Monkey Tales

We had an oh-so-interesting visit to a new park today, McRitchie Reservoir. Firstly, it was beautiful. Like a landscaped rainforest! We didn't make it far into the forest though, pushing the double stroller up the steep hills. But we do have a story to tell!

As we crossed a bridge to the other side of the lake, I spotted a monkey. "Wow, monkeys roam freely in this park", I thought. "Let's hurry over before he scurries away." As I rushed over to give the girls a peek, I suddenly caught sight of his family, extended family, and 100 closest friends! Not only did he not rush off; He invited us to his house! "They're harmless", an passerby exclaimed. "The governement would never allow them to roam here if they were a problem." Hmmm... It was about then that my motherly instincts should have started kicking in. It all happened so fast!

It was about 10am, so we didn't have any food in sight; Just an inconspicuous juice cup. Ever the mindful mother, always thinking first of my children's safety and well-being, I took out the camera and began snapping photos of the monkeys barraging my children. All of a sudden, one of the monkeys climbed right up onto the stroller and snatched Ellie's juice cup right out of her hand! Amazing dexterity, the little dickens!

Before I realized it, that darned critter ran up the side of the hill straight up into the tree with poor Ellie's cup. Mommy thought the whole scene was hilarious, but Ellie was not as amused. The three of us waited helplessly as we watched him laboriously try to crack it open from the top of the tree. Meanwhile, (I'm quite sure they were working in cahoots!) another monkey spied our backpack open which was hanging on the back of the stroller. He jumped on top of the stroller, onto the backpack and began rummaging through the bag for more untold goodies! Luckily mom was becoming keener on these aggressive monkeys and I shooed him away before he could make off with any more loot!

I am not kidding, we (and the small but growing crowd of onlookers) waited for 20 minutes while the cup was passed from monkey to monkey, each having their turn trying to get into this treasure. (I was determined to get the cup back, because I just bought it, at the only store in Singapore that carries this type, and it wasn't cheap!) At one point, it dropped out of the tree, and a whole swarm of monkeys bolted out of the tree to fetch the prize! One papa monkey-- he looked bigger and smarter than the rest-- snatched it up for himself, and the other monkeys knew who was boss. They left him alone. He gnawed and chewed and grunted but to no avail. Another baby monkey took up where he left off. He dragged it across to the other side of the lake, but we followed in hot pursuit. Finally, he let go of the battle-scarred sippie cup, and left it by the bank of the river. The other monkeys had lost interest, so I swept in to recover it. It was chewed to shreds. Such a short, tragic life.

And poor little Ellie. Kathryn was kind enough to share her cup with Ellie for the rest of the morning, but both were a bit traumatized. Kathryn kept saying "Mommy, the monkeys! Hurry-- take my cup before they can get it!"

Later after the incident, an observer asked "Haven't you been here before? Didn't you know? You don't ever want to have a picnic here. Never feed the crazy monkeys!"

Thanks for the tip.

Beautiful McRitchie Reservoir

"Hey, come play at our house!"

Unbelievable! I just wish I'd gotten a pic of the girls' faces!

See what he's chewing on??

We still managed to have a good time!

Parenting 101: When nothing else works

Life Lessons in the Kitchen: On Cookie Dough and Other Sweet Rewards

My parents who have been here with us in Singapore the last 2 weeks just left this morning. They should have just landed in Tokyo on their return. We had a fabulous time with them, and we were so sad to see them go. Yes, the Wallace home was a bit forlorn this morning. Kathryn wandered aimlessly looking for something to do that was as fun as having her Nana and Pags here. And I tried to put back on my "full-time mommy" hat after 2 luxiourious weeks of lots and lots of help.

On a somewhat related note, some life lessons hit me as Kathryn, Nana and I were making cookies together in the kitchen a few days ago. The coveted batter was emerging and Kathryn was standing on a stool overlooking the oh-so-tempting bowl. (And what ADULT can even resist the urge to scoop the finger in to have "just a little taste"?) So I seized the teaching moment.

"Kathryn, that batter sure does look good, doesn't it? You know, Nana said that we shouldn't put our fingers in the batter. And she promised that if we wait, when the batter is done, we can each lick a beater. So I'm going to use self control, and not eat the batter. Do you know what that is?"

"What is it?"

"Well, self-control is when you decide not to do something now because something else better is coming later... (Ok, this may not pass as a philosophical definition, but it worked in the moment.)... SO I'm going to decide not to try the batter now, so that I can have that big beater later! Do you think you can do that?"

"Yeah! I'll wait now, and then later I'll get the beater! And cookies too!"

