Monday, September 2, 2024

My Story

I grew up believing that "good people go to heaven", so I tried to be good. I went to church every Sunday, I recited a couple of memorized prayers, and I tried very hard to obey my parents. I thought I was doing ok, until I went to college...

In college, I had two classmates, Abigail and Anthony, who are very different from the rest of us. They are not weird or anything like that. In fact they are so much fun to be around with because they have so much peace, joy and contentment, which I lacked at that time. So I started observing them...

One day Abigail and Anthony invited us (our class) to a Bible Study and because I was curious to find out "what their secrets were", I went.

Anthony used a little tract called "The 4 Spiritual Laws" to explain that doing good cannot save us because "all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God". I couldn't quite comprehend what it means, so he gave an illustration which stuck with me. He said, "Liza, if I give you a glass of water with 10 flies in it, would you drink it?". Yuck, no!, I answered...

He continued..."ok, if I give you a glass of water with just one fly in it, would you drink it?".. No...it's still dirty, I said.

That's the same way with God. Even if we sin "less" than other people, the fact is we sin...and still is not accpetable to God. And that's why Jesus came to die for me. Then he quoted Ephesians 2:4-6 "For it is by grace that we have been saved through grace. Not by works that no one would boast".

That day, I prayed to God for Him to forgive me, and asked Jesus to be my personal Savior and Lord. I became what they call a Christian. It's the best decision I have made in my whole life!

This is my simple and short version. There are actually a lot that went on inside of me through this process. Every now and then, I'll talk about it through this blog. But for now, I want to keep this short :)

Thanks for reading my story :) And if you live on Maui, come visit me at Hope Chapel.

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Time - Stillness Is The Key

 


So much work to do, so little time. And time is passing by so quickly. I can not find the time to write in my journal, we havenʻt been attending our "Ohana Group" regularly (we are MIA), sometimes, I do go to the Sunday Worship service, and sometimes I donʻt.

With the full-time job (8-5), a book project, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a few side hustles here and there, I canʻt find the time to sit still. I feel like I am always on the go; I canʻt even find the time to clean and organize our house ...

But oh ... I find some time doing Instagram and watching YouTube .... hmmm...

Instagram is part of my work (both for full-time and side hustle), and YouTube is where I learn stuff like new skills and whatʻs the latest in technology ...

Posting in this blog is my attempt to "sit back".  This is my digital journal. This is a good start. I may or may not start posting regularly here again. We shall see.  But for today, I am able to  "journal" here.

If you are reading this right now, MAHALO.  Thank you for hanging out with me here. I will be back.

Slow down .... stillness is the key.

"The call to stillness comes quietly, the modern world does not." - Stillness is the Key - Ryan Holiday

"Be Still and Know that I AM God" - Psalm 46:10 in the Bible




Monday, March 18, 2024

Maui 2024 and Beyond - The Maui Travel Guide Book

 


I have been working on the second edition of Maui 2021 and Beyond.  I initially titled it Maui 2024 and Beyond but decided to change the year to simply "now".  It took me 3 years to write the 2nd edition and so I don't think it is wise to add the year in the title. 

My one word for the year 2024 is DO. Do as in TAKE ACTION.  I did. Now I have to finish it, so I need to do what I can to get it published.

So many ideas and projects, so little time ....






Monday, August 1, 2022

Stop and Smell the Plumerias

 



The expression “stop and smell the roses” is not just about flowers or nature, but an encouragement to live life with a deeper gratefulness for the world around us. It is a reminder to slow down and take notice of the people and events of the day, to be present in every moment, seeing beyond the ordinary. It means consciously directing your mind to be aware and attentive to the present moment to be able to experience and enjoy more of the world surrounding you.


Living here in Maui, Hawaii, I would say "stop and smell the plumerias". I did. I just did.

Monday, March 21, 2022

Not As Easy As I Thought It Would Be

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I gave up my personal Instagram for this blog. I thought, instead of posting to Instagram, I should be documenting my thoughts here on my blog.  As the title suggests, it is not as easy as I thought it would be. When out dear Italian Greyhound Sonny passed away last Tuesday, I meant to write an entry here and journal my thoughts and feelings. It didn't happen.  Somehow it is easier to post my thoughts on Instagram....

But I must not give up. This is a discipline builder, and focus training for Deep Work.

And so until next entry, a hui hou!

Monday, March 14, 2022

Hello Blog


It's Monday., March 14, 2022 and the Spring Forward Day for this year. was yesterday. I thought today would be a good time to revive this blog (for the nth time - ha! ha!). A quick reminder, Hawaii do not do Daylight Savings Time, so the time difference will increase (or decrease) as what my friend Katy explained I her blog. 

Writing is such cathartic activity, as well as an empowering activity. I wish I have more time to write.  But then again, wishing for more time won't do it. I need to make time for it. And that is what I am doing today. Making time for it.

Lots to write about. Free flow writing. No stressing out. I hope you'd all join me in this writing adventure.