we are familyyy!

 Meet the Koo siblings :)

 and TA DA!

the EXTENDED Koo Familyyy <3 <3

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  
~Desmond Tutu

<3

Sovereign God.

It was an ordinary train on an ordinary journey, humming comfortably along Japan's eastern coast. Seconds later it was swept off the tracks by the ferocious waves of the tsunami and dumped, mangled and twisted, in the mud.

The terrifying ease with which it was flung from its rails near the town of Shinchi symbolizes the awesome power of the raging waters that battered Japan, leaving a trail of devastation and a nation in mourning.

One witness said he saw a truck on its side with a dead man still in the driver's seat. "Then I saw a man walking, completely black with mud, like something from a horror film," he said.

 

 The death toll in Japan's earthquake and tsunami will likely exceed 10,000 in one state alone, an official said Sunday, as millions of survivors were left without drinking water, electricity and proper food along the pulverized northeastern coast.

According to officials, more than 1,400 people were killed — including 200 people whose bodies were found Sunday along the coast — and more than 1,000 were missing in the disasters. Another 1,700 were injured.

 

 :(

 

 

 

so you may ask:

'If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why are there tornadoes, earthquakes, tragedies? Why does God allow bad things to happen, even to seemingly good people? '  When it comes to tragedy (no matter the scale), it is easy to let emotions drive the issue. Carried along by a current of grief, anger, or confusion, it becomes both simple and compelling to lay the blame at God's feet for natural disasters and other accidents not caused by human beings.

The answer to why God allows anything can only be fully answered by God or by one who knows the mind of God. Outside of such knowledge, one can only speculate or try to glean hints and insights through prayer and from faith-based literature (such as, in the Christian context, the Bible).

Why do bad things happen to good people? The biblical answer is there are no “good” people. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that all of us are tainted by and infected with sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:8).

Romans 3:10-18 could not be clearer about the non-existence of “good” people: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Every human being on this planet deserves to be thrown into hell at this very moment. Every second we spend alive is only by the grace and mercy of God. Even the most terrible misery we could experience on this planet is merciful compared to what we deserve, eternal hell in the lake of fire.

Yes, sometimes bad things happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, however, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him.

Paul declares that no amount of suffering or hardship can separate a human being from the love of Christ (Romans 8:39) and that the "sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

 

According to the Bible, a person is on this earth for only a brief time. During that brief time, human beings live in a fallen, cursed earth -- surrounded by pain, suffering, and death. That, however, is not the final destination, nor is it the whole story. If one accepts the biblical explanation for pain and suffering, one can then take comfort in the fact that God is sovereign, that pain and suffering are temporal, and that (in the end) perfect justice will be established.

so do not lose faith my dear brothers and sisters in Christ :)

GOD's plans are greater than ours.just don't stop praying.

Teacher Renee.

 rawr.
6 weeks with this bunch of kiddos and i must say i kinda miss them already.

it started off pretty rough as they couldn't pronounce my name properly.so it went from Teacher Leny to Reny and finally Teacher Renee.*beams*

teaching those cutie pies truly makes my day.the innocence and naiveness.reminds me of how simple life as a child was.all their statements and conversations never fail to put a smile on my face.those little actions and words spoken and they can burst out into laughter.oh how simple life as a child is :)
no wearies.

'i have 4 friends last time, but now since you don't friend me.so i have 3 friends only.but it's okay.i don't want to friend you also.'



that's probably their biggest problem.the i friend you and i don't friend you part.i remember that very clearly of my childhood :D

You can truly learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. and trust me, a child can ask questions that even a wise man cannot answer! being a teacher and being a commander is not the same.but it all boils down to ♥.

froot loops :)

i likeyy the magic spoon that changes colour from blue to PURPLE when i pour the cold milk in.shweeeeet :DDDD

hitam manis.

hitam manis.spice girls.rockstars.missionaries.girlfriends.cleaners.commanders.and the list goes on.

take care my dear princess tiara.will miss you truck loads.xx

His ways are the best.

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.' 

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.' 

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.' 

 

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, 'and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. 

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy Because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down. 
 

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. 

 
The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
 

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it. 

 

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts. 
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. 

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

:)

Kindy Joy.

31st January 2011.

loud cries and wails are what greets me each morning the moment i step out from my car and walk towards my work place. Enter the workplace and i'll see my energetic clients bopping up and down the stairs. They'll greet me with their oh-so-innocent smiles and start blabbering on and on about those little bits and pieces of their stress-free life :) I love work on Wednesdays especially. experiments and playground time! oh yeah. Art and craft on Friday. 

Teacher Renee I am at a Kindergarten at Ara Damansara.

Kids nowadays have like super duper power throats that enables them to scream and cry and shout for hours!! ohemgee. strongheart one.

Imaginary world.mmm.what are kids without their awesome imaginary skills eh. I have this girl in my class (i'm the class teacher for a 6 years old class) who never sit still and pay attention to whatever i'm teaching.she can go on 'beach and kite flying trips' while i'm teaching maths. Another boy has an imaginary friend. strongheart two.

cute dog puppets that they think are MONSTERS. strongheart three.

There's probably 100 strongheart momentos I have in mind now..but of course.HAPPY heart moments trumps Strongheart momentos :) 

Their innocence never fails to amaze me :) The joy in seeing them playing sooo happily and learning new things. It's like i contributed to their childhood!! *beams* 

'What keeps your body alive?

