Scientist, author, and artist. Can one person be all three at the same time? I was happy to discover such a person right here in Woodbury.
Dr. Haiyan Zhang, an engineer at 3M and a well known vocal performer in Twin Cities Chinese community, is also the author of a new book “Thousands of Miles Across North America,” published in Chinese.
I first met Dr. Zhang and his wife during their performance at a 3M Chinese New Year party. They are both great singers. I got to know him more through my contact with his wife, Weili Shen, when I wrote about her acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury.
During my conversations with them, I discovered that Dr. Zhang had many interesting stories and experiences. I was most fascinated by the book he wrote.
“The book consists of 20 stories and about 50 photos and sketches I had made. The stories are about my family’s travels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Most of the stories took place when I was in graduate school, taking my family on road trips in our 1985 Plymouth Horizon,” Zhang said. “The book is not a travel guide. It’s about family, life lessons and the beauty of this world.”
Zhang was born in Wuhan, China. He graduated from high school during the Cultural Revolution. Like almost all the high school graduates at that time, he went to work in the countryside as a farmer. For two years he did nothing but plant rice and trees. He then went to work at an iron and steel company for one year.
In 1977, when China restored its national unified college entrance exams, Zhang tested into college. He majored in physical chemistry and specialized in rare metal metallurgy. For his Masters Degree, he studied electrochemistry.
Zhang came to the U.S. in 1990 for his Ph. D. In 1995, he moved to the Twin Cities and has been working at 3M since.
“Although my entire career is about science and technology, I have always had a strong interest in literature and art.” Dr. Zhang said.
Even when Zhang was a child he liked Chinese and Western literature. He managed to read many books by authors such as Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Honoré de Balzac. It took courage to do so because those books were forbidden in China at that time.
He became interested in drawing in his youth and later developed an interest in photography. His photos of nature have been featured in the 3M Company calendar twice.
“I wanted to write something to capture what I have seen and felt in my life.” Dr. Zhang told me, “However, with my busy work schedule, engineering projects, and time spent with family, I couldn’t find the time to sit down to write a book. Also, I did not know the right way to express what I wanted to say.”
Things started to change after his son went to college. At the same time, his wife was busy getting her clinic started.
“I suddenly found a lot more time. I wrote a short journal and matched it with photos and drawings. It was then that I realized how I would write my book,” he said.
Using spare time on evenings and weekends, Zhang finished his book in less than two years. A publishing company in China decided to publish it.
As for writing another book, Dr. Zhang thinks it is a possibility.
“I have traveled to over 30 states in the U.S. and I only wrote about half of them. I might write about my experiences in the rest of the states in my next book if people enjoyed reading my first one,” Zhang said.
I know so far he has received very positive comments. His book is available in various stores in China, and even a Chinese bookstore in St. Paul. I also know he doesn’t write to make money, only to fulfill his interests. In fact, the price barely covers the cost of printing and shipping.
I am looking forward to hearing about Dr. Zhang’s second book.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 01/09/2008]
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chinese medicine - Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the main forms of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Today, in most western cultures it is considered a "new alternative" medicine.
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
Monday, August 31, 2009
More healthy lunch, less messy lunchroom
Woodbury Bulletin - 09/16/2009
As another school year has started, many parents start thinking about school lunch and packing lunches for their kids.
Are my kids eating healthy food at school? Is it better to have school lunch or bring lunch from home? Should I let them eat doubles or triples or should I set a limit?
An article that appeared in the Aug. 12 issue of the Woodbury Bulletin titled “More healthful school lunches moving ahead” also made me think about those questions.
I was glad to know that more healthy choices, more fresh and fewer processed food will be offered at our new middle schools. I hope the Farmer’s Market lunch menioned in the article will be expanded to both elementary and high schools next year.
Giving students choices of healthy and unhealthy food, I think the majority of kids will choose unhealthy food. I know my kids will, even though we eat mostly healthy food and not processed food at home.
So the ideal is not just more healthy food choices, but also fewer choices or no choices of unhealthy food in schools. This is difficult if not impossible to achieve, because Our standard American diet is a SAD, unhealthy one.
In my opinion, it is not only our school’s responsibility to provide our kids with healthy food, it’s also, or more importantly so, the responsibility of each family and the society as a whole to help our kids build healthy eating habits.
I think parents should pay attention to their kids’ lunch accounts and make their kids responsible for their spending. Instead of complaining to the schools that their kids spend too much money on school lunch, they can limit their kids’ spending to one lunch, and not allow doubles or triples.
Once I found out that my daughter spent extra money on dessert, I told her no more doubles or extras. Whenever she questions me why she can’t have seconds or extras like some of her friends, I tell her, she can always get more vegetables or fruit for free if she needs more food. I know well that she can’t usually finish everything the first round.
This is a problem that concerns me - the messy and wasteful behavior in the school lunch rooms.
On a few occasions I visited my kids during lunch, I was not pleased to see what’s going on. Some kids played with food, some kids, including my daughter, ate only a few bites of food and had a few sips of milk or juice, then threw more food away than they consumed.
Since I grew up with the teaching of eating everything on your plate and not wasting food, I don’t tolerate my kids’ wasteful behavior. I make sure that they eat everything they have on their plates. But I can’t control what they do at school.
The lunchroom scene was pretty heartening for me. What a waste and what a mess!
I hate to see food go to waste and money go down the drainage. I think most parents will agree. But some of them might just not know what is going on in the school lunch room.
There are also parents who don't care how much their kids spend and how much is wasted. These kids can purchase whatever they want, as much as they want.
The fact is in our society kids are very spoiled. Many live a life of prosperity and abundance; they don’t know hunger and they don’t know how to value what they have.
