Charlie Brown Christmas

Have you ever asked the same question?

Eighteenth/12.

Eighteeth/12

Two years back, when they said ‘I do.’,

JIE was stunning and so was BIL.

Eighteenth/12, a day to remember

Of a handsome couple that God has brought together.

Both of you are so different yet similar

That explains the gifts I bought earlier.

The CD, ‘When Jazz meets Hymn’,

Talks much about JIE being ‘Jazz” and BIL being ‘hymn’ -

2 people of different background,

Yet when placed together generates such beautiful sounds.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

I hope you like the T-shirts and not just wear only once.

It talks about God being your constant provider

And hence you need not worry.

Just trust in Him and know for sure

In Him, you have no lack, nor fear.

Lastly, the book I bought meant as a reminder:

DO NOT stop dating even after your wedding.

May your hearts grow fonder for each other as years past

And hopefully a few little ones would come real fast.

Happy Anniversary BIL and JIE.
You guys are really dear to my heart.
Love ya to bits.

A Vertical Challenge.

During the leaders' retreat, I attempted a vertical challenge. When I saw other climbers, I thought that it should not be that difficult a task but my view changed when I found myself stuck on that wall a couple of times.

"Where should I move?"

"Should I give up?"

"Oh man! This stone is like so super tiny lah?
I think its STONE climbing lor.. somebody show me the rock. ARGH!"

"OKay where should I move now?"

Never mind, I am sure there are alternatives."

"Ahh....how come my arms so short!"

"Hang in there..."

"Rest first, breathe..."

"ok, I am reaching the top. Well done, Suhui!"

"Finally, the top."

Rock-climbing is so not easy. Grace, I salute you for being able to do it so swiftly. I guess the training in ODAC helps alot huh and definitely your exposures to the various kinds of rock walls makes the one that we scaled a real small task. *wink.

So what did I learn? The climb reflected a little about my ministries this year. It was tough but I persevered through this year as I made the transition from schooling to working. Its just tougher to give more to God when my hands are already full and I only have 24 hours a day. Its just more tiring physically. Its just more draining. I thank God for creating me with a strong will, I thank Him for giving me the strength when I felt like giving up. I thank God for the prayers and encouragements I received this whole year as I served. Thank you all who stood with me in prayers. I really appreciate that. :) I thank God that I held on and became more mature.

Following Jesus is like climbing a rock wall I guess. It takes perserverance, training and encouragements to move on. Thats why I like what John Ortberg says about "training to be a christian" and not "trying to be a christian." Its not about attempting to love, its training. Neither is it about trying out a ministry and attempting to serve, rather training.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:14

Dear bros and sisters in Christ,
hang in there! :)

Rhema 06.

Running a youth conference is definitely not easy. *salutes* the COM. Well done people!. I guess like many others I am still trying to get use to the idea of a conference as we are so used to and comfortable with the usual year end Fun Camp. As Pastor Cuixian shared her vision with the congregation on the Finale night, I can't help but to agree that its something that R-age is capable of doing and indeed, we do have the potential to succeed in it. Not easy definitely cos its so much easier to run something that we are all familiar with - camps, rather than threading on unknown grounds, with that I see much faith is required. But R-age is able to give so much more cos we are so blessed. *ponders*

What I really love about Rhema:
The Primary 6s. Haa I would spell 'Adorable" with a Capital A man!!!!! However, it can be hair-tearing too! On the first night, I walked to the girls' dorm and said a night prayer with them before they turned in. They were so well behaved, when I opened the door, they were all in their sleeping bags with just a couple who were still trying to get ready.

Suhui: Goodnight girls!
Girls: Goodnight... (they sounded like angels)
Suhui: Sweet dreams!
Girls: Sweet dreams.. (they really sounded super sweet)
Suhui: Love ya.
Girsl: Love ya too! (Aw... they are just such darlings right?)
The moment I walked out of the dorm, there was barely any noise.

