It's special to come back once/twice a year to this hustling and bustling little island city. Waking up late into the morning to some neighbour in the opposite block practicing scales on the piano, children playing in the pool, random bird noises, dogs barking, mothers/maids talking to children. Listening to the washing machine going off, sounds of the handles knocking on the laundry pail, my grandpa's sandals shuffling across the marble floor. Also, the constant sound of running water from the pool, the occasional "dings" from the lifts outside my door, scrubbing and cleaning happening down the corridor.
Waking up to see my grandpa doing his daily drill - reading the papers out on the balcony, his hand shaking exercise, eating bread and drinking tea, watching korean dramas on the telly, having his lunch with the mandatory crockery combination of a bowl, plate, chopsticks and a soup spoon.
So nostalgic.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
2014
It was our final small group meeting of 2014. We ate, we exchanged gifts, we had a moment to share and reflect about our year.
I thought about my 2014 but my mind was a blank, besides being confused about how it's already December. One thing I realised was that I had spent less time reflecting - my quiet time with God had been in the last year overtaken by life, work, commitments, family, friends, the need for more sleep, hours of mindlessly scrolling through facebook, being a couch potato..but I hope that in the new year, even if it's just starting from 5 minutes a day or one day a week, I would like to get my private life into order; I would like to be God-led and not driven by the winds of my world of commitments/obligations; I would like to be more reflective. I shall make that my only goal in 2015.. although it really sounds like 3 or 4 goals o.0
I feel that my lack of reflection was due to big transitions in life that took up my attention and energy, amazing procrastinating skills, sometimes also (despite how much I value honesty) because I don't like being honest with myself. (yup. what nonsense.. what an escapist.. ). As a result, my lack of reflection has made me less aware of God's blessings in my life, less grateful as a person, I really feel that I'm not where I'm supposed to be spiritually. And because I have not been seeking Christ as frequently and intentionally, I have not been as effective in giving Him the glory that He rightfully deserves, or pointing others to His love and glory.
Therefore, here's a start - these are things that i've done for the first time in 2014 in a nutshell (actually, maybe a giant coconut shell):
- my first year working full time as an occupational therapist: this job is a gift from God and I'm reminded of His providence whenever I explain to others how I got the job. I'm thankful for the spiritual encouragement from fellow believers at work, who love Jesus and their colleagues and clients. I'm thankful for supportive colleagues, and the privilege to meet so many wonderful families and witness their love for one another. Even though I'm not the quickest in developing friendships, I'm thankful for the few colleagues I've had the opportunity to work closely and develop a friendship with. I'm thankful that work is not always easy so (as much as I'm lazy and do not like thinking) I need to actively problem solve and not be complacent. I'm thankful for the skills that I'm continuing to develop in working with every individual and looking at their lives wholistically instead of being tunnel visioned.
- my first year out of OCF and into small group: I was debating with myself if I should be joining a group of people that I'm not familiar with or with a seemingly almost entirely made up of ex-OCF curtin group. I thought it was good to step out of my comfort zone and fellowship with other faces that I haven't met in Subi. I went for the majority-ex-OCF-Curtin group in the end, because at the end of the day, I feel that small group is about fellowship and growing together in Christ. I guess it didn't really matter which one I chose, but being familiar with everyone in your group is a strength in different ways. I thank God for the faces that have come and gone, those that have come and have stayed, those that visit once in a while, those who have been faithfully leading and serving. Glad to say we have grown in numbers, and have more variety now over the course of the year - in age, nationality, life experiences and walks of life. We may be at different stages spiritually, but we are growing slowly and surely. I'd love to see the day where we will be praying passionately and zealously for the kingdom of God.
- my first semester serving in BSF leadership: I started serving when there was a need for a fill-in for my group leader who was going on long service leave.. I said yes, as I was keen to learn all I could and allow God to mould me in ways that would benefit His ministry. I am continually humbled and in awe of the leaders that I've started to serve alongside with - their heart, their time, their love for their group members.. it's beyond me. Before I started serving, finishing the homework itself by Monday evening was a big challenge - now I have homiletics to complete by Thursday night and homework to finish before our weekly Saturday morning meeting. I joined BSF because I wanted to be disciplined. Let's just say.. I'm still a work in progress! We will be studying the Life of Moses next year and I would want to complete my homework with ALL MY HEART and not just my mind. I want to be sensitive to what God is speaking through the passages and notes each week, and be used and equipped by God like how he did with Moses.
