Loving Grandpa

Today Mar 11,2024 I am penning down the memories that I had with my grandfather. I feel so blessed and grateful to have him in my life. Today is his birthday. Some people's birthday bring same joy to many as his mother had during his/her first day. My grandpa is one of them. 

He is a person who could never be forgotten but still missed by many. I am one of them. 

               When I was in my 6th standard ,being an average student I had to attend special classes sometimes even after the school got over. School ends at 4 and the special classes at times 4:30 and sometimes 5. My rickshawvalla will wait if it is still 4:30 but not when it goes till 5. I have to take bus and then do a bit of walking to go home. By the time I reach home ,I am exhausted. Many times I have ended up going by bus and have many stories to tell with that. So for 7th standard I wanted to use my own means of transport- cycle. Everyone in my home rejected my wish. Finally I went to my grandpa and told him my desire. He immediately said "yes" and also said he will arrange for buying a new bicycle. I got the new cycle in next 2 days and there I was in my new blue captain bicycle (all independent) for the next 5 years. 

Family Vacation - March 2023

 Greetings to everyone in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

Our God lives and is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Its been long since I wanted to write this great thing which Jesus did in my life. He is a God who hears.He is a God who is concerned about us.

My father planned for a family trip and I couldnt say "no". In my childhood days being allergic to travel I have been stubborn with my no's. Grown up , I couldnt say no since I have felt worried that I have not made my father happy during my childhood and so now in these days I didnt want to say no. But inside my only prayer was for the trip to be cancelled.

My husband is also allergic to travel and so are my kids. Even for a shorter distance travel for about 3 kms my first kid would vomit. So as a family going for long distance travel in bus or car was a nightmare. 

My husband had more work in office in those days, so he was hesitant to take leave and join in this trip. Taking both the kids alone again is a difficult thing. So I have to somehow make my husband accept to take leave for 2-3 days. Finally with some flexi holdiays and weekend he accepted to join the trip and so the dates were moved to one week later from the originally planned. The tickets were yet to be booked but the planning was still going on with the Travels.

I was burdened in my heart considering the travel sickness that we had as a whole family. I remembered as a kid how the flight travels also was a nightmare wherein I end up vomiting for every take off and landing. I was worried whether my kids also would be in such a trouble. And on top of that, even if one person gets to be sick in the trip the whole family will get affected and this vomiting is always a disgusting thing for everyone around. I couldnt share this to anyone and say a bold "no". 

My only prayer was for the trip to be cancelled somehow. I could'nt even yield to God's will. The tickets were finally booked and cancellation didnt seem to happen. One Thursday night I was just pouring my burden to God.I was in a situation where I couldnt share this to anybody and no human can understand my problem. But that night God completely change my burden and He spoke to me with a verse that He will be with me.  ( Too bad of me. I have forgotten that verse... :( )  I had really understood that night how Hannah after pouring her burden to God had a complete change where she was worried no more. I felt the same thing. Spirit of fear fled and spirit of boldness to hadle any situation took charge in me. Spriti of worry fled and Spriti of freeness took over me . I felt being freed from the bondage. God still lives. God is good. 

The most wonderful thing is throughout our 5 day trip to Bangkok and Pattaya, my kids were in total peace and were very healthy. We traveleed for hours in car and flight but throughout the journey my kids enjoyed each moment with no sensation of travel sickness or vomiting.My Dad and Mom also were healthy throughout the journey. Glory be to God. Thank you Jesus for hearing my heart's cry.

 

God has chosen the weak and foolish

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

 Dear Friends,

Greetings in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. God has chosen the weak things to put to shame the strong and foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise.

Our God is marvelous God. He had created this whole world out of nothing.  Even His smallest works, his smallest action is stunning. 

