Penang Part 1

We were on a schedule. We needed to leave the house by 9am. The weather looked cloudy, maybe it might rain. Looks like it.


After returning to Malaysia for almost 4 months, this is our first time making an outstation trip.

Since I have been back to Malaysia, things has been so busy that during weekends I just wanted to hang out at home, maybe take out a book or lie down. That is my ideal weekend. The thought of packing, sitting in the car for hours, washing all the laundry after returning, etc was a real deterrent.


I didn't pack till at about 12am the day before. Talking about last minute.


I remembered when I was a teenager, I used to pack months before the annual youth camp which was the hi-light of my life. This camp is usually held at the end of the year around December. I would save up by washing car belonging to my bro-in-law and his siblings. I was never paid any money for doing chores at home. Unlike my children.

When I was a child, we didn't go for any holiday or trips. School holidays was spent at home day after day, months after months. No trip to the beach, the park, the mountains, not to mention overseas trips. Not even Singapore. Yet, I never complained. When my schoolmates returned from holidays to the USA, I thought in my mind, "Wow, so fortunate".

Unlike my children, who are so blessed. Joel and Ethaniel both went overseas when they turned 2 yrs old. Joel have been to Australia - twice, USA, Singapore, almost the whole of Thailand, most part of Malaysia. Whilst I first boarded a plane when I was 21 years old to East Malaysia for a Mission Trip - 45 mins away, I think.


Anyway, back to the trip.


Our Bangkok Cell Member is having their wedding in Penang. We have promised them to be there months before we returned to Malaysia. The whole cell group will be there. Everyone has made the effort to fly/take the train and be in Penang to witness their wedding and celebrate this very special occasion with them. Talking about close knit family!!!


That is something I miss about Bangkok friends. Everyone is so close to each other and very often we treat each other like family members. Going out of the way to be nice, helpful and caring. Even nicer than some of our own family members who are sometimes so pedantic, resentful and selfish.

To be continued ....

Healthy Relationships

A friend read my blog and commented that I actually expressed my feelings about my son on the blog??!! Read the post here. What if my son reads it? In fact, my son, Joel reads my blog regularly. He is one of my fans :-)


I see him regularly sitting at my laptop and reading my blog post.


Actually, I have a very transparent relationship with my children. I don't keep them guessing on how I feel. Especially about them. If I am unhappy about something they did, I will tell them. If I am happy and pleased with them, they will also know. At times, when I feel down, I will ask them to pray for me too.


When I am upset with them and vice versa, after I expressed my feelings and thoughts, the anger is not held on for long. If I need to forgive them, I will. So, that's the reason why I have a very good relationship with my children and not afraid to be transparent with them about my emotions.


When children does not walk on egg-shells around their parents, they will have a sense of security and confidence. The boundaries are clear and expectations achievable. Such an environment is important for them to thrive.

My Paternal Grandmother

My paternal Grandmother passed away on 25 March 2009, at 10am.


She died peacefully in her sleep. At a ripe old age of 92 years old. She leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


I can remember vividly when I was young, she letting me eat the fruits which she offered to her gods. She was a staunch Buddhist. The apples were usually soft and no longer crunchy. But I still enjoyed it nevertheless.


Good bye, Grandma.


May you rest in peace.

Prophecy by Mike Jacobs

Prophecy By Mike Jacobs


“There is a strong anointing here. Heaven is open. What God is saying in this land…..“Look to your rivers” —they were your first highways. Eyes of the Lord are on them and He will move in villages and towns and cities on the rivers. Make prayer journeys on the rivers—ask for blessings on the cities and towns: make them highways of holiness. Rivers in the desert – rivers full of the gifting of God.

Thank You

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I am so blessed. My family and I have been surrounded by this huge bunch of great people... YOU!


So, I want to take this blog post to say a huge "Thank You" for your ...


....friendship

.... prayers

.... support

.... constant encouragement

.... SMS

.... emails

... coming over after Sunday church service and giving me a squeeze on my hands

... telling me to "hang in there"

... giving me a compassionate and concerned look

... passing Hubby's resume to your contacts

... offering my family and I a holiday to "break away"

... your words of faith




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... making me laugh in the midst of all this

... calling and saying that you are praying for us

... listening to me babbling away

... making request to the BSF ladies to pray for me

... that its OK to return to Malaysia because you missed us

... call over the skype and wants to know how we are doing

.... concerned messages over the Facebook... offers of prayer and encouragement

... offered your backyard for me to stay (in a tent), in case I have nowhere to go.

