Texture of a Simple Life

Farewell to Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T09:30:00.003+08:00

Today Steve Jobs died.

I have been so touched by the connectedness, and the simplicity, and usefulness; the almost perfection his Apple inventions had been in the last few years, that I just have to pause and write this down.

I love his iPod, iPad, and iPhone. Never has a gadget been so useful to a stay at home mum and her children.

Thanks for changing our world!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad2

The Secret of Being Glad ! (John 11:25-26)

2011-09-24T18:31:00.002+08:00

Smile! We have eternal life. "Those who believe in Me will never die!" Jesus said in John 11:25-26.

Nathan and I just read a book titled "Pollyanna" in which she changed people's lives by teaching them to play a game called a 'just being glad' game. Basically, in any sad situation, we must find something to be glad about. There's always something to be glad about. (I highly recommend all of you to read this classic book!) Pollyanna's father made it into a game to help Pollyanna be glad about everything even though they were very poor.

Did you know there are more than 800 verses in the Bible that tells us to 'Rejoice; or 'Be glad' or 'Thanks be to God' ?
If God takes the time to tell us to rejoice so much, it must be real important.

My father told me once. When he was in secondary school, he had a wonderful christian teacher. This teacher showed real care for them and even for the naughty boys like him. My father said he used to wonder, "What is he so happy about?" Because this teacher was always smiling and happy compared to other teachers.
After my dad became a christian more than 40 years later, he realized something. That teacher must have been always joyful because he is a christian!

Yes, a christian must always find things to be glad about. She must not pout and look harrassed all day long. She must not moan and complain and lament about things she lost or cannot have.
Nay, a christian must be joyful because in our Savior and Lord there is always something to be glad about.
After all, we are the only people who will never die. Praise Him!

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶ and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26)

How To Start Caring for Your Hamster

2011-06-25T16:45:00.002+08:00

Buy a plastic easy to clean cage with round edges on the inside so that it's safer and even easier to clean. I recommend Habitrail OVO Suite.

One hamster per cage, please. Hamsters are solitary animals. Try not to pair them unless you really know what you're doing.

When bringing her home, be careful not to shake the box too much. Quickly assemble and get her new home ready. If possible, put in a little bit of the original bedding from her old cage at the pet store to help her feel secure.

I found a really good bedding. Ground walnut chips! They're not dusty (which I really hate in other types of bedding), and they last longer. Ours last almost two weeks before we need to change it.

Hamsters want a quiet safe corner to sleep. Put some light bedding in her room. I use the shredded paper variety (store-bought).

Never wake a sleeping hamster. Leave them alone if they are not in the mood to play.

To familiarize her with you, just put a piece of sunflower seed on your palm then put your hand gently in her cage. Let her climb into your hand voluntarily. Never grab at them. Never speak too loudly. They are easily startled if you do. I guess it's hard being a really small animal.

Do not buy cheap hamster food that looks colorful but not natural. Buy one that contains lots of oats, some sunflower seeds and corn. Just buy one mixed bag is enough. They don't really need much treats. But buy them some pieces of wood like apple orchard chips or branch. They love to sharpen their teeth on those.

If your tap water is not drinkable, better fill their bottle with boiled water or mineral water.

Why i love iPad2

2011-06-16T14:06:00.000+08:00

1. Zero power up time. No need to restart like your laptop.
2. Super thin and light.
3. Super connection (for 3G).
4. Nice apps for toddlers.
5. It comes in pink!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad2

Brand New Baby Hamster

2011-06-12T16:20:00.004+08:00

Meet Cortana. Our brand new baby hamster. After more than a year since Remy died, we finally got ourselves a new one.

Why the name Cortana? Well, this being my son's birthday gift, he got to name it. Those of you familiar with the xBox360 Halo franchise should recognize the name. Originally we wanted to name it Kat, the only female spartan in Halo Reach episodes. But then he decided on Cortana, the super computer (AI). Those two are about the only two female names he can respect at the moment. "Wow, that's great!" I said. "Cortana. Corrie for short."

She is a normal winter white. Very healthy and curious. Very agile, too, compared to Remy, our beloved pearl white hamster. Cortana can climb up the food bowl via the back of the wheel in her Ovo suite. Remy could not when he was a baby. I had to fix a couple of ice cream sticks on the stairs last time. One of which has since fallen off. Was thinking about fixing another one back when we spotted Cortana climbing up easily.

Even though busy with his studies, my son still make time to take care of Cortana every night. Hamsters are so easy to care for anyway. My son assembled the cage himself, too. So proud of him.

Feeding Herself at 23 months

2011-05-09T22:50:00.002+08:00

Babies grow so fast! Emma is 23 months. Almost two years old!

It's like only yesterday we brought her home from the hospital.

She is a BLW baby. She started eating solids only at 6 months old. Never cereals or porridge in those early days. But big chunky finger shaped steamed vegetables or fruits. She can suck all the goodness out of fresh fruits and veggies, mushrooms, even steak cut into strips! She had been loving life because of it. I never had to force her to eat her meals!

At one year old, she started to grab the spoon and feed herself, copying us. Then she also tried her hand at chopsticks. She never poke her face with it. She can gauge the distance from the spoon/chopstick to her face. Because she is used to feeding herself.

It was so delightful to see her eat by herself everyday three times a day, seven days a week! Sitting with the whole family, having a peaceful meal together.

Whether it's at home our or outside, she sits by herself and eat by herself without too much interference from us. She even joins the conversations with us.

I wish every baby could have such a wonderful weaning experience! Instead of force feeding with a spoon and swallowing mashed food.

If you are looking for the best way to wean your baby, read the latest book on Baby Led Weaning. I hear the new edition is even better because it comes with recipes! I might buy another one myself.

Just want to praise the Lord for my baby.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Footnotes: a Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

Emma loves Ramen

2011-05-06T19:51:00.005+08:00

Who says a baby cannot eat ramen noodles? A BLW baby can!
Here Emma was 8 months old and she loves noodles! What fun shapes noodles are. And delicious. Our family loves to eat japanese food. So naturally Emma loves it, too.

It doesn't matter how much she actually eats. Because her main food until 1 year old was still milk. But I notice at that time more and more were actually going in.

Mealtimes were playtimes for her. It's OK to play with food. That's the only way she learns to handle food, and later on to handle table manners. At one year old, just about 4 months later, she could hold a spoon and even chopsticks already. Now, at 23 months, Emma still loves ramen noodles and could finish half a bowl by herself. I went hungry the last time I shared my ramen with her.

Everybody including the waiters loved to watch her eat. They didn't mind very much that she left some mess on the floor. I usually would pick up the larger mess so it's not too glaring. It's okay for them and it's okay for me. Most definitely it's okay for Emma!

One more thing, after she was about 18 months, she eats quite neatly if she wants to. Very little went to the floor. It's usually at the end when she is already bored that some food actually falls down. So she really eats her food. Truly thank God for BLW.

Happiness is : having your very own Nespresso machine

2011-02-16T14:09:00.024+08:00

A gift that keeps on giving!
The coffee we make is always perfecto !
No more runny or stale coffee. No more running to starbucks across the road for a quick fix. It's all right here at home.
Every capsule costs about one dollar. And we are in control of how much sugar and milk we put in. No extra costs.

I love intense coffee, so my favorite is ristretto, arpeggio, indriya, and decaf intenso. They're all rated above 8 for intensity.
But I also love to get two shots if the intensity is 5. Dulsao and cappricio is ideal for two shots.

The machine is really over priced, if you ask me. So I'm glad I got this as a gift. If not, we might never have embarked on this aromatic and totally satisfying journey of nespresso.

Eating with Friends is easy with a BLW baby

2010-07-30T13:33:00.000+08:00

Emma is one year old and she happily eats by herself on the table with my husband and I, and her big brother since she was 6 months old.

Recently when I went to visit my friend, she did me proud sitting by herself and eating the same food as us. We were having rice with fried tofu, boiled veggie and some prawn crackers for lunch. They didn't have a high chair, so Emma sat on the same chair as us. I make sure it's safe on both sides so she would not fall off. I didn't bring a bib because we didn't plan for lunch. So she just had a linen napkin on her nap.

What a doll!

BLW Checklist

2010-06-28T17:39:00.000+08:00

Baby-led weaning is the best thing for our baby. I really do believe that. I feel sad when I see children being spoon-fed. Because actually we rob them of the joy of touching and eating food just the way it is.
Emma never had any mush, or mashed up food (except when it is supposed to be mashed like buttered potatoes or rice porridge). She is healthy, chubby and loves mealtimes!

I'd love to share some of the things you might need to go on the BLW journey:

Invest on an easy to clean, sturdy highchair. Don't take one with intricate nooks at the bottom or on the legs. Imagine yourself pouring a bowl of spaghetti down the top. If you can clean it reasonably well, take it. Here's a link to the Gulliver ikea wooden chair that Emma uses.
Always spread enough old newspaper underneath. You'll never know.
Have lots of non-moisturizing baby wipes handy.
Clean the surface of the table before eating. Foods always manage to escape the plate and into her mouth. Use anti-bacterial wet wipes, or just regular baby wipes mentioned above.
Use a disposable table mat when outside or in a restaurant if possible. If not, just wipe as you would at home. Unless you are at a food court.
Clean fresh fruits or vegetables thoroughly in running water before giving it to her.
Always be positive and praise her eating. Never scold her for spilling food when she didn't mean to. Just enjoy our time with her and try to let her be as much as possible. Don't wipe her face all the time.
Remember to start only when she is 6 months old.
Remember that her main food is milk (breast or formula). These mealtimes with you is PLAYTIME until she turns one year old.

Turning One

2010-06-20T17:01:00.014+08:00

Emma is one year old last week.
She can already handle a spoon, not poking herself. Because she is used to handling food like steamed broccoli, slices of apples, etc. So she can gauge distances from her hand to her mouth.
I can even trust her with chopsticks. Under supervision, of course. But it's unbelievable how nimble she is with the utensil. She can copy us picking up rice or noodle with the chopstick and eating it!
This will never happen if I have been feeding her cereals or porridge only with a spoon. Thanks again to Baby Led Weaning!

Jeremiah 29:11

2010-06-08T13:03:00.002+08:00

If I could go back to the past to meet my old self, this is what I'm going to tell her:

Don't worry about anything. It's gonna turn out fine.
God has planned it all for you. You just take His hand.
Make sure you follow His commands.
Everything will turn out fine.

Although now you may have no money,
and you don't know if you'll get a good job.
You'll see, sister, that you will get an amazing job.
And you'll do just fine.

Now you may wonder about a husband. Much less a baby.
How would you afford it?
But He'll make sure you'll get the one He has chosen for you.
And the babies, the most wonderful babies,
- yes, not just one baby - will come, too!

