Christmas!

The Joy Of Salvation

During this Christmas season, it is indeed good to see happy and joyful faces hanging around malls celebrating the season. Many enjoy the ethos of the occasion without any real connotation and it's absolutely fine. To stay joyful is an effort and if there is indeed any reason to celebrate, why not?

Someone jokingly told me that it is not surprising that it is more 'Chrissmasy' in Asian countries at this time than in Western lands. They say that China is in the upbeat at this season as most Christmas decor are products of the country ! So more reason to celebrate there?


With Christmas round the corner, dad obligingly took me around the city just to savour in the mood and true enough the malls are out to kill with their decor. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands are spent to attract sales and people. It is indeed a sigh to behold.

At the entrance of Sunway Piramid, one cannot miss this; in fact many took shots in groups and family outings.

In the evening, the lights reflect a sense of awe as they capture the imagination of its spectators. One can stand for a long time just to gaze at them. The traffic was horrendous last weekend ; why not visit it during week days?

Dad chided me for being crazy about the lights but I thought I will do some who are not able to be here to witness an opportunity to do so. So for those who are far away in foreign lands, this is how Malaysia looks during this season...fairyland.

After some outdoor shots, dad said 'go home' to which I replied 'no,no,no'. We must see the mall.

Christmas Fantasia !

Krispy Kreme paying a bomb for the lot...




Wow, how much does it cost to put that up?


A symbol of peace?






Decor right from the top to the bottom...nothing spared!



This quaint little shop caused a tug at my heart. So many pretty items and whets your appetite to buy gifts for friends and loved ones.




It attracts all kinds of people to buy, buy, buy.




So many gift ideas.

At the Curve, the commercialisation efforts are just as aggressive.

A pretty hut for the holiday makers...everything is sweet and enchanting. It conveys absolute fun and joy.







Pretty little things but it will mean watching out for the teeth...sugar-coated stuff!

At the Pavillion, the colour scheme is different but all the same; delightful.

Incidentally, a white man so often associated with Christmas was in the background; the picture becomes complete.

At the Mines...

I stood for a long time gazing at the background. The picture indeed looked perfect with the sweeper doing his duty. The street seemed so well swept and clean as if picked off the map of an American town.

This seems to denote a scene in the movie 'Grease'...

Finally...many connote Christmas to this well-lit tree. Christmas is no Christmas without it.



But perhaps, we seek for the real story behind all the efforts of the season. Look for that Star that led the three wise men to find that little baby born in the manger...

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the Government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace..." Isaiah 9:6.

Come celebrate Christmas with its full meaning.

A Testimony

Praying For The Opposition

Today my Daily Bread reading tells me of a testimony of how the author despite scorn and protest insisted on bringing the good news to a friend. When the writer should think that all was not too well with the approach, he was surprised that the same friend testified of his knowing Christ the following year. It goes to show that when we do what we ought to do...to bring the good news to friends, we leave the rest of the fruition to God himself.

This brought me back way back to 1973 when I first heard the good news. Back then I, being the opposer, used to laugh at my male friend, now a lawyer who tried his utmost to tell me about the relevance of the gospel in my life. He would pop over to the back lane of my mother's shop house and there in the midst of noise and movements he would invite me to watch shows and performances related to the good news. One particular movie with Sir Cliff Richard as the main actor named "Two A Penny" was popular and my friend would persistently invite me to watch it. I went but it did not evoke me much because my spirit was hard and I had already build a wall within my framework.

My merciful God did not let me go just like that. He put me in the path of another friend, this time a lady friend in the 5th Residential College of the then University of Malaya. This friend was in love with God and took great effort to help me learn more about the good news. Her passion to see me saved in God's grace and eternal plans finally saw me ; a broken vessel before the Almighty God.

John 3:16 says

" For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

My Father in Heaven sent people into my life for me to know Him. I acknowledge that life does not stop at the instant I received Him. It began from there. There is this walk with a Living God that demands your allegiance and obedience in the Word. The walk may be tough because He speaks and wants your response. But I think life will be so much tougher without this voice that guides and leads you in decision makings. It is good to wake up each day with the hopes in His promises and it is this strength that pulls you through in life. Many more are days to come but the truth is

" For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.

I like the line that ends today's reading in the Daily Bread...

"People may mock our message

but they are hopeless against our prayers."

This brought me back to a visit to a hospital yesterday when my friend told me that she did not want me to visit her to which I replied :

" Well, you can tell me what you do not want me to do but the body and spirit belong to me. You cannot stop my physical body from coming here. So relax and receive me with love."

To my dear friend there, I am so glad you look well. May you continue to rest in good health.

My final call though is to all my friends who have the time, would you like to come to a special musical performed by a group of dedicated people who want to bring the good news to you?

