The world doesn't revolve around me.
I'd like to think it does.
But I know it doesn't.
All the turmoil in the world.
All the destruction.
All the unrest.
Why am I spared?
Why am I happy?
When others feel like they have no hope.
Why all the injustice?
I feel guilty for all I have.
Yet I know that it's not my fault.
Should I deny myself pleasure because others are suffering?
I hope to never take what I have for granted.
Never.
I'm grateful. Thankful. Overwhelmed.
I hope to cling to what's important.
One day I'll go home and be with my Saviour. But for now I'm happy this side of heaven. It's not always easy, but for the most part, God has been good.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
I am blessed.
I am blessed to be alive.
To wake up each morning to a brand new day.
I am blessed to have parents.
Parents who love me unconditionally.
Who are unwavering in their support of my endless endeavours.
I am blessed for all the material comfort I have.
Every. Material. Comfort.
I am blessed with friends.
Friends who love and care for me.
Friends who share their lives with me
I am blessed with an education.
One that equips me for gainful employment.
I am blessed to experience Autumn in Sydney.
When leaves on trees turn brown.
When everything has a tinge of red and orange.
I am blessed with so many things I don't deserve.
Most of all,
I am blessed with Jesus' death and resurrection.
I am blessed with eternal life.
I am blessed by God.
I am blessed with so many things I don't deserve.
To wake up each morning to a brand new day.
I am blessed to have parents.
Parents who love me unconditionally.
Who are unwavering in their support of my endless endeavours.
I am blessed for all the material comfort I have.
Every. Material. Comfort.
I am blessed with friends.
Friends who love and care for me.
Friends who share their lives with me
I am blessed with an education.
One that equips me for gainful employment.
I am blessed to experience Autumn in Sydney.
When leaves on trees turn brown.
When everything has a tinge of red and orange.
I am blessed with so many things I don't deserve.
Most of all,
I am blessed with Jesus' death and resurrection.
I am blessed with eternal life.
I am blessed by God.
I am blessed with so many things I don't deserve.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Looking forward to death??
It’s been awhile since I last blogged. Blogging is a commitment. It’s that active choice to force yourself to sit down, to be with your thoughts, and write something coherent and interesting enough that people would want to read it. So here I am, trying to resume my habit of writing. Well, I never really stopped writing, I’ve always had my diary, but “public” writing and “private” writing are two very different things.
Something struck me and I think it’s worth recounting here. Rob Smith spoke in church on Sunday and his sermon was titled “The Two Eternal Destinies”. I was incredibly encouraged by the sermon because it was a great reminder of the reality of heaven and hell.
As a Christian, I do believe that heaven and hell exist. I also believe what is told to me in the Bible - that people who believe in Jesus will go to heaven and people who don’t will go to hell. It’s a hard message to swallow, but it also very liberating.
The assurance of heaven gives me the freedom to live my life without fear of death and it gives me great joy and hope to know that upon death, I’m going to a far better place than I can imagine. This may sound silly but I’m going to say it anyway. Despite being incredibly happy and content with my life at the moment [and having no plans to die any time soon (haha)], I’m even more excited about the prospect of one day dying and going to heaven, where I will see my maker and my Lord. :)
It’s funny, hey? I’ve been back in Sydney for over 2 weeks now and of all the things I could have updated on my blog I’ve chosen to talk about death. There have been some significant moments in my life where I’ve yearned for death because “life sucks” or “the world is a crappy place” or “there isn’t anything worth living for” or “I just don’t want to be a part of the world anymore’. But things have changed. I love life now because there is much to offer. I do believe God has a purpose for me, and for everyone else, while we’re on this earth. And while I eagerly wait to go to heaven, I’m also happy to live my life to the fullest in the ‘now but not yet’.
To my friends, if you’re reading this, I hope you take the time to think about life (and the after life) and explore what Christianity has to offer. :)
I miss Singapore (-an food, haha) and I really, really miss my friends and family back home. If you’re reading this, do keep in touch and know that you’re in my thoughts. I’ve finally gotten a Facebook account so that’s another avenue to keep in touch!
Something struck me and I think it’s worth recounting here. Rob Smith spoke in church on Sunday and his sermon was titled “The Two Eternal Destinies”. I was incredibly encouraged by the sermon because it was a great reminder of the reality of heaven and hell.
As a Christian, I do believe that heaven and hell exist. I also believe what is told to me in the Bible - that people who believe in Jesus will go to heaven and people who don’t will go to hell. It’s a hard message to swallow, but it also very liberating.
The assurance of heaven gives me the freedom to live my life without fear of death and it gives me great joy and hope to know that upon death, I’m going to a far better place than I can imagine. This may sound silly but I’m going to say it anyway. Despite being incredibly happy and content with my life at the moment [and having no plans to die any time soon (haha)], I’m even more excited about the prospect of one day dying and going to heaven, where I will see my maker and my Lord. :)
It’s funny, hey? I’ve been back in Sydney for over 2 weeks now and of all the things I could have updated on my blog I’ve chosen to talk about death. There have been some significant moments in my life where I’ve yearned for death because “life sucks” or “the world is a crappy place” or “there isn’t anything worth living for” or “I just don’t want to be a part of the world anymore’. But things have changed. I love life now because there is much to offer. I do believe God has a purpose for me, and for everyone else, while we’re on this earth. And while I eagerly wait to go to heaven, I’m also happy to live my life to the fullest in the ‘now but not yet’.
To my friends, if you’re reading this, I hope you take the time to think about life (and the after life) and explore what Christianity has to offer. :)
I miss Singapore (-an food, haha) and I really, really miss my friends and family back home. If you’re reading this, do keep in touch and know that you’re in my thoughts. I’ve finally gotten a Facebook account so that’s another avenue to keep in touch!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Snowboarding vs. Wakeboarding, a lesson in perseverance
This weekend I had the privilege of road tripping-ish down to Jindabyne, 6 hours out of Sydney, to snowboard! YAY! Went with Chooi (her name is pronounced CHEWY haha, and you thought my name was, ehem, unusual) my favourite Malaysian Aussie and Paul, the dead-pan Brazillian dude from me church, and a bunch of Chooi's other friends.
Snowboarding was good fun. The resort was decent, not as pretty as Lake Tahoe in the States (where I went with Cari coupla years ago) but the snow was better. The views were much better in Tahoe than Jindabyne, I felt, but then again, Australia is a different country with its own unique landscape. Didn't take a single picture at Jindabyne, much as I love pictures, as I didn't want to carry my camera around while snowboarding. Paul took some pictures but I'm too lazy to get them from him haha.
Snowboarding is physically exhausting!! I kid you not!! Especially if you're as unfit and inflexible as I am!! After two days of boarding I feel like I've been stuffed in a human sized washing machine, cold washed, spun round, yanked out and wrung dry. Can't remember the last time I was physically this spent.
If I were to choose between snowboarding and wakeboarding, at this point, I'd pick wakeboarding. Probably because I'm better at it. But also because you feel more in control as you have the handle bar to hold on to and a lot of the hard work is done by the boat.
Snowboarding/skiing's a chore as you have to painstakingly line up for the ski lift, dangerously manoeuvre yourself off the ski lift trying not to fall, will your body and board to glide to a suitable start off point, plonk yourself on the snow to secure your free boot to the board, maintain your balance while trying to stand, "bounce" the board forward to pick up speed, then, and only then, are you able to snowboard down the slope. And if, you're on a beginner slope, like I was, the run will be annoyingly short. Before you know it, you'd be at the bottom of the slope, done with the run, having to start the arduous process all over again. Once I got better at it I tried to maximize my run by moving to the far left and far right of the slope (as opposed to going straight down) just so I could stay on the run a little longer. Heh. Clever eh? :P
Of course, when you do that, you don't go as fast, but you fall less too me thinks.
By the end of the first day I was utterly pushed to my physical limit. On the second day, I had to force myself to stop boarding at midday, though my mind and will were rearing to go on. My left hand was getting a tad mangled from falling heavily on it and preserving my left hand is rather important. Heh. Can't play me piano without a left hand. Can't do a whole lot of other stuff either.
Next season, if I get the chance to go again, I'm going to train before going. Haha. How I do not know, but some form of physical endurance just to last a bit longer in the snow. That way I can board for a few more days and perhaps master some tricks. Haha.
Now though, is the time for me to gingerly tuck my maimed body into bed, content with the two days I had in the snow and grateful to God for the chance to enjoy his creation.
Snowboarding was good fun. The resort was decent, not as pretty as Lake Tahoe in the States (where I went with Cari coupla years ago) but the snow was better. The views were much better in Tahoe than Jindabyne, I felt, but then again, Australia is a different country with its own unique landscape. Didn't take a single picture at Jindabyne, much as I love pictures, as I didn't want to carry my camera around while snowboarding. Paul took some pictures but I'm too lazy to get them from him haha.
Snowboarding is physically exhausting!! I kid you not!! Especially if you're as unfit and inflexible as I am!! After two days of boarding I feel like I've been stuffed in a human sized washing machine, cold washed, spun round, yanked out and wrung dry. Can't remember the last time I was physically this spent.
