Blessed Birthday.

Okay. Its time for thanksgiving... its gg to be a super long post i guess. Yes its another blessed birthday, crossing this special milestone of the 2. =) Been blessed by all presents and friends!

Friday's Thanksgiving

Present from Ms Sakeena and Ms Anna =)

After some really violent shaking from me...The beautiful bracelet inside still survived!!!

Saturday Thanksgiving

Lunch with Janie... haha didnt really suspect much! but *tada* cell "appeared" at the church benches and had my birthday celebration! Thank God for the cell's celebration.

Oh yes.. if you're wondering... its my second polar cake...!!! XP

THANKFUL for GOD provision of a cell that is loving and nice =) Thanks for all the presents.. and the really nice card drawn.. its really really nice card.. and a pleasant surprise for the celebration b4 nurturing training and after nurturing training =) Yes.. and with an unopened present *cough* Thank God for such a community.

Lunch Buddies....

Oh i realised we didnt take picture together! Anyway, it was a nice celebration at Settlers! hahaha.. back to our brainless jokes and laughters. I am Thankful for the opportunity to be able to share the evange cube =D Thankful for a fun-filled laughter night at the kopitiam ordering Kopi-ice =X The uncle thought we were crazy ordering that!!!

Lunch Buddy Present =) i like it!! Its super duper nice.. when u turn it there's music and the "snow" thing inside will automatically spin =D SUPER NICE!!! THANKFUL for especially Fel who knows what to buy. haha.. or the guys would just take super long time to decide rights... Since most picture is at lunch buddy blog.. Fel u shall update...

http://lunch-buddies.blogspot.com/

Lastly, i'm super sorry i made these ppl panick and worried after gg MIA after the outing...so sorry!! Thanksgiving for everything.

Sunday's Birthday Thanksgiving

I spent my first glimpse of my birthday looking at God's creation =) Stars that night was super beautiful...

Thank God for smses, calls, prayers..

Smses from: Edi di!!, Junhao, Alexius, Kester, Dasen, Teck Yen, Jenn Yang, Desiree, Jia Xin, Lai Yan ah yi, Wan Ching, Felicia, Zi Chun, Wan Mei, Tecky, Wei Jia, Si Lin, Wei Jing (while hehe bro didnt..=p), Jia Xin, Nicodemus, Felicia (church), Janie, Joel, Joseph, Jessica, Eddie, Joanna, Su Xian!!, Siew Xuan, Kenny, Mabel, Bryan, Khalis, LAO BA!!, Shao Wei, Choon Gim, Eugene *phew*...

greetings: Darius, Guang yi, Anna, Kelvin, Zhan Yue, Fartty family, Dota gang.

Together... i say: Thank You for the smses and greetings.

THANKs for this special grp of ppl who APPEARED at my church holding these papers, balloons, flower, rasin, present. LOL.. and most importantly all wear the "little ms" shirt!!! haha and the funniest thing is that i happen to wear one similar shirt toO!! =D so qiao! yes. and they sang happy birthday so super ENTHUsiastically. =D Anyway, Thankful for Karmun, Lishi, John, Edward, Ming Jie, Teck Ming, Felicia and Jordan!! =) It was quite a surprise.... (got lotsa cute pics we took too... shall post it nxt time)

This is my dearest present from a few councillors.. =D THANKS.

So, To wrap up the thanksgiving, i had dinner with my family =) and another round of cake..!! =D

Just being thankful for friends. family. and God. i'm 20! and proud to be one.. no doubt its the big TWO but.. embrace the year ahead that GOD has planned for me.. =D

Thankful.

Once again another busy week but the meet ups this week actually perk up my wk and i'm really surprised. =) Usually i feel tired meeting up on weekdays after work but i guess the bunch of ppl i met this week really perk my week.

My first birthday sms: Flown in from THAILAND!! =D Fartty daddy!! =D so early though.

Blurest birthday sms: Mr Hew Yin Hou!! sms-ed on thursday thinking its my b'day =p

Second birthday song: School contact time

First birthday celebration:

Clockwise from top:

Yin hou: - the "hello, whats the plan?" when i'm actually beside him.

Two Samanthas : haha good poses =)

Ser Xing: - the efficient planner.

Oh yes.. its my cake that says "school rules" =)

...Secondary School Friends...

Oh yes.. Thankful for this bunch of ppl who celebrated my birthday in advance =) Especially some who had been missing for a long time..No doubt we are really at different pt in our life, 2 studying, 1 pilot-ing, 1 "slacking", 1 teaching.. haha.. yes. so different. Next year with Yin Hou overseas training and 2 going to be overseas on exchange.. hey.. who's gg to be left to celebrate my 21st!! =p Anyway.. you all made my week! the last wk as a teen..

