June 1, 2009

I received this picture captured by my brother-in-law Mr. Minthang Khuptong on December 29. The picture was taken as my wife Khomting Vaiphei's condition deteriorated. As she was on drips, I was by her side fiddling with my mobile when my brother-in-law captured us through his mobile phone. This could be one of the last photographs we were in together. I like the picture so much I have posted it here for posterity.

New Year's Eve Reflection

Dear Friend,




With the end of the year quickly approaching, I find myself reflecting on previous year-ending December 31s. When I was fresh in high school, I remember the high expectations that I used to have of the coming New Year, almost breathless, eagerly waiting for the dawn of a new year. I used to look forward to entering a higher class and making and meeting new friends. I remember the joy and bubble of the youthfulness that was encompassing me, engulfing me with rupturous enthusiasm and new anticipation, brighter and better than the previous year. I remember my mother dashing off for last minute shoppings, just to fulfil my youthful demands. I remember the time we waited for a mid-night ABBA - the Movie show with friends, hanging out in the cold without caring a hoot. As time went by I mellowed a little and things began to change gradually but surely. By the time I was blessed with four daughters, my perspective and idea about New Year's eve had taken a diametrical change. But whatever it is, one thing remained constant. New Year's eve is the best time for indepth reflection - a time to look back into the past with gratitufe and at the same time to look forward to the promises and challenges of the future.



Whatever the future holds, I will never get over the thankfulness I feel at this time for all that I have been blessed with. 2009 will long be remembered as the year my wife left me for her eternal rest. But it will also be remembered not only for the trials but also for the many triumphs which are too numerous to list in this bulletin box.



My prayer for you as we reflect back on this last day of 2009 is that you might continue to experience the wonder of God in a very personal way . . . that you might feel a sense of awe and gratitude for the gift of life, health, family, education, money, and many many more . . . that you might centre your reflection on the One who is worthy. He alone is the One who can pull us up and He alone is the one who can pull us down.



Have a meaningul and purposeful reflection today!

The Joy Of Christmas

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." (Luke 2:10)




The first time the word "joy" was mentioned in the New Testament was in connection with the birth of Jesus. The Bible says the Magi "rejoiced with exceeding great joy" (Mt 2:10). The angels rejoiced! The shepherds rejoiced! And it seemed that the only person on whom there was a negative impact was Herod. Although the Bible spoke of Him as a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3), the primary purpose of the incarnation was to bring about a transformational change in humanity. A sin-sick world, ravaged by all the ills that one could think of, was badly in need of hope, hope in the form of joy. And he wanted to give "full joy" (John 16:24) and not half-full.



Our Christmas sermon this morning delivered by our local Pastor was based on Luke 2. The sermon was entitled "To see what the Lord has made known to us" based on v. 15. It was a wonderful sermon. I have been truly blessed.

After the service, we took a picture with our Pastor and his family (wife and son). I have posted the picture here along with two others, one of my daughter Patricia and the other a picture of me which she took.

MY GIRL IS THE "GIRL OF THE YEAR"

What was a routine school function on Saturday, December 19, 2009, turned out to be a red-letter day for the family. Though my children have to a certain degree excelled in their studies, participated in high school-level science seminars, debating competitions and other events, and brought home cash prizes and certificates, none of them matched what my eldest daughter Nadine achieved last Saturday.

Am I ecstatic? Proud? Probably both and more! I am in seventh heaven. I am proud to be Nadine's father, and for that matter I am proud of all my daughters, from the doting little Robie, to the ever-changing Janie and the book-worm Patricia. You literally have to drag Patricia out for fun or sports, otherwise, she would prefer to sit inside and read the wide-range of fiction and non-fiction that I have collected over the years. I am a book-lover, willing to part with heavy for for a set of encyclopaedia. I am even willing to buy books that I know I would never touch them but would like them to grace my library. You'd be astonished to see the wide-range of books that I have collected.



Well, back to Nadine! When my first daughter was born I browsed through different names and ultimately settled for "Nadine" which literally means "my hope". True to her name and my deep-longing, she has turned out to be a fine daughter. I am really blessed to be her father and not the other way round.

On Saturday, the First Lady of the State (the wife of the Governor), presented Nadine with the "Foundian Girl of the Year Award 2009". Oh! it was so wonderful! To be chosen the "girl of the year" is no mean achievement. I went to school and university for close to 20 years and never came close to achieving such a feat. I am so happy for her to receive the award in her final high school year.



The award consisted of a citation, book and cash prize of Rs.1000. They are just another ordinary stuff but what is extraordinary is the recognition, the achievement! Oh, to be the "Girl Of The Year"!



Dear daughter, may God grant you the wisdom and the courage to continue to walk the right path in the days ahead!

MY GIRLS ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME!

"I'll be home for Christmas" is a song you'd like to sing in the days preceding Christmas if you are faraway from home. The deep longing of a son or daughter is to return home before Christmas and be with the family during the festive season. For mothers and fathers it is a time to renew bonds and share the Good News about God's greatest Gift! If dinners, friends, carols, sparkling new dresses and re-unions are common around Christmas time, it is good to remember that all these and more are possible only because of the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ! Christmas is a time for celebration. It is a time for friendship. Christmas is a time for family. A time for joy and happiness. A time for all the goodies. And a time for love. Are you home for Christmas?

December 25 is still three days away. But the festive mood has seized everyone of us. And my girls are having a great time. The youth fellowship of our church celebrated advent Christmas since yesterday, culminating with a "musical nite" tonight. My eldest daughter Nadine and her sibling Patricia sang solo yesterday evening. During the musical nite this evening, they both sang again, and they enjoyed it. I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride with their performances. My third daughter Janie danced with two other friends and the crowd went wild, dancing along with them. If the three older sisters are involved, can little Robie be left behind?

Oh, she was so enthralled by the performances of her sisters, she expressed her desire to sing too, some day. I would love to hear her sing. She has a sweet voice, singing "Row, row, row your boat" at least once a day. But as we sit in the crowd and as the night grew older, her sleepy eyes turned to me and said, "Papa, take me home". As we left the Sunday School hall where the event was organized I knew that Christmas 2009 will always be remembered for various reasons:

- the children have started to learn to enjoy themselves!

- God has given them potentials which need to be nurtured!

- the first Christmas without their mother!

Will you be home for Christmas?