Saturday, May 27, 2006

this is getting to be a weekly thing =b

yeah it's really unusual for me to only have one blog per week for the past month or so! haha... just goes to show how little free time i have these days...

TURT has been really exciting and busy for me. every morning, we start the day with prayer and praise, and then the student have communication training sessions, while i hole up at my desk upstairs and work on the songs for that day, listening to them over and over again to get the parts out for each instrument. i think i'm getting the hang of it a bit more now... more able to distinguish an eguit from a key board, and distortion from overdrive... thank God! *phew*

anyways... afternoons are rehearsal times. that's been zapping quite a bit of my energy, but also gives me a tremendous sense of joy and satisfaction as i see the pieces coming together, see each musicians getting into his or her role, embracing and dealing with challenges and finally getting the song 'right'. =) so proud of them!!!!! =D

yesterday was my bday too. thanks for all the well wishes from friends! i felt really loved and cared for.

in the morning i had my 5th driving lesson =) i learnt to do directional change parking!!! hee... it was kinda exciting at first, to manouvere (how to spell>??) my car in the parking lot, but after about 10 times of drive out drive in, i was getting bored. tee hee... looking forward to reverse parking next week!

after my lesson, i went to westmall, and hung out at BK with God. heh. yeah, basically had a nice undisturbed quiet time there, me and my chicken sticks and beloved Bible.

i read 1 Corinthians 9. was reminded that i am in a race. that i need to be focused on my ultimate aim amidst all the many things in my life. like i'm on the track, and it's a specially designed track that God has for me. to bring me to my limits, where i will need to cling on to Him, and to bring me to places which only i will fully appreciate. and ultimately, the race is for His glory, and ends with the words "well done" - that's the way i want it to end!

"therefore i do not run like a man running aimlessly; i do not fight like a man beating the air. No, i beat my body and make it my slave so that after i have preached to others, i myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - 1 Cor 9:26-27

after my quiet time, i walked around the mall, looking for something to 'treat' myself too =D hee hee... in the end, i got a pair of birkie-lookalikes that i've been eyeing for about 3 weeks (after my driving lessons lah) that has pretty pink daisies all over it, and a green tie dye wrap skirt! =D haha... was pleased as punch over my purchases.

made my way to office for an afternoon of rehearsals after that. the staff and students were so sweet... they had TWO cakes for me - one a chocolicious concoction from breadtalk, and one a homemade pink cream-cheese covered heart shaped butter cake (sara made it)!!!

yummy. there goes any effort to slim down... haha =b

the students wrote a card for me too =) very pretty one, and i was touched by some of what they said. thank you God for allowing me to be blessing to them, and for the blessing and encouragement they have been to me too!!

then to top the afternoon off, rehearsal went great!!! i mean, we managed to run through almost ALL the songs, which i hadn't thought we'd manage =b (oh me of little faith) and we worked to solve a 'problem' in one of the songs together too! i really thank God for continuing to bind us together in love and unity, and yet also for the personal issues he has surfaced in my our hearts as we grapple with thoughts during practice times...

at night, it was women's and men's retreat night. the girls went to cafe 211 at holland v. really yummy stuff! i had linguine scampi and citron presse... mmmm... there was also a hilarious side-splitting time of sharing over the dinner. then we proceeded on to sharon's house nearby for chocolate chip ice cream, old jamaican chocolate and more heart-to-heart sharing. it was really cool to see each woman opening up and sharing her struggles, her wrestling with God, her needs. i think we really got to see the more 'real' side of each person. a very precious time indeed...

ok now i have got to go get ready for lunch. my family and mel and my gran are going to RICETABLE at cuppage!!! =D hee hee... jialat. i think this weekend i prob gain 1 kg liao =b oh man... haha...

looking forward to the week ahead! =)

yongling i remember ur birthday k =) hee...

