A gift...and a sweet thought :)

Met a very dear friend after work today...for shopping therapy =)

We went to PS, had waffle and ice-cream at Gelare...talked for a while, before we embarked on the search for her belated birthday present!

I am really bad with presents, so we figured that the best way was to go out shopping together to get her the gift.

Yeah! We went from shop to shop...walked in and out of shops...looking for a nice pair of earrings. =p We were choosing between 2 pairs which were equally nice and finally decided on one.

I felt really happy when we managed to get her something which she really likes.

What was really sweet was what she said after we got the gift, she said, "Do you know why I chose to get earrings? Cos I thought since I would be away from Singapore for a while, it would be nice to get something which I would put on often so that I would think of the person who bought it" So sweet a thought right? =)

This evening was well-spent.

Happy belated birthday my dear!

Quality time... :)

I love to have time with friends...meeting up with people.

I just can't allow myself to just work, go home and do nothing else. haha. That's me.

After work yesterday, I went to explore CENTRAL at clarke quay...met up with LY for dinner at a Jap restaurant. We had a good time catching up =) After she left to meet her friends, I went to Starbucks by myself, sat down and read a book, my current favourite, titled "The Discipline of Grace"...had a cup of camomile tea before me...that was so enjoyable. Sometimes, I just appreciate spending time with myself.. "Me-time".

Met up with another friend for lunch this after. It turned out to be a pretty timely one. Thank God. =p

=) happy happy!

=) a better day

Just came back from lunch with colleagues. Had some pork ribs kway teow. =p

feeling quite happy today! I wonder why...maybe it's because I gave THE answer to THE question which was somewhat bugging me for a while. Maybe it's because I choose to stop wrestling and just say "Yes" to God and move on... haha...maybe it's because I just ranted non-stop in my journal last night and released all those rubbish inside me...maybe all that made me feel better and a little more in touch with myself. Sometimes, it's just all about getting in-touch with who we really are.

I am very thankful for wg's presence in my life... haha...just very very thankful. And ya.. many people have been asking me lately about married life, cos we are reaching the 1-year mark soon.. haha...and my answer has been "GOOD/GREAT!" God made marriages to be good..although some people like to joke and say "Well, it's first the wedding ring, then suffer-ring!!!" There are ups and downs in marriage definitely, differences to manage etc.. but well, all in all, I would still say that it has been "good".

Quite amused by what's been going on in the lives of some friends... haha! Very very interesting... and that just adds more colours to my life.

Well, I do hope that I will start to be more motivated at work, now that I am feeling better. =)

Photos from G&S wedding and T&T wedding

Questions which I have yet to answer

God's been asking me some very difficult questions I think. Questions which I am still afraid to answer at the moment. Why? I'm not too sure.. but probably due to fears...and I will have to take some time to sort things out.

But I am still thankful for His patience with me. His grace and strength continues to carry me through this difficult seasons. It just proves that God is really good and faithful in all circumstances.

No one can run from God...just like Jonah could not run from what God wanted him to do. Sometimes, we try to deceive ourselves by thinking that we can avoid God...but seriously, can we? haha.. the answer is simple, no. =)

Well, I must say that it's only human to wanna run away from God at times... but what's the point, when finally you'll just miss out on all the good He has planned for you?

It boils down to this, can we always trust Him?

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The recent spate of events and tests have revealed a simple truth to me: that I lack faith in Him and I've got a lot more room grow in faith. He is never done with me! =) haha...

Fun holiday

The public holiday yesterday was well-spent =)

Woke up at 8am in the morning, went to have super super nice wanton noodles with hubby, mummy, daddy and elder sis!

After that, had QT, a short nap (haha =p) and then went to meet JR, his students and the rest for our free movie premiere "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspien"!!!!

The movie was fantastic! I loved it!... The themes in the movie are so meaningful... It's coming out soon! Everyone should go and watch it! Long live Aslan!! =p

After that, hubby, myself, WL and J had dinner, went shopping and finally stopped at Coffee Bean for a good chat! It was plain enjoyable!! It's always wonderful to relax on a holiday.. to chat, eat and have loads of fun!

I think my holiday was really well-spent.

Back to work today...was pretty down in the morning, but thankfully, felt much better after lunch!

Meeting up with HC friends this evening for dinner...looking forward to it! =p

Another beautiful wedding

Yeah! G and S tied the knot yesterday!

We had so much fun helping them throughout the whole day yesterday. More importantly, it was really a meaningful experience to be able to help our dear friends enjoy their BIG day!

Hubby and I went to watch the movie "Made of Honour" the night before. haha =) the funny thing was, we received phonecalls, SMSes during and after the movie regarding the wedding the very next day!

The "fighting for bride" segment was fun! Din do anything really mean to the brothers.. it was just pure fun! haha..S was so impressed when she heard G answering correctly the questions we asked him about her. Wonderful!

