Across the oceans

We met up with one of my bestest childhood friends and her little family recently.

They are Singaporeans but currently live in the States. The last time we saw each other was 2 years ago, when Sammy was barely 5 months old and he's 2.5 years old already!

I missed my friend, Andrea SOOO.SOOO.SOOO much.

In this day and age, with the usage of Whatsapp and smartphones, it's become pretty easy to keep in touch across the distance. However, nothing beats the physical presence. I haven't even realized how much I missed her, until we saw each other face-to-face and embraced each other. It was SOOOO good meeting each other in the flesh again!

Ohh and to see their little one, Lukie Luke! He was sooo mega cute! Lovely cheeks and with such a contented and sweet demeanour! We were so amazed at how he would sit on the rocker and just watch us eat our meal! The only time we heard him cry (a proper 4-month old baby cry) was when he was hungry on our car ride to Frankfurt to send them off. He still had this delicious newborn baby milky smell. Ahhh.....

 

 Our little bubs! Gabe with Lukie Luke, who's 3.5 months younger than him.

Andrea met Gabe for the first time

And her hubby! He used to be our cell leader back in our youth! And now he's the hubby of my dear friend! And a young Daddy too!

Luke trying out Gabe's rocker - which he has the exact same one at home!

How our brood has expanded: 1 Singaporean, 3 Germans and 1 American

 We went for a walk together with kiddoes in tow. It was so cold, it was a great idea to have steamboat!

My maiden attempt at steamboat at home. It was a huge success! 

The Li family

Full tummies!

We went out for yummy German lunch the next day

Oh Lukie Luke, Aunty Pris is gonna miss you! Grow up well and continue to be a blessing to your parents! 

See you again!

My heart felt a pang of sadness knowing that our babies could actually grow up together but we were separated by the huge Atlantic ocean. We go such a long way back, since our high school days, that we can just be ourselves and there's a million and one things to talk about!

The 1.5 days stopover they had in Stuttgart was too short to relish the friendship in its entirety! They were jet-lagging and we were dealing with a cranky 8-month old who was not feeling well and a 2.5-year old who was on the verge of falling sick (Sammy has a fever currently).

Still, we were so grateful to have this precious time and friendship! It's truly a kingdom friendship and I know that the Lord has great plans for us even if it's not geographically in the same place. When I think of our friendship, I'm just reminded of this oldie, a song by Michael W.Smith. entitled "Friends".

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong