January 2018 Summary

Happy New Year!

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Prayer and Fasting Week

A period of prayer and fasting is a wonderful way to start any new year...something I've done many times over the years with various churches. Usually I do some variation of the "Daniel Fast." 

This January I chose the first option presented above by our pastor at Christ Fellowship Church in Davao City, Philippines  -  NO MEAT. NO JUNKFOOD. I was already working on no gluten, sugar, or dairy to deal with inflammation. All of this took some creative thinking.

There were evening intercession prayer meetings Monday-Friday and we each received an interactive "Prayer and Devotional Guide" with many scriptures to read and reflect on. This was such an enriching week of scripture study, prayer and group intercession.

LEARNING TO RECOGNIZE GOD'S VOICE:

KEY 1: IS IT CONSISTENT WITH THE BIBLE?

KEY 2: DOES IT MAKE ME MORE LIKE JESUS?

KEY 3: DOES IT CHALLENGE ME TO BECOME STRONGER IN FAITH?

KEY 4: DOES MY CHURCH FAMILY CONFIRM IT?

KEY 5: DOES IT CALL FOR COURAGE?

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Videotaping Book Trailers (Commercials)

A special library project at Faith International Academy with grades three, four, and five was guiding small groups of students to create a trailer or commercial to encourage other students to read a particular book. Some students used my puppets, others included special props such a live puppy, two live rabbits, gummy worms, or stuffed animals.Videotaping was completed in January. The high school yearbook staff will compile the book trailers into a video to be shared with the Elementary School.

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Cat Puppet Arrives in January

I missed having a cat puppet assist with multiple stories, but not any more.  I so appreciate various friends offering to transport items (some needed-library supplies and lightweight compression socks; some items were desired like this feline) in their luggage.

 After this first grade class enjoyed Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library! by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, Becky volunteered to demonstrate the proper way to pet a cat - from neck on back...Dewey in the book based on a true story liked to be petted.

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Weekend  House  Guests

  

It was great to have my friend and former assistant library branch manager, Evelyn Nofuente, plus her sister, brother, and sister-in-law visit me the second weekend of January. Of course I gave them a brief tour of Faith International Academy (FIA) and the elementary school-middle school library where I spend most of my time at FIA. We visited People's Park that had been recommended to me many times, but I had not slowed down to enjoy my surroundings much. We also visited San Pedro Cathedral, a mall, several restaurants, and had a relaxed breakfast at my home Sunday morning before church. I enjoyed meeting Evelyn's family and catching up on her life and many mutual library friends.

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Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.  Francis Chan. As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit--the Helper--so that we could be true and living witnesses to Christ. Chan gets at the true source of the church's power--the Holy Spirit. He contends that we've ignored the Spirit far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Through scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

This is the current study book for the Redman Life Group with Newark Naz in Ohio. It was my privilege to be part of this group while staying with a sister during my furlough and cancer journey. I thank God that they are prayer and financial partners in my Philippine service as an educational missionary supporting Bible translation and other ministries. In this pic I hold a photo of the group made into a Christmas card, several cards from individuals, and wear an OSU scarf they sent in a care package. I enjoy staying on the group's email and Facebook list and try to read/listen to books the group studies on my Kindle. This is one of my favorites.

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How to Build Self Discipline to Exercise: Practical Techniques to Develop a Lifetime Habit of Exercise. Martin Meadows.

This is a concise, practical guidebook on how to introduce and keep exercise in your life. It includes how to overcome procrastination; how to find time despite a hectic schedule; practical tips and tips to stay motivated forever even when you encounter obstacles; how to prevent injuries, improve recovery, and handle the inevitable soreness, how to enjoy exercise while still getting the out of it...and more. The audiobook version is practical for handy review and encouragement after stopping exercise to recover from respiratory infections, or whenever.