Our Dear Sammy - God's Dear Sammy

Before a whole deluge of blogging of the everyday routine [of which I understand that is a blessing to have], the incident deserves a record for many reasons. 

Monday night was finally a day of normality and routine given the preparation and celebration of Sarah's 2nd birthday party [to be updated soon]. The usual dinner with the whole family together and of course a night of unwrapping presents and having Sarah and Hannah play with the new presents. All was fine and well until suddenly, my mom-in-law suddenly noticed that Sammy, in his quiet, explorative self seem to have something in his mouth. A plastic coin which came from one of Sarah's new presents was picked up quietly by Sammy and he had 'naturally' popped it into his mouth. Her quick thinking dug the coin out from his throat and what followed after made my heart stop and my mind spin. Sammy threw up a little of his dinner and for fear that he swallowed more, Daniel immediately turned him around and thumped his back repeatedly. For a split moment, Sammy's face turned red and his body looked limp. My thoughts were confused. Daniel continued to thump his back repeatedly with desperate resolution and cried out to God. I looked at Sammy and Daniel helplessly. Suddenly, Sammy burst out crying. To the doctors, they realized that the worst is over. But to me, it had only dawned on me that we almost lost Sammy. Later, as my husband revealed, if Sammy remained that way for another 1.5 minutes, he would have suffered brain damage and died. 

That night was long as we headed to AE to see if the missing coin was lodged in Sammy's small frame. Well, that visit yielded nothing but we were so heartened to see active and smiley Sammy return to his full glory. Till this day, that scene of limp Sammy and Daddy thumping his back is vivid and a grave reminder of how close Sammy came to the brink of death. 

Mommy learnt many lessons that day. She was reminded again of how close everyone is to death [especially herself] and that it is only by God's grace that we are sustained. How much more thankful we need to be. Mommy has also been reminded that she needs to be more vigilant with her children for that is her foremost vocation and priority. Mommy is reminded of the ministry of mercy and love of which many showed during these critical times and of which Jesus Christ was the greatest example. In all His wisdom and deity, Jesus chose to spend time with the rejected, the poor, the selfish and even those who were out to create trouble for Him. Mommy is reminded that our purpose on earth is to bring glory to our creator. Many thoughts amidst many thanksgiving.

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.

Psalm 115:1-2

A Note From Sarah's Daddy

Dearest Praying Friends,

Apr 25th will remain a very significant day in our lives together as a family. It is a mile-Stone in our lives in many ways. We remember God in His sovereign ways and graces, And we also remember the memories surrounding the events of this date in the past 2 years. Similarly, we can never, and will NEVER forget the precious love, comfort, prayers and support all of you had shown to us during our times of need.  Through your words, thoughts and deeds both in person and through emails/smses, both at home and those overseas. We thank you for all you have done, and thank God for blessing us all (I hope you too) through these. We are still on this journey, preserved by His grace, and through your prayers on our behalf, for which we are always indebted. May I express once again our love and gratitude which transcends all temporal differences.

This evening we celebrate her 2nd birthday at the familiar grounds of Fairy Point Chalet 7. For many reasons, of which our tight schedule features most, we have not planned any large scale meeting like the past 2 years and have kept the guest list small. As we face the familiar sunset and the circling eagles, I am sure we will have fond memories of the time of worship and prayer we had together last year. I pray the Lord will preserve all of us, and bring us back together in warm fellowship in the Spirit, in due time, as we allow time to bring clarity and recovery from where we have left off.

Allow us as a family to express to you all our Love and Gratitude in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Bless You all,

Daniel, Joann, Sarah and Samuel

My Niece Isabel

Isabel is really cute. So fair, so chubby and so nice to hug:)

Hide and Seek

This pic cracks me up! Silly Sarah:)

Goldilocks, Move Aside!

Sarah and Hannah love going to Ikea with their Mommys. Whenever they are there, rest assured, they leave no 'bedsheets' unturned. I think they give Goldilocks a good run for her money. Our Totnadoes are true to their name:)

Precious Little Sarah's Big Day

Just in case you are wondering what to get little Sarah - buy books, books and more books:) Precocious little Sarah loves books and she would be entering into the age of 'Why?' real soon and mommy hopes that she would understand the expansive world which God created.  From Christian bible stories, to Aesop fables, to art and craft books, to nature books, to informative books and even chinese books. Saw these National Geographic Windows on Literacy books and they look great. [http://www.edventurebooks.com/NG/WOL/emergent.htm]. Haha...before this turns out to be mommy's wish list, our Sarah loves stickers and sticker books.  But in any case, please please don't fret over it because Sarah just loves playmates on her birthday. So to all who comes, do play with her:)

A Busy Saturday

Today was an extremely packed Saturday. I think we had 4 engagements in all. Within 3 of such engagements, I bumped into people I knew since my teenage years and had a wonderful time catching up and sharing with them how the Lord delivered me and Samuel.

