![[Matthew & Rose]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eWUnpSS93JA/SG94UBWUHiI/AAAAAAAAABI/FBFEFBifDHU/S1600-R/test4.png)
What’s happening…
What an eventful week! And full of surprises as well.
The main event was the annual seminar of the Faculty of Religious Studies and The Social Sciences (of which the Family Life Department comes under) from Wednesday to Thursday. It was a time for faculty professors and lecturers to come together as part of the preparation for the start of the new academic year (beginning 2nd September) and be updated on the latest developments of the university front. Matthew and Rose gave a brief introduction of themselves there. We felt very welcome to be part of the faculty, albeit for a short period of time.
On Friday, Dr. Tom Ahlersmeyer, President of the university, gave the State of the University speech to all the university staff. A stirring time for all of us as the theme of year was expounded and challenges made to make the new year a great one with lasting impacts on lives we touch.
For the rest of the week, we have been studying for the second examination of the Adolescent Psychology course due this weekend.
Oh yes! We missed out letting you know last week the time we had at the annual Ypsilanti Heritage Fair on Saturday (16 August) with Professor Ben and Jennifer Freudenburg. It was a kind of a funfair with emphasis on the history of how people lived over the centuries in America, including the Red Indians.
Last Sunday, we went with the Freudenburgs as Professor Ben visited one of his students on practicum as part of the degree programme.
Just Pondering…..
Last week, we parted with the thought that our life success depends on the how well we develop the key relationships in life -‘'Love the Lord (our) God with all our heart and with all our soul. Love him with all our mind. ….Love our neighbours as we love ourselves.’
It may sound very self-centred to ‘love ourselves’. It is…only if that is our whole preoccupation.
But if our life is one of seeking to love God and others in various ways, loving oneself becomes a critical foundation stone.
I scan many news websites daily to keep abreast with the home news and the happenings around the world.
One news item that gripped me was what happened to reigning world champion, Liu Xiang, the pride of China at the Olympics, who pulled out of the 110-meter hurdles minutes before the start of the race, in front of the 91,000 expectant crowd on Monday (18 August).
The Electric New Paper of Singapore reported that ‘Chinese were broken when hurdler Liu Xiang pulled out on Monday. But no one seemed to spare a thought for his loving dad. His heart was crushed too. Mr Liu Xuegen turned off his handphone immediately after his son limped off the track at the National Stadium.’
It must be gut-wrenching for both Liu senior and his son to go through this time. I wonder how their key relationships in life are affected by this. I wonder more how they themselves are going to relate to others under such cloudy skies. I guess it depends a lot on how they ‘love themselves’ under such circumstances; how much they blame themselves for this crisis, what is that self-worth they place on winning the race, the sense of purpose of life itself in general, etc. These have bearing on how much they can pick themselves up at this moment to ‘love others’.
Yes, keeping ourselves in the capacity to love God and others is crucial when we know that our wellbeing comes from these.
It’s not selfish to love ourselves, if this means having greater ability for us to love God and others more.
If we wish our relationships with others could take a recognizable leap in the coming weeks, may be one way is to think of how we can love ourselves more…like taking time away from routine toil and just sleep and relax, making peace with oneself, or just go out and have a big bowl of Sarawak laksa! (Yes! We will have this on 7th September here in Michigan).
Word of Wisdom
A saying: ‘I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather.’
In times of turmoil, find a reliable ‘shelter’ where we can take refuge, build ourselves up again, and weather through the storm.
What’s ahead!
Yes, one thing our nation is intensely focusing on right now is the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday.
We recognise how important this election is to our nation and will certainly pray for this.
For this week, it is a time of preparation for our 3rd and final examination of the current course and to get ready for the start of the semester 9 days from now. After that, the time will pass in a flash…and be home in no time!
A Week In Passing
What an eventful week! And full of surprises as well.
The main event was the annual seminar of the Faculty of Religious Studies and The Social Sciences (of which the Family Life Department comes under) from Wednesday to Thursday. It was a time for faculty professors and lecturers to come together as part of the preparation for the start of the new academic year (beginning 2nd September) and be updated on the latest developments of the university front. Matthew and Rose gave a brief introduction of themselves there. We felt very welcome to be part of the faculty, albeit for a short period of time.
On Friday, Dr. Tom Ahlersmeyer, President of the university, gave the State of the University speech to all the university staff. A stirring time for all of us as the theme of year was expounded and challenges made to make the new year a great one with lasting impacts on lives we touch.
For the rest of the week, we have been studying for the second examination of the Adolescent Psychology course due this weekend.
Oh yes! We missed out letting you know last week the time we had at the annual Ypsilanti Heritage Fair on Saturday (16 August) with Professor Ben and Jennifer Freudenburg. It was a kind of a funfair with emphasis on the history of how people lived over the centuries in America, including the Red Indians.
Last Sunday, we went with the Freudenburgs as Professor Ben visited one of his students on practicum as part of the degree programme.
Just Pondering…..
Last week, we parted with the thought that our life success depends on the how well we develop the key relationships in life -‘'Love the Lord (our) God with all our heart and with all our soul. Love him with all our mind. ….Love our neighbours as we love ourselves.’
It may sound very self-centred to ‘love ourselves’. It is…only if that is our whole preoccupation.
But if our life is one of seeking to love God and others in various ways, loving oneself becomes a critical foundation stone.
I scan many news websites daily to keep abreast with the home news and the happenings around the world.
One news item that gripped me was what happened to reigning world champion, Liu Xiang, the pride of China at the Olympics, who pulled out of the 110-meter hurdles minutes before the start of the race, in front of the 91,000 expectant crowd on Monday (18 August).
The Electric New Paper of Singapore reported that ‘Chinese were broken when hurdler Liu Xiang pulled out on Monday. But no one seemed to spare a thought for his loving dad. His heart was crushed too. Mr Liu Xuegen turned off his handphone immediately after his son limped off the track at the National Stadium.’
It must be gut-wrenching for both Liu senior and his son to go through this time. I wonder how their key relationships in life are affected by this. I wonder more how they themselves are going to relate to others under such cloudy skies. I guess it depends a lot on how they ‘love themselves’ under such circumstances; how much they blame themselves for this crisis, what is that self-worth they place on winning the race, the sense of purpose of life itself in general, etc. These have bearing on how much they can pick themselves up at this moment to ‘love others’.
Yes, keeping ourselves in the capacity to love God and others is crucial when we know that our wellbeing comes from these.
It’s not selfish to love ourselves, if this means having greater ability for us to love God and others more.
If we wish our relationships with others could take a recognizable leap in the coming weeks, may be one way is to think of how we can love ourselves more…like taking time away from routine toil and just sleep and relax, making peace with oneself, or just go out and have a big bowl of Sarawak laksa! (Yes! We will have this on 7th September here in Michigan).
Word of Wisdom
A saying: ‘I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather.’
In times of turmoil, find a reliable ‘shelter’ where we can take refuge, build ourselves up again, and weather through the storm.
What’s ahead!
Yes, one thing our nation is intensely focusing on right now is the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday.
We recognise how important this election is to our nation and will certainly pray for this.
For this week, it is a time of preparation for our 3rd and final examination of the current course and to get ready for the start of the semester 9 days from now. After that, the time will pass in a flash…and be home in no time!
A Week In Passing
Acknowledgement…This blog is updated with the creative input of Miss Trish Wong, an incredibly talented multi-media IT savvy young lady. She may be contacted at
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