Your First Trip to Japan! (20-28th May 2010)

Son, I envy you.

I first went to Japan when I was 27, but you less than 2 years old!

Two reasons why I plan this trip, though it cost me a lot.

First, it is your aunty

Belly wedding.

She is the only sister of your mom, and I know it is important for

your mom to be present.

Secondly, dad wants to give your mom this trip as an appreciation of what she has given to us.

We put up at YMCA for the first three nights, and the rest of the

trip at Minami-senju.

I notice that you like Japan (and their food) as much as I do!

You eat almost twice the portion you take while in Penang.

Here are a list of places where you visited, and what they are famous for.

Maybe in future when you grown up, you would like to revisited those places.

1. Asakusa: Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo oldest temple), for the sovenier and food stall along the way.

2. Asakusabashi: (I got off the wrong

subway station where I

intended to go Asakusa, but it is a nice, less crowded place to go around in town.)

3. Akihabara: Electronics goods.

4. Ueno Park: Art Museum, Zoo.

5. Ginza: Shopping (high class. Your

mom saw a pair of shoes cost

RM6,000)

6. Kao Museum at Sumida-ku (Your dad company head office)

7. Kappabashi:Wholesales and shops.

8. Tokyo Disneyland

Every culture has its beauty, if man response to God's general revelation the right way.

And every culture has its dark side too, because man is still a fallen creature needs God redemption.

Japan, will remain as one of the countries your dad would like to

visit more often.

Reading, a Good Discipline

Up to the age of 20 months, you still have little interest and patience to read.

But, you are already able to recognize a number of words from the little attention you pay while your mom and I try to read to you.

'Banana; aeroplane; moon; stars; tap water; clap hands; hot; ball; dirty; dog; cat; car; pray; eye; ear; mouth; nose; hair; head; 'jatuh' (falling); 'bau' (smelly); and many more in 3 languages.

You are smart.

You remind me of my brother (your uncle Daneil) in US, who could say all sorts of scientific names for animal, botany and dinasour at a very young age.

Son, develop good reading habit.

Read to learn and learn to read.

Your dad is not smart, and a slow learner, but I could think of few advice for reading from my experience.

First, read worthy books that worth invest your time and money. There are many reading materials that could polute your thought, obscure your morality, stir your imagination to the wrong direction, and choke your mind from making sound judgement.

Select your reading material carefully, with the guidence of God's word and holiness.

Secondly, read with discerning mind. What is the moral principles, values, world views that the author present?

What will be the consequence or logical outworking of those values and principles? And what is God's view on these?

Thirdly, learn to digest, summarize, and share the thoughts (in paper or in speech).

By engaging in meaningful conversation with others, your knowledge can be widen, and your thoughts can be sharpened.

Forthly, read widely to enhance your general knowledge. Philosophy, history, politics, science, economics, culture, arts ect. If you read them in the light and from the perspective of Christian worldview, it will be interesting and you will gain much insight.

Our Local Holiday in Penang

We had a 2-days-1-night holiday at Penang Hard Rock hotel when you were one and half years old. It was a wonderful holiday for us, especially for your mom and dad, to take a break after heavy working and ministry commitment. God is wonderful.

With Rm400 a night, we got a sea view room, and it was nice.

Your dad loves beach.

We spend most of our time at the swimming pool.

You enjoyed so much playing sand and dipped in the pool with baby float.

One evangelist once said, 'The clue to meaning in life is relationship.'

After having you as my son, I begin to realize more how true it is.

This 24hours will remain as one of the sweetest moment in my life.

Thank you, son.

Be an Influential Leader, Son, if you are one.

I notice something interesting in you lately.

Since the day you learned how to walk, you have been very active walking around after church service each Sunday.

You explore every corner, and do funny little expression each time you found something new and interesting.

I see some older toddlers follow behind you and do what you do.

I see some 'quality' in your personality: curiosity; boldness and leadership.

Son, these things are wonderful as well as dangerous.

Wonderful because they are God's creation in man; but dangerous because like any other thing, they are tainted and twisted by our sinful nature.

Learn to fear God and walk joyfully in Him, and these 'quality' will bring rewards and blessings to your life.

Curiosity should drive us to seek the truth;

Boldness should enable us to stand for the truth; and

Leadership should equip us to inspire other to the Truth.

(you put yourself in the box and cover yourself with toys. No one taught you that!)

