church

I have been going to a church here called 'Cornerstone Church'. It doesnt have a building of it's own but rents a school and uses it for sunday services. It's considered to be quite a large congregation here (ard 500 strong). I don't think it's demonimational but if i were to label it i'll call it a charismatic church. Has quite a fabuolous band - a pianist, flutist (?), violinists, clarinetists (?), drummer, guitarists, bassists. Well, not as big as the main service in COS but i think it's pretty nice... Sing a mixture of contemporary christian songs and hymns. But unlike back home where the songs are often repeated they usuallu only sing a song once through here. Less 'charismatic' in that sense, but i guess it's good cos now when i sing i gotta make sure i focus on the lyrics cos they wont be repeating it again.

But sometimes i do feel my worship to God is restricted... and i've lost the ability to worship Him freely and uninterruptedly... if i start crying (tearing would be a better word actually) in the middle of worship ple will probably wonder if sth's wrong with me (not in a bad sense.. but they prob think i need help...) sigh, so try very hard to keep down my emotions and not let anyone see my tears. My 'best worship experience' (i dont know how else to descirbe it) would be at last year's ABC at melaka during one of the night services... There was an altar call and ple were streaming up that by the time i decided to go up there was no space left in front. So i just walked out of my seat and knelt down at the side. Alone. I remember crying out to God wanting a touch so badly from Him. I stretched out my hands to the sky as if reaching to touch His. And i felt He was reaching His hand over to hold mine... And a song came to my mind 'when all things become shadows in the beauty of your holiness'... All my worries, fears, self-consciousness (of ple looking at me) just fled and all i wanted was for that moment to last... forever. And i remember Chris coming beside me and putting his hand on my shoulder. Normally i'd feel awkward, but that time i was glad someone came over, i was touched by his act... And we just sat there basking in the wonderful presence of the Lord in that place... It's been some time since i felt that way. And sometimes i'd wish to go back to that again. But i know i must look forward and it's no point being reminiscent abt such things... It was just a thought i thought i'd share.

When service is over normally the singaporeans i am with are one of the first ones to rush out of the building. So normally i'm left alone there... but somehow i always meet other ple who are lingering ard talking and fellowshiping and i get a lift back home in the end ;) (otherwise i'd have to take a 45mins walk back) Made me remember those imes when the YPMers will linger ard at the church lobby (often blocking other ple..heh) just talking, and taking ages to decide where and what to eat. And stopping at the traffic light outside PP where we WILL have to make a decision.

Yep, pretty long entry today. Thanks for reading :) Hope you guys had a good and relaxing weekend recharged to start a new week ahead. Till next time.

Mercy Me - Here with me

I long for your embrace
Every single day
To meet you in this place
And see you face to face

Will you show me?
Reveal yourself to me
Because of your mercy
I fall down on my knees

And I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

You're everywhere I go
I am not alone
You call me as your own
To know you and be known

You are holy
And I fall down on my knees

I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

I surrender to your grace
I surrender to the one who took my place

song (well, part of it..)

Though i walk through valleys low,
I'll fear no evil.
By the waters still my soul,
My heart will trust in YOU.

Sang this during our cell grp meeting here... Spoke to me and encouraged me. Just thought i'd share it on my blog.

first week of school

It's been a rather slow and slack first week of term, only 6 hours of class in all (that works out to abt 1 hour a day!) Can't compare to what's it like back in sgp. Don't get jealous! heh. But sometimes i've got too much time on my hand i don't know what to do with it, so end up being unproductive, and at the end of it all i wonder where all that time has gone to, and feel guilty for not using it better... Spending hours cooped up in my room =/ though i can't complain cos school is so slack for now... Just wish i were more focused sometimes though. Well, managed to go out to catch a movie in town on wed 'A very long Engagement'. it's a french movie about how a handicapped girl searches for her fiance (is that how u spell it?) after WW1 ended... pretty sweet and touching movie :) shd go watch if it comes out in sgp, no guarantee that you'll like it though, heh. Each to his own.
Going for paintballing tmr! Always wanted to do sth like that but nvr got down to it. Heard i'll come back with lots of bruises and all, but it'll be an experience... Then it's sky diving for me next! haha, i wish. Too expensive =/ oh well.
Next week of school shd get more busy...
My hallmate who recently accepted Jesus, is having a pretty rough time... Realised how important it is to follow up a new believer. Accepting Jesus is only the start of it, it's what comes after that that is challenging... It's like taking your first steps as a baby, you need someone to help you. You fall but you must get up again, till you can stand up on your own feet... Many times i take it for granted that ple know how to pray, how to read the Bible, how to have a relationship with God... Guess God's teaching me to see things from a different point of view. Well, she's gonna attend a basic christianity course soon so i trust that shd help her grow. Pls pray that she'll continue to grow strong in the LORD.
Yup, thanks you guys. God bless and keep you all!

