This pregnancy has once again shown to me the favour of God and men.
For the longest time in my life, I thought I was forsaken or at least left for good to have my faith tested for the longest duration the tester deems fit (like Joseph when he was in jail?) .
Somehow the things that people do or say to me this year have continuously illuminate the goodness of God once more.
My in laws.
I know they are very happy to have another grandchild.
My father-in-law gladly helped me in minding Zoe or Zane when I had to do parent volunteer work or bring either one to see the doctors. He also faithfully ferried Zane to and fro his school during my last trimester. He loved being able to see Zane’s progress as he got to see him weekly. He got himself familiar with Zane’s habits and non-verbal cues and he is happy that he can take care of him. A few ocassions, he even helped Zane clean up after he had pooed. Imagine a 60+ yo man doing that for a 6yo? I think he might not have even done any of this for his own children.
My mum-in-law, I know she saved up to buy the bird nest. Though she said those were for Lecia, I know she cares for me. She is also very concerned that I have to go through another caesarean section. She made good soup and yummy desserts any other week. Not once she said no when I needed hers or fil’s help. She even reminded me not to be shy to ask.
My family.
My mum who stayed with me for some weeks. She helped around the house so much that I felt so bad. She did a lot of thorough cleaning for me. I’m very grateful for all that she had done. She also looked after the kids very well and that gave Josh and I more opportunities to spend time alone. Her stay was timely.
My brother and his wife are generous. She graciously loaned me her maternity clothes to tie me through the last trimester and the initial months of delivery. They have also given us some other items which may not be useful and we will politely return them later in the year. 
Still, they love me. And I thank God for them.
Friends.
There is OL.
She dropped by a few ocassions with stuffs. The most pleasant surprise was the durians! She is one faithful friend. After so many years, she still makes efforts to keep in contact. She may not know it, but in my downest moment, she wrote me a letter which helped me so much to move on. Com’on, in this time and age, who else handwrite a letter and in Chinese somemore?! Being brave in facing the future can be achieved. What more when we have Christ in our boat?
There is D.
I have shared about her in one of my recent entries. She has done more than all that. What touches me most about D is that she loves my children and embraces them with understanding and care. She goes into every detail just to ensure that each of us is comfortable at her place. My boy has grown to love her. I can tell from the way he behaves at her place. He was so at home. No fuss…….. until we had to go home.
http://joshjesselynzoezane.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!FBE6BE7B6B0468C9!431.entry
This is one friend who treasures friendships and makes effort in keeping them. And we found each other in the net! Can you believe it?! Though we do lament how the friendships formed with our other e-friends can fade off through time, we never let that get into us. We try to meet up as regularly as we can. And I know, she will sure come and see Lecia next month. Right, my dear?
There is S.
Though I have left E eons ago, she is one of the very few who keeps constant tabs on me. I don’t know what I have done to deserve such affection from her. She goes through many miles for my son. She tries to learn more about this disablity and finds out more from her colleague on my behalf. Through that, there have been recommendations. I think she also knows cost will be a big constraint. God will help us find alternatives for Zane. Don’t worry, my dear. Your friend here is like a cactus.
There is a younger S.
Once she knew about the pregnancy, she wanted to be the baby’s godma. That was even before she knew if it’ll be a godson or goddaughter. Now that she is so looking forward to Lecia’s arrival (think she is happy it’s a girl, many more pretty things to buy) , I am sure she will heaps pressies upon pressies on her and she told me beforehand that I am not suppose to interfere, lest oppose. They share the same birth month, which I always think is the best month to celebrate one’s birthday. Like S always says, the whole month is her birthday. I think it will be so for Lecia too. Ha 
. I wonder how will it be like when S sees Lecia next week. It’s next week, my dear!! Next week!! Wow !!!
Among my friends, she is the youngest in terms of the ‘age’ of the friendship but somehow we share a very special and unique bond. We did not instantly like each other. But once the friendship took off, we are very comfortable with each other and we share honestly to each other our thoughts on matters which matter to us. It is like we’ve known each other for a long long time. I know she will be one whom I will love for a long long time. Though I’m a decade older than her, honestly we don’t feel any generation gap. It is also through her, many misperceptions about her folks were cleared. That I am thankful.
There is J.
She is one friend I can count on. I know it is by divine appointment that we would get acquainted in PB. We actually just stay a couple of blocks away from each other. She is also one who is she-is-what-you-see. She is very real, very passionate and very giving. I am happy that she is happy to rivert back to Kindergarten teaching calendar. I think her children like it this way too. Mums always want to be home when the kids are at home, don’t they, working mums? She has helped me a lot and she graciously agreed to help me this couple of weeks with the kids and their food when I need to see my gynae or deliver. Thank you, dear J.
From PB, I also get to know another J and R. They are also very lovely ladies. They offer very good and tested advice. We always make it a point to meet up every holiday since we left PB and I know next month we’ll meet again. 
There is A.
She is one lady who has helped me for the longest time. I never know how can I be a blessing back to her. She was there when I was down and alone. She helped me through my most helpless times. She encouraged and she shared the burden. She prayed and believed God for me (my faith was near nil then). She always bring me back to the fountain. I know if she can, she will force my mouth open and drain the fountain of life into me. Yet, she also knows, that is the best she can do and the rest is between God and I. She portrays such maturity. She is one of the very few Christian friends whom I don’t find preachy or forceful. She is sensitive. She is fair. She is compassionate. She is also loving. All in the right ways. She is such a lovely creation of God. She is one whom you will say, “Yes, I do see a fine Christian on this planet earth. Look, she is one.”
I know there are some more lovely souls who have been a blessing. When I have “collected” enough, I may write a part two.
All these show me, even though I am a stay home mum this year, I am still remembered by friends. I recall that my previous sahm stint was greeted with much loneliness or even abandonment, if I can use that term. It was like all my friends left me to do my stuffs. That was also why I turned to forums and chat rooms (for mamas) and found some really good friends. Those were friends for the season. We are still friends now, no doubt. But it has been different since our common ground (the chat room) was removed.
Still, God is good. He favours His beloved. I am encouraged to know that I am still His beloved.
