keepingintouch

Friday, June 27, 2008

Renewed our marriage vows

Yes, we did......Ben and I on Thursday 26th June,2008
Where? In OMPH church together with many others.

We rushed to the church after dinner.
Before going as usual .....communication problem.
Ben knew we are going to the church.
He didn't know the time and didn't ask.
Me, I thought i told him the day before.
I assumed he knew.
I was fuming inside when he ate slowly.
More annoyed when he took so long to bathe.
I thought it was best that I kept quiet....
I thought if I made a fuss he might get angry
and decide not to go......
finally i said we are late....better hurry.
He was annoyed, " What time is it?
Why you never tell me the time?"
Didn't want to argue with him.....
In fact it was very sweet of him to go with me after work
when he is tired.

However no regrets but felt blessed we made it-
although we were late.
We reached there to find the church packed.
Special prayers and blessings for couples and families.
After renewing marriage vows
( we were told to looked into each other eyes as we renew our vows)
Next we were told to kiss and hug each other.
So touching.....one old man was in tears.....including me.
Father Simon Periera said mass......homily was full of jokes.
He emphasized the importance to put God in the centre of our lifes.
Reminded us Jesus is ALIVE and only with Jesus we can overcome problems.
4 points he told us to remember:
encounter with God
respond to God
transformation
mission

After that he told those married for more than 40 years
to share with us their secret for being able to stay married.
Many told the usual -faithful, patience, loving, tolerance, etc.
But a few funny ones.....
One straight away answered......" He is deaf."
Huh? I thought to myself what does that mean.
As though she read my thoughts she continued to say,
" He cannot hear me whenever I scold him."
The whole congregation laughed.
One couple married for 61 years...so blessed.

I was so happy Ben did whatever the priest instructed.
I think he too was glad we went ...
Praise the Lord.

"Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century." Mark Twain

Suffering can either drive people apart in a marriage, or it can bind them together. And just as God reveals tender, intimate things when we patiently hold fast to him through our personal suffering, a marriage is tenderized when a couple patiently holds fast to God—and to each other—through hardships. I say this to any husband and wife going through tough times: God always reveals himself to us when we come together, needing him desperately. And when we cling to God out of need, one of the most satisfying fruits of the Holy Spirit—the fruit of patience—can't help but take root in a marriage.

the psalmist, David, who wrote, "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together" (Psalm 34:3, italics added). It's amazing that when we're at our lowest, when we feel as though we can't go on, the Lord always shows up.

whisperings of nature

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Morning, mum called up didn't want to come over.
Reason was she didn't feel well.
Would have boiled a big pot of porridge -
if she had called 5 minutes later.

After fetching ian to school went to MGS.
As i was walking in.....
I was thinking - 10 years I have been fetching
Suzanne to school and it felt like so fast.
10 years just flew by...... like a blink in the eyes.

Oh! I went there to give the office the reply slip,
for the Majlis Hari Anugerah dan cemerlang.

Hmm! Miss you, Suzanne. Miss you so much.

Left MGS, but will return next week to collect the certs.

Went home took in the clothes, pulled out all the plugs,
let Snoopy in before going to visit mum as the sky looked
cloudy.

Arrived at mum's place, initially she seems okay.
Then as usual complained of her physical discomfort.
Sintair massaged her legs.....soon she dozed off.
I was having a feet massage on the electric feet massager.
Spent two hours there with her.

7.45 pm met up at Ann's place to go for a dinner.
Amy and Young are back from Nigeria.
The dinner was fixed by Ann so we can meet them.
We went to a nearby restaurant in Pasir Pinji.
Gaik Hong and Richard gave Ben and I a lift there.
Tony's sister Shireen, Young's brother n wife came too.
After that we adjourned to Ann's place.

Amy looked prettier and younger.
Young commented i look younger ......ai say, thank you.

Shireen was asking how's Suzanne.....so told her......
Took the opportunity to get free consultation.
Told her about Suzanne's eyes.
Shireen told me she was also allergic to the optic free solution.
However she said it is a good solution.
And that it was okay to use the solo care solution instead.
Shireen stopped using the optic free solution for sometime then
she used again and now she had no problem.
Allergy is something hard to understand.

Left Ann's place around 11pm.
Went home and we watched the women tennis in Wimbleton.
Ian was watching alone before Ben and I came back.
It was a good game.....good fight.

whisperings of nature

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Spent most of the day in church...

Went to church at 9.10am for Sunday school.
Went home at 11.00am.
Then Doreen came and fetch me at 1.50pm -
back to church for lectors & commentators meeting.
Few people turned up - about 10 came out of 30.
3 main issues discussed
- reflection day
- xmas deco
- training

xmas deco for the church consist of 3 categories.
Decorating the crib, decorating the interior of the church,
and lighting up the interior and exterior of church.

Lightings and the crib Philip is in charge.
Deco of the interior of the church Mary Jo is in charge.

Theme is 'Bright and angelic'

After meeting which ended about 3.20pm waited in church
for choir practise at 4pm.and mass at 5.30pm

Ben came for the 5.30pm mass and we went home together.
Went back to fetch Ian for dinner.
Tony and Lucy joined us for dinner.
They met a group of friends at the makan place.
We were suppose to buy Tony and Lucy dinner but
instead their friends 'belanja' us. 'Ng Hoe yee si'

After dinner came back, wanted to go online to chat with Suzanne.
Had trouble signing into msn.......then received sms from her.
She was watching movie with Teoh family so won't go online.

Read her latest blog......hmm.....how can I help her???
Thought I will send her another Prayers for students.
Do use this prayers, Suzanne.
and spent few minutes in silence with Jesus before you study.

Today I had no time to bathe Snoopy.
As for Ian, he was too tired and sleepy.
Saturday he was very occupied -
2pm he went for tuition,
4pm - went to Elim church for Samuel's birthday
8.15pm went to OMPH church for the Youth vigil.
Youth vigil was from 11.00pm till Sunday 7.00am
7.00 am Olivia fetched Ian, Benjamin,Kelvin Chew
and her sons from OMPH to SMC.
Imagine the car packed with the boys.....
Olivia, Joshua and Benjamin are so heavy....
They had breakfast in SMC then waited to attend
Sunday school before going home.
By afternoon Ian couldn't stay awake anymore...
slept......zzzzzzzzz

Prayer of a Student
Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen.

Prayers Before Study
Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. Amen

Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.

Prayer After Study
I thank You, Lord our God, that again on this occasion You have opened my eyes to the light of Your wisdom. You have gladdened my heart with the knowledge of truth. I entreat You, Lord, help me always to do Your will. Bless my soul and body, my words and deeds. Enable me to grow in grace, virtue and good habits, that Your name may be glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

whisperings of nature