Goodbye 2014

Year 2014 is coming to an end and a time for reflection.

This year has seen changes such as my superior leaving and me taking on additional roles.
I have taken a month off in Dec to look for a new job.

I hope to get one by 2015 and steer towards a brighter future with opportunities and ability to balance both work and life. Jonas is going to start pre-school in Year 2015 and our house is expected to be ready in the same year. 2015 is going to be a year of adjustments for everyone.  

My resolution includes to stop being angry at minute things that i cannot change. Example, G, spending too much time watching movies and playing games. Or peepz at work choosing to be lazy and unproductive. To be honest i get discouraged and in little moments have chosen to give up. I’d like to change that for year 2015. God has been placed at the backseat too many times and I’d like to give him the driving wheel. Friend R shared an article on which i relish, believing that we start by being faithful in the little things before the big things. Where does my improvement start? It starts tml morning.

1)      Choosing to wake up with a longing to read God’s word

2)      Eating breakfast right, getting that workout the body needs,

3)      and then leaving the house positive and face the challenges ahead.

I think the start is important as it can help to set the mind and body in the right direction for the day.

Ending with

1)      A good meal

2)      Spending time with Jonas and the Lord

3)      Resting early for the day (not spending wasteful time on Korean drama/shows)

I am hopeful for 2015. I pray you will be too.

40 day - Summary and important lessons to learn

It's hard to face life. 
Life is not a stroll in the park. 
The world will never be perfect. 
There is a new issue everyday, temptation lurking at every corner. 

But once again God found me when i was losing it. 
There is something that draws me back to Him all the time. 
Like an invisible line, always connected to Him. 
Never letting me go. 

My sister helped me grab a copy of the 40 Day booklet Jubilee Moment on which i highlighted many points which had me convicted and i would like to share it here. 

Special thanks to my in-laws who took care of J while i was in bed reading and reading and trying to rid myself of disgraceful thoughts.  

Pointer 1: 
Bar Mitzvah - literally a son of the commandment when a Jewish boy becomes a man and accepts personal responsibility to live under God's Law. 

But Jesus didn't wait till the Bar Mitzvah moment. He accepted it when He was twelve. Missing for 3 days His parents found Him In the temple listening and asking teachers questions. 

Is that possible in today's world? For a child to be intensely curious, weaned from the world and totlally consumed with zeal for the things of the Father and vision for the world. 

As a parent, has my parenting style hindered J from experiencing God? Overly concerned with snagging that coveted place? Tuition, enrichment classes for a head-start? 

The anxiety is pervasive and jeopardise the well-being of our young. 
To stop being conniving and to pray that i give my child back to you. 
Their future is in Your hands and teach me to rest in you, serving them in quiet confidence and trust. 

Pointer 2: 
The most critical skill a leader needs to have is the capacity to lead change. 
In the past mass production was unthinkable. Potter moulds each clay individually. While there were crowds of people vying for His attention, Jesus gave greater attention to spiritual formation of His disciples. SPending personal time with them that left a lasting impression. 

Pointer 3: 
Jesus was led into the wilderness to be temppted. Why did God allow it? 
-
 Jesus had a mission as a Messiah. 
 He was to destroy the works of Satan by the Word of God. 

- He might learn obedience. 
Hebrews 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. 

- Jesus to exchange places with us. 
 To experience what we experience and yet come out of it victorious as our saviour. 

 Pointer 4:
 Temptation to be relevant.
We bend over backwards in the name of relevance.
We have misunderstood the meaning of relevance. Compromising the Gospel.
What is kingdom and costly, we filter out as too radical.

- Lose my Job for telling the truth?
- Liquidate investment to prosper the poor? ... etc.

This is kingdom and costly.

There is a flawed notion that to win the world we must look like the world, act like the word, sound like the world and smell like the world.

Noises of this world are seemingly getting louder.
Local celebraties, bloggers, Korean stars are all about getting plastic surgery, fillers, nose job... and the list goes on.  

 God's World is timeless and timely based on truth, not the mood of our times.

 Pointer 5:
Temptation to be spectacular
Satan tempted Jesus to throw himseld off the pinnacle of the temple.

Signs and wonder have their place. But only on God's term and timing.
Faith demands no  proof.

Calculate the time and money we spend to attract and impress the crowds.
Am i walking on a tight rope to impress my superiors, sheeps, friends and fans, pastors/youth leaders. We draw attention to ourselves, to prove ou worth and project our image.

Have mercy on us and forgive us. Take down our towers and undo the tight rope.

Yet supernatural has a central place for miracles to relieve human suffering, point people to Jesus and serve God's mission. Let's earnestly desire the greater gifts of the Spirit.


Pointer 6:
Temptation to be powerful.

It's so much easier to tighten the screws and control people with flowchars, tiimelines and salary scales than it is to lead them by loving them,serving them and suffering for them as Jesus did.

We have often used money, power system and policies to control others.

What makes power irresitible? Maybe it is that power offers and easy subsitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to becontrol than to love people. Easier to own life than to live life.


When we start being too impressed by the results of our work, we slowly come to the erroneous conviction that life is one large scoreboard where someone is listing the points to measure our worth.

