Purchased at an Unfair Price

Celebrate Christmas In Orchard Event

2008-12-23T13:14:00.003+08:00

Dear all, some of u have heard about some of us helping out with this event CCIS 2008 Celebrate Christmas In Singapore. We would like to share with you our incredible experience.

First of all, I would want to honor my sister Joy and my brothers, Roy and Tom for their passion in sharing the Christmas story to the public. These guys and girls are incredible! I mean 12 hours of "street evangelism" and giving out flyers to promote the event, walking around orchard road with a keen focus on honoring our Father this Christmas, is something that makes my eyes well in tears, cos I'm really proud of them. They can do anything with their time you know, hang out with friends, rest at home, eat, sleep, play games, esp Joy who came back to help out right after 5 days of Leader Advance, and her unwavering presence of encouragement on the 22nd even though she is too sick to come, but she kept her presence KNOWN to us by her unfailing trail of sms-es, to motivate us and keep us going.

Tom and Roy's NO SWEAT, ALL FOR JESUS attitude was something that I can really really honor on Monday 22nd. They decided not to crowd around the area where most of the CCIS helpers were there. The three of us walked around orchard, looking for 'easy target', tough thugs and youngters around Orchard most notorious smoking corner. My brothers reach out to them with so much love and gentleness. The smokers looked up and nodded at us, instead of driving us away, they listened to us (though some really funny and incongruent responses, ASK ROY TO SHARE haha) . No matter how much rejection we faced, it didn't waver us from our passion. The Christmas in Orchard Road this year had so much hope. I was so amazed that even during this time of economic downturn (it could be our generation of The Great Depression), the Holy Spirit is working so much in our heart of Singapore. Orchard is PRACTICALLY lined with God honoring and Worthy Offering of simple worship of little children singing My Redeemer Lives, women dancing to Still (When the ocean rise and thunder roars, i will soar with you above the storm), these little acts of worship made our heart tougher even to brace the rejection of some public to our message, and trudge forward to the remaining people who needed to hear this message of hope this Christmas. I never felt this sort of spiritual atmosphere in the air in Orchard. (I always felt that Orchard was too much of Consumerism) But God, changed the entire picture to reflect his glory even on the face of the shopaholic sphere. God set the spiritual climate RIGHT for us to preach his love! It was such a perfect combination that day. The entire event was really supported by the POWER OF PRAYERS. I never felt God so moved Singapore in such an awesome way in this time of Christmas.

I felt the one person we impacted the most yesterday was this tissue paper auntie, sitting outside the Hyatt Hotel. Roy said to me, eh, 'Why Don't You Share It With The Auntie Over There?" Roy didnt over looked the less priviledged member of our society, in fact he took notice of them. Then the three of us, Tom, Roy and me, sat down and just talked and listen to the auntie. At first the auntie coyly wanted to drive us away, because she knew we had the intention of sharing the gospel. Then Tom, being as intuition as he is, took the softer approach. He begun to ask questions about the Auntie's family, and the auntie, begun to open up to us. She was telling us how she didn't understand why her 4 children abandoned her after her husband died, and how hard it was to finally lived alone. She was sharing with us her physical illness- her leg. Her leg was so pain that she had so much difficulty standing up. She had to slowly walked to her selling spot everyday from her house in Outram. Which old lady would inconvenient herself with the acute pain in her legs, and come to Orchard, this mad chaotic place, just because she needed to earn her living? Half the time, she was talking in Hokkien so I couldn't understand what she was saying. My brothers really amazed me by their initiative to even go to the extra mile, helping her to pack up her stall, walking her to the taxi stand, waiting for her taxi and paying for her cab fare. And, being her friends. We prayed for her legs. It was probably the first prayer for her legs. I believed, when the next morning comes, if she feels something different, she knows, it's the Lord's doing. I always believe in offering our simple prayer to heal people. After all, healing speaks a million words. I guess my brothers really inspire the many people in orchard to help the unprivileged member of our society like the Tissue Auntie. Many people at the taxi stand was staring at us, as Roy asked a few people in line if they mind giving up their taxi spot for the Auntie. Well done Roy. I believed Tissue Auntie had so much hope inside of her, despite her dire circumstances, is precisely because of people like you. Roy told her something which I felt was something that Tissue Auntie will always remember,

"Auntie, you can take your time, but i hope that you remember that whenever you need help desperately, and we are not here for you, but you can call on Jesus's name, and he will help you. One day, auntie, remember, one day."

I have learnt that we do not need to preach with intelligence. We may be slow in speech, and not quick to react, and sensitive to criticism and rejection, but however, our God is most glorified in our weaknesses. I can really see that as the 4 of us, Joy, Roy, Tom and me, working in a team, as a body, we support one another, complement each strengths and weaknesses in order to do His will. And there was soo much joy and satisfaction of it.

I encourage you to share our gospel of hope to strangers, scary looking as they may seem, but it is God who is working inside of them, not us. We must be willing instrument who, do not focus on ourselves, but put our focus on Jesus!! AMEN?

And for those who are not present, I don't want to disappoint you. But you can still share this gospel of hope to the people around you this Christmas. The spiritual climate is very apt, so make use of this opportunity! Hope to see you all there next year.

Merry Christmas.

2008-10-24T14:45:00.003+08:00

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

or,

Hello?

I can't decide which tone of a hello i should use. :-P

But anyway, here's wishing everyone a pat on the back while chionging towards the end of this semester and to those who are working: Ready to be called out to hang out during the holidays? :-D

sermon

2008-09-16T00:22:00.000+08:00

Ciocolanti's sermon cleared the fogs of my understanding of "being saved". Prior to this, for years I wondered whether it meant being saved from God's wrath (because in revelations it talks about the ending of the world) or saved from hell. That's why Jesus had to be offered as a sacrafice as an offering to God. When I look at my crucifix, I do not have personal feelings for the God-man who died on the cross, rather I see it as a Holy Sacrifice.

I used to have an idea that we were condemned from the moment we were born, and God was our saviour who would take over ourselves before we would eventually lose our lives through deadly sins. Heaven was a place you'll head to if you've kept your faith till the end.

Two nights ago at TCC, we were having a discussion of two cases. A person who does attrorious things in his life, on his death bed annouces he wishes to believe in Jesus Christ. The Second person who is not a worshipper, does things which reveals the qualities of the person: Cleans up after some stranger's dog poo on the staircase, looking after some teenagers whose mother has just passesd away, and they're not really related. The argument was about who was to go to Hell or Heaven.

Ciocalanti solved this misconception of "Believe in Jesus otherwise you will go to hell". He says "
We need Jesus to save us from our sins." His blood frees us from the karmic cycle.

My next question is, can brain damaged and autistic people get saved?I don't think they have much power to even make their own decisions, for the first one none at all.

A note from the working world

2008-09-10T11:10:00.003+08:00

Dropping a note from work. :)Thought give you all a glimpse of work-life. Which like most things, is not all bad or all good.

I'm having a challenging time, as I've taken on new portfolio. I think told some of you before, but in a nutshell, my job function has been changing from publicity/communications to more policy based work. Which is not something I exactly learnt in school. Everything is so cheem I hardly know what I'm doing.

Lesson 1: Don't worry about what content you are studying in school, but what skills you can learn. What you're worrying about, you'll forget once you step into work. Heh. A matter of perspective.

This couple of weeks I felt very demoralised and many times, plain stupid and incompetent. But this morning, objectively thinking it through, I realise that in preparing for some presentation and working out some details, I'm getting a bit more familiar and seeing how I could process the info similar to how I have for another project. Remember my first response to the other project was also 'I can't do it'. But I did.

Lesson 2: The unknown is always terrifying, but when you get accquainted with it, you can only feel better. Give yourself time to try before deciding you can't do it.

I have the weirdest intern, that thinks she can come in as and when she likes. I know she doesn't do it on purpose, and her reasons are half-valid. But to oversleep and wake up at 1.30pm and text me to tell me that you slept late??? Tell me that you 'work from home'? oops. I'm not sure how to respond. Have a 2.30pm chat scheduled with her. I am not good at conflicts and I have been avoiding this talk with her. But I need to; and learn how to deal with people. In this case, I have the 'right' to talk to her but still I;m scared. Amazing huh.

Lesson 3: Avoiding problems doesn't make them go away....learning to bring the best out in people is more important then just doing my own work well. You will have to learn how to take responsiblity for people soonner or later.

thank you

2008-08-24T18:41:00.007+08:00

The answer may seem obvious. But i don't know HOW my friends can tell. I mean, i almost always wear a poker straight face when i walk around but when they saw me in church yesterday, they instinctively knew that something was wrong.

I'm sorry to have to put up names here... but i hope you don't mind because otherwise you won't ever know who you are...

Alina, Nat, Joy, Kenny, Jess, Roy, Weirong. I don't know how, but your concern shown really blew me away. To you who noticed and asked, to you who bothered to stay and listen to me and offer counsel, to you who gave me wordless encouraging hugs and pats with a knowing look in your eyes, to you who messaged me even when i was out of sight, listening to me over the phone during the wee hours, to you who despite your own problems offered to pray for me, to the one who even FORCED me to talk, thank you.

You might not know it, but it sure meant something special and felt good for the soul of someone who never thought that she was worth anybody's attention and love.

(I can't shake off the feeling that i might have missed out on someone... I'm pretty sure it's all covered but hey, maybe it's because i felt so well taken care of by so many! :-) )

all paid for

2008-07-29T00:15:00.002+08:00

"i'll pay for you la," the angel said.
then the second angel said, "i'll halve that,"

it started with a small dinner at the usual place.
where we have fun, laughter and casual suaning.
i told the group that i want to go for the school of worship and arts, but i am running low in cash.
that was when God spoke through the two angels.
at first i thought they were kidding cos i could ask my parents for money (which i won't and don't by the way, haha, i have backbones one kayyy, the things i want, i will get it on my own), until the cash was placed on my laps.

i don't know if you guys understand what i was trying to say, and i don't know if the two angels want to be named but yea, thank you. i will pay it forward.

Human body in motion

2008-07-02T12:03:00.000+08:00

hey, just for entertainment, hope you like this. =)

post-trip ~ thoughts.

2008-07-02T11:44:00.002+08:00

Dear cellmates!

Thank you so much for partnering with me. I ended my m-trip last Thursday and the whole team reached home safely at around 2pm.

This 23-days of m-trip has been both fruitful and faith-challenging. XX University students cannot speak English well, and most of them never know who Jesus really is. But thank God, He is mighty to save. Even though often we found ourselves helpless, we never forget to pray and encourage each other that our friends back home are praying along side with us. In this mission trip, we not only see how God use us to sow, He also granted us the privilege to witness the harvest—people coming to know and accept Christ.

Full time christian workers in XX University were very encouraged by the our Team. They assure us that they will continue to race with greater faith and boldness, in reaching out to the XX University students and building up the new believers. Please pray that they will rely on God in all things they do.

The new believers still need more time to know God better. Please pray that, by faith, they will gain spiritual knowledge and their passion for God will not run dry.

Finally I want to share one thought that struck me the most --- which is the need for missionary. God has gently reminded me the passion that I used to have—evangelism. Last semester I was so busy with my final year project that I totally forgot why I was placed in the lab in the first place. I have hardly any mission in mind; all I think about is to get A for my FYP. As I enter my graduate school this august, it is my deepest desire and prayer that I will be first a Christian, and then a grad student. Thus, please pray for me that I will not focus on myself , instead, I will allow God to use me to impact others’ lives in my lab and my grad school.

Thank you so much for all the blessing and prayers. I will be thankful if you can continue to keep me and XX university Christians in prayer. Let’s run the race that the Lord has called us with perseverance and faith!

In Christ,
Way Champ

John17:3 ‘Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’

XX = ask me. thanks.

back. connect.

2008-06-30T00:09:00.000+08:00

Dear all,
have been MIA for some time. mer, how are you? didnt manage to attend the farewell dinner in june.
Want to take this opportunity to thank mer also...for all the love and encouragement. mer is a friend that never fail to put on a smile at all circumstances--u have always been a reminder for me to stay positive at every situation. Definitely, u have left an impact in our lives. We will continue the work that you have started:) promise.

let's live with eternity in mind.
John17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

(^_^)

champ

Truth be told

2008-06-22T19:51:00.004+08:00

Hi NTU cell,

Boh seng li on this blog leh. Wat happened??? Heh. Must be because you all all at camp or enjoying the hols. I seem to be the only one posting recently. heh.

Anyway, wanted to drop a note or suggestion more like. Happened to look at all our posts and saw there are some 'drafts', where some of us are sharing our feelings, thoughts and impressions of stuff, and some stuff we've been doing together in cell.

Would like to challenge ourselves to think of putting these things online, not just as drafts, because i think there is a certain power of sharing honestly. Perhaps sometimes we are fearful or what others might think, others also being some non-believers that drop by.

But I think that there is something real about what we share here, and if we are being real, then we definately have to acknowledge that we feel differently about things sometimes, or that we stuggle with stuff. Sometimes, when we 'censor' ourselves, or are closed to certain things, we keep the bad stuff out of the picture, but we also keep the good stuff out.

The last thing we want is to be PC all the time - politically correct.(At least not me, because of my work already). We are a real community, of real people, with real feelings and real struggles.

My 2 cents worth. Thoughts and responses welcome. :)

The reason why we should keep our Dimsum date...

2008-06-15T18:40:00.003+08:00

To hear Roy speak chinese!

And maybe we bring Ephriam along too. So he can order in chinese too.

My first attempt to upload video. Am quite tech phobic actually. What's hilarous is when the waitress really comes along. Roy just pipes down after that. Heh.

Signing off for now.

2008-04-29T13:25:00.002+08:00

Hi Cell,

I leave for Korea this evening! Flight at 10 plus pm. I had no time to drop all of you email, so i thought do a quick post. I will be back on 10 May evening.. so won't be there for service.

As murphy's law wld dictate, a whole lot of stuff unloaded at work just as i was about to leave. Have been working like nuts to get a decent amount of work done before I go, which is why I have been out of action these couple of weeks.

Owe you all a reflection on how our outreach to the chinese students went. I have stuff to say but no time to say. haha..

Also owe u all photos. I have a real funny video of ROY BOY. hehe.
And also of champ saying "I turn to Christ!!!" Loudly.

Tho this is not mission trip, appreciate prayers too for:
- My fren i am going with, who is not a believer... we have been a bit strained by the trip prep. But i still hope to share with her.
- My family. You know I always worry abt them.
- My colleagues, who are very nice and helping to cover me for my work.
- Myself. I have left with a list of things to reflect about and to decide about.

Be nice to one another k. Go out after exams and eat lots of dim sum, shop, stay up and drink lots of starbucks.

Hippers, be HIP!

Dom will take good care of you all (or is it the other way round???) heh.

Will see if I can log in in the next 2 weeks to say hi.

Bye!!!

my bit...

2008-04-27T21:47:00.003+08:00

Hi folks, i left a draft for you guys to read. The title is "outreach", dated 26th April. I decided against publishing it because while i want to be honest with everyone in the NTU cell, i don't think some things should be read by the whole internet population.

about the outreach/farewell party

2008-04-26T13:59:00.004+08:00

First of all, I would like to extend and express my thanks and appreciation to all who were present and involved in making the event possible.

The amount of commitment and dedication towards the event (seen and unseen, small or big) all brought glory to God and served to extend God's love towards our invited guests.

And now, I'll share what's on my heart...

I'm sure many of us struggle (in one way or another) in the area of our competency. Some thoughts which may come to mind are "I'm not good enough", "I think this job asks for someone better." or "I don't think I'm really ready for this."

But guess what? We are in partnership with the Most High God. The One who is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. And it could take a lifetime to even try to comprehend the depth and magnitude of that truth.

I was very sure God's Spirit was there - right in the heart of us, among our guests and in the physical venue itself.

And what encourages me most is that many of us DID step out of our comfort zones on that day.

Those who thought they were quiet and introverted did their part to welcome the guests; those who think they struggle with their Mother Tongue shared the love of God with the guests wholeheartedly (praise God!).

So, even though we may feel nervous, panicky or anxious right at the start because of the possibility of encountering folks from a different culture, with varying opinions in a language which we do not engage in predominantly, things still turned out well at the end of the day.

Why? Because we walked hand-in-hand with God. Despite our limitations or flaws, God's Spirit of power flowed through us because we were WILLING to be used by Him. That God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

I'm sure this event was a significant milestone in our spiritual journey. But you know what? This ISN'T the end of the story. We can still experience breakthroughs and revivals when we continue to be wholly submitted and surrendered to Him.

I believe that God will continue to move and work mightily in our cell. That more of us will be stretched in terms of faith, skills and abilities. It may seem scary at first. But once we press in and hang in there with God, His Name will be glorified, people will be blessed and we, ourselves will be edified at the end of the day.

