my fleshly aspiration

With my recurring lower back strain, how am I supposed to be the next Gro/Katja? Or the next Maria Sharapova? Or the sexiest, tonest partner? Or or or...

you get the point. Those two - very sweet. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGqwxtFKi_U&feature=related
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today

school food is really unhealthy. For morning tea, we had one piece of samosa and 2 pieces of sweet unidentifiable pieces of food which I didn't take. For lunch, we had chicken briyani with 2 small chicken wings, so pathetic I got to eat with more curry so it tastes good. And I was not very satisfied with my food so I finished up a bar of Boost given by A. For afternoon tea, there was one deep fried curry puff and an egg sandwich. Aiyo... I didn't have a very good dinner too. I am hungry again. :( Been feeling hungry for the past 4 nights..

I met 36 parents today. So very tiring.. Talking to people is tiring, but fulfilling. So many stories to hear, so many faces to remember.

And so remembering my resolution, I did have a time of solitude with God before I logged on. Hee. I like. But I don't quite get what Judges 11 was telling me. But the commentary helped.

The Ephraimites had the same quarrel with Jephthah as with Gideon. Pride was at the bottom of the quarrel; only by that comes contention. It is ill to fasten names of reproach upon persons or countries, as is common, especially upon those under outward disadvantages. It often occasions quarrels that prove of ill consequence, as it did here. No contentions are so bitter as those between brethren or rivals for honour. What need we have to watch and pray against evil tempers! May the Lord incline all his people to follow after things which make for peace!

We have here a short account of three more of the judges of Israel. The happiest life of individuals, and the happiest state of society, is that which affords the fewest remarkable events. To live in credit and quiet, to be peacefully useful to those around us, to possess a clear conscience; but, above all, and without which nothing can avail, to enjoy communion with God our Saviour while we live, and to die at peace with God and man, form the substance of all that a wise man can desire.

Amen! :)

I am at C's place. Staying over so will be orientated with her doggie. My nose is runny because she's puffing away. I am now hiding in the room chatting on msn. But i can still smell the smoke. Do dogs die faster from passive smoking too?
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signs?

I dunno if those were signs. I am always quite hesitant to say for sure the signs are from God unless it seemed really so.. but no harm keeping my options open.

So I was thinking about taking a break for a year as I had written a few posts before. And I have been praying, my prayer group has been praying, my ex prayer buddy prays too, and others.. And one of the options is to give tuition to supplement my fixed expenditure.

Yesterday, for the first time, G msned me to tell me she sent me an email regarding tuition assignments. I kinda ignored that because I wasn't very keen on taking any assignments this year and not at all willing to pay the agency 50% of my first month's pay.

As if He knows my thoughts, today, while I was crossing the road, a neighbour offered her brolly ( It was drizzling) and she sort of hinted about her 2 kids needing tuition after she found out that I was a teacher. I took the cue and told her that if she was interested, I could do that next year if I have the blessings of my P to resign at the end of this year. She was quite eager and asked me to contact her when I am ready. (she stays one level above me-and I was thinking.. so nice. 1 minute travelling time)

And during CG tonight, I received an sms from my old friend asking me if I wanted to give tuition to a P5 girl staying at CCK.

3 tuition offers in 2 days. Coincidence or not? Not sure. Wait for more confirmed signs.

The sign, however, that I follow is this: When someone whom I do not speak to much/ have not spoken to for a long time initiates conversation(like long lost friends or people I have a hi bye relationship with), it is avenue for ministry. Teehee.

off topic. I think cash advances from credit cards are a great idea. hehe.. I just got 75 dollars off my total bill from the new Prudential Stan Chart Credit Card. Another officer called today offering another 3 Prudential Stan Chart Credit Cards. Basically, I have 10% rebate off anything I charge to the card up to the maximum rebate of $300 in the next 2 months. Yes. Free Cash with 3 years waiver of the membership fee. God is so good hor.

off off topic: I am hungry.
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copied from my friend's blog. Thanks S.

CHASING CHARIOTS



And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Acts 8:29


Have you ever been at your job. or at your desk at school. or doing chores at home, slugging through yet another day and found yourself thinking, "What real difference is my life making, anyway?"

It is very easy to fall into the rut where you draw your breath. and draw your salary. and go through the motions of life but lose the meaning and purpose of your existence on this earth. And what is that meaning and purpose? To chase chariots. Chasing chariots makes life EXCITING and brings GREAT JOY!

PHILIP'S CHARIOT STORY

Philip, a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3), was called of God to go to a desert road and join himself to a chariot that was traveling from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Although it must have sounded like a strange request to Philip, he obeyed God and ended up leading a "big shot" (a court official and treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia), to faith in Jesus Christ. What a great story and a great lesson for you and me!

Why are we left here on this earth after receiving Christ as Savior and Lord? Why doesn't God just take us to heaven immediately and deliver us from the sin, sickness, and depravity that surround us? We are left here to let our light shine for Christ and to tell others about Jesus, "the way, and the truth, and the life." As the Bible says, "How shall they (lost people) hear without a preacher?" God wants that preacher to be you! It is amazing the difference you and I can make in the lives of hurting, hopeless people as we point them to Jesus through our life AND through our lips.

MY CHARIOT STORY

Just this week, I was eating at a restaurant. When the food came, I asked my waitress, a young woman in her twenties, if I could pray for anything in her life when I prayed over my lunch. Her answer floored me. She said, "Yes. Pray for me. Last summer I lost two children. My two year-old drowned, and a month later, my two month-old died of SIDS." My heart broke as I saw the great hurt in her eyes.

While it may not have been appropriate in a restaurant setting, I got up and gave her a big hug. I prayed for her, gave her a 500% tip, and asked her to come by the church so we could talk with her. She came by the next day, and our women's minister and I talked to her, cared for her, prayed for her and, best of all, led her to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord. It brings tears to my eyes to think how God used one simple question - "Is there anything I can pray about for you" - to make an eternal difference in her life.

Regardless of what challenges or difficulties I may have been facing this week, nothing could compare to the joy and excitement I felt knowing God used me to show His love and grace to a young lady who was really hurting and in need of Him.

THE BIG QUESTION?

Will you start chasing chariots for Christ? Will you let your light shine and your lips loose to share the good news of love, forgiveness and life in Jesus? There are opportunities all around us if we will pray and obey.

My friend, Dr. Paige Patterson of Southwestern Seminary, challenged our church to pray three things each day. I would like to challenge you to the same:

1. God give me an opportunity today to tell someone about Jesus.
2. God help me be aware of it when that opportunity comes.
3. God give me courage to open my mouth when that opportunity is before me.

My friend, I truly believe Jesus is coming very soon. May we be found faithful to the main assignment He gave us to do: "Go and make disciples of all the nations."
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i just received an sms from my CGL asking if I received his email. I checked all my accounts and didn't see anything.

I returned the text message and he replied. " I spoke to Pastor KK about it and he suggested a meet up with him and a female staff, when would you be available?"

Bleah. I am scared.

Hmm.. so should I meet up with the pastor or not? Pray first.. Please keep me in prayer. THanks.

And I am wondering how come the email didn't come through.. hmm.. interesting..
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blessings in abundance!

wham bang! I love hearing prayers being answered! :) God is good, all the time!

Just had 2 hours of rather intensive badminton sessions with the sayoni gals. It was a great workout. My arms felt a lil weak though. Had dinner at Mr Prata next door. I had the not-so guilty naan with masala chicken. But I also had the MIlo Dinosaur.. Evil.... There were 8 of us playing badminton then 2 of them had to leave for another gathering leaving a cosy 6 at Mr Prata. Good conversation till I had to pick my sister from town.

Lilia is back in Philippines for 2 weeks starting from yesterday. This kind of brings the family closer together. We had to consider one another's needs and try not to inconvenience one another especially our temporary domestic helper, my sister who's paid $150 to do basic chores for these two weeks. All is well.. I shared about God with my mum when I was driving her home from her dance lesson one day. Actually, I was praying before I fetched her, and guess what, she was the one who initiated the conversation by saying that one of her students attend Covenant and had asked her to go to church. I am getting more excited because I sense the time is coming.. Whee! Got to persist in praying for my parents' and my sister's salvation.

I came out to A. Phew! I was wondering how I would ever do that given her very narrow mindset.. but having received a bouquet of flowers from the sweetheart @ work, and having her know about it, I let her read the words on the card, which was a very sweet poem and led her into knowing that my partner is a female.. and the rest of the story follows. I am actually very thankful that her reaction is rather neutral though she did say that she feels sad for me and my parents because she's a parent herself and wouldn't want her son to turn out gay. We had a good conversation and I am so glad I came out to her! She's my best friend @ work.

