Spent pretty much of this weekend attending the wedding of a couple who are two of my good friends.
I've known them for the last 12 years and their love story has touched my life. How brought them together, apart and then back together again.
Sometimes I wonder what it is that binds 2 totally different people together - it blows my mind. I guess it's smth i have to find out for myself... All in good time.
Every time i attend a wedding, i can't help but smile and be amazed at how God brough the couple together. Nevertheless, it is said that it takes a moment to say i love you and a lifetime to prove it. There is much truth in that.
I admire couples who stay happily married for lifetime, as well as single men & women who stay happily single forever.
I know God has His purposes for me - whichever way the tide or wind takes me. To learn to be contented and happy in singleness or togetherness.
To learn that He is all i need.
Learning to Walk on Water
Sea of Galilee, Israel
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
3 weeks down, 22 weeks to go...
I'm getting pretty used to the routine in training school. Time flies by when youre kept occupied 18 hours a day, and the weekend is here before i know it, and gone in a flash as well.
My instructer commented that my uniform ironing and boots polishing has improved - thanks to those for your kind advice =) Though i still feel i'm lacking behind the rest...
We are forced to lead here in training school, and more so for me. I've been struggling with being assertive and confident when giving instructions to my squad - i've been criticized many times for my soft-spokenness, etc. etc. etc. It gets me quite frustrated and disappointed, cos i can't seem to match up to what people expect of a leader. I feel that people don't think i'm up to it. Personally I don't think I'm a born-leader. Can I be made one? I believe it takes a miracle (God's grace) for that to happen.
Loneliness has creeped in unto me. I must admit i'm quite a loner and introvert, but at times i do wish for someone to confide in which i'm sorely lacking, other than God and my diary - which keeps me going. Family feels pretty non-existent at times. When i try hard to bring my family together, it seems that no one really appreciates it and it seems better if we all live our own ways.
Don't mind my ramblings, perhaps i'm just tired and disillusioned about things. Just need a listening ear. I'll get by...
Thanks for your encouragements and those who drop me ocassional msges in the week. I apologize if i'm late at replying or don't reply, cos i'm really caught up with things to do at camp...
Need the joy of the Lord to be my strength.
My instructer commented that my uniform ironing and boots polishing has improved - thanks to those for your kind advice =) Though i still feel i'm lacking behind the rest...
We are forced to lead here in training school, and more so for me. I've been struggling with being assertive and confident when giving instructions to my squad - i've been criticized many times for my soft-spokenness, etc. etc. etc. It gets me quite frustrated and disappointed, cos i can't seem to match up to what people expect of a leader. I feel that people don't think i'm up to it. Personally I don't think I'm a born-leader. Can I be made one? I believe it takes a miracle (God's grace) for that to happen.
Loneliness has creeped in unto me. I must admit i'm quite a loner and introvert, but at times i do wish for someone to confide in which i'm sorely lacking, other than God and my diary - which keeps me going. Family feels pretty non-existent at times. When i try hard to bring my family together, it seems that no one really appreciates it and it seems better if we all live our own ways.
Don't mind my ramblings, perhaps i'm just tired and disillusioned about things. Just need a listening ear. I'll get by...
Thanks for your encouragements and those who drop me ocassional msges in the week. I apologize if i'm late at replying or don't reply, cos i'm really caught up with things to do at camp...
Need the joy of the Lord to be my strength.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Weekend
Back from camp.
Was almost pushed to the max during PT this week. Did 400metre sprints which isn't exactly the funnest thing to do... I've also never done so many sit-ups, push-ups, squats and vertical jumps at one go in my entire life till now... Body aching everywhere, it hurts to lift my hand to bath at times. Taking my first IPPT this Wed.
While we were marching back to our bunks after PT, the guys in my squad started singing army songs, it felt really strange. When i was in sec sch i imagined myself in the army, but i never thought it'd become a reality. well, it's not exactly army, can't say it's even close to those who are outfield most of the time, but it's a small taste of in some way i guess. Spending the nights polishing boots, ironing uniform and cleaning our bunks...
This weekend has been rather packed, had my first practical driving test - which i failed due to a stupid mistake i made =/ i was quite confident i'll pass actually, but the seemingly small things added up, a lesson to learn for me. I won't give up yet!
