2015 Year in Review

Last year, I started my annual blogspot by quoting James 1:2-3:  "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." I also wrote "just when we thought 2013 was a tough year, 2014 was even more challenging."  2015 was filled with even more trials than 2014.  Yet, we are still grateful and joyous in all circumstances.  God's grace is sufficient for us.

For me and my family, this blog is my online diary to reflect on this past year, good and bad.  I don't mind the transparency and honesty.  As they say, "keepin' it real."

• Angel cancer surgery Feb 20th.  Last year Angel slipped her disk in her vertebrae and had back surgery.  This year, we discovered that she had lymphoma and opted for surgery and prednisone (steroids) to slow the growth of cancer.  There was a high chance that this type of cancer would come back.  Dr. Schulman gave her 3 to 6 months to live.  Chemo could stretch it to 6 to 9 months, but she would be living in misery and sickness.  She recovered after her surgery and acted like a little puppy again, pain-free and happy.  It was a good 3 months.  But in late April/early May, Angel stopped eating.  The cancer had returned.  On May 6th, we said our last goodbyes and lay her to rest.  No more pain.  No more suffering.  We loved Angel with all our hearts.  She was a such a good doggie. (sigh)
• MDS 5K walk.  In honor of my mother, Ryan and I ran the AAMDS 5K Run/Walk event. Ryan came in 1st place for his age category.  I came in 2nd place for my 50-55 age group.
• We welcomed missionaries Mike Hendricks and his daughter Sara as well as Dave and Merrie Neely, Wee Ones for Jesus.
• We hosted several parties again this year:  HarvestLA Super Bowl bash, Youth ministry Beach & BBQ party, Bridal Shower for our lovely friend Angel (Wu) Chau, and a birthday party and farewell for Pastor Andy Kuo.  This house is a blessing to us.  It is God's house, to be used for His purpose and ministry needs.
• Hawaii Trip.  In June, we used our Wyndham Vacation timeshare points to book 4 nights in Kona and 3 nights in Waikiki.  We invited Dad and Chun-mei, Kitty and Ma, and our good friend Cathy Yang to come along.  I'm glad Erin and Ryan got to spend some quality time with their Ahgong.  Yet, Ahgong had to be careful spending time with both Chun-mei and his grandkids. It's complicated.
• 3/4 Fishing Trip.  El Nino is here and the yellowtail and tuna are her in SoCal.  I finally got to take Ryan on a 3/4 party boat to land some yellowtail or maybe a bluefin tuna!  Ryan caught a nice 25-28 lb yellowtail that really tested his strength and endurance.  I was a proud papa to see him reel in that prized catch.  Hamachi is one of my favs.
• Ma broke her leg.  Ma has been struggling with her balance.  This happens when someone is 93 yrs old!  Yet, Ma is too proud to admit her physical and mental shortcomings.  This summer, Ma tripped over a garden hose and fell, fracturing her tibia just the right knee. Due to her age, they did not perform surgery.  Instead she wore a huge, heavy cast that was nearly the entire length of her leg. Ma stayed in our Santa Monica house for 10 weeks.  We built a wheelchair ramp for her.  We fed her and cared for her 24/7 until she her leg heals. We hired part-time help. What blessing that we met Marife and Eunice.  Marife was Ma's favorite, but Eunice was an angel to pray and support Alice emotionally and spiritually.  This was Alice's GREATEST TRIAL ever.  Today, Ma is living in her own home, still refusing help.  Marife stays 6 nights per week.  Ma is 94 yrs.old now. May God protect her and watch over her, and when it's time to go, may God take her quickly, painlessly and peacefully.  Isn't that what we all wish for?
• Willow Springs.  This year, Henry got to race his BMW 328i M-Sport at the big track in Willow Springs.  Last year, it was the smaller, twisty Streets of Willow Springs track.  Henry wants a smaller, faster car for 2016, but it may have to wait till 2020, when Henry and Alice can hopefully finish paying college tuition.
• Non-renewal of Pastor Andy and the resignation of Pastor David Tsai.  This was an incredibly challenging year at EFCLA/HarvestLA.  The non-renewal of Pastor Andy Kuo, our beloved youth pastor, was non-renewed by Senior Pastor Benson Wang and supported by nearly all the Elders Board (except Morris Tien.)  3 months later, both Pastors Ming-len Jien and David Tsai turned in their resignation.  God was shaking up EFCLA/HarvestLA.
• Wed night prayer meeting. As a result of the crisis at EFCLA/HarvestLA, we began meeting faithfully every Wednesday night to come together and pray. Pray for the church, for individual prayer requests, and pray for guidance and direction for church members trying to understand and seek God's will in this crisis.  When the smoke cleared, the dust settled and a clear vision was set before us, we knew that this crisis was God's calling for me and many others to start an English only church plant, focusing on family, student and youth ministry in the western San Gabriel Valley (SGV).
• Generations Church LA.  After months of praying, planning began.  We began to meet weekly. First the calling:  Who is our target and focus of the new church plant?  Next the vision and mission statement.  Then the church name, Generations Church.  Then the website domain, generationschurchla.org and now the relocation at Rio Hondo Prep School in Arcadia, CA, the heart of our target community.
• Poker nights & Hollywood Bowl.  Alice and I had our annual Hollywood Bowl double-date night with Steve and Marianne.  We always look forward to this.  This year, we listened to 70's,80's band Heart ("Barracuda") rock the Bowl.  Also, this year, we began playing Texas Hold'em poker night hosted by good friends, Bob & Helen.  It's 4 or 5 hour marathon of eating and gambling (USD$10.00 buy in).  Good fun.  Henry and Alice were big winners and walked away $4 richer (total) the last time out!  Whooohoo.
• Date nights walks to Main Street. Also this year, Alice and Henry began walking to Santa Monica's Main Street to eat and drink.  No Uber please.  It's a nice 1.5 miles walk to the nice restaurants and shops.  You burn most of your calories walking there and back. One of their favorites is the Anchor for lobster rolls, wine and side dishes. Come join us sometimes! 
• Moose Ting.  On Dec.4th, we picked up our 8 week old puppy, Moose.  With great joy, the HeartFamily would like to announce the newest addition to the family:  Moose Ting, an mini Australian labradoodle.  Heartfamily5 is now family members again.  Moose is super smart, easy to train and has a loving and gentle personality.  He is a good boy and almost potty trained.  Not bad for a puppy.  He will grow up to be around 20 lbs.