... standing in faith with us to trust God for a better job

... for saying that God has given us this opportunity to take an extended holiday and saying that you wished you had that opportunity too!

... for wanting us to stay in Bangkok because you want to see my boys grow up

... your blog comments, encouragement and prayer

... and for just being a friend



We cannot see what is the path ahead but we know that we are in God's hands. I think that is a safe place. Don't you?




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Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7

Nicely Surprised

I find my children's behaviour surprises me, sometimes.


Of course, nothing really really shocks me anymore....


But, its all warm and fuzzy when I am nicely and pleasantly surprised.


Like when....


I have been feeling ill with diarrhea this past few days and so, my body has been feeling tired and lethargic.


I get nice hugs and butterfly kisses from Ethaniel while I am lying down and my eyes are closed..


Joel offers to take the grocery bag after I paid for it *feeling like a real lady* ....


and he has a concerned look whilst asking, "Are you feeling OK, Mom?"


Don't we all Mothers live for moments like this?

The Joy of Being an Aunt

Little Baby JA

I don't come from a big family. Just 4 siblings inclusive of myself.


The siblings are quite scattered.... Australia, Singapore, Malaysia & Bangkok (me).


Its difficult to have a proper "sibling reunion" when everyone is not in the same country, having work & family commitments and schedule arrangements.


Every time my sister from Australia returns to Malaysia for a holiday, we try to get together. The last one was just about a month ago. I guess I just had to find excuse to go back to Malaysia ;-). The get-together this time was a little different. We have a latest addition to the family ... a baby. My elder brother's first child. I must admit that she is absolutely adorable! Unlike her Daddy... she is contented, humble, unassuming, low profile, cute and lovable.


It was great to hold my little niece, JA.


For one, I can cuddle, play, tease and laugh with her and yet when she was hungry, dirty and grumpy, I just passed it back to her parents.


The joy of being an Aunt.

New Friends

We had lunch with a very interesting group of friends.


Hans is Swedish and he has just arrived in Bangkok since June 08. He is the SEA Director for IBRA, a Christian radio station which is currently in 100 countries. They do wonderful things in so many countries and brings the gospel to thousands and millions of Christians and non-Christians all over the world. Isn't that absolutely great? Its a wonderful ministry.


We also met C & D who are Filipino missionaries to Macau, China and Wira a Finnish who was in Northern China for two years doing some work with the orphanage.


What makes all these people leave their country, families and life?


Leave everything which is familiar, to a place where environment and surroundings are foreign?


Some does it for personal adventure.


I know my new friends do it because they love God and people. To fulfill a higher purpose which God has called them to. To bring love, peace and the Gospel to them who needs it.


How about you?


Will you be willing to go?

A Sleep Over

KG came over for a sleepover last night.


He plays well with my children and they have loads of fun together.


They sometimes talk.


They don't fight.


They talk boys stuffs.


Too boring for a girl like me to eavesdrop.

Joel & KG

Its his 1st time sleeping over at a friend's place. He did well. His parents were a little nervous, though.


The children played, talked, laughed and talked some more till 12am. Then, they slept.


They woke up at 7am on a Sunday morning.


I saw them talking some more.


Actually its pretty cute. I like seeing them getting along and having SO MUCH things to talk about....


But don't ask me to tell you what they talked about.... Its boring boys stuffs.

Learning To Be Myself

What does it mean to "fit in"?


What does it mean "to be accepted"?


All of us yearn to fit in and be accepted, right?


Not too long ago, I was like that. I had a great need to be accepted and to fit-in. I didn't like to be ignored.


It used to bother me a lot...


Why?


I wasn't really sure. I didn't even realise that it was an issue.


I used to go out of my way to ensure that people like me. If I know that they have a problem with me, it bothered me and I will usually want to make amends. Or sort things out.


I begin to realise that my attitude and response was not right because I was being a "man pleaser". You see, even Jesus had enemies. It can't be possible for me to have none!


I admire people who totally ignore other people's feelings and opinions. Just do whatever they like and not care what others think. Of course, I am like that too, in a way.


I don't follow the crowd.


I don't run to the Louis Vuitton shop just because my friend bought one. I am happy they are willing to spend thousands of RM or Baht to purchase one.


But to be intentionally mean, it will be very hard for me to do. To act in order to revenge or hurt another person, its not natural for me. Unless if I need to teach the person a lesson. For her own good. I have done that once but I am not free to blog about it here.


