The last few days were filled with people. Young and old, and very old. Yes the oldest being 96 years' old.

The usual Chinese New Year rounds led us to meet family and friends whom a majority we don't see on the normal days. The most meaningful moment for me this new year up till now - my conversation with this 96 years' old grand aunty. She has lived almost a century and so ready to leave earth. She had been widowed since young and left with an only daughter whose life was robbed away by an air crash when she was still young. It has been a long lonely journey. I am amazed by her strength and alertness. Life is like...hmm, I am still processing her words of sharing.

Forrest Gump in the movie's famous line - "life is like a box of chocolates..."

What is life?
Life seems temporary. Yet it is full of different sort of baggages.
Where does it take us? Why we believe what we believe?

My wise mum always tell me to respect old people for we all will grow old one day too. I always take heed of that. I love hearing their stories. These stories teach. They inspire. Many made me think and reflect. This encounter will cause me to think further. She was also young once and full of dreams, but life took an unforseen turn and...she is still grappling with all these disturbing issues which I pray she will make peace with God and all.

Life is like...
I would like mine to be "like a box of colour pencils" - and the artist, Creator of all, who will colour it as he loves - even if it is black and white...may those who look at it will see the beauty of it and trace to the Artist.

Oh, it's here again...where did all the years go?

I would count down the days to Chinese New Year when I was a little girl. A long school break, new clothes, new shoes, everything was new...great excitement filled the air. Time for family renunion. Endless visitations but the same old questions and remarks. "Oh, you've grown so much." Then came the young adulthood..."Any boyfriend?" "Why not?" "Don't wait too long!"

In a flash of time, I am now an adult, a parent but still someone's child...oh, what I mean to say is there's too many responsibilities which overtaken me that I almost forgot the lunar new year is here again. In a way, this is one of the "have to" celebrate occassion by default. But that's not what I want to feel nor pass on. It is a time of newness - new beginnings. It's a welcoming of new spring in China where this culture orginated. Freshness and hope mark the occassion.

Even as I welcome tomorrow a new year in the Chinese calendar, and think of the good things, I can only trace God's doing through his Son, Christ to breathe a fresh hope and abundance in our lives, for he said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

edlina's nest wishes you and family the fullness of God this season...GONG XI GONG XI!

When I wonder why...

• other mums are paid for what they do while I slog my days out at home without a cent
• other mums are sipping tea during break time while I gulped down my drink so I can continue another story after the umpteenth book...break? what is "break"?
• other mums are doing the norms of life while I seem to fall into this "weird" category as one of my weird friend call ourselves
• I could had been so and so in my profession but I am just a mum - a homeschool mum who have endless things in my mind, constantly shifting gear to meet the needs of little humans (from toddler to elementary to tween to teen) in my care, having a series of unaccounted actions of responsibilities which saps every ounce of my energy in every aspect...and at the end of the day left me totally spent!

But today, like some good days it makes me smile and I wonder why would any woman trade her place at home imparting into lives and impacting the land through these little humans who are so incredibly potential-packed...just awaiting for the pivotal moment to cause a positive explosion. The interruption and inconvenience of the day of my faulty car turned into a mind storming, joy bubbling cherished moment instead of fretting and whining while waiting for the mechanic to come to our rescue on the highway.

I wonder why not...since these little humans are living, learning and loving...read Ash's and Nat's posts.

The long months of silence in this blog speaks volume of the lack of time on my end...yikes! I hate that excuse. But that's a fact. Yes, we are all given equal share of 24 hours a day and it is amazing how every second ticks off so quickly and before we all know it, we step into a new year.

Here I am looking back at 2010 with no regrets despite many trials and difficulties. God's sovereignty reigns. Now facing 2011 with much excitement and anticipation I know I cannot do anything apart from being rooted in God. The discovery journey into the heart of God continues...I seek to "see the king in his beauty" (Isaiah 33:17).

I thought it only happened in the movie. Perhaps not just movie, they are real. I read about them in the news. Hear of them in distant manner. The brutality of humankind towards another human - children. Child abuse. For a long time the society is fighting against this amongst other rights. Children - these little people...they have rights. They have the rights to live - to breathe like any other, to love and be loved. To know life is beautiful. To know the beauty of being known by his Creator. To know his destiny.

Oh, today my heart aches and cries out for mercy. Other times I did too. That's why reading the news is traumatic to me. But today - this happened in my family...to a relative. News reached my ears. A typical stepfather beating up the helpless child.

He sat on the road, curled up.
Shaking in pain and bruises all over.
Worn out.

Today this child lies in the hospital.
Case taken up by authority.

The wounds on his body is treated by the medical staff. The pain will be eased by some analgesics. I wonder how his heart is. There will be no medicine to help. No one at this moment to whisper love. I closed my eyes and prayed as my tears dropped. I see angels flapping their wings and guarding his bed. Surely the Father of all creation sees and knows. He still cares. He still loves. Jesus said, "It is finished."

I prayed this little boy will know Jesus settled for him on the Cross.
I prayed tonight he feels a touch from heaven.
Tomorrow is a brand new day. I prayed though the wounds may not be healed instantly but a hope will arise within his heart and spirit. I prayed he will forgive. He may not truly know how but may God erase this agonizing dark moment of his life in his spirit and let him learn to love.

In a little while, I will bring him the good news if he understands. Otherwise may my gestures bring a touch of love in some ways. Pray with me as we love every child, for Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me."

Everyday is a gift...
Celebrate this week...

22 April is World Earth Day!
23 April is World Book Day!
24 April is World Health Day!
29 April is World Dance Day!

All of these so close to our hearts because they are God's gifts to us.

Come, celebrate the Penang World Dance Day today at Pelenggang Cahaya & Katasila, Pengajian Seni, USM from 10am-5.30pm (free workshops) and 6.30pm-7.30pm evening performance followed by a Improvisation Jam session at 8.00-9.00pm.

While some are busy throwing oranges and drums into the sea, we are busy having a great time throwing delicious food into our mouths in the midst of godly company and some new friends, after a sweet heavenly manna - "First, love your God"...love the Lord your God with your all. (Matthew 22:34-40)

The lunar new year was wrapped up with his sweet love.

Chap Goh Meh 2010 in Gateway City Church.