Counting My Blessings

Recently, I am learning to be more thankful for what I am / have been blessed with. Bought this pretty journal book to encourage myself to write them in.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen! 

A God Who Provides - Encouragement

2 encouraging emails - 1 in the past week, 1 was a long time ago. Both are from different people. It is not the first time I have heard of this but the sinful me needs a constant reminder...
-----------------------

It is sometimes not easy to trust God, but if we really believe that God is good, we will trust him more fully. Here are some versus to help you to trust and believe God is good, and that He knows our needs and will provide for us:

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Rom 8:32

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Matt 6:26

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Matt 7:9

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  Matt 7:10

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!  Matt 7:11

There are many other passages in the bible that assure us of God will provide for us, knowing our needs. But it will be in His timing, as He has His reasons, good and wise reasons why now might not be the time. So, I trust Him fully, and you can too. In His time, and for reasons which we usually will see later, I have faith He will provide. If He has not given what we has asked for, it is for our benefit, reasons which we might not know or see now, but as our Father who did not spare His son for us, I can only believe that it is out of love and nothing else.
 
-----------------------
 
Every season of life is beautiful because it is in the will of God. And we know God only wills things to happen if they glorify Him. I am thankful that God enabled you to take a long hard look at yourself and that He gave you the teachability to listen and repent. Hold fast to what you know about God, His faithfulness, His character and His love for us. Even when you feel down, I pray that you can take joy in knowing that God has 'selected' you to go through this trying time for His purposes. Maybe He is teaching you how to encourage others who may be like you.
 
-----------------------

Waiting Upon The Lord

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!

O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

PC did this with us for devotion last week... Sometimes I cry out to the Lord like the Psalmist. Sometimes I wonder if the Lord hears me. My head tells me that He does but my heart sometimes waiver... But I rejoice and thankful that I have His Word to hope in... and the hope that He is with me and He is in total control. I may not understand why I have to wait and how long I have to wait but I trust that my good Lord knows my deepest thoughts and needs. Like how the Lord fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, so am I reminded that He is a faithful God and His love for me is steadfast and never-ending.

The Lord is good. Be joyful in all circumstances, giving thanks to our Lord. Be contented with what the Lord has given me now for this is what He reckons is good for me for now. What else can I ask for or hope for, except for spending eternity with our Father? Lord, I await for your return to bring me to a place where pain and tears are no more...

Welcome greetings

This is what I harvested from my garden on the day that we return from SG - 1 egg plant (this is slightly bigger than our first eggplant), 3 cherry tomatoes and 1 (complete and hole-less) strawberry. We thank God for little reminders like these of his creation and His provision. :)

A Day to The Australia Zoo

Kelloggs had a promotion that when you buy their cereal, you and someone get to go to the zoo for the price (A$55) of 1. You have to cut out the voucher on the cereal box. Hubby and I have never been to the Australia Zoo (aka Steve Irwin Zoo) so we thought we will go have a look during one of the days when we are not working between Christmas and New Year, before the voucher expires on 30 Dec.

There were many people at the zoo that same day that we were stuck in a jam 8km away from the entrance to drive into the parking area. It was supposed to rain (there has been thunderstorms since a week before) and it rained a few times when we drove there (1 hour 15 min journey) but thank God that He protected us from the rain when we were there. It only drizzled very lightly on a couple of occasions.

Actually, both of us are not big animal lovers, which also explains why we don't and will probably never have a pet. So what did we do there? I had a go at feeding an elephant a piece of sweet potato, we got to pat a koala and also a kangaroo. We also spent 1.5 hrs at the Crocoseum watching Bindi Irwin danced, some birds fly and saw the owner of the zoo, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin and watching a crocodile being fed.

The cutest animal has got to be the koala. It really looks so cute and lazy. Other ones that impressed me were cassowary (the way it swallows its food), otter (cute and swift) and the kangaroo (which I got to touch and it will not run far away from me). Oh, I must not forget the many snakes I saw, with the Burmese snake being the most impressie and fattest! Eeks!

