A Cool Summer

We're thankful for a cool summer this year, with rain every 1-2 weeks. Nice sunshine with light breeze on some days.

We're back to our usual college routine. Roger's into his 3rd week of term. I've made a few new friends at college (Fancy meeting a Japanese at an Australian bible college!) and Charis has been enjoying the simple joys of running around and imaginary play. We still go to college for dinner on Thursday evenings even though Roger doesn't have night lectures anymore. We feel that it's a good way to get to know the residential students, and also some of the part-time students. A church cell group has also started meeting at our place. We are currently studying the book of Galatians.

On top of the usual stuff, there were pretty interesting things that happened in the last month. We went to watch a basketball match between the Sydney Kings and the Singapore Slingers! One of Roger's college mates organised this outing, and about 25 of them turned up! I enjoyed the atmosphere. Although I felt weird cheering on a team that hardly looked Singaporean. Charis was clutching on to me for the first 2 quarters of the game, not knowing what to make out of all the loud cheering and clapping. She warmed up to the atmosphere later, but she was more interested in interacting with the kids seated behind us rather than the game. Roger was annoyed with the Slingers poor team work, playing as individuals rather than for a team. I had to sit through various Rogerian commentaries on how the Slingers should have spotted a certain tactic used frequently by the opponent, or how the Slingers were just passing the ball to each other outside the semi-circle (opps, Roger corrected me, the semi-circle is called the '3-point line') without 'off ball running' (huh?) and how so-and-so is not a good shooter...blah blah blah... you get the picture... Well, at then end of it, Derek, (one of Roger's classmate) summed it quite aptly 'I hoped to comfort you by saying that it was a close match, but it was not.'

Something else that I found blogworthy was what the single guys at SMBC did on Valentine's Day. The residential single guys actually made breakfast for the residential single gals! The guys left invitation notes in the gals pigeon holes the nite before, inviting them for breakfast at the dining hall. When morning came, the guys, all dressed in suits (!), served the gals breakfast. So sweet! =) And to express their thanks, the gals sang them a song during dinner. =)

There are many things lined up for us in the coming weeks. Roger's preaching a sermon in church, I'll be at children's church every week for the next 3 weeks, helping and teaching, and giving a children's talk in mid March. SMBC's biennial missions conference is also beckoning. All full-time students will be slated to attend the conference. We are thankful for the many things we are learning here and we pray that we may grow to be godly people.

Sorry no pictures to post here, will be more diligent in taking photos! =)

Ties that Bind

We've been back in Sydney for a week now. It was a bit strange to enter our Sydney apartment again after being away for 2 months. It was familiar, yet foreign.

Roger's Greek and Hebrew intensives started this week and will end on Monday. Lectures will soon follow. A friend moved in with us, and will be staying with us for a fortnight. Another close friend, has delievered her second baby two nites ago. It has been a flurry of activities since we got back. Some have been predictable, some have been 'shocking', like having to take part in an 'Iron Chef' competition when I was expecting a harmless gathering at a church friend's house. =P

Still, we fondly reminicise the blessed vacation we had in Singapore. Celebrating and giving thanks for the ties that bind.

Roger's parents and us.

Roger's brother, nephew and Charis

Having a yoga session with Gong-gong

Fun with Chinese poetry (May Hsin's mother was reading a verse from the painting on the wall)

We are truly thankful for the love and care showered upon us while we were in Singapore. Thank you so much for your generousity in terms of time and gifts (Charis had more clothes then we did on our trip back).

And with endearing thoughts of family, friends and food from Singapore. We look ahead, praying that we'll be faithful in what we have to do. Thank you for being with us in this journey.

A year of God's grace

Roger finished his exams on Tuesday. What a sigh of relief it was for the whole family. The past few weeks were intense, with a final essay due just before stuvac.

As we look back, there are many things we give thanks to God for. The hope we have in Christ. His grace in molding us through tough times. His grace in allowing us to know Him more. His generous providence. His blessing of godly fellowship.

Coming to study at SMBC was but a vague possibility a year ago. Yet God has made it turn out to be a joyful reality. =) I'm speechless.

With some college activities left to attend, we'll be heading back in Singapore next week to spend the summer vacation. Our parents are looking forward to our arrival (and so are we). The grandparents are going to spoil Charis silly. =P We hope to be able to catch up with you, our fellow pilgrims. Thank you so much for journeying with us through our first year at SMBC. We'll meet again, very soon.

A rare organised photo of the mothers' BS @ SMBC (lotsa kids!)

Sarah's Birthday!

Our dear Sarah turned a quarter of a century old not too long ago. She invited us to her apartment at Sydney U village for a party! Everyone had to wear something pink, if not, they will get something 'special' from Sarah. Ha!

Roger had nothing pink to wear except to wear my pink hair band around his wrist. But he got off scot-free cos we went to collect the food, and he held the food 'hostage' in order to negotiate for a lighter punishment. =P

We had fun meeting up with old friends, chatting with Sarah's new friends and just being with this dear sister on her birthday.

Blessed Birthday!

The Singaporean gang

Under the Jacaranda Tree

The morning drizzle finally stopped. We walked under the Jacaranda tree in the midst of the quietness of stuvac. With the ground layered with purple flowers, and the smoothness of the morning breeze, it's hard to not feel pensive, reflective.

Quick update for Roger

We're coming to the end of term soon. Roger just finished his last essay and quiz for the semester. Exams are in 1.5 weeks. The pressure is on, much to study, but so little time. Please pray for us, that Roger may be able to be wise in his revision, to look beyond the academics and to learn much of God through the exam preparations. Pray for me too, that I may patiently and lovingly serve Roger.

Thank you. =)

PS: I enjoyed the short sharing by David Cook's column 'From the principal' on the SMBC website for this month. Do take a read for short meditations.

Time at Kirribilli

Gus and Christy (Roger's classmates) invited us to witness Lachlan's (their 3 month old son) baptism. Their church is at Kirribilli, a scenic spot on the other side of the harbour bridge. Apart from trying to deal with navigating to Kirribilli(took a wrong turn), and deal with difficult car parking (imagine parking at Holland V without a carpark), and so nearly missing the baptism, it was a very pleasant Sunday morning.

Gus and us. Christy and Lachlan were busy interacting with others

Great views!