Rain, Sunshine and Rainbow

As 2010 is drawing close, I reflect on 2010. Overall, it has been a really good year. There's nothing that I would like to change. Seriously!

2010 kinda started with rain. I mean metaphorically. I remember spending Christmas in Singapore in 2009 and then waving bye to Babe and everyone at the airport and heading back to HK alone. It was hard. Lots of rain. And then there was lots of flying. Babe would come once a fortnight and I would fly once a fortnight. Flying back and forth.

Then rain got heavier and it was almost pouring cats and dogs in March when my social worker told me that we've got to be temporarily taken out of the adoption matching because Babe was working in Singapore. I was really upset. But there was some sunshine peeking out because when I told Babe, he told me that he was going to quit his job after summer. And I saw rainbows, God's promises.

Summer came and I went to visit Sharon, Eelynn, Bruno, Jolynn, Little Leina and Eve. Had loads of fun. Didn't want to leave. Headed back to Singapore and then, Babe kept to his words and we packed for Hong Kong. In the midst of packing, Babe got an email and it was a job offer. Again, lots of sunshine. And I thought of rainbows too. God's promises.

Well, again, the every fortnight phone calls made me a lot of 'kan cheong' and prayers started and yes, there were fastings too. And prayers and then sometimes fastings. And that's when the making of rainbow cakes started. I baked loads telling myself that God's promises will come through.

In November, mum, Joanne, Jacqui and JC came for a visit. It was great. Loved the time spent. Babe's mum, brother and sister in law came for a visit too. Then December rolled along. And yes, year is almost ending with a bang! Will talk about it later. I could really never ask for anything more.

On a side note, if I had my way, I would so call my kids, Rain, Sunshine and Rainbow. Wouldn't that be cool?

Blessed Christmas!

This Christmas is turning out to be one of the best Christmases ever! So, got my eyes zapped yesterday and voila!!! Perfect eyesight!

Before doing the Lasik, of course, there were tons of apprehension and fear but on the day itself, Babe and I prayed and I put my eyes in the hands of the Lord. Thank God for Danna and Angela who were with me as Babe was busy at work. This morning perfect eyesight!

Anyway, Bless Christmas to everyone! Am so reminded of God's blessings upon us.

The Move

The move is finally over and we're all unpacked and settled in. Thank God! So we started packing about 3 weeks ago. This time we decided to call in the movers. And we started to pack and packed. Never knew I had so so much clothes, shoes and stuff! And yes, bags! Totally madness.

Yes, these are some of the boxes that contained my stuff. And there were couple more boxes and not forgetting the suitcases too.
Moved to the new place and that's where the real fun started. The boxes and the clothes and the shoes and just stuff and more stuff. The unpacking never seemed to end!
After like 3 hours of unpacking, there's still boxes!!! Unbelievable! And that's when it hit. How much stuff do I really have?
And Happy looked confused in the midst of the mess.

Finally, all cleaned and unpacked! Thanks Babe for stepping up to it. Even though he was really overwhelmed by the mess, he did a great job.

Last night after everything, I had time to bake a cake for my colleagues. Keeping fingers crossed that the cake will turn out yum!

Catching my Breath

This is probably one of my busiest months in a long time. I've been up to my neck with preparing for my informal lesson observation which is over, thank God!, and tomorrow, we're having a parents' day for p1. Parents are coming to watch their kids in class and in turn, watch me teach. Well, this happens every year so it's really nothing new. And this Sat, we're packing and moving. On Sun night, we're having a farewell dinner to friends who are moving back to Canada. On Mon, my social worker is coming for an inspection and in the evening, I've got to do a short presentation to the parents for the school trip to Singapore. And in the midst of the craziness, I'mm coordinating with Mazzy, my ex-colleague a school visit to his school. Finally, on the 23rd of this month, I'm getting LASIK done to my eyes.

And yes, I need to pause and catch my breath! Packing is still ongoing. Boxes in the apartment, things are in a mess but we're still functioning to a certain extent. As long as I get through tomorrow, things would slow done a little but at the same time, I can feel my world swirling and spinning. I almost have to yell at myself to pause and be still and let the craziness around me go.

