Belle’s blog

The sweetest thing is that she learnt to 'feed' me and shared her biscuit with me in the end. No qualms to the final cleanup needed to be done!

Wow, something new for breakfast

Let me get a grasp

Taste yummy!

Oops, I broke it

Such a small piece now to handle

Here's the small one for you mummy

What can I say (again??)

August is always a prayerful month for God's providence, especially more after I started my new career at home. Ad has his pay review this season. So now, with him as the sole breadwinner, it is extremely 'exciting'.

Thinking back, we asked for a specific fat increment last Aug to prepare for our family transition. We did not get it. But we got our flat in Dec- which we might not be qualified for it, according to HDB rules, if he really did get that increment.

So we started to see our 'untouchable' savings account swing up and down as we hopelessly try to top it back up again whenever we can save that particular month. We believe in living our means & changing lifestyle if necessary. Nevertheless, it was still a touched Fathers' Day message for Ad in church that service on the 'food' topic (Read his blog!).

So we started the praying again two weeks ago- for the same specific fat increment we asked for last year.

Well, I just got his call.

WE GOT MORE THAN WE ASKED FOR!

It is a tremendous thanksgiving for me. Within a year, we have almost managed to reach the additional amount to replace my monthly salary (at the rate I was paid at the time of quiting)!

It is a lot of encouragement to me- God honours my place in the home. He knows what we need. No need to answer those challenging questions on opportunity costs of me staying home or Ad only works his 8-hours worth in office- I can count with my two hands how many times he had stayed longer than that these 6 years. This blessing is more than what is required to tackle each of them.

No one determines how much he is paid. Some slogged; work takes priority over God, family, friends.... Yet, he may not get what he 'deserves'.

He honours us when we honour Him. I am sooooo very proud of my baby being such a shining bright light in the marketplace where God has called him to be in. Not compromsing God's standards and ethics even at work, he shows everyone hands down what godly values lead him to. Not by the worldly ways (slogging, bootlicking, work infront of boss but skiving when boss not around..etc) but he is just SOLID and unbending to what is required of him! 

Ya, Jesus is our Boss.

LA displayed her new skill last nite- one which we have been showing her the last three weeks with her new Fisher Price stacking toy.

What a great joy to see that!

Completing Her 10-level Tower

Where is the ball going to be

Here, Daddy!

Tada!

Today is my first day home alone with LA once again. Not too bad at the moment. :)

Thank God Ps YP's stop bleeding and can be discharged. It was heartening to see the two Poh sisters supporting their parents when we visited them last nite.

Let's keep them in prayer!

The slide show of FCBC's history touched me a lot. We have grown so much together- not in strength, but in depth.

God help me to be around to celebrate our birthday 22yrs later! 

Joining in the Fun with the '22'

Here's a Family Pic!

And Team Singapore's table tennis gals won a silver medal for the nation! Well done! Zhang YN and Guo Y indeed are worth their gold medals. Thank God we did not fare till badly!

Just got an sms from Ps YC about Ps YP's bleeding this morning.

She bled fairly and is admitted to the hospital. The foetus's still ok. It is bleeding at the placenta attachment. So she is hospitalised for complete bed rest.

At the age of 40yrs old, having a pregnancy like this is more stressful than any younger mother.

Yet, she has indeed gone by faith serving the Lord (and resting appropriately) all this while.

I am reminded of the trials that we all have to go through in life- but as believers, we always the promise of God- those who trust and believe in Him gain strength to survive any hardship. The Poh family has been such a living example.

Incidentally, I read this short entry from Mirabel's blog yesterday, on the similar topic and it certainly blessed me tremendously. May it blesses you too as you read it- esp for my gals who thought my last meeting's message ended pessimistically! ;p

Why me? 

This past week has not been easy.

Perhaps it was the wracking of brains on what to cook for all 3 meals EVERYDAY- cos Ad being a gourmet, loves variety; American breakfast? HK style noodles? McDonald's or BK breakfast? Or pure ham sandwich? Chicken rice? Pan fried Salmon? Pasta? Not to mention afternoon tea break- sandwiches? Puff pastry? Tim sum?

Perhaps it was the need to wake up earlier than usual to take care of LA, and to entertain her during her waketime the whole day.

Perhaps it was the entire household chores that I had to handle since many of Ad's portion could not be performed.

Or perhaps it was just the self-induced stress that the responsible me wanted to let Ad has his rest and focus on his work since he has been working from home.

Thank God Ad's toe is getting better. But we are not sure if he could drive to work next Mon!

And I really appreciate the little 'sneak out' on Monday to East Coast with the gals. God has indeed honoured that time cos LA was asleep in her cosy little bed all the way from the moment I went out till I came home, so that Ad could do his work.

Somehow LA has not been that easy than usual as well. Did she sense that mummy was tired and short fused? Cos she has just begun to exert her will on some things- protesting by her screams and displaying her high 'D'ness, and it did not helped when she is naturally well endowed in her vocals.

We are in a dilemma to discipline her on this now- if she can understand what we are trying to teach her at this age. One may say that she is still young. Others may think it should be started early.

Agreed. Children exhibit innocence by nature. That is child-likeness and it can be really amusing at times.

But when they are taught the 'right' way, and yet they disobey, then that is foolishness- or childishness in a sense.

So, they will remain child like till their parents teach them whatever the correct behaviour is. Then we will see the need for discipline- if they respond in obedience or not. We do not want to raise foolish kids who ignore wisdom given to them.

In the same way, God has always delighted in child-like faith in His children. But the foolish ones will fall away from God and perish.

May God gives us wisdom as parents how to bring LA up so that she will be pleasing in His sight.

Never had such struggle for a long time.

To go or not to go?

It is Day of His Power! Everyone not just from FCBC come together to pray for not just the church, but for the nation- Singapore! I would like to be there as one of the voices to offer incense to the Lord for our homeland. And SP is resuming his leadership over the Love Singapore churches again- it would be a turning point for us as a church.

Well, God will take care of my family if I choose to put Him first rite? And I have always encourage my gals to step out in faith!

But I had no peace to go cos Ad is still immobile with his limping around, and his mum- our usual helper- has flown to HK.

Surely I couldn't abandon my family to go for this- it is my responsibility! And it is a very valid reason! A lot of 'what if(s)'- and they are those kind of worse case scenerios- came to mind. And I also dreaded (if not feared) driving to Expo myself- since it is a national event, the car park would definitely be jam-packed with many cars. And of course, this week has been super draining for me. 

For the first time, I sent an SMS to Ps YP on this. I really couldn't decide. She called and kindly told me that she was not expecting me to be there- for the above reason about Ad's condition and on top of my pregnacy.

It was comforting, but that did not help a lot.

I kept putting the thought off and tried to nap while LA was sleeping after her afternoon groceries shopping with me. 'God, please let me know what to do once I wake up ok.'

By evening, I was the most grunchiest person around.

I still couldn't decide.

Ad's assurance of being a strong daddy (plus his superman action) did not help at all- not at all a practical solution to my worries.

At 6pm dinner, he reasoned with me- the main issue was bathing LA before her sleep and that would be determined by the timing that she would pass motion. So, I would bathe her regardless of the usual factor. Of course, it would be more than perfect that she would do it just before or after dinner when I would be still around. I would also have to let go of the little details that comes along with looking after LA till she sleeps, which can be pretty tiring- even for me- since she is quite active now.

Still, a perfectionist me would like the best of both worlds. And God knows best.

First, he settled my worry of driving there. I supposed in my state at that time, driving would be hazzardous to the road users. And I confirmed a lift home from Wee Hiang after the meeting. Taking a cab there would be the safest option.

Then, after a little hurrying in preparing myself for the meeting and feeding LA dinner, she seemed to demostrate that her stools were coming. So I decided to wait 5 minutes even though I was running late. And she actually did pass motion almost immediately after her meal! I was also pretty pleased with myself that I know my little gal with her little behaviour signs.

I wasted little time bathing her (with Ad hurrying me,'Just go and leave these to me.' But of course I didn't for the sake of his condition.). I was determined to settle as much of the required duties as possible before I leave the house.

'Well God, I am really honouring you to go for this. Let me have the cab the moment I step out ok?'

Guess what, the lift was already waiting for me by the time I reached the lobby- even waited for me to dump the rubbish into the common chute. Which is really divine cos I did not see any of my neighbours on the same floor who has just reuturned home.

By the time I reach the street, an available cab was in sight from afar.

In the end, I got there and settled in my seat just in time for the meeting.

I guess no one can fully comprehend the incident I went through. It is my personal faith growth journey. And I just know that I understand who my God is slightly more tonite- He Is.

Gotta drag myself up this morning... But there is something different to look forward to. We are seeing baby second!

Driving there in the morning with the working crowd is pretty challenging for me as I have only driven on 'off-peak' hours so far. It did not help much when we realised we had to head back home for our forgotten scan report taken during our previous visit.

Anyways, we managed to still reach there on time (I think).

Thank God for auntie Priscilla who came to help us with LA, since Ad cannot handle her now like previous times, so that we could peacefully view and say hi to baby second in the private room.

Well, we were told that baby second is..... (drum roll).... a micky mouse (adapted from Marianne)! haha

Ok, time to search for names.

One name we have shortlisted last weekend: Ethan. It means "solid, enduring" in Hebrew. This was the name of a wise man in the Old Testament.

For his chinese name, there isn't much a choice cos he gotta follow the Chan family's tradition for his second character.  Let's wait and see once Ad's dad comes back in town for confirmation.

One more boy!

This week has been daunting for me; physical, emotional, skill-tional (haha, on my driving)...

As I went through each down (and more downs) this week, I was comtemplating a possible scenerio when some day I may be left alone to take care of all my children by myself, and still face horrible experiences in life. Then, will I still be faithful to God?

Yet, through this week- thank God I have survived the past 3 days!- I know will get stronger; my will power to overcome physical and mental fatigue, and spiritually too.

And I realised I am stronger now than in previous years, comparing my reactions to the similar situations. More bold to proclaim what are my rights to what is wrong, and fight for it. God is my vindicator- I know it. And He has proven it.

Tonite's cell reminded me of my message to the gals last Sat;

1. There is always a choice- how to react to a bad situation
2. Every leader goes through many bad patches- it is a definite route to growing in personal and character development
3. Every painful process has its purpose
4. God is always with us

Things will be looking up!