I feel @ peace and that is good. Now time to sleep to be ready for the very busy day tomorrow!
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plans for 2010

I am thinking about resigning at the end of the year.

I am not complaining about the workload nor the work per pay. I am completely happy with that.

I have just come to a stage where I need to rest from the routine of 630 to 4p.m. work day, engaging the kids, handling projects, kids' problems, marking, etc etc etc. Lots of other extras that come along from time to time.

What would I do? I am still praying if this would be my last year. Praying hard for God to show me what is good.

My preference?

That I be doing part-time teaching. teaching just 7 hours a week of English to my kids whom I was supposed to follow up to P6. THe amount I get from the part-time teaching should pay for my fixed expenditure.

I can take the time to really get into the word of God. Maybe attending selected classes from ETC @ Covenant.

I can spend more time with each and everyone of the gals in PLUSH, giving more time to share and listen, growing with and encouraging each other. I enjoy staying on in church every Sunday to fellowship, to get to know the new gals better, to catch up with the ones older in church, doing follow ups..

I can spend more time @ home with my brother taking his O levels next year.

I can spend more time blogging about what God has taught me and my reflections and many random thoughts that comes when I am freer.

However, if the school can get another teacher for the kids, then I can quit completely to take a one year break, then I can spend 5 weeks taking my foot reflexology and full body massage cert from MY FOOT.

I just need to give tuition to 4 students (12.5 hours a week) to cover my fixed expenditure.

And I can also finally go for the Hillsongs Conference in July.

And the sweetheart is also thinking of a 3 month something to somewhere.

It is man who plans but God directs the path.. God, please direct!

Prov 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Prov 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
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Who/What are the gods in our lives?

Repeatedly, God saves His people and delivers them but repeatedly, they worshipped other idols. This sentence from Judges Chpt 10 was very jarring " Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress." And did they?

They can't. Our God is the only true God who has the power and authority to save and deliver us.

Who/What are the gods in our lives? Pray and ask God to help us put Him first in everything.

Judges 10:11-14

"Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.”
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I had bubble tea today!

And it's yummy!

Anywayz, while driving to FCC, one hand on my steering wheel and the other holding the Bubble Tea cup, I thought about the guy selling books at the corner of church for his Dad, who is SKS's owner.. I bought my 5th bible for the year from him. Someone seems to need a bible every other month! Anywayz, he attended FCC once but I never saw him again. The last time I saw him was when I was with the sweetheart and I introduced her as my partner. He said he was waiting for his friend too.

I was thinking then, maybe, just maybe, that maybe why some gay men don't get into relationships, preferring flings instead might be due to the reconciliation issue. Getting into a gay relationship would seem like a worse sin to them than just doing it once and repenting? So hazardous to think that way.

So.. had half of my thith on hand after Covenant Service and was contemplating using part of it to buy the bible before giving the rest in FCC. I was bargaining with God: Afterall, it's also part of giving to you right?

Why did I think that way? It was becuase I felt the pinch spending MY share of the money on buying the bible. I felt rebuked on the spot and yeh.. it's not my money. It's God's money. I need wisdom and discernment to know the difference between being legalistic and justififying, negotiating based on my ways and wants.

Honestly, doing follow up for N and M helps me in my own personal journey with God. For N, I am amazed at her simplicity; her simplicity in the way she views life and the way she lives her life. She earns a fifth of what I earn, yet she's not complaining. She's contented with her lot. I want to learn to simplify my life like her, and be contented with my lot. With M, the conversations we have, the sharing we do makes me realise how important to train to live life with an alert and self-controlled spirit, that what I would share and say would be credible because I had gone before her in that area of life.
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today's spiritual food

it is really true what my churchmate says.. once you have experienced Covenant's leaders' preaching, it's hard to find another preaching of that standard that fills you as much. I am almost always ministered when I go back to Covenant. THank God it is only 2 months in a year that I can't attend Covenant. Ah well, I can always get the audio cd, but it's kinda different.

In Covenant, Pastor Kai preached on the spirit of complaining using Numbers chapter 13 today. A few lessons that I took home:

What happens when we complain? We are actually dismissing God's power for us. We have already heard, and not just heard, we have experienced miracles of God, yet we still fail to realise that whatever happens, Jehovah is still God. When we complain, we are saying to God that we think He cannot work through people whom we complain about, that He cannot work through situations and circumstances. Don't belittle God. He is the same God who created Heaven and Earth. When more is given, more is expected. I have always understood that when God gives you more, He expects you to give more in service in return. Today, I realised that it's also when God gives you more, He expects you to be more patient, more perservering, etc etc.

