wonderment

” Whatever your hands finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecc 9:10)

Last night, J & J & I walked back to the MRT station together. YA was marvelous … not so much in terms of the content for me … but for them, Ps F touched on an issue that was very, very close to their hearts.

We ended quite late already and stayed a little later for Pastor J to pray for them. After that, we stuck around to compose ourselves before starting for home. As we walked we talked, but when we reached QPP, we just stood out there in a little huddle and yakked somemore until Jo popped up behind us (with Jan in tow) and imitated a really badddd version of Ps J “Do you need prayer?” (think booming bass).

Yes, if you’re wondering, we do have A LOT of Js at YA.

Anyway - as I did my devotion this morning, that verse up there reminds me that if you want things to happen -
Love God today
Pray today
Read yer Bible today
Surrender your life to God today
Do things God’s way today
Love people today
And be considerate when you use the road today. Don’t jaywalk, don’t dream, don’t roadhog. Do unto others what you want others to do unto you, ah? Understand? Understand??

Hehe, another Christmas wish list item … coming right up!
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A Christmas wish …

How nice it is to start school with a brand new school bag! More so for children who have probably been using old and tattered bags for years. Your gift of a new school bag will brighten a child’s school life for the new year!

Give a child a head start in school with a new school bag - $13

…………..

Wow, the day is barely half over and I feel like I’ve taken in enough stress to last me a few life times.

1. I woke up with a sinking feeling that I had been overcharged by one of our landlords for CCIS and when I did a few sums I realised that if I put both groups into LP, we’d have $4,000 +++ to spare … for meals (worth more than 1,000 meals), or buying air tickets (people are having trouble raising funds), or for more important things than just better accommodation!

I didn’t get the group numbers in till Friday and the weekend was stuffed with things to do other than CCIS so I didn’t get round to thinking about it until my subconsciousness woke me up … Called the LP landlady and found out that she had actually factored in one of those groups!! Now, I didn’t know about that … but she left out a big group of 29, staying 2 days … now, I just pray and pray and pray that she’ll be able to fit the 29-strong group and one more 17-person group into LP somehow, somewhere … and then I’ll just have to deal with one very irate auntie screaming down the phone …

And you gotta hear this - I didn’t even know till Auntie Mary told me. There’s a group from Irian Jaya who are coming. What’s so special about them? Well … they were once man-eating Cannibals!!! They stopped after they became Christians so their testimony is quite amazing. Another reason why you should get down to Orchard Road this Christmas. But it was soo funny, the LP landlady called me twice to ask if they were still man-eaters and I had to reassure her with “mei you, mei you, mei you …” that they were all right, they were now cultured people and nobody was gonna get eaten … Goodness, gracious me …

2. Auntie Mary had to go overseas to preach and the China VISAs weren’t done yet so I offered to take over (silly me). I’ve never EVER done Visas for anybody at all, but Auntie Mary reassured me and said that the process was “quite easy”. She sent a courier over with all the Visas and included a sample for me to follow. I didn’t want to run around filling up forms at ICA so Sarah and I spent 2 hours on Saturday night carefully filling up all 17 forms. There were like 3-4 pages on each form and after filling up what seemed to be the 100th form, I lay down on my arm and fell asleep.

So I THOUGHT we were pretty safe but when we got to ICA today to do the visas, it was a madhouse! There were people everywhere! Of all shapes and sizes! Thank God for little mercies like less bureaucracy and more efficiency! The queue snaked around the waiting area right up to the escalator so we thought that it’d be about an hour’s wait just to take a silly queue number. Surprisingly, the queue moved so fast, we got our number and to Counter 9 in less than 10 minutes after we stepped into ICA. So far so good. Maybe we’ll be done earlier than expected?

But somehow I knew the day wasn’t gonna be quite that simple when the auntie at the counter started looking through the stack of papers and asked “Where’s your company ROC?” What Company ROC? Auntie Mary didn’t say we needed to bring that! Problem number one. Then she opened one of the VISA application booklets, looked at the pages and deadpanned, “You didn’t fill up this part, this part and this part, go and fill up. ” Fill in the rest of the booklet…Auntie Mary only filled up half the booklet and didn’t do the rest … RIGHT … And then she said the dreaded words, “I’m going for lunch in 5 minutes. After you’re done, wait for me to come back, but don’t come back at 3-4 o’clock. Too late by then.”

Thus began my rather complicated day.

To her credit, the counter auntie came back in 20 minutes. When she came back, we were barely through our first 3 booklets. Half the time we were mulching around wondering what to write for the rest. None of the counter staff would help us with our questions so we had to wait till she got back. After that, I rushed back to office to get the company ROC. Thank God again that my office is just down the road … otherwise ….