Saturday, May 20, 2006

wow what a week it has been!

the first week of TURT 2006 is ending. Heh. it's been one loooonnnggg week man... but it's been good interacting with the students and getting to know them more. =) i felt a bit of frustration over various things over alpha, but it's all resolved internally now, and i thank God for the opportunities for me to grow, and to see others grow too.


here's my brief intro to the team of 8 students:

hAnSeL - lead vocal

super optimistic cheerful fellow, with a tendency to crack his own brand of erm... interesting jokes. heh heh... he's very sweet, good-natured... pray for him as he has to learn harmony for quite a few songs, and it's something new/difficult for him.

jAe - lead vocal

a pretty babe that hails from the philippines! i love her accent, and her very pop-art earrings - like the other day, she wore a pair of dangling plastic cherries - i kid you not! life size ones! anyway she's also got some hard songs to catch, cos they're not her usual style... but pray that she will press on and not give up!

nOeL - lead vocal and e-guit

he looked like a quiet chap when i first met him, but over the alpha camp and these past few days, i've begun to see his not-so-quiet-and-more-naughty side. tsk tsk... anyway he's very gentlemanly - what impressed me was him mopping the floor after our bbq at the chalet! i mean, i (purposely more loudly that usual) was commenting on how dirty the floor was and how it would be nice if someone would clean it, and he just took the initiative to do that! i was pretty touched by that gesture. heh

pray for him, as he has to both sing AND play, as well as give the message and share his testimony during the concert.

cHarLeNe - 1st keys

she's my 'trackee' - the one that i'm personally coaching. she's gone through a LOT to come on this project - had a whole lot of hard difficult decisions to make. and God came through in a very real way for her, when he postponed one of her papers to July! i thank God that she's here, and i pray that she would grow in her love for Him and in awareness of her own strengths and weaknesses during this project.

nEttE - 2nd keys

really easy-going is how i'd describe lynnette. she generally goes with the flow, is very good natured about it, and is very friendly to people. really appreciate all time she spent looking for the 'perfect' pair of shoes to fit my expectations (for wardrobe), and how she has taken so much leave from her current job in order to join this project! do pray for her, that her job would be waiting for her when this project ends, and that she would bring so much more to the table with what she has learnt about herself through this time. =)

jOeL - eguit/a-guit

the only high 'D' of the band, he hasn't shown that streak yet. =) i'm very thankful for how graciously he has submitted to my leading in band rehearsals, and how he continues to just encourage me by his patience and positive outlook on life. he also tried really hard to get the guitar parts i want, and that really shows me his heart to give his best to God. pray for him, that as he struggles with difficult parts and solos, that he would find strength and joy in the Lord!

JuLieNNe - bass

yeah!!! a GRRLLL bassist! she rocks man. i mean, in the first place, she always looks cool. i love her fashion sense and her funky earrings, and her many funky bags... but more than that, i'm glad to have gotten to know her a bit better over the week. she's actually from my church, and i've kind of known her for quite a while, but then never really talked to her. so... still in the process of getting to know her, but what humbles me is the gentle spirit in which she prays. it's something that somehow really spoke to me, and reminded me again of how we need to come to God at ALL times, with a meek and humble spirit - not just with a grocery list and a time limit.

pray that she would find joy in every aspect of the prep, and that God would also use this time to grow her heart for missions.

mArViN - drums

i think his floppy hair suits him, but i'm gonna cut it off! =b muahaha... well, he's a really tall guy. very unassuming and humble, and quite gung ho in a way (at least that's the impression i get). i'm proud of him for all that he has learnt through the last rehearsal, as he had to struggle with the weird timings of a song. pray that God would encourage his heart and use him mightily in this band, to hold us all together rhythmically!

yup - that's my list for now. PLEASE PRAY... it's exciting! =)

