~tHe PuRpoSe dRiveN cHurcH~

2009-09-14T03:06:00.003+08:00

Sharing my supper!

My house has a larger-than-average living room because my mum teaches tuition and a SMALLER-than-the-smallest-kitchen-ever-kitchen because my mum never had the patience to cook(although she's really good at it!!!).

Me? I have a larger-than-life desire to cook and make delicious stuff, and then force feed them to the people around me.

But my kitchen is so small!!!!!

When I was about 8 years old.. I once used the microwave to heat up a few char sa bao's when my mum wasn't around. Because I didn't really know how to operate the timer, the bao ended up cooking for a good 10 minutes. I only realised something was wrong when I saw black smoke coming out of the kitchen with this horrible burning smell... My bao came out black.

Since then, I was blacklisted. I wasn't allowed to touch anything in the kitchen.

But recently! I've been spending loads of time in this mini kitchen of mine and I really wanna share my proud creations!!!

Everyone's asleep now you see, but I'm burning with pride so I've just got to share this somewhere!

Was trying to make ton-katsu but I think it looked more like pork chop...
although I dipped it in tonkatsu sauce and yellow mustard! Yums!

Wee! Ton-katsu meal complete with
japanese rice and japanese malt barley tea!

吃得干干净净！

And on another lonely quiet night...
it was my first attempt at ONIGIRI!

Pretty good I must say, I even woke up two hours after going to
bed just to wake up and pack it for my dad's breakfast!

And tonight! I did Onigiri again! Prepared a whole bunch with different flavourings and smoked salmon and even bought Inari skin from cold storage.... for tomorrow! Yay!

Yay! Joy shared! Sorry can't share the food. Hoho... Off to sleep happy! Nite!

2009-07-26T23:12:00.001+08:00

REVIVAL?

2009-05-18T02:39:00.000+08:00

3 years later. LETS REVIVE!!!!!!!

woahh

2006-12-27T01:46:00.000+08:00

goodness. this blog is soooo stagnant. soo i shall try to revive it!!

REVIVE!

ok. this year has honestly been a roller coaster for me. as i started duties in solid rock. goodness its only ONE year? haha. shocking! and i remembered that i was sooo worried i wasn't able to mingle with the kids due to my experiences in the camps. i was so so wrong! honestly. thinking bout how the year have gone past soooo quickly. i started as an assistant worship leader/guitarist to a worship leader. its like woah.

i remembered i was just kindda suddenly popped on a saturday night whether i was able to lead worship the next day. i was seriously unprepared and *admits* i couldn't sleep that night. worrying how to ra-ra the kids and how to get them to really follow me. wondering what the kids will think. or.. worst.....DO THEY EVEN KNOW WHO I AM! haha but i guess it was just in the hands of God.

as i continue on the journey on improving to be a worship leader. i've learnt to rely on the big man up there. i started to relax and go with the flow. true enough. there were bumpers and i've got lots more to learn. i believe there's a long road ahead for me and lots more space for me to improve! i didn't dare to do it at first thinking whether is this God's will for me? but this year. i've found the ministry God wants me to be in. there are sooo many ups and downs. i've gave up ushering and jumped into another role/duty in SR. and next up, i'm trying out for keyboardist. soon enough, i have to decide between worship leading and keyboardist. but that's for God to lead me in 2007!

haha. its so angelical to hear the kids sing! and makes you feel sooo good when you know that you've chose the song that is able to touch the hearts of the children. sooo i hope more peeps will step up and take the challenge to be a worship leader for solid rock!! RISE UP TO YOUR CALLING!!!!!!!!

+lyn

EASTER SUNDAY

2006-04-15T22:13:00.000+08:00

Thousand years ago, there was a man who done nothing wrong but chose to be the sacrifice among all who sin. The humble man chose to go through lives like we do. He willingly sacrificed all that He had to help, heal and save. All these was done to fulfill the will of His Father who was unwilling to see the creation suffered due to one man’s mistake Out of His deepest love for mankind, He chose to send His only son to help, heal and save. Not only His son has to go through what men go through, he has to suffer mocking, torturing, whipping and even the piercing of the nails to save you and I.

“Surely he took out infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:4-5

He was nailed on the CROSS and died. Many thought he died and was buried in the tomb. But on the third day, He rose from the dead!
Is through HIS RESSURECTION that we have victory over death…
Is through HIS BLOOD that all men are redeemed from all sins…
All these were done so that we are able return to our CREATOR.

“And He, bearing His cross… where they crucified Him…” John 19:17-18

“.. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:7

Who is this great and humble man?
He is none other than JESUS CHRIST, our LORD & SAVIOUR.

EASTER SUNDAY – The day that the Lord has risen from the dead

JESUS LOVES U!!!

I AM SR sick!!!!!!!

2006-03-18T09:48:00.000+08:00

Sigh i miss you guys!!!!!!!!

i am seriously SR SICK! you know SR sick as to the context of Love sick :(

Been having a pretty bad week. I am having loads of fun with my friends and all. But ya i think i am spritually DRY... hmm maybe dead... ha no lah NOT so bad... Keep me in prayer ya. that i ll TAG daily. Physically tired! pimples popping! eyes bags getting darker. oh no i am a wreck!

Was looking thru the SR camp pictures. and and... sigh i started to tear. I miss the Kids, I miss serving with you guys, going crazy for the Lord together!, I just MISS everyone and everything that's Solid Rock! i am seriously... SOLID ROCK SICK! i am running a fever man! (ok that's lame)

Well like i said i am having fun here, but it's like the places you guys have in my heart is irreplaceable. (oh no is that too mushy? hee but it's true!)

I really miss you guys!!!! Hope you all are doing good! Continue to be CRAZY for our Lord ya?

Life is not about a 100m race, is about a Marathon!

2006-03-12T21:13:00.000+08:00

It has been a long time since I last blog… When I look at the calendar, I realized that we are moving towards the 2nd quarter of the year… Whoo Hoo…where did all the days, weeks and months go to? Time really flies…

I just want to PRAISE GOD for his faithfulness, love and grace that embrace me everyday of my life. Indeed there is none like HIM.. If not for God and the encouragement of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I would have been defeated by the devil.
Hence, I would like to thank the “Old Flood” ESSR (Mel, Dia, Francees, Leb Leb, Quany, Yi..zhen, Lin lin), Mummy asta & SR Core team for all the love, encouragement, care & concern all of you have showered me. I’m SO BLESSED!!! THANK YOU =)

I guess 2006 will be another year fills with many changes, challenges for me and for many of us. Although we are unable to see what are ahead of us, we do know that there is SOMEONE who will be there watching over us and lighting our ways.
Remember this song: “Light of the World-chorus”

YOU (Jesus) are the Light of the world,
YOU (Jesus) are the Light of the world
Whoever follows YOU (Jesus), will never walk in darkness
But will be given the Light of life”

Life is not about a 100m race, is about a Marathon. We need a lot of perseverance, endurance and strength to complete this long race for the Lord. Hence, let’s support & encourage one another to complete this marathon for HIM and HIM ALONE… AMEN!!
Shall we run this race together?

I need some help!

2006-01-08T00:27:00.000+08:00

Disclaimer: This entry goes out to ALL ESSR-ians... New and Old...

Its the beginning of the new year and our this will be the first entry of the year!!!! Hope you guys haven't forgotten the existence of this lovely blog... i know its hard to keep up with entries because of our busy schedules and personal blogs. But its ok! As long as you remember this blog and come on once in a while to read/blog then Amen and Praise the Lord!

The beginning of a new year in actualy fact doesn't mean anything more than a reminder to ourselves to evaluate the past year and to come up with some short term goals which wil eventually lead to our long term goal of nurturing the kids and teaching them to build their life on a solid rock! ANd of course... for ourselves. To be able to eventually say hello happily to our father in heaven when the day comes... "till we see you face to face and grace amazing takes me home.."

Let me just try to evaluate yr 2005 briefly ok? Generally, i must say we've grown alot closer. Each and everyone of us in ESSR, its amazing really but i think at some point in 2005 we've had a low point and God has always interceded and given us a knock on the head. Like what frances said, June camp 2006 was a camp "of a difference." Yilin left the camp with a happy heart! The rest of us left the camp with a couple of phrases embedded on our (often) thick skulls. "Speak words of LIFE not DEATH!" and "Watch their backs!"

I must say we've done pretty well! Really! Gosh, i still remember when we always gathered in the church office after praise and worship to just talk and complain about certain sensitive topics... back then yeah, we were really an unhealthy alliance at some point. BUt right now, this very moment. I think we're really starting to earn our rights to speak up and to proudly say we're ESSR! We're servants of GOD! We love our kiddos! And we're no longer the youth rebels who never attend any youth events! HAhahahhaa... But we've got to keep putting in the effort yeah?

Melanie told me the other day that yanquan said during camp Helius... that "You'll be seeing more of me in youth.." And i say 'Roly Poly! You rock my socks man!!!!' =)

As youths... we've matured and really grown in year 2005. Its really by grace that God has kept us this close. What with Okinawa san flying off ever so frequently, urban male Mel studying in Brisbane, Frances with her crazy accountant work commitments, Helena with her new job, Esther with her latest addition in the Lam family, yizhen with her attachments and school, Yanquan with his work work work work and soccer soccer soccer soccer, Lebbie with his army commitments and PEi xuan xuan pei xuan xuan and me with all sorts of commitments Church, school and friends plus plus plus! If you don't know it yet... You guys are the bunch of siao gee na's i tell all to!

So yes, individually we've grown, we've improved. But let's get down to serious matters right now and talk about yr 2006. This year, the SR committee are considering not having children camp. I don't know how most of you feel... but i'd really like to know. But this is what i think... ignoring the question as to whether you'd personally want to have the children camp or not. What does this consideration of NOT having a children camp say to you?

It says to me that our fore runners in Solid Rock are really getting tired. They've been working hard for such a long time and i believe, with the new addition of ESSR's its time for us to move forward and take on some duties or at the very least understudy these 'old folks' (haha paiseh la). As individuals we've grown but i think as servants of God, we need to take our step of fear, together. We may feel that there's already alot of responsibilities in our life right now and that we'll never be able to commit.

Why don't we meet up one of these days? When everybody is around? To really just spend some serious time of praying and encouraging, to talk about our plans for year 2006? To discuss about what more we can do? How about that? I'm really looking forward to many more years of working with all you guys... continue our nasty scandals... even after we're all attached and what nots. Haha... so i really believe its absolutely necessary for us to come together. As youths. As youths of this ministry to share with each other problems we face, in school in work and how things of the world might hinder our work in this ministry. OKai?

Melanie wil be leaving for Brisbane on the 18th of Feb... so it'd be best if we could have it before then. Man let's make 2006 a happening one! DRop it like its hot man!

Kids r'us

2005-12-02T23:06:00.000+08:00

Model: Lucas. Presenting to you our first boy wear, nice mini checkered top with comfortable jeans, wonderful for a new addition of SR

Model:Joan. Sky blue top with long white sleeve undershirt. Brings out the total modern jap girl look. CHA!
Model: Lucas's sister. Just adore her beauty you'll get it

Model: Asher.How come she like got more fingers than me? 1,2,3...

Model: Caleb. Can i have a candy?

Model: Clarice. Jesus rocks!Just read my shirt

Model: Ade-lyn. Hmm? Ni zai kan shen me? My sweet Aunty Esther give one...

