Family – Page 4 – trippingdifferently

August 31, 2024September 1, 2024

We are MOVING

Yes, it’s true. It’s sudden and it is happening quickly.

We believe this is God’s plan for this time in our lives. Our own human plans would have been completely different.

There’s a saying in Chinese – 人算不如天算 – it means human plans can not compare to God’s plans.

Our own human plans would have been to stay in Switzerland till retirement or at least for a few more years. But God dropped the offer of a new job for my husband into our laps. We prayed about it and told God that if this is His Plan, things would have to happen smoothly and quickly. And it has.

So we will be moving from Switzerland to Singapore.

We are sad about leaving Switzerland. We arrived more than two decades ago, newlyweds. Here is where we grew into a family of three, wonderfully supported by a beautiful church family and have made some wonderful friends both in our working lives and privately.

My emotions have been all over the place since we had confirmation that this is happening. But I have been focusing on the practical things we need to do, sorting, packing, giving things away, selling other stuff, looking into shipping the stuff we wanna bring with, the sale of our apartment and other paperwork such as what we need to bring Lexi, our Schnauzer with us etc.

But now it feels more real because some of the practical things have been worked through. Now I feel more ready to face my feelings about this move. And honestly, I think if it were just a human decision, I would be hmming and ahhing about this. But I know, in my heart of hearts, this IS God’s plan for us, so while my heart aches to be leaving somewhere I consider home, I know God is with us. Also, we are moving back home, even if I have changed and grown over time and am not the same person who left all those years ago, even though for me, I am not sure what my role would be when I get back to Singapore, we have loving family and friends we are returning to.

syc

July 31, 2024August 7, 2024

BMT POP

That stands for Basic Military Training (BMT) Passing Out Parade (POP).

My boy has finished his training and is now officially a private in the army. The husband went to attend the ceremony.

Here are a couple of photos:

Next, another 20 or so months of service to his country.

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May 31, 2024June 6, 2024

He’s an NSman…

My son’s enlistment day was 16 May 2024 so he’s now known as an NSman.

I witnessed his enlistment and it was great to have been there for the start of a new chapter of his life. 4 family members were allowed to witness his enlistment so it was my mum, brother, godma and I. The husband will come to witness the end of his basic military training (BMT).

We got bussed into the camp from the nearest MRT (subway) station, there was a mini tour of the bunks and then it was off to the multi-purpose hall to watch some videos while we wait for the rest of the people to arrive.

There was a brief introduction of the personnel responsible for the day-to-day running of the camp and all the officers as well as a care team. The care team is a recent addition to the life of a military camp which is reassuring for a mum to know that they are more aware of mental health needs these days.

Parents are also encouraged to join a specific Telegram channel to be updated on their daily activities in BMT and Slack channel for direct communications. So now I have 2 more apps on my phone.

We also got to try the canteen food they would be having during their time in camp.

Here are a few pictures from enlistment day and a couple of him in his uniform:

Besides being there for my boy’s enlistment, I was also able to be there for my elderly relatives, accompanying them to medical appointments and helping them with some tech stuff. I managed to find time to clear out my dad’s clothes and his chest of drawers. We found some “treasures” and remembered some lovely memories.

There was, of course, the usual yummy foods and time to meet other family and friends. One highlight was going to Sentosa with one of my cousins’ son and his girlfriend while they visited Singapore for a couple of days (they live in Japan).

Here are some photos: