Adriel: Where did my neck go?Saturday, December 05, 2009
Friday, December 04, 2009
Full Circle
We've come full circle. This blog started at the threshold of starting college in Sydney. Now we're back to where we've started. We're packing and giving things away. We're coming back to Singapore. 3 years will end in 1 week.
Thank you for journeying with us and for praying for us. We have grown in God's grace, and we pray you have too. These 3 years have been tremendously fruitful. The people at SMBC and Cornerstone church have left a great impact on us and have been what made Sydney feels like home for us. We will miss you all.
This blog will still continue for a reverse purpose now. To keep in touch with our friends in Sydney.
Thank you for journeying with us and for praying for us. We have grown in God's grace, and we pray you have too. These 3 years have been tremendously fruitful. The people at SMBC and Cornerstone church have left a great impact on us and have been what made Sydney feels like home for us. We will miss you all.
This blog will still continue for a reverse purpose now. To keep in touch with our friends in Sydney.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Week 12
Today is the last day of week 12 in the SMBC academic calendar. Next week is stuvac, the week after, the exams. Roger had his last lecture, I went for the last Principal's Hour. Jacaranda flowers are falling on my head during morning tea.
Roger's final year project is due on the 13th, and then 2 exams during exams week. After that, the week starting on the 23rd is a week of year-end college activites. AND after that, we will pack up, sell/give away our stuff, say our goodbyes and head for Singapore.
It's going to be an end of one adventure, and the start of another. Please pray that we may finish well.
Roger's final year project is due on the 13th, and then 2 exams during exams week. After that, the week starting on the 23rd is a week of year-end college activites. AND after that, we will pack up, sell/give away our stuff, say our goodbyes and head for Singapore.
It's going to be an end of one adventure, and the start of another. Please pray that we may finish well.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Come take a peek!
Hi, my name is Adriel!
Before our Sydney days become but a fading dream, come take a peek and see where I live!
Restaurant a-la-mum: only thing on the menu is milk!
My 5-star hotel bed.
Delux Spa: where I get cleaned and a good massage. Underwear provided!
Jacuzzi
My Personal Relations Officer: aka Jie Jie
Room Service: the haziness of the photo sometimes depict the state of their minds.
Just for laughs! =)
Before our Sydney days become but a fading dream, come take a peek and see where I live!Restaurant a-la-mum: only thing on the menu is milk!My 5-star hotel bed.Delux Spa: where I get cleaned and a good massage. Underwear provided!JacuzziMy Personal Relations Officer: aka Jie Jie
Room Service: the haziness of the photo sometimes depict the state of their minds.Just for laughs! =)
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Welcome
On the 13th Aug, we welcomed our 2nd child, Adriel Chia (谢敬恒). We thank God for a short and uneventful labour.
We laugh over moments such as May Hsin's 'theological reflections' in the car on the way to hospital amidst painful contractions, being bumped into the birth centre because every room in the labour ward was full, Roger getting 'drenched' when the water bag burst, (and the midwife teasing cos she's the one who usually gets wet).
The last 3 weeks have been a blur, with us not getting much sleep. We're all adjusting, and we have much to thank God for. Thank you so much for your prayers.
We laugh over moments such as May Hsin's 'theological reflections' in the car on the way to hospital amidst painful contractions, being bumped into the birth centre because every room in the labour ward was full, Roger getting 'drenched' when the water bag burst, (and the midwife teasing cos she's the one who usually gets wet).
The last 3 weeks have been a blur, with us not getting much sleep. We're all adjusting, and we have much to thank God for. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
On Wednesday mornings
Every Wednesday of term, all students at SMBC gather for Principal's Hour. Announcements will be made, students will be interviewed, we will sing songs to and about God, pray and a sermon will be preached.
I sit at the foyer of the hall where the sound is piped through, so the foyer doubles up as a 'cry room' for mums with babes and toddlers. Charis will be with me, drawing, looking at books, cutting and pasting, eating, doing quiet activities so that I can listen to the sermon. It's an avenue for me to train Charis to do things quietly by herself so that I can 'listen to the bible'. Being the bubbly, chatty, curious and active child as she is, she really needs the training. At times she does well, most times when she meets another kid at the foyer, the training becomes doubly hard.