And you wonder how you'll ever serve God.
If you'll ever gonna be any good.
Sister, you'll see, He has lovingly prepared
Exactly what you need to be!

So now that I'm here in this wonderful future of mine, I should remember one thing more.
It's all gonna turn out fine later. 'Cos God is still in control of it all.
I do not hold my own fate. It is all in His merciful hands.
And He says, "I know the plans I have for you. Child, you'll do more than fine."

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " Jeremiah 29:11

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

2010-04-20T15:00:00.008+08:00

I just realized that Emma has enjoyed all the food mentioned in the Very Hungry Caterpillar book.
Thanks to BLW (baby-led weaning).
She knows and has eaten all the fruits: apples, pears, plums, strawberries, oranges and watermelons.
And I mean she knows the taste and texture. She knows the fruits not from the jar. Not only as juice. Not mashed. But the real fruit.

And not only the fruits. She loves all kinds of cheese, salami, apple pies, quiche, sausages, cupcakes, corn cobs, fish, prawns, steak, even seaweed and cooked sushi. Occasionally she also enjoys chocolate cake when we have some.

She has tried all those since 6 months old. It's so much fun!

She loves to open the book and touch all the pictures. She loves to have me read the book to her. She is only 10 months old.
How cool is that.

happiness is ...

2010-03-24T10:55:00.000+08:00

... brushing hair together with your daughter in the morning.

As I started to brush hair, my 9-month-old Emma was very interested with my hairbrush.
So I took out her little soft-bristled, purple baby hairbrush and lets her play with it while I brushed my hair.
What bliss!

I thought about the many times when I was younger. When I was dreaming about having my own daughter doing stuff with me.

Praise the Lord for His amazing attention to detail in perfectly ordinary stuff.

Eating Out with a BLW baby

2010-03-05T00:08:00.006+08:00

Now that Emma is almost 9 months old, I am just so grateful for BLW.
It's amazing EASY to eat out with her. She can eat anything in restaurants.

My husband and I took her out for a fancy teppanyaki dinner when she was just 8 months old, and it was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner. We could talk and eat and didn't have to fuss about her too much. She was just busy eating her favorite table water crackers and camembert, and oranges and strawberries, all of which I packed for her from home.

We went back to that restaurant last Saturday. It was a full service buffet this time (brunch). And Emma could really eat the same foods with us this time. She sucked on the grilled marbled beef, grilled prawns, grilled salmon, shiitake mushroom; everything! She closed with a couple of mini mandarin oranges I brought.

It's just so satisfying to watch her eat. It's hard to believe that she only started last December. She's just so confident in handling food. She sometimes even join in the conversation with us during meals with her baby talk.

All this sure beats force-feeding her with a spoon!

Call unto Him

2010-02-10T13:53:00.020+08:00

Today for the first time my daughter calls me, "Mama," very clearly! It has been "yaaa" or "maaa" for a while, but today it was a really clear two syllable word.

I can't describe how happy it made me feel.

I wonder if God also feels the same way when we call His name. When we call Him, "Father God," or "Lord Jesus," how does He feel?

Why don't we call Him more often?

Psalm 89:26 (New International Version)

²⁶ He will call out to Me, 'You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.'

the Gift of An Ordinary Day

2010-02-06T16:07:00.005+08:00

What a timely reminder.
A year ago I was still wondering how life with a teenager may look like. I still don't have a clear picture as yet. But I've had glimpses of it in the past year.

Yes, one must not fret. One must treasure.
Treasure these gifts of perfectly ordinary days that I'm having right now.

This one's for my son.
Mommy is sorry and I will always love you. Always.

honey for a child's heart blog!

2010-02-05T16:07:00.003+08:00

http://tumblon.com/honey

I stumble upon this wonderful blog by an author that I consider my 'mentor' in reading books to my son!

I read her book 8 years ago when Nathan was still two years old.

Many a wonderful daily reading cuddles later, Nathan is now an avid reader. (In fact we've had to pry away books from him because it's time to eat, or study, or sleep!)

I've always loved books but her Honey For A Child's Heart taught me principles of reading and sharing books with my family. Thank you, Gladys!

In her blog you can find book recommendations, and wonderful insights on all time favorite books for all ages.

Countless times I've copied her list of books for the young from her book to look up in our local library or bookstore. My son always loves it ( I also read them to kids when I volunteer as reader at the library). And always, I love them, too!

Not all books are equal. Read only good books. Especially to our children.

Learning to give thanks!

2010-02-03T23:04:00.000+08:00

Right now is the best years of my life.
Yes, right now. Not two years ago. Not next year. But today. Right now.

I should never complain and worry all the time. I must always be thankful. After all that's God's command.

Why is it so hard for me to be thankful? There is always something I'm not satisfied with. There's always more things to clean, to reorganize, more stuffs to do!

But I'm missing on the good stuff God has blessed me with. Instead of showing my love to my family, I'm always harried and moody. I wonder how they can stand being around me all this time.

Oh Lord, help me. Only You can save me from a life of futility. Only You.
Yes, He not only saved me from the punishment of sins, but also from my life of sins!

I know I can be free from under this cloud of dissatisfaction because of His power. Not by positive thinking or self-help tricks, but by His strength.

Praise the Lord.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song (Psalm 28:7).

happiness is Watching your baby devour food with gusto!

2010-01-14T18:36:00.006+08:00

BLW works!

Emma is now 7 months old. She's eating all kinds of stuff with us on the table. I'm watching the sugar and salt content, though. She mostly eats steamed vegetables, and grilled meat or pan-fried tofu.

In this photo above, she is munching on a shiitake mushroom, lightly pan-fried with olive oil.

So she could eat spaghetti and meatballs with us. Steak and baked potatoes. Grilled fish with miso. Etc.
She snacks on crackers with soft camembert cheese. Bread with cheese. Steamed japanese sweet potatoes.
She eats tons of fruits and veggies!

She does not choke because we observe what the book advises us to do with her.
I strongly recommend all parents and would be parents to read the book before doing this. Once you get the hang of it, it's so useful!
Our mealtimes is a happy occasion, three times a day!
We must treat meals for her as playtimes, as exploring time, instead of a chore.

Plus, Emma is still fully breast-fed. Thank God for that.

I'm lovin' it.
http://www.baby-led.com/

Going out with baby

2010-01-10T18:21:00.005+08:00

Tips on how to always be ready for trips with your baby/toddler:

Replenish the diaper bag once you get home. Don't wait until your next trip.
Bring wet wipes, tissue, change of clothes and diaper, bibs.
Strawberries, apples and oranges are my favorite take out food for Emma because they stay fresh a long time uncut/unopened. We can always cut stuff up with a table knife at the restaurant.

got milk?

2010-01-01T17:06:00.005+08:00

http://www.whymilk.com/

As a breastfeeding mom, drinking low-fat milk is my morning routine.
It's a huge source of calcium for my breast milk.

The calcium in fresh milk is the best because it is the easiest to absorp. That's why I always drink milk.
For my bones, and especially, for my baby.

baby-led weaning

2009-12-11T22:26:00.004+08:00

http://www.baby-led.com/

I started baby-led weaning (BLW) with Emma about a month ago. She was a few weeks shy than 6 months. What a wonderful thing to see!

At first she just play with the food, feeling the textures. Putting it into her mouth, of course, but we knew she never actually ate it. Until a few days ago when she just turned 6 months. I started to notice her swallowing. Sometimes her face look funny as she experienced the swallowing process. But after a couple of seconds she went for more.

She also looked like she was gagging a few times. Then the food came out of her mouth safely. She was not choking, because choking means no air and so she won't make a sound. The gagging was actually a good reflex that sends the food out. Just like the book (above) says, that the gagging reflex on the baby's tongue is located near the front, not near the throat like adults. Nevertheless, I was holding my breath every time she seemed to be gagging. But tonight, she didn't gag anymore.

I say, what a find this book is!
My family are loving the results of me reading the book. Even the elder brother (10) read some parts to better assist me. We enjoy eating meals together. Three times a day during the holidays because big koko don't have to rush to school.

I get to eat my food instead of spoon-feeding her. In fact the less obvious attention we pay to her, the better for her to enjoy the meal.
In these early days, before she is one year old, meals will continue to be more play and less duty to eat.

I love steaming vegetables for her. Broccoli, snow peas and sweet potatoes are her favorite! As long as they're cut in a shape that will help her hold around that chubby little hand. Also fruits like bananas, apples, pears, whatever we have at the meal, we try to share with her. As long as it is not high in sugar and salt. I gave her slices of hamburger steak and chicken also, when I happen to cook or buy them. She tried a slice of char siew last night. I know I bought it from the food court, but I used my judgment. She loved it. She sucked on it almost the whole time.

Before she turned 6 months, we took her for holiday in a foreign country. We had lunch at the poolside because her brother was swimming. She sucked for 20 minutes on a piece of chicken wing (I took away the skin).
At the breakfast buffet she devoured pieces of cold turkey, salami, cheese and tomatoes. By devouring I mean trying them out, sucking them, gnawing at them, not necessarily swallowing them. Babies get a lot of goodness from sucking it only, anyway.

So it has been a great ride, and a very satisfying one. I knew the great idea of letting the baby feed herself would work and I couldn't wait to try it. But still I am pleasantly surprised that it really worked. It really works splendidly.

Of course the cleaning of the high chair and the surrounding area after every meal is more than usual. But with a 10 year old elder brother at hand, BLW is a lot more enjoyable (wink!). I just invest in a very nice, easy to clean Ikea high chair, and that's it.

Most importantly, Emma enjoys every meal time with us. I could tell she loves discovering the new tastes and textures, not only with her mouth but also with her hands. She's just loving it. She really bonds with the whole family over the meal. Perfect.

Time

2009-11-24T17:41:00.002+08:00

Time is what a mother with young children do not have. I don't know how they do it (those who can continue to blog everyday!). But without help, I really almost couldn't do blogging or scrapbooking, or even bible study.

I know I have to make time. I've been asking God, "What do You want me to do next, Lord?"
I wish I could do more. But there just isn't time right now.

It's good. Because now that I'm really strapped for time, I learn to look at bare essentials in the eye. Cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning, - basically taking care of my family, is of great importance.

One thing for sure, I'm enjoying every moment with my baby. I really count it a blessing that I can stay full time with her. I suppose that is where my time is. With her.
Scrapbooking can wait. My blog can wait. My bible study, well, that I need to do!
Without God's Word I feel crippled. I'm moving backwards instead of standing still. Not good.

