Dear Family & Friends,
I survived 17 days in Hokkaido! Thank God and my wonderful friends. It
was great to be out there in cold, misty (not hazy) weather. The Grade
6 Hokkaido hike up the volcanoes that called for the use of crampons
was challenging, exciting and not without incident. There were thrills
and spills out in the snow, yet all remained safe under God's
protective cloak of love.
Seeing the team limp back each evening with stories of how knees were
"killed", ankles wrenched and bruises sustained, made me feel less
envious that I had to stay in the "lowlands" in my wheelchair! The
oohs and ahhhhs that accompanied the viewing of the photos caused some
of the "envy" to return. I wished I could be up there. But, I was
thankful I could even be there!
I love Japan for its clear air, clean toilets, beautiful scenery and
polite people. Always makes me wonder how we can raise our own service
standards. We may be efficient, but lack the "heart" and that "pride"
in our work, which is so apparent there. Somehow, it just made
everyone feel so "special"!
One fine example was my encounter with Mr. Saito at Narita Airport. He
was assigned to push me in a wheelchair to catch my connecting flight.
He was polite, cheerful and caring. He asked if I needed a drink of
water and if I needed to visit the toilet. He was always mindful that
there were five others with me and would wait for them. He shared some
Japanese phrases with us and said he knew about our famous ex-prime
minister Lee Kuan Yew. Finally he said "Come back to Japan" in
Japanese. When we entered the airplane, I thanked him. In return, Mr.
Saito bowed, smiled, whispered "arigato" and went off.
In the end, Mr Saito did not just transport me from arrival Gate C to
departure Gate E28. He had showed me the true meaning of service. He
was not just a wheelchair pusher, he was an ambassador for Japan.
Indeed, he left a great impression on us.
Before leaving for Japan, I was reading a book by Dr. Eben Alexander,
an eminent neurosurgeon who had a near death experience and shared his
spiritual experience of journeying into "life beyond death". 'Proof of
Heaven' is finally proof of the existence of God.
Well, on the rocky and icy slopes of the volcanoes in Hokkaido, the
girls personally witnessed the existence of God. How else can we
explain one of the girls sliding 20m down a 70 degree snow slope with
the guide hanging on to her left leg landing in some low shrubs and
coming out of it shocked, with small cuts on her thumb and knee? Or
another flying down a rocky slope heading towards some protruding
rocks head first and recovered with just a badly bruised left thigh?
Do we need proof? Nah, we already know He exists. And He certainly was
there, His loving hand cushioning each fall.
"In peace I will both lie me down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
God bless us all and folks, make a little "heaven" on earth for someone today!
Love,
Cheng/Liz/Lizzie
The Eden Home Project is going on nicely with some hiccups here and
there. We have faith that God will see it through and it will finally
stand as a testimony of His great love for "the least, the lost and
the last". *2 We are close to achieving our target of S$70K, but know
that anything beyond that will go towards the running cost of the
Home, till we can work towards it being self sustaining. Thank you for
your strong support, kind hearts and generous donations. God bless.
We will keep all donors updated.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Carabiners & Crampons XXXVI (June 2013)
Dear Family & Friends,
On Friday, I will be leaving with 11 friends to Hokkaido! What a wonderful opportunity to be able to still travel by the grace of God and the kind hearts of friends! I shall enjoy God's wonderful creations - mountains and people. And the cold weather, wild flowers, sushi, sashimi, ikura, ramen, udon, soba, tempura, yakitori, kare, miso ... And the onsens!
While the girls hike the volcanoes of Hokkaido, three of us will roam the foothills. I will be in my wheelchair, with Angie, Kim and my trusty walking pole next to me. As I often say - it is not the healing of my physical body that I have experienced, but the healing of my mind and the restoration of my spirit! For "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! Amen. (Philippians 4:13)
My niece Andrea visited me recently with her husband Kay and her two kids Abby (7) and Sammy Boy (3). My sister Sylvia (the loving mother), my brother in law KS (the indulgent grandpa) and my nephew Jeremy (the tattooed good boy) were down too! So there was much comings and goings, chatter and clutter and many many makan sessions.
As I watched the two kids adapt to the weather, sweating but still happily playing with the dogs in the garden, I wondered at their immense capacity to be joyous. I smiled and wished we could all be as joyful. Happiness is a choice, joy is a given ... God given. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," (Galatians 5:22) I guess kids have little to worry about. So often in the Bible, we are called to be like children. Perhaps because they are fiercely trusting, blessedly sinless and innocently worry free!
