God knows my size

This CNY, I had no time to go out and get anything to wear! You know the whole tradition of getting something new? Heh, the woes of being a girl and wanting to dress up. Got to admit that I wasn't really looking forward to all the celebration. No family, nothing to wear, datelines, no mood.

Had a simple reunion dinner at Grandma's on Saturday and I decided to stayover. Was working on an essay at the kitchen counter when I got a call... about 10 mins before the clock striked 12, I received a bag of brand new clothes. I couldn't believe it! Felt like cinderella. My friend's girlfriend who owns a blogshop came all the way to the void deck to give me some absolutely lovely pieces of clothes which fits me perfect! Thank you so much, tiff!

As I tried on a blouse and looked into the mirror, the passage from Matthew 6 which mich shared during prayer meeting on Friday came to mind. "...will I not much more clothe you (Lydia), O you of little faith?" I teared and teared. God knows my very heart and there is such comfort in that! This was like my Valentine's Day gift from Him, felt super duperrr loved. Instead of sadness and loneliness, I was filled with the joy of the Lord. As nice as a man's love may be, God's love far surpasses it!

Okay, more ang-baos and bah gua. Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Dong-dong-qiang!

Give it to Jesus

Too often, I find myself focusing on what I expect out of myself. Working long hours and wearing myself out. I've been trying so hard to be who God wants me to be with my own strength. "My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (Jeremiah 2:13)

"Lydia, will an 'A' get you any faster into heaven?" Today, God showed me more clearly than ever my weaknesses."In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:2) At the end of the day, what really matters? I was never made to be independent or self-sufficient but to be dependent upon Jesus!

"Papa, I don't mean to complain but I'm tired, tired of having to be strong. On the inside, I'm still a little girl in need of her Father's comfort and strength. Help me to draw upon Your strength, to feel Your strong arms holding me up. Love, Your daughter."

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

What a break

It has been a much needed holiday to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. I treasured this one week as I had a real fruitful time feeding my soul with things I love doing.

In this week, I......

1) Watched movies-Did you hear about the Morgans, Julie & Julia

2) Went to East Coast to cycle, fly a kite and eat seafood

3) Went to West Coast for a picnic

4) Brought my DSLR to Fort Canning Park

5) Went to a 21st birthday party

6) Sang karaoke for the first time with my EASTerners

7) Spent time catching up on much needed sleep!

8) Walked around, Vivocity, Town, Haji Lane, Bugis

9) Cooked a western dinner

10) Visited the national museum (World of ancient Egypt) for free

11) Bought yummy snacks from Muji

12) Took a train all the way down to the viewing gallery at airport

13) Ate lots of sushi

14) Filed away all my 2nd Quarter notes (filled 3 big fat binders)

15) Wrote thank you cards to people

Back to school tomorrow! I've classes every single day this 3rd Quarter and they all start at 9am meaning I've to leave the house by 720am! So off to catch some sleep now... God, please give me a big heart to absorb whatever learning experiences You have instore for me.

Put on your shoes

I went for a jog for the first time in a long long long time. It felt wonderful! Went to Chinese Garden, photo taken with my phone. I use to exercise most evenings with Lois back in Thailand but I've lost my stamina drastically ever since coming here.

Okay, I know school is not an excuse because excercising is one's responsibility. So yes, one of my new year's resolution is to start getting myself in shape again, to build up my immune system and enlarge my capacity to take long tiring days and nights (working on assignments) and be mentally strong too (extremely strong) haha.

Where have I been?

I know I have disappeared for the longest time. Been having one thing after another and it's already 2010! The family came and went, though I did not have a NYE post I just have to mention it now that God has really seen me through 2009 especially the last six months in Singapore.

I felt like a rubber band so stretched at times I could snap, was forced out of my comfort zone to do presentations and speeches, aching arm muscles from all the writings, making the library my 2nd home. And of course, the struggle of homesickness. I just kept asking God to keep me focus. In one of our weekly chapels, I was reminded to not let these "many things" bother me or cause me to lose sight of the "one thing" that is needful, Christ Himself.

My church was then also doing a Bible study on Hosea and one key lesson I took away was that though the people were offering their sacrifices and paid their dues, it was all lip service or a practice of tradition. They did not know Him. Likewise, going to EAST doesn't make me know God better than anyone else, knowing God does not stem from the position of what I do/learn but truly where my heart is and how I am seeking Him in my secret closet.

Hosea 6:3 "Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

I am done with my 2nd Quater and am now on my one week break! It's been unbelievably great to have no schedule to follow, no deadlines to meet, going to bed without anything in mind, sit and chill out with friends for hours. So grateful for this chance to slow down! I'm going to cook dinner tonight. Promising more updates to come...

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.