My Thanksgiving for 2008

Thank you God for ....EVERYTHING

For allowing me to learn about life and all its realities;

The vitality and purposefulness of life in the midst of its' brevity and hopelessness

The rejoicing of life renewed and anew in the midst of sorrow and pain

Thank you God for teaching me the one most important lesson that 

"In You alone, I should please"

For freeing me from the cumbersome burdens of obligations on all fronts

Oh, what liberty there is in Christ - if only we live to please Him alone

Liberty in friendships, liberty in engagements, 

Liberty in worship, Liberty in service

Liberty in conversations, liberty in all I do and say

Thank you God for the year of pruning, cutting, throwing and sowing

For literally removing everything that is unnecessary in my life

If I would have done it myself, it would have taken another lifetime

I pray, only fill and replace it now with what you deem is necessary

Thank you God. Thank you

"I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end."

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Little Sarah the photographer

Children really 'parrot' their parents. Little Sarah has always seen mommy and Auntie Chiaochyi snapping away on their digital cams. Slowly but surely, she has learnt to pick up the camera, switch it on and press the button. Sarah says, 'Take! Take' as she does so. Here are some pictures from her modest portfolio. (Pardon the out of focus shots for they are really taken from a toddler's point of view.) 

This is entirely taken without mommy's knowing

A shot of Daddy

A shot of Didi in his cot

A shot of mommy trying to say 'take take' and smile at the same time

Week 5 [15-21 Dec]

A busy week with special meetups and birthday celebrations during the weekend. I thank God again for giving me life and strength this week.

Mon - Miracle Samuel turns 5 months. 

Dear Samuel, 

There were periods of time when you were in my tummy that I feared how you would turn out to be. O mommy of little faith. In my mind, I went through the possibilities of an entire new life and ministry if you were to turn out different from the other babies. It would be very difficult but I was sure that our dear God would give me the strength to raise you up. But together along with me, were many who loved you and prayed that the Lord would not only preserve you but that you would be a healthy, normal and lovely baby who would learn to fear God. 

Oh, Praise God for His abundant grace and faithfulness. You are more than normal. You are beautiful to the glory and honor of His name. You came out with a chock full of hair, your hearing is so extremely sensitive that you startle at the slightest noise. And the most wonderful thing is that you are growing very well. Your bounces and kicks are most powerful and exhausting:) I pray that God would continue to sustain your health and that no complications would come your way. God knows how heartbroken I would be to see you or Sarah in pain.

May you come to learn of God and know Him at a young age. May the Lord continue to give you physical and spiritual health and strength. May you learn to love the Lord your God with all your strength, your mind and your soul. Amen

Wed - Packing My Table

I never would have thought that I would be packing my bags so soon. My table was left pretty much undisturbed since my sudden disappearance from school on 21st Jan. I guess the sight of 10 month old muesli bars, cranberries as well as cereal was a little bit appalling to my special packers for the day - Sandra, Yixiang and Alodie. I am glad they were so ready to help out cos I wouldn't have made it considering the amount of stuff I needed to sort, pack and throw. It was off to lunch and a belated birthday treat for my packers:) A special entry on teaching at another time. 

Reviews for packers:

Yixiang - The resolute thrower. If you are the undecided sort, this 'packer' is highly recommended cos she can't wait to throw everything.

Sandra - The informed sorter. If you are an English and Literature teacher, this 'packer' is the one to employ as she is able to sort out your materials accordingly. 

Alodie - The diligent packer. If you are looking for a conscientious packer, Alodie is highly recommended. She sticks to the task and not likely to be distracted. 

Thurs - Jinghui Pops By

Me and Jinghui [and the ever active Sarah]

Jinghui is a real gem of a student from USSS days [of course Naz too]. He really takes time to visit his teachers and even remembers to buy them a gift [something that I tried to do but could never keep up]. He is currently studying in UCL and he is back home for the holidays. I really enjoyed time catching up with him.  Listening to his philosophy about life and his future was revealing about how important an influence parents are on shaping and influencing the lives of their children. That reminds me of how I should always make my decisions circumspectly and align myself to God and His word because my children would consciously or subconsciously follow after them. 

Fri - Morning Walk at Bedok Reservoir with Mabel.

It was an ideal morning. No hot sun and plenty of breeze. Spent a fruitful time walking and talking to Mabel. Yes, we will do reading the next time on the grassy slopes:)

BBQ at Wee Beng's House

This is a bbq which I most thoroughly enjoyed. Good quality food and for me, the considerate chef prepared steam pomfret and of course, some nibbles here and there. Most importantly, fun that is mindful of God makes the evening well spent.

Sat - Hannah's [Sarah's best friend's] 1st Birthday Party

It is amazing how it was just a blink of a time ago when we were at the lounge of Mount Elizabeth just last year, waiting for the birth of Hannah. How she has grown:) Here's a picture of the 3 cousins together.

It was quite fun doing decor for Hannah's birthday party. I only wish I had enough hands to take pictures of Darrell, me, Ivan and Wee Beng stuffing 50 helium filled balloons into 2 cars for Hannah's party. It is kinda hilarious. 

Sun - Special Sunday Service for Homebound Jan 

After church, some of us trod to Josh and Jan's house for a special church service for dear Jan. Simple and nice. 

