My NZ roadtrip companions teased me relentlessly on our hikes. Apparently, I unconsciously walk with my arms tucked neatly behind my back, lightly clasping my wrist. Like an old asian man. Here I am meandering through the Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua. Recently, my sister noticed my nephew holding himself similarly as he traipses around our neighborhood mall. The family resemblance is uncanny (except his shoes are way cooler):
church seasons
All the mulling helps. This is how I’m making sense of the church calendar, the seasons that help structure our corporate rhythms:
Advent was about anticipating and longing. We were learning to be a people who wait in hope for our Saviour who came once and will come again. The 40 days of Advent led us into Christmas.
Lent is about entering with Christ in His suffering. We are learning to be a people who recognize the counterfeit gods of our hearts, how desperately in need of a Savior we are, and to rejoice in Christ’s resurrection power. The 40 days of Lent will lead us into Good Friday and Easter.
a documentary
It took me a few sittings to watch American Symphony. Not because it wasn’t good. But because it was. I felt it invited me to take all the space I needed to digest it slowly. It is a quiet documentary, following musician Jon Batiste in his project to write a symphony worthy to be performed at Carnegie Hall. I was eager to see his creative process. He says:
“Some people are hardwired to create. We get energy from writing and performing, creating, and gathering people into a community. We also get energy from being together, the two of us, or being alone. We go through these periods of incubation, creativity, and refinement, incubation, creativity, and refinement. You’re letting your thoughts come to you, you’re observing, you’re creating, then you’re putting it out into the world. Then you see what happens and you refine that process. That’s a way of life and that’s a survival mechanism.”
What I didn’t expect was what a beautiful love story it would be also. Jon was nominated for eleven grammys the same week that his wife’s leukemia had returned. The juxtaposition of high highs and low lows. Choosing to navigate it together. Side by side. My favorite scene is during Suleika’s recovery after the bone marrow transplant, when she and Jon take a walk down the hospital hallway as if it were a playground. Following each other’s steps, gently and silently, with childlike smiles.
a snail mail surprise
Last Tuesday, I decided to check my mailbox despite having just checked it the day before. Lo and behold: a small package! I opened it to find a book that I already own. Strange, I thought. Surely I didn’t buy myself two copies of the same book and forgot that I did? I opened the cover to find that it was SIGNED TO ME. BY THE AUTHOR.
I love a good mystery. I had a few theories, but Suspect Number One was my cute sneaky mommy. I video-called her (forgetting it was very early in the morning, oops timezones). Yet she went from groggy to graceful in seconds, and proceeded to eagerly share the whole story as I held up the signed book, beaming. My parents had recently attended a workshop by Dani Treweek, hosted by Redeemer NYC. My mom remembered how much I appreciate Dani’s ministry (and how her book is one of my top reads in 2023). Long story short: Mom asked for signed copy. No more books. Dani offered to mail once back in Oz. She didn’t want money transferred until after postage (what a risk! what if my cute parents were scammers!)
It’s moments like this when I feel so over-the-top loved. That I’m honestly God’s favorite child. I’m so grateful for my mom’s thoughtfulness, Dani’s graciousness, and my dad’s wallet hehe. As for my original copy of the book? I had planned to do a giveaway through this newsletter, but I’ve already felt God nudge me on who that friend ought to be.
Moral of the story? Check your snail-mailbox every day, reb 🥰
a stack of pebbles
I had a pivotal meeting with my landlord last week that many of you were praying with me and for me (thank you!!). With a full day of work meetings on top of wanting to ensure I set the right tone with that visit, I knew I needed Holy Spirit to help me. Early that morning, He gave me the song Honey in the Rock:
There's honey in the rock, water in the stone
Manna on the ground, no matter where I go
I don't need to worry now that I know
Everything I need You've gotPraying for a miracle
Thirsty for the living well
Only You can satisfy
Sweetness at the mercy seat
Now I've tasted, it's not hard to see
Only You can satisfyThere's honey in the rock, purpose in Your plan
Power in the blood, healing in Your hands
Started flowing when You said it is done
Everything You did's enoughI keep looking, I keep finding
You keep giving, keep providing
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I keep praying, You keep moving
I keep praising, You keep proving
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I’m still in a holding pattern. The ball is in the landlord’s court. But I feel free. I did everything God asked me to do, to the best of my ability, and now the rest is God’s work. I can sit back, jam to this song, and stack up these ebenezer stones that I picked up by a creek in Punakaiki. Six of them represent the six homes God has miraculously provided in the 11 years I’ve lived in Singapore. The seventh is to remind me that His faithfulness endures forever.
Thank you for reading, friends!
I love God’s words of provision to his people in Psalm 81:16 (NIV):
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
love,
reb
I want to watch american symphony!! john batiste was on armchair expert and it was a DELIGHTFUL episode. He's a genius.