I know this comes in a bit late..but I really wanna thank all the well wishes of the people who sent me their sms and all their treats....Had actually kept all these sms-es in my phone...could not bear to delete them heee heee..aLSO to the Lord Almighty for creating me back in my mother's womb that I can see this beautiful world and all my friends...
At the stroke of midnight: Issac ("ah-chek", IZ)
12:10 am Caizhu:"Dear sis, Shen yat fa lok! May e Lord shine on u an thru u. B Blez. Cya."
Poy: "Happy blessed bday! Claim your present from Him, He has already given you His promises!"
12:11am Angela:"Yo racheal, Happy Bdae to u! May you be blessed w love, joy n peace in the days ahead...Hope u'll experience greater breakthru in your music, carrier n r/s...stay joyful always :)
12:14am
Shen Teng:"Happy birthday! :) Thanks for guiding me to play violin in wam. I am sure God will use u even more in the area of music as u avail yourself to serve more :)"
12:18am
Shi Ming:"Hi happy bithday! Today is the start of a brand new year for you!"
12:34am
Lawrence ("Gao de"):"I knock on Heaven door. God asks "Wat can I do 4 u?" I ask "Pls Love, Protect & Bless the One reading this sms" 1 yr older ya!"
12:35am
Lyndi:"God bless u on tis lovely day & as God fulfil His promise 4 ur life. I pray He'll snuggle u deep in His love and grace . :)"
12:46am
Yexiang:" Happy birthday Rac! :)"
1:16am
From a sweet young bro, Joe:"I thk our Father in heaven 4 such a bubbly sis in u. ur lively joyful character brings much life n excitm 2 our lives. certainly irreplacable :) it has been a blessg 2b able to embark on tis walk wu. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAC!!lets look 4ward 2 great things n experiences tt He has prepared 4us :Dhv a blessed dy in Him"
1:40am
Another sweet young bro, Jason: "Happy national day, I mean happy birthday to you."
4:38am
Our youngest brother in Christ ,Qiuping: "Happy Birthday Sis! Today, a beginning of a new day to rejoice in e LORD! Life in Christ may not be easy but remain perseverance, continually focus onto Him and His purpose in u. For He knows ur heart desire wholly & surely bless u wif more than u can imagine. Enjoy ur day wif Him! Amen!"
4:51am (These people dun sleep eh? wahahaha...)
Wilson:"Happy Bday! May e LORD our GREAT GOD bless u n may all ur wishes come true! Haf a blessed moment. :)"
8:45am
Spencer:"Hey happy b dae,man."
10:09am
Jiawei:"Hey happy birthday to u! Have a nice day today!"
10:29am
Jingjie (NJC friend):"Happy birthday!"
**Rac then takes a break to enjoy my first treat of the day, from two lovely sisters, Sarah and Jeannie who blessed me with a Hillsong songbook and a breakfast treat at Cafe Cartel, dear me blur la, went to the WRONG PLACE! had arrived at CITY Hall instead of PLAZA SING! Can imagine their exasperation! Thanks dear sweeties for putting up with my nonsense! So glad! Jammin'time!**
11:17am
Yuemei(my dear pri sch friend):"hapy birthday! cheers!"
12:48pm
Ah Zhen Ah yee:" :D Hai4 pi2 BIRTHDAY!"
**Rac takes another break to bring family to eat the Holland V XO bee hoon! Slurp Slurp! so full yeah?**
13 14h
Rachel Tan:"Enjoy the day as the nation celebrates with you! happy birtday!!"
13 37h
Rachael Lee:"Happy & Blessed Birthday!May u enjoy another yr of God's blessings! Luv, Rach"
13 45h
Zhiyong:"Happy national day and happy birthday! - Zhiyong :)"
13 47h
John (CJC - Lao ge):"Hey happy birthday 2 u xiaomei! May the Lord bless u and take care. Enjoy urself ya. =)"
14 11h
Karen:"Happy birthday sis! May u be blessed with much more in life! How's celebration gonna be like for u? Enjoy ur special day!"
14 41h
Kim: "Happy Birthday"
15 24h
Jiajun:"Hey babe! Blessed birthday! May e Lord bless this day n year to come.:)"
16 07h
Fenny:"HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)"
16 25h
Ziwei (NTU CEE Buddy):"Hi Rachel. Happy birthday to you! :D"
16 38h
Mingyang:"Happy birthday!"
17 15h
Guang An:" Happy birthday sis. Hope you like the songbook."
