Let go and Let God

I was tasked to source for a song that we can use for this coming weekend's session with the kids. So in order to do that, I had to first read up on this Sunday’s gospel (Mark 13:24-32), find out the theme etc and find an apt song that we could teach the kids. Well, praise the Lord for He provided me with a wonderful song called “I PROMISE YOU” (performed by Trevor Nerva, CD: Walking with Jesus). 

As I was listening to the song on repeat mode, trying to get the lyrics down on PPT slides, it slowly became quite apparent that the song was really intended for me. Faced with more downs than ups lately, coupled with pure exhaustion and a massive burnout waiting to happen, I pretty much needed to hear what was right there, playing to me. 

Through the song, I was assured of His love for me and it reminded to lean and rely on God’s promises. Yes, we all go through trials and challenges, disappointment and hurts, knocking us down and out. When things just don’t go your way, the only way left (which should have been the only way to go in the first place!) is to let it all go and lift it up to the Lord, for He will take care of things. You will then see how everything will just fall into place, as you see how things start to unfold, all beautifully and wonderfully made, in His time. 

May the Lord bless each one of you abundantly and guide you in all you do always. Remember to turn to Him in good times and in bad, for He will always be there.

Full Circle

Two weeks ago, I moved back in to my old work cubi, where I had sat previously before I left (two years ago). It's complicated to list the chronology of movement but to keep it simple, returning to the old cubi after all this time, it feels surreal and I feel so blessed at the same time. It's coming full circle for me, especially after 'surviving' what life had in-store on the pretty rough roller-coaster ride. The Lord has been with me every step of the way and I am eternally grateful to God the Father for all that He has blessed me with.

To those who are going through a rough patch or feel stuck in a rut, lift it all up to the one who cares for you. Cast your burden unto Him and let Him carry you up on His Spirit wings. Remember to keep the faith and keep going. 

Need inspiration to get started? Go catch this DVD movie 'FACING THE GIANTS' or 'SOUL SURFER'.

May the Lord bless you and lift you up on His Spirit Wings. Amen!

Spirit Wings

Some birds live in cages
They never learn to fly
And like those birds, I never found my wings
But Lord, your love released me
So I could see the sky
And now my heart rejoices as I sing

Chorus:

Spirit Wings,
You lift me over all the earth bound things
And like a bird, my heart is flying free
I'm soaring on the song your spirit brings
O Lord of all, You let me see
A vision of, your majesty
You lift me up
And carry me on your spirit wings

Now when I'm feeling lonely
I just look at You
And soon my heart is soaring high above
Everything is clearer
From Your point of view
Lifted up on spirit wings of love

My 1st Prison Run - 16 Sep 2012

My first challenge was having to wake up at 0445hrs just to make sure I do not miss the six o'clock shuttle bus to the run venue in Changi. So yes, I made it to the bus and found myself headed bright and early to Changi. Of course, the main challenge was the run itself! This was my first 6KM run and the route was not a breeze, not to say that the runs completed at East Coast Park was any easy but this one right here really was the ultimate! It had many ups and downs, a lot like life. Yes, you can't help but to let your mind do the reflection and critical analysis on life when you're struggling to 'run' uphill with the wind blowing against you. Also, in the midst of the uphill trudging, I couldn't help but envy the cyclists enjoying their fun and easy ride downhill on the opposite side of the road. 

I've participated in mostly 5KM runs before and they usually have at least 2 waterpoints; one at the 1.8km mark and the other maybe 3.5km mark thereabouts. At this run however, they had just one waterpoint at the 3km mark and I was sooooo close to giving up. Well, I couldn't give up the run no matter how tiring and close I was to throwing in the towel. Firstly, it was because the bf was there to make sure I kept going, in spite of my irate state and eye-rolling glares in the midst of the buckets of perspiration and legs that started to feel led-heavy. Second reason why I had to complete the run and not give up? They had transported all our deposited baggage to the prison grounds aka the Finish Point and so I had to finish it now, didn't I?? :p 

It was also interesting to see the inside of the prison grounds, a huge big open field, surrounded by high walls and the cells were all in buildings that looked very much like HDB blocks on the outside, but only with highly-placed grilled-bar windows. The Yellow Ribbon Project does help to raise much awareness on unlocking the second prison (ie society) for ex-convicts. For more information, do visit http://www.yellowribbon.org.sg/

Praise the Lord for the strength and grace for me to complete my 6KM run :)

Proud Finisher :))

Fit to Run

This week, I am inspired by the strength, determination and tenacity of two very outstanding women. 