For the next couple of intense minutes, all seemed to be going smoothly with the dough and the teaching experiment. But all of a sudden, Kathryn jumped off the stool, ran to her room, and plopped down in her bed with her blankie. Reduced to a pile of tears, she lamented, "It's TOO HARD; It's TOO HARD!" It took several minutes of convincing and a serious pep-talk to lure her back into the kitchen. When we returned, Nana had finished up the batter and was ready to fire up the mixer. Now the goal was in sight! Within a couple of minutes, a revived Kathryn joyfully licked every microscopic bit of batter off the prized treat.

There are many days that I feel like Kathryn on the inside. "It's too hard; It's too hard," is my internal lament. Then I hear my words to Kathryn coming back to me-- Something better is coming later. If I can just keep my eyes on the prize, then I am refreshed and can keep on going. Whether it's self-control, to say "no" to something that numbs our senses to greater rewards, or it's perseverance to keep running the long race ahead, it's the awaited treasure that fuels the flame.

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down on the right hand of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb. 12:2-3)

[And as a matter of public confession, I must admit that I tasted the batter when Kathryn wasn't looking. One of the perks of adulthood.]

Sweet rewards!

Someone Greater Than Solomon

I've been reading through the Old Testament kings. I'll admit--sometimes the figures seem a bit dry, and I wonder what I'm supposed to learn from them. So I've been praying "Lord, show me Jesus as I read about these kings." He has been answering that prayer...

He was at the height of his kingdom. His father, King David, had passed along all the blessing of God's promises to his son, and Solomon was in the top of his game. His popularity ratings were off the charts. Everyone loved him. I can't think of a single modern example, where a ruler was so famed, so popular, so loved by his people.

After David's death when Solomon was established as king, God gave Solomon a unique opportunity. "Ask for anything you want me to give you." WOW! Give me rest from my enemies. Give me the favor of the people. These first come to my mind. But Solomon says "Lord, you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge... for who can rule this great people of Thine?"

1 Kings 3 tells us that God promised him a wise and discerning heart, "so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you." Quite a promise! Now put yourself in his shoes. Can you not hear these thoughts rising within you? "...No one so wise as ME...No one before ME or after ME as discerning as ME!" Surely that is what he was thinking, right?

During the next 4 years, Solomon enjoyed all the things he didn't ask God for--Fame, wealth, honor, peace, and more. Yet God had something else very special in mind for Solomon. Of all the generations that passed between the exodus from Egypt, to the conquering of the promised land, God had given this king an honor known by no other. Solomon would build a house where God's presence would dwell. He spared no expense in materials or workmanship to complete the temple to the exact specifications that his father had relayed to him. It was a seven year job. No architectural structure like it had existed before his time, and now the task was complete.

The whole nation is assembled before the wondrous temple for a grandiose celebration. A hush falls over the crowd. Every eye is upon the king as he stands up to address the people. Solomon approaches the altar. He raises up to stand upon it so everyone can see him, and raises up his hands before the people. With every eye watching, the grand and powerful Solomon kneels in the presence of the people and spreads his hands out towards heaven. Then he begins his speech, not to the people, but to God, "O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no god like Thee in heaven or on the earth...Will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built." He goes on to entreat God to listen and answer the prayers offered to Him there in the temple.

The Bible tells us that when Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house so that the priests could not enter for the greatness of His glory. I suspect that God's great pleasure shown toward this display was in response in part to the great humility he found in his servant Solomon.

Ponder in awe this figure, Solomon, who was the greatest king the earth had known. Ponder his wisdom as he ruled in power and discernment over his people. Ponder his humility as this greatest of all kings bows in humble worship before the God of the universe. But please, don't stop there.

Here I need to press the pause button for a moment. How many hundreds of sermons have we heard that call us to model the greatness of a biblical character? "Be like Abraham", who trusted God and was willing to give his son. "Be like Daniel", who would not bow to the king. Here we could say, "Be like Solomon", who asked for wisdom over riches; or who bowed in humility. Great models, all of them. Solomon was great, and we should emulate his humility and request for wisdom. But could we be missing the point? Let me ask it this way-- Does your heart ever cry out "YES!" within you when someone calls you to ponder the greatness of Solomon? Does your soul feel fed by the great wisdom of this biblical king? Great as he is, mine doesn't either.

Solomon bowed because he was NOT the King. All the Old Testament kings, great, famous, wicked, godly, all together shout "I'm not THE King. THE King is coming!" So as I quote these passages, think of Solomon, and let them bring you deeper than Solomon could go.

"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here." (Mt. 12:42)

"But God chose the folish things of the world to shame the wise...so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God..." (1 Co 1:27,30) You thought Solomon was wise?

