melb pics - some of them

Some Melb mission trip pictures.
Still waiting for the cream of them...hurry up Simon...

Evax at Melb Uni. We had fantastic weather all week.Praise God.

Pacific BBQ. Yum

Simon's birthday celebrated in Darebin after lifegroup there. Sophia's restaurant. All you can eat pizza and pasta. I can't believe the singaporeans ate so much!

Thanks Karen for bringing u around. Docklands was lovely in the evening.

Farewell dinner. My host Christine is beside me. Then Kat and Jess Chellapah. Thanks for blessing us so much gals! I am so humbled by your hospitality and kindness.

A good day off!

I'm on holiday from teaching. Well..from teaching at the primary school and at the Northside anyway. I still teach the Southside people who are not having a holiday. :) Go figure. Asian mentality. But it's good for me, or I'll have completely no income for 2 weeks. It's hard enough as it is.

But anyway, I am quite grateful for the 'enforced' rest. As I was saying last week, I was struggling with a lot of body aches and pains, and feeling very mentally drained by the commuting and the tons of ppl to deal with each week. I teach an average of 40-45 students every week.

Yesterday was heaps fun though. Charis being Charis, I had already formed a list of about 30 to-do items. As my friend was telling me, "You just can't sit still'. I suppose not. My holiday was more packed than even normal teaching life.

Here's breaking it down:

• 9 am : Charis zips out on the bus to Bowen Hills for appointment.

• 10 -11 am: Massage appointment. It is quite cheap for an hour long massage. Here's a free plug for the place as they've been nice to me. Vital Essence is the name of the company. Maureen is the massage therapist. She charges (atm) $55 an hour. As expected, Maureen said my shoulder tissues and my waist/lower back muscles were super tight. Really enjoyed the masssge tho it was quite painful at those spots.

• 11 -12am : Fun part.!I didn't know a detox, infra-red sauna session was part of the deal. So they served my herbal tea and water, gave me heaps of robes and towels and told me to sit in the little thing at 58 degrees. Good pespiration session it was!(sound like Yoda. Flipping my sentences around). I was allowed shower/bathroom access and had a refreshing tub. Went off feeling relaxed with rosy cheeks and soft skin.

• 12 -1pm : Had an impromptu lunch with Dan because Aya cancelled last minute on me. Well, I'll still see her on Thursday for lunch. Aya's story should be left till next time. It's ironic that I'm now catching up with her. hehe. But Praise GOD!

• 1pm -2pm : Lay on in Southbank grass to read Chocolat. A review of that next time. Had some time reflecting about God, and the world.

• 2pm -4.30pm: Commute to Sunnybank to teach my private students in Robertson. Teach. Walk home. Takes 20 mins in normal shoes. 30 in heels. I was in heels. Never again!

• 4.30 -6.30pm: Laundry. Loads of laundry. Shower. Check out manga faces with Peggy and Jessica. Blow my hair. Don't like the humid weather. Makes my hair frizzy.

• 6.30pm - 9.30pm: Go see WALL -E in Southbank. It was super cute and very creative. Good, clean fun. Very suitable for the whole family yet creative and intricate enough for adults.

• Rest of the time: Very tired. Watched Emmy's for half an hour. Fell Asleep.

Today. I'm supposed to REST. We'll see how it goes. There's still laundry, vaccuuming, cooking, prayer, catch-ups, accounts....sigh.

Up and down and up and down

Been so tired this week. not sure why.

Not sleeping well. Have all kinds of aches and pains everywhere. Wonder if they are psychosomatic or genuinely because I'm not well.

Feel like I should visit a massage therapist next week during the holidays. Expensive, but might really need it. The blood circulation is poor in the body.

Some say I need iron. Maybe. More steak?hehe.I've barely had red meat these 2 weeks. twice?
Ah...maybe i've just been stressed by work routine and hormones are playing up...or down rather. PMS...how I hate it.

o well...here's to health.

Drive that one point home

I have been so blessed by Andy Stanley's podcasts. He is a good communicator. Anointed, concise, interesting. Many of them have really brought conviction into my heart in the late hours of the night, or the wee hours of the morning.

Check out this link:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/document_extras/AndyStanley08_14_06.asp

He shares about how he decided on this communication style when he started in ministry. He also shared how he never felt 'called'. He just volunteered. Powerful example of how God can use willing hearts.

Of course, his heritage [his father and family] was also a great giant that he stood on to see far [i think it was Newton who said that if he stood tall, it was because he stood on the shoulders of giants]

God bless..

Love is a choice. Love is a marathon.

There have been various people in my life who have fallen quickly and 'violently' in love with me. Girls and guys alike (No, I do not mean any of the gals were lesbians. I mean the love of friendship and companionship)

However, at hindsight, these people haven't lasted. They did show me lots of love at that point of time, but they are gone now, even if they are still around physically.

