My Next Career If I Could - Chef

Winter months will soon be making ways for spring. During the holiday season, I started to learn to make some easy dishes. The first one was mashed potato. Yes, mashed potato that we always had at KFC's. I never imaged that it was so easy to make. The most rewarding thing was both Kevin and Phoebe were craving for the home-made mashed potato after I learned how to make this simple meal. Later I attempted another dish that we always like -Chicken Scampi, which we had over at Olive Garden restaurant. Italian food is one of Kevin's favorite food. I don't know since when I started to like cooking. But it seems to start this holiday season. My first Chicken Scampi was a awesome success. Kevin will even fought for the leftover. By the way, it's the first time our home has stocked white wine, mainly for cooking not for drinking. We did not even have the wine opener and had to go to Mark Lam's house for help. My next dish will be a similar one - Seafood Scampi. Cooking food that kids love really has its reward. The special ingredient that you won't find it anywhere except home - Love (Kevin said that).

清潔水晶燈有感

飯廳中垂掛的一盞水晶燈,多年來缺乏保養,已經沾染許多灰塵,燈上所有的水晶球失去原有的光澤,看似塑膠的偽製品.週一正好是假日(Martin Luther King Jr. Day),於是在太太叮嚀之下,決心將水晶燈好好清潔一番.這個從Costco買來的水晶燈,每顆一寸大的水晶都是用世界有名的Swarovski水晶做成的. 原本以為很快就可以完成的工作,卻因兩百多顆的水晶,在深怕打破之下,戰戰兢兢的一個一個取下,花了將近一個小時.之後,開始清潔的工作,每顆水晶都用在清水中洗淨擰乾之後的Leather Chamois布,將灰塵擦拭. Leather Chamois布是最好的清潔材料,不會損害細緻的表面.在清潔的過程當中,又是非常謹慎小心,深怕將水晶球打破.這個清潔的工作,總共花了兩個多小時.最後又花了一個多小時,將所有的水晶球掛回燈上.當整個過程完成之後,看到原本水晶燈的燦爛光澤,簡直不敢相信眼目所見,同時真是不由自主的讚嘆,早就應該定時清潔,讓水晶燈綻放美麗的光芒.雖然花了相當長的時間來清洗水晶燈,但能看到辛苦勞碌之後所換來的成果,知道這辛勞不是徒然的.此外,也學習到一些屬靈的功課.基督徒的靈命就像水晶燈一樣,日久之後,如不定時清潔,真是如燈失去光澤,我們的屬靈生命也失去了應有的功效.基督徒除了過禱告團契的生活,定時規律的讀經就像清潔的功用,讓我們的屬靈生命可以持續成長.

Skiing in the new year

Lijue said Phoebe and I were sneaking out to ski today. The fact was that she was still sleeping when we left home for Solitude. At Solitude we went to Eagle Express, Moonbeam Express, Apex Express (all Quad high-speed lifts) and Sunrise (triple) lifts exploring many new trails we haven't skied before. It was a sunny day after yesterday's snow. We took 2 big breaks (lunch and afternoon snack) and many small breaks on trails. Phoebe did very well and had fun because she was humming during skiing. She wants to go down a mogul trail near the Moonbeam lift and a gate racing hill. But I told her to practice more then I will take her to ski those places. Here is the video I shot today.

How We Began Year 2009

We were going to Solitude for skiing on New Year's day. About 5 minutes before we got to Solitude, Phoebe threw up in the car. So we had to drop Kevin, Randy and Ryan off at Solitude and drove back home to clean up the mess. Though 3 of us (Lijue, Phoebe and Yiwen) did not ski, it was quite nice to stay home with Phoebe. Kevin, Randy and Ryan had a great time exploring many different trails at Solitude.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. We are grateful for the blessings the Lord has given us in 2008. We'd like to share these wonderful blessings with you.














Phoebe turned 4 this past October. She brings so much joy to us since we adopted her from China 3 years ago. This year we celebrate her many milestones. Earlier this year in February, she skied on a new pair of ski and boots and has been on the chairlifts at Alta, Brighton and Solitude resorts since. If you ever skied with her, you will notice that she loves skiing because she often hummed while skiing down the hills. Now Lijue could not keep up with Phoebe, who has been skiing on a few blue runs already. During summer time, we often went rollerblading at Liberty Park. Another milestone was that she memorized her first Bible verse in Mrs. Janet's (Elder Hsu's wife) Sunday school class in October. The verse was "Nothing is impossible with God" from Luke 1:37. She is very considerate and always warms our hearts by her kind actions. Asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she said she wants to be a mom, because mom is a boss. Well said! (at least from my perspective.)

Kevin is 16 and a junior at the University of Utah, majoring in Chemistry. We praise the Lord for Kevin, who wanted to be a chemist since he was 5. Throughout these years, he has been persuaded many times to look for career possibilities other than chemistry, but he is still very passionate about it. This makes mom worried sometimes. We will keep praying for the Lord's guidance for Kevin. This summer Kevin also got a 10-week internship at the College of Pharmacology, earning his first salary of $3,000. This semester, Kevin also took 2 graduate school courses besides regular class, making him extremely busy, but he did very well on those courses. He is preparing for graduate school application now. Before he leaves home for graduate school, mom's major concern was Kevin's driving. He shows little interest in driving even after getting his learner's permit.

Both Lijue and Yiwen are doing well. This year is Lijue's 10th year working as a Software Engineer for Franklin Templeton, Inc. Though we both are worried about the job security especially in this economy downturn, we continue to learn to put our trust in our Lord. In spring and summer times, Lijue likes gardening, which she felt is a big relief from work-related stress. The past September, Yiwen changed job to work for Salt Lake City government's IT department. The twist in Yiwen's new job was that both Lijue and Yiwen made it to the two finalists for the second interview.

Through Lijue's encouragement, Yiwen began attending BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) again after 2-year hiatus. The systematic Bible study helps Yiwen tremendously while he continues to serve in church by teaching High school Sunday school class and helping GraceNotes band practice. Yiwen wants to help young people develop biblical worldview through his interaction with them. Both ministries are so rewarding that he will continue for another 2 years if God's willing. After that, Yiwen plans on teaching Children Sunday school, where Lijue is helping teach Phoebe's Sunday school class.

There were lots of ups and downs in our lives over the years. But because of God's grace, we were reminded of our purposes in life. Thank you, Jesus for dying in sinner's place, and graciously giving us a new life and hope - the greatest blessing.

At Mark Lam's house

After skiing with Randy and Ryan at Solitude, we went to their house for dinner. They had fun playing memory game and Twister after dinner.











Playing Twister game.

Phoebe was the referee.

Skiing at Solitude

Phoebe skiing with 3 bodyguards: Randy, Ryan and Kevin.

Kevin and Phoebe.

Exhausted after a day of skiing.

Photo Ops at the top of Moonbeam Express lift.

Wednesday (12/24) was a clear day, but I had to work, so we did not go skiing. Finally we had a break from the snowing weather on Saturday. We went to Solitude to ski. Taking a lunch break at the Moonbeam lodge. It was so packed. We had to wait for half an hour for a table.