God knows our needs and unspoken desires.

I had a major stroke on 6th October 2018. This is the reason for the long silence in my blog posts. This is my first post since the stroke struck.

I had a wedding to attend in Tanah Rimba, Bukit Janda near Genting Highlands. The outdoor wedding ceremony was scheduled to start at 3.00 pm and dinner would end late, after which I would have to drive back to faraway Cyberjaya. Naturally, I was concerned about my stamina ( after the stroke)  on such a long day and having to drive home alone after that as my husband was busy with an important task and could not drive me.

Lydia & Andrew offered me a lift for the dinner event alone. Pastor Irene also offered me a lift from her home to Janda Baik for the noon ceremony.  Earlier I opted for the less strenuous dinner alone event. However, the night before, we had durian therapy and it rained very heavily. And so, I slept soundly till 8.40 am on the morning of the wedding. Upon awakening, I felt refreshed and invigorated so I texted Lydia and Irene to tell them I would be going with Irene. I further offered to drive Irene and Michelle up as I was rather familiar with the narrow winding road up, having driven there many times to Maranatha, a favourite silent retreat resort. The drive up itself was lovely as I re-lived many memories of driving up here several years ago. The joy of nostalgia as we travel to a favourite familiar place is indeed therapeutic.

What a lovely spot for an outdoor wedding! After the heavy rain the night before, the place was so cool and fresh. The venue was beautifully decorated, with fresh flowers including huge fresh peonies. Irene was very relieved at not having to drive and navigate the window uphill road as she was officiating the wedding ceremony.  The groom broke down for several minutes while saying his vows. He touched our hearts with his genuineness. We had such a good time there with our children and our cute granddaughter in the lovely green surroundings.

Irene officiating the wedding ceremony

Groom Guan Yan kisses Christina

With the  pretty bridesmaids

Family picture -
Me, Sue Jan, Emma and Irene

Smiling with Emma

Emma with her infamous scowl.

The dinner was beautiful, The hall was decked up in fairy lights. My dear friends - the Pang Yeows with Peter on the guitar, together with Cory and Sylvia - the bride's parents performed and sang all their old favourite songs up stage.  Cory took Christina through the traditional father-bride dance which brought tears to our eyes as Thomas sang " Butterfly Kisses"

Father-daughter dance to Butterfly Kisses.

Beautiful flowers and table arrangement by littleoncedeco

We also thoroughly enjoyed the talented violinist Helga. Emma was mesmerized by her and danced to her violin playing.  Helga kindly obliged Emma and knelt down to be the same height as Emma's level. The groom Guan Yan and his band Big Bird performed for his bride and guests. The young ones also sang many lovely numbers.

Me and Irene in the beautiful wood-paneled hall,

Groom and bride danced below fairy lights.

The groom and bride danced to romantic melodies. The beautiful evening ended with the young and old ones on the dance floor, singing, and dancing to old and new melodies.  On our way out,  before the event officially ended, the florist Pei Yee ( littleoncedeco) offered us 3 beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers. She probably could read my body language that I  loved her flowers arrangement. I was overwhelmed with joy.

 One of  the lovely bouquets given
by the kind florist Pei Yee

I reached home safely after dropping Irene and Michelle. This is the farthest I have driven after the stroke. Thank you for extending my boundary and for giving me strength. Thank you, God, for seeing to our needs for transport - both mine and Irene and the bridal party's need for good weather minus rain. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for meeting the unvoiced inner desires within me for the lovely flowers.