Rain

It has been raining NON-STOP and the clothes are still wet.

Supposed to stop today according to the weather forecast, but i still see dark purplish sky spelling heavy rain across the night. At least, another good sleep to9.

I feel good when i woke up this morning because it was nice to sleep under a nice and cool rainy day. But i won't feel that good if i go to work tomorrow with the same kind of weather like this morning's super uber heavy downpour.

Nevertheless I thank God for a car, so that i won't get that drench or squeeze with people on the public transport.

Lord, i believe that after every rain, there is a rainbow.

After every situation, there is a hope.

All these spell the reality that you are there.

You create the rain and show the rainbow.

You permit the situation and give the hope.

I am sure in the midst of every rain and situation, you work all things good for those who trust in you.

I thank you for being my God.

I thank you for being there.

Sick Again

I am falling sick again. This irritating fever :(

M not sure if it's because of the rain, but i hope i would get better by tomorrow as i will be the service pastor at english service 1.

Lord i entrust my body to you :D

Somehow i wonder, since this rain has been pouring for the last 3 days, is any part of Singapore flooded? The last time round was orchard, now leh?

Haha don't care lah, as long as my house area not flooded can liao (sound selfish hor). Ok phase again, as long as everywhere is not flooded can liao (sound better right). Hope people will not use rain as an excuse not to come church too.

Oh i started doing the first scrap booking card for someone.

Hope it turns out well :D

Alright.

Fever medication takes effect..feeling drowsy..off to bed.

My Desire

My desire is to be a listener.

It is better to be quick in listening but slow in speaking, as He gives us 2 ears and 1 mouth. I shall listen more and talk less :D

Going Home

Alone at the airport, so entertained myself by taking lomo pics, listening to music, watching video, facebooking online and observing people.

Wow saw some korean guys who are quite handsome and fair looking. Nice things are meant to appreciate at, so i think it is ok to admire them for awhile.

Look at the clouds. Makes you seem like floating on them and that song came "i will soar with you above the storms (clouds)". And i started to hum the tune on the plane knowing that He is in control even when things may not flow well.

Lessons

While waiting for mercy at the lobby, i saw the owner of the hotel. Wow, though he is a boss, his humility impressed me. When the security guard opened the door for him, he tapped on his shoulder and said "Have a great day and thank you!" Subsequently, the boss walked to the reception to give instructions, then the phone rang. Seeing his staff busy, he did not hesitate but picked up the phone. He also did not reprimand his staff for not answering the call. Somehow i am quite sure that this man has gained the respect from his staff, who does not care about his position but do what he needs to do at the moment instead of ordering them to do it.

He set the example of humility, where it doesn't matter whether you are the boss or employee, you just serve. He has gained the respect of others, where it has to be earned by setting the example of humility. You want respect? Be humble then.

Lesson 1: When you exhibit humility, you gain respect.

Lesson 2: When you build friendship that has Christ in common, you find treasure.

I thank God for friends here in iloilo and back in spore.

Your friendships have made a difference.

All of you are treasures in my life.

We cannot be always together, but prayers can.

So i am right here praying for you as much as i can.

I will continue to build this treasure where rot and dust cannot destroy it but

last eternally. Truly friends are friends forever, if the Lord is Lord of them :D

Going Back

Going back to iloilo today.

Can't bear to leave serene but 天下有不散之宴席.

But i did have a good time with her.

It's short but qualitative and sweet.

Come to think of it, it is so amazing.

When we were back in spore, we don't interact much.

But right here in bago, we could talk so much.

I will miss her, but i thank God for internet, thank God for technology that keeps us contactable and connectable.

Hey girl, you are loved not only by the King of kings and Lord of lords, but also your sis here. I will keep you in prayers :D

It's warming to see friends meeting you at the other side of the pier when you are all by yourself. If i align it, it's really warming to see Jesus waiting to meet me at the other side when you are facing life all by yourself. Surely His rod and staff are with us. He will comfort and strengthen for He is with us.

I thank God for You.

I thank God for you, my dear friends in iloilo.

Fulfilled

I have a wonderful day on this beautiful sunday.
First..

Preached at ps joe's church on "rejoice in the Lord always" and i thank God for the timely message to the people. I enjoyed the whole process of preaching, as really sensed the anointing and the spiritual hunger of the congregation. He deserves all glory :D

Second..Spent time with serene. WE HAVE A GOOD TIME TOGETHER by having yellow cab pizza lunch, talking anything under the sun, buying the scrapbooking materials and watching movie. I am so glad that i can be here in this season to know this dear sis, whom i am impressed by her willingness and sacrifice :D Keep up the good work, sis! You are not alone.

Really felt so good and fulfilled today. God answers prayers by speaking, moving and empowering. Thank you so much God :D

Feeding Program

Upon arrival, we took 3 ways of transport to reach the purplish mission house.

