Prelims are over!!

Like finally hahaha haven't had time to post any decent length post... Was either busy mugging away or squeezing whatever play I could get wahaha but well.. I also don't know what I have to post now that the prelims are over... I mean.. it's mostly... *shock* papers. Just a short post I guess so it doesn't seem like I forgot all about this poor blog =p

Well, I guess the prelims on the whole were... decent with the exception of maths, chem paper 2/3, GP, econs essay... which is like almost everything so i guess they were average.

Well depressing things called exams aside.. I guess there is just one thing I would like to post about and that's God's faithfulness =)

Well, the prelims weren't very good either for another reason that my parents wanted me to cut all err "extra" activities... like CF, church, BB etc... and that didn't help much given that the prelims are periods where we usually need to purely depend on God's strength

But well, even though I was "banned" from cell, morning worship, church and all due to incessent nagging and disapprovals and whatnot, there have been chances for me to still return to God's presence.

I managed to go back on one Saturday to BB for a session of Bible Study and fellowship based on the reason I wanted to go support my juniors who were having their handover which was not only a stronger reason for me to want to go but also one where I could use to beg my parents haha

Second, I managed to go to all three CF sessions (inclusive on the one just before prelims) based on one reason or another

And of course, God has continued to speak to me during my shorter but more productive periods of QT at night.

All in all, it has really been amazing how God has sustained me during this whole period of the prelims even though there may have been obstacles here and there but regardless, He is always just a prayer away!

Two more days before I step into His house of worship once again ^_^

An important lesson learnt

And when the flesh fails you, all that remains is the strength that comes from above

Let us run with perseverance
The race marked out for us
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
The Author and Perfector of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2


Amen.

Randomness

Just some randomness.. I was searching the net for the number of cars in the world for my GP essay and I got this ^_^

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/534170/guiness_world_record_largest_number_of_cars_on_2_wheels/

CF handover

It felt like it was only just recently when I was the one anointed with the oil by Pastor Moh Ying in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There Carol was, washing my feet and praying for me.

Before I knew it, there I was yesterday, watching the J1s being anointed, washing Jotham's feet and praying for him...

It's really a joy to see the junior comm, personally picked by God, rising up to their position. From this point on, they would be the ones running the Christian Fellowship just as my comm did for the past year. What things they would learn, what experiences they will have, it would all be different, but definitely, memorable.

This journey for the past year simply passed in the blink of an eye. Countless meetings on wednesdays, meetings every Friday WUTS, REW, CF camp, PassionAC and so on... all these flew past so quickly. But through this one year, I have learnt many things, drew closer to God, participated in different events. God used every single opportunity to change me, whether using the people around me, through worship or otherwise.

And of course, I can't forget my beloved CF committee which I have worked with through all these. You guys are so awesome =) I may have come into CF not knowing anybody at all... Not even any of you before the first CF camp, but everything changed slowly but surely. After all the meetings, all the planning and outings, I have known each one of you so much more =) I'll just leave a short thank you e-note here for all of you instead of giving out hard copy like liz and helsa :P (mainly cause if I do the notes will be quite short as you will notice haha)

Isaac: The president! ... whom I didn't know until very very late after the CF camp hahaha But hey dude, obsession with PINK and bimboness aside =P You have truly led the CF well through all the planning, for vision casting and all. Thank you for your leadership in the CF and all your interesting stunts during meetings haha Keep your 10 o'clocks free ya =D

Helsa: The "Zai" vice-president haha As Skyler said before, you're really a source of inspiration to others... It's amazing how you'll never fret or despair even under the pressure of countless commitments or even workload. And also, thanks for keeping me company during all our common breaks at the CF booths and on the train too! (Even though it's only two stops..! =\)

Vignette: The Secretary! Not hard to remember the missing attachments or the fast moving pen every meeting haha ok stop suaning already =p It's also not hard to remember your sense of humours and jokes every now and then! And also thanks for all your words of encouragement every now and then =)

Skyler: The Logistics I/C! Possibly the greatest influence in the whole comm haha All the "bu care" and "which is like no ___" + the emoness has been spreading quite fast XD I remember you're one of the two people (including dillon) whom I first knew in the comm during CF camp.. Anyways, thanks for being my long time buddy haha and of course, for designing like... everything!