If I were to choose between snowboarding and wakeboarding, at this point, I'd pick wakeboarding. Probably because I'm better at it. But also because you feel more in control as you have the handle bar to hold on to and a lot of the hard work is done by the boat.
Snowboarding/skiing's a chore as you have to painstakingly line up for the ski lift, dangerously manoeuvre yourself off the ski lift trying not to fall, will your body and board to glide to a suitable start off point, plonk yourself on the snow to secure your free boot to the board, maintain your balance while trying to stand, "bounce" the board forward to pick up speed, then, and only then, are you able to snowboard down the slope. And if, you're on a beginner slope, like I was, the run will be annoyingly short. Before you know it, you'd be at the bottom of the slope, done with the run, having to start the arduous process all over again. Once I got better at it I tried to maximize my run by moving to the far left and far right of the slope (as opposed to going straight down) just so I could stay on the run a little longer. Heh. Clever eh? :P
Of course, when you do that, you don't go as fast, but you fall less too me thinks.
By the end of the first day I was utterly pushed to my physical limit. On the second day, I had to force myself to stop boarding at midday, though my mind and will were rearing to go on. My left hand was getting a tad mangled from falling heavily on it and preserving my left hand is rather important. Heh. Can't play me piano without a left hand. Can't do a whole lot of other stuff either.
Next season, if I get the chance to go again, I'm going to train before going. Haha. How I do not know, but some form of physical endurance just to last a bit longer in the snow. That way I can board for a few more days and perhaps master some tricks. Haha.
Now though, is the time for me to gingerly tuck my maimed body into bed, content with the two days I had in the snow and grateful to God for the chance to enjoy his creation.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
O what a holiday!!
Allow me to apologise for not updating my blog the past few weeks. I was on (a much deserved, heh) holiday in New Zealand for three weeks. In case you were wondering, I had a FANTASTIC time. YAY! :) Here's the low-down on my trip. I'm doing this more for my sake to preserve my memories of the holiday. But I'm sure some of you would enjoy the pictures nonetheless.
Here goes!
Muriwai Beach. Enjoying the scenery and catching up!
Hanging out at Jackson's place making Bachang!
Tramping with Julz. Heh. Check out his pippy long stockings outfit!
The boys posing
The ARPC (+1) reunion church band. We played/sang on a Sunday service at Elliot's dad's church.
Driving down towards Wellington with Elliot's CF friends. That's us with (sa)RAH and Jack\
Driving off into the mountains. Check out the gorgeous mountains!
Hanging out with the girls at TSCF conference. Praise God for the wonderful time we had with other Christians from all over NZ. There's Annabe, Nicole, Felicity, Peta-Marie and Ana!
Huka Falls. Spent two days with CFers at Lake Taupo where they had wonderful hot springs! Just what we needed as the weather was ccooollldddd..
Kate posing to look like the bear on the poster on the wall. Heh.
I've saved the most special for last. The Shudalls. Thank God for their hospitality. Thanks guys :) Thanks Ines for cleaning up after me.. It was a pleasure spending time with you and getting to know you better. Till we meet again....
Thank God for the chance to go to NZ. Thank God for time spent together and many precious memories. Happy thoughts will fill my mind for a while yet. :)
Here goes!
Muriwai Beach. Enjoying the scenery and catching up!
Hanging out at Jackson's place making Bachang!
Tramping with Julz. Heh. Check out his pippy long stockings outfit!
The boys posing
The ARPC (+1) reunion church band. We played/sang on a Sunday service at Elliot's dad's church.
Driving down towards Wellington with Elliot's CF friends. That's us with (sa)RAH and Jack\
Driving off into the mountains. Check out the gorgeous mountains!
Hanging out with the girls at TSCF conference. Praise God for the wonderful time we had with other Christians from all over NZ. There's Annabe, Nicole, Felicity, Peta-Marie and Ana!
Huka Falls. Spent two days with CFers at Lake Taupo where they had wonderful hot springs! Just what we needed as the weather was ccooollldddd..
Kate posing to look like the bear on the poster on the wall. Heh.
I've saved the most special for last. The Shudalls. Thank God for their hospitality. Thanks guys :) Thanks Ines for cleaning up after me.. It was a pleasure spending time with you and getting to know you better. Till we meet again....
Thank God for the chance to go to NZ. Thank God for time spent together and many precious memories. Happy thoughts will fill my mind for a while yet. :)
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Its just a rock you goose!!
Yesterday I watched Blood Diamond starring Leo Di and Jennifer Connelly. I must say Leo Di is a good actor. I was rather impressed.
