Heading to where the heart belongs
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23.2.09
21.2.09
Re-living...
...journey to church
The journey to our US church and the journey to our church back home is very diferent. I have always enjoyed driving to church because the drive there is simply awesome...there is a great reluctance to leave these behind...
I believe this is a funeral home. We will sure to pass by this place on our way to church. It's always so serene
Lots of ducks migrating
Guess what are these?
They are snow geese. We managed to see them just before leaving
...food
We also went through the various food places which we have enjoyed all our meals while we were here...
The Asian Bistros was where we always go when we were in desperate need of Asian food.
They served the most original Asian dishes. Everyone we brought there to eat, have only praises for the food.
From the locals to our Singaporean friends, they all loved the food. We have also made good friends with the owners of the restaurant.
They were very sad to see us leave.
The Cracker Barrel was one of the first few restaurants we visited when we first arrived. We loved this place because
1) the food portion is just right 2) there are at least 3 sides disheswhich you can pick 3) the corn bread is simply delicious
4) the ambience is great, it kind of brings you back to the old cowboy cafe 5) it has a unique shop filled with all kinds
of vintage nick-nacks and of course the service is superb!
This Picasso place serves some of the best pizzas and pastas in town.
These are our favourites - mussels in marinara sauce and calamari in marinara sauce
...space
One final look at the beautiful and vast spaces which surrounded us all through the year which also allowed us to witness the beauty of God's creations.
And these moments..dh driving and the kids sleeping behind...will not be repeated because we have realised that public transportation is
the greatest invention of mankind for mankind
...roads
To all our friends and families, they all know that both dh and I am licenced, qualified drivers but not at all experienced simply because we are not car owners...we have always thought that having a car is a burden and not a necessity especially when we live at such a convenient location back home. This past one year in US, we were forced to drive, like it or not, car is a must and this has turned us into very experienced drivers, in fact, looking back, I kind of admire our guts especially dh's. We were constantly forced to drive in unimaginable road conditions...
When you are driving and controlling the car but the car is not responding but moving on its own, fear just grips you especially when you have your kids
with you but... He is always watching over us and guiding us
We have indeed grown spiritually, mentally and emotionally. As dh and I went through the past year, we talked about the best that have come out of this trip. On his job front, it was definitely a great opportunity for his colleagues to see how he worked and his hard work has been appreciated. Kai's and Ann's education took on a new form, they had the chance to be soaked and embraced by mother nature and they have seen what life out of Singapore is all about...I am definitely a better cook now, I have helped Kai published his first book and I have come out of my comfort zone...I will now only have one fear and that is...
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding...Psalm 111:10
Where will we go from now? As the Lord leads..."As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts...Isaiah 55:9
...journey to church
The journey to our US church and the journey to our church back home is very diferent. I have always enjoyed driving to church because the drive there is simply awesome...there is a great reluctance to leave these behind...
I believe this is a funeral home. We will sure to pass by this place on our way to church. It's always so serene
Lots of ducks migrating
Guess what are these?
They are snow geese. We managed to see them just before leaving
...food
We also went through the various food places which we have enjoyed all our meals while we were here...
The Asian Bistros was where we always go when we were in desperate need of Asian food.
They served the most original Asian dishes. Everyone we brought there to eat, have only praises for the food.
From the locals to our Singaporean friends, they all loved the food. We have also made good friends with the owners of the restaurant.
They were very sad to see us leave.
The Cracker Barrel was one of the first few restaurants we visited when we first arrived. We loved this place because
1) the food portion is just right 2) there are at least 3 sides disheswhich you can pick 3) the corn bread is simply delicious
4) the ambience is great, it kind of brings you back to the old cowboy cafe 5) it has a unique shop filled with all kinds
of vintage nick-nacks and of course the service is superb!
This Picasso place serves some of the best pizzas and pastas in town.
These are our favourites - mussels in marinara sauce and calamari in marinara sauce
...space
One final look at the beautiful and vast spaces which surrounded us all through the year which also allowed us to witness the beauty of God's creations.
And these moments..dh driving and the kids sleeping behind...will not be repeated because we have realised that public transportation is
the greatest invention of mankind for mankind
...roads
To all our friends and families, they all know that both dh and I am licenced, qualified drivers but not at all experienced simply because we are not car owners...we have always thought that having a car is a burden and not a necessity especially when we live at such a convenient location back home. This past one year in US, we were forced to drive, like it or not, car is a must and this has turned us into very experienced drivers, in fact, looking back, I kind of admire our guts especially dh's. We were constantly forced to drive in unimaginable road conditions...
