To Regenerate and REfresh

I fell sick on the second day of rest accreditted for my trip to Christchurch. Little did i ask for were 3 more days of rest and to regenerate my strength in the Lord my God. I received love from far and near, Family, Christian brothers and sisters and friends. Again i felt His presence being with me. I managed to attend a cell group gathering, and sunday service. God cares for my soul and for the purpose I was put in this job. His messages from His Word, songs and books and His sermons encourages me and affirms me that my reason on earth and particularly in Singapore was for a reason i had forgotten, coz the busyness and the tough culture i had to align myself in. But today i say..... nothing is greater than being with the Lord! Even in foreign places have i felt His care.

I was in France with friends, Florence and Samuel, and they were praying and singing in French. My heart filled with tears and heart touched to see that all around the world, worship is lifted up for the God Almighty! and We ever so need A God in our Lives! I was in Christchurch and the nature spoke to me of This Creator who thought of all this before we even see them with our eyes. I was at sunday service and the preacher says, "What good gifts were not but given by God Himself?" and what can we do but use them for the Salvation of the society around us? How can your life touch others? How can YOU be Successful in what you do that when people start to ask, you have the opportunity to share the Redeemer Who LIVES!??

Think about it..... pray day by day till they are answered.



Psalm 23. Like the sheeps on the green pastures, Let us graze in His watchful eyes, food for the Soul~*

A trip to Akaroa,Christchurch on 20th Jan '07

Almost didnt get a chance to join this tour, but blessed i am, the trip was awesome! despite the drizzle rain and strong winds...the Akaroa Dolphins Cruise was fantastic! The Akarao Shuttle bus took us down to the Banks Peninsula down to Akarao Habour and along the way, we get to see lots and lots of breath-taking views of hills and grasslands, ( the likes of 'Sound of Music', even better!) and fattened black cows and thousands of sheep feeding themselves in the carpetted greens.
And make the trip worthwhile, the cruise took off on still a rainy day, but the dolphins had decided to show up in groups, mother and baby, school of four skipping through the almost clear blue waters, and even taking a few jumps up to the air just for us! hah...couldnt catch them on camera, but the experience is still fresh in my mind, that i really want to share this with you! hehe.



There were also sightings of Black Swans and Seals. But they didnt look good on picture, and there werent' enough time to catch them on camera. Oh... not forgetting... birds of the air! The cruise did bring us around to the Salmon Farm, where they breed salmon, n i say they are really fresh, as i had a Salmon sandwich before the cruise. =P

And yes... the community there are friendly n the houses built have a little french and british influence. This is what they say in their brochure , " Our beautifully-appointed vessel, Akaroa dolphin, offers small numbers of guests an intimate cruise experience. The vessel is quiet, fast and stable allowing us to visit the spectacular seacaves, volcanic formations, high cliffs and bird nesting sites both within the harbour and beyond the entrance. A comprehensive commentary on geology, history, ecology and Maori traditions is included." Doesn't this make you want to visit the place? Its really a great holiday package...

Latest Updates!

A peep at my current schedule...

Birthday on the way to Melbourne.
Christmas on the way to Dubai then Moscow till New Years!
Whether to be sad or happy.... really dont know!

But i can say this, i'll be spending a Winter Christmas away from family and loved ones this year.Wished i could spend it with you! May i see snow!!! haha.... Pray i get some really good winter coats!
Anyways...

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL! & A GOOD YEAR AHEAD!!!

Love
Gracel.

Tummy ache @#!

God is good! Its the day of exam and my tummy has not fully recovered yet.... but Praise His name... that there are no other commplications. Yesterday morn, i puked, and since then have yet to consume anything solid for the whole day....Please continue to pray for me.... need the strength to do my best today. Indeed, God is Almighty and Powerful, I will not doubt His healing power in me as i pray...

For He has brought me to a place of independance in Him..... a longing desire to rest at His feet. That when pain and desolateness arises in me, in Him i find comfort and peace. Though i may lack strength, His grace is sufficient for me. though the training can be tough, i Put my trust in Him. His Love is seen everywhere and everyday! Smile as the new day has COME!

Will i anticipate a new day of His with excitement? Will i doubt no more His promises in my Life? Will i begin to fulfill His purposes in my life? Will His grace never end here...nor His patience. Will i walk in obedience and not deny the blessings He has for me? Will I? Will I? Will I?

Books, Newspapers and Masks....

I really do respect people who are into Books and Books and BOOKS! i can never sit quietly absorb in a book! Thus it really inspired me when i came across the national library here.... where all walks of life are so engrossed in the variety of thousands of books-knowledge made available in this place! They are really blessed...I might say..... with such facilities and resources....