After getting familiar with its facilities and the team, we played MD before heading off to the feeding program. MD has indeed become an international game of interaction and fellowship.

After that, we had our lunch together. It was simple meal, yet it was yummy :D

It has been awhile since i last went to a feeding program.

Thank God for the opportunity when the Bago team adjusted its timing to afternoon, so that i could join in the ministry.

Thank you team :D

Conclusion: these kids are definitely more sporting and fun-loving than ours back home. Probably it's their environment, where they simply be wild and followed what the leader said. Children should behave as children to demonstrate their innocence, child-likeness and playfulness, but somehow ours have lost that essence. But well, God can still move across cultures, people and environment.

He speaks. He moves. He empowers.

Lord continue to use the feeding program as the channel of connection and evangelism for the Bago team, so that a church may be established in your time.

In your time, you make all things beautiful, so let your kingdom come upon the Sampinit baranguy.

Completed

Completed my whole week of teaching at BTI.

Took many many many photos with the students.

Haha they are so enthu in taking pics by making funny faces, doing different postures and disturbing their teacher. So much fun. Ohhh i am gonna miss you all :D

Come to think of it, this is my 3rd time teaching here (except the 1st batch-can't rem why i didn't come over) and i have learnt alot. Lord, more to come please.

Completed my stay in BCC.

Have been staying here for the whole week.

Haha it was great to stay here as there are many wonderful and fun-loving friends who took good care of me. Thank God for annalyn, mercy, jesse, jj, james and of cos my god daughter ella!!

The times where we played MD together every night..

The times where we ate together (most of the time it's only mercy and me).

The times where we said wow (ella's fav word).

Ohhh i am seriously gonna miss you all.

I don't want to go home :(

Starting my journey to bago city in negros to visit mag and serene.

Going to wake up at 430am to catch the 615am ferry.

Ohhh my gosh i am gonna sleep early today (i wonder if that is possible)

Haha and we just played MD.

Ok time to bed..see you soon serene :D

Fireworks

One of the most exciting things that i experienced in this trip was:

TO SEE LIVE FIREWORKS AND THERE WERE 7 OF THEM!
It was really great to participate in the dinagyang festival and the fireworks were part of it. I am even more thrilled when i took live video on them.
It was such an awesome experience to stand under these beautiful live fireworks.
Though it was a competition, but who cares right?
Though it was raining, but who cares right?
Everyone was immersed and did not bear to leave the scene.
Somehow i was amazed at how man can be that creative to brighten the dark sky with beautiful colours and patterns.
Somehow i thank God for the given creativitiy and talent.

For your info, the above pic is not taken from my camera.

Haha in case you wonder at its outstanding effects.

However, I will upload the live video soon in fb.

Keep a lookout!

Tired

Feel so tired today.

Lord give me strength!

Fire

Fresh in the morning after a good sleep.

Went for a good complimentary breakfast before heading back to the room, praying and preparing myself for the whole week of teaching.

As i sat in the quiet room, i sensed His sweet presence.

He is like the honey in the rock, making me feel loved and comforted that i am not alone. He is with me :D

In the middle of praying, I saw fire burning, people screaming, dark patches remaining. I wondered what that meant.

God then reminded me the story of Elijah and the prophets of baal.

When fire came down and consumed the sacrifices offered by Elijah instead of baal, the prophets screamed in fear. God is that fire where He burns away all impurities, worldly pleasures and ungodly desires. We scream as He takes away those things that are "dear" to us, that consume us. The dark patches speak of the remains of the impurities, confirming that He loves us to remove whatever that is not of Him.

Thank you for speaking on the second day.

I am looking forward for more, God.

An Amazing Ride

16 Jan - heading to iloilo philippines for my "don't-know-how-many-times" trip :D
From hougang home to changi airport. Thank you bro for sending me there in my beloved "bf".
From changi airport to the waiting room. Guess what? i saw very nice flowers inside the terminal, which i never bothered to take notice in the past. Somehow travelling alone makes a difference. You bother to see the "insignificant".

The usual stuff began. Put on seat belt, keep the table stow, pull up the window slide, watch the safety video and then the journey began!
In less than 15 mins, TURBULENCE!!
Wow, that is way too fast but it did. The roller coaster ride was indeed SCARY, making my heart beat even faster. Was my medication with me? Instantly searched for it and was relieved that i put it in the right bag, not in the luggage. Ok was hoping the turbulence would stop and it did. Baby stopped crying, people started to walk around, then announcement came "we will be passing thru another turbulence area, so please return to your seat and tighten your seat belt." Not again!?! I prayed and prayed, singing songs and speaking in tongues. In less than 5 mins, the turbulences ended. Whew!