Erin

• Back from Shanghai
• Tough year, school and AKPsi
• Gus is back
• Uploaded 2 songs
• Work at Pepperdine Wedding Services
• Got a new car from Ahgong
•  

Ryan

• Drivers permit Jan 6th
• SAT prep  ELITE
• Track & Field triple jump
• College tour road trip
• 3/4 Day fishing
• San Diego Trip
• Drivers license
• Eagle Project
• College applications

Heartfamily 2014 Year in Review

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."  James 1:2-3.  Just when we thought 2013 was a tough year, 2014 was even more challenging.

Starting January 1st, Henry went on sabbatical after serving 12 of the past 13 years as Elder of EFC Los Angeles/HarvestLA.  It was a well-needed rest.  Henry could focus on finishing the Ashland House in Santa Monica.  After 15 months of construction, they passed final inspection, got the utilities up and moved into the new home.  Although Henry and Erin were both very excited to move in, Alice and Ryan were sad and had a difficult time moving out of the Rose house after 22 years.  There were so many good memories at that house, but Henry assured Alice and Ryan that there will be plenty more good memories to be made in the new house.  The Ashland house did not "feel like a home" until a week or so after we all moved in.  Erin finished her freshman year and was able to move home with us.  

What made the transition even more difficult was that our 8 yr. old doggie, Angel had a slipped disk in her vertebrae that paralyzed her rear legs.  She required back surgery just 4 weeks before the big move. She needed to rehab, and would require 4-6 months of healing time.  Henry and Alice worried about her going up and down the stairs. Like Henry's accident in 2008, she'll never be completely 100%, but she's doing great now.

The next big life change was to get the Rose house ready for rent.  It took several months to sort out, pack, sell, donate and throw out 22 years of stuff.  In the end, we threw away, donated or sold (big weekly garage sales) 1/3 of our "stuff."  If we didn't use it for 10 years, it was time to let it go.  Henry even sold his 1st bike from his childhood (boo-hoo.) We had to renovate the Rose house to make it ready to rent out. Thank God that the westside property home rentals were in high demand. Even the burst water hose in the master bathroom was a blessing from God in disguise.  It helped pay for a lot of the renovation costs.

