Big Talks

https://www.makebigtalk.com/

Give Thanks 2019

For the many challenges I faced this year

For all that I have been through

For the many health victory miestones I had this year

For all that has come to pass

For the jolly laughters I let out

For all the smiles that lingered on my face

For the sorrow and tears I cried out

For all the frowns I have had

God is good. God is great. 

All the time. All the way.

For the troubles that seem to stay longer
For the sadness that lasts forever
For the thousands sorry I need to confess
For this is what grieve my heart and soul

For the happiness that last just a while
For the joy that does not linger on
For the thousands of whys I do not understand
For after laughter comes the pain

I am human. I am sinful.
Lord, help me. Please save me.

Nonetheless, I praise Thee for You are a good good God.
Give Thanks for You are mighty to save
More than enough to save and conquer evil.
My life in You is counted and worthy

21st Century Living

I have always given myself a long To-Do List, one that I cannot cope to complete. So here is a journal to see if I could beat myself at my own game.

Here is a record trying to rectify and ensure that I have not wasted too much time. Journal for the busy days.

16 October 2019 
6:45 am Sent Bel to school
7:00 am Shopping at Thai Seng for meat and vegetables
7:30 am Emailing Reports, Whatsapp Messages, Listen to YouTube Motivation Talks and Michelle
Qureshi

EU

11:00 am Brunch and more videos on Touriam Sabah

12:30 pm Wrote the blog on the Lost Son and did google search and shared with groups.

https://rainbow-life-gems.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-lost-sheep-lost-coin-and-lost-son.html

2:35 pm Late Korean Noodle Lunch and Shower

I like the chewy noodle but I dont like the hot spicy taste.

3:00 pm Shower
3:25 pm Pick up Bel and take a nap
6:30 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Internet Time

Conclusion : I did not get to do what I really need and should do. I delay yet again. Being online sucks up time, even writing or tidying up a blog post can take 2 hours ! So, think again, what is priority!

Lady Gaga - Born this Way Foundation

https://bornthisway.foundation/

All the "Amazing Grace" Songs - Undeserved Favour

"This Is Amazing Grace"

Phil Wickham

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder

And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

All that You've done for me

Who brings our chaos back into order?

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

The King of Glory, the King of Glory

Who rules the nations with truth and justice

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

All that You've done for me

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy, worthy, worthy

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

All that You've done for me

All that You've done for me

Laura Story Lyrics
"Grace"


My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done
And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me
And hold me as my father and mold me as my maker

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up
When I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: "My child, I love you
And as long as you're seeking My face
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace"

At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged
Knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job
For who am I to serve You? I know I don't deserve You
And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up
When I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: "My child, I love you
And as long as you're seeking My face
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace"
You are so patient with me, Lord

As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means
The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary
So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
By giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up
When I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory
How far will forgiveness abound?"
And You answer: "My child, I love you
And as long as you're seeking My face
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace"

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

[2x]
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Will be forever mine.
You are forever mine.

"Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)"
HillSong

All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I've been set free
I've been set free

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord
I'll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
[2x]

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
[2x]

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
[3x]

Hong Kong Trip with Dad 2018

New Zealand South Island 2017 Memory

Maid Detox Journal

Our maid left us on 8 August 2018, wow, 8-8-2018, very prosperous hopefully for us and her. We bid farewell nicely and it is the right time to let go. This is harder that we think and a question on my mind is am I ready for this ?

The big deal is that she has been our maid for 15 years, in between the short years we had other replacement maids for 3-6 months and then a Filipino maid for 18 months, in the end, I asked her to come back as I got fed-up with maids giving me excuses. 

I have made up my mind. When a woman made up her mind, it is often a sure and dangerous thing, both at the same time. It is a sure and steadfast decision for there is likely no turning back of time or decision and it is a one-way street down, for better or for worse. It is dangerous for herself and her family,  on good days, everyone is happy, the house is kept clean and tidy, on lousy days, there be screams and shouts lamenting how bad the house looks like dog-house!

 As a strategist and horrific planner, I do more planning in my brain than with my hands, I think too much and procrastinate a lot more than necessary. So, here are some basic directions of where we are heading and how bumpy the near future will be.

Week # 1 8-12 August

This week, I have to get used to the timing of cooking dinner without missing my exercises on certain days but I was prepared to forgo some exercises for now.

Bel learnt a lot this week, washing clothes with washing machine, hanging to dry, ironing using steamer, mopping floors, vacuuming, 

On 10 August Saturday, I did a big clean and wash up from car porch, mopping downstairs, washing downstairs toilets. It was a good feeling to feel so clean. But alas, the next day Sunday dinner, the floor was oily again. So I think I can only mop the floor on Sunday evening after everyone is gone. The second mop could be Wednesday or Thursday evening.

Week #3 20-26 August 2018

On Tuesday 21 August, I managed to complete all my electric appliances that could help me in my cleaning and cooking, to date, I have bought, steam iron, Vacuum Cleaner, Sharp Microwave Oven and Air Fryer. And I need to think of storage and when to put what for the frequent in use items and those not so frequently use.

Today 22 August is Day 15th after our maid left us, we are still surviving, things are still very untidy, in fact, worse than before as we are re-arranging and throwing out things stored at the wrong places. I still struggle with cooking dinner, not all nights, dinner are served on time, sometimes delayed, like last night both chicken and rice were a little bit uncooked in the rice cooker, I had to manually cut up and mixed the rice up to re-heat it 5 times.

22 August (Hari Raya Haji) Today's Tasks :-

House Spring Clean List :-

1) Master bedroom - vacuum, mop, wash toilet, change bedsheet - this took a long time (I started 11am), I spent some time taking shower, replying messages. But in the end, I am satisfied with what I have done. What are left undone, the 2 side walls not clean yet, my dressing table area all still in a mess until I forget what items I have; my clothings not in my order that I could find them easier and the toilet sink top still full of bottles. I need find a time that I am in the mood to throw things away easily.  But I am super happy with the toilet. 

2) Upstairs - store, floor, boys' toilet - almost gave up but thankfully I did it. The boys toilet as like POW toilet with few inmates died inside before. The layers of dirt were harden on the floor mosaic, I have to hand-brushed them. By the time I finished, it was 3:30 pm, I could feel my body going soft.
3) I decided to mop the stairs downward and then the entire downstairs. That took some time as I paused to eat some fruits - durian and even Sinalau Bakas.

It is now 5 pm, I need to complete 3 tasks before dinner time at 7pm:-

1) Dye my hair
2) Prepare Dinner - salad and heat up food
3) Vacuum downstairs
Note: I did them but till midnight.

Tonight I hope to focus on my Gardening reading and write up planning. (Nope, you did not do it again!)

Week #4 27 August - 2 Sept 2018

Yes, this is almost coming to a month and we are slowly throwing and re-organising things that have been stuffed away, they have re-appeared, a lot to be thrown away, those can be kept are re-arranged to be easily found. One thing for sure, I have over-bought tea and coffee and some have expired although for tea, it is stated that as long as they are sealed and not disintegrated, they are still good.

I learn to listed to my body and sleep. A lot of time is spent on tidying up things which is rather wasteful but this is what make the place neater. Despite Elliot's complaints of too many plastic containers, I bought more as I desperately need the things to look cuter, nicer and more appealing to the eyes. I plan to do section by section, area by area.

So far, I have searched, cleared, re-arranged the following spaces:- 👍

1) Underneath Kitchen Sink in Oven Kitchen - the oil, sauces and bottles - I threw one large dustbin full of bottles. The storage section still untouched. The idea is to make this space for storing large items and all the sauces and oil must be easily searchable and not just simply piled up in a mess.
2) The area next to Kangen Water Filter in Oven Kitchen, I have decided spices, herbs even instant noodles will be placed here and I have re-arranged them.
3) I have gathered a huge basketful of containers for easier find.
4) The Juciing area now has a basket of frequent used soya sauce and spices.
5) The Tea and Drinks section is rearranged into large translucnet containers that can be stacked up - I love it, I could see but not very clearly what they are.
6) The Tit-Bits Snacks area - will be done by Bel tomorrow

Week #5 3 - 9 Sept 2018

This will be a challenging week for me as I will be away in KL for 4 days and upon return, I will only have 2 days to prepare for the Cadets Junior Camp. I plan to re-cook and marinate the main dishes and hope Bel and Mel could do the survival cooking and heating up themselves for 4 days.