On a thought...must a child be really taught to read from young? or the very essence of analyzing a book by its contents? How does one craves for knowledge but yet could not attain it? I get sleepy eyed in less than 15mins reading a book i'm only interested in on the first page! Tell me how can i register my mind to do some R-E-A-D-I-N-G ? instead of sleeping????....
ARGH! my brains prob decided to run on shift and decided to shut down on the minute a 'string of word's ' come between the eyes! haha..... funny.....

anyways, talking about reading....i'm so poor.... that i haven't read any book this year. And.... i haven't touched the papers for a month already ! I am so outdated! Tell me the world and i dont even know my geography well! I must be kidding myself! haha.... gotta start picturing the world map in my head.... or not i will be lost! Flying to Never Never Land! haha.... i love that story... and the big flying DOG! Ouuuu Fantasy world.....

Well.... looks like the left side of the brain is more active.....in sense of imagination, curiousity and creativity among others? hmm..... u realize that not everyone knows what kind of a person they are. Different personalities could make one person. Different persons could have a zilllion personalities, character and temperament. Many of whom u will identify and many u may not. Masks men and women walk side by side, by and by. The identity portrayed and who u really are is vague and a mystery. Thats leaves us asking.... who is really YOU? Who is really True? When will u put on the mask to love me? and When will You put on a mask to Hate me????

In this World.... many things are unexplainable and sometimes unacceptable.... but there is One God who knows All Things and that All Things were made by Him.

Unexplainable it may seem, Unacceptable at the beginning,
But soon comes Understanding, Arising from within.

I'm Linked!

Hey!

How are you? How is everyone? I apologize for the long awaited updates ya. Have been rather busy with training and adjusting to the lifestyle here in Singapore. Thank God i am finally Linked! to the internet world! haha....

Anyways… I live near the MRT station at Pasir ris and so it is so far my most trustable transport system! Gotta face the facts that I don’t have a car to travel around in unlike back home…..hehe…. and most people here are about the same… public transport is efficient here… and people walk everywhere! Haha…. I don’t think I have walked so much ever when at home… hehe…. Anyways thank God for the location of my current home for the convenience of transportation and good landowners. They are very nice really…we occasionally have dinners together, the couple and the three of us who rent their place. And just recently they installed wireless in the house so i could use the internet....nice people or not? hehe....i'm Blessed!

i managed to join some friends to City Harvest Church for the last 3 weekends... Awesome!Like a live concert.... but the Guest of Honor is of course the Lord Jesus Christ! Each weekend I never fail to receive God’s blessings. The preaching of God’s Word is practical and really great to see thousands of people coming together to pray and worship and to acknowledge His presence.....God is the Same Today , Yesterday and Forever more!

My batch mates consist of 9 guys and 10 girls. Yes we have air stewards training with us. hehe….we have 4 female Indian nationals plus us, 3 girls from Malaysia, the rest are Singaporeans. So far, training has been good… it gets tougher each day… as more notes are given and more practical things to learn. We can only hope that on the day of our exam, we’ll score above average and build good rapports with our seniors and trainers. Like all other working environments, there’s always pressure and expectations to fulfill. The only perks we get will be after we graduate with a license to fly! Haha…. and you’ll expect to hear from me…. “Hey, I will be having breakfast in London, and prob dinner in Hong Kong the nex day!” hehe…..

Days are counting by, we may never meet the same people everyday, but I’m sure I will never forget the people in my life who have passed on a great deal of friendship unforgettable and so memorable…. That it moulds my character and attitude for life. Of coz there are those exceptional ones that creates such an impact in my life that Only God knows why He had sent them to me. So much so, they are like angels in civilian clothings! Haha…..

love gracel.

I'm flying on a jet plane~

hahha.....can u hear me singing? well.. it been the 3rd day since i am here in SG. Awesome trip... good hotel accommodation and good frens to start with.

I manage to check my mails in the Cyber CAfe today...short update... i manage to find accomodation . PRaise God! and still praying for the medical to pass this fri... keeps you updated another time ya.... Miss ya all

Love Gracie.

