* God's little angel *

updates! :)

2008-12-16T18:03:00.001+08:00

For more updates pls visit our new union blog! :)
johnsonyvonne.blogspot.com

Post wedding entry

2008-12-01T20:51:00.004+08:00

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for coming for our wedding! We hope that u have enjoyed the wedding as much as we have, and your presence truly blessed the both of us! :)

We apologize for the delay in updating about our post wedding and you must be eager to ask us how is it like being married?? :) We just got back from our honeymoon at Phuket and Bangkok this morning... and if u have been following the news, yes, we were two of the many thousands stranded there... shall update more soon when we are feeling better... as of now, we are both just thankful that God sent us back safely via Thai airlines from the U-Taopao airport to KL last night.. and managed to take the earliest flight today to Singapore.. :)

We took some photos too of the jam there... but till then, we're settling back into our new rented place and informing our parents of our safety... pray for us as we go through the post-traumatic stress that we had to go through at thailand.

Loves!

reflections... 2 more weeks..

2008-10-28T13:28:00.002+08:00

I kept tossing and turning on my own single sized bed, on top of a double deck bed (yes, I sleep on a double deck :p and I'm proud of this!) and kept thinking about the little things I would miss 2 weeks after today. I realized that this 2 weeks will be the last 2 weeks I get to sleep on this bed that I have been sleeping on for the past 17 years ever since we moved to AMK... feeling a little melancholic..

I thought about the things I will miss.. and I realized how much I really love home, even though there can be alot of quarrels and stresses at home sometimes, home is still a place that I am comfortable in...

I will miss coming home and seeing mom in her pajamas, lying on the sofa and watching tv, or smiling and laughing at the comedy that is on tv, I will miss being at home alone and not feeling weird at all, I will miss hearing my younger sister's laughter while she is watching some movies or youtube korean shows online on her laptop, I will miss hearing how younger sis will joke with mom and how during good moods we can tease and laugh with mom... I will miss this PC that I am typing on right now, how trusty it has been to me! :) I will miss my single double decker bed - for no more I will be sleeping alone after 2 weeks from now... I will miss having all my clothes washed for me, house cleaned and how I need not worry about home maintenance... how I will miss.. :)

The future can be scary sometimes when I do think about it, the fear of the unknown, yet filled with excitement. Things are bound to change, and there will be things i need to adjust.. I thank God for the things that He has lead me thus far, and even to allow this wedding to happen.

As I laid on the bed, I thought too of the things I am looking forth to and I am excited too :)
- walking down the aisle and saying the vows
- Seeing Johnson by my side when I wake up every morning
- Spending time with him buying groceries and walking around our new neighborhood
- walking through all the fears and uncertainties with him
- after the wedding, we can go on a holiday anytime we want :) without having the hassle to find a friend to be with us and be accountable to about being too close
- going home together
- having meals together
- resting in our honeymoon

Please pray for us as we count down to the days we become one :) there can be excitements and fears, but God reminded me that life will still be the same after marriage with a tinge of difference, it ain't going to be like how Cinderella and her prince charming :) but a more beautiful realistic one that God has a character play in it! Pray that we will love one another like how Christ loves us, and that our home will be a home that has the fruits of the Spirit :)

Flight School Asia is happening NOW!

2008-10-16T13:46:00.010+08:00

Hi everyone!

Sorry for not updating for a long while.. I have been busy with the "EAST ASIA media training or aka Flight School Asia Media Training." which is currently happening at the YMCA at stevens road! It has been a truly e-x-c-i-t-i-n-g time! This is a major project to overseas staffs to teach them about the craft of making short-films, so that they can go back to their homelands to BEGIN this new ministry to their mainland people!

Thank God for the privilege of being able to witness for the past half a decade the extent of His power in the nations. The training is from 13 - 24 Oct!

I was given the privilege to teach one lesson and activity on Story in pictures. This lesson is the 1st lesson of the whole training where it will kick start the creative minds of our staff participants, and teach them on how to imagine, and use pictures and photographs to brainstorm new stories and outlines for films. It is truly a humbling experience as the participants are all older or more senior than me! On top of that, my team and I are not 100% skilled or trained unlike 1 or 2 participants who are there.. As such, we can only give them experience and knowledge from our experience..However, it has been the best experience ever to be able to be used by God to encourage, spur and provide handles for these overseas staff, as they begin their new Media Ministry in their homelands!

Here are some sneak shots of what I have been doing!

In the above photo, I was teaching the staffs how to tell stories through simple photos like this:
So how will u tell a simple story with all the photos above, that involves a character, emotions, a conflict and a location or scene with this mixed photo above? :)

Here, the staff are divided into many groups and taking turns to share the stories!
Here, the staff are cracking their brains in a 2nd activity to use all the photos I have given them to tell a exciting short film! :) so e-x-c-i-t-i-n-g!!!!

Quoting from one of my good friend and colleague who is attending and planning this training with me :) "It's an enormous task, but also a very satisfying one... Writing is no easy job. Good and captivating writing is even harder..." And I am more inspired now to write better scripts and making them into short films that can connect, and be used and impact the ministries for the non-Christians and even the Christians!!

As I sit in the class and listen to the lessons, and benefiting from the skills that my more skillful colleagues are teaching about lighting, film language and impact of films, I am more determined that Stories, or films have a great potential in our changing generation today. :) Its like, I will always remember the stories and life-sharing events that my friends share than the information they gave... or rather, what do you look at when you are on the bus? :p TV MOBILE! bingo. :p
Pixel cartoons speak more to me about identity than a teacher teaching me about identity. :p

Im not good at explaining what I just said, but see this and see if you'll still remember the film in the next few days :p I just love the talents that God has given to the film-makers to make films like these to impact the viewers about their identity in them :) During the few days in the training, the participants are taught to analyze the theme or lesson that is coming out from these films below.. they too take turns to learn how to break down the film scene by scene.. :)

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Luke 6:41-42
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Now you analyze this below! :)

Don't you just love the message that comes out of these films? :)
I lovvvve it! :)

Counting down...

2008-09-28T20:27:00.002+08:00

Wells, Johnson and I have been busy furnishing our rented room, settling our wedding invites and banquet seatings, preparing for the upcoming Guo Da Li tradition and the food tasting... my mind has been moving as fast as the mrt and working to clear the tasks... :p Johnson was so surprised at my working style that he said, "you can keep thinking about what you have to do next hor?" I just smiled... I mean I cant help it.

And so, soon enough I fell sick twice and passed on the germs to Johnson.. and poor Johnson is now sneezing in rhythm with me and soon having phlegm like me... I really hope he won't have fever like I did 2 days ago..

Anyways, it has been an exciting yet challenging experience preparing for my wedding... In this period of time Johnson and I have been making decisions - both big and small, and it has been faith stretching as some involves money while others involved risking our parent's views n preferences...

Most of the time, I get discouraged easily when I bring home things to share the joy and ending up getting negative remarks... but I have to learn and not be too affected easily. Yet I rejoice too to know that God brought me friends and spiritual supporters to encourage me through emails and their presence, phonecalls or prayers when I need help or a listening ear. It hasn't been easy to learn and adjust to be like a "grown" woman, settling my own utilities, furniture bills, paying bigbig sums and making big BIG decisions, with a man who is growing and learning to be a "grown" man too... praying for God's grace to be upon us...

If u r reading this, please pray for our food tasting session on 30th Sept. Pray against jam when we are entering JB... and against attacks from the evil upon my family, pray that God will put peace and joy into each of our hearts and even the hearts of my non-believing family members :)

counting down!

You are Faithful

2008-08-22T14:00:00.000+08:00

Lord of all the earth
how You care for me
You have made me
You will save and carry me always

You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful
Your joy is my strength

Lord you are my God
i rely on You
i put my hope in things not seen
Your promises all true
Always you’re with me
Your hand will lift me
My trust is in your hands
Always you’re with me
Your hand will lift me
My trust is in your hands

Residents gathered to save a cat trapped on higher grounds.

2008-08-15T21:38:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, a fat cat which looked like the cat above climbed onto the platform outside of the wall of my HDB flat... you know, those platforms there are made that juts out of the wall of the HDB when you overlook out of your cooridor wall? yeah... and I stayed on 2nd floor by the way... the cat was sooo frightened and could not jump out or climb back into the building... and so it just kept whining, meowing loudly and other cats were responding loudly too - as if they were communicating and the cat was calling out for help...

I tried tying strings and lift a basket onto the platform and coax the cat to climb in while I lift the basket, but because of the weight of the cat and it was too afraid of shakyness, it climbed out the moment I tried to lift it, as it was shaking when I lifted the basket...

Then I was reminded that I had a ladder in my house! So I took the ladder and went downstairs my house, and tried climbing from below... but I didn't dare to climb up to get the cat as I was afraid that the cat would scratch me... and then a chinese man came by and offered to help...but he couldn't get the cat out as it was trying to scratch him too... I was lost at the moment.. and kept meowing back to the cat hopefully to comfort it and let it know that we are trying to "save" it and bring it to safe ground...

After a long period of time, I prayed and asked God to help. A young malay teenager came by and offered to help... this time he climbed up, stroked the cat a few times and meow at it, as if he was trying to communicate in it's language and telling it that it was ok for him to carry the cat... and daringly, though he was afraid that the cat would scratch him, he lifted the cat and stroke it while carrying him, and still stroking it as he tried climbing down the ladder. Praise God! the cat was brought to safety and it jumped up and down when we brought it down to the grass, and it meowed together with it's friends... :)

Then it triggered in my mind that we are just like the cat...in fact, many times God tries to bring us out of darkness into the safer grounds, but we are so afraid of the unseen, so afraid of the unknown BIG pair of hands, that we do not allow God to bring us out or rather we do not obey or trust Him to follow... Yet many times, God has to keep "stroking" us in assurance and love, to talk to us in our language and still we are fearful or stubborn to listen... just like how the Malay boy had to stroke the cat and carry it with his bare hands, even when the cat (us) may retaliate and scratch/hurt him... because He wants the best for us.

What a way God would speak in a time like this...
God is a loving father, a loving pair of BIG BIG hands.

Do not Quench the Spirit..

2008-08-13T18:46:00.001+08:00

Do not quench the Spirit —1 Thessalonians 5:19

The voice of the Spirit of God is as gentle as a summer breeze— so gentle that unless you are living in complete fellowship and oneness with God, you will never hear it. The sense of warning and restraint that the Spirit gives comes to us in the most amazingly gentle ways. And if you are not sensitive enough to detect His voice, you will quench it, and your spiritual life will be impaired. This sense of restraint will always come as a "still small voice" ( 1 Kings 19:12 ), so faint that no one except a saint of God will notice it.

Beware if in sharing your personal testimony you continually have to look back, saying, "Once, a number of years ago, I was saved." If you have put your "hand to the plow" and are walking in the light, there is no "looking back"— the past is instilled into the present wonder of fellowship and oneness with God ( Luke 9:62 ; also see 1 John 1:6-7 ). If you get out of the light, you become a sentimental Christian, and live only on your memories, and your testimony will have a hard metallic ring to it. Beware of trying to cover up your present refusal to "walk in the light" by recalling your past experiences when you did "walk in the light" ( 1 John 1:7 ). When-ever the Spirit gives you that sense of restraint, call a halt and make things right, or else you will go on quenching and grieving Him without even knowing it.

Suppose God brings you to a crisis and you almost endure it, but not completely. He will engineer the crisis again, but this time some of the intensity will be lost. You will have less discernment and more humiliation at having disobeyed. If you continue to grieve His Spirit, there will come a time when that crisis cannot be repeated, because you have totally quenched Him. But if you will go on through the crisis, your life will become a hymn of praise to God. Never become attached to anything that continues to hurt God. For you to be free of it, God must be allowed to hurt whatever it may be.

(rbc.org)

I will...

2008-08-11T11:03:00.000+08:00

hang on.

tightly.

Parable Project short films are out!

2008-08-05T14:50:00.000+08:00

The Parable Project

The Parable Project is a 2-3 week intensive media production workshop that aims to impart the vision of media evangelism to tertiary students while imparting basic media production skills. The students will learn the basics of storytelling through the medium of short film and learn basic skills in conversational evangelism.

Some of the topics that participants in the project will learn include ‘Story 101 - What makes a good story; the Hero’s journey,’ ‘Film language; communicating through the visual medium,’ ‘Basics of acting and directing.’

In the second week of the project, participants will get to write and produce their own short films. They will experience first hand what it takes to get a short film made and experience the thrill of seeing their stories come to life on the screen as well as God’s providence in bringing together all that’s needed to make a film work.

At the end of the project, the short films will be screened at a gala to showcase the works, gather feedback and engage people in conversation about the issues that will be raised from the films.

films from the Parable Project 2008

Bad News

At a park, a man enjoys the peace and tranquility of nature until his solitude is interrupted by a stranger who sees himself as a messenger of bad news.

The Assignment

Join Mr Wee in his not-quite-so-epic quest to complete his latest assignment. Along the way, be tempted to ask: what propels us to trudge through hell, high water or the hilarious? Who would do the same for us?

Double Vision

Double Vision explores the life of a man who desires to see the world as he wants it to be.

The Perfect Race

A runner runs into a tunnel and can’t get out. To get out, he must run the perfect race. He must remember…

Flowers for Her

Roses are for love, Gerberas are for friendship, Carnations are for mothers. Have you found it hard to reciprocate someone’s love? Why do we hesitate?

visit: http://wideangle.sccc.org.sg/the-parable-project/

Parable Project mission trip!

2008-07-18T10:50:00.007+08:00

Times flies and its almost the end of the trip! So sorry for not updating regularly as I am busy during the mission trip and there is an Internet problem during the trip! :)

Staying in the St. Andrew's Diocese with the students have been great. :) Maybe just a brief update and some photos.. Our students had a chance to do their own short film productions last tuesday and wednesday! they had the roles of a producer, director to art director during the filming... it was fun seeing them so diligently wanting to get the production out well to share God's love to the other Christians and non-Christians around them!

There are two stories - "Double Vision" - Derek goes to the Optician to get his vision fix and maybe... his life. It talks about a man who desires to see the world as he wants it to be.

The other is named "Flowers for Her" - Roses are for love, Gerbaras are for friendship, Carnations are for mothers. Do you find it hard to reciprocate someone's love? Why do you hesitate? Journey with Danny through the similar fears and dilemmas of venturing into a new relationship. It talks about a man who is hesitant to chase this girl whom he adores, eventually when he did, it was too late...

Here are just some shots from our students during the production. :)

And we met a really nice Christian florist who willingly lends us her whole florist shop to use for our production!!! the whole 4 hours!!! My student just randomly search on the internet and dialed to search for a florist to use... many many rejected from 10am to the afternoon... until God let my student to find her number on the internet - and when he called, tada!!! she immediately said ok! :) God really really encouraged all of us when she willingly said ok! and when we went to her shop, we then realized that she was a Christian and she wanted to bless us too!!! :) PRAISE THE LORD. :)

Shes the nicely dressed in skirt lady! so cool ya! :)
Shanti if you are reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your BIGBIG heart. Your generosity really spoke alot and taught our students alot :)
Catch the films which our students made soon on my website or the wideangle website!!! :)
More updates soon!! :)
Pray for our final day screening on 19th Jul at Sinema where our students will get a chance to invite all their non-believer friends and families to view their productions and share Christ's love to them!!! :)

I am at a mission trip! :)

2008-07-07T20:16:00.002+08:00

I am well not to worry! :) There are always low and high seasons in our lives, and now its a growing season for me. I am now at St Andrew's diocese with my students at the media mission trip. Imparting and learning skills of media art, and evangelism! Its been exciting and surely testing for me to be all behind-the-scene serving the others, by buying their breakfast, lunches and dinners:) But seeing them enjoying them, really brings me joy in my heart :)

I will try to update regular now!
Do pray for me and the students that we may find God and experience Him in a new manner..
We are also reaching out to non-Christian youths next week through film and art!

will share more in the next post...
thanks for being around and caring for me! :)

loves,
Yvonne

titleless

2008-06-27T22:32:00.002+08:00

feeling quite low about the search for a shelter...
why is it so hard?

Someone told me, "it is surely easy to find, if you have the money."

Then another friend I know changed job to a higher paid salary...

then the news reported about increasing petrol prices, food prices, housing prices... now, electricity prices...

*discouraged*

Parable Project mission trip!

2008-06-12T12:06:00.003+08:00

Parable Project is one 2 weeks mission trip project that I am assisting with Amber, my other colleague in Wide Angle Productions. With the upcoming plans to groom and teach about the word of God to the disciples and students who are coming for the local media mission trip, it seems like this would be a seriously exciting journey for me! :)

This Parable Project is a 2-3 week intensive media production workshop that aims to impart the vision of media evangelism to tertiary students while imparting basic media production skills. The students and disciples will learn the basics of storytelling through the medium of short film and learn basic skills in conversational evangelism. And of course, through the short films we hope to teach them to use them to share Christ with the people around them too!!

On top of that, the students will be living together under one roof with the other staffs! This 2 weeks of bonding time will allow us to grow together in community, to be able to disciple their hearts and allow God to minister to them through us! :) Pray for us! :)

This year, The Parable Project 2008 will take place from the 7th of July to the 19th of July at St Andrew’s Village. Please take some time to check out the newsletter which can be found here! (Click to get the newsletter from our students! :) )

Pray for me that God will use me efficiently as I waddle through 1st time in such a media mission trip 2 weeks project, as I learn the skills too with the students!! :)

Excited!!

Other updates:
Watch out for this space as Johnson and I are coming together as ONE in 5 months time, we will also be starting a new marriage ministry blog to replace this God's-Little-Angel Times blog, for YOU to stay connected with our ministry activities and God in our lives! We hope to continue to minister, to bless and to seek for your prayers as we journey the next phase of our lives together!

I'll keep you in the loop!! :)

another married!

2008-06-08T20:30:00.010+08:00

One more close friend married, and I attended a malay wedding :)

Just on Saturday, my another closest friend got married. That makes 2 of my closest friend married this year. (1 good friend out of the 6 got married 2 years ago, 2 married this year, and the one getting married in the coming Sept) But gosh! Time really flies. Two!!
(From left: Char, Pris, Jen, me, Andrea, Ailing, Jamie)
Char is getting married in Sept 08
Pris got married 2 years ago
Andrea just got married in May 08
Ailing is a good friend and mentor of ours
Jamie is Jen's dearest sister and one of the 6 dearest friends
The other? Renita, is not in pic...
here she is!

Like what andrea said, (yes, she got back from her honeymoon le, now taking the role of Mrs Li) :) "Its a new beginning for Jen... I feel happy and yet a little melancholy :P" But surely, I am sooo happy for both Huanyang and Jen. :) They are one couple whom I really love and who really taught me what it means to have a God-honoring relationship. :)

A pic of me and Jen after the church wedding, MRS CHAN! :)
miss u lots already Jenn! she looks sooo gorgeous.
Heres the groom, the photo taken with both of them are with johnson... for now, :p
He is really a sweet God fearing man. :) My dear cell leader in church too! And of course, hes become really sensitive and loving in the relationship with Jenn... He played piano and sang a song for Jenn OPENLY in church during the wedding!!! p.s. he has no piano background and he hates being in the centre of attention but he did it for Jenn :p

Just some night photos with people close to my heart,
My dear adult cell at church :)
A malay wedding on Sunday :)

June updates :)

2008-06-01T22:18:00.010+08:00

Work has been on-going ever since I came on board to the new Media ministry in Campus Crusade... however I thank God truly, for the grace that He has given to me to go through the past two really busy week with joy. :) I didn't realized how challenging work transition can be until the end of the two weeks! But it was a great time of learning and contributing to the Wide Angle aka media ministry... to top it all, it was great to be able to groom students who are keen to use and create media to reach the world for Christ. :)
Above: A meeting with the students from Laselle and NTU who were keen to create media and to learn to use it to share the love of Christ.

At current, I am over-looking two students from the Gen12ii (Campus Crusade mission trip overall name) Parable project (a Wide Angle Local mission trip). And I do hope to get to know them better, and to inspire them to use also the word of God, and their lives, to impact their friends and family around them :)

My SMU and SIM disciples are still having their exams! It should end about end June... They have been relatively stressed with their exams...
Could you pray for them too?
miss you so much girls! lets meet up as soon as your exams are over ya! Press on!!!! :)
Above: michelle and Hazel are really busy with their projects and exams... Michelle is in her 3rd year and Hazel in her final year...

Above: Pray for Shuang han! Our faithful servant who is now still in the land of Switerland having her school exchange. :) and Zhiying, who is busying in SMU too! :)
Above: Pray for Van, Jasmine and Fiona who are having their exams!!! :p PRESS on dear!! finishing soon! :p miss u girls lotttts...

and also for our dear Kerin who has graduated from her full time training with Campus Crusade... :) She is moving back to SIM to continue her degree and to share the love of CHRIST!!! :)
Proud of your achievements Kerin! :) Lets catch up with Van, fiona and Jasmine soon!:)

And Also, for my cell girls...
Who has been transiting from sec 1 to sec 2... pray for hearts to desire to come for cell and study the word of God... :)

Lastly, I would like to ask YOU to pray for Johnson and I as we seek to look for a home to rent to start our new Unit... to look for people who are willing to rent their flat to missionaries :)
You may ask, why rent and not buy? Reason is that we are still applying for Johnson's PR, and it is not possible to get the government grant for the purchase of a flat if he does not have PR... and that would cost us more to get a home... :\ and the sale of flats are really expensive too now... so. :)

Thank you so much for journeying through all these with me and being a part that makes all these possible. Thank you.

photos

2008-05-20T17:10:00.000+08:00

Andrea, I and the girly bunch :)
We had fun teasing the groom too! :p

Over the weekend

2008-05-20T13:06:00.008+08:00

Many things have happened over the weekend, mostly good stuffs! :) But adds a little of melancholic emotions...

It's been a really busy week after shifting over to Wide Angle, We had a long 2-days shoot till 1am on the final night for the up and coming short film called "Take a Look at Me." It talks about man who wears masks in our society today, fearing to reveal our true identity and accepting who we really are as God's creation. :) I was tasked as the Assistant producer and though it's job does not involve the shooting, it involved alot of planning, admin and taking care of the staffs and actors involved! I had fun serving the team over the past 2 days, running about to buy breakfast, lunch and dinner for everyone, also icecream and frozen water melon to beat the HOT weather... :p

My best friend got married over the weekend.
Through this 1.5 years of preparation of her wedding and her 4 years of relationship, its really such joy to be aside her when she got married. Her man is really a catch, one who loves God, and places her 1st before himself and after God in His heart. Their relationship and marriage is indeed one that truly shows the love of Christ, and I am so happy for her.
This is the 1st time one of my best friend got married... I recalled many times in my growing up years I asked God for best friends around me, friends whom will honor you and love u the way you are, girlfriends who will stand beside you. It is only when I entered University and came to this church that I found these good friends. And Andrea is one of them...
The moment I saw her in her house that Sat morning all dressed and ready to be married, I felt joy and happiness for her, and a little melancholic... I didn't know what was causing this, till a friend pointed out to me that perhaps I was low as I kind of lost a "single" girlfriend... Yes, I know I am getting married too... But somehow seeing them get married makes me feel the reality of life... that she now has a new life, where family comes 1st, and she probably won't be able to meet us as regular as she did before...
And as I pondered on the above, I realized soon, I will be married too... and the thought of leaving my comfort zone and going into a new unfamiliar life and family hits me too... Do you know what I mean? :p It's hard to put down in words... but I am still happy for her... I am excited too, what God has prepared for both of them and I am just so assured that she will be happy. :) Shawn is such a great man, and one who compliments her so much. :)

Praying for you Andrea! Have a happy and romantic honeymoon!!! :)

I realized I didn't have a photo with her on my camera, will get it from my friend and upload photos soon! :p

A good friend of mine from cell got baptized last Sunday! It is another joyous occasion for both of us.. :) She is one committed believer who perseveres to honor God and her family. I recalled her mom refusing to let her get baptized 4 years ago... and her perseverance to wait for her mom to say yes, proved God's faithfulness. Her mom came for her baptism last Sunday and really, I saw joy in her teary eyes, thanking God for all to be possible.
I shared with Wendy that it is such a joy to see her getting baptized, cause its like she has fulfilled a dream that I hoped to see in my family too... :) Thank you wendy! For showing me what patience, love and perseverance mean...

...

2008-05-16T14:26:00.000+08:00

feeling quite lousy..

the whines of a wedding

2008-05-14T07:33:00.000+08:00

Just realized after we paid the 1st deposit for the wedding caterer that the catering includes an extra service charge of 10%... which means its extra $400 more on top of the 7% GST $280. :( It's so frustrating when I thought we can save more, but now... :\

Suddenly realized that getting married in Singapore is no joke... really praying that it will all work out well. :\ Maybe I need to eat more bread...

Really need to pray to ask God to guide us in our support raising and decision making... so that we won't become too poor to sustain a marriage after the wedding..

raising... 50% more to go.

little tired..

2008-05-11T18:54:00.000+08:00

tiny exhaustion from wedding preps, running errands to buy stuffs for wedding prep, food tasting, catering things... family, in-laws meeting, adjusting to work and running around...

would you say a little prayer for me? :p
thank u so much for remembering me in ur prayers!

a note that answers

2008-05-09T08:12:00.001+08:00

to what I've been asking God 2-3weeks ago...alone.

God hears and He knows.
overwhelmed by His love.

A Left handed happy servant warrior

2008-05-08T12:27:00.006+08:00

Day 4 in Wide Angle Production SCCC - Joyful and thankful! :)
All for His Glory!

It has been a rather smooth yet challenging time of transition for me In the past 4 days of working at a DESK, and having a sudden change in working hours, location, set of colleagues and projects coming up, has been... good.

As I sat at the little room in our new rented office in Paya Lebar (photos soon) all by myself during lunch time to spend time quiet time reflecting about God, emotions were just welling in my heart. There were sadness from the ministries I had to move out from - SMU and SIM, thanksgiving for the new ministry God has opened the door for me widely, thanksgiving that it has been rather smooth and the new colleagues are very nice in helping me to adapt into the new environment quickly. There were tiredness too, from all the running around among commitments at church, home, work and wedding preparations, YET excitement in the upcoming new portfolio and projects I can be learning and working on.

As I prayed for an hour, God reminded me of His goodness... I am currently reading through the book of Jeremiah and am amazed at how God's heart was for His people. That even though they have sinned against Him, there was still lots of love and grace from God to them. Though the context in Jer 46 was about how Judgment was brought upon the land of Judah for disobeying God, there was a hidden verse that gave me lots of peace and relation to the "distant land" I am in now.
"Do not fear, O Jacob my servant;
do not be dismayed, O Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place... (46:27a)
Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
for I am with you," declares the LORD." (46:28a)

God reminded me of the "distant land" yet familiar place I am in, the production ministry which I am now in. A ministry that He has opened but I have no clues to the skills for media, filming, editing, making evangelistic films, planning a crew, being a director, or a producer or even coming up with what they call a "story board" for the film...

Its like I am a handicapped sword fighter who has lost her trusty right hand, and now have to use the left hand to fight. I am learning the ART of Humility and servanthood all over again. It is a GREAT journey I must say, EXCITING for me to learn and still be able to disciple my SIM SMU students in cell groups aka DG groups... Thank you for praying along side with me! It is ultimately All for His Glory, so that ALL May know that He is GOD! :) excited!!

My upcoming projects and "gifts" from God:)
1. A 6-years thanksgiving missions video for SCCC thanksgiving day on 26May08
2. An evangelistic film "Take a Look at Me" on 15th-16th May08 - I am the assistant producer for this project, where the film will depict how masks are our daily attire for our everyday lives... and to reflect our inner real self below these masks before our friends and love ones :)
3. 17 14-year olds girls cell group in church - we are working on an evangelistic event running many Sundays where games and sports are played with our non-Christian friends!! (on-going)
4. Upcoming parable project, WAP mission trip (local) where we give students and opportunity to learn and be involved in making short films to reach more reach better! June 08
5. Wedding preparations! (on-going)
6. SIM and SMU Discipleship time! weekly, twice a week :)

thanks for praying for me! :)
Excited and full of thanksgiving,
yvonne

Wide Angle Productions (Creative Communications of Campus Crusade for Christ Singapore)

2008-05-01T00:14:00.006+08:00

If you have been following my newsletter updates (click save as "Apr08" under newsletters on the right side), this is my new 1 year portfolio and ministry team! :)

Left to Right: Gabe, Yvonne, Amber, Li Ling, Drew, Carl, John R

John Rajan Nair - Ministry founder and team leader. John has been in creative ministry since 1998. He was formerly ministry director of Forerunner before God called him to media evangelism.

God opened a door last year while I was working in the SMU and SIM ministry after two years to help the WAP (Wide Angle Productions) ministry to build on their evangelistic films to reach to the young media generation. This small new team will be focusing on building real lives or true connecting stories and filming them to be used evangelistically to reach more and reach better!

So what is Yvonne doing there?
With the experience I gained from my one year of working experience as a social worker with delinquents and lost kids, and two years of experience working with youths from SMU and SIM, I do hope to bring in new perspectives and stories from the ground. I would also be continuing my discipleship groups in SMU and SIM, and speaking and teaching the Word of God! :) I would be giving stories, ideas, making short films, learning about the nity and gritty things about filming and how these can be used to expand the evangelistic tools for the great kingdom of God! Even if possible, to bring these resources to churches or christian organizations who are keen to use them too! :)

Here are some short films WAP has produced for the past 1-2 years :)
Click on it to view! http://wideangle.sccc.org.sg/the-projects/

The Projects

Distortions

Distortions tells the story of Eddy and Brenda, a couple trying to make sense of who they are and what they mean to one another.

Sexless In Tokyo

In Post Production… coming soon.

Foo(l)’s Journey

In Post Production… coming soon.

今天不回家

In Post Production… coming soon.

The Parable Project

This year, The Parable Project 2008 will take place from the 7th of July to the 19th of July. Check this space for more details to come!

films from [the Parable Project 2007]

A Sticky Affair

A Sticky Affair tells the story of one man’s struggle with chewing gum addiction through the format of a documentary… or something like that.

Shoes Anonymous

She’s just another face in the crowd longing and hoping for someone to love her for who she is. But there never has been one. All the relationships that she has had only left her broken and wanting. She can bear it no more - her heart is over the edge.

Showhand

Showhand tells the story of a boy searching for something to do. And the great effort he thus expands in it.

I'll update more! Thanks for journeying this with me! :)

Wedding prep

2008-04-28T17:52:00.000+08:00

It has been a period of planning and adjusting for me! I must say though it can be stressful making decisions most of the time, I seriously enjoy this season more than any other seasons in our relationship. :) We quarrel lesser and the efforts taken to see and understand each other on the same page makes us closer as the days go by.

I realized that the pressure comes mostly from the banquet and tea ceremony preparations - the coordination of parents and relatives from BOTH sides. Especially when his side's relatives are all over Malaysia... and they are not close to one another... and when my relatives are "divided". But I guess no one has it easier or smooth in a wedding preparations! But we have to focus on the Marriage preparation more than anything else. :)

I am thankful that my elder sister has laid the path easier for me to get married. :p Though I must say she had it the hardest, and because of what I have seen (not everything!) and she being around to "warn" me of mom's standards in her religious interference, and praying has made it easier for me.

I am so looking forward! :)

Wedding Coordinators - done
Book church - done
Decor team I/C - done
Church catering -
Catering food tasting -
Banquet booking - done
Jiemeis - fixed
Brothers - fixed
Bridesmaid - fixed
Bestman - fixed
Flowergirls - fixed
Music for Actual day and dinner -
Purchasing of shirt and shoes -
Raise support - raised 40%
Home - pending

Pray for us as we continue to trust God for the 60% and the Home we so need for our new unit as one. :)

The God's-Little-Angel Times April 08 update

2008-04-22T19:56:00.000+08:00

is finally here!

I hope some of you have received the hard copy! For thos who haven't, I would be sending a softcopy soon!!! Very soon! But you can click on the link here to download it! :)
http://download.sccc.org.sg/letters/yvonne_tay-apr08.pdf
Oh, please let me know when you have read it so that I can be encouraged too that you are encouraged! :)

Wedding and Marriage preparation
(Photo above: Johnson, my maternal grandma and me! Taken at her 70th Birthday this year! Shes a non-believer, do take some time now to pray for ah ma! :) )

It has been a fantastic journey preparing for our wedding. :) I've heard of nasty diasters and arguments the couple can get into while planning for their Big Day, and they can't wait to "Get Over and Done with It." For us, it has been a growing season and I see us growing stronger in our relationship, and seeing us growing as two (individuals) YET as one has been exciting. I'm never a reader until the preparation began, and since then, the Christian books that friends recommended has been great for me to learn about growing as Two to become One. (Book by Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Before you Say "I Do" by H.Norman Wright and Wes Roberts etc. Ask me if you want to know more! :))

God has always been existent in our plans and even guiding our steps. Sometimes we may stray away, but God has never strayed! :) As it so said in Proverbs, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." I am usually the planner and likes to have a head start in most of my plans! But preparing myself to be a wife for Johnson and planning together as future husband and wife has been a great journey of lessons and discoveries for me. :)

I learn to submit in love to give Johnson opportunities to lead and to hear from God. I learn to treasure my personal time and space with God to pray for Johnson and our ministries tat God has so given us. I learn to not talk so much, but talk with encouragements and a listening ear. I learn to love unconditionally (tho I have not master it till Christ come I know) and to give Johnson his space to pray, to plan his ministry and to seek God in His leadership in his life, work and marriage. I learn that God speaks and is leading Johnson! :) Many times during this preparation season when our decisions do not meet, we do see and testify how God move between the two of us. :) God would surely, without fail speak to Johnson, and gives me the peace to be silent before God and to submit to God to lead.

We are still raising our wedding funds for our wedding and marriage, we appreciate prayers for a home and our support too! :) thank u! :)

Ministry
God has been faithful to our ministries, growing disciples and allowing lost students receive Him as their Lord and Savior! Students have rise up to become leaders and new believers have been assimilated into our ministry! :) Its amazing! :) As of now, our students are having exams and busying themselves studying, so for now, we staffs are taking time to plan the next academic year! This involvement in ministries with God really showed me a valuable priceless lesson, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1Cor 3:6 It is not by our strength or efforts, but by God's power that His ministry grow and reign :) Thank YOU for coming in to be a part and to enjoy the fruits of God's labor! :) It's your seed too!! :p

Johnson's Student Venture ministry (Junior College ministry) is growing! Slowly but surely! :)

(Photo above: SV fellowship gathering in March 08)
The team has been doing a fantastic work for God reaching out to students in Singapore. But I must say, comparing the different ministries to SV, this ministry has a great potential, but the ground is hard and the atmosphere to desire Him is tough too! Prayers are the only solution!! :)

Home updates
You can read from my above newsletter attachment! And for those who have been praying for my mom regarding the recent phone threat, thank you so much! Please do continue to pray for her heart too. :)

Thank you so much for being around and journeying this through with me and Johnson! :)

Don’t Hurt the Lord

2008-04-21T13:10:00.000+08:00

Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? —John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us-astounded at how "un-simple" we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be-it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask-"Lord, show us the Father . . ." (John 14:8 ). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, "Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found." We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.

"Let not your heart be troubled . . ." ( 14:1, 27 ). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? . If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.

Life has been...

2008-04-07T16:55:00.001+08:00

fun, exciting and challenging! :)

1. Fun learning the word of God, being refreshed with His passion for the world
2. Fun looking for caters and seeing how God brings the BEST ones to our doorstep and making it affordable for us through friend's friend. :)
3. Exciting to see how God is moving and providing with each day passing by nearing to the day I become a "Mrs"
4. Exciting to await a fresh moulding experience from God in the ccc as I am placed with a new portfolio to learn and grow in May
5. Challenging times at home, with an addition on..
6. Challenging times to grow closer with God and Johnson, and protecting my personal time with God :)

What more can I ask for? :)
I am happy.

I have been studying!

2008-04-06T21:24:00.003+08:00

Hi friends!!

I am still around, probably quieter for awhile! Please bear with the quietness as I am currently going through a theological development course that our organization is putting us - the staffs through to equip us and support our growth as laborers for Christ! :) It has been a fulfilling week studying, mugging, doing assignments and readings and quizzes EVERYDAY!!

The topic is on World Missions, from East School of theology. So far, I've really learnt and grown alot about the importance of missions and the heartbeat of God! :) We learn about the origins of missions, the start of missions in the 19th centuries, the growth and hindrances of missions... The importance of understanding the culture, values and beliefs of each country, city we go to, to take time, effort to learn their language and culture - for a few months, before telling a "story" we know to them :) I learnt about the power of storytelling instead of telling the gospel right at a face with the 4 spiritual laws.. LOVE IT!

I learnt about the needs of the unreached people groups, those with no churches, or christian movements... I learnt about the needs of the different nations, and what God commanded us to do and why through us... :)

Its really been a refreshing and EXCITING TIME for me!!! I can't wait to bring more change into this world to touch more lives, so that more can have the opportunity to hear and receive.. :)

There is an exam on Monday!!!

p.s. I am preparing my exam and writing my next newsletter to inform something new to everyone! :) AWAIT!! :P

THANKS for coming by!!! :p do tagg!! :)

Updates

2008-03-27T00:35:00.002+08:00

I haven't had time to jot my thoughts down as many things are happening around me... good things! :) Will spend some time to share when I can break it down... for now in summary:

1. There has been a great breakthrough in my life with Jesus :)
2. My dad's wife (aka step-mom) gave birth last Friday - as of this week, I have got a step sister and a new step brother. I am trying to find out how to relate this new news to myself for there are mix feelings in me :) pray for my family and I yea! :) Pray for my mom's heart :)
3. Work has been great, seeing new lives touched and students rising up to serve God joyfully and taking initiative to follow Christ in their Campus

The Burning Heart

2008-03-22T11:11:00.001+08:00

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32

We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, fires are set ablaze, and we are given wonderful visions; but then we must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart— a heart that can go through anything. It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart— unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.

Much of the distress we experience as Christians comes not as the result of sin, but because we are ignorant of the laws of our own nature. For instance, the only test we should use to determine whether or not to allow a particular emotion to run its course in our lives is to examine what the final outcome of that emotion will be. Think it through to its logical conclusion, and if the outcome is something that God would condemn, put a stop to it immediately. But if it is an emotion that has been kindled by the Spirit of God and you don’t allow it to have its way in your life, it will cause a reaction on a lower level than God intended. That is the way unrealistic and overly emotional people are made. And the higher the emotion, the deeper the level of corruption, if it is not exercised on its intended level. If the Spirit of God has stirred you, make as many of your decisions as possible irrevocable, and let the consequences be what they will. We cannot stay forever on the "mount of transfiguration," basking in the light of our mountaintop experience (see Mark 9:1-9 ). But we must obey the light we received there; we must put it into action. When God gives us a vision, we must transact business with Him at that point, no matter what the cost.

We cannot kindle when we will The fire which in the heart resides, The spirit bloweth and is still, In mystery our soul abides; But tasks in hours of insight willed Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.

Ugliness of humanity

2008-03-16T18:26:00.002+08:00

I am currently in a season of growth.. facing the ugliness of my weakness and the ugliness of the consequences of it. But I'm not all sad and disappointed. I am in fact thankful, that I have a chance to come to a realization of the weakness once more - and that no one can love me and accept me more than how God is already doing.

I do ask for your prayers of grace and love in this season of mine, that I will not be overtly disappointed with myself and lose track of who God is.

Thank you :)

Give to trust a bountiful return 2Cor 9:6-15

2008-03-03T11:55:00.000+08:00

Yesterday's youth service was timely for me. My eyes welled up and I was crying uncontrollably as I went around the sanctuary thanking every individual I know and see who supports me in prayer or financially since I came into full time. I was feeling really low about not being able to afford a normal housing rent, not being able to live "comfortably" in my own worldly standards, and having to worry about counting my daily costs, needs so that I will not overspend and can live by every month. When I was younger, mom worked hard to take care of us (3 daughters, i'm the second) individually when dad was away... and eventually divorced. She took care of everything for us, a home, food and survival needs. And even, our toys. I remembered wanting a toy so much and though mom scolded me for whining for one after a tv advert, she still eventually bought it for me. I never knew how hard life was for mom to bring us up until recently...

Mom took care of everything we need, even our daily expenses, so that we need not worry even a single bit about not having enough money, and not even about the costs of home. I never had to worry... Mom and dad (we still meet though divorced once a week), often told me through my growing up that it's important that we study hard so that we can get a good job, and eventually a good life... Therefore, when I entered the University, I didn't thought that I will have to worry about money or a shelter ever again. I wanted to be an air stewardess or a designer, so that I can do the things I love, and earn enough to give my parents generously and eventually to give my kids (in the future) a great home so that they'll live comfortably too.

I struggled when God spoke to me in Matt 8:20 about counting the costs of following Him. I asked God why didn't He called me into the Market place and yet in full time, where I have to raise my own salary and even a home for my future family. God rebuked me through the week that "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 I was crushed to know that I am a servant who turned back and question God.

My heart continued to seek and worry about not having enough for my future, my home and even my children eventually. Through the week I was reminded by counsel and friends that God provides, but truly I needed to hear from God Himself

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matt 6:26 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matt 7:11

During yesterday's service, a church leader spoke about giving to God even when we feel poor and broke. (2Cor 9:6-15)
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."[a] 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

She asked Why do we give when God does not need our money or anything. Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

But we give because we love and trusts in Him, just like how God gave His only son to us, because He loved us. And we are taught from the bible to give back to God, to sow (Gal6:7) and everything we have is His. And giving break bondages, that we serve God and Him alone.

She mentioned too that Money should not dictate our decision making, or control our lives! But it should be us, who dictates our time, our money and even our energy which belongs to God. She continued to challenge us to give to trust a bountiful return. Not that we give to desire returns, but Giving helps us to grow a harvest of thanksgiving for both the giver and the receiver. Giving too helps us to grow a harvest of Souls that Men will praise God when they see their or other's faith translating to action when they give.

All in all, we should be in thanksgiving.

Then God reminded me of all of you, our supporters who have gave generously in faith, willingly, deliberately and cheerfully. Just then, I suddenly felt as if only God and me was in the room. My eyes tear up and my heart was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. I realized how much each of you meant to us.

Did you know, that during times when we are dry and tired, it was your support and faith action to give that reminded us that it is all worth it?

Did you know that though you may think that your giving is little, but to us, that act of faith and trust in us, keeps us going to serve the calling that the Lord has given us?

We can never thank enough and really, Thank you for your faith that translates into action that truly gave us the energy to keep it going.
And we will, continue to run the race for Jesus, so that all may know that He is God :) Pray for us!! :)

Thank you so much.

Serving together with Christ,
Yvonne

Need for a home

2008-03-02T19:04:00.002+08:00

Johnson and I are currently praying and looking for a home for our new family unit. We are looking for families who are overseas or who can rent their whole unit out to missionaries like us. :) To move in about a month or 2 weeks (note: to move in our things, not moving in together..., moving in together will only happen after our wedding :) ) (negotiable) before our wedding on 15 Nov 08 :) or about 1.5-2years.. Please contact me or Johnson if you have any one you know who are willing to rent it out to missionaries :)

Pray for us too, as we are seeking for a family who can understand our tight financial situation and help us start a home :)

Thank you so much!

Loves,
Yvonne
tayvonne@gmail.com

The Impoverished Ministry of Jesus

2008-02-27T23:18:00.000+08:00

Where then do You get that living water? —John 4:11

"The well is deep"— and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew! ( John 4:11 ). Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the "wells" in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life? Suppose that you have a deep "well" of hurt and trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says to you, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." (John 14:1 ).

Would your response be to shrug your shoulders and say, "But, Lord, the well is too deep, and even You can’t draw up quietness and comfort out of it." Actually, that is correct. Jesus doesn’t bring anything up from the wells of human nature— He brings them down from above. We limit the Holy One of Israel by remembering only what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and also by saying, "Of course, I cannot expect God to do this particular thing." The thing that approaches the very limits of His power is the very thing we as disciples of Jesus ought to believe He will do. We impoverish and weaken His ministry in us the moment we forget He is almighty. The impoverishment is in us, not in Him. We will come to Jesus for Him to be our comforter or our sympathizer, but we refrain from approaching Him as our Almighty God.

The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, "Of course, He can’t do anything about this." We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, "It can’t be done." You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him.

"TI QIN" Day

2008-02-25T18:31:00.003+08:00

Finally, the Chees and Tays have met - or known as "Ti Qin" aka the traditional Brides Price discussion session. My heart was sooo nervous and I was praying so hard that it will be a session that is God leading, God honouring and God pleasing.

We actually arranged to meet at a vegetarian restaurant this evening at 530pm, but low and behold, when I was on my way back from ministry Day out with my SMU students at 4pm, I had this strange nudging from God to check whether the shop was opened. AND IT WASN'T opened!!! It was closed on Mondays! Panicked I called up my mom and my elder sister and we brainstormed for another good place to meet.

I wanted to find a good place, quiet, with good atmosphere, a round table and good food to chat and discuss the brides price and all. And thank God for the availability in Dian Xiao Er at AMK Hub! It is surely an expensive place :( and it was the 1st time I was there to try the food. But the price was the last thing on our minds as we really want the discussion to run smoothly and that the parents can have a good relationship.

So They do have a round table! and they were sooo nice, They knew that I was stressed and I wanted a good service for my parents and parents-in-law and they really did well to serve us. :) Johnson's mom was supposed to come with her aunt who wasn't a Christian and I was quite worried, but God intervened before my worries came real. The aunt fell sick and could not come with my mom-in-law and as such, Johnson's 3rd brother who was a Christian came along! He was great in pleasing my parents and helping Johnson feel at ease too!!! Thank God for Terence... :) My mom was in a good mood and Johnson's mom did great to make friends with her and discussed the "Ping Jin" aka Brides Price. Thank God for my mom's good mood and the great rapport between them tho my mom knew she was a Christian!

Thank God for my dad too, for he wasn't demanding on the Brides Price and added jokes and laughter to the session too! He merely stated his genuine concerns for our future together and housing... :)

It was really expensive for the 8 of us but we just thank God that both our parents were happy and they had a great time together. The damage costed a sum, but God made the session all peaceful, joyful and easy for us. Thank God for the food, the money that we are able to bless others and bless them too :)

In the end Johnson and I splitted the costs to share the burden and thank God for the lovely time we had with our family. Thank God for my elder sister and my little brother-in-law to be who came, and helped offset the tension and assures us constantly. :)

Really Thank God for everything big and small.
And even though there IS still a huge Brides Price Johnson has to save up for, I believe we'll make it through together saving that up and it'll all come back to God to bless many others and even us. :) Praise the Lord!

What about Brides Price?
we'll pray, we'll save and we'll work it through with Jesus. :)

GUO DA LI? aka a tradition for a "Mei Po" or an "acting" matchmaker to bring the two families together, to get ready for wedding and giving the Brides parents ang pow and baskets of oranges, pork and wine etc... Mid Oct.

Traditions traditions traditions! Boy, my mom is really into it. And I believe that its cause she really wishes us well... its really hard for us to fight every battle, but I thank God for mentors who leads and guides us as we go into the wedding preps, loving God and showing love to our parents at the same time. We just pray for God's glory and love to be felt even in the midst of these traditions. :) Amen!

I am still good! :)

2008-02-16T21:49:00.013+08:00

Sat 16 Feb 08, 10pm
Decided to write a bit before I head to shower... God is still good to me even though I face discouragements and needing to give up a lot of my dreams and expectations in life. :) I want to be like Hannah in 1Samuel, who prayed to seek God and after praying her face was no longer downcast - having hope that He will give what she asked for. I am still learning and I would say, God is very gracious to even allow me to grow even in the "valley of darkness" :) Not so bad la, just remembered Psalm 23...

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

I am still chewing upon the verse that was "dropped" to be, studying once more, the life of Jesus Himself... "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Mat 8:20 I am still good :) The journey has been great.

On the way home I overheard once more the sounds of drums and chants and cheers, so I decided to go over to the HDB block near me to take a look...

These people were having a Hindu praying session for all the gods! Initially I didn't know what was going on, so I asked an Indian man who was standing by looking with his daughter. He told me that the Hindus are all praying for ALL the gods, including chinese gods for blessing and there are rituals. There are involvement of oil pouring, biting of leaves and painting of bodies etc... I am sure that man must be quite shocked to know that I do not know the religion of Hinduism as well as he does! This really helped me to see, that IT IS POSSIBLE that someone in Singapore, or there are alot of people who may not have heard or know of Jesus Christ.

