Saturday, June 15, 2013

{s.l.g bakes} Baked Cheese Cake

Baked my first cheesecake today. Inspired by mouth-watering photos in Donna Hay's magazine, I just wanted to bake something. She makes it look so good. I felt like a cheese cake so I found this recipe  here.

It wasn't my best attempt, a far cry from Donna Hay's cakes. But just like a mom would frame up their kid's first drawing, no matter how "abstract" the picture is, here am I.. proud of my lil' baby. Here are just some of the photos from my first attempt. I'll get it right some day:)




Hope you had a restful Saturday! 

Friday, June 14, 2013

When things don't go our way..


What happens when things do not go our way?

What happens when you've been believing for a miracle and it doesn't happen?

What happens when our heart gets a lil' hurt or when we face a huge mountain of uncertainty?

What happens now?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]



Yes! This is truth promised to us. It is hard to say this when my friend is on the other side of victory. But He was the same God that orchestrated and wrote this story too in my friend's life..



My friend S had always wanted to get to bible college but how could it be when the family is non-believers. Prayerfully, he shared his dream with his mom and it wasn't declined totally but came with a condition; graduate with degree from university..then she will think about it. Studying wasn't his strong point but he powered through with the dream in view. One semester comes to an end and he passed 3 out of the 4 modules. The numbers 45 puts a dent to his dream. What does he do? Pray. 

Miracle number 1 unfolds. After arranging a meeting with his teachers to appeal his marks, they are left puzzled with the reason for the meeting as the marks on the system reveal 54. S is dumbfounded. How did it happen? It was a miracle. They found some errors in the marking of the exam papers and everyone got a revised mark. OMG! Only God can do it..



You thought that would make a good story. But it gets better. Final semester arrives and sadly the same thing happens again. One subject falls below the pass mark, bringing another blow when the dream is just around the corner. Full of faith, he keeps believing. God whispers, " S, do you not think I can do it again?" Meetings were arranged and appeals were made, what happens? God does it again. Some people says it is luck but I know there is a force bigger than that..His name is Jesus, whose name carries more weight than any other name.



 Finally the mom agrees to him attending Planetshakers College. Dreams do come through.

Well, this is how God's plan are always better than our finite imagination. During the family trip to Melbourne for S' graduation from university, the family visited our church. I am so happy as S got the best graduation gift he could ever get: the gift of salvation of his mom and family. God is always good!

Well, when things don't go our way..I remember S' story and encourage S himself that this same God has a greater plan, even in the face of this next mountain in his life. Just keep believing that the best is yet to come.

I believe that with all my heart..



Don't give up..just keep reading the next few verses in Romans 8...


35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ...37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.


We always win in the end..

p/s can't seem to get the colours of the text the right colour..oh well..sometimes things just don't go my way! :) 

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Makeover: Baby Abigail's Room

My beautiful friends P & HW welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Abigail on Friday 31st May 2013. It was a wonderful day as we witness a fulfilment of God's promise and the new beginnings of a precious life.  What a reminder of how God is truly faithful to His Word and keeps His promises every time!
 He never fails...

To welcome you to this world, here's a lil' gift from "Aunty" SLG 
(gosh! I think I just spotted some new wrinkles :)) Anyhoo, hope you like it!






Awwwww!! Isn't she just adorable??
Love you heaps Abby, P & HW!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Venturing into the unfamiliar.

There will always be times where we face something new. something out of the norm, something that pushes us past our comfort zones. Does this sound familiar to you?

Yesterday my incredible church, Planetshakers hosted an event for the Ministry of One. Yes, it was a costume party for the singles, themed "Western Wild Wild West" , reason enough to to make me think twice. But I went along anyway to this adventurous night, though a lil' sceptical.  

Boy, was I so wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed the night. It was an awesome night, full of line dancing, mingling and laughters. Sometimes, we just need to push past that unfamiliarity and hush that pride or fear that tries to limits us. You'll be pleasantly surprise at what you might have missed out on. 

This might be a simple lesson but one worth pondering...what adventure awaits you on the other side?