"I've become a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches"

I find the above sentence taken from Job 30:29 interesting. It is not complimentary at all if someone says that of us. I like the way Job described his dire situation. In other bible translations you find "dragons and owls" instead of jackals and ostriches. All these animals are not very pleasant to be with.
Jackals generally go about in small companies. Their peculiar howl may frequently be heard in the evening and at any time in the night. It begins with a high-pitched, long-drawn-out cry. During the night the ostriches make very doleful and hideous noises; which would sometimes be like the roaring of a lion; at other times it would bear a nearer resemblance to the hoarser voice of other quadrupeds, particularly of the bull and the ox. Understand they groan as if they were in the greatest agonies.
In Job 26:2-4, he said "What a help you are to "the weak!"... And whose spirit was expressed through you?" Haha, Job can be quite sarcastic ;) What sort of a friend am I to my sisters and brothers in Christ?As I read through Job and the way his friends responded to the situation he was in, I learnt the following lessons which I hope by His grace and wisdom, to be able to apply in my life when I encounter people who are suffering:

1) Our words can either heal or cause more hurt to the hurting.

2) To put ourselves in that person's shoes and lend a listening ear instead telling them what we know through our own worldly wisdom.

3) To empathize and offer words of comfort, directing them to GOD and His unchanging attributes because GOD does not fail man, only man will fail man.

4) Despite Job's complains and arguments, deep down in him he knows GOD is Sovereign and he can continue to trust in GOD. Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Wow, what a declaration. I hope that whenever I am faced with adversities, I will be able to declare what Job declared and continue to cling on to GOD.

5) Job 26:5-14, Job described briefly the magnificence of GOD. Who can truly say they understand GOD? His friends thought they do and know a lot to "lecture" him. Do we commit the same mistakes many a times when we learn about someone else' problems? May GOD forgive us and help us not to prejudge but look at the speck of sawdust in our brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in our own eye.

Am sure there are more lessons I can learn from Job as I continue with the next 10-11 chapters.

Blueberry Streusel Bars, Muffins with Mint Chocolate Filling / Croissants, Pecan N Raisin, Cream Cheese with Cranberry Filling, Bacon N Onion Breads

It has been more than one month since I last wrote on my blog but during this period, I continued to bake very regularly. I have taken some of the pictures of my bakes below.

Blueberry Streusel Bars. Forgot to take the pictures after cutting them ;)

Chocolate Muffins with Mint Chocolate fillings. I had some extra Mint Chocolate in the fridge so I decided to put them into the muffins :) I love mint chocolates but not my daughter ;(

Croissants with tuna and lettuces filling. While shopping with my son at Cold Storage one day, he came across the Prima Croissant pre-mix and encouraged me to try, so I tried. They would have turned out nicer if I had given the dough enough time to rise. They tasted good anyways. Lesson learnt - patience is needed when making bread :)

Unfortunately this Bacon with Onion bread turned out too salty because I was nothing thinking straight when I measured out the salt for the recipe. Otherwise this bread is very fragrant, especially with the baked bacon bits, onions and garlic. Will definitely try this recipe again.


This loaf of Pecan N Raisin Bread has nice texture - soft and I love the toasted Pecan and Raisins in each bite.

I cut the Pecan N Raisin buns diagonally and filled them with Nutella. You can imagine the combination of taste right? ;)

These are Cream Cheese with Cranberry filling buns. I baked them in muffin trays, easier to handle this way. Gave some to my in-laws and they love them. Am suppose to bake another batch for them... akang datang :)

Goodbye Mom and love of friends

My mom had a fall last Wednesday, 4 May 2011 and was sent to KTP hospital. When my siblings and I reached the hospital, she has already left us. The news of her death came as a shock to us as we did not expect her to leave us so suddenly. I was speechless and too shocked to even cry. She passed away as a non-believer at the age of 76. Dad passed away as a believer in Christ on 12 August 2000 at 64.