Okae, i find one nice nice one for you, got alot of sugar one...

Na...you want? DOn't want I eat already...

Model: Nicholas. Me and the big guitar, and i will grow bigger than the guitar and play it...hehehe

Model: Shawn. Get you kid the hot look with simple white collared polo tee and a gentle smile...SELLING FAST!

Models: Isaiah and Ade-lyn. You want strawberry cuppacup?

Isaiah: Get your pink chuppachup now!
Ade-lyn: I like bannana and cream better...

Models: Samantha and Clarice.
S:eheh...i want to see after this okae?
C:I am a very pretty girl..smile!

Model: Nicholas. SUper hero...i can also do the matrix thingy

Model:Matthias. Presenting to you the best pose of the year award. With turquoise matching top and bottom, perfect for a wonderful child that loves action

This is my i'm not lloking at you but i know you are taking my picture pose. Nice right?

UNCLE MARK!!!

This post is put up erm, just for fun as i promised i would to frances, to try liven up this blog. So hhope you had fun, and await the next season of Kids r'us...hopefully...=D

2005-10-23T23:21:00.000+08:00

An Outing @ Bukit Timah Reserve :)

2005-10-23T23:19:00.000+08:00

On our way down...

2005-10-23T23:18:00.000+08:00

Let me introduce - Primary 5 & 6 with Uncle Poh Tee, Uncle Kim Song, Kor Kor Caleb n Jie Jie Diya..

2005-10-23T23:16:00.000+08:00

Let me introduce...Primary 3 & 4 with Jie Jie Frances, Jie Jie Yizhen & Jie Jie Mel

2005-10-23T23:14:00.000+08:00

Let me introduce... The Primary 1 & 2 with Aunty Dorothy & Kor Kor Issac

2005-10-23T23:12:00.000+08:00

Climb.. climb up sunshine mountain... lalala

2005-10-23T23:11:00.000+08:00

Question: Are we reaching the summit soon?

2005-10-23T23:10:00.000+08:00

We are ready to move on...

2005-10-23T23:05:00.000+08:00

It's WATER TIME!!!

2005-10-23T23:03:00.000+08:00

God's creation..

2005-10-23T23:00:00.001+08:00

Here we are... in Bukit TImah Hill

2005-10-23T23:00:00.000+08:00

Bukit Timah Hill... Here we come!!!

2005-10-02T19:21:00.000+08:00

i was stoning halfway when i got some ideas... so here's a new design for the camp...

matty!

2005-09-18T00:41:00.000+08:00

matty!
Originally uploaded by yayabanana.

No need to introduce anymore.. this is matty! Mel's cute little brother... the one i'm bethrothed to. Haha. He posed for this pic cause my phone camera very laggy... just as i was about to move away.. he said "thank you" and then continued whacking somebody with the balloon he had behind him...

2005-08-25T23:05:00.000+08:00

i've started my attachment... or better know as IPP[industrial placement programme] to nyp students... n today's my 3rd day at work... in case u guys didn't noe where i'm working now, i'm actually working at Tyco Fire Security and Services Pte Ltd...

everything's fine till now... i should hav started my attachment last wednesday... but due to certain adminstrative problems, it was delayed till tuesday [which happened to b my 1st day at work]... the delay was gd in a way because i think God noes tat i need a longer holiday after my exams... Oops!

i was informed just now before i finish work that i will be working on the 2nd shift, which is from 12noon to 9pm.... n tat would be for monday and wed-fri.... tuesday and sunday would be my off dayz.... i'm just so glad that i'll b working from 9am-6pm on saturdays.... although the working hours is still 9 hours, i felt tat the timing was gd... simply cos i was telling helena the other day tat i dun want to fall in the 2nd shift on saturday cos tat would mean tat i will miss the saturday services for the next 10 weeks or so... n the last thing i got to know was everyone ends work at 6pm on satuday.... n tat would mean tat i'll hav enough time to travel to church office and probably grab a quick dinner before service starts.... praise God!

i would say tat this is really a miracle... cos initially, we were told tat there will be shifts on satuday as well... i'm so glad that i'll still b able to attend the saturday service cos i'll hav to miss cell group... but nevertheless, i'm contented....

i'm beginning to feel the pressure from my supervisor who's a workaholic... i was told tat she works more than 16 hours a day.... she's also very strict when it comes to our performance.... so gonna pray that i'll be able to perform up to her expectations or even beyond...

i think i'm starting to blabber.... anyway... gonna go to bed... tml's gonna wake up early for work... take care peeps....

Let's overflow!

2005-08-14T00:48:00.000+08:00

Hello my dearest of dearests!!! I love to read entries on our blog you know... i'm sorry i haven't been blogging much cuz I've been concentrating on my own blog. So sorry peeps! But alot of stuff i put on my blog are to do with the spiritual side of things to... just that i have to choose words more carefully and put it in such a way that i'm sure my non christian friends can understand. But hey here i am!

well school has started for me... into my third week now. So far so good! Coping well... still able to handle church commitments and school commitments. But do pray for me ok? Cuz things will just get crazier and crazier... what with friday rehersals and saturday service and SR and Main... haha and not to forget!!! CHURCH NEWS VIDEO!!!!!

anyone willing to starr in the next one? PLease volunteer yourself!!!! Don't make me go and pull you out of your comfort zone! If you think you have what it takes and would like to give it a go! Please contact me at 9********. =)

Anyway i've been feeling a bit out of sorts... the past two days. If you read my blog you'll know.. but after talking to yingci abit about our life and well about matters of the heart. We both agreed we are so blessed that we have nothing better to do but to go and think about such stuff. haha. THe one thing i really brought back home from the conference is really that our god is an awesome god. He's a god that blesses us in abundance. We don't have an average god. We have an average god. So as his children.. we're not to lead average lives. Be average christians... We're to lead exciting christian life!

Don't wallow in self pity. Don't always try to make yourself out to be more poor thing than your other friend. We often like to compare/compete to see who has more "Troubles".. as though the one with more troubles deserves more care more concern. As if the one with more "Burdens" is the one who is the most noble. LACK creates focus on SELF. Well NO! We're not to do that. the bible says "I shall not be in want" but god will make your "cup overflow". ISn't that fantasticallyfabulous?? I think that message really hit home with me. Cuz i'm guilty of always emphasising on how busy i am and how taxed for time i am. But hey! Why think about that? Think about the time you do have and commit it to god because he will make use of that LITTLE time and create ABUNDANCE! just like the 5 loaves and 2 fishes~!

So remember! Don't glorify LACK! Remember, LACK creates focus/brings attention on SELF. Believe and pray for God to bring a spirit of overflow in our lives! We're not saved in Jesus' name to be pampered as christians.... we're meant to serve ,to impact and to make a difference!

Let's overflow people!!!! Pass on our blessings to the children!!!

2005-08-09T22:43:00.000+08:00

okie.... here's the second draft for this year's camp... i'll get more designs out... hopefully.... at the meantime, let the picture talk... haha....

okie... tat's the second design.... tried to instill some cute-ness into it...

We will testify of all His goodness

2005-08-09T07:20:00.000+08:00

Hi ya'll, yes, Aunty esther is back from the vomitting and would rather not talk much about anymore. But I just wanna say that the Lord had been faithful. for one... He gave me a December baby which I had specifically prayed for, secondly, He gave me a "super smooth(the opposite la)" pregnancy so that I know, Tian Xia De Ma Ma Dou Shi Wei Da De! tribute to all the mummies out there! Oops, think I'm the only one! Thirdly, for seeing all of you testify of God's goodness in the blog is truly heart-warming, heart wrenching and heart touching etc etc.
Last Sunday's inter-generational service was a BLAST! I just wanna to share that I thank God I made it a point to stay in my seat in front with Ethan 'cos I felt that I had to set an example for the parents in the church to see that it is possible to keep your kid with you and be a model of worship. Just thank God that Ethan stuck it through with me the whole time though the message was a tad long. I didn't really check on what was happening behind and to the rest of the children, I hope their parents and all of you Solid Rockers out there had also set an example for the parents to follow!?
Lydia, ur movie bulletin was excellent! You are such a GEM to the church dear girl, CAN WE HAVE MORE LYDIAS??? MORE FRANCES, MORE YIZHENS, MORE NANAS (but not bananas), MORE CALEBs?! MORE YAN QUANS! MORE MELANIES? MORE JOYS, MORE CHERYLS, MORE MARILYN, MORE EVAN around please LORD, we want more Lord. OOPS! And MORE OF YILIN TOO LORD!!!!
Thanks for thanking us Mel, just keep in step and keep focused on the prize that is ahead amen? Run the good race and fight the good fight. You will become a living testimony of God's strength and faithfulness when you come back!! Pray hard, study hard, never break the Lord's heart. Its a rhyme from primary school. Hope you like it.
Yes, my title today is to testify. Pastor Mark shared on Sunday that during the retreat, our children did not put up their hands when the teacher asked if any kid had experienced God's miracles before. And our kids did not put up their hands. Wonder why? Think its a point of reflection for us children's workers to think about. I just wanna say that if all those testimonies that you guys posted on the blog are to be shared with the kids, I bet our kids's hands will shoot up in the air one by one when someone ask them the same question the next time! So guys, be prepared in season and out of season to step up front before the kids and testify about the goodness of the Lord so that the children too can experience what we experience amen?!
We need to constantly pray for our children and seek a breakthrough in their lives. We are called for such a time as this to minister to our children and to bring them to experience God. So Solid Rockers, let's get deeper into the lives of our children today, in friendship and in love so that the children can also experience what we experienced. The love that the Lord Jesus had given to us is already a miracle in itself. So let's not wait, touch a kid's life today by testifying of the Lord's goodness and sharing that love w them. I LOVE ALL Of YOU VERY MUCH!

2005-08-08T23:50:00.000+08:00

just got to know abt this year's theme for Solid Rock Camp... so here's a little idea tat i draft out....

2005-08-07T18:27:00.000+08:00

it's my exams now... i'm actually studying halfway when i just wanted so badly to draw something..... i feel tat i'm very helpless sometimes when it comes to memorising n studying... the motivation just isn't there.... but thank goodness, i've God with me.... he had been with me in the past n he will always b there....

here's something i drew.... it's really very draft.....

GOD...

NO FEAR! God is with us!

2005-06-22T09:39:00.000+08:00

wow wee...this past week has been traumatic, tiring, crazy, but AMAZING week for me!! haha...so contradictory right? but well, i guess sometimes it is only when our lives are in 'turmoil' that we see clearly the Lord's hands working in our midst....

Anywyas, well, just a brief summary of what happened in the past week...
Actually, I havent started work since our awesom camp ended..hee hee..however, I havent really been resting much and have been feeling quite physically drained cos have been bringing Jake all around. hee..but had fun though! (realised that not only working can drain us...even playing too much can drain us too hee)..well..ayways, all was just plain play and fun from Mon to Thurs...until Fri night, when the accident took place...

I think many of you have heard my accident story before (right DIA? hee) so I shall not repeat the details anyways..yeah..the car accident happened on Fri and I made an accident report at IDAC (an independent authority) on Sat morning and the person in charge explained to me all the details about how this sort things work and she said if the insurance co. deemed that it's 50-50% fault, I will have to fork our 525 bucks and our premiums will go up next year...and when i asked her the chances of us 'winning' the case, she said that this kinda case is a borderline case...cos I was the back car and back cars are usually faulted for accidents...so the chances of the insurance co. faulting the taxi driver alone are not very high....

though i may appear fine to some of u on sat....i was actually very disturbed by e whole incident as firstly, the car belongs to my Dad and 2ndly, inconvenience will follow if the car has to be at the workshop for repairs for a few days , thirdly, we will have to pay a few hundred bucks if the insurance co. deemed that it's both parties' fault and lastly there will be negative consequences pertaining to my dad's car insurance (like he will lose his "No car accident" discounts on the insurance premiums and stuff like that...I just felt so innocent and helpless about the whole incident....I mean how am I to expect that a car will just appear out of nowhere when I was happily driving in my own lane....I felt really down and terrrible...and to make things worse..i realised i started to develop a phobia....when i was in my dad's car the next day(sat)...i kept watching out for cars all over the place and kept screaming at my dad to wtach out...and since the accident, I havent been driving the car...but well...the only good thing is that my dad and mum didn't really nag at me about the accident!!! which was really shocking cos my mum is forever worried about me driving on the roads....

Anyways, the next day (sat nite), before going to bed, I was reading the book of Joshua..and the Lord was telling Joshua to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS to lead the poeple to cross the Jordan River to inherit the land...and not to be terrified or discourage, cos the Lord will be with him wherever he went..He told Joshua to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS 3 times!! and as I was readin..the words of Pastor Elisha (camp speaker) rang in my head too..that God did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) ..and i felt that the message was so clear from the Lord. He was telling me no to be fearful about what is going to happen next and also to be courageous enough to drive on the roads again (hee..may sound funny but this is really what the word spoke to me!)...that He's always with me so why should i FEAR? The only one i should FEAR is the Lord and Him alone....We can be strong and courageous if we depend on the Lord!

so well..it was really amazing cos I did not plan to read the book of Joshua that nite but i was just flipping thru the bible and the page simply landed on the book of Joshua...

So well, i tot, ok no point worrying so much about the incident..just pray and commit the whole incident unto the Lord...think many of u prayed for me too! thanks dearies!......and anyways...yesterday (Tuesday), the insurance guy called Jake and told him to email him a detailed write-up of how the accident occured..and he emailed the guy last nite.....He also told me to send him pictures of the car accident..and I did...

and this morning..my dad received a call from the insurance guy! He said that they have assessed the facts and have concluded that 90% of the fault is on the taxi driver...which means that I don't have to pay the 525 bucks and on top of that, they are going to give us a car for 3 days while our car is at the work shop for free!!! when i heard that, the first thing i said was Praise God! I knew that the Lord's hands have been on this whole incident. To me, this is a MIRACLE. Cos I was the back car and it was kinda expected the insurance co. to put 50% of the fault on us..

I guess this incident has once again reminded me to submit fully unto Jesus....He is the one who has died on the cross and gave us life again..He is the one who has saved us by grace....He is our almighty King! Whom shall we fear but Him?

Just like what Pastor Elisha said...we have to have faith when praying and EXPECT our miracle..we have to EXPECT it..a faithless prayer equates no prayer.....Like what Esther said in her sms, PUSH!! Pray Until Something Happens!!! and this accident is a clear testimony! So peeps...let's continue to PRAY for Solid Rock Live..and EXPECT a miracle!!!!

THANK YOU ALL SO SO MUCH!

2005-06-19T17:19:00.000+08:00

WOW! THE PARTY WAS A BLAST!

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO START THANKING ALL OF YOU!

This party would definetly be one that I'll remember for my whole life!
(like what diya said!)

Even though i am only leaving in 3 weeks time but each of you made this day really super de duper special for me. Thank you all for your LOVE!

Thank you for all the encouragement! I'll remember everything you all said to me! Thank you for the prayers! Thank you FOR PUSHING ME INTO THE POOL BEFORE I COULD CLEAR MY NOSE!!!! haha! ;) Thank you for all the FOOOOD! (Yummy!) Thank you for all the effort! for shopping for food to marinating, to carry all the food up and down, to ... so much to thank you all for

Thank you NANA for getting a date that everyone could be ard, for the jelly (for QC check! haha) n making sure i am ok thru out the party!
Thanks to Esther! for the Beeee HooON! And the word you shared w me! i'll always reflect on it.
Thanks Yilin! for opening ur house so willingly! for letting us mess up ur CONDO! and for all the food preparations despite ur busy week/s
Thanks Frances! for being so slim! that we could throw u into e pool! ha! thanks for all e food preparations too! the PORK too! :) for giving me ur first bbqed mashmellow! :)
Thanks Yizhen! for the potatoe salad!!!!!! it's super GOOD! Your talents amaze me! Praise GOD!
Thanks kor kor yan quan (circle!) for coming! even after a long day of work! even though it would be better w the edison guy ard lah! haha! kidding! thanks!
AND CALEB! thanks for being our vaccum cleaner! haha kidding! thanks for coming! even thought u got to book in really early tml! really appreicate it! thanks for stuff from HK too!
DIYA!!!! the wacky one! thanks for e otah! GREAT! and the mini otah bbq pit! and ur craziness!
AND my dearest MEI, Cheryl! Thanks for teaching me how to bbq mushmellows but i am still better la! haha kidding! thanks for helping nana with the jelly, i know it was alot of pressure cause you had to put the right amt of fruits and all! thanks

oh no! i really have so so much more to say to each and everyone of u but my eye lids are really heavy right now! i'll save for the actual day that i leave! ;)

but really thank you ALL! hugs and kisses! (no no my entry not ending yet!)

well another thing i got to thank you all (the most frequently word used in this entry is THANK YOU! just to empaize on the point! :) ) is...
for the encouragement (again! i know i know but i am explaining now! oh no am i getting long winded?)
before this party i had alot of FEAR (cannt stand that word!) abt what is to come. like OH NO! no room mate! no house! no mummy, daddy and MATTHEW and mark! i;ll be going home to an empty house! what if i dont have gd friends? what if i cannt find a church? loads of WHAT IFS and HOWS! but today after all of you prayed for me, that fear just flew away! and TRUSTING GOD came in! Thank you all! every word and prayer each of you said for me would always stay with me to encourage me, to make me smile! thanks!

I Love all of you! thanks for the unconditional LOVE you all have shown to me :)

GOD"S GRACE IS NEVER ENOUGH !!!!

2005-06-11T00:40:00.000+08:00

SHALOM !!!!
woo hoo , jus got back from the 2005 bible camp , it was one h e l l of a camp man , to see dried souls refreshed and recharged for god was a bonus for me !!!! Well i have to confess i had some doubts abt attendin the camp in the initial stage when we were goin up !!! but i have no regrets man !!! i went up to awana carrying a really heavy heart !!! alot of problems have anchored itself into my heart and its been a long and hard journey for me for the past 3 to 5 mths ...
On the first day , i felt uneasy , cause i was really dry , and thank god we had a gathering to discuss abt wats wrong with US ( ESSR ) , it opened my heart and as the the pastor said !!! NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS , i went in search of god's touch , i told god i wanted a life changing wan , not one tat will only last me for few weeks , but one tat will last me the life time
GOSH ... i dont know wat to say man , i'm starting to feel emotional now !!! jus thinking bout how god loves me and knowin tat everyone cares and loves me was a rechargin experience for me !!! I'm starting to tear now .... GUYS remember !!! NEVER LEAVE GOD !!! U wont find a better person then him !!!

Thirsty Souls

2005-05-22T12:20:00.000+08:00

Just want to share with all you how I felt 2 weeks ago and I can feel that this feeling is getting stronger now.

I still remembered 2 weeks ago in SR, I was playing for the worship session and at the end of it, I felt a strong urge to talk to the kids about their daily walk with the Lord. As the music continued to play, I shared with the kids and asked them who have not been spending time with the Lord, some of the kids put up their hands and we prayed for them.
Last few days, as I was thinking and asking God what should I share with the kids this Sunday in SR, the Lord impressed upon my heart these words “Spiritual dryness, Thirsty Souls”.

Is scary to know that our kids are going through a stage of spiritual dryness.. Similarly, we as adults will go through stages of spiritual dryness too if we do not feed ourselves regularly in His words. Spiritual dryness will lead our soul, our spirit to be insensitive to what the Lord wants to do in our lives; our hearts will be hardened towards what the Lord wants to tell us…

Every Sunday, our kids are taking spiritual food however, how many of them really digest it and apply it? And for the rest of the weeks, do they continue to feed themselves with spiritual food or do they feed themselves with more “worldly food” ?

Just like us, sometimes we just feed our souls with things of the world and causing our spirits to dry up unknowingly. Thank God that we have a gracious God who always loves us and willing to forgive us when we repent.

Therefore, as fellow children workers, let us continue to pray for our kids. They are the treasures of God’s Kingdom. We must learn to intercede and pray for them. Dun let the evil ones have any chance to even get near to them.

As for ourselves, we must continue to pray for one another too and be committed to spend more regular times with Lord.

Psalm 42:1-2
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirst for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

John 4:14
.. Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

2005-05-19T19:19:00.000+08:00

here's a new design tat is hot frm the oven..... couldn't change the "S" to "J" cos i dun haf the photoshop program in my com....

GOD HAS MADE THE WAY!

2005-05-19T14:13:00.000+08:00

Indeed God will make a way where there seems to be no way!
For the past 2 days, I was feeling quite down. I had a feeling that I will not be able to attend Bible Camp. Coming to a point where I told God that “Lord, I will just leave it to you to decide. If is your plan for me to attend this yr, You will make it happen. If not, is alright :(”

In the beginning when I put my leave request to my boss, his answer for me was quite negative. I thought that was it…. I will be staying in Singapore this coming June. I told my colleagues about it, they even told me that it was quite impossible to get the leaves as one of my colleagues is on a long leave.
This morning, I came to accept the fact that I will not be attending the camp. However, I received my boss’s reply. He said OK! My leaves are APPROVED!!!!!! Yeh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so surprised… Praise the Lord for his favour…

I really thank God for making the way for me. It is God that makes it happen!!!
Just like one of Don Moen’s songs:
God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works His way we cannot see. He will make a way; He will make a way…AMEN!!!!!!

Mel, thank you for the encouragement... All things are possible in the hands of God.

Thank you all for praying too :)

2005-05-17T22:33:00.000+08:00

Oops... made a big mistake on spelling.... i've got 3 designs here.... vote for the best colour since the designs are almost the same....

2005-05-17T01:39:00.000+08:00

here's the logo tat i came out with.... how abt it? comments comments.... feel free to let me noe the changes to be done.... ^-^

(P.S. i've sent a copy of this to ur emails.... )

My Mother and Me...

2005-05-11T15:20:00.000+08:00

Hey hey! Hows has everybody been! DO blog as often as you can... especially now ok? While Esther is still at home resting and isn't able to move around much. Hope i'll blogs will serve as a form of entertainment... to update her about whatever is happening in life and to comfort her and to let her know we're still moving full steam ahead for GOd!

Well.. i just got back from sentosa after spending the night there with ET and some other JOK(the team that went to cambodia) peeps. Mostly medical students la... haha. Cause the others couldn't make it. Well... we had lotsa fun and i sustained alot of cuts and bruises from playing intense beach soccer, frisbee and captain's ball. My entire body was aching when i got back today... All i wanted to do was to nua in front of the television and catch whatever TVB show i missed yesterday night(haha). Yeah...