**Rac now stuffed to the brim (this is so not doing any good to my thick waistline), rushed down to ah Cheng's place at River Valley for CG...Received a hippo from Mingzhu!**
17 52h
Nizam (NTU CEE Buddy):"my apologies if i'm late, but here's wishing you happy birthday and happy national day!may you have a wonderful year ahead! :)"
**Rac now rushed down to prolly the finaly gathering for the day, of all my old NJC classmates at Serangoon, Wenli's place...**
20 15h
Guang Rong (UL):"As we celebrate National Day, may u also hav a wonderful, memorable and blessed birthday.:)"
21 42h
Pamela:"Happy Birthday once again gal!"
22 06h
Cheng Jie:"before the day is over...happy birthday rachel! hope ya had a memorable 27th hatchday! take care n god bless, as always! ;)"
22 23h
Chukai:"Happy birthday rachel! happy 41st..opps I mean 27th birthday. The Lord bless the year ahead and may he add to you even greater opportunities ahead."
22 30h
Limin:"Hey babe, happy bdae! Stay pretty & cool k."
22 50h
Florence Neo:"Happy birthday Rachel. Just in timeo to wish you.:) May you remain beautiful for God. May your dreams come true. Be strong and courageous for God always - flo"
10/08/06
0900h
Aunt Jo:" Happy belated birthday!"
My apologies to anyone if I have missed out their names in any way..shall blog about my birthday wishes another time!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Living an Unhurried Life + "Click" Movie Review
17th August Thursday
Had a very meaningful CG today. CC started with sometime of free time for all of us before the start of the CG. We had like 15 minutes of "free time"!! Something "unorthodox" in a CG setting. I guess I am so used to having "organised time" all the time that for a good 5 minutes plus, I sat there and did not really know what to do after she gave that "command", "15 minutes to do WHATEVER you want."
Things start to rush in my head, shall I read? Shall i talk to Zhuzhu, shall I irritate everyone again by playing on the piano? (yes, we are at Room 306 :P)15 minutes!! Do what you want!!
Then I realise, (took quite a while) its really a short time that we can all gather together and fellowship, immediately dropped my book and went to mingle with the rest...
CC started off that day's sharing on how Jesus modelled an unhurried life by asking us a few questions, that got me tickled and feeling guilty all at the same time.
"Have you ever rushed through your supermarket shopping, by going through the shortest queue even though you are not in a hurry?"
"When driving, have you personally estimated which car would move slower or faster and proceed to change lane to the vehicle which would be the fastest?"
"Have you set yourself a list of "to-dos" for the day and may feel angry or frustrated if you have not completed them?" (Rachel paraphrased this last one...:P)
My answer to the above 3 and a whole host of other questions is mostly a resounding YES! I have the "hurry-sickness"!!
I can't just think of my life as so hurried and in a rush to meet my own deadlines!!
19th August 2006 (Saturday)
Watched the movie "Click" with Jason, Mr D, Peiling yesterday at Bugis, had not watched such a meaningful show for a long time.
Was personally touched by the show. (warning of spoilers ahead, pls dun read on if you dun wan to know the plot!! :P)
The main character, Adam Sandler is an architect and a high flyer who juggles between work and family life like most of us do. One day, when absolutely fed up with quarrelling with his wife and having to care for the needs of his two children.
He went out, met a weird old man in the hardware shop (Christopher Walken) and decided to get a "universal remote".
He was so thrilled with the functions in it that he started to manipulate his life with it. He could actually fast forward, rewind or even skip chapters in parts of his life which he disliked. The turning point came when he decided to fast forward to a quick promotion and realised that the remote actually went on auto-pilot, capturing his most favourite function which is to "fast forward".He realised that he missed out. Big time.
His kids' growing up years, his relationship with his father and wife were all compromised for the sake of fame only then, till near his death did he realise precious time wasted. But the turning point came when he was given a second chance and decided to treasure family time more.
That show really struck me, it's like a really meaningful show after "50-first dates" which also touched me.
I wanted so badly to really drop down my stuff and run home to hug my sisters, my parents, especially my daddy and baby sis.
I was so afraid of missing out. Missing out of their lives when I am here zooming past here mine. I reallyhope I do not already make my time shorten further when its already moving at such a face pace.
I want to be there: when my younger sis needs a listening ear, be there when my dad wants a willing girl to cut fruits for him after dinner, be there for my mum when she wants someone to help her with her English, be there for my friends, be there for my dearly loved sheep and shepherd, be there to pray if I am so tied up, be there for GOD when HE calls me...,
Time, a precious commodity.