WHen we complain, we also mislead God's people with us. This is so true especially when one is a leader at church. There are people looking up to them. And the complaining spirit is very contagious, when one is leading a flock young in faith, they might just think that is the attitude to handle matters. When things go wrong, complain. We are to bear in mind that there will always be GIANTS in the land, but it is also a good land. Look at God's track record. When we complain about our leaders in particular, we are actually undermining God's leaders. I like the reminder that Pastor said that they are imperfect humans too, and that the leaders in chruch requires our prayer more than anything else.

WHen we complain, we miss God's destiny for us. We need to have a GIANT vision, a GOD vision, not a grasshopper's vision. It is not what's the problem but who's the problem.

Gary was also preaching about something similar @ FCC. COOL.

Had a great lunch with F and later S. Good catch up. Good sharing.

had coffee with S @ Polo Club. That was a great catch up too. Lovely Sunday

Now to prepare for cousin's wedding.
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sunday blog

I had been having quite a bit of things on my plate, and my heart has been a little unsettled from a combination of all these things overwhelming me. Thankfully, The worship sessions helped set my eyes on Jesus' finished work on the cross and God assured me through the sermons so I felt at peace.

I sounded my P out about part-time teaching, and it has not been positive because I am neither, married, pregnant or have kids. I was just thinking today, that I really enjoy talking to people in church, catching up with people, doing follow up during the weekends, preparing for CG, reading reading, worshipping God, practising the guitar.. All these though encouraged me spiritually, however, these more often than not makes me physically, mentally and sometimes emotionally tired and I end up not being able to give 100% @ work. I want to take a break because I don't think it's good testimony to produce sub-standard work. I want to take a break when I am doing well @ work. I was just imagining taking half the teaching load, which of course comes with half pay, but I could pretty survive that for a year, and how I would be able to spend more time with people.

I commit this issue to the LOrd. I am still praying. Still not quite sure what next year holds. But I will know it when the Lord gives and when He speaks. I am getting more acquainted with the peace that the Lord gives of late.
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so sweet...

i read online declarations of one friend's love to another... quite touching especially when I know the both of them..

falling in love is such a beautiful process..

they can entertain me for a bit for now though of course, I wish for them for the honeymoon stage to last forever..

A friend told me just yesterday, " you will know it when the honeymoon stage is over."

that is so depressing.

why can't people fall in love and remain in love?
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books galore

I finally finished Driven by Eternity and was planning to start on Transformation (in the marketplace)- by Ed Silvoso, a book given to me by my DGL many moons ago. Yes, he was the guy who was the speaker at the conference @ Expo organised by Love Singapore Churches the day where the AWARE EGM was supposed to be held. I never got past the 2nd chapter. I am still at the second chapter now.

The sweetheart and I walked into the library and in the process of picking up the books she wanted, she chanced upon Since You Asked - The best of Salon.com's by Cary Tennis. I had originally taken a look @ his site because she had shared it with me. He's supposed to be the Aunt Agony in his column which appears @ Salon.com. I browsed through a few entries, and his response to people's problems really tickled me. A good source of entertainment for now. I really appreciate our differences more and more. There is so much to learn from each other it's never boring :) Before getting together, although we both kinda felt complete as individuals ( though I dun have the gift of celibacy.. YES IT"S A GIFT OF GOD), it's nice how we fill up each other's gaps.

I need to pick up a copy of the book written by the National Council of Churches soon. My ex CGL was telling me it was not by coincidence that he picked it up from his colleague's desk yesterday before he knew that he had to speak to me. He said he was reading this section on homosexuality. After he graduated as a civil engineer, he had worked with campus crusade, then gone for ETC @ COvenant, went on staff for 2 years or so, and now is teaching secondary kids christian education. His gift is in teaching, and I am a bit hesitant about talking theology with him regarding this issue. But I trust that God will see us through.. he's gentle enough, his questions non- pointing, his response non-discriminating.. but we shall see..

Am supposed to read Joy Luck Club by next Wednesday as one of the books chosen for the level teachers. Bleah. I will prolly read the summary instead. I vaguely remembered the story. I think I read this book when I was in JC??