When you are driving and controlling the car but the car is not responding but moving on its own, fear just grips you especially when you have your kids
with you but... He is always watching over us and guiding us
We have indeed grown spiritually, mentally and emotionally. As dh and I went through the past year, we talked about the best that have come out of this trip. On his job front, it was definitely a great opportunity for his colleagues to see how he worked and his hard work has been appreciated. Kai's and Ann's education took on a new form, they had the chance to be soaked and embraced by mother nature and they have seen what life out of Singapore is all about...I am definitely a better cook now, I have helped Kai published his first book and I have come out of my comfort zone...I will now only have one fear and that is...
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding...Psalm 111:10
Where will we go from now? As the Lord leads..."As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts...Isaiah 55:9
19.2.09
the first and the last
When we first arrived and were still living out of our luggages, the Loves invited us to their home for lunch. Barb and Bob Love are retirees and since day one, they have treated us like their kids and Kai and Ann like their grandkids. I call them 'angels' sent by God.
Now that we are leaving and living out of our luggages again, the Loves invited us to their Love cottage for the last time, to have dinner.
While driving there, I was asking everyone which was the best place they have visited and most loved...dh said the Niagara Falls, Kai said the Bear Creek, for me it was the Poconos mountains in autumn and little Ann said, auntie Barb's house!
Yes, the kids love the Love's cottage, they are very comfortable there and it has since become their second US home.
Now, you can understand why they love this cottage
When we first arrived and were still living out of our luggages, the Loves invited us to their home for lunch. Barb and Bob Love are retirees and since day one, they have treated us like their kids and Kai and Ann like their grandkids. I call them 'angels' sent by God.
Now that we are leaving and living out of our luggages again, the Loves invited us to their Love cottage for the last time, to have dinner.
While driving there, I was asking everyone which was the best place they have visited and most loved...dh said the Niagara Falls, Kai said the Bear Creek, for me it was the Poconos mountains in autumn and little Ann said, auntie Barb's house!
Yes, the kids love the Love's cottage, they are very comfortable there and it has since become their second US home.
Now, you can understand why they love this cottage
18.2.09
The wonderful thing about being Christians...there is no farewell, only "see you soon"
One thing we will surely miss...our home church in the US. The little chapel on the hilltop. We wonder if we can get use to our big church back home after being so comfortable in a small church perched on a hilltop. We have made wondeful friends in this little church and the friends here will be sorely missed.
This church brought us back to the basics of Christian living, this church brought us back to the simplicity of life...practically every message that was preached was simple yet spoke volumes and easily applicable. Worship was great with simple musical instruments, sometimes, off-key singers...but all done from the heart. God isn't really interested in perfect singers or high tech instrutments...He just want to bring us back to the heart of worship.
We are the only Chinese in this church but we have never stuck out like sore thumbs because the people there made us feel so welcomed, so accepted since day one. The wonderful thing about being in Christ is that there are no strangers in the body of Christ and even if we don't meet again in this place, we know we will meet someday in the heavenly mansion!
Evangel Assembly - the little chapel on the hilltop
The wonderful people
Inside the chapel during worship. This lady plays the flute most beautifully...it's most angelic
These wonderful people have never made us felt left out. In fact, they made us felt very much loved and accepted.
'Thank you' is not sufficient to express how grateful we are towards their friendship, love and concern. We can only pray that the kindness they have showed to us will be returned to them in two folds, three folds...a hundred folds. May our paths cross again in this world without strangers.
'you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God'.... Ephesians 2: 19
9 March 2008, I wrote this in my blog. Looking back, God has kept His promise, I have indeed saw the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing we will surely miss...our home church in the US. The little chapel on the hilltop. We wonder if we can get use to our big church back home after being so comfortable in a small church perched on a hilltop. We have made wondeful friends in this little church and the friends here will be sorely missed.
This church brought us back to the basics of Christian living, this church brought us back to the simplicity of life...practically every message that was preached was simple yet spoke volumes and easily applicable. Worship was great with simple musical instruments, sometimes, off-key singers...but all done from the heart. God isn't really interested in perfect singers or high tech instrutments...He just want to bring us back to the heart of worship.
We are the only Chinese in this church but we have never stuck out like sore thumbs because the people there made us feel so welcomed, so accepted since day one. The wonderful thing about being in Christ is that there are no strangers in the body of Christ and even if we don't meet again in this place, we know we will meet someday in the heavenly mansion!
Evangel Assembly - the little chapel on the hilltop
The wonderful people
Inside the chapel during worship. This lady plays the flute most beautifully...it's most angelic
These wonderful people have never made us felt left out. In fact, they made us felt very much loved and accepted.
'Thank you' is not sufficient to express how grateful we are towards their friendship, love and concern. We can only pray that the kindness they have showed to us will be returned to them in two folds, three folds...a hundred folds. May our paths cross again in this world without strangers.
'you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God'.... Ephesians 2: 19
9 March 2008, I wrote this in my blog. Looking back, God has kept His promise, I have indeed saw the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
We also say good-bye to our crappy car
Remember our little crappy car? Crappy it might be but it sure has served us very well. Of course, we couldn't bring it with us, we sold it to neighbour who needed it. This car made us wonder why do people pay hefty sum to buy a brand new car which is used to transport us from spot A to spot B. Guess, we will never understand because we are basically not car lovers!
The kids affectionately called it 'pop's crappy car'. That's pops and his car.
...this is home for now...
We thank God that the company is very kind to provide us with temporary lodging ... we are given two joining rooms so that we would not be too cramped up
These are all we have...and one luggage is filled with nothing but books. When you have kids with huge appetite for reading...books are precious
Remember our little crappy car? Crappy it might be but it sure has served us very well. Of course, we couldn't bring it with us, we sold it to neighbour who needed it. This car made us wonder why do people pay hefty sum to buy a brand new car which is used to transport us from spot A to spot B. Guess, we will never understand because we are basically not car lovers!
The kids affectionately called it 'pop's crappy car'. That's pops and his car.
...this is home for now...
We thank God that the company is very kind to provide us with temporary lodging ... we are given two joining rooms so that we would not be too cramped up
These are all we have...and one luggage is filled with nothing but books. When you have kids with huge appetite for reading...books are precious
17.2.09
We say good-bye to this place, we have been calling home
We moved out of our US house today.
When we were house-hunting, we prayed for a good neighbourhood and we asked God to give us a sense of comfort for the house which we will call home. When we first saw this house, we felt very comfortable and decided to make it our home. And yes, it has been a good one year living here and being host to some of you who have taken the trouble to travel long distance (fly or drive) to come and visit us.
It was the biggest house we have ever lived and while we were here, we enjoyed it...but now we say good-bye to it and we prayed and thanked God for giving it to us...
Enjoy the tour of our temporal house...a glimpse into parts of the house
Main entrance
Garage entrance
Inside the garage
Main door
Steps leading to the basement where only dh went down to change the filter every month
Staircase leading to the second floor as you enter the house...
...to the left, the TV cum playroom
to the right, the hall...
...patio where we had a few cookout
...the dinning area
...the kitchen where I did my various experiements and on a few occasions, with the help from my little assistant!
Heading to the second level...
Laundry area...rain, sun, snow or sleet...we still have clean clothes to wear...thanks to this area
...to the right, guests' rooms where we housed some of our wonderful visitors
...to the left, the master bedroom
End of tour...
Part of the wonderful neighbourhood
Our final dinner at our temporal home - stuffed pasta, kale and grilled beef
Will we miss the big house...no but we will miss the wonderful neighbours...Mrs Winnifred who welcomed us on the very first day we arrived and has been looking after us for the past one year...the Weneski family who has already shifted out...Manny, Sheila and their group of siblings who have been great friends to Kai and Ann...the little bruised boy...Jeffery, Jordan and siblings....aunt Wendy and the six brothers and little Anthony who asked me why did I have to carry an umbrella during summer..."it was hot, dude!"...Joya, Mona, Raj....Joya was the first mum in the neighbourhood who came forward and started a conversation with me and we became very good friends.....
Places gave us good memories, people gave us lasting friendships and that's most important in our journey!
We moved out of our US house today.
When we were house-hunting, we prayed for a good neighbourhood and we asked God to give us a sense of comfort for the house which we will call home. When we first saw this house, we felt very comfortable and decided to make it our home. And yes, it has been a good one year living here and being host to some of you who have taken the trouble to travel long distance (fly or drive) to come and visit us.
It was the biggest house we have ever lived and while we were here, we enjoyed it...but now we say good-bye to it and we prayed and thanked God for giving it to us...
Enjoy the tour of our temporal house...a glimpse into parts of the house
Main entrance
Garage entrance
Inside the garage
Main door
Steps leading to the basement where only dh went down to change the filter every month
Staircase leading to the second floor as you enter the house...
...to the left, the TV cum playroom
to the right, the hall...
...patio where we had a few cookout
...the dinning area
...the kitchen where I did my various experiements and on a few occasions, with the help from my little assistant!
Heading to the second level...
Laundry area...rain, sun, snow or sleet...we still have clean clothes to wear...thanks to this area
...to the right, guests' rooms where we housed some of our wonderful visitors
...to the left, the master bedroom
End of tour...
Part of the wonderful neighbourhood
Our final dinner at our temporal home - stuffed pasta, kale and grilled beef
Will we miss the big house...no but we will miss the wonderful neighbours...Mrs Winnifred who welcomed us on the very first day we arrived and has been looking after us for the past one year...the Weneski family who has already shifted out...Manny, Sheila and their group of siblings who have been great friends to Kai and Ann...the little bruised boy...Jeffery, Jordan and siblings....aunt Wendy and the six brothers and little Anthony who asked me why did I have to carry an umbrella during summer..."it was hot, dude!"...Joya, Mona, Raj....Joya was the first mum in the neighbourhood who came forward and started a conversation with me and we became very good friends.....
Places gave us good memories, people gave us lasting friendships and that's most important in our journey!
12.2.09
After the snow, the wind
Strong gusty wind has been bellowing on us since last night. I really mean strong gusty wind. Things are blown away and I could hear the loud howling of the wind from inside the house. Cars vibrate as you drive and as you walk to the mail box, you could feel the wind pushing you...now, what have we not experienced yet?
Strong Winds Close Area Roads, Knock Out Power
Strong, gusty winds are taking their toll all around our region today. There are numerous trees and power lines down, leaving thousands without electricity. In Bethlehem, the wind uprooted a large tree and blew it onto a house. PennDOT reports that some roads are blocked by trees and other debris.
In Northampton County, Jacobsburg Road between State Park and Belfast roads in Bushkill Township is closed, as is Bushkill Drive/West Mountain Road between Old Grade and Clearfield roads and Route 611 between Orchard and Evergreen roads in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Parts of Route 724 in Berks County and Route 309 in Lehigh County were closed earlier. Parts of Route 724 in Berks County and Route 309 in Lehigh County were closed earlier.
The 69 News storm team says we should see sustained winds of 20-30 mph and wind gusts to 50 mph or higher today. Tonight and tomorrow will continue to be windy. (www.wfmz.com)
Later in the night....
there were a few blackouts at our neighbourhood, our house was plunged into darkness and guess what...we have no back-up. All our things have been shipped out...left with only one miserable tiny torchlight. We must pray hard that there will be no more blackout, otherwise, we will be freezing in the cold...without the heater. So my friend, thank God for Singapore!
Strong gusty wind has been bellowing on us since last night. I really mean strong gusty wind. Things are blown away and I could hear the loud howling of the wind from inside the house. Cars vibrate as you drive and as you walk to the mail box, you could feel the wind pushing you...now, what have we not experienced yet?
Strong Winds Close Area Roads, Knock Out Power
Strong, gusty winds are taking their toll all around our region today. There are numerous trees and power lines down, leaving thousands without electricity. In Bethlehem, the wind uprooted a large tree and blew it onto a house. PennDOT reports that some roads are blocked by trees and other debris.
In Northampton County, Jacobsburg Road between State Park and Belfast roads in Bushkill Township is closed, as is Bushkill Drive/West Mountain Road between Old Grade and Clearfield roads and Route 611 between Orchard and Evergreen roads in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Parts of Route 724 in Berks County and Route 309 in Lehigh County were closed earlier. Parts of Route 724 in Berks County and Route 309 in Lehigh County were closed earlier.