I was asked by my client if I would like to shift to their company. I had no interest - first reason being the distance and with kids was always working thinking of sabotical leaves that can be applied. After few months I was again asked for my interest and for my concern they accepted to come to office once in a week. In the meantime few of my colleagues who put papers to move to other companies were called by my clients by asking them  to   apply in their company portal separately. I accepted the clients offer and was expecting the same thing to happen. My colleagues had all the interview process - technical , managerial and HR round. With more than 10+yrs experience , I was still not confident to attend the interviews. I was asking God to show a difference between me and others. God accepted my request and confirmed me with this verse in Malachi 3:18 "You will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked between those who serve God and those who do not. ". He confirmed me with one more verse very patiently(which I have forgotten now :(  ) . There are so many brilliant than me in my project and so many of my colleagues keep asking as on what basis they have chosen few of them to move to client company (NielsenIQ). I have only one thing to tell as it is the "Work of God". I thank God and so grateful for this great thing He has done in my life.  I had only HR interview for negotiation of pay and got an offer of more than 80% hike. Glory, Glory , Glory to Him alone. Thank You Jesus. Working in NielsenIQ since 21st Nov 2022.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (Vasculitis)

 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm119:71

"Due to some infection ,immune system has caused inflammation of small blood vessels. It affects four parts -skin, joints, bowels and kidneys. " said Dr.Deenadayalan looking at me. [Does he know that I studied biology in 12thstd. Is that the reason,  he is trying to explain to me all things. Anyways being a mother and a girl I was calculating in my mind the blame game].

Let me start from the beginning. It all started with my first son Daniel's EVS culminating activity on 16th Feb2022(Wednesday). The topic was bird and my son choose to tell about crow. I was very proud since he had chosen an intelligent bird. All of his friends choose blackbird , bluebird ... He likes to tell stories.So he choose to tell about thirsty crow. Next day during the online class, he kept asking me "What to tell amma". And the teacher kept telling "Be louder." After the class, I blasted him. He didn't cry but sat very sad. Then to console and bring his mood back I ordered from Subway. My both kids enjoyed. 

Next day(Thursday) , he was normal and happy but kept telling stomach pain. We kind of ignored thinking it must be because of heat. On friday, he vomited the milk he drank in the morning . Since he was a baby, he used to vomit a lot but he usually gets well with home remedies by God's grace. This time no home remedy seems to work.Only water he was able to drink. Even vomikind/emeset/ondasetron didn't help. Saturday and Sunday we took him to nearby doctors. The medicines didn't help and he was constantly crying in stomach pain. There was no fever. But severe pain that he couldn't sleep and also had vomiting. Now I knew that I was chastened by my God and pleaded to him for mercy. God heard my plea and lead me in the following days by His word. On Monday (21st Feb) after checking with our family doctor(gynecologist in Chitlapakkam), we finally took to one pediatrician(Bethesda- Camp road). All the doctors suspected food poisoning or problem with intestines. So went to take a scan in Chrompet. I prayed that he shouldn't go through any operation sort of. The results showed no problem with intestines. But they reported some bacterial infection. Still my kid was in pain. The doctor gave some antibiotic medicines and said pain will subside after 3 days only. We came home still having sleepless nights and constantly hearing crying sound. He will touch his stomach and cry "Jesus help me". All these were new for us and we really couldn't understand him. There were some red rashes shown on his feet which we ignored for 2 days thinking to be mosquito bites. There were nearly 20 spots in his feet and we were just wondering how so much of mosquitoes had attacked him. Thankfully my inlaws came on Wednesday(23rd Feb). They came for an occasional visit to see their sister. Both my in-laws constantly soothed my son by constantly rubbing on his stomach. By Thursday his stomach pain was cured and he was able to eat but pain moved to joints, legs and hip. My teammates suggested some doctors. Usually I don't like visiting Chennai doctors. But this time I really wanted to take him since there was constant crying sound in the house. But my husband was hesitant a bit telling he is improving. He thought he must be cranky thinking of going to school. On Saturday by God's amazing grace we took him again to Bethesda, but this time to a more experienced doctor. Both me and husband expected to hear good news like usual bacterial infection and he is improving kind of. I was telling the Doctor about the rashes and all that happened and the doctor kept writing medicines and also wrote 2 doctors name and asked us to meet him. He said "Nothing to be afraid of. Don't delay but go and visit the doctor. Looks like some blood condition. They will instruct on blood test." Tears poured out since we were not prepared for further medication and still the underlying problem was not clear. My son was still crying in pain. Now in pain, he couldn't walk also. We went to the Rela hospital as suggested. My son wanted to go home. The hospital looked like big wedding hall with centralized AC. So we convinced our son that we will eat and go. They gave us big bag and files for the first time visit. Thank God there was not a big queue to see the Doctor. We were allowed immediately. My poor son kept constantly crying in pain. My husband and I took turns to carry him.(That was my first chums day. But God was giving me the strength needed.) His under feet had swollen and he couldn't walk also. Dr.Deenadayalan and Dr. Rishab Kumar were present. He said " Due to some infection ,immune system has caused inflammation of small blood vessels. The antibodies have got over generated. It affects four parts -skin, joints, bowels and kidneys. There will be more pain. If he is unable to bear the pain , you can admit and check. Steroids are the only medicines for this". We were not ready to admit him and so told the Doctor that we will go home and see him there. One of my cousin visited us for office work and so my younger kid was  taken care by my inlaws and my cousin. We gave the blood and urine for test and had some lunch in the canteen and left the hospital. 