His grace is sufficient for us...

"7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

They come
like a thief
without any warning
robbing me of my joy
paralyzing me with fear

But Your love surrounds me
When i cry out to You, You hear me
and sustain me
That in my weaknesses
You might be strong
and be glorified.

random thoughts

Was reading a friend's blog... I quote "i realized that friendship isn't maintained by being in each other's lives for every waking moment. No, it isn't. it's not about sharing ALL good and bad times with each other, and demanding that each be the 1st to know any good or bad news. it's about giving each other space to grow and become who she wants to be and who she really is, and at all times giving support and a listening ear, not neccessarily agreeing with her actions and thoughts, but nevertheless never giving up on her. " Got me thinking, got me disillusioned. but then i realised how God has provided me with friends throughout the years despite me finding it so difficult to share my innermost thoughts to others. And i thank Him for that. And thank YOU for reading this :)
Sometimes it's not the busiest times that gets me down but rather the times when i idle.. i start thinking too much. No wonder the bible says that an idle mind is a devil's playhouse... Need to get focused and to get down to do things that really matter. Get my priorities right. Most importantly to walk closely to Father. Not an easy process, but He will help us so long as we have a desire to seek Him.
Yep. like i said.... Random thoughts.

Undone - by Mercy Me

No apologies
For who I'm meant to be
The only thing that matters is
I am free
When I am overwhelmed
Holding pieces of my heart
When I feel my world
Start to fall apart

To the cross I run
Holding high my chains undone
Now I am finally free
Free to be what I've become
Undone

Even in defeat
The face of tragedy
Still you'd have to say that
I found victory
In brokenness comes beauty
Divine fragility
Reminding me of nail scarred hands
Reaching out for me

To the cross I run
Holding high my chains undone
Now I am finally free
Free to be what I've become
To the cross I run
Holding high my chains undoneN
ow I am finally freeFree to be what I've become
Undone

To the cross I run
To be what I've become
And I'm undone

end of exams... start of a new term

Just finished my last paper today. Felt a sense of relief when i walked out of the exam hall, no exhilaration which i normally feel after major exams. Guess it's different cos there's no holidays after this and lessons start again on monday... Kinda looking forward to learning new stuff but not the assignments and stuff. then again, who does.
Well, thank God truly for His grace and strength that carries me through ups and downs when no one knows. He sees and understands. He's been good and doing lots of exciting things in the university and amongst the people i talk to. People's relatives being saved, miracles happening, ple coming back to the LORD. Sometimes i think about this, and my problems seem all too insignificant. Yet, then again, God still cares for our little problems. Then again, it does not mean i can dwell on it and get distracted from my main purpose here... Can't seem to reconcile the idea of denying myself and self-denial. There's an implicit difference. But so often I get confused between the two. The first, to focus on God and not on myself, the second to deceive myself of what's really true just so that i'll feel better... then again what do i know what is true or false. Sigh.
Someone said, think less, pray more. How true it is. I need to learn to do that.
Ok. rambling on from the main point. 4 months has passed... another 4 months before i'm home! But before that, there's still much to do here... Need to get back on my feet again. Pray that my life here will be a testimony of Him and His love, and not merely just studying to get a UK degree...

May our Father's love, peace, joy, strength be your guide today, tomorrow and forever more.

Blessed be Your Name - Tree 63

Love this song more for it's meaningful and real lyrics. That in ALL things (even if things are going well, they are not going anywhere or if they are going down...), we can give praise to our LORD and Father for who He IS always.
P.S. I can now play this song in bar chords (in A)!!! :) whee.


Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name when I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s “all as it should be”
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

if you've time for a story

Most of us are under the misguided impression that we are in control. We have all the bases covered. We can take care of ourselves. But if a problem should arise that we can't handle, we know that God is there to lend us a hand. He is, in essence, our "back-up". What is the saying, "He's just a prayer away?" It is all a myth and a lie we fool ourselves into believing.We spend our time planning what we are going to do tomorrow. Scheduling every minute of our lives, making the most of every opportunity to "get everything" done. We have become so good at it that we can schedule a Plan B or other options just in case Plan A does not work out. We watch the weather channel at night to plan what to wear; we pay close attention to five-day forecasts so we can "plan accordingly." The radio is turned on in the morning to tell us about any traffic problems and to offer alternate routes.We invest our money in annuities, the money market and the stock market. We keep our eyes open for an "investment opportunity". Our financial adviser tells us we need to roll this fund into that fund. We do it to make our future more secure.We spend time planning family menus for the week before going to the grocery store so we do not buy anything unnecessary. The sale ads tell us where to go to get the best "deal". We take a roast out to thaw for tomorrow night's supper. In the morning, the roast goes in the crock pot to cook while we are taking care of our daily responsibilities. Plan, plan plan! I am not saying that we should not be good stewards of our time and resources by planning. What I am saying is that we need to be aware of the greater picture. Someone else is charge. It is our responsibility to seek Him and His plan for our life before we carry out our own personal agenda. I saw this picture clearly one day when I was feeling quite proud of myself. You've had those days, when everything goes right. You are able to make every appointment on time, you manage to run each errand on the list and even spend time with God. And to make my pride swell even more, I did all of this on a cold, rainy day. The final stop was the public library after picking my children up from school, yes, in the rain. Let me tell you, I was feeling good about myself.We stepped out of the car. I opened my large umbrella and each child opened their own smaller umbrellas. It was the perfect sight. My children have not learned to hold the umbrella straight over their heads, so I held my large umbrella over the two smaller umbrellas to insure that no one would get wet. My children did not notice that I was protecting them from the rain. They thought they were managing fine without me. It was then that I saw the "truly perfect sight". When I think I have it all covered, He is there - covering me.

Jesus is the link =)

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. "

2 Corinthians 3:18

long way to go...

Who I hope to be































































































































Who I am now

On Grace

Started reading a book entitled "What's so amazing about grace?" by Philip Yancey.
Here's a thought-provoking excerpt from his book. Enjoy...

A prostitute came to me in wretched straits, homeless, sick, unable to buy food for her two-year-old daughter. Through sobsand tears, she told me she had been renting out her daughter - two years old! - to men interested in kinky sex. She made more renting out her daughter for an hour than she could earn on her own in a night. She had to do it, she said, to support her own drug habit. I could hardly bear hearing her sordid story. For one thing, it made me legally liable - I'm required to report cases of child abuse. I had no idea what to say to this woman.
At last I asked f she ever thought of going to a church for help. I will never forget the look of pure, naive shock that crossed her face. "Church!" she cried. "Why would I ever go there? I was already feeling terrible about myself. They'd just make me feel worse."

"This world starves for grace."
I can't agree more with him.

update

For my friends still reading this, thank you :)
Know it gets tiring and boring reading long blog entries, so i decided to keep my entries short and sweet. Unless i'm in a chatty mood or there is sth i'm dying to share.
Well, past 2 weeks after school started has been rather slow for me. No lessons, just mugging for exam. Ive finished 1 - german oral exam. went pretty alright other than a few hiccups.heh. 2 to go, next week. Revision is slow, thank God my papers are pretty late so that leaves me more time to revise. Some of my friend's exams end this week though and they have a whole week off! ah wells.
Yup, thats about all. Promised it would be short and sweet!

Ginny Owens - If You Want Me To

The pathway is broken
The signs are unclear
I can't find the reason why You led me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I will go through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Now I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
And if all of these trials can make me like You
I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
'Cause it leads me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
Only that I'll never go alone
When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through

And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

testimony of His grace and love

A soul was saved today.
Praise God =)

on Love (part 2)

"We love because He first loved us."

1 John 4:19

on Love (part 1)

Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not selfseeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

in light of the tsunami disaster

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
Lamentations 3:31-33

Iris

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
'Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Shaun Groves - Welcome Home. From the album Invitation To Eavesdrop

Take me, make me all You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me, come decorate, Lord

Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until so sin or shame remain

Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded

chorus:
Come inside this heart of mine it's
Not my own make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own Welcome Home
Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from
Floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning

Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all
That You can

I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every
Door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and
Still You Knocked

Take me, make me all You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

1st Jan New Year’s day in Notts

Writing (or typing) this on my bed now… very surreal feeling, doesn’t feel as if a new year has started. Line seems so blurred bet 2004 and 2005.
My mom left yesterday (new year’s eve) back to Singapore, wont be seeing her again till I come back in june… Wasn’t a tearful farewell, but the usual reminders to take care of myself, etc. etc… (usual mother stuff la) Brought her around nottingham city while she was here (to nottingham castle, tales of robin hood…) there’s nth really much to do in notts but if any of you do come down here, ill be more than happy to bring you around! Our host also drove us to a small town in the Peak district where we spent the day walking around the shops, quite a lovely and quiet town.

