Daniel, my brother

I just got off the phone with Daniel. I’ve realized that I don’t refer to him as my ‘baby’ brother as much anymore. That’s probably a good thing… for him, that is. =P Daniel, otherwise known as Dan or Neil (Ah-Neil), says the funniest things. I was just laughing when he said he wanted to be 6”4. It wasn't so much what he was saying, it was more of how he said it. I told him that if he was that tall, it’ll be hard to get him a bed since he’ll either have his head hanging off or his legs dangling over the edge. That image of that in my head made me crack up. And his reply was, “I’ll just use a chair for my legs lo. Or else I’ll get a king double and sleep diagonally.” Cheeky kid.. :P

And he went on to talk about that tall guy he saw at Parkson when he went out with his best friend, Adrian, and how his head almost touched the ceiling. “He was so tall,” he said “His girlfriend only reached up to his stomach.” I don’t know whether to believe him or not. And there was also talk about his keloid scar and how he found it hard to wake up this morning cos he slept too late last night. And his studies and the recent ujian bulanan marks. The usual, me scrutinizing his marks. “Pretty good,” I said “But have to improve your bahasa melayu.” He just cant win… ^.^

Karate Wongs. Hee

Ze 4 musketeers

I cant wait to see him again.

Yo, lil' bro. I know I tell you this every birthday and you may be sick of hearing it again, but here it is again… Don’t grow up too fast ok? Missing you heaps. Roller Coaster Tycoon is just not fun without you to share my park trophies with..

I cant believe he's turning 14 this year..

the mundane moments

I walked around, searching and raking my brain trying to remember when was the last time i saw the keys in my hand. But nothing came to me. I retraced my steps, looking to see if it might have fallen onto the roadside or worse.. if the street-sweep have already taken them to ANTZ-Utopia with it. I feared for the worst. At the end of the day, it was a matter of $$$, time, but most of all, losing the trust of my parents.

I lost my keys. The only set of car keys. Oh no.. they could be anywhere!! *Think think* When was the last time that i saw them? *shaking head* I dont remember >.< What do i do now?

I texted Theresa if she could help me go to Glassons and ask. That was our last stop.And because i didnt have the house key either, i climbed into the flat through Paul's window, put my shopping down, changed out of sandals into sport shoes. And i ran. I ran as fast as i could because it was around the time that shops would be closing. We went to Glassons, Kmart, JayJays. The other shops were already closed. I was distressed. Where could they be? How could i have done such a silly careless thing? If only i had heeded the thought before i went out to take a handbag with me.

I came home flattened. Tried calling the Merc car company and they couldnt do anything. So i called Beggs and after a discussion, they realised that they couldnt get a locksmith for the car because of the model and kind. And that locksmith only works on weekdays. It could take days, up to weeks, they said. And i'm estimating at least $200 to $500. *eye bulges* Shoots. So that was that. For the day. Went to the police station and nope, no one had handed in lost keys. I went there twice. So that was it... I called Jimmy, the middle-man who sold Dad the car, and the words that came out of his mouth were "You must be joking.." I felt horrible enough already :( Beating myself up for it.. I went to sleep thinking about it, trying to recall still where i went and where it could possibly be.

And then i remembered going to Kmart. A big warehouse-y Kmart and looking at navy-coloured long pants for Paul... and... slightly distinctively, placing the keys, wallet and cellphone on the next pile.

And i woke up. I spent the next 2 hours tossing and turning in bed, asking..

"God, i'm trying to remember when was the last time i placed the keys down to look at something..".

LACE!! The Fabric Store. I had put the keys, wallet and cellphone down to look at lace.
And it was like God just planted a flash-back vision in my mind.

"But God, what if i'm wrong? What if i go there and it isnt there?"

Well, if it's not there, then i'll direct you to what to do next..

It was there. Just right next to the lace. Just as He reminded me.

I look back now in awe at the miracle. I would not have remembered if it wasnt for Him. In all that thanks and gratefulness, what stands out most of all is the fact that while i was just browsing through the many patterns of lace, trying to decide which one to buy, God was watching over me. He saw, (i believe) in slow motion, as i put the things in my hand down, only to pick all up but one. The keys. He was there. He saw in that mundane moment, the frown on my face as i compared patterns, boring not-very-important "stuff", and yet important enough to remember me. To watch over me.

And i stand in awe.

Hope

You have reached out Your hand. I will go through this with You.

I'm looking through you

i'm looking through you
where did you go
i thought i knew you
what did i know
you dont look different but you have changed
i'm looking through you
you're not the same

I'm looking through me and i dont see.

When the going gets tough

Vows sealed on earth signify a covenant made in heaven

Tim and Kate were married last Saturday at Aramoana Beach, about 10 minutes out of Port Charmers. It was a simple but very pretty wedding. The weather was purrfect, seeing that the forecast was rain (which did POUR like 10 minutes after the ceremony ended) but God is the Creator of the world. Thank you =) I went to the wedding with Jian and Josh, and i must say that they looked good, even though they felt overdressed. Still... i dont think so. Hee...

* Working life *

I shant dwell on what's difficult or hard. Challenging myself today. So i say i trust Him always. Really? It was really hard at work today. I dont want to put the blame on anyone because different people have different characters and thus react differently if were placed in the same situation. But today was definitely not one of my best days. As turmoil churned in my heart, i wondered "What am i doing here? God, i just need You to show me You're here." If you've not noticed, it's so easy to say words of encouragement to friends when they're not feeling in tip top condition. But when it happens to you? Moi?? At that point in time, i wasnt sure what to expect anymore. And i remembered the Psalmist "Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil. For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

It hasnt been that long since i started working, slightly over 3 weeks, but definitely been a time of testing. And so i constantly remind myself the meaning of bearing my cross. I know this cannot be compared to so many others in persecuted countries for Jesus, but at the moment, my mission is NOW.

His grace is sufficient for me. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Hang in there!!

where it started

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Mark 14:20