Chilli Plant

 

My Chilli plant at the corridor garden

This is the first time my chilli plant has so many chillies -- nine chillies in total.  And last night, one of the chillies has turned totally red!  It's about 2-3 months from seeds to fruits stage.  

When I was young, if I saw chilli plant, I would pluck them and put them in my garden.  They never turned out well.  I never knew that I could grow them on my own, and it was so satisfying to see them from seedlings to fruiting stage.  

 

Taco sleeping soundly on the bed

Just like seeing the chillies plant, watching Taco growing well and growing bigger everyday was so satisfying as well.  On 27 February 2022, he was just so small when first brought home.  Now he has grown so huge, same size as the mother -- better shape, the mother was so skinny.  

Midnight Fishing

 

Night view taken at Woodlands Waterfront Jetty

Went fishing at night and it was really cooling and fun.  The view was nice and there is no hot sun at all.  We cycled to Woodlands Waterfront Park and then towards the jetty.  There were still people at the jetty despite the late hour.  We found a spot and we laid our mats.  Then we started to fish.  

Years ago, I used to see people fishing at the jetty.  This time I went, I have yet to see anyone fishing.  I do not know if fishing was allowed because I saw the no fishing sign in front of the restaurant.  However, yesterday I saw the Fishing Etiquette!  So fishing is allowed.  

Fishing Etiquette at Woodlands Waterfront 

We fished for about 2.5 hours and we caught nothing.  In total, we went midnight fishing for about 3 times and it was all for fun.  We did not catch anything at all for all occasion.  We did not see anyone fish either.  

I saw the rubbish collector doing their job at the jetty.  They pushed their rubbish cart, emptying the rubbish bin along the jetty.  They also chose to work at night where it will be cooling instead of the day time hot sun.  

Woodlands Waterfront

 

Photograph of my new bicycle

My old bicycle was not working anymore and I had to buy another new bike.  The above photograph shows my new bicycle.  There was not much options to choose at the bicycle shop at 888 plaza.  I just asked for the cheapest bike and was given a bike that I don't really like.  Next was this one above.  It cost me $322.  I asked for $320 and he accepted it.  So I ride off with my new bike.  

Yesterday, went cycling with Isaac.  We cycled to Admiralty Park, the Mangrove Swamp and then to Woodlands waterfront.  We had not seen the playground for a long time.  So we cycled to the playground first.  

Photograph showing Woodlands Waterfront Playground

Isaac played at the playground for a while.  The playground was not crowded.  There were only a few children playing.  Besides the tall bridges for the children to climb, there were four swings.  Isaac loves to play with the swing.  It is so hard to find swings nowadays.  I tried the swings and felt a bit giddy, so I stopped.  After that, we cycled to the jetty.  

Beautiful Sunset picture of the Woodlands Waterfront

Felt so nice and relaxing at the jetty, to see the beautiful scenery.  We spent so much time taking videos and photos.  Isaac took more videos and photos because he was experimenting with his new phone.  As we cycled along the jetty, I saw a sign that showed No Fishing.  I was not sure if no fishing applies to the front part of the restaurant or throughout the whole of the jetty...

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

 

Taco joined in the excitement of receiving the handphone

Friday the delivery man came with the parcel.  I did not know that it was the handphone.  I put it on the table, because also at the same time Richard came to the house.  So Richard spent some time at home and he said he had ordered Close Comfort for Isaac.  

After Richard went home, Isaac took the parcel and he said it looked like the handphone!  He was so excited and I asked him to open it.  The unboxing was quite an excitement for him.  Even Taco came to see what we have.  

So we have a recycled bag and a sticker.  The white Samsung handphone comes with a charging cable only.  It comes with a battery that is 50% charged.  We can see three rear cameras.  The size of the handphone is the same as my current handphone.  Its thickness is the same as Isaac's current samsung handphone.

White Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Last night, Isaac tried the camera function on his phone.  It was so good.  My POCO handphone only can zoom in to the most 8X.  Isaac's Samsung phone can zoom in to 30X.  It can also zoom out to 0.5X!  It can stay waterproof for up to 30minutes in 1.5m deep water.  

