Tending a garden

Heart-shaped leaves

I am back in Kuching after spending several days in SA for Chinese New Year this year. This year's CNY was similar to past years, not as exciting as CNY used to be when I was younger but family stayed a strong bond for the cause of CNY. The one very different thing this year was how I would hear people saying "this is your last year of getting an ang pao! ;)" Coming back to Kuching, we went to several old church friends' homes and I was impressed by each of their well-tended gardens. They are all so knowledgeable in pruning, watering, giving fertilisers, and growing their plants--fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. Once I walked into their house compound, I could feel the joy and beauty of a garden that has been taken care of, inspiring me to learn to grow a garden too! Here are some photos I took of our little balcony garden, using my Canon dslr which had been sleeping for a while since I have just been using my phone camera.

Mom planted paddy!

Vegetable which we have harvested and eaten

A life well lived

News of deaths always jolt us awake from our everyday routine. Why do we always wait till a thunder sound to jolt us awake when we should be living alert, being watchful for the day Christ returns? Billy Graham, a name that no doubt will evoke a picture of "a good and faithful servant" of God. A role model for us living Christians, to press on towards the goal, keeping our eyes on Christ.
A young adult cell group brother whom I've only met once briefly. He was a doctor, only two years older than I am. I do not know much about him except that he was friendly and made a good impression even though I've only seen him once at a cell group event, and his facebook post about God. We do not understand why God called him home so early, and in such a tragic car accident too, but he did live a good life--for God and loving people.
May we live each day with a worshipful attitude, letting God be the centre of my life, so that our days will be counted worthwhile.

Links lately

A beautiful day in Hong Kong

-This coffeeshop jazz playlist has been great for keeping me focused while working and reading lately
-Loving the new layout on the Cakies blog and her honest sharing of living life by God's grace
-These really helpful sermons/talks by 余德淳博士 related to EQ, how to deal with anxiety etc
-This winter song by Roy Kim that has been on repeat
-This Krist Soup pantry organisation video because I love organisation and those mason jars
-My rediscovered twitter account where I share my thoughts and reflections on history, music, and theology
-Other than that, I've mostly been on instagram