I plan to plan the next move. Prioritize. Pray. Make time for the most important things in life.
And hopefully sometimes blog about it.

breastfeeding

2009-10-01T21:01:00.001+08:00

I just love breastfeeding.
I'm told it's really useful and profitable for the baby. It builds her antibody. It is the most easily digested, and will provide everything she needs. She does not even need to drink water as long as she is on full breastfeeding.
Yes, I'm finding all of them quite true and more. The bonding time is priceless.
I love it that I can provide for my baby fully just by breastfeeding. She is 5 months now and perfectly healthy. Growing up so fast, talkative and her hands grasping at everything interesting near her.
WHO recommends that we give the baby solid food only after 6 months old. I'm planning to breastfeed her as long as I can, even up to 2 years.

I'm just so thankful that I can enjoy this period of my life. With my first child I didn't have fun, I couldn't stand the pain. I ended up fully breastfeeding only for 3 months. With this one, I was ready and fully committed to it. So when encountering problems, I did not give up.

My advice to all new mothers is just to commit yourself to it.
Breastfeeding is really the best for our baby.

happiness is Seeing your daughter smile to a picture of shinkansen on the wall

2009-09-26T00:50:00.008+08:00

(picture taken from http://digitalcitizen.ca/ with thanks)

When my son was a baby, he loved to look at a pooh plush toy sitting beside his changing table every time he was being changed. I remembered that lesson to heart. Before Emma was born I looked for a vivid picture, maybe in black and white, that might be her company beside her cot or changing table.

At the last minute, I found an old place mat of Shinkansen from my dining room. I almost threw it away a year ago, we've had it for so long.

I'm glad I didn't.

I knew the stark blue on white and the cute smiley face would attract a baby, hopefully would make her feel better during changing time.

I involved the big brother to paste it on the wall beside her changing table. He is now happy that she likes it.

Indeed, it works like a charm !

Emma always looks at the picture automatically since she was a newborn, and now even coos and smiles to it. Countless times we have thanked God for it, because it stops her from crying.

Little shinkansen has really been a comfort to Emma during those dirty diaper times. And a big help to us.

Choo choo!

Waiting God's Time- Ecclesiastes 3:11

2009-08-15T21:15:00.001+08:00

We attended a beautiful wedding of our best friends' today.
The beauty is not in the decorations or in the banquets. It's in their history.
Theirs is an illustration of the profits of waiting God's time.

Both are in their early 30s.
Both have never dated anyone else before. Simply because they chose to wait for the right person to marry, hence to date. They did not believe in dating someone just for the sake of dating.
Both were very prayerful about this dating game.

Both are really a rare specimen in this time and age, where youngsters freely change partners like changing clothes.

God honours those who honours Him.
Indeed they have put God first in their lives, and in the end, God rewards them by answering their prayer for a perfect mate.

Nothing is impossible with God. I pray they will be an encouragement to people who are still praying for the right spouse to come along.

Praise be to the Lord in heaven, who delights in the men and women He created.

Psalm 103:14 and Matthew 28:20

2009-07-02T18:39:00.004+08:00

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 28:20

When I look at my newborn, so small and fragile, yet so beautiful and precious. I am reminded at how small I also must have been, once.
I am trying to take it all in, to always remember her this way. I feel like I could never be angry at her. Discipline her, being ever so slightly harsh on her? I know I must do that some day (like her big brother surely can testify). But I just cannot picture it right now.

Whatever she will become, however naughty, she will always be my baby.
She will always be this precious. If only I could always remember her this way.

Then I realized that this must be the way God remembers us.
HE, the Almighty, never forgets.
He must have remembered how fragile we are, how small, how precious.
Is it any wonder that He loves us to pieces?
Is it any wonder that He even redeemed us by death upon a cross?

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 103:11-14

In her Father's hands...

2009-06-23T19:08:00.003+08:00

In his father's hands...
Originally uploaded by tollen

I noticed the way my husband picked up Emma today.
After I finished feeding her, he took her from me. His big hand holding up her head, I saw his little finger holding up the neck. It's strong enough!

It made me think of my heavenly Father's hand.
Yes, His hand, even His little finger, is strong enough to hold me.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 103:13

Help in Times of Trouble

2009-06-06T14:05:00.004+08:00

The Rolling Hills of Tuscany, Italy
Originally uploaded by curreyuk

The Lord is always good. He never fails us. Time and time again He proves Himself faithful, although He didn't have to do such favor to me. What love is this? Amazing love, beyond words! He is our Father. At the right time indeed He rescues us. He provides for everything we need.

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 121:1-8

God Our Father

2009-05-21T03:05:00.005+08:00

London Metro
Originally uploaded by Hendra Lee

It is impossible for our Father in heaven to abandon us.

Even if an earthly mother or father abandon their children, God our Father will never do that.

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).

Recently troubles have come our way, but He keeps us joyful and thankful all the way. Well, not all the way just yet, because the light is still nowhere to be seen in this tunnel.

But I know one thing. He is our Father. He will never forsake us. In fact, it is truly impossible - and totally against His very character - for Him to abandon us, His redeemed people.

“Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).

The Frills Don't Matter

2009-05-04T23:11:00.006+08:00

Zoe's "girly modern" Nursery
Originally uploaded by The Doe or the Deer

I've realized that the frills don't matter.
It doesn't matter that we don't have a proper nursery for her, or a proper cot, or a fancy changing table.
It doesn't matter if I have not prepared a black and white picture of her big brother hanging in a frame on the wall across from where she sleeps. Or a cute mobile over her (since she'll be sleeping on my bed). Or get the apartment absolutely immaculate and totally ready for her arrival.
I think it matters to her that she knows exactly how much we love her. It matters that we feed her exactly when she's hungry, change her when she's wet and cuddle her tight all the time. It matters a lot that we'll be there in a heartbeat, to hold her, whenever she calls.
I think those really matters to her.
I should put it in perspective and not worry so much about not being ready for Emma. 'Cos by God's grace I believe all three of us are ready for her.
It doesn't matter if we can't afford fancy decorations. It would be nice if we can. But if not, it's perfectly fine. Emma's all that matters.
The frills don't matter.

cooking mama

2009-05-03T20:20:00.001+08:00

We got this Wii game last week and lo and behold, my son's cookin'!
He enjoyed trying out all the recipes: breaking the eggs, cutting, grating, stirring, shaking the pan, etc.

So on labor day holiday we had a wonderful breakfast cooked by my 10-year-old son!
He made scrambled eggs and pancakes.

The pancakes were from a shaker, I just added water. But the scrambled eggs he cooked from scratch. He cracked all the eggs himself, accidentally crushing only one ("do not mind!"), added salt and pepper, some cream cheese and cheddar slices. He enjoyed stirring it around in the bowl, then cooked three batches for his father, for me and for himself. He had fun spreading the butter on hot pan, then continously stirring the eggs and shaking the pan.

He also tried his hand on cooking the pancakes. Shake the pan. Turn over. Watch the fire.
He actually successfully flipped the pancakes a few times!

"Wonderful! Better than mama!"

baby Delivery

2009-04-27T22:59:00.006+08:00

Maibel the Mouse
Originally uploaded by J.Chin

How do I describe this feeling of expectation?

As the D-day inch ever closer, I am full of anticipation. I can’t wait to see her. Also, the nights are getting sleepless, the leg cramps catching up (so painful!), the breathlessness, etc, etc.

I am enjoying listening to Mozart for Mothers-to-be CD (available from www.amazon.com) as I work on my laptop. I listen to it especially at night to help me go to sleep.
But of the day of delivery, who am I to say what it’s gonna be like? I had caesarean before. What will the contraction feel like? Oh, dear.
My sister (who had two boys) says it’s nice and she would like to enjoy it again. Yaiks. I think she meant for me to treasure it because it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Right.

I find myself dreading it and yet can’t wait for it at the same time. I believe it’s gonna be wonderful, one way or the other.

I’ve been thinking about it, praying about it, trusting it all to the Lord of hosts. He is and will be in control.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

The more I think and pray about it, the more I know, that it would not be me who will deliver my baby girl. It would be the Lord. He will open the way, He will provide the way. I should not be afraid. He who is in control over the farthest star and over the smallest atom, He will be in control over my baby’s delivery.

He is my Deliverer. In Him I will take refuge as I count my days down. Oh yeah.

Pregnant Ladies in the Bible

2009-04-03T11:53:00.006+08:00

Being pregnant gives me a certain perspective on how some Bible characters must have experienced. When we were passing christmas three months ago, my heart went out to Mary. How tiring it must have been, even just riding on a donkey for a few hours. Let alone all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Later on I was doing Bible study on Sara who had been waiting for the promised Isaac so long. I could feel her anticipation and happiness. Usually my mind just skipped right to the delivery. But this time it occured to me how long they still have to wait. The day to day pregnancy, etc, for over 9 months. Sara was 90 years old. How they must have trusted in God’s promises, that God will carry the baby through despite the impossibility of such an old lady being pregnant. And what about the prospect of giving birth?

Rebekah too, was struggling with the twin babies jostling inside of her (Esau and Jacob). Right now I am enjoying my girl’s kicking and turning around in my tummy. Sometimes it is very hard and persistent, to the delight of her dad and big koko (brother in chinese). But it’s always fun. How terrible and worrying it must have been for Rebekah to have the babies fight inside her tummy. Maybe she thought something had gone wrong somewhere. After all she didn’t know there were twins (no ultrasound machine, yet). She prayed and God answered her that there were two inside her womb.

At 7 months I had my first ever contraction that I have ever experienced. With my first child there was never a contraction, he had to be delivered immediately by caesarean procedure due to the baby not moving for 12 hours already. So when I had my contraction last Sunday I did not recognize it immediately.

I guess I was just too tired after an especially busy two weeks. Anyway, my hubby rushed me home from Sunday School (I had to leave all my little kids in class to my partner, thank God for her!). All is well after I rested. But my, on a scale of 1 to 10 it felt like a 3 only. Yet it was bad enough for me. What of the real thing?

I will just trust in the Lord. Oh, baby, wait for your time. Do not come early. I want you healthy, gal.

***

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,c saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
c Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for heard of God.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Sa 1:19-20

My hero

2009-02-08T21:13:00.005+08:00

Pink Baby Shoes
Originally uploaded by J.Chin

Nathan is very protective of me. So nice to see him suddenly all grown up like that. When we get on a bus and there are no seats, he would glance at me in concern and looked around for seats. He would glare, yes, glare, at the not so old and definitely not pregnant people sitting on the special seats reserved for pregnant women, old people and disabled. I almost couldn't hide my smile.

"Mum, those seats were reserved for you," he whispered indignantly once, before I look as round as I am today. I put my arms around him with a grateful smile.

"Yes, honey, but how would they know? I don't look it yet."

"You should wear a sign that says you're pregnant," he retorted. I laughed. He didn't. He was quite serious.

Then when it's almost our stop, he would call upon me. He would step off the bus slowly with one of his arms stretched out toward me, like I usually do, to make sure the bus did not suddenly close its door on me.

