To God Be the Glory - It Has Been A Year

Exactly 1 year ago on this very day 21st Jan 2008, my life [and my family's] came to an 'apparent' abrupt stop. It was the day when my routine gynae check discovered a cyst that would prove to be malignant. Never would I have imagined the events that would unfold in the days to come.  As the words in Ron Hamilton's old song read, 'I could not see through the shadows ahead' - I truly understood what the song writer meant. During those days, I could not see past the days and weeks and the months ahead. The uniqueness of our situation gave us no precedence to follow. We were truly desperate and helpless people with only God whom we could depend, His word which we could rest upon and His Holy Spirit as our guide. Each step ahead for my family was thus very lonely, difficult and painful. But praise be to God whose promises never fail. As we sought desperately and pleaded relentlessly with the Lord in Word and in prayer, He established our path so that our feet would not slip. Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You , From those who rise up against them. " Psalm 17:5-7 Each step He revealed in our difficult path drew us closer to knowing who He really is. What a mighty God we serve! Let us praise and bless His Name for truly, He alone is excellent in all His wisdom, love and holiness. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, friends and youths, NOTHING ever happens that our all knowing and all loving God has not allowed to happen. Accord blame to no one and nothing for that is not our task to do when placed in a fiery trial. God has only called us to be faithful to Him and to be clean before Him at all times so that when we finally meet Him, our life on earth and that in heaven is not one that is worlds apart but rather, it would be like it has always been. I write this entry as a 'standing stone' to remind myself and all of us that God has done a great and miraculous work within our midst and He will continue to do it in our lifetime because His coming is near. Let not anything overshadow this fact nor let no one rob God of the glory and praise that is due to His holy and loving name. For the rest of my life [and whatever the Lord gives to me], I will hold up the banner of His glory high and wave it, so all may know that He is God. May God's glory never be undermine. 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Together with my husband and children, we look forward to the life ahead that He has charted out for us. Do pray with us that God would sustain our lives and as we seek the Lord's direction in our lives. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone in BFC who have laboured in prayers and tears for me, visited me, loved and cared for me and even cooked for me and my family. 

I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,

According to Your word to Your servant.

Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;

For Your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:75-77

Remember, It is always about God, not us. 'God's glory is always the issue' Jim Berg 

p/s If you would like to receive updates about my health, my family and the Lord's leading in our lives and if we could have the privilege to be included in your prayer list, please email me at teo.joann@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you:)

Week 9 [12 -19 Jan]

School of Tots is truly a privilege school cos Auntie Jan says that she prays for School of Tots everyday. What a blessing to have someone committed to praying for our children's education. School of Tots' slogan: Where Moms who love God train Children to love God. Can't wait for ChiaoChyi and Jan to come onboard:) 

It is always challenging to incorporate training in God's word, teaching children who God is, as well as include vocabulary and numbers. This week we learnt about David and Goliath and the God whom David trusted in - that God is powerful. Vocab: Small, Good, Big, Bad [that word made Sarah frown] and the number: 5 [five stones that David picked up]. It is pretty exciting as I learned how to teach our little tots because their attention span is hmm....1 min long. Anyway, we will prob have to do this lesson another 10 times before the lesson objectives are achieved. Haha!

In due time, these lessons and resources in its entirety will be complied and posted so any mom who desires to train their children in the way of the Lord can do so easily. 

Wed - Little Sarah goes to the Pasar Malam

Pasar Malams always sprout up when a festival is around the corner. It was a first for Sarah and for mommy [as she saw how pasar malams have evolved since 20 year ago].

What's little Sarah looking at?

Children in huge balloons!?! Even mommy is fascinated by the new games they have. 

Hannah & Daddy David sharing a bun

Thurs - Samuel is 6 months old! 

We thank God daily for Samuel - for he is truly a testimony of our faithful and great God. 6 months old is pretty significant for mommy, so she bought a nice 'full' cake for the celebration.

We are also so very thankful that Sarah loves Samuel and Samuel loves Sarah. That was one of mommy's heartfelt prayers. A special entry about siblings and their relationship at another time. 

