happy bithday ying!

hehe.
linda has been telling me about how 'dusty' my blog is.
and now i'm finally doing an update!

i'm now in the midst of exam preparations.
i'm making progress slowly.
well at least there's progress.
hehe.
i need a bit more push i guess.
since the modules don't have much pull factor to talk about.
haha.
it's the time when i need the 6a motivation.
come to think of it.
i miss class gatherings!
i've missed out from quite a few i think.
haha.

i'm looking forward to the end of exams.
this time round.
it's going to be the shortest ever exam stretch.
21st is my first paper.
23rd is my second and last paper!
woohoo!
i hope i do well.

i'm looking forward to a break.
gonna hang out with linda and chiewlin. let's really have a fun baking session.
i wanna try out cute cupcakes.
i'm in need of a exercise regime.
which i'll probably need to start after exams if i can't do so before.
then philippines missions.
church camp.
family trip to korea!
i think i'm going to be quite broke.
haha.

well.
today is ying's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL!


our family went vivo city marche for a dinner celebration.
thanks to sis who gave us all a treat. :)


i havent been to marche for ages.
and actually i havent been out eating at restaurants for quite some time.
which is quite obvious.
the sudden drop in food photos on my blog.
hehe.
i'm saving up cos of the upcoming long break.
oh well.


had quite a spread.
i like the rosti.
hehe.
maybe cos i simply love potatoes.
in which ever way it is cooked.
i love potatoes!
haha.


we spent most of the time snapping away actually.
haha.
but i love the photos.
well. dinner as a family is always fun and heartwarming.
i enjoyed myself.
just that. i guess it's high time i control the amount and the type of food that goes into my stomach.
haha. i'm eating way too much. haha.


and a nice family photo to conclude the night.
hehe.
thanks mum, sis and ying.
you guys are great people who make a difference in my life. :)
ying, hope you had a splendid night too.
happy birthday.

*poof*

finally clearing up the cobwebs and dust that has unknowingly crept its way to my blog.
hehe.
i havent updated for ages.
for the first time. i've got chatterbox emailing me to tell me that my tagboard hasnt been active.
i figured i really havent keep this blog alive for quite some time.
hehe.

anyway.
shall do a quick update.

end feb.
mum went on an operation.
i thank God that He showed His goodness.
somehow mum got a ward in the ICU although that was not what she was supposed to be warded into.
being in the ICU meant better care from the nurses.
which i'm really thankful for.
the operation went smoothly and mum's still on the road to recovery.
but so far it's been great progress.


early march.
went to natas travel 2008 with my mum.
for the first time, i'm doing all the travel booking and stuff.
i realised how dependent i've been for a long long time.
still.
managed to book a trip to korea for late june.
and i guess it is considered a fairly good deal.
hehe.
so i'll be away from home for quite a fair period of time for my break after exams.
no graduation trip. but somehow. time is slowly getting packed up.
may 12 to 24 - i'll be at the philippines on missions trip. it's going to be so exciting.
june 9 to 13 - church camp @ kl. shiok. another great time to experience the move of God. a splendid time for a retreat.
june 19 to 26 - korea with mum (probably ying and yuxin too)


recently have been thinking.
where i would be if i hadn't made the decision to accept Jesus then.
haha. and i stand amazed at how God has walked me through this period of time.
i guess i can never imagine myself going thus far.
i've never regretted making that choice.
it wasnt easy. but i'm assured that i didnt choose wrongly.
and i can only say that God there's more goodness to come simply because you are God.
i'm glad.
and i've been enjoying myself teaching the children during lts.
it's just fun to see how simple they can be.
though at times hyperactive.
yet they are just so innocent.
i'm learning from them as God uses me to impart something to them.
and i'm filled with much joy. :)


i've also recently been thinking.
soon it's time to graduate.
i wonder what it's going to be like when working.
i don't think i'll survive well at the start.
now i've got a 3-day week timetable. each day with max 4 hours of class.
next time at work. it's going to be 8 hours a day. 5 days a week. at least.
hehe. i wonder what it's going to be like.
i guess i'll be rather dependent on tea/coffee.
hehe. probably frequent visits to the pantry to get them.
haha.
but i guess part of me can't wait to start work.
thinking about the expenses that i'll need for the break.
it'd be good to start work.
then i wouldn't have to fret about the finances.
i guess the salary will help to pay off.
hmmm. i guess i can be rather contradictory at times.
hehe. but still.
i'm facing the rest of the semester with mixed feelings.
there's more to accomplish in school.
and there's more to come at my workplace.
hehe.


attended a wedding this saturday that just passed.
finally seeing them married.
the groom was in my cell group when i first came to harvester.
and since then i've heard of wedding plans.
hehe. and finally it's the day!
how beautiful.
to see the union of two in the will of God.
i guess that's the beauty of a marriage ordained by God.
two hearts one love. two promises one covenant. two lives made one in Christ.
it's just sweet. pleasant.
and i love the creativity displayed for the whole wedding ceremony.
the invitation was done like an plane ticket.
the ushers had attire somewhat with a tinge of SIA style.
the welcome address was that of the captain speaking at the start of a flight.
it was just so fun being part of this happy occasion.
hehe.
love - sacrifical + sanctifying.
the few of us took more photos but they're taken not using my cameras.
so i won't get to post them as of now. hehe.

one more wedding coming up this weekend.
hehe.
what a month of exciting things!
hehe.

ok. that's an update for now. hehe.

at the cross

oh Lord You've searched me

You know my way

even when i fail You

i know You love me

Your holy presence

surrounding me

in every season

i know You love me

i know You love me

at the cross i bow my knee

where Your blood was shed for me

there's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grace

Your glory fills the highest place

what can separate me now

You go before me

You shield my way

Your hand upholds me

i know You love me

and when the earth fades

falls from my eyes

and You stand before me

i know You love me

i know You love me

You tore the veil

You made a way

when You said that it is done

i havent been updating for some time.
there isn't exactly much to update.
hehe. except that i havent been doing a good job being a responsible steward of the time God has given me.
i need a change.

anyway. just suddenly want to post this song.
though it's cny.
and it isn't exactly very cny-ish to post this song.
but it's beautiful.
i guess i need it.
at this moment.

i'm assured.
very assured.
i can only be thankful.
and i can never be thankful enough.

updates on my week

i realised that i haven't been really blogging abt recent happenings.
it's mid-way through the month of january for the new year.

school's ok.
i'm lagging behind quite badly for my readings.
so i've got to buck up and seriously do something more constructive.
this blog may somehow be neglected in the process.
oh well.
haha.

had a good time catching up with gloria on monday.
it's been so long.
and i'm glad we had a good talk.
i'm just thankful.
that despite having not sit down and talk to her for so long.
it's always so comfortable to talk to her and share.
it was a light-hearted lunch.
and i'm truly blessed. :)
let's have more! hehe.


anyway.
i've got my first guitar!
went shopping for it for a really short while on tuesday.
thanks to my 'shi fu' nic.
i got one that's nice.
and it was a good deal.
235 bucks.
a nice acoustic guitar.
came with guitar bag, tuner, picks, beginner's guidebook cum cd, dvd.
and it's really time to get down to some serious practicing!
i realise i've happily thrown back what i've learnt.
hehe.
whatever it is.
i'm just very happy.
having planned for so long.
finally i've got my very own guitar.
yippie!


and for the first time ever.
had breakfast with weisin and teeseng at ntu.
teeseng happily 'skipped' tutorial.
to makan with us.
hehe.
i had hotcakes from macs!
it's been some time since i had macs breakfast.
hehe.
after that we went crashing teeseng's hall.
popped by his hall only to realise how messy it is.
haha.
played with his mac and took loads of wacky multi-shots.
haha. we look so happy, don't we?
decided to post one of the rare few nicer ones.
and we scanned through the pics in his mac.
only to see how 'toot' we look when we were in secondary school.
goodness.
super embarrassing.
i would never want those photos circulated!
haha.
it'll be so hilarious.
it was quite a good time catching up.
hehe.
rare opportunities to do so.
and i hope there'll be more.
it's gonna be harder once i start work.
i can't imagine.

more catching up with ppl next week.
i need to better manage my time.
so that i can be a good student.
and i can be effective in the different things i'm doing.

God, help me be a good steward.
the time you place in my hands.
help me to use them wisely.
to do Your work.
and excel in all that You've called me to do.

second chance

second chance

You called my name

reached out Your hand

restored my life

and i was redeemed

the moment You entered my life

amazing grace

Christ gave that day

my life was changed

when from my shoulders

fell the weight of my sin

so it's with everything i am

i reach out for Your hand

the hope for change

the second chance i've gained

on You i throw my life

casting all my fears aside

how could greater love than this

ever possibly exist

consume my thoughts

as i rest in You

i'm now in love

with a Savior

bearing the marks of His love

so i'll wait upon You now

with my hands released to You

where a little faith's enough

to see mountains lift and move

and i'll wait upon You now

dedicated to Your will

to this love that will remain

a love that never fails

i can never imagine.
how my life has changed.
since that very day.
it's just amazing.
His love is amazing.
and i'm thankful.

how privileged.
to be given this second chance.
ask me again what i would choose that very day.
i can proudly say.
i'm so glad i took that step of faith.
and i never had regrets about that.

though i may face mountains.
but i know.
He reassures me.
a little faith's enough, My child.

there's surely more in my life that needs refining.
i'm sure He has more goodness in store.
and i can only stand.
amazed by His grace.

i love Jesus.

the rain - thomas kinkade

i saw this from an email that was being sent to me.
it was incomplete.
so out of curiosity.
i went google-ing.
and found this.
and i thought it would be interesting to share.
read on what i've got from a website.


one rainy afternoon i was driving along one of the main streets of town,
taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
suddenly my daughter, aspen, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat.
"dad, i'm thinking of something."
this annoucement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while,
and was now ready to expound all that her 6-year-old mind had discovered.
i was eager to hear.
"what are you thinking?"
i asked.