Life is now back to normal. The dogs and I are slowly getting back to routine and although we enjoyed that "lau jiat" week with the family, we now enjoy the peace and quiet of Base Camp.
On Friday, I will be leaving with 11 friends to Hokkaido! What a wonderful opportunity to be able to still travel by the grace of God and the kind hearts of friends! I shall enjoy God's wonderful creations - mountains and people. And the cold weather, wild flowers, sushi, sashimi, ikura, ramen, udon, soba, tempura, yakitori, kare, miso ... And the onsens!
While the girls hike the volcanoes of Hokkaido, three of us will roam the foothills. I will be in my wheelchair, with Angie, Kim and my trusty walking pole next to me. As I often say - it is not the healing of my physical body that I have experienced, but the healing of my mind and the restoration of my spirit! For "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! Amen. (Philippians 4:13)
My niece Andrea visited me recently with her husband Kay and her two kids Abby (7) and Sammy Boy (3). My sister Sylvia (the loving mother), my brother in law KS (the indulgent grandpa) and my nephew Jeremy (the tattooed good boy) were down too! So there was much comings and goings, chatter and clutter and many many makan sessions.
As I watched the two kids adapt to the weather, sweating but still happily playing with the dogs in the garden, I wondered at their immense capacity to be joyous. I smiled and wished we could all be as joyful. Happiness is a choice, joy is a given ... God given. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," (Galatians 5:22) I guess kids have little to worry about. So often in the Bible, we are called to be like children. Perhaps because they are fiercely trusting, blessedly sinless and innocently worry free!
Life is now back to normal. The dogs and I are slowly getting back to routine and although we enjoyed that "lau jiat" week with the family, we now enjoy the peace and quiet of Base Camp.
My black panther, the VW Scirocco sat week after week outside Base Camp with no real offers for it. I believe God had a purpose when a friend asked to borrow her, while her car went to the workshop for repairs following a road accident. Just a day later, another friend who had run her car into a tree, needed to borrow a car as well!
Now, it has been sold. Indeed I believe God was testing me on my "greed" level. One after another, in one day, offers came in fast and furious, each one better than the last! I settled on what was agreed with a friend ... And went no further!
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) I pray to be reminded that Christ resides in my heart and that I am mindful of what my "treasures" are!
A friend once jokingly said I should do one last mission instead of climb one last mountain, when we were discussing what "last thing" we would do before we die. I thought about it and believe that at every travel we make, every place we visit, every stranger we encounter ... We are on "mission" - exhibiting as much of the "Fruits of the Spirit" as we can. Good to sometimes ask ourselves "Would people know I am a Christian by the way I live?"
A friend once jokingly said I should do one last mission instead of climb one last mountain, when we were discussing what "last thing" we would do before we die. I thought about it and believe that at every travel we make, every place we visit, every stranger we encounter ... We are on "mission" - exhibiting as much of the "Fruits of the Spirit" as we can. Good to sometimes ask ourselves "Would people know I am a Christian by the way I live?"
Just like what I read in The Daily Bread - "A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he preaches a word." Amen to that people!
Thank you for your continued prayers. Please pray that God will continue to use me and that wherever I go and whatever I do and say, I am mindful that I am " preaching" and am on "mission"!
Much love,
Cheng/Liz/Lizzie
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Carabiners & Crampons (Aril 2013)
Dear Family & Friends,
The month of April is always a good month. Good Friday, sad as it may be to us Christians, speaks of God's love for Man. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
I was once asked, "So, how much does your God love you?" "Stretch your arms out beside you, as far as you can." I replied. "That is how much my God loves me, His arms outstretched, nailed to a cross." We love because He first loved us ... enough to die for us.
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John15:13)
Easter, commercialised with the appearance of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, gloss over the true significance of the event. That through the Resurrection of Christ, we have eternal life. I use to love these lines from Alexander Pope's The Dying Christian To His Soul.
"The world recedes; it disappears!
Heav'n opens my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring!
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! Where is thy victory?
O Death! Where is thy sting?"
Then, in my reading of the Bible, I found it in 1 Corinthians 15:55, which must have inspired Pope:
"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
April also brings on the birthdays of famous people like - Maria Sharapova, Victoria Beckham, Leonardo Da Vinci, Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, William Shakespeare, Al Pacino, Paris Jackson, Jet Li, Carol Burnett, Jessica Alba, Michelle Pfeiffer and of course Queen Elizabeth II AND Elizabeth Poey!