Roger and I were very encouraged by last week's sermon during Principal's Hour. We commend it to you and hope you will also be encouraged by God's word. You can download/stream it here. It is by Stuart Coulton, titled 'Humanness and temptation', 29th July 09.
I sit at the foyer of the hall where the sound is piped through, so the foyer doubles up as a 'cry room' for mums with babes and toddlers. Charis will be with me, drawing, looking at books, cutting and pasting, eating, doing quiet activities so that I can listen to the sermon. It's an avenue for me to train Charis to do things quietly by herself so that I can 'listen to the bible'. Being the bubbly, chatty, curious and active child as she is, she really needs the training. At times she does well, most times when she meets another kid at the foyer, the training becomes doubly hard.
Roger and I were very encouraged by last week's sermon during Principal's Hour. We commend it to you and hope you will also be encouraged by God's word. You can download/stream it here. It is by Stuart Coulton, titled 'Humanness and temptation', 29th July 09.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The week ahead
We're in the thick of exam week now. Roger had his first exam, with 2 more to go in the coming week. Please pray for wisdom and humility in preparing for his exams. Charis and I are not well with a bit of coughs and colds but by God's grace, we're managing. Charis doesn't seem to be affected much and looks forward to going out even on a rainy day.
After the stressful period of last June, I'm praying constantly, that this June will be a quiet and uneventful one. And I'm grateful that it has been so.
May God help us keep trusting.
After the stressful period of last June, I'm praying constantly, that this June will be a quiet and uneventful one. And I'm grateful that it has been so.
May God help us keep trusting.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Meditation for the week
1 Peter 2:13-25
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Oatmeal
Last week during breakfast, Charis was sitting on her chair eating her bowl of oatmeal porridge. She looked at me munching my breakfast and suddenly asked. 'Mummy, where do oatmeal come from?'
I looked at her and was gratefully reminded. It's been 34 months already.
Lord, we are grateful.
I looked at her and was gratefully reminded. It's been 34 months already.
Lord, we are grateful.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Our Last International Day at SMBC
The beautiful autumn day was a reminder of the one when I experienced my first international day. It seemed to have come full circle. That's a nice way of ending it.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Meditation of the week
Isaiah 65:17-25
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,
Or an old man who does not live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of one hundred
And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred
Will be thought accursed.
They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
Or bear children for calamity;
For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD,
And their descendants with them.
It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,
Or an old man who does not live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of one hundred
And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred
Will be thought accursed.
They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
Or bear children for calamity;
For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD,
And their descendants with them.
It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Reflections
At Bald Hill lookout. The sea never fails to remind me of God's strength, vastness, immensity. And when I admire the view, the inner heart quakes to confess of how easily amnesia sets in.
The Word shows us yet again of His Might. Acts 2:22-24
22"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--
23this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
24"But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
It was impossible for Jesus to be held in death's power.
Charis' idea of a beach holiday
A lazy Sunday afternoon at home after church. A tomato seedling is in the styrofoam cup. Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A glimpse of the past few months
After a short 3 weeks in Singapore, we're back. We packed our house and moved to college accommodations. College started, and behold, a term flew by, with us busy with the little things God has given us to be faithful in. 
Saw-stealer...
Who won the twister game? Chilling out at Joe's place.
Our first week at college accoms.
Here's a glimpse of what 4 whole months could have said if I had blogged.
Charis' fantastic hairdo on the trampoline
Look! A train is coming!
The rainbow bee-eater is fast becoming MH's favourite bird.
The WCKF is in danger of losing 1st place. =P
With Rog's parents at the blue mts.
Sharing good times with Daddy.
Saw-stealer... Who won the twister game? Chilling out at Joe's place.Our first week at college accoms. The unit was still work-in-progress, but we had what we needed.
