Wrapping up 2008

It has come the point of the year that I start to wrap up the year that has just gone by and prepare myself to welcome the new year.

2008 has been a huge adventure for me. It was not exactly pleasant all the way, but now as I look back on it, I don't exactly regret anything. I can still remember the very first day of the year, when I officially let out the news that I would be studying in Australia. I can still remember how I fought to hold back my tears at the thought of it. I can still remember the overwhelming fear I had.

But I also remember that in year 2006 I prayed that God will use me. I also remember how I said I'll go wherever He sent me. I remembered wanting to be sent to a mission field. Australia seemed like the answer to everything. This also showed me how God does not necessarily answer everything on the spot, and it also proved to me that God always listens to our prayers. He was always there, even though at times I had my doubts.

This whole year God has just shown me His faithfulness. Through my heartaches, through my loneliness, through my insecurity, through all my tears and even through my happiness, through my excitement. And well, this is only a sneak peek. He made me realise how much I needed Him, how much I needed to trust in Him, how much I needed to just purely depend on Him.

He blessed with me with so much. He did not make me go through this all on my own. With modern day technology, He allowed me to keep in touch with those in Singapore. I had a support group here which I am really grateful. On top of that, He blessed me with such wonderful friends in Taylor College and TOAB, and even placed FMC people there before me. People who took care of me, who brought me to a cell group where I grew even more. I learned the importance of christian support. I started to have a hunger for His Word.

And even when I was about to back slide, when I was about to give up, He didn't let that spark in my heart extinguish. Deep down inside me, I knew I was yearning something. Deep down inside, I knew I wanted something more. And that little spark kept me going, kept me searching for the truth. He guided me along that too. The more I asked, the more He spoke to me through people. I'll go into specifics. I can still remember the weekend that there was the cell info session. That whole weekend, starting from OCF till sunday sermon, God used various sermons, various studies, various 'speeches' to speak to me, to comfort me.

Through the whole year, I had my ups, my downs. I had my fair share of struggles, whether physically, emotionally or spiritually. I gained new friendships, strengthened old ones. I learned to love my family more and most importantly, I started to learn what it meant to have a relationship with God. In return, He revealed to me His glory, He revealed to me bits of His master plan. He guided me this whole year, He gave me lessons that I had to learn the hard way.

And now, at the last day of 2008. When I look back at this whole year. It has truly been a blessing. My 'aussie experience' had been wonderful. True, I could have avoided a lot of heart aches by just staying in Singapore. All the pains were all worth it. That leap of faith is something I would NEVER regret. Because now I am able to stand here and testify God's greatness, I am able to share with everyone God's faithfulness. And only at this point of time, am I able to stand here and really understand why God wanted me to go to Australia.

And I really want to thank everyone who has played a role in my life. Whether you think that your impact was big or small, I just want to thank you for being there. For those in MUOCF, thank you for guiding me, for looking out for me, for giving me opportunities to serve and for being my christian support. For Liwei and Yen, thanks for being something that I could trust with my questions (even though you may most probably forget) Even for the car rides that you two have given me. Ya. Thank you so much for the huge impact you had on my life. For my cell group, thank you for helping grow through bible study sessions and thank you that we are not a cell group that only talk to each other on Fridays, but that we still are able to talk to each other outside ocf. Even for all my friends back in Singapore, thank you for keeping in touch with me and for always being there for me. And thanks Gerald, for always listening to my ranting and for always being there for me. Even for people like Ryan and Ziteng who hears my nonsense quite a bit of times. And ya, Jinli, Aiwee, Vanessa, Mushroom, Sasha, Ben. Thanks for being such wonderful friends in Melbourne. Even for people who have been missing me and helped me feel so welcomed when I came back, like Delicia, Gloria, Tiffany. And well many more. And sorry if I've left anyone out. It was not intentional.

Philippians 3:12-14
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

And ya. 2008 had been a wonderful adventure, something I would have never dreamt of last time. Year 2009 is going to be another whole adventure and I so can't wait for it!

To my new goals, to the new lessons that are going to be learned, to the new friendships, to the strengthening of old ones, to the struggles, to the heartaches. I thank You Lord, that You have everything in control.

Anyway, I'll leave you with this song. I've been listening to it as I type this and this is my prayer.

CHORUS:
Come and make my heart Your home
Come and be everything I am and all I know
Search me through and through
‘Till my heart becomes a home for You

CHORUS

A home for You, Lord
A home for You, Lord
Let everything I do open up
A door for You to come through
And that my heart would be a place
Where You want to be…

So ya, wrapping this all up. 2008 has been awesome but now it's time for me to end this chapter of my life and start on a new one. So ya. Signing off. To a blessed 2009 :)

Pictures

I was just bored and I can't sleep. So I did this. Ok it's nothing much but it was quite fun doing. And yes, some pictures are taken by Ziteng.

P.S. Delicia, I realised the two of us take a lot of photos together, and we are always on the same side. Haha. But then again, I like that side. Haha. And actually there's more just that I'm lazy to upload so many. So ya. 13 will do for now.

At least the whacky photos are not taken alone. Haha. Gerald is in them too. Haha.

Merry Christmas

I know this is not Christmas day, but too bad. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! Hahaha

Anyway, I'm here to show everyone how funny my grandparents can be when the mood is happy. haha.

#1 - meet my grandma

#2- and my grandpa

#3 - So I had them take a shot together

#4 - And then do something cool and funky

#5 - now more on my granddad. See his face, this is all an act. He's not that blur one

#6 - when people are not looking, he gets to this position and attacks

#7 - then he'll quickly 'point fingers'

#8 - finally act blur again

ok that's all folks

Bored

I'm bored
I'm bored
I'm so so bored

I'm bored
I'm bored
I'm terribly bored

I've been stuck at home since Monday
AND OMG IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS
I so need something to do
I wanted to bake but my parents said too messy
So I'M SO BORED
AND EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO DO
EVERYONE BUT ME
WAH LAO EH
I'M SO BORED
IT'S DRIVING ME REALLY REALLY CRAZY

And if I have to stay at home any longer
I'll die

I'm going to cry to death
Then again
That sounds like the most fun thing to do right now

Sighhh
this is the weirdest post I have
I'm strange
Gosh.

In need of a job

I guess I had my fun already. Plus I'm going to be 18 soon, surely I should be more matured right? As much as this ain't going to be much fun, I guess I better get a job. Even if it means giving up my Saturdays. I guess it'll lighten my parents' burdens as well. Like then I can pay for my own expenses at least. Hmmm. And I better get one in Australia as well.

So yes, job recommendations anyone? Starting with Singapore ones first

Tammie

I'm too lazy to blog. Haha. Today was just fun hanging out with all of you! Hope you enjoyed yourself Tammie!!

Videos will be up soon

Attempted handbell reunion

Although the plan for a reunion failed, today was still ultra fun.

From making Tiffany race down from her house to catch the bus
To her missing so many buses
To walking around Vivo finding a place to eat
To Sandra coming late, horrible!!
To eating at the Food Court
To taking photos of Laoda
To drinking Mocha Frap at starbucks
To taking more photos of Laoda
To meeting Krystle
To taking even more photos of Laoda
To attempting to take photos on the top floor
To ben and jerrys
To taking more photos

Today was awesome! And I have 420 photos of which at least 90% is Laoda! Hahaha.

Oh and Tiffany, we finally got to do the take the same bus thingy. Haha. Just that, this time round it was getting off, not getting on.

#1 - prove that I can take photo with 3 others! And they thought I couldn't!!

#2 group shot

#3 - hanging out with these 3 was awesome

#4 - Lao da was the shortest today. Then again, she's always one of the shortest!

#5 - what does this look like to you? I'll reveal soon what Tiffany thinks these look like

Trust and obey

It's the 7th today and my results are coming out on the 15th of Dec. That's like 8 days time and it'll be during youth camp. And I'm really sure I'll wake up early just to check my results. But that's a different story.

The point is, I'm starting to get really anxious. And the minute the word 'anxious' came to mind, this verse just popped up. I know Gloria has been hearing this verse a lot. Anyway...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians's 4:6-7

And today we even went through Hebrews and I like Hebrews for chapter 11, regarding faith. And I guess, I should just trust God. I mean, I know He'll give me whatever that is best for me, whether I understand why or not. But I really want to get into the University of Melbourne.

Ok I guess what I'm trying to say is, I know God has a plan for me. And I'm honestly excited for what the future has in store for me. And after this panic attack I'm having now, I'm just going to trust God with my future, with my results. Whatever it is, God is in control and He'll put me in whatever course He deems best for me. So I shall stop worrying and just trust that He'll look after me. After all, this year has been so fun. Pure evidence that I've been taken care of.

Plus, it was really by God's grace that exams this time round was so enjoyable. It was really by God's grace that I went through exams stress free. It was by God's grace that I could even do the papers. And it's going to be by God's grace that I do well in my exams as well. Because I know He loves me and wants only the best for me.

Plus, I was just thinking about it. No matter how like 'horrible' life is, I'm still like playing a role in His master plan right? So isn't that a privilege in itself. Like, how cool is it to be involved in this master plan. Like everything that happens to me is part of that plan. So in a way, my life is impactful. Ok I may not be making a lot of sense now. But if you really think about it, life in itself is such a blessing, especially since we're all involved in God's master plan. Like although we are sinners, we are still part of it. Am I making sense??? Ok I better stop, before I start confusing people.

So yeah. Back to the point. 2009 will be a blast! Oh I can't wait!!!!!

oh oh, and I realise, there's always a silver lining to everything. So right, everyone should just let their lives be filled with JOY!!!!!! And no I'm not high, I'm serious

Love, me

This song has been stuck in my head for a long long time. It just makes my heart melt each time I hear it.

I read a note my grandma wrote back in nineteen twenty-three.
Grandpa kept it in his coat, and he showed it once to me. He said,
"Boy, you might not understand, but a long, long time ago,
Grandma's daddy didn't like me none, but I loved your Grandma so."