Recently i've been helping my mum teach this little girl called rebecca. She's eurasian and her chinese standard is quite bad. SHe can't read some basic chinese words... so i've been helping her for about two and half weeks with her reading. Yeah... and my mum's students don't really tell her when they're coming. They just come as and when they like to. So sometimes there are alot of students and sometimes only a few. SO rebecca happily appeared today... and my mother shouted to me from downstairs

"Lydia!!! Can you teach rebecca!!!"

I was in complete nua-ing state already. COUch potato-ness was over-taking me. So... I Shouted back

"Can dowan not?" (I promise i didn't shout rudely... it was more like a plea)

THe next thing i knew... my mother started hurling abuse at me. Verbal ones that is. Saying that i was useless... and that she couldn't depend on me and that she would never ask me again. HUH???!??? I was speechless man. I wanted to cry.

All i did was to plead. SHe could have said "Please la... help a bit can?" and i would have relented. BUt nooooo..... she somehow naturally reacted to my comment with a spurt of other "not so nice" comments. SO after that, the television shows didn't seem to entertaining anymore.. and i limped back to my room and tried to sleep. I could still hear my mum saying somethings about me really loudly.. and i attempted to snuff it out with a pillow. And i just felt real sad inside.. And i prayed. I said "why must she do this? I know she has to "save face" in front of the kids. She has dignity. But i have mine too. I'm really tired. I'm bruised all over. BLah blah blah blah" THen i realised.. I was just being selfish. IT was all ME ME ME. My mum's even more tired than i am~!! And hey! I was tired out from having FUN! SHe was tired out from working and providing for me...

I felt so foolish. But i didn't know what to do. Finally... i plucked up the courage. I got up, washed my face a little and headed downstairs. Wa. My mother's face like chracoal lidat... then with a constipated (and a little bit GEK SEH) voice i said ..

"You want me to teach her ANOT?"

Haha. ANd then all was well and i taught rebecca for an afternoon... of which i kept dozing off. '

"Rebecca. YOu wake me up if i fall asleep ok."

THank GOd for giving me the courage to face up to my mistakes and my selfishness. It doesn't pay to be lazy. IT doesn't pay to leave a problem hanging in mid air and waiting for somebody else to come and clear it up. It starts from you.

Take care esther... I'm also guilty of not dropping you a message. BUt i hope you know that it doesn't mean i'm not praying for you. Love ya~!

LOVE....is wonderful......

2005-05-08T15:16:00.000+08:00

hee hee..it's me...hee hee...i'm giving a sheepish grin cos cos cos...i feel so *guiLtY*...cos i haven been reading blogs and writing blogs for like the longest longest time......n everytime lydia makes a comment..'ya lah u alwasy never read blog' or like ' har u read the blog?'.....i feeel extremely extremely guilty..... :( :( :(.....hee ..cos actually to me a blog is not just a blog...but it is a good way to find out how others on the blog have been doing and so on.....but well...i just haven been making enough effort to blog and only occassionally do i read it....but lydia, its good la..it's kinda a wake up call for me.......well...anyways just some sharing...

over this weekend, i feel that the Lord is trying to tell me "hey child, there's more to life than work"...this may sound a lil cliche...hee....but well, it seems like this msg to coming thru to me very strongly.....

anyways, like what i've shared with some of u, these 2 weeks have been a terrrible week for me...everyday, i'm just working and working...just to meet the demands of my ahem....super high expectations manager....so because of that, i feel tt i've been very in my own world these past 2 weeks.....no time to catch up with frens and all....and i really do feel very bad when i think about it on hindsight.......for eg., although i know esther is going thru a tough time, i didnt even drop her a single sms this week....and when helena told us yest that she was hospitalised this week...my heart really sank......cos while my dearest sister is going thru a hard time, i was working my heart and mind away......and I begin to question if I'm putting too much just TOO MUCH emphasis on just work that I've been kinda neglecting the pple whom i love ard me? Well, my sister's exams started last week and will stretch thru this coming week...and because ive been going home late due to work, i haven had the time to really sit down and help her with her work...and what makes me even more guilty is that yest i actually went out with frens in the late morn to early afternoon..and when i was home, she was sleeping and then my aunt brought her out for dinner at about 6...so yest, i didnt get to help her with her work too.....

and to make things worse, after i came back from church just now, i found out that she hasnt really started on her revision for tom's e-maths paper and I lost it......I really lost my temper and scolded her upside down....and now I really feel so heartbroken....I really didnt mean to lose my temper like that...but i just couldn't withold it! Maybe it's because i feel so helpless now that her paper is tom and i cant do much, so i simply vented this helplessness on her..... and as i reflected on what happened just now, tots began to flow and i began to ponder upon how much time, not just in terms of quantity but quality have i been spending with my family and my dear frens? it seems that 85% is on work and maybe 10% with God n my self...and a pathetic 5% on my family and frens.....and i feel truly truly lousy about it.......how should I manage my time better to reallocate this percentage more evenly??

sometimes in our midst of busyness, we should always always stop in our tracks and reflect upon what we have been doing with most of our time...Is our 'allocation' of time somewhat parallel with our priorities in life? Nothing in this world can beat LOVE...the love between amongst your family..the love amongst your frens..the love amongest us.. brothers and sisters serving together in the Lord...treasure your time with each and every 1 of your loved ones.....

WHat to do when you're occassionally shut out....

2005-05-01T03:58:00.000+08:00

Hey peeps... was reading blogs and you know... it just bothers me that youths don't seem to be able to contain their feelings very well. And yes i know they have many problems in life... but there are so many others around them who have problems too that they're struggling with but just might not have mentioned it.

For me... i find it a struggle to sometimes give some of them the attention and concern they need when i'm struggling with my own work load. I feel really bad sometimes... i must say i really do try... even if it means running from computer to table computer to table. Trying to reply the messages i get... but there are many times where i fail to do so. And trust me i feel very very guilty and bad about it .

But the point is. I'm trying. And maybe the effort that i seem to give isn't as much as other people but that's my max. I'm totally maxed out. And i'm not joking about it. But i have to keep my spirits up and keep trying to break the ice to make that person feel better make it worth the time spent chatting to me.

BUt when i read some blogs... and i see anger all over. I feel sad. A blog is definitely a place for you to put down your thoughts and your opinions... but be careful what is said. Because a blog can cause hurt for many people you never meant to hurt. And the words you put on your blog are often impulsive... and sometimes sharp and hurtful.

Like in the case of the PSC scholar who recently got investigated for some racist comments he put on his blog. He didn't mean it! It was a simple joke he said... but it had immense consequences.

Sometimes i wonder how helena never fails to lend me that listening ear even when i know she's under a whole lot of stress from work and from life. Sometimes it comes to a point where i choose not to go to her because i know she's got enough to handle. We've got to take control of our own lives. And be god oriented. FIx our focus on god. Don't blame other people! Don't hate other people! If there's one person to hate... its the devil for telling us all those lies! He works in you ways you would never think he would! He could ruin your life without you knowing! Instead you'd go around blaming the entrie world for not understanding, for not giving you enough. And really that's shitty.

So how does it feel when a door gets closed shut in your face. Would you still be thick-skinned and knock on the door again or will you walk off in a huff?

Should you try and help even when the person doesn't think you're off any help? and instead finds you a nuisance? What would Jesus do?

2005-04-30T13:11:00.000+08:00

Musicians!!! Pseudo drummer Franceeeees....

2005-04-30T13:10:00.000+08:00

I think clarice picked up yanzhi's sock instead of the item she was meant to pick... notice even timothy's maid is laughing her head off... haha. Hey! IN solid ROck! We have fun with the maids too!!!

2005-04-30T13:09:00.001+08:00

Some other weird duo....

2005-04-30T13:09:00.000+08:00

the oldest duo......

2005-04-30T13:08:00.001+08:00

Hahaha the cutest duo man!!! Clarice and Matthew~!

2005-04-30T13:08:00.000+08:00

amanda and marcus....(oh marcy is super cute. He came up to me just now and said "lydia jie jie...can i ask you a question..can you give me a clue on how to write a poem? the title is "be my friend, don't smoke" ANY SUGGESTIONS??)

2005-04-30T13:07:00.000+08:00

Junhao and Samantha

24th April SOlid ROck Praise and Worship...

2005-04-23T12:44:00.000+08:00

AS i was trying to get to sleep last night... i was thinking and praying that GOd would use me and work in me so that i may teach the little children his words. ANd he imprinted on my heart... that i should teach them unity. Sometimes i find it funny when pastors or even esther or helena say "god imprinted in my heart this...". BUt now i realise its nothing weird at all... its just wonderful.

SO tomorrow i'll start off with the chinese song "Wo men shi yi jia ren" Ok? Before that maybe talk abit about unity within the church unity among the kids. HOw boys should not purposely stay away from girls and think that girls are yeeky yucky creatures and vice versa. Hmm... ANy ideas if we can play any unity games though?

After that we'll sing "C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N", followed by "You're here with me" (hillsong london) and a new song called "TIll I see you" which is the song you now here that is playing on the blog. I'm actually also considering doing a song called "All for love" which is also from the latest hillsong united album because i like the lyrics very much...

"oh how many times have i broken your heart...but still you forgive...if only i ask....
and how many times have you heard me pray....draw near to me...
everything i need is you... my beginning, my forever... everything i need is you..."

So... I've got one more paper left. DIdn't do much for the past three days... in fact i went for karaoke yesterday summore. Haha. NOw i'm gonna do some serious mugging. See you all tomorrow~ IN the meanwhile remember to do your QTs!!!!!!

OH and LeBleB is BACK!!!!!!!!!

God's Grace ...

2005-04-21T12:39:00.001+08:00

Hi guys ... i purposely wait till today then i blog one shot for all the events tat happend over this week ... well ... On sunday was my official debut for Sr worship leading .... Hmm .... it was pretty clear to me tat i was troubled so i asked god for some songs tat would remove all this unwanted feelings ... He answered me with i cast all my cares ... then he gave me show me ur face !!!! Praise part was i choose wan ... cause i cant find the CD with Be like a tree so i chose Every move i make instead !!! To my surprise !!! The kids liked it better !!! haha ... seeing samuel fung and chew , geri , rebecca dance along side THE 3 ESSRs was great ... and of course esther and EA-ting too ... little matthew was dancing along , infact almost every one was dancing in their own way ... I was really scared man but yet happy tat i did it ... AND I CANT WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN !!!! haha .... well ... next ... My results ... member my blog on my exams tat i may not clear some modules ... I CLEARED ALL woo hoo ... really by god's grace man !!!! I guess at times of trouble ... LETS jus cast our cares to JESUS and let him take over ...

God's Grace ...

2005-04-21T12:39:00.000+08:00

GOD IS GOOD (ALL THE TIME!!!)