A photograph taken from Samsung Galaxy S21

Isaac and I tried to take photographs with our phone to compare.  My phone cannot zoom in to such details as his.  The price of the phone is two times that of mine.  I chose to pay by instalment since it is interest free.  

My Corridor Garden

 

My Corridor Garden

This is my corridor garden.  I grow plants like Chilli, Wrightia religiosa (Water Jasmine), curry leaves, ferns, bougainvillea, xiao baicai, rose cactus, papaya and so on...

Whenever I go garden, Taco wants to follow.  He loves to explore in the garden, biting the plants.  Sometimes there are guests coming to my garden.  There are all in total of about 3 times the sunbirds have come to make their nests in my garden.

Taco in the garden

 I stayed in a 4-room flat.  I think the age of the flat now is 26 years, probably time for home improvement soon.  I don't wish for toilet improvement work because I had already renovated my own toilet.  My only wish is to have a living room extension, a balcony to be added to it.  So far there is no balcony in 4 room flat, I wonder why can't it be done.  I hope that my wish will come true one day, to have a balcony in my flat, so that I can put plants in my house.  

I even told the MP that I wanted a roof (something like a shelter) to be done to my flat because my house don't have a ledge, but other house have a ledge so during rainy days rain will not splash into the house.  For many years since move in, nothing was done to this problem.  With a balcony, living room extension (If this can be done during home improvement plan) then it also helps to solve rain splashing into the living room.  I really hope to have a balcony...

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Bye Bye Birdie

 

Final view of birdie in the nest on 30 April 2022, 9.43am

The previous day, I thought that the birdie had flew off already as I saw an empty nest.  Then at night when I was about to water the plants, I saw the birdie on the floor!  I quickly picked up the poor thing. I hold it in my hands and took video of it -- to remember it.  Next, I put it back in the nest.  The nest was very out of shape and not in very good condition, that's why it had fallen down.  (Just like last year, the egg had dropped out from the nest.)

Yesterday the parents were chirping and flying about at my corridor, trying to tell me something.  At first it was both parents chirping and flying outside the corridor.  But when I was about to take video of it, one of the bird flew off.  So only 1 sunbird left in the corridor which I had recorded the loud chirp.  I did not understand what they wanted.  They were chirping loudly at the papaya plant, and then flew towards me, chirping loudly.  I did not know what they want.  Before that, birdie dropped on the ground again.  I picked it up and put back at the out of shape, spoilt nest.  I used my hand to pull the nest a bit, mending the nest for the birds.  Then I went back in to the house.  

The yellow sunbird perching at the papaya tree on 30 April 2022, 16.42pm

Today I walked in the garden, the birdie was gone.  Later in the late morning like 11am, a surprise door bell rang.  I opened the door and it was Richard!  He gave us a surprise visit!  

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Treasures In Heaven

 

A cottage that I made during my childhood day

I am clearing my old stuff.  Last time I displayed them but later on I put inside storage box...  So for many years it had been in the storage boxes.  Recently I cleared a box and threw away my hand-made cottages and also cottages that I had purchased at shops and departmental stores.  The above picture showed one of the cottages that I made. Below, the photo showed some of the houses that I had bought over the years.  

My Collection of Cottages 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:19-21)

This is what Jesus taught his disciples.  These things are not going to be brought with me when I leave earth one day.  So I am tidying up my house, throwing and selling my collection of cottages.  

It has always been my hobbies and interest to look at nice cottages like Liliput Lanes cottages and David winter cottages.  I went shopping, looked at cottages and then I bought them.  But now I am going to part with them.  It is better to store treasures in heaven than on earth...

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Pooh Bear Day

Photograph of what I had seen in the sky from my window @ 6.56am on 29 April 2022

This morning I woke up when the alarm rang.  I was supposed to wake Isaac up.  I went to the window to open the curtain.  Then I saw the amazing sky.  In my heart was simultaneously input with 'Pooh Bear Day', and indeed I saw a Pooh Bear figure in the cloud holding the honey stick... There were rays of radiance sunshine shining brightly.  How amazing it was!  

