paper milestone

i woke up to this today (:

and like a little girl, i ran into our study room and saw this!

*yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!*

i found a boxful of memories to come

from you

"what's the other half now?"

*excited*

winter that wouldn't go away

strange but winter seems to want to linger.

can't quite complain; cos i love the rain (:

s.p.r.i.n.g.

a new season beckons-

indeed, it is one of new beginnings

one thing i love about the journey with Jesus;

its always forward looking and

never looking back

He's doing a new thing:

new manna

new wine

new oil

and most of all

the new covenant.

when God does something new

its always something good-er

only believe.

it's not over yet.

2009 is said to be the acceptable year of God;

where salvation and the free favours of God profusely abound.

It's the start of November already;

and praise God,

I know that He is moving and bringing the victory for me.

and the year is NOT over yet.

January till September dragggggggged on its heels and when trouble and challenges kept coming at me, I'd think about this year's promise and wonder if I would be able to see God move in my life for 2009;

as powerfully and faithfully as He did in 2008 (the manifested blessings of the Lord).

And when I started to wonder if the promised word will see itself to be true --

I remember and declare that the year is not over yet.

I believe He has;

and will continue;

to bring His free favours and salvation into my life and those around me because the year's not over yet.

already, there's s o m u c h to praise God for.

firstly, I've finally been granted my TR (temporary residency visa). It was supposed to only granted around April next year, but a few weeks back, i received notice that I'm already a temporary resident! One big hurdle's down for my stay here in Australia and its an assurance of my open door to stay in Australia.

secondly, Daryl's grandma received Christ just a few days back. Totally praise God!!! I believe for even more salvations to come and for the entire family to be in the family of God eventually.

thirdly, i see God moving in my life and i know as I stand still and be not afraid, i see the salvation of God {exodus14:13, 2chronicles 20:17}. Being here is not without challenges, certain heartbreak and frustration - but its knowing that God's on my side and He's the one working things out that assures me. If God is for me, who can be against me? He's the source of wisdom, He's the source of peace, He's the source of my provision. All i do is stand still and watch in awe at what He's doing. And if His word says that 'all things work for good to those who love Him', it simply means that it will all things will straighten itself out for good.

i believe.

and 'cos the year's not over yet.

hello you!

i just got my hair snipped again. :)

am so loving it!

speak, therefore.

"... and for me,

that utterance may be given to me,

that I may open my mouth

boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am

an ambassador in chains;

that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak...."

spoken because of who He is in me.

home, not alone.

i'm home (:

the journey begins /

it began with a single step /

a yes /

an amen /

faith /

hope /

and enough love /

finally /

i am discovering God here /

everywhere /

and within /

He was at the start /

all along /

I thought I found Him /

instead /

He found me. /

a letter

dear Daddy,

i trust You.

And You said that those who trust in You shall never be put to shame. I trust in Your transformation instead of my actions. If nothing else, I can only trust in You.

in Jesus name,

amen.

matter of perspective

Winter announces its presence with wet weather, strong winds and chilly nights.

Night comes much faster than in summer, with the sky darkening by 6am – earlier, if the clouds were first to hide the sun rendering a dull, grayish overcast. I’m surprised by winter’s arrival.

Not that I haven’t lived in Australia previously but I guess I wasn’t as prepared.

Neither was I prepared for the challenges that lay before me being in the midst of being here.

This season of winter is uncannily appropriate for both where I am and the natural environment around me.

It was a good three to four weeks were I found myself derailed into a state of sulking unwillingness. My physical self was walking forward, lifeless, but my heart and mind was thrown into a head spin where I longed, so badly, to return back to Singapore - a place where I have been blessed to find camaraderie, heart-to-heartedness and the openness to share what’s in my heart without restraint.

To talk hours, days on end about God’s goodness, to be encouraged by those whom He sends and to just experience God and share hope and promise without sounding overtly optimistic.

It’s something I miss badly being here.

In so many words, I wished I did not have to be where I am.

I marvel at Daryl’s tenacity to press on but I admit to constantly wondering why I had to be back to where I was struggling years ago.

Well, that’s winter – cold, chilly and challenging.

You can’t see anything happening save the rain that clouds the road you travel on and the heavy grey that cover the sky. The cold bites at your feet wherever you walk and nip at your fingers when you extend it out. Trees appear withered - losing their leaves and leaving only empty, wiry branches.

But as Daryl drove by a row of trees planted by the road one day, I realized that in a particular row of trees, one of them still had a full crown of leaves, while all the leaves of the rest had already fallen and were probably blown off by the ravaging winds.

God’s word then struck me –

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

Despite seasons,

I shall be like a tree,

Planted by the rivers of water,

That bears forth fruit in its season

I shall not wither

And whatever I do shall prosper.

Through all of this, I think my Daddy is giving His princess a renewed and I pray, deeper understanding of receiving the gift of righteous and the abundance (and I mean ABUNDANCE) of His grace.

I guess winter’s a matter of perspective – God put the seasons into motion (genesis 8:22) but He’s the one that is faithful through all of it.

royal cuteness

my cute cat caught on camera