Missing my Oven

Our oven went kaput recently... Well, not TOTALLY kaput lah... the door hinge (or something) wouldn't work, so we're not able to close the door. We've sent it to the repair man, but he said need to wait for the spare part (standard answer). As usual, it's better to just get another new unit, rather than wait and in the end, still not able to use the old one... But then again, as usual - $$ matters...

It's been about 2 weeks now, and I am severly missing this piece of equipment. My baking ulat is itching to be satisfied (and I need an outlet to steam out this stress!) and though I've steamed some marvelous cakes, it just doesn't beat the aroma of cakes / bread / rolls baking in the oven. Sigh.

Got kah oven for loan?? :(

Till Death do us part...

Death has been a serious concern on Noel's mind lately. I'm not too sure why. He keeps asking, "if mummy no more Noel how?" or... "if Noel no more mummy how?" or... "if Apu no more how?"... Last night, his questions even drove him to tears as he asked me to pray for our family so that no one will die soon (how can one guarantee this??)

I had to crack my head, trying to explain death to him. I told him we have 2 parts - our body and our soul (try explaining that to a 7 yr old!). I told him, once we die, our soul will fly up to heaven, and our body is just empty. He said, it will be very scary in the ground alone... and he's scared of worms. Yikes! So I told him, we won't even know as our real part (the soul) is already in heaven. So it's ok...

He was still trying to figure it out... then i tried to use the analogy of making jelly (since he helped me lots with jelly making etc). Our body is like the mould, the tray... our spirit is like the jelly. When we die is when the jelly is taken out from the mould, and the empty mould is like our body...


SILENCE....


SILENCE....


SILENCE....



So long we never eat jelly hor mummy?

My innocent boy :)

So, if any of you have tips on how to explain death to a child (so that he's not scared of worm!), pray do share!!

Half Empty... or Half full?

Half a year gone... what have I achieved? I was cracking my head this morning trying to think what have I achieved... NOTHING! Zilch, zero! Haha... how neh? Hmmm... what have I done with my half year?... tsk tsk... wasted life!

But I should see it also as.... I still got another half a year to make use of... still got tonnes and heaps to do! Just that I don't have the "fuel" to do things... Gosh, I'm becoming such a lazy bum!! I thought of all the "meetings" and the "improvements" that needs to be done personal and also ministry level, but... God help me, but truth be told, I'd rather spend my days at home, with Noel, watching a DVD or baking cookies & cakes, or... just lying in bed and listening to his stories.

What happened to my heart I wonder? I want to care, I want to love... and yet... my tired-ness or rather my lazyness gets in the way and becomes a priority. When I AM busy running around (which is rare), I'll moan and sigh all the way... that can't be good... tsk tsk... It won't be a surprise if I'll die alone (not that it's a plural journey) but I might turn into a bitter, lonely old woman with no friends whatsoever if I continue my selfish ways!! HoHoHo.

How this... how neh??? 11th June... I need to see this as the half full glass and put in gear 5!! (aduhmak... how to do?... move your arse D!!!)

Seasons in The Sun

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8

Had a gathering at our house last nite. To bid farewell with heavy hearts, to two youth who has definately left impact in my life with their quiet faithful ways.

News came to me (rather last minute-ly!) that one of the youth who has always helped out in BM service will be going home for good (his home being Korea). He's been with us since 10 yrs old and he has always been a quiet comfort to me - that he will always be there to serve in our music team. So, news that he's leaving for good is a huge blow not only to our whole music team but to me personally. When I last checked with him, he said he only understood 40% of Bahasa language and yet, he's been so ever faithful to attend BM service even when he's not in the music team. Every single week - he, his aunt and his brother would be there, seated on the 3rd row, without fail. I had numerous times told my mom, if I were in his shoes and I do not understand the language, I'd probably have only given it 6 months of my life!

Another youth who also barely speaks Bahasa is also leaving for studies in India. Another faithful one... astoundingly great drummer and pianist... the baby who has grown so much but one who we always will regard as "the baby". She's venturing into medicine... not because she wants to give out MCs but instead she wants to her MD to mean Missionary Doctor!! How big can one's heart be?

My heart is sadden that they are leaving and another HUGE hole will be there for the music team, but a wise elder reminded me, their leaving might mean opportunity for others... I am reminded again by my Wise Counsellor, that there is a time for everything. I have nothing to fear. He will provide the oasis in what I see as dessert in our music ministry. I am constantly grateful for those who have faithfully serve. In their quiet ways, each person has greatly been a blessing. Always ready, always there, always saying okay when they can, always ready to endure the silly nagging and difficult perfectionist way of a song leader, always open to ideas, always wanting to improve self and the team as a whole, always... in a sum, giving their best to the Lord.