Charis' diary entry on 27th July 2007

Dear Diary,

Mummy, me go Daddy skool late today. I thot we go mum-mum, but no. Mummy took me to new place. I saw and heard strange funny thing!

I look so hard. I din close eyes din close mouth. I din move.

This orange round thing. Then many big people run after orange round thing. Orange round thing bang to ground and come up! Then orange round thing fly up in sky and got times go in this other round round thing. And then people stop running and they clap clap clap! Mummy clap hand too! So funny!

I quite scared.

Then I got better. I happy clap hand. Mummy smile and clap hand like me.

Mummy carry me. Point to orange orange up there. Say sun go home.

People stop running orange round thing. They came. Say hallo. I scared, shy. Then I saw Daddy come! He talk to them. He look funny. He din have toy on nosey-nosey.

Then Mummy, Daddy, me go home. Me sleepy-sleepy.

Note to the clueless: I brought Charis to see Roger play basketball in college. We're thankful for a bunch of enthusiastic school mates ranging from singles to marrieds, guys and gals, who come together to play ball every Friday afternoon. It's Roger's weekly dose of fun and exercise. =) Though he's the oldest playing member, he gives his all for a good game.

The Kohs came for lunch

We had lunch with the Kohs last week. Aaron is Roger's classmate at SMBC. Aaron and Amy have twins! Felicity and Zoe are 5 months now, and they are so cute and smiley! Charis was excited to have them around, and we had a hard time trying to ensure that Charis did not treat the twins like her toys! =)

Amy and Aaron. Zoe (with the blue bib) and Felicity (with the pink bib)

Charis trying to play with Felicity, but Felicity had a fearful expression on her face. 'Who is this red person?'

Charis trying to crawl between Aunty Amy's legs

Zoe and Felicity hanging out with Charis, with Roger guiding Charis

Charis still has much to learn about being gentle with little babies (and with adults too!) It's in trying to teach Charis how to be gentle that I learn that, truly, being self-controlled and gentle is a mark of maturity.

We had a blessed time with the Kohs, getting to know them more. Thanking God for our siblings-in-Chirst!

First Visit to Joey's

Joey and I met at the council's town hall when I brought Charis for her immunisation. She has a 4.5-month-old son, Mark. Here are pictures of my first visit to her place 2 months ago.

Mark and Charis saying 'hello' to all!

Mark at 3 months. Now at 4.5 months, he's even heavier than Charis!

Joey and Mark

All of us together, Charis being a little impatient.

A time for everything

Roger's having his winter break. Term starts on the 16th July. We're thankful to have more time together. Time to have a leisurely breakfast, time to play with Charis together, time to visit people and places, time to listen to camp sermons together. A list of many many blessings. =)

Here are some snapshots of our family outings.

At the Ferry Wharf

Charis' first ferry ride!

Sunny Day at Brays Bay Reserve

Smiley Charis

Father and daughter gazing...at a bird!

Uncle John came for lunch!

We were glad for the opportunity to catch up with Pastor John Ting yesterday. He won Charis over completely by the end of the time we spent together. The secret: Give her time to warm up to you. Uncle Edmund...you'll have to try harder... =P

Bougainvillas on an overhead bridge

Roger passed his earworm to me. It's a song that he sang in college during preaching conference, and then during a few chapel sessions. It's Indescribable, by Chris Tomlin. The lyrics of the song reminded me of a reflection I had a few years ago after gazing at the bougainvillas on an overhead bridge.

The bougainvilla plants were in full bloom. So full that I could only see a wave of bright pink and only tinges of green at the sides. I thought of how those flowers displayed the full extent of just being how they were created, and that was, a praise unto their Maker's name. And as I descended the overhead bridge, I prayed that God may help me be like the bougainvillas, to live how He has intended me to live, and live it to the fullest, that in the same way, I may be a praise to my creator.

The tune is still ringing in my ear.

Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

Day Out!

April, Chloe, Charis and I had a Day Out on Saturday to the baby expo. This candid photo taken by Roger at our driveway after the trip. Guess what we were saying!