As a parent, I encourage our kids to bring lunch from home. But that remains a real challenge.
When my son first started school, he brought lunch from home every day for the whole kindergarten year. Then when he started the 1st grade, he no longer wanted to bring lunch from home. He said most kids eat school lunch. He wanted school lunch too.
If more kids bring lunch from home, that might encourage other kids to do the same.
From the school side, more education and closer monitoring would be helpful.
We need to remind our kids to bring or purchase in the cafeteria only what they will eat, no more and no waste. When bringing lunch from home, use unpackaged food (an apple) rather than packaged food (a cup of applesauce) if possible, and pack lunch in re-usable containers, rather than disposable items.
As we focus on providing more healthy lunch, let’s not forget to also teach our kids to be resourceful with our food and mindful with our environment, and to keep the lunchroom from becoming a waste site.
Qin Tang can be contacted at quin_tang@yahoo.com
As another school year has started, many parents start thinking about school lunch and packing lunches for their kids.
Are my kids eating healthy food at school? Is it better to have school lunch or bring lunch from home? Should I let them eat doubles or triples or should I set a limit?
An article that appeared in the Aug. 12 issue of the Woodbury Bulletin titled “More healthful school lunches moving ahead” also made me think about those questions.
I was glad to know that more healthy choices, more fresh and fewer processed food will be offered at our new middle schools. I hope the Farmer’s Market lunch menioned in the article will be expanded to both elementary and high schools next year.
Giving students choices of healthy and unhealthy food, I think the majority of kids will choose unhealthy food. I know my kids will, even though we eat mostly healthy food and not processed food at home.
So the ideal is not just more healthy food choices, but also fewer choices or no choices of unhealthy food in schools. This is difficult if not impossible to achieve, because Our standard American diet is a SAD, unhealthy one.
In my opinion, it is not only our school’s responsibility to provide our kids with healthy food, it’s also, or more importantly so, the responsibility of each family and the society as a whole to help our kids build healthy eating habits.
I think parents should pay attention to their kids’ lunch accounts and make their kids responsible for their spending. Instead of complaining to the schools that their kids spend too much money on school lunch, they can limit their kids’ spending to one lunch, and not allow doubles or triples.
Once I found out that my daughter spent extra money on dessert, I told her no more doubles or extras. Whenever she questions me why she can’t have seconds or extras like some of her friends, I tell her, she can always get more vegetables or fruit for free if she needs more food. I know well that she can’t usually finish everything the first round.
This is a problem that concerns me - the messy and wasteful behavior in the school lunch rooms.
On a few occasions I visited my kids during lunch, I was not pleased to see what’s going on. Some kids played with food, some kids, including my daughter, ate only a few bites of food and had a few sips of milk or juice, then threw more food away than they consumed.
Since I grew up with the teaching of eating everything on your plate and not wasting food, I don’t tolerate my kids’ wasteful behavior. I make sure that they eat everything they have on their plates. But I can’t control what they do at school.
The lunchroom scene was pretty heartening for me. What a waste and what a mess!
I hate to see food go to waste and money go down the drainage. I think most parents will agree. But some of them might just not know what is going on in the school lunch room.
There are also parents who don't care how much their kids spend and how much is wasted. These kids can purchase whatever they want, as much as they want.
The fact is in our society kids are very spoiled. Many live a life of prosperity and abundance; they don’t know hunger and they don’t know how to value what they have.
As a parent, I encourage our kids to bring lunch from home. But that remains a real challenge.
When my son first started school, he brought lunch from home every day for the whole kindergarten year. Then when he started the 1st grade, he no longer wanted to bring lunch from home. He said most kids eat school lunch. He wanted school lunch too.
If more kids bring lunch from home, that might encourage other kids to do the same.
From the school side, more education and closer monitoring would be helpful.
We need to remind our kids to bring or purchase in the cafeteria only what they will eat, no more and no waste. When bringing lunch from home, use unpackaged food (an apple) rather than packaged food (a cup of applesauce) if possible, and pack lunch in re-usable containers, rather than disposable items.
As we focus on providing more healthy lunch, let’s not forget to also teach our kids to be resourceful with our food and mindful with our environment, and to keep the lunchroom from becoming a waste site.
Qin Tang can be contacted at quin_tang@yahoo.com
Friday, July 31, 2009
Remembering my favorite teacher
06/05/2009
When my son Andy and daughter Amy came home on the last day of school, I was more curious than usual to find out how the last day went.
“Too bad school is over. Fifth grade is my best year ever. I had so much fun,” Andy commented.
“How did you and all students say goodbye to the teachers?” I asked.
“The teachers lined up and watched us get on the school bus and leave.”
“Did anyone cry?”
“Everyone in my class gave our teacher a hug. Some teachers almost cried.”
Thankful for the wonderful teachers my kids had in school, I couldn’t help but thinking about my own teachers, especially my favorite teacher in high school almost 30 years ago.
The path of my life, starting from my hometown Suzhou to Beijing, the Capitol of China, to the university of Heidelberg in Germany, and then to the Untied States, is nothing but a miracle in my mind, thanks largely to my high school English Teacher Mr. XuangGuang Sheng.
In high school, I was very interested in learning foreign languages. My dream was to pass the national entrance exam and to go to one of the best universities in the country for studying English.
However, the high school I went to in my neighborhood was not the best in town. Passing the national entrance exam in China requires enormous dedication, efforts and preparation from students, parents and teachers. Staying in my own high school would mean I had no chance to fulfill my dream.
It so happened that one day I heard from a friend mentioning a very unique English Teacher at a different high school. His students had excellent exam results.
One year before my entrance exam to college, my mother, who was a math teacher in my own high school, talked the school administration into approving my transfer.