2005-04-12T12:56:00.000+08:00

I am finally blogging!!!!!!
(thanks to Lydia's help esp with the username haha ok ok hush hush)

I have so so so much to say! first of all MY EXAMS are OVER! the past 2 weeks were the most stressful days i ever had. i have never slept so little! (my eye bags can testify man!) I have never screamed into my pillow so many times and i have never broke down so many times too. Many many times i wanted to give up. just take an MC and go for the sup paper, but that's cheating! I thank God for giving me strength and wisdom. and i definelty wont be able to do it without all the prayer and support everyone has shown me. (sorry caleb that i was nt able to go for ur "farewell").
Thru this exam period i have learnt to TRUST GOD. well his ways are way beyond our understanding, no man can ever comprehend. As i was sitting for one of my papers, i kept talking to God "wah how man God, i cannt even do 3 out of the 4 questions, how? seriously tell me how?" then instantly the word "TRUST" was flashing in front of me. i then laid my head on the table and teared cause i didnt know how to trust God, i wasn't able to cause it really seemed impossible. i just said a short prayer then continued doing the paper. i still dont know how i fared for the paper but I got to trust God.

okay on a lighter note (hope i did bored you! sorry)
I AM IN ESSR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God has his timing for everything :) ( God has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecc 3:11)
i got so much to learn from each and everyone of you! May God use me to bless and build his little temples! :)

i am really glad that matthew has started attending SR! And to hear him sing the songs that has been lead during SR is amazing! it has always been my desire to hear my dad say "As for me and my house we re gonna serve the LORD!" My family, we used to attend fcbc when i was a LITTLE temple,only till my parents stopped attending. they have nt been attending church since i was pri5. well i dont know if they have backslided cause i know they still have God is their hearts. It has always been and will always be my desire to see my family serving God.

oh no i think i am have blogged too much, hee sorry my fist blog entry too excited!
okie take care everyone! Yan quan's debut on sunday!!! (whoo hoo! would be keeping ya in my prayers!)

Let us dance for the Lord!!!

2005-04-12T12:33:00.000+08:00

Just to add on what Lydia has shared regarding jumping and praising the Lord.
I still remembered the day when I first accepted the Lord as my Saviour, I did not dare to lift my hands, jump etc in praising the Lord. I find it so hard to even raise my hands half way. However, in the later part of my walk with the Lord, the Lord impressed upon my heart and taught me that there is NO RESTRICTION in PRAISING & WORSHIPPING HIM. I learnt about it when I was attending Superkids Kedah and Pastor Clarine Chun always emphasized that we should be “GOD CONSCIOUS and NOT MAN CONSCIOUS ”. The other time was while I was attending one of the Festival of Praise by Hillsongs. I joined their choir and was required to do some actions for a few songs, songs like “This is how we overcome” etc... After the event, my heart overflowed with joy and I felt so good. I realized that there is really NO RESTRICTION on how we want to praise the Lord. We can dance, kneel, lift our hands, jump etc.
Since then, I would love to praise and worship Him by lifting my hands, jumping up and down, dancing etc. Just like what Lydia has said, it is the joy and the passion the Lord has placed in our hearts which stirred us up to praise and worship Him with no restriction. Hence, I really thank God for giving me this privilege to be able to worship him.
Let us continue to love the Lord and praise Him with our hearts, souls and mind. Let us dance for the Lord!!!!

2005-04-10T23:35:00.000+08:00

GOtcha! ok off to mugging now....

2005-04-10T23:34:00.000+08:00

Oh this is a funny pic! lOOK AT TIMOTHY! super amused by the 'pilgrim' in the foreground....

2005-04-10T23:33:00.001+08:00

"wert?"

2005-04-10T23:33:00.000+08:00

Little IMP!!!! But quite a shuai/seh pose siah... a valuable picture of him without a cheeky grin on his face...

2005-04-10T23:32:00.000+08:00

AHHHHH!!!! bui tahan!! the cheeks so pinchable...

2005-04-10T23:31:00.000+08:00

Gong xi gong xi...

2005-04-10T23:30:00.000+08:00

Oie why you kick my Bottle???

2005-04-10T23:24:00.001+08:00

Faith... growing up real quick...

2005-04-10T23:24:00.000+08:00

Easter SUnday with the little kids... =)

2005-04-10T23:23:00.000+08:00

SOlid ROCK~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~! Eh where's nana and Asta?? they left early.... I'll see if i can superimpose them into this pic someday..when my exams are over. HAHa...

2005-04-10T23:22:00.000+08:00

Yanquan practicing juggling with his mouth becuz his knee is busted....

2005-04-10T23:21:00.000+08:00

Frances crying because the food was simply tooo ..... HOT.

2005-04-10T23:20:00.000+08:00

Steamboat... SIO AH Sio AH!!!!

And Then I Lifted My hands...because OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!

2005-04-10T19:01:00.000+08:00

Hey people!! I'm in mugging furore now but since i can spend time going out to eat with my parents going out to eat with my friends going down to church to chup in the practice i'm sure i could leave an entry!!! I seriously am lagging behind in revision because i've been giving alot of time to other things and hoping God will provide. Haha.. BUt i still have to put in my part of the effort eh? SO do keep me in ya prayers ok? Oh and Helena too!!! After having that fabulous steamboat with us that night... she still had a test the next day and well Hahahahaha... SHe "FEi-lou-ed" the test! SO! FROM NOW! NO more gatherings until everyone finishes all the tests and exams! (ALthough i think this is a vicious cycle... we finish already then somebody else will start... siannnnnnn) SO also keep helena and her tests in your prayers!!

Today i wanna blog about SUnday Worship in Main Service! Maybe helena should blog about it too ... haha. Well, its been a while since i last went to main service eh.. and the last time i was there ... I was suppressing the urge to jump so much i think if anyone came along with a pin and poked me arse i would have exploded!

So today, i went and i told myself, "I'm gonna praise him today with every part of my body man..." But well, i was also worried for nana cuz she looked super stressed out. Our dearest nana... being full of faith and passion had chosen a whole range of HILLSONG songs! (WOOOOhooooo~~!!) but the music team was pretty stressed up and practice on saturday ended with helena feeling that she needed GOd more than ever (hha issit?)

What i'm trying to say is.. it think there must have been a purpose for everything. I can't put it all down here in words... maybe we could talk about it in our next gathering( when...?) But i guess, if i hadn't witnessed the practice and sensed the stress helena was going under... i might not have the courage to step out today and just praise him with all he had given me. I would still be confined to that space behind my seat, clapping my hands. Suppressing the joy and the need to just jump it all off with all passion. I guess, other than that passion, that joy, the catalyst reason that made me do what i did, was the fact that i wanted to give helena the support she needed. ANd so! I stepped out of my seat and joined ENG KWANG at the "forbidden area" in the front and started praising him like the way i wanted to. THe way we used to as kids... the way yanquan, I, Joel used to just give our all.

I can remember to clearly, it was... the millenium year. At the mother church in marine parade... and all the churches had come together. Eng Kwang was the worship leader that night. To show our support, we jumped like never before to songs like "all things are possible". If anyone had looked at us that night, they would have asked "which church are these vibrant youths from?". Really, those were the days. ANd never once have i forgotten events like this. THey remind me about what i can do, and hence i constantly ask myself why i'm not doing it now. Issit because of peer pressure?

I remember Aunty HOlan once said during Sunday school(when i was still a solid rocker. oh but we weren't solid rockers. we were just called children. haha) She said "be God-concious, not man-concious". This sentence has been imprinted in my heart ever since but as i grew up and grappled with issues that bogged me down in life... i realise its getting harder and harder to be "god-concious" and not "man-concious".

But what i did today has re-ignited that fire in me. Jumping may seem cliche... some people think jumping is only for BIBLE CAMPS, some people think you're just jumping for the sake of jumping. But jumping is a simple way of expressing the joy that's in your heart and the thanks you want to give to him. Jumping in front of the kids seem different from jumping with the adults, because you haven't tried. But the moment you jump. You'll realise. ITs the same.

From the mouths of babies comes ordained praise... If you come to him child like and jumping like nobody's business... then i suppose... That's ordained praise. SO i THank GOd for re-igniting the fire in me by giving me so many reasons to jump for the LOrd today! THank you GOD for HElena!!

Let's jump the good jump! WIll you JUMP wiTH MEEEE~~~!???

Broken things

2005-04-02T02:23:00.000+08:00

Few unbroken lives in this world are useful to God. Few men and women can fulfill their hopes and plans without some interruption and disappointment along the way.

But man's disappointments are often God's appointments, and the things we believe are tragedies may be the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace. We have but to follow these lives to the end to see that people who have been broken become better and more effective Christians than if they had carried out all their own plans and purposes.

Are you, my friend, being broken today? Has the dearest thing in your life been torn away? Then remember that if you could see the purpose of it all from God's standpoint, you would praise the Lord.

The best things that come to us are not those that accrue from having our way, but by letting God have His way. Though the way of testing and trial and sorrow often seems hard and cruel, it is the way of God's love and in the end will be the best for us.

Remember, we have the Lord's promise: "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). —M. R. De Haan, M.D.

Then trust in God through all thy days;
Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;
Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,
Sometime, sometime, we'll understand. —Cornelius

( This is the article on daily bread for 1st april ... it so applies to me ... GOD speaks !!! )

Worst day of my life ... but yet able to strengthen my faith in him

2005-04-01T14:26:00.000+08:00

Hi ... i jus got home from exams ... really depressed ... i forgot all my formulas for my last paper and i'm stuck with a almost blank answer script .. haiz ... i ask god .. .wat did i do wrong to deserve this ... cause it was suppose to be my stronger subjects yet i'm most likely gonna fail this module ... but at times of need ... my friend shawniee from NCC came ard .. .and asked me to read Psalms 91 .... its really touching .... thankz shawniee and thank god ... i guess in times of need god's word really comforts my heart man ... though failing my module is still a needle in my heart ... guys ... in times or tribulation read PSALMS 91 !!! god is good .... i love u JESUS !!!!

Happy BURfday MEL!!!!!!

2005-03-26T10:30:00.000+08:00

EVerything aside.... Its mel's birthday today people!!!!!

HAPPY 21ST YOU CUTE BUBBLY FULL OF ZEST THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy happy 21st birthday!!!!!

2005-03-26T03:18:00.000+08:00

Life has been super duper challenging since the beginning of the month. I still remember that I was super worried before I started my new work. Not knowing what to expect and who I will meet in the new environment. However, I really thank God for being there for me and bringing me through the last 3 weeks. If not for God, I dun think I can progress so smoothly in my new job. I want to thank God for all of you too. If not for all of your encouragement and support, I dun think I can make it this far. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE FOR ME!!! THANK YOU!!!!

“The human spirit soars with hope when lifted by an encouraging word.”
Quoted from the “Daily Bread”

2005-03-24T22:15:00.000+08:00

Our very own Hang ten and Giordano kid models...