Morning with Godpa & Godma

It has been a long time since we met up with the children's Godpa and Godma, who are flying off to UK for further studies. About year and a half ago, Dan and I were making plans to go to UK too. Well, it seems like the Lord has other plans for us. We had a great breakfast time at Hans@ Trinity Paya Lebar cos the children had the whole place to run and scream. 

Sarah and her 'skinermerincky' pose

You can tell by the flying kick that Sarah really feels at home here:)

Lunch at JoEn's Birthday Party

We went home, bathed the kids, grabbed their porridge and off we headed to Macdonald's for JoEn's birthday party.

I think it is every child's dream to have their birthday party at Macdonald's...dunno about kids nowadays. But I have to say, it was really fun for the kids, especially Sarah. 

Birthday boy JoEn in his Superman costume.

Sarah's Happy Meal Goody Bag

Daniel, his classmates, their wives and babies

A typical shot when you have babies. Only Eugene and Sujia appear unfazed with their kiddo. 

Wedding Solemnization of Raewyn and Paul

It was back home, put the children to sleep for a couple of hours, dress them up, take their dinner and off we went to Raewyn and Paul's solemnization. 

Dinner with the Family@ Peach Garden

Darrell's treat to the family after getting his 1st pay check from official teaching.

Another Costume Party

Much to our delight, the kids were stuffed yet again into their costumes. The last time, we had 1 willing tot and 2 unwilling tots. This time, we did better. We have 2 willing tots and 1 defenceless tot. Hahaha....

photo compliments from Auntie Chiao Chyi

Samuel Turns 9 months!

Sarah is really excited for Samuel during this birthday celebration ....cos Sammy's cake sports a cool blue car. Haha...you can only find this kind of cake at the neighbourhood confectionery. It's pretty cool. Sarah did a double take as she passed the fridge that held all the cakes and their different colored cars.

Well, apart from the exciting cake, Sammy is growing real well. He can clap his hands, wave goodbye, growl like a lion when he is upset and most amusingly, he loves to sing. Whenever Daddy plays worship music in the car, Sammy just sings along. I think he is going to be a preacher boy and worship leader. We love Sammy and thank God daily for him. 

Here's looking at you:)

DJ Adventures Unlimited: Kota Kinabalu 1-4th April

The Kota Kinabalu trip was really very memorable for many reasons. Before this trip, I knew nothing about KK, only that many budget airlines fly there for as cheap as $78. After much surfing and reading and surfing and reading and surfing and reading, a holiday itinerary was formed [and so I thought]. Bookings were made at Mount Heritage Resort and Spa at Kinabalu Park and we were all ready to go. Just 2 days before we were to fly to KK, I stumbled upon a beautiful place as I was surfing for places of interest to visit. It's website is not officially published and it was only through someone's blog that this place was recommended. Well, I don't believe things happen by chance and so, I believe that it was God's providence that we found ourselves there. We thank God for a beautiful holiday and safety as well. 

Day 1

Auntie Chiaochyi was well equipped with flight entertainment for the children. 

Down from the flight, the 8 of us boarded our pre-booked van and off we went in search of our lunch. Lunch was at a popular joint that the locals go to. Just the kind of place we like to go. And it serves delicious fish soup of every kind possible. After lunch, it was a 2 hour journey to Kundasan to our special hidden resort. 

Of course, how can Dan miss eating durians in Malaysia? So we had durian supper before we all went to bed with the many many insects.

Day Two

With all the travelling the previous day, we all decided to sleep in. As the sun peeped over the clouds and sneaked into our room, Sarah and Samuel and Daddy and Mommy refused to get up. Finally, having snoozed for the longest time, mommy decided to set a good example...haha. Thinking that it was 11 am and time for brunch, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was only 8 am. Amazing. The sun rises real early and so we were all tricked:) A simple breakfast and we were off to a golf course just up the slope from where we stayed. The golf course was to become our favorite hangout during our trip. You will soon see why...Being at the golf course, overlooking Mount Kinabalu was kinda surreal...it was as if we were in a scene taken directly out of  'Sound of Music'. It is awesome and spectacular - surely Someone greater than us created all of this.

[The following are lovely shots taken by my sis in law Chiao Chyi and I am really thankful for her & her ministry to me and my family. ]

This is the family [missing Darrell] which played a pivotal part in my life especially when I was diagnosed with my illness last Jan. I think everyone changed their schedules and perhaps plans in order to support me and Dan as I underwent 3 operations and 6 treatments. I think none of us could even imagine being together like this a year ago...I count it a blessing to be able to take family vacations together.

God's miracle baby 

My lovely family

Me and my beloved hubby

Preparing for our family photoshoot

Little Sarah intruding into Hannah's family shot

That evening, we had a classic dinner in the dark - cos there was a blackout. For a moment, our cosmopolitan-accustomed eyes could not get use to the natural darkness. It was pretty disconcerting but hilarious at the same time. When the light finally came on about half and hour later or so, we all cheered with delight [including Hannah]. I guess we really experienced mountain living in all its reality that night. It was very memorable. Only regret... we couldn't really see what we ate that night:)

Day Three

Whenever people head to Kinabalu, they would either climb the mountain or visit the National Park. Haha...we did neither cos we found beautiful flowers and behemoth butterflies right at our backyard [a pretty good excuse for staying in].