We finished at about 1ish … tired but relieved that it’s all over. Just have to wait till Thursday where we’ll know whether the visas are approved.

And … it’s now 4.40pm. I wrote this over the period where I was waiting for the ROC to come in, didn’t get to finish it and now I’m writing the last bits of it.

THEN ….. The counter auntie just called. I forgot to tick one section for one of the applicants. Have to go back tomorrow morning just to tick it. HELPPPP!!!

Today is such a comical day. When I was in it, it was more stressful than funny, but as I rode a taxi (the 3rd and final one for the day) back to office, I couldn’t help but laugh.

God knows I’m lousy at administration (Hospitality is more than just serving tea or coffee - it’s actually really an administrative role - lovely.)

God knows I can’t bargain to save my life (I’ve to now learn how to be thick skinned and bargain till I get what I want.)

God knows when I’m super stressed I can’t function properly (He always sends cool cucumbers like Nicole and Sarah to slap me sane)

God knows I prefer the easy way out, to just receive instructions and act on it (Now my a** is on the line - What I choose will either make me stronger, or I’ll just go back to being a lazy turtle)

God knows in times like these, I often choose to rely on everything else except Him. So He sent a reminder in the form of out-of-the-blue SMSes from friends, an article from Christianity Today I relegated to the the recycle bin, and some sparrows I saw while waiting at the traffic light … “Hey, Ruth, He’s God and He is greater than he that is in the world. Why you so gan-cheong spider for what???”

Amen, Holy Spirit, amen.

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A Christmas Wish ….

The winters can get very chilly for the children in Vietnam. A gift of a jacket warms a child, why not give TWO to warm another one?

Keep a child warm this winter - $26 for two jackets

World Vision Gift Catalogue - Click for more details.

………………….

The window sill I have faced everyday is now cleared and I can see out into the rest of the office without hastily scribbled post it notes, picture frames, postcards, souvenirs from my colleagues blocking my view.

The ground around my desk area is empty. No more overflowing bags of notes, used plastic bags, empty jewel covers, books, food, etc to trip over on.

The wall where I pasted a prayer calendar from Korea’s FEBC, a note written by Jim Bowman about the advantages of radio, a 2005 calendar with the months that have passed all crossed out) and a sheet of the 20 cans of success is now oddly empty.

I’ve said my goodbyes and thanks at this morning’s devotion.

It’s finally time to go.

In a blink of an eye, I’m leaving this place to go elsewhere to continue God’s Great Commission. Mom asked if I felt reluctant to go … Well, I wouldn’t use reluctant but really thankful that my work is done here in FEBA and it’s time to begin anew putting His talents to good use.

My colleagues are putting up Christmas decorations now. Last year, Nicole and I were the ones doing it, now it’s time to pass on this “sacred duty” to somebody else.

What should I say about the end of my tenure here, at a place which has taught me so much about God, about who I am and about life?

I’m not too sure, I’m not good at putting it into words.

All I can say is that … WOw wow wow wow wow. PTL!

My posts are coming in drips and draps (if there ever were such a word) and this one ain’t any better.

1) Sleep is becoming a precious commodity. When Britney suddenly started blaring on the radio alarm, I shuffled over to switch it off and promptly went back to bed. 5 minutes later, my handphone alarm went off and I endured it until the piercing “dit-dit” drove me nuts. I actually contemplated hanging a “Not In” sign to tell the whole world to leave me in peace but my dad called a few minutes later and I couldn’t hide anymore “# .

2) Coffee never had any effect on me and for the record, I don’t particularly enjoy the beverage either. But when I began dozing off during morning meetings, I had to take drastic action!! For the first time last week, I drank a strong black brew just before going into the meeting and I stayed boing-boing at least until I could flop over on my desk.

3) Da Zits are back.

The avalanche has begun.

I never knew how bitterness and anger was corroding the relationship. Yet, when in one swell moment, the Spirit melted all of it away.

It was when I had to report to him regarding some stuff that I thought he had unfairly scolded me for the day before. As he sat me down and began his usual “Seminar Routine” I found myself looking past the nagging and seeing all he was doing in a whole new light and how he was struggling for excellence in our ministry work.

I surprised even myself when I suddenly thought, “What a sad lonely tired old man.” Trust me, it’s not that easy to say that and actually believe it after bitching tirelessly about how he was picking on me.

So even though he called us in for another Seminar this morning, it wasn’t as frustrating as it was enlightening. I thought yesterday’s difference in attitude was an “of-the-moment” thing, yet today, I, for the first time, enjoyed and learnt something from his long, overly-passionate sermon.