Also, invited my dad to my church's Father's Day dinner, which went rather awkward - not sure if it was a wise thing to do... First time i'm celebrating Father's Day in maybe 15 years. I guess it's never too late to start again.
Now that I don't have much time in the weekends, i have to be really selective about who i meet up with. Can't spend as much time catching up with family and friends. It's times like this i miss the good old nottingham days. Well, there's a time for everything under the sun. I shall enjoy this while i'm at it =)
Week 3 - Here i come!
Was almost pushed to the max during PT this week. Did 400metre sprints which isn't exactly the funnest thing to do... I've also never done so many sit-ups, push-ups, squats and vertical jumps at one go in my entire life till now... Body aching everywhere, it hurts to lift my hand to bath at times. Taking my first IPPT this Wed.
While we were marching back to our bunks after PT, the guys in my squad started singing army songs, it felt really strange. When i was in sec sch i imagined myself in the army, but i never thought it'd become a reality. well, it's not exactly army, can't say it's even close to those who are outfield most of the time, but it's a small taste of in some way i guess. Spending the nights polishing boots, ironing uniform and cleaning our bunks...
This weekend has been rather packed, had my first practical driving test - which i failed due to a stupid mistake i made =/ i was quite confident i'll pass actually, but the seemingly small things added up, a lesson to learn for me. I won't give up yet!
Also, invited my dad to my church's Father's Day dinner, which went rather awkward - not sure if it was a wise thing to do... First time i'm celebrating Father's Day in maybe 15 years. I guess it's never too late to start again.
Now that I don't have much time in the weekends, i have to be really selective about who i meet up with. Can't spend as much time catching up with family and friends. It's times like this i miss the good old nottingham days. Well, there's a time for everything under the sun. I shall enjoy this while i'm at it =)
Week 3 - Here i come!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Batam Trip & 1st week of Training
The last 1 week has been rather eventful.
Batam mission trip last weekend was great – turned out to be more relaxed than I expected it to be. We spent an afternoon visiting a city slum, visiting some homes, distributing food & basic necessities and praying for them. It is the 2nd time I’ve visited a slum (the 1st was in China but we just prayer walked around and didn’t interact with the people). This time we got ‘up close’ to the people, by coming into their houses and talking to them. It humbled and saddened me to see their poor living conditions, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a small church in the middle of the slum – the fruits of labour of the local church there. We spent the second day at a kelong off a small island about a 30-minute bum boat ride from the mainland. It’s a really serene and beautiful place – it feels like you’ve been transported to another world there… Really blessed to have such a nice place to stay in. We visited 2 smaller islands near the kelong, where we distributed food to the villages and conducted some programmes for the children there. We didn’t spend much time there though, cos we had to get back to the kelong before it got dark. We spent a night in darkness & without water, cos the electricity & water supply got cut off! Well what’s a mission trip without some hardship? Heh. At night, we sat below the star-strewn sky, played guitar, chated and some of us tried some fishing (without much success....)! We also watched the sunrise, was a breathtaking moment admiring God’s wonderful creation. Before we knew it, we were back in Singapore.
You can view some of my batam pics here (you can see my new hairstyle too ;))
Immediately on reaching home, I was busy packing for my first week of my training.
Was feeling rather nervous and apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. First few days was mainly briefings by the trainers, settling administrative stuff, cleaning our bunks, etc. Had our first bunk inspection, which wasn’t ‘up to standard’ (which means more scrubbing and cleaning…..). Also need to buck up on my uniform ironing and boot polishing (anyone got any tips?) We had some footdrill lessons, I’m finding it quite hard to remember all the malay commands, and to give it under pressure. Learning how to turn in time, walk in step, stand straight with my hands at my side without moving, etc. So far the trainers have been quite understanding cos it’s our first week but I’m not expecting that to stay the same… Getting used to say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’ like clockwork.
Physical training (PT) this week hasn’t been too difficult (i.e. I still can walk… heh). But it will step up as well. I’m aiming for a gold for my IPPT so I need to train hard.
I’ve been appointed the chairman of my squad committee, who is responsible for leading and managing the squad – on one hand it came as a surprise, but I know that I’ve already been ‘marked’ for such a position considering my background. I’m the youngest in my squad, and I feel very much inadequate for the role. But will try my best with the Lord’s wisdom and grace. I’ve already received some negative feedback which got me kinda down, but I know I must learn to take such criticisms positively and to work on my weaknesses if I’m gonna improve.