JEHOVAH

JEHOVAH JIREH
*The Lord My Provider - Genesis 22 :14*

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU
*The Lord My Righteousness - Jeremiah 23:6*

JEHOVAH RAH
*The Lord My Shepherd - Psalm 23*

JEHOVAH RAPHA
*The Lord My Peace - Ephesians 2:14*

JEHOVAH NISSI
*The Lord My Banner - Isaiah 59:19, Exodus 17:15*

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH
*The Lord Who Never Leaves Me - Matthew 28:20*

What Jesus Might Say To You
Topic: Praying Without Ceasing

*Main Scripture*
"Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of
evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing fi rm. Stand your
ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's
righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good
News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need
faith as your shield to stop the fi ery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put
on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power
of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all
Christians everywhere." (Ephesians 6:13-18, NLT)

*Other Scriptures*
Luke 18:1-7; Romans 8:26-27; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 4:6-7; 1
Thessalonians 5:17; Jude 20

*What Jesus Might Say To You*
Despite the intensity of a spiritual battle or how strong or weak you
feel at any given moment, I have given you everything you need to live a
godly life and to stand your ground against any attack from your Enemy,
Satan.

With every piece of spiritual armor you put on, you clothe yourself
with me. I am your helmet of salvation, your breastplate of righteousness,
your belt of truth, your shoes of the good news of peace, your sword of
the Spirit.

But wearing your spiritual armor still isn't enough. If you run into
battle fully equipped but aren't in communication with your command
center, you will lose. You need my guidance, my wisdom, my encouragement,
and my strength. That's why it's important that you pray at all times and
on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Praying at all times means staying in constant communication with me:
When you wake up, in between classes, during a test at school, while
you're hanging out with your friends, when you go to bed. Prayer is more
of an attitude than an activity. Satan loves to ambush my unsuspecting
followers. Without prayer he will catch you off guard every time.

As you pray, avoid doing all the talking. I know you have a lot on your
heart, but make room for the Holy Spirit to guide you in prayer. Spend
time in silence so I can respond to you. But also remember that you're
in the middle of a war, not just a fi ght. Other people face the same
attacks as you. They need you to pray for them as much as you need them
to pray for you.

But there's one more reason why we need to stay connected: I just like
to spend time with you!

Your Source for everything,
Jesus

*Summary Challenge*
Staying connected to Jesus is more of an attitude than an activity.

*Spend Some Time Journaling*

Taken from "Conversations with Jesus" by Youth for Christ, copyright
2006, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Order the book
here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/273463
or visit http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories

Wisdom to do what's right

Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the
opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people.
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas
Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they
heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who
call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our
spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self
esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it
freedom of _expression
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it
enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the
prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev..
Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those
calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international
requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and
wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation under God."

If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends.

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything."

I fear....

Another email from a fellow candidate for Sq informed us about the good news about reporting in for training in August. So far, five other girls have been given the good news. Slowly...replies are coming in one by one. We will be separated and will be reporting in on different dates. I fear i will receive the last email, or may just be rejected again. However that is not the only thing i fear.

I fear leaving home now. I dont know why or what happen to my enthusiasm in the first place.??? i fear i may die of spiritual hunger and suffer loneliness as not able to adapt to such a change in environment and maybe pressure... mostly i fear leaving my comfort and close knit of family and friends. What can i do?

Maybe if i receive the reply.... it would not be the reply i have expected....i may be disappointed but moreover i know my family will be there for me. But if i receive the expected answer.... i may not be brave enough to go with it... feeling such frailty in me... i simply can't explain how i feel now.

I fear, if the reply comes today, i may not have enough time to spend acknowledgin everyone close. I fear coz i dont know how to acknowledge some even now. I fear i may never find such friendship, relationship or close bond as with so many i have now. The fear of starting anew and being not strong now is intimidating and discouraging.

I try to share my concerns with my fellow girlfrens who are going... but i guess i get no answers that will subside my fears. So, i'm turning to the most High, expecting an answer, hope and assurance that i'll be fine wherever He puts me.

You... on the other hand... need be strong and courageous, unlike me... and press on for the things u dream of. And Maybe u can encourage me someday as we all do with our little experiences. Drop me a line....whenever u feel like it.

Cheers~

Kasih Allah melalui Yesus Kristus

ROMA 8 : 35

Apakah yand dapat menghalang Kristus mengasihi kita? Tiada sesuatu pun dapat menghalang Kristus mengasihi kita : baik kesusahan, kesukaran, penganiayaan,kelaparan,kemiskinan, bahaya mahupun kematian.

Beautiful.....so beautiful.....beautiful is this song of You~
Beautiful.....so beautiful.....beautiful is this song for You~
In all in all for You...

So beautiful are You.

Come Lord we pray that the skies open wide
Lord we worship you from afar
As you listen to... our voices sing high above...take pleasure...take pleasure
Like streams of the river flow... the quiet serenity of You
I rest in peace my doubts of You
As i warmth in Your presence
Like the warmth of the sun
I calm myself down in You

So Beautiful are You.
So Beautiful are You.

