Happy Lunar (Chinese) New Year!
Finally back after being away for a while.
CN & myself went back to KL for CNY, and went with his family to Hanoi, Vietnam for a short trip.
It wasn’t a great trip as the shops were mostly closed over CNY and it was colder than most expected and prepared for (below 10deg). But for CN & myself, as our objective was to spend time with his family (seeing them 10-15 days per year only), we were glad to be anywhere with them. More about Hanoi later.
CNY is as usual, LOTs and LOTs of eating!!! I really do feel FAT (tho’ some would kill me if I said so)… and I ate so much of good food till I’ve a sore throat now hehe…. Yet this week we still have more gatherings of good food to go!
CNY is a super lull period for the JEDI group as majority return home for reunions. The week before, I wrote an email to encourage them to love their family tangibly since they’re away from home much. May it bless your heart too.
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Dearest JEDI Family,
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR (in advance)!!!
In a week’s time, many of us will be going back to our home country to celebrate Lunar New Year with our families!
Here’s wishing you a great time of feasting as well as building deeper relationships with your family members.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exo 20:12
As Christians, God has called us to honor our parents as well as to be salt & light wherever we go. As you spend time with your family this festive season, it’s a great time to shower God’s love into their lives, especially so if your family has not come to know the God that can give them beyond material needs – love, joy, peace, security! Matt 6:25-33.
Here are some pointers that we have used in our lives, may it be helpful to you. Of course, if there are better ways you can think of to bless your families, please go beyond these pointers! (and pleaseeee don’t limit showing love to just festive seasons, but whenever u can!)
1. Prepare gifts for your families – cookies, fruits, herbs for soup, their favourite foods etc.
2. Prepare money (in red packets for the Chinese families) for your father & mother separately – an amount more than your regular giving. It is good to give a small amount to your siblings & grandparents as well.
3. Help out with chores e.g. cooking, buying stuff, cleaning up etc.
4. Be spirit-controlled in your speech – it shows that God has changed your life when you’re more respectful & encouraging to your family!
5. Restore relationships if you’ve any broken ones (ask God to give you strength to forgive or to say sorry)
In summary, be generous in giving, in loving, and spend quality time asking how your family members are doing. Quality time does more wonder than quantity time ya? J
For many of us who are the only/ minority few who are Christians in your family, take heart! God has called you so that you may intercede and share His saving message to your family. If you predict that your elders may ask you to offer prayers/ incense to other gods and you do not know how to reject them kindly, please do not hesitate to ask your shepherd/ CL/ us.
Looking forward to hearing testimonies of closer relationships when we’re all back!
In His love,
CN & Christine
