Tribute to my 4 legged friend

When in grieve, writing always help.

And so we were told just recently that Amber (one half of the Wong family doggies) passed away. We were shocked and of course sad. It's interesting how one dog can have an impact not only to us as individuals but to us a family. Ask anyone of us and we will have our own stories to share about Amber.

I remember days of chasing her..literally. We were not very good owners, rarely took her out for walks. Whenever we left the gate slightly opened, she would dashed out and one of us would run after to catch her to bring her back. Our neighbours must have thought, 'crazy jokers chasing after their dog around the neighbourhood'.

I remember also days when she would just sit down and rest her head in between the grils of the door looking oh so adorable but we knew deep down, she wanted to get more food (eg. chicken bones which apparently are harmful to dogs). haha

And there was that time also when she jumped into the fish pond. That was funny...

She was also a 'friend' to me. Weird as it sounds, used to sit down with her and just talk to her while patting her. Knowing there was not a slight chance of her responding to my rants/complains in life, I shared quite a bit with her..haha. And interestingly enough, she would look back at me with her tongue hanging out and with a face that has no worries at all, and that was enough to remind me of the simple truth of sometimes, just take it easy.

Being away from home and her for quite a bit helps the grieving process but as I was talking to my sister, that we won't forget the memories. The many times she annoyed us and also the many more times she brought us joy.

It is interesting how God allows these kind of things. I believe its in His will too to have allowed us to have a dog and I believe He has also taught us some things through our 4 legged friend.

Once read the book 'Cat and Dog theology' by Bob Sjogren & Gerald Robison and it brought some interesting perspectives to our relationship with Him. And of course, having dogs yourself help to illustrate the examples better.

Thank You God for the memories and for Amber.

Bye Bye 'ber'..

Jamie's American Road trip

And so I just finished watching the first episode of Jamie's American Road trip. Totally enjoyed it, always enjoy watching Jamie Oliver (i enjoy listening to the British accent so I could be bias..haha), he's touring America trying out the underground/local cuisines prepared by migrants. There was a chap which he met, a Colombian who works as a school bus driver by day and at nights, cooks for about 70plus homeless illegal migrants and distributes the food to them.

I was reminded of

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has annointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

I get excited when I hear/see of churches who are integrated in their local communities doing acts of justice, defending those who are weak, feeding those who are hungry, being a channel for His power. I get even more excited when together with these, there is an active proclaimation of the gospel and lives being saved. And I know it is hard to strike a balance.

I'm reminded from a thought shared by K.P Yohannan in his book, 'Revolution in World Missions' where he makes the point that yes, it is important for a church to meet the social need but it is more important to meet the spiritual need as often, the physical needs are an expression of their spiritual state.

God, wake us up from our spiritual slumber that we may see how much we need You in our lives.

Gratefulness

Sippin' a cup of warm Camomiile and Green Tea and eating lemon crisps from Arnott's...ah pure bliss...

I've never felt so 'aunty' before..hehehe.

Woke up rather early this morning and had a sudden urge to have them for breakfast as I spent the time reading His Word and reflecting.

I can't believe I'm excited for OCF Australia's National AGM, like uber excited! I was never one who fancied formality and 'motions' and all that sort. And I still don't think I am. I am excited more for what He is going to do through it and for the lives He is going to touch and also...it's going to be in Klang :)

Just like that. .

And just like that, October's coming to an end and we will be into our 'last leg' for the year 09.

I was recently convinced by Ms Lee (all the way from UK) to go out to get the book, 'Boundaries in dating.' by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend. I never thought i would invest in a book on relationships. The last and only book I have ever read on relationships was 'I kissed dating goodbye' by Joshua Harris. (I 'borrowed' it from a friend and haven't returned it..haha)

Interesting point: Cloud and Townsend made some remarks to debunk Harris' thoughts on dating in their first chapter. I was like, Woah, these 2 books would probably be the only books I will ever read on relationships and they potentially would offer 2 different views. But then again, I like to read/listen/hear what others think/say hence also the sudden impulse to invest in a book on relationships.

Just finished an autobiography-like book on Rees Howells and also 'A backpack and a bit of luck,' by Zhang Su Li, that was an enjoyable read.