I did not understand what this sight means.  What is Pooh Bear Day?  I had loved Pooh Bear before, even bought the key chain, and had the soft toy and Lego toys.  I did not really watch Pooh Bear shows.  So I searched on Google and this was what I found:

What did Winnie-the-Pooh teach us? The overall theme of Winnie the Pooh is the importance of forming solid, lasting friendships. With good friends, you will always have someone there to lean on, someone who will go on adventures and expeditions with you, and even someone who might invite you over for tea and a mouthful of something. 

Who is my Pooh Bear?  Yesterday evening, I received a phone call, a follow-up on my job application.  That same night, I again received for the first time, a heartwarming comment, email, praising me for my blog posts.  I was feeling rather bad in the morning and usually because I did not know if I am working on the right direction, revealing all about me and my stuff.  But I thought that if I know something, I ought to share it and not keep it to myself.  

Also yesterday, it was an unusual day.  After our divorce for 2 years, Richard came to the house again...  

I carried the pooh bear that Richard had won at the Games Gallery

I suddenly recalled that I had pooh bear before!  Some more, it was such a wonderful gift from Richard because he won it and gave it to me.  That was when we went to California Great America.  At that time I was about 4-5 months pregnant -- my first pregnancy.  Today I looked at the photographs and happy memories with Richard came back.  I like those days -- I had not given up my faith yet at that time...

So what is Jesus or God trying to tell me today?  We are building a solid friendship, and my friendship with Richard.  But I do not know how to be a good friend...  

Anyway, I just received the phone call again, saying I am being shortlisted for the job and I will be going interview tomorrow!  What a good timing...

Jesus is my good friend...my best friend...

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Embrace Love

 

This cloud formation was seen after the Holy Spirit or the flying dove was seen

The above photograph was seen after the flying peaceful dove, The Holy Spirit was formed.  It showed a body with 2 long arms embracing a heart...

The bible mention about the cock and the pig... Peter denied Jesus :

Following the arrest of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times, but after the third denial, he heard the rooster crow and recalled the prediction as Jesus turned to look at him. Peter then began to cry bitterly. This final incident is known as the Repentance of Peter. 

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.(Matthew 26:33–35) 

 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. (Matthew 8:31-32) 

 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” ( Matthew 8:31) 

 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. (Matthew 8:28-32)  

I had 'disown' Jesus, 'throw' away my altar's holy family even, never prayed, and told people 'I am not christian'.  I killed my baby and I felt broken at the Church of St Anthony when Father Vincent Chee was conducting a Holy Matrimony in the church.  While the songs were being sang, my tears just flowed down automatically, sobbing deeply...that was after Jesus came to save my sins

On that day when I was reborn, I went into the bath room, I had the most wonderful cleansing ceremony.  All the angels and saints were rejoicing.  I cleansed off several demons in me... I am the pig that the demons came!  What about the cock?  I told the cock the story, but he laid in bed in disbelief.  It was revealed that I had to carry the cock!

Letter received from the school in 1988

I got third position in the whole school, I got the top marks for Bible Knowledge and Biology in GCE 'O' Level...

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The Cock Crows

 

Photograph of Me and my pet chicken on my shoulder

Photograph of me and my two pet chicken 

During my primary school, I had opportunities to have pet chicken.  The first one was on the upper most photograph.  It is a brown chicken.  At first the chick was yellow and slowly it transform into a brown chicken.  I can still remember how I got the chick.  

It was one day when I was inside the vehicle with my elder brother.  He went out of the car to do some errands at the car workshop.  Over there, Lim Chu Kang area, I heard the sound of small chicks.  I was curious and went out of the car to take a look.  It was those type of kampong house at Lim Chu Kang area, now no more.  It was a wooden house and there was a hole in the house.  I put my hands into the hole on the floor of the house, extending into the house.  Upon putting my hands inside the house, I felt something.  It was chicks!  I put my hand deeper, and I tried to grab hold of one.  It was a success, I caught hold of one chick!  I quickly brought the chick to the car and put it into the bag!

