Counting blessings for 2008

As the year draws to an end, I realise I have lots to be thankful for.

Just to list a few here:

1. my job - I enjoy teaching and I'm so glad to be able to teach and have such supportive colleagues, such encouraging bosses and such interesting students from diverse backgrounds ... And this year I get to attend courses such as CTL and ACTA and the Adult Learning Symposium for personal development.

2. my friends - God has brought lots of friends into my life - friends at work, friends in church and friends from the band. God is amazing - He will bring people into your life when you most need them. Some are friends for a season and some are long-time friends. And with long-time friends, you can be thick-skinned and tell them what presents you want - so thanks Elaine for my first set of cufflinks :)

3. my family - you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family and family can drive you mad at times but family is also a safe haven where you can be yourself - I get fed, I get my clothes laundered and house cleaned, I get chauffeured, I get to play Wii and be a guitar hero...

4. my gifts - God has given me gifts to serve Him - be it at work or in church. This year I joined the choir and have opportunities to interact with adult learners...

Christmas 2008

Celebrated Christmas in church today and served with the Wesley Wind Ensemble.
Can you spot me? Do I really look like Rev Wendy Watson? Hmm...

Anyway, the sermon for the day was thought-provoking. Wesley Methodist Church held its first service exactly one hundred years ago (25 Dec 1908) at the original building at Fort Canning. The church is still standing as it is built on the same foundation as Jesus but we have to ask ourselves: Are we standing still? Are we living in foolish contentment or do we possess real hunger to be followers of Christ, the newborn King?

And we had our family Christmas dinner at my sister's place on Christmas eve. Sam's family came and Priscilla came too. We had lots of food - I contributed the turkey, the roast beef and the apple crumble, Sam brought the ham and my sis took charge of the rest with lots of help from Vilma - the potato with cheese, the fried rice, the roast chicken, the salad, grilled mushrooms and log cake and drinks! Yummy!

Christmastide

Christmas is a season of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, which begins with Christmas Eve and continues through the day of Epiphany. The name "Christmas" comes from the season's first service, the Christ Mass. The liturgical colour for this season is white, symbolising celebration and purity.

Becca's birthday

Specially took leave to celebrate Becca's 14th birthday.

I've been so busy and the girls have been so busy that it has been challenging trying to find time to do things together, so am so glad that I managed to take leave today.

Glad for all the little ones in my life and the joy they bring... :)

Vilma's baptism at Sentosa

Vilma decided to take a stand for her faith and chose to be baptised this December.

The whole family trooped down to support her and in the meantime, the children had some fun.

Phoebe played with crazy cups and we all had a swinging time crossing the bridge to the small island where the service took place.

Niece's wedding

Attended my niece's wedding today.
She's the daughter of my cousin (son of 2nd aunt) - the first of her generation to get married, so it was a BIG thing... so much excitement...

Wah - makes me feel so old... :P

Advent

The church year begins with Advent, a season of preparation for the Lord's coming, which is 4 weeks before Christmas.

The season proclaims the coming of the Christ - whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate.

The liturgical colour for this season is purple symbolising penitance and preparation.

Here I am with my shifu, Irene Bronsveld, from the alto section.

Asher's baptism

Asher was baptised today and the family promised to bring him up in the ways of the Lord.
The name "Asher" comes from the Bible and it means happy.
He is so aptly named - he smiles most of the time and he is so adorable with his distinctive hairdo.

And on today, his baptism day, he gave me a muack on the cheek! :)

Asher turns one!

Asher is one!

We celebrated his birthday at Changi Rise on 1 Nov and he had a 3D Thomas birthday cake!

And we celebrated his actual birthday again at Swensens with the Firehouse Happy Birthday sundae. And we got two sundaes cos it's Vilma's birthday as well!

Collection of Hard Rock Cafe Tees

Decided to take photos of all the Hard Rock Cafe tees that I have - thanks, Esther, for my latest acquisition from St Loius!

New car

Decided to get a new car - a blue altis after the old champagne gold altis has served us well for almost 5 years....