Liz: The worship I/C! and Skyler's hao peng you haha Come to think about it, I hardly talked to you last year lol but this year chatted quite a fair bit more with ya. Like mdm mentioned, you are a very steady person haha Thanks for all you have done be it worship, being there for others or even for taking all those candid shots/videos for us all to laugh at haha

Mel: The evangelism I/C! Hmm.. Violent... noisy... =) I better run away now. Ok la you can be nice at times haha And you're always running away from Gareth with me =x But still, thanks for your corny jokes here and there haha it really does brighten up my day when it's been a long and draggy one... and also thanks for planning REW with me!

Dil: The fellowship I/C! Never knew you and... ok I didn't say anything hahaha My first impression on you (during CF camp) was that you were really outgoing and that has made you a really good fellowship I/C indeed! Thanks for being there for me to confide in sometimes when I'm feeling low or anything. You too keep your 10 o'clocks free =D

Mdm Sophia, Ms Mai, Aunty Ros, Cynthia: The teachers/CMSs who have been supporting the whole comm throughout =) thanks for all your guidance and support you have given to the cmm non-stop! And specifically to Aunty Ros too for your dinner every Friday!! Haha a big thanks to all of you for helping us out whenever we needed somebody to help us out!

To everyone: Let's continue to draw close to God and also to keep shining for Him =) It's been a wonderful year spent with all of you, being instruments of God's mighty plans together as one body in Christ. Thanks for everything that everyone has done for me ^^ Everyone jia you for A levels!! Haha!

PassionAC

About 3 days late! I wanted to blog about this but didn't really find the time so I'll try to rush through this. Gotta study chinese oral for tomorrow ='(

Well... PassionAC was truly marvelous. God's presence was certainly there, without doubt. The worship was great, the testimonies were touching, the message powerful. From what I hear, Passion ministered to many many people, whether they experienced periods of spiritual dryness, apathy and more. God worked in ways as marvelous as before. It was really great and touching to see many kneeling before God, giving their all to Him...

.

The event itself, the planning, the publicity, preparation.... being Mr Henson Lim's slave o.O all put together was really a fantastic time. And indeed, if there was one thing I found out that night, it would be that worshipping God refreshes out souls! I reached home at 11+ that night... Usually I would be dead beat especially after a full day of school and preparation for something but after a night of worship, I was kinda... awake! Hahaha isn't it amazing ^^

Friends

"A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity - Proverbs 17:17"

Wow.. Been quite some time since I blogged... I kinda find that blogging does take quite a bit of effort actually haha dunno how some people blog like literally everyday...

Well.. the past few weeks/months has been packed with tons of activities, be it tests, exams, camps, birthday celebrations, CIP etc etc. Just yesterday though, during my QT, as I was reflecting upon all that God had given me, it just dawned upon me that through all these things, pleasant or unpleasant, happy or sad, fun or boring, the people beside me were always friends.

What can I say? Back then in primary school, I was like super antisocial and only had like 2 or 3 really good friends... they were probably the only ones I talked to during recess and played with after school. Then again, I don't know if they saw me as one. During the holidays, I often turned down their requests to watch movies, turned down simple gatherings, meals and such. In short, I never really treasured them. Somehow what I treasured more was doing nothing at home.

But now, going through secondary school and on to JC, somehow through that road I came out of that introverted shell of mine (I was kinda shocked to see a big E for extrovert from the MBTI...) and made much more friends than in primary school. Started going out more, socialising more, and on some occasions even spending hours and hours just sitting down with my friends doing mindless things. Gone were the days when I would always be the first to rush home (if even I was ever out with my friends). Gone were the days when a simple movie outing with a bunch of friends was too much to ask of me.

Slowly but surely, friends became a major component of my life without me even realising it. The first time I noticed this was probably during my mission trip last year... Quite a long story but yeah, I can't imagine how life would be like without friends..