The 4 of us left the hospital and we went down to Singapore Casket to make arrangements for our mom's wake. After 2+ hours, we finally booked the place for 4D3N. The wake started on Thursday, 5 May and friends and relatives came to pay their last respect and also to support and encourage the bereaved family members.

Thank GOD for Renfred, Eliza and their cousins who helped in the serving of drinks, clearing of tables, etc as the rest of us siblings and our spouses greeted and sat with our friends and relatives. Our cousin, Serene, took leave from work to help us. She has always been very supportive and we truly appreciate what she has done for us.

I am so thankful to GOD for friends of 30+ years since YF days and friends from secondary school days, good friends, majority of the pastors and elders of our present and ex churches who came to encourage us.

The funeral was at 11am today, 8 May. I had a little job to handle in church for Mother's Day today so I left home early to ensure the goods arrived and things are in good order before I left for the funeral.

Thank GOD, even though there were conflicts during this period of bereavement, it is finally over. The siblings and our family members are all so exhausted and really need a good rest.

We are thankful to Daniel and Ellie who baked us a lovely loaf of Raisin Bread for breakfast during this period. I forgot to take a picture of the whole loaf so this is what is left after 3 days.

On the first night, our Worship Pastor, Alfred and his wife, Yee Pin bought many packs of both warm and chilled beancurd from Selegie Road for our relatives and friends.

This big tray of Shepherd's Pie was lovingly baked by Pastor Shern and Angela after their hard day's work at office. They hand delivered it to our home late at night and prayed for us. Renfred and Eliza could not resist, so took some for supper.

There are good friends who sms during this period to comfort us and also prayed for us.

We thank GOD for all these thoughtful friends. May GOD return to you manifolds of blessings for the love and support you have shown us.

GOD is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

Pina Cola Pecan and Berry Truffles

Heart-shaped Pina Cola Pecan Dark Chocolate

Heart-shaped Pina Cola Pecan Dark Chocolate sprinkled with confectionary sugar

Berry Truffles sprinkled with some pink dust

Pina Cola Pecan Truffles in bite size.

Homemade Black/Blue/Straw/Raspberry Conserve

I bought these pretty bottles from Daiso for S$2/- each to store my Black/Blue/Straw/Raspberry Conserve.

Tasted some of the conserve with a piece of cracker. Yum! Yum! :)

Just look at the chunks of berries in the bottles.

I have to sterilize the bottles and caps before filling them up with the conserves.

Strawberries and Blackberries


Raspberries and Blueberries

Heart-shaped Hot Cross Bun

Three of us ladies from the LTP Covenant class are baking Hot Cross Buns for the people attending the class tonight. Their spouses are especially invited to join us to remember our LORD's LOVE for us this Maundy Thursday.

Made 24 pcs of 40gm each plus the heart-shaped one from 2 recipes.
This will be my second last batch of Hot Cross Buns for this year. Will be baking the last batch for Genesis this Saturday and that will end my Hot Cross Buns baking for 2011 :)

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

V2

Forbid it Lord that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood

V3

See from His head His hands His feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did ere such love and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown

V4

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing so divine

Demands my soul

My life my all

Durian and Walnut Muffins and Durian Egg Tarts

Last evening I bought some durians from Woodgrove. Then ideas kept coming to my mind.... ;)Let's make some Durian Muffins. But what can go with Durians??? Vanilla? Walnuts? Why not? :)

So, I woke up at 6am this morning to bake a batch of Durian Walnut Muffins. I did not add anything to the Durians - just pure 100% quality durian flesh which I placed in the centre of the muffins and topped them with walnuts. Had one with a cup of coffee before going to 9am service. Of course, after eating, I gurgled my mouth with Listerine, just in case.... ;)

Shared some of them with 4 PTots teachers and a friend :)

Durian Egg Tarts. My regular client ordered some Original Egg Tarts and I thought, since Durians are in season, I shall make two special Durian Egg Tarts for her. Hope she likes them :)