Christmas Presents from Me

This year I already gave Christmas presents earlier to my husband and my youngest daughter. I brought them to see Christmas Show: The First Noel at American Music Theater (AMT) in Lancaster, PA on Friday, Dec 14, 2018. After the show, I brought them to have dinner at Cracker Barrel located across the street of AMT. Perfect gifts this year for them. We had a good time together and everybody was happy. Probably I will bring the rest of family members next year if they want to join us. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Time to be jolly! About 1 minute ago from web

Our New Family Activity

Since last early August 2017, I had an initiative to bring my husband and our youngest daughter to gather and read the bible. We started from the Old Testament: Genesis that contains 50 chapters.

  This is one of my dreams. I had been waiting since my youngest daughter was able to read very well and prayed The Lord Prayer by herself. This initiative grew stronger since my youngest daughter told me she wanted to have bible study last year but I could not find any place of bible study for teenagers around our neighborhood. We have to wait till she is in the High School. They have extracurricular for bible study.
We use NKJV Study Bible--my gift for my husband years ago. This bible is the first publication. I got a special offer from the publisher which was free and only paid for $1 for shipping and handling. This bible is very special as we begin to open the pages one by one. It features presentation page (for every page we read); NKJV test with center-column references; 15,000 expository study notes; 350 word focus word study keyed to strong's concordance; 100 in-depth articles; 80 quick view charts; 8 full bible summary sections; 78 maps with index; subject index to annotation and features; 195-page concordance, and much more. My husband loves it! By reading together, we have time to discuss an interesting topic, especially for our youngest daughter. She has curiosity for many things.
Last Sunday was special because my husband asked to have a special time to read his favorite verses (Psalm 23: 1-6) and pray to confess his sin before we started to read. We also prayed for our son, William, who was still in the ICU at that time.
I thanked God for that special time. I hope our activity will grow well and it will bring us closer to interact with our creator and know him better. Below I enclose my husband's favorite verses:

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

1The Lord is Ps. 78:52; 80:1; (Is. 40:11); Ezek. 34:11, 12; (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:25; Rev. 7:16, 17)my shepherd;

(Ps. 34:9, 10; Phil. 4:19)I shall not want.

2Ps. 65:11–13; Ezek. 34:14He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

(Rev. 7:17)He leads me beside the still waters.

3He restores my soul;

Ps. 5:8; 31:3; Prov. 8:20He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of Job 3:5; 10:21, 22; 24:17; Ps. 44:19the shadow of death,

(Ps. 3:6; 27:1)I will fear no evil;

Ps. 16:8; (Is. 43:2)For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5You Ps. 104:15prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You Ps. 92:10; Luke 7:46anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. ~~***~~ If you're interested to subscribe to this blog, please click the green sign below and follow its instruction.  Subscribe!
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Thank you family and friends for your support and prayers for our son, William, who is still hospitalized at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a strong young man. He had double lung transplant 6 years ago and now is battling his cancer. I believe his strength, faith, and determination are the powerful medicine to fight his cancer and God will use other special tools (doctors, nurses, medicine, treatments, etc. including family members) for healing. AMEN!

About 1 minute ago from web

MEMORIAL DAY: Time for Sketching

Hibernia Park: Old Dam

  Memorial Day last month (June 29, 2017) was the second Memorial Day we spent time together. We went to Hibernia Park and found a new location to sketch. It was an old dam. My daughter and I did sketching, and my husband was busy taking pictures of us. We didn't finish our sketches because it started to rain and decided not to finish them: un-finished sketches.
Enjoy our sketches!

A sketch of my 13-year-old daughter.

This was the area where she focused on her sketch.

My sketch

The area where I focused on my sketch.

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The progress of my book project:
Done: Updating design and blog content at Abbottsbooks and Website content at Wix, and Query Letter.
Need to do next: Proofreading of Query Letter (Cover letter, Author Bio, Publication History, Synopsis, and a sample of the chapter)
About 1 minute ago from web

Thanksgiving in Christmas

 

 

This is a late post too due of my health. After having heart palpitations, now I'm dealing with my allergy and cough. I feel better now, just need more rest. Doctor said, "No caffeine, consume less sugar, and have more rest!" Since then, I stopped drinking coffee and any tea contains caffeine. I'm not a sugar person, so I'm not worry about this stuff. What I need to do is having more rest time. I used to sleep 3-5 hours a day since I had another new job. I had to cut my online activity including my writing project so I could have more rest time at least 6-8 hours/day. My coworker said I looked better than before. My health is very important, so I keep my eye on for how long I have been sleeping every day.

