Grasshoppers

I did something stupid today. I found a grasshopper on the floor in my room when I came back home tonight. So I just took it in a tissue and threw it out the window (assuming it'll just fly off). To my horror, there was a grasshopper leg left on the floor. I don't know what happened and why it's leg just dropped off like that! So I did some research to check whether grasshoppers' legs grow back. Someone said they do, but I'm not sure whether its a joke. And I checked whether the grasshopper could fly. Some said they can, but mostly they just hop very well, provided they still have that hind leg. So tonight, I learnt a little about grasshoppers. Even found out that some people keep them as pets! And they live for about a year. That's a short life. I feel quite bad about throwing the poor thing out the window. Maybe I should've placed it nicely on the grass or fed it some lettuce... oh well... it's gone now.

On another note, I've been busy editing a mission trips video for missions training. I've really enjoyed doing this video, although it's very tedious - looking at hours of (some very shaky) footage from dv tapes, dvds, mini dvds and hundreds of photos.... Sometimes I get annoyed that people take such bad videos (pardon my honesty) - leaving it on record when they're sleeping! And sometimes the videos are so shaky I begin to get dizzy and have to stop for awhile. But after the patience-testing task of transferring footage that I want comes the fun part of putting it all together!

Anyway, I better go to bed now because tomorrow is another full day of video editing!

New dog at home

We officially have a new dog at home. And we found out his real name. This is what happened over the weekend. My dad and brother were walking Spottie and the bull terrier (whom we named Bobby for awhile) on Saturday evening when a family walking their 2 rottweilers identified Bobby as their dog Bully.

They said they had planned to give Bully away because they didn't get a permit to keep him since they already had 2 rottweilers. However, before they could give him away Bully ran away on his own. They told dad he could keep Bully. So dad's really happy and took Bully to visit his previous owners the next day.

Bully's been really sweet and having a ball since we've been spoiling him a lot. Spottie and him get along quite well, except that they can't play together because Bully tends to jump right at Spottie playfully and this gets Spottie angry. They can sleep side by side, as long as the grill separates them. Now they go on walks together (if one of us is free to go with dad), and have snacks together to help them be better friends. And we have to be careful not to leave their toys and stuff around because this could trigger a fight.

It's interesting how God works. I'm glad we took Bully in although we have to accommodate changes at home. Its a learning experience for all of us. At first we thought we'd just call him Bobby anyway, but we realised he only responds to Bully. Thank God we found out his real name! God works in mysterious ways :)

Let the Wedding Plans begin!

This is going to be an exciting year. Wedding plans have started and thank God, everything's moving on smoothly. There are so many things to think about and decide on, the budget, the card, the venue, the gown, the bridal party, the guest list......

Hoi Hian and me have decided that the most important thing for our wedding is that it honours God above everything else. And that we'll be a blessing to our family, friends and relatives who attend our wedding. We don't want it to be just another wedding, where everything's perfect and beautiful and grand to the smallest detail. As long as God's happy, we're happy.

So it's quite a joy planning for the wedding. It's easy depending on God because things just fall into place one by one. I really thank God for my parents and friends who have been so supportive and willing to help in so many areas. The theme for our wedding is 'Blessed' because we're indeed so blessed by God and we want to be a blessing to others.

I feel that God has been taking me to another level of faith lately, not just in terms of wedding preparations but in many other things. I was reminded recently that there are really so many things we cannot control. Our lives are so fragile, anything can happen anytime. But thank God He is always watching over us and we can always count on Him. And having that thought enables me to get through difficult days and grants me sleep at night. It's the comfort of knowing that my Shepherd is watching over me and that whatever happens, He will never forsake me.

Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Chinese New Year

Time seems to fly even faster in 2009. Lots of things happened this month... that's why I haven't written for awhile. Two Sundays ago, I was about to go to work at 8am when I saw a bull terrier running loose with a chain attached to him. My instinct was to just get hold of him because lots of people in the neighbourhood would be terrified just by his fierce look! We took him into our house and gave him some water and food. Dad and me remember seeing a bull terrier at a house nearby so he went to inquire whether they lost their dog. Strangely, the bull terrier was no longer there and the people there said there never was one. We're still wondering whether the dog was abandoned.

Anyway, now.. 1.5 weeks later, he's still here and dad has given him a new name. He's too rough for Spottie so we keep him on a leash when Spottie is running loose. Much more peaceful this way. My prayer is that if his owners are looking for him, they'd find him at my house... but if he's better off at our house, then God must teach us how to get the two dogs to get along well!