New year’s eve was pretty different for me this year, not the usual new year’s eve countdown in church or whatsoever. Spent the afternoon shopping with Serene then had home-cooked dinner (shitake mushrooms, king prawns and salmon! Yum!) We watched tv after that, till the new year came. Saw the fireworks in London and Edinburgh on TV… was quite a BANG! Looked really nice on tv, cant imagine if I were there in person. Well, hope you guys had a terrific start to the new year wherever you were. Blessed New Year and may the Lord bring renewed joy, love, faith and hope to all. (:

27th Dec Back in London

Took an overnight coach ride back to London from Brussels. Journey took 8 hrs in all, and by the time we reached our accommodation we were exhausted…
Well, I felt comforted to be back on ‘home-ground’ again (not entirely home but felt more familiar than back in Europe). First thing we did was to head down to Chinatown! (or rather I dragged my mom there. Heh) Ate a set meal comprising of sweet and sour pork, diced chicken with cashew nuts, corn soup, black pepper beef and stir fried mixed vegetables! Was a delicacy for me, haven’t had gd Chinese food in ages. Still not as nice as back home, but it was better than nth! Enjoyed every bit of it (: Brought my mom around London after that, to see the city and Christmas lights. Coincidentally, it was the start of the post-christmas sale! So we spent more time browsing in shops than actually sightseeing. Heh. I got a pair of sports shoes for myself, wanted to buy clothes and all, but I’m exceeding my budget terribly. Bleh. Seems like I shop here more than I did back in sgp! Hmm… I wonder why. But I do realize how shopping can be therapeutic. You guys should try it out sometime! Heh.

Didn’t do much the next day, just visited Buckingham palace and some parks in London. Saw the change of guards with the funny long fluffy black hats (I don’t know what you call them) and their horses marching. Was more for a show than anything else. There were crowds of ple there and my mom and I were too small and short to see much. Oh wells. It was a cold but sunny day so the stroll in the park was rather nice, saw lakes with lots of seagulls, ducks and swans, and squirrels!! I never ever see the squirrels back in sgp. And if u thought the crows and pigeons are big in sgp, they are twice as BIG here! (probably to keep them warm in the winter…)

We almost missed the coach ride back to Nottingham that evening cos we went down to the British museum with Sam Gan (some of you might remember him, he attended YPMS, he’s studying in London now, in his final year). Thank God we just made it in time! Phew. Really wanted to go back to Nottingham and just spend some time relaxing at our family friend’s place. And to be back on familiar ground once again.

2nd week in the german alps at Oberstaufen, Germany

This week was more relaxing. The 2nd resort was in the german alps, south from where we were. So much colder, temp ranged from -10 to 0 degrees celsius! Was snowing heavily when we reached there as well. In fact, it was the first day it snowed when we reached! My cousin and I were thrilled and frolicked ard in the thick snow outside the resort. Made a miniature snowman as well, heh.

Went skiing on the first day, snow was about 50cm thick at the ski area. Took a cable car up by myself (cos my mom didn’t want to ski) It’s been more than 3 yrs since I last skied so was rather shaky and afraid when I was finally up there.. fell like 5 times in the first 5 minutes! And I realized I had forgotten to bring my ski gloves and cap as well… so was looking really pathetic and amateurish… but after warming up on the skis a bit, got back my momentum and in no time I was back to normal! Felt good to be able to ski again :) Wish there were someone to ski with me though, met 2 guys from china, realized how ‘pok’ my Chinese has become! Couldn’t communicate properly with them, spoke in a mixture of broken mandarin and English. So embarrassing. Heh. Kinda miss speaking mandarin… Skiing was fun, but tiring… you use so much energy you actually start sweating in -10 degrees Celsius!

My mom and I also visited a town in Austria called Innsbrook near the border of germany. Took a day tour there, had a great view of the german and austrian alps on the way there. Beautiful scenery, wish you guys were there to see it. It was snowing the past 2 days but that day the sun was out!! Could see the sun’s rays coming from between the snow-capped mountain tops. Austria was a bit of a let down though, thought it would be different from the german towns I’ve been seeing the past week. But was pretty much the same (other than the fact it was situated at the bottom of the alps… so could see the mountains from the streets). There was a christmas market there as well, so we just walked ard exploring the area before we headed back.

