Exploring the Other Coast

Since Hannah wasn't able to experience an 8th grade trip to DC/NY through her school like Emily did, I took it upon myself to plan an East Coast trip for her. We included my mom, brother, Park and sister-in-law, Hilda, and Emily's friend, Shawna and her dad, Willy.

Highlight Stats:
13 Days
6 States: explored 2; drove through 4; 1 District
1 Airbnb; 4 Hotels
3 Airlines
1 Metro ride; 6 Subway rides
21 Uber rides
2 Rental cars
689 Miles of driving
148,076 Steps
11 National Memorials
3 Government Tours
1 National Cemetery
10 Museums
1 College
1 Broadway Show
20 Restaurant Meals
1 Thunderstorm
15 Mosquito Bites
8 roadkills (7 deer and 1 black bear) and 1 car abandoned in the middle of the freeway
1 High School Friend reunited
1 Cousin's Family reunited

Lincoln Memorial

Reflecting Pool

Riding the Metro

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial- Emily & I weren't able to visit this the last time so I was so glad we were able to this time around.

Another addition was Ford's Theater where Abraham Lincoln was shot in his balcony seat and then taken across the street to the house where he eventually died.

I also was able to get a tour (through our congressman) of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where they print all our paper money and...

.... a tour of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

The International Spy Museum was not a free museum but it was very interesting and also connected some of the things we learned in the FBI tour.

DC's newest museum is the Museum of the Bible which opened in 2017 which utilizes the most up-to-date technology to showcase the Living Bible and it's importance and significance to our past, present and future.

Museum of the Bible

And YES DC has a Chinatown too, Mom.

We headed out to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon and took this beautiful shot before a thunderstorm rolled in ...

.. and completely drenched us.

We rented cars to drive down to Colonial Williamsburg, the largest live museum

My brother really wanted to check out the Armory

All of the docents are full-time masters or apprentices of their chosen crafts. It was amazing to see how they are recreating colonial life in the 21st century.

Willy learned how to make a shingle for the roof.

I didn't know they had this exhibit. Bummer I did not go see his works.

 Other places we visited but not pictured:
- Washington Monument
- Korean War Memorial
- Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery
- Kennedy Gravesite
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Changing of the Guard
- Air and Space Museum
- Holocaust Museum
- Pentagon Tour

Highlights & Observations (not generalized but what I experienced or saw):
- DCers and NYers were polite, kind and considerate. I did not meet a rude person there!
- NYers cannot merge onto the freeway. They either completely stop or slow down.
- NYers don't pull to the right and stop when a active ambulance is behind them; instead they keep driving or speed up to out run them!
- The United States values those who died to serve our country and even posts a guard 24/7 to those who are unknown. They also value memorializing and preserving artifacts from history and events unlike some other countries we visited.
- Food is expensive but very tasty.
- Did not enjoy the heat, humidity and mosquitoes
- Recommend "Free Tours on Foot " tours
- Request governmental tours far in advance; at least 3 months

NEXT POST: The Big Apple

There is a Time for Everything

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to tear down and a time to build” (Ecclesiastes 3:) 

I taught  the 2nd/3rd grade combo class a Monart drawing of a chamleon

Today was my last work day as a substitute teacher at KHA. I’ve been at KHA for 10 years either as a full time teacher, long term sub or regular sub. As the elementary school temporarily closes for a season to get a reboot and overhaul, I am blessed to be given the opportunity to teach these students. It is always a privilege and honor to teach, guide and hopefully positively influence our next generation.  

Since I have taught in both public and private sectors, both have been a joy and a challenge. At KHA it has been so satisfying to tell kids that God loves them without suffering any reprimand or discipline to me. But one of my most favorite memories of teaching at a public school was when a Catholic believing mom of twin girls, who I have never met until that day, whispered to me that she was praying for a Christian teacher for her girls and was overjoyed that I was one of her girl’s teachers. To know that a parent was praying for me even before I arrived gave me a humbling and honoring feeling. Teaching is most certainly not an easy profession but I have to say, it is one of the most rewarding ones. 

#kimberhillsacademy #fremontcommunitychurch #teacherscanmakeadifference

Gratitute IMHO

All through the month of December until Christmas I posted on Instagram (@mamacez2017) a picture-a-day of something or someone I was thankful for that God has blessed me with. I didn't want to go into this Christmas season with the attitude of 'what am I going to get' but to continue the Thanksgiving sentiment of what I am grateful for because let's just be honest.. we have a lot to be grateful for compared to many in the world. Most importantly is who God gave to us, his only Son to be born human as we did; suffered and experienced life as we do; but died for us because He chose to; so that we can have eternal life with Him. God gifted us His Son. No gift can compare.

