This is the 3rd Christmas for Elyse. And she enjoyed it very much compared to the last two. We received lots of presents this year. Maybe it's also due to the move. Elyse enjoys opening each one of them. She's now quite an expert in opening presents. Thanks for all the thoughful member of the church.
We brought Elyse to the candlelight service on Friday evening. Though this is the 3rd time she attended, the first time she was too young (only 3 months old!); the second time when the light was off, I carried her to the church foyer, worried that she might be frightened of the dark. This year I stayed in the church sanctuary with her. She enjoyed lighting the candle and held it on her little finger. I was careful to make sure the wax doesn't drip on her.
That night when I told her that we wld be going to the church again the next day for Christmas Service, she asked for the candle. The same happenned on Saturday night when I told her we wld be going for Sunday Service. Looks like my little princess has fallen in love with candle.
We taught her to say 'Merry Christmas' and she learned it very fast. To my surprise, while we were in the church, when people shake hands with her, she will automatically say 'Merry Christmas'. That was so sweet of her.
Lately she has also learned to say 'Thank you so much' from Thomas & Friends video. She said it whenever people gives her something. One aunty commented: normally children say 'Thank you' we would be very happy and contented. Elyse could even say 'Thank you so much' that really melted her heart.
On Christmas day we brought Elyse to McD for dinner. She practically ate the entire drumstick of the fried chicken!
These are some of the beautiful memories from my little princess.
"Having a child is the greatest joy in the entire world. No matter how much you read about it, or hear about it, nothing can prepare you for the incredible love, joy and sheer happiness children bring".
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities".
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Thankful Heart
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
As we are heading towards the end of year 2010, I'm ever grateful to God for what He has done in my life for the past one year.
As I was preparing myself to be a fulltime housewife at the end of 2009, God spoke to me that He will release me into new ministry. I wondered what could it be then? And yes, I doubted it. I couldn't understand how could it be possible to involve in a new ministry when I resigned from my current job to take care of my toddler fulltime. But again, God has His marvelous plans installed for me.
As I adjusted myself to be a housewife, Grace approached me one Sunday in April and asked me to take the lead in teaching at Vacation Church School (VCS) in June. As usual, my immediate reaction was: I can't. I have to take care of my girl.
Back home, I prayed and requested God to give me the main theme of VCS, if I would to take charge of the teaching. One week passed by. No words from the Lord. Two days before I decided to answer Grace, God spoke to me as I was reading a book on marriage. "Everyone is special in the eyes of God. Everyone has something unique and wonderful in them. Even the worst man on earth. Because we are all made in the image of God. We are God's chosen treasure." I am one who is guilty of turning away to another direction when I see someone who is 'bad' coming towards my direction in church. Just don't feel like to have anything with these people. But God convicted my heart. And I know instantly that this is the theme for VCS.
The many days and weeks before VCS, I burned lots of midnight oil to prepare for the teaching. I had not been involved in children ministry for a number of years but I was excited in sourcing out the materials and resources. I have some experiences in the past on how to prepare for lessons. But it was not an easy task. Many thanks to hubby for helping me to prepare some of the props and my in laws for taking care of Elyse whenever I need some time out.
Though throughout the entire VCS we did not experience God coming down to us like thunder storm or lightning :p I'm certainly grateful for such wonderful opportunity to minister to the children from various background. The youth and adults who helped out during VCS were excellent and may God bless them abundantly.
Just when I thought everything is over and now that I'm back to my routine, I was asked to choreograph a dance for the GB girls. It was yet another experience for me as I have not been dancing for a long long time, and I'm not familar with ribbon dance at all. But thank God for seeing me through. The feedback was simple and nice. Taking into consideration that the two girls did not have any background or formal training from dancing and we only had 2 to 3 times to practise.
It was indeed a fruitful year for me. I may not be able to involve actively in ministry like I used to be, yet God has opened new doors for me to launch in. Hubby is ever supportive when I take up these challenges and juggle between ministry and home. My in laws are always there whenever we need help. These are my family. I truly thank the Lord for each of them.