We have 2 shows :

18th December : 8 - 10 pm

25th December : 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

Come and hear the good news.

That's the real meaning attached to the season.

Coming Home

Winterland...

Dad tells me that it doesn't snow all the time in the UK. Some winters are snowless but some may be snowy. Sara's first winter experience is the snowy one. But she says it can snow on one day and the next it's back to normal. The ding dong weather has caused her confusion and her body says it's hot even if it's 18 degrees. So she is only cold when it's below 10 degrees. Funny how the body gets itself adjusted. But she longs for the sun.

So mama says come home even though she's away only for 65 days. My Sara's coming home in less than 86 hours ! Looking forward to seeing the girls together again.

Strange as the girls grow up, it's getting so difficult to be together as a family. Last night dad and I realised that though the girls are back for the year end holidays, they won't be with us during the Chinese New Year. But we must already be grateful that we at least have them back for the holidays.

Hope to have a warm gathering and treasure moments with them.

Thank God for holidays.

Friends

Old And New.

We meet people all the time. We make friends most of the time too. Some friends remain friends forever; others may not. But childhood friends do remain strong because somehow the bond is there. Bonds made in initial years do remain. Just like when my brothers come back from wherever in the world, they look for childhood friends who are dear to them. This time, the friends took a trip down memory lane to Muar, the town of our origin.

Meet Jeff Tan. A Rotarian all his life, he still is one. Back from Melbourne, the die hard Rotarian is out to raise funds for charity at the Ritz Carlton chain by cooking. He is a well known chef in Australia more so for his charitable heart...read an article which says that he cries when he sees the plight of the homeless and sick. So he's back for a few days to cook for homes !

Meet a new friend , Peter. A grand dad already, he is also a professional chef. He is here too to help his comrade of years. Last night I was told they served 8 guests for 80k... all for a good cause. Peter is amicable, friendly and has become Esther's best friend; just overnight. He is good for her as he is young at heart and entertained her all the way to Muar about any topic under the sun. He surprised her most when he said he visited the local night club in Melbourne with his son to listen to popular music. Esther knows too well her mama is not so gungho and wishes that she could be as accommodating as Peter. They say leopards don't shed spots ; not after 5 decades.

Of course, big or small chefs...everyone has to eat. When in Rome do what the Romans do. Consume our local brands ! Where else to go? Except to Ah Khong's!

The mee still tastes yummy and Peter said it was good. I hope it's not a white man's courtesy but most importantly he finished neatly. One thing I do notice though, Peter enjoys food of every form and gives praises freely and sincerely too; I hope.

See, at this humble corner these four people from Australia whether it be for education, work or retirement all had a fair share of fun at Ah Khong's noodle stall. Really, it's just not what you are, but what you make out of it that people remember you by...we, the authentic Muarians cannot forget this stall and never fail to bring our friends for a meal.

After the meal, Jeff said Peter loves the 'mee suah' of Chuan Tin. So to Chuan Ti we went for dinner. It was not only mee sauh. We had 'tanghoon' and kueh teow ... all different forms of noodles that caused Petr to say...hmmm, hmmm, yummy... Food, glorious food but alas, I forgot to snap for memory.

Of course, this morning we had the famous chicken rice balls for breakfast. Poor Peter; to have rice for breakfast. But when he took the first mouthful, he asked for the secret of the unforgettable taste. Hey...it may just be ajinomoto! The guests ate and were happy.

But most of all, they were glad to meet Kong and Por. Look at the cheeky old man. Peter asks for the formula to his youthful disposition. At, 91 he still drives and I hope to keep this skill too. He always has problems renewing his driving license and the last time saw him renewing for a span of 10 years to avoid further interrogation. By the way, the JPJ counter people are his friends...

Old and new friends unite to have a warm and meaningful evening together to share matters of the heart, families and loved ones. Jeff's daughter will be married next September...

When will we meet again?

For Esther it may mean having new friends in Melbourne.

Topsy Turvy

Aha... mornings.

Most mornings are normal but some greet you with unwelcome surprises.

Expensive sandals left outside get 'chewed' up. All thanks to the careless owner. You can guess who's the one but the sandals do not belong to me.

Patches of grass get dug up.

Was it you, Piper?

Or was it you, Adam?

You look at me sheepishly. It must be you, gang leader! I drive fortnightly to the supermarket to get you food. Poor Allie cleans your 'poop' every morning and evening. She shampoos both of you diligently but you still remain defiant...you diggers! Oh... we are at our wits' end. Some dog lovers once told us when they start to dig it's because they lack attention. The master has not been spending enough play hours with them.

So consequently, the very upset master poured his morning coffee into a sauce dish instead of his cup! The master has a problem...he has to devise ways to undo the naughty acts of the dogs again.

If I have a choice, I will...sigh.

