Debbie and Grace Visit

Both Debbie and Grace got acquainted with each other the first time, they were so 'clicked' to each other, I didn't plan for this gathering, Debbie came just to pass me a pair of jeans that she bought, as a CNY wear, she is kind and generous, she have offered me tones of things, but most of all is her love and care, I am thankful for her.

This is also my first tasted Fedani Chocolates, marvelous tastes of pure chocolate, chocolate is my favourite, simply love them. Le chocolat éprouver - a Chocolate experience

Precious bites... Fidani Crunches collection

Precious moments
A template that I made from a rejected shot, surprised me with just the wordings I did,
it is so nice that I couldn't have imagined that I have just created.

Threesome...Again!
Loving the time to spend with sisters that are understanding, loving and caring.

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! He knows what is best for us, He is our planner, He has the perfect plan in our lives. Through the years, I have been learning, am still learning to trust Him, there were still times that I doubt His plans and doubt His presence, times that I questioned Him, many 'whys' have been asked.

Home is where my heart goes...

Thanks for His grace and mercy, He never forsake me. He answers my doubts and whys patiently, till I feel the shame of asking all these questions again and again, He is so real. At times that I was crying for His presence, times that I was calling for His answers, you would never had imagined the way He gives the answer, but He is just waiting next to me, waiting for me to realize that He is with me all the time, How loving is He, He never fail to attend to me, He never fail to listen to every single prayer that I made, He never fail to show His love.

It is hard to believe, it is hard to accept, it is hard to understand, but God is in control, just trust and obey. He knows my name, He knows every thought I have, He hears my call..... to Him I shall trust! The omnipotent Lord.

Fireproof My Marriage

Relationships are wonderful gifts given to us by God. As we read in the Bible, the most-intimate relationship is marriage between a husband and a wife. Unfortunately, relationships today are under more cultural and interpersonal pressure and stress than ever before in our history.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Together, we can make a long-term difference for healthy relationships and marriages … starting with yours!
What can you do to make a difference?
Go to the Movies!

FIREPROOF, an action-packed love story from the creators of Facing the Giants, arrives in theatres this September. This heartfelt movie tells the story of a couple on the brink of divorce … until they discover God’s design for their relationship. Rally with others around opening weekend for FIREPROOF this September … and stand up for marriage and relationships!

Make the Most of This High-Impact Film:

● Plan a special date night to see FIREPROOF on opening weekend (Central Christian Church (Singpore) is holding a workshop 2009 Feb 6 - 8 )

● Invite members of your small group or Sunday school class to see the film with you

● Spend time after the movie at a coffee shop talking about the story and aspects that reflect
your relationship

● Band with others to form a FIREPROOF Action Squad by purchasing an entire opening
weekend show time for your friends, family, and coworkers.

After the movie, go to FireproofmyMarriage.com for information about:

● Understanding God’s love for you and His design for relationships

● Talking through (and listening to) issues in your relationship

● Accessing tools and resources for marriage education and training

● Investing in each other and your relationship

● Resolving conflict in a healthy manner

● Applying the relational principles from FIREPROOF in your relationship

To order FIREPROOF promotional materials, access web tools, or download business-specific resources, be sure to visit www.FireproofmyMarriage.com/couples.
fireproof your relationship!

In general, married people have...
► Better health ► Longer lives
► More satisfying sex ► More wealth
► Children who do better emotionally and academically

Fireproof My Marriage Workshop in Singapore

From the creators of 'FACING THE GIANT'

FIREPROOF - A Marriage Workshop


Bring Fireproof to your church
This action-packed love story is a natural ministry tool for inspiring couples in your church and community. Churches that have used FIREPROOF as a resource report stories of transformed relationships.


FireProofmyMarriage.com



FIREPROOF touched the hearts and impacted the marriages of millions of moviegoers. Churches across the country purchased entire show times to help strengthen marriages in their congregations and to reach out to their communities. And those churches reported increased attendance in response!

That makes a FIREPROOF Movie Event a natural ministry tool to inspire and challenge the people of your church...and beyond.

