joy to the world

I feel like Christmas sneaked up on me- suddenly today is Christmas Eve! Where has this month gone to? I have not written any Christmas cards nor really done my shopping yet. Got to do all that in one afternoon! I hate being so last minute, but what to do... was frantically trying to complete assignments before another camp coming up this Sunday.

Of all the gifts God has given to me this year, i think the greatest is to have the family all together this Christmas! Let's remember that Christ is the reason for this season. He came, to save a wretch like me. I have all reasons to sing and rejoice that You Lord Jesus, is my beautiful Saviour.

In 18hrs...

I will be the happiest girl in Singapore! Even though these 2 weeks are when all my major papers are due, though I am going for my wisdom tooth operation on Friday and even though I would probably be lacking a lot of sleep trying to spend as much quality time with them, juggling school work and the upcoming exams right after my Christmas break... I can barely wait!

Hello December.

$10.50

It was a heavy downpour, I had to get to MGS by 6pm so I hailed a cab from school. "Hello uncle! How has your day been?" surprised by my greeting, he replied a simple "Hi! It's ok." I hurriedly took out my notes to look through what I was going to share on and there this thought hit me. You are going to speak on evangelism, of how one should take every opportunity God gives to share His good news, why aren't you doing it now?

I was stuck in a horrible Bukit Timah jam but I knew that it was perfectly planned. After a bit of general talk, I decided to ask. "Uncle, what do you think about religion?" He laughed. "You are a Chrisitan right?"

He told me he was sure he will go to Heaven because he hasn't been too bad of a person. We had a very interesting conversation. From evolution to salvation being too simple to get.

"Uncle, you know you'll have everything to gain if God is true and if He is not, you'll have nothing to lose. Here is something I want you to have, please take some time to read it. I think this is something all of us really need." I paid my $10.50 cab fare which was worth every cent and as I opened the taxi door, he said "Thanks for the brochure, I will read it!" This totally made my day.

The workshop went well! Thanks to all who were keeping me in prayers. I spoke on these 5c's. Took a little more than 2 hrs in fact. God was just so faithful each step of the way!

1) Command of God
2) Compassion for the lost
3) Change in attitude

4) Communicate truth clearly

5) Commitment

Today, I share with you my spot

This sem, I resolved anew to seize more opportunities to have solitude with God. On my way to school each morning, I take a stop at this spot (park of KK hospital). I am constantly amazed at the beauty God has created around me. Please keep me in your prayers tonight, doing a 2hr workshop on evangelism for MGS GB girls. Never talk so much before! ahh.

"This is what the Lord says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24

11 yrs & counting!

Happy 21st Jesline!

I love this girl. If you know her, you'll know why.

Speechless

When I first heard about my School's Holy Land Study Trip, I thought to myself if only... if only... if only. A couple of weeks later, this thought of wanting to go would not leave my mind. I pictured myself cupping my hands to drink water at the same spring where Gideon's band of 300 select men did the same.

I know that the experience there will cause me to never read scriptures the same way again. I could also earn 4 credits as we will be doing in-depth study of God's Word with the land of the Bible as backdrop and visual aid. What a package right! I began to think what harm would it be if it became a "wishful prayer"

To cut the long story short, after months this whole thing turned into an earnest prayer. I did not want to miss this once in a lifetime experience. Early bird registration was drawing near and the limited space was filling up quickly! I was anxious. "Father, you know I don't have the money, please provide if it is your will for me to go."

The trip cost $4299. Upon registration, I had to put down half of that amount for deposit. I had not shared this with anyone other than family so when I opened the above email and read it, I got the chills and tears in my eyes and a great big smile, followed by a crazy laugh all at the same time because I knew this was 101% God's hand in it! I received a love gift of $2299! Not more not less! His goodness to me in saving me and pouring blessings on me is far more than I deserve.

This really stired the depths of my heart. There's another 2k to be raised but I am reminded that God is the one who can do "far more abundantly than all we can ask or think." All glory and praise be to God!

Prawning!

It was EAST day today and we had a prawning competition. I had so much fun! "I feel it, I feel it!" Just a gentle tug on my line, makes me jump out of the chair and get overly excited. At one stage, I caught two fellas in a span of ten minutes. Call it beginners luck!