Went skiing again the next day, this time with my cousin so was more fun, though I fell more time and harder here, cos I took the ‘moderate’ skis (ie. for more experienced skiers). Heh, next time I won’t be over-estimate my skiing ability. Learnt some helpful tips from this friendly South African guy we met there. Took a break from skiing and went swimming (in a heated pool of course!) and taboganing the following day with my cousin. Went up and down on the toboggan so many times our bodies were aching after that. Enjoyed as much of the snow as we could, esp for her cos she’ll be going back to hot sgp soon! It’ll prob snow in notts as well, but no skiing though =/

Enjoyed this week more than the first, not rushing abt but really doing what I enjoy… and relaxing. :)

17th Dec A week at Kall, Germany

Spent the 1st week in a resort in a small town on top of a hill, about an hours train ride away from Cologne. Was really cold when I felt arrived in Cologne, the temp in UK was still considered rather mild (round 5-8 degrees celsius) Temp in Germany was round 0-2 degrees celsius, might not sound a lot of difference, but it certainly felt like it was! Brrrr….

We made short trips to Brussels, Luxemburg and Bonn during that one week’s stay. Usual schedule was leaving just at daylight to catch the train, spending the next 3-5 hours or so on the train or changing trains to get to our destination. Though we were sitting in the train most of the time, it was pretty tiring traveling from town to town… not to mention, there were many times we missed our connection and had to wait for another hour before the next train. By the time we got to our destination we would only have about 3 hours at the most to walk and look ard before sunset (the sun sets ard 3 or 4pm here in winter) and then we had to catch our train back to the resort. Visited many cathedrals in the towns we went to (some really pretty ones, but after seeing so many, I couldn’t remember which was which, heh) Once you stepped into one of those cathedrals, you could feel the whole atmosphere change – as if from chaos to calm and solemness (if there’s such a word) You have to keep really quiet and walk around with respect and reverence. I didn’t really like the feeling though, didn’t feel comfortable, but walked ard quietly admiring the paintings on the ceilings, the altar, candles and statues of Mary and Jesus. The architecture was brilliant, the interior intricate and the exterior majestic, but somehow it lacked what I was looking for in a church. But guess I have to understand that different ple worship God in their own way, and I shouldn’t judge. Each to his own…

There were also many Christmas markets (something like the road side stalls in Clarke Quay) in each of the towns we went to as well. It’s where many small stalls sell many interesting souvenirs, accessories, paintings, handicraft, all kinds of food (lots of sausages!), drinks (warm wine… german style… their speciality!), etc… The rest of the time was spent navigating or dashing in and out of shops to take refuge from the cold… heh.

All in all, the week was rather hectic and tiring. ‘Accomplished’ much in terms of sightseeing… saw many towns, visited many places. Seems like I’ve been to many places, but what ple don’t know is that I was only there for 3 hours! Bleh…

13th Dec Weekend in London

When I first reached London Victoria bus station, I realized my luggage was on another bus! But thank God that bus was headed for London as well, only arriving later. Heh. When my luggage finally arrived I took a tube (like an underground mrt) to my friend’s place where I’ll be spending a night there. Regretted packing so much for my Europe trip cos there were NO escalators or lifts in the the station! So had to lug my 18kg (!) luggage up and down the stairs and train =/ Was a miracle my arm didn’t get injured and I didn’t fall down the steps. My ex-jc friend (who’s not studying Mathematics at Imperial) brought me to the shopping district (ie. orchard rd in London) at Oxford Circus. The Christmas lights were up and there were SO many ple shopping in town!!! I was pretty taken aback, after living in a small town like Nottingham for 3 months (and not seeing so many ple, tall buildings, lights and all) Felt somewhat like back home… Well, we squeezed our way through the crowd, almost lost each other along the way cos there were just too many ple (doing their christmas shopping) Went into London’s largest toyshop 5 storeys high! (if you thought Toys-R-US is big, this is HUGE!) Sent more than an hour walking ard, some really interesting toys in there, we played with some of the exhibits, felt like I was a child again… heh. They even had a bear-making machine, where you could determine how much stuffing to put inside, and customize the bear’s voice to yours! Went to Chinatown to have dinner (Notts doesn’t have a Chinatown, in fact it only has 4 “Chinese” restaurants in the whole town) so you can imagine how happy I was when I saw Chinese restaurants lining both sides of the street with roast duck, chicken and all displayed at the window! Had roast duck rice and wan ton soup (I haven’t had that since I left sgp) ate till I was exploding, but felt sooo good…. Still miss sitting down in a hawker centre in sgp though. Olivia then brought me to ‘Big Ben’ (the highest click tower in London) was really BIG (duh) heh. Was really pretty esp when they lit it up at night and there was a giant Christmas tree beside it. Took lotsa pics there. Shared a single bed with my friend, was kinda squeezy and we both couldn’t move much. Good thing I didn’t push her off the bed!