Fortunately around the house there are still others which can make your day...like these tiny tots.

The rainbow-coloured species give me joy as they add colour and peace to the home. We don't have to clean anything except to feed them.

They warm up to you as you place your fingers near them; thinking it's their feed. They are not shy and they do not shun you. What a lovely change from ....

You ! Adam! Stop digging.

Of dogs and discipline...and TLCs.

Warehouse Sales

The Early Bird Catches The Worm

Yesterday, I read an advertisement about a certain product on warehouse sales for today.

Time 10 am -5pm.

I must remember to go.

So to make sure I go, I casually invited Allie, the house help to go along with me. Maybe I could get her an early Christmas gift. She was to remind me about the appointment.

Saturday morning today saw both of us at the wet market at an unusually late hour...so that we could detour after marketing to the place at 10am. On the way there my watch told me it was 9.50am. I wondered if it would be open by then to the public. Will we be too early?

I was shortsighted and forgetful. I forgot about the kiasuism spirit among the locals. If I think I was early, I was sorely mistaken.

The first problem that greeted us was the parking woe. No lot to be seen anywhere close to the warehouse. Never mind, it should not dampen our spirit. Park further away; after all it means working out the extras in my so uncomplimentary figure.

So, we found one about 150m away. Not too far.

At 9.55am there was no parking lot in the vicinity to be seen.

We were greeted with the next daunting challenge. The crowd was already thick and to get in between to look at the product was quite a task.

Young and old...everyone was looking for a good pair of shoes. Talk about being early. We were already too late.

Many pairs we saw but none of our tastes had our sizes...

Why do you put them up if the sizes are already gone? Wasn't today the first day; the first hour? How come there is no more size? "Oh" ...the sales girl said ; "warehouse sales hai com yoong kei lor, mou sizezy liow...
She reiterated that warehouse sales is like that; no more sizes...

I wondered if it was an inside job; that the sales people themselves have already picked and chosen for themselves, friends and relatives. The poor public is subjected to left overs. I am glad I did not have to travel far for this gimmick.




Then I noticed this very bad habit. Buyers picking all sorts of designs and sizes and then to choose them slowly at a corner. I learnt the trick. Go early, ask for all sorts of possible designs, stack them up at a corner, then throw away ones you have no interest. No wonder, there was none left for genuine buyers.

Notice that she is a lone buyer but look at the number of boxes she has. Hmm...how to fight la. Allie said , 'Maam, let's go home. Don't want to waste time here. You can also get at the malls.' Clever Allie.

To go out of the warehouse empty handed was not too good, so I thought. After all, we were already here. Must get something. Yes... the bovril is good product. ! Dad loves to spread it over bread. But be careful. Look at the due date. It's very close to expiry date...only a few months more. Okay la , get a small bottle and eat everyday. Then we bought some sphagetti noodles, sugarless jam, van houten chocolate for Sara when she comes home to bake next week, and some items here and there. All for the sake of spending money!

Be wise, avoid warehouse sales if you really have nothing to buy. You will end up buying things not really needed and then to stack them at home to be thrown away when they expire...

Hei, I am reading the papers now. It tells me there are warehouse sales all over town...in time for Christmas! Shall I go? Shall I go?



Once bitten, twice shy.

I will buy products at my leisure time.

No warehouse sales, please.

Ah Meng

A true story...kisah sebenar.

Sometimes when you hear of testimonies you may tend to assume that some are mere fairy tales. But this tale I am telling you is real life story. Strange, of late I have been encountering situations that I never knew I would bump into.

Last Sunday evening at the persuasion of a cell group member, dad and I took effort to invite a young friend out for dinner. He is only 16. Our friend told us that Ah Meng is 'homeless' as he is not residing with his single mother and puts up with family friends for periods of time. He goes to school but is weak in some subjects. So as a gesture of Christian love, the cell group members have decided to put aside a certain sum to support him in tuition classes. Being financially challenged, Ah Meng has to resort to part time jobs at restaurants during weekends and holidays to help support himself. Besides wanting to earn some pocket money, we thought it good that he should have a role model to emulate. As usual, the whole group decided that dad will be the perfect one; providing him chores at sites and at the same time nuturing him.

I was apprehensive before meeting him as I remember the defiant ones in school. Will he be like one of them ? Do we have to unleash him from wrong habits and attitudes? Will he respond to us? Where do we begin? Oh it is as if I am going to have those enduring moments in school.

But, I was so very mistaken. Ah Meng has a clean set of teeth, bright eyes, neat and best of all; a smiley face. Oh there is much hope with this child. Our hearts went out to him as he related his daily activities and his tuition classes. He speaks Mandarin and good enough English and like a teacher and mother, I kept telling him that he must try and master the languages and mathematics. He readily agreed.

