Sabbatical - Sixth Stop - Bondi, Sydney

This is the final 10 days for us in Sydney and we have picked the famous Bondi beach to be our final Stop in Sydney. Weather had turned really warm as Spring approaches and the season was great for us to explore more of the city and beautiful sights around. We did much sightseeing, from the Grand Pacific Drive all the way to Kiama Blow Hole, swimming at Bronte Beach, horse riding in the west, sunset sailing for Evangeline and lots of shopping in city and outlets! It suddenly seems that time is running out and we have limited time to take in all that Sydney has to offer although we are already two and a half months here.

We have lots of discussions about life in general with the children, listened to their views and watched soap operas together almost every night. The bonding was wonderful and I was hoping time would stand still for us there and then. The thought of going back to Singapore was not one that we wanted to entertain.

 

During the final few days Edwin needed to fly back first as his mum was in hospital and yearned to see him. As our tickets were all sales fare, we stayed behind and arranged for his return flight. Without their daddy around, the girls were independent and responsible and proved to be dependent help. They helped me as much as they could and took videos for our remaining activities like shopping in China town and visiting William Clarke College Big Fun Day for their dad so that he did not have to miss much of what we encountered and experienced. I witnessed their love for their dad and it makes me really thankful and glad.

We had final farewell dinners with all the friends in Sydney and again, I experienced God's love through them, generous and thoughtful!

The only fear and stress we suffered was packing more than 100kg of luggage without Edwin on the last night of the sabbatical and going to the airport knowing we might have to pay Aud30 for every extra kg. That night, I regretted buying so many stuffs and praying very hard that God would grant us JOURNEY MERCY, a term I finally got to appreciate in this long journey. I needed mercy! On the way to the airport even though we have our angel friend who promised to standby to off load any excess baggages for us, I was still panicking...

 

Well, and of course, JESUS NEVER FAILS! We amazingly checked through every piece of luggage even though they were over the weight limit and truly, received mercy upon mercy. I personally experienced a miracle of losing and finding back my pouch in the most impossible situation just before we board the plane! It was unimaginable! No word for me to describe what I have felt. I could only say thank you, and thank you and thank you Jesus!

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (Psalms 37:4, 5 NLT)

This promise was consistently experienced in every aspects in our Sixth Stop.