David's Birthday Dinner Celebration at Kusinbo Great World City

At least this year, we remembered to celebrate David's birthday...haha [thanks to his faithful wife]. He is always the forgotten one cos his birthday falls in the midst of tours and special events. 

Our 1st Christmas Together

[pardon my absence as we struggle with a new internet connection]

A blessed Christmas to our family, friends, colleagues, students and loved ones [and accidental readers of this blog] This photo is a really special one to me because it is the first Christmas our family is celebrating together. We thank God for this blessing that I wouldn't have even imagine at the beginning of the year. Mommy Joann's resolution is to be able to take one every year as a reminder that God is the giver and sustainer of life and all things good. God bless you all and we love you all very much!

Our Hidden Holiday Gem

All were apprehensive as we set off to a never-gone-before place in Malaysia with the whole family. Daniel stumbled onto this place while searching for an ideal 'near-Singapore-can-fish-relaxing' resort. Looking back, we can only praise and thank God for this wonderful break at a 'near-Singapore-can-fish-relaxing' resort facing the South China Sea. It was beautiful. God's grace often leaves me speechless. [Dan & Jo Adventures Unlimited is making a comeback:)]

This is where we stayed - lakeside cottage

The veranda overlooking South China Sea

The swimming pool

The family photo

My precious family

 

The happy children

Week 4

We thank God for another lovely week that we could have opportunities to meet up with people as well as do some tasks. It was a little hectic though- buying prizes for youth camp as well as preparing for our short family trip over the weekend. 

Monday Lunch at Auntie Leng's. Auntie Leng was a dear to volunteer her help to take care of Samuel with my mom and mom-in-law during his first month as well as take care of me while I recuperated from the operation since July 15th. We thank God for Auntie's Leng love to our family. [Sarah posing so nicely for the shot]

Tuesday - Walk and butterfly catching with Uncle Dr Chua. 

Wed - It was a beautiful afternoon at Upper Pierce Reservoir as Sarah ran around with the youths during one of their games day in youth camp. 

Thurs - A special lunch outing with Elaine. Elaine is a special friend whom I met during one of my chemotherapy sessions. You cannot imagine what comfort it is to be able to make a friend during these circumstances. Her situation is strikingly similar to mine -same age, married for the same number of years as well as being diagnosed with the same condition as I. It was an enjoyable afternoon of conversation at a quiet organic restaurant in Bishan Park.

  

Sat - Visited dear Jan and baby Joann. So glad to see dear Jan doing well with her baby. 

Sunday - Off to a "Hidden Gem in Malaysia"

Week 3 - Little Sarah Goes to Children's Camp

I thank God for working out this camp - that at the heart of our Christian life and everything we do, we  are made to 'Glorify God'.

Little Sarah and Jie Jie Hazel

Little Sarah's expectant look.

And of course, Jan has delivered baby Joann. Praise God for a healthy baby:) [sigh...for once, I forgot to bring my camera]

Week 2

My weekly routine consists of morning walks either at Tanjong Rhu or Bedok Reservoir as they are only about 7 mins drive from my place. Bedok Reservoir is a lovely place to walk - fresh 'green' air and lovely butterflies for Daniel and Sarah to run after. Anyone is more than welcome to join my family for a morning walk & run after Sarah..haha, juz drop me an sms:)  We thank God for another nice week as smses came. I hope it continues this way.

Thursday Afternoon - Swimming. It was an afternoon of splashing good time with Weining and Shasha. Weining is Daniel's cousin, and that makes her Sarah's Auntie. Shasha is the daughter of a dear colleague of mine who has passed on and she is really a splitting image of her beautiful mother. Having Shasha over to play is precious to me as her mom was precious to me. I was really glad to bring her out with Sarah. 

 

Thursday Evening - Hannah's 11 month celebration. Next to the pacifier, Hannah is Sarah's best friend. It is truly a blessing to see Hannah grow from strength to strength and to think that she will turn 1 in a month's time. Amazing grace!

Beautiful Bedok Reservoir and my walking path

The 3 butterfly catchers

Weining singing "The Hills are alive..."

Friday Morning - Bedok Reservoir. Our favourite morning haunt. Weining joined us that morning as she camped over at our place. After a red ant scare, Weining was happy just to be the certified 'butterfly net holder'. Sarah was a brave one...haha, following Daddy as he tried to find 'painted jezebels' and 'blue swallowtails'. A round of applause for the Butterfly Catchers.

 

Friday Evening - Gong Gong's Birthday. It is another year that God has preserved Gong Gong and given him good health - something that we cannot take for granted. With 4 generations under one roof, it was a nice and 'crammed' dinner.

Saturday Night - Waiting at the hospital. My sister goes into the labour ward requesting for 'hokkien mee'. Of course, I rolled my eyes at her request. Anyway, false alarm, so the family trudges back home. 

Sunday - Isabella is out!  At about 3 am, sis called to say 'She is ok. Baby is very cute'. It only dawned on me in the morning that baby Isabel had a very smooth delivery. Her mother sounded really awake and strong. Thank God for a uncomplicated delivery. 

Sunday - Samuel goes to church. Uncle YH takes some lovely shots of mommy and Samuel.