May's fruit

 

2 Corinthians 12:9
 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

The month of May is all about healing and disproportionate grace.

Healing: My emotions went through a roller coaster ride with the boils - thank God they are 90% healed and I've moved on from Gentamicin cream to whitening serum.

Disproporationate grace: In all aspects of my life. He has been faithful, at the valleys and at the hills. Ministry, health, work and family - God's abundant supply did not stop, though I failed to see them at times. Looking back, the challenges that I faced this month seemed small in the palms of the Saviour as well as the bigger aspect of LIFE.

Idolised

 

S is a girl with sense of humour. She looked at this advertisement post card and said: “It’s daddy and mommy!”.  I know parents always see their children as the most beautiful but in this case the other way round? Either way, we are gleeing. 

Budding friendship

This is one of her best buds in school, T, whom she talks about all the time.

The other day we went on an excursion to the zoo with the school. When both of them met, they called out to each other and held hands instantly. There is no language barrier when it comes to kids, and when it comes to play. T is a Japanese and not yet fluent in English but both of them can communicate (in their own language)...

Deuteronomy 28

My life is mostly made up of routines and patterns- work, family, ministry and some episodes for drama slotted in between. This timely SMS from Gek made me STOP and REFLECT.
By the time I finished reading her SMS (it's a l.o.n.g one), I was empowered and 'happified', being reminded what to expect in life as a child of God.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 MSG
1-6 If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God:

God's blessing inside the city,
God's blessing in the country;
God's blessing on your children,
the crops of your land,
the young of your livestock,
the calves of your herds,
the lambs of your flocks.
God's blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
God's blessing in your coming in,
God's blessing in your going out.

7 God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They'll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.
8 God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he'll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
9 God will form you as a people holy to him, just as he promised you, if you keep the commandments of God, your God, and live the way he has shown you.
10 All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of God and hold you in respectful awe.

11-14 God will lavish you with good things:
children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land,
the land that God promised your ancestors that he would give you.
God will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand.
You will lend to many nations but you yourself won't have to take out a loan.
God will make you the head, not the tail;
you'll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you today.
Don't swerve an inch to the right or left from the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping other gods.

The HOUSE

"Let's go the HOUSE" is our daily phrase. We call our new home - THE HOUSE. It's less than 100 steps away from where we currently live. Everyday we walk over to the 'site' to check on the renovation status, sometimes more than once a day. There's always something new to see.

Renovation is fun and stress-free when you 1) have an existing shelter, even if it's cramped quarters or just a bedroom and 2) are not preparing for a wedding (like us, 5 years ago with our first home). 

It's been two months since the 'groundbreaking' and we are probably at 70% milestone now.

We are blessed with an easy-going designer (all things are 'discussable'), a dedicated site supervisor who works 7-day/week and a passionate painter who works till late at night.

Looking forward to move in by end-June!

Flavour of the month

Meet my new love - Passionfruit Meringue from the Pattisier.

I don't have a sweet tooth but this meringue sweeps me away with its heavenly not-so-sweet-yet fresh and light feel. My craving was so strong that I created 'excuses' to order it - I lobbied to have a May-birthday party in the office, volunteered to buy cake for a church gathering, and mothers' day celebration. Can you sense my dedication??

It's abit pricy (from S$42.50 for 9") but worth the while in the name of indulgence and celebration!

Happy mommy's day

This year I feel glorified as a mother. Firstly I was invited to S's school to celebrate mothers' day, along with other mothers. We joined in some action songs and were each presented with a cup cake art work done by our kids. Simple but heart-warming gesture.

Secondly daddy M gave me a Pantahaligons perfume, from my "things-that-I-want-but-don't-need" list. My love tank was filled to the bream!

A friend once asked me of my biggest revelation/ lesson gained in motherhood and I said, "it makes me a stronger person than I can ever imagined".  I can't claim credit for this word of wisdom as it came from the mid-wife on the night of my delivery. Indeed, I see the change in me, growing from glory to glory (although spriritual growth plays a big part).

April's fruits

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

When I was going through the most painful phase of my bacteria infections while travelling, I did not have anything with me (no medication, no cream) but a bible and sermons on the iphone. I cramped myself with confessions and the word but every morning I was faced with new boils. I was frustrated and sad - what am I doing wrong? I read the bible, I partake holy communion, I confess. But nothing seemed to help!
Until daddy M enlightened me : "So what if there are new ones? It simply means there are more for Jesus to work on!"
I realised that all these while I have been looking at my circumstances instead of the supply. I read the bible in desperation. I wanted so much to see healing that I was praying for victory and not FROM victory. I have been choking the grace pipe from flowing in me.... So what if I appear strange now with boils? Because I know that I will rejoice with exceeding joy when Jesus restores my skin!

These circumstances should not stop me from giving thanks to my April's fruits...

- Paris Paris, I have missed you much and am glad that we encountered each other for 24 hours! Will definitely visit you some time soon!
- Edinburgh, it's been a while since I last visited you and you're still beautiful as ever...
- Wishart restaurant is still the best restaurant that I have tried in my life (yet). 

Only Jesus

I don’t live a boring life. The latest ‘happening’ in my life: Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

It’s a bacteria infection (in boils form) which started late Oct since my trip to HK. Back then it’s just one or two on my arm and trunk. After 3 GPs and 1 TCM, with rounds of antibiotics but no conclusive diagnosis, I decided to seek the specialist’s help. But the trip to Europe last week worsen it as they started to spread to my body through recycling of thermal wear! The specialist is also puzzled on the hows and the whys. He can only prescribe medication that the bacteria is susceptible to.

It’s a torture to keep a distance from S. Helplessness and depression took over me the past few days, especially when I showered and needed to change the dressing. Memories of post-natal depression came afresh…

Today, I’m in a much better state (mentally).

This is the time where there is only ONE source that can cure me. JESUS.

And of course a very very supportive husband who is full of faith.

I’m waiting for the shower of blessings to come after this episode ends (which is soon !!)

Jesus reached out and touched him (a man with leprosy). “I am willing”, He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. – Mat 8:2-3.