Adieu!

Adieu 2008! It started badly but I'm amazed at how God turned things around and made everything in my life so exciting! It's almost like a thriller fiction. You never know hat God has planned for you. I look forward to 2009 ;) Being a new form teacher, having a brand new year to love those around me and seeing how the thriller unfolds! God, I am ready to embrace 2009!

"I heart Elites and Punggolians!"

Random

Pick a good fight, grit our teeth in face of difficult circumstances, leech on the little ounch of strength that we have in adversities... Doesn't it all sound familiar? How often do we fall into the rut of prideful self-dependency? I have. For as long as i can remember. I pray my Lord will come like a crashing wave... Drowning my pride with humility and submission. Lord, have your way with me...


Attachment has been great. Time spent the children is priceless. Their randomness and simple love amazes me. I'm thankful for the little ones. One of the kids said he doesnt want to grow up and be strong because he wants me to carry him forever. Another one was asked to point out any objects in the classroom that is a circle. He exclaimed, "Ms Carmen, your face is a circle!' And another kid calls a 'square' a 'squid', one think there are black tigers in the zoo. I love these drama queens and kings :)

Glory in the Highest

I know there are things i dont understand, struggles that seem impossible to overcome, circumstances that could break my heart into smithereens, things that could make me cry buckets...but i know Jesus is here. Right here with me. Teach me how to trust You carelessly, declaring, Glory in the Highest, no one else could ever compare to You Lord.

Teacher's Day

It's an amazing feeling to experience my very 1st Teachers' Day. It isnt just a day to commemorate or appreciate educators who have inspired or influenced young minds (in good and bad ways, no less) It is a day that reminds me that every little time that i spend with the little ones is a privilege that God has given me everyday, to guide and nurture His children. I pray that God will fill me with His love and patience to take up this calling everyday :)

I had a blessed time with Grace at our usual hangout, chatting the day away, sharing silly thoughts, having Boost and a nice dinner at sushi tei. My day started wonderfully cos i received a special note and flowers in the morning. Thank God for a restful, blessed day!

little miss sunshine

Combination of montessori materials

The lovely cheesecake that auntie likian baked for taka's farewell

Can you see the faint rainbow? Doesnt it remind you of His covenant with Noah?!

A nice souvenir

God paints a different picture every morning outside my window.

We use this to teach (a+b+c)^3

This is for phonics

My cg was playing scrabble at U.d.d.e.r.s

My lastest project
The nice dinner that i had with mom. We had seat with a gorgeous view without reservations! How cool is that?! Thank God!!!!!!

I'm really excited about everything that's happening in my life! Internship will be starting soon and thank God for providing! Perhaps no amount of words could express how marvelous God's blessings have been! For the past weeks, i was scurrying through every evening, busy, catching up with my pals (who came back from aussie), taka and my cg, mugging for exams, spending time with my family and close friends all at once. Thank God practical exams are over! Mastering the methods of teaching ALL montessori materials within the span of 11 days is no easy feat. God is my source of strength! Through it all. Had dinner with my mom at sushi tei recently. I like eating out with my mom. There's something special about enjoying a nice evening with your loved one... a blessing that i often take for granted. On sunday, the pastor was talking about the importance of spending solitary time with God. The solitary moments that i have with our Heavenly Father are probably the most beautiful moments that i experience. Being still and quiet before Him. i forget to be still at times when i hustle and bustle with the things in life.


Half of the year has past and when i looked back, i'm just thankful for God's providence and blessings. I feel like little miss sunshine! Had some nice time catching with my close friends lately. It's nice catching up with grace and val. It has been ages since we did that. Grace and i grabbed Boost(the nicest fruit shakes from aussie) and spend the afternoon chatting away and enjoying each other's company. Our next boost will be free!!!!!!! Haha! Perhaps an auntie side in every girl, when it comes to boost and shopping! Val's fav letters are: S.A.L.E. If that girl ever gets on 'wheel of fortune', those would be her favourite alphabets. It's funny how val keeps me full and happy with all the healthy snacks from her 'food paradise'. lol. Oh i was at dempsey early this week. It's a gorgeous place and there was a nice cat that looks like batman. He's really friendly :)

Rain

The love that God shows us everyday in the little ways that we often overlooked, amazes me whenever i ponder over it. Last night, my parents came home just in time, before the rain poured. I felt very thankful that God held back the rain...
Sometimes He does, sometimes He doesnt. Just like the storms in our lives. He will never let us handle more than what we can bear. God reminded me of His love again this morning.

"With what shall i come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall i come before Him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall i offer my firstborn for my transgressions,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has showed you, O Man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:6-8

Thank you God for this sweet reminder. Like a reminder from an earthly father...that You do not delight in superficial or fleshly gifts. But a close and devoted relationship with You. Thank You Lord, for loving us first. That we may learn to love.

So close

Have you heard this song? 'So Close' by hillsong. I went jogging earlier and had a chat with God. My heart was filled with so much joy and peace. Joy of knowing that i am satisfied by Him. The joy of knowing that God loves me so much, joy of knowing that God brought me through my saddest moments. That song just came to my mind as i prayed. "So close, i believe, You're holding me now in Your hands i belong. You never let me go." God didnt let me go when i felt trapped in the darkest valley, He never let me go when i thought i wouldnt be joyful again. He never me go and held me so close. Praise God!

