The weather is usually the first to come to mind when I don’t have much to say. Fortunately, there have been many things happening since my last posting. I just don’t want to start with the weather. I’ve been listening to many YouTube church services researching for my book. This book has taken over a year now, with most of its time spent in research. I hadn’t even begun the backbone of the primary branching. So far, they are almost a mismatched of ideas being put together, although most do have their merits. I hadn’t thought it would be easy to write my second book seeing this will be my first nonfiction. I had read numerous nonfiction books, not including school books, of course; I hadn’t thought how much this can take a toll on my time, my efforts, and my Bible knowledge. I understood perfectly well when I remembered reading a page from one of Dr. Billy Graham’s books when he mentioned it. There had even been thoughts about changing my theme title at one point in time, then I started gathering ideas on how I would write that. Afterwards, I wanted to pinpoint the mannerisms of the book. Should it be a list for beginners or intermediates? Should I make one similar to a daily reading like a Bible study or a devotional? Or should I just stick to a daily reading like a Bible Study or a devotional? Or should I just stick to what I wanted this book to be: a theme study book or self-help information? It was hard to decide, seeing I had all these options. I suppose I can imagine all those hours, days, weeks, months, and years that I will be researching for each of them. I don’t know how those nonfiction writers do it. I guessed this snowstorm had helped a bit.

    This is New Year's Eve, and all through the house, only one creature is stirring--That would be me. In all of the New Year's Eve evenings of the past, I remembered vividly one when my sister was sleeping because she had to work on New Year's Day. My nephew and I watched for the New York City famous ball of lights to come down with Dick Clark hosting that television show special. It was supposed to be a quiet evening while my mother was preparing for sleep until she called me from the bathroom. Then things started rolling downhill. We ended up spending New Year's Day in the hospital. I remembered the weather was freezing rain that night. My nephew had to drive us there, his first time doing it at night. That was more than fifteen years ago.  How time flew by so fast! They missed the pandemic. 
    December's numerous snowfalls have kept our city covered with a blanket of white wintery wonderland. Despite the seasonal and dreamy marshmallowy world outside, stress has finally come into our home, unlike the past years. My nephew is experiencing anxieties, and I don't blame him because of his burdening situation. I wish I could help him out more; however, this year, I had gotten my share of the anxieties--and then some! This anxiety-and-sleepless-nights experience is not what I want at all. It is an unfortunate activity that burdened even the best of us. Although I prayed, I can see he is doing his best to get through it day-by-day. I just hope God will spare me from such a circumstance. I am thankful to God that there is Jesus. Whatever our troubles, only Jesus is the answer. I also prayed that my nephew will take notice and pursue this opportunity to accept Him into his heart. Then, he can lean on God and His Word without the daily fret. 
    This virus vaccine has become known recently, which is why the number of cases and anxieties are rising astoundingly. Record highs in most provinces and states are posted by the TV journals, the newspapers, and the internet. This pandemic--(or should I say, this Great Tribulation)--has run its course. Praise God who knows everything! Those who have been listening and heeding to His Word are blessed. Festive holiday decorations may be hung sparsely across the city, even on our front door. Still, I'm afraid many are experiencing nightmarish Christmas rather than their usual jingle. 

I know this isn't the month of August. I had been busy trying to survive. There are updating my YouTube channel, typing and keeping up with my Bible reading for more inspired ideas, and working a second job for payment of my next publishing. I still don't have a title that would catch the readers' eyes. I just hope all this sacrifice of time and money isn't a waste. My non-fiction is still in its first draft because there is so much info out there that I know I can add. At the moment, I'm on my bed typing this away, which means to me that I've slept in: no coffee yet; no breakfast. September used to be so beautiful. The air is crisp and cool in the mornings. The schools are open. I saw pumpkin pies on display in the grocer. Signs of autumn are starting to show. The season of warmer sweaters, harvested fruits, and a cornucopia of root vegetables to bring in the Thanksgivings of the Fall. All this talk about winter preparation takes my heart back to the days of old. They were sweet memories with the people I loved dearly...and I missed them so much. I am aware of the importance of waiting, waiting for the return of my beloved Lord and Saviour. This opportunity does have its advantages but most people take it another way. That is when lives are being ruin by sin. To them, August is still present. I had already felt the winds have changed. Hand washing and mask on are always on my thoughts.

November is supposed to be a month of cooler weather, even cold, I might add; however, for the past several days, we have been experiencing warm temperatures. It looks like spring is about to start. If that is the actual case, then we are not in Canada but Australia instead. One can imagine that God may have turned the earth upside down to check if all the parts are still intact and in working condition. Similarly, a mechanical engineer had to take everything apart to fix what's not working, then reassemble, even turning it upside down to put back the parts. We know that God doesn't think like this, but it is a funny yet strange idea thinking that God does this to fix what's wrong in this world. A person who does not know God well enough will come up with such an imagination, when in reality, the fault comes from the hearts of men and women who still reside in sin, pumping that beat endlessly. This pandemic lives on around the world. The virus, however, is just an avatar to remind us that sin is an actual thing that is killing us, taking us away from God.

If you haven't carried your cross or know its full meaning, then God is helping you do that. Many stores are closed--some are even permanent--while other parts of the social aspects of the capitalist world remain open to risk the spread of this enemy. If we think the way God would want us to think, we would even say that the actual enemy isn't the virus but the sin that lurks so prominently in the hearts of worldly men and women. He can see and hear the suffering of "Christians" who are calling out to Him to take this virus away to the outer darkness, like billions of years in space distance where no man will ever enter. He can see these "Christians" are blind to His point of view and His Word. The church-goers' presences filling the pews won't help if their hearts aren't with God and His Word. Only the believers' application of God's commands are necessary for a better life and a closer relationship with the Creator Himself. Carrying the cross of the worldly life will not hinder a believer's action toward holiness; Instead, it will only promote it. A holy life will and can accentuate the eyes with 20-20 vision. A wise man will understand what the Maker's hand is doing, whereas a fool will only think of himself and nothing else. If we are to see God's vision, we must carry our cross. How far and how deep you want this vision of life will depend on how bruised your knees and how contrite your heart before an Almighty God. Only your passion for the Lord our God can sustain your part of the covenant. Jesus Christ had already done the rest. Glory to God for this!