I am realizing that life is not easy and it is definitely harder to live it alone. So the majority of what I am thankful for is the people who are/were in my life because I know that each one is/has been in my life for a reason. Good or bad.. each has influenced me to be the person that I am today.

So below are just a plethora of people that I am deeply grateful for IMHO:

I know that there are many many more. I am deeply grateful for all of you I call friend.

May this coming new year be filled with people that you are/can be grateful for.  Happy 2018!

2017 Messenger

Volume 23 Issue 1 2017

Merry Christmas to our family and friends! I think each year goes by quicker and quicker and life is just as precious. We don’t understand why things happen they way they do but only one thing stays the same: Jesus’ love for us. We cling to His love, His hope, His gift of eternal life. We so desire for you to know His love during these uncertain times.

You can follow us on on our social media accounts:
Matt is on Facebook and on Instagram @matma92ser
Cezanne opened her first social media account on Instagram @mamacez2017
Hannah is  also on Instagram  @am_hannah

 Matt, Cezanne, Emily & Hannah

Photo credit to Marisa Ng and Matthel Ma

EMILY (17 years)

"Vacationing with my cousins in Hawaii; going to Disney World and on a Disney Cruise with family; getting our new youth pastor; and celebrating my birthday by completing an Escape Room with my closest friends, are some of my many highlights of this year. God has taught me that He is always good, even when it may not seem so. He will always be there for me no matter what." Emily is in her Junior year of high school. This past summer she went to Hume Lake Christian Camp with our church’s youth group. In her words: "We had 11 girls crammed into a 10-bed cabin, and the cabin we got this year was a lot smaller and older then last years. This year I did the high ropes course, which is made of planks and blocks of wood tied together by ropes up in the trees and we have to try and get across. I thought that this was really fun - there was even a zipline at the end. During church time our counselors washed the students' feet in the lake, just as Jesus washed his disciples feet in John 13.  Overall, I had a really nice time with good friends.” Emily is often up late studying for school or college entrance tests. When she's not studying, she enjoys bird watching, nail art, reading, sleeping, and editing home videos.

Hand feeding birds at Sea Life Park in Oahu

Skiing with Daddy at Whistler Blackcomb

The Hume Lake Gang (aka FCC Youth)

Emily's 17th Birthday at Omescape completing Sorcerer's Sanctum  in 67 minutes.

HANNAH (14 years)

"My 2017 highlights: our family Hawaii Trip; birthday trip to LA; making new best friends at a new school, and going to my first Golden State Warriors Game! God has taught me that I should always have faith in Him. Going to a new school was really hard for me but I got through it and made some amazing friends that I will never forget." Hannah reluctantly joined her school's chorale class last year and discovered that she really enjoys singing. She has broadened her interests from collecting toys to documenting experiences: vlogging on youtube, Instagramming, and making musical.ly videos. She also loves hair designs, make up, and shopping for clothes and shoes.This year a teenager has blossomed. My baby girl is no more!

Hannah and one of Gilda's puppies from her very last litter! Gilda is now officially retired as a breeder!

Watching her favorite team with her Daddy

Hannah's new besties.. her Sav Squad

Performing in the Fall Concert with her Chorale group at school

MATTHEW

"Be the best you." Although Matthew's nature is to be a peace maker, his motivation to do his best is not to please his boss, his peers, his family, or any other person on Earth. His desire is to please God in all that he does. Just as Steph Curry points heavenward after every 3-pointer, when Matthew plays his weekly pick up basketball games, this is his way of glorying God and thanking him for the physical gifts and talents that have been given him. The same with snowboarding - with the added bonus of seeing the grandeur of God's amazingly beautiful winter landscapes.

Matthew's work can be challenging and stressful at times (mostly due to workload), but overall he says it's a rewarding and productive time. He's been enjoying growing into a mentorship role with his coworkers, as well as finding joy in helping churches with their architectural needs.

At our own church, Matthew helped get our sign project finished (finally). He also plays guitar in the worship band and helps out in the a/v production for Sunday services and other church events. Whether it's paid work or volunteer work, Matthew sees it as an opportunity to show God his best work.

At Heavenly in February. The most epic powder day ever!

Father's Day portraits at church

Our new digital sign!