Everyone was happy. Meal served. Stomach satisfied.
Better go toilet first, in case another episode of roller coaster ride starts again. True enough, IT REALLY STARTED AGAIN!!
What an amazing ride to manila. I am sure the passengers wish that the plane would arrive there very super duper soon. ME TOO!
Thank God the plane touched down safely. Everyone clapped :D
A song rang in my heart "When the oceans rise and thunders roar, i will soar with you above the storm. Father you are King over the flood (turbulence), i will be still and know You're God."

Looking Forward

Looking forward :D

I am leaving for philippines again.

This time, my feel is different.

There is this deep hunger for more of God's presence.

There is this spiritual yearn for more of His direction.

I am looking forward. God, speak :D

i thank God that i pushed back the day of travel to 16.

1. i made it on time to attend the funeral of one of my member's mother, who passed away suddenly. I am thankful that i was there to support.

2. i was able to attend my lovely god daughter's baby shower, who proves to be another beauty of the low family. I am thankful that i was there to take lots of pictures.

I better get back to my packing.

Tomorrow by this time, i will be at iloilo grand dame hotel :D

People Change

If you are happy, do you have someone to share the joy?

If you are sad, do you have a shoulder to cry on?

But many times, it is not you.

But is there a someone or a shoulder?

Even if you have, you find it's no longer the same.

People change.

One moment you feel close to this person, next moment you seem so far from him. Maybe like what people said "人是善变的".

I have learnt to take things easy and accept people as who they are. If they can change, so am i and so are you.

People change, God same.

CHANGE

Many says, I want change

Want change in my time

Want change in my life

I want a change badly

I want change, many say

They pray for a change

They wish for a change

They look for a change

But they will not change

They just wait for change

It never happens to them

It will never ever happen

By mere prayer or wish

It must start from inside

With tons of determination

Change is not so easy

It takes lots of time

So it needs determination

The will to make change

The will to see change

Then only things will change

Then only time will change

Then only life will change

So go and get change

To see the bliss of change

(Kranthi Pothineni)

Pray for Chloe

Dear God

Please watch over chloe and grant her speedy recovery of her heart. You are the one who created this gift of life, so you will not let any harm befall upon her. Whatever that is not of you, remove it from this fragile soul. In her world, grant her the strength and peace to pull through this ordeal. You work for good to those who love you, so she will be the fruit of your goodness.

Thank you!

In your name

amen :D

Diabetes

50% chance of getting diabetes!!

My mum's genealogy has its rich history and she is a patient too.

Thank God for my SIL, who brought the tester and guided her to use it to monitor on the level by herself. She is now at no 9, which is considered as manageable. Once it shoots up to 10, she has to seek hospital treatment. From now onwards, i have to watch her diet and medication.

I did the check and i am at no 6. This is at controllable range, but i cannot take it for granted. My SIL reminded to check my diabetes level constantly, as i have a high risk of contraction. Oh mine! What is happening?

Ok that means from less sugar to NO sugar.

Oh there goes my kopi siew dai to kopi kosong.

Haha hope i can get used to the "new" change.

Dedicated to You

5 mins before 12.

5 mins before 11.1.

Suddenly i remember you, li ling.

You left us in 2004 and tomorrow was your 29th birthday.

You left us with so many sweet memories.

Your smile. your simplicity. your genuineness. your passion.

We miss you my dear friend and sister.

But we know you are in a better place, where there is no more tears, no more pain, no more sickness and no more sadness. The most beautiful thing is you have found the greatest treasure and now in the loving presence of your creator.

Happy birthday li ling!

We love because He first loves us :D

RIP!

Rainy

Today rains super long..since early morning till now! But it is shiok to have the coolness for the whole day and no need to even turn on the fan. A lazy afternoon, yet i was at orchard shopping. To make my trip worthwhile, i brought myself a good pillow and did not need to pay anything for it by redeeming my credit card points. Haha tonight this little head of mine will have a new pillow to rest on and the owner will also have better sleep :D

A small episode happened but a great lesson to learn.

Someone knocked at the door and i opened to see an elderly lady standing there. When she said she wanted to use the toilet, my instant human guard responded to her "who are you?" She claimed to be my neighbor, but i never saw her before.

Then she explained that she was locked out and could not get into the house. Suddenly something checked on me "Elaine you are too cautious! What can she do to you? Rob you? Be a lighthouse!" I knew it!

There are needs and needy people.

But due to our human instinct and guard, we turn them away.

If we could meet those needs, why not?

If God allows them to cross our path, he knows we can.

In fact, no effort is even required yet we can put a smile on someone's face and even on us.

I thank the Holy Spirit for teaching me a precious lesson on this rainy afternoon.