The movie made me think about the diamond trade. For those who haven't watched it, its basically about how rebels in Sierra Leone violently exploit poor villagers to mine diamonds, only to smuggle them to Liberia in exchange for huge sums of money to fund their rebel cause. The movie portrayed the violent fighting between government forces and rebel groups and highlighted the atrocities carried out by the rebel groups - recruiting child soliders, raping women and girls, chopping off hands...
At one point in the movie Leo Di remarks "sometimes I wonder if God will ever forgive us for what we have done to each other. Then I look around [the continent Africa] and realise God left this place long ago".
Africa is a continent plagued with problems. Genocide in Rwanda, civil war in Darfur, major unrest in Somalia, where they haven't had a government for the past 16 years, child soldiers, female genital mutilation, famine, drought, the list goes on... Its not hard to question the existence of God when you look at the horror that goes on in Africa.
It seems like a lame response to argue that God DOES exist and God DOES care even though it doesn't seem like it and he IS in control even when things go wrong. God is God and he know's what he's doing. He is sovereign over everything that happens in the world, and I know this to be true because of what he tells us in his Word. It's a circular argument isn't it. How do we know God is true? Because he says so. How do we know that what he says is true? Because he is God.
I don't know how else to put it and I don't know how to convince anyone else to believe what I know to be true. God's sovereignty is one of the hardest concepts for me to explain and understand.
That aside, the one major thing that the movie made me determined to do is to not ever buy diamonds again. Never ever!
I'm saying this for all to read. I don't ever want to buy diamonds. My parents have bought me a diamond ring, I've bought myself a (VERY small) diamond, and an ex boyfriend has bought me diamonds. All that's done and that chapter of my life is closed. No more diamonds for me. Even if they're from conflict free zones.
I don't want to own something so "precious" if its caused so much suffering for others around the world. I don't want to be a consumer to add to the demand of such a "precious" commodity. I don't need it.
We're all going to die. "Diamonded" or "diamondless".
God promises us treasures in heaven that will never be destroyed if we serve him all our days. That's more precious to me than any diamond I could own. (Matt 6:19,20)
I wonder how many people I can convince to not buy diamonds.
The movie made me think about the diamond trade. For those who haven't watched it, its basically about how rebels in Sierra Leone violently exploit poor villagers to mine diamonds, only to smuggle them to Liberia in exchange for huge sums of money to fund their rebel cause. The movie portrayed the violent fighting between government forces and rebel groups and highlighted the atrocities carried out by the rebel groups - recruiting child soliders, raping women and girls, chopping off hands...
At one point in the movie Leo Di remarks "sometimes I wonder if God will ever forgive us for what we have done to each other. Then I look around [the continent Africa] and realise God left this place long ago".
Africa is a continent plagued with problems. Genocide in Rwanda, civil war in Darfur, major unrest in Somalia, where they haven't had a government for the past 16 years, child soldiers, female genital mutilation, famine, drought, the list goes on... Its not hard to question the existence of God when you look at the horror that goes on in Africa.
It seems like a lame response to argue that God DOES exist and God DOES care even though it doesn't seem like it and he IS in control even when things go wrong. God is God and he know's what he's doing. He is sovereign over everything that happens in the world, and I know this to be true because of what he tells us in his Word. It's a circular argument isn't it. How do we know God is true? Because he says so. How do we know that what he says is true? Because he is God.
I don't know how else to put it and I don't know how to convince anyone else to believe what I know to be true. God's sovereignty is one of the hardest concepts for me to explain and understand.
That aside, the one major thing that the movie made me determined to do is to not ever buy diamonds again. Never ever!
I'm saying this for all to read. I don't ever want to buy diamonds. My parents have bought me a diamond ring, I've bought myself a (VERY small) diamond, and an ex boyfriend has bought me diamonds. All that's done and that chapter of my life is closed. No more diamonds for me. Even if they're from conflict free zones.
I don't want to own something so "precious" if its caused so much suffering for others around the world. I don't want to be a consumer to add to the demand of such a "precious" commodity. I don't need it.
We're all going to die. "Diamonded" or "diamondless".
God promises us treasures in heaven that will never be destroyed if we serve him all our days. That's more precious to me than any diamond I could own. (Matt 6:19,20)
I wonder how many people I can convince to not buy diamonds.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Some lovely people from church!
