14th Feb

Finally, he's coming back...on Valentine's Day. I thank God for His faithfulness in healing Daniel and allowing him precious time to read and study His word. I thank you friends for your prayers. Well, can't help the misty veil that covers my eyes everytime I hear this song...a song my hubby always sings to me whenever he hears it play on his pocket pc.

A Love Forevermore

No flower in the spring, no summer's breeze

No early autumn colouring, nor candle in the winter's window

Can compare to your bright smile

You walk into this place

Heaven's brightness seems to frame your pretty face

And all the while I know the secret

Your outward beauty's from within

I thank my God for every memory

You're always brightening my day

I'm blessed to know that we are both committed

To each other every waking moment

You're everything to me

My sweet companion you shall always ever be

I want to say I dearly love you

Both right now and evermore

I thank you for your life

I thank you for your time

I thank you for your love

Be my love forevermore

*You are Invited! Please read the fine print!

To all students past and present, I will be opening my house from 1-5pm, this Sunday 13th Feb for you to visit me. But to gain entrance to my place, the following terms and conditions need to fulfilled:

1. Attend a beautiful church service with Mrs Tan in the morning
2. Bring 2 Oranges [purple with yellow polka dots] willingly and cheerfully
3. Be ready to clean the house after paying your respects

*Contact William [Chairman 2004] for more details. [oops, did i forget to ask you, William?]

While (2) and (3) are consistent of my hilarious sense of humour and can be treated lightly, (1) is a heartfelt request that you may taste and see that my Lord is good.

Daniel in India

To all who have been remembering my hubby in prayers:

Praise God for His hand of protection. Daniel is doing much better today. Surviving on chocolates and apple juice for the past few days, he is showing sure signs of recovery. SMS 37 - "...I just had my 1st dinner in 4 days because they had clear chicken soup. Drank 4 bowls...waiters amused. At least I got to read and play soccer..."

Do continue to pray for his safety as he travels about 5 hours by car to reach the airport on Sunday. I covet your prayers and thank you in advance.

Opening Ceremony of Blog!

After much deliberation, consideration, weighing, rationalization ...

in truth, after much effort, I have decided to have a blog!!!
Official Launch: 6 Feb 2005, 11:30 pm
*cutting of ribbons*clap clap*streamers*

Thank you to my blog adminstrators.

For donations , kindly email me your bank account for an automatic giro deduction.

Overwhelmed by His mercy

The Lord showed me this good ole truth anew last Sunday morning...I couldn't explain the peace I felt within as His word revealed to me the peace we had with Him.

Romans 5:1
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

What does peace with God mean?

1. It means that our sins were nailed to the cross and not held in accusation against us . "having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Col 2:14
2. It means that God no longer sees us as enemies but friends. We are no longer warring with Him but we are found accepted in His sight. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10
3. It means that we can come boldly to His throne of grace to find grace and mercy in time of need. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain merch and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16
4. It means that in our Christian life on earth, we have the confidence and assurance in all that we do that we will not depart from His will.

All because...of the day we chose to make the Lord - our Saviour.

Missing Daniel...

in India

Practice makes perfect...well, that was what I thought. After Thailand, I thought that I would be fine on my own. Well, it didn't take long for me to miss him again and I'm glad I would never get use to not having Daniel around. Looking back, yesterday was hilarious. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Day ended at 4:30 pm. Car kept stalling. Used up a phonecard just trying to establish connection to India. Volume was so soft and the connection so muffled that I found myself practically shouting into the phone. It was indeed a trying time. It didn't help to know that Daniel was running a fever and experiencing some sort of viral infection and stomach upset. The series of events is really quite amusing when you think about it...although it didn't seem so yesterday. ermm...I wonder why?

But praise God for His patience, mercy and kindness. I am glad that He has calmed my soul since then. There are many blessings and lessons that He has in store for me and Daniel during these times of separation. Some of these lessons are more painful than others...but they are a part of God's larger and infinite plan.

Prayer: Dear Lord, that I would depend on you as the source and giver of my all. Continue to protect, guide and lead Daniel when he is away from me. Help me to trust simply in your omnipotence and omniscience. May I not be tempted to question your ways during these times but to 'Only Trust You'.

The Red Faithful

"Old, and beaten and antique it be
But faithful and sure, only fine eyes can see" - the lady

The red faithful has been with us for one and a half years. Though its time with us was brief, but it has proven itself beyond its worth. Throughout its stay with us, it has endured much name calling - from 'Coffin', to 'Russian Tank', to 'Bone Shaker' and much more not uttered but muttered beneath one's breath. Still, we loved it with all our hearts...though sometimes taking it for granted. Without a word of complain, it took a few hard knocks for the lady and with silent submission, it became a daredevil for the gentleman. But above all this and most importantly, the red faithful was an answer to our prayers.

Daniel and Joann's Car-ology Philosophy:

1. Big and spacious - Since the alternatives of driving a lorry and van around town was appalling to the lady , a big car could fulfill the same need of packing in as many humans as the situation permitted.
2. Great bargain - While the Lord has blessed us above and beyond our needs, our desire is to be faithful stewards of our Lord's money.
3. Time Saver - Strangely as you age, time disappears accordingly. A car should ease your time for more ministry.
4. Heart and Mind Protector - Hitching a ride from others would have been the best option. But oft times, we found ourselves subjected to the conversation and music of car owners who thought not too much of our Lord.

Thanksgiving: Thank you dear Lord for answering our prayers.

Farewell Red Faithful...

Daniel's Birthday

Hot stones dinner at ' Top of the Grove Restaurant' . Spectacular city view. Prawns and Oozing Mozerella cheese. For directions - please ask Josh

My Class

An Ode to 4E3 and 4E6

The story I think began in 2001
I never did know when the nightmare begun
The first day was bad when you pout and you sulk
“This school's not my choice!" you all cried in bulk

“The school song is silly!" and "The principal's worse"
“The class has no doors","This school is a curse!"
But it didn't take long for the whining to stop
As many of you learnt that the teachers are hot!

From twelve to sixteen, you fought puberty
From friends, to parents, to explosive acne
What did I do to deserve all the glory
Of seeing you grow in mind and in body

But we had our fair share to learn and to read
From Merriam Webster to Bidadari
You are a 'Fine' class and I, a 'Fine' teacher
All for the hopes of a great barbeque dinner

It all seems so fast, its 2004
I wish we were back as we were years before
But the time has now come as we all have to part
To this phase in our lives that has so captured our hearts

May all you remember what happened these years
Filled with much joy and pain and laughter and tears
I wish you the best in all that you do
I hate to say this… but I love all of you!

not too bad for a wee wee hour effort!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for bringing these students into my path. Many of whom know you not. May you work in their lives as they go on in their lives - place a light in their path and a salt in their way. That they may know you as their Lord and Saviour