*** *** *** *** ***
We ended our CG discussion,"Jesus was always busy but never in a hurry." He took time to seek and pray to the Lord even when He was surrounded by so many needs and requests.
Praying for a more effective time and more of God's grace for time spent with my family members and friends and to most importantly slow down, give thanks to the Lord and refocus...
Maybe I shall choose to walk and wait instead of taking that cab or bus one day eh?
:P
Had a very meaningful CG today. CC started with sometime of free time for all of us before the start of the CG. We had like 15 minutes of "free time"!! Something "unorthodox" in a CG setting. I guess I am so used to having "organised time" all the time that for a good 5 minutes plus, I sat there and did not really know what to do after she gave that "command", "15 minutes to do WHATEVER you want."
Things start to rush in my head, shall I read? Shall i talk to Zhuzhu, shall I irritate everyone again by playing on the piano? (yes, we are at Room 306 :P)15 minutes!! Do what you want!!
Then I realise, (took quite a while) its really a short time that we can all gather together and fellowship, immediately dropped my book and went to mingle with the rest...
CC started off that day's sharing on how Jesus modelled an unhurried life by asking us a few questions, that got me tickled and feeling guilty all at the same time.
"Have you ever rushed through your supermarket shopping, by going through the shortest queue even though you are not in a hurry?"
"When driving, have you personally estimated which car would move slower or faster and proceed to change lane to the vehicle which would be the fastest?"
"Have you set yourself a list of "to-dos" for the day and may feel angry or frustrated if you have not completed them?" (Rachel paraphrased this last one...:P)
My answer to the above 3 and a whole host of other questions is mostly a resounding YES! I have the "hurry-sickness"!!
I can't just think of my life as so hurried and in a rush to meet my own deadlines!!
*** *** *** *** *** ***
19th August 2006 (Saturday)
Watched the movie "Click" with Jason, Mr D, Peiling yesterday at Bugis, had not watched such a meaningful show for a long time.
Was personally touched by the show. (warning of spoilers ahead, pls dun read on if you dun wan to know the plot!! :P)
The main character, Adam Sandler is an architect and a high flyer who juggles between work and family life like most of us do. One day, when absolutely fed up with quarrelling with his wife and having to care for the needs of his two children.
He went out, met a weird old man in the hardware shop (Christopher Walken) and decided to get a "universal remote".
He was so thrilled with the functions in it that he started to manipulate his life with it. He could actually fast forward, rewind or even skip chapters in parts of his life which he disliked. The turning point came when he decided to fast forward to a quick promotion and realised that the remote actually went on auto-pilot, capturing his most favourite function which is to "fast forward".He realised that he missed out. Big time.
His kids' growing up years, his relationship with his father and wife were all compromised for the sake of fame only then, till near his death did he realise precious time wasted. But the turning point came when he was given a second chance and decided to treasure family time more.
That show really struck me, it's like a really meaningful show after "50-first dates" which also touched me.
I wanted so badly to really drop down my stuff and run home to hug my sisters, my parents, especially my daddy and baby sis.
I was so afraid of missing out. Missing out of their lives when I am here zooming past here mine. I reallyhope I do not already make my time shorten further when its already moving at such a face pace.
I want to be there: when my younger sis needs a listening ear, be there when my dad wants a willing girl to cut fruits for him after dinner, be there for my mum when she wants someone to help her with her English, be there for my friends, be there for my dearly loved sheep and shepherd, be there to pray if I am so tied up, be there for GOD when HE calls me...,
Time, a precious commodity.
*** *** *** *** ***
We ended our CG discussion,"Jesus was always busy but never in a hurry." He took time to seek and pray to the Lord even when He was surrounded by so many needs and requests.
Praying for a more effective time and more of God's grace for time spent with my family members and friends and to most importantly slow down, give thanks to the Lord and refocus...
Maybe I shall choose to walk and wait instead of taking that cab or bus one day eh?
:P
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Recording @ Nexus! Thank God this band!
Phewwweee! Just came back from a 4 hour plus long recording and practice session at Nexus! We managed to finish recording for 3 sets plus the song presentation item with three of the songs written by our very own Church Members! "Psalm 78", "Lord of Creation" and "Greater".