I was standing at the photocopier copying stuff from my radio textbooks after lunch today, when he came over and asked what I was doing. I showed him the books I had and he was kinda impressed and playfully swatted my shoulder and asked me to return during the holidays to teach radio. No more accusing eyes, no more tension.

Funny, and just when I had a nice, razor sharp answer ready to deal out if he pushed me over the edge. Had the whole scene rehearsed in my head the night before. When I came to work yesterday morning, nothing physical snapped, yet something was vastly different.

God. It just has to be Him ‘cos I wouldn’t in my right mind do anything like that.

Could I just make him proud of me … just for once?

Last night’s teaching on Love, Dating and Relationships was amazing. (As usual I would like to say, but that would be trivialising the whole thang.)

I thought the girls would feel so outta there because they’re either 1) expecting her first kid 2) just married 3) in a serious relationship for more than 4 years 4) unknown. And one did express her helplessness to describe the definition of dating because she forgot what it meant after being attached for so long. For me, I thought we’d be going through the same stuff as I read in books before.

Well, God’s word never ceases to cut straight to the heart and answer life’s tough questions.

In fact, I was so taken aback by what Pastor F said because he had basically repeated some of the stuff I said to a few friends about over the course of this week, this time backed up with verses from the Bible. I think when they heard it, they were just as shocked as I was. Something to note for the guys: Your wives are there for you to strengthen you, to counsel you, to reach out to you and to help you. We’re not all a bunch of naggy women who don’t know anything worth talking about. Hehehe….

Also, God created us to desire companionship with another human being. Loving someone doesn’t make us love God any less, in fact, when we love someone, we can find our love for God. I think it’s the whole spillover effect: When you truly love God, your love will also overlap to the things He loves - Man (or Woman for that matter).

Pastor F used to clubhop and he knew the whole club scene by heart. Hearing him speak so tenderly about God and his wife made all that he said rather important and credible.

At the end of the day, I got the girls together to do a quick reflection and they all said they really learnt a lot.

The demographics of our group is rather special, each girl can find a fellow sister with a similar situation, similar phase of life whether it be romantically or spiritually to spur on. I don’t know how that came to be but it did by God’s magnificient planning. We have a new girl joining us. I knew her from way back when YA started but she left because work was heaping up but now she’s returned and I think she’ll really bring the giggly aspect to our rather serious group.
By golly, these ladies, so full of life’s experiences even at their age, so wanting to grow more in the knowledge of Christ, so praying for that important man in their lives to make the decision to live for Christ. I see in their faces changes taking place from when I first knew them till now. They will become mature, godly, committed, dedicated, God-fearing, gentle, loving ladies in time.

I am so glad, so glad that God has put me in such a time at such a place. If only I can see them grow up and really know Christ and multiply by leading other groups, my faith will soar.

There are times like these where I wished I knew how to drive. Bummer.

CCIS. I’ve got 3 groups, a total of 60 people.

One group is coming from Senai will most likely get to Lucky Plaza by 0200.

Another two coming from Changi will probably reach Lucky Plaza at 0420.

And none of them know how to speak English!!!

Oh great. What’s with the budget airlines and these awful timings??

On the brighter side, it seems I’ve only these groups who are coming in all at the same day. No more! WOo hoo!

I feel like a little girl
Trying to conquer the whole wide world
Everybody wants a piece of me
And I just don’t know where to turn
I’ve got work piled up to my head
All I want to do is jump into bed
And wash away my troubles with lemonade (pancakes please?)
Play hide and seek
with the boy next door
Take a trip to Singapore and
Imagine how I’ll make the world a better place

Me, a little superhero girl? Haha, I wish, but each day that I wake up, I know so much more that I need God to be able to get through everything that comes my way today.

No more Pancake day until the New Year.

The first day of 2006 is The Actual PanCake Day.

Hahaha, short complicated story, but that’s behind.

Last night at YA, we had a lively discussion, guys and gals, on the expectations of each other on a first date. Each group retreated to 2 separate sides of the room and with a topic like that, how could you expect it to be quiet?

After 30 minutes of laughing our heads off, we presented our views and hmm … actually both guys and girls have very similar expectations. We want each other to be real, natural and open.

However, there was one thing of contention - To go dutch or not?

How do you ask a guy if he’s paying for you or not? So paiseh … guys, if you wanna treat us, please say so, if you want to go dutch, say it too … we would really appreciate it!

It was a really fun night so I’ll do a little advertisement here: We’re beginning on 4 weeks of “Love Dating and Relationships”, every Monday night from 730-930pm at the Adelphi #07-02 (opposite Funan Centre) . Email me for details!