Mon - Chicken Rice with Sweet Corn Soup, Special Rice - to cook early morning before I leave

Tue - Potatoes Chicken

Wed - BBQ Chicken

Thu - Bolognese Mushroom, Tomatoes Sauce Spaghetti

Fri - yet to think 

Sun - I am in Camp

Mon - Holiday 

Tue - Holiday 

I need to slot in Gardening Time :-
7 Sept Friday
8 Sept Saturday

During KL time, I need to prepare
1) GB International Award Guidelines from interviews
2) Constitution Review
3) Finalise Quotations
4) SALIS Review
5) RIAM Analysis
6) New Ideas for Promo Literature Menu and Large A2 paper folded
7) Entering Third Third Evaluation







Kitchen Areas To be Done Tasks :-

1) The Wood Cabinet under the old phone - need recheck, throw and re-arrange
2) The cabinet space under the Dry Kitchen Sink needs to be re-arranged and a lot of stuff has to go
3) The Cabinets of plates and container - some to be kept away
4) The Island's Baskets of towels, kitchen towels, plastic bags - need to re-arranged
5) The Herbs Cabinet need to be cleaned up and throw away expired spices.
6) The Bakeing Cabinets - 2 large and 6 drawers - need to re-arrange
7) The Wines need to be re-checked and start to drink them


Yet to be done Tasks :-

1) Upstair Study Room - clean mop, use

2) Downstairs - Kitchen Cabinet - sort, throw, rearrange baking, cooking, Herbs, Soya, 

3) Cooking kitchen - Microwave oven where - cooking arrangement

4) Throw away shoes - re-organise the shoes boxes 

5) My Clothes - rearrange - 

6) 

7) 

Think about selling the space bed!

BIG PROJECTS :- 

1) Recylce Plan - not working out well

2) Making Soil from organic waste - how to start

3) TV room - stop ASTRO before 1 Sept

4) Upstair Study Room

5) Downstair Study Room

6) Storage Racks - re-arrange

7) Books reference - resell

8) Kitchen Dry - Cooking & Utensils, Under sink storage, coffee space, microwave

9) Cooking Kitchen - Check the sauces, re-arrange the tops for stoves and electrnics

10) Wet Kitchen - Plastic and Big Pots Storage

11) Kitchen Can food storage - reorganise so no wastage - 

The List is LONG!!!!!! It is still incomplete.

There are two wishful thinking in this :-

If we get to the bottom of the list, the house is finally in order! Then 

1) we do not need a maid permanently

2) we can get a maid in to maintain that standard for us with great discipline from our side.

Hiding in the Shadow of God by Heather Sorenson

When the cares of life weigh on you causing you have to have an aching soul, it is good to be reminded the there is a safety on this journey and there are wings to break the fall. "Send the rain, let the wind blow. I am covered by the mighty wings of love." This inspired setting of Psalm 91 is an anthem of promise that God will guard and protect us in all of the seasons of life. 

Psalm 91 1-7 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Happily Ever After Wedding

Dear Cindy and Kenneth,

It's your Wedding Day 

So perfect and fine, 

With all your friends round you 

To have a good time. 

And we wish you much happiness 

Starting your lives as one,

Always give love to each other

With lots of laughter and fun.

Ever wonder why God gives us two?

A right hand to show the left what to do.

One ear to listen and one to hear

the problems of others,

their laughter and fears.

One eye to watch and one to behold

the beautiful treasures

that life has to hold.

One foot to travel and one to stand tall.

Two feet to land on if we should fall.

One man to stand by a woman's side;

One woman to cherish being his bride.

The love between partners

comes shining through

and that is the reason

God has made two.

May God Bless You

On Your Wedding Day

Congratulations

~ Doria

Here comes the bride, beautiful and bright.

I did something special as a mid-year break for myself, I flew from KK to Kuching to join a GB Officer's wedding. It was so sweet of Cindy to invite us personally with a sweet gift and we know that she really put much effort into inviting her guests to her wedding. 

So Jovie and I managed to get a good fare to fly over and I was so blessed to have a friend who let us stay in his condo at Riverine Sapphire R12-10 Unit, it was a lovely newly renovated condo and just nice to stay in for 2 nights.

Look at how many GB officers who flew in to join her wedding, not to mention her own friends from other parts of Malaysia.

During the Wedding ceremony, it was short and sweet. Here is the sermon of Cindy and Kenneth's wedding ceremony at Trinity Methodist Church, Kuching on 21 June 2019, 10 am. The sermon is entitled : Happily Ever After. 

1. GROW YOUR MARRIAGE

2. WITH LOVE THAT EVER FAILS

3. FAITH IN GOD

Here are some photos that I have taken during the ceremony and some taken by Captain Annjay Robin. To the newly wedded couple, Cindy and Kenneth, I wish you the very best in life, May God be the center of your marriage forever!  

Last but not least, I would like to share the Marriage Recipe with you two, may you follow the recipe and have a great enriching experiences as a couple.

The Marriage Recipe:

1/2 lb good looks 

1lb sweet temper

1lb butter of youth

1lb blindness of faults

1lb of wit

1lb good humour

2lb of sweet argument

1 pint of rippling laughter

1 wine glass of common sense

a dash of modesty

Put the love good looks and a sweet temper into a well furnished house.

Beat the butter of youth into a cream,

and mix well together with the blindness of faults.

Stir the wit and good humour into the sweet argument

then add the rippling laughter and common sense.

Work the whole thing together until everything is well mixed,

and bake gently forever.

Enjoy the "marriage cake" forever!

#kennethcindy2019
#foodiestravellerlovestory

God of Heaven by Heather Sorenson

I was introduced to this song by a blogger, it is a very good song about God. This is not the type of song you sing to ask God for something, it is a song to declare who God is. The author, Heather Sorenson wrote how this song came to be :-

“The piece ‘God of Heaven’ was a personal response to my morning devotions a couple months ago. Something that I have been actively working on is to shift my relationship with God from a “give me/bless me/help me” vending machine to learning and knowing who God is. As I was reading through the book of Job during a particularly difficult week, I was hit with the fact that God’s response to Job did not include the solutions that I always ask for. God’s words to Job didn’t specifically offer the hope and comfort that I often beg God for in difficult times. God’s response in Job 38-41 was to show who He is. As I moved on to the rest of my day, I sat down to write a completely different song, but I was so moved by who God is, that ‘God of Heaven’ came out instead. I pray that this piece will bless both your choir and your congregation as you continue to build your relationship with God your Father.”

Here is the lyric :-

God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.
Great Creator, Master of all nature.
Who gives birth to snow from heaven,
Holds the waves at ocean’s edge,
Gives the orders to the morning,
Shows each dawn its place to shine.
God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.

God of Ages, God who wrote the Book of Time.
Sovereign Ruler, Alpha and Omega.
Saints before, He’s guided safely.
History’s pages signed by Him.
Author of our days and hours; 
Things to come are held secure.
God of Ages, Alpha and Omega.

God of Power!  God who breaks the darkness.
Righteous Warrior, Champion of His children,
Goes before us into battle;
Good and evil bow to Him,
Those in bondage freed forever,
Victories won at  His command!

God who heals us, God who gives us peace and hope.
God who listens, Carries all our fragile
Dreams and heartaches, wins and failures;
Binds the broken; hides the weak.
New beginnings freely offered;
Who can make us whole again?
God who heals us, God of Power,
God of Ages, God of Heaven,
God of all the earth and sky.

A Thousand Storms by Heather Sorenson

Psalm 121 (A Psalm for Help) by Heather Sorenson

Psalm 121 (A Psalm for Help) has been a comforting psalm for many. Here are some very nice arrangement of this Psalm. The first one is by Heather Sorenson, wonderful to be sung by a choir.