And that was how I got hold of my first pet.  Soon my pet grew up, and it was time to kill it!!!  That was not my opinion.  I was so sad, cried over its demised back then.  As I was too grieved, my mother brought me to the market to buy 2 black chicks (the second photographs above).  They were black chicks but their feathers were white.  

I took care of the chicken myself.  I bought food, brought sand home and I put the chicken inside boxes.  The boxes were lined with newspaper.  I need to change the newspaper everyday or when they got dirty.  I stayed in the room with my sister, and she never liked my pets.

After the chicken grew up, the same thing happened again... it got slaughtered...  

I was so grieved again by their death.  Definitely I did not eat them.  

My uncle knew I love chicken, he brought to our home a very small miniature chick from other country.  Within one day, the miniature chick died.  I sat on it!!  That was the last time I had chicken.  

After I went secondary school, I was too busy to think of pets.  I have no pets throughout my secondary, college and university days.

Nowadays no one sell small chicks, or I never encountered anyone selling small chicks.  I had dogs, cats, terrapins, fish and even birds as pets too.  

5 June 2012, saw this dove on the shrub

The cock story will be continued.  Meanwhile, it is such a pleasure, happiness to encounter birds on life journey.  They brightened my life. 

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Aging and Death

 

Earlier days of me, probably 30 years old

Everyday I walked in the garden.  There were flowers and leaves and fruits, and even bird's nest now.  I saw the flowers withered and yellow leaves too.  The flowers are so transient.  Beauty too are transient.  The rose cactus flowers or the seven stars needle flowers, and most of the flowers, open only for a day and wither the next day!  I saw dead flowers on the floor, how wasted they are.  Yet the flowers dropped, fruits are formed.  

What is life?  We come to the earth and no one teach me what is life.  But we can see and learn from our surroundings.  Jesus wants us to choose spiritual life.  He assures us, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" (John 6:63).  What is the most important thing in life?  What is even more important than food, drink, clothes, and a place to stay?  What is more important than education and a job?  Most of us value these highly.  Yet they help life only during our stay in this fleshly body-- which is all too brief!

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.  You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.  Each man's life is but a breath (Psalm 39:4-5)

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:13,14)

My father 12.10.38-25.1.21

Just like my father.  He too was young before, got married, had children and then aged, got sick and he left my mum and the children and grandchildren.  The living ones will be heartbroken at the loss.  The dead will be gone forever.  "The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.  (1 John 2:17)

Fleshly life is brief and fading.  God's life is the opposite -- always bright, always whole, always fresh, never ending. Fleshly birth, by its very nature, can never be good enough for God's kingdom.  Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  (1 Corinthians 15:50)

Believe in Jesus.  Turn to Jesus for forgiveness of sins and Follow Him.

He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die (John 11:25-26)

What others hopelessly call 'death' becomes our doorway into eternal happiness.  

The one who welcome us home is our Creator.  He is our Father .  He invites you and me to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1:12,13).

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Lamb of God

 

Jesus carrying the lamb picture at Church of St Anthony of Padua

My mother has four children.  My elder brother married young, and gave birth to their children very young also.  I was always fascinated with the chinese horoscope, the twelve zodiac animals.  I found out all the zodiac animals for every one in the family.  For all the newborn, I found out the zodiac animals too.  I told my mother that we have so many zodiac animals in our family, some even repeats eg.  My father and Eddy are both tiger,  Belinda, Thomas and Valerie are dogs.  What is missing in the family?  The goat.  The Lamb is missing.  

The initial Family of Six

I was pregnant in the year of the horse, 2002, but aborted the baby then.  If I had persevere and kept the baby, he would be born in the year of the goat, 2003.  However, I killed the lamb.  It was the lamb of God I killed... Then in the year 2008, Jesus saved me, the lost sheep...

Then in the year 2003, we bought Cebest, our special schnauzer dog.  Cebest was born in 2003, 2 May 2003, the year of the goat!  He was taken away unexpectedly to meet God in the year 2006.  

I also found out later on that my father-in-law was a 'goat', born on Valentine's Day even!  14.2.1943 if I am not wrong... He died on 30 November 2015...

My father-in-law carrying Isaac, 15 June 2011

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Evacuation of Uterus

 

Consent for Operation

The gynae asked me to sign the paper after I told him that I want to abort my baby.  At that time, the foetus was just 6 weeks old.  I signed the paper and was asked to pass the paper to the nurse.  It was mention that the nature and effect of the surgery was explained to me.  In actual fact, nothing was explained to me.  No explanation from the gynae.  No explanation from the nurse.  So I asked the nurse, what is the effects of the surgery, she did not tell me.  

In my mind was to  just abort the baby.  So I did not ask more already.  

I killed my baby on 8 October 2002

I don't know what effects the abortion will have on my body.  I don't know how it will affect me spiritually too.  I just knew that my sister had abortion before and she was fine.  So I should be fine too.  I thought that abortion is okay.  It did not occur to me that I was killing my baby at that time.  

I learned from my sister that in SGH, if you want to abort the baby, they will try to stop you from doing it.  They let you watch a video on how life is formed.  Over here at the clinic, nothing was done to stop me at all.  I think it was all fated anyway.  

After the abortion, the doctor helped me to insert IUD into my womb.  It is a birth control method recommended by the doctor.  For a few years, it was inside my uterus until 18 November 2004 whereby my IUD was removed.  The gynae said my body was rejecting the IUD.  So after that I had no birth control methods.  

In the year 2006, we slowly went back to the church, because my children started primary schools and I wanted them to start catechism class.  Going to church, I had totally forgotten that I had committed mortal sins and could not receive Holy Communion.  I received Jesus still... and in the end, I was felt broken.  Slowly I was on my way to conversion in the year 2007, and in the year 2008, I encountered God who told me about the existence of purgatory.   I went to church for confession and had my sins absolved and back home, I had the most wonderful bath of all -- I was reborn again in water and spirit...

I was pregnant again in 2008

After God and Jesus came, how can I repeat my same mistake?  I kept my baby at all cost in the year 2008, giving birth to a healthy baby in the year 2009.  

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Grandma

 

Isaac and my hand placed and aligned on each other 

Last night, I looked at Isaac's fingers.  They are so long!  So we put our hands together, aligned properly, and his fingers are now longer and his hands bigger than mine!  

My hand holding Isaac's hand on 25 May 2009

My 3 lovely children, taken on 25 May 2009

Today I brought Isaac to see doctor.  In the room, the doctor asked me, "Are you the grandma?"  

This is not the first time people thought that I am Isaac's grandma.  If Isaac's brother and sister get married young, perhaps I will become grandma.  Some of my cousins who are younger than me have become grandparents already.  My elder brother and sister are grandparents now too.  

To be addressed as grandma sound so old, and indeed I am getting old...

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White Hat

 

I am wearing a white hat during Thomas' baptism

I was searching for white beret where God showed me I was wearing a white rounded hat.  As I was searching, it came to my mind that I wore white hat before!  It was at Thomas' baptism and also on other occasion when I went out with Richard during those earlier days of my life.  I love that hat very much.  In fact I love that outfit that I wore in the photograph above.  

I am wearing a white hat during my First Holy Communion

The next occasion that I wore a white hat is during my First Holy Communion.  We were required to wear white and include a hat at that time.  During Clara's baptism, they were not require to wear any more hats.  In fact, for my three children, they were not require to wear any hat at all for their First Holy Communion.  

I am wearing a white hat during my visit to Beijing

The most recent time when I wear white hat was during our visit to Beijing.  I wore a white beanie kind of hat and am still having it at home.  God showed me the white cloud parasaurolophus dinosaur wearing a white hat and with long arms...

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Learning Christ

 

Bought this at Church of St Francis of Assisi during my secondary school days

I bought this laminated card or book mark at Church of St Francis of Assisi.  I did not know that what was written behind the card.  Perhaps I did not know the real meaning of it at that time.  I only wanted Jesus to protect me and help me in my studies at that time.  It was only after Jesus said "Follow me" was my mind and heart 'opened', I saw the words 'Learning Christ' and it means so much to me then.  