Provident Films has partnered with Outreach to provide the official Site License DVD for FIREPROOF Movie Events at churches. (DVDs are not licensed for public group showings.) Outreach can also provide all of the Movie Event resources and materials you need to build interest and make a long-lasting impact!

FIREPROOF...now showing in churches!



Dear friends,



Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2009!

In the midst of the many fires (economically, emotionally, and physically) that have rocking us all globally on an increasingly regular basis in 2008, our marriage really is the foundation that can help us through.


Click here to find out how the movie FIREPROOF has touched the hearts and impacted the marriages of millions of moviegoers...



People take many precautions to guard against fire: alarms, extinguishers, drills, and even insurance are all ways of "fireproofing" our lives. Yet, too few of us take any measures to "fireproof" our marriages from the dangers of miscommunication, infidelity, and the breakdown of trust. While some marriages burn down in the fires of divorce, others just grow cold and loveless where we end up as two strangers in the same home.

Join us for a weekend-long marriage workshop that will help you to revive the "love connection" that has been lost, and "fireproof" your marriage against future disasters.

***

SPECIAL EVENT

6-8 FEBRUARY 2008

Venue:
Central Christian Church, Level 3 Straits Hall, 1 Edgefield Walk
Location Map


Dates:
6-8 February 2009 (Friday - Sunday)
6 Feb (Fri) 8pm-10pm
7 Feb (Sat) 2pm-7pm
8 Feb (Sun) 10am-12pm
(Mandarin translation available)

Cost:
$30 per person, inclusive of Saturday high tea

Childcare:
Children will not be admitted into the main hall when the marriage workshop is in progress. As such, parents/participants are strongly encouraged to make their own childcare arrangements.

Childcare classes will be available at a fee and subject to availability
(limited places only):
6 Feb (Fri) session - $10 per child
7 Feb (Sat) session - $15 per child
8 Feb (Sun) session - Free


Download PDF Flyer application form



About the Speakers

John and Karen Louis are established counselors and powerful speakers who were recently featured in Channel NewsAsia for their pioneering work in Movie TherapyTM.

They hold Master Degrees in Counseling from Monash University of Melbourne, Australia. Both are Professional Members of the American and the Australian Counseling Associations, and are Registered Counselors with the Singapore Association for Counseling. John Louis is also a member of the International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST) and is personally trained by Dr. Jeffrey Young, the Founder of Schema Therapy.

John and Karen have conducted numerous conferences, seminars and workshops on family, marriage and parenting, in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Ukraine.

As founders of Movie TherapyTM in Singapore, John and Karen often incorporate the use of movies in the programmes they develop.

In this marriage workshop, John and Karen will use Scripture, movie clips, and other exercises to help you and your spouse take your marriage to new levels of intimacy.

Rick Warren Prays at the Inauguration

Prays at the Inauguration

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, gives the prayer

Simple Crab Meat Stick Sandwich Rolls

Spread butter over, squeeze some mayonnaise on the bread

As simple as ABC

Gab loving it!

Cinnamon Wholemeal Bread

Get one Cinnamon Sugar

Spread some butter over the bread

Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar on it, That it is!

Good morning Gabbie!

Strata Fall - Tanjung Malim

Strata Fall - Tanjung Malim

Took the entry at Diamond Creek, walked through an Oil Palm Plantation for about an hour, and hike into stream, walk along the stream about one hour, there were a few small falls along the stream, and a bit of rock climbing is needed, it is quite a hard trek, breath gasping all the way!

When you about to see a few remnants of chopped tree trunks laying down in the middle of the stream, the main fall is not far away, just a few meter hike.

The fall is tall, and stiff, but consider it a friendly waterfall, that there are many small plants growing on the wall of this fall, they give colour to this fall. It has a small pool that is formed by a huge rock in a shallow dish shape, that offers us a good place to swim about and to dwell in the waterfall.

Breakfast Menu

God's grace is sufficient for our daily tasks! Be thankful.

*`;`* My Quiet Time with God *`;`*

My quiet time with God is at night

This is the note that Gab wrote for me

Usually after the quiet time, will jot down some precious memories - *`;`* dairy *`;`*

Gab is doing his school work

Breakfast for two....

