A blue bird flew into Isaac's room on 25 November 2023
On 25 November 2023, Isaac came to my room and told me that there is a blue bird in his room. Watch the video here. I was so excited and when with him to check it out. Wow, the bird looked so nice and this is such a beautiful bird as shown above! The bird was not scared of people at all. When Isaac put his hand near him, it did not fly away too.
The bird stayed for very long and after that it flew away. It is said that the birds came to deliver good news. And perhaps it is true. In December, I got an offer for a new job, and Isaac got his new bicycle this month. I also have my new computer this month too : ).
Today is my father's third year death anniversary. I took leave to attend the prayer that I had booked with the priest. At first my mother told me not to come here today because I need to go to work. However, I dreamed of him one morning. I realized that I had to come and see him. I don't want to miss a session of prayer to him.
Today, the priest asked us to choose a hymn. Johnny chose amazing grace. I thought it was a beautiful song and i could sing loud. However the moment I began singing the song, tears swelled up in my eyes. I could not control my voice also. I controlled my tears and I had to sing to myself instead.
The lyrics for Amazing Grace...
All the words for the song was so meaningful to me. The priest told us that my father was physically not present but he is still alive. It is our faith that can assured us that one day we will meet again...
Today is Good Friday, a day where Jesus died for our sins. Jesus, the Son of God had come into our world. No other religion had this before, the coming of God as the Son in flesh. The laws of Moses had required the killing of the best lambs as sacrifices to 'remove sin'. They pictured the giving up of an innocent life so that sinners could be forgiven. Jesus fulfills that. He is the pure, sinless 'Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). He was sacrificed by being nailed to a 'tree', a wooden cross. There, all the sins of every person went into His body. There, He paid the full punishment for all sins, so that we could be set free from sin's guilt and pain. Isaiah, seven hundred years earlier, foresaw this suffering for the 'iniquities' and 'transgressions' (sins) of mankind.
He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us had turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)
Peter, who saw Jesus die, reported the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24)
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy... (Titus 3:5)
In baptism one is buried with Christ and also raised with Christs. Christ's death saves us. The divine blood, which Jesus poured out at His death, cleanses us. We meet that saving blood when we are baptized into His death.
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name. (Acts 22:16)
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)
Isaac's baptism ceremony: the priest pour water on his forehead and I take a towel to wipe off the water.
In our baptism ceremony, there is a need to appoint a Godfather. He need to be present for the baptism ceremony. I asked my brother to be Isaac's Godfather.
If you want to be saved, believe in Jesus and be baptized.
My ex-student and me standing beside the altar of my mum's house
Raised up in the Catholic family, with the altar as shown above, I was curious about my religion. I asked my parents and my aunt many questions. My aunt was the one who told me that my religion is Roman Catholic. I also learned the word "Saint" from her. My aunt, Teresia Lee, passed away on 18 October 2016. I also learned the name of our church from her.
I am proud to be a Catholic after I know more about my faith, especially after Jesus came to save me -- my conversion. I declared myself to be a real Christian, a real Catholic. In the past, I did not dare to admit that I am a Christian.
In the year 2000, Richard left the family. I was devastated. Everything came crashing down. I was so stressed that there was not even enough milk to provide for my then newborn baby, Clara. My mind was not able to think properly too. I needed help. I needed people to talk to, to help me. I managed to got some help from the neigbourhood church and also the lawyer. The lawyer was coincidentally a Christian. He asked me "Have you heard of trials and tribulations?" Then he invited me to his church. He acted like a friend, but later on when he discovered that Richard came back home, he charged me a four figure sum for lawyer's fee. I went to his church, and I was left alone to explore. I did not feel 'homely'. It was so uncomfortable there. They wanted me to join their congregation, but I did not join them.
I went to the neighbourhood church near my house. Their church was not ready then. It was at Causeway Point then. I was invited to attend their service. I did not feel 'homely' again. Their receiving holy communion was so different from the Catholic. They just passed it around and there was no priest, but Pastor. Still further on, my neighbour came to know that I was alone. She also invited me to her church at Yishun. I did not like the environment too. Finally, auntie Mary came knocking at the door. She is a Jehovah Witness. She shared the bible with me. She told me that she withdrew herself from the Catholic church and she was baptized as Jehovah Witness. She invited me to her church in Malaysia. I went with her and I did not join her also, for the same reason as above. Then She gave up on me. She stopped coming to my house.
I was left alone with Richard, together we raised our children. I thought of teaching the children the right thing. I sent them to catechism class. We slowly went back to church at Church of St Anthony of Padua. It was more a comfortable place there, a more 'homely' feeling, a feeling of coming back to somewhere where you belong.