At dinner, he ate like a man. That was good as he had a healthy appetite and I kept topping up rice for him. He is a growing child and needs lots of carbohydrates. We asked how he has his meals each day and he said he eats out everyday. At times he skips meals to save money.

The evening ended well and dad invited him to join him at work sites if he was interested. I kept telling dad he is good material to nurture. The appointment came 2 days ago as he called dad for a job. Our friend was elated. So was dad. Dad promised to pick him at a certain site the next day.

Last night after a hectic day, I casually asked dad how was the day. Dad says he likes the boy. He is attentive and obeys instructions. As he had to get up very early from his abode to reach the LRT station , dad said that in between the rides to sites, he nodded off in tiredness. Poor thing; after all he is only a child. Ah Meng told dad he has 2 other siblings staying in homes and a sister is studying in a tertiary instituition. His ma only keeps the girl. The rest of the boys are brought up in a home. He left the home to be on his own a couple of years ago. He further shared that at the home, they had to wash their own clothes and were assigned daily duties. The caretakers were strict and would take no nonsense. That could account for his good manners and his deep sense of respect for others ? Sometimes we fail as biological parents to our children when we forget to train them.

Dad shared that Ah Meng was well mannered during lunch. Dad guiltily shared that he uttered a short prayer before his meal whereas Ah Meng clasped his hands together, closed his eyes and said a long prayer before he ate. Dad was really impressed with him.

Later in the afternoon before leaving him on site, dad took him around CyberJaya, Damansara and places where he has never been. "Does your mama bring you anywhere for holidays?"... Only Melaka about 2 years ago ; we have never been anywhere else since ; Ah Meng said. Even dad was most compasisonate towards him. Could dad be thinking of training him up and be his apprentice? I think dad would if given a chance.

Dad wondered at Ah Meng's fine disposition and was really fond of him. How can we help him further? At site, he worked hard at the odd job. Poor thing. All for some pocket money but more importantly, we want to see him grow up well watching a male model. A lorry picked him up at site as dad was away at a meeting and dropped him at the LRT station in the evening.That would mean reaching home at 7pm...

A message came in...Uncle, thank you for the job. But my mother said the job may be too dangerous for me and she doesn't want me to work there. Uncle, God bless you and all your family members. Uncle thank you...

We reckon it would be more convenient for him to work at restaurants nearer his place of stay. The one day of adventure may just be too much for him. Poor thing, he is only a child. Some get it good in life, others go through life accepting their plights and still go through them.

Ah Meng ...we may just cross each other's path one day in the future when he is trained in accounts; a subject close to his heart. But Ah Meng has definitely opened up our old eyes even more. It was a pleasure meeting him.

A true story that stays in my heart for many more days to come.

I know in school there may just be some Ah Mengs too.

Who are they?

Papa's Girl

Similarities

They say children will inherit skills, inclinations and tastes from their parents. I believe the innate, natural ones are true ; others which include values may differ because of external influences. So, we can assume that our children will love to draw, paint, write, read, dance, run... just like what some parents are inclined towards. This is very true from my personal observations among my girls. Sara and Grace love to read, write , cook and Esther loves matters related to art and creativity. Esther is lost in the kitchen.


But art is never for me. I never knew how to draw; don't like to draw and cringe during art classes. I am lost with the brush and colours. However I do like to read and imagine; sometimes my imaginations grow wild and beyond the skyline. I do not mind writing and sewing.

Dad is far more creative. He draws, paints, colours, decorates and where creative arrangements are concerned, I know my position in the home and more often than not shut up.


So, Esther the fortunate one has inherited most of dad's innate qualities. When they are together they always have moments of meaningful sharings and expressions.

Like dad, Esther draws.

Dad loves crafts; Esther too.

So when they are together there are always things to do and complete.

Esther is back for her hols. See, they are at it again. Dad gives her an assignment. A client needs 3D drawings within 3 days ; it means pocket money of 1k for her. Good deal.



So, they talk about nothing but 3D expressions day and night.




I love to watch them merging their skills together. Esther says she will stay home and help dad. Dad says no. She must work for others to taste the real world and to have discipline. Dad insists that she be toughened up in the cruel world. Some fathers are different. They protect their girls and make them instant co-partners. Is dad too harsh?

Christmas is in the air. At this time of the year, only the second girl will bother to help dad put up the tree.

So father and daughter are working hard at the trees again...



See. They are so similar. So Esther is papa's when they create a wonderland in the home. It's a warm feeling to watch both of them beautify the home during such moments. I was wondering if Esther will come home and put up the tree when she leaves home for her own home. Will there be moments like this? Will she still love to put up the tree when she has to put up trees in her own home? It will be so sad then.

The nostalgic Christmas carols are in the background even as they dress up the home.

There is magic in the air...rum pum pum...