We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together.
Get married in the first town we came to, and live forever.
But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet, instead
Of her, I found this letter, and this is what it said:

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me.
I'll meet you when my chores are through;
I don't know how long I'll be.
But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see.
And between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.

I read those words just hours before my Grandma passed away,
In the doorway of a church where me and Grandpa stopped to pray.
I know I'd never seen him cry in all my fifteen years;
But as he said these words to her, his eyes filled up with tears.

If you get there before I do, don't give up on me.
I'll meet you when my chores are through;
I don't know how long I'll be.
But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see.
And between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.
Between now and then, till I see you again,
I'll be loving you. Love, me.

Handbells outing

Mghandbells 06, WE SO NEED TO MEET UP SOON!!! Can you all get back to me asap if you're free on the 9th of Dec. Ps, spread the word!

Btw, I love your piano Tiffany!!

Reflections

I could blog about the day to day events of mission trip, but a lot of people would do that and it would most probably be out on the TEENS blog anyway. So you can always go there and view our day to day activities. I guess this time round, for the sake of future Monica and my readers, I'm going to do my reflections on my blog.

Ok some background info first. Among the whole group, we got split into 2 main groups, WOW and Agape. I was in Agape and this Agape programme is mainly for single parent children. My level did Agape preschoolers.

Ok now to my reflections.

This year, my mindset before I went for mission trip was very different compared to previous years. It could be because of the whole year in Melbourne and stuff, but when I went there, prayer was a very important thing to me. I went there, not with the intention of socialising and catching up, but really with the intention of sharing the gospel. It was just this burning desire in me, to reach out to those who were lost.

There was this girl, Luwena. 5, 6 years old perhaps? She was not an Agape kid and her mum did not want her to come anymore. On our last day of programme, she too understood that it was her last day, and she started sulking in one corner. That was so unlike her bubbly spirit and once I realised why. I carried her in my arms and then we started like crying together. Through her tears, I could tell that the seed has been planted, an impact has been made. I felt so sad that she was feeling sad. And then, the first thing that came to mind, teach her to pray. That short simple prayer just brought so much comfort to me and to her as well. That short simple prayer worked wonders. And that affirmed me. The power of prayer is not something to be underestimated.

And for those who have not heard, I was hospitalised because I had a very bad case of food poisoning. I don't mean to sound arrogant and stuff, but it wasn't difficult for me to find the silver lining to that situation. I'm glad that my body is able to get rid of all the 'poison' in my body and that it was not all contained in me. I'm glad my body is able to show signs when I'm dehydrating, so that I know I've to force water down my throat. And just simple things like that, stuff that I never noticed when I was healthy. So I guess, the food poisoning was really a blessing in disguise. And ultimately, the best part of the whole thing was that, I had comfort, knowing that no matter what, God was in charge.

We learned about each child's background and some stories really touch me. Preschoolers are not as dumb as I thought they were. They are really matured in their thinking. Even those in primary school are matured enough to look after their family, to put others before themselves. It really made me think about my own actions. I know from young, that I have a lot. But it only really hit me during this trip. That God has really provided so much for me. He meets not only my physical needs but my spiritual needs as well. Throughout the year, He has really shown me that He's more than just King. He's my comforter, He's my friend. And it was just things like that, that really make me happy. The more He reveals Himself to me, the happier I get each day. And I wanted the children to feel that same happiness I had. It's not that I don't have a single worry, but I've learned that God is always in control. And that single knowledge is one of my greatest blessings. So why shouldn't the kids know about it? I guess I can't say they are too young to understand, because they really have matured thoughts for their age, but I guess they do need time to slowly digest that they have a Lord and Saviour who died for them and on top of that, conquered death.

Anyway, praise the Lord for many accepted Christ this year. I'm not sure of the figures, but it was really a good number.

And another thing. During POW WOW (which is like our nightly gathering whereby we have praise and worship, devotions and blah blah), and when we started sharing. It really touched me to see that everyone has grown spiritually. It was no longer the case when there would just be this awkward silence. There were actually people sharing and on top of that, quoting scripture. Really, praise God for that.

I think it was Penny from OCF who shared on 1 Corinthians 13, on how without love, all our actions is nothing. As I shared that with the group, and throughout the whole mission trip, I realised how true that verse was. It wasn't hard to love the children, no matter how playful or naughty they were. I'm glad that God is teaching me slowly how to love unconditionally. And as I love, the want to see them saved just grew stronger and stronger. I guess all these things just come naturally with love. And, I really miss the children.

Oh yes, and this trip has really reaffirmed what I want to do after uni. This trip has really affirmed the choices I've been making. I think I'm more or less on the correct track. Yeah (:(:

Alright. That is all I have for now. I'll blog again if I have anymore to add. Till then (:

Back from missions

I came back from mission trip yesterday. Although I had high expectations for it, it went even better than what I expected.

And I am too lazy to update regarding it. But I really do miss the children. The time spent with them was really well spent.

I will update more another time. Till then. Toodles.