Reflections on 2011

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Judy Mason

2011 passed by so quickly. Some friends and relatives have gone to be with the Lord. Some young, some old, lovely people that I will deeply miss. This make me reflect on how short our life here on earth. How do we make the most of it as we journey through life’s challenges, trials and triumphs.

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:14-15, NIV)

The Bible speaks of how our life can be just a puff. We therefore should live our life to the full, making most of the talent and resources that God has blessed us to benefit and bless people around us.

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Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Judy Mason

2010 has just flown by and we are being ushered into another year. World events like the recession and real state crashes has put anxiety and uncertainty for many regarding the future. Calamities and rumors of war flash before our television screen. However, there is one thing certain, in the midst of all these, God’s love and mercy is unfailing.

It is December, and people rush to buy gifts and to decorate . It is a busy season for many. Amidst all the flurries of activity, we tend to forget the reason of the season. When Jesus Christ came to earth 2000 years ago, His arrival is so unassuming and virtually ignored. Are we yet again this year going to ignore Jesus in our heart?

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Shall we prepare a room in our hearts for Jesus this Christmas and the days to come?

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A Time for Everything

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Judy Mason

I am down with a flu this week, and my routine is completely out of kilter. One thing I appreciate is that, as I pause and rest from the busyness of my life, the seemingly mundane things in life are simple yet beautiful.
I woke up one morning and was able to appreciate the birds enjoying themselves in the fountain. Their chirping is a symphony of gratefulness as the wind rustle through the trees. I step back and felt guilty that there are times when I don’t even have time to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around me.

Serenity

Summer is a time where some people devote their time to indulge in recreational and sport activities. Others, prefer to visit their love ones from afar. Everybody has an idea how to spend their perfect summer time. As for me, after years of spending my summer on the road and on holidays, I’m devoting my time to solitude and  and family time. I want to have a break from all the energy sapping activities that takes away creativity and sensitivity. I want to savor the walk in the park where my senses is filled the simplicity yet awesomeness of God’s creation.

In Ecclesiastes 3,  The Bible speaks “for a time for everything”. It is a very profound and easily missed principle in our day to day existence. Choose today whether time rules you or you rule the time.

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Spring-A Time of Renewal

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Judy Mason

Spring is a season where nature comes to life after their long slumber from winter. Flowers comes to life in a profusion or kaleidoscope of colors and bare trees display their leaves once again in varying shades of green.

One equates spring with renewal. As I was pondering this thought in my mind, I realized that we do need renewal and refreshing as human beings. In the rat race world where we are in, one forgets to renew and get burn out. We call these maladies in our modern society as a state of being stress out and depressed. Do we need to bring this upon ourselves? We don’t have to.

“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”. Psalm 46:10a

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2010

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Judy Mason

I am always fascinated with the changing seasons of the year. Particularly, I love autumn or fall as the American’s say. I am mesmerized on how the leaves change hues coloring the vista in varying shades of red, yellow and brown. It is captivating to look at and yet for these leaves in the trees, it represents the end of their life cycle. The leaves have to eventually fall into the ground to give the nurturing branches a respite.

Autumn Scene in Western Scotland

It is perplexing that we are at the end of the first decade of 21st century. How time has changed. Everything is instant. People lack patience and demand instant response to everything from food to report to communication. Yes, I am moving with the information age and yet I am reminded  how quickly time flies and how soon one is just a part of history and the story of the current age.

In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This verse reminds me that in spite of the past pace life, one still has to value time, families, relationships and people. At the end of the day, these things remain after the we sign off from the virtual world!

2010 is poignant for me as it is the beginning of my life where I am laying down roots. I travelled, worked and lived across the continents of Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America. The joy and rewards of travelling is exhilarating but nothing beats the feeling of knowing that your love ones and families are just close by.

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Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Judy Mason

Greetings from Fresno.

It is our second Christmas here in USA and we are amazed how time has just flown since we left Edinburgh.
There is not much holiday ventured this year as all our energy were focused on assimilating into our new community and way of life.
I am truly blessed and am enjoying my job. Neil is equally settled in his job at Sierra Pathology doing immunochemistry.

We had a chance during summer time to holiday on the West Coast, navigating the scenic Highway 1 from Monterey to Solvang in a week.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe

We’ve made acquaintances and are now an active member of Sierra Heights Baptist Church. Neil also volunteers to Sunnyside Nursing home visiting the elderly and helping out with their Sunday service.

As the year draws to a close, we are thankful to God for the blessings and opportunities for this year.
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A JOYFUL NEW YEAR.
All the best for 2010

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Update from Fresno

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Judy Mason

Note: This was our last update to our friends middle of this year. So here’s the blog version.

It’s almost a year since we left Edinburgh yet it feels like yesterday. We’ve been blessed by God with a smooth transition from British to the North American way of life. Well, sort of!

I am settling well in my job, and equally Neil is beginning to enjoy doing immunochemistry in his work. Likewise, we’re enjoying having time together in the evening playing tennis or just relaxing together – a luxury we never had in Edinburgh as Neil’s job takes him all over England.

Fresno is a good hub for travelling as it sits in the middle of California. On the East side are the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and on the West is the Pacific Coast.

We had few opportunities to start venturing out of Fresno.

Highway 1 is one of the most scenic road I ever travelled. However, it is a contradiction and a revelation of humanity’s strength and flaws. Strength as it conquered the once impenetrable frontiers of the West Pacific coast and flaws a you can pass by communities of immense wealth contrasted with communities on subsistence existence.

Monterey

Monterey

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Judy at Pismo Beach

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Neil at Pismo Beach

May 2009 - Pismo Beach, South Central Coast. It is part of a 200 mile stretch of Mediterranean like shore. It is 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive away but a very relaxing place to enjoy the Pacific ocean.

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Brits are coming! Alameda 4th of July grand parade

July 4 – Independence day parade in Alameda. Yes, Brits are still welcomed!

Well, summer is here where temperature can climb up to 3 digits. California life-work hard and enjoy the sunshine whenever you can. Cest la vie!

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Welcome to our Blog!

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Judy Mason

Welcome and thank you for visiting  our blog! In today’s ‘information age’, technology is advancing so fast, every second is moving way ahead  of its own time. The Internet and the exchange of information in a blink of an eye makes one think that the conventional telephone is too low-tech now (well that’s for the younger generation and the technocrats!). We do still from time to time communicate via snail mail for those who are averse to anything that got to do with e-mails, instant messaging and social networking sites.

We lived and worked in various parts of the world and along with it are friends, relatives and love ones that we love to keep in touch and update. Tweets, facebook, and all sorts of web 2.0 networking makes it easier for us to update friends and families.

Drop by for comments and updates and do share your stories and blogs with us.

God bless…

Judy & Neil Mason

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