From personal experience, Love is best carried out marathon-style. I had a conversation a.k.a argument with a friend about this today. And that got me reflecting about friendships in my life.

The people that have stuck by have not been the most glamorous and usually definitely not the most popular [christian OR non-christian]. But they have stuck by the relationship over a period of time.

Others however have left bitter tastes in my mouth. The friendships had been sweet, but the feeling of rejection and abandonment is very bitter after the 'buzz' is over for them, or for me [in some earlier cases in my life]. I've been involved in a few quick-to-flame up, and quick-to- fizzle out relationships in high school with various gals. And here in Australia, I can remember... a few relationships turned....sour, bitter or cold.

Love doesn't work like that. There is, of course, a season and time for different people. But ultimately, love is staying for the long run. Haven't had too many who've stuck by in my life. Of course, God is the perfect walk- the-long-hard-yards -with-me person.

But to those whose love turned to hate, to those who said ,'I'm over her(or anything about her)', to those who got tired of me, to those whose love has grown cold, to those who've turned away...I really want to say, 'I forgive you. Please forgive me too'.

Thanks for shaping my life for a time. You may have left scars in my life, just as I may have left scars in yours. But ultimately, I'm just surrendering it to God to weave into his perfect tapestry of a plan. God bless.

My best for His Glory

It's been a lot about surrender lately...

Started on the classic Oswald Chambers devotional.
As I worshipped God this morning, I felt the Spirit whisper about surrender and letting go into my ear. Turning to the first page of My Utmost for His Highest, there was

Phil 1:20 -21 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Chambers wrote (my paraphrase): 'We all feel very much ashamed when we do not yield the areas that Jesus has asked us to yield to him'
I can do identify with that statement. So many times I have been stubborn and stiff-necked, ignoring the red flags or nudges by the Holy Spirit.

Chambers also says that God often provides a crisis/crossroads for us to decide whether we will live our best for His glory or not [this is because we are often unresponsive to gentler hints]. Paul determined at his crossroads to live his best for God. To not be ashamed because he compromised. To have the courage to choose God's best and His will.

Will I do the same? At every future crossroad? So help me God. Give me the courage. For it is one of the most daunting things one can do. Absolute and irrevocable surrender...

Quotable Quotes

Just like Reader's Digest, I should have a section for funny or meaningful quotes once in a while.
One that has inspired my faith into action is this:

"Ministry begins at the feet of Jesus"

This inspired me last week to just cry out to God and draw near to Him. I haven't had such a joyous time with the Lord for a while. Thank you.

Next:

"What part of your life are you afraid to entrust completely to God and why?"

Simple question. But it was asked with such direct and gentle confrontation, I found it sinking deep into my spirit, and starting to pray about the 1-2 areas I hold tight.

And a funny one today:

"I like eating/drinking bitter stuff because it makes life seem sweeter"

What?? Yes, join me in raising my eyebrows...

Behold the following conversation:

A: Wow. This tea really has no sugar.

Me: Really? Oh [and I think that A doesn't like it]

A: It tastes really original.

Me: Huh? Ok

A: I like eating and drinking bitter stuff because it makes life seem sweeter.

Me: ???

Good night.

"

One of my fav wedding bridesmaid shots....

You know, I've found myself looking rather prosperous[fat] in most of my bridesmaid photos. So this one is more flattering than others.....hence...it is one of my favourites.

^_^

Melbourne Mission Blessings

I'm back. Again. Been a great few months of travelling.

I really enjoyed my trip to Melbourne. It was a privilege to serve and minister alongside Peter and the others like Derrick and Simon and the Hope Melb City Centre people.

I met more Indonesians than I ever have in my life:). They are great fun! My host was Indo. Christine looked after me very well. And she's a great cook. She's funny, honest, loves God and is so hospitable! She even called me today just to chat. SO touched...There were many more ppl who really left their footprints in my memories...Jessica Chellapah the worship coordinator, Jumlie the funny Indo guy downstairs, Joyce the fiery new believer, Alyse the faithful one, Fook Chun the efficient punctual admin guy, Kristin the China girl who looks Indo, Ferry the funny name...

Praise God for the 7 salvations! I was privileged to lead one of them to the Lord in Melb Uni. Also shared with many more people that week over the 4 days of evax and the nights of workshops, lifegroups and ministering.

Derrick and Simon, thanks for being such great mission buddies who were passionate, inspiring and very human at the same time. Thank you for spurring me on to a closer relationship with God and with people. I really enjoyed the fellowship and the partnering together for the Great Commission.

It was great to grow especially in the area of being guided by the Holy Spirit in words of wisdom, word of knowledge and the prophetic. God has been releasing new levels of clarity and boldness in this area.

Peter....my leader and mentor for 4 years now. Thank you for always giving me a platform to serve God with my giftings and to serve you...

God. I'm back. In more ways than one. Please sustain me...