Thanksgiving, dated 14 January 2007
I dragged myself out of the bed early in the morning to bring my SM2 to the zoological gardens. Seriously it was quite a dread because I do not enjoy animals. It cost me $15 for entrance fee and $4 for parking!! Thats so expensive okie.
I could only join them for 2 hours. I didnt have time for lunch. (I get quite upset when I dont get to eat my proper meals.) Heh. I had to pump petrol, otherwise I may end up running out of it in the middle of expressway to Expo. You know how far it is from Mandai to Expo. Heavens seemed to collapse when the nearest Shell wasnt in operation. I had no idea where to find the next nearest kiosk.
I prayed to JESUS for His guidance to find the kiosk before my car has any chance of being stalled. And I found it! Then, I had to figure out how to navigate my way to Expo. It was raining cats and dogs, plus it was 1.25pm. I was certainly late for service. By the way, Ive never been late for service. I prayed again. For Gods guidance to get to Expo and for His favor that I might be in time to get into the auditorium.
I was telling GOD that I didnt mean to be late. I truly want to please Him. I believe the LORD knew how I struggled getting my way to Expo.
Guess what? When I finally reached Expo, I saw the gate closing. I prayed again. ‘GOD, can you allow a miracle to happen? Can someone open that door again from the inside so that I may have a chance to enter?’
The next second, the door opened. For whatever reason, the policeman (or security guard) opened the door. And said to me, ‘You are the last to be allowed into the auditorium’
Thank you JESUS for giving me the opportunity to worship Him for the remaining 15 minutes. I found an available seat. To my pleasant surprise, the bag beside my seat belonged to my daughter Michelle Ling. I seldom sit with Mich during service. I thank GOD for the opportunity too. I enjoyed sitting with her though we might not have spoken much during the sermon.
So much, so much, to thank the LORD for…
Retro Personality Countdown Party 2007
I wish to thank my mum, Pastor Serene and Pastor Shufang for nominating me as our cluster retro personality. This had unexpectedly ministered to me. Thanks also to my sisters Eliz, Cindy, Liyan, Buddy Chinfen & Elise for dolling me up. Thanks Ray for being my wonderful partner.
When I was doing my QT, I realised GOD was actually doing a work of healing thru this event.
I got myself into a very difficult situation on my JC prom night. I was nominated as one of the candidates for the Pageant. I didn't want to participate because I didn't want to be in the limelight, especially when I was a gossip topic in school then. Pleasant and nasty gossips, perhaps, nasty ones outweigh pleasant ones.
I unintentionally created a scene when I refused to go up onto the stage and attempted to leave the banquet until my teacher came and ran after me. When I went onto the stage, the unfortunate question that I randomly picked was 'Convince the audience why you fit to be tonight’s NYJC Prom Queen'. I blatantly answered 'I am not fit to be one because I don't even want to be one.' and walked off the stage. The audience let out some disappointing moans.
This incident had left a deep impression in me. Never had I want to screw up my prom night. Maybe it was an issue of self-confidence. Honestly, I was displeased with myself for being a spoil sport, yet I felt so shameful deep within. I thought I never want to be on stage to be in the limelight again.
On the contrary, since then till now, GOD had granted me many opportunities to perform dances on stage, MC for wedding dinner etc. It seemed like GOD was preparing me, gradually, to overcome myself on stage.
When I went for the briefing for Retro Personality, I 'freaked out' when they said they would be selecting Mr/Miss Retro King/Queen. I recalled the Prom King/Queen incident. I wondered why I got myself into such a thing again.
On hindsight, I thank GOD that there wasn't enough time to play games on the stage, so the MCs cut the programme. All I needed to do were catwalk and poses. I believed I hadn't made a fool of myself on stage that day & Ray and I had given our best efforts during our preparation and on the actual day.
This was a second chance that GOD had given me to somehow 'un-wind' what happened 5 years ago. This, itself, is a form of healing, where stage victory has been won.
I can't help but burst into tears of gratitude to the LORD for He started my year 2007 - the Year of Victory, with victory on stage.
The LORD is my confidence.
Ethnos Emmanuel!
Ethnos Emmanuel!
'Ethnos' --> We consist of various ethnic groups
'Emmanuel' --> GOD's presence is with us
These are the legacies of our forefathers, Pastor Hee Guan, Pastor Shufang (used to be Ps HG's cell member), Pastor Hee Jhee (used to be Ps SF's cell member) & Pastor Serene (used to be Ps HJ's cell member).
On 31st Dec 2006 (i.e. my birthday ;) ), we had our first cluster activity. Basically we had simple games, where we encouraged fellowship among the 4 tribes. It was significant because it marked the end of 2006, welcoming the Year of Victory 2007, as a BIG FAMILY.
