I'm currently waiting for lunch to be ready at the ARK Cafe with Dori my sister... thought it'll be a good time to drop an update and let the reader in a lil' on what's been going on. The ARK Cafe is located at Ann Siang Hill by the way... and it's opened by JJ Lin. It's funny sometimes to hear of Dori's stories of her personal encounters with him... haha. And the cafe's currently blasting Chris Tomlin's latest album! :)

Anyways, was at SGH with her earlier in the morning for her quarterly bone marrow test and check up. Dori has been responding well to the trial drug which she has been on for the past nine months... besides the initial reactions and hospitalisation last year, all's been alright thus far, the blood test results, bone marrow test results... thank God. :)

Marriage life has been sweet thus far... evident by my weight gain. Hahaha... nah. I was standing in the bus this morning on the way to the hospital when the thankfulness came once more... I guess there were many things that Char and I worked out during our courtship days that led to this rather good transition... and now that we're staying together, we find ourselves having more opportunities to be together, to do things together, to go out together... amidst all the family and friend gatherings... yay to that! :) There are things to work out still... like our sleeping patterns - Char cannot sleep too late into the night because she has to wake up early for work the next day while I find myself more productive work-wise in the wee hours... well, when two become one, we'll have to work out our schedules to become one bah. Some of my boys came by yesterday... it's heartening to see how they're rather at ease with one another. (:

Dad, mom, Char and I were in the same room last weekend when we returned to visit... I was doing my work on the comp while mom looked on in bed... Char was doing hers when dad started talking about his work... then she started replying to him. As I looked back... I'm really thankful how God so graciously allowed us to be favoured by our respective in-laws and sisters... in that as much as it means much to us, it's also a sign to us that it's a God-blessed union. Hahaha oh... I realised I'm in another season of having a smiley at the end of every paragraph! :P

A few more days and it's officially back to work... with the H1N1 situation, no one really knows if the home learning would occur for the first week... but regardless, Char and I are both making preparations. There are things to do that I've been putting off which I know I can no longer put off... and it's not because of inertia, but rather a little tinge of helplessness within me to know that it really isn't my cup of tea when it comes to event management. Well, shan't say much for now... just hoping that things will turn out okay eventually.

And yeah... I'll be shifting office soon. I've been in this student lounge type place the past year or so playing caretaker to the place for the boys... now management feels that it's not good for me to be isolated from the rest of the staff, and with the under-utilization of the place, they've decided to shut it down and move me to the staff room. I have to admit about the isolation part... think it isn't really healthy for an introvert... Mmm. So on one hand, while I'm looking forward to the prospect of being better integrated with my colleagues, I am aware of the loss of opportunity to interact with the boys who would pay a visit once in a while. Well... somehow I don't find it so hard to let go this time round. Some things... I finally found it easier to leave in God's hands then to constantly seek for the circumstance that I would want. :)

I must admit that there are times now and then when I actually ask myself if it's worth the energies to constantly step out of my comfort zones in my current job. I must confess that the temptation to fall back on the things that I've placed on my backburners are great - firstly would be the time freed up... and of course, the ability to better support the family in terms of finances... It's getting harder to remember the reason why I'm back here in the first place. Was taking the photo messages that my boys did for me for my birthday last month out of their frames yesterday morning... reading some of the messages again made me remember. Sometimes I don't know if they realise how powerful their words of encouragement can be... they are, at least to me. And the amazing thing is that some of the most meaningful ones came from those whom I don't have the privilege of time and situation to interact with them. One of them thanked me for the hard work and encouraged me to be the same for future batches to come... another one reflected on what I wrote to them before on relationships. Yeah, I write to them from time to time (to most, I would probably be just an online persona since I don't meet them in their classrooms) not knowing if any of them would actually remember any teenie bit of the things I write... well, apparently some, if not, one, did. :)

And yeah... haha. More than a teacher... more than I can ever think of...? That message was short... but I looked at it for a long time. :)

Haha yeah... I don't how the next half a year would be like... but if anything, I'll continue to learn to do as God says... and continue to live this life of thanksgiving along the way. I will be involved in a worship concert coming up in July... looking forward to seeing the Oops! Asia family! :)

Hello. (:

I've been away with Char for the past two weeks in Koh Samui for our honeymoon... probably won't get to post photos here due to time constraints, but for those who're linked in Facebook, you can check out the albums over there. I must say it'd been a good break of sort... but yeah, I've put on some weight. Quite terrible actually. Must try to get back in shape again! Haha...

It's been meeting after meeting right after we're back... tonight we caught the movie "Dance, Subaru!" together with our sisters and Char's parents at Orchard Cineleisure.

It's getting harder and harder for me to make new postings... cause time after time I've found nothing post"worthy" to write... or perhaps it's due to the limited time that I have to let my mind wander these days, nothing really hits me hard enough for me to write an entry on. I've got some afterthoughts after watching this manga-turned-movie... so I thought it'll be good to jot them down here.

In short, the movie depicts a girl (Subaru) with a passion for dancing... and how her perseverance paid off in spite of all the hardships and heartaches that she went through from young (loss of mother, brother, and a really good mentor and friend). Just two takeaways...:

Subaru's mentor who coached her from young refused to sign her up for a dance competition under her wing and be her dance coach even though that would mean losing her (shan't disclose too much lest it becomes spoiler)... her words hit home: "there's nothing left that I can teach her".

Letting go is never easy... and I realise that it's a fine line of being selfish or for the other party. Years ago, I didn't understand... but now I do. There are seasons when I'll be called into people's lives... and sometimes it's easy to be tempted to stretch the time beyond my expiry date because of the bonds forged. That's where I've to keep reminding myself that whereas the seasons may be gone, the bonds, Lord willing, would go on.

We had a rather late dinner at the BBQ Chicken outlet there thereafter... and as those afterthoughts twirled round and round my mind in the midst of eating and chatting with deardear, our sisters and my new set of parents, I just felt thankful... that how God has been so good all the while, in that He places wonderful people in my life through and through to encourage me on.

(:

I've just gone through the two biggest days of my life. Don't think I'll write long... but just to jot down the highlights.

29th May was filled with last minute packing and preparations for the wedding. There was so much to do and settle I thought I wouldn't be able to get the ample rest that everyone's asking me to have... but thank God, I managed to get to rest at about 10-ish. It was hard getting to sleep... partly because of the constant flow of smses that just kept coming in... and me having the tendency to read and reply to them... Haha. Managed to get 5 - 6 hours of sleep eventually.

I started 30th May pretty much on a blank state of mind... I guess I was quite overwhelmed by all the things that was to come... so my mind kind of went into autopilot mode? Haha... Deardear looked beautiful. :)

For all the things that happened, I could only thank God for making them happen, blessing Deardear and I with so many wonderful brothers, sisters and friends around us, most who went out of their way to ensure that the day's proceedings went well. The list of people whom we want to thank is very, very long.. and this wouldn't be the best of avenue for me to list them. We would probably spend time over our honeymoon to work them out. :) But seriously... we give thanks for the graciousness and love that our Heavenly Dad has shown us through the sacrificial love many others have showered upon our lives. :)

And yeah... am especially thankful to see so many of our students being a part of this very special occasion, both the helpers and the attendees. :)

We were going through the red packets when I came across one given by my student. The red packet contained a folded up piece of foolscap paper... on which was a note which he'd written for me. I almost teared la. Haha... I guess it wasn't so much of what he'd written for me, but it's a joy to see how they've slowly but surely learnt to express themselves and in doing so, benefitting themselves and others along the way. Yes... I am touched... and your writing didn't sux. ;)

Which brings me to 31st May 2009. The Integrated Boarding Programe held her last programme for the cycle - the IBP Family Day, which marked the end of the batch's stay in the programme. The guys presented some special items... let's just say that I am extremely thankful not to have missed them. It really has been a blessing to be part of this initiative, to have this kind of opportunity and environment to grow along with this bunch of wonderful youths... but more so, it would be a constant joy to see how they grow along in life and fulfill their life's calling in the future... and to have prodded along with them this leg of their journeys. Programmes may end, people may part... but just as how I've been in contact with some of the WEBs people, albeit not as frequent anymore, I hope that out of this batch of people there would be some whom I would be able to keep in long term contact.

And I hope that each day... that He would constantly tutor me to constantly look at life with a cheerful and thankful heart, no matter what the circumstances may be, good or bad, happy or sad.

Deardear and I prayed together this morning before heading down for breakfast... I don't really know how to explain this, but it makes me even more thankful that it happened, because I know that I definitely couldn't have done so by myself. :)

Haha okay the laptop battery's running low... shall return it to the staff and go back to the hotel room already. Till the next entry! ;)

It's funny how it's been mistaken on both celebrations that I'm turning 26 this year... haha yeah I know it's hard to imagine by looking at my face that I'm growing old. Haha...