As we are heading towards the end of year 2010, I'm ever grateful to God for what He has done in my life for the past one year.
As I was preparing myself to be a fulltime housewife at the end of 2009, God spoke to me that He will release me into new ministry. I wondered what could it be then? And yes, I doubted it. I couldn't understand how could it be possible to involve in a new ministry when I resigned from my current job to take care of my toddler fulltime. But again, God has His marvelous plans installed for me.
As I adjusted myself to be a housewife, Grace approached me one Sunday in April and asked me to take the lead in teaching at Vacation Church School (VCS) in June. As usual, my immediate reaction was: I can't. I have to take care of my girl.
Back home, I prayed and requested God to give me the main theme of VCS, if I would to take charge of the teaching. One week passed by. No words from the Lord. Two days before I decided to answer Grace, God spoke to me as I was reading a book on marriage. "Everyone is special in the eyes of God. Everyone has something unique and wonderful in them. Even the worst man on earth. Because we are all made in the image of God. We are God's chosen treasure." I am one who is guilty of turning away to another direction when I see someone who is 'bad' coming towards my direction in church. Just don't feel like to have anything with these people. But God convicted my heart. And I know instantly that this is the theme for VCS.
The many days and weeks before VCS, I burned lots of midnight oil to prepare for the teaching. I had not been involved in children ministry for a number of years but I was excited in sourcing out the materials and resources. I have some experiences in the past on how to prepare for lessons. But it was not an easy task. Many thanks to hubby for helping me to prepare some of the props and my in laws for taking care of Elyse whenever I need some time out.
Though throughout the entire VCS we did not experience God coming down to us like thunder storm or lightning :p I'm certainly grateful for such wonderful opportunity to minister to the children from various background. The youth and adults who helped out during VCS were excellent and may God bless them abundantly.
Just when I thought everything is over and now that I'm back to my routine, I was asked to choreograph a dance for the GB girls. It was yet another experience for me as I have not been dancing for a long long time, and I'm not familar with ribbon dance at all. But thank God for seeing me through. The feedback was simple and nice. Taking into consideration that the two girls did not have any background or formal training from dancing and we only had 2 to 3 times to practise.
It was indeed a fruitful year for me. I may not be able to involve actively in ministry like I used to be, yet God has opened new doors for me to launch in. Hubby is ever supportive when I take up these challenges and juggle between ministry and home. My in laws are always there whenever we need help. These are my family. I truly thank the Lord for each of them.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Farewell
Both Andrew and I were not very keen on the farewell party organised by the church. Andrew has tried to request not to have one, yet it is the tradition of the church. Out of obligation we attended though my little princess was not feeling well that evening.
It turned out to be a great and beautiful moment for both of us. We were caught in surprised when a few youth requested the MC to slot them into the program. They expressed their gratitude to Andrew and I in their own simple way. No fancy words. But that is the way I love it. They said it with their heart, not trying to impress people with their words.
Most of the youth got close to Andrew during the Youth Camp. God worked powerfully during that few days and many were touched as Andrew ministered to them in word of knowledge and word of wisdom. In fact, Andrew himself was amazed that the Holy Spirit just released those words in his heart.
I got the chance to work with the youth during VCS. They helped me tremendously. At times I can see that they were so tired yet they pressed on. It is never an easy task to minister to children. It requires lots of energy, stamina, creativity and above all, love for the kids.
Andrew was touched to see so many turned up. We received many apologies from church members for unable to make it on that day. A lot of seniors attended. Some were even on wheelchair. Some youth who are sitting for SPM were there, too. I was surprised to see Ivy and her husband were there. A few seniors introduced themselves to me. Apparently they came to know me few years back when I was still working in the church office. Called them for various reasons and they remember me till now. How touching!
Andrew was very moved when 2 youth sang the song 'Thank You For Giving To The Lord'. He loves this song. He has never expected anyone to sing and dedicate this song to him for what he has done.
We received many gifts from members as well. Who are we? We are just God's servants doing God's work. For those who have been touched by our ministries in one way or another, we thank God that it is not by might, it is not by power, but by the Holy Spirit who enables us to minister.