We later skewed them alive, sprinkled salt and put them on the BBQ pit to cook. Some of them were still struggling. When you eat into the flesh though, it was total shiokness! What an afternoon :)

Well, life has not been any less crazy but I'm learning to manage my time a little better I think. Tomorrow= Old Testament test + 1 presentation.

Bright Lights

We are a group of girls that come together once a month to encourage each other in faith. Praise God for the meaningful times! Last Saturday, we met and talked about accepting the way God made us. I know this stuff. The whole "I am wonderfully made, in His image" I know it too well, but yet it's another thing when I truely believe and accept it.

The "defects" (not smart enough, appearance etc.) I see in myself were designed by God to produce in me humility so He could give me more grace! It was such a needed reminder throughout this week, especially yesterday when I gave my first public speaking module speech (4 more to go!) I tried my best not to compare myself with others but rather look to the One who is still working on me.

Oh boy, it's 2:30am now and I still need to stay up and catch up with my readings. It's goodbye to this weekend! Next week is going to get tougher. I will be taking block class = my entire Fri and Sat gone. 9am- 6pm classes. Woho! haha. Stress a friend or foe? (This is the topic for my next speech) Tell me about it.

Wisdom-T

I need to get my wisdom tooth extracted, my two bottom ones are impacted and there's a growing pain. Can't really see the X-ray here. Anyway, I dragged my feet to a private clinic the other day and I was shock to find out that surgery for one tooth cost $500! Yes, you read it right, just one. So, it'll cost me 1k to get both out! Crazily expensive right.

Went Googling and found out that I can use my parent's Medisave to claim some. Will be going to a Polyclinic to get a referral letter to the National Dental Centre. I hope my wait won't be too long! However, I will need a week's MC for recovery. Can't take that many days off school. How? Heard the pain is quite unbearable and I've low tolerance. I'm extremely petrified. Pray for me to know what to do.

The good things

Vietnamese wrap + Korean ingredients + Kimchi soup! Food fusion. Say hello to Simon, Sarah and their crazily cute little boys Joseph and Jonathan. They lived in Thailand for the past 10 years and Simon is my schoolmate now! Love speaking in our secret language. We are planning to go golden mile soon. I want to try some authentic thai food! Not the Thai express kind.

Other news, Aragon is found! I got the call when I was in the library and I wanted to scream with joy. Too bad, could only let out a squeal haha. Thank you all for praying! Prayer doesn't change God, it changes me - CS. Lewis.

Gone missing...

Please Pray! It's been 2 nights, Aragon's absence has been especially hard for Lois. You all know how much she loves this buddy. I'm asking God to do the miraculous!

To hear with my heart
to see with my soul
to be guided by a hand I cannot hold
to trust in a way that I cannot see
that's what faith must be.

"That's What Faith Must Be"
by Michael Card

i can do this for life (i think)

Children are genuine, they don't hide, they don't pretend to be something they're not. It's when I'm with children that I truly feel like I'm not being judged, and there's no fear of wondering what they'll think of me. They just love you for who you are! I can dance around with them not feeling paiseh at all. You know it is a little different to be passing out coloring sheets and helping them write their names, instead of plowing through hundreds of pages of reading. It's time for me to head back... can I not?

I am blessed

Hanging out with my beloved little friends and family, makes me feel on top of the world! These last few days, I rediscovered the joy of sleeping in, of long sits by sunny windows and bits of exploring the neighborhood. but mostly i just recharged, pamper myself haha (eating all my favourite thai dishes, shopping, playing out at Baan-nana, swimming) and its been so nice.

Every night i fall asleep feeling full and contented in who I am in Christ. I cannot deny though that the thought of me returning so soon does put me down a little. I am reluctant to go back, and I feel incompetent once again to start my second quarter but yet I trust that it's when I'm an empty vessel, it's where God can work (:

they have blossom

"P'Lydia!!" they screamed as they flew into my arms and I gave them a big hug. Today, is a day to just hold on to. Baan -nana is one of my favourite places on earth, where I can give my love but most of the time I feel like I receive so much more than I give! The kids are always happy and optimistic, making this a better world. So much has change hasn't it?! and it is so good. To God be the glory for the work that is going on! My thai is a little rusty but I managed to share a testimony, sing and pray!

