Nasi goreng ikan masin + ayam percik + terung sambal = RM150

For the first time in our lives, we had a long Easter weekend, all thanks to the public holidays we have on Good Friday, followed by the Monday and Tuesday after that. So while our fellow Malaysians were toiling away at work, we were sleeping and relaxing! ;p

It all started on Thursday night, when we had a farewell dinner for Kees and Wendy, who were leaving for Indonesia for another two years at least. It seems they have found their place in life, serving among the Indonesians to improve their education. Both of them have played a huge role in helping us settle down here. We hope that they will continue to be a blessing to the Indonesians, as much as they have been a blessing to us.

We almost missed Good Friday service, thinking that it was at night (as it usually is in Malaysia, since we don't have public holidays). Fortunately, we checked and found out it was in the morning, and that was how our Good Friday morning was spent. After church, we had some tea at Perry and Judy's, with the customary hot cross buns! Apparently, having hot cross buns on Good Friday is an old tradition in Western countries, and we're glad to be a part of it!

On Saturday morning, with Agnes as the navigator, we headed up into the Swan valley - not for their wines - but just to look around and try some of their food. Kevin enjoyed his chicken foccacia and chips, while Agnes had a nice waffle with ice-cream.

Then we went East to the Perth hills, to spend some time with nature. We enjoyed driving amongst forests, walking along the Mundaring Weir, and snapping photographs at scenic lookouts with views of the city. And we did it all in our old and hail-dented Corolla (which thankfully survived the trip!).

We ended the day with a nice dinner at a Malaysian restaurant. Agnes ordered a nasi goreng ikan masin (which was not in the menu, but the kind chef agreed to cook it for her!), while Kevin had plain rice, along with Ayam Percik and Terung Sambal which we both shared. All this for a total of about AU$50 - equivalent to more than RM150!!!! But what to do... we miss Malay food!

On Easter Sunday, it was church... followed by more relaxing. Then it was more relaxing and time wasting on Monday. Kevin tried to finish reading his book on cosmology (his idea of relaxing) while Agnes did a bit of knitting. On Tuesday, we went shopping at IKEA and Westfield Whitford City. We bought a few more things for the house, and spent the last day of our long weekend cleaning and tidying things up around the apartment.

Confirmed!

Kevin is finally confirmed!

On the eve of Palm Sunday, there was a confirmation banquet at church. As usual, we had great fun, great food and great people!

the deco, made by the Sunday School kids!

Agnes with Judy, Jessica and Fiona

the wonderful meals prepared by very dedicated church members

exchanging gifts with his mentors, Perry and Judy

And then came the confirmation service on Palm Sunday... that's about 2 weeks ago!

the mentors presenting the confirmands to the minister

Kevin reading his letter to the congregation

Kevin being confirmed

Their first act as new members of the Church - serving communion

The most special part of the entire confirmation experience had to be the gifts - each and every one of them was very personal and meaningful to him in their own way, and reflects where Kevin is now in his journey.

A mobile, made by the Sunday school kids - the yacht reminds Kevin of the sailing experience. Indeed, getting confirmed is like sailing a big yacht: setting out into the unknown while the Spirit blows us wherever He wishes, to explore strange new lands, face the storms; it's all an adventure with God! In the midst of all the change that is going on in our lives right now (friendships, vocation, sprituality, theology, among a host of other things), the anchor is a symbol of stability - one that can only be found in God. As for the crab... well, maybe Kevin's just full of crap! :p

The cup (yes, we got to keep the communion cup we used to serve the Church members!) has become a very poignant symbol for Kevin in recent years... Here's why, if you want to know...

A flower and a card from all the teachers for confirmation classes - they've all really done a great job! And of course, one of them was Agnes! 'May your faith reach astronomical heights!' - Anil

 

Having seen Bibles of all shapes and sizes in bookstores (and having owned quite a few of them), Kevin was very much delighted to receive one which he had never seen before! It comes in Kevin's favourite translation, the NRSV, apparently the most accurate and scholarly one. And, instead of the the usual 'Words of Christ in red', this one has all passages pertaining to the environment and creation care highlighted in green! Since childhood, Kevin has always been a nature lover. In recent years, environmental stewardship and creation care are some of the areas in which he has incorporated into his own faith - a by-product of major theological shifts occurring in the last 5 years of Kevin's life. Brian McLaren and N. T. Wright are two authors who have played the most influential roles in setting him off on this journey that would change him forever. And both of them are contributors of some of the articles in this Bible!

Last but not least, is a scrapbook journal that Judy and Perry made for Kevin, detailing his entire journey - from our first visit to the church, church events, and through the entire confirmation process. It was really beautiful, and it comes in eucalyptus green for that Aussie touch! 

On the last page of the journal, was something that deeply moved him, inspired him, and encouraged him all at once: