Goals for 2018

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Hello, Readers! I can't believe that is 2018.  How did you spend New Years Eve? I am not a party type and keep it simple celebration. Due to weather, I stayed home with my family. We relaxed and watch tv all day. Drank hot drinks all day. So much has happen in 2017 and i hope that 2018 is full of adventures.  There are some goals that i hope to accomplish in 2018

•  Keep my room and desk organized this year. 
• Practice hand lettering
• Study and Pass the GRE
• Try not to procrastinate on homework and other important tasks
• Stay consistent with Bible reading
• Apply to graduate schools
• Get a summer internship
• Show kindness to others in small or big ways.
• Have more faith and worry less.
• Blog on a consistent schedule. I am thankful for those who have stuck with me even though i don't always post.

I hope to reach these goals to the best of my abilities. I would love to hear about some of your goals. Let us encourage one another to keep our goals.

~Liu Miao~

A reflection of 2017

I can't believe 2017 is coming to an end. I decided to include my best nine from Instagram.  I love that 3 of 9 pictures are Vietnamese food.This year was so amazing. It was full of adventure and growth for me personally and for A Word with Liu Miao. Here are some thoughts about this year:

• I went on my first international trip alone. It was kinda scary and stressful ; however, I am so glad that I went. I have wonderful memories with great people.

• I have meet so many bloggers this year through Instagram and facebook blogging groups. I love how this community is so helpful.

• The blog is growing. I have gained new readers and so excited to see the growth. I tried to connect with new readers this past year. In the new year, I will work to blog on a schedule. I am working to make A Word for Liu Miao better for readers in the new year. If you have any suggestions, comment below.

• One important lesson that I am learning is Trust on God. This theme was very noticeable to me this year. God didn't have the answer that I wanted but He had the answer that was right for me.( though I don't always like his answer)
  

• Making decisions is hard to do. This involves trusting God too. I decided my major for college, and I decided to postpone major surgery.

What are some important things that happen in your life? I would love to hear how 2017 went for you.

Have a good week.

~Liu Miao~

Christmas Traditions

Hello readers, I can't believe Christmas is quickly approaching. The year has gone so fast this year. I really enjoy because it represents Joy of our Saviour. I love the christmas lights and christmas songs. Christmas traditions is one of my favourite things about the holiday since christmas traditions are only done during this time of the year. Here are some of my christmas traditions:

• Listen to christmas music. I prefer to listening to christmas music after Thanksgiving. This year I started listing to  christmas music early because I am doing special music at my church in December so I needed to learn the songs

• Watch Christmas movies. Some of my favourite movies include: Christmas in Connecticut, Hallmark Christmas movies, It's a Wonderful Life, the Santa Clause series, The Christmas Shoes. (* This is not sponsored and these are all my own opinions)

• Christmas Desserts. I love making christmas desserts and eating them too. Some of my favourites include Peppermint bark, Christmas Hash ( it is a mixture of sweet and salty ingredients with melted almond bark so it sticks together. Kinda like making a potatoe has casserole but a dessert.)

• Going to Christmas Eve Service at my church. I have done it ever since I can remember

• On Christmas morning, my family reads the christmas story from the Bible before we open presents. This is to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas which is Christ is the true meaning. 

I would love to hear about your family Christmas traditions. I think it is interesting to learn what others do for the holiday. Have a great week and Merry Christmas.

~Liu Miao~

I am thankful for....

Thanksgiving is over but I can still tell you what I am thankful for. I love this holiday because it helps us to remember to be thankful for things in life. Yes life can be extremely hard but there is something to be thankful for even if it something small. I would like to share what I am thankful for list.

My family: God allowed me to be adopted into a good family. I love my family even though we don't always agree with everything. I know that my family loves me and cares for me.

My basic needs: they  are taken care of for example, food, medical care, a home etc. I know that not everyone has the opportunity to have these things  and I appreciate having these things.

Friends: Friends make like more fun. Friendship is powerful.

Switzerland: I really love the Swiss chocolate. but No I am really thankful for my ayi and friends from Switzerland. I was very welcomed when I went in the summer. Switzerland holds a big place in my heart.

My Church family: they care about me and teach me about God and how to be the best Christian I can be.

Education: I know that not everyone has the opportunity to go to college. I am very blessed to go and have the opportunity to educate myself so I can help others.

Health care: I am super thankful for this. I can get steroid shots, and pain medicine which are not super expensive.