So I walked to the boys' dorm and did likewise.
The boys din reciprocate much espcially the part on 'love ya' haaa... but a few did and I thought that was very endearing to hear some of the little ones said it. :) Just when I thought they were quite angelic, the moment I walked out, I could hear boys shouting and a couple of them hoping around in their sleeping bags and yes! I did see pillows flying ahhh! Give me a break! And thats just the first night...

What moved me the most?
The encounter with Zoe and the visit to the Old Folks home that afternoon impacted me a great deal. It left me feeling very grateful of the love and salvation that I have from my Abba Father. It also moved me to tears as I worshipped that night when I was singing about the love of God. Cos I felt so burdened for them who has yet known Jesus. Who has yet been embraced by that Agape love. Life is just different with Jesus. What can I do about it? What should I do about it?

Special Thanks to:

Adora - Thanks for volunteering to help out in the camp though you do not have to. But through it, I see that you have great talents in being a PC. :) So the next rhema ok? Haaaaa Btw, that laughter is just classic. Did anyone tell you that?

Melissa - I love that smile of yours cos it just brightens up my day. Er... dun let Lester's notie comments affect you k? With braces, you still look sweet. *Winks

Lester - I saw how you attempted to handle our MR ADHD and I am very proud of you! Good training ground for patience. Did I tell you that the more vegetables you eat, the more patience you would have? Try... *grins* BTW, the hip hop dance was just FANTA-bulous! I like! :)

Bradley - Who thinks Bradley is a great usher raise your hand! WOW did you see that whole congregation raising their hands? :) Great job Bradley! I like that passion when I saw you serve in the ushering ministry. keep that up!

Kunjie - Kun Jie haaaa...thanks for contributing your best even when you had to contribute to both ushering and the main com as well. I guess it aint easy but you juggled well. Thanks for sacrificing that night when you had to stay at level 3 to stop people from moving into the Gallery while the rest of us could have supper. :) Appreciate that.

Sheryl - The old folks' home programme was nicely planned and thanks for working late into the night to get the songs and chords out on time. :) Hey, really do pray about that ministry k? I am excited for you.

JunHui - Gosh! You did fantastic when you were explaining to the old folks about the games. Speaking in hokkien wahhh!!! Not easy. You did Terrrrrrrriiiiific! I saw the way you interacted with the Gong gongs and Por pors too, its very heartwarming. :)

Grace - Thank you for doing up the 'exam script" with such precision. It looked so REAL. GOSH! haa. Next time maybe you can help me set my papers. Kekeke.

LGOM.

tSo many things happened within just a week. How tired do I feel from a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being totally zonked out? 11. But why am I stil so awake now? I guess the prep for LGOM has trained me well. The past week I could only hit the bed at 3 plus 4am. Finally, its over...

LGOM was such a great performance, everyone gave great comments about the entire show, we had 29 salvations and 8 were interested to know more, how ashamed did I feel when I learnt of the salvations? VERY. Cos I nearly wanted to give up; I wanted to wave goodbye to it when there were just too many valid and substantial reasons to do so from an event planner's point of view. One thing I truly learnt from this, is, TRUST. Trust God and not my own judgment. God works beyond weaknesses, flaws and imperfections. He brings about solutions to every problems. It was truly a miracle to have this show brought to past. It was the very hands of GOd that carried us through.

During each rehearsal as I hear (since I was always at the back stage) my story being told, I would be near tears. I would recall the night when the incident happened and it never fails to remind me of God's faithfulness to me and His promise that He never sleeps. I would then, feel very comforted and encouraged cos I know that God Shamars over me and my family 24/7.

As I look back now, I thank GOd for allowing me to go through that situation cos that TESTING has become a TESTIMONY.

The whole committee has really been into this one word thingy to describe how we felt each time we gathered for warm ups or debriefs and my one word now is - Blessed.

To the committee who have worked very hard:
Jasmine my LehBAH (labour) pal
"Jas, what shall we do if....?"
"Jas, do you think we should...?"
"Jas, could you help me...?"
"Jas, how do we...?"

Hey Jas, thanks for answering my thousand and one questions over the months Oops! I meant year. Ha. You've been a great mentor as you guide me through the role of a SM. Thank you for always being so assuring and patient with me. I have really enjoyed working with you cos you are so ZAI (3) I mean, wah nothing sways you man. I like! Haaa. With you as a partner, the load seemed lighter, Thanks. Some day, we shall hang out for our 'only 2 of us sandwich Lunch a dunch dunch" ok? Oh yeah!

Victor the TICKLISH feather
Hey, Victor, you never fails to make me laugh man. Esp when you act GAY. GOSH! How real could it get? Haaa. Thank you for the teabags btw, I was very comforted when I saw them. :) But hor, the eye bags are still there!!?! Haa....Thank you for being so dedicated to the production. It was infectious. :)

Joel the BGL Director
Music and sound - Joel
Write script - Joel
Publicity - Joel
Logistic - Joel
Directing - Joel

Without further elaborations I am sure you know what BGL stands for. I saw how you really move from one sub com to another man. *salutes* really Bao Ga Liao.Thanks for working so hard and yet not complaining. That was an example I saw and I learnt. Btw, though I have said it to you but I shall say it again, the music was really beautiful. Continue to shine for God with your talents man!

Yvonne the Visionary Director
Thank you for being visionary and encouraged us to move on when we all felt so unmotivated. You saw what I missed as you looked beyond the state that we were in months ago while we were preparing for the production. You saw the production with eyes of faith. I need to learn that. :) I guess without that leading, there would be no 29 salvations today. :) Thank you. Meanwhile enjoy mummy-hood. You have a really lovely baby there. :)

Wei-Kurk the ONE WORD Director
"With one word describe how you feel now?"
Thank you for coming in to help us out at the very last minute.
One word to describe you - Meticulous.

Flynn the "OK CAN but wait, er...let me check the expenses first" PM
Does that sound familiar? Heeehee. Thank you for helping me out with the printing of the survey forms and bothered to go the extra mile to help me 'fight' for better quality paper to be printed and all. I really appreciate it as I know how difficult it is to work within a certain budget given. Thank you for the lovely crew t-shirt. That was very thoughtful.

Jeanie my baby and Barnabas
Thank you for working so hard in this committee even amidst your exams. I guess it was not easy to make a choice to remain in the production when we learnt that the exam period clashes with the production. :) Proud of you as I saw how you continued to work positively on the publicity ideas even when negative remarks were given to you. :) Thanks for the sweets btw, but of course a pint of Haagen would be nice, or 2 pints would be better. Ha...Ha..

Dylan the Builder
It was a beautiful set you've got for us there and thank you for always availing your help throughout the prep for this production. Thank you for your mirror, doggy paw gloves (I still dun believe you wore that to zouk!?!) and of course the every ounce of energy you put in each time you put the stage up and putting it away. SHIONG MAN! Thanks for doing them with a smile. :)

XiuQING Our Project RUNWAY manager
Thanks for putting so much thoughts into what the actors and actoresses should wear. The first day when we met, the magazine cut outs were amazingly impressive *wink.

To all OSCARs Winners:
You guys really deserve an OSCAR MAN! Heee.. :)
Singers can sing, dancers can dance, you guys are definitely many times better than Zhang ZI YI. I mean.. erm can someone tell me who she is in the first place? Haa Some actoress right? Alright that doesnt matter. Thank you guys for being so cooperative with me each time I send out the schedules or make amendments to them.

Amanda, thanks for staying up til 2 plus with me that morning to work through the gospel links even though your were totally zapped dry, energy-less and sleepy. Enjoyed our little chat though, it was a good catch up. *wink. Btw, your super mega memory really amazes me. :)

Fabia, eh cut an album la! I Buy! :) Need a manager? Haaa

Simon, next time dun be notie and walk out with that beer can ok? *shakes head* Haa I nearly died when I saw you walked out to stage with that on our final rehearsal. What went on in my head? 'would somebody just kill me..." ha.
Eating Hor Fun with portion of a paper box. How can I forget?

Joen, can I ask a question that I have been dying to ask? So the 'mountain' still there or not? Are you on safe grounds now?

