It has been a long while since just the four of us stayed
as ONE together, therefore Castle Hill will be a 'test' for us all as to we are
going to 'survive' on our own without our faithful helper back home and
supportive friends here. We rented a two bedrooms apartment as we gathered it
would be easier to 'manage'. Everyone of us would be given tasks that we would
normally not do back home.
So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one
body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:5 NLT)
1) Cooking, laundry - Julie (I found out too here that I
did inherit my parents genes of culinary talent!)
2) Chauffeuring kids to school, cleaning whatever and
throwing garbages - Edwin
3) Washing plates, pots and pans after meals - Evangeline
4) Folding clothes - Elissaline
5) Other chores and grocery shopping - All
As we come to an end of the stay, it seems like none of
us enjoyed the tasks that we were doing! It is like what our belief back home
told us what those tasks were - CHORES! Good grief! I found out that to give
our children the best, not only do we provide them materially, we need to
ingrained responsibility in their life. Although we hated the chores, we have
to do it as we learn the various responsibilities of living as a family. I may
not be the best coach for them but I read that it is important to equip them
with godly wisdom, understanding and knowledge to live resourcefully and know
the values of godliness, hard work, consistency and generosity. Thus, based on
this precinct, this Stop was a great training ground for us all - Learning
about these foundational life skills!
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is
wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in
torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it
won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. (Matthew 7:24, 25 NLT)
As my girls are 'a heritage from the Lord' (Psalm 127:3),
they are amazing gifts from God for us to invest in them to live successfully!
It was a great challenge here for us to know their needs and invest the right
ingredients into building their lives. During this Stop, we talked a lot with
one another, husband and wife, parents and child. There were deep sharing as we
try to explore our inner thoughts and feelings. I thank God that both our girls
are so secure and truly gifts from God in our lives. And for the wisdom of God
in us to invest the right ingredients thus far into building their lives. They
are happy, confident, contented and brilliant girls to our greatest delight.
And we thank God for the wisdom in building them up.
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders
is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do
no good. (Psalms 127:1 NLT)
The girls have no difficulty in going to a totally new
school environment, doing their chores as per requested, trying sailing in
different conditions, sleepover party and moving around as and when required.
They make new friends in school and maintain friendships back home, studying
here and trying to keep up with school work in Singapore (not an easy
task)! I am grateful with their progress
and thank God with my heart filled with gratitude for raising them up to be
fine women of God. They still have their difficult moments but truly they are
good and perfect gifts from our heavenly Father! (James 1:17)
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| Evangeline's Instagram post! How true! |
Here in Castle Hill, I have time finally to read and
blog. Things I have yet to engage in for a long long time.... Reading and
blogging helps me to reflect and think and pray along the way. In the busyness
back home, it becomes something that I subconsciously choose to put aside, and
after a week, it becomes a year that I don't even finished any books that I set
up to read or some thoughts I wanted to keep in my blog. The consciousness of
slowing down just to reflect is something that I simply treasure because I can
find Him sharing intimate details of my life, encouraging and directing me in
the process. Something I greatly missed. I felt really sorry for neglecting God
at times like I have neglected reading. But I praise God because He is always
there, like all my books seating and waiting at my bedside table or shelves
patiently waiting for me to 'pick' them up! What a glorious truth of His love
and everlasting presence!
I believed this Fifth Stop will be remembered forever by
the four of us as it has given time and space for us during this Sabbatical to
enjoy our uniqueness and differences as well as learning and experiencing the
deep family love that is One in Christ!
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us
all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule
in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And
always be thankful. (Colossians 3:14, 15 NLT)
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