$ no enough

I think the oil and food crisis is the main concern for everyone since the beginning of 2008. Inflation too, which was always hovering around 1.5% is now several times higher. With low bank interest rates still, whatever money we have in the bank is actually "eroding" away even though it may "grow digitally by a few decimal places".

I noticed that prices of basic commodites had gone up along with utilities and transport and it seems harder each month to save any money at all. This crisis not unlike in the early 70s is making many downgrade their lifestyles from luxurious to comfortable, from comfortable to necessities and for some from basic necessities to even sheer poverty.

I did a comparison for the expenditures since 2006 and noticed that our fixed expenses had almost doubled with a toddler and rental. Whatever savings is arbitary. Like most Singaporeans we lived from pay cheque to pay cheque with the help of some form of credit facilities. The only difference is that we made sure we "pay" our tithes which is almost 12 to 15% for the 2008 which we committed to the Lord about inclusive of the building fund pledge.

Yes, God is our provider, he will make sure we do not starve. At the same time, our family is cutting costs avoiding the cinemas, spas (its DIY nails time), holidays, shopping and dining out. Cooking does help to reduce the bulk of the food bill but grocery shopping and washing up can be such headaches. I think ever since I started to cook almost daily, the quality of my life had deteriorated much. With much time spent in the kitchen near the stove or sink-to-dishwasher then dishwasher-to-cupboards and also house-cleaning and coaching rachel, I pretty much do not have the time i need to practice the violin well and trim my overgrown figure. I really had morphed into a AUNTIE and upped my risks for a potential divorce!!! (just kidding)

This global energy and food crisis is also making me want more of a resource called MONEY! While there were certain periods in my life when I suffered lack, I thank God that with his grace we did get by. At this moment, as a non income generating parent, I pray that God will bless us with abundance so we can share with the extended family and the poor in this country.

Personally, I need a place to stay. A place that we both like, a safe environment for rachel to grow up in. I do not fancy at all, in fact i hate moving. So I really ask God for a good comfortable place to dwell peacefully and happily in. With more money I will send rachel to chinese and ballet classes probably french too, and have some time to hit the gym or enjoy a rejuvenating massage.

When money is of no issue, I would like to hire domestic helpers to clean the place and help out with the grocery shopping and cooking. Yes, I definitely need a much better violin and bow with a good suspension case, bam? Our family badly needs a holiday, Disneyland Hong kong for rachel, Europe for the adults since we had yet go on a honeymoon. For a public transport taking family, we crave the convenience of a family car, especially when its so hot and sunny or horribly rainy at times.

I need to refresh my entire wardrobe of old t-shirts and jean skirts. Plus I dun even have a proper bag. Oh and there's the thousand and one moles that need to be laser off from the face. may be some wrinkle ironing botox. Not to forget, Slimming treatments. haha. The list is endless....................

I look forward to the day, by God's grace, our family will be the head and not the tail, the lender and giver and not the borrower. Our family can be amongst the rich in this nation because we worship a real God. He will prosper us because he loves us.

With God all things are possible

Taking stock H1 2008

Gosh!
Suddenly half of 2008 is GONE! I've been busy as usual with all the mothering, (yes I am still breastfeeding my 3.5 year old toddler), house-keeping, cooking (cost cutting measure plus opportunites to improve my culinary skills with Jamie Oliver as a "mentor"), learning the violin, which of course is a MAJOR project in life and more.

The beginning months of 2008 were very tough! As much as I prayed and fasted and hoped that my mum would recover, she eventually left us in early march, after getting very weak and sickly due to the end stages of cancer. I tried my best to care for her and help her with chores for a few months leading to the end of her life. Grieve I did for a short while, yes I miss her but LIFE goes on and with my many commitments as a full time home-maker mum, I am kept too busy to dwell in the negative region. Plus music helps really, I had read up on the deaths of chopin, beethoven, shumann and mozart and felt too the loss to the music world when they passed on.

My mum's death did remind me of my dead grandparents and I am keen to know more about my lineage though that in christ is far more important. Likewise, I do not know how much time I have with rachel but I will wholeheartedly "sow" into our relationship and thank God for her.

I hope she sees in me a mentor, a coach, a friend and lastly a mum. A mum who had a passion for Christ, music (especially playing the violin), cooking, art (drawing and painting), french, gardening, house-keeping and keeping fit. A mum who got her started on violin lessons a day before she turned 3 and is willing to queue for mascot photo-taking sessions. A mum who dotes on her and loves her with exceeding great love complete with plenty of indulgences of toys and ice-creams balanced with much nurturing and coaching activities. A mum who loves and serves the family including the wonderful daddy who is the head of the family.

The next half will be an exciting one!! We are believing God for a new home cum piano studio since our lease is expiring and the landlord has hiked the rental by double. Wherever God had prepared in advance for us, I believe it will be a good and peaceful place, safe for the family, ideal for the studio and dwelling. This next half I know God who is for us, will surely bless us with good health, marital bliss, protection, peace and prosperity.

I want to step up on violin technique, revise my french as I teach rachel, prepare healthier cuisines, strengthen my core muscles and enjoy God's abundant blessings in life. A family holiday would be nice!

Finally, I realised I've nothing I really want to buy except a house, a car and a really good violin. Well, my God who made me and loves me "will provide exceedingly, abundantly, far above all i could ever ask or imagine"

Thank you Lord!