Gary, your acting was very convincing. :)

Huifen, next time we can wear the same kind of pyjamas and take pictures k? Ha.

Serene, aiyo GOSH! How cute la! I will never forget you with the little blue dress. :)

Audrey, I know it has been tough trying to come for each rehearsal with your heavy work load. :) Appreciate you. :) Eh Lian, Tea Lance someday? *raise brows* grins*

Daniel, Joel and Lester, I am just so blessed to have you guys as stagehands. Thank you for being willing to help even at a last minute request. Had lots of fun with you guys at the backstage. Joel, see you soon at YA. :)

Cynthia, you were missed at the debrief after the production. Hope to see you soon at the reunion. :)

*Yawns* Its 4am and Suhui needs to sleep...

"...How then shall they call upon Him..."

Attended Catherine's and Horace's wedding today. Besides the romance, sumptuous food and some interesting pulpit insights *raise brows + grins*, what really struck me today was when I saw Cat's relatives. They sat at the front row and as they witnessed the entire ceremony, I witnessed how they were listening attentively to the preaching from 1 John about the love of God. It was a great encouragement to me cos I saw how the seed I planted years back bore fruits today. If I had not shared the gospel with Cat then she would not have come to know the Lord. If she hasn't then she would not have held a wedding in church today and if she hasn't then her relatives would not have had the opportunity to even hear a little about Jesus and His Great Love.

I thank God for the person who shared the gospel with me 14 years ago. Still remember that it was at clementi with a bridge to life tract. That lady seemed to be from NUS Campus Crusade (vaguely). My salvation came to past cos someone shared and my sister prayed. Such a beautiful cycle. Whats the moral of the story? We pray to see God brings salvations to Earth. We share cos God chooses to partner with us.

Time to work on that cycle.
Rom 10:14-15.
Join Me. :)

Coke + Mentos + Curious Minds = Keboosh!

Whatssup This December?!

Have your December/s been boring, lifeless, totally not satisfactory? Let Rhema and Let Go of Me bring you some Oooooooooh La LA-ness! Have you not heard? Have you not seen? Let me introduce the 2 events that my church is going to have this coming December.

1. Let Go of Me Production Heard me saying about my 1 year prep for this production? Yup! TA DAH! This IS it! How exciting. :) The production consists of 5 true stories that some of the young adults in my church had gone through. Real people, Real struggles, Real Stories, Real Victories. How REAL can it get? You just gotta be there to be one Real audience to testify *wink*. It is a brilliantly written play as the directors and scriptwriter meticulously put together the stories. It is one that should not be missed. Call me to get the tickets. By the way, this play is specially written for viewers between the age of 15 to 25. Yeah!!! See you there.

2. Rhema Conference
Wanna learn Hip Hop for free? Are you into learning how to sing like a nightingale? Or simply just a sports Fanatic? This conference is for you at NO cost! Wow! What are you waiting for? Sign up today. Check out the brochure for more info. You can download the registration form, fill it in and then drop me an email. Or simply give me a ring to find out more.

What Makes Me Smile...

We had our Seashore Life program today. The whole school was mobilized to pick litters @ the East Coast Park. The children were so excited, especially for some of them who newly joined the school and have never seen the sea before. Shocked? Me too...*sigh. The photographer's camera went low batt and so soowei went to the rescue haa with my 2.0 megapixel phone. *wink* I think the photos turned out alright. Children are just naturally photogenic. Managed to capture some lovely ones...

Canal.

Boys being boys, thought they were supposed to pick litters. So thats how the idea of a man-made canal comes about. :)

"Hey Nemo, you in there?"

So many of them had their shoes wet cos they went so near the sea when the tide comes on. They went 'Oh - oh' and then continued playing with their shoes on??! Kids. :)

Masterpiece.
Girls, somewhat, would ver often do the more sane things.

Favorite Pic of the day.
Let me present to you Hasmul, one of my sugar rocks.

ENCORE!

