Saturday, 21st November 2009Exactly 17 years ago today, my wife and I stood at the front of Paya Lebar Methodist Church (who had turned 60 that year) and exchange our vows before God and some 500 of our
relatives, friends and churchmates.
Here is a photo gallery that I did up of you when we were still courting so that I could think of you every moment of the day. It now sits inside my room in the office so that I can continue to think of you every moment of the day :-)
Dearie, as I look back upon these 17 years, the following events come to mind...
In 1992, I recall us going for a short 3-day honeymoon to Penang via Taiwanese Eva Air and my mom asking how come we did not travel via SIA. Remember how everyone on the plane clapped when we landed safely in Penang and in Singapore? We were only 25 and 23 years old back then, having just started work and could not afford an expensive holiday.
In 1993, I recall us going for a 10-day tour to Europe and extending our stay in England for another week, spending Christmas with our aunt who stays nears Wembley Stadium. I could not afford to make a separate visit to Villa Park in Birmingham, but you did take a photo of me outside Stamford Bridge in West London. Little did we know that our son would end up supporting Chelsea ten years later.
In 1994, we both decided to teach in Sunday School. Do you remember this 9-year girl exclaiming "You are married?!" when both of us were first introduced to them? I suppose she felt we looked too young to be married.
In 1995, do you remember this 15-year old guy who was a church leader's son asking us how come we did not had kids, and we replying him, "Pray for us lor". Sure enough, Rachel arrived the next year.
In 1996, we became the proud parents of Rachel. She is the first grandchild on both my wife's family as well as my family and has grown into a sweet and beautiful young lady.
In 1997, we became the proud parents of Mark. He will ensure that the Loh family heritage continues and that PLMC will one day have a family that has its sixth generation of worshippers...
In 1998, we discovered that our son had small kidneys and had to bring him to see the doctor frequently. I recall being angry with God. I had asked for a boy and He gave me one with a medical condition.
In 1999, we spent many days and nights at the hospital, being worried about our son because the creatinine and urea levels kept on going up. The doctor warned us that at that rate, he may have to go on dialysis.
In 2000, our son had to be put on dialysis because his kidneys had failed totally. My anger at God became disappointment with Him. I had just gone back to PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Manager and decided to put my heart and soul into my career.
In 2001, I continued to neglect you and the kids. I was escaping from family responsibilities and spending long hours and even weekends in the office.
In 2002, our marriage hit rock bottom and we even talked about getting a divorce. I thank God for Rev Wee Boon Hup and Mrs Catherine Wee, whom dad asked us to see.
In 2003, God slowly but surely started to restore our marriage. We attended the Married for Life course and understood that our marriage was supposed to be a covenant that was cut before a covenant-keeping God. No matter what happens, we are to stick together through thick and thin.
In 2004, we attended the Parenting for Life and learnt how to speak into our children's future. My career however was facing spiritual attacks and I quit PwC at the end of 2004 to take on a 1-year contract job at a lower pay.
In 2005, I recall us praying in the car each day, and calling for things that did not yet exist. Within 3 months, I was offered a permanent job as a Senior Manager! The power of praying together as husband and wife never was made more manifest! This was also the year when I was first introduced to the grace gospel via a colleague who brought his pastor's sermons to share around the office.
In 2006, we started to understand more and more what Christianity is all about -- living life to the fullest as a result of Christ's finished work. May God raise more grace preachers like Ps Joseph Prince in the last days! Amen?
In 2007, Rev Peter Koh made me to step down as Treasurer and cell leader as a result of embracing the grace gospel. Thanks for standing by me even though there were fellow church members who started to shun me, thinking I was a heretic. May they one day discover for themselves that this is the true gospel, and not the mixture they have been feeding on week in week out.
In 2008, God blessed me with a brand new job, gave our son a brand new kidney, and also fulfilled your dream by giving us a brand new BMW. All praise and glory to Him!
2009 has indeed been a dektos year of the Lord. God has continued to bless our marriage and my career. You turned 40 in September and had a great time catching up with your friends since Primary school days.
It has indeed been 17 eventful years and I look forward to many, many more years to come (pleasant ones this time around, since we know our position in Christ!)
HAPPY 17TH ANNIVERSARY, DARLING WIFEY! :-)