In the evening,  he ate some soup and dosa and then the medicines. Around 7 in the night for one hour after taking the medicines ,he couldn't speak. We were all praying sitting around him. Around 8 my brother in law and my father in law came to our house. By then he sat and started playing with his brother and cousin "top game" . Glory to God. He is usually a kid who often smiles. So my younger one was also so happy that he kept telling " Amma, Anna is smiling." After many days we slept peacefully. The next day was Sunday. My son had to be still carried to the bathroom. He couldn't walk. When he woke his eyes had swollen and also his lips. God strengthened me now by his words. My husband was in tears in seeing my son. We called our neighbor Doctor and he readily came. On seeing my son he asked to get admitted and undergo the procedures as the Doctors say. He mentioned Rela hospital,  which was the same we had visited a day before. We immediately packed important stuff and left to the hospital. God strengthened me with his word and also helped my husband "Isaiah 41:10, God says to “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"

The sunday emergency procedure was big. Although we reached at 9, it took around 11:30 to get admitted in room.They took X-Ray of his chest and pierced the needle in his hands trying to find his veins by each nurse taking turns.  But by now his eyes became normal.By now we learnt that his stomach pain and all the pain due to blood vessels inflammation seems to subside with paracetamol. So we started giving him every 4 hrs. Haemotology specialist Dr.Rishab Kumar came around 1:30. By then by God's grace, the steroids had worked and my son was eating lunch. He checked and asked us to continue the steroids orally. Usually there has to be only one attendant in that hospital even for kids. But by God's grace both me and my husband were allowed to stay. My younger son was taken care by my in-laws. Thanks be to God for his leading in our lives. God heals by sending us His word.Both me and my  husband continued praying with the Bible verse given to us by the Holy Spirit -- Jeremiah 33:6  "Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."  Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?". After 2 days of stay in hospital,  he was able to take small steps on his own and we were discharged to home. Although it was a big hospital,  they didn't trouble my kid with lots of tests. Only steroids in tablet form was given. Thanks be to God. After coming home, the next day again his eyes became swollen. We continued praying again with God's word.Gradually his swollen eyes became normal. We praised God on seeing him coming down the stairs by himself one morning. What to joy to see him walk again. In next report, urine showed trace of RBC and the count of platelets touching the normal. Initially it showed as positive. We were still worried about his kidneys. Doctors on consultation said that he is gradually improving and the tablets can be reduced.Glory be to God. Gradually he became normal and the steroids were reduced and finally stopped. The next week blood report and urine report came as normal with normal count of platelets and no trace of RBC in urine. Glory be to God. God helped us to seek the right doctors and guided with the right medicines at right time ,if not his kidney would have got damaged badly. 

