A couple days ago, I received a letter from the church that I attend in HK. It was a tax receipt. And it got me thinking. I admit wholeheartedly that I'm terrible with money. Seriously terrible and I'll do good with money management classes. It's only in the last couple of years that I'm learnt better control and management my money.
When I first started working after graduation, it was such joy to get a real salary. With such great joy, came elation at shopping. And with the elation, savings never happened but credit cards debts grew. Honestly, it never really mattered. I just enjoyed my buying. I never really had enough money for God. Rather, I gave God whatever that I had leftover of each month. I started to wonder why don't I really have savings and what was really my tithing to God. It wasn't even 10 percent that's stipulated in the bible. It was whatever that I had in my wallet.
Having written all that, it was only moving to Hong Kong and being committed to really giving to God that I saw my little savings grow a little. It was different this time round. I told myself that God has given me so much and I'm just returning Him a small portion of what He has given me. It was then that I saw my savings growing and my debts getting smaller. And me getting happier. So going back to the tax receipt that I received, well, the figure could've been bigger. And that serves a reminder to me. God doesn't need money from me. He owns the world! But rather, me giving to Him serves as a commitment and discipline on my part to put Him first in my life.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Plus
What's Plus? Plus means addition and sometimes plus means synergy. So what really is Plus? Well, Plus is a care/cell group that I attend on Park Island. Maybe slightly more than a year or so, we were invited by a couple to attend a meeting on Thursday. Sure in the beginning it was a little daunting. We didn't know anyone except for a couple. But soon, we got to know each other and it's become a comfortable and comforting group.
Over time, this group has been quite crucial in our spiritual growth. It was nice to finally find a nice group of people that we can hang out and have fellowship and worship God together. It's been a long time since I've belong to a group like that. Probably more than 15 years? Guess it must be since Youth Fellowship. It's been really encouraging to know that there are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that are praying for us and we're praying for them too. And I'm thankful that God has brought us to them. Living in Hong Kong, we really need the reality check with God and this provides for it.
Last Thursday, one of the ladies in Plus shared that her brother died a couple of days ago. She went on to say that he was raised in a Christian family. He was a Christian but he chose to live the ways of the world. There were times in his life that he made more than US$30, 000 per month. But when the mortgage crisis hit, he lost everything. Anyway, he died being born again and a practising Christian. What hit me that night was that we were just reading the passage of the Parable of the Rich Fool. It struck me, so what if I've all these material stuff? Sure, when I die, they can be buried with me but they won't get to heaven with me. And besides that, I can lost them overnight in a fire or when something happens, whatever it may be. It got me thinking, where am I really storing my treasure? And am I truly living a life that emulates Christ?
I know the answer is probably a no sometimes. But that doesn't stop me from learning and trying to be a better person with Christ's help.
Over time, this group has been quite crucial in our spiritual growth. It was nice to finally find a nice group of people that we can hang out and have fellowship and worship God together. It's been a long time since I've belong to a group like that. Probably more than 15 years? Guess it must be since Youth Fellowship. It's been really encouraging to know that there are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that are praying for us and we're praying for them too. And I'm thankful that God has brought us to them. Living in Hong Kong, we really need the reality check with God and this provides for it.
Last Thursday, one of the ladies in Plus shared that her brother died a couple of days ago. She went on to say that he was raised in a Christian family. He was a Christian but he chose to live the ways of the world. There were times in his life that he made more than US$30, 000 per month. But when the mortgage crisis hit, he lost everything. Anyway, he died being born again and a practising Christian. What hit me that night was that we were just reading the passage of the Parable of the Rich Fool. It struck me, so what if I've all these material stuff? Sure, when I die, they can be buried with me but they won't get to heaven with me. And besides that, I can lost them overnight in a fire or when something happens, whatever it may be. It got me thinking, where am I really storing my treasure? And am I truly living a life that emulates Christ?
I know the answer is probably a no sometimes. But that doesn't stop me from learning and trying to be a better person with Christ's help.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Call
I received a call today. A call that I kinda knew was coming and I was sort of dreading it too. My case worker for adoption called. As you know, we've been in the process of adopting for forever. It's been a long, long journey and it's still not at the end yet.
So anyway my case worker told us that we've been pulled out of the pool of prospective adoptive parents for the time being. The reason being is that Babe is kinda working overseas. When Babe had to move to Singapore for work, we sort of knew that this might happen. But we decided to be truthful and honest about our situation to our case worker. He tried his best to help us in many ways and guess, he must have dreaded the call to me as well.
