More Thanksgiving Points

Yesterday, a cab-driver who has been sending a resident to school daily bought a packet of pau for me from Alexandra road. I was pleasantly surprised! I remember the first day she came, she was all flustered and said that she lost her way. Overtime, we have build a rapport with each other and everyday when she comes, she will feedback to me about the child and in recent weeks, asked me about my work. I thank God for this angel in disguise and it makes me realise that it is important not to dismiss someone due to a bad first impression. Probably that person was having a bad day? Perhaps something rubbed us the wrong way? I thank God for this auntie who has a big heart to bless.

Thanksgiving point: An angel in disguise

As I look back at the months that have passed,  I thank God how he planned my schedule in such an amazing way. In the month of october (right after my intense mth of lessons in Sept), I have 5 new admissions in total, which means a lot of work, yes. Cos each new admission requires me to do the initial work (orientation, admin, report, court hearings etc). Being a planner, I tend to want to be in control by planning things in advance so I dun stress myself at the last minute but God has His plans, and I can safely trust in Him. I thank God that the admissions did not come in Sept. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding and He will straighten your paths.

Thanksgiving point: God is my planner 

Jinghe's Birthday Celebration @ District 10

Happy 29th Birthday to you, Jinghe! One more year to the big 3 :)

If I were a tree...

If I were a tree, which one will I be? What starts out as a common or strange-looking seed will eventually bloom into a beautiful tree, reflecting its purpose. With the right climate and the right amount of rain and sunlight that is. Regardless, in its timing, the identity will be shown clearer with increasing growth.

Evergreen trees:

Trees where its leaves are always green despite the climatic condition of the season. They include; pine, cedar and the spruce trees.

Flowering trees

They produce flowers which create a pleasing scenery from the different colours of flowers. They include; pawpaw, cheery, mimosa tree among others.

Willow trees

They grow in moist areas like river banks and grow very fast. Their leaves provide food for wild animals while others are used in making ornaments. Its wood is also used for different purposes. They have male and female flowers which lack sepals and petals.

Shade trees

They are commonly known to provide shade and protection from direct sunlight. They have big leaves and many branches that are close to each other which enable the trees provide a good shade.

"So whatever the type of tree you choose to plant, you should look at the climate that will favour it

according to its characteristics"

Thanksgiving Point #9: DMM Treat @ Cosy Place

Cupids (from left to right): Jiayan, Zhiyong and Weiwei :P

Our second DMM- thks Zhiyong for the treat. It is indeed a LOVEly place with figurines of cupids all around though they are not cheap, if you look closer at the price tag tied to it. I particularly liked the little bookmarks that says, "Touched by an angel". They are so nice.

More importantly, it was a night of 'blessing sharing' and I was indeed encouraged. Zhiyong shared that 6 of his colleagues/friends asked him about his faith and which church he is from, after the previous pre-evax seminar, which has never happened before. One of them even came down to our church to visit last Sunday and he is inviting another friend to visit our church. Weiwei shared that she got an extra portion of chicken rice for lunch and she felt really blessed.

Thanksgiving Point #8: The final destination 1

I have completed my last assignment for the year!!!!!!

One day in advance.

A reason to celebrate.

Whoo Hoo!

Thanksgiving Point #7: The priceless gift

I received this drawing from a child. It's so pretty and imaginative :) God blesses the children with priceless imagination

Young At Heart

There are times when your mind just wonders and it brings you to places where you don't want to go.

Today, I had such a thought, "What will happen to me in my old age?" While it did not bring the feeling of fear, it brings a sadness. Perhaps its the experience yesterday, it got me thinking.

A few colleagues and I went to visit an ex-colleague (in his 80s) who used to work in the Children's Home. He has lung cancer and was warded in TTKH for 2 months already. When I saw him, he had a telephone next to him on the bed and he was in a daze. My heart weigh down. He shared that he can only see with the left eye and that his right eye is almost gone. We prayed for him and as we did, I felt a strong sense of loneliness in him. I prayed for God's presence to be with him , that at times when he is alone, he will not feel lonely. At that, he held my hand very tightly and it makes me want to cry.

Today, as I was going for lunch, I see a man of at least 70, full of white hair and hunchbacked walking past me by the road and I wondered how he looks like when he was young. On my left, in one of the private houses, there was a lady in her 60s tending to her plants in a nice garden. And I wondered. Many things change but there are some that never will. And they are usually not that which can be seen, it has to be felt.


"耶 和 华 却 对 撒 母 耳 说 ： 不 要 看 他 的 外 貌 和 他 身 材 高 大 ， 我 不 拣 选 他 。 因 为 ， 耶 和 华 不 像 人 看 人 ： 人 是 看 外 貌 ； 耶 和 华 是 看 内 心 。" (撒 母 耳 記 上 16:7)

Faithfulness

I was having my QT from 2 Chronicles this morning and God spoke to me about God-centered leadership.

Ahaz
Ahaz, a 20 year-old king who "did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord" and he was being defeated and handed over to the king of Aram, his people being held captive. " In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord." He made sacrifices to the other gods and it provoked the Lord and marked his downfall.

Hezekiah
Hezekiah, his son, was 25 year-old when he took over as king. "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." He made a covenant with God so that His anger may turned away. Offering sacrifices to atone for the sins and worshipping the Lord, he dedicated the people to God. "This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.And so he prospered"

Faithfulness and seeking God's righteousness is the key to God-centred leadership.

Thanksgiving point #6: Danga Trip - 17th oct'09

So many photos to upload and I just dunno where to begin :P Beautiful shots, nice scenery, good sport, lovely memories, fun rides, good food and lotsa laughter :)

The "professional" photographer hehe... That's me :)

The 3 man of the group :)

In front of the carousel, so nice. Look at Shuling, new pose lol

Jinghe challenging Shuling to daytona...guess who won? :P

Alexis was so scared!!! But she overcome her fear and went for the rollercoaster ride. Good job! :) The bumper car rides after this was so much fun!!!

Guess what Jinghe was doing? U will never guess correctly :P

WE are preparing for sme fun shots! Wait for Chris to edit first :P :P

Beauty of the Lord

I love this song :)

Thanksgiving Point #5: In His Time

I was having my usual QT on the bus on the way to work. As I was reading the word, the shadow reflected on the bible caught my attention and I looked out of the window. I was reminded once again that God's light is shining on me. The brighter the sun is, the clearer will the shadow be. The bad times may come but He has predestined it. The shadow is just a mere reflection of God covering me under his mighty wings.

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you"

- Psalm 139:17-18

I sometimes think about the Cross,
and shut my eyes, and try to see
The cruel nails and crown of thorns,
and Jesus crucified for me.

But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
Of that great love, which like a fire,
is always burning in His heart.

(Recapturing the wonder)

I was reading the book and was appreciating this poem, on how true it is that sometimes, what we are able to see or fathom is just a glimpse into what really IS. God has His perfect timing cos when I looked up, I have reached the bus-stop. I almost missed the stop but God allowed for me to make sense of what I read and yet, allow me to alight at the right stop.

Thanksgiving Point #4: Movie date

Looking forward to watching the movie with Pris tonight ............................... :D

Thanksgiving Point #3: Sweet Alarm in the morning

True Friends are like Post-It pads, they remind you what you need to do - Jiayan

I awoke to a lovely message from Tracy of what God spoke to her from Psalms and it brought a smile to my face. "may this simply remind u tt God has gone ahead of u, he will give u strength & energy 4 e battles always, U are watched over with love."

Two stories from my 2 close friends which stick to my head till now in the week and remind me of what I need to do:

The Bench With The Sticker On It (Tracy)

There is this bench I liked a lot at Changi beach. When I sat on it during my quiet time with God, I felt at peace and happy. I went back another day, wanting to out a sticker on the bench I sat on. Before that, I went to sit on other benches and found that I can see a better view from there. I wondered why I liked the bench I first chose. Then it dawned on me that the day when I sat on it, it was a very sunny day and this bench which was next to a big tree provided me with the most shade. I decided to paste my sticker on it.  

The Beautiful Vase That Refused To Be Moulded (June)
There was a lump of clay that refused to be moulded by the potter, not wanting to go through all the pain that it will experience from the moulding. However, despite the protest, it was picked up and being moulded to be a beautiful vase. Finally, it is done. The completed masterpiece looked into the mirror and was amazed at what a beautiful vase it has become. It was all worth it!

Loss for words

"Find myself at a loss for word, funny thing is it's ok"

(lyrics from word of God speak)

It can be a scary thing to be at a loss for words. Face(s) staring at you, waiting for you to speak. The longer it takes, the harder it is to speak. Awkward silence, meaningless blabbering or a non-committal "I don't know". The response comes in different forms but all mean one thing. You just don't know what to say. Isn't it amazing that we can do that with God and get away with it - all the time. No explanations needed, no pressure, no why. Just full acceptance for who we are at the moment.  

Thanksgiving Point #2: The next generation

Andrew and Joel came to my workplace to lunch together. It was quite funny to begin with cos Joel got lost but it was kind of expected cos the area is really ulu. But thank God I still got a ride from him to Serangoon Gardens :) It was really an enjoyable time together, easy and relaxing. The enthusiam and the joy that comes from Andrew as he was sharing about his work encourages me a lot. Forward-looking and positive.

I asked them how they think that their ministry have prepared them for work. Andrew shared that it trains him to be more resilient and not give up easily. Despite discouragements from people, he continue to hang on and serve God with much joy and energy. As for Joel, he shared that it is the character built over the years as a christian which will help him to remain steadfast to God in the workplace. Thank God for the next generation of leaders He is building.

"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. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

(1 Timothy 4:12-16)

I am very encouraged by Andrew who told me he remembered that I bought a book for each CG member some time back and I cannot remember it at all. It encourages me to keep the faith and to carry on with God's work. It is hard to move on when we keep turning back.

Thanksgiving Point #1: Birthday Celebration with Mum

Mum's 5_th (shhh....) Birthday... Mum said, "Time passes really fast". Indeed, one more year and she can have her 60 years da shou (oops). Yep, I asked her if she is afraid of growing old, she said that it's ok and that it is inevitable and added on that she dun look her age. haha. She made two wishes; one for good health and the other for us to get married and have children and we were like, "hmmmm........" (Silence) Then my mum replied with the most classic answer, "If I did not get married, I will not be here celebrating my birthday with all of you." lol. Ok, you win already lor...