Cherish Your Loved Ones

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.
He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.

Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two. Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a softgreen pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.'

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.' She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile! I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision.

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone. Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are. (Please read all of this, it is really nice) This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your friends, including the person that sent it to you.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you, Lord, formy family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.

Without Faith it is Impossible to Please God

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

It is important to have faith, because when we have faith it pleases God and supernatural things will happen. Even though sometimes it is hard to see it, we have to believe God and that is when faith comes in. It also tells us that we live by what we cannot see, so we need to believe in what is unseen. Sounds hard but that's how God sometimes stretches our faith. But we have to not cast away our confidence in God. Faith at the end is patience, walking by faith and not by sight and believing. Because the unseen is greater than the seen. AMEN

Conversation between the 'God' and the unknown 'Me'

This is an excellent conversation between the 'God' and the unknown 'Me'. I don't know as to who has been the composer of such a conversation; but has definitely put-in good amount of thought process into it.
I believe those who don't believe in God may also find it worth reading once. This is not intended to offend anyone. If I did, my apologizes to you.

God
Hello. Did you call me?
Me
Called you? No. Who is this?
God
This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
Me
I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.
God
What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me
Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.
God
Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me
I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
God
Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me
Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God
Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me
Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God
Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
Me
But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God
Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me
But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.
God
Pain is inevitable able, but suffering is optional.
Me
If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God
Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.
Me
You mean to say such experience is useful?
God
Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me
But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?
God
Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me
Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading.
God
If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Me
Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God
Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you road ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me
In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God
Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me
What surprises you about people?
God
When they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me". Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me
Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can't get the answer.
God
Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Me
How can I get the best out of life?
God
Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Me
One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God
There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.
Me
Thank you for this wonderful chat.
God
Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that took our breath away!

What we eat?

I was looking through an email which I feel many of you have read. If you have not received the email let me know and I will foward it to you. Well anyway after looking at all the pictures, the last picture is the picture which definately makes an impact to me( as shown below). Just imagine how blessed we are compared to them with all the burgers, pizza, char koay teow and other delicious food that we consume everyday. Aren't we abundantly blessed? We certainly are, the next time we complain about the food we eat we better think twice.

Chad : The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp

Food expenditure for one week : 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 Favorite foods : soup with fresh sheep meat

As we begin 2008

Some thoughts to guide us during this new year....

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day. It's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
13. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
14. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
15. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
16. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
17. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

The most important thing that struck me was point 17. I usually am more concerned about reputation than character. But it's important to actually change character and forget about what others think. What do u guys think?

Happy New Year

Christmas Carolling Pic

Thanks to Brian Spoelman

Top Gear Polar Special

I was watching this show a few days ago and man was this show interesting to watch. If you guys haven't heard about Top Gear, let me introduce the show to you guys. First and foremost this show is nothing but cars. It is one of the top car shows in UK and also around the world. This show is hosted by 3 English gentlemen Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and one mysterious driver called The Stig.

Machine vs. the huskies

Specially made Toyota Hilux pickup truck for the North Pole

The 3 jokers of the show. Look one of them has a shot gun to his head.

In this special edition of Top Gear, this episode features a race between the huskies (sledge dogs) and machines. Well who do you think will win the race? Common sense tells us that the car will win but it's not as simple as it seems, due to the harsh conditions the cars has to face at the North Pole. But anyway yes the car won the race, only by a slight margin. It's a show well worth watching.

To watch the show head on to Youtube. This is only the first part of the show.

Change Your Mind

A scripture I would like to share to everyone and even myself. God Bless you.

“Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 AMP).

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:2 NIV)

Hiking to Muka Head ( Face Head)

This morning i went hiking with my close friends. It has been years since i've been up there but today's trip has been worthwhile. For the first time we took a boat to Muka Head itself then we tracked back to Teluk Bahang.

Aye Aye Captain...to muka head please

Jalur Gemilang soaring high..

Group Pic at Muka Head

Daniel, Raj. Me and Jo jo

Sleeping at the flag pole

For some reason this dog followed us while trekking back to Teluk Bahang.

Calories being burned.mua hahaha

After Trekking, we certainly treated ourselves to a nice lunch, menu for the day - Hot Plate Chicken and Taugeh with Fried Rice. Yummy