So let's press on in asking and praying for more of Him, shall we? God bless! :)

2008-04-20T00:22:00.001+08:00

I saw this group of girls on the back of a truck at NTU on friday night. What an odd sight!

God says: YES!

2008-03-31T23:04:00.003+08:00

Heyylo!!

I could copy and paste the whole article in here, but I thought it was pretty nice reading the words off a nice grey background...so I'm just leaving the link here. This article talks about "praying" about decisions... as we good christians usually do.. heh. it gives an awesome perspective...I thought it's a really good article!!

It's entitled "God says: YES!"

:D

something to share

2008-03-26T00:12:00.001+08:00

I'm perfected by God

2008-03-23T22:11:00.002+08:00

dear all,
Thank you for everything...
Apart from being baptised on Good friday, I saw love. Love from God that were outflowing thru bro and sis in Christ.
May God's glory continue to shine upon each and everyone...

champ

Good Friday

2008-03-23T12:39:00.003+08:00

In the spirit of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.....

-----------

What is Good Friday?

It is the day in which we celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross because of what it means for us and for everybody. When we think of what Jesus did, it brings us joy and great delight.

What does the crucifixion mean?

Crucifixion is a cruel form of torture employed during the days of the Roman Empire . People sentenced to crucifixion were nailed to a wooden tree or cross by nails driven through their hands and feet, usually till death.

Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the son of God that came to live among us as a man and show us the way back to God. As christians, we see God as a loving Father, pursuing the hearts of His children.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

What did Jesus do?

He lived as one of us and remained sinless (without any faults or sin). Out of love alone, He chose to take our sins upon Himself and died to pay the price for us upon the cross. He opened for us the only way back to God.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

So, is He gone?

He said that “it is finished” before He died as a man. But being sinless, He overcame death (which we cannot) and rose again on the third day (resurrection Sunday). After a little while more, He went back to be with God the Father and will come again soon. J

“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24:7

Did Jesus die for me too?

Yes, He came for everybody. Not just for christians, but both you and I. We don’t need to do anything to earn what He has done for us. It is a gift and it is given freely for you.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…” Romans 5:12

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.” Romans 5:18

____________________________________________________________________

Our God is the embodiment of love. If you are reading this mail, it means someone cares for you and is praying for you to find life in Jesus. Jesus loves you. Come celebrate this joyous day with us!

Weekend Plans

2008-03-21T00:52:00.003+08:00

Hi Cell,

My hotmail is nuts.. can't log in at all. so have to post announcement here (we can try out, if we like, we can put announcements here next time...)

We will be off to Champ's baptism tmr at COOS, 5pm.... meet outside church at 4.45pm.

Since we will be attending service tmr, we will not be going to service on saturday but to Sab's thingy - Served Chilled at SMU. Meet at 6pm at cityhall MRT station.. (dress code is retro 80s.. up to your interpretation. heh.)

The girls are staying over at M hotel on sat nite for Bimbo Nite 3. (Courtesy of Issy's mum's hotel voucher!)

(bimbo nite basically means bring all your girly stuff and experiment on one another, talk all nite and squeeze in one bed.)

Those who want to dump barang barang, can come over to M hotel after 3pm. I think Issy, myself and Jo should be there by then. Nearest MRT is tanjong pagar.

Exciting stuff! Everyone's invited k, just in case we missed someone out by accident. :p

See you all soon!

testimonyyyyyyyyyy - read on!

2008-03-20T02:52:00.001+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zu5Zm-7dKI

I have given up on the technicalities on this blog. It's not jun-friendly. No more attempts to wait for 20 min to upload 1 photo of Princess / Pulau Ubin photo...or embedding videos...heh.

Anyway, guys, I just wanna share that I've been so blessed and ministered to by the Lord.

I was feelin very awful yesterday. I was sick and kinda down. On top of that, I had this math quiz to study for and a presentation to prep for. (and i obviously had nothing planned out!)

But somehow, along the way, as I was doing my usual youtubing yest (cos i just didn't wanna start!), I stumbled upon the above link. And the song by parachute band called 'compete' really spoke to me. I just sat down in fronta my laptop for a good 1-1half hours, worshipping the Lord and singing the song over and over again. It was amazing. To just be in His presence, and sense so much of His strength and grace in my time of need.

I mean, just look at the lyrics of the song

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you, Lord
In Your strength will I break through, Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
And I will be complete in You.

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord.
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
And by faith, I will walk on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day,
And I will be complete in..

I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears.

Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And I pray I will hold on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in
I will be complete in
I will be complete in You

Man, I was just. Simply blown away. SImply amazed by how much God still loves me even when I feel so _____________ (all the bad feeling stuff vocab). Yeah. It didn't just stop there. After worshipping God, He told me which task to work on first, which was my (teaching) presentation. (Yeah, it was on living things that reprooduce, tt's why Jo was bombarded online with random videos like seahorses (YES, i kid you not) and dogs giving birth.) I was really clueless as to what to do (well, I obviously wasn't very attentive in lesson somehow - I admit.) as there were quite a number of tasks to accomplish and certain teaching skills to apply. (Later the following morn i had sufficient time to study for my math in my pop's car.)

So i prepped some basic black and white slides, saved them into my trusty thumbdrive and went to sleep. This morning, when I woke up, the image of the thumbbdrive just came to mind (I'm very sure it was DIVINE-intervention!), and guess where I found the thumbdrive? BESIDE my bag! Being the non-morning person I am, there was a high chance of me overlooking that tiny object and just pick up my bagggg. Like is God cool or is he cool?

To make things worse, my timetable got a wee-bit screwed up today and 10 minutes before presenting, I was still a good 300-400m away from the presentation location, seated in front of the comp, adding pictures to my slides, churning out lesson plan and teaching manipulatives etc. But, well, after I presented, my tutor said it was well-done (altho I really thought I was smoking thru it a lot...what with how seahorses gave birth heh like I know like that hahahah), and I wanna give the glory to Jesus. It's not by might, nor by power, but by His spirit. Wow.

Yeah. Ahhh. Jesus is SO good, isn't He? I'm really enouraged n just thought 'd ilke to share this with you guys, that you may be blessed by our Mighty God who is alive and moving even in school work and the daily affairs of life!!! Yay!

To the March Babies...

2008-03-19T11:19:00.001+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO

VANESSA

AND

YEANNI

!!!!!

Franco's birthday at Settlers

2008-03-18T13:19:00.005+08:00

Hi cell!

:D mmmm, here are some pics I koped from the NUS cell, when you guys came over to Settlers to say Happy Birthday to Franco and pass him a present...

here's Franco and half of our cell (the rest are to the left of the picture, at the staircase..haha)

and here's a close up of the gift we got him. hoho.

Since we are being mushy...

2008-03-17T16:43:00.000+08:00

let me add my own mush here..

We are really growing in numbers... I was amazed at the number of new friends we had over the past few weeks. I feel so small... in a good way.

All of you have been so welcoming, friendly and loving, I could hug you all. haha.

Anyway, I am very proud of you all, as I see all of you grow individually, especially some of you (you know who you all are) who think that you are not good at relating to people, and have stepped out from very tough situations yourselves.

I am beaming like a proud parent. haha.. but more importantly, imagine how proud God the Father is of all of you.

I also want to thank you all personally, for being there for me. As we grow bigger, sometimes it's hard to keep track of every single detail in our lives. But even then, when I need a listening ear, some of you will drop everything.. just to listen to me. I am very moved by that. :)

(ok background info is that i saboed jun on sat.. we pretended that i was depressed (ok i was, a little), and she was all ready to come out and talk to me. la too. even tho' it was a mindless prank, God spoke to me and reminded me that I did have people in my life that cared)

since i started work, i know i have not been able to be there all the time.. but i thank all of you for being understanding, and always asking me how work is. Just want you all to know, that as busy as I may seem, there's always time to talk to the impt ppl in my life. So don't shy. call or text...9XXXXXXX. HA HA!

:)

here's my say (:

2008-03-11T18:46:00.005+08:00

I have no idea why it takes such a loong time to upload my photos on blogger. I gave up trying o upload my photos of Princess chewing up a flower - just for entertainment purposes.

Anyway, yes, Hi guys.

I miss you. Heh.

How have you guys been? It honestly feels weird not sitting in cell on Fridays with you guys, laughing at Mer and Dom (especially - haha!) when they lead word...asking questions to irritate them, worshipping in cell, playing Samson and Delilah etc.