. Back to QT yesterday. Have you ever thanked God for the different things He has done, like how He saw you through a difficult time, how He made things turn out well even though there seemed to be no hope and how He is always faithful? I can give a tick to all these, but I asked myself, have I ever taken something for granted? Like.. my friends?

I've thought about it before, God gave us friends to see us through times of need, when we needed support from one another, when we needed to help each other. After all, they say that a friend in need is a friend indeed. God knew that His creations would need one another to live through life due to the many different things that are thrown at us. Be it a shoulder to lean on in times of sadness, a listening ear in times of distress, a simple smile in times of hopelessness, a true friend always will provide them. Of course, there are times when a pat on the back and a hearty laugh helps to cheer things up.

Now there is one Friend whom we all know too. A Friend who does all I have mentioned and more. I'm quite sure we have all heard this hymn somewhere somehow... Do you remember it?


What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the LORD in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the LORD in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our Refuge, take it to the LORD in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the LORD in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.


Indeed, there may come a time when our friends fail us, there may come a time when we are left alone. But we will all have one Friend who always will remain with us.

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother - Proverbs 18:24"

Oh how many times have we forgotten that He is always there even though our friends may be busy with other things... Just want to say thank You LORD for being our Friend =) Not only are You our best Friend, You too gave us the many friends in this world. Thank You LORD.

Well friends, so many of you out there who have seen me through different times and are even still by my side today. There are just too many things to name if I were to list everything that you have done for me. But I guess I can summarise it all to one phrase.

(: THANK YOU :)

ROD

Once a BB boy, Always a BB boy.

To the primers of 07-08:

I didn't feel like sending out a mass e-mail after Wesley and Fab cause it would seem just so cheesy XD but still, I feel that I have to say something about my brothers who have been beside me for the past few years.

Four years of fall-in, four years of hiking, four years of camp, four years of drill, four years of punishment, four years of playing. I don't know how it happened primers, but from someone who disliked BB, I became one who actually enjoyed the times of hardship we spent together. The journey has been long, but you people have seen me through :)

Memories of the past 5-6 years suddenly flooded my mind during the testimonials today in the LT. Some were sweet, some were tough, some were happy, some were sad and and many other mixed feelings filled my heart, but one thing remains sure. All of them memories spoke of how the cohort of 03-06 and primers 07-08 became united with one another. How the closest bonds of friendship were forged. How brotherly love became true to each and every one of us... Up till today, I still have a memory of how I started off in the Boys' Brigade...

Somewhere around mid-year of 2003, I attended my first fall-in/parade in CV clothing when everyone was in their uniform.. I felt really, really lost. My first hike came soon after, coming as a not so pleasant surprise, only to find that it was followed by running to school in the full uniform. For someone who never wore his full uniform before, that wasn't funny at all.

I began to know a few of our cohort members then, started to think BB was a chore to attend, that I shouldn't even have joined some lame UYO... I was introduced to what was known as drill, parades and bible study. My first session was pretty interesting, especially since I was exposed to a Christian environment for 6 years in ACJS and wasn't actually one yet.

Jeremy: So Jack, are you a Christian?
Me: Uhh... I don't know.. half a Christian perhaps?
Jeremy: o.O Umm, you either are, or are not...
Me: Oh.

The 4 years passed by quickly. I didn't like the camps or the hikes and actually disliked BB.. In the first half of being in BB! There was a distinct change in the second half though. In Sec 3, I kind of discovered, hey, BB isn't all too bad after all you know... The years of drill, pushups and change parades were indeed tiring, yes. And as they say, life is unfair. Why does the whole cohort get punished just because ONE person is late? Just because ONE person has improper attire?

But all these did one thing. It united the cohort so closely.. Closer than we ever thought it would. Now, we can come together and joke about the things that have been past. About how we would do hours after hours of drill, how we stayed in push-up position for the longest time ever, how the camp programmes go 12.00 Lights out and 1.00 Defaulters.

It is true primers :) We have gone through all this together. All of you,once strangers to me, are now not only my friends but my brothers. I will forever remember all of you as my comrades who followed me through drill, camps, punishments and all. I just want to say a big thank you to

Adriel - Sergeant Head Prefect lol Suaning aside, you have encouraged me to give my best by just being the example since sec1. My fellow mission trip mate who gave me advice when I really needed it =)

Alex AKA Lua - You're always making sure I was fine every so often and keeping track of my spiritual life

Benedict - For encouraging me through different things and especially so for helping me through the planning of LTC when it was my first time being Logistics IC.

Jian Yang or robot - Your humour and smiles brightens up my day, not just me, but the cohort too! And of course, fellow ranger and DotArd!

Daniel Chng - First time I really talked to you was at some MG concert when you offered me a lift home XD My roommate for 11 days in Khon Kaen!

David Wong/bong - The person who runs from school back home at Tanah Merah. Another ranger+DotArd =D they seem to go together dun they?

Ding - Somehow a comic relief of some sort haha It's been great having you around all the time =)

Emil - My unofficial guitar teacher and one who leads most of the worship sessions for the cohort

Ethan - Known you to be one who takes things really seriously but still, you're always there for a casual chat

Fabriz - Whoo RS ftw! Ok that's like 2 years old. Been great having you by my side for so many years especially as a fellow mission tripper, ranger and Bridge player!

Ian - MAPLE LOL Haha seems most of our convo revolves around stupid things but hey who says that can't form friendships

Jerome - Somehow we became the J&J pair. Shan't argue anymore who is the first J haha but yup, you're always there by my side for all things whether stupid or serious

John Kao - Ok, honestly, I just realised that I didn't exactly talk to you for the past few years.. But that doesn't change the fact that we've gone through everything together in one cohort!

John Tay - Another faithful servant of the Most High. I've been encouraged a lot by your onness for God and you're one of the many spiritual leaders I look up to =)

Kenneth - The guy who looks either really serious or really high =p Been great having you as my mission trip group leader and a fellow primer too!

Kester - Wow, you've ponned 100 parades and you came for ROD. Still, you were there for 4 years! I've known you considerably well too

Yang Jian - The perfect comic relief of all time. You're always there to crack a joke over anything in the world and send laughter ringing through the cohort

Xunliang - Fellow C3 wing I/C haha Colosse ftw! Another of my unofficial guitar teachers and imba DotA player!

Noah - The guy who doesn't eat rice o.O How do you survive, I'll never know. Wake up earlier every Sunday you!

Russell - Our favourite timer ^^ Faithful in service and to his friends

Ryan - The guy who pushes people to not slack and to get things done! At least for the first few years =p

StevenS - Your lameness really removes the dryness in whatever we do. I'll miss your bombastic vocabulary even in simplistic presentations.

Timothy - Another of our common worship leaders. Seen as the "holiest person" and for good reason too =)

Wesley - Our beloved CSM. You have led primers through the 2 years, caring for each and every one of us, being serious when the time calls for it and joking with us during our free time. You've done a fantabulous job really.

Wing Hing/Wings - Another imba DotA player who's always teaming with XL. A really good natured guy who gets along very well with the cohort however new he may have been

Asher & Joshua Cao - The pair of drama people who I hardly see. You two always carry this aura of humour around you and is especially livens up parades

Amanda, Audrey, Christine, Evelyn, Lee Min, Min Kyeong, Petrina - All the girls in BB... Yes it was really weird, but still it has been great going through Primers with the new elements of squeals and giggles o.O

Officers - Almost missed out this. A big thank you to the officers who have sacrificed their time just to guide the primers in the right direction. So much has happened over the years, but to summarise all I have to say, it'll just be thank you.

Yup, I shouldn't have missed any other name.. I got all these names off the attendence list which the Steering Comm mailed out =p

Primers, it's been really great spending the past few years which all of you. Each and every single one of you made this journey as a Primer possible. Primers would never ever be the same if even one person was missing. Another big thank you to all of you for giving me such a great experience in life

From next year, all of us will be going our different routes. Some of us may meet, some may not. Many things will change but our memories as one cohort, as brothers and sisters in Christ never will. May I quote Fabriz in saying "Wars come and go, but Primers stay eternal". We have been united through the trials that we have faced but the unity we have does not end here. Even though we may not be physically with each other, we will forever be "One in vision, one in Christ, for all the world to see".