Nothing like home

As I type this, I sit in familiar surroundings, the sights and smells of home enveloping me. It is so good to be back! The family picked me up at the airport and it was in tears of joy that I greeted them. Together again. Been looking forward to today for the longest time. We drove to a cafe that I absolutely love and enjoyed a delicious meal while trying to fill them in with as much of the big and little details of my life since being away. Oh how I just love this good solid family bonding. I can hardly wait for tomorrow. Baan-nana! happy as can be.

1 week more

Advanced Evangelism & Discipleship Class

“Lydia do you understand?” my lecturer patiently asked. I looked at him and shook my head again. I really struggled through my first few weeks at school and now I can't believe I am into my final week for this quarter! Yay!

Putting the crazy assignments and stress factor aside, EAST has become a place I can call home. I enjoy the multi-cultural community; everyone cares and is concerned for each other. I feel I belong. “It’s not about the grades you have on that paper but how much you have gotten out of it.” My lecturers have been wonderful mentors to me.

I cannot wait to fly back on 26th Sept - 3rd Oct the day after my exams, to be reunited with the family and to be woken at dawn by sunlight streaming in through the windows. Not forgetting to mention the constant cacophony of bull frogs in the field when night settles. I need to get back to recharge!

So relax, Lydia!

I am shocked to find out that August is ending! Unbelievable. Life is moving faster than I am able to keep up with and I don't think it will be slowing down anytime soon. I am trying to hold onto a few spare moments for blogging. I look back and see that I have come a long way... yet I still have so far more to go.

The past 3 days, I attended IDMC conference. At first, I was a little bum that my weekend would be spent like that. I was so wrong! It was the best way to spend it because I truely met with God. He did some powerful workings in my soul that I needed. Though I was exhuasted by the time I came home each night, I was inwardly renewed.

There's no doubt that my faith has been challenged greatly these days. All the assignment deadlines are stretching my capacity but I know that...God is good, God is in control and God will bring it to pass. So relax, Lydia!

I want to read a good book for leisure. I want to go shopping. I want to sleep in. I want to go for a photo outing. I want to chill out with friends. I want to stop worrying about the work to be done. Hehh. However, God has given me this special time and chance, I better not complain! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit”, says the Lord (Zech. 4:6) Let me not measure myself with the grades I will get, but by my faithfulness to God's word.

In other news, I am working on a 45min presentation this thursday. I would be so grateful if you won't mind praying for me!

Student life

I know its been forever. Oh how I miss writing here! This is my 8th week into school, I've 3 weeks more to my final exams! So much to do, so little time. Yes, It's been tough. Tougher than I ever thought it could be but God's been so good to me. Only by His grace, strength and love that I can go on. Thankful for friends He has brought into my life too!

Tomorrow I will...

wake up early

take some photos for my project work

consult a lecturer about my research paper

catch up on all my reading assignments

and end my day with bringing a Thai friend out for dinner

Alright, I'm going off! Library is closing.

I promise to be back soon!

All I need

Will you?

"Lord, You give wisdom unto the simple, and knowledge to them that lack understanding. In You only have I put my trust. I come to You, Lord... the demand of tests/ assignments/ presentations/readings is great, the burden almost unbearable.

I am weak and unequal to the task. But You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will trust and not be afraid. You have promised : if any lack wisdom, he is to ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

Grant me wisdom and understanding in my trial and testing. Grant me endurance and perseverance. Sustain my health and strength to bear each day, with joy in the Lord. I wait upon You, my unfailing help and deliverer. Hear this my prayer in Jesus' Name."

Amen.

I'm 26?

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do tell: I'm 21

NYF'ers threw me a BBQ party! I know there was so much effort and thought put into making this special. Such sweetness took my breath away. Big fat thanks to everyone who played a part! Though I had to spend the entire day at the library, I was thrilled to be queen for the night.

Having Grandma there to cut the cake with me, meant a million words I can't express. After all the sinful food and a whacky game, we had a time of praise and worship to God! That's what I really wanted to do... because on this day, He deserved all praise, glory and adoration! I want to give God the most thanks, for all these people and for loving me :)

The days leading up to my 21st weren't too peachy, especially the day before where I found out the amount of assignments I've to be working on. But I knew God was teaching me a precious lesson as I turn of age. I know that through it all, He was so very close and real to me.

To those who sms-ed, called (from Thailand, Australia, Bali, USA, Tekong camp) emailed me and wrote on my wall, thanks! really really. Every single message/greeting made my day.