This Christmas is also a kinda bittersweet for me. Or rather I've mixed feelings for this Christmas. This is probably the 3rd Christmas that I won't be home. It's really hard for me. But I'm telling myself that God has a reason for everything. The matching for the adoption is on the 23rd of Dec and we need to be here in HK to be considered for it and therefore we didn't book our tickets. The reality is that, I'll gladly give up going home for Christmas, Chinese New Year and whatever holiday it is for our child to arrive. Yes, take the holidays but just give me our kid! That's all I ask for. There are days that I want to rant, shout and scream and ask God, what's up? What's going on? And by the way, I'm about to give up and yes, make my own! But there's a voice deep in me that's telling me, 'Patience, my child.' When I hear that voice, I become still and am reminded of God's calling for us.

This is my Christmas prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Two weeks ago, I taught Sunday School and I had a great time teaching the kids about your birth. I taught the kids that the greatest gift that we got for Christmas is you. You're the best thing for Christmas. And I truly believe that. You have given me so much. You have given Babe. Babe that truly loves me for everything. Babe, even bought me a Christmas present already. He was on a flight and he saw something in the inflight magazine and that weekend he brought me to the boutique to make sure that I like it and he bought it for me. Thanks so much for Babe. Can't ask for more. You have given me richly in terms of material stuff and in terms of love too. My life is full because you have made it full and complete. However, God, we heeded your calling and truly believe that you want us to adopt and here we are obeying you. So, if it's not too much to ask, the best present next to you, would be a little child for us. That's all we ask for,

Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus's name,

Amen

So this is my Christmas prayer. And yes, catch my breath and be still and let the madness and craziness zoom past me.

Dear Grandpa

Dear Grandpa,

Last night as I was leaving my apartment, I heard the security guard hum, 'What a Friend we have in Jesus,' and my immediately my thoughts were led to you. For some reason, I seem to believe that this is your favourite hymn. And last night I was thinking, what do I know? Why would I think this is your fav hymn? You went to heaven when I was barely 10 and still this thought resided in you.

So grandpa, how's heaven like? It is really what it's been described? I'm sure it's even better. Well, grandma is kinda fine, I guess. She's lost some of her short term memory. We tell her stuff and in 2 mins, she can't remember what she said. However, she has lots of happy memories from the past. She told me how you and her holidayed in England and she showed me photos. Those photos were beautiful by the way. On, before I forget, we're going to try to bring grandma back to Singapore. Although I'm in Hong Kong, mummy doesn't feel too happy about grandma living by herself in China. Don't get mummy wrong. The relatives are great. They love grandma and they take great care of her but mummy would much rather have grandma with her.

Grandpa, you'll be glad to know that all of your grandkids are graduates. We've kinda done you proud. I remember when I was in NIE and I would wonder where was your office? At that time, NIE was in the old campus of NUS at Bukit Timah. Well, Joanne and Alwin graduated from NUS but the rest of us went away to study. Out of your 5 grandkids, 4 are teachers but don't worry, Alwin works for Temasek. He works for the government. I know that you love Spore's government and yes, hopefully, you're really proud of us.

By the way, did you know that Joanne has a daughter. Her name is Jo Claire. So in other words, you're a great grandpa now. Joanne, mum and Jacqui have brought JC to see grandma twice and they are planning the next trip over Chinese New Year. JC is a great kid. And someday, we'll tell her stories of you and your legacy. Importantly, we want her to know that you and grandma did a wonderful job of adopting and therefore there's us. And we're always grateful for it.

On the topic of adoption, grandpa, in many ways, I'm led to believe that a huge reason why we're adopting is because of you. You love mum enough to adopt her and to love her and in turn you loved us heaps too. I want to say thanks. A couple of months ago, we were in Katong have pernanrakan lunch with mum, dad, uncle Larry and Aunty Amy when mum reminded us of our heritage. I was reminded that you're a baba. I wish you're still around to share more of your heritage to us.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Grandpa, I want to say thanks. Thanks for loving us. I do wish you're still around. But God had a reason why it was time for you to head home and I respect that. I'll see you soon, someday.

And this song is for you.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.