At the back of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

What it wrote:

"Learning Christ"

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gently

in all the events of life -- in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.

Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.  

Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path.

Let me so use it that it may mellow me not harden nor embitter me, that it may make me patient, not irritable, that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing. 

May no one be less good for having come within my influence.  No one less pure, less true, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow-traveler in our journey toward Eternal Life.

As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper from time to time, a word of love to Thee.  May my life be lived in the Super-natural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity.  

I hope from today onwards I can be like Christ, learn His Ways to be a better person.  

Parasaurolophus dinosaur at Fu Shan Garden

Just now I went to Fu Shan Garden to take a picture of the dinosaur, Parasaurolophus, a dinosaur that I seen in the sky in the year 2008.  Below is a sign at the location of the dinosaur to show you a little information about the dinosaur: 

A signboard to show the name and information about Parasaurolophus

Like the parasaurolophus, I am a "herbivore", love vegetables, but I also eat seafood.  The Parasaurolophus that God had shown was a cute ones, with long arms and wore a special rounded hat (beret).  Besides protection for the head, the hat also shows the profession of a person.  It is a symbol of class and occupation.  However, I do not understand what it means to be wearing this kind of hat means.  The parasaurolophus that God shown also had a long arms.  A long arm also signify power as in the long arm of the law...

God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:20-22)

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My Testimony

 

My Chinese Name formed from three chinese characters

That is my chinese name, Lin BaoZhu, it means a precious pearl in the forest.  My Christian name is Theresa.  Theresa is my name given during Baptism.  I chose to be named Theresa again during my confirmation although I can change.  I thought it would not be so messy with so many different names.  The name Theresa means harvester and it may means a mystic also.  There are various forms of 

Theresa.  Some Teresa and Teresia, without the h.

My parents went to church, and this led me to ask what was my religion.  I was told by my aunt that I am a Roman Catholic.  Though I went to church, I had no idea who is God.  I went to church, but I don't understand what was the significant of it.  As we grew up, our parents don't really go church anymore.  

In 1996, Richard and I had RCIA at Church of St Mary of the Angels.  I was the sponsor for Yvonne and Richard had his sponser as well.  We were asked the questions of how or why we wanted to join RCIA.  Most of the people said it was their calling.  I have no idea what was that.  I think at that time I was not a good sponsor, did not answer most of the questions.  Soon Richard was baptized and received his confirmation as well.  In the same year, we had our Church Wedding too.  

Life was full of ups and down.  Our marriage was not all smooth sailing.  We had our separation, reunion and now divorce.  However, I am still holding on to my faith, my one and only holy catholic church.  This is because I had encounter Christ, the Lord who came to my rescue when I had commited a mortal sin in my life.  

Jesus came to rescue me.  I went Church and came home to take a bath and miraculously, I was led by the Holy Spirit to be immersed in water, removing all the 'demons' in me.  Thereafter, my sins were cleansed and I was born again in water and spirit, feeling very refreshed and good.  

28 August 2008 A dinosaur appeared in the sky

Our God is a jovial one, making jokes to us.  I was shown a flying pig too.  In the chinese horoscope, I am a pig.  So in the morning, I saw a flying pig in the sky.  Pigs can fly was the message.  Now, I am also a dinosaur!  

I am still learning my faith, and trusting in God despite all the trials and tribulations now.  

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Pink Begonia

 

Beautiful pink begonia plant had grown in the year 2011

Jesus worked many miracles in his lifetime.  Now he still work miracles.  There were many signs to show his works.  In the year 2008, when Jesus came, there was one day where in my pot, a giant bryophyllum had grown miraculously.  That same year, not only was I born again in water and spirit, many miraculous signs happened.  For example in the church, my note book suddenly got a feather!! I asked Clara, "Did you put in a feather in my notebook?"  Clara said she did not.  And the notebook had a sentence written in the book that means 'you are my best friend."  I was so touched by the sudden miracle.

The life of Jesus was all about caring for people and bringing them back to God.  He especially spent time helping those who knew they were trapped by sin and shame.  The Pharisees complained, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).  In reply Jesus showed how He is like a shepherd.  He does not want one sheep (one person) to be left in danger.  Even if only one sheep is lost, He keeps searching for that one until He finds it (Luke 15:1-7).  

Beautiful Pink Begonia that had grown miraculously from my garden pot

That was a picture of the whole plant.  It began from a small plant and not knowing it was a pink begonia until it flowered.  I did not put any seeds into the pot, it just grown miraculously out from the soil!  

Today another seven stars needle flower had opened.  And the two baby birds are growing well.  It was such a beautiful sight to see my beautiful garden.  

Rose Cactus blooming in my garden

All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full... I am the Good Shepherd;  I know My sheep and My sheep know Me  (John 10:8-10,14).

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Taco Vaccination

 

Taco in the carrier, going to the vet

Taco is supposed to go for his next vaccination.  I put him in the carrier and see that he had grown so much and heavier!  At the vet, he was being weighed by the vet.  His weight was 2.38kg!  The last trip to the vet he weigh 1.58kg.  He has gained 800g so far!  At the vet, he was so obedient and cooperative.  When the assistant brought her out of the bag, he just let her do it.  The vet gave him injection and he was okay too, as though nothing had happened at all.  Last time for Dora, they would give Dora some treats to distract her then they gave Dora injection.  This time for Taco, no treats given and no small talk, just inject straight away.  Then the vet gave Taco a deworm pill to take.  And that's all!  

Handsome Taco lying on Isaac's bed

Taco has adapted to the home now.  He is lying at every corner of the house -- in front of the TV, on the bed, in the basket, and on the floor at different parts of the house.  He is growing heavier and longer too.  Look at him when he first came to our home here.  His next vaccination would be next month and then he would need to be sterilized after that.  

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Seven-stars Needle Plant (七星针)

 

Rose cactus blooming in my garden

Went to my garden just now and saw the buds of the rose cactus had fully opened!!  Three beautiful rose cactus flowers!  I quickly grabbed my handphone and capture the beautiful flowers -- photographs and video.  At the same time I took a video of the birds in the bird's nest.  I saw two babies opening their mouth and chirping.  How beautiful that was. 

I saw on Lazada a pot of Pereskia bleo/ Seven stars needle plant or the rose cactus plant cost about $20, just a short plant.  Mine would cost a lot!  I first got the plant from a parent plant found under a tree.  Someone had thrown the plant away.  One man's trash is another man's treasure!  I saw that it was flowering and it was a nice plant.  However the one that was being thrown the plant was not in the perfect shape.  It was like the height of a person so I think no one took it.  I wondered if it can be propagated via stem cutting.  So I tried.  I pluck down 2 branches and I went home to plant it.  

The beginning was hard.  I put the plants in the soil and it survived.  For many years now, about 11 years now, it had prospered well.  It had blooms many times and I had seen its fruits twice -- one rippened (yellow fruit), and one more green fruit (unripe), as can see from the picture below: 

The green unripe fruit of the rose cactus plant

A closer look at the flower of the rose cactus

It is said that this plant is a medicinal plant.  It is known to act against cancer and helps in the gut.  I had never tried the leaves or flowers or fruit even though people said it is edible.  When Ah Wai came to my house and saw the fruit, he loved it so much.  Mum plucked the fruit and gave it to him to eat.  That was a yellow fruit, the one and only one in 10 years of growing the plant.  Now I have another fruit, but it is green for so long.  And it takes time to grow so big!  Good things or good fruit need to wait!

I don't know how the fruit or the whole plant taste like.  But base on hearsay, the plants can be boiled, chewed on and ate it raw.  I never wanted to try as yet.  

This plant is like the cactus because it has many sharp thorns on its stem/branches.  Every time when the plant grew out of shape or get in the way, I would trim the plant, cut it off and replant it again.  That is how I get so many rose cactus plants in my garden.  

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