It's been some time since I've felt so overwhelmed. And it's the first time that I'm not playing the photographer... didn't take a shot with my camera at all. And so I won't have any photos to show until those who've taken them send me theirs... haha. It's been one of the most memorable birthday celebrations, and one of the most meaningful ones I must say, given that this shall be my last one as a bachelor.

The day started at 12am with Zisong and Gordon already in my living room. Quite amusing I must say, with Zisong asking me all sorts of weird questions from half an hour ago, trying to keep me 'occupied'. Then when 12am came random sounds started to appear near the entrance... the birthday song came... the cake came... a self made new york cheese cake baked by Zisong and Alex. I didn't manage to count how many of them came into the room... but I think it was quite a handful. Think I can only count when I see the group photos taken. Haha... Then came the gift... which was really unexpected - 26 ikea PINE wood photo frames with a photo of a student and a message that he has for me each. I didn't want to read them then in front of everyone not knowing how I would react there and then... haha.

Managed to read them after everyone left... and seriously, it's been some time since I've felt so affirmed. Some of their messages were really heartfelt... and for some, I really didn't know that they actually took notice of the things I did or said... since I had no real chance of knowing all of them individually. Especially for this year when my portfolio took a little change and when I know myself that I've not been as interactive with them as compared to the previous year, I really wasn't expecting anything much.

To the 26 whose words and pictures were selected by the panel (Zisong?) to be worked out into the photo frames (Wei Xiang, Derrick, Yong Xiang, Alex, Si Heng, Timtam, Ng Peng, Yong Hwee, Darren, Chong We, Alwyn, Yang Cheng, Nic Heng, Sze Yuan, Ying Cong, Kuah, Ben Chin, Troy, Shane, Wen Hao, Meng Ying, Jon Foo, Zhao Hong, Jason, Bing Lin & Kenneth) - thanks so much for the words of affirmation. You guys have spurred me on indeed. (:

Zisong insisted that the "best has yet to come", so I went to work in the morning, a little expectant. It turned out that the bunch of them had gotten some of the classes to write notes to be consolidated for me. Some of them were really meaningful... thanks guys. :)

To Zisong, Alex & Darren (again): Thanks so much for everything... you guys sure did made it a really memorable one. :)

To Weilin my hao bang shou: Thanks for the card and gift! :)

Dear dear arranged a spa appointment for us in the evening... a wedding gift from two of her friends. I was actually bought into the idea of us spending the evening there already... then I started feeling a bit weird when she was not for the idea of meeting her somewhere near there earlier to have dinner, etc. She said it was early and she wanted to drop by the apartment first... and even offered to buy me the empty dvds which I said I needed. Haha... yeah she came by with cheese fries and a bart simpson cupcake! Haha... she started talking about having craving for potatoes and wanted to eat rosti at Buddy Hoagies located at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre before heading down for the spa after dinner. As the venue wasn't exactly the most convinient for us to head down for the spa thereafter, I suggested we go elsewhere but she seemed quite insistent. So I started smelling something fishy... but decided to keep my suspicions at bay.

We eventually reached Buddy Hoagies... Frankly? I was prepping myself to see familiar faces there but nopes, it wasn't to be. We settled down, ordered and ate our food. I was looking at the time, mindful not to be too late for our spa appointment... then I noticed her looking out and laughed slightly. I couldn't help but turned around toward the direction where she was looking at... and there I saw Mark and Sue outside. Ah hah. Haha... This order of appearance was rather important - it made me think that dear dear probably organised a triple couple dinner... but it wasn't to be too! A little while after chatting with Mark and Sue, she pulled me out of the place and told me that something rather embarrassing had happened to her and she would like me to accompany her to the toilet for her to check it out while I wait outside the toilet.

She smsed me not long after she went to the toilet, "Galvs is done with food you can mk him do whatever!".

FWA HA HA. Hahaha... as per tradition, a boo boo occured. She smsed it to me instead of the rightful recipient, whom I assumed to be Mark. But yeah... I started wondering who else would be turning up... then I gathered that the dear ones who hadn't sent any message the whole day... I probably would see them... there was this little hope la.

