Pictures!.
here're some photos from the retreat i came back from..
flag!! since ndp rehearsal ongoing. i think it was the rehearsal where all the p5 students go to
us! at the shore restaurant.. romantic place if you ever wanna go.
here's us again.. think my camera's flash is not strong enough
lyn and liz!! my cell buddy. she's such a gem i tell you. so thoughful and has a heart of gold. i've much to learn from her. you'd say that too if you met her.
shoreline taken from a break water. looks nice eh? nicely unpopulated and clean.
nice blue sky
flag!! since ndp rehearsal ongoing. i think it was the rehearsal where all the p5 students go to
us! at the shore restaurant.. romantic place if you ever wanna go.
here's us again.. think my camera's flash is not strong enough
lyn and liz!! my cell buddy. she's such a gem i tell you. so thoughful and has a heart of gold. i've much to learn from her. you'd say that too if you met her.
shoreline taken from a break water. looks nice eh? nicely unpopulated and clean.
nice blue skyvery memorable retreat. talks on career and relationships. held in nsrcc. reflective, fun. had a good time with everyone present. glad we carved out the time to just be together. the committee was great. God was there and we were blessed.
praise the Lord!!
"I will give a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
{ Wednesday, June 27 }
Dreams.
just came back from my cell retreat yesterday. very rushed time for me since i came back from vietnam on thursday night and i'm off again to cell retreat on friday morning. but the rush was well worth it. was thankful that i could make it at all! since usually my vietnam trips lasts from tues to fris. managed to push this on back by one day, mon to thur.
we had our retreat at the nsrcc chalet and had surprises from SA's fellow brothers in Christ, who came to talk abt work (why on earth we do it) and relationships (bgr kinds, since we're all of "marriagable age" *chuckle*).
it was a very relaxin' retreat... one where we could chill and spend time with one another, play games and chit chat. i remember a few cell groups ago we were sharing how we wanted to spend time with one another, to get to know one another better and that the only factor that prevents from doing so is the lack of time. so it's so nice that we could set this time aside just to enjoying each other's presence.
something i learnt from LG from the talk abt work, that more than it being a curse after the fall of Man, it is also a command from God. this really gives me a new perspective on work as some of you know that i always keep saying how nice it'd be to be a "tai tai" and just doing the things i wanna do. in the bible, before the fall, humans were already working. it only became toil after the introduction of sin into their lives. interesting ain't it? God wanted us to work too.
God not just takes pleasure in us working, but He also takes pleasure in our work... when we do it unto Him and for Him... LG lent us a dvd called chariots of fire. it was filmed in 1981 and has won many awards. it talks abt two men, competing in the olympics in 1920+ but with two different mindsets and intentions. one, just wanted to win... he wanted to proof himself, to himself and to the world. the other is running because he recognises his gift and that when he wins, he's winning it for God, for His glory.
the movie speaks strongly on the mindset we take to work. true, it is a toil.. we feel sian, and sometimes our jobs makes us feel uncertain about the future but God does take pleasure in your work when you do it unto Him and for His glory. God is the God who created everything there is anyway... all the laws of science and patterns of mathematics... and those are the things that we're using in our work to serve the community! what makes one job more worthy than another when God takes pleasure in all.
then came JH who spoke abt relationships... more like sharing his journey and what he drew out of it. though i'm already married, i learnt a lot from him.. abt relating to others abt my journey. many a times i just tell people events... rather than lessons and values that i drew from it.
very insightful, these talks.
that's a summary of what i learnt...
during the retreat... after LG's talk abt work.. i was really thinking abt my job and toying with the idea of changing it. not just the company i'm working in but changing the entire line completely, ie step out of IT. some of you might know that i've been toying around with the idea for quite a while already. so i was sharing with some that i wanna work with children... go into early childhood development... but i was really unwilling because the pay is really low. so i'm unsure.. just unsure...
then we had dinner and as we were walking back to the chalet.. i made a comment abt a dream i had since i was young. i said "my dream will never be realised". so SA asked me what my dream was and i said that i have always always wanted to be a doctor. but i buried the dream long ago when i did badly for my 'A' levels. and it has been buried so long... nearly 10 yrs i would say. and SA and WL said that there could be a chance that my dream can be fulfilled! i was so glad when they were sharing with me abt some routes i could take.. it was so awakening.. i felt hope again.
then i shared with EE and she was encouraging me again that God is a God of second chances. and she shared with me abt some of her dreams and how God led her to fulfill them. amazing.
was talking the one of my girls, NW just before the retreat... timely that i was asking her abt dreams that she might have... and it uncovered some of my old dreams. dreams i had when i was her age. coincidence? i would say it was God's appointed time. felt God asking me to ask her abt her dream... and in doing so, i was blessed as well.
my biggest take away from this retreat is that God is a God of dreams.. He's the dream-maker as well as the dream-fulfiller. and i'm thankful to my church and my cell sisters for believing in my dream.
today though i'm back at work at my desk.. i didn't feel dreariness as i would usually feel on mondays. instead i felt purpose, as God takes delight in my work when i do it unto Him, and i feel hope, that work is not the end.
might try to ask EE how to go abt doing a hospital attachment for a few weeks.. i should explore this...
what's your dream?
we had our retreat at the nsrcc chalet and had surprises from SA's fellow brothers in Christ, who came to talk abt work (why on earth we do it) and relationships (bgr kinds, since we're all of "marriagable age" *chuckle*).
it was a very relaxin' retreat... one where we could chill and spend time with one another, play games and chit chat. i remember a few cell groups ago we were sharing how we wanted to spend time with one another, to get to know one another better and that the only factor that prevents from doing so is the lack of time. so it's so nice that we could set this time aside just to enjoying each other's presence.
something i learnt from LG from the talk abt work, that more than it being a curse after the fall of Man, it is also a command from God. this really gives me a new perspective on work as some of you know that i always keep saying how nice it'd be to be a "tai tai" and just doing the things i wanna do. in the bible, before the fall, humans were already working. it only became toil after the introduction of sin into their lives. interesting ain't it? God wanted us to work too.
God not just takes pleasure in us working, but He also takes pleasure in our work... when we do it unto Him and for Him... LG lent us a dvd called chariots of fire. it was filmed in 1981 and has won many awards. it talks abt two men, competing in the olympics in 1920+ but with two different mindsets and intentions. one, just wanted to win... he wanted to proof himself, to himself and to the world. the other is running because he recognises his gift and that when he wins, he's winning it for God, for His glory.
the movie speaks strongly on the mindset we take to work. true, it is a toil.. we feel sian, and sometimes our jobs makes us feel uncertain about the future but God does take pleasure in your work when you do it unto Him and for His glory. God is the God who created everything there is anyway... all the laws of science and patterns of mathematics... and those are the things that we're using in our work to serve the community! what makes one job more worthy than another when God takes pleasure in all.
then came JH who spoke abt relationships... more like sharing his journey and what he drew out of it. though i'm already married, i learnt a lot from him.. abt relating to others abt my journey. many a times i just tell people events... rather than lessons and values that i drew from it.
very insightful, these talks.
that's a summary of what i learnt...
during the retreat... after LG's talk abt work.. i was really thinking abt my job and toying with the idea of changing it. not just the company i'm working in but changing the entire line completely, ie step out of IT. some of you might know that i've been toying around with the idea for quite a while already. so i was sharing with some that i wanna work with children... go into early childhood development... but i was really unwilling because the pay is really low. so i'm unsure.. just unsure...
then we had dinner and as we were walking back to the chalet.. i made a comment abt a dream i had since i was young. i said "my dream will never be realised". so SA asked me what my dream was and i said that i have always always wanted to be a doctor. but i buried the dream long ago when i did badly for my 'A' levels. and it has been buried so long... nearly 10 yrs i would say. and SA and WL said that there could be a chance that my dream can be fulfilled! i was so glad when they were sharing with me abt some routes i could take.. it was so awakening.. i felt hope again.
then i shared with EE and she was encouraging me again that God is a God of second chances. and she shared with me abt some of her dreams and how God led her to fulfill them. amazing.
was talking the one of my girls, NW just before the retreat... timely that i was asking her abt dreams that she might have... and it uncovered some of my old dreams. dreams i had when i was her age. coincidence? i would say it was God's appointed time. felt God asking me to ask her abt her dream... and in doing so, i was blessed as well.
my biggest take away from this retreat is that God is a God of dreams.. He's the dream-maker as well as the dream-fulfiller. and i'm thankful to my church and my cell sisters for believing in my dream.
today though i'm back at work at my desk.. i didn't feel dreariness as i would usually feel on mondays. instead i felt purpose, as God takes delight in my work when i do it unto Him, and i feel hope, that work is not the end.
might try to ask EE how to go abt doing a hospital attachment for a few weeks.. i should explore this...
what's your dream?
{ Monday, June 25 }
No Power.
greetings from ho chi minh city (hcmc).
yes, i'm in hcmc for work... was here since yesterday and will return on thursday. but guess what happened today? there's no electrical power in the office.....
so i've to work from my hotel today.
gosh... heard that this happens quite often here... and the different areas in hcmc take turns to go without power. (well, i just hope it doesn't happen to hotels...) and essentially businesses who're affected takes a whole day off. heard that it happens because there's a general shortage of power throughout the country.
why couldn't they inform me earlier you may ask... the thing is, these kinda power outs are usually announced in the papers the day before it happens... but the problem is... no one reads the papers..
right.......
sigh... it happened once during my last trip but not to my office.. it was another shopping area near my office. the traffic lights were out, the street lights were out, shops that're still open are using candles to continue with their business... and the roads were in total chaos. we were stuck at a junction for abt half an hour.
and today, it happened to our office. no day off for me though.. just that i'll be starting work later... after this entry that is...
what an experience.
yes, i'm in hcmc for work... was here since yesterday and will return on thursday. but guess what happened today? there's no electrical power in the office.....