It turned out to be a great and beautiful moment for both of us. We were caught in surprised when a few youth requested the MC to slot them into the program. They expressed their gratitude to Andrew and I in their own simple way. No fancy words. But that is the way I love it. They said it with their heart, not trying to impress people with their words.
Most of the youth got close to Andrew during the Youth Camp. God worked powerfully during that few days and many were touched as Andrew ministered to them in word of knowledge and word of wisdom. In fact, Andrew himself was amazed that the Holy Spirit just released those words in his heart.
I got the chance to work with the youth during VCS. They helped me tremendously. At times I can see that they were so tired yet they pressed on. It is never an easy task to minister to children. It requires lots of energy, stamina, creativity and above all, love for the kids.
Andrew was touched to see so many turned up. We received many apologies from church members for unable to make it on that day. A lot of seniors attended. Some were even on wheelchair. Some youth who are sitting for SPM were there, too. I was surprised to see Ivy and her husband were there. A few seniors introduced themselves to me. Apparently they came to know me few years back when I was still working in the church office. Called them for various reasons and they remember me till now. How touching!
Andrew was very moved when 2 youth sang the song 'Thank You For Giving To The Lord'. He loves this song. He has never expected anyone to sing and dedicate this song to him for what he has done.
We received many gifts from members as well. Who are we? We are just God's servants doing God's work. For those who have been touched by our ministries in one way or another, we thank God that it is not by might, it is not by power, but by the Holy Spirit who enables us to minister.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Morning Sickness
This is my second pregnancy. I'm entering the 2nd trimester. Yet my morning sickness is still as bad, if not worse.
I was still working when I was conceived with my first baby. I lost my appetite altogether. I couldn't even stand the smell of cooking. Thus, a lot of times, hubby needed to bring me out for meals. Nevertheless, I like Zinger Burger from KFC. Hubby enjoyed taking me over to the fastfood restaurant, since he's a fan of KFC. Other than that, I don't recall fancy anything else. I suffered all 9 months, although towards the end I was able to eat more.
This second pregnancy is quite a different one. Since I have previous experience, I detacted my conception quite early. I developed back pain right from the beginning. I feel hungry almost all the time, but I can only take small portion of food each time. That is very frustrating. I don't like to keep looking for food to eat now and then. After all, I'm not a food lover. I eat to live, not live to eat.
Though I'm a fulltime mom, I feel tired most of the time. Elyse craves for my attention a lot. Thank God for hubby and in laws. Many days and nights they relieve me from all the household chores and helps me to take care of Elyse. However, there was a season, I think approximately 2 weeks, I couldn't sleep at all at night. Then, another season, where I practically sleep from day to night and night to day.
The latest was food poisoning after the Ipoh trip. I think the culprit was the pisang goreng from the road side. I only ate 3 pieces. But the whole evening I was vomitting, practically everything I ate and drank. I couldn't even take in 2 mouthful of water. It took me 3 to 4 days to recover.
And now this week I am suffering from sore throat. It has now led to coughing and running nose. These few nights I have difficulty in falling asleep as well.
With December coming to an end soon, we are starting to pack our stuff for the moving. We'll be paying a visit to the church as well as the parsonage shortly.
It is such a roller coster ride for me with this second pregnancy. Nevertheless, I'm ever grateful for my baby in the womb. He/she is a gift from God and we will treasure him/her and shower him/her with our love and care as much as we do with our little princess, Elyse.
I was still working when I was conceived with my first baby. I lost my appetite altogether. I couldn't even stand the smell of cooking. Thus, a lot of times, hubby needed to bring me out for meals. Nevertheless, I like Zinger Burger from KFC. Hubby enjoyed taking me over to the fastfood restaurant, since he's a fan of KFC. Other than that, I don't recall fancy anything else. I suffered all 9 months, although towards the end I was able to eat more.
This second pregnancy is quite a different one. Since I have previous experience, I detacted my conception quite early. I developed back pain right from the beginning. I feel hungry almost all the time, but I can only take small portion of food each time. That is very frustrating. I don't like to keep looking for food to eat now and then. After all, I'm not a food lover. I eat to live, not live to eat.