These Indians are so caught up with asking for blessings and seeking peace to these gods...my heart broke down when I saw all these. And I said a little prayer for them, "Lord, forgive them for they do not know you." And I recalled the death of Jesus, just before He gave up His breath... Luke 23

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

22For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

23But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The Crucifixion

26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30Then " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

SMU Campus Crusade for Christ just had our Nakedi Magazine distribution to every student!!! this magazine has reached almost all of the students (5000) in SMU!!! Praise the Lord! :) We gathered people to send out the magazines in the 2 days 11-12Feb from morning till late afternoon... :)

It has been refreshing distributing, and our students are all excited about the upcoming Cafe Evangelism to reach out to their friends and Non christians!

Event: 'Naked' Party
Date: 22Feb08 Friday
Venue: @FRUJCH (Basement 1 of SMU common corridor)
Time: 7-10pm

Please invite your friends if you know they are from SMU or SIM and even if they are not, they can come too!!! COME! If you can, to take a look too at what events Campus Crusade does... and because you gave, God made it possible. :)

more will be updated in more detail in my hardcopy newsletter soon! :)
Thanks for reading up to the end!! :p
Really grateful for your love to me. :)

PRAY FOR SIM too!
Event: Nakedi Magazine distribution throughout SIM
Date: 18-20 Feb 08, Mon - Wed
Time: 11-1pm, 1-3, 3-4pm

So that ALL may know Him.

Home

2008-02-13T09:49:00.000+08:00

Sometimes it can be really discouraging when I realize its so challenging to find a HDB flat cheaply to rent... especially with the market soaring high now... and we really desire to live alone by ourselves after we get married.

We thought we had 2 options initially with very good rental for missionaries... but then we met with some issues that we may not be able to clear with the HDB policies... and the other living far away have YET to respond... and it seems dim with no hope of good news.

*discouraged*

and family is urging me to reply them about my home... and ive been trying to divert their attention...

it may seem out of context, but this verse suddenly came to me as I am thinking about all these...
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Mat 8:20

Following Jesus can be challenging at times, especially when I have chosen to take this road to do His work... As Jesus has persevered, so will I lean on Him to find glimpse of hope.

Gong He Meng Nian!

2008-02-07T18:42:00.000+08:00

Blessed Chinese New Year from Yvonne!! :)

May you continue to be a blessing onto others in your family as you visit families to families! Hope this verse will encourage you as it has encouraged me as we begin a new year altogether... :)

"Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
"Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43: 18-19

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing."
Gen 12:2

11 Weddings and more to come

2008-02-06T20:03:00.000+08:00

I don't know if its my age, or is it something that is common. Many of my friends are getting married around me... I am really getting a little reality check about my stage of life when many come to me saying, that either they are getting married or I am engaged! :) and I am getting a reality check that I am really getting married.

Hon Kit and Sharon - 29 March 08
Shawn and Andrea - 17 May 08
Yang and Jen - 07 June 08
Yat and Jeanne - 27 July 08
Paul and Charissa - September 08
Victor and Candy - September 08
Seng Meng and Liz - 11 November 08
Mines - 15 November 08
Eric and Partner - 28 November 08
Junwei and Regina - 10 January 09
Haiks and Clydia - 2009

Many of my family members have been asking me during the reunion dinner about my wedding, and if we have a house. Many were shocked to hear that we don't have a home ready, and that we are going to rent instead... They were equally worried for me that his pr application isn't successful. But as I was assuring them, I began to realize how I am alright renting a place. Tho I may not be able to ballot for a place, or have my own place... but I am just gradually learning to be content with what I have - that I can be spending the rest of my life with him and Him. :)

Marriage

2008-02-01T09:11:00.000+08:00

Came across this online...
The Importance of Marriage

1. How was marriage instituted?
(Genesis 2:22-24)
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man."

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

2. Why was marriage instituted?
Gen 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Mal 2:15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [a] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Gen 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Ecc 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

1Cor7:2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

3. What was Jesus’ teaching and attitude about marriage?
(John 2:1,11)
To be in faith
To use it to allow Jesus’ glory to be shown

It is a covenant, a unity by God that no man can separate
Mark 10:6-9 "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.’ 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 'So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

What should a Christian woman look for in her choice of a husband?
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

What should a Christian man look for in his choice of a wife?
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Bringing an unchanging gospel to a changing generation

2008-01-28T17:44:00.000+08:00

Check out the coming campaign that we are doing to engage the culture!!
http://campus.sccc.org.sg/nakedicampaign

Nakedicampaign

How Can We Participate?

http://campus.sccc.org.sg/nakedicampaign/resources

Personally participate in this campaign. Give magazine to youths that you know, ask them about the articles that they have read, invite them to a talk, ask them to comment on the short-film, etc.
Partner with us. Campus Crusade is planning to flood the campuses with 150K magazine and organize café types outreaches. Partner with us in co-sponsoring with us to finance these multiple entry points for the pre-believers.
Plan creative evangelistic and pre-evangelistic opportunities. Have your own church outreach to the youth using Café concept, evangelistic small group program ... be creative!

Check out the short film "DiStOrtiONs"! I am in it! :)
http://campus.sccc.org.sg/nakedicampaign/films

Goodbyes

2008-01-21T12:11:00.000+08:00

His face was bright,
His smile was there
and everywhere we go he'll be there.

He takes care of the young,
He takes care of the old, and
even when he is tired he'll be there.

He shows us love
and strives to protect us
Dad never fails to warm my heart.

It was today that I saw the faces,
I heard many cries, and
I saw many tears welling in the eyes.

After 5 long days of holding back,
Tears flow from his eyes as the coffin rolled by.
Bit by bit, the cries became stronger
as it moved slowly into the site.

My aunts wailed and many dads broke down,
my dad stood firm till the tears began to flow.
His body shivered and sniffed in tears,
My heart broke apart and I gave him a tug.

Oh Lord Oh Lord, why did you allow?
How can a good God allow such painful separation?
"Be still, and know that I am God,
For I gave up my beloved son for you."

Goodbye grandma I'll see you again.
I love you dad, I hope you'll know Jesus soon.

Funeral Details

2008-01-18T07:07:00.000+08:00

Hi All,
the Funeral for my grandma details is at Rivervale Drive.
From today till Monday.

If you need to know the exact location and would like to come, please let me know or contact Johnson:) Do check with me the timing of you coming, for I may not be around.. :)

updates on Grandma and Uncle

2008-01-17T21:11:00.001+08:00

Dear friends and supporters,

Thank you so much for sending sweet encouraging messages and praying together with me during this period of time. I write to you to share of my extended family's condition. Some of you may find these information new as many things have been happening in my family and I have difficulties to share much in details, but I really want to extend my most sincere appreciation for every single one of you who has been praying with me:)

My Uncle, (a relative of my dad's family) aged approximately 50+, was diagnosed with liver cancer many months ago but he was going through chemotherapy and things seem to be improving... Just 2 weeks ago news came that his condition worsened and he was admitted into TTSH, at the same time, my paternal grandmother aged 80 by march 08 was also admitted into the same hospital. All of us were shocked to find out that Ah ma was diagnosed with serious lung cancer (final stage) and many broke down in tears.

I went to visit my uncle to see that he was looking as strong and was still joking and laughing. I never thought that my uncle's condition was that bad until this morning. My uncle was admitted into the hospital urgently last night as his condition totally worsened for the worst and while he was still awake, he continued to refuse morphine jabs to relieve of his pain. It was only in the final hours that he agreed to take the jab to help him breathe better and feel less pain. According to my relatives, my uncle kept telling the doctors that they must save him for he is still young and he didn't want to die. The knowledge that he struggled with the fear of death really pains me, knowing that he didn't know Jesus. I prayed and ask for God to speak to him, that he may know who God is... at 1am this morning, my uncle passed away in his bed.

Pray for His family:
1. For he has 3 kids, all young adults like me who do not know God
2. Pray for his wife to know and hear of Jesus
3. For my elder sister, his god-daughter, the only person in my family who is closer to his, to use this opportunity to share Christ boldly and with love and sensitively to his family that they may know God who will bring healing and freedom to all who receives Him.

My Ah ma, aged 80 this year, has been semi conscious due to the morphine drip and has been in the hospital since 2-3 weeks ago. Last week, after I sent out to call for prayer for divine appointment to share with ah ma, God prepared His way for His will to be done. At one evening when I was there, just that one moment, all non-believers were out of the ward - standing outside talking, leaving my younger sister in the ward. I prayed to God to help me clear the room and He did. My sister's hp rang and she picked up, leaving the ward too. With my elder sis and brother-in-law and Johnson in the ward, I went down immediately to talk to ah ma. "Ah ma, do you know Jesus? Jesus loves you ok! Do you believe in Jesus? Ah ma, do you know Jesus?" Ah ma didn't respond, but after the final question she nodded to reply me that she knew Jesus, and soon after, my relatives came back into the room.

This morning my colleagues from SCCC, Mimi and Irene came along with Johnson and I to visit my Ah ma in the morning. We were praying and hoping for divine timing and that God will clear the ward for us. And indeed, He did. The whole ward was barred from visitors as the doctors were doing their rounds! So, we had about 15-20mins with Ah ma alone and I spent sometime to tell Ah ma, that if she feels pain, she can call out to Jesus. And that Jesus loves her, you must believe in Him for He has saved me and He will save you!" I also whispered into her ears to say alittle prayer and patted her to listen, I told her to follow Jesus if she sees Him, He will save her if she follows. 1 hr later, my ah ma's condition worsen and my relatives were all rounded up to prepare for the worse. Just when we thought it was going to be alright, Ah ma passed away at 115pm at the hospital.

Pray for Ah ma:
1. Pray for God's grace upon Ah ma's soul and that she'll truly follow Jesus
2. For my dad's family to have peace and comfort during this period of time
3. Against the devil for causing disunity among my relatives and that God will protect His people
4. For my dad: to be comforted and to know that God loves him... and he is free to cry and be real before us..

Thank you so much for coming along side me.
~p.s. I am alright! Please do not worry about me, I know you care, and that is sufficient for me. :) It brings me joy to know that God is in all these, I know that my uncle and his family and Ah ma are in good hands. Let's continue to pray together just like Elijah and allow divine prayer to work!

James 5:15-17
15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

Serving together with you and with Christ,
Yvonne

Urgent prayers needed for grandma

2008-01-13T14:55:00.000+08:00

Hi fellow supporters,

I am writing in to ask for urgent prayers for my paternal grandmother. My grandmother is 80 years old this year and she is an staunched buddhist. She has been admitted into the hospital (TTSH) again (twice I believe) one week ago and this time around the doctors say that she probably will not be able to go home. She has tons of needles poking through her body and she is now relying on morphine to stop the pain. This morning, the doctors said that her cancer is in her final stage and that because the cancerous cells have spread, it has spread from the lungs to her throat. At current, she is suffering from the final stage lungs and throat cancer.

Please pray:
1. That the pain in her body will go away and that she will not struggle so much

2. Pray that she'll be able to breathe well as she is panting 24-7 because her throat cant be used for breathing anymore, at current she is breathing from the oxygen tank

3. Opportunities for me to share about God's love to her: for I want to share not because I care for her soul... but because I love my grandma and I want her to experience true joy and freedom from Jesus Christ. Please pray especially for DIVINE timing as I have 3 buddhist relatives working 24-7 around her as they are nurses all the time.

4. For relatives and family: that they will be strong to face my uncle's and grandmother's cancer disease and God's healing hands will be on their hearts too - that they may find Jesus through all these.

5. Pray for God's grace upon her.

Thank you so much for praying along with me.
Let's pray together just like Elijah and allow divine prayer to work!

James 5:15-17
15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

Lots of loves,
Yvonne

Little lives of His...

2008-01-05T22:39:00.000+08:00

God touched many lives and many proclaimed of His love to me this week..
When I hear of such testimonies, I am always soooo encouraged. :)

Remember the sec One girls that are under my wings with my co-leader Sarah last year in church? They are now Sec Twos!!

We have been trying so hard to get them to spend time with God each day, though some have failed, some did do their quiet time consistently... :) I always feel bad for not having enough time with them as I had to juggle with Crusade and Church ministries many times... But they are DEAR to my heart. :)

After one year of discipleship with them, I have seen many left, many chose to turn away from God, but MANY too chose to remain and walk closely with God. :) Many of them went for the year end church camp and you know what?? Many were touched by God's presence... :) I am soooo happy. I am assured that God is with them, and even when I feel inadequate to give, my time, or my knowledge... God will grow them :)

Remember Angel? She is taking up a higher commitment to Church and to God by serving as an usher.. :)

Remember Esther?
She is working very hard on doing her quiet time with God and coming for cell regularly! and u know what, she writes her lessons she do with God every day!!! Beat that!? :)

Minxian, my trustworthy little admin assistant in my cell when Sarah is busy with her Poly examinations!!! She is currently serving in the youth worship team!!! TOMORROW IS HER 1ST SERVING, PLAYING THE KEYBOARD FOR THE OFFERING TIME!!! I am sooooo proud of her!!! Jiayou Minxian!!! And u know what... she came up to me yesterday when I went to the worship practice...

Minxian: Yvonne, I want to tell u something..
Yvonne: Yes dear?
Minxian: You know, you know, I did quiet time this week!
Yvonne: wow!!! how many times?
Minxian: 3 times!!
Yvonne: I am so proud of you dear!
Minxian: (grinz and smiled sweetly)

These are most of my girls... my joy and my crown too :) Sarah is my co-leader servant of Christ, in all black one :)
The girl on the right 2nd, with the yellow crown - Isabelle just MSNed me to scream to me...
that GOD IS WORKING IN HER LIFE.

She said, "Yvonne! I SAW/HEARD GOD!!!"
Yvonne: WOW! When and how dear?
Isabelle: Through doing quiet time and during the camp! Its really exciting la!
Yvonne: Wow! Promise to tell me tomorrow during church okok?!??!
Isabelle: Yes!! I cant wait to see you! Miss you loads! xoxo

The girl in blue, Nicole, in the turquoise crown , came to our cell different from today. She is currently much more obedient, respectful and trying her best to spend more time with God!! She is such a sweetheart really... always running to me and telling me all the things that happened in her life. Many may find her out spoken, but she is growing to be a "PAUL" I am so sure!! :) So proud of her!! I heard she is deciding to serve in the worship ministry as a backup singer too!!! hurray! (BELOW: Nicole in the middle, in pink)

Cleo, my other sweetheart dear, came into cell all quiet and shy... always keeping to herself. And I always wonder how I can be a dear sister to her! :) After 1 yr, she has grown to be more open to me, smiling more, and sharing more! Guess what? she is also serving in the ad-hoc teams like Angel, ushering etc during Christmas 07 etc!!! :) Brilliant!!! :) I am sooo proud too :)
(BELOW: Cleo on the left of the picture, in the black jacket :))

And note: Cassandra too! the one in green poka dots uniform... She is a good friend of esther and she has too been attending cell regularly!!! :)

Letitia next to me, in pink is one diligent girl whom I respect alot. she is heavily involved in alot of CCA in her school, yet she still want to find time to do her quiet time!!! She once told me this, "I find it hard to find time to do quiet time... mommy always tell me to go to bed and not do anything. And I had to close my bible and go to bed..." But she'll always find the weirdest place and time to do it! Though not regularly, I am STILL PROUD OF MY LITTLE ANGEL LETITIA :)

Oh, I have lots more... Camilia! Another shy girl in my cell...

Shes the one in pink, with the green crown... she with Cleo are the two quietest girls in my cell. But recently she has been calling me and Sarah too, and even sharing her blog openly to me... I am so encouraged to see her reading the bible aloud for me during cell time and smiling too!!

MICHELLE, Our cell dancer! The girl on the 3rd right of the pic... in white with pink crown. together with esther, Sarahline and Isabelle, Michelle is our other most consistent person who does quiet time regularly and writes down her lessons from God!! She will always be in a cheerful mode and shares her devotions to us during cell...

And of course, I have many more girls... like Sarahline and her sister stephanie, who comes for cell regularly and goes to the church camp... they will always dress their most prettiest to church and who do their quiet time... :) Sarahline is Stephanie's big sister and I will always see her explaining to her sister the lessons in the bible, and always encouraging her to do quiet time...

I can go on and on... but I see how God is faithful to them... and I am so touched to see how God is using me to touch lives.. even when I felt inadequate and when I feel that I have only done little... Thank God for these lives! Seeing these little lives changed really proved to me that God IS IN their lives. :)

My encouragement to you?
Do not think that you are inadequate for God to use you, God is a god of the impossible.. He will do miracles in the lives of those you meet and through you, He'll touch. :) And THANK YOU, for allowing me to touch the lives of many in Church, SMU and SIM. :)

An Everlasting GOD!