CASAS Trainers

Had the privilege of meeting Jim, Ardis and Lori from CASAS.

It was a wonderful learning experience from 15 to 19 Sep.

Zelia arrives

San San's baby girl Zelia arrives at 8.05am...

Ho Chi Minh City: 11-14 Sep 08

Visited Cress with Sam - our first time to Vietnam.

Cress was so hospitable - we had so much fun.

We went on the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnel tours and ate lots of pho and yummy Vietnamese food.

Capon

Ate a castrated rooster at the Bible Society's fund-raiser at the Meritus Mandarin when WindWorkz performed for the 4th time in August.

Didn't know what it was when I ate it - thought it was just chicken... It's supposed to be extra tender... knowing what it is now doesn't help... just some fowl thoughts... :P

FYI - on the menu.. the main course reads
Baked French Yellow Capon filled with Foie Gras & Chestnut,
Sauteed Cepe & Chanterelles Mushrooms,
Vine tomato filled with Organic Rice Quinoa,
Green Asparagus

Lory Loft - Jurong Bird Park

Went to the Bird Park with the Asher and Phoebe.

The last time we went was when Phoebe was one plus. I was pretty impressed with the Lory Loft, where the colourful birds were allowed to fly freely and perch on us.

Joined the choir

Sam and I decided to serve in the John Wesley choir.  
Our first time with the choir today singing our very first choir anthem - "He raised me up"...

43 years of Independence!

Prayer for Singapore:

Almighty God. You have given us this beautiful island of Singapore as our heritage. Make us remember Your generosity and help us to constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violent, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us a united people. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice in our beloved land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and in troubled times, do not let our trust in You fail. Bless our land with your Word. Bless Your church so that her life becomes a living testimony of Your Gospel. We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Saviour and King. Amen.


The Brickers met today at Ann's place and studied Daniel 7. I was reminded that when God says something more than once it is importance and was also reminded that only God's kingdom is eternal and that as saints, we have a part in God's kingdom.

Maurind made us a special drink to celebrate National Day. God bless Singapore!

080808 - Top Table

A few good friends gathered for a good meal at the Top Table, Temasek Culinary Academy. There was lots of laughter and catching up. It was a special day - the eve of National Day, which also happened to be the day of Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Singapore Garden Festival

Went to the Singapore Garden Festival again. The last time was when it was held two years ago. I'm still very impressed with the lovely exhibits.



This exhibit won the first prize. Lovely, eh?



This one's called - Seeking Shangri-la. It looks like an underwater fanstasy...





I just liked the two exhibits above and deliberately took them from the selected angle with my trusty SE K800i.

Bell's Palsy

Dad woke up yesterday saying his face felt numb and he had difficulty opening his eyes. He found it difficult to swallow too. We were all afraid that it could be a second stroke. It's almost 5 years now since his last stroke.

He went to TTSH, needed a brain scan and was warded.

The brain scan results came out today and praise the Lord! It's not a stroke but a viral infection called Bell's Palsy which is a form of facial paralysis resulting from damage to the facial nerves.There is no cure or treatment for Bell's Palsy. So he's only given some medicine to fight viral infection and inflammation. Thus, he's discharged today and is home. 

The prognosis is generally very good. The extent of the nerve damage determines the extent of recovery. Most individuals get better within 2 weeks after the initial onset of the symptoms and recover completely within 3 to 6 months.

My THECkies

When I was doing staff training, I had to facilitate a group of new lecturers whom I fondly call "THECkies".

My THECkies are a good bunch and I'm glad to know that they are trying to be better lecturers.

Well, as I've said before - people come and people go and Kia's one of those who has left and is leaving for Beijing. Jeanne and I met her for lunch and wished her well.

I'm sure God has put the THECkies in my life for His purpose and I've been much encouraged by them.

God bless you, Kia!

God's will

Read Esther's blog and was reminded by what she learnt from church. In that sermon, the pastor said, "Most of us have got it all wrong. We do not ask God what His will for us is... we should ask Him what HIS will is and how we can be a part of His will...".