Really thank God for putting me in this ministry. I remember how the initial stages when I first went for auditions with my old violin back in the church office with the "storeroom" then at Joo Chiat. Remember those days guys? heheh I remember going for auditions with Wilfy then! wah...so fast eh 2003! Could remember those two years plus of struggling how to fit myself being a classical player into a band. It was so tough, had to source out many many songs and tried writing parts to the music to fit myself into it. Then came the rehearsals.
From the initial stages when I was still a student then, I would struggle with my studies and then work before going for practices, only to be "drowned" out by the many other electric instruments... I used to tell myself, what's the point of playing if I could not be heard? hhahah i took a hard knocking from God one day when He revealed to me that the gifts was given for me not for showmanship or wanting to be heard above the noise, but rather a simple, humble heart who's willing to let go and let go use it in the atmosphere of worship for His people. When my studies were failing, work is really strenuous, I really find it hard to further worship God with the gift of music, dragging myself then to the practices.
Then, one day, God spoke to me," Worship is unto Him alone and my gifts are His.I am put there to glorify Him" That's it. There on the stage that fateful Sunday, I realise how small I am and that God could choose to take away gifts or shut me out if He wants, cos He's the Provider in the first place. Stunned, I submitted to God and I just whacked on my violin and the music just flowed. I was rather conscious in the past on whether I would be heard or whether I played okay, but that particular Sunday was really significant. This experience staye etched in me. I never thought that I would hear from God in such an audible voice that day....
Over the span of 2 years coming to 3 years come September, many ppl came and went. But the most important thing I realised was the willingness to avail yourself for God to use you. I was so very tired during rehearsals at one point, I nearly fainted, I cried out in desperation that Lord we NEED MORE STRINGS!!
It was only until after 2 years that my prayers were answered. I thank God for Shen Teng, who happened to drop by the Church for some course just last month, he took up my violin and played. Fenny decided to audition him and there and then, he decided to be part of the strings section! Then one Sunday afternoon, this dear sis SiJia came up to me and told me about the burden that God has placed in her heart for the music ministry and that she could play CELLO! I was so touched by God's outpouring of all the people into our ministry just like that.
Our WAM vision of forming a strings orchestra by 2007 is slowly coming to past. Right Fenn?
Love this ministry. Love the people in it lots and loads! Really still in awe, from a lone string player, to an addition of 2 more strings!! Could really experience the joy in serving in the music ministry when you have people who play the same kind of instrument with you! hehehe.. We had great rapport, working out the parts together and had our "siao" times in when we were absolutlely tired, belting out "Canon in D" and some other sad songs! wahahah... I can't thank God enough now how the band sounds. It's a huge 14 member band, with people from all over the church forming the band. It's the first time most of us have worked together today with all the singers. It's definitely wonderful to be able to play sweet music unto the Lord with the instruments...:)
Looking forward to producing more great music for the Lord and His people at the Anniversary service! :P May God continue to give us spiritual guidance in being better musios for God!
Really thank God for putting me in this ministry. I remember how the initial stages when I first went for auditions with my old violin back in the church office with the "storeroom" then at Joo Chiat. Remember those days guys? heheh I remember going for auditions with Wilfy then! wah...so fast eh 2003! Could remember those two years plus of struggling how to fit myself being a classical player into a band. It was so tough, had to source out many many songs and tried writing parts to the music to fit myself into it. Then came the rehearsals.
From the initial stages when I was still a student then, I would struggle with my studies and then work before going for practices, only to be "drowned" out by the many other electric instruments... I used to tell myself, what's the point of playing if I could not be heard? hhahah i took a hard knocking from God one day when He revealed to me that the gifts was given for me not for showmanship or wanting to be heard above the noise, but rather a simple, humble heart who's willing to let go and let go use it in the atmosphere of worship for His people. When my studies were failing, work is really strenuous, I really find it hard to further worship God with the gift of music, dragging myself then to the practices.
Then, one day, God spoke to me," Worship is unto Him alone and my gifts are His.I am put there to glorify Him" That's it. There on the stage that fateful Sunday, I realise how small I am and that God could choose to take away gifts or shut me out if He wants, cos He's the Provider in the first place. Stunned, I submitted to God and I just whacked on my violin and the music just flowed. I was rather conscious in the past on whether I would be heard or whether I played okay, but that particular Sunday was really significant. This experience staye etched in me. I never thought that I would hear from God in such an audible voice that day....
Over the span of 2 years coming to 3 years come September, many ppl came and went. But the most important thing I realised was the willingness to avail yourself for God to use you. I was so very tired during rehearsals at one point, I nearly fainted, I cried out in desperation that Lord we NEED MORE STRINGS!!
It was only until after 2 years that my prayers were answered. I thank God for Shen Teng, who happened to drop by the Church for some course just last month, he took up my violin and played. Fenny decided to audition him and there and then, he decided to be part of the strings section! Then one Sunday afternoon, this dear sis SiJia came up to me and told me about the burden that God has placed in her heart for the music ministry and that she could play CELLO! I was so touched by God's outpouring of all the people into our ministry just like that.
Our WAM vision of forming a strings orchestra by 2007 is slowly coming to past. Right Fenn?
Love this ministry. Love the people in it lots and loads! Really still in awe, from a lone string player, to an addition of 2 more strings!! Could really experience the joy in serving in the music ministry when you have people who play the same kind of instrument with you! hehehe.. We had great rapport, working out the parts together and had our "siao" times in when we were absolutlely tired, belting out "Canon in D" and some other sad songs! wahahah... I can't thank God enough now how the band sounds. It's a huge 14 member band, with people from all over the church forming the band. It's the first time most of us have worked together today with all the singers. It's definitely wonderful to be able to play sweet music unto the Lord with the instruments...:)
Looking forward to producing more great music for the Lord and His people at the Anniversary service! :P May God continue to give us spiritual guidance in being better musios for God!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Sentosa
Me and Yong Han! NTU Civil Buddy!
I am at peace with the world....(Law)
Must take this pic of the lovely sunset, shall go around all the beaches to collect the pics...:P God is an awesome creator of sunsets!!
CC, Zhu and Me
All of us at Coffee Club after the Bdae Celebrations
Saturday, August 12, 2006
6th August - Unit Chill out at Sentosa!
We had Unit CG at Bible College that day, where new members of our Unit is announced. Zhen Min, Yuhui and Roger. Quite a fun time getting to know each other and learning about spiritual disciplines. But somehow...somehow...I am not happy...why?
This is supposed to be a joyous occasion where the CG has decided to celebrate my birthday in advance for me. I could not bring myself to smile...there was this absolute sadness and heaviness in my heart. Then I realised....someone is not there.
I really miss this someone. Nope "someone" din pick up my calls nor did "someone" respond to my sms. Did something happen to "someone"? I have not seen this person for quite a period of time already. Frustration? Tiredness? Disappointment seemed to creep back up cos this person is not here.
I know this is immediately a threat to sink and dwell into the emotional rollercoaster ride again. I told God then, "Lord, would You instill in me this renewed joy in You once again!"
It is a reflective time for me...i realised that now with every birthday, i seemed to weigh the things that had happened the past year and really feel myself joining into my own pity party. Yes, it's a tough year with many things happening, but the Lord has shown me through!! In and outta of jobs, days of "poverty" and spiritual dryness, days of emotions overun! It's over, at every stage, i fall, pick up mu pieces, and reform them into a totally new me when i start off. Then I realise, that my heart is slowly being "deformed". Patches of your heart "sewn" back would not really fit well you see, and often threaten to burst at the seams where t is the weakest.
Would I want to present a dented heart when I finally meet God? or when I finally meet the person of my dreams?(haha...)
I pulled myself up. My sheep Zhuzhu has painstakingly planned to make this happy for me. Really should appreciate what people has done instead of feeling so bad.
Reached Sentosa, and who did i think I would see but YONGHAN!! ahhhh! This guy is one of my good "kopi" buddies in NTU! Known this guy for a good 6 years la, very comfy with him, something like a "jie mei" version of a guy! Zhuzhu was so sweet to plan his secret appearance! Really miss this buddy. Me, Zhuzhu and him had so much to catch up. He's now based in the Philippines and a frequent flyer. Could see how work has changed one's perspectives and life aspirations.I sense a lot of emptiness, a lot of fear of being lonely, left to fend on his own.
But it's amazing although Zhu and me were shocked at what he told us about what happened to him in the last few months, somehow deep in my heart, I told myself I would pray for him. His emptiness, I am very certain would be filled by God alone. I would not judge him like that but knows he really needs God too! Somehow, you would have this deeper desire for your close friends to come to know God too after you really have tested what the good the Lord had done to those who really earnestly seek after Him! I guess being a child of God has really gave a whole new meaning to me towards life.
