We always say “A picture paints a thousand words”. This is a picture that fully described why I accepted God in the first place. Many people have their own conversion stories, why they accept God as their Savior, Leader, Teacher. God showed me light. When I was losing hope, God surprised me and helped me in that situation. That was when I really experience the existence of God and that God can hear my prayer.
There were many instances where people introduced me about God, about Jesus. If I really want to trace back the very first time I knew about Jesus, was when I was in primary school. I used to join the dance club – Dance Ensemble Singapore (if you heard before).
Back then, my very close dance buddy was sharing with me her children bible. We were at the backstage of the Victoria Theatre and having our break. She showed me about what she learned from the book and told me to pray with her and thank God for the food. To me, I was very curious about Christianity as it sounded “interesting”. But not long after that, this dance buddy of mine quit the ensemble and my interest about Christianity ceased.
The very first time I really believe that there is a god when I was waiting for my JAE results and things seemed to be hopeless. One day, my mum called me and told me that I will not be accepted to this particular school. I was very disappointed and really believe that no one can change the fate. Just then, this friend of mine noticed my disappearance from the group and came to look for me. He told me not to give up and taught me how to pray to God and he prayed with me. Immediately after I prayed, the school that I wanted to get in finally called me and told me that I’ve been accepted. I really want to thank this friend for introducing this god to me.
Many moments proved the existence of God and the power of prayer. Two years back(university year 1), my grandpa (gong gong) was hospitalised because he slipped and fell on his head while he was bathing. The doctor said that it was due to stroke that caused him to lose the ability to control his movement. The scan on his head showed that there’s a blood clot in the hindbrain. Surgery could not be done because of my grandpa’s old age. That time I was very worried because there was nothing I could do to remove the blood clot. If the blood clot cannot be dissolved, my grandpa would be in danger. I’m not a magician who can make the clot disappear. Really, there wasn’t anything I can do but to pray. Again, God made me a miracle. A few months after the first brain scan, my grandpa went for the scan again and the doctor said that he could not locate the blood clot anymore. AMEN AMEN!
I think it is important that we know why did we accepted God in the first place. I accepted God because He gave me hope. When times are bad and everything seemed so bleak, God never fail to open a door for me. The door that God closed, no one can open. The door that God opened, no one can close. What about you? Why did you first accepted Christ?
I look at your smiling face,
Your so weak, yet you have such strength,
You take a glance around this place,
You make the best of everything
You give me hope, in spite of everything,
You show me love, even with so much pain
So I’ll take this life and live like I was given another try
We laugh, we cry
Sometimes we’re broken and we don’t know why,
I’m tired and I lose my way,
you help me find faith.
You give me hope, in spite of everything,
You show me love, even with so much pain
So I’ll take this life and live like I was given another try
Just give me another try
Reflection Station: Key things/areas I’ve grown in and had experienced God:
- less judgmental towards people around me, more compassionate to the less fortunate
- less emotional
- secure in God, not the things around me, the comments from people
Interesting title yeah? I was thinking of a better title for this entry and saw my friend commenting on Facebook about the movie Step Up 3. “Step up or step down” really describes the thoughts and feelings I had for the past one week. There were simple yet happy events happened in the week and those not happy ones.
Last Saturday(21 August), we had our ESS service. Early in the morning, I went to MSC to pass my macbook to the multimedia team and then went to Plaza Singapura to meet Ophelia. Remember the notebook that I made? So I managed to present it to Ophelia. It was so pleasing to see the smile on her face when she first saw the notebook.
And guessed what? That time when I went to get the materials for the notebook, she already guessed that I was going to make the notebook for her. So we spent the rest of the time to write something on the book, something that we want the other party to know about us. After that when the rest of the caregroup members came, we went to the food court for lunch and headed to MSC for service after that.
I want to take this chance to affirm and applaud each and every one of the crew/cast of the whole ESS team for putting up such a wonderful skit, song presentation, anything and everything that they have done. They started everything from scratch, then had numerous meetings, rehearsals just to give their very best.
After service, the whole unit went Park Mall for dinner and then some of us had meeting afterwards. On the way back home, I was very burdened.
On Sunday (22 August), it was a very bad day for me. For those who followed me on Twitter should know what happened to me on that day. (That’s the reason why I privatised my Twitter account because I do not want too many people to know that much) I had a hard time understanding and digesting what had happened. I broke down and cried in front of my family members. *classic* because I do not cry in front of them.
