Where are We at?

I'm kinda in a reflective mood today. Guess today marks six months of the year that have passed and we have half a year left. Got me thinking about where we are at now and what's to come.

At this point of time, we're still awaiting the adoption. The wait has been way longer than we have expected. Seriously way longer, but as usual, I'm learning or rather we're learning that God's ways as always that His ways are higher than ours, His timing is always perfect.

Job wise, we are thankful, actually very thankful that our jobs are fine. We won't say that we're secure in our jobs but rather am thankful that in this economic situation, God has been faithful in providing for all our needs and even giving to us bountifully. Nothing to complain at all. Am truly thankful. Really.

Family wise, Babe and I have our ups and downs. But throughout, we have more ups, thankfully. Am glad that God has given me my soulmate and best friend. I've nothing more to ask for. With my family, there's a new addition, Jo Claire! Really excited and happy. Can't wait to see her in a couple of weeks. Just found out last week that a cousin is pregnant. So happy for her. And as with life. When there's good news, there's always bad or sad news. Found out that another cousin of mine is dying. She has days or weeks left. Life is such an irony. A new life is on the way and a young life is on the verge of leaving this Earth.

Well, because of the adoption, H1N1, and other things around the world, our summer plans have been thrown in the air, tousled around and well, in simple terms, in a mess! But we're trusting God to lead us for summer plans. God willing, we'll be heading back to Spore on the 14th of July and then heading to Bali for a couple of days and then back to Spore for about 3 weeks before heading back to HK. Would have loved to head to the States to see my cousins and Eve but with the H1N1 madness, just too much hassle. Plus, I don't want to put Jo Claire at risk when I head back.

This is where we are at now. Life is never perfect which I always admit. But it is with the grace and strength of the Lord that we get through in life. I must admit that I often forget to be thankful and be grateful. Greed gets the better of me. I have to make an effort to remind myself to reflect and ponder on God's goodness. Am looking forward to the rest of the year. Excited to see what God has instore for us.

Life

Well, this evening my mum texted me with news of a cousin having days or weeks to live. Obviously it came as a shock to me. This cousin of mine, we are not that close. We didn't really grow up together as kids unlike my other cousins. But whatever it is, she's still a Sim and she's still my cousin.

Right now, there's nothing much that the doctors can do. It's sad that she's waiting for her time. But it's not fair! She's only 30. She has a whole life ahead of her. It kinda saddens me. I'm praying for a miracle and praying that God has a purpose for this and hopefully the family will see God's power and goodness and they be converted.

Friend Request

It was a really nice surprise this evening when I logged onto Facebook. Rach, my ex-student added me to her friend list. I taught Rach when she was eight and now, from my guess and if memory doesn't fail me, she's probably fifteen now.

Rach, along with a few other ex-students, is especially special to me. Like i mentioned, I taught her when she was eight and when she was ten, she found out that I was getting married. And this sweet little girl, garnered all her courage to ask me if she could be my flower girl! And well, of course I said yes! Still have her pics as my flower girl.

Well, as time passed she graduated from the school that I was teaching and in time, I left that school to come to HK to teach. I thought that we lost contact. And voila! She found me on Facebook! I was just thinking about her too. Can't believe that she remembered me. Gave me a nice, warm and fuzzy feeling. Love my job and my ex-students too!

There's Nothing That I Would Like to Change

On Thursday, the fellowship and dinner group came over to our place for fellowship and dinner. Yes, I know it does sound a little silly. Cooked up a dinner, glad no one came down with a tummy ache. Had a good time of fellowship with fellow Christians. A great recharge.

It was also my turn to share my story, my testimony. I shared my story in the simplest possible way and was reminded as I shared how God has always looked out for me. Remember the footprints story? That's how I feel of my life. There were times that Jesus and I walked together, two sets of footprints side by side, then there are times that I looked ahead pulling Jesus the way I want to go, and then there are times that I get a little weary that Jesus has to lead and drag me, sort of. And times that there's only one set of footprints. Jesus carrying me when I am too tired to go on. But whatever it is, it is comforting to know that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I know that through the trials and tribulations that I've gone through and will be going through, Jesus is with me and each trial and tribulation, He makes me a better person and through Him I become stronger and more resilient.

There was one thing that I forgot to mention. There's nothing in my life that I would like to change. The difficulties that I've went through, though it seemed dark and alone then, I'm glad that I went through. It's through these difficult periods of my life that Jesus becomes real and that I rely on His strength to be a better person. Yes, I am thankful for everything in my life, ups, downs, happiness, sadness, surprises, disappointments, basically everything. God has a purpose and reason for everything and I'm always thankful.

School Closure!!!

Last Thursday, EDB (HK's MOE) decided that all primary schools should be closed because of H1N1. There was a local cluster that broke out in one of the secondary schools. Well, to be honest, I was a little bummed out. We were already expecting that this was going to happen at some point of time but just don't know when. I was hoping that the school closure will happen after the school exams but it was not so and schools were closed abruptly. I spoke to some of the pupils and they were sad that they didn't have a chance to say goodbye to their friends and teachers. These were the primary 6 students and they were afraid that the school will only reopen in the new academic year. By then, they will be in a secondary school.

