i'm so happy to be posting something abt life lessons i'm learning, though it's not necessary a pleasant process, at least it's a mark of growth and i guess, that's comforting to know. =)
well, as you all know, i just moved into my new place. it was a place my hub and i has been praying for when we were balloting for our place. and we're so thankful when we got it. it was really a miracle... to ballot just once and we got the place we want. have heard from many friends that they've been balloting for a flat for so long and yet they've not gotten a place yet and might have to settle for a walk-in selection instead (which usually is in the new areas like punggol and sengkang). well, not that those places are bad areas but we really wanted somewhere accessible.
and so, we got the place and in our hearts really wanted to use this place to bless our community. 3 days before we got married, PJ and PR and their 12s came down to do a house blessing/dedication. and all of us, including me and K, dedicated this house to the Lord.
finally we got married and we moved in. cleaning the house can really be a chore especially where both of us like our home to be spick and span (did i spell 'spick' correctly?). then there's me... trying to protect our place and 'preserve' it as long as possible. i didn't want to cook coz that'd mean messing up the kitchen... i didn't want to do this and do that coz it would make the place dirty and i simply can't stand dirt!!
then the question came... if people could use our place. well... my initialy answer was a straight NO. and a pretty loud one for that matter. because it's MY house, MY home and for MY use. and i started to be afraid of people who'd start asking if they could use our place for cell activities. coz my answer would be.. it's only for MY cell. *sigh*
then God spoke. in yesterday's sermon abt having compassion and showing grace and love. and a gentle probe in my heart to remind me that we were blessed so that we are empowered to bless.
this was house was indeed dedicated to the Lord. and i guess i'll have to work out the struggles within myself with God. so i guess... it is open for use. but as for how we can go about doing that, well, we'll have to work it out. i'm still very uncomfortable leaving my keys with other people other than our parents of course... but... we'll work that out.... each step, working things out with the Lord too.
opening the place would mean that K and i would have to work doubly hard to keep the place clean. well, i guess God will bless and provide when we walk in obedience. so that's the faith and trust i want to have in God. to know that He'll provide... somehow... so that this not only can be a home and haven for us.. but it can also be a place where He'll be pleased to dwell in such that His work can also be accomplished. we know at the end of the day, it's impossible to out-give God. and we know God is a God of abundance and He will provide in every way.
that's what K and i has set out to acheive... and i just wanna apologise to those whom i've said NO to.
is this a sacrifice? i guess it's a small step and a far cry from sharing in His suffering. but it's a step. so i can only pray that God continue to strengthen my faith and soften my heart.
"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."
Philippians 3:10-11
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:17-18
but as i said, this is just a teeny weeny sacrifice. what can compare to what Christ went through? but it serves as a reminder of obedience and total surrender.
{ Monday, July 24 }
hilo you peoples out there.. just wanna say thanks for being available for my wedding day. it was such a joy seeing you all to share my joy =)
just also wanna especially give thanks to all those who helped out at my wedding.. because of your help i think K and i are probably the most stress-free actual day couple around!! everything flowed so nicely and all hiccups (if any at all) were sorted out. thank you thank you thank you... it was the perfect wedding because of you. really! from the bottom of our hearts...
sorry for not doing pictures yet... as you can see from my blog... i'm not too fond of uploading pictures... but i'll do that when i can. hehe.
on that day, i remember that the events felt so surreal... it's like a dream... though i must say iy is a dream come true.
we just came back from our honeymoon in perth and it was great. very realxing (coz all the shops close at 5 and the skies turn dark at around that time too)... and great sight-seeing. =) perfect place to go if your ideal holiday is just to laze. hehe. well, we enjoyed ourselves and it was a break we truly looked forward too...
and now, back to life. a pretty new one in fact... and things are all falling in place slowly... really thankful to God for all His provisions and His love...
i can really say that God is indeed our provider... not just in monetary terms but also in terms of support, help, advice and encouragement. we managed to liase (hope i spelt it right) with very understanding and helpful staff from all around (except our wine delivery person and our electrical appliance supplier).
as for how's married life? well, i'm sure God's carrying us. and it has been fun so far. still adjusting and getting used to things but am enjoying every bit of it. =)
right now am also wrapping up all the post-wedding stuff... like settling of the bills and stuff like that... which reminds me that i must start returning the stuff that i've borrowed from people... which means more dinners with friends!! yipee! so i'll see you all real soon =)
all honour, praise, glory and thanksgiving to Him. =)
{ Monday, July 10 }