My Beloved Family

This threesome is God's amazing blessing to me. Words cannot describe my heartfelt gratitude and joy whenever I am with them. When I pat Sarah to sleep at night, I thank God for this cheeky and precocious girl who is very sweet, loving and comical. When I rock Samuel to sleep, I thank God for this robust and strong little boy who is a constant reminder that our God is a God of miracles. When I see my husband fall asleep while reading on his favourite armchair, I thank God for a partner who is so committed to His God and everything that God gives him. Thank you God for the family you have given me. Thank you.

School of Tots

Thanks to ChiaoChyi's creative juices, now School of Tots has an official logo:) T-shirts, stationery, waterbottles [haha] ... here we come! Can't wait to see our little Tot-nadoes doning these shirts and of course, baby Samuel and baby Jojo too.

Cheeky little Sarah

To all who are missing little Sarah, the adventures of little Sarah returns again. 

Jesus I am Resting Resting

I truly treasured those times during my teenage years when I could sit by my piano, play and sing as a form of worship and prayer unto my Lord. The privilege of doing this was especially precious to me during those times when the burdens in life seem so difficult to bear. Those moments are like...the Lord leading me beside the still waters and making me lie down in green pastures. And as the Psalmist so aptly puts it that if we take time to remember that our Lord is the Good Shepherd who will not abandon His sheep but will gather them in His arms, He will"restore my soul."

Daniel and I love this old hymn and it is also nice to know that it is one of Hudson Taylor's favourite hymn. Hudson Taylor had learned that for him, only one life was possible - just that blessed life of resting and rejoicing in the Lord under all circumstances, while God dealt with difficulties inwards and outward, great and small. 

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.

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, Beloved,
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.

My song and prayer to my God 

- done in the stillness of the night and with my Big 'Mac'

My Song - Tan Family

Week 11 [27 Jan - 1 Feb]

CNY visitation was a reflective time for me because last year, this time, I was in the hospital. Reunion dinners were cancelled because I was going through my first operation. This year, to even be able to visit family and friends is truly a blessing to me that I cannot take for granted. Thank God for a busy week:)

Sarah is all ready to collect hongbaos - with her cheongsam top that Shu Shu Darrell bought from China, her cute denim skirt, new white sandals and of course, the potent flu germs that came with the festive season. Blessed New Year to everyone!

Sunday Afternoon - Reunion lunch with Agong and Ama

Ama & her darling grandson

Agong and his beloved Sarah

Monday - Visit to Gong Gong's House

Tuesday - Dinner with the Teos

I still find it very amusing that it is almost close to impossible to get a group shot with the Teos. 

Fri Evening - Celebrating Mabel's Birthday

A nice simple birthday meal with our faithful helper at the school of tots.

Sat Afternoon - Shah and Naz visit

Shah & Naz all decked out in auspicious colors. A pity no one brought me purple oranges with yellow polka dots;)

Class 4E1 & 4E2 Visits

Kor Kor Watson and Sammy

Sat Evening - Dinner at Uncle Chiew's Place

Samuel with his bevy of aunties. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

Sunday Evening - Visit to Godpa and Godma's House

 

Auntie Karen, Uncle Jonathan and Baby Aidan

Godma & Baby Samuel

The 2 active boys

Godpa Melvin and Godma Viola with the kiddos

Week 10 [19-26 Jan]

It was a pretty fun and normal week with school of tots running as usual and some visitors here and there. 

Mon - School of Tots [The Lord is My Shepherd]

Little Sarah the shepherd walking around the house

Tues - School of Tots at Bedok Reservoir

We always end our weekly routine at Bedok Reservoir with a kiddy ride outside a hair salon. Hannah sits on one and Sarah sits on another.

Tues - Agong and Ama comes to visit

Wed Evening - Jie Jie Suping and Jie Jie Jasmine comes to visit

Sarah's Milestone

One afternoon, mommy decided to flip the book and ask Sarah to identify the pictures. At every turn of the page, Sarah could identify the pictures without mommy prompting her - clock, house, boy, cat, sun! Mommy is so proud of her! 

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