"the rain!" she began,
"is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."
after the chill bumps raced up my arms i was able to respond.
"that's really good, aspen."
then my curiosity broke in.
how far would this little girl take this revelation?
so i asked...
"do you notice how the rain keeps on coming?
what does that tell you?"
aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer.
"we keep on sinning,
and God just keeps on forgiving us."
i will always remember this whenever i turn my wipers on.

in order to see the rainbow,
you must first endure some rain.

hope the water flows when you get the picture.

if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
happy moments, praise God.
difficult moments, seek God.
quiet moments, worship God.
painful moments, trust God.
every moment, thank God.

how beautiful... :)

marching into 2008

501st post for the 1st post in 2008.

entering into 2008.
and i just have so much to be thankful for for 2007.

in 2007 has been an eventful year.
with quite some changes in my life.

things that happened that brought tears.
and some that brought joy.
i continue to stand amazed by how God has brought me through.

i'm thankful for all that has happened.
i know that i wouldn't be where i am today if all that has happened didn't happened.
the things that broke me within.
though upsetting, yet i see myself strengthened in the process.
this year. it's not hiding my hurts and pains behind a false strong front.
but really learning to overcome with God's strength.
daring to cry out. daring to say i'm hurting within.
daring to say i need Him. daring to admit that i'm weak.
2007 - things went through change, which i thought was a negative change.
but looking at how things unfold, i saw how God turned things for good.
i've given up little and gained much.

defintely good things have happened.

i saw my family's love. one of my source of joy and strength.
my 21st birthday was a blast. though i can faint at the sigh of the number of people.
but it was my sister that did all the preparations.
catering. planning. booking the place. etc.
my mum who entertained those who came.
and i saw how much they spent just to get me the very present that i want.
i treasure it.
not because it is a material good.
but because it was from them. my dearest family.

i saw my friends being a great support.
those that came for my birthday made it special.
those that comforted me when i was grieving.
those who encouraged when i was discouraged.
those who walked me through the really tough times.
thank you.
thank you peishan for being the friend that i don't get to catch up with often, but i know you're always ready to be around and spend time with me.
thank you linda for being the friend that always support me in all that i do. you never question my decisions and just support me. thanks for the care. thanks for the company during lectures. thanks for way you are just so bubbly. it is contagious.
thank you chiewlin. i'm truly sorry that we don't get to interact that much ever since i'm out of hall. but i thank you for being a friend. i've always loved your company. :)
thank you beelian. you are one who really knows what i've been through - the good and the bad. thank you for mentoring me, but more importantly, walking through with me as a really close friend. you see the times when i'm weak and you're just there to align my focus back to God, who is strong. thanks for being the person i know i can turn to any time.
thank you christabel. you're a friend that i've gained this year. i'm just amazed how much our friendship grew this year. i'm thankful for the support all this while. daring to just speak the truth and point out the things that i need to note. thank you. a truthful friend is rare.
and of course, many others who have made a difference in my life.
thank you.

i saw how God preserved me and moulded me.
though there was the breaking, the stretching.
He was the one that sustained me.
through the times i felt i was running out of time to do things.
He gave me strength.
through the pressure of schoolwork, adjustments and exams.
i saw God's hand of blessings and His provision.
my results from the exams this year was way beyond my expectations.
God did it. not me.
through the new challenges.
i saw how God used me and the extent of His grace.
He provided all that was needed.
more responsibilities in the cell group.
publicity co-ordinator for youth rally.
team leader on my first mission trip.
leading and guiding people.
i walked through them all.
it wouldn't have been possible with my own strength.
it was only possible with Christ.

i saw how God relighted dreams and passion.
i've lost them along the way in 2007.
but God brought them back.
i was down. but He picked me up.
i was sad. but He brought joy.
i was weak. but He was the strength.

there's just so much that mere words cannot express.
i'm thankful. and this is only a summary.
i was just taking time today to reflect.
and i saw so much that God has done.
i continue to stand in awe.
i give thanks. to my loving Father in Heaven.

2008 is going to be more glorious.
i believe in all things. God works for the good of those who love Him.

and i simply love this song now.
somehow it speaks to me.
and brings such reassurance that i'm in good hands.

with all i am

into Your hand
i commit again
with all i am
for You Lord

You hold my world
in the palm of Your hand
and i'm Yours forever

Jesus i believe in You
Jesus i belong to You
You're the reason that i live
the reason that i sing
with all i am

i'll walk with You
wherever You go
through tears and joy
i'll trust in You

and i will live
in all of Your ways and
Your promises forever

i will worship i will worship You forever