I felt that God wanted me to be released from being a "man pleaser". It was hard at first. But I begin to practice it. Try not to be too bothered by people who do not like me or have no chemistry with. Instead of striving soooo hard to gain their approval.


Gaining approval is not the problem. But living for the approval, that's the issue.


So, in the last year or so, I have been working on this and its definitely a great feeling. Its OK for others not to like me. As long as I like myself and know my position in Christ.


Wow! The feeling is refreshing!!!

Get-Together With Old Friends from BFC

Just before I left for Bangkok, 2.4 years ago, I was working with a football centre in Subang Jaya, Malaysia.


Everytime I return to Malaysia, that is if its not a short hurry trip, I will surely have a get together with them. In the last 2.4 years, we have had 3 get-togethers, including the last one on 13 July 2008, Sunday.

We had delicious Malaysian food and heaps of laughter, fun and updates on the latest happenings.

A big "Thank You" to AS for organising the get-together and of course allowing us to use her home.

Coach V (Brazilian), Judy, David, daughter, Nicholas, Coach Lama (Brazilian), me & AS

The students and parents are close to me. Actually, they are a great bunch of people whom I had grown to enjoy and love. Jokes and laughters are common while we get together. I have known some of them since the day they enrolled into the centre... almost 4-5 years ago.


This last get-together coincided with one of the family migrating to Australia, David & family. All the best to you, David!

Brazil Football Centre parents

All The Encouragement Throughout Joel's Ordeal

I am noting all the SMS, email, IM, blog comments and concerned calls from friends is because I want to remember to be grateful for all the families & friends God has given my family and I. Its obvious that no matter where we are... Bangkok or anywhere in the world, we are loved. We are so blessed and enriched to have you in our life.

This post in my blog will be a reminder .... many years from now....


Heather

• 31 Mar - Will do. Has he gone to see the doctor?
• Will pray for his full recovery, please send him my love. Just on my way to England, back on 15th
• Hope he is feeling better by now. Will continue to pray.
  

Janice

• Will pray. We hvae to pray against the devil's work. Take care. Keep me informed.
• How did tests go?
  

Sera

• I did pray for him. Did you bring him to the hospital?
• You are welcome. Am pleased to be a part of your family in prayer and really Thank God for his healing. Have a blessed day.
  

Michael

• Yes I will. Let us trust our healer. Are you in hospital?
• Hope Joel is OK. Will continue to pray for him.
• Hope Joel is OK. I was supposed to visit but fell asleep with children. I will be praying for him.
  
• Praise God. I will continue to pray for him. In God we can trust. You are checking out today, right?
  

Chris S

• OK. Will pray for him and you.

Renee

• Good morning. How's Joel?
• Is Joel getting better?
• How is Joel now?
  

Sonia

• Will pray for Joel. Nish & hubby also not well with diarrhea. God bless.
• In the name of our precious Jesus, Joel is healed and in good hands. The Lord give you strength and the holy spirit be with you and family
• Praise the Lord. You take care ya. Will see you soon.
  

My sis

• Is Joel doing OK? Mom said he's in hospital. Pls keep me posted. Wil be praying for him. Love n hugs to him. You take care too.

Lydia

• Good morning Chris. How is your son today? Hope he is OK.

SH

Take God. He is good. We will continue to pray for complete healing for Joel. Take care.

Friends called up to pray, encourage and express concern:

• TL
• Lydia
• SH
• Mary
• Heather
• My Mother
• Susan
  
• Sean
• Ong
• CY
• My brother from Singapore Gmail Chat
  

Email from Doreen:
We have all been praying for your son. God gave us all Psalm 91 to claim His promises for us. We claimed God's Healing Hand upon him and strength for you too. Simply rest in Him and pray thru'. Trusting God for a healthy report...

Blog Comments:

GarGies said...

Finally back to normal. Whew! So happy for you. It's really not an easy job to be a mother. All the agony and worry. Thank God everything is well.

It's time for you to take a good rest from now.

April 4, 2008 5:36 PM

Kellan said...

I hope Joel is okay - out of the hospital and you all have a good weekend - see you soon - Kellan

April 5, 2008 12:44 AM

Kellan said...

Oh, Poor Joel. I hope he is getting better and out of the hospital soon. I was just in the hospital for 8 days and I wouldn't want him to have to stay there any longer than necessary. I will pray for him. Take care - Kellan

Lee-Lian said...