What a sweet little son he is. Not so little anymore.

Oh, I pray he would be a wonderful big brother. I think he would be. I already told him, "Do you know that all little sisters adore their big brothers as heroes?" "Yes, I know," he replied smugly. Yes, he has always been my hero. How blessed my daughter would be, to have him as a big brother and a hero. I wish I had one like him myself.

Happiness is Seeing your hamster happy again

2009-02-04T21:50:00.010+08:00

My son always adjusts quickly to a new house. He has no problems at all. In fact, he is enjoying it thoroughly. He enjoys moving into a new room, enjoys traveling the new route to school. But our beloved white pearly dwarf hamster, Remy, didn't share his excitement.

Remy was out of sort for days. He refused to walk into our hands, even into my husband's hand, which was his favorite. He also didn't want to walk into his food bowl like he usually does when we give him fresh dried food. My husband was kind of broken hearted for a while, worried. But he was also sure that Remy is just adjusting to the new environment. It is rather more noisy in our house with the sound of traffic nearby. Maybe that's why.

Anyway, today Remy was back to normal. He took to our hands more readily, chewing his food happily, and was looking contentedly sleepy at approriate times. We bought him a new maze for his habitrail ovo extension bowl. He explored the whole place calmly, and soon found a nice little nook for naps.

Come to think of it, he's already two years old. My son was praying that he would live long enough. This is one unusual hamster, folks. Simply irresistable in his mild manners and sweetness. It's so good to see him looking content and happy again.

moving

2009-01-28T18:12:00.004+08:00

Moving house is hard work.
Moving house with a pregnant wife is an even harder work.

I had a bit of trouble with my pregnancy. Just a tiny bit. But the doctor, of course, did not let me carry anything during the move. I still managed to do some stuff, but my husband is very protective of me. I basically just alternate between resting, cooking and a bit of cleaning at the new place.

It was God's grace that the new landlord gave us the keys two weeks in advance. She didn't even know I was pregnant at the time. Because of this we can move slowly over these two week period. We are truly thankful.

My hubby had been such a super hero. He shuttles back and forth with loads in his back and his hands. Sometimes he pulls them in a suitcase, sometimes on a trolley, wobbling the almost a mile walk to our new apartment, every day now during the chinese new year holidays and weekends. He still managed to have lunch and dinner with us, though.

Our mover comes tomorrow with a big truck. We hope not to use more than a truckload because it's quite a cost.

In all things, my Father is looking out for me and my family. I'm so grateful.

house-hunting

2008-12-15T21:17:00.006+08:00

It was time for apartment hunting again. We rent, so every time the lease ended there's always an option to continue or look for another one.

All the time, however, I always believed that if God wants us to move, He would have prepared a new place for us. That does not mean that I was not anxious. Poring over property classifieds in the paper, calling them up and visiting apartments, are really taxing. It always brought me to near despair.

Yet in the past 8 years and 4 times moving, God always led us to the right apartment. I say the right one, because every time we found the house we simply knew. From the time we stepped into the house we just loved it. Like this apartment we're staying now, it was such a beautiful surprise from Him, so lovely, so right for us, that I couldn't stop laughing and smiling after we closed the deal that time.

But I always wonder, what if this year is different? What if this year God is going to lead us to a place we don't really like? What if we don't love the new place? After all, current rent prices are disastrous and we have to downgrade.

Again I was near despair last weekend. As my hubby and I go through the classifieds and visit an apartment and arguing over the budget, I felt that surely this time is different. Surely we would have to move to a bad place.

I keep reminding myself that God is my Father. He will never abandon me. I asked Him for a house that we love, that we can afford. Even though my head told me otherwise, I believed with all my heart. Whereever it is, He knows best. Even if it's not very nice, it would be the best if it's from Him.

Well, what do we know. HE did it again! Today we went to see an apartment. We were blown away by it. Such a cosy and lovely place. Much smaller, because we cannot afford a big place like our current apartment, but it's just right. And the owner likes us so much, she gave us a very reasonable price. It's still above our budget. But that, too, we know God will provide.

We signed the contract tonight. All three of us love it. Throughout the visit my son just plonked himself happily on the sofa like he was at home already. It's just recently renovated, too. There are even little details, like furnitures that we had always wanted. It's all provided. The house is easy to clean with ceramic floors throughout. I could totally see my new baby crawling around in there.

What a lovely surprise, yet again!

I was reminded of something tonight. That my heavenly Father delights in making His daughter happy.

Whatever He allows to happen, whether good or bad, is always for my good. Always. Praise the Lord!

"... your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 6:32

The Wonder of Ultrasonography

2008-11-28T18:34:00.004+08:00

Today we went for checkup again at our ob-gyn office. Again the doctor used ultrasonography and this time, at 12th week, I saw my baby ever so clearly!

She used to be just a tiny pea-sized heartbeat. But in three weeks since we last saw her, she has grown twice as much. She is now 4.6cm from the head to the rump.

As the doctor, my husband and myself watched, she was lying on her belly. Then to our delight she turned facing up. Then turning left and right, too, so that I could even see her oval face with two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Her chin was pointy.

Her tiny arms and legs were there. At one point we saw her moving her arms about in front of her. I couldn't believe how active she was in my tummy at this stage. Now everytime I think about her, I can know that she is not just a 'plant' growing in me. She is a person! She moves about and just simply enjoying herself in there.

Of course we still don't know whether it's a boy or a girl. I'm just referring it to a she here for practical reasons. :P

I can't imagine anyone aborting her baby at this stage. And yet some people still abort their baby even up to 20 weeks into pregnancy for whatever reasons. It's murder. Plain and simple. :(

I love my baby and looking at her with the ultrasound truly made me even more aware of this.
If you are pregnant, seek ultrasonography as early as possible. The doctor said it develops a bond between parents and the baby. He couldn't be more right.

The Lord bless you.

Trusting in my Father in Heaven

2008-11-20T14:51:00.004+08:00

So yesterday we found out my son contracted HFMD (hand foot mouth disease). It's a deadly disease caused by virus that usually affect children.
Thank God the doctor says, for his case it will go away after a week.

But the thing is I'm almost 3 months pregnant. As all pregnant people know, chicken pox or rubella virus, etc, is fatal for foetuses.
The doctor said that as long as I don't get it, the baby would not be in danger.

So now we are keeping my 9 year old in his room, contented and happy with room service (by his dad). Thank God it is holiday also, no school.

At first I was worried sick because I am very close to my son. Just a half hour before we found the red dots on his palms and soles of his feet, I was hugging him. Surely I might get infected!

That night my husband prayed for the joy of the Lord to be my strength.
I stood up after that prayer much strengthened. The Lord's joy is a powerful thing indeed.

I reminded myself that He is my shield. He is my baby's shield also, as He forms him/her in the most secret place of the earth, in my womb! He who is in control over every molecule in this universe is in control over those viruses. He knows what is best for me and my family.

Thy will be done. Whatever happens, this baby is His.

Genesis 15:1
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,a
your very great reward.b”
a Or sovereign
b Or shield; your reward will be very great
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ge 15:1

a new life

2008-11-12T21:47:00.006+08:00

We have not planned for this bundle of joy, but the Lord did.

For a long time we prayed for God's time, to have another child.
We didn't think it was God's time yet.
My son thought it was time. So he started to pray this year.
The Holy Spirit puts it into my heart to pray also along with him.
Then, He prepared my hubby's heart.
So when I found out about this new life in me, my hubby was not surprised. He was overjoyed!
My son was ecstatic.
What a miracle. Unplanned, but planned all along by God from eternity.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 139:13-16

Praise the Lord.

God's guarantee

2008-10-04T23:05:00.006+08:00

In the shadow of the Lehman Brothers collapse, that has become a domino effect to our financial crisis at the moment, I was reminded of this verse:

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 1:13-14

As christians = believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit.

Awesome as this seal is, it is only a deposit, an earnest or a downpayment, for the glory that is to come.

If someone buys a property, he will give a deposit, a promise to send the full payment at a later date. But he might default.

Indeed even a big bank that has been there for more than a hundred years can go bankrupt with our retirement money going down with them!

But I was thinking: will GOD, the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of all things, default?

Of course not!

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Pe 1:3-6

Oh, praise the Lord for even when our life on earth is wasting away, our inheritance in heaven is shielded by His power until the full redemption is meted out.

Yes, even though we are saved now and have this joy and peace, yet our full salvation is not yet. All this is but a foretaste of the glory to come. It is not yet even fully realized.

Oh, may we have this longing to know God more, so that we may long for this full redemption. Not just looking for treasures on earth like stocks and bonds and money and property and health. But eternal stuff that will count for eternity. Talking about compounded interest on that one!

a sister

2008-10-02T23:02:00.006+08:00

My sister's long time best friend has been staying with me for a while. It's so nice to have a sister here with me, 'cos that's what I consider her to be.
She's prayerful. She's generous. She's fun.
She's just such a down to earth person that I can imagine her as a missionary/pastor's wife one day.

My son loves her company and will look for her if she's not home. I hope the Lord sort out her work soon so that she could settle down in her own place and lift up her 'suffering'. But for the moment, we are just enjoying her stay with us.
This proves that every trial and suffering God allows for us is truly designed lovingly by Him for our good.

I wonder if she knows what a blessing she has been to us.

Here's to you, sis!

rainy days

2008-09-08T23:14:00.011+08:00

Rainy days. Sore throat days.

Singapore is rainy these days. But that doesn't necessarily mean cooler days. Sometimes the clouds are hanging so low and so thick, you could hardly breathe because of the humidity. You could almost see the reflection of the city lights on the low hanging clouds.

Hence the clinics are filled with people having flu, sore throat and what-nots. How do I know? Well, I was one of them queueing with a friend for almost 2 hours.

So, mornings are sunny. Afternoons are rainy. But that's not always the case.

Like last Thursday.

The kids had been praying hard that it would not rain in the afternoon because we were planning a picnic at the beach in Sentosa. But the whole week it was always raining almost the whole day, so we were kind of skeptical.

Not the kids.

My son still has that conviction that God will answer our prayers according to His perfect will. So of course it would not rain.

To my son a picnic at the beach is God's perfect will.

So there we were at the beach with our best friends. Lovely weather. Lovely sand. Lovely sunset.

Thanks to God who knows what we need that day.

a mother, full of grace

2008-08-25T11:07:00.007+08:00

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 4:1-2

I'm learning to be a kind and compassionate mum. Completely humble and gentle. Long suffering/Patient. Bearing my family in love.

It's so hard. But it's what God demands of me. It's actually what God demands of me as a christian. Moreover, as a mother.

I know His grace is sufficient for me. His strength is made perfect when I am weak.

How do I be patient but not permissive.
Having boundaries in the house but still being gentle and allowing my kid to be free.
Spending a lot of time with him and still have quiet times with God.

