in Christ alone.

i'm back. due for my once-in-3-months entry. (:

i shalln't do a info dump here...but just some poignant happenings.


one.
i want to thank God that megan's holes-in-the-heart have nearly closed up! in my previous posts, i'd mentioned she'd been diagnosed with 2 moderately big holes in her heart. during her last check-up, it was found that both her holes have closed up significantly..with just a little more to go. also, she won't be needing surgery as yet. encouraging prognosis (:

God alone has made this miracle possible. there was very real fear in the first few weeks of megan's life. she slept a lot and it seemed virtually impossible to wake her. i'd tried, and she wouldn't stir much. we had to trust God that He was restoring and growing her even when she wasn't up much. He'd worked His miracle in those slumbering moments for megan, and He continues to. God is good. my niece is today a chubby little bundle of joy.

for cuteness revealed, click here. (:


two.
my ma has retired. i'm really glad for she has.
now, she gets the time to do what she wants. and she can rest lots too. she deserves it, after more than 30 years of working full-time, taking care of us and my granny when she was still around, and keeping the house in ship-shape.

my mom is Super Mom. honestly.
but it's hard to tell...cos she doesn't wear a cape and mask when she does the laundry.

my pa is retiring at the end of the year. i was surprised when i found out, as i thought he'd continue working till he was 67. but he isn't, and i am real glad. i know he's doing it so he can spend time with my mom, and i really appreciate that.

and of course, more time for golf.

it is my prayer that in their retirement, while my ma and pa go about catching up with one another and meeting with people, that they will meet Christ ultimately.

Who best to meet, but Him? (:


three.
amber's growing real quickly.
now my 1st niece can say grace--well, most parts of it--and end off with a very gusto-ish 'Amen!'
she can count to 10, mostly on her own, in both english and chinese. she'll miss the 'seven' in english because it is not mono-syllable. but she'll get there.
and i love how she goes 'yi! er! san! si! wuuuuuuuuuu~~~~!' as if she's bruce lee.
she's awfully funny, has an extremely hearty chuckle and is unabashedly passionate about life. you can find her here.

what amazes me most about amber is not her intellectual capacity, but her obedience and gentleness. she is typically (unless terribly agitated) quick to listen to her daddy and mommy, and doesn't go about whining too much if she doesn't get what she wants. i attribute that to a whole load of patience on her parents' part--it's tough to stay consistent on discipline cos that's honestly more tiring at times--and a lot of God's grace.

may amber be so full of His life, for always.


four.
i've been reminded lately of God's unfailing love and purpose for my life. this season is one of waiting, surrendering and standing firm on His purposes. it's not been easy, but He's not about to loosen His hold. (:

there's definitely stuff deep down in me that He is sorting through...but God's garbage-removal system is one of the best i know, and i'll be more sanitised and sparkly than before, for sure (:


here's a song that's been on re-play on my i-tunes the last 2 hours. it pretty much sums up what this entry is really trying to say.

in Christ alone
in Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
this cornerstone, this solid ground
firm through the fiercest trial and storm
what heights of love, what depths of peace
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease
my comforter, my all in all
here in the love of christ i stand

in Christ alone who took on flesh
fullness of God in helpless babe
this gift of love and righteousness
scorned by the ones He came to save
till on that cross as Jesus died
the wrath of God was satisfied
for every sin on Him was lain
here in the death of Christ i live

there in the ground His body lay
light of the world by darkness slain
then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He rose again
and as He stands in victory
since curse has lost its grip on me
for i am His and He is mine
bought with the precious blood of Christ

no guilty life no fear in death
this is the power of Christ in me
from life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
no power of hell no scheme of men
can ever pluck from His hand
till He returns or calls me home
here in the power of Christ i'll stand



(: