Farewell!

PKA Farewell Night. It was as though just yesterday that we celebrated our seniors' graduation. Oh how time flies! I was looking back at the things that I wrote to my seniors, last time punya blog post..and now i'm saying the same thing to myself. hahaha

I still remember how I felt when I first came in and the first few people whom I met in PKA. PKA has been a place for growth when I first came in as a young christian, a place where I discover more about myself and God, a place where I meet true precious friends (even though from different denominations) who will cheer me on as I run and walk with me through my ups and downs. 

When we were juniors back then..in 2011

And now, Tadaa..! Our juniors! :)

"Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives"

-Song: Find us Faithful-

I know that it will not be easy for many of the graduating seniors to leave behind something that is so precious and dear to them.. but may we continue to run this race with our eyes fixed on Jesus. So that at the end of our walk with God here on earth, we can echo what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Let us not just run well 

but finish well :)

PKA 2012/2013 - From the Inside Out

The excos who journeyed with me;

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart 

for every single contribution and support that was given to me :)

It has not been a smooth-sailing journey 
but it has been a worth-sailing journey :) 

God has been so real to each and everyone of us, 
He still is..and He never changes.

As for me, my God never fails :)

'It is finished!'

Yesterday, we had AGM and closing for this sidang. The night before I was preparing a speech for AGM and the video compilation for PKA Closing. It never hit me until then.. that I truly love this family, a lot. I always thought that AGM would be the day that I look forward to, ever since the first day I step up as the President..when different people came and asked me, 'So how you feel ah, AGM this friday?'.. I would reply,'Yay!', 'Good!' or 'Can't wait!' haha.. but surprisingly that night, my heart was a bit sayang to let go. I know it is time to let go and let the younger ones to step up. haha just that.. sayang-lah.. It has been a big part of me; bangun PKA, tidur PKA haha nah just kidding. Looking back at all the past photos and videos, they bring me a lot of laughter, sweet memories and reminders of God's goodness in PKA. It has been a great journey :) I want to thank you, fellow friends, who have journeyed with me and cheered me on! I thank God for His faithfulness for this past sidang. Without Him, I wouldn't be able to make it.

And now..it is finished! :)
All Glory to Jesus.

God gave His best

As I forced myself to wake up this morning for 'Bless Campus', I'm reminded on what it means to serve not out of convenience..but sacrifice. To give God my best and not my leftover. A good reminder for me after Good Friday and right before Easter celebration :) because that's what God did - He sacrificed His Son and gave us His best. so that we can now live for Him.

Besides, I've learnt a lot from Edmond, the man of little words. haha 

Carmen: Edmond, actually you don't have to do this already..it's ok one. *the malas person talking*

Edmond: I want to clean it thoroughly *continue wiping the railings*

Who says first years can't teach their seniors some good lessons? ;)

PKA Family Camp 2013: Getting into Gear (GG camp)

So.. we just came back from PKA Family Camp! :) Praise God for everything -all the planning, campers, speaker, sponsorship, etc! We're very privileged to have Mr.Goh with us this time :) One of the things that stayed with me until now is "If you do not have discipline within yourself, you are already defeated." How true. There are things that I need to begin to challenge myself to do and practice them diligently. May God be my source of strength.

Also received a lot of notes of encouragement. Actually I feel very undeserving of all the good things that were said about me in those notes..really, but I'm thankful :) and to those who remained anonymous, thank you thank you thank you.. glory goes to God :)

My camp group, Thunderbird! :)

"Serious" group photo haha.. 

"it's a.. Thunder!"

"it's a..Bird!"

"It's...thunderbird!!" 

*jeng jeng jeng jeng jeng* :D

Wai Quan, I always thank God for you. 

Wouldn't be able to make it until now without you :)
I hope to be able to support you and walk alongside you in all the ways that I can..
because you always do the same for me :)

Do you see what this means- all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running- and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Hebrews 12:1-2

Thank God for the amazing view, amazing place, 

amazing food and people! 

:)

Thank you Lord for this Family.
You're a God who deserves my all.

despite the paths we chose :p

Ms.Woon will be coming back to Penang in 18 days! weeee! 

It was 6 months ago that u posted this: despite-the-paths-we-chose .
As I look back, I still remember that night when we had our last committee meeting.. the tears too. hahaha :p I still remember you said something like 'I can't be there for you.' Hmm.. yup, you were not here with me physically, but you were with me spiritually (in prayers) and mentally (in your moral support, advices, thoughts, etc) hehe so Tien, I really appreciate all that :) thank you!

I tell you something, there was one time when you shared with me that you might not be able to go to Australia..I secretly felt happy inside hahaha (Confession is good for the soul, they say :p). For a moment, I wanted to pray to God that you would stay..but in the end I did not.. because I thought it would be very selfish of me to do that. I sayang you :) so I prayed alongside you as you asked me to.
You know, even when I was in Camp cam, I kept asking God, "Why la, why not Tien?" haha I always compare myself with you and I feel you are so much better than me, more capable, more mature and wise :) really. But His ways are always higher than our ways. Maybe I should just stop this bad habit of trying to teach God what to do. 

Now, after 6 months, I'm glad that we chose the paths that we chose.. because I believe all these actually made us stronger in our walk with Him :) and it actually shows us how faithful God is in our lives. 

May our lives be a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace. 

I've decided to hug you first when I see you in Jan 

before doing the victory dance together :p

Happy Birthday, Tham Fong Wan! :)

To my dearest friend, 

my 'husband', 

my sanguine and loud species, 

my sister in Christ and 

my prayer warrior, 

HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU! :)

It has been a great blessing to have you in my life.

You're one of the greatest gift that I received from God in USM hehee

First Year

I remember us playing monopoly deal in this room during National Conference, shouting and laughing like nobody's business :p and you publicly confessed your love towards Justin back then hahaha so funny!

My first photo with you (only us)! and you made me your 6th wife. What an 'honor'! :p

I will never forget the first time when I met you at Tapak Convo! Sitting right in front of me with your yellow-dyed hair, so scary! With Audrey some more haha

And how you fell down at Michael's station during Theme Talk HAHAHHAHAHA

Second Year

And all of us grew closer after PKA farewell night. It has been a privilege to serve alongside you in this family called PKA :) a place where we also grow in our walk with God as we discover more of ourselves, the people around us and God Himself :)

We may come from different states..but in a way, we actually share the same 'background' hehe thank you for being able to relate to me..and encouraging me along the way :)

Third Year

Thank you for doing crazy things with me :) Thank you for also accepting me for who I am,  for being patient with my flaws and my weaknesses :) 

Thank you for standing alongside me.

Thank you for listening to me.

Thank you for being there for me when I don't know who to turn to.

Thank you for praying for me, my prayer warrior! :)

I always thank God for you.. because your life is such an example. You may not know the bible from Genesis to Revelation.. but you are so teachable and so eager to learn :) and you practice the little that you know.. You've grown so much from the first day when I met you in PKA :) I'm so proud of you! and constantly ask myself to learn from you :)

May Sophia Grace and Ultraman Bobo continue to be great friends even after Sophia Grace  graduates :) May we continue to surrender our lives to the Potter's Hands...His loving hands.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made, 

blessed birthday Fong Wan! :)

ps: Hopefully the next time when we dance, we won't bang into each other AGAIN. seriously.. LOL!

God knew how I felt.. so He sent encouragement! :)

why my God so good leh, you tell me?

:)


You know what I'm going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place Your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too great for me to understand!
Psalm 139:4-6

Greatly Blessed.

So cantiks kan the pemandangan from my hostel room NYEK NYEK NYEK  :) love it!! 

 Can you spot 'Faith'? :) Maybe not, hahaa because so messy lah my room! My room mate has been very kind to me though :) Helps me to clean the room and tahan my messy-ness, cuz not everyone can! HAHA

These are the little things that I want to thank God for :) His love for me that is shown through many many ways and little little things which I tend to overlook.