When I realised that, my own feelings of sadness seemed to melt away and focus unto God once again! There was this purpose and calming down of the heart that the Lord has given me, along with STRENGTHENIING. Yes, I may seem to get in and out of this stance, struggling, falling, and the picking up of myself is all so difficult. I realise that I need to just hold on to God and fall in love with Him all over with Him again.
Read this the other day, my face could not stop smiling at how much love God has poured into my heart again.
The rest of the afternoon was fun spent playing frisbee and we went to try the Luge Ride, which was this chairlift thing and a "go Kart" kind of ride where you sit on one "sled" and slide down very fast down the slopes and curves.
I tell you all, I have a TERRIBLE fear of heights, that tears started streaming down my eyes!!!! The chairlift was only as high above the trees but i gripped my toes so tightly to prevent my sandals from falling out. I was scared stiff, much to Yonghan's amusement!!
Dinner was spent at Coffee Club, where more people actually came down even though they were really tired out and sick, Mr D, Shi Ming, Joe...:) *touched* *touched*
Thank you all from NG6 B! Really appreciate all the things that you all have done for me! do forgive me if I am a bit stunned or not responding! Really deeply glad to be part of this group together with you all! Let's grow stronger in the Lord together! Love ya all lots!
:)
This is supposed to be a joyous occasion where the CG has decided to celebrate my birthday in advance for me. I could not bring myself to smile...there was this absolute sadness and heaviness in my heart. Then I realised....someone is not there.
I really miss this someone. Nope "someone" din pick up my calls nor did "someone" respond to my sms. Did something happen to "someone"? I have not seen this person for quite a period of time already. Frustration? Tiredness? Disappointment seemed to creep back up cos this person is not here.
I know this is immediately a threat to sink and dwell into the emotional rollercoaster ride again. I told God then, "Lord, would You instill in me this renewed joy in You once again!"
It is a reflective time for me...i realised that now with every birthday, i seemed to weigh the things that had happened the past year and really feel myself joining into my own pity party. Yes, it's a tough year with many things happening, but the Lord has shown me through!! In and outta of jobs, days of "poverty" and spiritual dryness, days of emotions overun! It's over, at every stage, i fall, pick up mu pieces, and reform them into a totally new me when i start off. Then I realise, that my heart is slowly being "deformed". Patches of your heart "sewn" back would not really fit well you see, and often threaten to burst at the seams where t is the weakest.
Would I want to present a dented heart when I finally meet God? or when I finally meet the person of my dreams?(haha...)
I pulled myself up. My sheep Zhuzhu has painstakingly planned to make this happy for me. Really should appreciate what people has done instead of feeling so bad.
Reached Sentosa, and who did i think I would see but YONGHAN!! ahhhh! This guy is one of my good "kopi" buddies in NTU! Known this guy for a good 6 years la, very comfy with him, something like a "jie mei" version of a guy! Zhuzhu was so sweet to plan his secret appearance! Really miss this buddy. Me, Zhuzhu and him had so much to catch up. He's now based in the Philippines and a frequent flyer. Could see how work has changed one's perspectives and life aspirations.I sense a lot of emptiness, a lot of fear of being lonely, left to fend on his own.
But it's amazing although Zhu and me were shocked at what he told us about what happened to him in the last few months, somehow deep in my heart, I told myself I would pray for him. His emptiness, I am very certain would be filled by God alone. I would not judge him like that but knows he really needs God too! Somehow, you would have this deeper desire for your close friends to come to know God too after you really have tested what the good the Lord had done to those who really earnestly seek after Him! I guess being a child of God has really gave a whole new meaning to me towards life.
When I realised that, my own feelings of sadness seemed to melt away and focus unto God once again! There was this purpose and calming down of the heart that the Lord has given me, along with STRENGTHENIING. Yes, I may seem to get in and out of this stance, struggling, falling, and the picking up of myself is all so difficult. I realise that I need to just hold on to God and fall in love with Him all over with Him again.
Read this the other day, my face could not stop smiling at how much love God has poured into my heart again.
"When I said, "My foot is slipping," Your LOVE, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul."
~Psalm 94:18-19
The rest of the afternoon was fun spent playing frisbee and we went to try the Luge Ride, which was this chairlift thing and a "go Kart" kind of ride where you sit on one "sled" and slide down very fast down the slopes and curves.
I tell you all, I have a TERRIBLE fear of heights, that tears started streaming down my eyes!!!! The chairlift was only as high above the trees but i gripped my toes so tightly to prevent my sandals from falling out. I was scared stiff, much to Yonghan's amusement!!