Konnichiwa from Japan Wong

2005-03-24T14:05:00.000+08:00

once again.. we r revolving around the topic. who joins? or rather who can join? well my stand stays - wanna join, juz join lah. Dont u pple miss the days when we could start serving as children, without all these red tape, all these mechanism in the way? I miss days when things were simpler, when troubles were less, when serving was serving and not trying to get thru the channel which permits you to serve. Not saying that all these proper channels and bridges are wrong, but i mean, they can be do without. who can tell u, you are not fit or not spiritually well grown enough to serve? How fit you are depends on yr relationship with God, not on how others see what kind of relationship u have with God. But of coz, serving itself is not easy. its a struggle, its a challenage. For myself, with all these years of serving, I can say I have grown through serving, but it was also worn me down many a times. but no doubt, it has bought me much much joy and happiness in God. So Sujun and Jesse and Mel, WELCOME TO ESSR!!! tis is my official welcome to you guys!!!!!!!!! *high five* and to those we really wanna serve in ESSR, hang in there, fight for it!!! With open arms we await u!!! anyway i miss ESSR. sigh. i miss church!

just another little something to share with u guys. since i've started flying, things haven really been all smooth sailing n all... in fact times had been hard. maybe last month or few weeks back, i was really really down. n i mean down.. like i could juz sit on my hotel bed and cry myself to sleep, or juz stare into space blankly. A life of a stewardess is really not all about shopping, eating, flying and sleeping, although it always seems to be. so many emotional ups and downs. stress on the flgihts n stuff. Sigh. but thank God, i'm over it!!!!!!! tt very day, when i was at my lowest, darkest, i surrenderred all to God again, and re-committed everything, my life, my worries, my problems into His hands... and suddenly, just so magically, i felt better... like a thousand tons of weight taken off my shoulders. I really thank God. God is good!! then i took out the purpose driven life to read... n the chapter tt day was that... all the challenges, problems we face so often, are tests that God gives us. I really felt closer to God after tt whole saga... of coz i cut short the long saga here. I have faith in God, I trust God! He never fails. I love God! i love u guys too!! take care ... see all of u soon!!!

Ha Ha

2005-03-24T01:31:00.000+08:00

Seriously ... if she would do tat for me ... i'll be super happy !!! tat means i mean something to her .. ok back to business ... i'll be tip top the next time round !!! i cant wait for new ppl man ... we are severely overworked !!!! # hints # well ... i love being overworked ... well kids have been in our lifes man since i dont know when ... well i only know tat ESSR LOVES JESUS AND KIDS !!!! well ... to whomever coming in ... its gonna be a ride of ur life ... anyway diya !!! ur demo hor ... last part u sound constipated like trying to force something out like tat !!! ha ha !!!

ESSR? who and why?

2005-03-23T23:55:00.000+08:00

So who can be part of ESSR? I'd love for unrestricted ranting now on this blog but i realised that this blog is read by not just the people in SOlid rock but people who wanna join us in this area. So i'll try to be as mindful as i can.

We've had this talk many times. Till now, i still don't really understand what we're waiting for. All i can see now, is that our older generation is getting really tired. We need to move up and take on some of their responsibilities with pride and JOY. I pride my membership/fellowship in ESSR because i think you people are the lovelies in my world of stress. The people i never fail to turn to whenever i have any sort of a problem. I can tell you from the bottom of my heart that you guys know every part of me inside out. The good, the ugly and the bad. I tell you all stuff from studies to friendship to relationship problems. You know how you sometimes only tell some friends things to do with this realm of your life and then other friends this other part of your life. Well no, i tell you kiddos everything! YOu are my FARMEELEE! bUT since you are my family must forgive me for being blunt or anything.

Yanquan... please take good care of yourself. I was looking forward to worship leading with you for a long time. I was just waiting. When you fell sick on sunday i was really disappointed. Maybe in fact, a little angry. Week in week out i tell you to please take good care of yourself. Breaking a leg may be a little reckless and possibly 99% SUAY. but going somewhere(duno where la) to do dunno wad without getting sleep for 48 hours is just plain RECKLESS. and that dashed my hopes of worship leading with you(NOT that there aren't any more chances) But what i'm trying to say is.. if its the kids you want to look after, you've got to start by treasuring your own health first!! You really worry us, and that's because you're really more than just a brother to us. ok that sounds wrong. You're a brother. A friend. A bosom brother friend(SEkali ai wo bie zou come and whack me).

Ok now back to the ESSR problem. so the first basic question is

Who wants to join.
oh i know a handful and the first person that comes to my mind now is MARILYN (who inspired me to start writing this because really i'm kinda confused myself too). And of course mel fel, jesse, suqun and... josiah? jeremiah? Well i remember esther telling me that they approached her, which i gather is the main reason they were with us and the lil imps last sunday.

Second question,
What must they do to join?
Wait to be approached? Approach? Wait for the ESSR briefing that is to be conducted to the youths?
I'm sorry i confused marilyn when i said "where art thou?" cause it wasn't something she saw that was within her reach. So thats why now i'm opening this question to the floor to see if we can discuss and find out what they should do to join.

Final question,
SO are they official YET?
Jesse, suqun, mel... are they officially part of us? BEACAUSE ARGGGGGHHHH I CAN'T WAIT LA!!!!!!!! went through the motto liao... but are they confirmed plus chop plus signature plus thumb print plus eye rectinal scan an ESSR-IAN yet?

Yes now i see the need for bridges. BUt now. I don't see the bridges? I just see a whole mess of them. I have no idea which one to tell marilyn to cross. Am i the only one confused because i wasn't a bridge crosser before?