Next year which it will be next several hours, I'll be busier. Online writing classes will be ready soon including the defense language classes. I have to organize my time tightly. Be patient if you send me any message via social media or email, probably I will reply it lately, but don't worry, I'll reply all your emails. 

Now, let's talk about Christmas! Christmas this year I cooked turkey including its stuffing and its gravy, mashed potatoes, creamy baked green beans, creamy mushrooms, and bunt cake for lunch. Meanwhile for breakfast, I made croissant filled with my caramelized pineapple and chicken-kale sausage. It seemed we had Thanksgiving menu in Christmas day. That's cool, isn't it? Next Christmas will be Indonesian menu! So excited!

It was 170 degree Fahrenheit. It needed more 10 degree F. 

Christmas Lunch was set up by Chef Fida Abbott, hohoho!!!

Merry-Merry Christmas! Posing first before enjoying foods.

Let's eat!

Eating and watching TV.

 

As usually every year I become a Mrs. St. Claus, and as usually Mrs. St. Claus also gets Christmas presents from St. Clause family members. So, what Mrs. St. Clause got in Christmas this year? 

Spiced mug mat from one of her best friends.

Scarf and nail polish from her youngest daughter.

Chimes of Earth from her "sister".

Frame and wood bowl with batik motif from her young-adult daughters

Spathiphyllum from her young-adult son.

And 8" Android Tablet from Mr. St. Claus.

~~***~~
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Planning to continue my book project as I'm feeling better now but I have to go to sleep soon. Tomorrow is the right time. about 1 minute ago from web

A Proud Mom of A Smart and Talented Daughter

My 12.y.o. daughter in her own sketch. Maybe she tried to describe her look when she was being mad or angry.

I believe every mom should proud of their children with their "+" and "-", including me for everything they have achieved in school or other activities.

Last two weeks I got two emails from her teachers describing the results of her study during the first three semester:

Ariel is such a sweet and smart girl that focuses and pays attention in my room each and every day. Although Ariel is very quiet, she does participate if I call on her and she usually knows the correct answers. She has a fantastic work ethic and is an incredible artist! Her 1st marking period grade is 100%. Please tell her to keep up the good work!

~Sharon Renshaw~
7th Grade Life Science Teacher

Good Morning, I wanted to send you an update on Ariel for math class. She is one of my top students. She has a 100% for the marking period. She is such a polite young lady and very respectful. She is nice to everyone around her, participates in class assignments, and always has her work completed. She is extremely motivated and interested in getting good grades. She is a pleasure to have in class everyday and I appreciate the type of person she is and has become. You have done a great job raising her. You should be proud and so should she with what she has accomplished. As always, let me know if you have any questions. 

Kathy Neufer
7/8 Mathematics

After reading those emails, I felt much better even though I was very tired almost everyday as I work 7 days a week but never stop to support her by accompanying for her other activities, including chamber music orchestra, Girl Scouts, and piano private lesson. 

I thank God for one of His blessings through this child. I think one of my prayers when I found out first time I got pregnant has its answer: my baby will bring blessing to others.

My grateful feeling was completed as last two weeks I got a good news, they were going to hire me full time at my new job. I was very excited as well as them to have me join in their company. (*)

   

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Getting the second endorsement for my upcoming book last two weeks. Thank you so much. I still hope for the 3rd endorser will get better soon from his prostate surgery.
about 1 minute ago from web

First Family Gathering on 4th of July

This is a late post due to my busy work schedule so I could not post it earlier. Anyway, I hope you still enjoy seeing how happy we were as this was our first time gather together as a whole family to celebrate Independence Day. At the same time we also celebrated my husband's new job, my new two jobs, Bubby's new-life birthday (5 years of double lung transplant survivor), Sissy's existence (my husband said this--he was joking), Mimi's birthday and Ariel's achievements (getting distinguished honor rolls throughout 6th grade).