- my first year visiting Freo service: Subi has recently 'adopted' the Freo service and that congregation is full of elderly people overflowing with love. I can't forget the day I attended a baby shower of one of the few young families I met there. It was the young pregnant mother, her 4 year old daughter, and many elderly ladies eagerly showering them with gifts and lots of love. One of the ladies' shared that they try to be home away from home for young people who are visiting from another country. Such a privilege..
- my first time driving to Narembeen with small group: I must say that I have been trained well at work to drive long distances. Narembeen is ~4hours away from Perth where one of our small group member's parents are pastoring a church. We spent the Easter long weekend out there, ate awesome home cooked food, hiked around, visited Wave Rock, played ping pong, made nasi briyani, danced in church, played hide and seek with an obstacle course in the dark, visited the farm, did an easter egg hunt, played with cute kids and rested.
- my first time and second time driving to Margaret River with friends: I made the first trip with friends from BSF - had the most awesome passengers who kept talking with me the WHOLE ENTIRE JOURNEY. It's amazing how quick you get to know people when you are stuck in the same car for hours. Second time, I was there for Kristi and Chris' pre wedding photos. Both were awesome. Great company, beaaaauuutiful beaches, forests, lots of laughter.. and I got to listen to a whole audio book, Trophy of Grace, by Bronwyn Healy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.. Marg River and Audiobook.
- my first time to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie: We visited a Christian Aboriginal school in Coolgardie and a school in Kurrawang (very very small community). It was surprising to know that there are actually places in Australia that lack decent access to water and this affects whether or not the school can run. Nevertheless, it is amazing to see God's work in the hearts of the people. Loved seeing our teacher friends ministering to the students like mentors/ older sisters, one scene I cherished most in my heart was C teaching her students how to pray and encouraging them saying that sometimes we have so much on our minds but forget to pray about everything, but God knows our thoughts and we can commit them all to Him in prayer. Visited a camel farm and a mining site where the rocks on the ground that we walked on had gold in them! I really valued the hospitality and love shown by our hosts - so much love - better than 5 star hotel treatment.
- my first time to Esperance (via Albany): Mamamag's wedding was in Esperance.. this place is so beautiful and so amazing. If you are ever there, you have to visit Twilight beach and Cape Le Grand (swim in Lucky Bay and climb Frenchman peak). The drive from Perth was a bit crazier (8+hours). The weather was sunny most days and it rained on our way back so we didn't really need to wash our rented car! God's perfect timing ;) I loved how I felt so tiny standing before the ocean, and how we climbed Frenchman peak in our crocs :D I loved how mamamag's wedding was such a beautiful marriage between 2 cultures, the guests were all so happy to YAMSENG like what we'd do in Singapore.
- my first time wedding dress shopping/prewedding photoshooting with Kristi the bride-to-be! YES SHE IS GETTING MARRIED :D So privileged to be part of this journey with them and so glad that they found each other. I'm thankful that God has grown this friendship especially in the last year and I look forward to their wedding!!!!
I thought about my 2014 but my mind was a blank, besides being confused about how it's already December. One thing I realised was that I had spent less time reflecting - my quiet time with God had been in the last year overtaken by life, work, commitments, family, friends, the need for more sleep, hours of mindlessly scrolling through facebook, being a couch potato..but I hope that in the new year, even if it's just starting from 5 minutes a day or one day a week, I would like to get my private life into order; I would like to be God-led and not driven by the winds of my world of commitments/obligations; I would like to be more reflective. I shall make that my only goal in 2015.. although it really sounds like 3 or 4 goals o.0
I feel that my lack of reflection was due to big transitions in life that took up my attention and energy, amazing procrastinating skills, sometimes also (despite how much I value honesty) because I don't like being honest with myself. (yup. what nonsense.. what an escapist.. ). As a result, my lack of reflection has made me less aware of God's blessings in my life, less grateful as a person, I really feel that I'm not where I'm supposed to be spiritually. And because I have not been seeking Christ as frequently and intentionally, I have not been as effective in giving Him the glory that He rightfully deserves, or pointing others to His love and glory.
Therefore, here's a start - these are things that i've done for the first time in 2014 in a nutshell (actually, maybe a giant coconut shell):
- my first year working full time as an occupational therapist: this job is a gift from God and I'm reminded of His providence whenever I explain to others how I got the job. I'm thankful for the spiritual encouragement from fellow believers at work, who love Jesus and their colleagues and clients. I'm thankful for supportive colleagues, and the privilege to meet so many wonderful families and witness their love for one another. Even though I'm not the quickest in developing friendships, I'm thankful for the few colleagues I've had the opportunity to work closely and develop a friendship with. I'm thankful that work is not always easy so (as much as I'm lazy and do not like thinking) I need to actively problem solve and not be complacent. I'm thankful for the skills that I'm continuing to develop in working with every individual and looking at their lives wholistically instead of being tunnel visioned.
- my first year out of OCF and into small group: I was debating with myself if I should be joining a group of people that I'm not familiar with or with a seemingly almost entirely made up of ex-OCF curtin group. I thought it was good to step out of my comfort zone and fellowship with other faces that I haven't met in Subi. I went for the majority-ex-OCF-Curtin group in the end, because at the end of the day, I feel that small group is about fellowship and growing together in Christ. I guess it didn't really matter which one I chose, but being familiar with everyone in your group is a strength in different ways. I thank God for the faces that have come and gone, those that have come and have stayed, those that visit once in a while, those who have been faithfully leading and serving. Glad to say we have grown in numbers, and have more variety now over the course of the year - in age, nationality, life experiences and walks of life. We may be at different stages spiritually, but we are growing slowly and surely. I'd love to see the day where we will be praying passionately and zealously for the kingdom of God.
- my first semester serving in BSF leadership: I started serving when there was a need for a fill-in for my group leader who was going on long service leave.. I said yes, as I was keen to learn all I could and allow God to mould me in ways that would benefit His ministry. I am continually humbled and in awe of the leaders that I've started to serve alongside with - their heart, their time, their love for their group members.. it's beyond me. Before I started serving, finishing the homework itself by Monday evening was a big challenge - now I have homiletics to complete by Thursday night and homework to finish before our weekly Saturday morning meeting. I joined BSF because I wanted to be disciplined. Let's just say.. I'm still a work in progress! We will be studying the Life of Moses next year and I would want to complete my homework with ALL MY HEART and not just my mind. I want to be sensitive to what God is speaking through the passages and notes each week, and be used and equipped by God like how he did with Moses.
- my first year visiting Freo service: Subi has recently 'adopted' the Freo service and that congregation is full of elderly people overflowing with love. I can't forget the day I attended a baby shower of one of the few young families I met there. It was the young pregnant mother, her 4 year old daughter, and many elderly ladies eagerly showering them with gifts and lots of love. One of the ladies' shared that they try to be home away from home for young people who are visiting from another country. Such a privilege..
- my first time driving to Narembeen with small group: I must say that I have been trained well at work to drive long distances. Narembeen is ~4hours away from Perth where one of our small group member's parents are pastoring a church. We spent the Easter long weekend out there, ate awesome home cooked food, hiked around, visited Wave Rock, played ping pong, made nasi briyani, danced in church, played hide and seek with an obstacle course in the dark, visited the farm, did an easter egg hunt, played with cute kids and rested.
- my first time and second time driving to Margaret River with friends: I made the first trip with friends from BSF - had the most awesome passengers who kept talking with me the WHOLE ENTIRE JOURNEY. It's amazing how quick you get to know people when you are stuck in the same car for hours. Second time, I was there for Kristi and Chris' pre wedding photos. Both were awesome. Great company, beaaaauuutiful beaches, forests, lots of laughter.. and I got to listen to a whole audio book, Trophy of Grace, by Bronwyn Healy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.. Marg River and Audiobook.
- my first time to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie: We visited a Christian Aboriginal school in Coolgardie and a school in Kurrawang (very very small community). It was surprising to know that there are actually places in Australia that lack decent access to water and this affects whether or not the school can run. Nevertheless, it is amazing to see God's work in the hearts of the people. Loved seeing our teacher friends ministering to the students like mentors/ older sisters, one scene I cherished most in my heart was C teaching her students how to pray and encouraging them saying that sometimes we have so much on our minds but forget to pray about everything, but God knows our thoughts and we can commit them all to Him in prayer. Visited a camel farm and a mining site where the rocks on the ground that we walked on had gold in them! I really valued the hospitality and love shown by our hosts - so much love - better than 5 star hotel treatment.
 |
| Kalgoorlie's SUPERPIT where you find gold under your feet |
 |
| Coolgardie's Camel Farm |
 |
| Esperance, Cape Le Grand - Lucky Bay |
 |
| Esperance, Cape Le Grand - Frenchman Peak's Nature's Window |
 |
| Esperance - Twilight Beach's Sunrise |
 |
| Esperance - Samson's cat! |
- my first time wedding dress shopping/prewedding photoshooting with Kristi the bride-to-be! YES SHE IS GETTING MARRIED :D So privileged to be part of this journey with them and so glad that they found each other. I'm thankful that God has grown this friendship especially in the last year and I look forward to their wedding!!!!
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