Today's the third day of Chinese New Year. I spent the reunion dinner and first and second day of CNY with lots of relatives and really enjoyed it. My cousins and me spent hours playing Boggle, Scrabble and Mah Jong! Dad's mum is already 90, and mum's mum is 85. I thank God for His blessings on my family and for every single moment He has watched over us. Family is something really special that I really cherish. I must say that since grandpa and grandma accepted Jesus into their lives, there has been abundant love and selflessness in the family that has been passed on even after grandpa passed away.

For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

The Good Samaritan

One of my favourite parables in the bible is that of the Good Samaritan. I read it again today. It has so much relevance to our lives today but we don't take it seriously enough. First, the priest saw the injured man and crossed to the other side of the street! Secondly, a Levite (someone of higher status) also saw the half-dead man and did exactly the same thing! He totally ignored him and worse still, crossed to the other side. And lastly, a Samaritan (someone who was despised in society) saw the injured man, took him on his donkey, booked him into a motel, took care of him all night and even gave money to the motel owner to take care of the injured man.

I love it that Jesus places utmost importance in mercy and compassion. He doesn't care about social status, money, power and all that. He cares about the weak, the sick, the needy, the oppressed and those whose voices don't matter in society. He cares about abused women, children, the disabled, the old and the broken. And He reminded me today that we should not only have compassion on people only when its convenient, because sometimes we have to go out of our way to show mercy to others.

I have to confess that Christians can become hypocrites and only care when it suits us or when we want to impress people. Let's remember that Jesus loved unconditionally and sincerely. And He loved everyone regardless of race, religion, age or gender. And that's why I love Jesus so much.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:33

Christmas at Home

Christmas week was fun and relaxing. I spent many nights wrapping presents past midnight! Had dinner with my family at La Swiss in Damansara Heights on Christmas Eve, the food was yummy... I had crab bisque soup, smoked fish (can't remember what fish it was), turkey with cranberry sauce and Christmas parfait with brandy....

Went to church on Christmas Day... we had to be in church by 6:45am. I think I must have been worried I wouldn't wake up on time so I woke up at 4:30am and didn't go back to sleep after that! So by Christmas afternoon I was really sleepy. My cell group came over on Christmas evening and we spent most of the time chatting, playing with Spottie and eating.... Of course, we sang some carols.

I have to say my parents were really great, they had their own Christmas dinner that night, but they did lots to clean the house up for the gathering :) And mum cooked delicious curry chicken for us.

Spent the day after Christmas at home, been taking Spottie on his 45 minute walks most of the week because I'm clearing leave. (No wonder people have been commenting that I'm more tanned. Must be all the walks under the hot sun). So he's been sticking to me the times I'm home. Watched Bedtime Stories with Hoi Hian at night... I like Bugsy!

I watched 'Mamma Mia!' with Lin Fong, Julia and Oli yesterday! It was superb!! At the end of the show the audience was standing, clapping and dancing with the cast :) The lighting was exceptionally good, I counted that they had at least 40 moving heads on stage. Lin Fong was a bit distracted by the a couple sitting in front of her. Apparently, they were 'making out' and the aunty sitting next to them was staring fiercely. Haha. The props crew were really efficient and they seemed to be part of the act as well. Very interesting and smooth flowing! Definitely a good experience and worth the money spent.

I'm still in Christmas mood, and I'm glad this Christmas has been a meaningful one for me spent with family and friends.

Christmas is near...

My Christmas tree is up :) That's it on the left! Did it together with mum last week.  I'm trying my best to cherish each moment in December. I really love the Christmas season. I love hearing carols on the radio, in church and in malls.  I love the beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere I go.  I love buying presents and wrapping them.  I love celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  I love the season that celebrates the love, joy and peace of God.

I liked today's sermon.  It was about God choosing to announce the birth of Jesus Christ to a group of shepherds, people who were often forgotten about because they spent all their time in the fields.  God didn't choose to announce the awesome news of the birth of our Saviour to the elite or the rich and famous, but he chose those considered the least in society.  And Jesus was born in a manger, surrounded by animals.  I really like that.  

A reminder that God never forgets anyone... in fact, He pays extra attention to those who are lowly and neglected in society.  What a great God I have!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:8-12