Celebrating the completion of my 61st year on earth with family and close friends was so meaningful for me, as it really is a testimony of God's grace and love in my life. He has sustained me over the past 5 years and I know I have been blessed. Now I walk into the first week of my 62nd year and I continue to pray for His guidance even as I give grateful thanks for the continued love and support of my family and friends.
Nowhere in the bible is being alone lauded. We are made for relationships and designed for community. So, who are your friends? Who is on your team? Jesus assembled His team of twelve - lower cast of society. Yet, these 11 men (minus Judas) made such an impact on the world, it has never been the same! Just think about it. Everything that Christ taught could have ended when He died. It took this small band of 11 guys to flame the word and Christianity was born! Of course God had a major hand in it. But it is so amazing! Just name 12 people on your team. How are you impacting lives today?
Friendships are not deepened by time, but by the constant sharing of experiences, the exchange of thoughts and the communion of hearts. And the meeting of minds and hearts need never always be in the physical realm! We connect as easily in this virtual world. Yeah!
Just a quick update on my condition. I stopped chemo because of the many infections. Am managing the best I can with the nerve pain down my left thigh and the infection pain (caused by a fistula) at my lower (left) abdomen. Still can't walk far or sit for long. Pain does not kill. Look at the many who suffered and bore pain. It just makes one stronger! Look at Jesus. He suffered pain (and it must have been excruciating pain) and He endured it for our sakes. He suffocated to death on that cross. Pain did not kill our Lord, and pain will not kill me!
So life continues albeit differently for me - a fuller sense of what is important, a keener understanding of what needs to be and a total acceptance of who I am - a little dot of dust in God's creation, but oh how loved by the Creator.
And as I sail round Cape Tribulation, I know that - Faith grows best in the winter of trial. —Rutherford
(Annie Johnson Flint)
Much love,
Cheng/Liz/Lizzie/Birthday Girl
Those with time, do open the attachment on Dr. Tommy Koh's 10 rules to a happier YOU!
Those with extra cash, you are welcome to contribute to the Mongolian Street Kids Project. We have the land, the fence, the gets, the toilets ... we are now looking at building a more permanent structure for the kids. The Dumpster Kids are well on their feet (thanks to many of you) and are well supported by two companies. Thank God for His provision. We are now helping to set up the place called "Eden" for these orphaned street kids.
Little Miracles - Journey to Kluang
I really dislike electronic stuff as much as they make our lives simpler (yet more complicated at times) and more interesting (too time consuming at times) as we get connected to the world. Take this blog page. With the new changes, I don't know how to make the changes to do whatever! But never mind, we must bear in mind the original purpose of why we do what. This blog was set up for me to share thoughts, ideas, experiences and my journey with cancer.
I just got back from spending 3 days in Kluang with my sister. If you have caught my updates in my fb, it traces what a friend calls my "Burp! Trail"!!! Lots of food sharing (virtual only) and eating and over eating. I thank God I could eat and actually enjoyed the meals.
There are a whole lot me for me to share. Firstly, I must thank god that I was able to make the trip up to Kluang. It is just a 2 hour journey, door to door. Yet, just a month ago, I could not see myself making this journey. God is so good. My leg still hurts, my fistula is still spewing ... so what has changed? My spirit! God has healed my spirit and with this healing comes a willingness to try, to do, to manage, to cope with the pain, the inconveniences and the discomforts. And I did all that! Praise the Lord!
My sister making the journey down by train to spend some time with me was also a great motivator for me to "send her home" (as in physically drive her home, not emotionally drive her out!). Woon Yi was also wanting to visit her colleague who was recovering from an accident in Kluang Hospital. So our journey to Kluang had many reasons and purposes.
For me this journey is a discovery of many small miracles. As I wrote to some friends:
"This morning I sat at the open windows and listened to the song of the Malaysian birds. A little miracle. I am here at my sister's home in Kluang, Johore, Malaysia. A little miracle. We took one and half hours to drive here. Traffic was smooth at the Tuas Checkpoint and all along the way. A little miracle.
Then the feasting started with crispy duck and deep friend cod, a local tofu dish and sweet potato leaf with garlic, green and delicious. I ate with much gusto. A small miracle. After a rest and a chat with everyone, I climbed the stairs to the bedroom upstairs. A little miracle. I slept like a well fed baby, snoring and in my dreams I burped! A little miracle.