After settling down, I started to write some bible verses to encourage myself. I know no matter what, God is with me and He will not abandon me. He is going to help me overcome all these.
The initial plan was to meet Jesline for our first shepherding at town. But in the end she came down all the way to my house. I really felt much better after that. Always seek for Godly Counsel!! and guys, so sorry that I didnt come down to watch soccer.
24 August Tuesday, met up with LiPing for our last shepherding. We went to kallang leisure park to have facial together at Epi Treatz. Epi Treatz has gained the attention and trust of many through their excellent treatments, high service quality and exceptional level of customer service. Their treatments are affordable and widely-praised. Of all the facial salons I went, I really like the services and the treatment Epi Treatz provides. Both liping and I got into the couple room(which is a bigger room and can house two of us in). The staff were very polite and meticulous. For every step that they did, they explained to us the product that they are using and the use of it. They are using the US product called Dermalogica, which is a very well-known and highly raved products on the spree websites.
Let me take you through the steps taken during the facial process. It is taken from this website iCOMPARE. So you guys can take a look at the other packages that Epi Treatz provides.
Step 1: Double Cleanse – Double cleanse to thoroughly remove makeup and grimes.
Step 2: Exfoliate – Exfoliate the skin using an Enzymatic Scrub.
Step 3: Ultrasonic Mist – An ultrasonic mist is used to soften the pores for professional extraction.
Step 4: Extraction – Professional comedones extraction & eyebrow trimming.
Step 5: Ampoule – Apply treatment specific ampoule for advanced corrective facial.
Step 6: Photon Light Therapy – Photon Light Therapy enables better absorption and penetration of the treatment ampoule for advanced corrective facial.
Step 7: Mask – Apply a treatment specific mask for the skin.
Step 8: Shoulder Massage – Shoulder massage relaxes and soothes tired muscles.
Step 9: Scalp and Head Massage – Scalp & head massage releases tension and completes the pampering.
Step 10: Serum and Sun Block – Moisturising serum hydrates the skin, while sun block protects it from harmful UV rays.
Step 11: Back Massage – The final step is a back massage which helps release back tension.
26 August Thursday, met up with Sher and Claris for karaoke. Initially we wanted to sing at Cineleisure but Sher was suggesting to go the *Scape branch since it’s new. While we were karaoke-ING, I was busying using the laptop and stalked the UOL website for my results. But in the end, the website was still down. We sang for three hours and had like 6 pages long of songs uncleared. We are really hardcore singers..
After karaoke, we went to pop by the 987fm studio and saw The Muttons. Vernon saw us and waved to us!
Shopped around after that and went back home. Around 730pm, I got to know that the results was out so immediately went to check my results. A few days back, I was sharing to some friends telling them how important this result is to me. Year 2009 and 2010, a period that I started serving a lot in the ministry, getting busy with church stuff. My mum was also aware of it. And I want to prove her wrong that I can actually juggle well with ministry stuff and studies and that my studies will not be affected just because I keep going service or caregroups. And indeed, I proved her wrong!! AMEN! I can still do well academically and at the same time, serve God. She was quite happy with the results I got and that night, I tried to help her understand that I can serve God and not neglecting my studies.
I got two modules thats of the 2nd upper honors grade. I know this is really from God. Really want to give thanks to God especially for my Psychology paper because the day before my paper, my pet passed away and I was very upset. I thought I will screw up the paper.
5 May 2010: Principles of Accounting
Before paper (my target) – >50%
After paper (my estimation) – >45%
Actual – 56%
7 May 2010: Management Mathematics
Before paper (my target) – >50%
After paper (my estimation) – >50%
Actual – 66%
17 May 2010: Principles of Marketing
Before paper (my target) – >60%
After paper (my estimation) – >40%
Actual – 37%
26 May 2010: Elements of Social and Applied Psychology
Before paper (my target) – >50%
After paper (my estimation) – >50%
Actual – 64%
From my Encouragement wall:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
17 August marked my first shepherding session with my first sheep – Ophelia. She got to know that I’m her shepherd on the night after our unit sentosa outing on sunday. So first shepherding, we had lunch together at Sumo house and chatted for quite some time about ourselves etc.
After lunch, we went Big Bookshop. I pretended that I want to make notebook for my friends and asked Ophelia for her opinions and suggestions for the type of notebook to get, the color of notebook etc. Haha.. it sounded like a con act So after meeting her, went back home and spent the rest of the day to make the notebook. Why I got the idea of this notebook was from one of the teaching during ID Conference. Pastor Jeff talked about disciplemaker journal. So I decided to make the journal. The first book I made was for Sherlynn.
The sheep you see is designed by me, so I would proudly use it for every journal I make. And this has a story behind it.. It started from my journey in SIM, having the first shepherd of my lifetime.. Anyway, I really very grateful for my ex-shepherd, LiPing. She really invested her time and effort to teach me, guide me. 如果不是她, 就没有今天我.. I always remember how rebellious I was when I got to move from my brother’s caregroup to the SIM one. Headache ah..
A word that keeps speaking to me during the prayer meet’s PnW – Perseverance. This picture came into my mind while I was praying.
God reminded me the persevering spirit of the people who have been taking care of me when I first got to know God. In the past, I was an irritating and troublesome girl who defied the leaders a lot – skipped caregroup and service, gave excuses to run away from church activities, shun people away by not talking to them and sharing lives with them. Someone who took very long time to adjust to the new ministry, new environment with new people. After shifting from the NUS to SIM group, I took nearly six months to adjust myself, being opened to the people. I remember I gave a lot of problems to my shepherd – LiPing at the time. I think if I were Liping, I would not be as patient as her and would just give a tight slap to ask myself to wake up.
She took effort and pain to “tame” me. It is because of these people around me who did not give up on me, that I can be who I am now. Touched by their never say die spirit, I learnt to be open to the people, started sharing lives, let go off past hurts, kicked off my bad habits. If not for these people, I would still be slacking somewhere, direction-less.
God reminded me that no matter what happen, whatever that I’m going through right now, I should press on and not wave the white flag. Be it parental persecution or taking care of people. So for everyone who is reading this, if you are struggling with certain issues of your life, let us hold on to God tightly and not give up. Let us not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart;
I want to see You, I want to see You.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart;
I want to see You, I want to see You.
After a few days of urgent planning, the committee (Ona, Benson, Bentay and I) finally came out with the program flow, the games to play for our Sentosa outing. On the sunday morning, Ona, Bentay, Benson and I met up at Vivocity and we went to Sentosa early to find a nice location for our people. Lugging all the big and small bags from the car, we decided to settle down at Palawan Beach and set up everything we need for the station games – drawing boundary lines for our games, digging the sand to bury pieces of paper, politely shoo the people that we need the place for our games. While waiting for the rest to come, we entertained ourselves by playing soccer. After that, the group came in and we started a round of introduction and we started to play games – Bingo, Double Whacko, Kite-Making. Next was the relays – treasure hunt, fruit station, three-people race, intelligent questions and water game. Then picnic.
Hee hee.. enjoyed myself organising and playing. One thing I forgot to do was to take photos of Sentosa, walk the bridge etc. It’s okay, at least I enjoyed myself with the people I love. When the sun set, we packed our belongings and went back to vivo for dinner. Bentay, Ona, Jon and I took Benson’s car back. After dinner, some suggested to watch Soccer. Really wished that I could go but my mum objected. It is okay, my spirit was with them.
Really hope I can go back Sentosa again, not for any events or activities but for R&R.
Greeted by the gentle sun,with the tears of joycoming down fromthe Heaven. The never-ceasingwaves crashed againstthe rocks, giving the melody for the song of the ocean. The short bursts of laughter, from the children playing alongthe beach. Walking bare-footedon the beach, the sands filled the gaps between my toes. Drawing lines on the sand, with the flip-flops we wore. Digging in the sands with bare hands,to bury the paper underneath. Taking the slippers off, to build our ownslipper castles. A wonderful day we had, was theloveliestgift from God.
I do not know when did I fell in love with you. Every time when I walk past you, I will wind down the window to have a closer look of you. The closer I am to you, the happier I am. You never fail to put a smile on my face and I always enjoy the few seconds glance that I have. Longing to be close to you, I tried to grab every opportunities that I may have to get close to you – day or night. Though we may not have time for each other, the thoughts of you are always in my heart. You are my Singapore Flyer.
