Labels: Abundant Blessings
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Phew! I was worried how come I couldn't sign in to blogger for the past few days...aiya, then guess what the problem actuaaly was...I didn't click the 'I accept...' that's why I couldn't sign in. Silly old me! ;)
Yup, God taught me many many lessons these past two weeks. From last last friday's Farewell Party for grandseniors (yup, I'm a stepped-down grandsenior already!), to SYF-the Performance to SYF-the acceptance of results and even all through this whole week, I've really learnt a whole lot.
SYF was on Monday, 16 April 2007. We were all in really high spirits that day. And nobody, including me was nervous at all! That's quite surprising for me, someone who frequently frets over the littlest things. Bet God was at work, His sweet assurance was flowing in all our hearts. Our last run-through and rehearsal was great. And the day before, Ms wee cooked her miracle water a.k.a. chrysanthemum tea and the huge cake form the Alumni. Everything was all that it should be. I'd decided to say a really quick prayer for my section and the double basses just before we entered the hall. I was quite surprised that I could the words came out so fluently, cos I usually stumble for words when I do it in front of other pple. I guess, because it was a sincere prayer, a prayer form the heart to God, that's why. Yup, I can confidently say that we'd put up a GREAT performance up on stage. And I know surely, that God knew that each and every one for us up there was praising Him with our music, making every note, music to His ears, a praise and blessing onto His name. I'm sure God knew it. And sometimes, it's really truly all that matters.
We waited in school for the results. As 6pm approached, the lot of us were huddled in groups at the Handphone area, all eyes fixed on the phone in loud-speaker mode. Everybody just couldn't wait. Some were even singing out loud to chase away the anticipation and nervousness. Dead Silence. The results were out -Silver. Yes, at that instant, I can't deny that we were really disappointed cos it really did seem that all our efforts were a waste. Everybody was either in a trance, totally stunned or crying...it was such a scene. Even those students studying in the canteen dare not make a noise.
But this was not how GOD's band would react to failures right! We had our ever-strong BM elizabeth (Thanks God for her :D) to lead us in our band cheer. It was the most heart-rending sounding cheer we ever did BUT it was the greatest sign of a
GOD's band emerging. One that would not ever bow down to defeats, but will always always stay strong and united no matter what, by God's grace and strength. Why cry, when we gave our best for God? Why despair, when deep inside our hearts, we know that no matter what medal, we'll always be God's Gold band-a band that truly shines for God!! Come what may, God is with us!!
Mr Tan said in his letter to us that there was one more person, one more than the 80 people up on that SYF stage, it was himself. He was there with us to feel every emotion and thought and music with us. I want to say, that there was not only 81 people there, there was one more, a Greater Being- GOD was up there with us! Isn't it funny how in our moments for great despair, time when we need God most, we tend to forget about Him? I guess it's because we often wallow in self-pity too much, too self-centred, that we fail to fix out eyes on the Lord. Yes, that's a lesson we all have to learn- FIX YOUR EYES ON THE LORD.
Our Lord is faithful and just. He is good. And His love endures forever. To God Be All Glory.
I thank God for my euphonium section: Yi Ting, Yi wen, Aditi, Gladys. I thank God for blessing the band, the school and my life with Mr Tan...he's taught us more than music, much more, he taught was about life-the very importance, the essence-to TRUST in God. Thank you Mr Tan, I'm very proud to be your student too.
Throughout the week, I was blessed by so many things and people. Vanessa, thank you for reminding me about the importance of prayer cos it's the key to an intimate relationship with God. Thank you Ethel, for your sms, simple it may be, but it reminded me to 'Just Believe'. Thank you for Melody Carlson, author of Falling Up (love that book, and am currently still reading it) for blessing me through your novel!
This week's many lessons has actually all boiled to just one thing: BELIEVE AND TRUST IN THE LORD.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, scknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"
Jer 29:11 "..plans that will prosper you...not to harm you..but to give you hop and a future."
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH LORD! LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH!
changeme.
10:44 PM
Thursday, April 05, 2007
It's just a contradiction of feelings. On one hand, it's a huge relief now without having to deal with official prefectorial duties noe, lesser responsibility and more time to study! (yup, really need to do that for the Os!) But, then again, it's like, I've spent so much of my time and effort doing,thinking, talking about prefect stuff...now to say that I've stepped down, I really am very reluctant!
Aiya, but things have to go on, we've now gotta make way for the new generation. Oh my, I sound so old! haha. I have a lot of faith that the new exco will be one that is resilient, able to face whatever circumstances, able to lead the board to greater heights and MOST importantly, be a GOD-RELIANT exco.
Ok, I know this is going to sound so cliche and all, but it really does seem not so long age, that the seven of use went throught all those nerve-wrecking interviews, rushing to prepare our head-prefect speech, taking turns on the podium, planning the orientation, prom, losing our voices, getting 'angry' when prefects are not performing to the best of their best....all these wonderful memories, the joy and the pain we went through together, I guess it'll be something I'll never ever forget.
I still vivdly remember, we just stepped up, we were all very clear and 'on' about ensuring that in everything that we did, we'll always listen to 'The Voice of Truth'. And I sincerely believe that it was the Almighty God that placed this desire in the very hearts of each one of us. The morning prayer meetings when we gathered in the parade ground to pray for each other and for the board were one of the most meaningful moments. I really felt God working in each of us and being always, always there to guide and lead us. To me, it is very important and significant that we, the then-exco, often said prayers before any event that we're doing, or just praying for out stressed-up prefects, it meant and showed that God was there, that He was the One leading the Exco, leading the board and not us.
It is, therefore, my sincere hope and prayer that the current exco hold on to God's word and always look to Him for strength and guidance, and surely they will gain much and a lot, a lot more.
THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!
The 2 years and 3 months and 5 days (approx.) that I've spent in the prefectorial board has been the best of my secondary school years. cos it was inside there that I learnt to speak up and speak LOUD - thank you Mr Anthony! (I'm really glad that I've had achieved something that I once thought was beyond my ability!!)
I learnt to delegate duties and not hog everything to myself, cos I will only tire myself out - thank you WEI WEY, for teaching me that!
It was there, inside the board, that I gained a true friend, who always stood by me in my downest of downest moments, who showed me what goodness means, smsed me bible verse and words of encouragement all the time! A true Welfarian at heart! Abd a young lady after God's heart. - truckload of thanks to BRENDA!
Elsa and STEPH, the inseparable duo who showed me how much fun 'FUN' could be! *big smiles. And ELSA, I'll always rmb what a wonderful 'mood-maker' you are! (quote from wei wey! haha.)
Yes, DAO HUI the 'workaholic', thank you for showing me how to handle all thousnad and one things and still keep calm and cool!
I did'nt forget you SIYI!I wanna thank you for being my ever-reliable partner! And thank you, cos you were that one who showed me that one could be crazy, fun and strict all rolled into one!
Thank you Mrs Kwok, for all your support, guidance, advice, care, sacrifice, trust ine us and for loving us so much!!
Thank you Ms Lim too for being there to guide us during the tough time of planning for orientation and prom. We really appreciated that loads.
Most of all, countless thanks to out Almighty God.
And I really mean this with all my heart: TO GOD BE ALL GLORY.
Without you O Lord, we really wouldn't have pulled through to now. The guidance and love you give, is immeasurable and surely worthy of even much more thanks.
Thank you Lord, Thank You.
changeme.
11:41 PM