25/8/2012

Wow I haven't blogged in a long while. 

It's been an exciting past month. So many things have happened, coursework, coursework results, family issues. Really got a lot of stuff happen sia dunno how I'm gonna fit all of them into one post :P but I'll try.

Had many revelations about God this past month. One thing that has really struck me is how dirty and sinful we are before our holy and almighty God, yet He has chosen to pour our his relentless love unto us. Been thinking a lot of about my previous mistakes, sins, regrets, and every time I pray for God for a breakthrough in any part of my life, I'm always reminded of them. Makes its difficult for me to pray about, well pretty much anything. But then I was reminded of how much our God loves us, that He sent His one and only son as a sacrifice and as an atonement for our sins. Who among us is willing to sacrifice so much for a people who, by default, should hate and loathe? God may be a loving God, but He is still one of justice. This revelation of His love to us has been something that has struck me deeply. That no matter what my sins, He is a God that continue to love me.

Quite disappointed with coursework results this term. Did terrible for Chemistry and Geography but quite pleased with Amath. Was hoping for a time of rest after the coursework season but need to start studying for EOYs. Hais so much studying to finish :/ Need to rely on God's strength to sustain me throughout the rest of the year. Even my November/December holidays so packed, going possibly 4 different countries. ARGHHHHHH. But for the moment, will continue to work on my studies for the glory of God.

Exhausted so I'm just gonna stop here hahaha. 

God bless.

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Some shots of a family trip to East Coast Beach :) One of the rare times we go out as a family.

Canon 600D, 18-22mm, 28-135mm

24/7/2012 - POP Outing

POP outing was awesome! Had one of the most fulfilling times there ever in my time as a Syren. Had the honor of being able to lead a group - Zebulun! Ran around Labrador Park like siao got sunburnt but it was worth it :) The capture the flag game was pretty awesome hahaha Joshua Quek was some chiongster XD Xi Long also lol both of them hardcore warrior :P

Learned a lot during the outing., especially conflict management and dealing with difficult children. Man my group was crazy had like random kids running around go here go there phew :P Got one girl especially never listen forever kao pei me :P But thank God managed to get through to her in the end she was pretty friendly :) Was really encouraged by the debrief at the end as well; all the encouragements were really uplifting :) Many a time we underestimate the power of small words of encouragement, and the joy it bring to your heart.

Thank God for giving me the strength and energy to go through the outing as well. Cause of my fast, the outing and the meeting before it, I didn't eat for the 36 hours before the end of POP outing. Was crazy tired before it even started, but am grateful to God for helping to keep up the energy level in my group :) Came back exhausted but with the knowledge that we made an impact on the children :)

19/7/2012

It's been a really tiring week. Fasting has been taking a toll on my body, feeling fatigued almost the entire day, especially early afternoon and early evening. My sleeping habits have not helped either hahaha. Average time around 1230? Got too many courseworks to finish :P And this weekend's gonna be pretty busy too; worship practice, POP Outing. Hais.

But really grateful for the little bits of free time I've managed to find; like calms between storms. Been doing QT consistently throughout the week so yea pretty happy with the progress I've made :) Was reading 1 Corinthians, and one thing that stood out was how we are all part of the body of Christ, ONE body. There may be different ministries, service areas, but at the end of the day our ultimate goal is to glorify our Lord.

Decided to take a small break from studying today and start taking some pictures. Just went around the house and started taking pics hahaha like just put everything in pause. Which reminds me I need to install Adobe Lightroom. Getting kinda jealous that every photographer I know has such awesome pics XD

13/7/2012 - Dad's Birthday

 Dad's birthday :) Had chocolate fondue for dessert hahaha.

All shots with a Canon 600D, 18-55mm. Too lazy to edit XD

9/7/2012 - Overnight Prayer

Had an awesome time during the overnight prayer, especially during the worship during service :) One thing that struck me was the reason why we have worship in the first place. When I was playing guitar during the 2nd last song, I had absolutely no idea how to play the song. Even though Gabriel said I was doing fine, I was still kinda nervous. When I first started playing, I looked up to see whether any one was staring, but the only thing I saw was the entire church worshiping God, standing and even kneeling. 

It was then that it struck me that I was there, the worship team was there, not to look good, not even to play well, but to lead the congregation into a time of worship; playing well was only a small portion of that overall mission. I was almost embarrassed at how much I had focused on playing well, sounding good, that I had lost track of the real mission behind the worship team, that is to lead people into worship. 

Sometimes, in our church ministries, we focus so much on numbers, programs, sound check EQ etc, that we lose track of the reason behind our ministries. Even in SYRENS sometime I focus so much on looking good for the children, setting a good example for them, that it becomes the ONLY thing I concentrate on. What happened to the passion in service? The burning fire that motivates us to continue serving despite the fatigue we face? The desire in our heart not to look good, to sacrifice our dignity, face, just to be of service to the church? I need to find my passion again. 

Sunset along the Tuscany Highway, Italy

Been pretty tired lately. Late nights, deadlines coming up, sleep has been eluding me XD Really need to rely on His strength to carry on through this week, as well as the next. Got so many courseworks due, really need to stop procrastinating.

On a happier note, my brother won his swim meet!!! So proud of him now he's in the freestyle and medley team :) It's been a rough week for him though, been screamed at by Mom quite a lot this week, need to remember to pray for him.

 Florentine Marketplace

 Outside the Vatican City XD

Waterways of Venice

 Tuscany Countryside

Alleys of Florentine, or Rome... ...I think :P

7/7/2012

 

 The clouds are coming in. 

5/7/2012

It's a lonely journey.

Pilot

Well the IP symposium has started. Bleh. Spent at least an hour sleeping and the rest either singing to Ed Sheeran or finishing up some leftover homework. Spent the whole of last night trying to finish up Li Lao Shi's homeworl lol. Got tired and fell asleep around 2? Getting harder to remember what time I fall asleep. 

Father started shouting today again, this time at my younger brother. Feel sorry for well, both of them actually. My bro had his swim com today so dont dare to ask what they were arguing over. Hais. Need to continue to pray over my family; relying on His strength and not mine. 1 Corinthians 2:5

Will be uploading random pics hahaha. Thinking of watermarking but too lazy to get around to downloading Adobe Lightroom 4 :P

Most of these photos were taken in Rome during my trip to Italy last December, except for the last one which was taken from the top of the Tower of Pisa.