This morning after straining to hear the songs of the birds amidst the morning traffic, a sweet melodious song reached my ears. I sat back and focused on the sound of the water falling into the fish pond. The fishes we bought were still alive! A small miracle.
That I am here reclined on a couch is all by God's grace. No big showy miracle ... Just small little ones. That I am here having a lovely time is in fact a big miracle, made up of all these small ones.
Thank you for your persistent and continued prayers for my healing. God has healed my spirit and that is something huge! For now, I am just enjoying the balmy afternoon and smile as I count my little miracles ..."
Indeed, there are many little miracles happening in our lives and in the lives around us, if we would look. Too often we are looking for the big ones and waiting for the Lord to answer our prayers for huge miracles ... we miss the little ones.
Keep counting your small miracles.
I just got back from spending 3 days in Kluang with my sister. If you have caught my updates in my fb, it traces what a friend calls my "Burp! Trail"!!! Lots of food sharing (virtual only) and eating and over eating. I thank God I could eat and actually enjoyed the meals.
There are a whole lot me for me to share. Firstly, I must thank god that I was able to make the trip up to Kluang. It is just a 2 hour journey, door to door. Yet, just a month ago, I could not see myself making this journey. God is so good. My leg still hurts, my fistula is still spewing ... so what has changed? My spirit! God has healed my spirit and with this healing comes a willingness to try, to do, to manage, to cope with the pain, the inconveniences and the discomforts. And I did all that! Praise the Lord!
My sister making the journey down by train to spend some time with me was also a great motivator for me to "send her home" (as in physically drive her home, not emotionally drive her out!). Woon Yi was also wanting to visit her colleague who was recovering from an accident in Kluang Hospital. So our journey to Kluang had many reasons and purposes.
For me this journey is a discovery of many small miracles. As I wrote to some friends:
"This morning I sat at the open windows and listened to the song of the Malaysian birds. A little miracle. I am here at my sister's home in Kluang, Johore, Malaysia. A little miracle. We took one and half hours to drive here. Traffic was smooth at the Tuas Checkpoint and all along the way. A little miracle.
Then the feasting started with crispy duck and deep friend cod, a local tofu dish and sweet potato leaf with garlic, green and delicious. I ate with much gusto. A small miracle. After a rest and a chat with everyone, I climbed the stairs to the bedroom upstairs. A little miracle. I slept like a well fed baby, snoring and in my dreams I burped! A little miracle.
This morning after straining to hear the songs of the birds amidst the morning traffic, a sweet melodious song reached my ears. I sat back and focused on the sound of the water falling into the fish pond. The fishes we bought were still alive! A small miracle.
That I am here reclined on a couch is all by God's grace. No big showy miracle ... Just small little ones. That I am here having a lovely time is in fact a big miracle, made up of all these small ones.
Thank you for your persistent and continued prayers for my healing. God has healed my spirit and that is something huge! For now, I am just enjoying the balmy afternoon and smile as I count my little miracles ..."
Indeed, there are many little miracles happening in our lives and in the lives around us, if we would look. Too often we are looking for the big ones and waiting for the Lord to answer our prayers for huge miracles ... we miss the little ones.
Keep counting your small miracles.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Carabiners & Crampons (May 2013)
I had never wanted to put my ramblings on my blog, but have been persuaded to do so. I hope it will "speak" to you as it "speaks" to my heart. Welcome back Liz!
Dear Family & Friends,
The month of April is always a good month. Good Friday, sad as it may be to us Christians, speaks of God's love for Man. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
I was once asked, "So, how much does your God love you?" "Stretch your arms out beside you, as far as you can." I replied. "That is how much my God loves me, His arms outstretched, nailed to a cross." We love because He first loved us ... enough to die for us.
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Easter, commercialised with the appearance of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, gloss over the true significance of the event. That through the Resurrection of Christ, we have eternal life. I use to love these lines from Alexander Pope's The Dying Christian To His Soul.
"The world recedes; it disappears!
Heav'n opens my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring!
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! Where is thy victory?
O Death! Where is thy sting?"
Then, in my reading of the Bible, I found it in 1 Corinthians 15:55, which must have inspired Pope:
"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
April also brings on the birthdays of famous people like - Maria Sharapova, Victoria Beckham, Leonardo Da Vinci, Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, William Shakespeare, Al Pacino, Paris Jackson, Jet Li, Carol Burnett, Jessica Alba, Michelle Pfeiffer and of course Queen Elizabeth II AND Elizabeth Poey!
