Inevitable Change

Life is always changing. Seasons change. People change.

October 8 is always doubly special. My mum and my father-in-law share the same birth date. As we rejoiced and celebrated this day, it also reminded me with every birthday we grow older. It thrill our hearts to see the children grow. On the other hand, I am thankful for our parents but as I traced their obvious aging signs, my heart aches to face the reality that they are no longer as strong and energetic as they used to be. Their faces bear increasing lines and sagging muscles. Their gait is no longer as steady. Their pace slower. They need to rest in between during outings. Their lives draw closer to the eternal home each moment. It is a fact I have to face and I am so grateful for our parents to know they love me so much and raised us all to live a full life.

I thought of my children's plea every now and then, "Mum, please don't grow old. Please stay young and beautiful (beauty is in the eye of the beholder and ahem, this could be a biase statement from adoring children :) And I will always reply to each of them, "I wish I could, honey but we all grow old." Then I will ask them, "Will you love me just the same?"

Now I stand in my children's shoes and wished our parents won't grow old...but it is a fact I have to face. Change is inevitable. As I looked intently at each of them, I can only say, "I love you just the same."

Old is gold :) May God's grace and countenance be upon them as they age.

Aku Anak Malaysia

Merdeka Day is here again.
The noise of celebration begins...
Jalur Gemilang berkibar...

As a nation we have our ups and downs.
The political scene never interest me but can I ignore totally and be indifferent, I sometimes ponder...
I was born and bred in this beautiful rich land. At a glance, it's easy to overlook the true beauty of this nation especially for people who have lived here too long and taken for granted the blessings upon this land. As I mature through the years, my eyes are open to the splendour of Malaysia - a land of great potentials.

How many talk about change? Yet refuses to be a part of it. While the migration rate is increasing, my eyes look further in and deeper to this nation.
I see opportunities.
I see a generation rising up to rebuild the country.
I see great things coming...

I bless Malaysia, tanahair ku!
Biarlah Cahaya menyinari Mu, sekarang and selamanya.

My August Babies

The feminine and masculine Ash were my May babies.

This month, I pondered on God's faithfulness for my family as I celebrated another new year for my August babies. It is always so delightful to watch the children grow yet it always the case too for a mum to sometimes wish they don't grow too fast :) so that she can savour every wondrous moment before they leave the nest.

Nat was born a 29 weeker, hospitalized for the first 56 days of her life...
from a helpless babe to a miraculous ten!

Nathalynn - the Beautiful Gift of God


Chrisa almost came premature too at 34 weeks... but she's always full of surprises. When all of us expected her arrival (even the doctor), she decided to wait a lil' longer...so she came right on time at exactly 36 weeks making her a term baby....though still 4 more weeks to the full gestation. Right from the beginning, she's always delighting us with her smiles and wittiness...life is never dull with Chrisa. She never fails to invite you into her creative world. Last year was all geared up being a soldier. This year, she's the ninja on a secret mission :) Oh, my baby is 6!

Chrisalynn - the Anointed Beauty

The Lord fills the home with rare and beautiful treasures.
(Proverbs 24:3)

Stretched but not Snapped

It has been a long silence from blogging. And break from a lot of things.

Every part of me has been stretched. Thankfully, not snapped.
How much am I willing to be stretched?
My own husband preached on this - the stretching...liken to a rubberband...reaching our optimum potential.

The last two months (almost), the pain and suffering from muscular spasm of my upper back has taken me into dark tunnel and kept me wondering when will I see the light again...but it is His everlasting Word that kept me going. Many years ago, a friend told me - at the end of every dark tunnel, there is the light. I know I will soon see it if I keep walking. T.D.Jakes in his book, Reposition - Living Life Without Limits confirmed my own thoughts of turning my misery into ministry. The times I rested in bed and battling the pain and a distressed spirit, I lifted my eyes to heaven and thought, "There must be surely more than this!" A whole series of thoughts and emotions ran through me all these weeks - it has been a very FULL though dreadful journey. I know this experience is never going to be wasted. My spiritual journal is packed with precious gems - awaiting to be unfold as opportunity comes. Filled with divine promises. I will watch the Word become alive - for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 58:14).

I am still on the road to total recovery...I will take heart and be strong, for His grace is sufficient for me, for my power is made perfect in weakness...for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

There Must Be More Than This

"...the experience of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do." (Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place)

There must be more than this...we wonder a lot of times in life...
Life's experiences - priceless and has a higher purpose if we see it from the Maker's perspective.Taming my restless spirit in this supposedly rest period...

Each life is full of stories, and if translate to writings will make volumes of interesting reads that will fil the library. And with Jesus walking with us in these stories, we will create history and make God famous.

Our Father in Heaven

As I promised, I will have my say on my Heavenly Father...since Father's Day, I've been thinking...there's just simply beyond words...my Father who is yours too:) - He is...WOW...do I have enough words to express...if only we could understand a little more of his great love each day...Don Moen's song became my prayer and contemplation...

Think about His love, think about His goodness
Think about His grace that's brought us through
For as high as the heavens above
So great is the measure of our father's love
Great is the measure of our Father's love
So great is the measure of our Father's love

How could I forget His love
And how could I forget His mercies
He satisfies, He satisfies, He satisfies my desires

Think about His love, think about His goodness
Think about His grace that's brought us through
For as high as the heavens above
So great is the measure of our father's love
Great is the measure of our Father's love

Great is the measure
Great is the measure
Great is the measure
Great is the measure of our Father's love
Great is the measure of our Father's love

Can we ever measure his love?
You and I have been loved. Just give it a thought.

My Dad

He's ever so youthful looking.
People thought he was my big brother in my growing up years as he faithfully took me on his bike to school, brought me food as I stayed back after school to study and do revision.

I loved those days when he worked in an established hotel. Mum would take us to the lobby and wait for him to finish work. He would proudly introduced me to his colleagues and guests. The certain pride of a father could be felt. After work, it was always supper. Food has been an important part of his life. Dad eats all the time. He knows every corner in town to get the best of everything. He doesn't like to travel - says the best food is in Penang.

He's the filial son.
The loving and faithful husband. You cannot imagine how many times he calls mum everyday:)
The strong father - no nonsense.
The watchful brother - he guards and cares for his siblings. Being the middle child of 5, he fathered his youngest sister with his utmost best till she was married very late in life.

The generous grandfather - always lavishing gifts upon his grandchildren, and going all the way out to meet their needs.
A kind friend - to all he meets, he will give a smile. And I grew up witnessing generosity - he pays for those who dine with him. Not that he's rich but to him, it's an honour.

He toiled. He taught us. He gave all he has and still giving...
He has his flaws (who doesn't?)...but I stand to salute him for who he is and all that he has done, and still doing...I am sure God is pleased and is smiling at this son of His.

(Dad enjoying fish spa - a delightful moment. Find out in GEMS)

In honour of the man who lovingly provided for the family and raised us - my Daddy, the ever loving, kind and generous man! I LOVE YOU.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

To my Father in Heaven, I also have my say...will keep for the next post :)