I save the best one for last... God. I am super thankful for  HIM. He is the reason why we are here. He gives me comfort that he is in control ( though sometimes I don't trust His timing). He takes our brokenness and makes us into new creations.

~Liu Miao~

Be a tortoise

(picture from Pinterest)

    This is a an odd name for a title, don't you think? This title is based of a story that I read as a child. It is the story of the tortoise  and rabbit. The rabbit and turtle race against each other. The rabbit believes that he will win because he is faster than the tortoise. Somehow the tortoise wins the race. I saw this quote online "it doesn't matter how long it takes you to finish as long as you finish.". I love this quote so much.
     In my own life, I have felt like I was the slow person in everything I do. In doing physical activities, I felt slow and was not the fastest person. I learned that it is ok to be slow and enjoy doing the activity. It's ok if I don't win which is a hard lesson for me to accept. ( I am very competitive). There are some things that take me longer to do than most people.  I was much older when I go my permit. I honestly felt like a loser because I wasn't driving like my friends.
    Even though I may take longer to do things than most people, I learned to finish things even if I am the last person across the finish line. I am learning patience while waiting to do things that other people get to do before me.

I apologize for  not posting much. I have not had much creative juices flowing for posts. When I put a post on the blog, I want to do my best. Not post just to post. Thank you for staying with me while I have been absent in reading. There will be more posts coming soon. Have a great week!. On a side note, who thinks a tortoise is supper cute? If anyone wants to buy me a tortoise or something with a tortoise on it, I would be happy person and hug you forver.

~Liu Miao~

Blessed to Bless

( picture from Pinterest)

About a week ago, I was at my bible college group. I love going to this group when I come. It is a great time of fellowship and being in the Bible together. We were in 2nd Corinthians 9:6-13 and on verse 13 someone summarized that verse in these words "Blessed to Bless".

2nd Corinthians 9:13 says "Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all"

This verse really stuck in my mind this week and this verse was convicting me.  God has blessed us through Christ and we are suppose to share that good news. There are many ways to share the gospel. You don't have to preach a sermone to someone. You can share about the gospel in 5 minutes while checking out. My dad likes to wear shirts with a spiritual message and people ask him what the shirts mean. This gives him a chance to share the gospel in a short amount of time.  These are subtle ways to share the gospel. I think that this verse can apply to other blessings that God has given us in life. In this world, it can be hard to be grateful. There is so much advertisement for the newest model of something and that we should buy the new model. We have so many blessings in our lives. Family, the gift of life,  food, the opportunity of education, and having a place to live are some of the blessings that many of us and sometimes take for granted. I have caught myself complaining so much even though I have so many blessings in m life. I need to stop and think about them. If you don't have one or more of these blessings, you can still bless someone. You can comfort someone who is going through a similar struggle and being able to relate to someone can impact someone in big ways. This is such a good reminder for me. Though my struggles are hard, I can help someone with the same or similar struggles.There are so many ways to bless people besides giving money. Giving your time to help them, send an encouraging text or card, or just listening to them are ways to bless people.

Have a wonderful week.

~Liu Miao~

Half way there

For many of us in college(at least in the US), October signifies the midpoint of the semester. This means midterms are coming up. Midterms is the week that professors give exams at the midpoint of the semester. This can be a very stressful time if you have all your exams in one week. Not all professors give exams during midterms. I was very happy that I had my exams early this semester. I actually like midterm week because it means that the semester is half way there.  Today, I will share some tips that can help you prepare for this week

1. Study ahead of time. it will be less stressful if you study in chunks and not all at one.  One will learn more when taking time to learn the material.

2. Don't do all nighters. This is not good. You need sleep to function. Being to exhauseted can cause a person to do poorly on an exam.

3. Eat food. healthy foods help your brain to function. It is so tempting to eat a whole bunch of junk foods or just not eat at all. Fruits are a good snack or salad.

4. Take a little  time for fun. There needs to be a balance. It is not good to study for 8 hours straight. Your brain needs a break. Take 10-15 minute breaks then go back to study.

5. Stay hydrated. This is very important. Water helps your body to function properly.

6. Try to eliminate distraction as much as possible. If you get distracted by your phone, keep your phone on silent for a little bit in order to study. If you need a quiet space, go study somewhere quiet. If friends distract you, don't study with them. It is good to find out what distracts you from studying and try to eliminate it. 

Have a good week of midterms. The semester is almost halfway there.  I would love to hear about any tips that have helped you during midterms week. Celebrate afterwards for surviving a stressful week(s) of exams. Have a good weekend full of studying and FUN.

~Liu Miao~