Comic Relief - 5D TV!

This is Our God - Hillsongs

Am playing this song on stage for tml's Sunday Service...Praise God for all His gifts! :)

A very happy New Year everyone!

My top 3 resolutions:

1. Live Simply - if you do not need it, don't buy it. Trying hard to save money for years but a lot things seems to go down like water if you know what I mean, birthdays, weddings, funds, fees, yes..my biggest contribution...my loans...sigh when will they ever stop?

2. Be on time - yes I have a serious problem with punctuality. Other than being on time for work...I am late for everything...ppl really do get angry with me and I am deperate already to appease some friendships who cannot stand me being late..

3. Read more on His word - What better way is to upgrade myself with more books instead of just be on the comp all the time? I want to gain more knowledge in the Lord through books, reading, of course fasting and praying and reading His word.

So help me Lord!

Luv,
rac

Back from Surfin USA!

Back from a family trip to USA from 7th Dec-19th Dec.

Missed two weeks of service but have thoroughly enjoyed myself in the trip.
Finally cleared my Breakthrough Giving! Yupps you are shocked! Cos its like after so long! But I really felt a sense of achievement. It was not easy but I am glad to have done it and cleared the payment. Believing God's blessings will flow through once I have cleared the debts. Watch this space for all the USA shots! :)

I want to know You more (In the Secret Place)

I want to know You more

In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness You are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour i wait
only for You
`cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i am reaching for the highest goal
that i might receive the prize
pressing onward
pushing every hindrance aside
out of my way
`cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

P6 Graduation Ball 14th Nov 2008

I am so going to miss my P 6-xers this year. Although I had not taught them literally, but I had actually been through with some of them during the dance practices and rehearsals. The peak period was during the SYF competition this year.
I have not been in the school for long but I am so going to miss them especially my dancesport P 6-xers, Dehua, Wanyi and Jacintha.

They have really put in a lot of effort for the CCA and worked very hard, ever so willing to come down for practices and training.

Sometimes, you just wish that the children would not grow up so fast...

Dehua, Wanyi and Jacintha, I wish you all the best for your future studies!

Love lots, Always!


Me with Jacintha from 6P

Me with Wanyi and Dehua after they had changed into their outfits

The highlight of the night - Dehua and Wanyi jived to "Candyman"

Melissa Lee and me with the dancers

Sick for over 2 months!

Would you believe it? I am sick for over 2 months! The last time I remembered was that I had this recurring cough when I came back from India on the 30th August. I did not recover at all. Lost my voice during Children's Day completely and was husky ever since!

I am so sad now cos I could not reach certain notes that I used to be able to sing. I really suffered during Praise and Worship when I could not reach certain key of the songs sungs....sigh...was on mike for over a month and the cough and flu got me so bad that I am like a tap....gross thought eh?

Asked Michael Santoso to pray for me last Sunday. Its very true, our physical self ties in with our Emotional and Mental health. My body bantered through this year...am very tired and yearning for rest. I want to hang on for one more week yes that's just one more where I can experience a little bit more freedom that I yearned for. Please heal me Lord! Help me to get well soon.

My lovely class 4 Grace 2008

Long Service Award - Hope WAMer

3rd November 2008

I was really honoured to have received the Long Service Award for being in the Adults' Worship Band for 5 years. Yes...time really seems to slip by. I remembered the time sometime in 2003 when I was still a NTU student and was serving in the ushering ministry, when I was giving pamphlets for the congregation.

I saw it. The call for musicians and the magic word just struck me. "We are looking for violinists" I had my old Suzuki 14 year old violin then bought since my Primary school days. Mind you those days we still had to travel all the way to Joo Chiat Office to do worship practice in the ground floor "warehouse" where all the musios squeezed together admist all our props and goods and practiced.

I remembered I was auditioned by Jacob and the twins and I played two worship songs, There's No greater Love and one other which I cannot remember. There, I made it. My debut was in post Christmas 2003. The rest is history.

5 Years...cheers to the last 5 years...do I have any more 5 years to give?

Feels like doing an SK II advert eh?
:)

How much are you willing to lose?

Today's Readings:
Job 9:1-12,14-16
Ps 88:(3) 10bc-15
Luke 9:57-62
http://www.usccb.org/nab/100108.shtml
Audio:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/08_10_01.mp3

How much are you willing to lose?

In today's first reading, because Job had lost nearly everything that was dear to him, he is now in danger of losing his trust in God. Isn't that how we feel when bad things happen to us? We wonder why God has let us down. We think he's being unfair and cruel. It feels like his love has abandoned us, and we choose to trust in our feelings instead of what we cannot see, hear or feel from the Lord.

