I am starting this series of words for reflection. Have a read. If God is ministering to you. Knock and you shall find, seek and it will be given! May God Bless you!

He gives me work that I may seek His rest;
He gives me strength to meet the hardest test;
And as I walk in providential grace;
I find that joy goes with me, at God’s pace – Gustafson

If we are suffering remember:

“suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us:. Rom 5: 3b – 5. Shalom!

We embarked on an amazing journey to Shanghai, China. Dad and Mum had earlier gone to Shanghai to stay with Jessie for a month. Our mission was to fly to Shanghai and escort the folks back – of course R&R. Arriving on the 18th May morning at 0640H, I was impressed with the expressway, brand new, clean and efficient. Pudong the commercial district has been landscaped with modern skyscrapers. Street were generally clean (was told that they have cleaning trucks patrol the streets 24 x 7 and cleaners clearing garbage twice a day) in the name of the ongoing EXPO!

The hotel room was fabulous (thanks Jessie), and we had a fair relaxed itinerary – guess this was one of the rare trip that I did so much shopping. What you need to do to survive Shanghai:

1. Speak LOUDLY (preferred if you speak and look hostile :-))
2. You need to be prepared for unglamorous events:
– fighting for taxi;
– fighting for dining tables at restaurant;
– telling someone off;
3. Learn to bargain at shopping centers. (Warning: if the merchant finally give in to the price you ask for, you better buy it else you will be cursed and swear at – unless you are very thick skinned).

OK. We visited Zhou Zhuang, EXPO (horrible), Tai Kang, Xin Tian Di, Yu Garden. But we did not visit the Bund! Next trip. Dad, mum, sis, bro-in-law, Jessica and Valerie tailor made suits and cheong sum thought. They all looked lovely and dashing.

Will probably plan another trip again to Shanghai. In all, good experience and most “shiok” nice weather. Thank God though the weatherman said it would rain whole week, by God’s grace, it rained first day and last day when we were there.

Now back to reality! WORK HARD! Check out the gallery for some of the photos taken!

Valerie having a great time with her friends … a picture tells a thousand words.

It is the 3rd of May.  Time flies and much activities have come and gone!  Past weeks, I have been reminded that in everything I do, trust that HE is in me and with me all this while.  I of little faith, we often then to give up but he never gives up on me.  This picture tells of how HIS great light will overcome the “darkness”.  “The many tasks we face each day can burden and oppress.  But spending time with God each day can bring  relief from stress” – Sper.  So to keep your life balanced, lean not on yourself BUT on HIM!