Sudden Death

If suddenly u were caught in an accident, What Would You Do? You are pinned down under the wheels, you can't move and its raining! Flash backs of your life and the recent argument you had with your mother runs through your head! You know u are going to die....But wait! "I can't DIE!"

Within that very few seconds, you saw what looks like a Endless Pit of Fire and the scorching heat, the foul SMELL of burnt and rotting flesh! Screamings of dead people! What!? "House of the Dead?" Think it crawling in your skin...you dont have guns to shoot em now...What now!? Blood everywhere and horrifying faces are looking at you now...They are calling for you to JOIN em! S***! Was that the last game you played before the accident? Sure doesn't fit in now~

Then as u think its your last breath, the next thing u know you are in this white room, cables all attach to you and a man in white standing before you. You can't see his face, the white lights are just too bright and u can't tell if u are dead or being judged! You try to move but the cables don't permit you, you feel motionless. Then you hear the man call in a deep voice, " ABU BAKAR...This is your final Judgement! " Wait a minute... What Abu Bakar? "That's not my name!"

You wake up and you are in a white room, nice curtains and the smell of fresh flowers. You know u are safe...But are you?! Nightmare after nightmares! You have had flashbacks, you felt the endless pains of the Endless Pit of Fire, you were judged in a white room, although it wasn't your name being called...*Phew*

But what you know now is you've been given a 2nd Chance to live your life. You know you ain't going to end up in the Endless Pit of Fire with those horrifying deadly figures. You want to know who the Man in white is and make sure He gets your Name right the next time you enter the white room.

All you need to do is call this hotline - *J*E*S*U*S and talk immediately after you dial the number.

How true can a test get?

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Updates on me life...

I am working part time in Aus Ed now...administration work, typical 9-5pm work. With extra time to even blog and check mail. Well... its like staying home but i get paid... haha what a Blessing!

Alrite... the updates are, i have gotten a reply from SQ, and it seems i have to refill some documents and hopefully it will pass through the government for a succesful work permit. By the way... the month of june has been a bit relaxing and just meeting up with friends as well. I met up with my ex-colleagues and are just thrilled to find how much we can still 'click' even after half a year we haven't met. But sadly, a galfren who is my ex-colleague and ex-housemate has left to KL to work and i miss ya darling Amelia! haha... make sure u take of yourself over there! and dont forget me k~!

N lately, i have been taking dance classes at a local church grounds. Its been an amazing month of june as we learnt Rhumba, a type of ballroom dancing every once a week on mondays! and also i had a very good partner to dance with. If u are reading this partner, hats off to you! I think u got the talent, besides football! And also a dear girlfren Erin, has been going for classes with me and i am going to be lonely once she leaves for KL to start her research work. We are going to learn Rock n roll nex week! hehe... all for the 70's dance~

Anyone interested to join me, can give me a call and we can go together! its open to anyone and only need to pay rm20 for the facilities, air cond and stuff...its taught by a Prof. and his wife who just love dancing! and they are awesome!

And as for the latest poem before this, it just says what my heart wanted to say, though it sounds depressing to some, i guess our human hearts just cant escape the trials of life...even though i'm not living in the third world country, but i do have some faith struggles and as a fren always says, " Temptations are great!" and if not faced well...can really lead to something worse!

Faith's Struggle
by Sarah E. Haringa

Hurdles are getting higher, God,
losing sight of who you are.
Going through the motions now,
each day like the one before...

Every hour is a test of patience,
each minute a test of strength.
Lord, how much longer must I wait?
Right now it seems you’re late...

"All in his time," so people say,
and while I know those words are true,
with the way things are going, God,
I’ve lost the comfort in that, too...

My hope is being shattered,
burdens press me to the ground.
My once-strong faith is wavering,
like Peter I’m sinking down...

I’m sailing a sea called Lonesome
to an island named Despair.
My ship has blown off course,
black clouds looming in the air...

Lightning fills the darkened sky,
and it feels like I’ve been hit.
But when I ask, "Why Lord?"
you simply say, "Don’t quit..."

Oh God, I’m your child!
Please listen to my cry.
However long it takes,
I’ll wait for your reply...

But if I have to wait much longer,
then you must give me patience.
If I am supposed to trust,
then you must give me faith...

Your answers mean so much to me;
it’s your will I’m striving for.
All I want is a glimpse of home,
to rest at last upon your shore...

Is this what they mean by
"Leap of Faith"?
When your feet can’t touch the bottom
and land seems so far away?

