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

Wine Company

we celebrated post christmas together at wine company, evans road. celebrated dewen's birthday as well. after which, we made our way to raph's house to overnight. it was really fun and i thank God my holiday is well-spent with people whom i dearly treasured. through these years of ministry, wherever we are, its the friendships that we made along the way counts. strong friendships serve as encouragement and inspiration towards the future.


nakamas

recovering jerk

(continued with my reading)
one day andy took me for a walk. he put his arm around my shoulders and said, "randy, its such a shame that people perceive you as arrogant, because its going to limit what you're about to be able to accomplish in life."

do you have someone who love you enough to give you honest feedback...
who cared enough to tell you the tough-love things that you needed to hear...

santiago

after the christmas buzz, Eugene joined us to go to our bridal place, Santiago for our second gown & suit fitting. we enjoyed a nice dinner @ Ding Tai Feng after that. blessed to have him as our close friend around. its really happy to know him settling good in his new job.
interesting fact 1: gowns really weigh a ton. *huff*
after the gown fitting, i also did a trial makeup.
interesting fact 2: i am so fascinated how mascara can "enlarge" the eyes!
today marks another milestone in our wedding planning. we had our wedding photoshoot. we went to haji lane and sentosa for our outdoor shoot.
interesting fact 3: smiling throughout the entire day can make the mouth numb
interesting fact 4: fake eyelashes further "enlarge" the eyes! *like seriously...wow*
interesting fact 5: after his hairdo, Roy looks like Ryu from dragonball.
interesting fact 6: my wedding designer, Amanda told me that my AD gown weighs the heaviest in the store! (my sweet jie meis, pls help lift, kick and pull my gown on the day yea ><)
interesting fact 7: during phototaking at haji lane, a caucasian couple took a picture of us too~
interesting fact 8: the scene that we both felt most comfortable is the nose-to-nose! haha!
blessing 9: God gave us a good weather! it rained the night before, thus, morning was nice and breezy. by the time we were outdoor for photography, it was windy and cloudy. after we finished our sentosa shoot, the minute we got into the car, it starts to drizzle.
blessing 10: after a long day (i'm on high heels), God gave us 2 seats on our next train stop at raffles place.

throughout the whole day, also got to know our studio photographer, Ah Teck more. he is the same age as Roy, and his baby girl is 2 months old. he has 2 dogs back home in JB- a golden retriever and a shin tzu.

i have just came out from shower, shampooed and conditioned my hair. washed my face twice, slapped some toner and moisturer. gonna put a mask later. i felt like a wayang singer today. hehe

Happy Boxing Day

21 Dec. went for beach road prawn mee together with our ablaze friends, dennis, gwen & philo for lunch. it was really a good time of sharing and fellowshipping. i also gotta know that both nick and lucy are teachers back in Brisbane. cool! :)
what followed after the lunch was a very refreshing ulm with them too. i was deeply moved by a word given by torchie. its both a confirmation to my recent praying and an assurance of what i've been doing. thanks torchie for praying for me.

do not fear... grow taller... the very same spirit will flow into others... i am a big tree!

24 Dec. The Gift @ the rock auditorium for our annual Christmas celebration services. managed to take a few pictures in the midst of the busy day. this is ray, part of the drama team. also a friend i have known for long... around 12 years? bro, keep going strong and joyful :)
happy birthday, asher! aka dewen. he was the one with the pen knife and bottle of pills in the drama. thanks for being a faithful friend these years.
posing with jiayi during our dinner break, shortly before the 3rd service starts. i received eve's christmas prezzie and gift. its a very unique gift where "big sis" & "lil sis" are on the pendant. i can give the other half to mei mei :) thanks eve! *hugs*25 Dec. roy and i went shopping for our wedding bands in town. town was so crowded. esmond and mei came together with us too. ended the night with a nice dinner at wine company.

Happy Christmas to....

Pei Key! thanks for serving together in the Christmas services. am thankful for a chance to know you more too, esp our chat over the dinner break :) Bless ya, sis!

Germaine! i'm totally so blessed by your spirit of willingness and joy! i saw that you and your people were busy from morning till night, to help the stage ministers make-up and touch-up. what you and your team are doing, is very important to the church. have a great 09~

Steven! event after event, i'm always so amazed at your gentle and joyful spirit in serving. over the intercom, i really think that you tech- directed very well, our live recording has improved so so much! praying for you and your family, great blessings and anointing in 09.

Ah Long! a scene that touched me alot was looking at how you stretched out your hand and eagerly prayed for the non-believing friends to receive Jesus into their lives. i'm blessed by your pastoral heart.

Huimin! thanks for praying for me before the 3 services start. we barely know each other, but i saw from time to time, you prayed quietly during the rehearsal. i'm very inspired by your prayerful heart. thanks for being there early in the morning and helped around in ways you could.

Jiayi! first time being in stage managing team with you! really enjoyed on-the-job with you! thanks for serving and seeking ways you can help me out too.

Jasmine! thanks for leading the entire production team! i saw and learnt from how you handled certain situations with wisdom and tact, and the encouraging words you gave aptly to the team.

Roy! heys dear! thank God for a chance to serve with you again. this time has been fruitful as we get to "rub shoulders" with each other in communication throughout the entire day. thanks for being an encourager in my life :) romans 8: 32.

EVERYONE in the production team! Thanks to all of you who worked hard, night and day, rehearsals after rehearsals, serving happily and diligently. i am encouraged by each and everyone of your spirit and attitude.

from glory to glory

card-writing marathon

its really quite an amazing event that all of us were able to gather for an overnight in our team. we stayed over at dennis' lovely girlfriend, gwen's house for the christmas cards writing marathon. believe it, some of them has records of 100 over cards to write. *faints* Of course, the night was long and some of them fell asleep while writing. hehe.



towards 6am, we dialed for macs breakfast and had rounds of mahjong too. i really enjoyed the overnight as we seldom (really seldom) get to do this. for me, it kicked start a warm fellowship and rest for my block leave too.

happy christmas!