The 69 News storm team says we should see sustained winds of 20-30 mph and wind gusts to 50 mph or higher today. Tonight and tomorrow will continue to be windy. (www.wfmz.com)
Later in the night....
there were a few blackouts at our neighbourhood, our house was plunged into darkness and guess what...we have no back-up. All our things have been shipped out...left with only one miserable tiny torchlight. We must pray hard that there will be no more blackout, otherwise, we will be freezing in the cold...without the heater. So my friend, thank God for Singapore!
Don't you just love kids
Valentine's Day is coming and Ann's preschool has a Valentine's mini party
Seth, "I want to date Brie'
Jackson, "I don't have a girlfriend but I really don't mind Ann"
Peter's mummy, "Peter is completely devastated about Ann's leaving".....
Peter, "she is my Ann. Not Annie, just Ann"
All of them are just four years old....don't you just love them!
Contributed these for the mini Valentine's party...thanks to "Semi-home cooking" programme.
Valentine's brownies
Valentine's Day gifts for Ann. Looks like in the years to come, I will be a very busy mum.
Valentine's Day is coming and Ann's preschool has a Valentine's mini party
Seth, "I want to date Brie'
Jackson, "I don't have a girlfriend but I really don't mind Ann"
Peter's mummy, "Peter is completely devastated about Ann's leaving".....
Peter, "she is my Ann. Not Annie, just Ann"
All of them are just four years old....don't you just love them!
Contributed these for the mini Valentine's party...thanks to "Semi-home cooking" programme.
Valentine's brownies
Valentine's Day gifts for Ann. Looks like in the years to come, I will be a very busy mum.
Semi-home cooking
In one of my favourite TV channel - The Food Network, there is a programme titled "semi-home cooking". I love it because the host of the programme teaches you how to make use of ready made food from the supermarket to create your own dishes, hence, the title.
With the house almost empty and all my tools and equipments all gone, I have to make use of what I have learned from the programme to create food for the family...
Personalised turkey pot-pies for...
Ann and...
Kai
Great ideas from the TV...TV can be good!
In one of my favourite TV channel - The Food Network, there is a programme titled "semi-home cooking". I love it because the host of the programme teaches you how to make use of ready made food from the supermarket to create your own dishes, hence, the title.
With the house almost empty and all my tools and equipments all gone, I have to make use of what I have learned from the programme to create food for the family...
Personalised turkey pot-pies for...
Ann and...
Kai
Great ideas from the TV...TV can be good!
9.2.09
Family of nomads...
It has been one great journey, travelling into the unknown, conquering all fears and anxieties, depending completely and whole-heartedly on the one and only God who has created all things for us...at the end of it, we only have one word to describe this adventure... "Grateful"
Time flies...packing up ready for the next journey began more than three weeks ago
Whatever that we could pack first, were all stuffed into boxes provided by Crown, the rest, will wait for the movers to come...
The movers have arrived! Honestly, we are not the only productive people. Just two guys came to pack, carry and shift...
This is cool. All our clothes will arrive in Singapore nicely hung up..thanks to this clothing wardrobe. Neat isn't it.
Inside the box, there is a bar where all the clothes are neatly hung up, straight from the closet to the box.
Two thumbs up for whoever come up with this idea!
Everything packed and loaded onto the truck within three and a half hours...talk about efficiency
Empty closet, empty drawers...almost an empty house but...
the family still stays together...that's most important...and a good meal at TGIF. We now officially call ourselves...the nomad family!
It has been one great journey, travelling into the unknown, conquering all fears and anxieties, depending completely and whole-heartedly on the one and only God who has created all things for us...at the end of it, we only have one word to describe this adventure... "Grateful"
Time flies...packing up ready for the next journey began more than three weeks ago
Whatever that we could pack first, were all stuffed into boxes provided by Crown, the rest, will wait for the movers to come...
The movers have arrived! Honestly, we are not the only productive people. Just two guys came to pack, carry and shift...
This is cool. All our clothes will arrive in Singapore nicely hung up..thanks to this clothing wardrobe. Neat isn't it.
Inside the box, there is a bar where all the clothes are neatly hung up, straight from the closet to the box.
Two thumbs up for whoever come up with this idea!
Everything packed and loaded onto the truck within three and a half hours...talk about efficiency
Empty closet, empty drawers...almost an empty house but...
the family still stays together...that's most important...and a good meal at TGIF. We now officially call ourselves...the nomad family!
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