In the Friday morning, where I don't have morning classes, as I woke up, headed to kitchen the first thing I do was to prepare things that are needed for the breakfast, Gab walked to me, and said wanted to cook the breakfast. This is not the first time he cooks, I taught him years ago, each time he'll be happy to help me beating the egg mixture.

As he is 8 years old, physically is well developed (as to day age), as a mom (adventurous mom) I'd love him to do the cooking without any hesitation, now... here he goes!

He is preparing the egg mixture.

My work is to guide him and take photos, he did all the cooking ...

As he is cooking, he said: "Actually hor, (mom)my, I like cooking."

(ok, he said that years ago too..... but kids keep changing)

He is satisfied with the breakfast he cooked.

Handmade Daisy Rings

RM 3 each, Ideal gift for your loved ones.

Growing old didn't seem such a bad idea

I read this article, I love this quote: "growing old didn't seem such a bad idea." I really scared of getting old, where I had a period of time struggling about this issue 'aging', it is true, this is me. In another way, I always imagine the life when I am at old age, what would I do for my daily life..... I could imagine of...( imagining - a cloud puffing up: playing piano, gardening, baking, playing with grandchildren, embroidery, sewing quilt, reading, listening to music....tea break with old folks... ) Poke! Pop! Anyway, enjoying the article. Here it is.