Saturday, May 13, 2006

how great the Father's love for us

i watched you sit alone

i watched you cry your eyes out

now tell me what you've done

is it so bad that

i would shut you out and

leave you here alone

yes i saw what you did

i was right there with you

i won't let you sink

no, i forgive you

phobic? don't be

grace needs a little more freedom

phobic? don't be

love needs room to breathe

i have watched you grow

and i've stood in your shadow

i've never walked away

i hung the stars and

i hold your heart so

don't ever be afraid

yes i know when you breathe

and i feel when you need

i won't let you sink

no, i forgive you

phobic? don't be

grace needs a little more freedom

phobic? don't be

love needs room to breathe

Friday, May 12, 2006

it is beginning!!!

it's been a busy busy vesak day. not a holiday for us cos we had mission trip training in the morning, and band rehearsal in the afternoon. i'm pooped man... bleah

still have a TON of stuff to do/see/prepare before alpha starts on MONDAY... and i'm in the advance party, so have to check into the chalet on SUNDAY afternoon. arghhhhh!!!!!

it's gonna be a whirlwind weekend man. would appreciate your prayers and support.

for the alpha camp, i'll be teaching a session on "Life in the Spirit" and leading a session on prayer for Thailand. please pray that i will be ready for both sessions. also pray for grace and alvin, who are leading the camp. they're pretty busy too!

it's kinda exciting though. good to finally be spending more than just a few hours with the students, and getting to know them better =) fingers crossed for a good 6 weeks of The Ultimate Road Trip!!!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

when love takes you in

- that's my favourite of the songs that i heard.

went to a steven curtis chapman concert on tuesday night. my first time seeing him live, and boy, was it good! i mean, he's such a great performer, and his voice and piano playing are... really good. but more than that, i was really touched by his heartfelt sharing about his struggles and joys, his family and his growing up years and experiences.

i was really moved when he showed us a music video of his song 'when love takes you in'. the star of the video is his adopted daughter johanna, and it was really moving to see how they welcomed this child into their lives.

anyhow, the other person i really enjoyed watching was his bassist! pic below, he's on my left, in dark blue tee. he was really grooving on stage, and somehow just won me over with his playing and humble manner.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


ooh, and i definitely want to play one of his songs at my wedding in the future!!! =)

I WILL BE HERE

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I...I will be here

If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I...I will be here

I will be here...
When you feel like bein' quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin'
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I...I'll be here

Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I...I will be here

I will be here....
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you

And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the
One who gave you to me

I...I will be here

And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
'Cause I...
I will be here....
We'll be together

'Cause I will be here

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

a good reminder, Lord

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'

Unless the Lord Almighty had lwft us descendents, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.

- Excerpts from Romans 9

Friday, May 05, 2006

princess dotz @ her pink party

my WONDERFUL bunch of colleagues really wowed me this morning with a special ALL-PINK party!!! =)

naughty joy (my coach) 'tricked' me into thinking i was meeting her for a coach-coachee eval. haha... then, surprise surprise, EVERYONE was at sara's place!!! (she had told me to come there cos sara had made me a cake. it's a bit hard to explain why i wasn't suspicious, but... nvm =b)

eveyrone was in PINK

the guys were so sweet to go out and shop for pink clothes, when i know how much they detest that colour =b heh heh... and there were pink balloons, pink streamers, pink ribbons, pink geoberas and pink roses, pink candles, pink napkins, pink drinks, pink frosted cupcakes and a pink gift bag for me!!! arghhhhhh

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

a card dan made... so pretty!
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

even Dog (sara's dog) had a pretty pink ribbon round her neck!

we took TONS of pics. or rather, daniel, pat and simon/grace, our resident shutterbugs, took loads of pics. =) tee hee...

the guys composed a song for me! and they all sang it for me!!! i was so touched i cried!!! aw... thank you guys! =)

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

the girls painstakingly prepared all the yummy food, and got me a pretty beaded tiara with pink rosettes! so sweet! thank you thank you...

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

simon, our director, shared how he had seen me grow this past year, and prayed for me. thanks simon!

last but not least, i really really appreciated and was so touched that everyone took the time, trouble and expense to do this for me. i mean, i'm not always the most sunshiny person to work with, and everyone's really up to the neck in work, yet they gave so sacrificially for me... aw... sob sob

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

it was a really great day. =)