I see this as my biggest fault. Not being able to fully understand the workings of the bridges... beacuse of my long term absense that resulted from sheer childishness/immaturity. but. do enlighten me people... post post post. THere's gonna some time when this will be empty. Exam are coming up. do post more entries so i can read them and resurrect my brain cells... take care you all ... and to end off... lemme sing you all a song..

~~~ Have i told you lately... THAT I LOVE YOU. ~~~~

SORRY !!!!

2005-03-21T18:08:00.000+08:00

Sorry man ... i must say i havent been looking after my health for a long time ... so i'm really really at fault for being sick on sunday !!! sorry man ... i know u guys are waiting to see how i'll do on my debut ... !!!! jus gotta wait longer lor ... he he ... Ok ... so wat are we goin to do for Solidrock alive ??? and sujun and jesse confirm in liaoz is it ?? well ... time for us to open up the click to jesse and sujun liaoz ...

And then the blog resurrects from the dead... IT LIVES!!!!

2005-03-21T08:15:00.000+08:00

Following ZHen's entry here's mine! Early in the morning at 8.18am while my dad is doing last minute bathing in the toilet.(My class is at 8.30am)

Actually i'm always updating my blog... Just that sometimes when i want to blog on the SR blog. I find it harder cuz some things overlap... Yeah. BUt anyway i really haven't been up to date with my QT. its really funny how i can have such a squeezy schedule and it always seems like i have no time. BUt i'm sure i have time. its just that it passes me by before i know it. GOsh. I'm gonna be 20 this year so i better start making full use of the time God has given me on earth.

BTW people we have new ESSR members coming in!!! Yesterday we had a short chat with Jesse, Suqun and Mel! IT was great! More people coming in to join us in service for the GOD of wonders and the Children on monkey land! Marilyn... where art thou? Well, I'm actually not much older than the people in ESSR. Let's see... i think... Leb leb is the youngest right? THinking back, its beeen so many years. I remember the first time i worship led, was when i was about 8 years old. I even had the cordless mic attached to my belt then. AUnty holan was the worship leader and all i was in charge of was to lead ONE song. ROMANS 16:19 SAYS!!! that one song changed my life. HAha. That's 11 years ago. I started on the drums 12 years ago... I must say i don't have any basic training and i am definitely NOT GOOD. Its tough sometimes because you don't have the proper skills to execute the proper moves and if you ask me i really do prefer singing to drumming. BUt it's only in drumming that i realise how much i need God and the holy spirit to just come and work THROUGH ME. I go to every main service drumming session with FEAR, fear that my sticks would fly while drumming, miss a beat, miss a clash, play too fast. BUt i always commit it to him and i would receive peace... and also the PASSION, the DESIRE to just give my all to him!

Our church needs a revolution!(think pokka) We need to face the challenges, young people have got to step up! THe "old" people in our church have been giving their all for so long! I'm full of respect for them(tha includes esther and helena! and all the teachers... even though i always bully esther and helena... its outta respect. haha is that believable?) I know how it feels to be unworthy, to think you're not good enough. Well, i've realised you'll never be good enough. I Have so much to share about not being good enough but we'll leave it for another day i suppose... cuz my dad's about done with bathing. haha.

You'll never be good enough but you'll have to keep improving and working on yourself. Sometimes you're tired and all... but you've got to push yourself to still give your all and thats when things happen! SO Yizhen! I'm sure even though it was last minute studying, you gave your all!! Don't worry bout it! We'll P.U.S.H for you! Take care!

my entry...

2005-03-21T00:12:00.000+08:00

as promised i'm going to blog for the second time only i think... so paiseh... no matter how tired i m frm walking today, i'm going to blog... haha....

just to share something with u guys.... MY EXAMS ARE OVER.... as in finish liao.... haha... Oops... sorry.... but i'm really glad tat it's all over... really stretch myself alot for the past 2 weeks forcing myself to study... i was rather worried for myself cos i wasn't really motivated to study even when the exam is coming like in the next few dayz...

i think i prayed more than i had in the past... cos i was lost... i believe tat God (my daddy in heaven) heard all my prayers.... cos i was toking to him even more during this exam period n i felt good.... every morning when i wakes up i will say greet him gd morning... n while i study i will pray for him to give me strength n concentration to push on.... n while i take a rest i pray that i would not forget wat i studied n memorised.... this time round my exam schedule was really packed cos all my papers were back to back almost... imagine i had 4 papers in a week... one on each day... it's like i'm taking exam every day... i was kinda stressed up cos i simply had too little time to study stuffs that i covered for the past 15 weeks... n the tips tat my lecturers gave were kinda useless (it was as gd as not giving us tips... there was still plenty to study)...

i really pushed myself while i study.... kinda was forcing all the information into my tiny brain tat feels as if it was bursting.... n on many occasions i just stone there while i study.... tat was kinda bad... cos i felt lost... didn't noe wat to do next... prayers works though... it was like something tat gave me sudden urge to study n press on....

n for the whole examination... the song "i love u my jesus my lord" just ring in my brains.... i would start singing it while i study n each time the song would kinda calm me down.... n i really felt comforted... i think singing praise to God can be a gd way to realx n praise God.... it works for me though... heehee....

i noe i m so so long winded... but i just gonna praise God for being with me through this super tough semester.... n not to forget the exams as well... i was sharing during cell today that for the first time ever i felt so calm before entering the exam hall... i really thank God for that cos by keeping myself calm, it helps me to remember things n think better....

but i must really admit tat i studied abit too last minute.... i should hav started studying earlier... there are always time... the prob is how u handle them... i should learn how to maximise every minute n every second of my life manz... i didn't really complete studying everything with the short interval between 2 papers.... but i thank God allowing me to spend quality time in my studies n he showed me how to study intelligently (i believe that God was giving me hints on wat was going to come out... n i studied well for them...).... though not all that i studied came out... but all glory to god cos i was able to complete most questions within the time given...

i did my part by studying.... i went in in faith hoping God would be there to prompt me when i'm in doubt.... he would be there to guide n protect me from any harm.... he was there i believe... there rite beside me... my results will come out on the 6th of april... if i'm going to do well this time round... it's all God's glory..... if results weren't really gd.... all glory to God because he had allow this to happen for me to learn n grow...

i donno how things will go for me but just to encourage all those that hav yet to take their exams.... prayers really changes things... dun hesistate to tok to god abit every little thing.... be faithful n pray earnestly... let God lead u through this exam period or any difficult times...

god bless!

2005-02-01T23:06:00.000+08:00

The 3 Musketeers

2005-02-01T23:01:00.000+08:00

Happy family!!!!

2005-02-01T22:46:00.000+08:00

Jesus is our Superhero!!!

ONE

2005-01-17T10:50:00.000+08:00

Hi all, though I really dunno where to start, but I will try to put my thoughts down as well as I can in this long-dued blog. Well, I guess yesterday's environment(the blaring music and the bright shopping lights and the CROWD at J8 was just so overwhelming!haha) was not that conducive for sharing and I basically just wanted to share about being "ONE" and didn't expect myself to just ramble on about how the adults are turning cold and blah blah blah... but after doing some reflections myself, I realise that even the youths...the kids...can turn cold easily! ya? Especially when we start to lose track of our walk with God? A confession to make: I belief during the course of going through this 'coldness', I find myself turning COLD too! When I feel discouraged over what I hear or some discouraging words from others, I kept telling myself, forget it, just switch off, dun care about those insensitive pple, and I just complained and complained and whined, without realising that my heart was also turning cold and I am beginning to sound angry and resentment was just building up! Thank God, He revealed it to me and helped me through that down time.

Anyway, I just wanna say that being ONE is really not that difficult(well, not that easy as well). And I think we are truly on the right track, encouraging one another, praying for one another, loving one another, sharing our thoughts with one another(even our love lifes! ;-) holding on together in this ministry. We are ONE in the bond of love, the love that Jesus so sacrificially given to us on the cross that we are all called to be His children and be ONE!

As a last note, I also want to remind all of us(including myself) that no matter how distinct and different our ministries are:Adults, youths, children. We are ONE as a church. So I encourage all of you to also extend your warmth and oneness towards the adults and the youths as well.

As we look forward to the new batch of ESSRs, let's remember that we are also to set a good role model for them. So that they can feel the oneness of the Lord in us. And remember, like Lydia shared about her mom's experience: The tongue is like a two-edged sword, therefore, let your Words speak love, and truth. I love you all. I really do!

Jehovah Shammah!!!!

2005-01-12T15:51:00.000+08:00

2005 is a brand new year, a brand new beginning for everyone of us… every year is special and different but there is one thing that remains; The love of God. God’s love for us is everlasting for He is the same yesterday, today and forever!!! AMEN!!! Isn’t that an encouragement for all of us… things, people of the world may change but God remains faithful!!!! Hallelujah!!!!

Life is filled with many ups and downs…but through it all.. God is with us for He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who never leaves nor forsakes us. The following is the lyrics of one of my favourite songs and this song always encourage and remind me of God’s faithfulness and divine love for us:

Through it all
You’re forever in my life
You see me through all seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

Chorus:
I’ll sing to You Lord A hyme of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I’m carried in everlasting arms
You’ll never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah…Hallelujah

**********************************
If anyone of you feel discouraged, look to Him for encouragement, help and hope
(Psalm 42:5)
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.”

(Psalm 46:1)
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”

Remember God is someone who remembers you and I, and a God who is faithful all the time. In Isaiah 49:15, it says “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I (God ) will not forget you!!! :)

2005-01-12T01:28:00.000+08:00

Hey guys! Its been such a long time since i posted anything here.. I"m so ashamed of myself! Anyway its great to be back! But i have to say that the three weeks spent in cambodia was an experience of a lifetime! I can't say i've come back with new year resolutions to save the world and rid the world of evil or whatever... all i can say is that i'm ready for more such trips. I'm ready for whatever may come in my path for the years to come and i strongly encourage all the ESSR peeps to just give yourself and those people out there a chance by going for one of such trips.

I made alot of friends and i almost made myself a boyfriend haha... but well things happened a little too quickly and things changed drastically when we came back. So i've been through a little rough patch but its nothing our god cannot fix right?? And going to cambodia has made me realise how small our problems can be as compared to the others out there. Like a kid in the village whose parents left them with 5000 Reals(which is equivalent to 1.25 US dollars) and then headed out to work in the city. He has to worry about where his next meal is coming from for him and his two sisters and on the second day... he had already spent 2000 reals. God knows when his parents will finally be coming back! But what amazed me was the innocence of this young boy.... he willingly gave his little sister 500 Reals to buy ice balls! WHen that 500 reals could just be what he needs to keep the family going for one more day!

And we met a 19 year old prostitute who came from the village in search of a job in the city. She couldn't find one and hence ended up being a sex slave earning a fixed salary of 25 Us dollars a month and tips that might come with each customer. The money she earns now goes to putting her younger brother through school and her parents have no idea that she is in this line of profession. Her dream is to save up 200 US dollars and set up a small business somewhere back home. She has been working for 2 years and up till now she has zero savings... because she says that whenever someone falls ill at home... that's where the money goes. Imagine living a life wondering when you'll ever be able to accumulate 200 US dollars. FOr many of us... 200 US dollars is the cost of our ipod... or in my case... my MD player.

On my last day in Siem Reap i also visited a massage parlour(that was highly indecent). I walked in and i found myself in a room with a "fishbowl". A "fishbowl" is basically a part of the room that is partitioned of by a glass pane. And behind this glass pane sits prostitutes with number tags on them in neat rows.... I couldn't stop my jaw from falling and did nothing to pull it back up. FYI my jaw dropped not because they were pretty or anything but because i've never seen anything like that before... WOmen as commodities. All made up and wearing skimpy clothes and definitely not looking very cheerful....

ANd you know over there i had an entire afternoon to slack in this posh cafe called Blue pumpkin that has a long sofa which you can just sleep on.... I spent my afternoon thinking through what i want my life to revolve around. Still got so many doubts in life that i need god to intervene in.. and its just so hard to put a finger on how i'm going to do that. But maybe you all can do what i did... Just think about God as the centre of your life and how the other things link up to this... For me it was mainly CHurch, Studies, Love. HAha... but many others as well! SO hmmm.. maybe some of you can share? haha.. alrite... super late now... Gotta sleep! Nitey nites!

~tHe PuRpoSe dRiveN cHurcH~

2004-12-09T23:41:00.000+08:00

~tHe PuRpoSe dRiveN cHurcH~
Hello all... This is my first time blogging... And I don't really know how... I hope this is the correct way... Anyway, just want to testify how 'the amazing journey' was really a great experience for me... It was really a time whereby I got to know the kids better and to interact with them... Our kids are so CUTE! every single one of them... The first surprising thing that I heard was amanda saying, "wow, you have such long hair, i wished i have hair like yours" to stephanie... I didn't know amanda being so cool could say that... Throughout the whole camp, I got to see the different perspective of kids... Which was really nice... Also, wanna commend diya on the praise n worship... If you all didn't know, I actually cried on the last night... I don't know why also... even during the praise, I already had tears in my eyes... Then during the worship, I literally became a tap... Went to the toilet n it stopped... Then when I came back, the 'tap' flowed again... It was a really touching experience for me... I think I really enjoy worshipping with the kids... I feel that their innocence n child-like faith is something that we can all learn from... I felt that many times, the grown ups think too much during worship... Or maybe its just me... Like, whats happening around us, the music, the PA system... the key of the song... etc... Once again, I think that 'the amazing journey' is a success... Well done all... May the following camps just keep on getting better... God Bless!

All the best guys!! have a blasted and BLESSED camp!!

2004-12-04T01:04:00.000+08:00

hey all... actually wad i wanna say is, have a blast at the camp!! its juz two days away.. and i can feel all the excitment going on here!! to all of u, 'otsukaresama desu', means 'xin ku le' for all the preparations etc etc! i feel so proud tt the ESSR is mainly in charge, and that im part of ESSR, but then also sad that tis year im not invovled at all.. :( it feels strange for me not to be involved in children's camp since im invovled in some way or another every year.. :( nmind.. next year ok? :P to the two towkays, fran and dia, JIA YOU!!! duno whether u guys have time to see tis or not, since u all will be staying over in chancery tom nite! i'll try to join u guys if i can!!! n JW, r u incharge of food this year? hmm... can hear my stomach rumbling oredi! well anyway, i'll keep u guys and the whole camp in prayer and will also try to come on sunday! I believe that God will do something special in camp this year, as He does every year!