Well, we're not ending our journey for adoption. We've just taking a pit stop. Babe can't head back to Hong Kong now. He would if he could. He has obligations that has to be fulfilled and in God's time, he'll head back. At the same time, when he heads back to Hong Kong, we're going to take the leap of faith because he'll be leaving his job to be back in Hong Kong. I know, some people might ask if this is all worth it? Why not just have one of your own? I asked Babe the same question. I know what my answers are but I wanted to hear Babe's answers. He said that he'll rather honour God and do what He wants for us than to have a job and have material wealth. What he said gave me great comfort because it was the same answer that I've inside me. And that confirms and reaffirms that it is God's will.
In having said all these, when I was preparing dinner, there were some thoughts that came through. This May would be one year since we rejected a child that was matched to us. Sure, I was really mad with Babe when he said no. But I respected his decision and submitted to him. And to a certain extent, I did feel God punishing us in some ways. I felt His chastisement and His love at the same time. Yes, more than one year is a long time to wait for His will but it is all worth it. And a thought ran through my head, I've been through so much in life, God is just getting me ready for more in life and what's this little hurdle going to do to me? Babe and me took 10 years to get married. And if it's going to take 10 years from marriage to have our firstborn, so be it. God's timing is always perfect.
Yes, In His time, He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
So anyway my case worker told us that we've been pulled out of the pool of prospective adoptive parents for the time being. The reason being is that Babe is kinda working overseas. When Babe had to move to Singapore for work, we sort of knew that this might happen. But we decided to be truthful and honest about our situation to our case worker. He tried his best to help us in many ways and guess, he must have dreaded the call to me as well.
Well, we're not ending our journey for adoption. We've just taking a pit stop. Babe can't head back to Hong Kong now. He would if he could. He has obligations that has to be fulfilled and in God's time, he'll head back. At the same time, when he heads back to Hong Kong, we're going to take the leap of faith because he'll be leaving his job to be back in Hong Kong. I know, some people might ask if this is all worth it? Why not just have one of your own? I asked Babe the same question. I know what my answers are but I wanted to hear Babe's answers. He said that he'll rather honour God and do what He wants for us than to have a job and have material wealth. What he said gave me great comfort because it was the same answer that I've inside me. And that confirms and reaffirms that it is God's will.
In having said all these, when I was preparing dinner, there were some thoughts that came through. This May would be one year since we rejected a child that was matched to us. Sure, I was really mad with Babe when he said no. But I respected his decision and submitted to him. And to a certain extent, I did feel God punishing us in some ways. I felt His chastisement and His love at the same time. Yes, more than one year is a long time to wait for His will but it is all worth it. And a thought ran through my head, I've been through so much in life, God is just getting me ready for more in life and what's this little hurdle going to do to me? Babe and me took 10 years to get married. And if it's going to take 10 years from marriage to have our firstborn, so be it. God's timing is always perfect.
Yes, In His time, He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Transient Life?
I'm back in HK after a long Easter break. I reached home last night at midnight and had to get to work this morning. Not a good idea. Regretted it last night while trying to get myself to sleep. Oh well, I learn something about myself every day.
While trying to fall asleep last night, I started to think about my life and where it is leading. I realized that my life isn't that transient anymore. What I thought was going to be a 2 year stint in Hong Kong is turning out to be longer than expected. The only transient thing about my life is the holidays that I take. Flying between Hong Kong and Singapore and sometimes, making pit stops in different parts of Asia and occasionally, stops in States. Other than that, there's nothing really transient about my life.
Why was I thinking about my transient life? Maybe it was a prompt that it's time to sink my roots. What I mean by that is to really attend a church and to start serving in that church. Yes, I attend a church in Hong Kong. It's the 3rd church that we attend and to a certain extent, we believe that this might be the church for us to settle in. And in settling in, it's time to start finding an avenue to serve. I do feel horrid floating along and not really serving in the last four years.
Another part of my transient life is my marriage. At this point of time, Babe is commuting between Singapore and Hong Kong to see me. On top of that, he's also commuting between Singapore and the Asia Pacific region for work. I do feel sorry for him because I know it's hard for him. It's hard for him that I'm not with him and it's harder for him that he has to travel and it take a toll on him. Hopefully, in time to come, he's be able to take a break and have a breather.
So here, my transient life that's becoming rather stable. And don't take it wrong, I'm not complaining.
While trying to fall asleep last night, I started to think about my life and where it is leading. I realized that my life isn't that transient anymore. What I thought was going to be a 2 year stint in Hong Kong is turning out to be longer than expected. The only transient thing about my life is the holidays that I take. Flying between Hong Kong and Singapore and sometimes, making pit stops in different parts of Asia and occasionally, stops in States. Other than that, there's nothing really transient about my life.