'SPERM!'

see why there's a need for good kindergarten teachers nowadays???! heh :D

a glimpse of December 2010 and bits of November.

me and the Giant :)

the beaming sisters <3

The sis's big day.

(20th November)

Paintball at Mudtrekkers was truck loads of fun.

How cool is it that we've got abandoned 'bank' and burnt cars.like some serious crime scene.i likee the whole feel.

the queens.

 Then it was tea at Alexis with the BFFAEAE that turned 19 :)

(22nd November)

A girly pretty tea session at Teapot cafe :D

(23rd November)

the doctor came back from Sarawak and we had a simple dinner gathering with her :)

this bunch of family that i can have reunion dinner with during cny next time when we're all married.heh.cousins ftw! :D

(4th - 6th December)

the month of December started off with a simple getaway trip to Kuantan! it's been 10 years since our last visit there.many great memories flooded back my mind.my primary school, the karipap stand, the hokkien mee stall, the old house that has transformed so much, my piano teacher's place.and many more.we kinda miss the laid back lifestyle there.but of course.nothing beats the city life.

ss moments at the beach front, Swiss Garden.

Met up with some old church members :)

and more meet ups :)

it was a simple relaxing fun trip.

(7th December)

it was the Wonderwoman's special day :)

so after going to the studio to snap our portrait shot, we headed over to Haven, Ampang lookout point to celebrate.

the best mum i could ever wish for.i love you mummy dearest :)

(9th December)

the MIA woman is back yaw.

(11th - 14th December)

GY camp at D'Village, Malacca was a wonderful time of fellowship and worship.

(19th December)

Sabrina Jasman and Huzir.are a married couple now :)

my heart screams with joy and excitement.my first friend wedding!! like at the age of 20!! :D

may you two live happily ever after.just like those fairytales <3

i like kebayas.

(22nd December)

with Christmas just around the corner, we the high school bunch had a gathering at Palate Pallete :D when you join all of us together, it's only biasa to have loud screams, bimbo moments, burst updates.love you all to bits.2003 was the year we all entered the legendary Taman SEA.we're school leavers for years now, but i'm glad we're still as closely knitted as ever.those high school stories just never gets dull or boring huh, just like when we're together, there's never a quiet or ekekek moment :)

with the director.

FLORENCETINA CHEW :)

First night of Caroling was pure awesome-ness.after 4 years! we the Selangor #7 carolers were as professional as ever :D rocking and bring joy to people in a bus filled with happy joyful Christmas makers!
lala pic from D's iphone.

(23rd December)

a gorgeous eve of Christmas eve dinner :)

with strawberry and banana smoothie, perfect roast chickens topped with bacon strips, shepherd pies, sourly nice mushroom soup with baguette, Simon's first salad.

with the boys.missing pariah and Jason.

with the babe :)

i'm glad that you boys have finally had a taste of a Christmas gathering and the joy of receiving Christmas cards with lovely messages :D 

a tradition it shall be.

(24th December)

Christmas eve! ushered.greeted and was greeted back with many smiley happy faces.all dressed up to celebrate the King's birthday :)

(25th December)

THE BIG DAY.

day started off with a turkey delivered right to our door step.Victoria station's turkey!!! we were all like zomgggg?!!?! it costs like rm300!! it was really gorgeous.it came with sauces, potatoes..the chesnut stuffings.was mmmmmmmmm :D this was the highlight of the day.sorry lamb, you come in second this time.turkey always win.okay maybe not always.but when it's a turkey from victoria station.it's a clear win :D

The Koo's, The Ung's, The Siah's unite! :)

(26th December)

then there came Boxing day.

it was a sweet white Christmas celebration :)

to greater toasts this year, 2011!

oh how we loveeee to sing carols :D

Dirty santa.it was a pretty peaceful one.heh.

(27th - 28th December)

headed over to Ulu Yam early morning for a relak farewell campout for the Jeff Yong that's leaving to Perth this week.boyyy, we had fabulous meals there! Pork ribs and pork belly to name a few :)

of waterfalls, streams, makan, sit and stone, rubbish random talks, makan, waterrrr, monopoly deal, sit and stare at fire, talk more rubbish.sweetness...of doing nothing! :D

(29th December)

sister's 22nd at La Bodega.

The amazing parents.

I'm smiling because you're my sister, and laughing because there's nothing you can do about it! ;)

Blessed birthday, sis.

(30th December)

meeting with ray in the morn, then dropped by at Flo's for chocolate nom and catch ups, then it was lunch and more bursting session with the BFFAE.then met up with MIKEEEEE! and the queen.crepe cakes, nasi lemak, burgers.diarrhea.just gorgeous lah.

(31st December)

suddenly.it was New Year's eve already! settled and ran some errands at the Kindergarden, then lunch with D'cruz and familia :) Sid's pub fellowship with the GT Klangites :D followed by mamak with the old woman and Mike's baptism! then house party with PP and many new friends :) mamak after that at 3am bumping into more GT Klangites ;)

the clock struck midnight and the mercun were lighted.fireworks lighted up the beautiful sky.happy new year greetings were exchanged and hugs and beers and fellowships tagged along.

i had a great 2010.and like i said.each and every single one of you that has been part of my life, mentioned or not mentioned, you've made a difference :)

xx