God never abandons us. The fact is, WE need to abandon everything that is not Godly.

This does not mean that all of us are called to give everything away and embrace poverty in order to be holy, like some of the Saints have done. There are other ways to abandon everything to God, namely, by considering everything as less important than Jesus. Everything is less important than our obedient dependence upon God.

Even those activities that God has called us to do, and even the possessions he has provided for us through our jobs, and even the people he has given to us in relationships: All must be abandoned into an awareness that God is more important.

God and me alone — that's true holiness. From this intimate friendship springs everything else: our families, our friends, our ministries, our jobs, our homes, our possessions, etc. Whatever is good and right for us, whatever will enhance our friendship with God, whatever is a gift of his love for us, these come from the solitude and solidarity of our unity with God.

Job protected himself from a loss of faith by recalling God's awesomeness. He realised that nothing truly matters except God, for he is far greater than all else. He recognised this awesomeness in the vast difference between God and himself: "If I appealed to him and he answered me, how amazing that he would hear my words!" Humility put his terrible situation into the right perspective.

Nothing really matters but God. We can lose everything, and as long as we still have God, we are doing exceedingly well. It might not feel that way, but it's the reality.

Today's Gospel passage reminds us that we have to lose (abandon, sublimate, reduce in priority) everything earthly to follow Jesus, who gave up his home, his career in carpentry, and his earthly life for our sake.

If we look back and miss what we've given up, wishing to once again make them a higher priority than Jesus, we break our unity with him. Who, then, are we following? Where will it lead us?

We must keep our eyes on Jesus. By abandoning everything into his hands, he gives back to us whatever truly is right and good.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2008 by Terry A. Modica

I opened my mouth to speak and no words come out of my mouth...

Yes folks, its husky Rachel for the past 1 week. In fact today it has made a turn for the worst. No voice at all...absolutely none. I thought that the one day break would do me good but nooooo....Not even the microphone can help me in anyway...I am in pain today as I have to scribble everything on the white board as instructions.
Help me Lord, Help me...

Lost my voice!

hey hey yes...I was supposed to blog about my India trip...too tied up with work...fell sick again :( lost my voice totally first time in my teaching career!
Had to rely on a mike to speak and teach on Friday. I had really hard time making myself understood the last few days...can't believe the day has come..showdown.
Collected back the work that I gave out the kids, could you believe it when the kids are nodding furiously over what you have taught them and when you mark them its all rubbish? sigh...

get my voice soon ya...coughed till I can't sleep the past few night..yes it will be over soon...

I'm hurt badly...by words that were spoken by a dear friend...should we still stay as friends?

My Yearbook

Found a funny website where you could upload a photo of yourself and create some really vintage looking pics! Had a good laugh after looking through them...www.yearbookyourself.com


me circa 1954...

me circa 1962

me circa 1964

me 1972

This one takes the cake! me circa 1982

In India

I don't know why everytime, i go off with a trip with to developing countries I would fall very sick. Vomitted at the school staffroom today. So funny, due to language barriers with the staff, they could not understand what I had wanted. Was so sick that I could not eat for the whole day...India's learning experience is great! will blog more...watch this space...:)

What's in a gift?

This is a question that closely ties with the highly successful book - The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I think this is not just a ladies thing. I really do value special dates and occasions a lot. I was having quite a lot of expectations over the weekend for my birthday but mostly I just wished for a simple sms.

Was very happy that most of my friends sent me messages to encourage me of my birthday. Was sad that one particular one did not...What had happened that had caused us to come to this stage? I was upset, I was totally affected.

That was when I suddenly remembered my Dad's golden words. "Do you really expect everyone to give u a gift? Sometimes, the gift you received may not be what you really need or wanted. So then, what for a gift, rather than the gift of the person's presence and well-wishes?"

I was jostled out of my socks. Such was the shallowness of my character. To expect a physical gift as an expression of love from my family and friends? But I really do think one of my love language is really Gifts. Experiencing love through receiving gifts.

I told God that, hey God You, in Your Almighty power, help me manage and handle my expectations. I cannot take it anymore. I went with a relaxed heart to meet them and although the response I got from them was really not what I had expected. I was thankful and glad for their response. Give thanks to the Lord that for every one that you yearn and hanker after for attention, God grants and gives lovingly 30 others who would really remember you and care for you.

Relax, leave it in God's hands, the power of presence really surpasses and outweighs the physical receiving of presents! :)

Weight Check: 65.8kg I am rapidly RAPIDLY decreasing weight..Where have all all the food gone to?

Count your blessings :)

I am greatly BLESSED.