I've more or less settled into my new schedule this year, new cell mates etc. Definitely, it ain't the same, but God has been good, and providing for my needs faithfully, such as travelling companions/bus-stop-waiting companions whenever I can't wait for La to finish cell to travel back with me. And definitely, showering me with opportunities to do little catch-ups with you guys as and when.

Yup. It's been awesome to see the NTU cell grow and have so many newcomers! I am thankful for that and I'm sure you guys must have been really swell in making them feel welcomed. (:

You guys are still amazingly dear to me. Thanks for keeping me in the loop of events and stuff. Yeah. Ah. I dunno what else to say. Haha. But yea, thanks for the concern and the love. I can feel it! (:

Starbucks again! (: Amen to that!

Hugs.

Jun.

confession of a not-so-teenage definitely-drama queen

2008-03-04T00:12:00.010+08:00

hey yall!

first and foremost, just wanna thank you for embracing and welcoming me into the cell.
i have to admit that i was trying to get used to all these fellowshipping and cell meetings thingys again cos for the past two years, i work alone. haha. okeyyy, not funny. and i can hear crickets. okeyyyy. lame. i know. some one's gonna punch me and i know who will be delighted to make the first hit.

anyways, i have more constructive sharing (or so i think) to make.
i sorta ran out of materials to use for my quiet time and so i decided to use the purpose driven life book again.
and so i am on the third day, and it really encouraged me, so i hope it will to you too. if you don't wanna stare into the comp for too long, you may refer to purpose driven life, day 3, page 27-35.

Day 3: What drives your life?
There are 5 common things that drives your life.
1. Guilt
Guilt-driven people are manipulated by memories. they allow their past to control their future.
but God specialises in giving people a fresh start.
i'm guilty as charged!

2. Resentment and Anger
People who hold on to hurts and never get over them. Listen: Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on the pain through resentment.

3. Fear
Regardless of the cause, fear-driven people often miss great opportunities because they're afraid to venture out.

4. Materialism
Self-worth and net worth are not the same. Your value is not determined by your valuables, and God says that the most valuable in life are not things!

5. Need for approval
One key to failure is to try to please everyone. Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God's purpose for your life.

Knowing the benefits of purpose-driven living
1. Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.
Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.
Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you being to live it on purpose.

2. Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.
It defines what you do and what you don't do.
Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.

3. Knowing your purpose focuses your life.
It concentrates your effort and energy on what's important. You become effective by being selective. There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose. The men and women who have made the greatest difference in history were the most focused.

4. Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
purpose always produces passion.

5. Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.
Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal.

tada! i'm done. finito.
am i plagiarising?

haha. on a lighter note.
guess what's this?
if you can get it right, mayyyybeeee you'll get a free pencil from me. haha.

say hi to my doggies. haha. the best things that ever happen to mankind.

dramaqueen out.

1st of Feb: Denise's surprise

2008-02-28T16:24:00.005+08:00

So 1st of Feb was Denise's birthday and Jo and La decided to spring her a surprise with my help ;) and here are the pictures!!!

Served Chilled - 80s Revive!

2008-02-26T02:30:00.003+08:00

Hi guys, I know I've not been posting much on this blog with you guys but I do like reading your thoughts! =)

Anyway the reason I'm posting is to publicise my church's party to you guys. Its called Served Chilled but this year's theme is the 80s! Check the link below, its a montage of photos that were taken from last year's party.

Served Chilled will have three band performances coming from friends in my church, free food, a cool mc and good music.

This party is not evangelical, but more like an opportunity for the young adults from my church to come together and have some time well spent with each other. Our aim for this event is to give our unchurched or pre-believing friends the chance to mix around with and make friends with more christians. Its also great for us to step out of our everyday social circle and meet new people. It'll be fun to get to know people from a different church! =)

So here are the details:
Served Chilled
Date: 22nd March, Saturday
Time: 7pm - 11pm
Dresscode: the 80s-ier, the better
Location: Frujch Cafe, SMU Campus (near Douby Ghaut)

I know you guys have service until 7 plus or 8, but you can come a little late if you like. =) But the bands are quite good, so try to make it. The only thing we ask is for you to really dress in the 80s for that night.

So please let me know if you'd like to come along so that i can have a rough estimate. If you have friends who already go to Wesley or friends whom you think should come, now's a good time to come with them.

Thanks, good night!

2008-02-22T13:33:00.001+08:00

You know... My heavenly dad is quite cheeky.

While i was on my way to church last night for band practice, i was lamenting to Gem about how i wish i had a "chaffuer" to drive me home later after practice. *he raised his eyebrows to that*

I said that the only "chaffuers" around were the blue ones on the road that you have to share with hundreds of other people. I was just wishing that i could somehow teleport myself home after practice because i was feeling quite tired from my long day out, starting with my job interview in the morning. I then went on to forget about what i had said once i reached church.

After practice, Sharon, one of the vocalists from my band, briefly caught up with me about my plans to further my studies. Then she asked me if i wanted a ride home since it was on the way back for her. I was hesitant at first because i was wondering if i was imposing on her and hubby. But she was insistent and so welcoming that i agreed to hop into their car.

It was only when i was walking to the lift lobby of my home that i realized i was zipped home in a matter of minutes, and i realized that God had really provided me a quick ride home in a comfy car!

Ok, i'm not saying her hubby was a chaffuer, but you get what i mean lah.

Cute, huh. And then it made me reflect on how like, i didn't exactly say, "God, i would like a ride home tonight". All i did was complain and left it as that, and even forgot about it throughout practice.

Now i realize that God is interested even in the most ordinary of things in my life and he is willing to provide for me, his daughter. One point here is that I shouldn't rely on my human strength (like, "oh well, no chaffuer lor, so sian... ok lor, i will just tahan la, i can one...") and wisdom ("aiya, you think God will bother?"). I should remember that God is always for me, and that i should turn to God all the time for all my needs, big or small. And it's OKAY to be open about being weak, and let God do the providing. Just ask. The other point is: God should take up a BIGGER portion of my attention in my life! I should see him in the every day activities and in every moment.

2008-02-19T22:23:00.007+08:00

Photos.. so many I chose the highlights...

ACTION PACKED GUESSTURES AND TABOO @ STARBUCKS

Yuda stuck with a difficult word...

Denise: Is it a house??

Hmmm...is this combi ok?

Ruyi looks puzzled at Dom's fit-like taboo round.

The 2 sisters

'V' for very pretty gals. haha.

Attempts to use my timer mode...

Kim and Dom stoning. Are we that boring?????

The perils of leadership... hahah. just kidding.

Your ANCESTORS.

2008-02-19T22:02:00.002+08:00

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to get the hang on new cam to load photos of last week soon... but I thot for fun, I'll introduce some of your ancestors to you.

Photos from varsity camp circa. 2005. (I think.)

Serious ppl: Bottom row - Eik Shern, Kailoon (ex-cell leader), Kelvin.
Top row - Yours' truly, Kim (the only one smiling!) and Ingrid.

The same few of us, not so serious now. These were the days when NTUCell was smaller. We were always outnumbered at combined varsity events!!! Such a lonely feeling...

Our very new-comers then. Eugene on the left (not quite as new i think, but serving NS then!!) and WR on the left.. now half a dinosaur already. See Jo industriously BBQ-ing in the background? (that time we all still pretending we dunnoe that WR had his EYE on Jo heh heh)

Wish I had all the NTU photos. was never good at keeping track of photos. :(

Anyway, it's amazinig how God has seen us thru and grown the cell. Also because of the seeds sown by the seniors.... i'm grateful to them. :)

the naked truth...

2008-02-13T20:39:00.002+08:00

honestly, I'm overjoyed. I have never seen cell grows such a rate. I have grown e.coli, P19 cells, yeast...etc., but none beats NTU cell. The growth of NTU cell is simply awesome...never mind who water it or plant the seed, one thing i surely know...God make it grow (1 cor 3:6).

Past few weeks, I have the privilege to witness some of the amazing things God is working among people in NTU cell. I was pleasantly surprised by:

(note: contain highly personal views that i have difficulty to share with others...the naked truth!)

1. the initiation of cell outreach. Thank God for the brilliant idea of TangYuan party:) Within 2 weeks, beloved cell leaders Mer and Dom lead the cell in planning and organizing the party, and indeed, they have done a good job. I was moved to see how the cell work together for the very first time. one side point, initially i was asking God why CNY theme? Why not the V-day theme ( as Naked-I campaign is coming up soon)? God was assuring me that time, I was led not to worry, because God can use any occasion for His presence to be revealed. True enough, that night, the crowd started to talk about couple love, and eventually, the relationship with God. Praise God, for allowing me to understand that it is not what I want it to be, but what God can make it to be.

