One after another...

Some of you would know that I have been recovering for a flu. Well, not one, but I got the flu 3 weeks ago, then again a week ago. Yesterday night I had indigestion which is probably a mild case of food poisoning. I had fever, gastric problems, etc.
This month has not been good in terms of my physical health.
As I was pondering over it just now, I was starting to grumble and be frustrated because of the back-to-back illnesses. However, I started to look at the bright side and the things that I could thank God for. That changed my perspective. Despite me feeling lousy, I realized there is so much to be grateful for. As I began to ponder, I was filled with gratitude and peace.
That said, I do hope I recover quickly!

Adjustments

It's been a wild time adjusting to having a little one in the home. You no more have the same amount of control over your time. You've got to factor in numerous other things that may happen. Of course, there's also the attention that you want to give to the little one. On top of all that, don't forget to spend time with the wife too. Still figuring it out step by step.
One of the consequences of all this is the lack of sleep. Yes, you've got to reapportion time, so you might lose some sleep. In the midst of all that adjustment, I've fallen ill twice! Yeah, think it's because of the lack of sleep and stress. The first time, I knew it was because of the late nights and tough assignments that I had to deliver as part of a certification I was doing over a few days.
This time, (just yesterday) I think it was just the busy weekend plus lack of sleep.
Moving forward, I'm going to try to sleep more :) Maybe I need that to protect my health a bit more.
At this time, there are more and more ways that I'm looking for to maximise my time. I don't stroll through supermarkets anymore. It's a brisk walk through it! I can feel my heart rate increase. Good exercise! I also don't usually wash my car anymore. I get someone else to do it. Though I still touch up the wash and sometimes do whatever maintenance on it that is required.
Oh well, this is life! Pray for me to recover from my current sore throat soon! It's quite bad!

True Success

Last night I had the opportunity to talk to more than 50 young people. What do you tell a bunch of students on the night before Easter? Well, I decided to talk about what Success is. What is true success. We went through what normally people would consider success. One by one, as we went through the usual measures, we found that those measures don't really lead to fulfillment. Whether it is money, fame, success, position, power, career, etc, there have been many cases of people not being fulfilled. Therefore, there must be something we're missing. I'm not only saying this because I'm a Christian, but outside Christianity, people are looking for the thing that will fulfill them in their life. People are searching for an answer.
I believe that each of us was created for a reason. We were uniquely created for a specific reason. If we can find that specific reason we were created and do it, then we'll be fulfilled. We'll be like the key that fits into the lock. It will finally click.
What were you created for?
Perhaps the only person who truly truly knows, is the person who created us. Maybe you should ask Him. Once you know what you're created for and you're working towards it, I can guarantee, you'll find fulfillment and TRUE SUCCESS...

Recovery & Growing Leaders

I'm still recovering from sore throat, cough, etc. When is it going to go away?!? I bet many of you all feel that way when you are ill, too. I find that my lifestyle has changed quite a lot since baby Ryan came. I have less time to myself, so I have to be efficient in squeezing out time anywhere I can. I was sharing with Shawn that during lunch I had no choice but to prepare what i want to share on Saturday at VIBE Easter. Stress. Halfway through and still got to finish it. Less time for everything, but got to work around things. But still, it's a great experience.
I've also been really glad at the young leaders that work in the campus ministry in church. I'm so glad for all of them because they've been able to do things well, even when I'm not there. They've got drive, initiative, maturity, creativity and courage to serve others the best way they can! I'm so proud of all of them. They didn't get here overnight, it was a slow process of growth. They are also still growing, but it fills my heart with joy to see how far they have come. What's next?
I guess that's one my strong beliefs in leadership. Always train, grow and disciple people who will not only follow you, but learn from you. My aim is to develop people so that they become leaders in their own right. Then, give them a purpose they believe it, give them a system that works... and zoom, they will be able to have success. It's a constant process of course. One step, leading to another, then to another.
My eyes are tired, and as a ill person, it's good to go to bed early. Time to shower (haven't shower since this morning!), take my medicine and zzzz!

Life Message

On Saturday, despite me feeling a bit unwell, I dragged my body to church to help out in a session. In this session, students were asked to share a short 10 minute message. One of their messages was what we call a life message. This is something like sharing what God has done in your life which is a recurring theme. It was a really good session. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As people began to share their message, it was a wonderful experience to just hear what God has done in their lives. Everyone has a unique experience. Wow!
We helped to sharpen their message and helped to craft it better so that it came out clearer and more compelling. I'd like to thank all of them. I was blessed at the end of the session. My body may have been weary, but my spirit was refreshed!
What you experience in your life now, is an amazing testimony of what God can do in your life. So share it!
Now time for me to rest and recover from my flu...

Updates: Poll

Poll has closed and according to the results a majority of you felt that Ryan looks like daddy!
Actually, Daddy thinks it looks a bit like mummy. :) Yes, he looks like he has some of mummy's features! Anyway, stay tuned, I'll soon post my baby pictures for comparison! (when I get round to it!)

Meanwhile, we've been busy. Daddy has been on an intensive 4-day course and is feeling under the weather after that course. Cough cough! Mummy also had to get used to the whole routine and had a mild fever for a few days. Baby also has seen pediatrician plus given us a few anxious moments along the way.

I was so tired and unwell that on Friday, despite my best efforts, I had a bad migraine so I couldn't make it to church. I don't think I could have driven to church. It's been a long time since I've had a migraine like that. I don't usually get them. Very rarely and it's likely caused by lack of sleep and stressful situations.

Also, things around the house have needed fixing. The hook holding up the lamp in our house broke, and we had to get a replacement hook and fix it. The door lock of the master bedroom needed to be replaced because it was locked and there was no key. The main door knob came undone and we needed to screw it back into place. The slow cooker was spoilt and needed to be sent back for repairs (thankfully under warranty).
Rumour has it the rice cooker is also starting to misbehave. We'll see. Confirmed problems include the bidet starting to leak in the toilet. It's been temporarily shut off. I'm also delayed in fixing my laptop battery and helping to extract a hard disk from an old mac.

As you can see, things all happen and have been keeping daddy (and mummy) busy. I'm trying to get some rest to recover quickly from this cough/cold. Throughout all this, however, daddy is happy to have Jia Huey and Ryan around and starting to do well. Yup, I'm just happy there are doing ok. Nothing worries a husband/father more than when either his wife or child is not well or struggling. Also, as I faced those struggles, I just have to have a quiet steady assurance that God is in control, and I put my hope and anchor in him. I feel so secure having that.