This is the start of our morning walk up the trail - for butterfly catching and mountain trekking.

 

Meet Sarah the butterfly catcher 

Meet Sarah, the flower picker

Meet Sarah - the Hannah catcher. Haha...I can hear Shu Shu David scolding Sarah now.

We had an ambitious BBQ supper planned by my hubby which never came to fruition. It was a bbq of fish, seafood and chicken. As they only sold live chicken in the market, here is the chicken which we ate before it was ---- by Wilnie. 

There are alot more photos...but I'm calling it a night. With CC and mine combined, I think we took close to a few hundred shots. Go onto her flicker at www.chiaochyi.wordpress.com for more shots and in the meantime, this final shot just about sum up my feelings about this trip and why it is so memorable.

What riches we truly receive when we are rid of our luxuries,

What freedom we truly have when we are rid of our obligations,

What beauty we truly behold when we are rid of our excesses

Life in all its simplicity enables us to see 

God in all the fullness of His Glory

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Matthew 5

At the Cross

At the Cross at the Cross

Where I first saw the light

And the burden of heart rolled away

It was there by faith , I received my sight 

And now I am happy all the day.

A song that I learnt when I was a child - one that I enjoyed very much to sing and play. Just looking at the words again made me realize how theologically loaded this simple chorus is - but beyond that, truly it is the Cross of Christ that makes all the difference to the one who does not know him as well as to the one that knows him.

'S' for Sarah the Sweet and Sensitive Girl

Our dear little Sarah is a sweet and very sensitive girl. On one occasion, mommy reads 'Thumbelina' to her [that has since become her favorite story] and when it came to the part when Thumbelina sits on a lily pad and cries because she is alone and misses her mom, Sarah's mouth starts to droop. As the story progresses and Thumbelina finds herself yet in another of those lonely situations, Sarah now looks really sad and 2 teardrops start to trickle down her face. At the climax, she buries her head in mommy's lap and cries. Mommy knows that Sarah is beginning to understand and follow plots in storybooks and at the same time, her heart is warmed to know that Sarah is a sensitive little toddler. 

The other occasion just happened last night when Sarah first watched 'Dumbo'. To the many who do not know the story [neither did I until last night], Dumbo is a baby elephant who has very extraordinarily huge flapping ears but one who is very loved by his mommy. As the story goes, Dumbo is often the butt of jokes. During one of the circus performances, Dumbo was bullied by some inconsiderate boys. Seeing all that was happening, Dumbo's loving mother flew into a rage in a bid to defend her poor helpless baby and eventually, found herself locked up in a cage and labelled as a 'mad elephant'. Dumbo is thus painfully separated from his mommy. From the point when the bullying started, Sarah's face has started to change and to the point of separation, Sarah was in tears and crying out loud and clamoring for mommy. Well, that's the end of Dumbo for Sarah and her mommy. 

While, it is amusing for adults to observe these responses from very young children, I have learnt a valuable lesson - or more aptly, made some resolves. I am resolved not to prematurely expose little Sarah to the painful realities of mankind and life. I believe there is a time and place for everything.  Whilst I cannot shield her from the realities in life, the best way I can 'protect' her and Samuel is to give her a knowledge of the great God who loves and cares for her and pray that her faith and relationship with God would enable her to stand firm in the midst of all of life [the good and bad]. God is more than enough.

The Lord Guides me Step by Step

I am again awed and overwhelmed to know how God is concern for every aspect of my life. In my previous post [2 post ago], as I sought to commit my reading and learning to Him...my thoughts and questions were many. I was sure I needed to start but I wasn't sure where to start because it seemed like a plethora of information to 'conquer'. As I was at a Christian bookroom, looking to buy books for someone's birthday, a book caught my attention. When I went home that day, and read through the preface and the first few chapters - I was again very very overwhelmed with my need. I finally knew where I was to start - A study of God, His character and His attributes. This wasn't new to me. In fact, I have attempted to do so without much impetus. But perhaps, I never made it through because my intention or rather my ambition was to 'conquer' the information. But that day, the desire was as fresh as the morning dew and the insight was as clear as the morning light. And I know that this desire does not come from me because it is so 'unnatural' for me. I now know why I want to pursue this reading - because knowing who God is makes all the difference in how I would live my life as a wife, a mother, and as a member of the body of Christ and most importantly, as a child of my heavenly Father and LORD, to whom I owe everything. I am so excited...

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.." Ephesians 1:17-20

We're back!

It was going off to a different world. We survived the mountains, clouds, huge butterflies, bugs, insects, spiders, live chicken, an icy cold stream, a blackout and not to forget, CATS! [one of those 4 legged furballs that I have a phobia for] Haha, all in all, I am thankful again that we found ourselves at a little hidden treasure trove. A blessed break indeed! More of our holiday in future entries:) Yes, HL, will sign you up for our next School of Tots overseas learning journey.