Are you starting to roll your eyes after reading the first passage? HAHA.. I think I’m expecting some to give me the “huh?” face. From 2007, I started to enjoy traveling along ECP expressway. I do not know why but it is a kind of special attraction I have to the flyer. It will not fail to make me smile just by its gigantic structure which is warmly embraced by the clouds and the sky. Without fail, I will always take out my camera and start snapping.
On Friday 13 August 2010 morning, I accompanied daddy and mummy to ICA to collect their passport. We drove along the ECP expressway and I took a few snaps. This is how it looks in the morning up on the expressway:
The collection of passport only took us 15 minutes. After that, we had our breakfast at Lavendar. Not wanting to go home so early (it was like 930am), I suggested them to go some places before heading back home since we’re out. Then, we decided to go to Marina Barrage. It’s a place that I have not explored yet. Along our way, we drove past Marina Bay Sands.
See the sky garden? I wanna go!! I think it would be great to have a bird’s-eye view from above at night.
Last Thursday 12 Aug 2010, met up with Ona to catch the movie “Letters to God“. Few days before that, I saw huanyan mentioned excitedly about this movie on Twitter. The title of this movie itself attracts me. Letters to God? How to write letter to God? So in the end, I managed to get a chance to watch it myself. When Ona and I reached the movie theatre, it was very empty and quiet. Those who followed my twitter would see this tweet “Did I book the whole cinema theatre for Ona to watch Letters to God? 7 mins to the show and there’s only two of us ”.
The place was super empty so I told Ona to take a picture for me with the empty theatre. Went down to the ground level and took photos! haha.. after a few seconds, a couple came in. OMG! so embarrassing.. but never mind, it was quite dark so they couldn’t recognise me. After like 15 minutes, more and more people started streaming in. But the number of people watching the movie can be counted using ten fingers. I wonder why.
The script was written by Doughtie and is partly based on his real-life son, also named Tyler, who died of cancer in 2005 when he was 9. The story is about this extraordinary eight year old boy named Tyler. This young boy was fighting with cancer but never fail to write letters to God, mailing his prayers to Heaven. The letters find their way into the hands of a postman Brady McDaniels, who was at a crossroads in his life – suffering from alcohol abuse and in the lawsuit of fighting the custody of his son.
Initially when Brady got the letters, he was confused over what to do with the letters that are needed to “mail” to God. He tried to pass them to the pastor, but was told that these letters ended up in his hands for a reason. Brady becomes entangled in the boy’s journey and started to get to know about Tyler’s family. After knowing for Tyler for some time, Brady was moved by Tyler’s courage of his faith who battled against cancer with bravery and grace every day. Brady was inspired and quit drinking.
The movie lasted for two hours. Halfway during the movie, I was super restless. The middle part of the show was very draggy that I just closed my eyes and opened my ears. But overall, I giving four popcorns for this. After movie, went around vivocity for cam-whoring. Thanks Ona for her openness to share a lot of things to me.
After that, we met Benson and Bentay at Long John Silver for dinner and discussion for the sentosa outing.. loves.
Last Wednesday 11 August 10, I had shepherding with LiPing. As promised, I wanted to give her a treat for her birthday. Buffet Poh doesn’t like any presents but food will be the best. So I brought her to Ion Orchard B4. The place is called Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin.
According to Ion Orchard, Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is a Tokyo Ginza-based specialty Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant offering a variety of signature dishes that have been kept true for three generations. Established in 1927, Ginza Bairin was the first Tonkatsu restaurant in Ginza. One dish that fascinate me is Katsu Sandwich. Can you imagine the fried pork cutlet sandwiched by two slices of bread? I wonder how it taste like.
So we placed our order at the counter and were served within the next ten minutes. We ordered the meal set which includes the katsu, rice and miso soup. During lunch, liping told me that I’m changing my shepherd to Jesline. It’s kinda expected actually. So next week, I’m going to have my last shepherding with liping and first shepherding with Jesline this Sunday.
Ratings: (out of 5 stars)
After lunch, we went to Happy Lemon to grab a drink. Happy Lemon originated from Hong Kong and Singapore is the first country in SEA to establish a Happy Lemon franchise. They have different categories of drinks such as the Lemon Series, Specialty Drinks, Tea Latte, Mousse Spin, Fresh Tea, Cocoa & Coffee and Rock Salt Cheese. The price ranges from $2.30 to $5.50 and serves two sizes – the regular and jumbo size. You can also personalised your own drinks by adding your own pearl sago, Nata De Coco, extra shot of coffee etc.
After that, we walked around Orchard area, and to far east. Wanted to buy my shades and cap but in the end, I got a pair of weaved sandals together with liping – our couple shoes which look like this but in white color .
After shopping, went for unit meet. It was talking about forgiveness and it was really very relevant to me especially after experiencing some hurts from people. Luke 7:47 was preached again, like what liping told me previously. “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
9 June 2010 marks the “birth” of my first laptop and the macbook pro. I’ve been longing for a personal laptop after using the big desktop that I have in the living room for years. In the end, I managed to persuade my parents to allow me to buy a laptop. Choosing macbook over the rest was because of the applications in the laptop. iMovie, Photobooth or even Garageband are some applications that I will be using.
Then, I got myself the screen protector, laptop casing and the keyboard protector.
For the past one week, I was grounded at home. Many things happened, tried to reconcile but it turned out worse. It was really bad that I broke down twice. Many emotions came flooding up my mind – sadness, anger, jealousy. I was really very stretched as I was being challenged and tested. People disappoint me, people not treating me well and added in harsh words on me. But I really want to thank people who are always supporting me – the four awesomes (junyao, jesline, bentay,liyin), and each and every one in my caregroup who smsed and called to encourage me, lending me a listening ear.
On Thursday, I finally was able to sneak out of the house to meet my shepherd for shepherding. Initially wanted to give her a surprise birthday treat but in the end she ended up eating the Shih Lin crispy chicken. In the end I got pork floss omelette for her. During shepherding, she gave me an article to read. It was talking about Heart of Hatred. It came very timely as it was something I experienced in the week. In the article, it shows the verse – Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” The whole story is actually focusing on Matthew 18:15-35 (A brother who sins against you). God has forgiven us for all our sins, God forgives us for the hurts we created, but why are we so unforgiving for people who have hurt us? It’s so easy to say that we should forgive the person but when it comes to reality, it’s so hard to obey what it says. I’m still trying to reconcile the issue that I’m facing, forgiving that person for the hurt he created.
On Friday, met up with my four awesomers – junyao, jesline, bentay and liyin. Liyin and I were early so we went to Cathay Aston’s to queue up while waiting for the rest to come. By the time, both of us were very hungry and we ordered double-up chicken set. and also celebrated Bentay’s bday. Really very happy to meet up with them and HTHT with them.
Saturday was my er gu zhang’s 70th birthday. We had the birthday dinner at orchard vegetarian restaurant. Played with my nieces and nephew. Check out some of the photos.
And Sunday came. The initial plan was to just have brunch with Jesline and head back home.But since I was able to get out of the house, must as well meet up with people. So in the end, I met caixuan for shopping. After that, Benson smsed me asking if I’m interested to watch the soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea. Before heading to benson’s house, met up with the others who were at town – Junyao, Bentay, Luke and RenHui. We had dinner at Centrepoint foodcourt and then cam-whoring session started. We went Central’s Rooftop Garden. Sooo love it!! On my Formspring account, one of the questions asked was “If you could go only to one restaurant for the next five years, which would it be?” and my answer was “I do not know any exact restaurant I want to go. But those rooftop ones would be great.” So nice!! I would want to go Sky Garden next time.
After that, Jonathan, Benson and Ona came along so we headed to Benson’s house for the match. After that, Benson, Luke and Jonathan sent me home. It was a windy and speedy night as we wind down the windows of the car. Thanks dudes!
So happy to meet up with these people after missing caregroup and service for the past week.
A dear child of God since 15 December 2007 who has been experiencing of God's grace, love and goodness. I am not perfect. I have many weaknesses and flaws but I allow God to prune me so that I can be a better person, to be more like Christ. Philippians 1:6 says "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Disclaimer
This is a space that I want to share to my loved ones about myself, things happening on me. You are the reader and should not decide what I should write, what I shout not write. If you do not agree with what I'm writing, you can consider to leave.
and guys, so sorry that I didnt come down to watch soccer.
So after meeting her, went back home and spent the rest of the day to make the notebook. Why I got the idea of this notebook was from one of the teaching during ID Conference. Pastor Jeff talked about disciplemaker journal. So I decided to make the journal. The first book I made was for Sherlynn. 