The church wedding was beautiful. I worked with a great team of musicians and singers! (Thanks JH, WG, xiaomei, SY and BH!) PTL for His presence with us. I was personally very encouraged. =)

The dinner was great too! Although I started feeling the cold getting to me...ah well..but it was still great! =)

One word to describe the whole day, "BEAUTIFUL".

I am happy for G and S, because it's good to be married and not just that, married to someone who can build a family together based on God's truth. Without God, the very source of unending love, marriage would be incomplete.

Many people ask me whether I was reminded of my own wedding day... haha =) eh, actually, not really.. haha. And as I always say, "What's more important is the life together thereafter =)"

Made a new friend last night

Went to sit long the Singapore River, facing Fullerton Hotel yesterday in the evening... it was "ME and MYSELF time".

Was journalling and reading the bible, suddenly, this indian guy walked over to borrow a pen..then when he returned me the pen, he said something like.."if you need to talk..." haha.. think he thought I was troubled or something. I said "no need" then we returned to our seats.

After some minutes, before I was ready to leave, I prayed and asked God whether I should speak to him a little. Haha.. well, I thought it seemed quite mean to not even say bye before I left...in the end, I sat down beside him and chatted with him for a while. He is from Bangladesh, working in Singapore... but speaks pretty good english (good enough for me to converse for a while)...took the opportunity to share a bit hee hee...

He was happy to have found a new friend...and I told him that my hubby would want to be his friend too! haha! Told hubby about it when I got home yesterday...=) guess we may try building a friendship with him...

Anyway, that was an interesting encounter.

How would I describe my life lately? Different, new, NOT trouble-free, filled with uncertainty and sometimes anxiety. Not an easy road...

But I am still grateful that God gives me strength to pull through each day...

All by His grace, I am still living...

2 Cor 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Those who are more unfortunate...

Met and young man in a nursing home in Malaysia yesterday. He is only 24/25 this year but paralysed from an accident in Singapore sometime last year.

Thank God he is able to communicate and talk like any other person. But he is unable to control his limbs and cannot move on his own.

Had an enjoyable conversation with him, though my heart ached as I heard him share ... though still generally positive and thinking of improving his command of the english language and then move into IT...his paralysis is a huge obstacle to all his dreams.

There are many people like him around us...struggling to survive. Some of them are abandoned and seldom have vistors showing them love and concern.

The visit challenged me to reflect on how much I have been doing for those who are truly in need of love and care.

News about the disasters in Myanmmar and China which have taken the lives of thousands cause me to rethink the meaning and purpose of life. Without being there ourselves, it is hard to sympathise with those who are suffering as a result of the disaster. Many are grieving, mourning, lost, hungry, sick, homeless, poor, mentally and emotionally shocked etc...

What can we do? Give financially and pray.

Am reminded by the song "As bread that is broken"

Many hearts are hungry tonight
Many trapped in darkness
Yearn for the light
So many who are far from home
And many who are lost
O Lord Your wounded children need
The power of Your cross

Chrous:
As bread that is broken
Use our lives
As wine that is poured out
A willing sacrifice
Empower us Father
To share the love of Christ
As bread that is broken Lord
Use our lives

Help us to begin where we are
Help us love the people
Near to our hearts
Then give our faith a mission field
Wherever You may call
Lord love Your world
Through each of us
Until we've touched them all

May our good, merciful and gracious Lord comfort all those who are deep in pain.

In darkness and in pain, His love remains

It's often the hardest to trust God when we are hurt by others or going through a dark season.

Such times easily cause us to doubt His love for us.

"I don't feel God!"
"I don't feel that He loves me!"
"I feel distant from Him!"
"I can't seem to see His hand!"
"Where is God in my pain?"
"Does He still love me?"
"Does He truly care for me?"
.....

I think the biggest lesson that I need to learn, is to trust Him no matter what happens. To trust His heart.

Circumstances will not always be perfect, smooth-going, rosy etc. But one thing we know for sure, His love remains for it's an unfailing love.

Psalm 33:18
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 36:7
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Back in Singapore!

5 of us returned to Singapore yesterday. The rest of the team proceeded to the next location.

Thank God for bringing us back safely.

The trip was good for the following reasons:

1. The weather there makes it feel like air-con everywhere

2. Managed to release stress and catch some rest

3. Had a lot of fun with the rest of the team, especially with YS, Kel, YZ, Jus, Xiaomei and MK!!! Lots of laughter, loads of fun.

4. I witnessed how God used each person on the trip, everyone served with their gifts and talents, no one was dispensable.

5. 26 ripe fruits harvested! Praise the Lord!

6. Interaction with the locals was meaningful

7. Good and cheap food!!

=p I don't regret making the trip at all.

Luke 10:2
He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Back in Singapore now, back to work... got to settle into working life again. =( ah well... there is a time for everything.

photos will be uploaded soon.. i hope =) haha