After an interview with Mr. Sheng, he also agreed to accept me in his class. Apparently I had impressed him as a good and sincere student.
Mr. Sheng was indeed very special and unique in many different ways.
He went to school very early, an hour or two before the regular class started, and he didn’t leave the classroom until every student was gone, usually 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening.
Since many students didn’t have quiet space for study at home, they often went to school to study early in the morning or after dinner in the evening. Mr. Sheng was always there ready to help everyone.
Unlike other teachers, he had his desk in the classroom where he spent more time with the students than at his other desk in the teachers’ office.
Mr. Sheng had home visit at least once every semester for every student (we had about 50 students in one class). He kept parents informed about their child at school. And he got to know the families through home visits.
Mr. Sheng was not only a unique teacher, but also a somewhat strange and mysterious person in my young eyes.
He was not married and had no children. That was very unusual in China at that time. He ran several miles early in the morning from his home to the school while holding his bicycle in hand. He wore just a shirt even in cold winter.
During his home visits with students, he didn’t even drink a cup of tea that was usually offered to the guests in China. Yet when students visited him at his home, he offered them treats.
When Mr. Sheng was not at the school, he often tutored students at home who were referred to him by friends and friends of friends. He didn’t have the heart to refuse any young person who was eager to learn. His room was full of books, mostly old books, and his necessary furniture was all very old and worn out.
He spent his own meager salary on English books, note books, pencils or other supplies and gave them to good students weekly as incentive for their hard work as shown on the weekly test results, while he never accepted any gifts from any students or parents for any reason. He spent more on his students than on himself.
His devotion to his students and his selfless acts towards others were incredible, unreal and hard for me to understand at that time. His world seemed like a mystery to me.
Thanks to Mr. Sheng’s teaching and devotion during that one year, and my own hard work, I was able to pass the entrance exam.
The exam was a big annual event in China, because it was the turning point in many young people’s lives. My score was high so I was accepted by the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the best known university in China for its foreign language programs.
Most of the graduates from this university hold positions as diplomats, foreign correspondents, and language instructors at the universities or dealing with foreign affairs in other government organizations. I have an older cousin who graduated from the same university. He worked for the UN in New York and Geneva, Switzerland for many years. It was certainly a dream come true for me.
I was very grateful for Mr. Sheng, yet he never took any credit for anything his students achieved. He always said humbly, “It is due to your own hard work and talent.”
At the age of 17, I left Suzhou for Beijing in 1981. With the long twenty hour plus train ride to Beijing, a new chapter of my life began.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Only about 40 students were accepted during that time every year. English was my first choice, but due to high demand, there was not enough space.
After graduation I got a position at Chinese Central Television to help start a German Language program. A German program was to be added to the existing programs. At that time three languages, English, Japanese and French, were offered on the TV and were very popular. China was just starting to open its door to the western countries, and after so many years of isolation, people were eager to know more about other countries.
One year later I went to Heidelberg, Germany to further my studies on a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Program.
After almost of 10 years of studying German, fate brought me to the United States.
Meanwhile I had forgotten my English learned in high school and had to start all over again, but I had never forgotten Mr. Sheng.
In fact, I kept in touch with him till he passed away a few years ago. Whenever I sent him letters or cards, he always wrote me back. His handwritten letters could be more than 10 pages long.
Living in Germany and the US opened my eyes for things I was not aware of in China as a young person. One of them was the Christian faith.
Years later, when I heard that Mr. Sheng was a Christian and he had graduated from a university in my home town that was founded by the American Christians, the mystery about him was solved. He had simply lived a real Christian life, though he never talked about his faith with his students, because religion was verboten and a taboo. People could go to prison for that.
My hometown Suzhou near Shanghai is a famous city known in China as “paradise on earth.” Suzhou is famous for beautiful gardens and silk embroidery. When I think of my hometown and the 17 years I spent there, Mr. Sheng usually comes to my mind. Even though he was my English Teacher for only one year, the impact he had on my life was enough for me to remember him forever. My admiration and respect for him can only grow as time goes by. Just as his name in Chinese means, Shining Light, he had certainly lighted my life and had shined some light in a not so bright world.
I always wanted to write an article about my favorite teacher. Today, the last day of my kids’ school rekindles that idea.
On this very same day, I finished reading a book a friend recommended me out of blue recently, titled “When God winks at you.” It is about the power of coincidence and how extraordinary little events in your life happen for a reason.
Now I think back about my favorite teacher and my life, I know God has winked at me many times.
Let this article serve as a remembrance to my favorite teacher and a thank-you to all teachers out there.
Please remember, whatever you do, big or little things, you can touch and change lives in ways you might not even know.
As you say good-bye to your students who are leaving you after spending almost a year together and you can’t help shed a few tears, please know, there might be former students of yours who shed a few tears every time they think about you and how you have impacted their lives.
I am one of these former students.
When my son Andy and daughter Amy came home on the last day of school, I was more curious than usual to find out how the last day went.
“Too bad school is over. Fifth grade is my best year ever. I had so much fun,” Andy commented.
“How did you and all students say goodbye to the teachers?” I asked.
“The teachers lined up and watched us get on the school bus and leave.”
“Did anyone cry?”
“Everyone in my class gave our teacher a hug. Some teachers almost cried.”
Thankful for the wonderful teachers my kids had in school, I couldn’t help but thinking about my own teachers, especially my favorite teacher in high school almost 30 years ago.
The path of my life, starting from my hometown Suzhou to Beijing, the Capitol of China, to the university of Heidelberg in Germany, and then to the Untied States, is nothing but a miracle in my mind, thanks largely to my high school English Teacher Mr. XuangGuang Sheng.