Psalm 30:5 

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning."

Hebrews 12:6

"For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives"

Jeremiah 33:6 

இதோ, நான் அவர்களுக்குச் சவுக்கியமும் ஆரோக்கியமும் வரப்பண்ணி, அவர்களைக் குணமாக்கி, அவர்களுக்குப் பரிபூரண சமாதானத்தையும் சத்தியத்தையும் வெளிப்படுத்துவேன்.

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

 Psalm 91:15

அவன் என்னை நோக்கிக் கூப்பிடுவான், நான் அவனுக்கு மறுஉத்தரவு அருளிச்செய்வேன்; ஆபத்தில் நானே அவனோடிருந்து, அவனைத் தப்புவித்து, அவனைக் கனப்படுத்துவேன்.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

The song that increased my faith and consoled me through these darkest times.

https://youtu.be/XIkA6q-tero

10 Years in Tcs

After 10 yrs in IT life, still I am not a Consultant,  not gone onsite, not a manager,  not in dream job, not earning 6 digit pay, not even a lead but I have tasted favour of God and stood distinct in many areas of my life in TCS. I thank God for being with me and helping me to complete 10 yrs in TCS. Those who have been with me in college life know,  how weak I was in my health. I was a constant cougher and was the target for many critics in college.  But God enabled me to stay healthy in the corporate in the cold AC environment.  I really thank God for it.  There are many things to be amazed when I think my 10yrs have been over. I would like to share some of the favors I received from God and men.

1. September end was my joinimg date. During my ILP days since everything was new I used to pray befor every class or session. And so did well in programming. I am not good at speaking. I am usually more fearful when I see the crowd. But during one of the ILP sessions, we were asked to speak on any topic. I dont remember the topic, but I do remember the faculty appreciating my way of speaking and told the whole class to follow me. Well it was truly God's work.

2. Exactly when everyone were getting allocated to projects and attending interviews , I had booked flight tickets to my home town and didn't want to cancel them. Being a fresher , was even afraid to talk to RMG. I was told to join one project, but without reporting left to hometown. After returning,  heard that the project had changed and my friends said that the project which they had reported (which I was supposed to join) have said that there is no requirement in there. So my friends were rejected in many projects either bcoz of no requirement or not good in interview.  And most of them got either testing or supprt projects. By God's grace I got selected in the first project that i attended and it was a development work. Even as a frsher I was noticed by many managers of the project, though they didn't knew many of my much experienced colleagues. Also during one of my tough times all my managers stood for me whichbInhave shared in another blog.

3.  After marriage and kids, it is truly difficult to keep working as a woman. But has helped with good Husband , mother in law and wonderful parents. When I hear stories from my friends about their drinking husbands, torturing mother in law and having tough time with nobody to take care of the kids,  I am truly favored.

4. After both my maternity leaves I was asked to join projects belonging to same client. Once I was given work from home and the other time location change.  There were friends who kept telling me that I will be cheated and will never be given location change. To God's amazing geace I got location change and excellent managers. Thank you Jesus for the favored life.

Beniel

Greetings in the matchless name of Christ!!!.

God is good and His love endures forever.

Blessed are the people whose God is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is already one year since my second kid Beniel was born. And to think of the experiences that I had during my pregnancy I am grateful to God for the love and grace that He showered on me. Usually they say that the second pregnancy will be easier compared to the first one. Yes,

indeed it was good for the 9 months. I didn't get tired much and was healthier than my first kid.I had good sleep and less vomiting. One of the scans showed low lying placenta and thankfully during the next scan the placenta came up. Two times I had more vomiting and diarrhea due to food poisoning. Haemoglobin showed to be lower during the 9months. Except for these I was healthier and was more normal with the baby inside my womb just like it wasn't present. People who saw my stomach were afraid that the delivery might be sooner. It was very low.