More Than Toast & Pots & Pans

Written by Pearl Barett

It was fascinating, the way she cut those onions. I moved a little closer and mouthed, "Wow, what a great trick." She didn't even have to look. Her hands worked the knife and the vegetables as if they were directing themselves, with no need of mind or eyes. Chop, chop, she was humming to the rhythm and her gaze was far away. No onion tears, just a sweet content in her eyes as they rested on the blue calm of the lake, which filled the window view. She was a true heroine in my eyes, my Nana. To be able to perform such a feat without even looking got my awe any day. "How come you don't cut yourself?" I wanted to know. This was likely the fiftieth question I had asked in the last quarter of an hour, but there's a lot you've just got to find out when you're eight years old. She turned and appraised me with a half smile. "When you get to my age, you don't even have to think about it," she said. I decided then and there that growing old didn't seem such a bad idea. If I ended up anything like my Nana, I would even look forward to it. And then kerwoosh, (well, it sounded something like that anyway) she tossed the onions into the pan and I clapped my hands in glee and inhaled the aroma. My grandparent's kitchen - I shall never forget its atmosphere. I may have only been eight, more years ago than I would like to count, but the memory is as vivid as if it was...well, as if I was there right now. I can still smell the soup simmering in the large pot. I can still see her preparing the meal and hear the regular call to my grandfather, "Keep that fire going now, we want the kitchen to stay warm." And it was warm but not only in the temperature sense. The warmth nestled in the very vibes of the air with happiness and security. It pervaded because she was there. If it wasn't one of the three main meals keeping her busy, there was always a fruit loaf to bake or a new healthy dessert recipe to try. Or she'd sit at the small round table and write letters to friends, gazing at the lake now and then for her inspiration. Perched on my stool, watching her through those childhood eyes, I learned that the kitchen is more than just a room. Its significance goes beyond a feeding facility. Her kitchen had a heart beat. Though she may not have been young, there was more life there than the local coffee house. It was there in that kitchen where she welcomed friends and those who were lonely. An herb tea made in a pottery teapot and “something nourishing to eat” were the items on her menu during visiting hours...though there never seemed to be a closing time. But it wasn't just for the home- made food they came. It was the listening ear she offered and the well-chosen words of counsel. Her kitchen was not only a place to feed the hungry; it was a psychiatry office with a stool for a couch. It was never a place or drudgery for Nana. Certainly, she often worked hard and there would be piles of dishes, pots boiling over, steam and a little bit of sweat. But the mundane chores couldn't dampen her pleasure of serving others. It's been said that the only way to true happiness is by helping others - this worked for her. Her smile told everyone so. So did the songs which she hummed and sometimes belted forth, so loud you'd wonder how such a small woman could summon such decibels. I've heard her sing Amazing Grace at phenomenal volume. Shoulders straight, hands clasped, she'd let it fly. Looking back, I've wondered whether she ever felt less than successful woman when the liberation movement swept the world. There she was, a housewife, and to add to the stereotype - a seamstress. That doesn't spell 'ultimate fulfillment' in feminist language. But I only know what I saw and I never saw anything other than a fulfilled woman. The tasks she accomplished everyday were not demeaning to her intelligence as far as she was concerned and her opinion was the one that counted. She didn't need liberating because she never considered herself repressed. In fact, she loved the kitchen. And so simply, that's why we did too. The announcement of an intended visit to our grandparents would ignite in us children an excitement much too wild to suppress. "Yippee!" we'd yell and dance around the house. "We're going to see them, Yeah!" "I've got the window seat," one of us would yell. "No way, you had it last time." Inevitably a rip-roaring argument would ensue but as it was a regular part of the hysteria no one really minded. We were off to see Nana and Granddad and nothing could dampen our spirits, not even when the arguing sometimes turned to thumping. We'd arrive at their home after a day's long trip and leap out of the car, scattering peanuts and pillows on to the driveway. It was a race to the front door. Up the wooden steps, through the overhanging ferns, up and up, panting and running until we reached the front door and there they were, waiting for us. "How's my best mates?" Granddad would boom, squeezing each one of us in a hug that never failed to squash out spare breath. Then we'd head straight for the kitchen, six children, a set of parents and two more in their golden age, with their arms around one another and as many of us as they could capture. Through the door the glowing, wafting kitchen would open its arms to us and we'd crowd around the oven, guessing its contents and hinting vocally of the hunger that gnawed in our stomachs. It was never a disappointment. Always the room gave the promise of a wonderful meal, the chance to boast to a doting grandparent. Always it lived up to the excitement. But we weren't the only ones who were big fans of their kitchen. It attracted many other pilgrims who knocked on the front door and ended up staying for days. Granddad was very adept at pulling people in from the doorstep, dragging them into the kitchen, sitting them down at the table and stuffing them full. He was a food man. "Tucker" he called it. "What you need is some good tucker," he'd say, pulling out the contents of the refrigerator at remarkable speed and lining them up on the counter. There was a fierce, unspoken competition between my grandparents as to who was the master chef. Granddad considered himself quite the man for the job. He'd hold up a slab of meat. "Hunted this myself, you'll never taste anything like it." He'd thrust it into the oven like he was scoring a goal, and then begin a boisterous and dramatic commentary on the items of food the guest would be served. "See this honey here? He'd hold it up and beam proudly. "Comes from my own bees, greatest in the country." Their kitchen was there for others - always open. They liked it full, so full it was. There are many who have its memories like I do; many who have learned the meaning of happiness through watching them give. They too must have learned that a kitchen is more than toast and pots and pans. And some days I'm sure that they, like me, can't help longing for hot soup and a little golden-haired woman who made afternoons of staring out of a kitchen window the most cherished moments of a life time. ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©© Pearl wrote this article before she was married. This story is about Nancy's parents, Ivan and Joyce Bowen of New Zealand. Joyce Bowen moved to heaven on the 28 January 1999 at 83 years, but Ivan still resides in Ngongotaha, (near Rotorua) New Zealand and is nearly 86 years. Pearl named her first daughter, Meadow Joyce, after her Nana Bowen. Meadow Joyce has golden hair too, like her great-grandmother. Pearl named her first son, Bowen Alton, after her Granddad Bowen.

Bonbon-Filled Hearts

Surprise a loved one by hanging a heart-shaped container filled with candy on his doorknob or near his computer.

1. Fold and unfold a square of plain or patterned lightweight card stock to score it as pictured.

2. Fold the card stock in half vertically, and open.

3 Fold it horizontally.

4. Open.

5. Draw two opposite corners of the square inward, tucking in the other two corners.

6. Trace the heart template, below, and cut out.

7. Slide fold A behind fold B.

8. Hold in place. Then use a hole punch to pierce both; thread a ribbon through, and tie.

Fill both sides of the heart with candy.