I want to reach out to you
despite my present fears.
Draw me closer to you now, God,
and wash away my tears...

I will rest tomorrow,
your love is all I know.
But in the storms of life, Lord,
please hold my hand and don’t let go...

Because u care

Just when u know u cant make it thru life... someone makes sure they care for u and walks with you till the very end of life. Making sure u don't get hurt and making sure u always smile with laughter :)

That someone may not always be close, but near. Not always visible but present. Very quiet yet known. Shy but brave to care. Silent and sweet, comfortable to be with and certain to give u the very best in life. Struggles in expectation yet not expecting. Endures with you no doubt, till the very end.....

*Thank you.*

What really are dreams?

I had such and such a thought ....What are DREAMS?

Is it a mere imagination of the mind as we slip into our sub-consciousness sleep or is it a message that is from God? or does the devil intrude into this part of us?

Have u tried hard enough that if u think too much of something or someone before u sleep, that u'll actually dream of it as well? But how do we define something so intangible , so abstract as this??? How...??? by just our own experiences i guess...

Have u ever been told, that U were in someone's dreams? You'd asked what the dream was about, as though it would be a telling of the future or the past. You think it could be psychic and tell about ur future or maybe just for laughs....ahhh....

Dreams....these are just a few..... how bout nightmares? Some people have them every nite.... i thank God i dont! Some have visions... of heaven and hell.... u can find them written in books and novels... and some wake up with big big ideas and the nex big thing is this business on the way... how amazing... how terrifying..... how...oh.. how... some say movies or films, horror especially play a big deal in nightmares...hmmm true? i dont know... i dont watch horror! dont ask me to go for any horror flicks k....

Have u wished u were in your dreams in reality?

Still around in PENang!

Sorry for the long silence, i am still on the island of Penang. I am temporarily waiting for the reply from an organisation to give me the tickets to fly down to Singapore to start off a new life! Hah.... that is exactly what i am doing day by day. Well... the ambiguity is really sinking into my head.... and thoughts of the organisation might just have forgotten us who applied for the job and maybe my medical checkup was unsuccessful! Whatever is keeping them from informing us the nex step?! Patience is really being tested and doubts are increasing in my head... Oh Lord, help me focus on you despite all this doubts!



Hey people,So what exactly am i doing at home? Hatching EGGS ??? haha.... unlikely... my neighbours have chickens that coo every morning,i dont think they need another old hen here. haha... i am but helping my mom make Chinese Dumplings! ahaha.. yeah... me and mom are basicly spending quality time together making em... nice? wanna have a bite? hehe... send me your address and i'll send em Over! Alrite... still dont know what it is? Its 'BACHANG" lah! haha.... okok...i shall take another photo when i open the wrappings to eat, (sorry forgot to include)... and no we dont eat the Leaves wrapping em! It contains,'pulut' rice, beans/peanuts, meat and small dried shrimps.

Tom... Ah Poh ( my lovely granny on the right) taught us to
make em~ hehe... wanna eat the Bachang??? Yum!Yum! We had my granny over to stay with us for a couple of weeks, and it was the chinese season for some celebration when this Dumplings were made for the occasion. Me and mom were self taught by the 'guru' herself.

Besides making the dumplings, my frens and i had a barbeque yesterday at the beach... much like a reunion and a goodbye kinda thing as some are back from studies and work and likewise some going off to study and work. Thanks for making it so memorable everyone!
(Fr top) Alan, Barn, Erin (Middle) Ray, Me, Viv & Sharon (Bottom) Eric


Me, Vivien and Erin!

Life ....&....goodbyes

Life has got its up and downs.... how do you deal with it?
i find it harsh... when we have to say goodbye to some friends, knowing well u might never see them again. Dont get me wrong... i'm not talking about death, or maybe that will happen. i dont know! i'm talking about people you met and spent a day talking and getting to know that person. I wonder... if the nex day... i will ever see that person again. but hope lives in us,that we might see them again.... maybe not so soon...but ....thats life?!

'Lets not say "goodbye"...unless we promise to say "hello" again -soon!'

the day will come when we shall see each other again... in white robes and smiles. but i silently hope.... we will meet on earth again before heaven. Let us mend the times we lost, let me say I'm sorry, for the things i may have done wrong. LET our frailed connections be made strong again, and maybe let us try to help each other up again, in moments when we were apart, you may have fallen and there was no one to pick you up.

Let music, lyrics and pictures help us remember each other again. Let us make new memories, only old age might erase. Let us build mansions in heaven and help others to build theirs too. I want to remember the beauty of who you are always, no matter how'd you become.

Friends forever still stands.