Ah yes, I have to be thankful that there are still times when he'll be reading a book by himself, allowing pockets of time of quiet for myself.

Here's to our victorious days ahead in Christ!

Coram Deo

2008-08-12T17:50:00.007+08:00

Latin words. It means "Before the face of God."

Martin Luther said that the goal of christian living is Coram Deo. That is to live constantly before the face of God.

It is so difficult it's impossible.

Our daily living is filled with rushing here and there, meals to prepare, children to care for, laundry to load, dishes to wash. Blogs to write :P. We sometimes forget that we are living in the presence of God who watches over us quietly, patiently, lovingly, Himself never ceasing to work to hold all things together for this world to keep on turning, turning.

Only by surrendering ourselves to the Holy Spirit can we strive for corum deo.

Yes, I do not want to give up living corum deo just because it is impossible. It's precisely that it is impossible that I could be glad in knowing that Christ Himself through His Holy Spirit will enable me to live this way.

During the day when I suddenly remember that He is present always, I should talk to Him, or sing a song of praise, or reciting a memory verse. Always saying, "Thank You, Lord, for this moment. For this city where I live. For this house. For this family." Anything.

Oh, may His grace enable me to do this. Always.

May I never be too sick for this. Even when I'm old. Even when I have alzheimer, dementia or anything of that kind. May I never forget Him who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Just a thought and a prayer for today.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Th 5:23-24

Romans 3:23

2008-08-10T23:10:00.000+08:00

Teaching Sunday School 4-year-olds (K1 class).
Such a privilege.
Today at the end of class, during coloring time, a girl named Valerie looked anxious and asked me how she might go to heaven.

The Bible truth we have been teaching today was God wants us to choose to obey Him.
We had been talking about what sin is and what pleases God. We sang Nothing But the Blood during praise time.
The Scripture verse was Romans 3:23, and that's what we were coloring about. There's a picture of heaven in it.

"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."
I told the kids we are too short, we can never reach heaven unless we ask Jesus to save us.

A few minutes into coloring, while I was busy coloring with the other kids, Valerie called me and asked that question. Sensing her urgency and seriousness, I decided to bring her to another table to talk with her a little bit.

Valerie might decide to ask Jesus to be her Savior. I am very cautious about this. I need to confirm if she really wants Jesus.
"So Valerie, you really want to go to heaven to be with Jesus one day?" "Yes."
"Do you know that you are a sinner?" "Yes."
"Do you want to ask Jesus to save you?" "Yes."
I had to ask something that she could answer more than just yes or no.
"Valerie, why do you want to ask Jesus to save you?"
"Because I want to make Jesus happy."

Wow. That's original. If she wants to make Jesus happy, that means she wanted to obey Jesus. That's why she wants to be able to go to heaven to be with Jesus.

After talking some more, we prayed the sinner's prayer together.
I hugged her and assured her that Jesus would never leave her now.
I encouraged her to pray to Jesus everyday, and after she can read, read the Bible everyday because He will always be her Best Friend.
Also I told her to tell her daddy and her mummy about this.
Afterwards we continued coloring happily.
"Jesus is my best friend," she said.
"Yes. Jesus is my best friend, too," I said, glad. "Jesus is always there for me. He will always be there for you, too."

After class I talked to her mum and dad. I told them what happened. I told them that this is only the beginning of a very long road. (It does not mean she has changed to become an angel.) I encouraged them to pray and read the Bible with her every night.

There will be ups and downs in her life. She will have to rededicate herself again and again at every milestones (isn't that just like us?). Valerie, as well as I, have to continue to make her salvation sure.
Philippians 2:12-13
"... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Php 2:12-13
(Not that we are saved by our works, but because we are saved, therefore the fruit of our lives should be consistent with our salvation. The absence of fruit will only mean the absence of the source. No salvation is void of obedience to God. If someone claimed to be saved, but have no qualms disobeying the Savior, she is not really saved in the first place.
James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 2:14)

What a privilege it is to be able to partner with God in His powerful work of bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What joy it is to have so many children in heaven. Those who become my brothers and sisters in Christ. Our family tie is the blood of Christ, thicker than any blood line on earth.

I praise You, Lord, for such an encouragement you gave me today. For the privilege of watching Your Spirit work in even the littlest and simplest hearts of children.

My first 12x12 digi LO

2008-08-08T22:00:00.003+08:00

thanks to tips from Balzer Designs

free digital kit from Mirka_K snowdrop kit

Boom De Ah Dah!

2008-08-05T21:12:00.008+08:00

My son's favorite commercial from Discovery Channel.
His favorite show is Mythbusters. Occasionally also Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs. They're very funny and informative.

Sovereign God

2008-07-24T16:11:00.005+08:00

Today as I walk home from the market, listening to a song from Bob Fitts on my ipod, I was thinking about God. The pathway is winding between two apartment buildings (a condo and an hdb block), with leafy trees on one side and grass on the other.

I look at myself walking ever onward towards home. Every step takes me closer. The road is hot and sometimes gravelly, but I press on knowing full well that it will soon be over. Another half a mile.

I look at the road ahead of me and realised something.
God is already there. He knows where I'm going. He always knows. He always protects.
He is powerful to use everything for His glory. Even the bad things.
Nothing can happen outside His knowledge.
The wicked and the righteous will both be put to justice.

My road is known to Him. He knows where I'm going and He is taking me there.
This love relationship that I have with my Father in heaven is real.
I'm so glad He answers prayers. I'm so glad He is sovereign.
My heart can trust in Him.

Fully.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Je 29:11

His Eye Is On the Sparrow

2008-07-21T23:45:00.007+08:00

ps: bird in picture not a sparrow

In the morning the birds sound so happy. Maybe because it was raining all morning.
They were busily chirping in the trees below our apartment. Some were singing outside our breakfast window. It really seemed to me like they were talking to each other in loud cheery voices.

The rain lasts all day long. This is such a welcome respite after a week of humidity.

I love it that the birds are not intimidated to approach our windows.
Thank You, God, for the birds this morning.

Luke 12: 6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 12:6-7

This song below come to mind.
Hymn: His Eye Is On the Sparrow
text by mrs. C.D. Martin

1. Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

Refrain:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

2. "Let not your heart be troubled,"
his tender word I hear,
and resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
though by the path he leadeth
but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
(Refrain)

3. Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place to sighing,
when hope within me dies;
I draw the closer to him,
from care he sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
(Refrain)

here's to starbucks

2008-07-17T00:55:00.006+08:00

It’s funny but it seems that wherever I go in the world, we always end up in a starbucks.

This photo of a cup of iced water is taken at the Beijing international airport, arrival hall. The starbucks in Beijing will have seats outside the cafe itself. Usually right opposite the outlet. Look out for their signature tables and couches.

It's only since 1999 that I started drinking coffee. I used to love cappucino and cappucino only. I do not really like change. So, it's always just a "tall Cap" for me, please.

After 5 years of cappucinos (yes, that long!), I switched to "tall caramel no whip Mocha". I'm overjoyed if there is a hot Mocha Valencia (with mandarin syrup) during the chinese new year festivals here. Or the hot Peppermint no whip Mocha. Mmmmm.... I wish christmas was all year round.

That mocha season has lasted for about 3 years. I think it's still going strong.

Currently I'm into "iced no whip Mocha" on the rocks, that is with ice cubes, not blended. Maybe it's the humidity in recent months that got me switching into iced.

Here's to starbucks. (Please, please, please don't change the logo!)

2008-07-16T17:42:00.004+08:00

The essence of sound theology is knowing who God is and knowing who you are.
R.C. Sproul

We can only know God from His Word in the Bible.
Not from public opinion. Not from self-help books. The only person we should access to know God is God Himself, which He has revealed in His Word.

We can only know ourselves from our Creator, GOD.
Not from psychologists, psychiatrists, or once again, self-help books. The only person who knows about a creation is the Creator. God tells us all about ourselves in the Bible. How we were made, how we are supposed to live, what is our destiny.

Until, and only until, we know who we are: sinners in need of a Savior, we will always be lost.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Je 29:11-12

(Jesus said, )"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:37, 40.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jn 6:37,40

God's Will

2008-07-07T08:10:00.001+08:00

How do we know God's will? ...
But it's not like God is hiding His will and waiting for us to find out what it is. Oh, no.

It's more like God leading me and me just follow trustingly. That's all there is.

There's nothing mystic about it.
All we have to do is pray to the Lord, tell Him all that is in our heart. Our concerns, the confusion and fear. Ask Him to keep us in His way regarding what we must do. Ask Him to protect us from wrong decisions.

He is powerful to answer us. He will never abandon us. That is His promise in the Bible again and again. He will never abandon us to our bad choices, if we earnestly seek His will.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Pr 3:5-6

So I should truly trust in Him and not doubt. Why should I doubt Him, that somehow He is going to lose control and let me go? Never.
Jesus gave His life for me on the cross. He died in my place.
What makes me think that He would let me go? Never.

That's how we can know God's will. Not that we know for sure, but that we trust His leading as we decide prayerfully.

Along the process and even afterwards we would still be haunted by whether or not the decision is right. But let's put our trust in Him. If He already impressed upon our heart what we must do, confirmed by advice from godly friends and family too, we should just rest in Him.

Only much later will we see the big picture. How beautiful everything is in God's time.
Oh, yes, we can count on it.

wedding blessings

2008-07-06T23:00:00.003+08:00

A friend of mine had a wedding ceremony at church yesterday. As I was sitting there at the pew, I was thankful for the so many guests who attended. The church was full.

The bride, my friend, has been a faithful servant of the Lord at church. She is also a cancer survivor, yet was still faithful to serve in her capacity in sunday school as much as she could during the difficult healing process. No wonder so many church members, parents and children, came. They want to be happy alongside her on this special day.

I'm thankful for these people who came. Because I think it makes her day, really, to see them come.

It reminded me of my wedding day where people braved the volatile situation (after a riot broke out a week before) to attend my meager wedding ceremony. Many of my own family members who lived out of town could not come. Many of my colleagues at the bank where I worked could not come. But I just remember how glad I was when I turned around from my bridal seat and saw the pews packed up to the balcony. There were many parents and children whom I taught in sunday school who made time to attend. The Lord gave me countless people who cared for me, back then in Jakarta. They made my day.

I wish I could have thanked each of them one by one, again and again, for coming on my one, most wonderful day.

So as I sat on that pew, thanking God for my caring church towards my caring friend's wedding, I thanked Him also for the way He cared for my wedding last time, even under such dire circumstances.

Thank You, Lord, for true friends.

my Mosaic today

2008-07-03T23:29:00.005+08:00

Want to create something like this?

