Paris - Singapore, Day 18 (Testimony)

This marks the end of our 18-day pilgrimage across Italy and France.

It was truly a fruitful and blessed journey. Each of us experienced healing and miracles in our own way, both seen and unseen.

For mama, I feel deeply enlightened and renewed. Reflecting on the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminded me that extraordinary holiness can grow from ordinary, simple acts done with great love. During the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a priest encouraged me to live more acts of charity and mercy. These words stayed with me and have now become the guiding theme of my life in 2026.

Another beautiful piece of advice I received was this: the closer we grow to God, the simpler our lives become. We begin to focus on what truly matters, instead of chasing after things that fade so quickly.

Ted experienced his own miracle at San Giovanni Rotondo. We entrust him to the care of Padre Pio, praying that he will always guide and protect him along his path.

Tromson also experienced a miracle through the intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. When we received a sudden notification that his new school would start on 2 January, we were shocked. We had not purchased his uniform or books, and the last day to buy them onsite was 30 December—while we were still overseas.

There seemed to be no solution. The uniform supplier informed us that delivery would take at least ten days due to high demand. I shared the situation with him and encouraged him to pray to St. Thérèse for her intercession.

What happened next was truly amazing. On 31 December, I received an email saying that the uniform would be delivered to our home that very day. After returning from our trip, we also managed to purchase most of the required books at Popular bookstore just before lessons officially began. In the end, everything fell perfectly into place.

As for Richie, he experienced a profound grace with his O-Level results on 14 January. He had worked very hard in the five months leading up to the exams, yet his preliminary results were still below expectations, and he was rejected for early admission to Singapore Polytechnic. Naturally, we were worried.

But God is truly good. Through the intercession of the saints and by His grace, his final results turned out far better than we had ever imagined. He was given the opportunity to enter his preferred faculty at either Singapore Polytechnic or Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Our hearts were filled with relief, gratitude, and praise.

We are deeply thankful for the countless blessings God has poured upon our family.

This journey was far more than a holiday. It refreshed and recharged our souls, teaching us humility, trust, and the truth that even ordinary lives—when offered to God—can lead to extraordinary holiness. Our ultimate goal, as this pilgrimage reminded us, is not just to travel the world, but to journey toward sainthood together.

Life Lessons from Raft Building

After the raft-building session, I returned to my room and took some time to reflect on the valuable life lessons I had just experienced—and how they apply to the real world.

The Objective

The goal of the activity was clear:

• Build a raft using bamboo poles and barrels.

• Ensure it’s strong and stable enough to carry passengers to a designated point.

• Return safely to shore.

• Disassemble the raft back to its original components: just bamboo and barrels.

None of us had any experience in raft building—or even scouting—so we all started from zero. The instructor provided some guidance with clear, step-by-step instructions:

1. Show us a miniature model of the completed raft.

2. Demonstrate how to tie knots securely to hold the bamboo together.

   

3. Emphasize that the string should be wet to prevent it from breaking in water.

4. Ensure each barrel is positioned to float and supported by two bamboo poles.

5. Begin from the outer frame, measure the barrels, and then tie the inner sections.

Was Everyone Listening?

At first, it seemed like everyone was paying attention. But once we started working, some interesting differences emerged.

We were divided into three groups of mixed adults and children:

• Group 1: 4 adults and 2 tweens
  ➝ They finished first, sailed to the designated point, returned, and successfully disassembled their raft.

• Group 2: 4 adults and 3 teens
  ➝ They finished second, completed the journey, and disassembled their raft.

• Group 3: 5 adults
  ➝ They finished last. Halfway through, strong waves hit and their raft broke apart. They couldn’t complete the task.

Observing Human Behavior

From this exercise, I noticed five distinct types of people:

1. Active listeners — Fast learners who quickly apply what they’ve learned. They're also hands-on and action-oriented.

2. Active listeners — Willing to learn but need more time to process and apply the knowledge.

3. Active listeners — Learning isn’t their strength in this context, but they contribute meaningfully in other areas based on their strengths.

4. Non-listeners — Prefer to solve problems their own way, relying on creativity that doesn’t align with the structured approach required.

5. Non-listeners — Unwilling to learn and prefer to instruct others rather than contribute directly.

Who Will Likely Thrive in Life?

People in categories 1, 2, and 3.
Because they are open, adaptable, and know how to contribute—either by learning or by using their strengths wisely.

This activity was a powerful mirror of real life. It wasn’t just about building a raft; it was about observing attitudes, teamwork, and how people respond to challenges.

Wrapping Up on Our Last Vacation in 2024

Wrapping up our final vacation of 2024, we reflect on what has become our favorite destination: Japan. This trip was not only an incredible journey but also a source of meaningful life lessons.

1. Unlocking New Challenges

We were initially hesitant to drive in Hokkaido during winter. However, by God’s grace, we embraced the challenge and took steps to prepare ourselves both mentally and physically. From researching suitable cars for snowy conditions to taking a crash course online and seeking advice from friends with experience, we learned how to navigate the icy roads safely. The effort was rewarding, proving that with preparation and determination, challenges can lead to growth and unforgettable experiences.

2. Perfect Timing

Throughout our trip, there were many close calls where we nearly missed transport or schedules. Yet, God’s providence ensured everything worked out perfectly. One memorable instance was when we caught a local bus from Otaru Station to Otaru Aquarium. Arriving just 15–20 minutes before departure, we managed to squeeze into the last queue. Missing that bus would have disrupted our entire plan due to long waiting times. A similar thing happened on our return journey, where the bus arrived just five minutes after we reached the stop—truly a testament to perfect timing.

3. Embrace the Weather, Enjoy the Ride

Hokkaido’s weather is famously unpredictable, alternating between bright sunny skies and heavy snowfalls. These variations impacted car and road conditions, presenting unique challenges. Instead of complaining or worrying, we chose to embrace the weather and enjoy the ride, finding beauty and adventure in every moment.

4. God’s Providence and Guardian Angels

One unforgettable incident occurred during our stay at Rusutsu. Our second son experienced chest pain in the middle of the night, just hours before our flight to Osaka. Panic set in as we called emergency responders, unsure how to handle the situation. By God’s grace, he recovered quickly, and we made it to our flight on time. This event was a profound reminder of God’s protection and the presence of guardian angels in our lives.

This Japan trip wasn’t just a vacation—it was a journey filled with challenges, gratitude, and lessons that we will carry with us into the future.

A year of Gratitude 2021

This year is a special year for us as a family. It's been a roller coaster year but we are grateful because by God's grace, love and providence we managed to pull through and ended the year with victory.

Our marriage relationship was tested and purified in the deeper level that we can't imagine and we grow deeper in love and trust to each other.

Our family faith was also tested and challenged when our oldest son having PSLE and our youngest son had covid at the same time.

We were grateful for our friends who are with us, doing crazy things together, laughter and joy, and even when we were in the darkest moments. It's a home far from home but we still feel that many people care for us.

It's been a fruitful journey and we are truly grateful for that.

Here's some preview of this year that we always remember in our heart.