Sis, Glad to hear Joel is better and will be recuperating at home. Sometimes drinks like powerade or 100 plus helps to hydrate the body and give it a quick boost. Hugs and kisses from us. Tell Joel that my boys are thinking of him and praying for his recovery. Love u all, sis

April 4, 2008 7:21 AM

Angela said...

I do hope Joel feels better soon. I am sure that had to be scary for you.
Sending some good thoughts and a prayer

April 4, 2008 7:59 AM

JO-N said...

Looking at Joel's smile, I know he is much better now compared to the previous days. Get well soon Joel.

April 4, 2008 12:24 PM

Maiden Purple said...

Tried calling Ivan yesterday to find out how Joel's doing. Glad to know that he's recuperating. Wishing Joel a speedy recovery from all of us, love, hugs and 'sloppy' kisses. You take care of yourself too Chris, Corinne & all at home

Lee-Lian said...

Sis, We're glad that Joel is feeling much better now. Thank God! I know how helpless you feel when your child is unwell and you can't do anything to make it better. Thank God he's okay. Give him a hug from us. Love u all.

April 3, 2008 11:29 AM

JO-N said...

When I saw the first photo, I was a bit worried. Glad he is better now. Hope his condition improves further and you take care.

April 3, 2008 12:29 PM

CY said...

Take care, Chris and Joel. Drink plenty of water. We'll skip this week's badminton, its OK.

April 3, 2008 4:47 PM

JO-N said...

I'm praying now. Joel, please be tough and get well quickly. Yes Chris, bring him to the hospital if the condition doesn't improve. You take care of yourself too.

April 1, 2008 12:54 PM

sting said...

wishing Joel get well soon ya.. poor him..

April 1, 2008 5:00 PM

Kellan said...

Oh, poor sick baby and poor brother that is lonely for his playmate! I hope he is better soon - very soon!

Thanks so much for coming by and for the well wishes - So nice to see you - I'll see you soon. Kellan

March 31, 2008 2:36 AM

cy said...

Get well soon, Joel. We need you for the badminton..Jason needs his parring partner! Anyway, pls do take care of yourself too, Chris.

March 31, 2008 6:56 AM

Angela said...

Hope he gets feeling better.
I guess being sick affects everyone

Once again, Thank you for being our support group at our time of need.

Happy Belated Christmas Present for Daddy

Joel and Ethaniel did not find the right item to purchase for their Dad during Christmas. I didn't realise that he has been observant towards his Dad's needs. He obviously wanted it to be special because it took him a few months before he decided to purchase the item. He didn't want to just buy, 'anything'. I thought that was really thoughtful of him. He purchased something very thoughtful for me too. Something I liked. Anyway, this post is about his present for Dad.

Joel had convinced Ethaniel to share the cost of the item 50/50. It was about THB1,100 (RM110 / USD32). They were going to use their savings.

A backpack which Dad will use everyday to put his laptop and take to work

Dad was happy to receive the belated Christmas gift

I told Joel that he should be so grateful for his Dad. When I was growing up, I had a non-participative Dad, never around and never received birthday or Christmas presents. Till today.

Yes, indeed he is grateful. So my sons are practicing the "Five Languages of Love" even without going for the seminar.

Why Is Human Relationships So Complicated?

Why do we have conflicts? We don't need to look far to Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Iran and etc. Just look at our own families, children, husbands, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, workplaces and churches.

Why are there so much of conflicts with the people we are close to? I am sure you have heard of sisters who have not spoken to each other for years because of misunderstanding.

Do you have someone whom you have not spoken to for months or years because of misunderstanding? Or do you have many people who you cannot get along with? Ask yourself, why?

Family is the most treasured commodity we have... not money, land, popularity or anything in this world. Then again, why do so many people choose money over it? Why do people allow conflicts between family members because of money?

I have no answer because money to me, is important but not more important than relationship. I will never allow money to be my god. I have never had a lot of money, its nice to have but I will never forsake my family to have more material goods. If money is a god to you, you are not worshipping the one true God. Is it not by faith we trust that God provides?

Could envy and jealousy be another reason for conflict?

Well, let's guard our hearts from allowing the above things from happening in our lives. As long as our conscience is clear and we are blameless before God, that's good enough for me.

A 'Kodak' Moment

If you look at it from a medical point of view, its a very unhygienic act. If you look at it from a relationship point of view, its what the advertisements in Malaysia calls it "A Kodak Moment".

