matter of perspective

Winter announces its presence with wet weather, strong winds and chilly nights.

Night comes much faster than in summer, with the sky darkening by 6am – earlier, if the clouds were first to hide the sun rendering a dull, grayish overcast. I’m surprised by winter’s arrival.

Not that I haven’t lived in Australia previously but I guess I wasn’t as prepared.

Neither was I prepared for the challenges that lay before me being in the midst of being here.

This season of winter is uncannily appropriate for both where I am and the natural environment around me.

It was a good three to four weeks were I found myself derailed into a state of sulking unwillingness. My physical self was walking forward, lifeless, but my heart and mind was thrown into a head spin where I longed, so badly, to return back to Singapore - a place where I have been blessed to find camaraderie, heart-to-heartedness and the openness to share what’s in my heart without restraint.

To talk hours, days on end about God’s goodness, to be encouraged by those whom He sends and to just experience God and share hope and promise without sounding overtly optimistic.

It’s something I miss badly being here.

In so many words, I wished I did not have to be where I am.

I marvel at Daryl’s tenacity to press on but I admit to constantly wondering why I had to be back to where I was struggling years ago.

Well, that’s winter – cold, chilly and challenging.

You can’t see anything happening save the rain that clouds the road you travel on and the heavy grey that cover the sky. The cold bites at your feet wherever you walk and nip at your fingers when you extend it out. Trees appear withered - losing their leaves and leaving only empty, wiry branches.

But as Daryl drove by a row of trees planted by the road one day, I realized that in a particular row of trees, one of them still had a full crown of leaves, while all the leaves of the rest had already fallen and were probably blown off by the ravaging winds.

God’s word then struck me –

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

Despite seasons,

I shall be like a tree,

Planted by the rivers of water,

That bears forth fruit in its season

I shall not wither

And whatever I do shall prosper.

Through all of this, I think my Daddy is giving His princess a renewed and I pray, deeper understanding of receiving the gift of righteous and the abundance (and I mean ABUNDANCE) of His grace.

I guess winter’s a matter of perspective – God put the seasons into motion (genesis 8:22) but He’s the one that is faithful through all of it.

royal cuteness

my cute cat caught on camera

sunday savories & sweets

sundays for daryl and i means having dinner with a few special people @ our humble and rather messy abode.

and my sunday menu is oftentimes something e.x.t.r.a special :)

so, i just thought it'd be good fun to upload this week's menu:

soup of the day - asian minestrone
main - roast beef with red wine
sides - pumpkin&peas
dessert- baked bananas with chocolate&marshmallows

*yum*

a walk in the park

the day was sunny and warm on an early winter day (thank God!) so Daryl and I decided it would be nice just to get out and get some fresh air in the park at evening time.

there's always something so lovely about endless evening skies.


us watching planes fly by on a park bench


makes me somewhat miss home.

the journey,

is not without

challenge
heartbreak
tears
confusion
uncertainty
frustration

but most of all,

it's not without Jesus

I've got my eyes on the goal where God is beckoning us - onward to Jesus. I'm off and running and not turning back.

falling leaves

the last day of autumn came around and feeling quite  s t r e t c h e d  out, we decided to go for breakfast at the left bank - to take some time out together.

the day began at 9am and we had brekkie at 10 after running some errands - still by far too early for me.

the gorgeous outdoor view of freo

the brekkie was really yum - had been craving for hollandaise sauce so it was only naturally that I had poached eggs with muffin and ham (and made a diplomatic swap for daryl's poached egg with hollandaise sauce and spinach)

all that was left that day was leftovers

winter now approaches with new surprises.

rhyme me

i'm on a rhyming spree!

the Who before the do,
the Lo before the go,
the He before the me.
the trust before the see.

:)

food for thought

says laks, 

God can't guide a parked car.

indeed, true.

I thank God for wonderful sisters in the family of God - for wisdom, encouragement, prayers and thoughts that have blessed me so, so abundantly. have i mentioned, i miss all of you?

so the conversation continued,

wait on him for direction,

and step out boldly knowing it is HE who will work in you

for his will and good pleasure

Ultimately,

its to bring glory to HIS name 

so He will surely guide you

*amen*

counting geese

daryl always complains that i steal the comforter at night. 

:(

to my defense, the comforter clumps at my end and weighs itself down - naturally leaving daryl with half the comforter every night.

so we decided to invest in a good comforter with our Xmas gift of $80 from myers since its having its midseason sales.

now we own a Vue 50% goose down & 50% feathers all seasons comforter.

pretty cool and affordable 

best thing, I know he's not complaining now.

sweet dreams :) 

dinner with friends

is a blessing indeed.

gabes&jean (and the blurry lens, opps)

a very stuffed marky&shirley

@ Anghiti

:)