The other books that I'm currently taking my time through also are 'Your Church. . can make a World of Difference' by Allan Webb and 'Coffee on the Terrace' by Bruce Grayden, a Wycliffe missionary who was based in the Phillipines.

for your amusement

and so i got my salary and i was like all..oo..$$..haha..but it was a short-lived one..after dividing it to a few portions to be put here and there..i was left with very little and then it dawned upon me..this is going to be one lonng year..and here i was thinking....i dont hv to be a scrooge and look for cheap bargains anymore (it can be tiring sometimes - but i still get the kicks when i find a loaf of Helgas bread for AUD 2 tho) and then it hit me again too..earning my own moolah dosent equate to a more 'comfortable' life but the opposite actually.i've to be wise in my using them as I can't or at least shouldn't be running to Mama-Papa Sdn Bhd for $$ anymore..

and so..i went to harris-scarfe (probably aussie's equivalent of jusco) to look for some working socks. ive only got 1 pair (and no, i havent been re-wearing them everyday and end up developing athlete's foot) but ive been wearing my other like 'sporty' looking socks..everytime i sit down, i was a bit embarassed coz u know how the pants will be pulled up a bit revealing your socks hence the importance of choosing socks which will match your attire for the day.but after a while..i was like..hiya..cannot think too much..

but anyways..i went to harris-scarfe to look for working socks on sunday and i was so excited when i found a set of 3 for 15dollars reduced from 25..(and the chinese uncle would say....'pieerree cardin' one somee moree..i dont even know what brand it is..but i've a hunch that a typical chinese uncle would have that reaction) I just thought it would be easy to match as they were black in colour with minimal designs. and so i bought it feeling rather proud with myself for finding a bargain..

this morning when i wore one of them for the first time, i realised why they were reduced...

they didnt match!

the colour was the same but the way they were sewn together was different.like they had different thread pattern...one was plain, the other had lines...

i just laughed at myself..im still going to wear them..only someone who focuses on it can pick out the difference..i doubt ppl will actually like stare at my feet/ankle....but then again..i actually wear a quite striking colour shoe...oh well...

haha.

Interesting videos

Both are on unity in a land deprived of it

but each has a different background to it.

1 week down, 51 more to go..

Finished my first ever 6 days working week today. My rotation is set up in a way that will give me a 4 days working week, but that would mean extra work on some of the weeks and I so happen started in the week where i had to do a 6 days one.

Week 1: 5 days
Week 2: 6 days
Week 3: 4 days (my favourite...duhh!)
Week 4: 6 days

I still have my job..thank God :)

And this was how I celebrated my first week. I had a huge craving for McD's fries the whole day today and so right after work, went to the nearest McD's and ordered their new Angas beef burger value meal, for those who know what I'm talking about, you just got to try it. It's DA BOMB! haha..it was oh so satisfying! probably also due to the fact that I only had a cup of tea for lunch and some biscuits bcoz it was raining oh-so-heavily and i couldn't go out to get something. Will probably need to start packing food or keeping snacks in the locker or something..

Came back home, played 'Nigel Kennedy: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra', swung open the balcony windows and took one of the nicest nap I've ever had. It just stopped raining so the weather was just perfect and the birds were singing too!. Pure bliss...and did i mention, a bird built her nest in the tree in front of the balcony so every morning, i get to see her sitting on her eggs.

Work has been interesting. I got to think of combinations of ties, shirts and jumpers/cardigans to wear for the past few days (not that I have many, even more the need to mix and match)..haha..on a serious note, I'm beginning to understand the responsibilties that come up with 'growing up'. And even more the role I potentially playing or if not already in someone else's well being. Most of my friends/colleagues knew that already when they were in uni and i somehow only realise it now..i can be a bit blur sometimes but oh well..

While I was enjoying my Angas beef at McD's, i saw this family that came in, and could tell that it was really a treat for the kids to have McD's. They were so cute in their raincoat and were all smiling so happily. And it came back to me again, the reminder of how blessed I am and how fortunate that I am to be in where I am in life. Even with all the complains that I pour out to Him, He still loves me and gives me more than what I need. How can I not be amazed by this Love. and He knows what makes me smile, what cheers me up when I'm down..He knows us more than we know ourselves..how can we not fall down and worship..

We have been blessed to bless others, one of my life principles..

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us...

and so dear reader, I thank you for taking the time to have an interest in my life and for stopping by here when you do and I hope you continue to do so, and I hope that these life stories that I have may be of some use to you.