Out for Dinner with the Ladies and Josias

Last Tuesday night, I met up with a couple of ladies for dinner. It was kinda long overdue. I've not seen one of them for maybe more than 2 or 3 months. I decided to bring Josias along as the ladies wanted to see him. So the trek to Pacific Place with the little boy started. But I kinda forgotten that I had to see my chiropractor before meeting the ladies. And there I was thinking and figuring it out and well, I had no choice, brought the helper to Central with me. Told her to look after little one while I got myself sorted.

Got myself sorted and then sent helper home to get dinner ready for Babe. I must say it was interesting as I navigated myself through public transport and the streets of Hong Kong with the huge stroller and bags of stuff. I survived getting to Pacific Place and managed to get myself into a cafe to order a coffee and feed little boy and then meet ladies for dinner.

It was a good night out. Little Josias managed to charm the ladies sitting next to us. They even offered to carry him while I eat. Then suddenly the time hit, he started his crying at about 9. That was him telling me that he wanted to go home. I sat there telling the ladies that it's really hard at times for me not to slip and become one of those ladies that bring their helper out everywhere they go so that they can deal with the child. Yes, I would love a night out with the ladies and let them play with Josias but when he starts his whinging, I would love to be able to pass him to the helper and tell her, fix him! But reality is that, no, I want to be able to take him out on my own and work it out with him. Anyway, when we said goodbye and started our way to the MTR station, he stopped crying. Maybe he knew that he was going home. Had a good night. Wouldn't mind bringing him out again but then again, not sure if the ladies appreciate me bringing him out with them again!

Josias is growing fast. Real fast I must say. Overall, I'm enjoying him maybe a lot more than Babe. Babe gets worried about things too much and sometimes Josias cries in the night and Babe gets worried and frustrated. But I guess it's all part and parcel of parenthood. We're getting used to it and yes, enjoying it to a certain extent.

Anyway, enjoy pics of little Josias.

Passed out from eating way too much!

My little cowboy!
Isn't he a cute bunny? Next up, tiger suit!

Eating the Buzz out of the Quinny.

A Typical Family

I was on sick leave yesterday. Nursing a cough but a sore hand and foot. Yes, age is catching up and everything breaks down. Sad, huh? I stayed in bed till about 9.30 when the phone rang and thereafter I was staying up, hanging out with Josias, saw the doc, trying to put him to bed, playing with him and it was only when he took his nap that I went and took my nap too.

Woke up at 6ish when I heard him cry a little and then found myself playing and hanging out with him. It was a great day, don't get me wrong. But I was thinking, maybe I might actually get more rest at school than at home. Priorities have changed now. We have a helper at home but I feel guilty leaving Josias to his own devices when I know I'm home and I can actually hang out with him. Yup, the mummy guilt has gotten to me.

I started thinking that well, we've morphed into a typical family with a kid, dog and helper. The helper is great. Thank God for her. We prayed that God would send the right helper to us. She loves Josias and that's important to me. Last Friday, I took the risk of leaving Josias to the helper who has probably arrived at our home less than 24 hours to bring Happy to the vet. Happy had her paw caught in the escalator and her dressing needed to be changed. I know it was a risk but I prayed and left it to God. Babe told me that there's not point being worried or suspicious of the helper. She is here to help and if I'm worried an suspicious all the time, then, she won't be a good helper isn't it? I love it when Babe puts it right in my face. I went and came back and found Josias laughing and smiling away. So there was nothing to worry about.

At this point, we're thankful that things are smooth sailing. But for some reason, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop and things go topsy turvy. Or, maybe that had already happened when Happy had her paw stuck in the escalator. Anyway, whatever it is, I'm thankful for my little typical family. It's no more just the two of us with a dog, but rather, three of us with a dog and helper!

Trials

I heard one of the best sermons in church yesterday. Maybe I should rephrased it, not maybe the best. But rather something that hit home.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

James 1: 2- 4

Pastor Andrew Gardener from The Vine( the church we currently attend) preached on trials and difficult times that Christians go through. He said something like, imagine James with a cheesy smile when he wrote consider pure joy whenever you face trials. And imagine people telling you the same thing with a cheesy smile. And I thought, that is just so true. Each time I go through difficult situation, and when someone points out this passage to them, I do want to punch them in the face. But the reality is that when James wrote this, God through James was pointing out a bigger picture that kinda hit home for me yesterday.