I Wonder

After blogging for so long (i think almost 2 years), i wonder if anyone still reads my blog. Many times i just wonder if i should continue or might as well stop writing. I also wonder if anyone still blogs, since it takes a lot of effort to pen down and blog every now and then. It's a genuine wonder.

Can anyone solve this wonder?

Another wonder is: do people still pursue their dreams or fit into the mould what life expects or pushes them to do?

Recently saw this talent show, where the man went all the way out to create this peacock which will light up with different colours. His purpose is to cheer his immobile wife, whom he has spent the last 20 years with. He wants to see his wife smile. What a simple dream but yet he makes it possible.

Then another couple made their dream come true by performing a dance. Of cos that sounds normal, but the man is without one limp while the lady is without one hand.

It's the spirit of refusing to be moulded into life or disabilities that make dreams come true.

Can anyone solve this wonder?

Well..that is life. Full of wonders!

Yet we have the God of wonders, who never fails to amaze us!

Hooray Sat

Work on Sat?

Ya you are right. I was right there in the quiet office.

Somehow i love it because of the silence and the quietness.

Somehow no one "disturbed" you and you can finish the unfinished work. I could get a couple of things done like writing the feb birthdae cards, finalising the powerpoint slides, cleaning the table and cabinet.

One added bonus: the BCM team was around the vicinity so i could chit chat with some during lunch and post lunch time. Very good feeling to catch up :D

Finally 5pm. Set off to meet my godchildren as i won't be able to go out with them for the next 2 weeks due to the trip.

Thanks to wilson, QY, arnold, chan, van, chris and ant, where we had a good time together dinnering and brisk walking.

They not only played with the kids WILDLY, but also made the sat a hooray day :D

One Week

"On the seventh day of the new year, my true love said to me.."

Yeah its a reality. It's the seventh day.
Have you done anything so far? Or just blur blur went through it?
Some may be facing tremendous testings.
Some may be having mounds of questions.
Some may be making critical decisions.
Some may be treading on the crossroads.
Whatever that may be, God is on your side.
You got to have the David-fighting-goliath spirit, where you can battle against the uncertainty, pain and fear.

Stir that fighting spirit in you.
Like the Korean's slogan, "fighting!"

Hmm..it has been a wonderful week for me.
Welcome a new colleague (great to know another new friend)
Encourage someone (hope you will overcome it soon)
Complete teaching slides (satisfied and now for sermon)
Fellowship over steamboat (great to dress down and relax)

Funny People

Funny people make you just wanna smile.

Funny people make you just wanna relax.

Funny people somehow make your day.

Thank God for you.

Nice Words

Excitement

Do you feel excited on the second day of 2011?

Do you make resolutions? Or sort of give up making them?

Do you find time passes so fast that now is the second day and you have not done anything much?

Well i feel the excitement!

Reason is very simple: I AM GOING TO ILOILO SOON!

Not because i can see my friends again, but i need to get out of this place.

Not because i am tired, but i want a new spiritual breakthrough.

This place is too comfortable.

Once you get comfortable, you won't ask for more.

Though the bible says "contentment is great gain", but that is not the kind of contentment i am looking for. I want more of God but less of others, and that is contentment.

I made this prayer:

"Lord, grant me that spiritual level to experience you as who you are,

to once again revel the greatest miracle and revelation of Christ,

that deep within me, i can say i love you!"

God, make my Iloilo trip a special spiritual encounter with you!

Happy 2011

First thing in 2011: THANK GOD FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY!

So how am i going to spend the first day of the year, on this bright sat?

Yes, i have a date with my godchildren.

I realised that our relationship has grown deeper and many times they would just whisper or declare openly "godma i love you". That really thrilled my heart as i knew the time spent together was precious and not in vain. Thank God for them :D

The 4 of us therefore headed to suntec, to let the kids go wild at toys r us (i tell you they really went crazy esp the 2 younger ones-hopefully i could upload the video on Facebook as may take ages). Then we did something amazing! We explored the art street along esplanade and the kids were so impressed by the 3D pencil drawings. Haha they suggested to bring their colour pencils and crayons to brighten the black and white drawings. Really funnnnnny!

Even a short break at MacDonald could be so fun, when the kids entertained me with the french fries and the nuggets. These kids really make me feel lighter and happier. No wonder, Jesus said "let the children come to me."

Today was a cooling day and God is very good.

When we were in the shelter, the rain poured heavily.

When we were out at the viewing gallery of esplanade, the rain stopped graciously.

When we were heading to the station, the rain poured with few droplets so that we would not get wet.

Somehow i am quite sure God just did that because of the children.

When we were back to the car, the rain poured super heavily.

BUT we did not get that badly wet, except the kids said can wipe droplets on their faces like the windscreen of the car.

Thank God for this beautiful sat and i am going to round it off by spending the remaining one hour with Him :D