One would be my aunt, who in her sixties, had climbed and reached the base of Mt Everest just two days ago. We are very proud of her and we await her return for her to share with us her experience. 

The other, a female colleague of mine, had returned last week from climbing Mount Kinabalu. Out of the many who dropped out along the way, she was one of only three people who managed to scale to the peak of Mt Kinabalu. When asked what kept her going during this grueling experience, she shared how she had envision herself completing the climb and posing happily at the top! Having that positive image in mind kept her going and that in itself to me, is as real as it gets. 

In the past two years, I had started to get serious with keeping fit and healthy. I guess when you reach a certain age, realisation just hits you that life is indeed short and with whatever number of years you're left with, you had better make the most out of life. And to do that, you will need to have a fit and healthy body. It doesn't matter what size or shape you are, what matters most is you take the first step, show up and get it done. Everything else will fall into place.

I recall the day back in 2010 when I started out with my first gym experience at a workplace that came with free gym access for staff. So excited and foreign to this facility, I had packed in my father's shoes by mistake. What's a girl to do? Like Nike would say, 'Just do it!' right? So I put them on, and prayed no one noticed 'what big feet I have' and that was how I got started. For someone who disliked running very much, I decided that I was going to brisk walk on the treadmill. One thing led to another, I started jogging and then increased the speed a little and today, I'm still a work-in-progress :)  Practice makes perfect and you can't rush perfection. 

I have a 6km Yellow Ribbon run this Sunday and I hope to do my best. Can I do it? Just like what this good article here says, "it's not really a question of 'can you' - it is more a question of 'WILL YOU?'. 

Stay tuned ;)

Happy.

Sometimes, when you've been through a really rough patch, then something wonderful comes along, it's hard to articulate the immense feelings of gratefulness and thankfulness that is within, unto God the Father. He has been kind and merciful towards me, and I am indeed blessed and thankful. Praise be to God, our Almighty Father! :)

What's In Your Basket?

Tonight, I met up with a couple of friends from the children's ministry and together we headed to Holy Spirit Church for the Children's Eucharistic Adoration. It was indeed a blessed way to end the work week.

The gospel that was shared tonight was on the five loaves and two fishes. I've listened to this gospel story many many times, and had also told the story to the kids many many times. I would always note the kindness and willingness of the little boy to give all that he had, the power of our awesome God to perform the miracle to feed the crowd and how there was so much food in abundance leftover.

And yet in today's sermon, Father Emmanuel (a visiting French priest) posed a question that made me see the story in a new and different light. He asked: What will you put in that basket to give to Jesus?

It is always comforting to know that we have a best friend who truly cares for us and who knows exactly how we feel, when we feel what we feel. Knowing that I can lift up my sorrows, pain and my never-ending anxieties to Him helps me get through the day, with faith and trust in Him. I hope to be able to put in that basket all that I’ve got, to love and serve Him.

Coincidentally, I was youtubing for a nice song to go with this posting and this came up as one of the top search results. And guess what? Corrine May was actually there tonight with her child for the Eucharistic Adoration. I can’t say that I am familiar with her or her music but knowing how she has inspired some of my friends through her God-given talents, I have to admit I was quite thrilled that she was right there, taking a photo with my friend Justina!

Enjoy the video :)

Teach By Example

"If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to hate.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition, he learns to have a goal.
If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself.
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place to live in."


(Dorothy Nolte, "Children Learn What They Live," Scouting Magazine (April, 1964), page 31, as quoted in The Teaching Ministry of the Church, page 114)