Belated Birthday Celebrations

My ole buddies, ole pals since Secondary school, Ally and Jeannette...I think they have been with me through much of my life. They were my bridesmaids during my wedding. While Dennis (church wedding coordinator) was frantically searching for my father as he had to walk me down the aisle, daddy, me, Ally and Jeannette were sitting snuggly in the bridal car waiting for the cue.

That's my Sunday school class with the annual birthday cake. On my right, Pui Shung whose birthday was on that Sunday.

Night's out with 3 students, their mummy and me. Well, it started off with 2 students wanting to treat me. A very thoughtful gesture...but so young, never work...how to treat? Anyway, it was a fun night out. I really like spending time with youths. And a special thanks to their mummy.

Finally, a long awaited father's day cum by birthday celebration. So much things have transpired since June...it seems like a year has gone by.

Calling all Youths

The gospel is never really about the gospel alone anymore. Most of the time, it comes along with Harry Potter, Da Vinci Code, Judas Gospel etc. Calling all youths - come and hear the simple story of Christ and the Cross - with nothing attached to it.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Educating For Character - A Spiritual Retreat (Well almost....)

Before going off for this workshop 'Educating For Character', I was deep in thought about the purpose of character education in public schools - questioning its effectiveness and its need. Well... events in school over the last week have been rather discouraging, particularly one incident involving the behaviour of a group of students that has generated some public outcry. I thought to myself - 'Character Education is fun and works only in primary schools...not for hardened teenagers in secondary school'...well, I am glad the myths I held were debunked.

Having said that, the past 3 days have been nothing short of wonderful blessing and retreat. Firstly, I had the opportunity to go with Hannah - a relatively new teacher but a likeminded Christian in the Lord. Haha...I think we virtually prayed together before every meal & breaktime. I enjoyed tremendously the fellowship we had in the Lord - got to know her much better. Knowing that we are on the same team with one common purpose is wonderfully liberating.

Secondly, it was the content of the course as well as the wisdom of the speaker, Dr Gary Smit that kept me riveted throughout the entire 3 days. Of all the courses that I have been since day 1 of my teaching career, I dare say that this is one of the most enriching courses that I have gone to. He reminded me of the writing of J Oswald Sanders - who could bring abstract and difficult concepts of leadership and servanthood into simple terms and codify it. Dr Smit brought the fuzzy wuzzy concepts of character education and reduced it to simple and very sound principles - and I could tell where his principles were based on. At the heart of a successful character program is a bunch of educators who have sound character and who consistently and confidently persist in getting the same message across. How often we as adults compromise our standards when no one is looking - at work, at home and even church. We need to be confident in refusing that 'foul word', to persist in tearing those tabs off the carpark coupons even though the carpark attendant may not come, to speak the truth in love, to point out wrong behaviour...It encourages me that there is someone like Dr Gary Smit who believes that doing right [in love] is the only way - not only in church but in our world around us. And he is determined to bring that message to as many educators in the world as possible. For educators, take time to explore www.charactercounts.org , many materials are downloadable and not copyrighted so that you can use it in your own classrooms and schools.

Well, knowing me and my little impulses, I could not help but run up to him during one break and ask him, "Dr Smit, are you a Christian?' To that, he nodded and I smiled. I appreciate too the precious time he gave me in providing me insights to the sticky situation in my school. At the end of the 3 days, I was refreshed, recharged,renewed and reaffirmed about why I am doing what I am doing.

Anyway, I felt like I was taking a picture with one of the evangelists who always visits us during June camp and with Hannah, who was attending camp with me:)

Do right till the stars fall

Do right till the last call

Do right when there's no one else to stand by you

Do right when you're all alone

Do right though it's never known

Do right since you love the Lord

Do right, do right.

Dr Gary Smit's final slides-

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Happy Birthday to Me!

Start the Calorie Counter....
I have made a resolution not to hide my age, (are you sure Joann? It can be especially difficult because you hit the big aunty '3' this year). Well, to explain my brave decision - as I had a 2 week rest at the start of Term 3, it had allowed me to reflect upon God's goodness and blessings in my life. From 'O' levels, to 'A' levels, to university, to MOE, to USSS , to marriage and to FTPSS...God has led me and guided my path for 30 years. But I am sure you can't tell, right? I look like 18, RIGHT?? My age is a reminder and a living testimony of the extent of God's work in my life. I thank God for His love through His grace, through my family, through church, through friends and through my work.

1st celebration - Joint Bday with SK & gals, Syl, Katoh, Shaz and Yaya at Seah Street Deli- her's 17th, mine is 18th.

The super rich indulgent chocolate cake.

Check out the yao lo [hungry savages]

2nd celebration - Sis and BIL [brother-in-law] interrupted my sleepy evening on the eve of my birthday with a durian cake.

Sis and me looking pretty squashed.

3rd celebration - Mom and Dad in-law and little brother in laws at [yawn ...1 am]

Me looking rather puffed up at 1 am...Darrell and me

A touching card and touching present. Darrell bought me the same thing last year, but I lost it (oops). So he bought me the same thing again this year....thank u rel.

I take my hat off the going-to-be married couple. In the midst of their busyness, they had time to search for a beautiful dust buster for their [da-sao-chu]. Haha...it was really very funny. But it is going to be funnier on 3rd Sept...hahahehehoho.

