Elissaline, our talented Angel

By birth order, it is right to share on Evan first before we move to Elis. The last 3 years has seen Elis grown so much after the sabbatical in Australia. This pretty little girl has so much to offer and her many talents are so evident in everything she sets her heart to accomplish. She sails, she draws, she dance, she creates, she studies and she plays! Everything to her heart's content. 

 And herein lies my 'stress' as I was stuck for years contemplating what she should focus after her psle next year. Follow in Evan's footsteps to DSA into TKGS or enrolling for SOTA IB program via visual arts?  I am just praying the Lord shows us clearly the Best Pathway for her journey after primary school because I know that God has a plan and purpose for each one of His children. It is in Elissaline that I wonder how difficult is parenting. How our Lord has to guide and advise us so that we are constantly in His perfect will.

As Elissaline matured over the last 3 years, I realized she is so much more like me than her sister in terms of our profile so we may clash more. But somehow her sensitivity touches me on many grounds. Perhaps the age difference of the girls are big, and thus Elis is more mature beyond her age, I am always amazed by her critical thinking and the depth of her expressions.

As we approach 2017, and she will be turning 12 on 22nd Jan, my deepest desire is that she will continue to excel in everything! That the Spirit of Excellence be upon her like Daniel. I can't wait to see how her life will pen out in the future, but I know for a fact that she is the APPLE in our eyes!

3 years of silence...

I had a shock recently when Evangeline's friend asked why I didn't update my blog and I realized I have not done so for more than 3 years! And I was supposed to blog on my overall final thoughts on the 3 months sabbatical! 3 years is a long time. What happened? Time just pass me by... I was overwhelmed and realized so much have changed in 3 years since we came back from our Sabbatical. I promised myself I have to give a praise and thanksgivings update to glorify my Savior and to account for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us as a family and the business as well. I have also encountered painful challenges this season and through it all, God remains faithful and merciful.


Evangeline, Sweet 16

I don't even know how to start but I remembered I want to do so when Evangeline turns 16 this year which I have procrastinated since March 23, 2016.  Looking back at her baptism at East Coast Beach on 19 January 2001 to her surprise birthday Bash at the National Sailing centre, I am so in awe of how fast my baby girl has grown!

She has been a sunshine and sea baby and no wonder she is still so today, our national sailor who loves the sea and sand and that passion has such a sustaining power over her life and choices she has made especially in the last 2 years when she decided to sail Double-Handed boat with her BFF from primary 2. After they parted ways end 2015, evan has just overcome all odds again to make it as Top Asian Sailors with her partner Bertha for the ISAF Youth Worlds for the 29er class in Auckland recently! https://www.facebook.com/pg/SingaporeSailing/posts/

I sincerely thank God for charting Evangeline's sailing journey for the last 3 years. She has gained much exposure and training in various nations including Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Germany and New Zealand. Although she hated the travelling, she knew she has a role to pursue and follow for this season in life. She doesn't want to let her new partner whom she has promised to sail for 2017 down plus all the people who has rooted for her especially us her family. The choice is hers we told her whether she continues or not but most importantly we told her Jesus must be the center of whatever she does in life!

In 2 weeks or so she will be receiving her O levels results. We are praying our Lord won't fail her and she will truly be bless with results that will chart her future career which at this point she is still unsure and clueless. We pray for the best pathway for her as promised by the Lord in Psalms 32:8! We love you so much Evangeline no words can express and we are so proud of you!

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalms 32:8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.32.8.NLT

This is our family and personal promise from the Lord as we head into 2017!

Sabbatical - Seventh Stop - Kembangan, Singapore

We finally arrived back in Singapore! It was HOME HOT HOME back in Kembangan! Local delights welcome us and the only thing I was glad was that I won't have to unpack my luggage with my dependable and organized helper in the house!

We found Edwin nicely settled back into his routine but we were somehow miserable, missing the cool weather and experiencing the humidity and heat. The settling into the routine back home was also a reality that was painful to bear. I took a week off to ease myself back to the sudden change of pace.

The children had just a week to prepare and revise what they have missed in Singapore school work and to our horror, Evangeline's final exams was just two weeks away! I began to worry how she was able to take exams for eight subjects. It was a horrible feeling but we look it in good strides trusting in our Lord as He was the one who approved their Leave of Absence from school for the sabbatical and I am sure He will see the children through.

The only comfort is that all my family and friends are well and my mum in law's chemotherapy is progressing as planned and she is also comforted by Edwin's return and God's faithfulness. We also had a great time celebrating Mid Autumn with my siblings, nieces and nephews and it was a nice 'reunion' in a way for us all.

However, back to work, I was full of fear and anxiety as it seemed that the year may not end so well at the moment. I felt like crying. I really have to cling on to His words...

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NLT)

I do not know what would pen out as yet but I consciously mediated on His promises.

 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:8, 9, 13, 19 NLT)

 

'Dear Jesus, you are speaking to me and I know I need not worry but trust in you, FAITH - Full Assurance In The Heart, an acronym I read in Nick Vujicic's book 'Life Without Limits'. The assurance is that I should not look at the limitations but towards the possibilities. The hope that you are the one who works out everything good for those who love you, and you know we love you very much!'

This final Seventh Stop, although back into the familiarity of Singapore life, will remain the Stop for me at least to continue to journey on towards Peace in my heart and Perfection in my life through His mighty power and grace. The significant 7 indeed!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Amen!

Coming next, my final thoughts on the Sabbatical ...

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.

 

 

Sabbatical - Fifth Stop - Castle Hill, Sydney

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)

 



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)

 

 

 

 

Sabbatical - Fourth Stop - Hill Songs Conference, Sydney

The conference was planned a year ahead by my friend, they bought two extra tickets by faith last year and somehow the tickets were meant for us! Since we were in Sydney, and Hills Song Conference was so highly recommended, we decided to spend five days attending the whole conference as a family.

On the physical aspect, this conference stretched us to the limit! Never had I walked so much, stood up so long and eaten so much bread in a short span of five days! The Sydney Olympic Allphones Arena was filled to the brim every day, mornings and nights with more than thirty thousands people worshipping Jesus!

Basking in with thousands who love and worship God, I was very touched to be in their midst. This Song, "Oceans" especially touched the core of my being when I was there. Tears could not stop flowing as I sang...

Oceans (Where feet may fails)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your Name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

(End)

 

The song speaks for itself reflecting my anxieties and yet the hope and the promises of God are present even though I am weak and weary. He has never failed me and He won't start now. Jesus already has a plan for my life and He will guide me and lead me in my faith journey wherever He calls me. The accompanied teachings and sharing by all the men of faith also greatly encouraged me to press on in this season. Ephesians 3:20 resounds again and again in my heart. GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY MORE THAN WHAT WE ASK OR IMAGINE! I seriously can't imagine much what's more in life? In my family, in my work, in my ministry, in my relationships... What great unknown is out there? As Christ's glory is revealed, I prayed earnestly for a transformation and a revival of my heart. Jesus must come into the Now of my life as He is the life that satisfies (John 11:23, John 11:25). I am the stand up and recovery!

“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live." (John 11:25 MSG)

Ruin comes to life in Lazarus (John 11), Ruin comes to life in prophetic power (Ezra 6:14).

 

"For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem." (Ezra 9:9 NKJV)

God will Revive, Repair and Rebuild its ruins!

"There is the sound of wailing shepherds! For their glory is in ruins. There is the sound of roaring lions! For the pride of the Jordan is in ruins." (Zechariah 11:3 NKJV)

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth" (Job 19:25 NKJV)

I will start praising God, again and again ... Ezra 3:10

Ruins comes to life! Now! In the present! Amen and Amen!

Thank you Jesus for giving me LIFE!

Glorious Ruins

By Hill Songs

When the mountains fall

And the tempest roars You are with me

The cross before me, the world behind...

When creation folds

Still my soul will soar on Your mercy

PRE-CHORUS

I'll walk through the fire

With my head lifted high

And my spirit revived in Your story

And I'll look to the cross

As my failure is lost

In the light of Your glorious grace

CHORUS

Let the ruins come to life

In the beauty of Your Name

Rising up from the ashes

God forever You reign

And my soul will find refuge

In the shadow of Your wings

I will love You forever

And forever I'll sing

 

When the world caves in

Still my hope will cling to Your promise Where my courage ends Let my heart find strength in Your presence

(End)

 

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK!

Sabbatical - Third Stop - Kellyville, Sydney

Informix was a very special company to me as a young professional working in my first MNC of my career at least 18 years ago. It was such a unique organization that I know I would remembered it for life not just for the company but for the people I have met and grown together in that company. I was the youngest to be recruited then by the same boss. He recruited me although I have had zero knowledge of software or even Information Technology. It must have seemed very strange to all the colleagues then as I was super clueless about everything. Yet somehow you know without a doubt that God had placed me there for a purpose. Perhaps it is because I have always wanted to have bigger sisters and brothers in my life. Being born in January and being the eldest grandchild of the whole Teo Clan, I have never being placed in an environment where I could ever be the 'youngest' in terms of age and experiences.

In this special company, I did receive amazing blessings to know the people there and have grown to love over the years. There, I experienced contrary to everything I have heard about politics, a culture of love, support and open sharing. Politics were minimal which was rare of any MNCs. Christian faith was exhibited amongst all those who knew Jesus Christ! I was indulged with wisdom, love and 'protection' from the older sisters and brothers there even to this day. Two of those brother and sister had migrated to Australia. They spoke of it 18 years back and it happened before my eyes that they have courageously migrated to Australia with their families. So as the privilege little sister (even though I have crossed 40) who is the youngest amongst them, I was well taken of in this Third Stop when I arrived in Sydney.

Pope John Paul said, "Nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive." This willingness to give and receive was exhibited in this Third Stop as I witnessed the community I was in with our arrival from Perth to Sydney. My children received attention and encouragement whilst studying here in Sydney for an exchange. We received accommodation and meals from my brother and a car to transport us anywhere from my sister. When I told others they were my colleagues who were taking care of us in this foreign land, it was a shock to them. Do you really meet such colleagues in work, who give and receive from one another so graciously? I count myself blessed beyond measures to have this chance to live it out, I have the privilege to experience the truth of brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ.

Here in this Third Stop, I have enjoyed the many small gifts of life, the many graces: good meals, good friends, sending my girls to school, coaching them, reading books and completing them, attending different services, supporting food fair, going to Hill Song Conference together with family, walking dogs, watching movies, shopping and sightseeing.....  There are no stress or expectations at all in this Third Stop but for us to be prepared and to rest as much as we desire for the next Stops! Such graciousness to enjoy our stay and to REST. And I know my brother and sister and their family are still there for us so long we are here in Sydney. They are always present and never imposing, like our Father to us.

 

Thank you big brother and big sister and your family hosting us who have made this Stop such a delightful journey in this Sabbatical. We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves especially the presence of such treasured and rare friendships in this community of faith. I pray this special kinships will continue for the rest of our journey on earth, wherever we are ...



There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother/sister. (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)