- We are intelligent because someone gives us a high grade
- We are helpful because someone says thanks
- We are likeable because someone likes us
- We are important because someone thinks we are indispensable

In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes

Lord help us to think our accomplishments as our self esteem.

it hasnt been the best of weeks. last week was suppose to be awesome. We finally brought J to SEA Aquarium. I was supposedly on leave till Friday but was called back on Thursday. I get frustrated at work. What is the cause you may ask. Well several factors. My superior resigned.. and there are loads of projects due this year. It doesn't get better as my other colleague is constantly unfit to even turn up for work. It might sound like i am petty but i have been covering her like this for 4 + years and frankly speaking it feels like i am taken advantage of. A dustbin... but a very important one i must say. Indispensible that they are persuading me to stay but yet unwilling to offer a better rate. Dangle the carrot and i might just take the bait... have been trying to pray about it but just can't meditate or remain in still. Personally i want to move on. Something new, peaceful and a place where pple just takes care of their own responsibilities. But that would be all seem too perfect... To Do List includes Looking to God first. Pray and pray. cutting down korean shows Getting back in exercise regime Earing better sending my resume out. Drafting my journey Crafting my career path. Reminder to self. I need to do better, even better than before... not because of added responsobilities but because i am now a mother. A God given position whicj is blessed.respbboni

Pregnancy Guide

First Trimester

Folic Acid is important nurtient

After First Trimester...
Calcium. 1000mg
2 cups of high calcium + 2 slices of cheese + 1 yougurt.

Should have 300 extra calories from 2nd trimester onwards
- Add 1 to 2 snacks a day
- 1 roll of fresh popiah + 1 cup of soya bean milk
- 1 Thosai with dhal curry + 1/2 a tub low fat yogurt
- 1 chicken curry bun + 1 cup skimmed milk
- Fish Oil is good


Recommended weight gain
1st trimester : 0.5 to 2 kg
2nd & 3rd trimester : 0.45 to 0.59 kg per week


Exercise

Pelvic Floor Tilt  (Cat like position)
Pelvic Floor Exercise (squeeze and lift)

10x quick and 10x10s hold

Inner Thigh stretch
Ankle Stretch

1st Stage of Labour
Important to relax
- Threat Breathing (Take a deep breath in from the nose and blow out longer through the mouth)
- Massage
- Straddle

Transition Stage
- Pant Pant Blow breathing

2nd stage of Labour (Pushing effectively)
- Use diaphragm
- To push... Take a deep breath and hold it
- Relax Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Push for 10-15s

December Updates

It's the last day of year 2012.

The little unborn child is kicking is more prominent.

Belly is growing bigger.
Clothes are getting tighter.

Need to remind myself to drink more milk!

Have been window shopping around looking and getting a good feel of the prices and the different types of baby items. There are SOoooOOo many items that screams out buy meeEEeeee...
Need Godly wisdom to restrain and just buy those essentials.
We're looking forward to baby fair's and events to get good buys next year.

Christmas  was a nice celebratory with close family members.

The Sec4s have completed their N and O Levels.

Manage to have a nice gathering with the 1985 church mates.

Nice to witness Mark and Alicia marriage. Good catch up with Samuel and Irenaus with their wonderful baby Rian.

We celebrate the close of the year with many thanksgiving in our hearts.
For the little things that we so often take for granted.
For surrounding us with His love and protection, and friends who really care.

What 2013 holds i do not know... but i know He holds our tomorrow.

November Updates!

November, the month before December.

Not a great month due to the flu and cough which i unfortunately caught.
The doctor prescribed me medication which i took for a day. God has blessed me with a speedy recovery and by day 2 was already feeling alot better.


Baby is growing well gauging by the kicks that i've been feeling.
It's an assuring feeling and one that i feel utmost blessed that the Lord has given us this child.

Highlights of the month includes having a surprise praty. Little C will be leaving for London soon and did have a nice party for her. Great time catching up with her parents too. Very touched and humbled by the amount of love and sacrifice that they are giving. It's always great to have real life people sharing their lives with you. It keep things real and sometimes just knowing that you're not the only one struggling with life issues help.

Overall the feeling of being in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is great.
1) The tummy is really taking shape. Feels heavier each time
2) Been able to have better sleep nowadays (or this week at least)
3) People really take notice and priviledged to be offered seats

Well hope December will be more fruitful than November.

Need to start planning my list of things to do for December!

October Updates!

Last week was alittle of a hurry scurry.
Boss was on compassionate leave and hence leaving me with a ton of last minute things to do.

But God has been good, although i am pregnant with the little one i was able to complete what was required. It was especially trying on Thurs and Friday last week where i only managed 1-2 hrs of sleep at night. Imagine trying to function at optimal with a body deprived of sleep and with a brian that is mentally drained... i absolutely dread days like this.

On a happier note, i am on leave today! Hubby was absolutely sweet to take me out for lunch as well as helping me hang the laundry.

Although i was feeling tired and i admit lazy, I completed a 45minute walk around the park where i now stay. The weather is superb with a nice breeze to accompany me on my little walk with the little unborn child. I feel refreshed and energised already! Ready for tomorrow!

Thank you Lord for the leave today as well as the much needed rest the past 2 nights.