2. Ruyi testimony. Brilliant! again, I was initially quite down when I heard that it may not be possible. I thought I prayed and ask God about Ruyi's testimony? Again, I heard the voice, 'Wait.' Situation was rather awkward. but thank God! guess what? I was surprised by God once again...I have learned that sometimes, we just cant force things out, God makes it out:) It was my privilege and joy to hear my dear sis in Christ, Ruyi to share her life testimony in front of her friends during the final part of the TangYuan party on 3rd Feb. Go girl!

3.PrayerGroup@NTU. I was encouraged to see how Joy starts off this prayer group with fire(and with God in mind)! At first, i thought, it will soon die off. But then again, God is really a God with surprises...He proved me wrong. Till this week, i have the privilege to hear stories on how cell members are benefited from the prayer group. Jia you, joy!

4.Naked-i campaign@NTU. I was thankful for all the response/help that you all have given me. I didnt expect it at all. God gave me more than i could imagine. just a quick update, we have successfully given out 22,000 magazines to NTU population. Within the 1st nite of distribution, we have 200+ people responded by clicking our evangelistic webpage everystudent.com. For now, we could humbly pray that God will use the mag to touch lives. Thank you once again!

5. The growth that yet to come. I was rather excited about YES4 and Blessing campaign. And most of all, the new cell members that are coming in...eg ephraim. I pray and ask the Lord that I will able to witness more of His goodness in NTU cell before i graduate:) And I pray that God will use each and everyone in the cell to be a blessing, salt and light for Jesus!

Let persevere, and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to us...(Acts 20:24)

from the one who really seldom type such long blog,
champ~

Thank You for the Prayers

2008-02-12T21:09:00.000+08:00

Hi guys, remember the prayer request I sent out 2 weeks ago? About my driving test and my 2 tests? Well it's testimony time!!!!

After I "published" the prayer request, I got SMSes from Mer and Jo ( erm did I forget someone? I'm sorry if I did) and yep they really helped in encouraging me.

So that week was a particularly stressful week; we were packing/shifting to the new house, I was going for driving lessons everyday and I had 2 exams with one coinciding with the driving test.

And the results are in!

I passed my driving test. Whoopie! I can drive to school from the East to the West now, I've been doing that the past 2 days ;)

I Aced both papers :) --- I was not expecting to Ace them, in fact I was expecting to drop them (we can choose 3 best out of the 4 exams), but the scores I got far exceeded my expectations for them.

So really all glory and honor goes to Him, our lord who really provided me with the strength and wisdom and yea so I just wanna give God the glory! :D

Thank you Jesus!! And thank you to those who prayed for me! :D

Tang Yuan CNY!

2008-02-06T00:15:00.000+08:00

Hellooo peeps! I concur wif Ruyi, I think our cell tang yuan making day was a blast! Anyway, I have some photos of that day which I took with my phone cam...haha check out those tang yuans! That snowman one is I think the most interesting of the lot..remember Ben calling it the "Emo Snowman" 'cos it looked like it was crying...and check out my Wilson tang yuan from Castaway (remember when Tom Hanks' character had to talk to that soccer ball called wilson??) and the eeky worm tang yuan joy made...haha...

Joy's worm.

Ben's Emo Snowman

My wilson.

(I made another one leh, think it was either pink or green but I could not seem to find it after the boiling hmmm did someone eat it ar??)

I had fun. I hope you all did as well :) And yea like ruyi i loved the sharing bit at the end :)

Alrighty, see you guys soon!! :D

Cell Outreach!

2008-02-05T03:47:00.000+08:00

I am soo thrilled by the success of last Sunday's cell outreach! it was really a success. I don't really know how do u define success but you know when something is really going well, you feel happy!

I believe our guest that day had really good fun and they get to know the real fellowship, sincerity and love that we share among us as brothers and sisters in christ.

Love one another as I have loved you. By this, shall all men know that you are My disciple.

I would like to give thanks to everybody who put in so much effort for last Sunday's event. It really touched my heart to see how God was working in this event. We only had 2 weeks to plan. At first i was quite apprehensive about it. I was really glad that our guests felt really comfortable with us friendly peeps whom extended our warmness and friendship to them.

Especially those who had to leave earlier, God was really in the midst of us for the later part of the sharing. Okie for those who were unable to turn up for the party, here's a lil update!

Apparently at the later part of the day, a small circle of people were sharing about how they 'got together' as couple. Oh really nice to hear esp when v-day is coming. So this juicy sharing eventually got the whole party crowd to sit near and hear about the love stories among *ahem* . And i think the Love Story testimonies really opened the eyes of some of the pre-believing guests. It led them in to understand how God reveals His plans for us, and How God takes care of His children whom He loves. He led them to see how God is a Real and Tangible being who speaks to His children and provides for their needs. And God really encouraged me to share a little about my testimony about how i got into NTU. At first i was lil scared, but God provided such an opportunity for me that just can't decline. I guess this sharing session covered all aspect of how God is working in our lives. Our future, our love stories, our fears, and needs and our struggles. And the amazing thing is how naturally this whole sharing seemed to flow and folded up to a closure for the day. It doesn't seem forced or preachy at all! It was totally juicy and exciting!

And other than the benefits of pre-believing guests, we were very encouraged ourselves too. And I believed God is already working and planting in the seeds of the pre-believers hearts that day.

I really felt that God is working in the midst of us and our plans for our cell to grow and grow.

and i am really encouraged to see that our cell is really growing. I guess when we totally surrender to God, esp this cell outreach party, and give our best to it, God just shows his power and plans to sweep everything and take our breath away beyond our imaginations. Let us continue to be fruitful for him and multiply our cell and continue to love and serve one another just as He had loved and served us selflessly.

Lotsa Love,

Ruyi

Hey Ya Chee...

2008-01-29T12:54:00.000+08:00

Today i was folding my blanket and i thought about you and the time we stayed over at your place when you were in Singapore for a short period of time. And then i thought about how you had to leave just as i got to know you slightly better. And then i remembered how you dealt with a problem i had, that i had shared with you.

(you might not remember though... and the memories of the episode(s)came rather suddenly even though you are thousands of kilometres away right now. but even then, by virtue of all these, all the more i should let you now, cos i think you deserve to know!)

I just want to say thank you for listening, agreeing and disagreeing where appropriate, and yet still questioning the tough and sensitive areas in a way that was gentle and never threatening nor provocative, but instead probed me to think. You left the act of counselling to myself. All you did, was to simply pave the way to my own counselling. And that in itself, contains a few lessons for me to learn from.

May you just continue to be that beautiful person God made you to be, and may you just keep growing more and more beautiful!

Thanks Lychee. ;-)

Tang Yuan Recipes

2008-01-28T18:16:00.000+08:00

Hey guys and gals..

Check out these website for TY recipes....

http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipes.recipeListing/filter/dia/recipeID/2829/Recipe.cfm

http://chowtimes.com/2007/03/taiwanese_tang_yuan.html

http://www.past-ports.com/pp_units/pdf_files/tangyuan.pdf

http://www.recipezaar.com/199951

We can also get ready made flour at the wet market.. u knoe those stalls that sell tau pok, tau gay.. they usually have. I can't check out because got to go to work in the morn... but maybe one of u can???

Very Random Thought

2008-01-23T15:43:00.000+08:00

This January I mark 3.5 years in NTU cell.. tok about ancient of days. I am officially the ancient here. Heh :)

Check out this comment i made in a blog i share with my FYP mate, dated 16 July 04.

...so here it is.. BTW i just joined an NTU cell grp..hai..its rather awkward going for thier meetings and most of e time i just want to run off and quit.. pray that i will stop freaking out with joining church activities.. i think its something God wants me to do..

The beginning of it all, and meeting all of u.

We go a LOOONNNNGGGGG WAAAAAAAY BACK

2008-01-22T00:21:00.001+08:00

Denise changed the most.

Anyway.

Oh. The NTU cell has really came a loooong way.

I was looking through my photo collection and some photos are sooo outdated i can't really recall when did we take it.

anyway i cherish each of u guys so much.

ahah.

Advanced Sleepover @ Jo's

2008-01-15T10:57:00.000+08:00

(this should have been backdated 2 JAN '08)

Hey fellow NTUC workers in Christ,
it's been a happening time spending the eve and ushering 2008 together. I'm sure that all who were present had a good time over dinner and subsequent supper/talk/movie. But what was probably most unique to the experience was that of a mini Cell*Advance weaved into the sleepover event.

It came about because of the vision of our leaders; spurred on by a few accomplices and Pastor Charissa(who graced our event too). They were motivated to do something for God as a cell; ensuring that the event would not merely be a fun sleepover or any regular NewYear's celebrations.

So, after dinner we had started the Advance with some worship. Then Dom expressed the purpose of the mini-Advance; which was part of the greater vision for the cell in the coming year. We then spent some time thinking through a few questions posed on a handout given with the worship lyrics. After some time, we shared with everyone our response to the following:

Q3. If there were no limits/restrictions/impossibilities (e.g. paper qualifications, talents resources), what would you be(doing)?

Q4. What are some steps I can take to realize this vision in the future?

During a brief intermission in the last 30secs of 2007, we anticipated the big moment before yelling "Happy New Year! GOD LOVES YOU!" out of the balcony windows.
(We then drew the curtains in case arrows, molotov cocktails or other projectiles started raining in)
And we continued to dream big yep. Think light-years away from earth. Be out of the box. Anything. Some of us were quite practical and modest with our dreams. While those of us who suggested incredible ones added humble disclaimers. "No 'buts', 'cannots' and 'if only's' allowed when you share your dreams alright?", Charissa said. (So someone used "however" -.-" ) As we took turns to share, everyone listening was invited to contribute by suggesting steps-to-take(Q4) towards fufilling those dreams.

Finally, to wrap up the sharing and the miniAdvance, we went into ministry time. Every member stood up in a circle from where they sat during the sharing; and got prayed for by Charissa and Dominic. I think the cool thing was that after each member got prayed for, he/she took the initiative to join in the "prayer party". Slowly, the circle broke-off one-by-one as the prayer-party "grew arms". And with every outstretched hand that was added-on, there grew a sense that the Holy Spirit was inspiring each one's personal ministry; empowering them with wisdom, hope and courage for recognizing & achieving their God-given dreams.

Lord Jesus, let it be that...
-Greater intentionality and accountability yield God-honouring relationships.
-the Supernatural become natural.
-hopes and dreams be prophetically fufilled.
-Your Church may glorify You before the nations in every way.
2008 will be a year of blessing indeed.

*Advance - symbolically used as opposed to "Retreat"

_______________________________________________________________________

11"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13

The Day of the LORD
"And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions."
Joel 2:28
======================================================================

Prophecies and visions

Lucille: Pastor Charissa received a vision of a dandelion, although she did not really know the reason for this, she interprets the significance of it in this way.

"A dandelion may be a common flower which has little significance in the eyes of the world, but do you know that it has the important function of carrying the pollen of other flowers? I will use you to expand my Kingdom."

As for our cell leader Dominic, he prophesied for the Lion of Judah to rise up in me, and that I am no longer to be afraid but be daring in expressing myself.

2008-01-08T13:38:00.001+08:00

This is a post that i published on my own blog and the worship min blog, and because i cannot keep silent about the good things God has done, i shall put it here too. It's SUPER long lah and unedited, but aiya, God is so good. The longer the better!

***

Hi folks! Hey, you know, i'm pretty much brimming with shorts stories here and there about how God has really just shown himself to me in such cool ways. I think that there's no better time to do it then now, otherwise i'd simply forget and all of it would fade into the deep depths of my memory. So, without further babbling, here is my truckload of testimonies!

1. The exam grades

Last semester was a busy one for me because i was juggling schoolwork, workplace work and project, church and mission trip stuff and my own running training. Remember that terrible paper i had last year, the module called Acculturation Psychology? I studied for it, but i studied all the "wrong" things! Whatever that came out in the exam were stuff i did not study for. I left the exam hall 30minutes earlier, and that is something i've never done in my entire schooling life.

So i pretty much felt that i messed up my whole paper, and i began preparing myself mentally to redo that module. The only complication with that would be: if that module is only available in the july semester, then i'd be wasting the first 6 months (Jan to June), and effectively, one whole year!

I went about my holidays trying not to think about the possibility of what might happen. I just told myself that whatever happens, God has a reason for it and that i trust him for whatever that may come. I had to ready my folks mentally too should i really have to repeat. But nothing could erase that feeling of dread that made my heart sink to my stomach just thinking about seeing a red mark on my transcript.

When i returned from my mission trip on the 23rd of december, i immediately checked for my exams results when i came home after dinner. And you know, God is good... I had gotten a B- for that terrible module. I had procured a B-! Like, WOOOOOWWWWWWW!

Knowing the state of my exam script, with the contents being either big blanks, general knowledge, and scanty bits of hazily recalled information, and having left early, it is only by a PURE MIRACLE that i passed, let alone obtain a B-.

***PRAISE GOD!***

2. Overcoming Sickness

2A. (prior and during the mission trip)

Apparently, a few weeks before leaving on my mission trip to East Timor, my bloating from IBS starting acting up again, and the day before my departure, i started experiencing sharp pains in my left ear. The pain just came out from the blue, and i don't remember having ever felt them before and i sure didn't have any prior injury to warrant the pain.

My folks suggested that these may be signs of anxiety, but since i didn't feel anxious, i had a feeling that these obstacles coming my way could be something more spiritual in nature (when we are bent on doing God's will and work, the enemy would want to get us down!). Knowing the possibility of that, I refused to be discouraged and i asked my parents to pray for me.

In addition, i kept having these persistent and disturbing thoughts that i was going to be sick on the trip, and that i will surely be bogged down by it. The thoughts kept bugging me and in some ways, the mental happenings manifested a bit into the physical and i began to feel a little headachey and nauseous. I had to keep rejecting those thoughts.

When my team and i arrived in Kupang, they celebrated my birthday! HAH, with a really cool doughnut with a candle on top. So cute lah, i wonder who brought the doughnut all the way from Singapore. So i told them about the health related struggles i was having and they prayed for me.

Suffice to say, i was NOT SICK throughout my trip. The only time when i got motion sickness was after a 12 hour long van ride, which i recovered from after a night's rest. And yes, NO BLOATING from IBS during my trip! AND, NO EAR PAIN either! HAH!

2B. (during my Worship Team Advance, aka, camp.)

A few days before going for camp, i went shopping at Jurong Point, and i think i caught some bug. My nose became really itchy, stuck AND runny, and i would sneeze ever so often. It was uncomfortable and i know i wasn't exactly sick. This uncomfortable respiratory problem prolonged for close to one week.

I slept through one night at camp with a clogged and itchy nose. But the next morning, something amazing happened.

During the worship session, Pastor Jenn told us about how God had given her an annointing on her hands. It had happened some time ago when a visitor speaker had visited our church (Kobush? i think.) and had prayed for her. And when the speaker had prayed for her, she felt a supernatural sensation in her hands and she has been able to recognise the same sensation which signified that God has his annointing on her to do His work. Meaning that He will work with and through her whenever she uses her hands to pray for and bless others.

So, she told us that after asking God if she could, she said that she wanted to symbolically pray for each of us so that we could receive this same annointing. She did, and prayed for pretty much everyone. When she came and prayed for me, i didn't feel anything significant, but i believed in whatever God can do anyway, whether or not i can see or feel.

After she prayed for me, i sat down thinking about my stuffy nose. I realized that: hey, it's NOT normal for me to have this stuffy nose. I'm NOT sick, and i know that for a fact because my condition wasn't getting worse, it was just stagnant, as if i had a perpetual allergy to something. Even in air conditioned rooms, i don't have this kind of problem. I missed my freed air passageways!

So, i thought to myself, since my hands have been prayed for, i shall use them!

I laid both my hands around my neck and prayed. I asked God: Ok, God, i pray that you will clear out my air ways, and that i'll be able to breathe freely again like i've always been able to. I don't normally have sinus issues, so Lord, i pray against this problem. (end)

I did not experience anything SUPER INSTANT or like thunder and lightning or anything moving through my body.... But you know what. In the next few minutes, i actually felt my air ways clearing. First it was one nostril that cleared up, and then the next one also cleared up. And suddenly, i could breathe freely again! As in, seriously! It was like, my nose moved from being totally blocked and dripping to completely clear.

Isn't GOD AWESOME?!

***YEAY! THANK GOD!***

3. Hearing His Voice of Love (happened during the Timor trip)

Although i've been a Christian pretty much all my life (second generation Christian), there're times when i struggle with knowing whether God loves me. You know, you hear the same line: Jesus Loves You, so many times but yet you don't FEEL it like the way you would when someone says it to you personally or hugs you or something.

But during one morning worship session in East Timor with my team, the Lord spoke to one of us about how much he loved us, and that team member shared it. In confirmation, another team member also felt God tell her that he loved her.

For myself, during worship i was singing really loudly but something inside said: stop singing so loudly, just be still. So i stopped and sat down and asked God, "God, what do you want to tell me or the team?"
And i thought i heard Him say so tenderly: I just love you.
Even as i am typing this, my eyes fill with tears remembering His insistent and gentle reminder.

After worship was over, the team shared their experience during worship, and i shared mine... And i tell you. I DON'T KNOW WHY AND HOW, but when i narrated to them what i had heard, i started to tear, and then all of a sudden, i started to BAWL. YES, BAWL. Like, the kind of crying which involves -wailing- and a lot of tears. I mean, like, hello, i COULD NOT CONTROL IT, it just came out so strong from the depths of my subconscious being and i had to HIDE my embarrassment by laughing with a "hee hee hee" in the midst of my crying. HAHAHAHA. I bet i scared my team mates a bit. I was really fighting to suppress whatever sound that was coming out through my lips.

I've NEVER cried like that in front of strangers (yes, i love my team, but they are not super close to me that i would cry in front of them, except for maybe one or two) as an adult.

I was quite shocked by what was happening. I'm no stranger to the notion of crying when God touches me or someone, but wailing? And in front of others? NO WAY! That kind of crying, i do only in privacy, and even then, it is very rare.

One of my team mates rallied the others to pray for me during that extraordinary moment and i felt so odd. HAHA. So yes... God really surprised me that morning, and it's an experience i won't be forgetting.

4. Repairing the broken areas (during the Timor trip)

Just a bit of background information:

As a child, i've always been jealous and starved of attention and affection. It's not that my parents never gave me any. I just wanted to be treated with devotion ALL the time. So you can imagine what kind of horror breaks loose when there was even a tiny mention of having another sibling. Finding that out was the most horrifying thing to me because to me at that time, if my mom had another kid, i would no longer be loved as much and i was not going to allow that to happen.

It did not help that in the presence of babies and young children, my mom would coo over and cuddle them and "forget" all about me. And because of what i saw and felt, it did not assure me that she would still love me if another sibling arrived.

Ever since, i had hated young children because of what they represented. I had the notion that they were irritating, troublesome and that i'd be far better off without children. And i always thought that young children did not take to me well like they would to my other peers.

Another one of my struggles is related to how i look. I'm part confident of myself, but a part is also always seeking man's approval and praise. So when i went to East Timor (now don't you laugh ok!) i craved the admiration and approval of the people.

Sounds stupid i know, but you know how as locals, we might find foreigners interesting? Yeah, same concept here. As a foreigner, i had also wanted some form of attention.

But on one of the days on a visit to a secondary school, i felt rather rejected and insignificant in comparison to my team mates, and though i was smiling, laughing and looking like i was enjoying myself, i felt a wound inside festering.

But let me tell you... GOD WORKS IN REALLY FUNNY WAYS. Listen to this:

Our Timor co-ordinator, Dick, who is also a member from my church who helped us with the arranging of transport and everything else, was hanging out with the neighbours' kids next door. I was hanging around outside our house (which is next door to Dick and the kids) when
Dick yelled over to me: JOLINE!!!

J: (turns to look over the fence to the house next door) Yeah?
D: You've got a FAN CLUB! (gestures to the children)
J: HUH?!
(then suddenly, ALL the children yelled, "HI JOLINE!!!!!!!")
D: (says something i could not hear)
J: Huh?!?
D: Never mind!

Later on, i popped over to the neighbour's house with my team leader and i found out from Dick that, the children became my "fans" because....... HAH, AIYO, this is so weird! Apparently, one of the kids was from the secondary school we had visited earlier and she saw me. So when i got to meet her at her home, she told me in Tetun (the language used there), "You, Bonita.". "Bonita" means "beautiful" in Tetun.

I was quite astounded by all this because never in my life have i been told by anyone so unabashedly and with so much admiration that i was beautiful. And the more i thought about it, the more i was beginning to see God's hand in it. You see, God did two things through this situation.

He had brought and used his innocent little children to touch and soften my heart (my first problem) and at the same time, he was assuring me that i was already beautiful (my second problem).

I then knew that i was hearing God, through his little children (that i found so hard to love for so many years), and that I was hearing and receiving his love for me.

I brought a camera over and took pictures with them, kind of like an unspoken way to tell them that i will remember this moment and that they were important enough for me to remember them. And the girl who spoke to me hugged me so tightly during the phototaking!

Isn't God cute? :-D
I certainly think so!

**************************************************

Ok, that was a REALLY long post lah. But i KNOW that for God's glory, i shall speak of His goodness in my life! And here it is!

I just realized that the testimonies cover areas of inner (emotional and mental) as well as physical healing. AHAHAHA! I so happy man.

Think the post is too long to edit now lah, so i won't bother to for now. I am just too excited to let it sit in my draft box! So, here it is! (will update if i can remember more that happened to me in the past months)

PS: i did not put some names in case some of you are pai seh or something.

The Christmas Tale -The Musical-

2007-12-09T12:20:00.001+08:00

Think about the friends and loved ones to invite to this Christmas outreach event!

More insights into the event:
- COOS The Christmas Tale web-promo

- Photo Gallery
- Behind-the-scenes Videos

Pics from our gathering at Jun's

2007-12-09T02:18:00.000+08:00

P.S.: If you don't like any of the pictures, feel free to delete ok? But I think all of them are nice! ('cos I'm the photographer mah...bleah)

Jo and La's trip to Timor

2007-12-02T01:20:00.001+08:00

Hey beloved cellies! Here's Jo and my prayer letter for the upcoming mission trip to Timor. Its both of our first time to Timor!!

***

For specific prayer requests, here's mine:

1. I will be assisting the leader (Peter Tan), so pray that I will have favour with the team members (despite my youth - yeah, I'm the second youngest and almost the whole team are church leaders of some sort), and wisdom, and sensitivity to hear the Lord's voice and direction while we are there.
2. That I will learn how to love God more and how to love others (Timorese and team mates) as myself (two greatest commandments, and my adopted goal for this trip).

As for Jo...:

1. My first and it seems, my only goal... is that i will have the opportunity to have my heart "broken" so that i can love the children, and hopefully learn to love children in general. Sounds easy but for me, it'll be quite a challenge due to my own childhood experiences.

***

Thanks muchly!! Let us know too if anyone of you guys have prayer requests too... like those doing FYP or staying in Singapore... ;)

We both leave 14th Dec and Jo will be back 23rd. La will be back 27th.

Holiday To-Do List

2007-11-28T16:18:00.000+08:00

After some discussion (with contributions from dom) with the haspenning girls of the NTU cell, we have come up with a to-do holiday list:

1. stayover
2. bimbo night (not the same as stayover)
3. jamming
4. chalet
5. camping
6. archery
7. rockclimbing
8. JB: GoKarting
9. Zoo
10. Night Safari
11. BBQ

Did i miss anything out? OK! Now people, we need your views on which one, when and how, etc.

***

ALSO...

Please read your email with the subject 'Stardust'. If not... Would you all be free AFTER BACC this friday? Lets go watch Stardust?

Jun, "Denise" and I

2007-11-25T20:34:00.000+08:00

Jun and i, taken at Taka after her museum trip and my flag raising exploit.

Jo: Lets take a photo with the knees. *takes out x-ray of joline's knees*

Jun: THE KNEES? *eyes widen*

Jo: The Knees?

Jun and Jo: THE-KNEES....? DENISE! AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

Ok, i know it's not terribly funny... it's just that we've always thrown the term "theknees" at Denise now and then, but never really had a real opportunity to use it aptly in any context. So, now we had a reason to!
Heh, my apologies to the real slim shady...

a shock.

2007-11-25T13:56:00.000+08:00

This is a TOTAL MIRACLE.

I was crying just now over my stats, coz i really dont understand anything about it and the paper's just tmr. i kept crying, and prayed. and i told God tt if He would just send someone to encourage me to let me noe He's here, then i would believe Him. becoz i really needed Him.

and OUT OF THE BLUE!, came an sms:
"Joy, jiayou!! (:"- cheryl

i asked her why so sudden?! she said "Hmm just wanted to sms you encourage you. heh (: "

WAH I TELL U. TELL ME HOW AMAZING OUR GOD IS?!!!

im in a state of shock.

We are...