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature, God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taken the very nautre of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Ph. 2:6-8) You thought Solomon was humble?

So THAT is why we read...(don't miss the climax!) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every (king's) name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee show bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Ph. 2:9-11)

Bow with me before this One who IS wisdom; who humbled Himself in ways we cannot fathom; who is exalted above every name. This One feeds my soul. To this One, my heart cries "Yes!" For this One is FAR greater than Solomon.

Check out these great pics from Kathryn's 3rd Birthday Party Bash! What a fun time these little girls had!

Party is about to start... Here's mommy's
party princess!

Here comes Kathryn! She is delighted to be
the first to show off her party attire during
the fashion show.

Mommy, party princess, and Mr. Butler...
You'll never see daddy dressed up like this again!

One more little party girl!

K intently focused on her tea

K's flower cake

Jim serves as tea party butler :)

K opening her gifts

Kathryn is beside herself with excitement. Not only is her Dress-Up, Tea Party 3rd Birthday Party Extravaganza this weekend, but honored guests Nana and Pags (my parents) are arriving the night before. She was a little concerned that we were not inviting boys to the party (because, of course, she wants to invite everyone she's ever met.) When I explained the boys just don't usually like tea parties, she pointed out that both Pags and daddy profess to be fans. She got me there.

So how do I explain to her why her whole family can't come?? After all, Nana and Pags are coming, so why can't everyone just hop on a plane for the big affair? Today she wanted to invite her little friend Makayla, who lives in China. She has a vague sense that China is closer to her home than the US, so surely Makayla can attend, right? "Makayla only has to take one plane to come to my house, but Nana and Pags have to take 3!", she tells me. This is one bright kid.

Another appropriate word you could use to describe this child is expressive. Whether she is elated, depressed, or flaming mad, there is no mystery. (Just like her daddy.) I marvel at her emotional awareness, as I was convinced I really didn't experinece negative emotions like the rest of humanity until I was about 22.

Stay turned for a full report on the grand festivities!

I just did a search for "Jesus" on this website, and I found a million and a half listings. President Bush, on the other hand, only had slightly over a million. That tells me that people consider Jesus someone worth talking about (even more than national politics--wow!). But with so much discussion, why create another Jesus blog?

That's a good question. But first, since His name is used in such a wide variety of contexts, (profane and otherwise), let me define who I am speaking about here.

I'm talking about Jesus... who is fully God, existing before time in perfect unity within the Trinity along with the Father and the Spirit.

I'm talking about Jesus...who became fully man, experiencing and identifying with all of the pain and temptation of humanity, yet completely without sin.

I'm talking about Jesus... who, being fully God and fully man, suffered the penalty for our sin by His death upon a cross.

I'm talking about Jesus... who triumphantly conquered death by His resurrection, reconciling to God those who would simply trust in Him.

I'm talking about Jesus... who will one day return for His own that they might live with Him forever...whose promises both present and future bring hope and meaning to all the struggles we face today.

I'm talking about Jesus... the author, creator, and sustainer of life; worthy of all praise, at whose feet all of humanity will one day bow in worship.

That's the Jesus I worship.

Back to my original question. So, why another Jesus blog? Let me answer that by telling you a bit about myself. I am a mother of young children. Most days I awake to the pitter-patter of little feet, just slightly before the bold declaration, “Mommy, I’m up!” My day is filled with diapers, dishes, and desperate efforts to maintain perspective. "Bring me to Jesus" is a need I feel every day.

As an alternative blog title, I considered "Melancholy Mommy". Yes, this celebration of melancholy would mark an offical end to considering this disposition a curse. I am thankful He made me a thinker, even if I do go overboard at times. But because I often get stuck meandering in pensivity (is this a word?), I constantly need to have my eyes lifted up!

Yet, I have not penned these thoughts after long and contemplative hours spent in solitude and meditation. No, motherhood does not (thankfully) afford me such long stretches of sitting alone with my thoughts. Rather, these pages are written in the daily (hourly!) trenches. (Ok, usually during naptime.) They are written because in my emptiness, He has graciously condescended to come near time after time. They are written because I believe the greatest hunger of our hearts is that we would feast on Him who is Life. They are written because being "brought to Jesus" is what my own soul desperately needs.

No, I don't plan to write spirtual meditations in every post. Sometimes I will just write about life... The adventures of life as a mother living overseas with 2 small childen. Plenty of stories there! But in the day-in, day-out of life, my greatest need is to see Jesus. I imagine I am not alone.

May He mercifully open our eyes to see brief visions of His beauty today that would carry us to the day when we behold Him face to face.