We spent several weekends trying on wedding gowns in Malaysia and then a weekend in Bangkok actually buying the dress of my dreams. We lugged it all the way to Melbourne for our pre-wedding shots and back again to the laundry for dry cleaning. I stepped into it for my last time on our wedding day, two years ago. Since then, it’s been sitting in my study sealed in a vacuum packed bag hardly making its presence known if it weren’t for the occasional major spring cleaning every 3 months or so.

So I’ve made my decision to sell my wedding gown, banished the thought of passing it onto my daughter(s) and accepting the fact that when it is time for them to be wed, it will probably be the most old-fashioned thing in town.

It’s going to be on sale here.

My grandmother turned 89 on Monday thirtieth November two thousand and nine. We didn’t throw a big party inviting friends and family – it was just an intimate affair. About two and a half weeks ago, Mama was readmitted into the hospital for blood transfusion and extra care for the bed sores she developed from the lack of mobility after her hip operation.

On Monday, we visited mama at the hospital with a surprise birthday cake. She had no clue it was her birthday (signs of dementia). It has been two and a half weeks since I saw her and I was already starting to miss her. We gently opened the door to her room and peeked in, the minute her eyes caught us, she beamed from ear to ear and sprung upright on the bed… I would give the world to have those few seconds replayed.

We stuck eight big candles and nine small ones into the petite cake and sang the birthday song. Mama blew the candles heartily until all the flames went out and we prayed for her… It was a great privilege to be praying for Mama because she has been my prayer warrior since young. Day after day she would converse with God and each time she would meticulously mention her children and grandchildren’s names. That was her ministry… and she faithfully continued in that steadfastness and persevering faith.

And although she her memory is somewhat fading away (and her conversations with God may come in repetitions), I know that God is still her best friend and He is never bored of listening. Every now and then I would ask her, “Mama, do you talk to Jesus?”She will confidently answer, “Of course I pray. I always talk to Jesus”.

She will always be my prayer warrior despite her old age and frail frame – her spirit speaks strength and tenacity.

More than 6 months of planning, weeks of meetings, hours in prayer and footprints of faith is what it took to make Camporama 2009 a reality. 10-12 churches and 700 people from all over Malaysia participated in this awesome experience. If there were more bunk beds, there wouldn’ve been more people! Kudos to the camp committee for making Camporama 2009 a lifetime experience.

I’ve grown up in Rangers for as long as I can remember and Camporama is one of those camps I look forward to whether rain or shine. There’s almost a 100% guarantee that it’ll be mind blowing, this time it’s no different. 700 people made up 4 cities – Australia, India, China and Japan.

Since we were team India we spent 3-4 months reading about the country, culture, culinary spread and people. We visited Indian Street in Klang several times and made umpteen trips to the Global Indian Fair at Mid Valley. We went on a shopping spree for bangles, bells, oil lamps, lanterns, sarees, punjabi suits, jeepas, Bollywood movie posters and tupperware full of Indian sweets. With professional help from engineers and self made architects we build an archway made of steel and screws, lined it with hand drawn posters and wooden boards and lited it with running bulbs. We even had our very own lifesize Taj Mahal made of frigde boxes and pipes. The energy and life in our city was contagious – dance broke out every minute or so, food was served to every visitor, laughter roared as “Indian” stand up comedians took the stage.

Above all, at camps like this – the night rallies are always filled with a sense of expectancy. When I was a Ranger my very real experiences with God were always at camp. Now as a leader – it is undoubtedly so that I pray the same prayer for rangers who come. God showed up in a very real way to many of the young ones. I have been extremely touched to see God being real to the Adventure Girls (the ones under my care)… at 13, 14, 15 they’re being filled with a relentless pursuit for God. And I know that this experience will last them till eternity.

Seeds were sown and a declaration of faith was made – that this NOW generation will recognize their position and destiny in Christ and they will do greater things!

Pictures on the life and pulse of Camporama 2009… here!

Every year when Mother’s Day arrives, shoppers go berserk buying gifts, florists jack up their prices to  exorbitant rates, restaurants serve nothing but mother’s day set menus at plus plus plus price, but I  still love the fact that celebrations like this brings families together.

This year we had the privilege of hosting dinner at our place. Chef Terence ruled the kitchen again this time glazing the oven with honey coated ribs and pasta on the side. Ms. Salad Queen (yours truly) tossed up a Caesar salad, Mommy Ooi brought fish fritters and mash potatoes and Mommy dearest brought desserts.

Fellowship was wonderful, food was rib-a-licking-good and though our dining table extended from wall to wall, we managed to sit 12 people around the table! My personal highlight was having my grandmother there. She turns 89 this November and I am just utterly grateful that God has given her good health all these years and the ability to enjoy occasions like this. Granny has been my pillar of strength and though of recent years her memory has diminish somewhat, I know deep within that she still remembers the precious times we’ve shared. She was my fashion consultant after shopping sprees, watching me parade in my new clothes. When her legs used to be stronger, granny was my walking partner as we diligently and religiously woke up every morning breezing through our usual route. I dearly cherish the times when we would talk each other in the dark until one of us falls asleep (usually she’d beat me to dreamland). And now after I moved out, it is bitter sweet to see granny grow old. She has her stubborn streaks at times and we have to be extra patient with her. It’s part and parcel of aging. Trying to understand her constraints and loving her all the same makes our relationship a lot richer. She’s such a gem and will always be. I would not be who I am if not for the seeds she’s sown in my life.

Such a lot to be thankful about, from now on I not only have one mother to celebrate with, I have three – mom, mom-in-law and granny. My relationship with mom has evolved much over the years. We’ve recognized each other’s temperaments and antics and learnt to communicate around it. We’ve become stronger allies in sharing and supporting one another. We’ve learnt that once a mother and daughter finds a confidante in each other, it can only grow stronger as time goes by. I’ve also learnt that no matter how close I live to my family, I will always miss them, especially mom’s morning kisses and her constant embrace.

All in all, life is a lot richer with a mom-in-law at arm’s reach. I see her tirelessly caring for her family without a word of complaint. Any request is never too difficult to meet. I constantly marvel at the way she juggles between work and the kitchen, cooking top class meals for the family. Her gift of hospitality and mastery at the wok is something I desperately want to glean from. Our relationship too has evolved over the recent years. From being mere acquaintances to someone I’m contented calling mom. I’m truly blessed with a wonderful mom-in-law in whom I’m comfortable being myself and sharing my experiences with.

Blessed beyond words, my moms mean the world to me…

Photos are the best way of capturing milestones in life. Journaling too! But when I’m old and gray and when my memory starts fading away, photos will carry the essence of the moment and bring back to the good ‘ol days. Ah well! I’m not about to write a biography…

Before celebrating our 1st anniversary last month, we thought it would be a good idea to take an annual photo shoot to see how we much we have aged. Nah! To see how we have gradually progress from being a couple, to a family of one, two, three, four, five…! Nah! It’s really to add to our collection of photos at home and fill our scrapbooks with timeless snapshots.

Thanks koko for taking the photos (you’re the best) and dad for being there to make us laugh while holding the reflector! Photos taken at Desa Park City.

As the first rays of morning break…

We crept into a partially completed property…

Between the lake and dry pastures…

Celebrating the wonders of marriage

Love is cultivated when we stand still and listen to each other and ultimately to our Maker who crafts and guides our paths.