Merry Christmas to Everyone!

It's Esther 1st Christmas and she does not have a clue what all the fuss is about. In the past weeks, we have bought presents, put up the Christmas tree, send out Christmas card and bought Christmas food. The shopping centre is packed full of people everyday. Everyone is busy preparing for this festive season. However, Christmas celebration will become meaningless if it was not about the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He is the reason for the season. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. God had given us the best gift - His Son to be our Saviour.

It is also about GIVE and RECEIVE. You see God gave us His Son Jesus. So that He could die for us on the cross to save us form our sins. What we have to do is to simply receive it with faith. We usually buy  Christmas gifts to our family and friends and we love to see them gladly receive it. Can you see God's Love for you? Have you received His gift of salvation?

We will be celebrating Christmas with our family. We thank God for giving us a wonderful year of 2009. He provide and guide us in everything we do. We can say in confidence that we are lack of nothing because God is our everything. Let us come and adore Him Christ the LORD!

Yes one of the most exciting trip had arrived. On 9th Dec we  (us and Dane's parents) flew from Brisbane to Sydney then transferred to Wagga. The trip was exciting because we were going to see Dane - my hubby, my children's father and my in-laws' son. It was an enjoyable flight except Esther was screaming during our flight from Brisbane to Sydney.

We arrived safely at Wagga Airport and checked in to our accommodation at about 2:00pm. At about 5pm we went and picked up Dane from his training base. I was waiting anxiously at the gate and was very nervous to see Dane again. We were surrounded by many other families and friends who were also waiting for their loved ones. Suddenly there was this man waving at me and I honestly could not recognise him at all. Yes,it's my handsome husband. He looked like he's 18 again. Well I supposed that was the result of him losing 9 kilos during his training.

Our 2 beautiful children

Getting ready to attend daddy's graduation

Immediately after picking up Dane, we went to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. It was so strange to have him by my side and be able to hold him again. Jono was also excited to see daddy. He could not stop talking to him and telling him about everything. During our car trip I was sitting between Jono and Dane. Jono actually asked me to move so he could see Dane. Well his exact words was: "Mummy, can you move your body? I want to see daddy." LOL

My man in uniform.

The Drill

The next day we attended Dane's graduation and it was a truly emotional 50 minutes ceremony. We were all so proud of him to complete this tough training. To me, that was the day I had been waiting for. The day when I got to see him again and to witness him realising his dream. We were all so proud of his achievement. Just to prove that it's never too late or too old to pursue our dreams.

Next morning we left Wagga to Sydney. We spent the night and the next day in Sydney before we flew back to Brisbane. We enjoyed family time with Dane's family. We visited Sydney Opera House, Syndey Harbour Bridge and cruised on the ferries. It was so nice to have Dane back and do things together as a family.

Our fun Sydney Trip

Now, we are going to spend 4 weeks together before Dane leaves again on the 11th Jan. It will be another 10 weeks separation but we will try to make visits in between. I thanked God for His love and comforts, for his protection and provision that we helped us got through this 9.5 weeks of separation. God is good all the time!

Esther is such a happy girl that most people think she does not cry (well how I wish it's true). She would smile at anyone anytime. I love taking her photos as she is always smiling. Her smile is so sweet and innocent. How blessed I'm to be Esther's mum. When I feel sad or stressed I would just look at Esther and she would give me a nice big smile. It always make me feel so much better.
Philipians 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Thank you Lord for Smiley Esther!

SMILE!