Celebrating the completion of my 61st year on earth with family and close friends was so meaningful for me, as it really is a testimony of God's grace and love in my life. He has sustained me over the past 5 years and I know I have been blessed. Now I walk into the first week of my 62nd year and I continue to pray for His guidance even as I give grateful thanks for the continued love and support of my family and friends.
Nowhere in the bible is being alone lauded. We are made for relationships and designed for community. So, who are your friends? Who is on your team? Jesus assembled His team of twelve - lower cast of society. Yet, these 11 men (minus Judas) made such an impact on the world, it has never been the same! Just think about it. Everything that Christ taught could have ended when He died. It took this small band of 11 guys to flame the word and Christianity was born! Of course God had a major hand in it. But it is so amazing! Just name 12 people on your team. How are you impacting lives today?
Friendships are not deepened by time, but by the constant sharing of experiences, the exchange of thoughts and the communion of hearts. And the meeting of minds and hearts need never always be in the physical realm! We connect as easily in this virtual world. Yeah!
Just a quick update on my condition. I stopped chemo because of the many infections. Am managing the best I can with the nerve pain down my left thigh and the infection pain (caused by a fistula) at my lower (left) abdomen. Still can't walk far or sit for long. Pain does not kill. Look at the many who suffered and bore pain. It just makes one stronger! Look at Jesus. He suffered pain (and it must have been excruciating pain) and He endured it for our sakes. He suffocated to death on that cross. Pain did not kill our Lord, and pain will not kill me!
So life continues albeit differently for me - a fuller sense of what is important, a keener understanding of what needs to be and a total acceptance of who I am - a little dot of dust in God's creation, but oh how loved by the Creator.
And as I sail round Cape Tribulation, I know that - Faith grows best in the winter of trial. —Rutherford
(Annie Johnson Flint)
Much love,
Cheng/Liz/Lizzie/Birthday Girl
Those with time, do open the attachment on Dr. Tommy Koh's 10 rules to a happier YOU!
Those with extra cash, you are welcome to contribute to the Mongolian Street Kids Project. We have the land, the fence, the gets, the toilets ... we are now looking at building a more permanent structure for the kids. The Dumpster Kids are well on their feet (thanks to many of you) and are well supported by two companies. Thank God for His provision. We are now helping to set up the place called "Eden" for these orphaned street kids.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
This Can't Be Love!
This Can't Be Love!
My eyes are bleary and red
From lack of a good night's sleep
I nod off at mid morning and noon
My day is just one big mess!
My hair is dishevelled, uncombed
Can't really say I care
I know I have a far away look
At times bleary and mild
Other times with murderous intent
At the end of the leash that I hold
A lovely black blob of fur
My darling Chloe
On heat
And like some shadow
Skirting us in the distance
A huge ball of brown unwashed mess
Bobby
Her suitor
Who has chosen to camp at our gate
She scratches my door
It's 2am
She whines and fusses
It's 4am
At 6am I let her out
And they sit facing each other
She demure and coy
He drooling
I sigh ...
This can't be love!
My eyes are bleary and red
From lack of a good night's sleep
I nod off at mid morning and noon
My day is just one big mess!
My hair is dishevelled, uncombed
Can't really say I care
I know I have a far away look
At times bleary and mild
Other times with murderous intent
At the end of the leash that I hold
A lovely black blob of fur
My darling Chloe
On heat
And like some shadow
Skirting us in the distance
A huge ball of brown unwashed mess
Bobby
Her suitor
Who has chosen to camp at our gate
She scratches my door
It's 2am
She whines and fusses
It's 4am
At 6am I let her out
And they sit facing each other
She demure and coy
He drooling
I sigh ...
This can't be love!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Form For Endorphin Rush II
DVD
Price of DVD….$12 each (including postage to address in
Singapore)
Name:
__________________________________________________
Address to which DVD is to
be posted:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Number of copies:
_________________________________________
Amount paid: _____________________________________________
Payment by: Cheque
(Payable to “Elizabeth Poey”)
To order by post, please
send completed form with cheque to:
Liz Poey
MacPherson P O Box 1025,
Singapore 913410
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Received ____________
(please insert amount),
from _______________________________
(please insert your name)
Elizabeth
Poey
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