So, these couple of days, I won't be doing much work as there isn't much work to be done. Going to enjoy my working but not working much days and count down to summer holidays. Secretly hoping for summer holidays to start earlier!

Life isn't fair

When I was a kid, there were times that I used to get into trouble for things that weren't really my fault and I would tell my mum that it's not fair! And very often her reply was, life is just isn't fair! Fast forward to many years later. I remember being a class teacher of a primary 3 class. One day, one of the kids said that I wasn't fair. And my retort was, life isn't fair and the sooner you learn and deal with it, you'll have a better life!

A few nights ago, we were at fellowship dinner with fellow Christians from Park Island and one of them was sharing and showing us pictures that he took on a mission trip with his students. As he shared, the same very thought came to my head. Life isn't fair! He was sharing about the little kids in Cebu and how their drug addict, glue sniffing parents have turned their little kids of probably less than 5 years into 'mini them'. I knew Cebu was bad as I was kinda affected by the kids when we visited a while ago. But to hear someone telling me that the kids were glue sniffing and smoking glue, that just broke my heart. Life is just so unfair. Why did they have to go through this? Do their parents have any conscience at all? They're probably too high and drugged out to care.

When I was back in Spore for JC's party, a friend asked me about our adoption. Yes, friends, it's still on. It's taking way longer that we expected but we believe, know, trust and understand that God is in control. This friend asked and even my brother in law asked, why adoption? The long wait, we could make one our own. And why should we give unconditional love to some kid that's totally unrelated to us. My answer was, these are the kids that need love because they have no one to love them. To my brother in law, I said, Jesus gave Himself unconditionally for me, He loves me unconditionally. His reply, but you're not Jesus. Yes, true, I'm not Jesus and neither will I ever be Him. To me, I know that He has called me to do this and that I feel for these poor kids. For now, this is my call. And Lord willing, someday, there will be a kid that He wants us to save, just like He saved me.

Back in HK now. Arrived last night at about 11ish. Was a good trip back. to be honest, this last trip was the hardest to leave Singapore. And the irony, both of my parents were not in Singapore and the only reason is Jo Claire!

On the flight to Singapore. Yes, wearing mask because of the fear of H1N1. And this is also my first time wearing a mask. Almost gotten a headache from it!

Babe, Jo Claire and me. Joe, Joanne and Jo Claire picked us up from the airport. After dropping us off at mum's place, we went home to shower to 'wash the germs' away before heading over to Joanne's place to play with Jo Claire.

On Saturday morning, we attended Karen's wedding. God works in ways that we truly can't tell. I remember telling Karen that I can't make it for her wedding because I won't be back in Spore. But God's ways are higher than ours. Jo Claire came to the world early and we were able to make it to her wedding. This is Ashmund, Veron's son. Isn't he just adorable?

Here comes the bride, here comes the bride! Here comes the bride walking down the aisle.

My other favourite baby other than Jo Claire. This is Gabe. The last I saw him, he was this wee little baby. Can't believe how much he has grown!

Xiao Gu and mummy. Mummy is the one in black. Just look at the proud grandmas. The baby that mummy is carrying is Daphne. She's just 2 or 3 weeks and she's almost as big as Jo Claire!

Last Sunday was Jo Claire's first time going to church. She tried to be as good and quiet as possible in church but well, she's still a baby. And have a confession to make. I sat out of the message to be with Joanne and Jo Claire. Felt that Jo Claire was way more interesting than the message!

Just look at those cheeks! She's got the Sim genes. The 'bao' face. So round and chubby and cute!

Some of the cupcakes from Jo Claire's party. Aren't they just too beautiful to eat. There were more but I was too busy carrying the baby and talking to take pictures.

Jo Claire in her play mat. We bought this for her as a 'nice to meet you' present. But she looks a little tiny in the huge play mat!

Just look at that angelic face. Doesn't she just melt your heart? Kinda miss her now. Wonder what's she's doing now.

The trip back to Singapore was really good. And it also served many reminders to me. One of the things that was quite jarring was when Joe asked me to change Jo Claire's diapers and I'm like no....I don't think so. And he said that he doesn't think that I'm ready to be a mother. And I thought about it. Maybe that's true. At this point of time, I truly enjoy babies of my sister and friends. But to have a baby of mine own, it's something that I really have to think about. The other reminder was Amy. In a post that I wrote a while back, I met Amy though Stanley in Brisbane. Over time, she became a really good friend. When I met her, she asked me what was wrong 2 Thursdays ago. She read my blog. To be honest, I was surprised that she read my blog and she was concern enough to ask and to make sure that things are fine. I feel very blessed that God has given my a wonderful friend and sister in Christ like her.

It was a nice trip but I hate it when I have to make short trips. I have to really be careful with my time as there's just so little time to meet and catch up with so many people. Sorry, if I didn't manage to catch up with you. But not to worry, I'll be back in 6 weeks or so!