also, would like to thank u guys for yr prayers during the time i was in Japan, bracing typhoons, earthquakes and tough cat-fights. its all over!! im glad. but pls still keep in prayer ok? every take off and every landing is still quite scary for me.. duno y.

and lastly, I miss church so much!!! i miss serving in music ministry! i miss serving in Solid Rock!! I miss everyone at church!!! Sigh. How. 15 months bond. so long. after that, I'LL BE BACK!

love u all!

2004-12-01T00:13:00.000+08:00

okie... it's just dayz before the actual children's camp... this year's camp is solely planned by the ESSRs... it's so exciting manz... cos i think the game ideas were great n i believe tat it would be great too... i could see lots of effort made by the 2 towkeys... haha.... n the rest of the team... ganbette... now is the peak periods manz... take care guys... make sure u all drink lotsa water n slp well at nite....

God in our daily life!!!

2004-11-26T16:25:00.000+08:00

Dear all, have not blogged for quite sometime.. I do remember that we have to blog consistently but I have some difficulty in putting it in words form.. have told Esther that I’m not a expressive person and I’m not good in expressing my feelings in words. However, I will do my very best to blog as often as I can..
Well.. I really want to thank God for another job interview I went, will need to attend another one. If this coming one is successful, most probably I will get the job.. so just have to commit it to God. Praise the Lord too for the weekend trip we had with the kids. Personally, I learnt as I serve the little ones and the villagers there. In the beginning, I did not know how to interact with them etc but after that God just gave me the courage to speak to the children although I only know their names and “chantek” (nice). It was a valuable experience for me.. is like a prelude for me before the Cambodia trip.
During the last session we had in the children church, we really had a good time with the kids, singing, playing and worshipping together. Despite our language barriers, God has blessed us a wonderful time. Indeed there is no division in Christ Jesus, for we are all children of the Almighty God. Even though we do not know each other, we were able to worship and pray together.. Isn’t it wonderful..I still remember while I was praying for the kids, my tears just flowed… I just felt that there is so little I can bless the kids with and at that moment the only thing I can blessed them is a simple prayer. Praying that God will take care of them and guide them to grow up and be young men and women of God; that they will be the light of the world to the people around them.

AmeN!...we are so blessed.....

2004-11-16T10:45:00.000+08:00

yes! ...wow...esther u r sooo efficient!...blogged immediately after yesterday's funalicous (fun + delicious) outing! hee....and my arms are aching now.....sobs..think i need to exercise more!!!
and yes Amen to Esther's bloG!

anyways..i was feeling really lethargic and 'sian' this morning...after the long long holiday.. (from last thurs to yest!!).......and so i was literally dragging my feet to work.....but on my 1 hour journey here....i was talking to the Lord on and off throughout the journey and somehow...i felt Him telling me to Give Thanks in all circumstances we are in!......why am I feeling so down? I should be giving thanks for all that He has blessed me with.......a good family....great frens (like u guys of cos!!! :) 'great' is an understatement)....a good education...a stable job.....living in a peaceful and calm country....always having food to eat.......and so many other things that sometimes....we may just take for granted.....We are truly a bunch of pple who are so blessed...and exactly like what esther said....keep counting our blessings!

Stay joyful in the Lord....This is the day..this is the day that the Lord hath made that the Lord hath made! we will rejoice we will rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it! :)

Let's count our blessings!

2004-11-16T08:57:00.000+08:00

Hi guys, haven't blog for a very long time. Yup God is always with us tiding us through our every hurdle. Lydia, your exams are finally over! That's a cause to thank God for! Yesterday's outing was fun(at least I put in my 101% to have fun!), the weather was so fine, we are all sun-bronzed! That is another thing to thank God for! Yizhen though she cannot be with us, she baked us brownies that was out of this world! That's 3 things to thank God for! Though Yilin was not with us, a tree was there for us to imagine that she was...shows how much she is loved..that's 4 things to thank God for. Caleb just celebrated his birthday with so many loving brothers and sisters in Solid Rock..thats 4 things to thank God for...LEB, soon your exams will be over, we are constantly praying for you k?! The children were very well behaved yesterday throughout the trip, that's a reason to thank God too!

See, in God, there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Sometimes we just have to juggle so many things and still keep a "holy" image, that is tough! Ya.. God did tell us to be Holy for He is holy...but God is also a God of grace and mercy. As long as we keep the faith...and keep serving Him, He will give us chance one...especially during exam time and assignment periods or even high season work committments like what France and Isaac may face. Correct?!

I am also very excited about the camp cos this year Lydia and Frances are taking the lead
! Hey, though you never hear much from me, that doesn't mean I am not working for the camp..just wanna assure you guys that I am keeping very close communcations with Helena with regards to the progress and now cracking my brains to think about the session. It will be about Paul's exciting journey. Use it as a guideline to plan the route for the treaure- amazing- survivor-fear factor hunt ok?!

Ok, gotta go now. See you guys around and take care and keep counting God's blessings :-)

2004-11-13T01:03:00.000+08:00

just a pic to remind u of our 'younger' days!!! haha!

2004-11-13T00:50:00.000+08:00

hullo!!!!!.....yilin san it has been a loooong time since we knew each other!!..haha ...
from when u r 13 to now...22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....just wanna thank God for blessing me with such a sister like u.. !!!....lastly once again.....HappIe sweeeet 22nd birthday!!...... (i'm 1 hour late though.. :( pls forgive me... hee hee).....yay! u r coming home soon!...as a certifed JAL stewardess!!! must celebrate when u r back.... Love Ya lotS!! :)

HAppy HAPpy bIrThdAE to Wong YIlin REnee okinawa tokyo haijimemas sayonara SAN!!!!

2004-11-12T01:31:00.001+08:00

Its wong ylin's birthday!!!! and although she's in japan!! the wonder of technology!!! i'm on time to wish her
HAppy birthday!!!!!
Take care and we'll see you back in the sunny tropical island of SIngapore! Really REALLY soon!!!!

2004-11-12T01:31:00.000+08:00

Happy birthday YILIn!!!!!!!!! Happy happy happy birthday!!!!!!

The effects of school related stress on my walk with god

2004-11-04T14:31:00.000+08:00

I haven't been doing QT since Sunday.... which is coming close to a week because of the upcoming exams. I'm feeling really torn between both. THe paper i have tomorrow is supposedly a killer paper... and i'm not moving through it with good progress. All i can say now.. is i'm gonna do my best. and instead of feeling so uptight about it.. maybe. no. I must. I must now bring myself before him and just remember to commit everything into his hands... "Into your hands.. i commit AGAIN with all i am.. for you lord.." funny how we always forget to do it. =) Take care all of you... and i can't wait for my exams to be over. so i can get that fatty boy yanzhi to slim down... teach him some masculine mannerisms(from his female cousin me... ) by making him play basketball. get into some real CHILDREN CAMP BUSINESS , and prepare for JOK fund raising as well.. oooooh my holidays look set to be very eventful. Alright! i'm off to do my much needed QT. oh check this website out... http://www.fractalcow.com/rex/ it has a video that parodies the filipina workers in america. Go on laugh at it... but also understand the reality of it. =)

2004-11-03T20:42:00.000+08:00

HI every1!!!..haven blogged for a long time...*guilty*...will start blogging soon hee hee...miss wong...what happened to u???.....hope ur leg is feeling better now...miss ya lots!!!! :)
and guys!....when shall we have the SR camp meeting?..i'm so excited about the camp!!!....this is gonna be another bang bang camp!! hee hee...yanquan cant make it this sat...hmm..and dia is having her exams starting next week? and caleb is in his midst of his As now...woah...with so many things goin on...shall we think of ideas during any mini free time u may have admist all these busyness and we communicate via email first?...then we can have full force meetings after all these busyness...as suggested by nana!..think tts a great idea...dun wanna u guys to feel so taxed...anyways..keep ur faith strong in e Lord in whatever circumstance u may be in now...simply bcos He is in control! :P

P.S SOrry for misusing the blog ah...cos the msg limited to only 200 words! i very luo suo cannot squeeze everything there hee......

HE will ProVide!!!

2004-10-29T15:36:00.000+08:00

Hmm…as most of you know that I am in the midst of looking for a job. Numbers of resume have been sent out for the past 2 months but no reply till 2 weeks ago and last week. I was so excited when I received my first call for interview from Company A after a long wait.. then I realized the date for the interview fell on the day I was overseas. I checked with the HR personnel whether I could be interviewed on another date. The answer was nope..it would be difficult to arrange as it involved a panel of interviewers. She told me that she would call me if they were unable to find a suitable candidate in the first round of interview. In fact, I called them today.. she said they have found someone for the job.

Last week, I received a call from Company B to go for an interview and I was surprised to receive this call. Reason being my resume was sent out just one week before she called me. I went for the first round of interview and all things went quite smoothly and I was given an assignment to think about for the week while I was away. She said she will call me back and asked me the answers for my assignment. 2 days have passed and no call from Company B yet. I dun think Company B will call me anymore.

Feeling quite lousy after these 2 unsuccessful interview attempts.. However, in the bible it says that God’s ways are always higher than man and His thoughts are always far greater than ours too. Maybe God feels that this is not the right time for me to move out and He wants me to wait patiently for His timing. I always tell our SR children that when you pray, your prayers will not always be answered immediately because God knows what is best for us and when it is the best timing to give it to us. Sometimes the answers may be a NO!

Hmm… I think whatever I shared with the children apply to me now. I just have to wait, trust and believe in Him - Jehovah Jireh our provider who will provide me with the right job.

A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

There are many plans in a man’s heart. Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24
We are often confused by the events around us. Many things we will never understand; others will fall into place in years to come as we look back and see how God was working. This proverb counsels us not to worry if we don’t understand everything as it happens. Instead, we should trust that God knows what He’s doing, even if His timing or design is not clear to us.
(From NKJ Life Application Bible)

The Lord is Fiathful

2004-10-27T09:06:00.000+08:00

Yizhen..just wanna say that I got eyes cannot see Tarzan(Translate to chinese)! You played very well and was extremely composed throughout. I am glad you are finally up as one of the musician! Frances...sud...sud man! now you are the sifu already hor. Good good...you are really our strong pillar :-) YES> Solid Rock do not mind being the training ground for the church, most importantly, we know to put up those who really have the heart and desire to serve. You guys are putting your talents to good use and like the Bible said of the parable of the ten talents.."Well done, my good and faithful servant."! DEEya, good leading and singing last Sunday. You touched many hearts :->

YILIN! Finally hear from you. How are you? God is really giving Japan a good "shake" ya? Did you feel any impact? Is everything ok there? Remember the quake drills...hide under the table and hold on to the legs..something like that...blog whenever you can.

Caleb, hang in there, we are waiting patiently to hear from you. Study hard, ou have our prayers.

hi guys n gals....

2004-10-26T19:59:00.000+08:00

haha... finally i can blog... wohooo.... i'm blogging away now cos i've achieved my call quota for today... praise god! by the way, for ppl who didn't noe, i'm currently attached to a call centre which is situated in my sch... kinda stress sometimes cos we woud get alot of cold calls and scoldings... but nevertheless... i'm enjoying myself here...

just wanna share abt my first time playing the keyboard for solid rock... heehee... okie... now frances is my shi fu... gonna learn alot from her... i really enjoyed myself on sunday... getting to noe the way the musicians plays... hoping to serve again.... ^_^

hi everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2004-10-23T10:25:00.000+08:00

hi everyone... finally get to access this blog site u guys set up... anyway, hows everyone doing? im fine here in japan just that im super tired everyday cos i only sleep 5 hrs a day.. training is hard but fun at the same time... dont worry guys, in the midst of my business, i still try very hard to do quiet time everynight.. so far still so good.. its a amazing feeling that even though im so far, God is still by my side, guiding me and giving me encouragement!!!
take care u guys, i cant use internet so often so maybe the next time i blog will be next 2 weeks!
ill be back before u noe it!!

love u all!

yilin

He's got the whole world in His hands!

2004-10-21T11:13:00.000+08:00

Dear dear frances...I was so so touched after reading your blog! My goosebumps was standing on ends, not because it was a scary story but becase I felt the presence of the Lord through this whole thing and it is just SO AMAZING! You have really exhibited wisdom, courage and strength through it all..I am very impressed! I went on the MSN last night cos I could n't sleep, saw you and Lydia and yanquan online...but guess you were talking to your friend then? The friend who teared?? Through you, God once again received the Glory and I really pray that this friend of yours will eventually turn back to the Lord and love Him with a renewed faith again. Thanks for sharing your story..I enjoyed reading every bit of it and it was very informative. Learnt more about these companies that's out to cheat and destroy others by lying.

Dear dear Lydia.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Like the cap? Its your 19th birthday today, bet you must be having a good time celebrating with your groups of friends?!!! Well, school work is quite a bugger, but it can also be fun if you face them with a positive attitude ya?! Yilin reminded you to call her during your birthday, remember to do that!

Yan Quan, how have you been? Have God's bountiful wisdom dawned on you yet? We are praying for you k? Jia you jia you!

YIZHEN and CALEB..ni men zai na li!! Caleb, saw you with zichao in service that day, good job! Melanie was very glad to see zichao. try to bring him back ok, don't let him slip away!!

Well, as for me, it had been a hectic week of studies(Gotto go mon through to fri). Wondering why part time studies and no work can get so stressed? Its because there is a little 'rascal' at home haha. Thank for all your prayers, Ethan has recovered.

My confession to make is, I only did my QT last night. And the Lord spoke to me in James that Faith without works is dead. Strange how the Bible also said we are saved by grace and not by works?? So do we work or don't work?? Anyway, I hadn't contemplate about this before...but I surely believe that ESSR IS working for the Lord in faith and by His bountiful Grace amen?! Well, just to share with you guys that lately I have really pulled up my socks regarding my couse work, I told myself I must do my best in everything that the Lord placed in my life...so anyways, my classmate approached me last week and asked me shyly if I could type up an assignment for her because she dunno how to use the computer and her husband has no time...my mind was screaming this "HOW CAN I POSSIBLY DO THAT WHEN I HAVE SO MANY MORE ASSIGNMENTS TO TYPE AS YOU(she is taking the diploma course while I am taking the higher level one)???!!" but my mouth said ,"OF COURSE! JUST COMPLETE your write-up EARLY AND I WILL DO IT FOR YOU."

So there it is, faith with 'works' is not dead! Reach out and help those around you who are in need in school and at work. What may seem like an unfair "transaction" to others is worth a lot in the eyes of God. We please God and not men. Remember, we'll become more undignified just for the Lord even it makes us look like 'fools' ya? Well, the point I am trying to drive across is, love your neighbour as yourself, reach out to help...put your faith into action and make a difference in someone's life today, amen?!!! Adios babies! I love this blog :-)