |
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