Worth a thousand words - Murud

Uploading this, because my heart still aches to be there, uninhibited in His presence.  And because, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Lunch Day 1:  We had a picnic outside, because the sun came out.  But, the wind.  Oh, my.  So strong, it almost blew us away.  But we braved it up - just because.  *I love my new super heavy duty (and just plain heavy) green poncho*

Afternoon day 2 - we spent the afternoon in this beautiful homely house, listening, swallowing up all the lessons we can from a very wise, humble man

Some see this a clutter, but I see warmth, generosity, hospitality beyond compare.  The daughter of that humble man, came up with her cousin, to take over their mother's duty to cook and provide for their guest because they were too old to climb up the mountain.  She said, each year, she would say no, she will not climb up anymore, but without fail, she climbs up anyway.  I didn't question why.

People came and went that whole afternoon, each taking his fill of the richness of what was so freely given out.  Look at the rack on the wall.  Full of food - people just come and "deposit" their food on this rack - to be shared with everyone who comes to the house. Home owners called it their personal 7-11.

Alie - she was really good at blowing the shofar *ram's horn

Porter's slip - yes, they were that professional, but they did not chase after you to pay immediately.  You are after all, stuck on the mountain top for 3 days.  This amount if for.... I can't remember - I think a few bags + a box of food.  RM4/kg

Driver's slip - even more "professional", written behind a 4D slip. [Kantoi si Uncle :)] This amount is for the 5 of us.

Flight home.  When I realized I left most of my being in BKM / Murud.

Life is like a layer cake

Was so glad when the layers came out almost evenly!

Life indeed is like a layer cake - just when you thought the first layer was good, comes the 2nd layer - even better than the first, then comes the 3rd layer, well, it can be a bit bitter or tasteless, but when you put them together, then, you get blown away by how incredible the taste is!  

Putting in the 2nd layer - the cream cheese

No matter what age we are at, life will bring more surprises for us and in the end, we will be amazed at how everything turns out for good.  We just have to hang in there - holding fast to God and to one another.  We just have to continue to encourage one another to "eat on".

With his new favorite cake

Baked (or rather, steamed) this cake for Hari Raya recently - loved it so much (as in so easy to make) that baked this more than once to give away.  And because Noel almost wallop the cake at my Aunt's place (which we gave to her) - I baked this again for him.  Got the recipe from Dapur Tanpa Sempadan - check out the recipe here.

Because I can (and because I'm a freak in a way) - I measured the mixture to make sure the layers are equal.

I'm sure this cake is nothing new, and many of my friends made this before - another classic case of me being "late in catching the craze".  Oh well, better late than never so they say!

This is how I steam my cake - to make sure water does not drip on the cake - use a muslin cloth (i.e. lampin)

Have a great week ahead mates - let's hold on as we "eat on" in our lives!  Jiayou!  Aza Aza Fighting (Updated to Aja! Aja! Hwaiting - on the advice of my *clever-er friend :)!!)

Looking for His Oasis

So the 40 days National prayer has begun.... I felt a deep conviction in my heart that I am to let go of Facebook as part of this fast.  I can't say that I was too happy when I felt this conviction.  However, it was clear that FB (in all it's good intention) had robbed me off a lot of my time and my attention to my surrounding.  Especially post Murud and post Logos Hope when I have a lot more friends and a lot more reason to check the news feed every 2 minutes (so to speak).  Today is the first day.  How did I fare? Lost.  I felt totally lost without it.  And yes, there was a few times I accidently tapped on the app on my phone, out of habit.  But I've logged out at 12pm last night, so I've not broke my "fb-fast".  But I am thankful for this time, when I can consciously draw closer to God.

2 years ago I did a total fast - only on water / liquid (when needed); but mostly on plain water.  Last year I did total fast but with "off days" - i.e. when needed socially.  This year, I felt lead to do sunrise till sunset fast.  So how was my first day?  Horrible - as in... I SO NEED WATER!!!!... The body gets really week not because of lack of food, but precious water.  No wonder "the cousins" would think and mule over what to eat and what to drink the whole day when it's Ramadhan.... I have my bottled water in front of me now, and it's another hour to breaking of fast.

I wrote on my FB page last nite - that it has been an amazing Q3 for 2013.  Really, I am thankful for Murud, for Logos Hope and now... I am thankful for another 40 days in the dessert seeking God's oasis.