Fri - A golf course walk with Josh and Jan

Josh and Jan have always been special friends because they share a same heart & mind for God. We thank God for them. It was a beautiful day at the golf course as we walked and talked as well as ran away from the sprinklers. 

Sat - Shah & Naz Pop by

These are my faithful students whom I have known since 7 years ago. They waited patiently for me to contact them especially after learning about my illness last year, afraid to impose on me. So glad to be able to see them once again:) What a lovely couple they make [*ducking my head*] haha...

Naz & Baby Sarah at 6 months

Naz & Baby Samuel at 6 months

Our Wonderful God

There is no one who has wisdom as God has

There is no one who loves like God does

There is no one as holy as God is

There is no one as trustworthy as God is

I am thankful that God is at the last line. He alone is our comfort, strength and hope.

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace. 

Week 8 [5 -11 Jan]

Tue Morning -Grassy and Sandy Tots 

School of Tots goes to Bedok Reservoir on Tues. Up the hill, it was Praise and Worship time, a short bible story and before you know it, the tots can't wait to run around the sprawling grass. Down the hill, the tots had never-ending fun with their sand toys. 

Fri Evening - Water Tots @ Seletar

Daddy and Sarah

Sarah with her new bubble machine

Mother and daughter

Soon...it will be Sammy's turn

Sat Afternoon - Cousin Carol and Kevin's Wedding

Pretty in Pink- Cousin Gayle and Little Shayna

In the meantime, baby Samuel was really busy fighting - with the program sheet. He crushes, chomps and tries to chew at his enemy...

Samuel studies his enemy...

'Oh'...Samuel reckons that his enemy is but a harmless piece of paper. 

Little Sarah's highly sensitive 'playground' radar soon pick out a playground behind the sanctuary and she was found playing and playing and playing and playing till the guests all went home.

Dear cousin Gayle & Carol, thank for faithful prayers and smses. They were an encouragement to me. I am glad that we are in the same Teo Family and in the same family of God - love Joann

Sat Nite - Family Fun with the puppets

Shu Shu Darrell and Shu Shu David turns puppeteers

The expectant audience

Sarah takes over

Week 7 [29 Dec - 4 Jan]

Looking Cool in Blue and Pink and Blue and Pink

I thought Sarah looks pretty coordinated in her head-to-toe blue and pink outfit against the blue sea, so therefore a special mention:)

Friday - Dinner with Godpa, Godma, Uncle Jonathan and Auntie Karen

Met up with Daniel's pals at work and their wives nearby at Parkway Fish and Co - Godpa Melvin, Godma Viola, Jonathan and Karen. It is nice to see everyone again. Wanted to make a trip overseas together....well, with babies and all, perhaps in the future:)

Godpa, Godma and kids

Godpa, Baby Aidan, Baby Samuel & Auntie karen

Aidan and Daniel

Sat Afternoon - New Year lunch with Daddy and Mommy at Club Chinos

I always like to see my Daddy and Sarah. They share a special relationship - the kind that mothers cannot interfere:) Of course, that is my mom and her favourite grandson. Haha....she has only one, so far.

Sunday Morning

We made a thanksgiving visit to Uncle Seow and Auntie Pat's Church in the West of Singapore. Their church prayed faithfully for me and Samuel and our family since last Jan. In particular, Pastor Anthony and his faithful replies to Daniel's emails have been the most encouraging. We finally met many of them who prayed for us and many of them finally met me and the miracle boy, Samuel. We thank God for giving us a living testimony that He is truly a God who desires to answer our prayers. What a faithful and loving God we serve!

Sarah having a whale of a time with their in house slide

An afternoon with Auntie Hwee Teng & Luke

It was then off to nice afternoon with my childhood Sunday School teacher and her son. I have always enjoyed spending time with this family - simple and unassuming. An example that I have learnt and observed from my Sunday school teacher of yore is that she brings her son along when she visits the sick, the homebound and others. That is perhaps the best way of showing Christ's example to your children - discipleship of your children in action. 

Mother and son enjoying a game of pool.