Though I'm a fulltime mom, I feel tired most of the time. Elyse craves for my attention a lot. Thank God for hubby and in laws. Many days and nights they relieve me from all the household chores and helps me to take care of Elyse. However, there was a season, I think approximately 2 weeks, I couldn't sleep at all at night. Then, another season, where I practically sleep from day to night and night to day.
The latest was food poisoning after the Ipoh trip. I think the culprit was the pisang goreng from the road side. I only ate 3 pieces. But the whole evening I was vomitting, practically everything I ate and drank. I couldn't even take in 2 mouthful of water. It took me 3 to 4 days to recover.
And now this week I am suffering from sore throat. It has now led to coughing and running nose. These few nights I have difficulty in falling asleep as well.
With December coming to an end soon, we are starting to pack our stuff for the moving. We'll be paying a visit to the church as well as the parsonage shortly.
It is such a roller coster ride for me with this second pregnancy. Nevertheless, I'm ever grateful for my baby in the womb. He/she is a gift from God and we will treasure him/her and shower him/her with our love and care as much as we do with our little princess, Elyse.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas
I always love the month of December. Simply because it's Christmas season! The malls are playing Christmas carols, the shops are putting up Christmas deco. Though Christmas has been commercialised, I still like the atmosphere wrapped around this season.
I celebrated my first Christmas when I was 13 years old. I was filled with excitement. That was my first year with the church, and first time joining the carolling group! Carols were new to me then. We went to many houses, each one of them were so generous in providing food and drink. By the end of 5 or 6 houses, all the carollers were so full that we have to keep apologizing to the rest of the house owners we couldn't take in anymore! The last house was the pastor's house, if I recalled correctly. By then, it was already 1 or 2am. Exhausted and tired, yet I would consider this as one of my favourite Christmas Eve!
The second year of my Christmas was celebrated together with a group of youth from Singapore. They spent a week or so with us, performing beautiful dance and short drama in the mall and in the church. Not to mention that they went out giving tracks with us, pray together with us and enjoyed mamak stall for supper. Although I did not involve in anything, I enjoyed their fellowship and was impressed by their performing skill. That was the first time I heard the song 'We were the reason' and this has been one of my favourite songs till now.
Besides these two years, the following few years with the youth in CCC Segamat were also recorded as one of my favourite. Very often we spent days in the church to put up deco, and Ju-Li was often appointed as our chief advisor when it comes to deco. Trying it out our own production of songs, dance and drama were also very challenging.
However, Christmas seem to become less excited after that. There was a year I joined the choir, and another year I joined the dance group. Yet I still missed those teenage years.
I celebrated my first Christmas when I was 13 years old. I was filled with excitement. That was my first year with the church, and first time joining the carolling group! Carols were new to me then. We went to many houses, each one of them were so generous in providing food and drink. By the end of 5 or 6 houses, all the carollers were so full that we have to keep apologizing to the rest of the house owners we couldn't take in anymore! The last house was the pastor's house, if I recalled correctly. By then, it was already 1 or 2am. Exhausted and tired, yet I would consider this as one of my favourite Christmas Eve!
The second year of my Christmas was celebrated together with a group of youth from Singapore. They spent a week or so with us, performing beautiful dance and short drama in the mall and in the church. Not to mention that they went out giving tracks with us, pray together with us and enjoyed mamak stall for supper. Although I did not involve in anything, I enjoyed their fellowship and was impressed by their performing skill. That was the first time I heard the song 'We were the reason' and this has been one of my favourite songs till now.
Besides these two years, the following few years with the youth in CCC Segamat were also recorded as one of my favourite. Very often we spent days in the church to put up deco, and Ju-Li was often appointed as our chief advisor when it comes to deco. Trying it out our own production of songs, dance and drama were also very challenging.
However, Christmas seem to become less excited after that. There was a year I joined the choir, and another year I joined the dance group. Yet I still missed those teenage years.
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