Once a BB boy primer, ALWAYS a BB boy primer

3 in 1 post =x

Posts come in packages too!

27th March

CF today!!! Not friday cause everyone would be busy with Fun-O-Rama prep. It was basically the standard CF with worship and a short devotions.. Just that it was done.. in a classroom! How interesting. The usual, CF was great ^^

Gabriel joined us somewhere around dinner after what seemed like a super tiring day for him.. And I unofficially became his tutor o.O Well, after some chem and bio stuff (I refused to help with Econs =D duh), we went home together in the MRT. Did some catching up with him and he told me all about His JC life and some other interesting stuff

In short, it's yet another testimony showing how God can work =) After such complications regarding application and appeals, God finally put him in CJC and I believe that's where He will grow the most.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

You know, it can be so exasperating how sometimes everything just seems to go wrong for us... We don't get to stay in the place we want to or we have to stay in the place we don't want to. We tend to grumble and such until we really think about our options and it's so amazing how everything is settled when all is left in God's hands. I've learnt this lesson and I'm still learning, but God continues to show me how He works in so many different ways every other day =)

29th March

Fun-O-Rama!

The moment I stepped into school, all I saw was people running all over the place.. what a sight. The bouncy castle was sitting at the grass patch, all ready to be inflated. The stalls were being set up little by little. The class popiah stall... didn't really take a look at it. Only saw the popiah skins being prepared then ran off again to the bouncy castle.. only to buy Dettol with JJ coz Mr KSL said parents won't let their children into the bouncy castle which LOOKED really dirty.. They will if they smell the dettol though..! (???)

Sharyl smsed me when I was still with JJ and Holland V asking me to change... The result? When I did, half the people I knew, myself included couldn't recognize me O.O Geez. The wig was hot. seriously.

I tell you, kids have too much energy... too much!! Sharyl, Joanne, Suzanne, Yihui, Vincent and whoever went into the bouncy castle as moderators or safety officers whichever will know for a fact that they last at least 5 times the amount of time you do... maybe 10. It was fun though, even though I hardly had the energy to bounce around..

Most of my day was spent at the bouncy castle, letting in kids (both big and small), handling parents who requested for more time or complained about the fee, babysitting children who were "dumped" by their parents, jumping around with the kids, pulling them down when they climbed up >_> It was an experience, and a really fun one too

It rained somewhere around 3 and apparently "the umbrellas were going like hot cakes then" quoted from Mrs Chan. At least I finally had a chance to walk around the funfair! Great, I had 3 hours to spend 50 bucks and I didn't know what there was to get.. Kenneth and Petrina sort of gave me a hand in spending them though hahaha

Ok, so let's see, out of the remaining 20 bucks.. a 5 dollar popiah from my class, a 4 dollar ripoff oreo milkshake, a jelly from my class too for a dollar, 2 dollars to the PAT for some kueh, another 2 dollars to a class for some other powdery kueh =s, 2 dollars for an icecream to Helsa's class (which was slashed to a dollar 5 minutes later..!) and I don't know where the last 4 dollars went...

Not a single game played! So all I did during this funfair was man the games stall and eat. Oh, and went to watch Bobby perform too! Yeah, it seems rather dull but hey I enjoyed myself! Of course, came the cleaning up which nobody wants to do. But it had to be done!

The day ended, everyone was tired, but everyone was happy =)

31st March

Today.. in particular, Chapel.

If I'm not wrong, the band leading worship today was from Faith Methodist Church. Somehow the elec guitar made its way up on stage again together with some rather unique drums..

I don't have much to say about Chapel today, except for one thing. When the worship leader told the college to do whatever they wanted, sit or stand, anything, in any way that they could worship best in, HALF THE COLLEGE REMAINED STANDING. I would assume that EVERYONE who stood are people who wished to seek God. Of course, not forgetting the other Christians who went to sit and pray!! It was beautiful. When the band put a temporary stop to the music and singing in between a song, the distinct voices of the college shouting God's praise were echoing through the hall and the LT. I can't think of a more suitable word. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

If approximately 1000 people could already create this effect, what more Aunt Ross' vision of 2000 people kneeling in God's presence? How much more beautiful would it be? I pray that this time will come soon enough...

