It Takes a Village

An African proverb says, "It takes an entire village to raise a child." Today, on Mothers' Day, I thank God for to my village. It is not easy raising your child away from your family. But God has placed people to be my surrogate family. My village, here it is.

1. Lilies Leksono and Katrin Tobing, they are the ones I called for advice on diaper rash, breast-feeding, and other infant care issues. I wouldn't survive the first year of motherhood without them.
   
2. Marianne Engel, Jill Wedlake, Harriet Moskovit, Liza Miller. These ladies and many more from Boulder First Presbyterian Church are the ones who rejoiced with me at the news of my first pregnancy. They also help put together the most wonderful baby hamper filled with everything a first mum needs.
3. Monna Stirling, Marcia Elliott, Gati Hutapea, for putting up with baby noises during our bible studies.
   
4. The ladies at Margate (Florida) First Presbyterian Church's baby sitting co-op. They are source of reliable baby-sitter and they helped me look after Natasha when I had to go for pre-natal check up during my pregnancy with Daniel.
5. The ladies at Sunrise cell group, Sophia Gan, Lucy Liew, Kathryn Ho, Cara, Susie Ho, Nany Gotze, Angela Chan and many others. We shared, we prayed, and we rejoiced together as mothers.
6. The countless members of IBC family, from Sunday School teachers, AWANA leaders, VBS volunteers, they played an important role in my children's spiritual upbringing. Even now that I am no longer there, they keep an eye on them for me.
   

I feel truly blessed to have these mothers by my side to share the ups and downs of motherhood.