Celebrating a Wedding Anniversary with Nasi Lemak

Celebrating a Wedding Anniversary with Nasi Lemak 

Click here to read how you can prepare Nasi Lemak in your own home.

Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice)

The Swallow's family enjoy Nasi Lemak. A traditional meal of Nasi Lemak, which is also known as Coconut Rice, in Singapore is usually served during breakfast. It is accompanied by sambal (a cooked chilli paste), fried peanuts, fried anchovies , a few cucumber slices and a few slices of hard-boiled eggs. Additional dishes can be added to this and the dish eaten during lunch or dinner.

Preparing the Nasi Lemak meal at home is a process that takes some time, but the smiles on the her family's faces...priceless! The process is also made easier with the use of a rice cooker, and doing meal preparation over a few days rather than a few hours.

NASI LEMAK (COCONUT RICE) (serves 4 - 6)

Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice)

Ingredients

2 cups long grain rice
100 ml coconut cream
water
1/2 tsp salt
A bunch of pandan leaves, rinsed and tied together in a knot (optional)

Method

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Placed the washed rice in a rice cooker. Add the coconut cream and enough water to reach the '3 cups' mark in the rice cooker. Add salt and mix well.
2. Do not cover the pot yet. Cook the rice according to manufacturer's guidelines. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. When the water is boiling, cover the lid and let the rice cook until the rice cooker switches off automatically. 
4. Once the rice cooker signals its readiness, remove the lid and fluff the rice. Return the lid and switch off the heat.

Putting it together

1. To serve, place the amount of rice to be consumed on a plate.
2. Add the sambal e.g. Sambal Tumis or Sambal Ikan Bilis.
3. Add cucumber slices.
4. Add fried peanuts, fried anchovies and hard-boiled eggs.
5. Add other optional items like fried luncheon meat, fried chicken, fried fish.

Notes

1. Sambal can be made in advanced, cooled and kept in the fridge for up to five days. Re-heat before serving it with the rice.
2. As different rice cookers may bring different results, experiment. If a different texture is preferred for the rice, adjust the water amount.
3. The amount of coconut cream added also plays a part in the end result. Adjust as needed.

Tulipmania

In March, the Swallow and her mate made a visit to Gardens by the Bay.

Now she is given another opportunity to visit again. This time was with some friends back in Singapore for a holiday after their migration to Canada and they went to view the colourful Tulipmania display.

Click here to view photos taken at the display.

A Visit to Gardens by the Bay

The Swallow made her first trip to Gardens by the Bay with her mate. Amazed by the colourful display but limited by a low battery level on her mobile, she kept her photo-taking to mainly pictures of flowers in her favourite colour.

Click here to view these photos.

To See Jesus

The memory verse in Sunday School today was "Thou shalt call His name JESUS." based on Matthew 1:21. The whole verse reads "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (NKJV)  Further verses reveal the pursuit of the Wise Men from the East to find and worship the One who had been born King of the Jews. This pursuit lead them first to Jerusalem, and then to Bethlehem. When they finally found the One they were truly looking for, the immediate response was "they fell down and worshiped Him." Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

The sermon preached from the pulpit today was from the passage in John 12:20-26, "Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour."

The speaker related the story of Jim Elliot whose life was lost in the jungles of Ecuador to emphasize this point of dying to self.  Having his life taken by the tribal people whom he was trying to reach with the gospel of Christ, Jim Elliot may have been called a fool by world's standards but he was in pursuit of a higher calling.  He was serving His Lord and Master.

Wish to see Jesus?  "Let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also."

Having found Him? "They fell down and worshiped Him."

It's Almost Christmas

Just a day till Christmas...

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS by jadeswallow

It's almost Christmas - let us be still
It's not about our presents, but peace and goodwill
It's not merely about family, but God's relation to man
He sent His own begotten Son to bring salvation's plan.

It's almost Christmas - please stop for a while
To wonder at this plan, and ponder with a smile
That God, the Almighty, should even consider us
When He created the world and the whole universe.

It's almost Christmas - let us, with joy,
Remember the angels, the shepherds, but mainly the Boy
Remember the wise men, gentle Mary and faithful Joseph
But mostly the loving Saviour who came down to serve.

It's almost Christmas, let us look up
As we feast, as we dine, or as we sup
He's coming again - this was and is His promise
Let us be ready - it could be this Christmas!

Let It Go

A few days before the yearly visit back to Malaysia last year, the Swallow went to watch the movie 'Frozen' with her young ones.  It was a tale of two sisters whose love for each other helped them to overcome certain obstacles that came their way.  Along their road of self-discovery, they realized what true love was all about - an act of sacrifice.  A Disney production, this musical animation was a pleasure to watch, and the song 'Let it Go' was an instant hit with the Swallow, her young ones, and her very young niece who could be heard singing this song at the top of her lungs in the bathroom :)

Anticipation

Another year has gone, a new year has arrived.  The year 2013 has simply flown past!

What awaits the Swallow in the year 2014?  It would be 'Anticipation'.  With talks of A&A works in her church, there is a sense of anticipation as she and her fellow workers prepare for temporary removal and relocation.

Was this what the Israelites had felt in their hearts as they waited for God to tell them it was time to leave Egypt?  Was this what the apostles had felt as they waited for the coming of the promised helper after Jesus had returned to Heaven?

Yet there lies a greater anticipation...the Lord Jesus is coming again...let's be prepared!

Pre-Marital Counselling

Clearing her old files, the Swallow came across a collection of six paper clippings.  Each of these clippings were a test of some sort, with questions on them, some more than others.  They brought back sweet memories.

When the Swallow and her mate had first considered marriage, they were strongly encouraged to attend pre-marital counselling.  Together with another two couples who were also getting married around the same time, they had to take a 'test' each week.  Without letting their partner see, each individual had to write their answer down.  When the answers were revealed, each couple was able to see how well they knew each other.

Did the Swallow fare well?  Nope!  Many wrong answers...there was much laughter for she was not alone. The marriage counsellor had been quick to point out that getting all the answers right does not mean the marriage would be better.  It was more important to be committed to the relationship, and to have the Lord God as the center of the relationship.

TEST 1
a) What is the favourite pastime of your partner?
b) What is your favourite pastime?
c) List five things liked and three things disliked by your partner.
d) List five things you like and three things you dislike.

TEST 2
a) What was your partner's best moment before you met?
b) What was your best moment before you met your partner?
c) List three things you like your partner to do more often.
d) List three things you think your partner likes you to do more often.

TEST 3
a) What one thing you have done most annoy your partner?
b) What one thing your partner has done most annoy you?
c) List three things your partner does that please you.
d) List three things you do which please your partner.

TEST 4
a) What are the favourite scriptural verses of your partner?
b) What are your favourite scriptural verses?
c) In what three ways do you like your partner to let you know you are appreciated?
d) List three ways in which your partner likes you to let him / her know that he / she is appreciated.

TEST 5
a) List three expectations you have of your partner in your marriage relationship.
b) List three expectations your partner will have of you in the marriage relationship.

TEST 6
List two of your happiest memories in your relationship since you met.

Now as she looks at the questions again, she wonders if her answers would be any different from the last time she took the tests...

The LORD Will Provide

Men can plan, but the Lord is in control.  This was the Swallow's constant thought when she was tasked with the challenge of coordinating the Children's Program for her church's special event last night.

The Swallow had often wondered what were Abraham's thoughts and feelings when the LORD God had told him to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  What had then been in his heart when at the point he was prepared to obey, when "he stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son, the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!"" (Genesis 22 : 10 - 11a, NKJV)?

Was it, "What's next?" with an exasperation?  The Swallow doesn't think so, for the Bible records, "So he said, "Here I am."  Readiness.  Waiting for the next direction.  At rest.

And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me."  Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.  And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided." (Genesis 22 : 11b - 14, NKJV)

The weeks prior to the special event were challenging.  The Swallow had no idea where to begin. There had been no such preceding event that she could refer to, but the Lord provided when fellow church workers, whom she had approached, gave ideas and help support, and finally, the day of the event arrived.

Three hours before the event, after a quick lunch, she and her family were still trying to get home from church.  She was starting to feel a little anxious.  Waiting in line behind a young man for a taxi for a very long time (where were the taxis?), then having an arriving taxi hijacked by another family who did not bother to check if anyone else was waiting for it, brought no respite to her anxiety. Crying out to the Lord for two taxis (the other for the young man in front of them who must have been feeling frustrated too), her heart was lifted when she saw not one, not two, but three empty taxis come by at the same time!  The Lord will provide!

While working on the powerpoint slideshow presentation the night before, her computer had restarted itself many times and her work had not been saved in time.  She had to redo the work, and save the newer material constantly after that.  Working late into the night, she had wondered if the inserted short movie clips had caused her computer to auto-restart.  The next morning, she had decided to remove the movie clips and replace them with more photos instead.  Reaching home later in the day, the computer was then her goal. With a quick prayer for guidance, she removed the movie clips and did a run through.  The slideshow reached the end without any hiccups.  "That's good", was her grateful thought.  Now to add the new photos. "That went well too, but the presentation was so boring.  If I feel this way about it, how would the children feel?" became a nagging thought.  A little background music would have made such a difference, but she didn't know how to add the music. She had tried unsuccessfully so many times the night before, but there was now not enough time to ask anyone else for help.  Getting desperate, she could only cry to her Lord for help, again.  Giving a last look at the task bar, she tried to add the music again. A while later, she did a final run through,  and "Yes!  The presentation was ready."  Looking at the clock, she jumped.  4.15pm, and she had asked all the helpers to be back in church at 4.45pm!   "Lord, if we are going to reach church in time, we will need to get a taxi really quickly." was her prayer.  Waiting at the roadside, her heart was again lifted for she saw her Lord's faithfulness - two taxis!  She reached church at exactly 4.45pm...  The Lord will provide!

An sms came a short while later from one of the helper's wife.  Her husband had been on his way to church but had to turn back as he was feeling feverish and achy.  His young ones were also not well. Days before, a few other helpers had had to pull out as well as they were either helping in other areas of the event, or they had family commitments.  The helper's wife had apologize for her husbands's last minute pull-out, but the Swallow, having experienced the Lord's providence several times within the last few hours, was confident that the Lord would provide, and reassured her.  This event was for the Lord's glory.  He will not fail them.

And it was so.  Within minutes upon receiving the sms, several people had stepped forward and asked the Swallow if she needed help.  Looking back, the number of people that had stepped forward at the last minute were more than those that had to pull out.  The LORD will provide!

He is Jehovah Jireh, and He gives more than what His people ask for - in His name, for His glory!