How Important Is It To Be a Good Friend?

Today, I jokingly told a guy at school that he's not a good friend. He sincerely responded by saying, "I might not know how to be a good friend, but I will make a good boyfriend to someone one day."

This got me thinking... Is it possible for someone to be a good boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse if he/she does not first know how to be a good friend (to people, not specifically to the one person)? Is there a biblical principle here from which we can learn?

What do you think?

Mei Lin's Memorial Service

Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 2:30PM
Chinese Evangelical Free Church (main sanctuary)
1111 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754

Sharing at the Memorial Service
If you would like to share a memory of Mei Lin during the memorial service, please sign up with Wing Yee (wing@cefc.org or 626-570-8971 ext. 103). Please adhere to the following guidelines:
• Sign up by Wednesday, July 8th.
• Submit in writing what you would like to share by Wednesday, July 8th via email (wing@cefc.org).
• Limit sharing to 1 minute only (about 110-130 written words).
• Arrive on Sunday, July 12, 2009 by 2:00PM for instructions.

Donations
In lieu of flowers, Mei Lin’s family requests that donations be made to any of the following organizations in her memory:
• Azusa Pacific University (Mei Lin Leung Memorial Scholarship)
• CEFC Mission Fund
• Leadership Development

Please send checks to the church so that the family may keep a record of all donations before sending them out:
Chinese Evangelical Free Church
Attn: Memories of Mei Lin
1111 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Memories in Writing
For those who would like to express thoughts and memories in writing to Mei Lin’s family, please mail them to the church or email them to MemoriesOfMeiLin@gmail.com. Photos are welcomed!

For additional questions or concerns, please contact Wing Yee (wing@cefc.org / 626-570-8971 ext. 103).

On behalf of Mei Lin’s family, thank you for your love, support and prayers.

Memories of Mei Lin

In the last few days, memories of Auntie Mei Lin have flooded my mind and heart. God has truly blessed me with our friendship. She was such a special lady and I am privileged to call her my friend. Please allow me to reflect on some of these memories.

• I served with Auntie Mei Lin on the English Ministerial Committee of our church for nearly 10 years. During almost every monthly meeting, she brought to our attention of specific people in our church and/or in our community who were in need. Sometimes, these reminders distracted us from the meetings' agendas, but they always reminded us that God's agenda for us to care for His people is far more important.

• Because our meetings almost always happened right after Sunday school, it was necessary for someone to bring lunch for everyone else. Prior to one meeting when I volunteered via email to provide the lunch, Auntie Mei Lin wrote to me and told me that I was very sweet. I remember making it a point to save that email because it was such an encouragement especially while our church was going through some very tough times.

• Whenever I sent out emails or support letters needing prayer, Auntie Mei Lin was always one of the first ones to respond... and I know that she truly did pray for me.

• Before I moved up to Vancouver, Auntie Mei Lin took me out to dinner. During our dinner together, she encouraged me and prayed with me. I will always remember that very special dinner.

• Auntie Mei Lin was a regular attendee of our Wednesday night prayer meetings. She often brought in letters from a young woman in prison with whom she was corresponding. She propelled us to also get involved by bringing cards for us to write notes to this young woman. What a reminder that we, as God's people, should be here to love and encourage people! She often also brought cards for us to sign for sick and/or hurting people as well.

• Every Sunday, Auntie Mei Lin always stood in the foyer welcoming everyone to worship service. She was reliably early and always made it a point to look people in the eyes when welcoming them. Whenever we had a question as to whether or not someone was a newcomer, she was sure to know because of her consistent awareness.

These are just a few of the many memories I have of Auntie Mei Lin. I'm sure many of you who read this blog also have memories. Her family would love to have these memories written down and sent to them. (They would also love to get any photos you might have of Auntie Mei Lin.)

• Email:
  MemoriesOfMeiLin@gmail.com

• Physical Address:
  CEFC
  Attn: Memories of Mei Lin
  1111 S. Atlantic Blvd.
  Monterey Park, CA 91754

A Sad Day

It is nearly 4:00AM, but I cannot sleep.

We got a phone call from Auntie Pauline earlier last night. Auntie Mei Lin had passed away.

My mom and I went out to pray with Auntie Pauline, Uncle Ralph and his family last night. Richard and Danette went as well. Because Auntie Mei Lin demonstrated no health problems, this is a huge shock for everyone. In fact, I'm still in shock, which is probably why I can't sleep.

Please pray for Auntie Mei Lin's family at this time. Please also pray for our church because she was a very key person among us. Our whole church family will be mourning when people find out what has happened.

(I'm sorry for rambling and being unfocused in this entry. I'm still in shock.)

Laundry Tip

It has been reported that fabric softeners (both the liquid and sheet forms) contain a lot of toxic chemicals. Here is a list of some:

• Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
• Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
• Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
• Limonene: Known carcinogen
• A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
• Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
• Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
• Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
• Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So, I've actually thrown out all my Bounce sheets. Instead, I now put 6 tennis balls into the dryer with my clothes. The results of the tennis balls are as such:

• No toxic chemicals from fabric softeners.
• Shorter drying time on a lower heat setting (lowering use of electricity and/or gas).
• No synthetic "fragrant" smell.
• Fluffy laundry... especially those that have filling (i.e. pillows, down jackets, comforters, etc.)
  
• No static cling.
• No additional costs after initial purchase of new tennis balls.
• Downside: The need to adjust to the thumping noise in the dryer. BUT, they do NOT harm the dryer.
  

Therefore, if you want to save money, eliminate some of the terrible chemicals that come into contact with your body, and still get soft clothes, I would suggest tennis balls in your dryer too... especially if you have children. But, my suggestion is for you to invest in a good brand of tennis balls because the cheap generic ones sometimes have coloring that can come off on clothes.

Let me know how this tip works out for you if you try it!

Missing the Obvious

I'm back in LA for a visit.

Last week, I decided to go visit Debbie and her new baby. Since it was around lunchtime, Debbie asked me to go to In-N-Out to pick up lunch. When I arrived at In-N-Out, I pulled up to the drive-thru window. When I got to the window, the guy looked at me and I looked at him. Neither of us said a word for a few seconds.

Finally, it dawned upon me that I had completely missed the speaker box where I was supposed to place my order. The poor guy at the window was probably trying to figure out what to say to me. By this time, two other cars had already pulled up behind me, so I could not back up. So, I apologized profusely—providing some lame excuse about being from Vancouver. (Drive-thru's are not common in Vancouver proper, and I don't have a car there.)

I felt so stupid. I had literally forgotten how to use a drive-thru!

The guy kindly took my order at the window... probably still puzzled. After I got my order and drove out, I noticed the big bold words on the speaker box, "PLACE ORDER HERE". Talk about missing the obvious!