Out of the Blue

This past July has been the longest month I've ever experienced.  Being in charge of recruitment this year, work started for me right from March or so, with trickles of Admin and meetings mounting to peak in July. Freshman Camp, Matriculation Fair, online surveys and CORS Bidding help..things rolled from one thing to another while my energy dissipated uncontrollably.  There were a few nights where I stared at the TV screen, with energy left only to blink my eyes.  On other days, headaches arrested me without warning, leaving me unable to work. Through it, it wasn't merely the work that drained me.  More than that, it included disappointments with students, disagreements with colleagues, personal grunts and wrestling with God about stuff. In the midst of the cauldron of  despair and waiting for July to be over, I heard His tender, unexpected voice.  "Stay close to Me." For a while, things about me seemed to freeze.  My world just blanked abit as...

Reading through the book of Jeremiah now as part of my long overdue goal to finish reading the bible over once, I feel like it is a mirror to the state of my heart in this season of life and ministry. A verse that my eyes roved over and over again for the past few days Jer 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boasts in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practises steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." Pride has been my number one nemesis in life.  As a child, good grades,  popularity and medals grew my head till everything I prided on came tumbling down in JC.  He pulled me down to earth and that began my journey of trusting in Jesus. Seven years has passed since I joined staff.  I entered full time ministry as a kid really,...

Yesterday in church we had Good Friday program for the Sunday School.  The highlight was a 20min showing of movie clip "Narnia Chronicles" followed by group discussions and presentations.  I didn't know if it was a good idea.  But I thought it'd be an interesting way to remember the significance of the cross and resurrection. I thought it turned out alright but I thought what might have made it better were: 1. Prayer - We didn't really pray alot abt it. 2. A pre-listing of similarities for the teachers- to help them as they guide the group discussions. 3. Reflection time- for personal response I realized it is not so easy to engage the 11-18year olds, many of whom are still grappling with identity issues and perhaps their place as kids born in Christian families.  How do they like to be approached?  how to we get responses from them?  I hope I could learn more about how to connect with them.

A few days ago, we celebrated our birthdays in a "picturesque " way.  I've been feeling rather guilty for not really spending time with Qingwen on his birthday (18th) cos I had to be at NUS that day.  Furthermore, I wasn't feeling well and was grouchy that day too, sigh:( But I took leave on the 24th, wanting to celebrate a belated birthday with him and also for myself ha (mine's 25th).  I had this idea of cycling and movie at Pasir Ris Downtown East.  But we got up late, had breakfast at Mac's and lazily and contentedly did QT after that. Movie was up next and we enjoyed "Alice in the Wonderland".  It was really good for me cos I haven't been seeing much since an eye infection a week ago.  Just as we were heading to the park, the dark clouds rolled nearer and nearer till it drizzled.  So we changed plans and headed to IKEA.  We thought at least we could get a mirror to replace the one blown and smashed to bits by the strong wind 2 weeks ago....

I felt like I've just survived 10 days of the new year.  Not in an unhappy way, but with a really grateful heart. We began the first day of 2010 at the crematorium, where Qingwen's uncle was laid to rest.  I did not know him much except that I served him tea at the wedding.  While not very emotional, I was reminded of life's brevity and the need to focus.  After all, we can't be sure how much time we've left in this life. Some days later, I was talking with a good friend on the taxi.  She's pregnant, and we were all excited over her and coming newborn. Of course, she was encouraging me to start a family soon too.  Being a pessimist all my life, I said it is tough to hope.  What if God didn't intend it the way we hope?  Say for childless couples or  couples who've experienced the birth and subsequently death of their children? It might be better not to hope or think about it lest I be disappointed. "Then I think we really need to look no...

In the meantime, we are staying at a rented place in Seng Kang, kindly at a very affordable rate by the landlord, and previously occupied by our colleagues n good friends. God has really given us more than a home, literally.  We've been settling in this place for a few weeks.  I was amazed how we could see the sunrise every morning- it's a free 'visual' alarm by the way- as light pours into the room. One thing that resulted from childhood was an interest to cook.  Not that I'm really good at it, cos I've tasted better dishes.  But it's happy memories whenever I try to put together a meal. Here are some try-outs.  Somehow IKEA plates and bowls make them look nicer I believe.  It really helps when Shop n Save is just downstairs!  (NTUC is still my fav tho;) That's chicken spaghetti.  I haven't actually found a sauce I really like, it's been all bit too sour.  But celery prawn salad balanced it up I hope.   Yong Tau Foo Soup...

Our BTO flat is in the works.  There's nothing except for cranes and the plot is all barricaded.  It somehow feels strange to me that I'm seeing my home eventually in 2012, from nothing literally.