Hey guys! Our TYLER Creasman is on Youtube! AHHH . Check it out! So farnie! Tyler is one of our SEC 1s btw. ENCORE!

Singlish Security Lecture

8.30am INPUT @ Tanglin Mall Mac.

Doesn't that sound so familiar? Tanglin Mall Mac almost become our second home huh? Frankly, I am so sick of MAC haa...anyway, congratulations my dearest CMs!!! This 'torture' has finally come to an end. Except for a couple of you who will be seeing me for the teaching input *wink* No worries, now the new coffee shop place is so much better isn't it? Keke.

To all my CMs: Thank you for standing along side with me the past year. Even though you were tired, you did not give up. I thank you for your dedications; the amount of time, effort and prayers put in to nurture our young ones. Thank you for being so cooperative with me and that is truly a blessing. Though we are going our seperate ways in terms of ministry but I pray that you'll continue to believe in our young ones and speak postively into their lives with the truth of GOd. So that one day they might grow and bear much fruits and be that person you are in Christ. I pray that you'll continue to be that gardener-teacher for Jesus; sow, prune and nurture.

Why God Made Teachers
By Kevin William Huff

When God created teachers,
He gave us special friends
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.

When God created teachers,
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.

Why God created teachers,
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.

Boys, the 'retard' picture doesn't look like one lor.. but good try. LOL

Ben, Anna and Sheryl, you were missed. :)

Helen.

The semester is coming to an end so I wanted to buy some nice VCDs for my kids. Went to TS today and this particular VCD caught my eyes, "Helen the Baby FOx". I bought it for 2 reasons, it seemed like a show with good values and interestingly I just think that that fox looks like mao mao. :)

Each time the little boy in the show cried, I cried. Its not a sad show but rather a nice and heartwarming one that leaves you with much thoughts after watching it. Check out the music and of course, if you really wanna know what this show is about you can come borrow the VCD from me. Here's a review on it.

http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/helenthebabyfox/f3.jpg

Mao Mao.

It was Sam's 20th. Finally! *grins* Happy Birthday Sam! I look fwd to all the prayer items which we prayed for to soon come to past. Especially the final one ... Dum Dee Doo Dee Doo

Food was great, thanks Esther and Joel for preparing them. Company was great and Cher was missed. Nvm Cher, you are coming back for Christmas and CNY righto? *wink* I guess the bbq was a good time to unwind after a hectic week. But do you know what's the highlight of the whole party? It was --------------> M.A.O. M.A.O Oh yeah... Mao Mao.

We were first strangers cos I din even dare to touch it, then we became acquaintance... I was so afraid that it would bite me or kick me or I don't know what else it would do to me... But it din and so I began to trust her and we soon became...

Friends!!!

Btw, Mao Mao is a $450 rabbit, erm... thats if you have yet figure it out. Yes its an ah bit. *Grins* Wah can't believe that I really did touch it. Guess what? I even thought of kissing it, its so cuddly like a baby. Haaaaaaaaa. You know why its called mao mao? Cos its so MAO MAO! Thanks Jon, for the 'Mao Mao and I' pictures, I lurve it! :)

Happy Birthday, Sam. :)

'6 1/2' stairway

Couple of weeks back, got the chance to meet up with my primary school friends. Wah those were the days man. Catherine and Xiufeng, were the very friends who walked back home with me from school. Catherine and I especially shared alot when we were young and of couse she was my snack-all-the-time friend. The usual time we meet would actually be 8pm after the 7pm drama haaa gosh I could still remember. :) We would often take our aunty-looking purse and shop at the then, we considered as the best shopping mall - our downstairs ECON minimart. hur hur...

So where did we hang out? I lived on the 8th floor and Cat lived on the 5th. To be fair and square, we would hang out on the '6 1/2' stairway at our block. We really did. Even as I typed, I recalled the times we would snack, laughed and snacked and talked and snacked and snacked... no wonder I was in TAF club then. All these snacking tsk tsk...