To cut the long story short, I played along and there was quite a long drag... but eventually she came out... and we walked back to Buddy Hoagies. Even though I'd prepped myself to see some people... the impact of seeing them there was still strong. And the turnout was really, really unexpected. It wasn't some... it was many. And it's especially meaningfully because in my heart I was thinking that there wouldn't be such a gathering ever anymore since it's been some time I've really connected with this bunch of people... so yeah. Was extremely touched that all of them took time off to celebrate for me... extremely touched that my dear dear went to such great lengths... extremely touched that 5 did all the contacting.

Thank you all who've made my 27th birthday such a memorable and meaningful one. You guys have done more than you can imagine.

And in all these I see His faithfulness, His love... once again.

Mmm. :)

Yes yes Kel... here's a post. Haha... I always thought that no one ever pops by anymore! :P

To be frank, I wrote a pretty long entry in the afternoon while waiting for Char to finish with one of her last facials before we officially tie the knot this end of May... 55 more days to go!!!! Gosh the cannot-believe-it feeling is starting to slowly sink in...!

I decided to delete all that I've written and do a repost instead. Actually it's been as such for a long time... tad too long I guess. There're quite a number of instances where I actually wrote but ended up not posting them... well.

I know I'll have to start somewhere. And there's none better than to end off this time with thanksgivings before I take a rest.

I'm thankful that God has sustained me through the past weeks as He's always been. Physically I was down and out some time back... but was able to bounce back pretty quickly. Things have grown less hectic work wise, and I was able to deliver most of what was required of me.

Thankful that amidst all the things needed to be done at work and in preparations for our wedding, that I'm given the time to unwind together with Char. :)

Thankful too.. to see the boys growing up, learning to make decisions, take personal responsibility... responding to the things said... and generally feeling more connected with a number them, especially with those on my level in the boarding programme and some of my current mentees in day school. There're some whom I'm wrecking my brains as to how I can really connect with them... hopefully wisdom would be given me in due time! :)

Thankful to be able to hitch rides to and from the airport last monday so that I could see the boys off without too much of a disruption to my sleep unlike the previous times... thankful for the flexible timings such that I'm able to catch some of the water polo guys' matches... it's been a tremendous time seeing them fight it out in the pools... It's been some time since the national track and field games many years ago when I sense such a school pride within me; the way the 'C' division boys fought and persevered in the finals brought back moments of such for me. :)

Thankful for the time spent with Dori after her bone marrow test on Thursday... thankful that her blood counts were okay and that she's finally able to go through a bone marrow test without general anesthesia. We had lunch and caught the legends of Chun Li together after that... plotless show lei... but that's not the point. It was good time catching up with her since we don't usually get to anymore.

Thankful for the service this morning... for the time of worship. It's been sometime... really. :) Visited dad and mom after lunch and some wedding preparation discussions with Faith, our wedding coordinator. Aunty Witwit was helping mom exercise by sitting her up when we arrived. Showed her our small wedding album... heartening to see her use her hand to flip the pages. :) We went on to read the Bible to her... something that Char started some months back... something which I couldn't bring myself to do so back then. Decided to join in the reading from this week onwards... she would read the narrative parts while I read out all the conversations using different voices... was an attempt to make mom smile or laugh apart from that deadpan face that she gives all the time... but yeah, didn't work. Interestingly, I found the 'exercise' of reading the Word very invigorating for myself, especially when I'm reading it in collaboration with my dear dear... think this shall be something that we'll enjoy doing more and more! :D

Mom smiled in the end... but it was in response to my silliness la. Haha...

I gathered some of the boarding programme boys to prepare them for an event which they're going to be involved in tomorrow... it ended with them taking quite a bit of random shots. It still amazes me everytime I think of my first point of contact with them three years ago... and how time has flown past and how they would be graduating from high school soon... and how a non subject teaching staff like me would have such a privilege to work with them throughout... Hmm. How not to be thankful? Haha...

Dear dear sent me an email tonight... it's really as though God's using her to affirm and touch me. Have asked her for permission to post bits and pieces of that mail... shall end off with it... thankful. :)

Dear dear it really touches my heart to see how you didn't give up trying to make mum laugh this afternoon ... even though I know you must have been really hurt and sad and helpless to see her unhappy face. Yet you didn't let that feeling of helplessness stop you .. and continued making a silly billy of yourself till she eventually laughed. :) Dear dear, for that, you are my hero. I guess it must be hard for you to see her looking so men4 men bu le ... especially when I think of how upset you are whenever I'm not happy. But I'm so glad dear, to see her wanting to hear us read the Bible .. to see her desire for God's word. I don't know how she's doing with Pa .. and I sense maybe there's lots of sadness and anger and frustration in her. Maybe even despair. But as long as she wants to hear God's word .. then it must still be okay, somehow. Cos His word doesn't go out void ... but restores the soul.