Dinner was spent at Coffee Club, where more people actually came down even though they were really tired out and sick, Mr D, Shi Ming, Joe...:) *touched* *touched*
Thank you all from NG6 B! Really appreciate all the things that you all have done for me! do forgive me if I am a bit stunned or not responding! Really deeply glad to be part of this group together with you all! Let's grow stronger in the Lord together! Love ya all lots!
:)
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Absolutely love pictures, absolutely love my dad
| View | Add FavoriteFound this really cool site on how to create slide shows from your photo collection from blog surfing. Kudos to Junming! Super amazing! He's got such creative ideas to edit his pictures and made it all so high tech...:P
Well, I absolutely love taking pictures...would always remember my father teaching me how to take pictures, how to choose the correct lenses and lighting and its my dream if I have got the moolah get the conventional cameras with filters la...:)can take beautiful shots wor!My dad is one who inspires me most on phototography..i am still a novice la as compared to many ppl...want to learn how to capture moods, expressions and people, love nature also, especially sunsets...But I would remember the days when I was young when I would sneak into my dad little "dark room" to play with all his developing tools and liquids haha..My dad was a professional photographer who had won international awards waaaaaay back into the 1970s...these days he would only talk fondly of all his achievments la...
He would let me play with his cameras, learning how to set up all the tripods and to stare through the viewer of all his expensive cameras, some Leica ones, the Nikon ones his favourites and of course the Pentax ones....if you all can remember cameras of the past were big black or silver with the "chic-chak" sound when you want to snaps pics....remnants of these gems can be found in Peninsula Plaza i think...of course...i spoilt a lot of his precious...:( those days we were not very well off so those cameras really cost him a fortune. he never once blamed me for those, in fact, he helped me to hold a camera and to learn how to focus, and all the technical terms, "over and underexposed", "filtering" , how to choose lens sizes..what do all the 35-150mm meant....
I am thankful to the Lord for blessing me with such a loving father, who spent hours day on day teaching me and nurturing me the way I am... I would always remember all the childhood days spent out at the beaches, fishing and playing in the sun, stepping into waist-high deep mangrove swarms to catch fish,hahah I got my cheekiness and my stature from his side of the family!! He's a good storyteller you know, and my bedtimes are filled with his wonderful stories of Chinese History and mystical creatures, he got me so in love with reading that it really helped me in my decision also to desire to be a good teacher.
Have learnt in yesterday's class that a young child needs to be read to at least 2-3 times a day in order to be able to master language and be a good reader when he/she goes to primary school.
Lord Jesus, I am so blessed with such loving parents. Help me to show love and grace to them as my family members. Help me to cherish the times that i can spend with them. Help me to make the most out of everytime i have with them. Lord, I love them and I commit their salvation in Your hands!
"Let Love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them in the tablet of your heart." ~Proverbs 3:3
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Pictures from the National Day Parade Preview 29th July
Fireworks display taken from where I was sitting cool hor?
This is my very first NDP that I went and attended at the National Stadium, the very last one before they are to pull it down for the Singapore Sports Hub. Very sad lei, this stadium has many memories for me too. Remember that my primary school was Ai Tong Primary School and Sports Day for us every year was a huge affair.
We always hold the Sports Day as Five Schools Combined Sports meet cos we are all under the Hokkien Huay Kuan and its really a big affair cos then the various schools will compete each other fiercely to see which school would emerge tops. My school Sports tee was red, so it was pretty outstanding. My principal had cheered for me when I was running around the track for my "400m C girls" race! I still had my Shot Put trophies also!! :P The guest of honour then was the UOB Chairman, Wee Cho Yau!
Oh yea, anyone out there went to watch the Malaysia Cup at the National Stadium? hhahah I did! Those days the Kallang Wave was so fun! The stadium will be packed to the full as people supported the Singapore Lions..oh yeah that year they lost to the Pahang Team...:P
Dear all its a fallacy, let me explain to those friends over the years who think I would have free passes to go to National Day Parade because of my birthday..well....Nooooooo...I was kiddish lah, actually wanted to drag my whole family to go with me, but my parents being teachers had already been tasked to bring kids to National Stadium every SINGLE YEAR! So I balloted online and got the Preview tickets just like that..so exciting...4 in all...
Managed to get Sarah, Florence Neo, Mingzhu and me down. I was so excited wor that I sms-ed them and made them wear red and all. Kallang MRT was flooding with people that TP had to block out the roads so that the people could cross the roads to the Stadium!! Let the pics do some talking...:p
This Stadium...part of my growing up years also...will cease to exist soon...sigh...