Haha.. we made an interesting club today. its too dumb to say it out. want to meet on the 14th Feb. haha oops i have a date. with another similar club. maybe we should just combine. *lol*

From Mei yi's card:

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Prov 3: 3-4

Dont Quit, Keep Going

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ

I was super inspired by sermon today. I guess its something i'm just hesistating about. The video just reminded me... in work, ministry, family, friends.. keep going. dont quit. Most importantly, in the race to eternal life. dont quit, keep going. It also reminded me the importance of encouragements and i really thank the ppl that drops me encouragements. The player wouldnt had made it to the other end if it wasnt for the coach's constant pushing.. one step more... keep going.. dont quit.. its this constant encouragement that pushed out the player's doubt. Personally when i was watching, i suddenly thought of jiao lian.. and sec school bball days. I remember how he could just captivate and push us mentally furthur with his stories...Personally i've always believe in a physical run, it was always mind over matter. If my mind say i can finish the race, i can. But if my mind had given up, dont expect the body to go any furthur.

Yes. Lord i recognise that there are days when i'm so close in letting my mind say "give up because there are just too many things to juggle" but i also recognise "dont quit.Keep Going. Until i'm sure ive given my best"... be it teaching..Idt.. serving..reading the word daily..encouraging... i'll give Him my best =).

I'm thankful that i took time off to spend my Sunday with my parents.

Is it worth it?

Its something i've been asking myself recently. Is things starting to be an obligation than want? Some how as i start of with such a cluttered weekend, i start to realise i no longer look forward to weekends. IDT was about busyness, boredom and barrenness. Sharing the same story that my p shared on box of pebbles, stones, sand and water. So, what are my stones in life? Striking a balance is important. so, where is my point of balance? I'm just trying to once again rethink my focus this start of the year. No doubt i prepared myself for a busy year in school, schooling and church but its also in your busyness that the devil finds way to creep to take control of your life.

Whatever i do, Centre down on God. The rest are sand..

(copied down from IDT notes which i thought it was interesting)

In the midst of our busyness, the world prescription is to slow down while God's prescription is to Center Down.

Centering Down VS Slowing Down

Slowing down deals with our running, Centering Down deals with our Lostness

Slowing down questions our capacity, Centering Down questions our confusion.

Slowing down deals offers us a consolation, Centreing Down offers us a compass.

Slowing down helps us catch a breath, Centering Down helps us catch a vision.

Slowing down blames the external environment, Centering Down examines inner roots.

Slowing down is a vicious cycle, Centering Down is a vital solution!

Slowing down seeks to add Jesus to our crowded schedule,

Centering Down anchors Jesus as Lord of all our schedule!!

=) that was one thing i was inspired by. Was also super inspired by the video showed on Hobart Shakespeare. Though i felt the video was one that probably inspire teacher most. =) It just reminded me about how much effort he really put in on his students and the last few lines he said was along the line of there are days where you feel that what you're doing is not worth it.. but at the end of it, you'll realise its worth it. =)

THANK GOD! i received my perfect encouraging e-mail from my dearest girl faraway frm me =)

pics with memories

Personally i thought this was seriously one of the few pretty classic crappy picture we took =p Looking at this picture makes me laugh!!! (taken during council chalet 07)

Haha i am super innocent and the most ok person ya! i was induldging in psp.. the rest of them..... erm.... (taken at Ming Jie's place after playing toilet game =.=)

Taken on the last day of 2007... after the reflective chit chat session =)

To the Fartty person above who is gg to Thailand!! Dont fret and get nostalgic!! TRAIN HARD! i'm not even blaming you for missing my birthday.. (ok actually i am) =p how can you go overseas of all timing!!!! haha... JIAYOU ba. you know the fartty fam is always behind ya. Its just awhile... so bear with it ya. You promised me that you'll shoot a cannon over on my birthday ya!! better do so!

Term 1 Week 3

Thank God i am very encouraged by Wei Jing =) This is what she said.. my strength and qt level should be max because GOD is strength. =) AMEN. She reminded me of 1 Tim 4:12.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim 4:12

Just so happen church is preaching about 2 Timothy. =) Yes. i'm reminded that though i may be young or i may have little experience, set an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity. =) Thanks hehe sister.To a God blessed week ahead!

*drumrolls to...* sunbeam kids...who started the earliest birthday song for me! =.= super early.

Whole week

This week was definitely tiring and stressful trying to get used to being a form teacher with great responsibilities. It really took time to get used and i'm usually tired out by the end of the day. Thank God i had several ppl who encouraged me thru this week of changes and getting used. I really want to thank GOD. Wednesday was also the peak of my stressful week as i realised all the shouting left me breathless and faint by the second last period of the day. THANK GOD that i started to commit this bunch of kids in prayers while walking to school daily. No doubt i thank God because i started to see them improving. Was very encouraged by the talk we had on Wednesday (by NEW LIFE = yes is by church but at zhenghua contact time) New life came to talk to us about building postive relationships with the class. Its about loving the unlovable and not stereotyping naughty kids and shared several other skills to handle class.. (This is why i say.. GOD speaks when i'm desperate! i know its HIM because of all people why New Life came to speak to us? =p) hahaha.. i pray for a better week ahead.

Friday

This was my first IDT session. I am thankful that despite my initial fear that i would not click with my Dg, i found out that my sec school friend (though not too close) was in the same DG. The first session turned out fine in the end. This is really the start of a discipleship journey. =)

Sat

Had CG =) Brought teck ming along for cg. Oh. havent mentioned how encouraged i was by edward and teck ming last wk at church =) i was really encouraged by them and i commit them to GOD and pray that they will remove the pride and yearn to grow more in Him. Anyway, after CG we went to Ming Jie's house together to play alot of dumb crappy games, get a full bladder, play at the playground there =.= . Had alot of fun!! and i'm thankful for that! =D Because it helped me to relieve stress over the week. OH man. i kept laughing and laughing and laughing... but i enjoyed myself anyway. =D (u should see the pics when km upload)

graph level plot of Monday

Curent status: Stress is directly proportional to crapping ability. Currently midway in my DJ/QT and has near zero abilty to interact/ communicate/ encourage or reply smses. Strength level near zero. oops. should i add ability to rant -100%?

... 05.01.03 ...

God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked upon the earth
And saw your tired face.

He put His arm around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering.
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your eyelids,
And whispered, "Peace be thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you Home.

This is the day i take time off.. to think and remember and relieve the memories that is etched in my heart =) Also to remind myself that you are safe in God's hands. Was too busy today that i only remembered that today was the 5th in the late evening. Just realised that i actually planned to drop by after my meeting but it slipped my mind... like Matt said grave is just for us (earth) to have a place to relieve our emotions. 5 years and counting.. GOD is with us. you are being missed.

Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008

Procrastinated and didnt manage to write my reflections b4 the year end. Its not too late to write it on the first day of 08 anyway! =D

07 for me in a few words : Changes and challenges... yes its a year of those. I am thankful for this year of changes too. It is through changes that GOD made me grow closer to Him. Last sermon of the year was on gratitude. I am thankful for 07. Church & church friends who made me grew closer to Him in 07, Family who emerged out of 07 blessed, friends who made my 07 an easier walk with all the encouragements, colleagues who encourage me in Him, assurance of my calling.... and alot of other things... =)

Looking ahead.. 08 for me in a few words : more changes and challenges and busy year. Work is a whole new challenge for me this year, getting involve in MinistrieS, Going ahead for IDT, School to be starting (if nothing happens), church is moving later this year. Its a journey of faith that GOD goes before me =)

New year eve

Went back to Zhenghua to pack my table for the year. A whole stack of things in my in-tray... Books and bags of resources piled on my once empty table. Challenge is an understatement. Being a new form teacher is difficult, being an un-trained new form teacher is crazy. Stacks and piles flooded my table while i attempt to pack! Yes. i'm teaching 2D next year. After being chased out of zhps (Due to half day), went causeway to shop with my mum. After that went to meet soonleng at bpp before we head to bb to meet km. It was a reflective fellowship session i had with them. Something that weigh upon my heart when i think about our usual fellowship sessions. haha.. i'm usually full of crap.. so i kind of had to assure them that today we're going to talk about something serious and not my usual "brainless" crap. =P i was glad we had a mini sharing session. CG has made me realised that to make sure we form deep relationships, we had to be open and share. This was definitely something i wanted to do with esp the fartty fam =) so i guess this is the start! Anyway, like "cinderella", we tried to head home b4 12!! so i literally had to run home only to reach home at 11.50am to celebrate new year with my parents!

01.01.2008!!!!

CHEERS! Its 2008! Woke up at 5.30am! (THANK GOD) I really mean THANK GOD early in the morning. I was trying to wake up for dawn prayers at church BUT after i on 2 alarms i still didnt! THANK GOD because my phone was on SILENT mode and Kester still managed to morning call me up!!! isnt that something to just awe at God's work!! =D haha.. anyway, dearest JANIE didnt wake up and in the end only Kester and I went for dawn prayers! (haha unless you count Jan's reaching after it) =pP Dawn prayer was a refreshing way to start my 2008 =D

GOD bless the year ahead. Even as i'm really feeling jitters about first day of school tomorrow. Its a very jittery feeling i'm having about tomorrow. Its the day where i've to set things right. I just pray there will be guidiance from my colleagues so i wouldnt feel like i'm lost not knowing what to do.