Redang Island

At Berjaya Resort

Our family went to Redang Island recently. It's my first time going to West Malaysia and also taking a plane from Seletar airport instead of Changi airport. Redang island is idyllic with clear waters, corals and marine life. We did a lot of snorkeling there; it's my first time snorkeling. Haha, I was a little nervous about snorkeling at first but found out that it wasn't that bad floating and swimming in my life jacket while peering through my snorkel goggles, breathing through my mouth, into the watery depths to see colourful corals and all sorts of fishes (even clownfishes, 'nemos' swimming in and out of sea anemone!). It was fun swimming with them literally. I found out that I don't like stepping on dead coral, especially those big ones on the seabed near the coast. It's sad that those corals were once colourful and vibrant... alive, with fishes swimming and co-existing with them. Tourism does have it's downsides, especially with throngs of people swimming to see coral. We definitely need to take care of the natural environment, otherwise it'll be depleted eventually. But, I'm really in awe at God's creation... being there and having a glimpse at the marine world is fascinating!

At Berjaya resort

The sand there is really fine. It's like caster sugar. :D

We saw someone paragliding there... looked really fun but it's expensive. :)

View in the morning

I think it was high tide at the time so we had to wade through the seawater when we reached shore.:)

Our room at Redang Lagoon

Francis enjoying the tractor ride which is suppose to carry our luggage.

Sunrise view from Redang Lagoon

Love the formation of clouds.

Clear waters

Fishermen! We saw them while riding on the speedboat on the way to another place where we were supposed to stay but couldn't stay at on the first day because it was fully booked. (it's cheaper to stay there) ;)

Term Break is here!

Yay!! Term break is finally here. I just finished my very 1st and only common test paper on IT theory today. It was somewhat challenging and I forgot some things but oh well, it's done... Thank God for bringing me through it and for granting me the wisdom to answer the questions. :)

This morning, I met up with the Navigator ladies for quiet time. It was refreshing and rejuvenating to hear each individual sharing on how they've meditated on a certain verse in the portion of scripture for the day and how they are going to apply it in their lives. I feel that I've learnt a lot just by listening to them because each have different insights on the same verse and I'm able to look at the verses from different perspectives.
 This verse caught my attention today: 

"The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Romans 16:24

It reminded me of God's grace and that His Grace is sufficient for me to live. Thank You God for Your Grace.

Today, Swee Ming (who has been doing bible study with me) gave me  this gift... food! Haha, I think I'm going to get fat with all these snacks. But that's beside the point. I'm touched by her kindness and blessing. Before common test, one of the ladies who was at the quiet time gave me a packet of snacks to munch after the test and make-up sociology lecture which ended at 1 pm. I was  pleasantly surprised and also touched by her sparing a thought for me. I was hungry after the lecture (which was immediately after my common test) and ate the granola bar, mini bak kua and green tea sweet in the pack that the kind sister gave me. :) haha, I didn't have to spend money on buying food. The snacks were delicious... oishii neh!

Our family will be going to Malaysia this monday... I'm excited!

On a side note, I really thank God for bringing me through this first term of "resocialisation" in NP as sociology puts it. :) I've learnt many new subjects, frequent the library more often for research, had a taste of being a leader in a group project, did 3 essays with research, did group projects and hands on learning experience in social organisations, learnt how to be more independent and made new friends as well as adjusted to a new environment plus going through my very 1st test today. It is really all by His Grace. :)

Children's Camp

It has been an interesting 2 days of Children's Camp so far... :) This year the craft centre has become mobile because of the lack of classrooms. Our craft stuff had to be systematically organised per craft and arranged in baskets that we can easily carry along. Thank God that this year we have sufficient helpers and that so far the crafts were able to be done within the time limit and all the children were able to complete the craft within the time. :D The younger children are so adorable. As one of the crafts involves writing the memory verse 1 John 3:1, you could see their marked efforts. One child firmly gripped his pencil, constantly glancing at the sample verse and wrote. In between words, he would place his index finger as a 'space' and proceed cautiously to write the next word. :) The whole process was conscientious and neat! It was really cute.