And this is what I learnt from the Experiencing God course some years ago.

It's important to know what God's will is and to obey Him. One way to start is to spend more time with Him...

PS. Just came back from B.R.I.C.K. meeting and we completed Daniel chapter 6. Daniel did not neglect to continue his regime of prayers even when King Darius imposed a new rule and thus, he was thrown into the lion's den. Daniel knew what God's will is and did his best to obey God.

Shape Run 2008

Sam and I took part in the Shape Run for the 2nd time this year. We actually walked 5km la.
But I'm so proud of the fact I did it under 1 hour. This is especially as I haven't been exercising much since I broke my toe.

Being Alive

Attended a concert by Robin Goh entitled - "Happy Robin" with Christian, Jeffrey and Sam.
Robin sings well and I enjoyed his selection of primarily jazz pieces.

This particular one - "Being Alive" (from the 1970 Broadway musical, Company) caught my attention. I've not heard of it before but I was thinking that human experience and human relationships truly make one aware of being alive.

Someone to hold you too close
Someone to hurt you too deep
Someone to sit in your chair
And ruin your sleep
And make you aware of being alive

Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell
And give you support for being alive - being alive
Make me alive, make me confused
Mock me with praise, let me be used
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive.

Somebody hold me too close
Somebody force me to care
Somebody make me come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you of being alive
Being alive, being alive

Someone you have to let in
Someone whose feelings you spare
Someone who, like it or not
Will want you to share a little, a lot of being alive
Make me alive, make me confused
Mock me with praise, let me be used
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive

Somebody crowd me with love
Somebody force me to care
Somebody make me come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you to help us survive
Being alive, being alive,
Being alive, being alive.

Dad's 60th Birthday

Dad celebrated his 6oth birthday at the Changi Rise function room with a catered dinner.

He invited Pastor Moses and his family from Nagaland. His children, Samuel, Johsua and Ruth and their cousin, Arvin put up a performance for him.

Asher, Phoebe and the chey-cheys enjoyed themselves too.

The world vs the Word - on Giving

The world says: "Be sure you get what's coming to you."
The Word says: "Life doesn't consist of what you possess."

The world says: "Spend and accumulate goods."
The Word says: "Give and you will develop character."

The world says: "Wealth is a person's security."
The Word says: "Refuge in God is our security."

The world says: "You deserve the best."
The Word says: "God deserves the best."

The world says: "Give so that you may obtain favour from others."
The Word says: "Give because you have received favour from God."

The world says: "See your own gratification."
The Word says: "Offer to God your gratitude."

Prayer:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we Your servants pray, give us an awareness of Your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may make known Your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by offering to You what You deserve, by giving up ourselves to Your service, and by walking before You in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory throughout the ages. Amen.

Hind's Feet on High Places and Adam: God's Beloved

When God created man, He created in him a need for intimacy. This need pushes man to search for something to satisfy it. He will not know true peace until his heart finds God, who is Love, and rest in Him. This search begins a long and perilous journey to attain the relationship which God wants with man, a perfect union with the Shepherd, where deformities and fears become transformed.

This blossoming relationship of love between God and man is described in Hannah Hurnard's modern allegory, Hind's Feet on High Places. It is the story of a young woman named Much-Afraid, and her journey away from her Fearing family and into the High Places of the Shepherd, guided by her two companions Sorrow and Suffering. The book takes its title from Habakkuk 3:19, "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."

Hind's Feet on High Places is a very interesting book with many lessons to impart. I realise that I have much in common with Much-Afraid - I need to learn Acceptance-with-Joy and Bearing-with-Forgiveness. Eventually, I hope to leap like a deer.

I also just completed Henri Nouwen's book - Adam: God's Beloved where it is evident that though we may not be physically handicapped like Adam, we are much handicapped in other ways. Through Adam, I learn the importance of communing with God and finding that perfect rest in Him.

June 08 Holidays

The big chey-cheys have a very busy schedule in June but they still made time for their god-cousins who adore them very much...