In high school, I was very interested in learning foreign languages. My dream was to pass the national entrance exam and to go to one of the best universities in the country for studying English.
However, the high school I went to in my neighborhood was not the best in town. Passing the national entrance exam in China requires enormous dedication, efforts and preparation from students, parents and teachers. Staying in my own high school would mean I had no chance to fulfill my dream.
It so happened that one day I heard from a friend mentioning a very unique English Teacher at a different high school. His students had excellent exam results.
One year before my entrance exam to college, my mother, who was a math teacher in my own high school, talked the school administration into approving my transfer.
After an interview with Mr. Sheng, he also agreed to accept me in his class. Apparently I had impressed him as a good and sincere student.
Mr. Sheng was indeed very special and unique in many different ways.
He went to school very early, an hour or two before the regular class started, and he didn’t leave the classroom until every student was gone, usually 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening.
Since many students didn’t have quiet space for study at home, they often went to school to study early in the morning or after dinner in the evening. Mr. Sheng was always there ready to help everyone.
Unlike other teachers, he had his desk in the classroom where he spent more time with the students than at his other desk in the teachers’ office.
Mr. Sheng had home visit at least once every semester for every student (we had about 50 students in one class). He kept parents informed about their child at school. And he got to know the families through home visits.
Mr. Sheng was not only a unique teacher, but also a somewhat strange and mysterious person in my young eyes.
He was not married and had no children. That was very unusual in China at that time. He ran several miles early in the morning from his home to the school while holding his bicycle in hand. He wore just a shirt even in cold winter.
During his home visits with students, he didn’t even drink a cup of tea that was usually offered to the guests in China. Yet when students visited him at his home, he offered them treats.
When Mr. Sheng was not at the school, he often tutored students at home who were referred to him by friends and friends of friends. He didn’t have the heart to refuse any young person who was eager to learn. His room was full of books, mostly old books, and his necessary furniture was all very old and worn out.
He spent his own meager salary on English books, note books, pencils or other supplies and gave them to good students weekly as incentive for their hard work as shown on the weekly test results, while he never accepted any gifts from any students or parents for any reason. He spent more on his students than on himself.
His devotion to his students and his selfless acts towards others were incredible, unreal and hard for me to understand at that time. His world seemed like a mystery to me.
Thanks to Mr. Sheng’s teaching and devotion during that one year, and my own hard work, I was able to pass the entrance exam.
The exam was a big annual event in China, because it was the turning point in many young people’s lives. My score was high so I was accepted by the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the best known university in China for its foreign language programs.
Most of the graduates from this university hold positions as diplomats, foreign correspondents, and language instructors at the universities or dealing with foreign affairs in other government organizations. I have an older cousin who graduated from the same university. He worked for the UN in New York and Geneva, Switzerland for many years. It was certainly a dream come true for me.
I was very grateful for Mr. Sheng, yet he never took any credit for anything his students achieved. He always said humbly, “It is due to your own hard work and talent.”
At the age of 17, I left Suzhou for Beijing in 1981. With the long twenty hour plus train ride to Beijing, a new chapter of my life began.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Only about 40 students were accepted during that time every year. English was my first choice, but due to high demand, there was not enough space.
After graduation I got a position at Chinese Central Television to help start a German Language program. A German program was to be added to the existing programs. At that time three languages, English, Japanese and French, were offered on the TV and were very popular. China was just starting to open its door to the western countries, and after so many years of isolation, people were eager to know more about other countries.
One year later I went to Heidelberg, Germany to further my studies on a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Program.
After almost of 10 years of studying German, fate brought me to the United States.
Meanwhile I had forgotten my English learned in high school and had to start all over again, but I had never forgotten Mr. Sheng.
In fact, I kept in touch with him till he passed away a few years ago. Whenever I sent him letters or cards, he always wrote me back. His handwritten letters could be more than 10 pages long.
Living in Germany and the US opened my eyes for things I was not aware of in China as a young person. One of them was the Christian faith.
Years later, when I heard that Mr. Sheng was a Christian and he had graduated from a university in my home town that was founded by the American Christians, the mystery about him was solved. He had simply lived a real Christian life, though he never talked about his faith with his students, because religion was verboten and a taboo. People could go to prison for that.
My hometown Suzhou near Shanghai is a famous city known in China as “paradise on earth.” Suzhou is famous for beautiful gardens and silk embroidery. When I think of my hometown and the 17 years I spent there, Mr. Sheng usually comes to my mind. Even though he was my English Teacher for only one year, the impact he had on my life was enough for me to remember him forever. My admiration and respect for him can only grow as time goes by. Just as his name in Chinese means, Shining Light, he had certainly lighted my life and had shined some light in a not so bright world.
I always wanted to write an article about my favorite teacher. Today, the last day of my kids’ school rekindles that idea.
On this very same day, I finished reading a book a friend recommended me out of blue recently, titled “When God winks at you.” It is about the power of coincidence and how extraordinary little events in your life happen for a reason.
Now I think back about my favorite teacher and my life, I know God has winked at me many times.
Let this article serve as a remembrance to my favorite teacher and a thank-you to all teachers out there.
Please remember, whatever you do, big or little things, you can touch and change lives in ways you might not even know.
As you say good-bye to your students who are leaving you after spending almost a year together and you can’t help shed a few tears, please know, there might be former students of yours who shed a few tears every time they think about you and how you have impacted their lives.
I am one of these former students.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Selected VBS for summer fun
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/03/2009
For families who are interested in having their kids attending Vacation Bible School this summer, I have compiled a list of VBS offered by local churches again this year as I did in the last couple of years.
Included are registration and contact information, VBS date, theme, age and fee requirements.
This is not a comprehensive list. It only includes VBS that I am aware of. Please contact the individual church directly for any questions and for complete information.