So many books, so little time.....
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rants

just finished marking, and while waiting for my sister (who refused to give me a lift to bt timah on her way to town) to finish showering, I decided to pen down my thoughts for today.

I am feeling very lethargic and figure that it's prolly PMS. I did something which is out of character today. I do not teach Math, but for common marking, every teacher in P5 have to be down to help one another mark the papers for the level. Usually, after finishing our own lot, we would help those who have not finished. Today, A decided that she needed to go off and asked if I wanted to walk back with her. I would normally stay on to help till everyone had finished but my eyes were feeling tired, so I told the setter and my head of level(HOL) that I had finished my marking and had to go ( it was about 445p.m.). My HOL didn't seem too pleased, but i didn't really have the energy to care. I hope that my assertiveness wouldn't come only when I am tired. That is so the wrong way to handle things. I guess it is better for the assertive character when he/she is able to be in control when making a stand. For example, when initiating a breakup, it is more believable if someone is calm and collected than someone who's hysterical and screaming, " I want a breakup!!!".

I don't know where these thoughts are leading to but yeh. sometimes, I just think too much.

my ex CGL spoke to me last night.. till 1a.m. I came out to him, and we prolly would meet up to talk more during the June hols. The tagged photos of the Sayoni Camp outed me to another ex CG member and she felt it was an area of concern because somehow, she knew about Sayoni(though she's married and straight as an arrow). I am disturbed when she didn't come to me first. Sigh. So sad.

I always try to remind myself to first go to the person I have issues with/ have something to clarify before turning to others. Usually, I would share with my partner first, not so to gossip, but because I needed support and advice. I try to follow what the bible says..

Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

I have not taken 1 or 2 along though. Normally, if someone is not receptive, I just lift the situation up to God. SO many lessons to learn. What would I be missing out if I were not a child of God.. hmm...
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A good leader....

walks the talk... so that they can talk the walk.

At least, try.
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True love originates from the heart

When we love, we will be patient and kind with others.

We will not envy others' success because it wil be our passion to see them win.
We will never boast of ourselves and refrain from all haughtiness and pride.
We will not demand our own way.
We will not be irritable because of our impatient attitude.
We will keep no record of when we have been wronged but choose to forgive and release any debts.
We will never smile upon injustice, but our passion will be for mercy and truth.
We will never give up on people or lose faith and we will always hope and believe the best.
We will always see others innocent unless proven guilty, and even when then we will remain hopeful for repentance and restoration.
We will be full of hope and endure any hardship for the benefit of the kingdom or another's well-being.

Bottom Line: We will live for the godly edification of others, which is only found in their conformity to Christ and fulfilling His will in their lives.

Driven by Eternity - John Bevere Pg 252
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Meditation for the day

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalms 51:15-17
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and what I learnt from Covenant

It was a Mother's Day message, but GOd still spoke through the message. I am reminded that when things go wrong, when people go wrong, when everyone and everything seems to be stepping on your feet, think about the change you can bring about in yourself instead of being upset and wanting to change the whole world. Why do we even dismiss the fact that God wants to deal with our hearts, our attitudes and change us to be more like Him everyday?

yeh.. change myself, change my thoughts, change the way I feel, because God knows, God cares, God is in control, and God knows what is best.
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Yay! *to the power of 4*

I don't remember ever enjoying J's message as much as I did today. I enjoyed her sharing on what spirituality means to her.

What does spirituality mean to me?

Spirituality to me is a connection with God. Not just an intangible feel good kind of presence, but a life of experiences with Him, a life of insights and revelations from Him which could either be beneficial to myself or to the people around me. And how do I get these experiences, insights and revelations? From spending time with Him in worship, in prayer, from the bible, and the testimonies and sharing of His people.

But that's not the end.. Spirituality to me is also the change that God brings about from within me through what I have gone through with Him and used all that to bring this sense of presence to those around me. Inward growth, outward action. Yeh.. that's what spirituality means to me.
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yay! yay! Yay!

played 2 hours of badminton. Solid! Well.. not 2 hours, but at least 1 hour intensive. My butt aches, my legs ache, my arms are weak. I am so glad I don't have to work tomorrow. :)
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Yay! Again!

met J's mainstream churchmates. Good folks they are. But I was a bit too tired to be too hyped up and entertain. But the company was just comfortable enough. And I had durians!. Yipee!
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yay!

yay! God is so good. I get to dog sit for the entire holidays of June. Guess I am not going away! Save money! :) Happy. A prayer answered.
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God is awesome!!