I wish you blessed with His Word.

June, as it turns out, has some warm and some cool days. I prefer cooler days, of course. The hot and sticky humidity isn't my cup of tea, even if it's by the beach. My choice of a vacation spot would be a place with snow, even if some melt by the end of the day would be ideal. I don't understand people and their love for the desert. What is the hype in there? It's why I stay in Canada. However, this week is getting humid. I like the sunshine beaming down because of this virus thing is still out there. Did you know that the sun can kill the virus? I didn't know that until I read in a few articles that hospitals and some companies use UV-ray lights to kill bacteria. I am presently scratching a few mosquitos spots. Yes! It is also why I don't like hot and humid--these pesky insects come out! I stopped writing and had taken a break but I haven't stop researching.  I am getting lots of inspiration through listening to a few YouTube channels. I had changed my YouTube channel structure: I made it into a podcast video rather than just rolling the inspirational words with background music. I like this better. For one thing, I found it less work to do. Stay safe out there, my friends! Be virus-free! ​

​This month of May, I remembered to do my taxes. This deadline extension gave me a breather from digging into my pile for last year's receipts. Unfortunately, this deadline has also put a damper on my spirit throughout this whole time. Thus, I commenced. I did put some chapters in my nonfiction. I am still working on my theme, as well as the argument thereof. When I looked up, I hadn't realized that I had only put a dent in this topic. It's the DNA of this kind of writing. I'm glad I was able to discover some of my past reference books during my time of archeological receipt-digging. Due to this lockdown, libraries aren't open yet to help me in this department. Now I have to spend more time rereading them to assist me in this research, but not before my taxes get done. Now, if only my allergies don't get in the way, my eyes are itchy. Spring has sprung, and apparently, these pollens like to make their appearances, too! Strive forward! 

This whole world feels like a complete lockdown. The global news showed major cities are close to ghost towns. We know that the residents are staying home as "encouraged;" -- maybe that word is too mild, to say the least, -- more like regulated by each nation's government. I was just inspired to say that these videos could be a forecast of what is to come when our Lord Jesus returns: that those who remain might see the emptying streets with only a sparse of the remaining stubborn ones who refuse to apologize for their sins. I am only glad that we have this opportunity to act now while we are still on His saving grace. If you think this is scary, we are only seeing the beginning of things to come. I think it is scarier if we think we are mightier than God, but that would be foolish. Wouldn't it?

If I let my imagination go wild here, it is almost like what retirement is about. Staying home isn't that bad. The problem is those who need their regular income to pay for their monthly expenses; or those who have their businesses to run because of their debt. These times are hard for them. I can almost see someone being called to work, but the matter of this contagious virus spreading around is bringing up more than just nervousness. Or, those who are wondering if their savings are enough to cover feeding their family. Both situations are justified but dreadful. 

What I don't understand is the twenty-something generation who haven't stopped partying in groups despite the megaphonic call to stay at home curfew was announced nationwide. I know it is "Spring Break" for them but do they have to travel and stay on beaches with other large groups of young people like themselves? Do they not think they have to head home afterward, infected with the virus and then spread to other members of their family? Jesus was right about this generation: They think only about themselves! It made our PM so irritated that he came up to the podium on the eighth consecutive day and announced numerous times to everyone to stay home. He was shy of announcing the Marshall Law. He was practicing mercy. Praise God for Christian Prime Ministers!

Since I'm practicing my "social distancing" so I won't get the CoVid-19 virus, I have been typing away my thoughts on the first half of this month's events and catching up on the news. The only silver lining in all of this is that there's an extension on the deadline for filing the income taxes. 

This morning, I was reminded of the dreading taxes I had to file before the deadline. It is definitely something I know for certain that no one will miss when our Lord returns. Presently, I am still researching materials so it won't be in the process of publishing for several months. I had another inspiration earlier on another topic, which means I should get going tapping away on my keyboard. I had hoped to make it a concise book but not too short so there's worth reading. There are so many misunderstandings when people read the Bible, and it just irks me how could people get so much misinformation on reading simple sentences. Like, "For God so loved the world..." and "Jesus wept." There are many more like this. What I find so bizarre is that when people just reject it and come up with one of their own. This is just the beginning of my findings. I hope my explanations will be clear and won't put my readers to sleep.  For now, this is just an update blog. I have so much to do. Until then...  

My writings are now very different. I spent most of my time researching info and getting inspired by others. I had to start with my theme, of course. It would help to know what my book will be about, seeing that there are various topics to discuss. Then I went straight using my online Bible app, YouVersion. This free app is fantastic! Even though I would have written pages by now if it were some fictional story, however, I do have to start somewhere writing my first non-fiction. If God allows, I hope to prove a point in this new Christian themed book. Already, I have another argumentative statement in mind, in this case, apologist viewpoint in areas where some believers may find it grey, and I haven't even put my manuscript through publishing yet! Of course, I hope to prove to others that they were wrong basing on the biblical standards. I feel as though I am writing my thesis, something I could not imagine myself doing. I found it fascinating to be writing again, especially when the topics are something I feel strongly. It is all in God's hands, as always. Praise the Lord!