This year, the Lord has worked wonderful miracles in my life. I have been healed miraculously of 2 major illnesses in my life. Even until last Thursday, I was setting up for the Sport's Station for my school when I reached home, my whole body outbreak in patches of very itchy red rashes. Cantonese say,"Feng Mo" It did not go away and I was so upset because I had promised my friend that I would go to school early in the morning to help him setup. I scratched until scratch marks could be seen. Amazingly, after a trip to the doctor at 9 plus that night, the rashes vanished without a trace. Thank God for His wonderful Grace again!

Thank God for my family and friends who are always so supportive and always standing by me through my ups and downs. You have friends who put up with your nonsense and how you always seem to show your temper and let them down but they still forgive you? Well, true and rare buddies in church. Thank God for Jeannie, Sarah and Mingzhu and CC. My mum, who unceasingly cares every nitty gritty detail in my life. My sisters who provide me with much joy and laughter!

Thank God for my dad, for providing me every day unceasingly transport to school so that I would reach school first thing in the morning. For being the great source of advice and a good listening ear. I am so thankful for him. I should have spoken to him earlier to know about more truths than to just wander off in my own dreamworld of expectations! Actually, if not for my dad, I would not have realised how lofty my expectation of people are and how miserable I could have been if I have not learnt to let go and relax and place it in the Almighty's Hands. Thank God for you Pa!

Thank God for all the little blessings. For every little thing that seems to weigh us down, there are at least 20 blessings that seems to outweigh it all, I told CC the other day. Was in my tantrums again, but I realise that once I started to give thanks for all the people that were blessed into my life versus the little bad things that I hang on to. There's no competition. Bo Beh Chao.( No horse run) God is so interested in my life, your life that would He not at the most appropriate time, release upon you and me His wonderful and unsurmountable blessings, such that you are literally blessed out of your socks? I learnt the hard way, rather than to complain and mumble, use the heartaches and pain to trust in the Lord and lean on Him with all my strength. It all boils down to a decision, how much do you want to love and trust God to put the same love and hope into people?

"In quietness shall be your strength"

A very different birthday, but the gentle serenity of it all is really unlike the crowd-loving me. I really enjoyed it. May all birthdays be like this. Cosy and nice.

Quiet but memorable birthday

Came back from Potluck at Jeannie's place

Jeannie and Sarah's treat at Sun with Moon Jap Restaurant

With CG at Sakae Teppanyaki at Plaza Sing

With Mingzhu

Yes, I have turned a year older....BUT I am still 20-something mind you...heee heee. Chose to keep a relatively low key this year to spend with a few close friends. It's more meaningful this way. Can really share more and talk more. I have been on an EATING SPREE the last weekend!

8th August (Friday)
Lunch went with Cindy, Pat, Shanice and KX to eat at Sakura Buffet Restaurant at Tampines.

Night time was Marsli and ALbert's wedding, good food, great company!

9th August - Saturday

Lunch celebration with family at Poh Kee Seafood Restaurant, this really good restaurant off Tiong Bahru Market.

Night time - Potluck at Jeannie's place, lovely Chocolate "Smores" Ben & Jerry! Thank you!

10th August - Sunday
Lunch at Sun with Moon and Sakae Teppanyaki! I can really eat I tell you

11th August - Monday
Lerk Thai!

phew! 4 continuous day of straight eating and eating! I gained back a few if my lost 10kg I think.

Many thanksgiving points. Shall blog more about them in detail later ...:)

Sick for the past 2 weeks!

This has to be another stretch of time when I am absolutely sick and not able to function well.

It had started last Friday 25th July with a bad sore throat on tow. By Saturday morning, I had developed myself a nasty cough and fever. Remembering my bad cough stint 5 years ago when it had developed into bronchitis. Very bad situation. Went to see doctor and was even too weak to go church that weekend.

Tried to go to work on Monday and Tuesday but by Tuesday morning 29th July, I lost my voice after the first two periods! It was really terrible. Hoarse voice plus stuck and runny nose. I took half day off to see a doctor and finally got my MC. But stress overwhelmed me and I was afraid to take the take off to rest. Sigh....dragged on for the next few days till today finally made my way to church after two weeks!

I realised that I had not seen my CG members for the past 2 weeks and wow...I was a bit "sair" already to react to the new bits of information and the changes that were going on. Still sniffing and coughing during the shepherd's meeting today. Buay tong ah... Met Jennifer, KX's friend to pass her the notes and books for NIE. Cannot tahan anymore, to meet Jeannie. Went home after that....slumped into my chair...sigh...

My voice is really a few tones down now...hahaha...Husky voice ya...