4th celebration - Thank you 4E4. I kept totally mum about my bday...but someone remembered. They hid it pretty well. HL tried asking me if I could give her tuition on Tues just to see if I would be in school or away on a course. Pretty sneaky, I didnt figure that out. But when I stepped out of the lift and headed to the class, things were pretty obvious. Their heads were popping out of the windows and trying to spot me from afar. Silly kids...don't they know that for the past 2 years, they have never been so excited to see me. I didnt want to spoil the party. Then almost too abruptly, the fans were switched off. When I looked up, about 3 students were missing. They have disappeared by the back door probably trying to light up the cake and all. But I enjoyed it anyway. I like this class photo very much. You can virtually see everyone's face. Everyone was present, except Lynn who was stuck in detention room because she was late for school (a pity). Sigh...I think I am going to miss this class when they leave.

They overdid themselves this year by buying 2 cakes. The chocolate one from Secret Recipe was especially yummy.

The gifts they bought me really impressed me cos I felt that they were really meaningful. You see, I walk around school carrying a 1 litre drinking jug and drink right out from it. During one of the oral practices, they looked appalled to see me drink directly out of the jug. This penguin water dispenser would ensure that you would drink 8 glasses of water a day. I really like it and the thought that went along. Quek En bought me this minnie mouse cup...hmm...I wonder if that was inspired by Hong Kong Disneyland. Thank you 4E4...I can't wait to use the gifts.

A box of gifts from teachers in the department...Thank u!

Finally, dinner at night with hubby.

Youth Retreat Part 2 - Girls Only

Continuing with what we have learnt during the retreat, we had a wonderful opportunity to meet again and continue the pattern of reading, sharing and edifiying one another - but of course, girls only. Let's hope there will be many of these sessions to come:) - we all trooped down to visit Rhoda after that.

Lunch at Han's Marine Parade

Our 'comforting' pack for Rhoda

Rhoda, her leg brace, her presents & her visitors

Youth Leaders' Retreat

Over one weekend, we held our very 1st Youth leader's retreat. It was indeed a challenging 3 days...watching the youths invade our living room, kitchen and other parts of the house. Ahhhhh...they were everywhere. But it was an enriching and blessed time. Almost uncomfortable at times and unnatural because all we did was rest and read and read and read. This was an indulgence that I have not participated since my younger days. But it was a precious time...to sort out my priorities and more particularly, to hear the voice of God. I hope these 3 days started a habit of reading, finding rest and cherishing quietness for all of us, particularly the youthie com members.

Every had a turtle cushion...and the book 'Spiritual Leadership' by Oswald Sanders

Reading, reading and more reading....

Eating, eating and more eating....

"Each of us has the time to do the whole will of God for our lives." - Oswald Sanders

Prayer Request

Pre-Op picture of Rachel, Rhoda & me

Prayer: Thank God for a smooth & fast operation and continue to pray that Rhoda & family would continue to trust God in all things. That the Lord will show much grace and mercy to His precious child.

Hydrotheraphy

Hubby brought me out to sea...it was a beautiful day with soothing sunrays & calm waters. We read, listened to music and ate blue corn chips & dried fruit out at sea. The quick blessings in life:) And of course, he did all the rowing that day.

The Conclusion

While it is really tempting to make conclusions about why things turned out the way it has and find out why it has happened, God wants us to be content with only this:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all, For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecc 12:13-14

Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deut 29:29

Thus another chapter of my life is written.

God of All Comfort

God provides all we need for every circumstances [the sunshine and darkness] if we only allow Him to do so. His comfort may not necessarily mean that the trying moments would be eliminated but surely, He will see us through those days in the valley - we all but need to keep our eyes on God. This brings to memory Jacob's response to the news of Joseph's death. "But he [Jacob] refused to be comforted" Genesis 37:35. In our group discussion in camp, we pondered over Jacob's response. Why the refusal? I remembered there were times in my younger days whenI had refused comfort. Almost all of the time, it boils down to pride - where the receipt of comfort may indicate to others a sign of weakness or fraility. Relating this back to trials and tribulations, this is God's very purpose - the perfecting of our patience and faith. Jacob, dug his well of sorrow and allowed himself to sink deeper and excluded comfort from others which could have caused him to turn his eyes towards God.

Special note: I thank God for the prayers, wellwishes, visits and naughty food I received, in particular, the precious smses which contains God's word of comfort. It was a great blessing! I wish I had taken pictures of all wellwishers...

VISITORS

Pre-Op

-Ade came to visit

- Uncle Amos & family came to visit

Post-Op

-Sis, Ade, ChiaoChyi, Irene, Dency with flowers and pastry

-Brave Jem who came alone with a bag of fruits

-Mom-in-law, Dad-in-law & tonics

- Uncle Amos, Auntie Maggie,

-Melvin & Viola [Dan's frens] & tonics

-ChiaoChyi, David, Irwin, Angelyn, PuiShung, Benji with coffee bean cakes

- Uncle Amos & family & oily roast duck and meat

-Tzegang, Darrell with oyster mee sua [without oyster]

-Auntie Pat, Auntie Cheekit, Auntie Annie with wicked durians

-Auntie Joy, Uncle Kwai Sang & Lena & more durians

-Auntie Lai Moi with a whole bag of goodies

- Jacob, Grace & baby Elisha & fruits

SMSes of Comfort & Verses

- Isaiah 40:28-31 [Charissa]

- Ecs 3:11 [Chiao Chyi]

- Isaiah 41:10 [ Hannah]

- Psalm 91 [Hubby]

Sis, Darrell, Mom & Dad-in-law, Jeannette, Ally, Angelyn, Dr Chua, Auntie Pat, Joshua, Dency, Weifang, Wendy, Vanessa, Shirley, Logan, Shaz, Grace Chng,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:3-6