"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your steadfast love, oh LORD and grant us Your salvation" - Psalm 85: 6-7

Ahhhh....

Yikes.. I just accidentally deleted all 50 bible verses which I keyed in over the pass few weeks =\ quick somebody tell me if there's a rollback function on blogspot..!!

And school is starting soon!! I dunwanna do all the homework/tests etc. again zzz... I want more hols =x

Friday the 7th.

Don't know what to title this blog cause so much just happened today... I would have written this post in an emo mood but then I just had a really fun and interesting DotA game with Dill and Ian which really brightened up my whole day and was a good way to end it =) thanks guys! Well anyway, the lineup of events today...

First chem SPA which was quite screwed but thanks Mr H! hahaha
Next just went with Vincent to the hostel to do GP essay... which obviously wasn't finished.
Then went back to school to collect A level results for Chinese...

That's when the eventful day really started... At first I didn't even dare to get my results.. as I was half expecting to see a smiley face without the eyes (as I have been describing to my friends) AKA a U =) Well, eventually I did and wow surprise! I did see one haha! I have to admit.. Even though I knew my Chinese just totally sucks, I kinda expected a U and I was supposedly prepared to get one, I was indeed quite upset and quite disappointed.

I don't really know what happened after that, I kinda just blanked out... never even thought I would be that disappointed over a U. But one part I do remember is that Dillon, Eleanor and Yihui were all part of the uhhh... the U club? haha that's it man. The mark of a true blue ACSian ^^ ok fine and a... MGnian whatever =x

Well, I always thought I could accept things as they come, thought that I could always look on the bright side of things no matter what happens.. I was proved wrong today. A simple expected U actually caused me so much disappointment and I just thought everything around was just... nothing.

Went to emo at sky garden... looked down to the people around AC... went to seek God for a moment and... do the utterly horrendousgusting horrigible GP essay.

Ok so at around 4.45 I handed it in to the STI and went for CF.. the J3s were there! ! . ! . . . ... They weren't exactly super happy. From what I know or at least felt, they didn't really get he grades they wanted or expected. Kind of like my situation earlier today but then I heard DWong tell some other J3: Well, I'ld say I'm happy with what God gave me. Perhaps, God knows perfectly well what He's doing =)

Today's CF was supposed to be the 40 DOC but Isaac decided to change it to a session of extended worship. Exactly what I needed at that point in time. It could be quite clearly seen that the other J2s and J3s needed that time of seeking God too.

Worship was wonderful. It was quite some time ago that I shed tears before the LORD. Today, tears began falling for some reason and I just didn't know why. But on reflecting, I guess I knew that I haven't been seeking God at all. I seemd to have fallen away again and I didn't really do anything about it. The past week of term exams were simply just a period which sapped all my time and I just felt so... depressed in a way. Nothing seemed to be going right. The GP paper wasn't too fantastic, the maths paper was flunked for sure, econs was never good, chem only told me I didn't study properly and Bio wasn't too easy either. An overdue GP essay wasn't helping at all. Somehow I felt I was totally lost and when I did seek God, I didn't really spend much time. As always, worship ministered to me and today it surely did once again.

Isaac came up shortly to me and Dill telling us to pray for the people who responded to his altar call... Personally I wasn't really prepared to do so. I mean, how could I pray for others when I myself need prayer? Well, God led me in the right direction. A short prayer to Him and I went ahead praying for the others.

I love Christian Fellowship =) It just seems to be THE place where I can just lay down all my burdens before the throne of God and step into His presence feeling so carefree and all ready to praise Him.

Today was very meaningful to me...

First, it signifies the END OF EXAMS AND THE START OF HOLS :D :D
But more importantly, I came back into God's loving arms today and I can now add the two eyes to my Chinese grade =') Thanks LORD.