I pray, that you grow up t0 a God fearing leader, that bring positive influences to other.

Your dad set his general goal in his life as this: bring sinners nearer to Christ; and bring Christians nearer to God.

I am not doing a good job, and has failed to live consistently or took all opportunities to do that.

I hope you can do a better job than me, by God's grace, with your faith.

Knowing Your Mom

Son, I have to be frank to you, and honest to myself.
I think, it is very simple for me to describe your mom!

I do not need to think hard, or to find adjectives from dictionary to help me.

And I certainly do not need to say much, to comprehensively describe to you your mom.

All I need to say is simply this: Your mom is Miss Proverbs 31.
Take up your Bible and turn to Proverbs 31: 10-31; and you will see your mom's description there.

Here is what the Bible says:

Proverbs 31:10-31

(10) An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
(11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
(12) She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
(13) She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
(14) She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
(15) She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
(16) She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
(17) She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
(18) She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
(19) She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
(20) She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
(21) She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
(22) She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
(23) Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
(24) She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
(25) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
(26) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
(27) She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
(28) Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
(29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
(30) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
(31) Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Your mom was a business woman before married. Even now and then, she is.

I could not afford to take a home maid for her, so your mom does all the home making by herself.

Your mom has a kind and considerate heart to help people.

She always put us and other first than her own.

Your mom almost never show temper or complain.

If so, it is because my inconsiderate and un-discipline has exceed her limit of patience.

Your mom wake up early in the morning to prepare our breakfast.

And routine of the day does not weary her.

Remember that, son.

When your mom is at old age, and you begin to think she is just a weak old lady, please read Proverbs 31: 10-31, and you will be grateful and thankful to God, that your mom is a Miss Proverbs 31.

Your 2nd Trip to Jakarta

You have your 2nd overseas trip on 12th Nov 2009, back to home city of your mom, Jakarta.
This time, I followed.
We have one thing in common in Jakarta: always feel tired and sleepy.
I think because of the heavy traffic everywhere we go, make us 'road-sick'.
We really need time to adapt if one day, we have to stay in Jakarta.

We visited Reformed Evangelical Church.
The church building has completed from the last time I visited.
It is amazing that a church building in such magnitude could be build on this land, the most populated Muslim country in the world.
More amazing for your dad is, the word 'Kasihilah Allah dan SesamaMu', is written on top of the building, since the word Allah is banned from using in Christianity in Malaysia.

Son, the founder of this church, Stephen Tong, is a living testimony for three generations in my time, for God's amazing Providence and Power of what He can do through a man who put God first in his life. It is worthwhile for you to study his life, his ministry and his teaching. Not to make him your idol as he is also just a sinner saved by grave, but to inspire you in the way of Christian living and ministry.
In life, we man sometimes need 'heroes' to show us a good example of a godly living.
I am lucky to have few.

I am going back to Penang tomorrow, but you will stay with mom for 3 weeks.
I surely will miss you both greatly.

Take care, son.

Our Little Game

Every parents have little games with thier children. We are no difference.
Between us, we have develop our own Father-and-Son games.
I don't know how you first started it. I think probably at the moment when you hurt yourself and noticed that you had my special attention on the part of your body that was hurting.
Now, whenever you want my attention, you will pinch your cheek and call out to me 'eh...eh', and I will get up or stop whatever I am doing, and go over to you and pretend to comfort and kiss your cheek. In responce, you will smile.
Sometimes, the moment I step in the house from work, you will do that.
And sometimes, when you fall and knock your head, you will still touch your cheek though it is not that part which is hurting!
You have learn a secret code to have my attention.
But, son, I wish to let you know, you don't need to wait or pretend to be hurt to have my attention. I wish, even the day comes when you have grown up, you can still run to me for attention and advice when you need them. You will always have my attention because you are my son.
This little game also remind me of paying attention to you before you seriously hurt yourself.
I pray that, I will not be too busy and too occupied with my work, that you need to hurt yourself to get my attention.
Even if I sometimes fail you, always remember that we have our heavenly Father who neither slumber nor sleep (psalm 121:4).
You will never need to hurt yourself to get God's attention.
Because His Son Jesus had hurt himself on the Cross to pay the penalty of our sins.
Those who put their trust and hope in Christ are God's children who have His constant attention both in good times and bad times.
What a blessing we have.