“Crocodile Dock” is the most popular theme this year. The majority of VBS listed here take place during the third week in June, a few in July and only one in August. Have a fun and safe summer!
• Woodbury Church of Christ, 4920 Woodbury Drive, Woodbury MN 55129
Register online at www.woodburychurch.org
(651) 459-1869
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m. to noon, "Crocodile Dock,"ages 4-(entering) sixth grade, Free
• Woodbury Community Church, 2975 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury 55125
Register online at www.wccmn.org, (651) 739-1427
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m.-noon
“Crocodile Dock,” K-sixth grade ( in the Fall), Free
• St. John Lutheran Church, 1975 St. John's Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129
http://stjohnwoodbury.org/VBS2009.htm
Return the registration form to the church office
(651) 436-6621 or e-mail stjohn@stjohnwoodbury.org
Monday-Thursday, June 15-18, 9 a.m.-noon (Preschool-Kindergarten), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Grades 1-6)
Friday, June 19, 9 a.m.-noon (Preschool-Grade 6), “Gadget’s Garage” (Preschool)
“Opposite Way” (K-6th grade)
Ages 3 (by June 1) - (entering) sixth grade, $15/child (preschool-kindergarten) $20/child (grades 1-6) ($40 family maximum)
• Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Register online at www.woodburylutheran.org/ministries/children/vbs
(651) 739-5144
Monday-Thursday, June 15-18 Choose between morning session 9:30-12:00 or afternoon session (12:30-3 p.m.)
“Gadget's Garage” (preschool), ages 3-current Kindergarten (Must be 3 years old by Sept. 1, 2008), Free
Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, 9 a.m.-noon
“SportsLife Camp” (elementary). 1st-6th grade (completed June 2009), $35 ($45 after June 1)
• King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.kingofkingswoodburymn.org
Check the summer programs for more information about other camps http://o.b5z.net/i/u/6123671/i/KofK_08CampFlyr.pdf
(651) 738-3110 or e-mail office@kingofkingswdby.org
VBS Session 1: June 15-19, 9-11:30 a.m., Session 2: June 15-19, 1-3:30 p.m.
"Crocodile Dock," Aages 4 (by 9/1/2009)-3rd grade, $30
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon, SportsLife Camp, Completed 1st-4th grade, $72
• St. Peter Lutheran Church, 880 Neal Ave. S., Afton, MN 55001
www.stpeterafton.org
Contact Shannon Hecksel at shecksel@stpeterafton.org or (651) 436-3357
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m. -noon
“Gadget’s Garage”
Preschool-4th grade
Free (lunch included)
• Spirit of Life Bible Church, 690 Commerce Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
Register online at http://www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org (651) 731-1900
Tuesday-Friday, June 16-19, 9:30-12:30
“Son Rock,” K-Grade 6, Free
• Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9925 Bailey Road, Woodbury MN 55129
www.resurrection-woodbury.org/
Complete registration form (available at church)
(651) 730-1000
Monday-Thursday, June 22-25, 9:30 a.m.-noon
"Crocodile Dock,” Thursday night closing celebration
Ages 3-4th grade (completed) $30 per child ($75 family maximum)
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon
“SportsLife Camp,” Ages 6-11, $50 ($55 for registrations after June 28), Further info at www.sportslifecamps.com
• Woodbury United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.woodburyumc.org
Check out the summer adventures brochure online for info about other camps
(651) 738-0305
Monday-Friday, June 22-26, 9 a.m.-noon
“Camp Edge,” ages 3-5th Grade, $50, Monday-Friday, July 13-17, 9:30-3:00
Lake Elmo Day Camp: "A Walk With Wesley"
Grades 1st -5th (as of Fall 2009), $135
• Christ Episcopal Church, 7305 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.christchurch-woodbury.org
Download and return forms and fee to the office, registration due Monday, June 15
(651) 735-8790
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9-11:30 a.m.
Family Night Potluck Picnic Thursday, July 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
"Son Rock," ages 3-9
$25 per child ($50 family maximum)
• Grace of God Lutheran Church, 420 Hayward Ave, Oakdale, MN 55128
Register online at www.graceofgodlutheran.com
(651) 730-4900
Monday-Friday, July 13-17, 9-11:30 a.m.
“Rome,” ages 4-6th grade
$15 per child (suggested donation)
• Guardian Angels, 8260 Hudson Boulevard, Oakdale, MN 55128
www.guardian-angels.org/education/childrenyouth/vbs/
Registrations will be closed when full or June 30th whichever comes first.
(651) 738-2223
Monday-Friday, July 27-31, 9:00-12:00
“Studio Go! Game Show”
Tuesday and Thursday evening, July 28 and July 30, 6-8:30 p.m.
Primetime Studio Go!, ages 4-12, $25
• Woodbury Baptist Church, 6695 Upper Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.woodburybaptist.org/
(651) 738-7700
Sunday-Thursday, Aug. 2-6, 5:30-8 p.m.
"Crocodile Dock,"Each evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a supper.
Ages 4-5th grade, free
For families who are interested in having their kids attending Vacation Bible School this summer, I have compiled a list of VBS offered by local churches again this year as I did in the last couple of years.
Included are registration and contact information, VBS date, theme, age and fee requirements.
This is not a comprehensive list. It only includes VBS that I am aware of. Please contact the individual church directly for any questions and for complete information.
“Crocodile Dock” is the most popular theme this year. The majority of VBS listed here take place during the third week in June, a few in July and only one in August. Have a fun and safe summer!