As we moved on to secondary school, we each head our own ways but we still hang out once in a while at the '6 1/2' stairway. After I became a christian, I led Catherine to Christ as well. She grew despite her strong family opposition. I salute you, sister! :) It was so tough for her. She is one strong lady who pulled through it all with the strength of God. I saw how the Lord brought about the silver linings into her life and today I am just so happy that she found her true love and is getting married next in a couple of weeks time. "Congratulations... in celebration...Lalalala" Forgot the lyrics. haaa. :)

Catherine, its going to be an exciting journey as you walked down the aisle and continue your journey with a Godly life partner who loves you and am sure would support you. Praying that as you take time to prepare for this big day, you would enjoy counting the blessings that Lord had poured into your life. :) See you real soon pretty one, breathe and dun be stressed out. Its going to be a beautiful wedding. *wink*


Catherine, Xiufeng and Soowei @ Sakae, Westmall.



Wah! How pretty can we get man? Haaaa


Don't see Xiufeng fair fair, dainty dainty (though she really is..) this girl is in the navy man! Don't play play...


GOtcha! Candid shot! Congratulations once again Cat!!! :)

Vrooom Vroom...

Hectic! These last 3 weeks of school is so hectic. I was being emailed a TABLE of deadlines...ie. deadlines for these 3 weeks that are being presented in a table form. WHY? Cos there are just too many deadlines to fit into a one or two-liner. Anyway, amidst this hectic schedule, I thank God that I had some fun today. I sat on my colleague's bike. Wooooooo lala! How cool right? The both of us looked PRETTY Unglam with the orrr bit bit helmets. But thank God for the cheap thrill... Daddy chided me off for sitting on a bike today ... looking forward to the next ride... YEeeeeee HA!

So who is TOMMY?

Right! I forgot all about introducing him. Ha. Went for a Tommy Emmanuel concert and this guy was just amazing. I totally enjoyed almost every bit of his music. Some are just a little to zen for me but still impressive. There is just this particular one - Stay Close to Me, which made me teared. It was such beautiful music. Check this guy out on his official website. BREATHtaking! He plays the guitar like a piano man! Note for notes... when the guitar is in his hands, it seemed like no music was impossible. Wah! I was so impressed! Nothing beats seeing it live! Johann, next year front row! ;) Thanks for introducing. :)

God Loves Variety.

For you. :)

Was reading a book while on my way to Tommy's concert. Who's Tommy? Will introduce him a little later *grins* Pastor Kieran gave me that book some time in Jul and sadly, I could only get started on it yesterday. Came across this sentence that went, "....God loves variety..." Eims went on to illustrate on that point as he brought his readers to the way Jesus selected His 12 disciples. He was talking about how God chooses ORINDARY people for ministry. He chose people with differences; different personalties and giftings etc. If we were to take a closer look at his disciples, we really do see alot of differences. Eg. Simon the Zealot hated the Romans but Matthew the tax collector worked for them. Men from different walks of life, men who have different level of faith in God etc.

Life is so boring without variety. Isn't it? Different seasons in our lives spices things up too. We learn to appreciate the various seasons though at times we might think that winter is so cold but imagine the fun we can have with snow. Why on earth is Summer so hot? But Oooo... imagine the boyenberries, strawberries and wah lalala cherries!!!!

Who cares if you are a Sanguine, Choleric, Phelgmatic or Melancholic? OR Why am I so loud? Why am I so task-oriented? How come I so Bo chub huh? Oh man! Why am I sad again? :) Temperament doesn't define you, God does! And like David says in Psalm 139, "...for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." In essence, let's appreciate how the Lord has created us and learn to accept the way that we are made and then constantly moving towards becoming more like Jesus.

You are not alone on this METAMORPHOSIS journey, many are and I am too...God loves variety and I love you :)

Divine Opportunity? See it? GRAB it!

Many a times I overlooked what God has placed in my life for His purpose because of how hectic my life could be. However this year, God has trained me in this area rather specifically, and I am still learning not to wait for opportunities to share agape (unconditional) love with people instead, I look out for God's divine opportunity for me each day to do that.