so i've to work from my hotel today.
gosh... heard that this happens quite often here... and the different areas in hcmc take turns to go without power. (well, i just hope it doesn't happen to hotels...) and essentially businesses who're affected takes a whole day off. heard that it happens because there's a general shortage of power throughout the country.
why couldn't they inform me earlier you may ask... the thing is, these kinda power outs are usually announced in the papers the day before it happens... but the problem is... no one reads the papers..
right.......
sigh... it happened once during my last trip but not to my office.. it was another shopping area near my office. the traffic lights were out, the street lights were out, shops that're still open are using candles to continue with their business... and the roads were in total chaos. we were stuck at a junction for abt half an hour.
and today, it happened to our office. no day off for me though.. just that i'll be starting work later... after this entry that is...
what an experience.
{ Tuesday, June 19 }
The Bluez.
been experiencing the blues lately. feeling down and out... and am unsure why.. it's as though all the joy and energy has been zapped out.. what's left seems to be a bleak look into the future ahead.
well, we know that the future ahead is glorious and the future ahead is bright, because our Lord has a plan for us. for most of us, i guess we've heard this often enough and most of us believe it's true. i believe it's true firstly because God's Word says so, and secondly, He loves us and is good. so that can't be untrue. yet, the realisation of this bright future seems so mundane to the human eye.
this is one of my struggles of late. the feelings of 'sian-ness' is really getting a little too heavy to bear.
so i turn to God and ask Him why i feel the way i do and He turns back to say that there is blessing and joy and hope at where i am. i just have to turn back and look at them and give thanks for them.
thanksgiving. it really helps to give thanks. and that's one something i'm learning to adopt. to give thanks with gratfulness in my heart and not grudgingly or with bitterness and buts. thankfulness reminds us of His faithfulness and love.. during times when it seems slow to us that God is speaking, we are reminded that He will.
so here're somethings i always remember to give thank for.. tangible things and answered prayers..
i'm thankful for my husband, that God has so graciously blessed me with
i'm thankful for the home that God has blessed us with
i'm thankful for the financial provision that He has given us
i'm thankful for my job with nearly fixed regular hours and a good pay
i'm thankful for my department where my colleagues are very caring
i'm thankful for my friends who have been there to share my joy and my pain
i'm thankful for my ministry among my kids where God has answered much of my prayers in their lives
well, we know that the future ahead is glorious and the future ahead is bright, because our Lord has a plan for us. for most of us, i guess we've heard this often enough and most of us believe it's true. i believe it's true firstly because God's Word says so, and secondly, He loves us and is good. so that can't be untrue. yet, the realisation of this bright future seems so mundane to the human eye.
this is one of my struggles of late. the feelings of 'sian-ness' is really getting a little too heavy to bear.
so i turn to God and ask Him why i feel the way i do and He turns back to say that there is blessing and joy and hope at where i am. i just have to turn back and look at them and give thanks for them.
thanksgiving. it really helps to give thanks. and that's one something i'm learning to adopt. to give thanks with gratfulness in my heart and not grudgingly or with bitterness and buts. thankfulness reminds us of His faithfulness and love.. during times when it seems slow to us that God is speaking, we are reminded that He will.
so here're somethings i always remember to give thank for.. tangible things and answered prayers..
i'm thankful for my husband, that God has so graciously blessed me with
i'm thankful for the home that God has blessed us with
i'm thankful for the financial provision that He has given us
i'm thankful for my job with nearly fixed regular hours and a good pay
i'm thankful for my department where my colleagues are very caring
i'm thankful for my friends who have been there to share my joy and my pain
i'm thankful for my ministry among my kids where God has answered much of my prayers in their lives
i'm thankful for his healing (you see, i was down with food poisoning and a throat infection over a span of 2 weeks)
i'm thankful to God for His patience and love in constantly reminding me that He loves me
i still remember last sunday when i stepped into hall 9. the sweet presence of the Lord was so strong it brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with so much gladness and gratitude.
now i know why king david sais in his psalm "one thing i ask of the Lord, this is what i seek: that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." psalm 27:4 (NIV)
so i pray i'll always find myself remembering to dwell in the presence of the Lord.. to gaze upon his beauty, seek him and remember his goodness, grace, mercy and love.
do you feel sian today? well, let's start by giving thanks. =)
i'm thankful to God for His patience and love in constantly reminding me that He loves me
i still remember last sunday when i stepped into hall 9. the sweet presence of the Lord was so strong it brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with so much gladness and gratitude.
now i know why king david sais in his psalm "one thing i ask of the Lord, this is what i seek: that i may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." psalm 27:4 (NIV)
so i pray i'll always find myself remembering to dwell in the presence of the Lord.. to gaze upon his beauty, seek him and remember his goodness, grace, mercy and love.
do you feel sian today? well, let's start by giving thanks. =)
all these being said, my 1st year wedding anniversary is coming up...
i thank God for this sweet one year.
{ Friday, June 15 }