There are so many things I want to share with my friends back home about my life here. So many experiences and stories and "life" in general that I wish everyone back home could be a part of. I feel like I've lived in two "worlds". Now I'm so happy and comfortable in Sydney that I can truly call it home. When I go back to Singapore during my summer holidays I'll be going home. But yet, I'll be missing my other (newer) home and the people and friends I have here. Praise God for how I've adapted and assimilate so well! :)
Last week Jess, Helen and myself went to morning service at St Andrew's Cathedral to experience a high order Anglican service. It was AWESOME. The speaker Phillip Jensen was great (he ususally is) but the whole experience of the service was enjoyable too. It was a Holy Communion service so it was full of rituals. We had to read from the liturgy book (I think that's what its called) and there were cute choir boys wearing robes haha! Their voices hadn't broken yet, so they could reach higher notes than I can (haha) and and and, instead of having a band they use the organ for accompaniment. Like not the organs we have in Singapore but the huge church type pipe organs that make "Phantom of the Opera" sounds. It was cool!
I can see why some people enjoy going to such services cos it feels very "holy" and going through the rituals make you feel like you're "getting closer to God". But of course, its none of that which saves us and nothing that we've done that makes us right with God. Thank God Jesus did all that for us!
But anyways, the service was such a delight that we're going to go one a month just for fun. Haha.
To add to my already joyous Sunday, we (Jess, Helen and Daniel) went for CHINESE lunch after church! I had CHICKEN RICE!! YAY! And if that wasn't enough we three girls went factory outlet shopping after that just before we went to regular TBT church. Life doesn't get any better than that does it? haha.
(Its easy to forget that I'm actually a full time post grad student. Heh. I'm not actually doing much work. But I'm passing so THERE!!)
Yesterday I hung out with Chew Chern. We cuddled up (not, you know, each other) on the sofa and watched Dreamgirls. Then we had fried eggs for supper. haha. Simple things please simple minds. :)
I'm so thankful there are snippets, or rather, huge chunks of joy, in my life to keep me going. The week that just ended was an emotionally difficult week for various reasons, but we should always count it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds for the testing of our faith produces perseverence. And that is good so that we may be perfect and lacking nothing when Jesus comes again! YAY!
I shall end this posting with pictures!!
Jess and myself waiting outside church for Helen to come. It was a lovely sunny day!
Helen and myself at the chinese restaurant. We're going to go dragon boating in a few weeks hopefully!
Dan and Jess and the chinese restaurant. Kudos to Dan for being adventurous enough to eat pig innards during lunch! haha
Jess looking wierd on the bus on the way to shopping. haha. DUH!
Shumin and myself!! Its such a pleasure to see people from home. Especially when they've brought stuff for you haha. Thanks Kev and Cari for the gift. And thanks mom for the bedsheets and clothes!!!
Last week Jess, Helen and myself went to morning service at St Andrew's Cathedral to experience a high order Anglican service. It was AWESOME. The speaker Phillip Jensen was great (he ususally is) but the whole experience of the service was enjoyable too. It was a Holy Communion service so it was full of rituals. We had to read from the liturgy book (I think that's what its called) and there were cute choir boys wearing robes haha! Their voices hadn't broken yet, so they could reach higher notes than I can (haha) and and and, instead of having a band they use the organ for accompaniment. Like not the organs we have in Singapore but the huge church type pipe organs that make "Phantom of the Opera" sounds. It was cool!
I can see why some people enjoy going to such services cos it feels very "holy" and going through the rituals make you feel like you're "getting closer to God". But of course, its none of that which saves us and nothing that we've done that makes us right with God. Thank God Jesus did all that for us!
But anyways, the service was such a delight that we're going to go one a month just for fun. Haha.
To add to my already joyous Sunday, we (Jess, Helen and Daniel) went for CHINESE lunch after church! I had CHICKEN RICE!! YAY! And if that wasn't enough we three girls went factory outlet shopping after that just before we went to regular TBT church. Life doesn't get any better than that does it? haha.
(Its easy to forget that I'm actually a full time post grad student. Heh. I'm not actually doing much work. But I'm passing so THERE!!)
Yesterday I hung out with Chew Chern. We cuddled up (not, you know, each other) on the sofa and watched Dreamgirls. Then we had fried eggs for supper. haha. Simple things please simple minds. :)
I'm so thankful there are snippets, or rather, huge chunks of joy, in my life to keep me going. The week that just ended was an emotionally difficult week for various reasons, but we should always count it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds for the testing of our faith produces perseverence. And that is good so that we may be perfect and lacking nothing when Jesus comes again! YAY!
I shall end this posting with pictures!!
Jess and myself waiting outside church for Helen to come. It was a lovely sunny day!
Helen and myself at the chinese restaurant. We're going to go dragon boating in a few weeks hopefully!
Dan and Jess and the chinese restaurant. Kudos to Dan for being adventurous enough to eat pig innards during lunch! haha
Jess looking wierd on the bus on the way to shopping. haha. DUH!
Shumin and myself!! Its such a pleasure to see people from home. Especially when they've brought stuff for you haha. Thanks Kev and Cari for the gift. And thanks mom for the bedsheets and clothes!!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
A series of firsts...
I've been told I need to update my blog more regularly. Apparantly once in 2 weeks isn't enough. Some people are just so demanding.. Heehee :P
The reasons why I don't update as regularly is:
1. I'm rather busy (yes, really, I am)
2. I like to write "quality" blogs (though that is subjective haha) and inspiration takes time. Heh.
3. Blogging is a joy when its not about frivolous topics and done only periodically. Seriously, do you want to know what I have for lunch everyday?
But anyway, here I am, detailing the going ons of my eventful life in Sydney.
So here goes.
The past few weeks have been a series of firsts. In no order of merit or chronology:
1. I drove an expecting mother (Deb) to the hospital for her delivery. Early on Sunday morning my telephone rang, waking me up. I thought to myself, which idio* calls so blo*dy early on a Sunday morning???
Sarah (In a disgruntled voice): Hello?
Caller (In a lot of pain): Hi Sarah
Sarah (Not knowing who the caller was): Er, yah?
Caller (In MORE pain): Hey, Deb here. Can you come over now please. I'm in a lot of pain. I think its labour.
Sarah: OH CRAP!! (Actually I used more explicit language but "oh crap" will do for now) Alright coming over now!!
Rushed to their house, without breakfast, make up or wash up. (I only changed out of my PJs and brushed my teeth) Drove them to the hospital.
2. Saw a half hour old baby for the first time in my life.
While Denesh and Deborah were in the delivery room delivering Elijah, I was occupying Ethan on the hospital grounds. We read stories, pretended to be horses, ran in the park, watched kids play soccer and walked up and down the carpark slope (at one point Ethan asked me to sing him the Liverpool song, which I don't know. Haha trust Denesh to teach his son such things heh). Denesh called and both of us (Ethan and myself) ran to the delivery room to see baby Elijah!! Yay!!
3. Went to work for the first time in Sydney.
I FINALLY got my work visa. So on Monday I spent 8 hours in a childcare centre changing nappys and putting babies to sleep. By the fourth soiled nappy I was seriously reconsidering having kids.
4. Cooked "Ba Ku Teh" with Deb.
Actually, Deb cooked the ba ku teh. I was just there to eat. haha. We both owe much to April for graciously sending me yummy Ba Ku Teh spices all the way from Singapore!!! THANK YOU APRIL!!!! :)
5. Study the bible with such a diverse group of people.
My Bible Study group at church comprises Naomi, Laetitia, Tim, Graeme, Michael and Trevor. We range in age from 24 (me) to 60+(I'm guessing). We've got an accountant, airplane repair mechanic, retiree, IT person and a Milkman. How cool is that? We're all so different and the only thing to bind us together is our love for God. Praise God for his family!
6. Playing for my church music team.
This Sunday will be my first time playing the piano for church! Yay! Thank God for the opportunity to serve.
That's pretty much my past few weeks in a nutshell. God has been so good too me. I'm really very thankful. There are days where I feel emotionally very drained and tired, as is the case for everyone at every point in life, but on the whole I'm really very happy and content with life here. God is good, all the time! :)
I shall end my posting with some random pictures.
Standing: Michael, Sarah, Naomi
Sitting: Laetitia, Trevor, Tim and Graeme
Ethan posing with his gingerbread man
Deb and I posing with the "Ba Ku Tek" packet!!
The reasons why I don't update as regularly is:
1. I'm rather busy (yes, really, I am)
2. I like to write "quality" blogs (though that is subjective haha) and inspiration takes time. Heh.
3. Blogging is a joy when its not about frivolous topics and done only periodically. Seriously, do you want to know what I have for lunch everyday?
But anyway, here I am, detailing the going ons of my eventful life in Sydney.
So here goes.
The past few weeks have been a series of firsts. In no order of merit or chronology:
1. I drove an expecting mother (Deb) to the hospital for her delivery. Early on Sunday morning my telephone rang, waking me up. I thought to myself, which idio* calls so blo*dy early on a Sunday morning???
Sarah (In a disgruntled voice): Hello?
Caller (In a lot of pain): Hi Sarah
Sarah (Not knowing who the caller was): Er, yah?
Caller (In MORE pain): Hey, Deb here. Can you come over now please. I'm in a lot of pain. I think its labour.
Sarah: OH CRAP!! (Actually I used more explicit language but "oh crap" will do for now) Alright coming over now!!
Rushed to their house, without breakfast, make up or wash up. (I only changed out of my PJs and brushed my teeth) Drove them to the hospital.
2. Saw a half hour old baby for the first time in my life.
While Denesh and Deborah were in the delivery room delivering Elijah, I was occupying Ethan on the hospital grounds. We read stories, pretended to be horses, ran in the park, watched kids play soccer and walked up and down the carpark slope (at one point Ethan asked me to sing him the Liverpool song, which I don't know. Haha trust Denesh to teach his son such things heh). Denesh called and both of us (Ethan and myself) ran to the delivery room to see baby Elijah!! Yay!!
3. Went to work for the first time in Sydney.
I FINALLY got my work visa. So on Monday I spent 8 hours in a childcare centre changing nappys and putting babies to sleep. By the fourth soiled nappy I was seriously reconsidering having kids.
4. Cooked "Ba Ku Teh" with Deb.
Actually, Deb cooked the ba ku teh. I was just there to eat. haha. We both owe much to April for graciously sending me yummy Ba Ku Teh spices all the way from Singapore!!! THANK YOU APRIL!!!! :)
5. Study the bible with such a diverse group of people.
My Bible Study group at church comprises Naomi, Laetitia, Tim, Graeme, Michael and Trevor. We range in age from 24 (me) to 60+(I'm guessing). We've got an accountant, airplane repair mechanic, retiree, IT person and a Milkman. How cool is that? We're all so different and the only thing to bind us together is our love for God. Praise God for his family!
6. Playing for my church music team.
This Sunday will be my first time playing the piano for church! Yay! Thank God for the opportunity to serve.
That's pretty much my past few weeks in a nutshell. God has been so good too me. I'm really very thankful. There are days where I feel emotionally very drained and tired, as is the case for everyone at every point in life, but on the whole I'm really very happy and content with life here. God is good, all the time! :)
I shall end my posting with some random pictures.
Standing: Michael, Sarah, Naomi
Sitting: Laetitia, Trevor, Tim and Graeme
Ethan posing with his gingerbread man
Deb and I posing with the "Ba Ku Tek" packet!!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Some random pictures as promised!!
This is the view at Katoomba (aka, the Blue Mountains), where I went for the Easter Convention. Vast, beautiful mountains eh!
This is Naomi, my friend from church, and her mom and me in Katoomba.
I went for a beach walk with some chicks from church. The beach walks are gorgeous and oh so romantic!! :)
Heehee, this is me, at the beach walk, trying to pull off a hercules! Oh Ruth (Wok) look at my shoes!! Tell Lynn (Ho) that I'm wearing the shoes she gave me hahaha!!!
This is the view of the Sydney CBD from the park where I sit to reflect and do my QT. It was quite a hazy day.
This is the prawn noodles I cooked!! Looks pretty good eh? I was missing the Adam Road Prawn Mee badly, and came up with my own rendition. It was a decent first effort, but not quite Adam Road standard (yet).. :(
Isn't he a darling?? This is Ethan (Divyanathan). He's SUCH a cutie!! This was him in the car when I was trying to get him to smile properly for the camera. haha. HE'S SO CUTE!!! He's extemely chatty and hyper most of the time too. CUTIE!!
I've left my favourite for the last.. :) Aww.. look at them.. Aren't they adorable? haha
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
God is so good
God is constantly reminding me of what an amazing God he is. He's provided for me all my life, and he's STILL providing for me, in so many ways, here in Sydney. I've got so many things to be thankful for I don't know where to begin.
There is a park near my apartment that I go to very often to sit, enjoy the outdoors, read my bible and reflect. Perhaps I'm easily contented, but I'm so happy that there's such a lovely park 5 minutes from home that I can go to. I like my space, and I like being outdoors. From the park, where sit under a big tree, I get a gorgeous view of the Sydney CBD skyline in the distance. The sun sets behind me and on any given day there are dog owners playing "catch the bone" with their dogs, shirtless guys (haha, yum! I DO NOT OGLE) playing frisbee or footy, couples having a picnic, stuff like that. Its a great privilege, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, to take time out to think and evaluate your life. Consciously setting aside "my quiet time" is something I'm going to make every effort to do, even in the busyness of life.
God has also been providing me with friends. Before coming here, I was apprehensive and didn't quite know what to expect. But things have been good. In my 2 months plus here I've been invited to the movies, gone for a weekend away, had lunch and coffee with classmates and had beach outings. Its not to say I'm popular and that's why I've got friends - I've consciously made the effort to get to know people, to understand Aussie culture and how they deal with friendships and conversations. It's not always easy, but its nothing I can complain about. The friendships are still in early stages and I'm still trying to build bridges with people, hopefully some friendships will deepen.
Sydney Uni is a BEAUTIFUL uni to study at. Sprawling grounds, Sandstone colossal majestic buildings, open spaces to sit, what more can I ask for? So many times I've asked God 'What have I done to deserve this'. The privilege of being here, in this uni, in a great city, in a good church, in a comfortable apartment. Why do I deserve this? And I know the answer is I don't. We don't deserve anything God gives us, much less the death of Jesus and his offer of eternal life. But God chooses to give what he gives, and takes away what he pleases and our responsibility is to praise and glorify him in everything.
I've got pictures to show my dear readers but I can't upload them because of firewalls in the apartment. I will upload pictures when I'm at Deb and Denesh's place. haha. (yes, I'm a freeloader. I do my laundry there every week.. haha. I don't know how they put up with me)
One last thing I'd like to share. Last week, over easter I had the chance to go for a weekend away with Naomi (a friend from church) and her mom and sister. We went to the Blue Mountains and there was a convention on the Christian suffering and hope. Good teaching, great people. The one lesson that I'd like to remember is from Philippians (my favourite book in the Bible, I've read/studied it so many times, but there's always new things to learn!!). Paul writes in 1:21 For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. For me, Sarah, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Its a win-win situation. You can't go wrong with Jesus.
The speaker shared this story (I'm sure I've got the facts wrong though, but you get my point). There was an influential Christian evangelist years ago who'd speak up against alcohol sales/production in the States. The Mafia were pissed off as they controlled much of the alcohol market and didn't want to lose money in the lucrative business. So they threatened the evanglistic, looked him in the eye, pointed a gun to him and told him, if he doesn't stop speaking up against it they'll kill him.
What did the evangelist do?
He looked them straight in the eye and said "are you seriously threatening me with HEAVEN??"
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
There is a park near my apartment that I go to very often to sit, enjoy the outdoors, read my bible and reflect. Perhaps I'm easily contented, but I'm so happy that there's such a lovely park 5 minutes from home that I can go to. I like my space, and I like being outdoors. From the park, where sit under a big tree, I get a gorgeous view of the Sydney CBD skyline in the distance. The sun sets behind me and on any given day there are dog owners playing "catch the bone" with their dogs, shirtless guys (haha, yum! I DO NOT OGLE) playing frisbee or footy, couples having a picnic, stuff like that. Its a great privilege, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, to take time out to think and evaluate your life. Consciously setting aside "my quiet time" is something I'm going to make every effort to do, even in the busyness of life.
God has also been providing me with friends. Before coming here, I was apprehensive and didn't quite know what to expect. But things have been good. In my 2 months plus here I've been invited to the movies, gone for a weekend away, had lunch and coffee with classmates and had beach outings. Its not to say I'm popular and that's why I've got friends - I've consciously made the effort to get to know people, to understand Aussie culture and how they deal with friendships and conversations. It's not always easy, but its nothing I can complain about. The friendships are still in early stages and I'm still trying to build bridges with people, hopefully some friendships will deepen.
Sydney Uni is a BEAUTIFUL uni to study at. Sprawling grounds, Sandstone colossal majestic buildings, open spaces to sit, what more can I ask for? So many times I've asked God 'What have I done to deserve this'. The privilege of being here, in this uni, in a great city, in a good church, in a comfortable apartment. Why do I deserve this? And I know the answer is I don't. We don't deserve anything God gives us, much less the death of Jesus and his offer of eternal life. But God chooses to give what he gives, and takes away what he pleases and our responsibility is to praise and glorify him in everything.
I've got pictures to show my dear readers but I can't upload them because of firewalls in the apartment. I will upload pictures when I'm at Deb and Denesh's place. haha. (yes, I'm a freeloader. I do my laundry there every week.. haha. I don't know how they put up with me)
One last thing I'd like to share. Last week, over easter I had the chance to go for a weekend away with Naomi (a friend from church) and her mom and sister. We went to the Blue Mountains and there was a convention on the Christian suffering and hope. Good teaching, great people. The one lesson that I'd like to remember is from Philippians (my favourite book in the Bible, I've read/studied it so many times, but there's always new things to learn!!). Paul writes in 1:21 For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. For me, Sarah, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Its a win-win situation. You can't go wrong with Jesus.
The speaker shared this story (I'm sure I've got the facts wrong though, but you get my point). There was an influential Christian evangelist years ago who'd speak up against alcohol sales/production in the States. The Mafia were pissed off as they controlled much of the alcohol market and didn't want to lose money in the lucrative business. So they threatened the evanglistic, looked him in the eye, pointed a gun to him and told him, if he doesn't stop speaking up against it they'll kill him.
What did the evangelist do?
He looked them straight in the eye and said "are you seriously threatening me with HEAVEN??"
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
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