These are the lyrics of the song:

I'm so secure
You're here with me.
You stay the same
Your love remains
here in my heart.
(Chorus)
So close I believe
You're holding me now,
in Your hands I belong.
You'll never let me go;
So close I believe
You're holding me now
in Your hands I belong,
You'll never let me go.
You gave Your life
and Your endless love.
You set me free
& show the way
now I am found
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
All along You were beside me
even when I couldn't tell
and through the years
You showed me more of You
more of You
(Chorus)

He will not let your foot slip

Who would have thought that a mighty king who had the power to defeat massive legions, break through impeccable strongholds and defeat nine foot giants would lament like a little child. A helpless little child. Hard to imagine that, isnt it? God reminded me that even the strongest man, the greatest king, would need God, more than anything. Sometimes i lament like David and God seem to remain silent in the midst of pain and distress...it felt like He wasn't with me.


Psalm 77
" I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When i was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."


Instead of rebuking the audacious accusations in my heart that He doesnt seem to care, God brought me back to the familiar passage in romans 8. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." These verses were flashed boldly on the screen before the start of the order of worship on Sunday. You know, sometimes, like the parable of the prodigal son, God runs to us like a loving Father with opened arms. I felt like the prodigal child...a child that's totally helpless and overwhelmed. But God did not despise my brokeness. He ran to me and said, "I love you. And nothing will ever separate you from My love."

Psalm 121

It has been a long time since i pop by the garden...Strangely, there was a nudging urge to head down when i got home. God showed me another miracle... The torrents over the past weeks did not destroy my rose plant...Instead, He made another one bloom. Just like what is written in Psalm 121, "The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going. Both now and forevermore." The Lord watches over everything that He has created...He drove me to tears once again because of the reassurance that He is watching over me. Now and forevermore.

Who am i?

"Who am i, that the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am i, that the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am. But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done. But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I? That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I? That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am. But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done. But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am. But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done. But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours. I am yours."

~Casting Crowns: Who am i~


We shared the songs that touched our hearts deeply, during cg. SaSa shared this song...You know, God really hears us when we're calling and He catches us when we're falling... Just when i was crying out to God, a friend sent a message that says "keep smiling in the joy of the Lord!"
Who am i?! That the Creator God would chose to love me so dearly and so deeply! Who am i?! That the King of kings would care to pick me up! Who am i?! That the Great Lord would care to hold my every moment! I'm overwhelmed...overwhelmed by God's incomprehensible love.

Food for thought

Just read this:
That was the problem of the Christians in Ephesus- they had left their first love.They did all the right things, but out of duty, not love. If you've just been going through motions spititually, dont be surprised when God allows pain in your life. Pain is the fuel of passion- it energizes us with an intensity to change that we dont normally possess. C.S Lewis said pain is God's megaphone. It is God's way of arousing us from spiritual lethargy. Your problems are not punishment; they are wake up calls from a loving God. God is not mad at you, He is mad about you and will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with Him. God told the captives in babylon, "When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, i'll make sure you wont be disappointed."

21st bday

This birthday isnt one with loud parties or deafening music but it is one that makes me cry and smile all at once! I am so loved by my cg! If you're reading this, thank you sooooo much for everything!!!!! The greatest gift that God gave me this 21st year is the assurance of His love :) everyday. On saturday, i watched 'passion of christ' over breakfast with my dad and i couldnt stop crying. It was as if God was saying, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) I did that just for you. I love you." Yesterday the pastor shared that sometimes, we do not know what we really want. He wasnt pointing to trivia wants but he was talking about the deepest and greatest need of our hearts. Sometimes, we chase after the things that we thought we want yet feel empty and dissatisfied when we have those things but Jesus wants us to know the truth. Even if it takes alot of pain to speak the truth, He will because He loves us and want to set us free-the way God intended things to be... This is a birthday that i run straight to God, telling Him that i need Him more than anything and i never want to leave those arms again!

Unconditional covenant

Have you ever realised that the covenant that God made with Abraham was unconditional?! God committed Himself to do certain things for Abraham and the nation that would come from Him. Failure or unbelief on Abraham's or Israel's part would not set aside this covenant. This simple truth really hit me because I was reminded of God's faithfulness and unconditional love! Sometimes we doubt God and ask questions like, 'Will You really bring me through this?', 'Can i really trust You without knowing how things will work out, where You are leading me or even why things happened the way they did.' Yet God patiently deals with our stubborness and tenderly reassures us of His love all the time :) God is so amazing! He is the God who created the universe, the God who holds everything in His hands, the God who parts the sea, and He is a God who delights in every detail of our lives!

Holydays (pics 7)

Another heart-shaped coral
The yellow bird that stays upside down

This sign has grammatical errors

Holydays (pics 6)

Holydays (pics 5)

Heart-shaped coral



It was so sunny i could barely open my eyes

Holydays (pics 4)

The infinity pool
The place where i spent most afternoons
My parents were strolling on the beach (the two stick-like people in the background)

Holydays (pics 3)

Holydays (pics 2)

The rose that God sustained :)

The dining place at the hotel