Why was I thinking about my transient life? Maybe it was a prompt that it's time to sink my roots. What I mean by that is to really attend a church and to start serving in that church. Yes, I attend a church in Hong Kong. It's the 3rd church that we attend and to a certain extent, we believe that this might be the church for us to settle in. And in settling in, it's time to start finding an avenue to serve. I do feel horrid floating along and not really serving in the last four years.
Another part of my transient life is my marriage. At this point of time, Babe is commuting between Singapore and Hong Kong to see me. On top of that, he's also commuting between Singapore and the Asia Pacific region for work. I do feel sorry for him because I know it's hard for him. It's hard for him that I'm not with him and it's harder for him that he has to travel and it take a toll on him. Hopefully, in time to come, he's be able to take a break and have a breather.
So here, my transient life that's becoming rather stable. And don't take it wrong, I'm not complaining.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Easter Hols So Far
Tonight is my second last night in Singapore. Easter hols so far has been good. Well, good not in the sense that I've been having loads of fun but good as in I've been seeing God's hands working in this holiday.
I came back on the 25th of March. On 24th of March, my brother in law's brother past on. He was in an accident. I was not able to be there as much as I would like for the family as I was involved in a school trip. However, I was able to attend a vigil service and to a certain extent be there for the family in whatever small ways that I can.
After the school trip, on the 31st of March, we had to visit Babe's grandma in the hospital. She had a fall and is resting in the hospital. She's still there and hopefully she'll be fine soon.
We left for Phuket on the 1st and were there till the 4th of April. It was a good trip. Good couple time. And thankfully, we were not affected by the protests and madness that's happening in Bangkok. At the back of our heads, we had a fear that the airport might be shut like what happened last year. But thankfully, it was all good.
Spent some time with friends. But there some are busy and I'm understanding why God chose for me to spend time with some over the others. Sorry, if I didn't call you or see you, it's not that you don't mean a lot to me. But rather, whenever time is very short, I don't see all the people that I want to see. And the reality of it, since the arrival of little JC, my time is spent largely on her. Don't worry, when my summer hols roll along, I'll have more time in Spore.
When I wrote that I've been seeing God's hands in this trip, I mean, it's not often that Babe's grandma is in hospital and it's not often that I'm back for hols too. So when the two meet, I'm able to see her and hopefully, be of encouragement to her. And it's the same with Joe's family (Joanne's in laws), I've never really spent that much that with my sis' in laws till recently and I hope and pray that they'll come to know Christ and be encouraged by Him.
Overall, it's a great trip home and will be kinda reluctant to leave on Sun but that's the way my life goes for now.
I came back on the 25th of March. On 24th of March, my brother in law's brother past on. He was in an accident. I was not able to be there as much as I would like for the family as I was involved in a school trip. However, I was able to attend a vigil service and to a certain extent be there for the family in whatever small ways that I can.
After the school trip, on the 31st of March, we had to visit Babe's grandma in the hospital. She had a fall and is resting in the hospital. She's still there and hopefully she'll be fine soon.
We left for Phuket on the 1st and were there till the 4th of April. It was a good trip. Good couple time. And thankfully, we were not affected by the protests and madness that's happening in Bangkok. At the back of our heads, we had a fear that the airport might be shut like what happened last year. But thankfully, it was all good.
Spent some time with friends. But there some are busy and I'm understanding why God chose for me to spend time with some over the others. Sorry, if I didn't call you or see you, it's not that you don't mean a lot to me. But rather, whenever time is very short, I don't see all the people that I want to see. And the reality of it, since the arrival of little JC, my time is spent largely on her. Don't worry, when my summer hols roll along, I'll have more time in Spore.
When I wrote that I've been seeing God's hands in this trip, I mean, it's not often that Babe's grandma is in hospital and it's not often that I'm back for hols too. So when the two meet, I'm able to see her and hopefully, be of encouragement to her. And it's the same with Joe's family (Joanne's in laws), I've never really spent that much that with my sis' in laws till recently and I hope and pray that they'll come to know Christ and be encouraged by Him.
Overall, it's a great trip home and will be kinda reluctant to leave on Sun but that's the way my life goes for now.
New Reader
Recently, I've been getting a couple of comments in Chinese. Well, since I can't read it, I normally delete it. But this time, I 'approved' the comment since Babe read it for me. For readers out there who want to comment, I'm sorry, for Chinese comments, I'd normally delete it away unless I'm able to read it or someone is able to read it for me. So in other words, please comment in English.
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