How life is progressing

Baby Tsai
I am officially 22 weeks along and we are excited to find out it will be a girl! I guess part of me wants either gender. But I am glad I didn't place too much desire on either since I don't get to decide anyways. So, that's how it turned out and we are just grateful things are going well and uneventful.

I have been feeling the small kicks and somersaults these days. It never fails to amaze me and of course I almost forget what it was like. I must say I do enjoy being pregnant. I am definitely getting bigger. Gained like almost 8 lbs in the last month! Wasai!

My gratefulness goes beyond that esp. since finding out my friend who likely has to terminate a pregnancy due to a genetic condition. I cannot even begin to feel what they are going through. I just pray for them.

A lesson on obedience
Then after the church retreat, somehow I am more convicted than ever to just get things smoothed out with the leaders. It felt right to do it now. It was painful - trust me. Having to apologize for something I didn't think I was 100% at fault is tough. So, it took me one long night to put things in perspective. Irrespective to what others did, I felt God just wanted me to rectify my wrongs and that's all I needed to focus on. That's what happened. Toward the end of the night, we were also given the news of his departure which he only decided to confide with a few just in recent days. Right there and then, I knew God was gracious to ME! Had I learned the news without the having the air cleared, I would have to carry that burden with me for a long time. So, another example of blessing from listening to Him. So, what's gonna happen? I don't know. But perhaps that's better for both parties...and it's time to move on.

STLCCC
This past Sunday we helped put together a dinner gathering for the STLCCC in the bay area. It started from having Louisa in town, then the Pans, and it quickly grew to a 30 people reunion. It was definitely a blessing to see the familiar faces (at least more than 1/2 people I know). Just remembering the spiritual home I once had and the friendship I was able to carry with me to this day.

House
Looks like we are moving along with the private driveway issue. Met with the difficult neighbor and sorta got their blessing. He is some ex exec at Oracle and other startup. Found out he is also a leader at the presbyterian church. Then we also met the owner of the driveway. The Welshs are very nice and we had a great talk with them. The husband is a doctor and somehow we got to talk about the wife's Ob and sure enough it was Dr. Inouye. Instantly, we bonded. I even recommended the chinese doc to her as they are hoping to have more children.

The block party that we had last Sunday was also a good chance to meet the rest of the neighbors. I must admit the block is a very friendly and homey place. I just wish we can get the house built soon. But thinking about the amount of research and stress that we will have to go through makes me crinch. Perhaps I need to focus more to enjoy the process....