• Woodbury Church of Christ, 4920 Woodbury Drive, Woodbury MN 55129
Register online at www.woodburychurch.org
(651) 459-1869
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m. to noon, "Crocodile Dock,"ages 4-(entering) sixth grade, Free
• Woodbury Community Church, 2975 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury 55125
Register online at www.wccmn.org, (651) 739-1427
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m.-noon
“Crocodile Dock,” K-sixth grade ( in the Fall), Free
• St. John Lutheran Church, 1975 St. John's Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129
http://stjohnwoodbury.org/VBS2009.htm
Return the registration form to the church office
(651) 436-6621 or e-mail stjohn@stjohnwoodbury.org
Monday-Thursday, June 15-18, 9 a.m.-noon (Preschool-Kindergarten), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Grades 1-6)
Friday, June 19, 9 a.m.-noon (Preschool-Grade 6), “Gadget’s Garage” (Preschool)
“Opposite Way” (K-6th grade)
Ages 3 (by June 1) - (entering) sixth grade, $15/child (preschool-kindergarten) $20/child (grades 1-6) ($40 family maximum)
• Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Register online at www.woodburylutheran.org/ministries/children/vbs
(651) 739-5144
Monday-Thursday, June 15-18 Choose between morning session 9:30-12:00 or afternoon session (12:30-3 p.m.)
“Gadget's Garage” (preschool), ages 3-current Kindergarten (Must be 3 years old by Sept. 1, 2008), Free
Monday-Thursday, July 13-16, 9 a.m.-noon
“SportsLife Camp” (elementary). 1st-6th grade (completed June 2009), $35 ($45 after June 1)
• King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.kingofkingswoodburymn.org
Check the summer programs for more information about other camps http://o.b5z.net/i/u/6123671/i/KofK_08CampFlyr.pdf
(651) 738-3110 or e-mail office@kingofkingswdby.org
VBS Session 1: June 15-19, 9-11:30 a.m., Session 2: June 15-19, 1-3:30 p.m.
"Crocodile Dock," Aages 4 (by 9/1/2009)-3rd grade, $30
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon, SportsLife Camp, Completed 1st-4th grade, $72
• St. Peter Lutheran Church, 880 Neal Ave. S., Afton, MN 55001
www.stpeterafton.org
Contact Shannon Hecksel at shecksel@stpeterafton.org or (651) 436-3357
Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 9 a.m. -noon
“Gadget’s Garage”
Preschool-4th grade
Free (lunch included)
• Spirit of Life Bible Church, 690 Commerce Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
Register online at http://www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org (651) 731-1900
Tuesday-Friday, June 16-19, 9:30-12:30
“Son Rock,” K-Grade 6, Free
• Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9925 Bailey Road, Woodbury MN 55129
www.resurrection-woodbury.org/
Complete registration form (available at church)
(651) 730-1000
Monday-Thursday, June 22-25, 9:30 a.m.-noon
"Crocodile Dock,” Thursday night closing celebration
Ages 3-4th grade (completed) $30 per child ($75 family maximum)
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon
“SportsLife Camp,” Ages 6-11, $50 ($55 for registrations after June 28), Further info at www.sportslifecamps.com
• Woodbury United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.woodburyumc.org
Check out the summer adventures brochure online for info about other camps
(651) 738-0305
Monday-Friday, June 22-26, 9 a.m.-noon
“Camp Edge,” ages 3-5th Grade, $50, Monday-Friday, July 13-17, 9:30-3:00
Lake Elmo Day Camp: "A Walk With Wesley"
Grades 1st -5th (as of Fall 2009), $135
• Christ Episcopal Church, 7305 Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.christchurch-woodbury.org
Download and return forms and fee to the office, registration due Monday, June 15
(651) 735-8790
Monday-Thursday, July 6-9, 9-11:30 a.m.
Family Night Potluck Picnic Thursday, July 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
"Son Rock," ages 3-9
$25 per child ($50 family maximum)
• Grace of God Lutheran Church, 420 Hayward Ave, Oakdale, MN 55128
Register online at www.graceofgodlutheran.com
(651) 730-4900
Monday-Friday, July 13-17, 9-11:30 a.m.
“Rome,” ages 4-6th grade
$15 per child (suggested donation)
• Guardian Angels, 8260 Hudson Boulevard, Oakdale, MN 55128
www.guardian-angels.org/education/childrenyouth/vbs/
Registrations will be closed when full or June 30th whichever comes first.
(651) 738-2223
Monday-Friday, July 27-31, 9:00-12:00
“Studio Go! Game Show”
Tuesday and Thursday evening, July 28 and July 30, 6-8:30 p.m.
Primetime Studio Go!, ages 4-12, $25
• Woodbury Baptist Church, 6695 Upper Afton Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.woodburybaptist.org/
(651) 738-7700
Sunday-Thursday, Aug. 2-6, 5:30-8 p.m.
"Crocodile Dock,"Each evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a supper.
Ages 4-5th grade, free
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Turning a crisis into opportunity
Qin Tang
Woodbury Bulletin - 05/13/2009
In Chinese, the word crisis is made up of two characters: danger and opportunity.
For Katie Dailey of Woodbury, the crisis she experienced in 2008 literally means "danger" and "opportunity." She is a living example of turning a crisis into an opportunity.
Dailey grew up in Shanghai, China. She attended Fudan University, a prestigious university in China. In 1990 Dailey came to the United States for her master’s degree in electrical engineering.
After graduating from South Dakota State University, Dailey started a long and successful career with American Express, Imation, Kodak and 3M as a technical leader.
Unfortunately, Dailey was laid off from 3M after three years working there.
One December morning in 2008, after she walked into the office, she got the unexpected layoff notice.
“It was a total shock for me. I started crying and couldn’t go back to my office again.”
Dailey recalls the tough time that followed. She had to do some soul-searching.
“What do you like to do?”
“What are you passionate about?”