John Kudo

2014 will also be remembered for the passing of one of Henry's best friends, John Kudo. John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Stage 3.  God took his life in about 3 months.  He just turned 50.  It was fast and difficult for Joanne and the family.  Henry visited John every week or sometimes twice a week, and even took him to a doctors appointment.  He got to spend some quality time with him in his last months.  John grew strong in faith and shared the good news of salvation of Jesus Christ to all he encountered, even strangers.  He loved the book and encouraged everyone to read "Heaven is For Real."  I believe that John is in heaven now with the Heavenly Father and Creator of the universe.  Henry and Alice will miss him dearly but hope to see him again when this lifetime is over.

Erin studying abroad in Shanghai, Fall 2014.

Erin finished her freshman year at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.  She joined a business fraternity AKPsi, and made many great friends. Erin worked all summer at a trendy Japanese Omusubi restaurant called Sunny Blue on Main Street in Santa Monica to save money for excursion trips while studying abroad in Shanghai. For Erin's Year in Review, please click this LINK.

Erin posted her own blog about her Shanghai experience.  To view her blog, simply click HERE. Also during the summer, she had full use of the family Toyota Prius and frequently invited her church and classmates over at the new Ashland house. Henry and Alice thank God for Erin allows us to meet all of her good friends. Her closest friends are quality, pleasant, respectful, wonderful, young men and women.

For Ryan, Henry and Alice consider "2014, the year of parental challenge and hope." Yes, this newsletter is not completely filled with "It's a wonderful life!" There were many days and nights of high emotion, confrontation and prayer.  Ryan faced some serious trials. But they all learned to trust and rely on God. They thank God that their relationship today is much stronger and healthier now. May God give Henry and Alice wisdom as parents to hold their tongues and when to exercise parental authority and sound judgement. It's like the terrible two's all over again but with "the 140 pound version!" Yet, they love him dearly and are really proud of him.  You can click HERE to read about Ryan's Year in Review. 

Lula, Henry, Al and Alice: Navajo 2014

Serving together

For 2014, there were no big vacations; just short weekend getaways.  Quality, not quantity.  For example, this summer, Henry and Alice joined Ryan for his 1 week Navajo missions trip to Flagstaff, AZ.  Henry, Alice and 2 other moms provided cooking and transportation support for the 12 high schoolers.  Henry and Alice were glad to spend their summer vacation serving on a missions trip together with Ryan.

Streets of Willow Springs Race Track

3-day Test Drive: BMW i3

Henry's recent highlights were his automobile experiences:  First it started with a BMW autocross.  Then he was invited to drive the Willow Springs Race Track using his BMW 328i M-Sport.  Lastly, he got to test drive for 3 days, and write a Facebook review, on the new BMW i3 all-electric car.  It was super fun, but not practical for him and Alice.  Henry looks forward to test driving the future Tesla Series 3.

Alice enjoys the new house, the new kitchen and bathrooms, and keeping up the landscape at the Ashland house.  This year, Alice (and Henry somewhat) hosted 70+ students and parents for the HarvestLA annual beach outing and BBQ.  They also hosted missionary couple, Dave and Merrie Neely, for 2 weeks and 3 thanksgiving events.  Whew,.... they are still recovering.  Alice is a very capable planner and hostess. As for Henry.... no comment.  Also, keeping the new bigger house clean and tidy, whilst parenting a big teenager has its challenges.  But Henry and Alice consider themselves simply "stewards" of the house, and that that the house was dedicated to the Lord for His purposes.

Dad turned 81 this year, but he and Chun-mei are busy serving their new church plant, EFC Santa Monica. Chun-mei is the full-time pastor and leads a flock of 13-20 regular attendees on Sundays. Please pray for EFC Santa Monica to grow and maybe find a better time and place to meet than their current 9:30 to 10:45am time slot.  But their fellowship group continues to meet regularly and thrive.

Overall, 2014 was a year of transition (uprooting) and settling down (new roots.)  Henry will remain on sabbatical for 2015.  Alice, Henry, Erin and Ryan look forward to 2015 and what God has in store for them.  Thanks for viewing our e-newsletter.