When my birthday approaches...
When this time of the year approaches...my life seems to slow down...and its true people sink into more "reflective" mood, What have I done? What have I not done for the past year? Could it be any better?
At this point of time, you realise that there are some things that keep reminding you that you are old enough even though you try ways and means to mask it...
I know I am getting older and a 70's baby when:
1) I can relate to Class 95 FM Love Songs and some old Chinese Songs:- I find myself singing along to the songs that they played at night! Oh dear....Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston, Simply Red, Bee Gees, Simon and Garfunkel, Sting, Guns and Roses, Richard Marx ..just to name a few...for the Chinese, it will be haha , "Xiao2 Hu3 Dui4", "Wang Jie", Wu Shi Kai, Chen Shu Hua, Qi Jin and Qi Yu....
2) I get tired easily and can't really stay up late like I used to :- I find myself feeling extremely sleepy at 11pm! My hostel days were madness, I could go on without sleep for two days in a row! My muscles start to ache like crazy when its simple exercises like walking and climbing stairs....
3)I can totally relate to Pastor Ben:- when he mentioned the old 80's movie, "The Gods must be crazy". It talks about this African man who found a glass coke bottle which fell from the sky and the whole tribe worshipped the bottle as it was a gift from the gods.
The show actually did a few sequels after that, the Gods Must be Crazy part 2, the lead African tribal man, Nixau actually came to Hong Kong and did two more films because of the show's popularity, one with Carina Lau and the other with the departed Chinese Ghostbuster "Lin Zhen Ying" think some of you can remember him as always a Taoist Priest. Sadly both Mr Lin and Nixau had since passed on.
4) I realised that my conversations had more sentences started with, "in the past", ..."last time"..."Do you remember..."
5) I actually starting to miss being in the 80's in fact, Growing up in the 80's.
6)That day at Church Camp while we had Unit bonding time, I actually flipped the songbook and realised that I could sing and play a good number of "older" Christian songs,Jewish-like songs like "Sing Unto the Lord", "El Shaddai", "Jehovah Jireh","When the Spirit of the Lord", "Be Thou My Vision"...just to name a few...
Okay la....enough of stuff to remind myself of my age...heheh will post the pics that I took last Sat at the NDP Preview soon..:P
At this point of time, you realise that there are some things that keep reminding you that you are old enough even though you try ways and means to mask it...
I know I am getting older and a 70's baby when:
1) I can relate to Class 95 FM Love Songs and some old Chinese Songs:- I find myself singing along to the songs that they played at night! Oh dear....Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston, Simply Red, Bee Gees, Simon and Garfunkel, Sting, Guns and Roses, Richard Marx ..just to name a few...for the Chinese, it will be haha , "Xiao2 Hu3 Dui4", "Wang Jie", Wu Shi Kai, Chen Shu Hua, Qi Jin and Qi Yu....
2) I get tired easily and can't really stay up late like I used to :- I find myself feeling extremely sleepy at 11pm! My hostel days were madness, I could go on without sleep for two days in a row! My muscles start to ache like crazy when its simple exercises like walking and climbing stairs....
3)I can totally relate to Pastor Ben:- when he mentioned the old 80's movie, "The Gods must be crazy". It talks about this African man who found a glass coke bottle which fell from the sky and the whole tribe worshipped the bottle as it was a gift from the gods.
The show actually did a few sequels after that, the Gods Must be Crazy part 2, the lead African tribal man, Nixau actually came to Hong Kong and did two more films because of the show's popularity, one with Carina Lau and the other with the departed Chinese Ghostbuster "Lin Zhen Ying" think some of you can remember him as always a Taoist Priest. Sadly both Mr Lin and Nixau had since passed on.
4) I realised that my conversations had more sentences started with, "in the past", ..."last time"..."Do you remember..."
5) I actually starting to miss being in the 80's in fact, Growing up in the 80's.
6)That day at Church Camp while we had Unit bonding time, I actually flipped the songbook and realised that I could sing and play a good number of "older" Christian songs,Jewish-like songs like "Sing Unto the Lord", "El Shaddai", "Jehovah Jireh","When the Spirit of the Lord", "Be Thou My Vision"...just to name a few...
Okay la....enough of stuff to remind myself of my age...heheh will post the pics that I took last Sat at the NDP Preview soon..:P
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