Dailey’s husband and friends asked her these questions and encouraged her to do something she loves.
The Daileys loves to travel. They have been to almost all 50 states in the U.S.
“Spring break and summer are my family’s favorite time of the year," Dailey said. "My family usually flies to a city in a state and then we rent a car. We drive through the state and visit every state park in the state.”
They have also been to Canada and other countries in Europe and Asia.
With her passion for travel, and with her family and friends’ support, Dailey was able to turn her crisis into this opportunity of starting her own travel agent business. She followed her heart’s desire to find a second career.
“It is my passion to travel. It is also my passion to share the wonderful Chinese culture and language with people around the world," she said. "I believe in my service to those people who want to travel to China to experience the fascinating Chinese culture firsthand.”
Dailey became the owner and founder of Dailey Travel LLC, a business that specializes in travel to China, but also covers Asia and the United States. It is a full-service travel agent.
“I have wanted to help young people see China for some time,” Dailey said. “Now I have the opportunity to do that. My first student summer trip to China is this July 21 to 30. It will be a great opportunity for junior high and senior high students to learn about China.”
In addition to junior high and senior high student tours, Dailey Travel also offers culture enrichment and exploration tour, language and education tour, special interest tour, customized college campus visit tour, and senior, retiree or church group tour.
Entrepreneurship requires vision, leadership, persistence, sincere desire to help people, a lot of networking, and hard work. Dailey has all that to make her business successful.
Dailey can feel the pain of people who have lost their jobs. She hopes others who are in a crisis now can also find their "opportunity" in a time of "danger," and turning danger into opportunity.
“I believe when God closes a door, He opens a window.”
Being a new-born Christian, Dailey knew where to draw her strength from.
With only $40 dollar in her pocket and the first time on an airplane, Dailey came to the United States in search of a better education and ultimately a better life, and she has found it.
“I have many crises in my life, but I made through them all. You just got to believe in yourself and never give up.”
Dailey met her husband in South Dakota. They have three sons and have lived in Woodbury for 11 years.
For special deals, events and seminars offered by Dailey Travel, visit www.daileytravelservice.com or contact Katie Dailey at (651) 323-0101 or e-mail Dailey@daileytravelservice.com.
Woodbury Bulletin - 05/13/2009
In Chinese, the word crisis is made up of two characters: danger and opportunity.
For Katie Dailey of Woodbury, the crisis she experienced in 2008 literally means "danger" and "opportunity." She is a living example of turning a crisis into an opportunity.
Dailey grew up in Shanghai, China. She attended Fudan University, a prestigious university in China. In 1990 Dailey came to the United States for her master’s degree in electrical engineering.
After graduating from South Dakota State University, Dailey started a long and successful career with American Express, Imation, Kodak and 3M as a technical leader.
Unfortunately, Dailey was laid off from 3M after three years working there.
One December morning in 2008, after she walked into the office, she got the unexpected layoff notice.
“It was a total shock for me. I started crying and couldn’t go back to my office again.”
Dailey recalls the tough time that followed. She had to do some soul-searching.
“What do you like to do?”
“What are you passionate about?”
Dailey’s husband and friends asked her these questions and encouraged her to do something she loves.
The Daileys loves to travel. They have been to almost all 50 states in the U.S.
“Spring break and summer are my family’s favorite time of the year," Dailey said. "My family usually flies to a city in a state and then we rent a car. We drive through the state and visit every state park in the state.”
They have also been to Canada and other countries in Europe and Asia.
With her passion for travel, and with her family and friends’ support, Dailey was able to turn her crisis into this opportunity of starting her own travel agent business. She followed her heart’s desire to find a second career.
“It is my passion to travel. It is also my passion to share the wonderful Chinese culture and language with people around the world," she said. "I believe in my service to those people who want to travel to China to experience the fascinating Chinese culture firsthand.”
Dailey became the owner and founder of Dailey Travel LLC, a business that specializes in travel to China, but also covers Asia and the United States. It is a full-service travel agent.
“I have wanted to help young people see China for some time,” Dailey said. “Now I have the opportunity to do that. My first student summer trip to China is this July 21 to 30. It will be a great opportunity for junior high and senior high students to learn about China.”
In addition to junior high and senior high student tours, Dailey Travel also offers culture enrichment and exploration tour, language and education tour, special interest tour, customized college campus visit tour, and senior, retiree or church group tour.
Entrepreneurship requires vision, leadership, persistence, sincere desire to help people, a lot of networking, and hard work. Dailey has all that to make her business successful.
Dailey can feel the pain of people who have lost their jobs. She hopes others who are in a crisis now can also find their "opportunity" in a time of "danger," and turning danger into opportunity.
“I believe when God closes a door, He opens a window.”
Being a new-born Christian, Dailey knew where to draw her strength from.
With only $40 dollar in her pocket and the first time on an airplane, Dailey came to the United States in search of a better education and ultimately a better life, and she has found it.
“I have many crises in my life, but I made through them all. You just got to believe in yourself and never give up.”
Dailey met her husband in South Dakota. They have three sons and have lived in Woodbury for 11 years.
For special deals, events and seminars offered by Dailey Travel, visit www.daileytravelservice.com or contact Katie Dailey at (651) 323-0101 or e-mail Dailey@daileytravelservice.com.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Reach out and serve
We have about 30 churches in Woodbury. They come in all shapes and sizes, big and small, old and new, and in a number of denominations.
While the old churches have decades of history behind them, new ones keep popping up here and there. While the established churches have their own big buildings, the new ones have to use space in schools, the golf course clubhouse or at Central Park as meeting places.
Among the many churches in Woodbury, the one I admire most is Woodbury Lutheran Church, because it does a wonderful job of reaching out and serving the community. I feel a strong personal connection to it as well, even though it’s not my home church.
My daughter went to WLC’s half-day preschool for a few months. I really liked it, but I had to switch her to a full-day daycare center because I couldn’t pick her up during the middle of the day.
My kids had attended Vacation Bible School at WLC a couple of times.
WLC has various ministries to serve its members and the general public. I have personally benefited from its services.
The Career Transition Connection is a ministry that offers advice and support for job seekers. The group meets twice a month. I was there once for a presentation.
I remember another time I went to its “Celebrate Recovery” meeting to hear radio show host Kim Jeffries’ testimony. I like to listen to her "Along the Way" radio program on KTIS AM 900 at noon. When I learned that she would give a testimony, I wanted to hear that and meet her in person.
Most recently, just over a week ago on a Saturday morning, I was at WLC for the Life Planning Ministry event "Longing for simple living.” It provided great teaching and fun activity. I really enjoyed the sessions.
WLC has many more ministries than I just mentioned. It has a ministry to support people with disabilities, as well as Bible Study Fellowship classes for women and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for moms.
WLC is a community gathering place. It’s a church that truly opens its heart and door and welcomes everyone in the community. It provides its space to many organizations in their effort to reach out to the community.
For a few years, the Woodbury Chinese Church used the space at WLC for its monthly fellowship. I went to the fellowship meeting many times.
WLC regularly hosts big events sponsored by the South Washington County School District Community Education. I attended a few SAFE (School Age Family Education) presentations myself.
Many people in our area know of or have heard about the Christian Cupboard in Woodbury. For more than two decades, WLC has been a sponsor and providing space for this non-profit organization to provide food and other basic items to those in need.
The service that WLC offers has reached far beyond the borders of Woodbury. Many hurricane recovery mission trips were organized by WLC to help rebuild Ocean Springs, Miss. after Hurricane Katrina.
I am sure WLC is growing and thriving because it is deeply rooted in the community and has a close touch with the public, because it has a giving and serving attitude. When it gives and serves our community in so many ways, it will naturally attract more people to its building and services.
I hope more churches will do what WLC has been doing, opening their hearts and doors wide. Mission work doesn’t have to be done only in other countries and far away places. You can do a lot of mission work right here in your own community.
Every week when I read Woodbury Bulletin, I can usually find something that WLC offers to the public. If your church has a special program and event, put that information in the paper and invite the public to come. If what you do fills the needs of others, they will show up.
In my opinion, WLC is the best church in Woodbury. I feel no other church has done as much for the community as WLC. The church has some wonderful and talented members who love to serve the Lord and others.
For all the things you have done for the community and for me personally, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to WLC. You set a great example for other churches to follow.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 03/05/2008]
While the old churches have decades of history behind them, new ones keep popping up here and there. While the established churches have their own big buildings, the new ones have to use space in schools, the golf course clubhouse or at Central Park as meeting places.
Among the many churches in Woodbury, the one I admire most is Woodbury Lutheran Church, because it does a wonderful job of reaching out and serving the community. I feel a strong personal connection to it as well, even though it’s not my home church.
My daughter went to WLC’s half-day preschool for a few months. I really liked it, but I had to switch her to a full-day daycare center because I couldn’t pick her up during the middle of the day.
My kids had attended Vacation Bible School at WLC a couple of times.
WLC has various ministries to serve its members and the general public. I have personally benefited from its services.
The Career Transition Connection is a ministry that offers advice and support for job seekers. The group meets twice a month. I was there once for a presentation.
I remember another time I went to its “Celebrate Recovery” meeting to hear radio show host Kim Jeffries’ testimony. I like to listen to her "Along the Way" radio program on KTIS AM 900 at noon. When I learned that she would give a testimony, I wanted to hear that and meet her in person.
Most recently, just over a week ago on a Saturday morning, I was at WLC for the Life Planning Ministry event "Longing for simple living.” It provided great teaching and fun activity. I really enjoyed the sessions.
WLC has many more ministries than I just mentioned. It has a ministry to support people with disabilities, as well as Bible Study Fellowship classes for women and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for moms.
WLC is a community gathering place. It’s a church that truly opens its heart and door and welcomes everyone in the community. It provides its space to many organizations in their effort to reach out to the community.
For a few years, the Woodbury Chinese Church used the space at WLC for its monthly fellowship. I went to the fellowship meeting many times.
WLC regularly hosts big events sponsored by the South Washington County School District Community Education. I attended a few SAFE (School Age Family Education) presentations myself.
Many people in our area know of or have heard about the Christian Cupboard in Woodbury. For more than two decades, WLC has been a sponsor and providing space for this non-profit organization to provide food and other basic items to those in need.
The service that WLC offers has reached far beyond the borders of Woodbury. Many hurricane recovery mission trips were organized by WLC to help rebuild Ocean Springs, Miss. after Hurricane Katrina.
I am sure WLC is growing and thriving because it is deeply rooted in the community and has a close touch with the public, because it has a giving and serving attitude. When it gives and serves our community in so many ways, it will naturally attract more people to its building and services.
I hope more churches will do what WLC has been doing, opening their hearts and doors wide. Mission work doesn’t have to be done only in other countries and far away places. You can do a lot of mission work right here in your own community.
Every week when I read Woodbury Bulletin, I can usually find something that WLC offers to the public. If your church has a special program and event, put that information in the paper and invite the public to come. If what you do fills the needs of others, they will show up.
In my opinion, WLC is the best church in Woodbury. I feel no other church has done as much for the community as WLC. The church has some wonderful and talented members who love to serve the Lord and others.
For all the things you have done for the community and for me personally, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to WLC. You set a great example for other churches to follow.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 03/05/2008]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