Highly recommended for fathers and sons, mothers and sons, husbands and wives. Apparently if you get a few doses each day, you will flourish physically, emotionally and mentally. Will also live healthily and longer. So, go ahead and do it often. Cheaper than eating all those vitamins.

Hello, Hello

The most frequent overseas calls we have is from my Mother and local call is Ivan.

At least once or twice in a week, I will hear my Mother's voice calling from her mobile to my house phone. Calling from Malaysia is about RM0.20 per min / B2 per min to Bangkok. She will call just to say "Hello" and to check if everything is alright with us. Often the calls are short, just to hear each other's voice. Of course, when there are reasons to call, especially if she is about to visit us in Bangkok, I sometimes gets 3 calls a day to confirm shopping list.

She is using a prepaid, therefore, she will utilise it before the end of each month, so, she uses those credit to contact her children. I know she calls my sister in Australia and brother in Singapore too. Well, that's a wonderful way of using mobile credits, I think. I am sure I will do that too when my children are grown and have their own lives. Just to say "Hello" if no other reasons at all.

Sometimes when you receive a call from someone, you know that there is something up because there are not many people who will call for no reason. But I know that when my Mother calls, its her way of saying "I miss you and care for you". Strangely, we have never exchanged verbal "I love you". In fact, we seldom hug except to say "Good bye" at airports. But I definitely feel her love through those phone calls.

When we were still in Malaysia, she would come over to my house in PJ and bring foodstuffs and she will cook the foods that my children and I like to eat. We will just hang out, watch TV, chat or window shop. We don't do much but she just likes to be around the children. She will also call, similar to what she is doing now. I remember, we used to do that with maternal Grandmother as well. Just hang out in her home, being around her and she was exhilarated to see us.

Prayer of Blessings

I have been having problems with Eve (not her real name) for almost 6 months. I am not sure what I did which made her upset. It happened when she came for a holiday in Bangkok.

I was very puzzled and even had a few sleepless nights thinking about it. Of course I felt hurt because I have tried my best to be nice to her and couldn't think of any logical reason how our relationship could turn sour overnight! Thinking that the situation might improve by itself, I did not confront the situation. Unfortunately it did not go away...

After many months, I decided to call her and I did, 2 days ago. It was a simple conversation but I felt so much peace. As if something in the spiritual realm had broken through, for me.

In the last 6 months, I forgaved, asked for forgiveness but I still did not have peace. Just few days before the phone call, I was reading the book, "The Power of Spoken Blessings" by Bill Gottard. It says, to pray for the person or enemies and whoever you are encountering problems or struggles. I did. After that, I felt a change of heart. Its difficult to explain the feelings... A sense of freedom... That was when I had the courage to make the phone call.

So, it does work. In the bible, it says, to pray for our enemies. I think its for the benefit of us, not only the other person. Something happens which we do not understand in the spiritual realm.

You see, the principles of God does not change. Doesn't matter who is right or wrong but we need to make peace with EVERYONE. When we do the right thing, God will bless us. Doesn't matter if the other person doesn't accept or bless us in return. Just do the right thing, anyway. Its difficult to humble ourselves to make the first move but when we sow peace, we shall reap peace. Of course, when we sow jealousy, anger, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. we will also reap bountifully. There are enough hurts all around us, let us be the one who sows peace for 2008.

Friends Who Replied To My Email With Update

I sent an email to friends and families about my blog. I also asked for updates from them and following are the people who have replied with beautiful pictures.

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Taka & Nus who are currently in Kyoto, Japan. They are our "travelling buddies". He is undergoing training and will be returning to Bangkok early next year.

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Ida's 7 years old daughter. She is absolutely cute, cute, cute! Ida is a brilliant mother and teacher. She used to give classes to some of the homeschoolers whilst we were in Malaysia. They reside in Malaysia

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When we first arrived in Bangkok, Pop and Nathan were our first few friends. They gave us lifts from care group, sat at the same table during lunch, spoke very good English for a Thai, made us feel warm and she is absolutely beautiful! Both of them have returned to the US to stay since early this year.

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Ps Isaac and Mapring. Ps Isaac is the lay pastor at our previous church. They are such down-to-earth people that have made us feel at home when we initially arrived in Bangkok. They have been a real blessing to us and help. They are currently on holiday in the US - Pastor Isaac's hometown.