Of retreat and a reflection on PATIENCE

Updates about the retreat first! The family retreat we had was eventful and fun! Eventful because the room we had was..quite..quite..urm...bad. Sorry I could not find another word to describe it. Well, what can you expect when you only paid $138 for a 3D2N stay? Anyway, we were very thankful that Han slept well in her playpen! Very proud of her! Though she was busily trying to make familiar sense of her new surroundings just before she slept, she still deserved praise for being so adaptable! We definately feel more confident as parents to bring her out on trips and camps. We enjoyed the trip as we did different things like bringing Han to the Underwater World (much prefer the Perth and Sydney one!) . She enjoyed looking at the fishes at least! So that's good!

Onto mummyhood issues-I have set some goals for the next few weeks:
1. To wean her off BF for the main 3 meals of the day. Have to start early as I prepare to go back to work in 6mths time!
2. To get her to drink formula (from her straw cup!) for the 3 meals as supplement aside from the semi-solids. Of course, ideally I should express BM for this purpose, but I think my milk supply is dwindling since Han started solids and I really don't have the energy to express while taking care of her in the daytime!
Of course I still will jealously guard the 2 nursing sessions I have with her in the morning and night. Maybe nursing mothers should all be granted longer (paid??) leave so that all our children can be BF till 1 year old at least haha! I hope as BF takes a larger place in our society, this will be realised! I sometimes muse about switching jobs to be a lactation consultant! Maybe when I have 3 kids and ample experience!

Next 2 weeks, Evan will be working full days and that leaves me and Han alone at home! I pray that the Lord grant me strength and Han will not be fussing! I wonder if her 3rd tooth is coming out because she has been fussing lately while feeding! Well, yes yes, practise patience! That's the number 1 thing that God has been teaching me ever since I became a parent. That made me understand to a deeper extend why in 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible says that love is first and foremost PATIENT. Love is Patient. To love means to be patient. If I feel loved, means I know someone has been patient with me. When I give love, I give patience.

Now that must also means that God knows we are an impatient lot I suppose? Does impatience stem from self-centredness? I ponder..
I need God to help me to be patient for I know by my own flesh, my love for Han will never be what God wants it to be:)

Some versions of 1 Corinthians 13:4

NIV and NASB: "Love is patient" The Message: "Love never gives up" Amplified Bible: "Love endures long and is patient..." NKJV: "Love suffers long"

And I pray: Lord, allow me to know and be assured of the extent of your patience towards me that I may practise and give patience to those around me.

"But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:6