 

From top left to the bottom right

Column 1

Photo 1: Posing with my youngest daughter after having lunch at King Buffet, Downingtown, PA.

Photo 2: Posing with my husband before we went home.

Photo 3: We had barbecue for dinner with coleslaw, fresh fruit, and potato chips.

Column 2

Photo 4: Mimi with her birthday presents.

Photo 5: Sissy with her extra birthday present.

Photo 6: Bubby with his new-life birthday present.

Column 3

Photo 7: My youngest plate.

Photo 8: Beverages. 

Photo 9: Time to play guitar and sing.

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More day off till next Monday as we wait the new developer finish uploading ten thousands products. That means more days for writing. Yay! 
about 1 minute ago from web

Sweet Mothers Day Presents

Happy Mothers Day!

This year we celebrate Mothers Day differently than years before. I watched my children busy preparing lunch. Sissy came and brought a lot of foods, then invited her brother and little sister to prepare foods from entrees to dessert. We had crab cakes and tartar sauce, asparagus, green beans, bread, pineapple, crackers, grapes, Horseradish and Bray cheese, pound cake, cream, and strawberries. Hmm . . . (yum-yum!)

Meanwhile they were busy in the kitchen, I was busy with my digital camera. The results are . . .  

Ta da . . .!

For the first time seeing them busy in the kitchen preparing lunch together to celebrate Mothers Day.

I never saw him before cutting bread and preparing all the entrees. Nice job, Bubby!

Sissy had a good idea to bring her siblings to help each other in preparing lunch. 

She also trained her youngest sister to cook. 

Mimi who lives in Massachusetts made a special call and this made a perfect Mothers Day ever.

Those weren't only the sweet presents I got. A day before Mothers day when I came home from work, I saw two cards on the dinning table. My husband said I could open them the next day, but eventually, he let me open them, and  . . . what I found?

 

A card from my hubby with "$$" and another card from my youngest daughter with $5 bill.

I asked my husband how she got that money? Does she work (just kidding) or he gave her that money? He said that was her own money he used to give her sometime, but it was her own idea. What a sweet daughter! It made me thinking what about if she has a job one day. She is a generous little girl and I'm so proud of her. Her little treat showed me what a person she would be like one day.

Thank you my husband and my children for your sweet presents. They made my day very special and I could feel your love.

Love you all,

Ibu (Mother)

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Done writing 6th short story and tomorrow I'll start the 7th.  
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MY COUSIN'S WEDDING: Congratulations for A New Beautiful Couple

Engagement photos (8 photos) taken August, 2015 and Wedding day photo (1 photo, bottom right) taken April 9, 2016.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to a new beautiful couple: my cousin, Istigfar Ade Noordiansyah, SH and  Ratih Wahyu Saputri, SPsi. Wishing you a wonderful journey as you build year new life together. May your marriage be filled with all the right ingredients: a heap of love, a dash of humor, a touch of romance, and a spoonful of understanding.

When I left Indonesia, Ade was in High School. As I remember he was a quiet person and liked reading. Any small piece of newspaper he found, he would read it. It seems he inherits one of our grandfather's habits. It's reading.  Couple years later I heard he was accepted in Law Faculty, University of Airlangga, Surabaya-Indonesia. I was so proud of him. I also heard he was very active to help low class people to get the right justice since he was in the college. As a volunteer, he had many experiences. I beg this journey brought him to be a lawyer from one to another place until he stayed firm at Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia - YLBHI in Jakarta and then moved to the branch office in Surabaya and got married.

His wife, Ratih, is a graduate of Psychology Faculty, University of Airlangga. She took specialist for children, and now she is pursuing for her post graduate. While she is busy with her school, she also helps to manage her family business: Juanda Fishing. I told my husband if one day we visit Indonesia, we were going to visit there. I'm sure it will be fun.

Soon they both will move to their new house. I can't wait to visit them soon and of course to other families too.

http://weddings.lovetoknow.com

This special post is dedicated to this couple as my virtual wedding present. I hope they both read and like it.

Words are just not quite enough today
When your love will light the way
To a wedding filled with joy never ending
The warmest wishes are what we are sending.

 (http://weddings.lovetoknow.com)

  

~ From the Abbotts ~

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My 6th short story is almost done. Yay! about 1 minute ago from web