Pastor Andrew went on to share how difficult times in his life really made him see this passage clearer. When I was growing up, I used to look at my friends that come from really firm Christian families and tell them, 'you don't know what I'm going through because you have a steadfast Christian family.' Well, Pastor Andrew grew up in one of those but his reality hit him and his faith shook when things happened to him. And in that perspective I'm seeing that, yes, every Christian goes through trials and difficult situations and not everyone shares and let you know their situations and therefore it's not fair to say, your life is so easy.

When I was at uni, I had to wait on tables for like maybe 20 to 30 hours a week to make sure I can pay rent, get food and yes, I admit, go clubbing. I used to look at friends wistfully and wish that my parents had enough money to pay for everything and buy me a car too. But well, that didn't happen. And during those difficult times, I ask myself, why? And in my somewhat difficult childhood, I often asked God why me? Why put me through shit? And are you having a laugh about it? When I sat through that sermon, I heard it, 'testing of your faith produces perseverance'. And I thought, yes, very true. I can persist through a lot of things and persevere quite well. And I believe its through what I've been through that my faith in God has grown a lot and that I know that whatever that I went or am going through will make me a stronger Christian through Christ.

Thank you, Lord

Thank you, Lord,

for the trials that come my way.

In that way I can grow each day

as I let you lead,

And thank you, Lord,

for the patience those trials bring.

In that process of growing,

I can learn to care.

But it goes against the way

I am to put my human nature down

and let the Spirit take control of all I do.

'Cause when those trials come,

my human nature shouts the thing to do;

and God's soft prompting

can be easily ignored.

I thank you, Lord,

with each trial I feel inside,

that you're there to help,

lead and guide me away from wrong.

'Cause you promised, Lord,

that with every testing,

that your way of escaping is easier to bear.

But it goes against the way

I am to put my human nature down

and let the Spirit take control of all I do.

'Cause when those trials come,

my human nature shouts the thing to do;

and God's soft prompting

can be easily ignored.

I thank you, Lord,

for the victory that growing brings.

In surrender of everything

life is so worth while.

And I thank you, Lord,

that when everything's put in place,

out in front I can see your face,

and it's there you belong.

- Dan Burgess

While I was mulling over the sermon, Joel, whom I've known for years from Galilee wrote a note and pasted this song on Facebook. And it came at such an apt time because I was thinking of it too. I'm drawn to believe that God wants me to share this. I loved this song very much when I was in Youth Fellowship. Whenever shit hits the fan, the song comes to mind. And yes, it's through difficult times that I become stronger. I don't expect my parents or Babe to buy me things. If I want something, I've learnt that I've to work and buy it myself. However, if Babe or my parents buy it for me, I'll be grateful. I'm not the kind that envy what my friends' husbands buy for them or what they have. And I'm glad because God has guided and taught me. And its these processes in life that has matured me a little, strengthened our marriage and relationships between family and friends. Thanks for the sermon. Thanks for the reminder that God bring trials and difficult situations for reasons and sometimes I understand the reasons and sometimes I may never understand the reasons but am still thankful that God is leading me and strengthening my faith for what's to come in the future. Thank you, Lord.

Cousins

When I was growing up, I hang out a lot with my cousins. My cousins are not merely my cousins, they are my closest and best friends. I loved hanging out with them and well, I still do love hanging out with them. We used to go to the playground and play till the sun set, play boardgames till one of us collapses and it was so much fun.

One of the cousins that I hung out a lot was Morgan. He was like one of my bestest pal. We used to comfort each other when we were down. As kids we had so much to talk about. I don't know where he is now. It's sad, I know. Wonder if he still reads my blog. I want him to meet little Josias.

When Jo Claire was planning to come to HK. I wonder if Jo Claire and Josias would get along. I was hoping that Jo Claire would not be jealous of him. I was hoping that she would love him and that they would have a relationship like Morgan and I when were were growing up. I was hoping that they would have a relationship that they would rely on each other.

When Dad, Mum, Joanne and Jo Claire arrived, I brought Josias to the airport to meet them. The moment Jo Claire saw Josias, she went to pat him. She wanted to see him and give him cuddles. It was precious to see that. She played with him, cuddled him, even tried too feed him. Yes, there were thoughts that maybe it's time to move home so that they'll have a close relationship. But those thoughts are for later to consider.

Anyway, it's nice to have family around. They've gone to China to visit grandma. Can't wait for them to come back. And blessed Chinese New Year to everyone!