Psalm 121 (A Psalm for Help)
=========
w&m: Heather Sorenson, 2015
Text from Psalm 121:1-8
orch: Heather Sorenson

[Refrain 1]
I lift my eyes unto the hills,
the hills from where my help is come.
My help, it cometh from the Lord
Who made heaven, heaven and earth.

[Refrain 2]
(I lift my eyes unto the hills,)
I lift my eyes unto the hills,
(the hills from where my help is come.)
the hills from where my(My) help,
it cometh from the Lord
(Who made heaven,) heaven and earth.

[Verse 1]
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved,
neither will He(,) sleep.(will not sleep.)
(The Lord is thy keeper, the)The Lord is thy shade.
The sun shall not smite thee by day;
(the moon shall not smite thee by night.)

[Verse 2]
The Lord shall protect thee from ev'ry evil,
He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord (shall protect)shall (thee) pro-(from) tect(ev'ry)thee,
(evil. He shall)pre(preserve)serve thy soul forever,
forev-(forever.)er, Forev(preserve forer.(ever.)

[Refrain 3]
I lift my eyes unto the hills,
the hills from where my help is come.
My help, it cometh from the Lord;
my help, it cometh from the Lord;
my help, it cometh from the Lord
Who made heaven, heaven and earth.
A-(Amen.) men.(Amen.)

Sung by the chancel choir.The Woodlands UMC Music

"My Help" sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Another version of Psalm 121 by 

Psalm 121 - Reading 

Living and the Dead

Ecclesiastes 7:2
"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart."
Offline Bible Free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=offline.bible.free

1) Cherish our old friends -
2) Cherish our partners - spouse, Siblings, cousins
3) Cherish our old money - use our own money and not dependent on others
4) Cherish our old home -
5) Be ready for our ending in life

What is visible is temporary, what is invisible is permanent.

My Most Memorable African Memories from ICGB 2018 at Zambia

The African Sunset is simply amazing, bright red and took a while to fully set.

Visiting Nelson Mandela Museum and arriving on this Continent on his 100th birthday was such an experience! Of course, it was really unpleasant to understanding more of apartheid and how dark an age it was.
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/nelson-mandela-100-inspirational-quotes-a3888546.html

My travel buddies from Malaysia, I would not be that brave to travel alone. This first photo we took at Johannesburg Airport sums up our adventure "YOLO" - You Only Live Once, so Africa, here we come!

Victoria Waterfall at Livingstone is absolutely majestic and lovely in nature. It is the most majestic that I have witnessed in person.

My GB family and friends, some whom I have friended in GB and finally met in person and I presented them with a Malaysian Batik Sarong as a gift for our friendship. I managed to give to all the IP Committee a Sarong too. 

Representing Malaysia at this ICGB 2018 at Zambia is our pride and joy, we just have no words to express how honour we are. 

New Year Quotes from Michael Josephson

Some quotes from Michael Josephson
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/1090178.Michael_Josephson

“At you look back on the year gone by, think of missed opportunities not with regret but as a reminder of what you learned that you can use to seize the opportunities ahead. Michael Josephson www.whatwillmatter.com”
― Michael Josephson

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“We judge ourselves by our best intentions and most noble acts but we will be judged by our last worst act.”
― Michael Josephson

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“Learn from your past but live for your future. Michael Josephson www.whatwillmatter.com”
― Michael Josephson

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“Happiness is the peace of mind that comes from feeling that I am living a worthy life in the company of people I love and in the service of something bigger than myself.”

― Michael Josephson

https://itsallyouboo.com/inspirational-new-years-resolution-quotes-and-sayings/

2019 New Year Thoughts

At the break of dawn, as the whole world ushers in the brand new first day of the brand new year, this is one event celebrated world-wide!

Here are some of the messages that appear on my handphone Whatsapp messages all day long. These are enough for me to reflect for days on what 2019 can be for us

First New Year at Auckland, New Zealand by Andrew Tong!

New Year Count Down at London by Wallace

New Year 2019 Fireworks in London

Here are our photos taken during New Year Eve Dinner cum Aisha's early 50th Birthday Celebration.