spelling Grace

from nursery school onward we are taught to succeed in the world of ungrace. the early bird gets the worm. no pain, no gain. there is no such thing as a free lunch. demand your rights. get what you pay for. i know these rules well because i live in them. i work for what i earn; i like to win; i insist on my rights. i want people to to get what they deserve - nothing more, nothing less.
yet if i care to listen, i hear a loud whisper from the gospel that i did not get what i deserved. i deserve punishment and got forgiveness. i deserve wrath and got love. i deserved debtor's prison and got instead a clean credit history. i deserved stern lectures and crawl-on-your-knees repentance; i got a banquet- spread for me...

forgiveness is not the kind of thing you count on an abacus.
God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.

"What's so amazing about Grace" by Philip Yancey.

"... joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer..."
this was what i've been praying for the entire last week. it has been a fruitful week of starbucking. i've grown closer in prayer and my level of trust has increased too through a few eventful happenings these weeks. last Friday's Cpm, Saturday evening's Clm & Sunday morning's Minops Cg were really great and lengthy times of worship and praying. these 3 things have been ringing in my mind- prepare our lives, prepare our base camp, prepare our leadership.
i am quite lost for words now. all i can say is i am very grateful to God :) for the little things He surprised me with.
as CNY approaches, i also look forward to a good long break. to continue to ruminate, to catch up on the wedding planning and....... i want to start some reading on Lonely Planet! *jumps* Yesterday, i was browsing through some Lonely Planet books in the bookstore and i got so captivated by the many beautiful spots around the globe.
a few of my ex- west cg mates came over to Funan to surprise me after my meeting last night. it was a good short catch- up, its encouraging to hear about how they are doing now and all.
and........ Happy Birthday to my daddy! :) Mei and i shared a prezzie for him and we'll order pizza for dinner later to celebrate his 55th birthday.

save the hair

yesterday was my good pal, Simun's wedding. we have known each other since secondary 1. it was a touching moment when Ong Heng, her hubby went down on his knees during the couple's thank-you speech in front of 700+ guests at swissotel padang ballroom. of course, Simun was moved to tears.
i was privileged to be their mc for the night & as lovely the night was, i was very nervous inside. I really want to give my best for my friend's wedding & thus, kind Ruiz agreed to help me with my makeup and hair. we were pressed for time as i needed to standby on stage to announce the march-in of the couple. we realised we need pins and clips for my hair too. thank God for Roy and Davin who went to buy them. I'm really thankful for their help! after the whole thing, i'm even more convicted that image team is so so important. every little details counts for the big cause! :)

a greater Gift

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

during a call with roy last night, he shared about what he learnt more from the verse. often, we acknowledge that we are gifts to each other. but actually, a deeper understanding is that God is the gift in our relationship. Because of Him, we are able to come together... Because of Him, we are able to love & forgive... Because of Him, we are able to serve and correct... and many many.

Romans 8:32 - 160509

30 mins to knockoff

jasminwangshuzhen says (4:54 PM):
can i include yao in this convo?
* super girl. says (4:55 PM):
yaog is in class
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:55 PM):
ooo..
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:55 PM):
let me try
* super girl. says (4:55 PM):
im free next wed
* super girl. says (4:55 PM):
i think he should be also
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:55 PM):
YOYO yao & jia!!
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:56 PM):
woops..he left...
* super girl. says (4:56 PM):
hahahah
* super girl. says (4:56 PM):
told you
* super girl. says (4:56 PM):
LOL
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:56 PM):
i am hurt
* super girl. says (4:56 PM):
hahaha
* super girl. says (4:56 PM):
.paste plaster.
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:56 PM):
very hurt
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:57 PM):
*sobbing*
* super girl. says (4:57 PM):
.put bandage.
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:57 PM):
totally heart shattered * *piang piang*
* super girl. says (4:58 PM):
.picks up broken pieces.
* super girl. says (4:58 PM):
.use scrotch tape. and tape it.
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:59 PM):
heartbeat dead.... *need ambulance* *pi pong pi pong*
* super girl. says (4:59 PM):
we're talking rubbish
* super girl. says (4:59 PM):
hahaha
jasminwangshuzhen says (4:59 PM):
HOW FUN!!! :)

MinOps Thanksgiving 08

MinOps, we've been through thick and thin together for the past 3 years. It is also my joy to be among you guys too. God is faithful & i am fully assured that as we yield ourselves to Him, He will make Himself real to us too :) Onwards to 09! Lets root ourselves deeply in the Word as we serve. Luv, Shuz