Spending time with the Lord has been quite a struggle cos of the long training hours, and when I do get time I’m so exhausted I fall asleep once I get onto my bed. I’m also the only christian in my squad. Really need His strength and grace to be a good testimoney and witness for Him there...
It’s my first weekend out, and I realize how precious weekends are now… Still getting used to staying in camp during the weekdays. It feels like I’m in a totally different world, and when I come out it feels kinda strange. Feels like I’ve lost touch of the ‘real world’ for a while.
Well, it’s not as bad as it sounds, it is enjoyable in its own way, and I believe it’s a time of testing & growth for me, to challenge myself and to learn to depend on the Lord. I pray I will come out stronger, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually =)
24 more weeks…!
Ok gtg, time to book in.
Batam mission trip last weekend was great – turned out to be more relaxed than I expected it to be. We spent an afternoon visiting a city slum, visiting some homes, distributing food & basic necessities and praying for them. It is the 2nd time I’ve visited a slum (the 1st was in China but we just prayer walked around and didn’t interact with the people). This time we got ‘up close’ to the people, by coming into their houses and talking to them. It humbled and saddened me to see their poor living conditions, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a small church in the middle of the slum – the fruits of labour of the local church there. We spent the second day at a kelong off a small island about a 30-minute bum boat ride from the mainland. It’s a really serene and beautiful place – it feels like you’ve been transported to another world there… Really blessed to have such a nice place to stay in. We visited 2 smaller islands near the kelong, where we distributed food to the villages and conducted some programmes for the children there. We didn’t spend much time there though, cos we had to get back to the kelong before it got dark. We spent a night in darkness & without water, cos the electricity & water supply got cut off! Well what’s a mission trip without some hardship? Heh. At night, we sat below the star-strewn sky, played guitar, chated and some of us tried some fishing (without much success....)! We also watched the sunrise, was a breathtaking moment admiring God’s wonderful creation. Before we knew it, we were back in Singapore.
You can view some of my batam pics here (you can see my new hairstyle too ;))
Immediately on reaching home, I was busy packing for my first week of my training.
Was feeling rather nervous and apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. First few days was mainly briefings by the trainers, settling administrative stuff, cleaning our bunks, etc. Had our first bunk inspection, which wasn’t ‘up to standard’ (which means more scrubbing and cleaning…..). Also need to buck up on my uniform ironing and boot polishing (anyone got any tips?) We had some footdrill lessons, I’m finding it quite hard to remember all the malay commands, and to give it under pressure. Learning how to turn in time, walk in step, stand straight with my hands at my side without moving, etc. So far the trainers have been quite understanding cos it’s our first week but I’m not expecting that to stay the same… Getting used to say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’ like clockwork.
Physical training (PT) this week hasn’t been too difficult (i.e. I still can walk… heh). But it will step up as well. I’m aiming for a gold for my IPPT so I need to train hard.
I’ve been appointed the chairman of my squad committee, who is responsible for leading and managing the squad – on one hand it came as a surprise, but I know that I’ve already been ‘marked’ for such a position considering my background. I’m the youngest in my squad, and I feel very much inadequate for the role. But will try my best with the Lord’s wisdom and grace. I’ve already received some negative feedback which got me kinda down, but I know I must learn to take such criticisms positively and to work on my weaknesses if I’m gonna improve.
Spending time with the Lord has been quite a struggle cos of the long training hours, and when I do get time I’m so exhausted I fall asleep once I get onto my bed. I’m also the only christian in my squad. Really need His strength and grace to be a good testimoney and witness for Him there...
It’s my first weekend out, and I realize how precious weekends are now… Still getting used to staying in camp during the weekdays. It feels like I’m in a totally different world, and when I come out it feels kinda strange. Feels like I’ve lost touch of the ‘real world’ for a while.
Well, it’s not as bad as it sounds, it is enjoyable in its own way, and I believe it’s a time of testing & growth for me, to challenge myself and to learn to depend on the Lord. I pray I will come out stronger, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually =)
24 more weeks…!
Ok gtg, time to book in.
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