I was expecting my delivery to happen by 38th week since my first son was born on 38th week itself. 40th week arrived and I was visiting the doctor for every week. She always had positive news for me and asked me to sit down with folded legs. I was already doing that and playing with my first kid. I additionally browsed the internet for inducing delivery normally and was climbing stairs daily, walking for one hour , doing squats and everything that the google mentioned. In all of these I didn't get tired unlike my first pregnancy. In all the blogs , nobody could say that since they did this “particular thing”, the baby was born the next day. It showed that bringing the child out is the beautiful act of God in His own time.

I visited the doctor on Nov 8th which was 41st week and the doctor on examining said that the liquid started reducing and so need to be admitted in hospital. The baby’s head has come down but it was lying ulta with stomach up instead of head down.

I was not prepared mentally for an operation since my first kid was only 2.5yrs old. I was fully in tears and my kid could not understand the things that were going on. God has been so gracious in my life that the most beautiful things happened afterward. I kept praying to God and was also in need of people to support in prayer at that time. My husband started from Chennai to my hometown. Just like Isaac(praying for his wife), my husband prayed for me. He fasted and prayed for my normal delivery. My parents and my maternal uncle also prayed for me. My father-in-law himself kept enquiring on the happenings in the hospital frequently and said that he too is praying for normal delivery. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful parents and relatives who are there to pray to God for me. On the day I was admitted, the nurses kept checking the heartbeat of my baby. The next morning the doctor applied a cream for the uterus to open and within the next 2 hrs I started having pain. The doctors rushed with the process by breaking the amniotic sac and taking me to the labor ward. Within the next 30 minutes, my baby was born. But I couldn't hear any crying sound. The nurses said that he will cry and removed the umbilical cord that was around his neck. There was more joy in the labor ward. Glory be to God.

God is faithful and His words are true.

During my first pregnancy I was more closer to God and was asking God for a normal delivery without pain by claiming few verses. True to His verses, my first child did not come out of my womb with pain. So after my first delivery I did not have any back pain too.

Isaiah 66:7

Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers

a son.

Exodus 1:19

The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.

Psalm 29:9

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

I was praying with these verses during my first pregnancy for all the nine months. God in His mercy answered my prayers but I did not realize much after my first delivery. Only after my

second delivery, I understood the great things that God had done during my first delivery.

God is faithful;God is good; God is love.

LIVING GOD WHOM I SERVE

There is no doubt that Jesus is still LIVING. There are many facts which claim that He is risen. There are millions of Christians who believe it and I am one of them. You will be amazed why I bring this point, that He is living God. Recently I tasted Him as a Living God who cares. Alleluiah! Praise The Lord!!. As the Bible tells, it seems to be true that only who tastes Him can understand Him. Let me share with you what happened, for you to understand why I tell that “He is a Living God who cares”.

Last week, I was so depressed in my heart. I was pushed by Satan that all my dreams have been shattered. And my God has punished me because of my sins. There was no way for peace inside me. I was longing for a place to cry. I was just wondering how my day is going to be, as my morning has started in such a way. I was crying to God knowing that He alone can help. I was just waiting with depressed heart as to what He could do. Within a minute , I got a message from my friend. She has’nt sent me any messages previous to that day nor after that. The message was a bible verse “And in this place I(Lord Jesus) will give peace says the Lord of Hosts”  Hagai 2:9. I just read it and had my breakfast still with the thoughts that Satan put in my mind. And I read the whole verse from the Bible again.Great peace entered me. Peace beyond comparison and beyond expression. It was the peace from God. I was filled with laughter for the whole day because of my God given peace.

I was sharing this with my friend who sent this message to me. I was amazed to hear from her still more things. She had prayed to God before sending the message that God should speak through the verse to atleast one person. Again before clicking on send, she had felt that she had missed somebody. There she found my name and included in the list and clicked on send. How Great is Our God. How Great is My God’s concern for me! How Great is My God’s love for me! How Great is my God’s care for me!

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.Awesome.Awesome.Awesome.Awesome.Awesome.

Great is thy faithfulness Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!