13 Hours of Rain

I am a worrier. And I struggle with mild anxiety. Though, I don't think I worry as much as I used to. As for anxiety, I define it as "mild" because it isn't mentally paralyzing. While my anxiety aggravates my gut and makes me prone to panic attacks, I have discovered ways to cope. Is it just me, or does it seem that mental illness is on the rise? On both sides of your family, there are people who struggle with mental health issues. It isn't something people like to discuss, as the subject is still "taboo", especially for people of Asian ethnicity. We are quick to admit our physical ailments such as diabetes or heart disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. But depression, anxiety, bipolar or obsessive compulsive disorder? Umm... (((Let's not talk about that too much.))) Back to my question. Is mental illness on the rise? I think so. Personal experience and observation combined with some research supports my tentative yes. Please note, the ...

You have a creative mind. Imagining, Dreaming, Envisioning rocket ships out of Lego, Zooming through time and space. You have a compassionate heart. Consoling, Praying, Opening your little arms wide, Comforting with a kiss and words. You have a sense of humor. Giggling, Smirking, Singing silly songs with a rock beat, Playing the air guitar with gusto. You have a desire to compete. Running, Skating, Negotiating through various board games, Winning the satisfaction of number one. You are our soon to be school boy. Reading, Computing, Leaving the shelter of home, Embracing a new world with joy. (And I, your Mommy, will miss you.)

Let's say you attend a Women's Conference. It isn't anything flashy. The poster advertising the event doesn't promise life changing advice or earth shattering results. The main speaker is "plain jane" and not clad in today's bling or tomorrow's trendy. The conference doesn't have a gymnasium full of booths with famous authors signing autographs. Neither are there inspirational coffee mugs with quasi-Christian phrases for sale. The atmosphere is not frenetic or vacuous. Rather, the events are fairly ordinary. God's Word is expounded with integrity. Prayers are spoken in unison and in private. Songs are offered with sincerity. The Lord's Supper is observed. And genuine thankfulness is offered to our God for divine redemption through His Son and the Gift of His Spirit until He returns. Doesn't that sound refreshing? Why doesn't everything these days have to be spectacular? I just finished reading a book entitled O r·di·nar·y b...

I'm unpacking the idea of church. Not the universal one; not the global body of Christ. But the local one, the corporate one, the one that has an annual budget and a building to match. I'm mulling over new millennium questions, wondering what it would take for the North American church to change to better address the realities of our current society. I'm not talking about bending to the "Christian bookstore" trends in church dynamics. Rather I'm pondering how to transform our way of doing things to be more effective, more Christ-like, more God-glorifying. We live in a world in which "relevancy" and "engagement" are buzz words. We are told it is "All About You." So we cater church the same way, creating age-specific programs that are exciting and fun, hoping somehow the Gospel message will stick. We segregate people from each other and stick them with like-aged people, with similar mindsets. We throw in a few mentors, thinking ...

There are times you may be asked to do something out of your comfort zone. Like attending a baby shower of a friend from another religion. Yesterday, we found ourselves invited to a family celebration. We were the minority on several levels. We were the Christian family with the white husband, the brown wife and the beige children. I try my best to prepare for such events. I have some experience as the daughter of Indian parents, who are now long term citizens of this land. I have attended Indian gatherings in the past, attired in my salwar kameez . I've dusted off my rusty Hindi/Urdu and attempted a few conversations. I've smiled and nodded and indulged in tandoori chicken and gulab jamuns . Yet, in spite of all the ways I had the appearance of belonging, I was giggling inside. While slightly trembling with fright... I so did not fit in. Last night was no exception. (Though as I've aged, I don't tremble as much anymore.) At the whole family baby shower (...

Well, I finally did it. That is hosting a party where you, my daughter, were allowed to invite guests from school (in addition to church). Wow. What a lot of work. On the whole, I believe it was worth it. Though today, you have a full blown cold, my lower back is a mess and your Daddy is aching all over from trucking up and down stairs with laundry baskets full of party supplies. But, like I said, it was totally worth it and a joy to orchestrate. Don't worry. This post isn't Pinterest-like, where I visually display what a fabulous Mom I am (or at least I'm not trying to). Neither will I be posting a whole load of pictures, as I do not have permission from our guests to post them on the world wide web (which many Facebook users forget). This is more of a reflective post that documents the event, for you, my daughter, and for anyone else who may benefit from our experience. You like movies and crafts. So I decided that we'd gift you a Frozen  themed party, whe...

"What rink are we going to?" J. asks as we pack up our skating gear. "Where the Wildcats play," I respond, smiling on how my answer reminds me of one of my favourite children's book. You know the story, don't you? The one about a mischievous little boy who is sent to his room without his supper and how his room transforms into forest and sea. He romps and roars and dances with fearsome creatures. But love calls him back to his room to find his supper waiting for him. All is well and forgiven. In this stage of Motherhood, I am trying to navigate loving and gracious discipline. Some days I do much disciplining and forget the loving and gracious part. Other days, with God's wisdom, I get it right and really take the time to talk about the emotional hurts we inflict on each other. Then we work towards reconciliation. Such moments are beautiful. I grew up in a culture where the elders were always right (especially if the elder was male). It is not tha...