Chek Jawa

My family, together with my 2 neices had a good time at Chek Jawa yesterday! Although the boardwalks have been opened since July 2007, we went there for the first time.
At the Mangrove boardwalk, while up at the Jejawi Tower, we saw an Oriental Pied Hornbill diving into some bushes, must be nesting there.
Although we didn't see much marine habitat as the tides were high when we were there, the view along the Coastal boardwalk is nice....very relaxing and peaceful. The visitor centre is converted from a holiday retreat cottage built in the 1930s, wished I could stay over at this charming cottage for a couple of days :-)

Life is fragile

Just last Sunday, my family, together with my cousin and neices boarded a ferry from Marina South Pier to explore Kusu Island and St. John Island. We had a good time.
Today, news reported a private boat with 3 families sunk off Marina South Pier, leaving one man dead..the people were returning after a trip to Kusu Island. How sad for these people to have a fun day end this way :-(
I thank God that whatever life throws in my way, I know where I'm headed to at the end of the journey...how meaningless and hopeless if not?!
Thank you God, for the salvation in You.

Whew - Buds - Blooms!!!

I'm thrilled! This morning, I counted 6 buds from my pot of Epiphyllum Oxypetalum which I pruned on 7th May (see my earlier post), just 2 weeks ago! When they bloom, I will share it's beauty with you..watch out for photos :-p


Blooms!!!

My Father's Love

Serving in Harvest & Sow for the last 20 months has shown me more of the Father’s heart of love.
In our very first outreach to the two blocks of one-room rental flats at Redhill, I came to know Mdm Wong. Due to stroke, Mdm Wong could not walk and lost control of her bladder many years ago. As a result, her house and clothes were filled with an extremely strong urine stench. Even as God healed her legs and allowed her to walk, a few of us wanted to clean up her house to give her a new start. We armed ourselves with all kinds of cleaning materials, battled with cockroaches and literally scrubbed faeces off the floor. Well, this is not the most challenging part. The challenge is the difficulty in getting rid of the urine stench from her clothes. We washed her clothes for at least five times trying in vain to rid them of the urine stench.
I thank God that Mdm Wong is a cheerful person despite her circumstances, rejoicing always in worshipping the Lord. She loves to hug. Our love for her overpowers the stench when we hug her. God’s love enables us to do what would normally be beyond us.

God’s grace and love is also seen in the miraculous healing of another elder, Mr Teo. Mr Teo was a triad chief but he felt justified as he shared that he took from the rich to give to the poor.
In April last year, Mr Teo started attending baptism course but then decided against going through the water baptism. He felt that he could not meet God’s commandments and closed his heart to God.
Due to other outreach activities, we did not follow-up with Mr Teo for several months. One day in November, a brother was suddenly prompted to visit Mr Teo and found that he had had constipation for about 3 weeks already. Few days later, we visited Mr Teo again and found that despite having seen the doctor and taken the medication, he still constipated. He could not eat, was very weak and fell when he tried to stand. As he is staying alone in a one-room rental flat, we decided to bring him to the hospital. Mr Teo went through medical checks and x-rays the next day. Blood clots were found in his brain, which had caused his constipation. Emergency operation was carried out to remove the blood clots.
Three days after his surgery, Mr Teo could talk and eat, and was discharged from the hospital three weeks later. Mr Teo is 87 years old. His speedy recovery from a brain surgery for a person of this age is nothing but the works of God’s healing. We reminded Mr Teo that God has given him a second lease of life. Mr Teo has since been baptized in April. Through God’s love, the prodigal son has returned home! Hallelujah!

Through the ministry work at Redhill, I witnessed God’s love in the lives of many poor and needy people. I quote Mother Theresa, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” Many people may be spiritually blind or deaf. However, I know that love brings down walls and break barriers. As God enable us to love these people, I am certain that the language of love will speak into the people’s hearts. All praises to my loving Father!!!

1 Corinthians 13:13 - “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Papa, what do you have for me today?

This morning, I asked Papa God, "What are you doing Papa?". When I realised what I was asking God, I initially find it odd that I would be asking God such a question. As a Father to so many children, He has tons of things to do each day!
Then I recalled yesterday...
Trudy came to me asking me what I am doing. As little children, we would sometimes go to our parents asking them what they are doing and wanting to be a part of what they are doing.
I responded to Trudy in return, asking her what her father has planned for her to do. As little children, our parents plan our activities for each day - activities that will nourish us, groom us, teach us. If earthly parents plan what they deem as what's best for their children, what more our Heavenly Father?
So each day, I come to Papa God asking like a little child, "Papa, what are you doing and what do you have for me today?", and I know that through this, I will enter into the kingdom of God, to be a part of what He is doing and carry out His plans for me....

P.S. I keep having the image of little Jane walking to me and asking, "Aunty Sharon, what are you doing?" (in Mandarin)...I missed her.

I'm A Computer Avatar!

'I'm A Computer Avatar!' is the title of Trudy's very first printed book!
Trudy's love for writing prompted me (her mother ^_^) to sign her up for the Young Author's Scheme, a course designed to teach children how to write a book.
I was very excited when Catherine Khoo, our local veteran author and editor informed that Trudy's book has been selected for printing. Friends have given good reviews about the book and these have been great encouragements to her. Read a review at: http://tobistiffay.multiply.com/journal/item/27/Im_A_Computer_Avatar

>>>Trudy's book is now available as an ebook at: http://www.catherinekhoo.sg/selectedbook.php?ProductId=119

Synopsis:"There's someone always watching you from behind your computer screen." That's what Trudy says after she gets addicted to a computer game. A tale of the "Warcraft Taker" finds his way to Trudy's life andshe becomes a character in a video game! Can she find a way to escape? Or will she be stuck in her own computer world forever?The story is about 5000words long and is suitable for anyone age 8 and above.

Each download is priced at only $2/-per copy and Trudy gets a small percentage as royalty. As it is priced very low, I appreciate if you do not circulate the downloaded copy to your friends and contacts....

Any order Trudy gets will certainly encourage her to further her gift of writing.
Thanks for all your encouragements, cos' of them, she's onto her 2nd book!

Pls post yr reviews in this blog.
Trudy's proud mama ^_*

Epiphyllum oxypetalum- Orchid Cacti

A neighbour gave me a cut-out leaf more than 5years ago and I've been enjoying the blooms every so often. Each time the plant flowers, there will be about 8 to 15 blooms! The blooms only open at night and for only 1 night...it gives out a nice scent...
Altho' I've always enjoyed this plant, I've never known the name until I borrowed a book on cactus from the library. Finally! Now, I know it to be 'Epiphyllum' or Orchid Cacti.
I also learned from the book how to prune this plant. I've just pruned it this morning, it looks a little shorn but I know I can look forward to more flowering shoots!
I'm reminded that even as I allow God to prune me, the process is a struggle, it's no fun but it is necessary for me to grow and I would certainly turn out more beautiful than before :-p