memories from bangkok (april 2014)

reflections about social media and my activities online

i have been quiet here, i know. other than endless happenings that demand my time and energy, i have also been jaded, thinking about this blog, facebook and instagram, social media etc. a statement from a friend has made me consider what ive actually been exposing myself to. the culture of selfies, OOTDs, food shots - what are they for? they seem to be subtly leading one to a life of covetousness and envy. a person can look at the photos others upload and envy them for how good they look, or the type of life they have. conversely, i can also make a post, and find myself coveting "likes" and seeking the envy/approval of others. ah, i do not want to fall into this trap. and so, i deleted the instagram app. but then, i re-downloaded it again, because actually i do want to keep in touch with others and know what has been happening in their lives. 

and so, it is a fine line :( i do not know if it is so for you - it may not be, for we all have different temptations and struggles. but it was so for me, and i pray that these apps and my posts/statuses/pictures may only be used for His glory and to share how God is good to us. i do not deny that there is a place for them - to keep in touch with each other, to share our testimonies and struggles, to mutually encourage one another etc.. but if used wrongly, and self steps in, the damage can be irreversible..  

yet, i also know that this blog, and my statements (both online and offline) can make more impact than i can imagine.. and God has used this blog to be a blessing in ways i have never expected. and that is why i am back here. in such a time like this, this blog seems to be a God-given opportunity to shine for Him. i have thoughts that i do want to share, albeit i fear the opinions and judgments of others. i pray that He will keep using this little place - so others can see this little light of mine and how He works in my life. 

memories of mother's day

im blessed.

when times are tough and i start to worry and doubt, memories like these encourage my heart and remind me that i am blessed. 

memories of montigo (part two: a beautiful hideout)

Thank God for providing us with this place, ideal for a retreat :) looking forward to returning again... 

memories of montigo (part one: people i love)

ezra boy, u probably will not remember this trip, but your parents do.. it was an excellent retreat and a timely blessing from God to stop, communicate, and spend quality time and fellowship with each other. thank God for blessing us with the wonderful time, and with it, the beautiful memories that make me smile in thankfulness as i think back :)

22

papa, whom i love

7 months

ezra boy,

you are seven months old!

one thing im exceptionally thankful for, is your smile. you smile when we make eye contact with you, you smile when we carry you, you smile when we talk to you, you smile when you see someone familiar, you smile when we ask you to, you smile when we point the camera at you.... you just smile soooo much and it is very contagious! after starting you on semi-solids, there were points of time when you seemed to experience some tummy discomfort and seem grouchy and fussy most of the time. it was then that we realised how we missed your smile and how we have taken it for granted. oh, do keep smiling my dear! you are the sunshine in our lives :)

 

we are thankful that you generally take your solids well. to this day, you have tried broccoli (makes you fart), pumpkin (you like but we don't, but pretend to), spinach (like!), apple (not so much), banana (gave you constipation), and pear (like it with rice cereal). yet, how come you are still waking up at night???

this has been an incredible month for you and us! you just reach your milestones in a blink of an eye, leaving us to wonder, when did he ever learn to do that?! you were so adept at rolling, then you decided it was too cumbersome and decided to pick up crawling instead. of course, not on your knees yet, but somehow, you manage to drag yourself to get to places. it was during times like this we witnessed your determination (stubbornness) and how you simply will not relent in getting what you want. 

den, two front teeth on your bottom gums sprouted out all of a sudden, catching us by surprise, but leaving us very excited too! it must be rather itchy and uncomfortable for you, since you are gnawing at everything and there was one night when you had a fever for no particular reason. we are amused to see how you try to get acquainted with them. sometimes you chomp on your fingers forgetting they are there, and then wail in pain.

can you get any cuter? your squirrel cheeks, toothy grin and sprightly nature melt our hearts countless times :)

thank God particularly for sustaining your health and keeping you free from illnesses. of course, we are concerned that you don't seem to gain as much weight as you should :( but day by day, we just do our best, and commit the rest to God. 

just one thing i would like to highlight to you, my son. a recent BS put this thought into my head, and has changed my perspective about teaching you. i used to think that my example could be sufficient in leading you to the ways of God.. but i realised that there is so much more i can do. i would like to regard the time i have with you as borrowed time, and as the seconds tick by, so does my influence diminish. it is tempting to assume that you are still so young, and there is little you understand, but we hope to start, as parents called by God, to instruct you and teach you as best as we can. may we grow together as a family, in His grace and knowledge :)

like every month, i say again, oh please slow down! you probably can't, and so, we just treasure every moment with you.. every smile, every sleeping face, every cheeky grin, every awkward sleeping posture, every tug of my hair.... moments you make our loved ones smile, moments when you go dizzy with excitement and all four limbs flail in excitement.....

:) we are truly blessed to have you.