(I am) God's adopted people

During this journey, of course many 'what ifs' flooded our minds. what if they feel that they are not loved because they are adopted? What if they want to look for their birth parents? what if? what if? what if? and what if they ask about their birth? how should i reveal it to the child next time?

As all these questions came naturally to mind, i prayed and asked God how should i explain to Zara next time about adoption. And as i prayed, God revealed the best story to me and i teared.

I am not born a Jew, not God's own people by birth.
I am a Gentile.
I am God's adopted people.

Because of His love,
He paid a price (through Jesus Christ) to bring me back to Him.
He made it possible to have a relationship with Him.
He poured out His love over me and took me as His own.
For the first time, i could call Him "Abba Father"
He brought me into His house and gave me a family i did not have.
He promised me a future and placed eternity in my heart.
He prepared for me an inheritance i was not entitled to.
A brand new life.

Adoption has been like a taboo word in most culture and tradition. So is it wrong to want to adopt a child not for some noble reasons but simply because you really wanted a child? Personally, i think that if a couple feels that they have got love to give, why not? How blessed is the child who is given that opportunity to be loved!

We will pour out our love on Zara and teach her the way of the Lord, to the best we know how. Even if, we eventually have our own child, we will love them just the same. Like how God love us unconditionally and without partiality, we aim to do that to the best we know how.

The BLACK and WHITE

Still love BLACK and WHITE the most among all the ideas...

Looking forward to the completion of the renovation! Hahahaha these are inspirations, not the real thing though...

Rustic Homes

Rustic designs have been like the IN thing lately with all the use of cartons and palettes.

Wanted to do some for my house decoration too. But cannot really fit into the theme i have in mind. Haha might just have a little in my balcony if i have time to do them up!

Home Decor Ideas Part 1

These are just some of the home decor ideas i've got when i'm traveling around and getting inspirations! ;)

So tempted to buy this pillar! but it is too big to carry back on the plane! HAHAHA
But i really did cary the flower vase on the right all the way home on a plane!

More inspiring photos to come~!

Furniture shopping

This is one of the most exciting thing to do, when preparing for you new house!
Shopping around for chairs, sofa, cupboards!!!

Many would have used this as a dinning table because it is a dinning table!
But loving this table and yet it does not fit my living room design, i got it for my study instead!

Saw the cupboard on the left? it is made of Acacia wood!
For those who know what Acacia wood are, they are wood that by right will not rot or decay due to the way it is 'constructed'!
The sofa on the right is what i really like!
Love both of these so much but too pricy for now i guess.. =(

I'm trying to find a nice and yet comfortable chair to match the study table....

Got your keys? What's next?

After years and months of waiting... 

i finally got the keys to my very own home in Yishun, Adora Green!

Like any excited couples, you would want to move into your new house straight away!
Not so that you can escape any scoldings or nagging, but simply to enjoy the space of your own.
Actually, i kinda enjoyed staying with my in-laws where home-cooked food and family gathers are not to be missed!

After getting my keys, opening to the door to my unit, the first things people should look out for, despite of the burning desires to move in, is for the defects of the contractors.

Below are just very few photos out of ALL the defects spotted. For some units, they only had very little defects, but for mine, the list went up to more than 30 items. So spot them and label them!

 This rusty hangers for the built-in cabinet seems to be quite a norm, considering it happened in 2 out of 4 of my cabinets.

 This is a rare sight but i got no idea why there is a wire there.

Scratches on the switches are also very common, but i think these are the worse so i wanted them to be replaced.

The frames in the toilet window are very badly dented, i couldn't help it but they are really obvious especially it faces the light directly from the balcony.

Missing skirting! hahaha and they even had one of my balcony walls painted halfway with grey top and left the bottom white!

But no worries, most of these are fixable but still, be very careful to check that they actually fix them!

Build it like your own!

As the date draws nearer for the collection of my keys, great anticipation builds up and I can't wait to move my things into the bigger space and also get the best things for my house! The last letter stated Aug/Sept and now that Aug is over... September it shall be! :)

But before all these, we had a great time planning together how we can give and build the house of God in this upcoming building fund! This is my 11th building fund and it will be the first time we are pledging together as a couple! :D

Year after year, I looked forward to the building fund because it is really not about building buildings but building lives! Since my first building fund in 2001, I have seen how relationships have developed, lives have been built and transformed. Personally, since joining City Harvest Church in year 2000, my own life has been greatly impacted and changed, I would not be where I am now if without God and then people He placed in my life. I believe that it is God who placed me here and He bless me so that I can be a blessing!

Suntec is not just a piece of land or a place, it is our promise land. Yes, there are giants in the land and will require a fight, but if God has given us this vision, He will give us the provision! This is not out of the will or desires of a man but a promise of God. I was there when we prayed, we fasted, we confessed and we visualized, before this vision was birthed. "This is a place in the marketplace, for the marketplace, to serve the marketplace!" Not for glamor or for fame, but simply to serve the marketplace, to build lives and most importantly to build God a house. I remembered how I had this phrase printed on A3, with an image of a stadium, pasted on the wall of my room so that I can visualize, pray and confess together with the Church every single day till this vision was birthed!

Just like how anyone will be excited for their new house and want to get the best for their homes, I think God's house deserves the BEST! Unequal amount, but equal sacrifice! Build it like it is your own! This is my church, this is my house, this is my life!

Vanity Fact #1

It's never about outdoing others in everything. Having a bigger house, a bigger car, an expensive wedding, a branded bag, a newer computer, or even having a higher calling, a bigger CG or a better revelation, .. Whatever it is, if you are doing all you can to outdo others and be the best, it is vanity and gasping of the wind.

The only person you should try to outdo is, yourself!

By comparing yourself with others, how high can you go? How far can you get?

Will you not be always miserable and unsatisfied because there's always someone better out there?

How many things can you possess? There's always going to be newer and better things coming along.