Below are some questions to get you going. Then simply go to Flickr and type your answers into the search bar. From the results, click on one of the pictures that you like most. Once the page with your picture opens, copy the URL. Go to the Mosaic Maker, set up your mosaic, and paste your URLs. Click Create. Easy as that.

What is your first name?

What is your favorite food, drink, dessert?

Where is your dream holiday?

What do you love most in life?

What is your favorite color?

etc.

Have fun and please send a comment to share with me what you've created!

1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), 2. text decay, 3. Red sky (north Jakarta dawn), 4. llibreria - bookstore - Amsterdam, 5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylittlerascal/171041835/, 6. St. Patrick's Cathedral, 7. Holiday Time in Chicago, 8. Cup of Cappucino, 9. i can taste summer! a.k.a. childhood summer! a.k.a. childhood reminiscence! a.k.a. those were the good times!

Cooking Day

2008-06-28T11:41:00.005+08:00

Yesterday I spent a whole leisurely day shopping for groceries and cooking. A sister 'ketemu gede' of mine spent the night. It's so nice to have a sister around sometimes, especially because my real ones are all so far away around the world.

Anyway, she wanted to learn some of my recipes to cook for her boyfriend. We cooked pork steak with potato salad for lunch, and babi kecap (steamed pork stew with dark sweet soy sauce) with rice and veggie stir-fry for dinner. We had a blast of a time. That was fun.

I'm sure we'll do some more in the coming days. I hope she stays on for good in Singapore. It's nice to have a sister around.

Persevere in Suffering

2008-06-23T23:00:00.008+08:00

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.

Richard Bach

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Joseph son of Jacob- to his brothers who sold him to Egypt but who later came back to him (Genesis 50:20)

The sovereignty of my God overcomes all things.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 8:28

May you be encouraged today. That as long as you are in His hands, you are safe. Never step away, be unmoved. You are in GOOD hands. Stay.

Persevere. Forgive those who intended to harm you- give it over to God. Justice will prevail in due time. God is not mocked. He is sovereign. He is patient.

He is our Shield and our very great Reward. Stay close. Stay.

all in Quiet

2008-06-20T09:58:00.006+08:00

It is in quiet obedience that we follow His footsteps

It is in quiet reflection that we hear His voice

It is in quiet assurance that we find His rest

It is in quiet trust that we find His strength.

-Roy Lessin- taken from www.dayspring.com

How quiet have we been today?

How many pockets of quietness have we allowed for ourselves, alone with God, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life?

Do we always want to let other people know how much we're doing and suffering for His kingdom? Or do we take time to be quiet, to obey and trust quietly, based on the fact that our FATHER who sees all things will see what we do in our quietness?

How quiet will we be today?

Zephaniah 3:
17 The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Zep 3:17

2008-06-10T09:10:00.006+08:00

God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.
Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. 1 Sa 16:7

The heart.
God looks into the heart.
I used to see this verse only as God knowing who is who. Especially in terms of their devotion toward Him. Or of their purpose that God has set for them before the beginning of the world, as in the case of David, son of Jesse, later to be king of Israel (read 1 Samuel 16:1-13).

But a sermon (podcast) I heard from Dr. Erwin Lutzer helped me see it from a different perspective.

What is in the heart?
Not all the mushy, sweety cutey things, actually. But terrible, mean thoughts. Sinful, horrible intentions. Things that are left unsaid, hidden from every eye. (You wouldn't want to talk to me ever again if you had seen what was in my heart.)
If we are honest, that is what's in everybody's hearts. Men and women, even children's hearts.

What is amazing is this:
God sees my heart, and yet He still loves me!
Not only that, He even died on the cross in my place, just so that He might win my heart.

Now if that doesn't break one's heart, I don't know what would.

Our response should be of thanksgiving and humility, bowing down to Him in adoration:
My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like You!

He looks and He looks. And that's the only thing He looks at on me. It doesn't matter how beautiful I coat my outward appearance. He looks at my heart all day long, apart from everything else He sees. Let us be transparent before Him, knowing that He sees the heart. Every motivation, every hidden agenda. That should drive us to holiness, isn't it?

Let this guide my thoughts today. That the Lord of Hosts sees not like men sees. He looks at the heart.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Sa 16:7

(PS: I love how the photo above looks like crayon drawing. )

Great Wall at Mutianyu

2008-05-29T23:30:00.010+08:00

We chose the section of the wall at Mutianyu (moo-tian-yeo-oo) because according to Fodor's it is away from the crowd and more scenic.

They were right. We're sure glad we picked this one.

The ticket office is divided in two. Surprisingly they were in competition to sell tickets to us. One side offers sky chair to the top, and back on a toboggan. The other side offers cable car ride back and forth. For safety reasons we chose the cable car.

But if you love toboggans and don't have small ones tagging along, you might want to try it.

The great wall is, well, GREAT.

And hot this time of year. But at least there are some peddlars selling 10 Yuan ice cold mineral waters up there (say, "ping suey" = cold water). So if we're out of ammo, there's still hope.

Also there are bees the size of a thumb. They seem to like hovering around the middle of the path on the great wall. We avoid them. Careful with bees. When we slap them their juice will attract their comrades to attack you in hordes. So just ignore them, please.

My son ran up and down the wall pretending to be a soldier at war. He had fun. There are holes at the bottom along the wall facing out, I suppose for the soldiers to shoot arrows from.

It's really a wonderful close to our trip. We saved the best for last. I love the scenery, the old stones (some new bricks were added during renovations), the old steps.

Praise the Lord.

Lunch at Mutianyu

2008-05-29T22:00:00.005+08:00

We found a wonderful, tiny restaurant very near the Great Wall at Mutianyu called Xiaolumian. http://www.xiaolumian.com/. It's rustic. But it's a very clean place. Very hard to find, too.

As the name suggests, it is located in a small road. Very small road. Xiao=small, Lu=road, Mian=noodle. Thank God for a kind and resilient taxi driver who keeps using his handphone to ask for directions from the restaurant.
We finally reached the place and was delighted with the smiling waitress who is a local living in Mutianyu. And... speaks english!

The dumplings are tasty. The noodles fresh and, mixed with the sauce, is wonderful. I also enjoyed the freshly cut vegetables they prepared for us.

What a unique, traditional chinese meal. Kudos to my hubby who found it when he researched the internet.

Summer Palace

2008-05-29T16:40:00.010+08:00

We went to the Summer Palace on Saturday. Phew! Crowded!

But we love the hike up and down the hill through narrow passageways. Rocky steps lined with christmas trees. I guess I mean pine trees.

Occasionally we spotted beautiful plump birds the size of a chicken (but not chicken). They sing. They went down the path to take a sip of water or peck at the ground. The back is blue but the wings are black. We love spying them.

The stairs leading to the temple on top of the hill is magnificent. You can see it on the photo above. It zigzagged up and up and up. We felt like Po in Kungfu Panda (coming up soon to a theater near you!) when he had to climb the stairs up the mountain.

But the view from above is very rewarding. We could see the Beijing skyline.

For lunch, we sat under a shade of trees on top of the hill. It was very quiet there. We could peek at the lakeview in between the trees. The plump blue bird came back for a visit. But she did not eat bread or anything we entice her with. In fact she declined to stay. (Hence, no photographs of her.) That's nice, I thought. They are independent. Not used to begging people for food like city birds in other places.

Ritan, then Tiantan

2008-05-29T10:00:00.008+08:00

On our third day in Beijing my son and I planned to visit Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven). It's south of the city and it's huge. (My hubby went to give training at his office on Thursday and Friday.)

But in the morning the taxi driver accidentally dropped us in Ritan Park. He must have heard the doorman wrongly or whatever. But my son and I decided to check it out anyway.

It's a public park so entrance is free. There is one small pond near the front. Very serene.Little children with their mums or grandparents play around it.

The park goes deeper where there are many corners for people to exercise. An old couple sat together under a gazebo, the husband was playing a chinese string instrument while the wife turned the musical sheets for him. No one was watching. They didn't ask for money either. They were just playing it.

We spotted beautiful grey colored birds jumping from tree to tree. My son had fun trying to get as close as he could. But the birds seem to anticipate his next move all the time.

In the middle of the park there was also a big circular mound used to give sacrifices. It's a big area and was deserted because it's all stone.

Finally after a short lunch and coffee, we got the correct temple of heaven. It's where the emperor gave sacrifices to the God of heaven to appeal for good bumper crops.

It's a beautiful park with lots of ancient cypress trees. and very green at this time of year.

We came out right on time for... rush hour. Thank God for sending a taxi driver for us in that middle of nowhere (it seems to me!). The taxi driver also endured at least an hour of driving through massive traffic jam along the highway. He didn't complain at all. Amazing. And all the meter charged me for all that distance and jam was less than 8 singapore dollars.

At night we had peking duck and some sichuan dishes for dinner at the hotel's restaurant. I wish we could go to the famous peking duck restaurant in a hutong somewhere in the city, but the traffic jams was a major deterrant for us. So there.

I am thankful for God's protection and His mercy that day, that I could reach the hotel back safely.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Php 4:6-7

2008-05-28T15:49:00.003+08:00

Just outside of the Tiananmen Gate on our first day in Beijing (21 May) we witnessed a quarrel between an old man and an old woman who collects plastic bottles to recycle. Obviously they were fighting about the amount of bottles that belong to them. Maybe they happened to count it next to each other or something, we didn't know. But it really saddens us that they were fighting over mere cents. These people really are poor.

Plastic bottle collectors, usually old people, were in every park and public places we visited. It's nice to sometimes see a group of people purposely stopping by them and drink up their mineral water so they can give the bottles to these people.

At the base of the Great Wall at Mutianyu my son ran a distance to give his bottle to a very old woman, no taller than himself. She looked ancient even from afar. I waved goodbye to her and gave her the most loving eyes, from afar. To my delight she burst into a big smile and waved and waved back at me for a long time.

That really touched me. Not only that her eyes are still good , but also it makes me think that though I may not know the language perfectly I can still show them Christ's love. I know He loves these people. I know He is pleased to show it through me.

I just pray that these people that touched our lives on the trip, whether taxi drivers, waitresses, or bottle collectors, will in turn be touched by Christ and find Him.

Philippians 1:6

2008-05-28T08:00:00.001+08:00

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Php 1:6

Last night my son and I attended a concert by Steve Green.
He enjoyed it very much. I'm so glad.
Steve Green did not just sing, but also teach us God's Word through it.
We came away comforted by God's sovereignty, Christ's Lordship and our Blessed Hope: His Second Coming.

Every song ministered to me immensely. But I want to share just one.
The title is "He who began a good work in you".
I'm sure some of you know the song. The lyrics are as follows:

Chorus:
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work, will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you
chorus

It comforts me that the Lord GOD is faithful to complete the work He had begun in me.
He had saved me from my sins. He had delivered me to a new life in Him. He also will continue to mold me and shape me until I see Him in heaven again, looking eye to eye with Him, perfect as He is perfect (for no one less than holy can see Him or be in His presence).