It is interesting to read and know how Australia Zoo came about. Steve Irwin used to own the zoo but since his death in 2006, his wife Terri owns and manages it. Steve has once remarked that he considers Singapore Zoo as Australia Zoo's sister.

At the end of the day I reckon that Singapore Zoo has many more species of animals than Australia Zoo and it was true as I compared the statistics on wikipedia. Singapore Zoo has a smaller land but more number of animals and species. However Australia Zoo has a strong wildlife conservation message and also allows you to come up close and personal with the animals which can be fun. Just to assure Singaporeans that they are not missing out a lot, especially with Night Safari too. However apparently Aust Zoo will be expanding soon and there will be more exhibits! But I will think twice though, since I can really just head to the much-nearer Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to see some koalas, kangaroos and some others. But who knows, I might be convinced to go again in future when the zoo has expanded. Nevertheless, we are still thankful to be able to visit the zoo and spend a day out looking at the animals that God has created :)

Little Providence

Just as I was thanking God for His providence on that same day, I went to Spotlight, needing to buy some iron-on alphabets. I have been looking out for letters that I wanted every time I go so that when the letters come out or when they are on sale, I will buy them. I was lamenting to hubby that I cannot find those letters that I want each time I go. I need to get them to personalize aprons which I will be sewing.

Alas, it is drawing closer to having to give a pair of aprons to my friends (and I have not started sewing!) and finally, for the first time, I see the entire range of alphabets on sale - A to Z! Other times when I look, the letters that I want (especially the vowels) are always not in stock. Yet that day, they actually had A to Z! Immediately I grabbed all 17 alphabets that make up the names of 4 persons whom I was going to make aprons for.

What was unexpected was being able to get 20% discount off for all alphabets (A$1.29 each). I had a coupon that was 20% off for 1 full-priced item. But the girl at the check-out gave me 20% for all of them. I was so happy! God provides! He knows when I really need them, He provided not only a discount, but the availability.

This is not a big matter, I know. But I simply cannot get over the 'coincidence' of being able to get discount and all the letters that I wanted, while I have been waiting and looking for the last few occasions I went to the shop. In addition to the other things that He provided that day, I was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness to Him who knows me best and provides for me :)

Pretty Cards & God-Blessed Gifts

For the past year, I have been helping out every fortnight at a mum's group. The group meets every Friday morning to study God's word. Most of them are either my friend or my SIL. I help to look after the toddlers to do craft, etc with them while their mums read the Bible with other mums.

Today, I was asked to join them for their Christmas party and sharing session. Even though I do not study the Bible with them, I have heard their sharing and prayer requests and praying for them.... I am really encouraged to see how they have all grow in their roles as a wife, mum and child of God. God is good. I am encouraged by them and they are also encouraged by me as I spend time taking care of their children so that they can study God's word undisturbed. In thanking me (which I did not expect), they presented me with a thank you gift consisting of 2 books:

Imagine how stoked I am to receive the books, especially the Masterchef cookbook! Hubby and I came across the cookbook about 2 weeks ago. We were thinking it is quite a good buy. Other than the yummy recipes (we are loyal fans of the tv program), there are many tips on how to prepare food, and knowledge of cooking food in the kitchen. It is very useful and we thought that  we both are able to learn much from it (although I do the cooking). However I was thinking twice if we should really buy it (since I can get the recipes off their website) since we have a number of cookbooks (and hubby just bought me a huge huge Kitchen Garden Companion). We thought if I can get it for less than A$20 (the cheapest is retailing at A$30), then we will buy it.

The cookbook and tips will come in useful as I am in the midst of starting a food blog, targeting international asian students who may not know how to cook and dislike cooking and end up eating junk unhealthy food. There are very useful info that I can share on the blog which will hopefully really be able to help and minister to the students. Little did I expect to receive this cookbook as a gift. What a great gift that will not only benefit us but others! God knows what we want and He really provide, isn't it?
 
The other book "Scared Influence", I think would also be great reading for me. Someone recently gave me her extra copy of "Power of a Praying Wife" and I am going through it now... May these resources and God's word continue to challenge me how to be a godly woman and grow to be a capable and beautiful wife who fears God (Proverbs 31) to hubby.

F and her daughter S made these lovely cards (Christmas + thank you) for me. Can you tell who made which one? ;) Anyway, I love both of them and really appreciate the effort and love that they have gone through this. Both of them have such a gifting in this, which is something that I admittedly do not have! I am impressed that S, even though she is just 3, is so good with her fingers and her craft work. She must have taken after her mum. So thankful for friends like them. It is also nice to know that S really likes me (hee I think I am one of her favourite aunties :p). She is very good with me and I have enjoyed getting to know her and spending time with her while taking care of her at mum's group and other occasions when I babysit her alone.

Praise and thank God for providing me with friends here, friends who love me and able to be there to support me as I am far away from my parents, siblings and close friends in SG. I am so privileged to have double the love :)

Amazing Gift & Lessons on Jehovah Jireh

Found a slip in my letterbox to have me collect a registered letter for myself. Could not quite figure out what registered mail I am about to receive. The moment I received it, I opened it and could not believe my eyes - I have won a gift $x00 from Woolies! It was a lucky draw where if you spent $50 on a single receipt, you are eligible to enter the lucky draw (only on their website) and stand a chance to win free groceries for 1 year. I recall only having 1 entry as I do not often spend more than $50 on 1 single receipt. Some would say I am so lucky, but I say this is God's provision.

I was estatic when I learnt about this provision and just filled with joy and a heart of thanksgiving. God seems to be tellling me, "Remember I have asked you to trust me? Now you know that I will, isn't it?" Recently, we wanted to make a decision which go against the original timing/plan of something important so that we could save a bit of money. We have been advised by the professional that it is not ideal but feasible. Only yesterday did we came to the conclusion that we shall stick to the original timing even though we would spend more money. We shall continue to trust God to provide and not 'tamper' with His timing. And today I received this good news :) God has given us more than what we think we would have saved. I am amazed that God chose to bless us in this way and it is a way to show us that we should trust him and not doubt His timing. Be patient and wait for His providence. He knows exactly what we need and what is best for us and the timing to give those things to us. Our responsibility is to simply trust Him.

Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Oh... What I Have Become....

Growing another year older... finding myself becoming an 'auntie' (older me). Received quite a number of kitchen/cooking related gifts from friends (even though I did not expect gifts at all. I was really happy just to celebrate with friends). That means that I have been giving the impression of being domesticated, or able to appreciate those gifts? :) I really appreciate them as they were very well-thought gifts (am I that easy to read?). To me, I thank God as I know that it is another way that He bless me and provide us with kitchenware to use and hopefully able to minister to more others with them.

Cute little flower cutters in 3 sizes. SIL W gave me this in time to decorate my birthday cupcakes. She also gave me a sugar pen that I can write on fondant.

24-cupcake carrier from my SIL G. Came in just in time for me to store those decorated cupcakes!

Stylish recipe folder (left) from S & P and Pyrex set from M & A.

Salt & pepper set, stickmaster plus, salad bowl & servers and silicon baking tray from S, Y, Y and S & S respectively

Interesting big salad servers that hangs along the side of the bowl

There was also a recipe book of recipes from all over the world, to add to the list of kitchen theme. Notice that there were many white and pink things? :) It is not a mystery that pink is my favourite colour. Other gifts include 2 notebooks with pink and green colours, fragrance bottle/sticks, books, gift card, hair straightener (from my parents), watch (from siblings) and another pressie that is apparently on its way in the mail ;)

I feel like I do not deserve these gifts... Every gift is such a thoughtful gesture and I give thanks to God for providing what I wanted/needed through my friends. I think the best gift was the stickmaster appliance as it was something that hubby and I were considering to buy :)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above His heavenly throne. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Lots of Encouragement This Week (So Far)

For the past few days, I have been filled with heartfelt thanksgiving to God... which I suppose I have been taking much for granted (not in particular order) -

Monday

- received a bad news and was rather shakened.

- had a long long-distanced chat with J which helped/reminded me of my faith and trust in Jesus

- had K who offered to come over to be with me, but I decided it was ok not to.

- had S to chat with and offered to have Tuesday Bible study at her place instead, but I reckon I will be ok by then.