2007-11-23T17:24:00.000+08:00

Hi, someone asked about our cell vision. Not sure if this is considered a vision, but this is what we are about.

Our verse:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Heb 10: 24-25

Unity and Family
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." - Eph 4:15-16

Support and Ministry
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer one another hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God's grace in various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ..." - 2 Pet 4:8-11

Commitment... to God, to each other, and to the lost.
"Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all of your strength....Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." - Mk 12:30 - 31

Bible Verses (Comics)

2007-11-21T02:56:00.000+08:00

(click on image to view original size)

2007-11-20T02:35:00.001+08:00

Hey guys. It's 2 in the morning and I'm awake! Hahaha. Thank God for technology which allows us to communicate the way we do. Lookin at these pictures surprise me at the number of times we've gone out tog and had fun and did nonsensical stuff. It's kinda funny the way we are so huge-sized (adult-sized) and mature (like studying chimmm stuff) and yet play and joke around like kids (as shown in the posing for the cam). But tt's good. Tt's how we keep Mer young as she often jokes abt it, doesn't she? (: But yea, here's to more moments of fun n laughter n growth tog! (:

God's love letter

2007-11-19T20:52:00.000+08:00

Dearest all, here's God love letter that I want to share with you, that has been written as an exercise:

Dear (insert name),
Don't you know that I love you? Even though I'm invisible, you can't catch or grasp me from I'm like the wind, I'm able to provide for you, meet all your needs. Remember that I've fashioned you in your mother's womb. You're fearfully and wonderfully made, for you're my work of art. Who can call God's work inferior?

We were once separated because of Adam's sin, but now you are made right with me through Jesus. I have made a way for you to come back to me, that's always been my deepest desire, for you to be with me, in union, sharing a love relationship.

Why do you worry? I, the God who created the universe with all living creatures, mountains, sea and skies, have plans for you. All you need is to trust me to make arrangements for you, for I am willing to give you whatever you ask for if it's according to my will.

My dearest child, those trials were meant to refine you, to test the genuinity of your faith. These were also to lift your mind out of darkness so you may understand the reality of things.

Love,
Your Father (God)

WHEEE~~~

2007-11-19T00:45:00.000+08:00

YAYYY I FINALLY CAN BLOG!! THANKEW WEIRONGGGG HAHAHAHAHA =D =D

anywayss! hahaha just in case u all are INTERESTED to know why i never go for svc today, it's coz i got to stay home to accompany my mom. she's feeling quite lonely recently (sis and dad overseas for a long long time alr) and she's been really depressed at work, thinking of quitting though she cant coz she's like the sole breadwinner of the family.. so yah, decided to stay home to accompany her if not she'll be all alone and letting her thoughts go wild again. pls pray for my mom? becoz she's been tearing quite a bit recently..thankew guys (:

and! hahaha do u all go suppering OFTEN! hahah i wana join u all too man if i could, but it's SO late. ahhaha SAD.

okay! this is such a random entry, im back to the books! =D

joyyy~~ (: (:

Supper.

2007-11-18T03:43:00.000+08:00

Lala, that's you on the phone. CHEESE!!!

God loves us, but does God love our lives?

2007-11-17T15:09:00.000+08:00

Hi cell, a few hours ago when I was doing my quiet time, together with meditation and some pondering, I felt God placing this question deep inside my heart.

"He loves us, but does He love our lifestyle/habits/attitudes/etc?"

There is no doubt that God loves us. He sent His only Son to die for all of our sins - past, present and future ones. When He looks at us, He sees His very own creation - beautiful and in His likeness.

So the question is: how does He feel when He looks into our lives?

Does He smile, laugh, cry, flare up, get pissed off, etc?

One implication we can derive is that we shouldn't take God's love and His blessings for granted in our lives. But I'll like to dig deeper.

Because God blessed us so that we can be a blessing to those around us, we need to ask ourselves how much of a blessing do we truly present ourselves to others.

1. For some of us, I feel that God wants to deal with certain habits or attitudes in which you're stuck in/exercising. He doesn't condemn you, but He wants to correct and convict you and set you free. Also, if there's any thoughts of self-doubt, hopelessness, uselessness, I encourage you to challenge these thoughts and not submit to them. Instead, surrender them to God because these are not from Him.

2. For some others, I feel that God wants you to examine the motivations and intentions behind all the things you're doing for Him and for others - because man sees the external, but God sees the insides.

3. For the others, whom have been faithfully living lives which are pleasing to Him, God wants to encourage you and spur you on to keep it up. Every effort and desire (big or small) is seen and recognised by Him - these will not be in vain.

Hope you guys have been enriched and edified by this. I'm sure am.

For those still in the midst of the exams, press on for God. For those who are done with the papers, relax and enjoy your well-deserved rest.

God bless!

2007-11-17T14:40:00.001+08:00

Just thought you'd like this photo. Praise His name! Thanks for coming and for your support, everyone.

Write your favourite verse!

2007-11-16T15:38:00.000+08:00

In the spirit of the exams and in the name of procrastination, please respond with your absolute undisputedly favourite verse! =) Just edit this entry and write your name above the verse. Have a good exam term everyone, and for those who have been freed from the chains of exams, congratulations!

sab:
"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance." - Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.

lala:
"without faith it is impossible to please God, for everyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seeks him." Heb 11:6.

yean:
"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."Matthew 17:20

joline:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" Isaiah 55:8
(actually got a few more leh, but cannot remember all.)

Dom:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Issy:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" John 13: 34-35
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Gal 5: 22-23

May His (God's, not Jed's) Force be with You

2007-11-16T09:19:00.000+08:00

JIA YOU EVERYONE!!!

Joy's birthday

2007-11-15T19:49:00.001+08:00

hellooooo...i linked my way to a fellow church member's blog (historymaker's blog) and found this:

The Photo which can't be uploaded.

2007-11-14T16:50:00.000+08:00

I've been trying to upload this Ubin photo (well, not exactly in Ubin more like near the ferry port) but I can't seem to get it up...so someone, pls help! And yeah, we really ought to compile our photos. Jo, I found the CD that contains the precious Ubin photos which I misplaced months ago hehe...come take it from me! And looking at all these photos get me nostalgic...(:

It's almost the end....of 2007.

2007-11-13T23:54:00.000+08:00

Ello peeps. Lookie here! A pic of us at the very beginning of this year!!!!

Did this year FLY by or what??? It definitely wasn't crawling...at least not for me...

Just wanna encourage everyone having your exams now...the end is near!!!! so near!!! so very very near!!!!

Cast your burdens unto Jesus and not let your shoulders grow heavy...have no fear.

Peace! :D

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!!!

2007-11-12T11:23:00.000+08:00

Something reflective...

I was doing my QT (this book called "My Utmost for His Highest") this morning, and I felt God speaking to me through today's reading. I think it applies to us all cos hey, we're all Christians,
SO...

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new"
2 Cor 5:17

The text reads:
"What understanding do you have of the salvation of your soul? The work of salvation means that in your real life things are dramatically changed. You no longer look at things in the same way. Your desires are new and the old things have lost their power to attract you. One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in your life is genuine is - has God changed the things that really matter to you?

"If you still yearn for the old things, it is absurd to talk about being born from above - you are deceiving yourself. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought. And when a crisis comes, you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is the complete and amazing change that is the very evidence that you are saved.

"What difference has my salvation and sanctification made? For instance, can I stand in the light of 1 Cor 13, or do I squirm and evade the issue? True salvation, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit, frees me completely. And as long as I "walk in the lights as He is in the light" (1 John1:7), God sees nothing to rebuke because His life is working itself into every detailed part of my being, not on the conscious level, but even deeper than my consciousness. "

Parachute Band

2007-11-11T20:38:00.000+08:00

First post

2007-11-11T14:45:00.000+08:00

Hello all! Just want to thank you all for the warm friendships that we have. Really enjoyed going to cell and having tea sessions together. Have learnt alot about human relationships since the first time I've joined the NTU-cell =)

2007-11-11T10:07:00.000+08:00

GROUP BLOG! SO EXCITING! CLEAN! NEW! HA!

(this post is deletable)

-jo

Welcome note

2007-11-11T07:11:00.000+08:00

Harlow there!
Email ntucell@gmail.com using your Google account Email* to be a contributing-author here.
A confirmation email^ will be sent to you to verify and complete this process.

Cheers~!

p.s:
* You could make a free one at http://www.gmail.com/; or alternatively use an existing email address you already use with Blogger (i think :-p)
^ Please give WR aka David an SMS for enquiries or assistance; or if you just can't wait to get your ntucell-blog authorship!