CEZANNE 

“Focused” is how I would describe this year. I did what I truly enjoy doing with no feelings of burden or being burnt out. I was focused on: attending Pilates Reformer classes 5x/week; organizing our women’s conferences at our church; starting a new Bible study in my Life Group; assisting our new Youth Pastor connect better with the parents; helping our church better care for our members; and guiding Emily as she navigates choosing a college and a major.

My cousin, Cheryl and I back at our old stomping grounds reminiscing about our college days.

The girls and I treated ourselves to a makeup tutorial.

FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS

Last Christmas we went on a Disney Cruise (with Matthew’s extended family from Vancouver) to the Bahamas and Disney World. It was a such a blessing to spend extended time away with Uncle Pat, Auntie Carmen, and Matthew's cousins and their families. We almost didn't make it there, but after an extremely stressful and prayer filled set of flights we made it on the ship (too bad our luggage didn't).

Christmas in the Bahamas

So odd to experience such warm weather during the holidays!

Enjoying the view of Cinderella's Castle. The only other one is in Tokyo Disneyland.

Celebrating Christmas on a Disney Cruise ship was magical! We even had church service on Christmas day.

During Spring Break we returned to Vancouver to visit with the Ma extended family. I was able to do something I’ve always wanted to see first hand: a giant tulip field! The weather was a little wet and the ground was quite muddy, but it didn't stop us from marveling at God's beautiful creations!

Abbottsford Tulip Festival, Abbottsford BC

Whistler Blackcomb still had lots of snow in April!

My little nephew Zachary is no longer so little. We are so proud of the way God has been molding him into a 8th grade graduate!

Zachary Okazaki is officially a high school freshman at The King's Academy

During the summer we had the privilege to vacation in Hawaii with Matthew's mom, sister, and her family. We always enjoy family time. You may notice that we never go on vacation by ourselves - it's always with family or friends! The kids especially enjoyed hanging out with cousins 24/7 for a week.

Before a very windy catamaran ride around the island of Oahu

Hanauma Bay - so much more crowded compared to our last visit.

Luau time by the beach

My sweet nephew, Timothy, hand picked plumerias for each of us. He even shook a tree to get one!

In September, we had the honor to witness Matthew's cousin's wedding. It was such an encouragement to see this lovely couple dedicate their marriage to God, which was evident in the theme of the wedding day.

Congratulations to Magnus and Corinna

And as always Hannah wanted to celebrate her birthday at her favorite place in the world... Disneyland. We took advantage of our time in SoCal to visit family and also check out some potential colleges for Emily. The whole process of choosing a college and a major has been causing a bit of anxiety for our household. We know God has a good and perfect plan for Emily, but why does getting there have to be so hard?

"Galactic" churros, only available near the Guardians ride.

Thank you for journeying with us in life. Life is not easy. We rely on your support in our lives not only to celebrate the victories but also to get through the hard times. We rely on God to be our strength when we have run out of our own. Brokenness seems to be all around us: the heartbreak of failed marriages and the harsh realities facing their kids; the dreaded news of cancer and the difficult road ahead. We ask why and we don't always have an answer. Yet it is in suffering that we are made mature and where our greatest joy comes when the suffering is past. Our prayer for you during this season is that God would meet you where ever you are, that he would grant you strength to face your trials, and that he would give you abundant reasons to be joyful. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season.

Fourteen

Happy 14th Birthday to my Babie! 

Truth be told I was very happy with one child and did not plan on another. My mom said raising kids are hard so one can be enough. But one day I was watching Emily play in the family room and she looked lonely playing by herself. I couldn’t not give her a playmate so Hannah was born. A much smoother pregnancy and delivery with my awesome midwife-to-be (at the time she was training) Rhoda Smith. Hannah is nothing like her big sis so it was a new experience for us in raising her! She is extremely expressive,playful, fun loving, and accident prone. We knew she would be the one we would be taking to the doctors/hospital vs her very cautious non risk taking sister. I am so thankful God blessed us with this precious young soul in our family!  #godisgoodallthetime #beingamotherisablessing #mybabyisateenager

To celebrate her birthday she wanted to go to the 'happiest place on earth'... and it was the crowdest! (At least that's how it felt.. not sure of how Disneyland was since we only went to California Adventure). So thankful Marissa could join in her celebration even though she was so tired from rehearsing for the Nutcracker all weekend!
 

Thank you Auntie Lisa and Marissa for the cool Disney shirt!

Hannah with Michelle and Brinly (minus Trinity who met up with them later)

And on her actual birthday today, we took some of her school friends to lunch and shopping. Thankfully the Black Friday crowds diminished significantly and it was not as crowded as we expected it to be.