I was so desperately soaking in food from church today, spiritual food that is. Just one week. I crave the Lord's presence during worship, during sermon in Covenant, and I think the time of worship and consecration @ Covenant helped me to worship almost immediately at FCC. Hmm.. The point I am reminded about is to prepare my heart before service to worship God so I can reap its fullest benefit.

Will blog somemore once I get 5 scripts marked. 32 to go!
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back to the heart of worship

"only you, you died to set me free..

Now I'm yours for all eternity.."

(NCC)

nothing to prove

I had a revelation yesterday..

I don't have to show that I am right, that if things are as my gut feelings have told me and that I am open to changing that which is wrong in me, everything will be in the light in due time, without me having to do anything at all. I have to learn this lesson.. that there is nothing to prove. It's so difficult though, not to want to prove myself right.

If possible, if there is enough grace to give, let the one with more grace to give be the one who takes the lead in humbling oneself to protect the welfare of the other.

This is the second time this has happened. And I think the lesson will stick with me from now on. All I need to is to remember that God sees my heart.
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Song of the morning..

Stand - Hillsong

http://www.imeem.com/people/M1pvzG/music/FLvVcDml/hillsong-united-the-stand-acoustic/?rel=1

You stood before creation
Forever within Your hand
You spoke our life into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
My life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
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lee lala

my sister decorated the car key with a hanging rainbow coloured kinda keychain. She took the idea from her old friend (whom I suspect isn't straight). Heh. I like. So loud and out and I am not the one who put it on. :) Maybe she's testing me..

My brother fell down and had a few stitches just above his eyes. He fell sick after me, and my domestic helper after him. Bleah. I was highly infectious.

The rascal who stole 3 calculators and 1 electronic dictionary from 3 students in my class finally admitted to the crime... He threw them into the toilet bowl and they were covered with shit. I bought 3 calculators for them to use, thinking they will never find the culprit. Now, I am going to get back $60. Yipee! THe poor parent will have to pay $60 for the 3 calculators and $150 for the electronic dictionary. Irritating student. But I think the parent is prolly to be blamed too.

I am still waiting for my $111 claim for the netball refereeing to come in. And I have $20 to claim from my 2 trips to the doctor last month. And the $44 bucks from RSP. Wah.. suddenly the world looks a bit brighter. hehe.. That's 111 + 60 + 44 + 20 = $235! My pocket money for the month! hehe.

I couldn't get to sleep last night! Might be the chinese tea from the crystal jade dinner with my family, but I was still thinking about the S trip and all that had happened. It was eventful and the people were interesting. Post-trip excitement I guess.

I spent quite a bit of the day adding people onto the facebook friends' list and browsing their photos.. So time consuming.

I am learning to lead a more organised life so I can squeeze in more stuff in the limited 24 hours that I have, stuff with value, I hope.
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back from S Camp- M trip

so..... we are back from the sayoni camp. 47 people. Great fun, but most importantly, good time of sharing and ministry.

By the end of the ferry ride, I had gotten to know 9 names and had spoken to one extensively. And at the end of the whole trip, through the sharing during the workshop, through the sharing @ breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, I had gotten to know almost everyone of them and spoken to at least 10 of them beyond the hi-bye kind of conversations.

It was tiring though, because talking to others and understand what they are saying entails an alert spirit to not just hear what they are saying, but to listen to what they are really sharing. I guess with the right questions, people do start talking. and people really talk.. I guess they appreciated that we take the effort to listen to what they have to say.. I guess it must be the prayers ( we had devotions and a short prayer time on both mornings-really like M trip lor).. People just started talking to us about FCC and asking us about FCC. People who talked to us about FCC were the old ones who had been there before. There were 2 people who shared that they had wanted to visit FCC and so we invited them. There were a few who didn't know about FCC and with the level of friendship built, they potentially could be people we could follow up with if we care to take the effort to.

I am especially thankful since knowing about the "tension" between the boss of sayoni with the fcc peeps from way before, that God has been very good to inject lots of grace into our conversations so I think the tenson is soothed. She was friendly to the extent that I had a feeling if I continued talking to her, she would start to volunteer me for something.

All in all, it was a good trip. But I am glad to be back. They are going to send out the contact details of the gals who went for the trip. And I am praying that the ones who will contact us would be the ones whom God has sent to us for one reason or another.

Back to work tomorrow. PHew!
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