2007-12-29T23:53:00.000+08:00

I serve an everlasting God!
A God that loves, assures, sustains and brings joy when He calls.
I LOVE my job. :) I LOVE GOD!

The yearly Metamorphosis camp for our Christian youths and campus students finally came to an end last night! I had a great time serving as the programme coordinator during that day camp and it was fabulous!!!

(Photo is taken during a break at META, my co-team person worked with me to make this fire-like looking stands for the last final night themed: Survivor META... are they pretty???)

I had to do planning, coordinating and leading with many people under me - Emcees, sound, lighting and powerpoint I/Cs, students, speaker and worship team... to add on, I also had to make sure that the programme was running up and smoothly during the camp. To simplify it, together with my team of 2, I had to carry a walkie talkie 24-7 during the camp, running around to serve and make sure that the conferees can have a good time meeting God. Even though there were difficult times, learning to lead as a young staff, making quick difficult decisions, tying loose ends to the different programmes, I HAD A GREAT TIME. I felt so accomplished, so refreshed, and so joyful!!!

I had opportunity to serve and plan together with Johnson too! He was also the META programme coordinator from 26-27 dec morning, and I was the META programme coordinator from 27 evening - 28 evening.

MANY STUDENTS came, MANY were ministered, MANY had an opportunity to receive Christ and I was there to see it. :) God brought many non christians there too!!! about 10 received Christ that conference!!! PRAISE him..

MANY students had a chance to be prayed for, to forgive those that hurt them and to break the LIES of the evil one haunting them...

MANY students too had a chance to step out, to commit, to obey the call that God has given them to serve God full time!!! And MANY did!!! The scene was touching... God is so real, not just to me, but to these students whom He has given us as sheep...

I was sooo encouraged when I saw my students from SMU and SIM bringing new friends, and even those whom has left the commitments serving in the Christian ministry in their campus back to the camp!!! Zhiying, I am so glad you came! :) But sadly, I was so busy running the programme that I could not be there for them... But God was there, I am so sure, for them. :)

After the whole conference, I kinda felt relieve that it ran smoothly, I also felt sad that it is over so soon. :p I really must praise God for His grace to me, I was young and ignorant of how to plan, to lead. But God in His grace extended to me, showed me how to do it, assured me and also gave me patience, love and strength.

Even in the midst of busyness, God also granted me sometime to listen to the main speaker, Dave Park speak during the conference.. Just as Dave spoke to the conferees, he turned from the stage and set his eyes to mine and said as if he knew God was speaking to me, "God allowed some 'bad' things to happen in our lives, not because He wants us to suffer.. But because He wants us to be moulded to become more like the image of Christ." Just then, images of my family, Johnson's family and my disappointment in needing to raise money for my daily living and my upcoming wedding came up in my mind...

I had been doubting the calling God gave me and wondered if it will be different if I was in a different family, if I have chosen to work in another job which earns a stable income... I was doubting if I can even raise the S$6,000 for the wedding...

But God assured.

He reminded me that He has called me to serve Him full time, and that He has too set some of His children into the market place to work, to earn and to come in to provide too for us. He has send some people into the market place not just for Him, but also for the body of Christ whom He has called. Because we are one body.

1Corinthians 12:12-26
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

We serve an everlasting God!
A God that loves, assures, sustains and brings joy when He calls!

The Right Kind of help

2007-12-20T00:12:00.000+08:00

December 20, 2007

The Right Kind of Help

And I, if I am lifted up . . . will draw all peoples to Myself —John 12:32

Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus Christ died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of Christ is an absurdity and there is absolutely no need for it. What the world needs is not "a little bit of love," but major surgery.

When you find yourself face to face with a person who is spiritually lost, remind yourself of Jesus Christ on the cross. If that person can get to God in any other way, then the Cross of Christ is unnecessary. If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way— not in a human way that ignores God. The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner.

But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified— to lift Him up all the time (see 1 Corinthians 2:2 ). Every belief that is not firmly rooted in the Cross of Christ will lead people astray. If the worker himself believes in Jesus Christ and is trusting in the reality of redemption, his words will be compelling to others. What is extremely important is for the worker’s simple relationship with Jesus Christ to be strong and growing. His usefulness to God depends on that, and that alone.

The calling of a New Testament worker is to expose sin and to reveal Jesus Christ as Savior. Consequently, he cannot always be charming and friendly, but must be willing to be stern to accomplish major surgery. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not to give wonderfully beautiful speeches. We must be willing to examine others as deeply as God has examined us. We must also be sharply intent on sensing those Scripture passages that will drive the truth home, and then not be afraid to apply them.

Saved souls and servants!

2007-12-12T22:55:00.000+08:00

Our SMU ministry grew in siZE!!! :)
Praise the Lord!
Did you know, that 3 students from SMU received Christ in our Campus in this semester?? :) And 2 of which are attending church regularly, one is in His homeland spreading the good news of Christ!!! :)

ONE more SERVANT!!
One of my SIM student is currently undergoing full time training to be groomed to be a full time minister in her campus when she returns back to school after her one year... So thankful to see how God is using her to impact campus and people around her!!! :) She is also discipling a few girls in NUS and I am just soooo encouraged to see my little sheep growing:):) praise God :) To add on, It seem like she is thinking about full time too :P serving God with her life, to give her commitment and first fruits to God!!! :):):)

Praise God for the many lives that will be changed by Him :)

God's-Little-Angel Times -Dec07-

2007-12-07T01:23:00.000+08:00

Click to enlarge or download the PDF file from the right side of my blog! Under God's-little-angel times :)

God my provider

2007-12-05T13:03:00.000+08:00

Now that I am engaged, I realized that I have a lot more to think about... like the reason for marriage and realizing, that marriage doesn't mean just the two of us - but the two families, the two backgrounds and learning to accept and love too, learning to rely and lean on God, learning to trust God to provide and bless.

John 16: 33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

God has always placed my elder sister whom I am not very close with to minister to me in situations like these... with Johnson or with his family or my mom... I just had a chat with my dear sister who is a fellow child of God and she totally just blew me away with the knowledge and maturity she has about marriage and God.

I have learned from her that:
1. We are all fallen creatures
2. I need to learn to accept and love his family regardless of the stage they are in
3. to glorify God in the midst of all the planning and his family difficult situation
4. remembering that God will help me thru all the rubbish helps
5. remembering that God wants us to honour even with difficulties meeting the differing expectations
6. remembering that we want our marriage to be one that is glorifying to God and that many can be blessed through us too
7. Planning a wedding is planning for what we need, not what we want

Rev 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

I got proposed :)

2007-12-05T02:33:00.000+08:00

Johnson proposed to me during our Batam retreat on 28th Nov... :) We went for a cheap getaway to spend time with God and with our 3 colleagues who went with us...
He sang me a song which he composed about us and blindfolded me to a sandy corner of the beach with the words, "Yvonne would you marry me?" I was so touched by God's love as I see how He bring my friends and Johnson together on a beautiful beach on such a beautiful occasion :) I sensed God and tears just rolled down my eyes... I was too overwhelmed to blog this down at 1st as I was needing God's courage to face my little fears - to build a Godly family :) will share more in my prayer newsletter:)

God alas, God spoke to me and assured me of His majesty and providence... Like my mentor say, we full time workers should consider us "blessed" to have a ring to be proposed to... :) The photo below is a GREAT photo taken by my photography friend who helped me took a few shots for me! :):):) It really looks great in picture!! of course, it still looks great when I look at it! :) Thankful to God that I can even have a ring :)

I am just grateful and touched to see how Johnson saved up his hard earned savings to make this a memorable night for me :)

I will be generating a prayer newsletter update soon! to update you guys in more details... :)
Please do pray for us if you can during your quiet time :)
1. Our wedding preparations (working towards Nov 08)
2. My mother's frustrations and anxieties to insist to choose "auspicious" dates and involving her temple rituals for our wedding
3. Love and endurance for Johnson and me as we meet our mentors to plan
4. Submission on my part as I grow to learn to be a wife to him
5. Confidence and leadership, love too for Johnson as he grows to learn to love as Christ love the church :)

Do drop a tag to let me know that u know, and YOU are invited to our joyous occasion next year!!! :)

Direction of Focus

2007-11-25T00:44:00.000+08:00

I realized a lot of my friends or even some "special" guests that I don't know visit this ministry blog of mine... :) And I would really like to bless them by adding in some inputs that God has given me, some from my books at times, some from my devotional material (Utmost Highest) too, that it may bless YOU too:)

I have been reading on the book titled "Battlefield of the mind: Winning the Battle in your mind" by Joyce Meyer. The kind of reflections and discussion given in the book is seriously worth to be thought about... Like how our minds are so easily swayed to believe into the lies of the Devil... :\ Will share more on it as I read on... only at chapter 2 of the book :p

God has been speaking alot to me about focusing on Him whilest in the midst of the battlefield around us... In fact, total reliance on God is never fully accomplished until the day our Lord comes... and we are constantly learning to perfect the art of reliance on God... and as we learn, to rely and grow... and God is glorified and pleased. :) Don't feel that you have all lost when you realized you haven't been relying... just confess and run to God.

His arms are open, always :)

Direction of Focus

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters . . . , so our eyes look to the Lord our God . . . —Psalm 123:2

This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1 ). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, "I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person." We have to realize that no effort can be too high.

For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— "Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?" Your "rational" friends come and say, "Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure." You respond by saying, "Well, I suppose I was expecting too much." That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.

Shallow and Profound

2007-11-22T10:54:00.000+08:00

Want to share something that I read during my quiet time today...

hope it'll encourage and speak to you! :) It is ok to be shallow and real, don't have to impress people... even though you think you look dumb in front of them not knowing anything.. Impress God by eagerly wanting to LEARN!! :)

Praise God.

Shallow and Profound

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31

Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby.

To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, "A disciple is not above his teacher . . ." ( Matthew 10:24 ).

We are safeguarded by the shallow things of life. We have to live the surface, commonsense life in a commonsense way. Then when God gives us the deeper things, they are obviously separated from the shallow concerns. Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation, we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.

Make a determination to take no one seriously except God. You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.

God-Little-Angel Times -nov07-

2007-11-07T18:29:00.000+08:00

click to enlarge to read!! :)

God is winning souls!!! :)

2007-11-06T14:56:00.000+08:00

Its been a rough week running from a ministry to another, but nevertheless, fun! :) God has opened up opportunities for me in Campus Crusade to serve in creative manner! And I am just so thankful. 1st of all, I was given a chance to be a part of the making of an evangelistic film for the Love and Sex campaign that is coming up next year, initiated by SCCC to create a platform for non believers to know more about God :)

It was a tiring yet fun and fulfilling experience, seeing how the different scenes pieced together... seeing how the other arm of SCCC called the Creative Communications worked so hard to put a film together professionally. Thanks to WIDE ANGEL PRODUCTIONS! :) It is such a great work that I can so foresee impacting many youths who see it eventually! Yeah.... I really think also that our generation today adores movies, films, shows, and how media can impact their lives much more than what adults - we say! :) do u agree with me???

I was given the role to act as a lady in 20s who desire to be skinny and slim despite the fact that she is already slim! and that she always seek praises and affirmation externally - from her 23yr old bf. They always quarrel and seek perfect love from one another... when I had to take on that role, a lot of painful memories of my past came back... and also, I sensed God showing me the reality of our youths today, in todays generation...

You know, how girls seek to find the perfect love for themselves? and how girls want to be like supermodels? want their bodies and wana be pretty?? and boys desiring to be handsome, macho, and how they are impacted by their fathers?

2ndly, I am going to be one of the team members in-charged of planning for part of the programme for the yearly Metamorphosis Camp to allow our students to connect with GOD, to have a ministry platform to reconcil with God and issues of their hearts... :) Its so going to be a great camp!

If you are interested, it is also opened to non crusaders, church goers too!! :)

visit: http://campus.sccc.org.sg/meta to sign up!! :):)
Metamorphosis 2007: Real Christian Real WorldLook around you. Think about your friends.

Perhaps, beneath that easy smile is a hurting heart.
Perhaps, beneath that composed facade is a soul crying out for transformation, restoration and for someone who will finally understand.
Perhaps... this describes you too.

Every once in a while, we read about broken families, young people who struggle to break free from addictions and live with sexual purity. Sometimes we read about those who have simply given up in this fight for victory.

Perhaps, in your world, these struggles are not just “once in a while”. It may be an ongoing battle for victory and freedom. And the battle is not yet won.

The good news

He invites you to come away with Him and be transformed. Would you give God the space to work in you? As God works to restore you, He will also use you to reach out to our real, hurting world.

3rdly, remember Freya? :)

Pray for us as my church mate and myself are going to meet up with Freya (new believer) regularly! Hopefully her schedule can allow her and that God will continue to move in her heart!!! Pray too that God will clear obstacles in front of her to show her that He is the only God:) God is winning souls!!! :)
Praise the LORD!

SIM Life meeting

2007-11-06T14:52:00.000+08:00

The students sure had a fun time worshipping God and learning more about how important it is for us to trust and love God. I was so amazed at how these students worshipped God and desire to serve God in different ways... Indeed, God is changing the hearts of these SIM students! I remembered this ministry used to have 2 students only... now almost 10! :) Praise the Lord for the reaping harvest.

Cecilia

2007-10-30T00:35:00.001+08:00

I miss Cecilia so much!
(the one in black)

Cecilia has always been one of my dearest spiritual mommy in my life... I remember the times she encouraged me to even go pursue my weirdest dream to be an air stewardess! and even times when she invited the girls to her house and cooked for us... Thank you for the life giving mentorship u always have been giving us! I thank God for giving me such a lovely Spiritual and accepting mentor to replace my earthly mom who is non christian and such has difficultly giving me the kind of spiritual mentorship and encouragement i need... :)

Even though u are far away serving God fulltime with your family right now, for the longest time... u r always and will be dearest in my heart!! :)

miss you loads and dearly,
Yvonne

my life updates after so long!!! :p

2007-10-29T23:08:00.000+08:00

Its been a long while since I posted...apologies!! I have been keeping silent as I was searching and praying about directions in my life... :)
wells, I shall update whats happening in my life through the photos I have taken! :)

Pictures speaks louder than words I hope! :)
I brought my girls to catch a movie!! Evan Almighty and had a chat about it too! :)

Zhizhen (colleague) invited Johnson, me and Geraldine to watch her in her live play of Orchestra! :) awesome.. :p We also managed to catch the main person (black coat guy) whatever u call him... proposing to his girlfriend on the stage before everyone!!! *Romantic. but a little awkward for the lady... heh... :p But cool!! I thought I only see proposal on tv... :p

I managed to catch glimpse of Johnson leading worship in church!! :) Cool yeah... our worship ministry in church is growing to become more professional and taking worship to God more seriously!! :) Its about bringing people to worship!! :)

Johnson and I finally finished our Marriage Preparation Course and our one month Junior Church attachment required together with the course!! It was a fun and growing experience indeed to see the little ones worship and learning how to discipline and control them!! :) :)

I went over to Malaysia last weekend Sat-Sun to visit Johnson's family!!! And he was so sweet to bring his mom and me to have Malaysia's famous CHOCOLATE ICE-KACHANG!!! :p

SIM Life meeting rocks! Though we are small and unofficial... Our faithful leaders still continue to persevere to bring their disciples and themselves there!! we had alot of fun with games and from the word of God! :) Praise God!

This LM is a Casting Vision Life meeting where we got one of our student leader from E comm to speak and encourage students to reach out!

This Life Meeting: We invited our dear sister Irene from RP TP CCC to speak in SIM about abundant life in Christ!!! :)

This Life Meeting: We invited our sister Janice from NUS engine CCC to speak on trusting God!

We surprised Tianhao as it was his birthday!! :):)

SMU Jump!
We invited Juliana to speak and encourage our students to do evangelism boldly!!