- had 2 other girl friends rang to encourage me.

- brief chat with SIL G who really encouraged me and allowed me to cry. Baby A was amazingly ok with her mummy talking to me on the phone.

- FIL did some massage treatment to relieve the tension on my shoulders and neck.

- chatted with mum and to know that after so long, she is finally able to understand my predicament about one area of my life.

Tuesday

- woke up and feeling really thankful for being able to live on earth, that God created us in His image.

- gchat with D whom I have not kept in touch for ages. Really encouraged by his and his wife's growth and perseverance in Christ even when things are not exactly easy for them.

- message from P's wife, D encouraging me and praying for me.

- emails from 3 other girl friends encouraging me and spurring me on.

- a little gift from S to cheer me up and she prayed for me during CG where she knew exactly what to pray for.

- had IG asked how things were and how he can pray for me.

- being reminded from H that this is the day the Lord as made and made me :) instead of :(

- read D's blog to be encouraged by her testimony.

- encouraged by Nick's interview.

- receiving a pair of free movie tickets that came in the mail, compliments from Witchery. Hubby has a meeting to attend next week so I decided to pass the tickets to G as a blessing to her and her friend.

Wednesday

- woke up and was thankful that God made our bodies so intricately. Pain is good as it signals to us that somewhere in our body needs attention. When we cut ourselves, the sensation of pain tells us that we need to do something to stop our blood from running out. Without pain, we may bleed to death!

- being able to buy needful things from Target on the last day of sale. Went out during lunch time to buy them. This was a little way of God showing His providence when I need things, even in the smallest area of all.

- able to write an email to mummy S to encourage her about her health.

- great time of fellowship and cooking session with KEGnadians.

- able to pray for other people and not just focused on my own worries.

- appreciating mum's gift of dried scallops that I may enjoy having it in my rice congee for lunch.

Today, Thursday

- woke up being thankful that God provides for the birds and lilies and me!

- love and encouragement shown through Y.

- the knowledge that my life on earth is able to bless others and minister to some, all for God's glory!

- learning to give thanks for little things, not taking anything for granted and complain.

Last but not least, I am really thankful for a husband who loves me and is there for me to care and comfort me. Hubby is far from perfect (just like me) but He is God-given to me. It is such a great blessing to have him grow old with me through all the laughter and tears of life.

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Patience & Waiting

I grew up thinking that there is only 1 tea in the world - Lipton. My parents only drank Lipton and stock it in our place when I used to be living with them. Only recently, do I better appreciate and prefer Dilmah over Lipton.

I refuse to buy tea at the normal price. I always only get them when they go on sale. Eversince I have finished my first 100-pack Dilmah, I have been waiting and waiting for them to go on sale again (sale price of about $3 versus $4.69 UP). Finally, after a wait of 1-2 months, Dilmah went on sale at Woolies for $2.99 for a box of 100. In fact, I just bought a box of extra strength version at Coles last week because they were on sale. Since I have not opened it, I shall bring back to return :p because I prefer my normal Dilmah black ceylon tea. I didn't want to get it earlier also because I don't want to regret buying it this week and only to find out it goes on sale the next week. I know I sound cheapo... but in better words, I am doing smart shopping :p

Somehow, waiting to buy Dilmah it made me think of my waiting upon the Lord... as I pray for things that I want. It is so easy to want our own way and our own things at our own timing and to disregard God's timing for things that He thinks are good for us and in the best way that He knows will be best for us. Our Father will not give us a stone when we ask for bread. In various sessions of my life, I have been challenged to wait and pray for many things... yet every time, I still am challenged by God that I have to trust Him and wait... when will I ever learn my lesson? Some waits are easier than others. In the difficult times of waiting, I struggle until I question God and wrestle with Him - "When, Oh Lord?", "Please, Oh Lord!".

A SIC reminded me of God's promise in the Bible - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " I am thankful for that timely reminder... I am also thankful that when things seem hopeless, I always can hope in Jesus.

Dear Lord, please give me patience to wait and faith to trust in Your total sovereign will, Your best for me. Please forgive me for being selfish and me-centred.