Stepping Out of the Safe Boat (written on April 17, 2009)

ecently, I have been wondering what I could do from home that will also generate some cash to contribute financially. I've thought about selling hand-made products such as nursing canopies (I found out it was easy to make!).

Just so happened on the Easter weekend, an Avon lady came knocking on my door. I thought about selling Avon before, but lack of motivation prevented me from doing so. This time although Avon wasn't in my option at all, I just thought it's a good opportunity to find out more about it. I thought about canceling the appointment with her, but decided not to. I thought I was just going to learn how Avon works. But, after meeting with her, I figured that it didn't hurt to try. After all, my goal is not to be one of the top selling agents who earn over $30000. (or maybe it should be??) I just wanted to start something flexible enough for me to continue to homeschool and no pressure to other parts of my life. I told her that I would think about it.

That night, I talked to Ed who encouraged me to do so. He's always supportive of what I do or want to do and was even braining storming with me how I can develop this business. I was very encouraged and motivated after talking to him.

Then, I read the daily devotionals on Proverbs 31 women by Amy this morning. She was talking about trusting God and take courage to step out when God calls you like Noah did. I decided to do the same, too. I have had many different ideas of working from home before, but each time, I would give up or erase the idea because of my own fear or possible obstacles. I thought that it was time for me to stepping out of my comfort zone.

So, here I am just a few hours after signing up to be an Avon lady. I am actually excited thinking about how I am going to develop this. I might have to read the "business for dummies" or something because I have no business concept nor any experience. I would need my husband's help and God's guidance for sure. But, I believe it's a great opportunity for me to learn and grow. How exciting when there are a lot of things to learn!

If you have read this blog and would be willing to kindly spread the words, I greatly appreciate it!

Master of Disaster (written on May 1, 2009)

We have a master of disaster at home. His name is Darren. He used to eat like chickens (according to my dad), leaving crumbs everywhere (which is getting better thankfully). He would pour his drinks on his shirt because he would pour before the cup reaches his mouth. He would switch and mess up all the DVDS and their cases for fun, trying to confuse others. He would pull out all his clothes from his drawers to play a camp out with his stuffed animal friends. He would dump out all the books from the book shelf for some creative ideas in his imaginary play. He would break apart a pen that he's using to draw. The lists goes on and on..... and as a joke, we started to call him, the Master of Disaster. He used to repeat after us and say, "I am the Masda of desasda" when he was young, but then he figured even in his own little mind that it's not a good thing to be called the master of disaster, so he would fight back saying, "I am NOT the master of disaster." But now, he just accepts this dishonorable title.

This morning, as I sat next to him for breakfast, he quietly and sadly said, "I am the master of disaster......" I felt his heart all of a sudden, realizing that he actually believes that he is a master of disaster. I had to tell him that we were just joking with him and that he is NOT a master of disaster. I apologize for calling him that and asked him for his forgiveness. He told me in a very sad way that he was so sad because we called him the master of disaster.

After a little while, he told me that he was sorry to call Ethan a master of disaster. So, I suggested him to apologize to Ethan if that's the case. As soon as Ethan came down the stairs, he did exactly that.

What amazed me was how his heart worked. When he forgave, he was then urged to ask for forgiveness for the same thing he has done to someone else. I can't explain this in a better way, but I learned from his little heart that mercies go around. When you forgive, you will also be forgiven. Then, and only then true peace comes. And of course that we have to be careful what we are telling our kids, for they believe in whatever you tell them now. Shower them with positive and encouraging comments rather than negative ones!

What a precious lesson learned from my 4 year old!

Real Mom Real Jesus... (written on Jan.1, 2010)

One of the books I recently bought is called "Real Moms, Real Jesus..." by Jill Savage. And I can't believe how much revelation, encouragement, inspiration, and motivation I got out from this book! What a wonderful Christmas and New Year's present the Lord has given me this year!

Being a Christian for over 10 years, I have heard, known, and believed that Jesus understands everything we are going through. Why not? He is God and omnipotent, right? But I never really thought of the possibility that I can totally relate to Him as a mom and that he can totally understand how we feel as a mom. After all, He was never a mom, right?

But, Jill Savage painted and showed me how Jesus perfectly relate to us mothers in our daily lives! This revelation brought Jesus so much more closer to me in my everyday life. When I am doing my everyday routine as a mom, I feel comforted that Jesus knows how I feel and what I am going through.

Although He was never a mom, Jesus' life was full of the same things that we go through as moms: non-stop interruption, "popularity" with the crowds that constantly followed Him, disappointment that he felt towards people including his own disciples, constant physical and emotional exhaustion, etc. etc.

When we see Jesus from this perspectives, we can totally relate to Him as our best friend. When I get to have a chance to hang out with other moms, I feel reenergized and refreshed and am able to go extra miles. Now I know that Jesus can be my best "mom" friend! This helped me to see Jesus as Someone who is in my life rather than a supernatural figure who's high up there.

Not only that I learned this wonderful truth about the relationship we can have with Jesus in a practical way, but also have I learned how to keep the peace and close relationship with God in the midst of craziness from everyday life from Jesus' examples. It is possible to keep our focus on God while we go through the ministry of motherhood. I desperately needed this revelation before our #3 comes in 10 more weeks when our lives will surely be turned upside down for a while. And to be honest, I was starting to panic a little bit wondering if I can survive it with sanity... well, now I know I can!

I highly recommend every mom to read this book!