She brought me to her church after that. You wouldn’t be able to tell it’s a church fro outside but once you stepped in you’d be welcomed by friendly and smiley ushers, and the sound of hymns, the Lord’s presence was certainly there that day =) it was a medium-sized church, the chapel was just slighty smaller than that in COS. But the inside was circular and was a little more elaborately decorated. The congregation was pretty small, consisted mainly of blacks and Chinese, some jewish ple and british as well.. The pastor of that church is from Malaysia! Was a charismatic church, the worship team comprised of an acoustic guitar, drums and an electric organ. But it was a Christmas service so we sang mainly Christmas hymns… was nice being in the Lord’s house worshipping him on a Sunday morning. They performed an interesting skit as well (from the perspective of the animals in the stable where baby Jesus was born). Preacher that morning was a guest speaker from US I think. He’s a street pastor (think it means he goes on the streets preaching to ple who would hear him…) He was really charismatic, humorous and spoke with conviction. Really anointed speaker of God, gave a powerful message of God’s everlasting and unconditional love for us. Be brought across the msg in a refreshing way and God reminded me of His love for me… Praise God for His real and eternal love for us! Visited some Christmas markets (ie. par-sal-ma-lam) and then met Samuel Gan after that. He’s from COS as well, left for UK to study about a year ago, so thought I’d meet up with him since he’s in London. Had dinner at an asian restaurant selling thai, jap, Malaysia and sgp food. Had hokkien mee and prawns!!! Ate so much again.. think in that 2 days alone I ate more than i would normally eat over 4 days. He brought me to King’s cross 9 ¾ platform (the one where Harry Potter got onto the train in the movie)

Spent a night in London airport cos my flight was early in the morning so didn’t want to risk missing my plane to Germany. Didn’t sleep that night it was also really cold in the airport. =/ Was praying to meet someone there, and I ended up sitting beside a Chinese lady who was studying in UK as well. Chatted with her a bit and we helped each other look out for our belongings. Was rather relieved when it was time to board though, cos was really tired from the weekend. But I have to say it was a weekend well-spent :)

start of a new year in Notts...

Hi all!

I'm finally back in my hostel room in the university campus in Notts... it's been one really fast and short holiday. Been slacking so much, haven't done any work at all although i have exams up the next few weeks! gasp. =/ The reality of coming back to sch hasnt really hit, still in the 'holiday' mood, today's supposed to be my LAST day of bumming ard, and from tmr onwards i'll have to MUG and STUDY for my exams... Pls pray i'll have focus and discipline to get down to studying... thanks (:
Was delighted to see some sgp friends online when i came back (havent managed to use much of the internet since i left...) Was nice catching up a bit and chatting to familiar ple again, was updated of the YPM revolution camp as well in amelia's blog (thanks for the update amelia! wasnt the most detailed but it was from a very real and persoanl point of view. Could picture some of the scenes in my mind... Well, He who started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it... i'm sure the Lord has begun in new work in each of your lives, but like amelia said, it has to be a daily thing, not just a one-time high. And that takes sacrifice, prayer, and self-discipline. Even i struggle lots with it. Well, i believe what's happened is only the tip of the ice-berg... all praise and glory to God for what He has done and will do!)
it's been one eventful and tough year for me, but still the Lord's been faithful in seeing me through. Last sunday in church someone saw a vision, she saw a diary, it was blank, with nothing written on it at all... She interpreted it as God telling us He is giving us a NEW year, a fresh start to our lives, that He is going to fill in the pages of that diary if we let Him. To forget the unhappy things of the past and to start afresh with Him. To live a changed life, one that's different from the past. That's the cry of my heart for 2005.
Well, the next few posts will give an update of my trip in London and Europe as well as spending new year in Notts. Some of it is very long-winded... if you're better at pics then you could view them at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/243461667WusHNR?728 (europe pics) OR
http://community.webshots.com/album/243491671bxnfjW?282 (London pics)

Enjoy!

"And the Lord. he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV)