Elliot's Pre Wedding Dinner

 

Elliot got married to Melinda !

11 July 2026 – The Day Our Family Grew

There are days in life that quietly slip into memory, and there are days that become part of a family's history.

11 July 2026 was one of those unforgettable days.

Our eldest son, Elliot Heng Fook Juan, married the love of his life, Melinda Chuo, at BCCM Kota Kinabalu Church. It was a day we had anticipated for many months, yet when it finally arrived, it seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Long before dawn broke, our home was already awake. Lights came on while the rest of the city was still asleep. There was a wonderful mixture of excitement, nervous laughter, whispered conversations and quiet moments of reflection. Hair, makeup, cameras, flowers, suits and dresses all came together as our home transformed into the starting point of a beautiful new chapter.

The photographers and videographers moved gently around the house, capturing the little details that often go unnoticed—the polished shoes waiting by the door, the neatly folded jacket, the smiles exchanged between siblings, and the proud yet emotional faces of parents who knew that life was about to change forever.

One of the moments I will treasure most was standing beside Elliot before he left home.

As parents, we have watched every stage of his life—from his first steps, his school days, university, his adventures with music and sports, his career, and now, the day he would begin his own family. Looking at him in his wedding suit, it was difficult to reconcile the confident young man before us with the little boy who once held our hands wherever we went.

Time really does pass far too quickly.

Soon, Elliot left with his groomsmen to fetch his bride. We smiled, waved, and watched the cars disappear down the road, knowing that when he returned, life would be wonderfully different.

Before long, we arrived at BCCM Kota Kinabalu Church, where family and friends had already gathered. There was an atmosphere of warmth and joyful anticipation as familiar faces greeted one another. Many had travelled from near and far to witness this special occasion, and seeing everyone together reminded us how richly God had blessed our family with friendships that had endured through many seasons of life.

 

The wedding ceremony, solemnised by Pastor Lo Yi Ping, was simple, beautiful and centred on God. Surrounded by the people who loved them, Elliot and Melinda exchanged their vows and promised to walk together through every season of life. Their marriage certificate was witnessed by both fathers—a fitting symbol that two families had become one.

As we stood for photographs afterwards, it struck me that every picture captured far more than smiling faces. Each one represented relationships built over decades—family, friendships, faith communities and lives intertwined in ways only God could have planned.

The celebration continued with a reception at the Basel Hall, where conversations flowed as easily as the laughter. Guests enjoyed a wonderful spread of food and desserts, children ran about happily, old friends reunited, and everyone seemed to linger just a little longer, reluctant for the morning to end.

Yet the day was only halfway through.

As the afternoon slowly gave way to evening, our family made our way to The Garden Glass Hall at Elza Manor, Putatan, one of Kota Kinabalu's newest and most beautiful event venues. Bathed in the golden light of sunset and surrounded by lush gardens, it provided a magical setting for the evening celebration.

 

While Elliot and Melinda stole a few quiet moments with their photographers among the gardens, guests began arriving. There was an unmistakable buzz in the air as everyone admired the elegant glass hall, caught up with old friends and eagerly anticipated the celebration ahead.

It was, without question, a night to remember.

Rather than a traditional Chinese banquet, Elliot and Melinda chose a menu that reflected who they were—warm, relaxed and delightfully different. Guests enjoyed fragrant Chicken Biryani, rich Lamb Curry, tender Beef, fresh Fish, and an assortment of accompaniments. Around the hall, live food stations served sizzling satay, freshly baked pizza, colourful ABC (Ais Batu Campur), homemade local kuih, delicious puddings, and the much-talked-about Cha Qian Sui Special Fruit Tea, which quickly became everyone's favourite refreshment.

Of course, no celebration would be complete without raising a glass. Beer and red wine flowed freely among family and friends, while our family gathered for a special champagne toast. Together we celebrated Elliot and Melinda, praying that their marriage would always be filled with faith, laughter, peace and God's abundant blessings.

The evening became even more memorable because it was so unmistakably Elliot.

Music has always been woven into his life, so it was only natural that he joined the live band on stage with his cello. Watching him perform on his own wedding day filled us with immense pride. It reminded us that throughout every stage of life, he had remained true to the gifts and passions God had given him.

Then came a delightful surprise. Together with his friends from the Sabah Calisthenics Association, Elliot performed an energetic calisthenics routine on the horizontal bar. It was a celebration of friendship, strength and years of shared experiences. The hall erupted with cheers, laughter and applause as everyone witnessed another side of the groom.

As the evening drew on, the lights softened and the music slowed. Elliot and Melinda stepped onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. For those few moments, the world seemed to pause. Surrounded by the love of family and friends, they danced into the beginning of a new life together.

Looking around the hall that evening, I realised that weddings are never simply about two people.

They are about families growing, friendships deepening, generations gathering, and lives becoming beautifully intertwined.

One day the flowers will have faded. The music will become a distant memory. Even the menu may be forgotten.

But we will never forget how everyone made us feel.

To every family member, relative, friend, colleague and brother and sister in Christ who travelled from near and far, who prayed for Elliot and Melinda, who celebrated with us, laughed with us, cried with us, and filled our hearts with such overwhelming love—thank you.

You made this day far more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.

It was not simply the day our eldest son married the love of his life.

It was the day our family grew. ❤️

My favourite Songs Christmas 2025

 This Christmas 2025, I had a busy month at work and taking very little leaves to rest or prepare for Christmas. For Christmas Reflections, songs are still the best way to be instantly teleported into the depth of Christmas feelings. This year, the following two songs came out as very special and spoke to my heart and soul in a very deep manner. 

SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY from Home Alone, the lyrics are very comforting to recall of what Christmas means to our family.  Altough we do not give lavishly but gifts exchange is very common. The last of the song is very meaingful :

Precious moments, special people
Happy faces, I can see

Somewhere in my memory
Holiday joys all around me
Living in my memory
All of the music, all of the magic
All of the family, home here with me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9hl4SAzPI4&list=RD_9hl4SAzPI4&start_radio=1

Candles in the window
Shadows painting the ceiling
Gazing at the fire glow
Feeling that gingerbread feeling

Precious moments, special people
Happy faces, I can see

Somewhere in my memory
Holiday joys all around me
Living in my memory
All of the music, all of the magic
All of the family, home here with me

Ooh

La la

Candles in the window
Shadows painting the ceiling
Gazing at the fire glow
Feeling that gingerbread feeling

Precious moments, special people,
Happy faces, I can see

Somewhere in my memory
Holiday joys all around me
Living in my memory
All of the music, all of the magic
All of the family, home here with me

Songwriter : John Williams for Home Alone

O Come, All You Unfaithful

This is the opposite lyric of the Christmas Carol : O Come O ye Faithful ! 

But the negative description gives a welcome invitation to God Himself. 

See what your God has done 

Come, taste of His Perefect Love

Christ is born for you

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnVB9cf7gzc&list=RD_9hl4SAzPI4&index=2

O come, all you unfaithful

Come, weak and unstable

Come, know you are not alone

O come, barren and waiting ones

Weary of praying, come

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

O come, bitter and broken

Come with fears unspoken

Come, taste of His perfect love

O come, guilty and hiding ones

There is no need to run

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

So come, though you have nothing

Come, He is the offering

Come, see what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Bob Kauflin / Lisa Clow

Angels we have heard On High !

This video production is very special and the angelic effects can be felt throughout the song. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5mdybeyLVc&list=RD_9hl4SAzPI4&index=6

2025 Family Christmas Tradition

Christmas Traditions for my family is food and church services ! 
Caroling has gone, now remains are Christmas Gifts, Food, Drinks and Church Services.

Christmas Eve Dinner 24 Dec 2025 :-

1.   Roast Chicken & Sauces

2.   Roast Lamb Leg

3.   British Sausages Platter

4.   Bolognese pasta

5.   Pizza

6.   Stuffed Vegetable Taufu

7.   Pumpkin Soup

8.   Tea Eggs

9.   Coleslaw

10. Salad 

Desserts :-

1. Mulled Wine

2. Iced Lemon Tea

3. CQS Drinks

4. Prune Rum Cake

5. Fruits Cake 

The ones that I am cooking, roasting and preparing are :-

1. Roast Chicken & Sauces

2. British Sausages Platter

3. Pumpkin Soup

4. Salad 

Desserts :-

1. Mulled Wine

2. Iced Lemon Tea

3. Prune Rum Cake

4. Fruits Cake

But on Christmas Eve day, I have to meal-prep for Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner too. 

Christmas Day Brunch 25 Dec 2025 :-

1. Roast Chicken Drumsticks

2. Roast Lamb Leg 

3. Baked Chicken Sausages 

4. Bolognese Spaghetti

5. Pumpkin Soup 

6. Salad 

7. Tea Eggs

Desserts :-

1. Mulled Wine

2. Iced Lemon Tea

3. Prune Rum Cake

4. Fruits Cake

5. Chocolate Log Cake

Christmas Day Dinner 25 Dec 2025 :-

1. Roast Turkey & Condiments

2. Roast Lamb Leg 

3. British Sausages Platter  

4. Bolognese Spaghetti

5. Pumpkin Soup 

6. Salad 

7. Tea Eggs

8. Mashed Potatoes

Desserts :-

1. Mulled Wine

2. Iced Lemon Tea

3. Prune Rum Cake

4. Fruits Cake

So, for these 2 days of 3 meals, I need to make big portions of :-

1. Tea Eggs - 45-60 pieces

2. Pumpkin Soup

3. Bolognese Sauce (2 Kg Minced meat)

4. Mulled Wine 

Chinese Wedding Resources

 

https://www.blissfulbrides.sg/articles/chinese-wedding-traditions/wedding-traditions-part-1-cantonese-and-hakka

https://theweddingnotebook.com/inspire/ideas-and-advice/guo-da-li-the-chinese-traditional-betrothal-gift-guide/

https://labellecouture.com.sg/blog/chinese-wedding-traditions-guide/

https://www.topphotography.com.sg/wedding-traditions-for-hakka-and-cantonese/betrothal-gift-ceremony-for-hakka-and-cantonese/

https://english.hakka.gov.tw/Content/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=42005&LanguageType=ENG

https://www.musicaltouch.sg/post/guo-da-li

Good Bye 再見

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1093139299365992

張震岳《再見》

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xud0G_zgQ0w

高三齐唱《再见》

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kk7vtvXcnHs

【明日之子SUPERBAND】明日学员《再见》

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oKs0fUnk-U

[張震嶽「再見」歌詞]

[主歌]

我怕我沒有機會跟你說一聲再見

因為也許就再也見不到你

明天我要離開熟悉的地方和你

要分離 我眼淚就掉下去

[副歌]

我會牢牢記住你的臉 我會珍惜你給的思念

這些日子在我心中永遠都不會抹去

我不能答應你 我是否會再回來

不回頭 不回頭的走下去

[主歌]

我怕我沒有機會跟你說一聲再見

因為也許就再也見不到你

明天我要離開熟悉的地方和你

要分離 我眼淚就掉下去

[副歌]

我會牢牢記住你的臉 我會珍惜你給的思念

這些日子在我心中永遠都不會抹去

我不能答應你 我是否會再回來

不回頭 不回頭的走下去

CNY 新年送花灯

 

送灯 "Dang Deng" 

(文昌会文)华侨归乡“送花灯” 共祈美好新年

正月十二，our caretaker 邢谷鴻伯爹 invited the dang deng troupe to perform in our Heng's village house. It is equivalent of "caroling", bringing good news of a prosperous year to every households.