It was at the church where I got to see Father Terence and Father Vincent the first time. Going back to the church, I listened to hymns and songs of the church. It was so nice and peaceful. Eventually, things started to change and eventually I encountered Jesus...
The old Church of St Anthony of Padua in the year 2008
Come across this article about the author's personal experience with God. It was rather similar to mine as I recall and it was so nice to know that I am not the only one. It is so nice to read of such Faith story.
In the year 2006, I started blogging. I started with Blogsvertise where I wrote about why I started blogging. I remembered my bank account only got 3 digit figures. Richard was working from home too. He helped me to publish my blogs at peacebella.com, peaceinspire.com, peacemotivation.com and peaceinspiration.com besides all the blogspot.com. Soon, I had advertisers came looking for me and I have opportunities to blog for advertisers too.
While blogging, writing everyday on the computer, I experienced something unusual. "Music" or "Tune" just came popping out from the heart and brain. That was on 25 July 2007, Richard's birthday. I did not know what tune was that. But I know it was my sister's or brother's song, songs which they listened to. I called my sister, asked her, but she did not tell me the answer. Later I searched the internet, YouTube, and eventually found out that the song was Chiquitita. I was so touched to know the song, first time I listened to the song and the title means little girl.
Similarly, the author of the article experienced " a tune popped into her head, like a jingle you hear on television that stays with you the entire day"... see the image below:
Peace beyond understanding by Terry Hapstack
That was how God was trying to contact me and the author. The lyrics of the song Chiquitita was like what God was trying to tell me.
The story behind the song Chiquitita -- Chiquitita is a song by the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. Lyrically, Chiquitita sees the singer encouraging a good friend Chiquitita, who is downcast and sorrowful, to look at the brighter side of life and not let their sorrow to enchain and control them.
Lyrics:
Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong? You're enchained by your own sorrow In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow How I hate to see you like this There is no way you can deny it I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, tell me the truth I'm a shoulder you can cry on Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on You were always sure of yourself Now I see you've broken a feather I hope we can patch it up together
Chiquitita, you and I know How the heartaches come and they go And the scars they're leaving You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry And the sun is still in the sky and shining above you Let me hear you sing once more like you did before Sing a new song, Chiquitita Try once more like you did before Sing a new song, Chiquitita
So the walls came tumbling down And your love's a blown out candle All is gone and it seems too hard to handle Chiquitita, tell me the truth There is no way you can deny it I see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, you and I know How the heartaches come and they go And the scars they're leaving You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry And the sun is still in the sky and shining above you Let me hear you sing once more like you did before Sing a new song, Chiquitita Try once more like you did before Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Photograph taken at Church of St Mary of the Angels on 26.12.2021
Is it too late to discover your purpose in life now? I discovered the meaning of life when encountered Jesus. During my childhood years, I often had chance to sit in my father or brother's car to travel around. There were times where we went to far away places like Malaysia, so the journey is extremely long. The feeling was no good. I did not feel well sitting in car most of the time. Sitting in the car, I often looked out of the window and I love to see trees, different sort of trees and plants. When the car stopped, I would look down, bend my head down on the car seat and I would think of questions.
I wondered what is the meaning of life -- why parents give birth to children and then children grow up to become adults, married and then the life cycle continue. I thought why there must be sufferings where the parents died and the children are so sad. The life cycle of birth, death and sufferings continue like that. Children crying over the death of parents. In some cases parents crying over the lost of their premature death of their children.
I finally came to the realization in the year 2008 where my questions seemed to be answered. Our lives on earth is to know God as God serve as our parent on earth. By knowing Him, our burden can be lighten when we shared them with Him. By turning to Him, we are not walking alone. Finally, there is someone we can commune to when we needed help. By our Faith, there is a HOPE. Hope that on the last day when breathe our last, we will finally able to meet our departed loved ones. Though we cannot see them after they died, but we know that they still exist. And it will be everlasting life with God.
All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.… ~ Matthew 11:27-29
I have not update my blog since July 2021. It was 7 months since I last update it.
Life had been smooth sailing until now, the tragic death of Dora...
Cebest died at the age of 3. Dora died at the age of 3 too. Besides this similarities, both seemed to be planned... Cebest saw the death angel came and Dora's death angel was like being sent. Her death happened at a 'good' timing...
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” ~Matthew 26:34
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” ~ John 2:19
Cebest died on 7.6.2006. I was 'converted' in the year of 2007, the belief of spirits, the spirit returned, and I went back to church, our catholic church. There, I 'met' Jesus again at the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in the year 2008. My sins were forgiven. I had a new life then. Isaac was born.
Last year, my father died. This year, we celebrated his first year anniversary on 25.1.2022. Then on 31.1.2022, dora died. Unlike me, I was given a second chance to live. I was dead but resurrected on 8.3.2008. I was converted on 31.12.2007. With all the explanation at night told to Richard and the children as regards to the noise that I heard at night.
So similarly, I believe that my father would be resurrected after death. So did Cebest and Dora. And definitely my unborn baby. These are not learned in our school. I had to experience it first hand to believe. And today I believe that my faith would guide me through the remaining days of my life so that I would eventually meet my dearly departed loved ones again...
One day while walking on the way to 888 Plaza, a pigeon dropped down from its urban home, the modern nest that they build. I was saying that it's so hard to find a nest in Singapore. And I saw one nest that come to build in my corridor garden, a natural nest build by the sunbird itself. How spectacular was that!
My father also brought home a pigeon one day. I was so amazed with it. That was the first time I saw a pigeon in my old house with my parents. My father loved nature too. He loved to watch animals documentaries too. He loved to fish. He was a good fisherman and he specially went hunting for frogs to cook for me to eat so that my legs would be strong when I was young. My parents were farmers too.
My father often talked about saving lives. He would say in Teochew, 'Qyou4 Nan1' (Teochew) which means saving lives, 救人。He was also a kind hearted soul who loves to help people. So he always mentioned that if wanted to save lives, people must not charge any money. This is because he encountered many 'medium' who charged my mother thousands of dollars...
Today my father is gone. By faith, we know that he is in better place now. I am sure he would be saving lives.
To think that I was a Catholic since birth, I am a Christian and yet I did not know that being Christian means that we will be saved by God! I must thank Jesus and God for coming to me to show me, to let me experience and to save my soul. This was assurance of salvation. If I had sinned and I was saved, so can you.
Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24
You can depend upon this promise. It means what it says. Eternal life is what you receive when you receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Saviour. The God 'who cannot lie' (Titus 1:2) says, "He who hears My word and believes...has eternal life." We can base our assurance of salvation on the words of Jesus with total confidence.
One glorious day Jesus Christ will return as a Conqueror to take His children to be with Him. "And thus we shall always be with the Lord". (1 Thess 4:17). We do not know the day nor the hour when this great event will take place. "For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." (Matthew 24:44) Until that day we must live and work for the Lord.
It's 13 years since Jesus came to me, and he said "Follow Me".
I was dead and was then given a new life till now. What does it means to follow him?
I was lost but found by Christ. I wanted to acknowledge that I am a Catholic, a christian and a follower of Christ.
In the past, an interviewer asked me, "Are you a Christian?" I told him, "No, I am not a Christian."
I even shifted all the Catholic statues out of the house, put them in the corridor cupboard and then brought them to my mother's house. I stopped praying to Jesus. I stopped going to church also.
But because of something which I had done many years back, I was saved.
What did I do? I thought that since my sister can do it, I will do it too. Can you guess what I did?
It's not a glamourous thing to do. It is my own flesh and blood. I killed it. But I did not know that I actually killed it. I was blinded. Doing things without knowing it. I was dead. Even at the clinic, I told them I wanted abortion, they did not stop me. They just let me sign papers. They were supposed to tell me the consequences of abortion, which until now I don't know. I asked the nurse, but she never told me the answers -- what effect does it have? She just told me some 'unrelated stuff' about her husband. "You know lah, man ....." things like that. And at that time, I happened to know the nurse. It was someone I knew at the workplace. She had changed her workplace.
So I never know that I had sinned, greatly sinned.
What's more, after that then I realized that my father had taught me that, "If you have a mortal sin, you cannot receive holy communion." Oh, how greatly I had sinned. Not only do I have mortal sins but also venial sins.
Before my husband came back, we committed adulteries too. He had new girlfriend and I had my boyfriend. So wretched, so badly sinned.
Then I wanted my children to raise up as good Catholics. I started to go church. Little did I know that I had done the wrong things. I never went for confession (reconciliation) and I just went forward to receive Holy Communion. It really never come to my mind what my father had taught me.
So the miraculous things happened on 8 March 2008. I had a dream of Jesus, telling me about 'Singapore'. I woke up and I heard him saying, "Follow Me". I was so broken. I cried for all my sins. Next, I walked to the window and I saw the 'map of Singapore' in the clouds. And Jesus was saying I am the bread of life. Back then I have no idea at all Jesus was the bread of life! I learned from my dreams! During my bath, I was 'cleansed' and washed again with new spirit... Jesus helped me to wash away all the evil spirits.
Now, Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23)
If I want to follow him I have to take up my cross. I am still learning now how to take up my cross.
Photographs showing the map of Singapore. Picture taken from my window.