This year, the bible stories are based on Peter. The past two days, were on the themes of being "Accepted by Jesus" and "Protected by Jesus". It has been a good reminder and lesson for me to read the passages on Peter relating to these themes so far. I find that, even though I'm not a camper, these themes are extremely relevant to me even now. So I'm glad that God placed me to serve in this camp.

Tomorrow is ITabs common test... my very 1st test in poly. LORD, I pray that I'll rely on Your Wisdom and not my own.

Thank You for this day! :)

Children

The smiles linger
on their faces.

Several cheeky ones grin,
running and running around,
shouting, dancing and screaming.

Each face is different,
each temperament unique.
All are so
very special.

An experience I'll not forget.

Hanging on

My brain feels tired from thinking. My eyes feel tired from staring at the illuminated screen. The complexity of video projects! It's so time-consuming, energy draining and at times, mind-boggling. You fiddle here and fiddle there with different effects, make sure the formats match... etc. I think my mind doesn't really work well with technology. I prefer books to staring at a screen.

Ok, enough pessimism. Today, I had a refreshing time of devotion in the morning with some ladies from the Navigators in school. We shared our reflections from verses that spoke to us from the passage, Romans 12: 9-21. I liked ALL the verses. :D But the verse that spoke the most to me was, verse 12.

It reads: " Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Romans 12:12

It was a timely reminder in this difficult time to continue holding on to God, to trust and to have faith in Him. Indeed, to rejoice in the hope that gives joy. Also, to be patient in times of difficulty, no matter how much discomfort it brings. God has a reason for everything. Most importantly, He reminded me to continue in prayer. I find that it's not always easy to pray especially when you feel discouraged, disheartened or sad. Recently, God has been teaching me about prayer, theoretically and practically. :D In Sunday School, we have been learning about prayer. Yesterday, we prayed for the different aspects in the lives of the church leaders. Personally, I've never prayed for the church leaders in so specific a manner before, praying for their spiritual life, their family, their needs, their ministry etc. Through doing praying for them, I learn that it is important to keep them in constant prayer. Leaders have a heavy responsibility in leading the church and serving in their area of ministry. However, as members, we too can support them with prayer. Not only do we absorb what they give but give and support. After all, the church is one body.

Practically, God has also taught me about prayer. For children's camp this year, we had to collect at least 50 glass jars for a craft that we were doing. I prayed for God to provide at least 50 jars or more so that there would a sufficient quantity for the children. In 3 weeks, we only had a minimal amount. But now, a week away from the camp, we have collected 50 and more jars! Praise the LORD! :D I was quite worried about it initially but decided to trust in His Provision. So, yes, I shall continue in prayer.

Friday

Although it's Vesak day today and I don't have to go to school, I've had a full day.

1. Cycling at East Coast Park (8am)
2. Meeting Arifah at City Hall to do video project (2.30pm)
3. Meeting up with Joo Ye and for a short while, with Marisa (6pm-9pm)

I'm really, really, really, really tired now... and there's still a lot of things to do. LORD, please help me not to rely on my own strength to do things but on Yours.

Thank You for the time of fellowship with people today! :)

Sociology

Today is tiring Thursday with the 3 hour break in between. Sociology today was very interesting. We worked in groups to think of a little "experiment" that broke the social norms of our society. Our group decided to hitch-hike, using the hitch-hiker's thumb to signal cars along the road. The very first car gave us a pleasant surprise... the driver actually stopped! and asked us if we needed a ride. Of course, we told him that we were just doing a little "experiment" so we thanked him for his kindness. :) His informal positive sanction was heartening though. :D There were 3 cars who stopped and agreed to let us hitch a ride. The other drivers' reactions were quite interesting to observe too. Some cars swerved to the middle of the road to avoid our outstretched hands, signalling the hitch-hikers thumb while others just looked, smiled and drove on, others looked mildly amused and surprised. Overall, it was a fun experience and I would like to do that kind of experiment again. :D We had a sharing in class about our observations and some were really hilarious... Fortunately, we were only required to violate social norms at a Folkway level, which is a casual violation, the lowest level of violation. Crazy ideas, turned into experiments can be rather... well crazy. :D


Thank God for bringing me through another day!