Avocado Blend

It was Monday night, Shuo Fong brought Sarah for piano practice, and it will be guided by Gabriel for half an hour, and Gabriel gets his pay - RM3 for half an hour. Before the practice, he order a cup of hot Milo. ....O_o`! Shuo Fong and I paused and looked at each other, I said: Ooh, he is a teacher like mommy, take hot drink while teaching!. Both of us broke into laugh. After a while he walked out again, I hint: Eh! Good teacher don't walk in and out! Gab replied: I know, I just forgot to take the clock. He will be a good teacher.

After a short discussion on the craft that we plan to do for mother's day, we start making the avocado blend.

First, choose the avocado with black outlook, that is the colour if it is ripped, because I want to have it tonight, then cut it into half, leave the seed alone, because it is hard, just dig it out after the cut. Add avocado flesh, ice cubes, condensed milk and UHT milk into blender, blend it, and consume it immediately, it is yummy! Gab and I love it very much!

Jie Min offered help to do the washing, Sarah joined the fun, and Gabriel be the supervisor, they had a wonderful time.

Don’t Settle for Happiness; Aim for Joy

by Rick Warren

“Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” Philippians 3:1 (NLT)

A man once told me that he’d broken up with his fiancé because she didn’t make him happy enough. Mind you, he was happy with her; she just didn’t make him as happy as he felt a future wife should.

What this man told me gives memorable insight into how some people view happiness: They believe happiness is dependent upon the people, the things, and the circumstances that surrounded them.

Yet, the Bible says don’t settle for happiness; aim for joy.

Joy comes from within; joy is not dependent upon the people in your life, or the possessions you accumulate, or what’s happening at this point in your life.
God says you’ll find joy, when you trust that he’s in control and working to use the good – and the bad – of your life for a greater purpose.

The apostle Paul understood this, writing about joy while in prison, chained to a guard, alone in a foreign city: “Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” (Philippians 3:1 NLT).



He suggested there are two keys to transforming mere happiness into a deeply-felt, ever-present joy:

First, live each day by grace. Grace means you don’t have to earn God’s love or his approval. And here’s some joyful news: If you don’t have to earn God’s love, then you don’t have to earn anyone else’s love.
God offers his love unconditionally, and you can joyfully live in that grace everyday, all day long. Understanding this drains the tension from your life: you can make mistakes and know that you’re still loved by God, who desires a relationship with you over any rules or rituals.
The man who broke up with his fiancé appears to have had difficulty in understanding grace. His love came with conditions – “As long as you make me happy, I’ll love you” – and that means he probably assumes the love he receives from others is conditional too. How can anyone experience joy when they live each day thinking they have to earn love?

Second, stay focused on what’s really important. There are a lot of little things that can steal your joy – but only if you let them. Jesus taught this: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).
My sister, Chaundel, thought about this Bible passage when she learned her house in Maryville, California, was under 9 feet of water. While she and her husband, Tom, were out to dinner, the local levy broke and flooded the area. Even in her grief, she joked, “We drove our Chevy to the levy, and the levy was dry.”
Looking back on that time, Chaundel says, “God taught us that such a loss really makes you think about what’s important and what’s going to last. Our possessions were wiped out in a matter of minutes, but the important thing is that we were alive and well. Within a year, our house was rebuilt, but we could have never replaced each other.”


Happiness is overrated. On the other hand, joy is often forgotten. Yet, joy will stabilize your life as you embrace grace and focus on the things that are truly important, moving a bad hair day down the list and relationships up to the top. No matter what happens, may God give you joy.

Bible Verses on Love & Marriage

Wedding Vows and Marriage and Love Poetry Collection


1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.


Song of Solomon 7:10-12

I belong to my lover,
and his desire is for me.

Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside,
let us spend the night in the villages.

Let us go early to the vineyards
to see if the vines have budded,
if their blossoms have opened,
and if the pomegranates are in bloom
there I will give you my love.


Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.


Song of Solomon 2:10-13

My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.

See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."



Colossians 3:12-19

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.