SMU Jump!
We invited Daniel to speak on trusting the power of the gospel, to encourage and tackle the fear of evangelism among our students!! :)

My dearest JC non christian friend received Christ on 10Oct!!! :)
Praise the Lord!! After 3 years of reaching out to her... :) thank God!!! :)
The one in black hugging Vara who is wearing yellow! :)
She attended my church's Alpha and eventually cleared all her doubts about Jesus being God... :) Pray for her as she seeks more about God and as she discover the truth of the gospel as she is seeking the difference between Catholicism and Christianity...

too many photos to put up... but u can visit here --> http://tayvonne.multiply.com/photos to find more photos!! :) In short, I had a busy yet fulfilling weeks before today!! :) It has been tiring but thank YOU for praying for me and with me!!! :)

I bless your Name

2007-10-20T12:08:00.000+08:00

In prisoners' chains
With bleeding stripes
Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to sing
Their chains were loosed
And they were free

I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your Name
I bless Your Name

Some midnight hour
If you should find
You're in a prison in your mind
Reach out and praise
Defy those chains
And they will fall
In Jesus' Name

We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
We give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life,
the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
We bless Your Name
We bless Your Name

I was reminded of the fun we had singing as a church choir last Christmas!!! :) To praise God and sing for the congregation. *smiles*

tested and silent rejoicing.

2007-10-20T01:31:00.000+08:00

I am really enjoying my ministry more and more... the girls that I am leading in both SMU and SIM have really blessed me much... sometimes as a DGL, one will think that it is not possible for us to share truthfully what is going on in our lives... for fear that our status will drop, our credibility will fall, for fear that students may not want to learn from us anymore. :p I admit that I had battled about this for a long while until God assured me that I should not allow that to stop sharing what God is bringing me through in my life, how I can be learning, moulding and growing, how I am learning to rejoice, and also that they can too be praying for me and be speaking truth into my life too :)

It was like a normal DG session, and God reminded me of the lesson Candy (my ex DGL) taught me about 3 years ago... the lesson on the Potter and the Clay, on waiting. And it was so divine that I happened to, to stumble across that same identical article that Candy used 3 years ago while I was digging for articles to use for my Discipleship time. I used the DG time to share with them my life, and shared the same article with them... and discussed about issues in their lives that are hidden in the darkness... And it was amazing to see how God worked when I thought the session would be bad.

I spent a long while reading Discipleship Journals and God really spoke alot to me about our primary goal in life: To Glorify Him... and there was great reminders from our heavenly Father that He adored us, and that His love for us is overwhelming.

God taught me lessons on waiting in season and out of season... lessons on assurance and love even when I thought I knew all about it... and I also learnt that it isn't easy to say "Here I am Lord, send me!" For it requires a lot of leaning, loving, relying, humility, walking in the spirit daily, maturity and honesty about your own life to the others...and of cause many more.

I am just learning a lot once more about what it means to place God in the centre of our lives, the throne of our hearts... I thank God and rejoice to have spiritual mentors and counselors around me to encourage, love and pray for me. :) :)

I hope this reflection of mine blessed u too as I jot down my thoughts...

leaving u with questions...
Is Christ the throne of your life today?
How is your heart today?

Quietness

2007-10-18T01:27:00.000+08:00

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? - Luke 11:11-13

No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you.... As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. - Isaiah 62:4-5

He will quiet you with his love.
He will be silent in His love.
He will rest in his love. (KJV)

Martin Luther wrote, "He will cause you to be silent so that you may have in the secret places of your heart a very quiet place and a peaceful silence."

"He makes me lie down in green pastures" God longs to still your anxiety with silence.

The silence is of great turmoil but consisting of great growth.

I am learning a whole new lesson on waiting, silence and love. :)
I thank God for His grace.

worth

2007-10-15T01:35:00.001+08:00

I need to know what I should be waiting for.. what is worth..
I am exhausted.. need to go away...

God's silence

2007-10-11T15:03:00.000+08:00

God’s Silence— Then What?

When He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was —John 11:6

Has God trusted you with His silence— a silence that has great meaning? God’s silences are actually His answers. Just think of those days of absolute silence in the home at Bethany! Is there anything comparable to those days in your life? Can God trust you like that, or are you still asking Him for a visible answer? God will give you the very blessings you ask if you refuse to go any further without them, but His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into an even more wonderful understanding of Himself. Are you mourning before God because you have not had an audible response? When you cannot hear God, you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible— with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation. If God has given you a silence, then praise Him— He is bringing you into the mainstream of His purposes. The actual evidence of the answer in time is simply a matter of God’s sovereignty. Time is nothing to God. For a while you may have said, "I asked God to give me bread, but He gave me a stone instead" (see Matthew 7:9 ). He did not give you a stone, and today you find that He gave you the "bread of life" ( John 6:35 ).

A wonderful thing about God’s silence is that His stillness is contagious— it gets into you, causing you to become perfectly confident so that you can honestly say, "I know that God has heard me." His silence is the very proof that He has. As long as you have the idea that God will always bless you in answer to prayer, He will do it, but He will never give you the grace of His silence. If Jesus Christ is bringing you into the understanding that prayer is for the glorifying of His Father, then He will give you the first sign of His intimacy— silence.

obedience

2007-10-10T15:14:00.000+08:00

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

We do not grow into a spiritual relationship step by step— we either have a relationship or we do not. God does not continue to cleanse us more and more from sin— "But if we walk in the light," we are cleansed "from all sin" ( 1 John 1:7 ). It is a matter of obedience, and once we obey, the relationship is instantly perfected. But if we turn away from obedience for even one second, darkness and death are immediately at work again.

All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately. Let God’s truth work into you by immersing yourself in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know the truth of God is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight. Don’t say, "I suppose I will understand these things someday!" You can understand them now. And it is not study that brings understanding to you, but obedience. Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming one of the "wise and prudent." "If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know . . ." (John 7:17 ).

sicky

2007-10-07T02:02:00.001+08:00

sick... down with flu, sore throat and fever...
cant sleep...

feeling lazy

2007-10-01T12:33:00.000+08:00

I am feeling sooo lazy... I was on the train earlier, coming back from Malaysia after a visit to Johnson's family... I was looking at the kids on the train and I wished, I was still a child. A child who is carefree and don't have to work... :p

alrights I am just being lazy and whiny. :p

Proud & rested

2007-09-26T23:05:00.000+08:00

We went Campus Evangelism on our campus ground on Tuesday! :)
I am so proud to see my girls and my girls' girls going out to proclaim their love for Jesus today :) I decided to combine my two Discipleship Groups from SIM and SMU to come to a common ground to do street E on Tuesday... and it was encouraging.

Although they were new at it, afraid of rejections but yet, persevered! :)
Even though we had limited time to share, praise God for one saved soul!

By the end of the day and street E, Shuang Han and Hazel have left for their appointments... so didn't managed to take a photo with them... :(

From the left: Jasmine, Michelle, Catherine and Vanessa
Not in picture: Shuang Han, Hazel and me! (Taking this pic!)
Absent with apologies: Michelle (a different one :p)

We totally had fun seeing how God used the little ones like us to do great things with Him :) I am thankful for Jasmine, who has given her time and life to disciple michelle and catherine... and Van, for coming all the way down to support Jasmine in discipling... :) And I am thankful to God for the great things He is doing to my girls, giving them the heart and passion for Him! All praise be to Him! :)

Today, Johnson and I decided to give ourselves a treat at a nice dining place and to share, discuss and pray together :) We found this place that has really good ambience, alittle expensive... but wells, we decided to go ahead for once in a long long time! :)
It was a great time :)

Thank God for the rest and fulfilling week :)

updates :)

2007-09-23T00:13:00.000+08:00

Over the week I had to prepare to teach my disciple's disciples Personal Evangelism Training... :) it was fun seeing the Spiritual multiplication happening before my eyes... :) I am like a grandma and I am proud to be one!! :p

Now they are all ready to go to do God's Great Commission!! :)

I also had a chance to go to connect back with God at the CONNECT Conference! :) And all my SIM and SMU students went! :)

Ms Amy Lau's class!!! I was so greatly blessed! :)
I really learnt alot about connecting back with God... will update more soon about my learnings... :)

And during this conference, someone surprised me and told me that I am loved and treasured! :) so surprised and feel so loved :)

Don't I look surprised?? :p

And of course, after supper at newton food market, the crazy staffs went back and I was at the train station with my batch mates!! and we took photos tgt... :p it was fun! :)
thanks ladies... for reminding me how much I enjoyed u girls... :p

forget about how plump I look coz I was the one taking the pic!!! :p oh wells, Beauty is fleeting... :p

Surprise Breakfast (:

2007-09-18T22:06:00.000+08:00

I tried to write up a list of things that will make me feel better on a low rainy season... But all I can write down is as such:
- a little note filled with words and love
- flowers that bloom
- space and time to spend alone with God (I had it on Monday! yea!(:)
- smiles and genuine affirmation from parents, family and love ones
- surprises from you

like a morning breakfast like the one below...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

dear Johnson woke up early in the morning to whip up a breakfast of love for me this morning... This surprise was extremely timely... especially I was going through a rough period and this morning (Tues) was the first time I have to serve to play as a guitarist for my Campus Staff Meeting. I was excited to play finally for "real" and not just for recreation... and it was fun serving in such a fresh manner.

When I saw the breakfast with a little note, my heart whelmed up with tears. I was lost for words.

And it really tasted good and filling to my tummy and my heart. :)
Thank you dear.

Encouragement in times of good and bad

2007-09-16T22:51:00.000+08:00

Ecclesiastes 7:1

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future

Part II
In times of good:
I must say I am really proud of my cell disciple from Church - Angel :) She finally took up a level of faith step to serve in a ministry in our Youth HeartBeat Ministry (Our church youth ministry)! After serving as a cell leader leading my little 10-15 sec 1 girls for about 1 yr plus, It has been such a faith journey seeing them grow. The growth has been slow but I know, it surely is a steady growth! And seeing a growth from Angel, to serve and commit her life in such a manner to God, I am thankful. Its a testimony to me and many that God is working in her life. :)

Press on Angel! Even when u r young, do not let anyone else look down on you just because you are young. :)

Off for one week...

2007-09-10T01:23:00.000+08:00

I will be away for a week of Staff planning retreat at NRSCC! It is going to be a long week cracking of brains and planning for the year... Pray that it will be God honouring and that His Spirit will be leading our leaders! :)

Updates about myself:
I have been doing better! Thank you so much for your concern through various ways, smses, prayers or even little encourages and hugs along the way. It hasn't been easy but God has been faithful and walking with me as I toddle along next to Him. :)

I would be leading alittle section of the planning retreat - the appreciation of the ministries and staff appreciation section on Monday night! It's quite exciting and FRESH I must say, doing something like that, which allows my brains to run creatively with little boundaries. :) Will upload the pics after the event! Hopefully photos will be taken. :)

Johnson and I have been doing fine, we are currently serving our one month attachment of Junior church at this 5-6years old kids group from 11-1pm every Sunday. :) It has been faith stretching for me (can ask me about it personally :)) and I have been enjoying it! :) They are really adorable and reminded me alot about what childlike faith is like. :)

Thank you once more for your love for me! :)

prayer requests

2007-09-04T22:20:00.000+08:00

Hi friends,
Please pray for me as I sensed some spiritual warfare going on in my mind... Will appreciate if you would just pray for me...

Thank you brothers & sisters,
Yvonne

The Lord knows...

2007-09-04T00:39:00.000+08:00

Psalm 139
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

The Lord knew I was thinking about somethings in my life, my baggages that I had to deal with. I was afraid to face them, for I didn't know they even exist...such as my parents' divorce..

Many baggages like that I didn't knew existed came up in the past one month.. and I do see it as a thanksgiving. :) For if its not for the circumstances around me, the course I took or people around me that God placed me in, I wouldn't have the grace to open this can of "worms".

I was walking home after a meeting with Johnson and the thoughts about these baggages came to mind.. then I received a very timely sms (as usual from a very prophetic student that God has sent me since one month ago). She never fails to pray for me and God has been using her to speak to me through the word, at VERY timely times of my life. The above from Psalm 139:1 was what she sent me. and she included the following:

"God develops transparency in you when you allow Him to make Himself at home in your life. Do not be afraid of the pain of disclosure. He created you and knows all about you. If you choose to live in transparency before the Lord, God will bring people into your life whom you need to touch."

I think its time for me to see professionals to work through tough baggages. :)
Thank God for His grace.

MPC

2007-09-02T23:35:00.002+08:00

We finally came to the last lap of our Marriage Preparation Course! :) Which is the two days one night retreat at YWCA with our church couples... It has been a long but enjoyable process of learning more about one another, to love and accept and to work towards an honourable relationship and marriage between Johnson n I.

I learnt many things:
1. To work towards making ourselves the best for one another and for God
2. To communicate with listening and love
3. To meditate on God's word day and night
4. To see bring our bondages to God and not into our new unit :)

Our spiritual mentors were invited to celebrate with us as we successfully ended the course!
But then, we still have another ONE month of attachment to the Junior Church (Kindy and Nursery kids) to learn to work with each other... which will start next week!

If you are wondering if we are having plans to getting married,
not anywhere in the near future... but we took this course to truly help us to understand where our relationship is heading towards. And to help us to take marriage and our relationship seriously at a deeper level. :)

mentally drained

2007-08-27T23:14:00.000+08:00

Feeling quite low.
My mind is swirling upon alot of things...

really ALOT of things.

Communication of words

2007-08-24T00:41:00.000+08:00

I find that words from our mouth can either make or break the relationships around us... and just purely innocent conversations around us can be misinterpreted iff we do not communicate it well.

I have been feeling very low about some things around me and haven't been able to articulate my emotions and the antecedent event, for I do not know what was causing me to feel low either.. I could neither sleep or eat well for the past 1 month. There were insomnias, inappetites and tears... But I thank God for the breakthrough today.

Johnson and I finally had a good chat over the phone, it was a two-way communication, clarifying and asking of good questions, affirming and assuring of each other too. Johnson's understanding and willingness to allow me to clarify without fear, and he relying on God to tell me what I was fearing about was so helpful.

I learnt that I was afraid of silences, and hesitations. My mind works so fast before I usually allow people to think... and I need to learn.

Thank God for Johnson and his patience for me.
Thank God for granting us the opportunity to clarify and talk so openly, I crave for more of such edifying conversations!

God-Little-Angel Times

2007-08-20T17:21:00.000+08:00

My August update is here! :)

You can either click here to get my newsletter, or click save as on the right hand side of this blog! :) Please do leave your footprints on my blog so that i know that u visited or read!! :)

Thanks! :)
Loving it every moment!

Signing off,
Yvonne God-little-angel Times!

I love my dad.

2007-08-18T23:54:00.000+08:00

It was such a great time having dinner at Marina South with my dad, step-sis, sister and brother-in-law and of course, Johnson. :) Dad wanted to take Tina (my step-sis) to watch the last day of the fireworks at Marina South, so my sis and I decided to catch on the fun and go together! So that we can spend some quality family time with my dad. :)

Its really been a long long while since I last had an outing like this with dad. Really miss those times when he was still living with us and mom, when he will drive us around to find Pasa malam or find the lion dances during CNY... If not, he will bring us downstairs to buy any amount of 20cents titbits... just for us. :) Going on this trip to Marina South to watch fireworks really, really brought memories back to my mind and made my heart melt.

I guess dad is still a big part of my life... even though we see each other only once a week after mom and dad divorced... I really am still emotionally closer to dad... I love the assurance and acceptance he provides, the listening ear he gives, the love and care by calling me surprisingly and asking me, "how are you?"... though I am already 24, I will still and forever feel like a little princess with dad. :) Don't think Dad will ever read this blogcast of mine, but like i have been always telling him, "I love you dad!"

And thank God for Johnson too, even though I know he is tired from the commitments to BB at church, ministry planning the last week - sleeping at 3am alot... the effort he took to come along with me to spend time with dad shows me alot that he knows this means alot to me. And that because it means alot alot to me, it means alot alot alot to him. :) Having Johnson spending time with dad and with me really, is like a cherry to my favourite dessert today. :) And of course, having sis around and just smiling and laughing... brings me memories of our childhood days when we run around with dad in his car to find pasa malam.. ~sweet!~

Will upload photos soon... will get them from sis. :)
This day shall be an important event in my heart.

devotion and prayer for SIM Vision Tea!

2007-08-15T02:06:00.000+08:00

Hi friends,
please pray for me as I will be speaking during SIM Vision Tea on Thursday... May the Lord gives me inspiration and wisdom to speak and prepare for the devotion. The theme is on Hebrews 10:24-25 May the freshmen who come catch the vision of God's heartbeat for the campus!

Pray for multiplied time for me as I prepare for the devotion in a tight tight schedule!!!
Tired but excited!

Vision Tea 16 August 2007

Date: 16th August (Thur)
Time: 6pm
Venue: Ngee Ann Poly Blk 73-01-16, LT 73A

Meeting time and venue: 5.30pm outside Megabites

burnt

2007-08-14T01:00:00.000+08:00

I finally found a good time n place to burn all my old letters, photos and memories of the past... :) It was a good time looking through them for the last time and thanking God as I lighted them up and burnt them all in the burning bin :)

Each memory is like a made-up of my past, a made-up of me, of my old self... yet burning them is like reminding myself of the new-birth God has given me when He saved me 4 years ago. Nope it wasn't painful to burn them. :)

Im glad I finally cleared all of them :)

SIM recruitment Drive 07

2007-08-03T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Lord's workers worked hard for the past 2 days and we have all been seeing fruits!! :)

Thank God for the many people and staffs who sacrificed their time to come down to SIM to help us!! :)

It sure its fun!! :)

Since then, we have gathered approx. more than 50 Christian contacts and 30 non Christian contacts who are willing to know more about God! :) Praise God! There will be more to come!

May God bring us His children to make an impact for Him in SIM! :)

Pray for us as we continue our final day in SIM for the recruitment. We were stopped by the security guard today 02Aug about 4plus pm just when we were about to end our recruitment drive for the day. The security guard took our flyer and warned us about continuing our recruitment... may God reign and soften the heart of the mr security! :)

ONE more day!!!

Stepped out!

2007-08-02T23:59:00.000+08:00

SMU Freshmen and us and have stepped out! have you? :)

We had a registration table all set up at the lobby of Kum Yan Methodist Church! All thanks to God and the support we had from His fellow children of Kum Yan Methodist Church that we SMU staffs and students are able to rent a place near SMU conveniently to host our Freshmen for this camp!

If not for the church and God, we wouldn't be able to make this camp possible!!! Thank God!!

The students and seniors gathered in the morning to play some ice-breakers and shared about themselves to bond with one another. It was not hard for the freshmen and us to make good friends as we knew that we are all gathered for a common reason. For God, as SMU students.

Many of them came with an expectant heart to want to experience God even in this new season of their lives in SMU! AMAZING! Students raised their hands and worshipped freely, and prayed to ask God to show them their purpose in SMU... There were games and Prayer Labryith as well as a mysterious walk called "Peter's walk".

The students had a chance to walk with "Peter" in the planned "Peter's walk" by the SMU Crusaders... All were divided into groups and blind folded to walk from room to room, and there was one of our students who acted as Peter. He read out the story of Peter, his feelings and conversation with Jesus, as if he was Peter, from the time he had the last supper with Jesus to the day of crucification.

We even had a station where the leaders had the chance to wash the feet of our many students and freshmen! :) It was surely humbling and an amazing experience... :)

During the camp, we had speakers like Lesile and Wendy who came down to shared about Holiness as guys and girls in our world today. Amos too came down to share about Stepping out for Jesus... :) Thank God for our generous speakers who came down all the way to make this camp a difference!

We surely stepped out at the end of the camp!
13 Freshmen and 19 Seniors attended our camp! total 32!
Praise God for the multiplied lives in SMU! :)

low

2007-07-30T23:32:00.000+08:00

Wells, I have been feeling a little low this two days.

Nope, My Quiet time and walk with God has been good and consistent, in fact improved much after I came back from overseas as I was convicted to remain in Christ and He will remain in me. :) John 15:4

My church cell girls (13 yrs old - all 15 of them) have been doing well, I am so proud of their improvements and eagerness to learn about God.. and working with me as their leader. I am so proud of them! They tried doing quiet time everyday, though failed but some finished the book of 1John in one week. good job! :) and have memorized John 15:4 with me.

Wells, I have been thinking a lot about my future...

And about a close sister of mine who is currently in an unequally yoked relationship. NOPE I am not angry with her, just sad. I know she has tried to work out of it, but I know it isn't easy especially when it's an issue of the heart. I wish I could have been there more for her... But if you are reading this, I am praying for you. and I still treasure you a lot dear! Hope that we are still bestest sisters - other than your real sister. haa :)

And I have been trying to work hard on writing my update newsletter but I realized theres a lot to update and I don't know where to start... :( please bear with me, I am working on it!! :)

And, My elder sister recently got married and home is quieter and different without her... My younger sister shifted into her NUS Eusoff hall last Sunday and Home is REALLY quiet now. Just me and my mom. :( Even though our relationship hasn't been the best, and we don't usually spend a lot of time together, still... :(

And lastly, Last week was SMU FOC, it was a blast! and SIM recruitment is coming up this week from wed to fri... pray for us! :)

Facing the Giants - A must watch.

2007-07-20T11:44:00.000+08:00

When we win we praise Him, when we lose we praise Him! :)
-quoted in the movie-

Facing the Giants - Original Motion Picture

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

However, an unexpected challenge finds a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field…and off.

With God, all things are possible …

"Facing the Giants is a modern-day reminder that David still takes aim, giants still fall, and we often see best when our eyes are closed. While Hollywood prepares its next batch of high-budget blockbusters, Facing the Giants provides a deeply inspiring story packed with timeless truths. Be prepared for it to impact your daily life."
- Charles Chandlar, sportswriter Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame board of selectors

I truly love this show... watched it during my 3 days SM (Spiritual Multiplier) training retreat with my students... It impacted me and helped me to see things differently while walking with God:)

Favourite story in the movie:
"There was drought and 2 farmers prayed for rain. But only 1 went out to prepare his fields for the rain. Which do you think trusted God more?"

watch it!
I am going to purchase the movie! :)

married sis and a brother-in-law

2007-07-11T12:02:00.000+08:00

I thought I will never get to say this... but I think I kind of miss having my elder sister around in the house...

Sis was married last Saturday 7July and now in her honeymoon to Thailand with my new brother-in-law :p

It just feels a little weird... not having someone to scold me, or fight computer with me, or to take care of the house when mom is not in the best moods...and it just seems quieter in this house. I think mom would feel the most out of the 3 of us...

Japan and Korea after trip

2007-07-09T23:53:00.000+08:00

(Photo taken with my non-Christian Japanese contacts during an evangelistic party)

My life has been impacted, changed and moved by God... traveling to 2 different places to serve the same God, venturing out the different manners of serving Him really opened up my eyes. I went to Japan with 11 other NUS students and 1 staff to lead, guide and shepherd their hearts. And for the first time, I was challenged to lead like a leader that has a direction, that does not waver and be like Jesus.

(Singapore team to Tokyo, taken near the final night of our mission trip after one of our evangelistic event "Discover Friends" night)

I was truly very much challenged to lead like Jesus, who gave opportunities for His disciples to lead and believed in them, reached out to others as an example and guided or taught His disciples to share from His word... I learn to listen more, allow the students to lead more, to learn the art of sitting back and yet guiding them by their sides, encouraging and affirming their attributes and shepherding their hearts... I also learnt about the importance of their individual growth during this mission trip, not merely just the numbers of Japanese who are reached!

Leading these 11 has been a privilege that I have never regretted doing... and going to Japan to see how God move, to see His love for the lost, and His people working hard for the land really convicted my heart to give to God. The best gift in life is to be with God and to be serving Him, walking with Him in all my life! It has truly affirmed me about my decision to remain on staff to serve God in CCC.

In this short trip to Tokyo, the condition of the land and the people are not that all open. Japanese people in general, are closed people who do not share their views or feelings openly... at the same time, they strongly believe that there is no God. Even though I met some who knew who Jesus was, as a history subject, they believed in the history but do not believe that He is the only true God. It was saddening to hear Akane say that she does not believe in it, even though she knew all of the bible stories like Saul who became Paul, the 12 apostles and the crucifixion of Jesus... and it was shocking to hear Yuna, one of our contact who lived in the village side of Tokyo (2 hrs away from her school), that this was the first time she heard about Jesus.

(Akane - the one in floral prints top and black cardigan and Yuna - the one in white top and white sling bag)

(the 15 contacts that God led me and yiting - army green shirt to meet during their canteen all at ONE time... and they came for our friendship events like "Joyful cafe" where they meet foreigners like us and have Cultural Exchange and Singapore food tasting!)

More pictures can be found here
It has been a thrilling time and experience to be able to lead as a staff and to be able to share in the building of the University ministries in Japan! I am so encouraged by the small staff team who is there, and the only 3 persevering Christian Japanese who are there leading the small but growing ministry in Japan...

God is the same in Japan and in Singapore! He is good, all the time!

After I came back to Singapore on 17th June, I had to quickly unpack and repack for my second working trip to Korea on 21st June...
I went there one week in advance as I have volunteered myself to serve the 20,000 people of different nationalities so that they would not be distracted by the little admin and be able to meet Jesus!

It was really hard serving so many people as people have different working styles, demands and the language was hard! we struggled with language barrier and the working styles for the 2 weeks... it was challenging to tears but yet, a worthwhile moulding experience that i would not exchange for anything. :)

I met and built relationships with many brothers and sisters and totally fell in love with their friendliness and closeness even when we have language barriers...

I also managed to build deeper relationships with the Singapore staffs and learnt alot from them!! :)

I even had a chance to meet up with modern great men and women of God!!!

Vonette Bright and myself!!! She is such an awesome woman who stood by Bill Bright as he choses to love God and serve God building up the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ... and even stood by him during his final days on earth...

It was just like a glimpse of heaven seeing people worshiping God all at one time... it was awesome... the scene is beyond description!

I'll just let you view the pictures and videos to experience them by yourself. :) click here for videos for conference or here for some advance videos and photos!

It has been an awesome experience.

thank YOU for partnering with me in prayer and financially to allow me to go there, to serve God... and to truly find out on my own, the meaning and art of serving Him and being with Him and in Him :)

do look out for my newsletters that are coming on the way!! :)

back from a country of love

2007-06-18T14:23:00.000+08:00

I am back from Japan!!! :) I fell in love with the country and the people there... wished I had more time to build more relationships with the students there and tell them about Jesus... :) I will update more! meanwhile, unpacking and repacking for my Korea work conference! I will be going there to work admin for 19,000 people!!! flying off on this thurs 9pm flight

will update soon! :)

Greetings, live from TOKYO!

2007-06-01T16:46:00.000+08:00

hi supporterｓ n friends!
i have not been able to update my blog as there wasnt any internet access in the area that i lived in... currently i am updating from the office in Japan Campus Crusade for Christ in Mitaka centre, Tokyo. It has been quite cold in Tokyo, about 18degrees I supposed? but because of the strong winds, it has been pretty freezing!! I will always wear about 2-3 layers of clothes and an umbrella to keep me from the cold and rain... :) been raining for 2 days already, hopefully it wont tmw!!! but its great to be able to see blogger again!! hhahaha... and internet... and to update... :)

time flies... its been a week... :)
here r jus some photos of update! ONE Japan student received Christ 2 days ago! its been amazing to see how the Lord led us and the students to reach out in the campus in Japan!!! :) I have been blessed alot by the students I lead and the students in Japan... :) praise God for He is the same in Singapore and in Japan... note: followg pics r from my team A who went to a campus in kokobunji... pics r from 24may to today 01jun07!

this is the family that has been helping us to adapt to the ministry in Japan... :) Singaporeans!!!

We attend church too on sundays!
these r christian youths that we met... 18-20 yrs old :)

this is a non believer(NB) (left) and adam that the Lord has led us much to :)

me and Mika san :) NB

4 NB that the Lord led us to... :) amazing ladies!!!

The campus weekly wednesdays life meeting.. this time led by the singapore team! us!

devotion given by Kelvin (team leader of our team)

our youngest member student sharing her testimony on how she receives Christ... coz theres NB in the midst... praise God!

Patrick and local jap student

we shared gospel to the student and she received Christ!!!

Singapore guys and Jap student bonding session of hugging... 6 secs hugging!!! that i learnt from johnson... hahaha...

a glimpse of the hot town like orchard in Tokyo... our contacts brought us out that day... :) friendship E...

Neoprints r cheap and HOT in Japan and the japs lovvvveeeee them!!!
300-400yen per print with lots of shots! a cool way for us to bond.. and relli... we bonded. :) theres more l

us after lunch!!! :) jap friends in the middle (2)

and we cooked for 70 christians and non christians during a weekly all-tokyo christian gathering!!!

a glimpse of one of my lunch in the campus!!! :) the most affordable meal in japan.. about s$3.00... sweats... food is quite ex in Japan... ;p

a famous local dish - pumpkin in Japan!! :p yummms.

two girls (middle) we met today! and bonded immediately... :)

do tag along and pray along with me as i journey in leading the team of 11! :) The Lord has been good and gracious to me, grantin me strength and grace, compassion to love as well...

pray for me:
1. strength and joy as it has been really tiring.. the sun rises at4am!! and our day starts at 8am to 11pm daily...
2. a heart to love and care for my students that im leading
3. wisdom to lead and to discern proper when a strict instruction has to be given.. not to be swayed by man`s opinions but solely on the Lord`s leading...
4. rest
5. heart as i miss my love ones dearly :)

wells, thats it from me from Tokyo! :) i will update soon! miss all of u back there!!
u can check out more team tokyo updates at http://teamtokyo2007.blogspot.com/
The Lord is good! ALL THE TIME!

Yvonne's prayer requests

2007-05-24T15:38:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone!

I would be flying in less than 4 hours... :p feeling both excited and anxious at the same time as this is the first time i am going to be away from home for so long, 1st Japan mission trip then, back for 5 days then, flying to korea for a missions conference to work as an admin person...

Here are my personal prayer requests for the Japan trip... do pray for me k! :)

thank u!!! :)

Yvonne’s personal prayer requests:

Personal health – I have asthmatic problems, pray that I would be able to adjust to the weather in Japan
Wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit as I lead the team as the main full-time Singapore staff in-charge of the Tokyo team (13 people + me)
Protection of my heart and mind and soul as I am in Japan
Pray that I will continue to persevere in my prayer life and regular daily quiet times with the Lord when I am there, so that I can be fed and to able to be spirit-filled to lead the team and to honor God
Family back home – mom, dad and sisters to have peace in their hearts about my safety and understanding about my work
Relationship with Johnson – to be strengthened even as we are away
To be joyful each day and excited about the ministry in Japan
Against fears and discomfort ness about witnessing to the Japanese students
Strength, endurance and confidence to lead!
Ability to minister even to the team members
to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit
To not be gan jiong... :p

flight details

2007-05-23T22:29:00.000+08:00

I'm flying in tomorrow!

If you would like to send me off here is my flight details:)
Departure from Singapore: 24 May Thursday, Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2040hrs, TG 410
Transiting at Bangkok!
Arrive Bangkok at 2200hrs and taking 2310 Hrs flight to Narita Airport! (Pray that we wont miss the flight!)
Will Arrive in Japan on 25May Friday 0730hrs Narita Airport

Arrival (after trip) back to Singapore: 17 June Sunday, Changi Airport Terminal 1, 1935hrs, TG 409

I've graduated!!!!

2007-05-22T11:18:00.000+08:00

One yr ago I was a christian who knows little about God and desires to know more about Him and serving Him... One yr later, I am a christian who desires more to know about this figure, and desires to give my life to Him! :)

I've survived from the 9months of tough training!!!! :)
thanks to all for coming!!

This was us: Lindy, lingling and me before the graduation in the afternoon... :) we had the graduation at Faith methodist church and commonwealth mrt...

Many people came! My family - my dad, 2 sisters and my brother-in-law... so glad to see them taking this effort to be a part of my life.. and my sis gave me a hug for the 1st time!! :) grinz...

My daddy! I hope he's proud to have such a beautifully dolled up daughter... :)

After the event,

My next family - church friends came!!! woots!!!!

Gaius! thanks for coming!

Daryl!! thanks for coming!! :)

wanlin! :) and of course i got alot more pics! but thats for church for now!

My church sec 1 girls that I lead!! 5 out of 13 came!! im sooo happy they took the effort to come!! :) thanks lovely girls!! i love u!

My NUS friends!!

My SMU disciples and team! :)

My SIM disciples and team! woots!! Kerin danced sooo beautifully today!! :) so proud of her!

My ministry team leader, friend, sister Calyn!

Christine!!

My coach!

the picture with my mentor is with johnson!! will get it from him too.. kekek... will get our couple pic too!! :)

My SCCC director and his wife! :)

My mission trip team!! Japan tokyo! :)

Mimi!! my dear sister who walks with me in sccc... :)

My dear friends and pals who went through solead w me! amber!

Lingling!

evon!

hansel, a great friend!

and josel!! :) waiting for me to take pic w her!! hahahaha...

enjoyed myself so much today!!
YAY! Ive graduated!

Flight details

2007-05-18T22:21:00.000+08:00

I'm flying in 6 days!

If you would like to send me off here is my flight details:)
Departure from Singapore: 24 May Thursday, Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2040hrs, TG 410
Transiting at Bangkok!
Arrive Bangkok at 2200hrs and taking 2310 Hrs flight to Narita Airport! (Pray that we wont miss the flight!)
Will Arrive in Japan on 25May Friday 0730hrs Narita Airport

Arrival (after trip) back to Singapore: 17 June Sunday, Changi Airport Terminal 1, 1935hrs, TG 409

solead coach and mentor appreciation award ceremony

2007-05-09T22:34:00.000+08:00

I had the priviledge to host an event this afternoon with my solead trainee brother Dillon. The event was an appreciation award ceremony for our fellow coaches and mentors. :) It was a great time of "dance" and acting for both me and dillon.. :p currently there are no photos with me, but will get it from daniel the photographer and i load it up. :)

Although we made a "fool" or "fun" of ourselves, acting as groovy hip hop dancers and "funnily posh" oscar hosts, both of us had fun seeing how the audience laughed and clapped and flipped at us... It really brings me joy to see and know that I can bless people and give them a therapy of their hearts through laughing... :)

It was really funny you know, I had to really dance in front of like 40 people? old and young.. my heart beat soooo fast before the session and i kept saying, "I must die to self" hahaa.... and bring on the role and be IN the role. :) and I truly enjoyed. I guess that was also one of the reasons why I enjoyed theatre studies during my university days... though I had only a B+ for it.. keke. Anyways, then I had to show funny faces and at the same time, both dillon and I were very worried that we may say the wrong things, or wrong words...because we dont want to hurt someone as a result of our jokes. So we made sure that our jokes were friendly, laughable and healthy enough for the soul :) and honoring to God!

It was really fun.
After the whole event, the audience clapped so loud and I was truly satisfied with the efforts both me and dillon put in, even though we only practiced and planned this last night at 2-4am. but it was more worth it for God's children and for God. :) SO worth it.

Anyways, people came up to me and gave me alot of encouragements and praises for our hard work and the entertainment they had... funniest of all, some came up and said, "Yvonne! I never knew u were like this! so open and funny one!!" or "Yvonne! I will remember you like that man! u r so good!" But in my heart, I knew it wasnt me but God working the inspirations and ideas and energy even when I slept only for 4-5 hours... I was concern though, that people "see" me and "know" me as the character i was ACTING... in my role... like loud, all groovy and willing to dance in front of anyone, sing and anyhow dance jazzy movements... etc. To clarify, I dont usually do all these anyhow anytime... I have my quiet times too, in fact more quiet times than these... :)

ANYWAYS, it was a good time and good service given to the Lord and His people today!
Happy pre-graduation solead trainees! I am going to graduate soon! woots!
:)

long update pictures post! :)

2007-05-02T16:27:00.000+08:00

I have been missing in action for quite awhile... many things have happened! so I shall just let the pictures do that talking ya! :)

We had a ministry thanksgiving on 20th Apr at SMU... our final Jump! Life meeting before the students break for their holidays! :) The theme of the meeting? Bud Bloom Blossom!
Calyn and myself were the flowers emcees for that day!

we had games... reflecting on what factors has helped us as SMU CCC survived for one whole year!

Mimi came as one of our invited speakers for that day... :) she gave a sharing about what's next for us as God's ministry in SMU.. and to see how God has multiplied through us the many disciples around us... the first life meeting we had 1-2 years ago, had only 2-3 persons... now? 10-20!! :) praise God!

Thats us! we had a birthday cake for our ministry ONE year old! Happy one birthday SMU CCC! :)

Then we headed to Makan sutra at the esplanade to have our dinner to cheers with sugar cane juice and coconut juice for our one year old ministry! :)
cheerS!

Following on the next day, I met up with Johnson! He came back from bangkok! :) yipppeees! He shared alot with me about how much he has learnt about how the internet can be used to impact youths of today... and it was then I learnt how much I can write to influence youths who read my blog! :) I also started a facebook account! have you? :p where i can connect myself with the international missionaries in US or all over the world! :) yippees!

And of course, he brought back something special for me! :) a gift! we took this picture at habour front shinlin stall during our lunch! :)

Following week, I have a 4 days Servant Team (ST) planning retreat where the student leaders and the staffs came together in a chalet to stay together for 3 nights and planned for the next whole year for SMU... :) 23-26Apr

This is a picture taken during one of our planning nights... we are doing our Strategic Planning Process! (SPP) for the ministry and our PEPSI plan for the year and recruitment... :)

TADA!!! Our SPP!!! :p

On tuesday, we as a ministry went to SCCC World wide day of prayer to be praying for the world together!!! :) we travelled out of our changi chalet and went to potong pasir hill church for our SCCC prayer day! :)

The girls, on our way back to chalet in the night after world wide day of prayer... :)

Oh ya and we sleep too!! not just plan yeah.. :p oops so

and of course, let me give u a tour around our planning retreat location - NCRSS chalet! :)
Oh please look beyond the mess... :P

and we had fun resting and retreating with God too! Calyn, Xian Jing and Ying xian bubbling! :p

A game of bang!!! during the night after planning on our last day... :)

resulting in...
Claire grinning as the sheriff in the game,

a stressed out Calyn, not knowing what to do with her cards..

and a sad yvonne when the sheriff took her cards away. :p

Then, the following days I went with my elder sis to visit my step sis in my dad's new home at sembawang! :)

And then I met up with Johnson for lunch on a saturday afternoon... :) grinz

Over the weekend, the SMU ministry went to celebrate our dear Cheryl's 21st birthday!! :)

oh ya, not forgetting, our sweet cheryl lovesss prata! so she got a prata man for her birthday! :)

and of course, how can the fun stop here? :p

On the Sunday, I had cell again with my cell girls - all sec ones... :) it was a fellowship sunday! so we had games and fun and laughter!! :) it was a great time with my girls... I love these girls so much, and truly God has blessed me so much with their influence in my life... :)

And for many many weeks and for the past 2 months, i have been working hard through the night, not being able to blog and update because of....

This.. :) I had planned to give this gift to Johnson as a surprise for our 2 years anniversary (which i had missed to give...delayed!) and on his 24th birthday on 30th Apr 2007... :) and for OBVIOUS reasons I couldnt blog this up to update u guys.. :p hehe...

I rushed this till 4am on 29th Apr morning... :p and its finally DONE!!! :p

the next sunday morning, after worship and cell, I headed back home to retitch some of the broken points and packed it and brought it with me to visit Johnson at his Student Venture ministry (SV) prayer engage! :) and had the honor of praying for him when his team of staffs and students surprised him with a birthday cake! :)

Then Chin Ai and hubby went with lingling, geraldine and reuben and me to a nearby Indian restaurant to have our dinner.. yummy!

He found out the pillow stitching on our way to malaysia that night on 29Apr... :p but anyways, it was a good surprise and I hoped he loves it! :) yippeee!

no pictures in malaysia on 29th Apr :)

On monday 30th Apr... we dressed up and went for our sccc family night at NUS guild house for our organization dinner :) There, I planned a surprise birthday cake for Johnson, because poor him, his family did not celebrate his birthday on 30th on that day!! so i decided to buy a cake, with the help of lingling and beky... :) to surprise him and celebrate his birthday with his best pals who came from home and his staff family.. :)

Then we went to Swensens in orchard to celebrate his and daniel's birthday and they both had free firehouse icecream!! :) :)

Then the next day, both of us went back to malaysia to celebrate his birthday with his family on 1May07 :)

His sis (left) and her friend :)

Last of all, a pic of him and the pillow :)

and us :)

Happy 24th birthday dear! :)
Thank God for him and for everything else that he has placed in my life, the ministry and the staff team... :) Thank you for reading through this whole blog, because it means alot to me, that you are concerned about my life, and that you are praying for me. :)

:) I would be busy the next two weeks for my SOLEAD graduation... please pray for my dad and younger sis who would be going for my solead parents appreciation dinner on 3May evening... as well as my solead graduation on 21st May... :) You are invited too k!
details will be placed up here in a while's time. :) watch out for it! :)

second string and the power of encouragement

2007-05-02T15:38:00.000+08:00

Recently I watched a movie on the television, called the "Second String" (2002) starring Jon Voight and Gil Bellows, in a movie rugby game (the show calls it football). SECOND STRING tells the inspiring story of a pro football coach who learns that relief can arrive in the most unlikely of forms. Coach Dichter (Jon Voight) has led his stampeding Buffalo Bulls into the playoffs.

In this show, Dan Heller is a man who was kicked out of a previous football team and had to sell insurance as a living for his family - his wife Teri and himself. He was a disappointed young man who didnt want to be shamed again in the football audience and wanted out of the football scene, but his wife decides otherwise. Teri received a phone call one day that the Buffalo Bulls team led by Voach Dichter (Jon Voight) wanted Dan play in the "reserve" team to help the "national" Buffalo team get training by competing with them - they being the "reserve aka guinea pig aka loser" team. Dan refused to go due to pride, but the encouragement from his wife to make a "come back" as a footballer spurred Dan. In the movie, Dan met the team of "reserves" who were disappointed in themselves, they played the game for the sake of helping the "real" team to be trained and not for their passion. Many in the team were thrown into the reserves for 1. not kicking well, 2.slippery hands unable to grap the football firmly thus losing alot of game previously, and 3. being called girls and wimps. Basically they were looked down on.
But when star quarterback Doug Flutie (played by Flutie) who was in the main "national" team is sidelined with food poisoning with half of his team, Dichter is forced to lean on reserve Dan Heller, who has recently spent more time selling insurance than throwing a football. Goaded on by his wife (Teri Polo) and best friend (Richard T. Jones), Dan makes a believer out of everyone on the field, including his stubborn coach.

This show truly inspire me to see how the lead actor - Dan heller encourages and inspires the outcasts or reserves to believe in themselves.. how they shouldn't allow the outsiders' critics about being a forever loser get to them, how they shouldn't think that they are useless, and how they shouldn't let their weakness, failures and disappointments get to them! It suddenly reminded me of how I am sometimes like these reserves who has the desire to want to win, or do the things that I passion about, but yet sometimes the disappointments and fears in the past about being inadequate hunts me...

But seeing how Dan encourages the reserves and even sometimes scolds them to wake them up, reminds me of God! who patiently awaits for us, who did not trash us but encourages us through our every failures...who believes in us, even when we fail, Jesus is right there as if clapping His hands and saying, "It's okay! You've improved! Let's do this again!" Not fearing that I will screw things up for Him... :)

Proverbs 12 says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (v.18) I desire to be a person of encouragement, to encourage people to press on for Jesus and even for the things that they are passionate about! Be Passionate for Jesus!

In the movie, the woman acting as Dan's wife, Teri is always there for her husband, cheering him on, and believing in his gifts and passion for football inspires me to be a woman that encouragers and loves... a woman who glorifies God and loves the people that He loves and encourages the people that God loves... :) Although I am a single lady, this verse encourages alot to me to pursue, "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." (Proverbs 12:4) Indeed, what we do and reflect as God's children shows to the world, who God is... and we should desire to pursue noble characters to reflect of God's crown...

And I think I should start to encourage the people that I love, like Johnson and my family and friends... you too!! To pray for them for God's hand to be leading them and cheering them on... to affirm their gifts and to encourage them at all times... :)

Virginia Tech shootings

2007-04-26T23:10:00.000+08:00

Have you heard? Have you known of the Virginia Tech shooting?
My heart goes all out to the victims that died.. yet at the same time, I feel alot for Seung-hui Cho (gun shooter for the shootings) on 19 April 2007, 30 lives were taken... not one body was found with less than 3 bullet shots...

In the 30 victims, 3 of them happened to be our fellow friends from US Campus Crusade for Christ. 3 Students were gathered for a meeting when that tragey happened... Please pray for the victims family and even for Molly, who was the 1st eye witness of the 1st two victims in her hostel...

Many may ask these questions:
Where is God in all these tragedy?
Why do bad things happen?
Doesnt evil and suffering prove that God doesnt care?
Living without an answer

For more news from US Campus crusade Virginia Tech news: (click here)

Lets us come together as one family to keep the victims and families in pray for one minute after you have read and seen this blog post..
and share the truth to the people around you... Life is short, and Christ is coming.

happy birthday SMU CCC!

2007-04-19T23:52:00.000+08:00

celebrating our ONE year of official anniversary as SMU Campus Crusade for Christ!
hurray!

The art of Forgiveness

2007-04-17T00:33:00.000+08:00

Found some good notes over the net and added my personal reviews in it... :)

Forgiveness:
onelook.com: the act of forgiving or the willingness to stop blaming or being angry with someone for something they have done, or not punish them for something (Cambridge dictionary online)

BBC News reported on 29 October 2005 that three girls have been beheaded and another badly injured as they walked to a Christian school in Indonesia. They were walking through a cocoa plantation near the city of Poso in central Sulawesi province when they were attacked. This is an area that has a long history of religious violence between Muslims and Christians. A government-brokered truce has only partially succeeded in reducing the number of incidents in recent years.

Police say the heads were found some distance from the bodies. It is unclear what was behind the attack, but the girls attended a private Christian school and one of the heads was left outside a church leading to speculation that it might have had a religious motive. (BBC News, 2005)

On 21 November 2006, Parents of Beheaded Indonesian Girls declared on papers that they Forgive Killers. The parents of three Christian schoolgirls beheaded in Indonesia have expressed their forgiveness during a meeting with the killers on Monday. Hasanuddin, still on trial for the crime, pleaded for forgiveness from the parents of the victims during the meeting, organised by local police. He said repeatedly that he had repented and expressed his deep sorrow together with his two accomplices, Irwanto and Haris.

A mother of one of the victims said with tears that she forgave them of their wrongdoings. As a gesture of peace, the Muslim militants and the Christian families shook hands and embraced each other, Asia News has reported. (Christian Today, 2006)

The older brother of survivor Noviana, David Malewa, said, "It was hard for all of us to grant Hasanuddin's request to meet with us. But as believers, we must forgive those who have persecuted us.”

He added, "By holding on to Jesus' teachings, we were able to forgive. We really hope this will mark the beginning of peace restoration in Poso.”

Alfita's mother, a frail elderly lady, shared, "I have forgiven whoever did this. I prayed that they would realise what they did. I also asked God to forgive them." (Christian Today, 2006)

Some find forgiving people an easy task, while many find it a challenge. The parents of beheaded Indonesian girls openly declared their forgiveness for the murderers of their beloved. But one who reads the above will question if it was a challenge for them? I would believe it is. But how did they do it?

Is forgiveness a conscious choice, or an emotional state?
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

The bible instructs us to forgave as Christ forgave us. I believe forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by obedience to God and his command to forgive.

How do we forgive when we don't feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart?
We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete.

I believe God honors our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please him when we choose to forgive. He completes the work in his time. We must continue to forgive (our job), by faith, until the work of forgiveness (the Lord's job), is done in our hearts.

Philippians 1:6
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT)

How will we know if we have truly forgiven?
Have you ever forgiven someone whom really hurt you? I did one year ago, and finally forgave someone whom hurt me 3-4 years ago. And I even had to forgive myself for making mistakes that can never turn the clock around.

We will know the work of forgiveness is complete when we experience the freedom that comes as a result. We are the ones who suffer most when we choose not to forgive. When we do forgive, the Lord sets our hearts free from the anger, bitterness, resentment and hurt that previously imprisoned us.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)

This answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for us. It's not a one-time choice and then we automatically live in a state of forgiveness. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is important to the Lord. We must continue forgiving until the matter is settled in our heart.

Is it okay to feel anger and want justice for the person we need to forgive?
This question presents another reason to pray for the person we need to forgive. We can pray for God to deal with the injustices, for God to judge the person's life, and then we can leave that prayer at the altar. We no longer have to carry the anger. Although it is normal for us to feel anger toward sin and injustice, it is not our job to judge the other person in their sin.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (NIV)

Why must we forgive?
The best reason to forgive is because Jesus commanded us to forgive. We learn from Scripture, if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven:

Matthew 6:14-16
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

We also forgive so that our prayers will not be hindered:

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)

In summary and in closing, we forgive out of obedience to the Lord. Forgiveness is a long process, not an overnight process. It is a choice, a decision we make. However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness - freedom.