It means that He is also faithful to complete the work He had begun in my son.
I know my son loves and believes in Jesus, a saving faith. Yet which mother can really be sure?
This verse through that song comforted me. That God also will be faithful to complete HIS work in my son.

Oh, such peace to be in my Shepherd's everlasting arms!

2008-05-23T21:30:00.002+08:00

To get around I have to ask the concierge to write the name of the destination on a piece of paper just so that there will be no misunderstanding. After all, it is my first time to Beijing. Plus, my mandarin is non-existent and javanese infused .

Thanks to my mom and dad who spoke mandarin at home when I was growing up, I could still at least survive in communicating the basics. It got me around in taxi, it got me food (when ordering), it helps me to communicate with people to show them love and concern. But really it is little more than "tarzan" gestures sprinkled with mandarin words.

But of the few caucasians I met in restaurants, etc, I overheard them speaking to the waiters in fluent chinese (mandarin). Wow. If they can do it, I should be able to do it better, right. (Maybe they have a private tutor. Heheh.. jealous.. )

So come on, people. Let's learn this beautiful language.
Now if only I have more time... (... excuses...)

2008-05-22T22:30:00.003+08:00

Today we went to Beijing Zoo to see the pandas.
It's quite a big park. Sadly, the animals are mostly in concrete enclosures.

But we enjoyed ourselves exploring the vast ground.

The highlight for my son was getting a cute panda as a new friend.

The sandstorm was gone.

Then we went to Malls of Oriental Plaza for late lunch. It has a terrific food mall downstairs, with a food court filled with chinese and japanese style food.

Dinner was at Crystal Jade Palace.

Another perfect day.

Missing Indy

2008-05-22T22:00:00.000+08:00

If in Singapore what we see everywhere yesterday was the poster of the new Indiana Jones movie, in Beijing all we saw in the past two days is big screen tv's showing CCTV channel's earthquake updates. Whether it's at the airport, the malls, or even at road junctions. Big LCD screens show rescues going on. The solidarity of the people is wonderful.

No signs of Indiana Jones yet.

May the Lord bless everyone affected by the earthquake. May His purposes be fulfilled for His glory. May He grant salvation to the people.

sandstorm

2008-05-21T22:02:00.008+08:00

Beijing is beautiful. Except for the sandstorm.

Light yellow dust covered everything. Trees, cars, buildings, us...

But we were undeterred. We trudged on through miles of sidewalk in search of the Dongximen subway station. Good thing we walked through mostly leafy embassy areas.

My son was coughing a couple of times, or sneezing. So was I.

But the weather is nice and cool compared to our sauna Singapore (that I really missed today because of the sand). Overall it's not so bad. People could still breathe, albeit slightly sandy.

Finally we reached Tiananmen square. A really big place.

It so happened that there was a protest of some sort, we didn't know what it was all about. But it was loud and involved quite a number of people. Turns out it was a show of support for the earthquake victims. People gather together under the hot sun of Tiananmen Sq to shout out encouragements to the victims as if they can hear them. I think that's really touching.

Later on we proceeded into Forbidden City.

My son's complaints, due to his fatigue, only ends when he saw the exit sign from that huge complex that was forbidden to all but emperors and their immediate families and servants for centuries. I've got to give him credit, though. He did last a whole morning and some of the afternoon quite cheerfully, despite we just got off the plane this morning.

Room service for dinner, please.

Tomorrow I'm checking the weather first before I'd venture out.

Thank God for today. For the lovely Terminal 3 both in Singapore and in Beijing. For a good night's sleep on the flight. For the sandstorm, that we could have a chance to experience it. Hope it will go away soon. ;P

Signing off for the day,

3 (sand)stormtroopers.

Beijing Trip prelude

2008-05-20T23:06:00.004+08:00

Here I am on my way to the land of my ancestors.
I'm thrilled cos I've never been to China before.
Part of me is sad, too, remembering victims of the earthquake that just happened.

We're going to take the red eye flight.
My son is famished cos now is nearing midnight.
He's eating pepperoni pizza with his dad at the bistro in Terminal 3. What a nice terminal, to say the least!
I'm enjoying the cappucino. Superb.

I can't wait to see what's in store for me in the next few days.
Oh, yeah.

My son who usually never converse with us in chinese, suddenly already spoke quite a few sentences with me in the taxi. Just a light banter. Wow. I hope this trip will awaken his passion for the chinese language.

what clues will our children find about our lives after we die?

2008-05-17T13:19:00.004+08:00

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
REPEAT CHORUS

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

Perfect!

2008-05-11T23:51:00.007+08:00

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” C.H. Spurgeon.

Perfect is not on the outside, but on the inside.

Perfect is not about temporal stuff (for then it is not perfect), but about eternal.

We women love to fret and nurture their anxiety. We complain a lot about our imperfection. It's what we talk about all day! Well, almost, given the chance.

This Mothers' Day, here's to our hope to change our mindset. Let us not worry and fret about our imperfection anymore. For if we belong to Christ Jesus, we are perfect in Him. Only in Him.

So come to Him daily, for He promises rest.

Look forward to our future in Him.

To Him who is timeless and eternal, the future is already here. We are perfect in God's eyes, because we are IN His Son Jesus Christ.

Oh what a wonder. Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou my God shouldst die for me!

If we understood this, know that this knowledge does not come from ourselves. But the Holy Spirit gives us this understanding.

Happy mothers day, all sisters in Christ. Even though you are no yummy mummy, you are perfect in His eyes. He loves you with His everlasting love.

honor.our.parents

2008-05-10T00:20:00.007+08:00

When parents are around, we feel safer. We feel taken care of. We feel loved.

Sure, they're getting older. Sure, sometimes we need to take care of them more. But what a privilege to do that, since they have been taking care of us all our life. No, more than that. Since it is God's command to do so: to honor them.

Our parents will always be our parents. They never stop caring. Never stop loving. Just like my child will always be my baby. And I will never stop loving him, even when he goes astray. He knows he is always, absolutely always, loved by me and his father.

Now, on their stay here, my parents are also caring for my son in their own sweet little way. Almost unnoticed. My mom never forgets to iron his little uniform and laid it out complete with a pair of socks on school nights. Here my dad is coaching him chinese.

We should always be thankful for our parents.
They are God's blessing for each of us.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 6:1-4

Catching Up

2008-05-05T23:44:00.009+08:00

Now I almost cannot catch up with my son on his reading. He reads so fast!
This is exam week and he still managed to finish this wonderfully thick and classic book, thanks to the Silent Reading times every morning at his school.
I gave this book to him middle of 2007. He didn't want to touch it at first. Then he started the first page and was hooked, for a while. Afterwards many, many other books distracted him for a long time.

He only continued this book last week when I purposely dropped it into his bag to read. Everyday he was so busy studying with me after school, that I'm surprised he finished it today.

I need to catch up with him.

Well, I gotta stop blogging now and start reading.

Oh, what a Friend!

2008-05-05T22:08:00.012+08:00

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886

So often I'm struck by anxiety. Which in itself is no sin. It becomes sin, however, when one is consumed by it. Oh, may He have mercy on me!

Yet as the words of the hymns remind me, I forfeit tremendous peace if I continue to try to carry my own burdens. What a privilege to carry all, ALL, to my BEST FRIEND Jesus in prayer.

red.iPod.

2008-05-01T22:16:00.006+08:00

It was my sister's birthday.

But lo and behold, one thing leads to another, and she ended up giving me a gift. (The next day I proceded to encase it lovingly in the red leather case!)

Oh, thank you, sister! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It's not only beautiful, but useful.

Turns out iTunes is also very easy to use. I have the feeling that the rest of the world are iTuned already except me up to a few days ago. Hahah. Better late than never.

I love downloading podcasts from www.gty.org/podcast and http://www.rbc.org/ among others.

I can listen to them whenever I'm cooking and cleaning, on the road, etc.

So cool.

So blessed.

Sweet Remy

2008-04-23T20:23:00.008+08:00

Our fluffy Remy is always calm and composed. His beady black eyes show his kind and gentle heart (I think )
Whenever it's supper time he would know. At the slightest sign of us approaching, he'd get into his food bin and just waits there for us to pour it in.
Plus he would regard me with his eyes sweetly as he tucks in. You can see it in this video.

We had five hamsters before him, so we know Remy is really special.
He is not jumpy or overly cautious.
He doesn't hoard his food somewhere in a corner. He keeps all the empty sunflower seeds, etc, in the bin for me to throw out the next day. It's extremely easy to keep his cage (Habitrail Ovo Suite) clean. I think he's one year old this month.

Sweet, sweet Remy.

Happiness is ...

2008-04-22T22:35:00.003+08:00

Happiness is a plate of ayam penyet with rice on the side.

I'm thankful that here in Singapore I can still occasionally enjoy this crispy fried chicken dish complete with sambal belacan.

Yummy!

Enter His World

2008-04-17T17:03:00.015+08:00

At almost 9 years old, my son finally bought his first gameboy. It's a Nintendo DS Lite.

All his young life I have always been his partner in playing computer games. My husband and I like to play nice computer games as much as him. Before we give to him, we always check out the ESRB rating and read the reviews about the game.

So when he started playing DS last month, he also shares with me every detail and advancement he made. I didn't have any idea what he was talking about because some of the cartridges we couldn't share.

Finally we decided to buy another DS for me. Both of us enjoyed it so much that my husband also started to feel left out. In the end, he got one for himself, too. :D

You see, there is a feature where we can all play together wirelessly in one game, like playing chase or capture the flag. So it's really fun. We can even connect via WiFi.

I attended a parenting seminar at church by Wilson Phang last Saturday and the speaker said that for children below 9, we need to establish authority with discipline. A rod is needed.

But for 9-12 years old and teenagers, we have to maintain a close relationship with them. If we think preteens (before 9) needs a lot of our time, teenagers need a lot more. We need to enter their world and be their friend.

So I guess this is one of those things that needs to be done. Playing DS together, talking about it and having a great time together from time to time. By understanding his world, I can use it at our bible study time together to illustrate an application.

What parents had to go through for their children ;). No harm having a great time doing it, too.

So that's the story. No prizes for guessing which color belongs to whom. Let me just tell you that my son's got the silver one.

To Feed A Boy

2008-04-07T21:54:00.007+08:00

Most children are fussy to some degree about their food.
Most parents are anxious about what their kids eat or don't eat.
I am one of those parents. Though I have to say, not so severe. ;P

I learned to pick my battles wisely.
For instance, my son this month discovered that he sort of likes yellow cherry tomatoes. So I decided to give him more of those, and less of the ones he doesn't like. This way I am happy, and he is happier.
After all a happy heart makes a hearty appetite.
Or something like that.

And our Lord Jesus did say that little children (and adults!) live not by food alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3). So I guess if I must choose, I would prioritize fussing over his Bible-reading habit more.

We all try. In His grace.

Happy feeding your kids today!

Hosanna!

2008-03-31T12:35:00.009+08:00

On Friday 11am we found our son at the emergency room. He looked fine. Except when the doctor opened the bandage on his forehead I saw a deep gash of over 1 inch long. THEN I felt like the world was a blur around me. Immediately I asked the Lord God to take over. "Please help him, Lord!" I cried out, over and over in my heart.

Nothing seemed to happen afterwards. We had to wait for 8 hours before he actually walk into the operating theater. But now I realized that God had been busily working behind the scenes. He sent a very capable plastic surgeon along with a very nice team of doctors. I know because I went into the operating room to send him off to sleep (general anaesthetic).

Now he is at home. Cheerful. Good appetite. And the forehead look like it's going to go back to its usual shape. Amazing.

Thank you for all who were and is still praying for him.

I hope I don't ever have to go through any of that ever again. But even in the valley of darkness, I know He was there. Just as surely as He is here with us now.

And my son also learned to conquer his fear. We sang his favorite praise songs together outside the operating room. I quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 to remind him of God's trustworthiness.

Oh, praise Him!
Rejoice with me with this song Hosanna by Paul Baloche.

2008-03-27T12:47:00.007+08:00

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 139:13-16

The Very Happy Easter Eggs

2008-03-24T21:37:00.005+08:00

I made these for my sunday school children. They were delighted.
We sat in a circle as I explained what the eggs mean (new life in Christ).

Then I asked them to take one each.
Only they didn't get to keep it, they have to give to another friend in the circle instead.
In the end everybody, including the teachers and helpers, gets one from another person in the circle. Cool.

"The Son of God ... loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

Hope you had a blessed Easter :)

the highest worship

2008-03-16T00:55:00.004+08:00

The highest worship of God is the preaching of His Word.

This is why it is important to listen to sermons.
The preaching is as important, if not more, than the singing.
Worship is not just when we sing praises.
Worship is also in listening to the preaching of His Word.
God still chooses to use preaching of His Word to bring people to salvation and to edify (teach) His people.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 10:14

May you have a blessed Sunday today, friends. :)

REMEMBER

2008-03-15T20:59:00.005+08:00

Remember
The neat steps going up to your house, nice, safe, fenceless, green grass.
The lone tree changing leaves outside matt's window.
The calls of the canadian geese going to work.
The view outside your breakfast table overlooking the pond.

Remember
Evening walk through the magnificent mile in crisp autumn air.
Lights crowning tips of the skyline.
People dressed warmly walking back home.
Past the bridge; past the wrigley; past the batman begins tower.

Remember.

Check out my new scrapbook blog at two peas!

2008-03-12T14:29:00.006+08:00

I posted a how to make an easter card at my new scrapbooking blog-site (twopeasinabucket.com) today!

Trouble!

2008-03-10T19:56:00.012+08:00

“Man born of woman
is of few days and full of trouble."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Job 14:1

Why do believers get perplexed when suffering comes? When friends betray us, when relationships crumble, when once again we fail in sin, when health and riches deteriorate? Do we think we deserve better, since we are God's children?

Indeed we are His children. More, we are heirs, together with Christ.

"because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Heb 12:6

Therefore may we rejoice all the more for our suffering. For it means we are legal children of God.

Yet as all believers through all ages, Job, Joseph, David, etc, we have a God we can cry out to. He has the power to answer all our prayers for our good. I must be looking forward toward heaven, where our true treasures are.

So fellow pilgrims, take heart! The journey will soon be over. We will reach our celestial city of heaven. Soon.

PS: Here I use a picture of lettuce on a sandwich. Because to my son it represents trouble. He has to eat it, though he doesn't like it. (Despite there is only one leaf!)

Sisters Crop

2008-03-04T23:55:00.012+08:00

I stayed up late with my sister over the weekend to scrapbook her holiday photos here last december. What an achievement! I love scrapbooking holidays not too long after the holidays.

Before she arrived, I printed double copies of all good pictures. Then chose a 6"x6" mini album SEI Preservation series for each of us, and inserted all the color coordinated papers.

She had fun choosing embellishments and arranging them and practically learned to scrap her pages from scratch. She's a fast learner, I can tell you that.

We had fun. Hope to do it again soon.

Thank God for little sisters (even when they're not so little anymore now!)

True Healing

2008-02-27T17:27:00.006+08:00

My mum was having an operation last week. And this week, a best friend is going to. Why don't they all just get healed miraculously?

Sigh. Nope. Guess that's not what really matters.

From the Bible we learn that healing that really matters in God's sight is not physical. When the prophets of OT talked about healing, it's not merely physical. We all know we will all eventually die. What is most important is spiritual.

This reminds me that this life is really real. God is really real. And what He wants for us is to be healed from real stuff that really matters.

We are sick with sin. Sin is totally real. We need to be transformed into holiness, Christ-likeness. This is the kind of healing He wants.

Yet we may pray for physical healing, for God wants us to pray for all things. But we need not be desperate about it. Because we know we're in good hands. GOD's loving, perfect wisdom filled, hands.

What I need to do is be there for them... though from far away, cos they're both in Indonesia. Prayer connects us all in spirit. God took care of them much better. God helped me to find ways to encourage them, even from such a distance.

How great is our GOD.

Pasta Lee

2008-02-25T01:42:00.008+08:00

Our family love a pasta meal. Any aglio olio pasta with no complicated topping. I even get my son to eat vegetables this way.

Here's my trusty pasta recipe. I learned all my basics from Jamie (Oliver, that is)!

Into a pot of boiling water, add some olive oil, salt, and your favorite pasta (spaghetti and penne pictured). Let boil gently for about as long as the packet tells you (8-11 minutes).

Give or take five minutes before the pasta is ready, heat up a pan with some olive oil. When it's hot, add sliced garlic until fragrant.

Put in sliced sausages, sun-dried tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, asparagus or arugula/rocket leaves, chilli padi; whatever you want. Sprinkle some dried oregano, dill, a pinch of salt and crushed black pepper.

When the pasta is al dente (not too soft, not too hard especially in the core), pour most of the water out of the pot. Then season the pasta with a splash of olive oil, oregano, salt, and crushed black pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Remove the pan from the fire, and dump the pasta into the pan. Mix well.

Serve.

2008-02-16T23:35:00.006+08:00

"He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name."
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ge 2:19

Today I went to the birdpark. As I sat in the cafe drinking my mocha, I watched all kinds of people buying nectar-filled cups to feed the birds. Their glee were evident and infectious. When a bird bravely perched on their arms, their eyes widened in excitement. They smiled happily and were positively radiant with joy.

I myself enjoyed it many times before. But now watching others went through the same thing, I was reminded of what joy it must have been for Adam when the Lord God patiently brought to him, one by one, all the animals of this world. To see what he would name them. Wow.

After Eve was created, she was given the same task also as she was her husband's helper. What joy! What privilege!

And, what joy it must have been for the Lord God Himself, to watch Adam and Even touch these animals, birds, etc for the first time. Their glee, their laughter, their happiness. Surely Eden was full of these and more!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your greatness and majesty in creation. For Your abundant love and grace in giving all these to us to enjoy and care for.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T00:41:00.005+08:00

A gift from my hubby. A Russ Berrie Mischieve the Mouse from KrisShop.

Enough said.

Offering

2008-02-12T20:35:00.004+08:00

The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love
there is no shadow in Your presence;

No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne;
Before the holy One of heaven.

It's only by Your blood,
And it's only through Your mercy,
Lord, I come.

I bring an offering of worship to my King,
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing;

Jesus may You receive the honor that You're due;
Oh Lord, I bring an offering to You.

Paul Baloche

below is the song's christmas version:

a Quote from a friend

2008-02-11T20:18:00.001+08:00

What He is doing in us is always more important than what He is doing through us.

After all that's happened, have I been discouraged because I thought my usefulness is less? Am I scampering to find new things to do, to continue to "bring glory to God", whereas actually He wants me to slow down and take more time to learn to know Him more personally, and enjoy Him?

Yes, man's (and woman's) purpose in life is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. What He is doing in me is more important to Him than my usefulness. He wants me transformed into the likeness of His Son. All I can say is, "Here am I, Lord."

happy chinese new year of the mouse !

2008-02-07T14:05:00.002+08:00

This is a snapshot of my hamster, Remy.

2008 is his kind of year.

The chinese call it year of the rats, actually. But I prefer to call it year of the mouse here. :P

Singapore Zoo used the occasion this week to show off their capybaras, which actually are the largest rodents in the world.

I still prefer mouse. Or maybe we can call it hamster year? I suppose all rodents are included in this group of 'rats'?

Gong Xi Fa Cai, everybody!

2008-02-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

"He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 2 Co 5:15

Who do I live for? Shamefully I say, for myself. For my family. For my children. For my friends. For my interests. For my travels.

But that is not what the verse commands. The verse says, "but for HIM who died.. and was raised.."

May it be so. I shall live for Him alone. He should be the reason of my every activity, every breath that I take.

Then, and only then, would I be able to truly live for those I love. My family. My beloved children. My friends. Etc.

He loves those I love with a love that is far more than my love could ever give.

Indeed there is no other way. I must live for Him alone.

2008-02-04T11:20:00.002+08:00

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 3:1

I was talking to my young son about his status as a child of God the other day. That he should start living according to that wonderful fact.
Then this morning it dawned even more on myself (you know, sometimes we may 'talk' but missed the 'walk').
I am a child of God ! How cool is that.
It's this cool:
Bought me with nothing less than the blood of His beloved Son. Given me His Holy Spirit so His presence shall forever go with me to comfort and lead me.

I am a child of God. That means I have a father, GOD: Creator, Sovereign, everything in this vast universe is under His control. Nothing can snatch me away from Him. He has given everything to save me and in the future will give me everything associated with being a child. We are joint heir with Christ !

Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear. His presence endures as I cross the raging river to reach the Celestial City on the other side.

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 8:38-39
And when compared to the sinful state He rescued me from. How great is the love of GOD! That I should be able to call Him FATHER!

Turning Leaves

2008-02-02T22:20:00.001+08:00

Turning a new leaf is hard. At least for me. I guess I'm the sort of person who is very resistant to change. Or one may call it stubborn.

Recently, in His perfect love, my gracious God has to take me out of my comfort zone. I kicked and screamed, but in the end I saw. His majesty. His grace. His love everlasting. His perfect will for me. I guess I can say He made a rainbow out of my situation. :)

"The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Zep 3:17