Don't you ever ask:
Why am I here at where I am...?
How come there are like a million and one people and yet you could meet a certain group of people / particular person somewhere, some time?
Why do you see what you see and hear what you hear?

The world defines it as coincidence! I would define it as God's divine opportunity. Nothing escapes God's hands and sight. That is how Soverign He is - in every aspect!!

The past week, I did PSLE paper 1 marking at a neighbourhood school and Jurong and my grandma lives just opposite it. The first day, I mislooked the opportunity. By the second day, I asked God, "hey why was I sent here and not anywhere else?" I believed it was the Lord who reminded me about my grandma. I called her on Monday night and said that I would be popping by on Tues afternoon for lunch. As expected, she was thrilled.

For the next couple of days, I made it a point to eat with her during lunch since I had a 1 hour lunch break. Instead of joining my friends, I decided to visit ah-ma. We had good chats, though I listened more than I spoke since I am really lousy with my hokkien. Why would I say this is a divine opportunity? Cos grandma isn't a believer yet and grandma and I are not naturally close. I wanted to bridge that gap, I wanted her to feel GOd's love and know that Jesus existed before all else that she believed in.

When I was there, I was pleasantly surprised by all that she cooked for me. Simple dishes with extravagant effort and love. I think I would have so regretted it if I did not grab the opportunities to bond with her and let it just slip me by. Whats my joy at the end of the day? When I thanked ah-ma for cooking for me, she went, "come back tomorrow, I'll cook you something else." Its not mainly the food but rather, her looking fwd to seeing me again. With these couple of hours I laid a brick of the 'bridge'. Its worthwhile.

Xiaoli's 10/10.

She made it! :) Just before school started, she came to me and asked me to test her all the spelling words. I was so thrilled to see that she could spell every word! WOW! What an achievement!!! Check out the way she spelled "Friday". She could not even get that right but she managed to get all 10 spelling words correct. Truly FANTASTIC! Ooooooooo lala! Going to Zap it and put it on the board of honour!

That Roller Coaster Ride.

Anyone tell you that teachers are very often placed on a roller coaster ride? Here I would mean emotionally. At a split second, you could shift from being angry to a smile. From a grin to near tears. Today I was on that ride.

Haowen and Nasirah
They fought and I had to speak with them during recess to do conflict resolution. Tough but I could feel how God led me to ask them appropriate questions that got them thinking. They made up and Haowen offered Nasirah tissue while she sobbed. Rather heart warming when you see children made up. They too have their pride but they are just more forgiving and magnanimous as compared to us adults.

Xiaoli
She is one of my weakest pupil in class and for a period of time I noticed that she kept scoring 0 out of 10 for spelling and just a month back i got her to study just 3 instead of 10 words for spelling and if she gets all of them correct, she still gets her star. Apparently, that worked! She studied for those 3 words and have been getting her stars. Today I went through the spelling list again and told her that this time I would increase it to 5 words for her. Her smile from afar assures me that she was going to study hard for it. Just before the class ended, this was what she said:

"Miss Sim, I try the 10 words can?"

I was pleasantly surprised by her enthusiasm. Just after supplementary, she came to me again and this time she said:

"If I get 9 marks can?"

I know that she wasn't confident and so I told her:

"I am sure you can get 10. But even with 9, it is a great achievement!"

This got me quite happy knowing that my children want to learn, to excel and has the desire to know more.

Cecilia
Just a couple of minutes later I had a talk with Cecilia and that got me down a little. Just before supplementary, this girl was found crying outside class while the rest of her friends were seated in class getting ready for lesson. I went out to class and asked her to come in but from her unusual sobbing i somehow gather that she fears to walk into class. I said, "come with me. I will protect you!" She followed on.

After class, she mentioned that the class accused her of doing something and no one believes her when she tried to explain. With a mere, " i believe you", her sobbing stopped.

Then I noticed cane marks on her hands. I probed and she shared. Its the first time she spoke so much. But after hearing, I realised I can no longer say, "Come I protect you." anymore. I can't. Its beyond me. I realised my limitations and I wished I could do more.I prayed.