Dear dear .. how amazing. I looked up the verse tt came to mind, and was led to Isa 55. This is the word that Pa has for us this day ... savour it dear, and let it comfort your soul :)

⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹² You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."

Dear ... so exciting! Today as I read tt bit in John abt the paralysed man, I realised why he had to wait 38 yrs. Because God had a certain timing for Jesus to come to earth .. for e Jews to be scattered and for the Roman empire to be built .. so that when Jesus did come, the maximum number people would hear about Him. Do you know, it was the Romans who really set communications going all over the world?? Why does your mum have to wait so long ... dear dear, Papa must have His good reasons! I realised that in Him ... no life is ever wasted. No years, no circumstances are ever wasted. Because as long as we live and see things in His eyes, we can rejoice, and give thanks, because His will is being done.

I'm praying for her dear, tt God will be her very present comfort, even in the smallest things like congested throat or sores. That she will be a witness to Aunty wit wit .. did u know tt Auntie wit wit has been listening to the Bible readings? She stays to listen sometimes, quite often in fact. I'm praying that she won't be discouraged or disappointed that she can't be more active in preparing for yr wedding .. but tt she will give thanks and rejoice that God has given her such a son. Tt she will rejoice and give thanks because God is good, that He's given a hope and a future to your family through our marriage .. for the possibility of future generations that will grow up knowing Him and shining for Him. That through her life many will be blessed .. as they see God's hand upon her. That Pa will give us all a strong, steady and joyful spirit to see us through when times are tough :)

For His thoughts are not our thoughts ... how thankful we can be for that. hee! :)

I want to pray for u too dear dear. I give thanks to Pa for the tenderness and grace that He's given you. For the sensitivity of spirit and the heart of worship that He's given you. For the heart of love that He's given that you may love and protect those under your care. I pray tt He'll give you much wisdom, and renew your heart and mind daily to know His will and His word .. that you will be sanctified by it. That you will be blessed by His word as you walk in His paths, never straying to the left or the right. That your students will be blessed because of your righteousness before God. That I will be blessed because of your righteousness before Him. That your family will be blessed too :) That you will be given a love and gentleness towards the unloveable .. even your peers and colleagues. That you will be changed to be more like Him each day. That is my prayer for you dear dear .. you who shall be my beloved husband :)

I went with some colleagues to attend the wake of two of our students' mom who passed on (not away) this evening.

I didn't really say much there. For one, I don't really know them... but for the most part of it, I was at a loss of words... and probably a little overwhelmed.

Their mom and my mom share the same age if I'm not wrong.

With the experience of nearly losing her four years ago and knowing how it felt like, I really didn't know what I could offer besides saying a prayer for them and their family.

But yeah. Reality dawned on me that I'm really out of touch with this current batch. It's still something that I'm trying to grapple with, and at the same time knowing that I won't be able to achieve that without thinning myself out...

Well. I suddenly remember something remarkable that one of my boys mentioned before regarding forests and trees.

When I first started out with the first batch, I had the resources to focus on the trees.

Now, I must work for the forest.. but with the individual trees in mind and as the motivation.

Tongue-in-cheek but absolutely true.

Common Sense -- We will miss you...

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion..

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason...

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labour ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous draughts.

One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from draughts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.

Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes.

I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.

From the top, I lifted out brightly-coloured, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried.

I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves
her?" "Of course", I replied!

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon".

"Before they call, I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards.

Let's continue praying for one another.

iHope
15 March 2009

The start of something new... iHope. :)

Verse:
Though the seasons may change
Your mercies, they remain
Your arms always wide opened
with Your abundant grace

Pre-Chorus:
You are my sweet, sweet Jesus
You're the everlasting God
You died for me so I may live
Teach me to die to self for you each day

Chorus:
I will soar on wings like eagles
as I hope in You my Lord
I will run and not grow weary
I will walk and not be faint
I will overcome my weakness
by the power of Your love
I know my strength will be renewed
so that I can walk with You
all my life