Teach me everyday, Lord.

Sometimes, we all just need to do a little bit of the above.
Respect people for who they are and whose they are, judge less.
To live simply and be satisfied, to be a little humble, learn to give more and expect less.

"¹⁰For, "Whoever would love life
      and see good days
   must keep his tongue from evil
      and his lips from deceitful speech.
 ¹¹He must turn from evil and do good;
      he must seek peace and pursue it.
 ¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
      and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
   but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

 ¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed."

1 Peter 3:1-14

2009

I'm glad I had some time yesterday morning to reflect and think back on 2009.
It was just yesterday, and for the most part, 2009 has been good. At least for me.

The best of 2009 in no particular order...

1. COS(BT) Church Camp



Initially, I had qualms about attending this church camp as accommodation and transportation were a problem. Besides, I barely knew anyone well enough. I didn't like the idea of going there and just sticking to Evan and John. However, this camp turned out better than I expected. Went there without expecting much, but I brought back exceedingly more than I thought I could! I recall myself in tears during every session and also encountered the Holy Spirit during one of them. God ministered to me so much during this camp. I felt transformation when I returned to Singapore, I was more aware and sensitive to Him and the people around me.

2. Australia - Melbourne



Emirates had amazing prices to Melbourne and by God's grace, Evan and I could fly down to Australia to visit John! I can't begin to explain how much I love Melbourne. Driving down to Great Ocean Road, visiting quaint looking stores, experiencing very cold weather, taking a leak on the coast, enjoying nice cups of chocolate and divine cakes late in the night, feasting on delectable good food, strolling and snapping pictures on the quiet streets late in the night and taking joy in the amazing company from both boys during the 1 week. I can't help but enjoy and miss every single bit of it. It's going to be under the category of 'Best Holidays'.

3. More Involvement in Z3


(Not forgetting the other people missing here, HuiPing, GH, Yong, Maik and Kaiyu)

This group of people are people I hold closely and dearly to. Then, I knew them as my friends because they were my boyfriend's friends. But, today, I love them not because they're my boyfriend's friends, I love them because of them. Now, they are part of me, my cell group. People I pray for, people I pray with. Where we desire to love God with everything we have and everything we've got.

4. Girls' Group

I can't thank God enough for letting this Girls' Group start and happen, to fall into place. This group of girls, the 4 of us and Angeline has been by far the bestest thing that has happened this year. I enjoy every single meeting with them.. Meeting in Angeline's house, Tania's house, taking care of young Elijah, cooking for each other, studying the Word, praying, learning and understanding issues that we face, sharing with each other. I can't be more blessed. The 3 girls and myself have known each other all our lives and looking at us now has really shown me God's faithfulness in each of our lives. I can't wait for greater things with them. I can see ourselves grow old together, all married with our families, still having this fellowship, no longer talking so much about shopping and school/work, but sharing about the newest dish we whipped up for our families. I love you, girls! (:

5. Philippines



This place I miss dearly.. God moved so amazingly during the whole trip, the healing, how He mended the people's brokeness, received the lost, the reaching out, and my very first Street Evangelism. I recall the times we had to rush and queue in line for more than an hour to shower with the lizards and roaches, rushing around on a tight schedule, filling our water bottles, feeling constipated, being prayerful in every situation, talking with the people, teaching the kids songs, hugging the people, speaking to them, feeling for them. This trip was where I told God to use me for greater things and I know it doesn't stop when this trip ends, it continues and I know He will be faithful as He was yesterday, today and always.

6. Nazareth Church Camp

 

It has been more than 5 years since I attended church camp and for this camp, I already made plans last year to attend this year's church camp. The messages on our Great I AM were so in-depth, I left each session in deep thought and hungered for more. How God was in the OT and in the NT, how everything is still so relevant in this present age, how He is our Bread of Life, the River of Life, our Source, Provider and Counsellor. The camp was at a wonderful place where you see the amazing work of God's hand each time you step out into your balcony. Really thank God for the time I was there, away from the business in Singapore.

7. YF Camp



My last year in the YF and this year's camp was mind-blowing. The speaker was engaging and relevant. The workshops/debates we have accompanied with the camps every year were good, but this year aced all other years! It is quite heart-breaking to know that 2009 is my last year in the YF, but I know I'll consistently and a big part of me will still be with these youths. This camp I encountered the Holy Spirit again and His love was unmistakable and present on the last day during the Reflections session. My prayer for the youths is that each and everyone of them would leave camp with God as their No. 1 love established in their hearts. It was during this camp that I fell in love with Him, all over again.

8. Tendering my Resignation

If I had not tendered my resignation with Keppel earlier this year, all of the above could not possibly happen.

I'm embracing 2010 now and I know it will surpass all the other years. (:

xoxo

Rewind..

Initially, before I got to Philippines, I had so many doubts. I didn't know what to expect and I would be going there with different people. Afterall, this was Philippines and not Thailand!
Every single day was activity packed; everyone was running a tight schedule.
Street Evangelism, Children's Feeding, School Concerts, Night Crusades.

Every night, 400 odd people came for the Night Crusades and 600 over people turned up on the last night. What really struck me during this trip wasn't the alter calls, nor the healing sessions. Though every night, healing took place and many came to know God. I saw and testified to all the healing that took place. When the first healing took place, I expected to be blown away, shocked and in awe. But no, that wasn't the case. Funny isn't it? I was however really happy these people left healed, I was happy God could use each of us individually for the glory of His name. I was happy these people can be living testimonies for Christ!

Yet, what struck me most was the Street Evangelism. This was where I could really immerse myself in the REAL Lapu Lapu. See, walk, feel and talk to the people. It was during the Street Evangelism where I felt really burdened. During Street E. was where I could speak to them individually, know and listen to their pain. Street E. was where I could witness to them personally, pray the sinner's prayer with them, tell them the Heavens are rejoicing, that they are now Christians, that Christ is now their Father and we are one family! Even if we will not meet again on this earth, one day we will, in the glory of His presence. For everything that deserves praise, would be because of Him.

I left Lapu Lapu in tears not because I'd miss the people or the place or so many would have thought. I left in tears because I felt really burdened and something stirred in my spirit reminding me that there are still so many who are still lost and yet unaware. There are still so many out there who's looking for love in all the wrong places and filling the void in their hearts with all the wrong things. At that moment I could feel God's heart and wept.

^"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
Romans 10:14

It was my first to Philippines and I pray it won't be my last.

More to say.

24 hours.

Would love if I could have 48 hours a day! But I think even with 48 hours we'd ask for more. 
We will never be satisfied with what we have.

This week I've been stretching and working my body beyond what I think I can. One of the most "hiong" weeks ever! Even during my major exams I don't recall working so hard. Except for my O-levels ART paper which required immense amount of time, work and effort. Our Art paper was given to us months before the deadline, so we had to work on it and do alot of Preparatory work (HATED prep work). I even skipped my O-levels Chinese Oral just so I could do my Art!! So as you can see, I was clearly a retard in secondary school.

This time, it was almost the same. Just that it was no exam and that I had to stay awake for a good 24 hours AND had to do relief teaching after. I wish I can say it's all completed, but only 95% is done. On the bright side, I'm glad cause it is 95% completed!! (: Thank you DM for working with me (even though you suck at craft, haha).
Props In the Making - Part 2 to be continued tomorrow.
Back to the Church camp book and Youth camp workshop details. 

Am down with a cold and a scratchy throat. Pray for me.
Oh, and don't forget the darker eyerings and zits to top it off! Chio.