I remember the other day my friend asked me "What would you consider a blessing?" He made me think a bit more haha because i've never really thought about that.. Blessing..is a blessing la?

"So.. Is trial a blessing?"

I was reading my journal (for the past 2 months) last Thursday. As I read back what happened and how I wrestled with God, I see His faithfulness in my life. I think I've come to a point where I no longer ask 'Why me?' that often..haha I think I've accepted it in a way. I only left like one year plus in USM... I don't want to waste anymore time asking 'Why me?' because to be honest, I know He has a reason for it lah..and a reason for good. Maybe I will get my answer when I get to heaven. For now, I better use the leftover time I have in USM for good purposes. (Yes Carmen, pls remember this!) 

There are not-so-good times where I feel angry, discouraged, disappointed, burdened, lost..there are also good times where I feel encouraged by some people..when I see people grow in their walk with God :) (very satisfying one!) and when God uses me despite my weaknesses to touch lives. God has really been good to me :) 

Sometimes I'm tired but I'm happy when people come back to me with a word 'Thank you!'..not because I'm good or what lo, really.. but it shows me that God can use me despite the many weaknesses that I have. It shows me how amazing my God is!! :)

Whatsapped Tien, "Guess where am I? I'm in a bus!!! Fresh Out!!" hahaha I'm now in a position where I'm constantly being pushed out from my comfort zone, doing things that my right mind won't do :p if you get what I mean. Coming out from our comfort zone may sound very scary sometimes..because we are not familiar with it..but It's not necessarily a bad place to be at.. because that's when we know our strength can only come from God Himself.. that's when we have no one but God to look to.. that's when we no longer put faith in human confidence but God and His promises.

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise


Is trial a blessing?
Yes, if it draws us closer to God.. trials can be blessings too.

ps: Dear Tien, we will do the victory dance because.. Yesus yang memberi kemenangan!!

From the Inside Out

What we need to realize is that people are not transformed by threats or intimidation. Neither are they transformed by nagging or wheedling. Only God can truly transform a person. And when Jesus transforms a person, it’s the real thing. It’s not behavior modification, but heart transformation—from inside out!
 -Joseph Prince-

Aku sehelai getah

Some quick updates! :)

It's almost one month now ever since sem started! Wahh time flies. It was not a 'light and easy' month..hah! I felt like a rubber band.. I was being stretched most of the time..still is..I think? It's funny kan, how we always make prayers like "God, I pray that I will grow more in you..." but when trials and problems come, we blame God.. we asked questions like 'Why You allow this to happen?'..we grumble..complain, complain and complain. Well that's me =X Tien once asked this question, "Is refining fire really our heart's one desire?"

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2

Dear trials and problems, for the past weeks, you have caused me to grow closer to God..to constantly depend on God. You somehow showed me how weak I am, and how amazing and how great my God is. In a way, I thank you.. not that I hope you will stay in my life forever, but I know my God is able to bring me through all of you.

I may not understand why things happen.. but I'm believing that God allows it because He loves me. It can be very very hard and tough at times, but that's when my faith is tested..that's when refining fire is taking place. Do I really believe in His love? 

He who did not spare even His own Son, won't He also give us everything else? 

Throughout all these, I struggle..which is true.haha but I also learn.. I'm thankful for people whom He has brought into my life along the way. People who encourage,  support, motivate, pray and stand alongside me :) 

Especially Wai Quan..who is very patient with me hahaha :p who supported me all the way.. Who has worked hard behind the scenes. Without you, I won't be able to make it this far :) Thank you!

We also went down for FES Jubilee Celebration in PJ. It's awesome to see so many generations coming together! :) Young and old, muda dan tua! Also met Thomas Heng who started the CF in USM 40 years ago..waaahh :)

God who started this great work in USM will bring it to completion. :)

We were asked to bring a symbol that represents our experiences in campus..and all these symbols were then placed in this treasure chest as legacies of what God has done for us. As I look at all these symbols, I see God's faithfulness and goodness that overflow in our lives.. even the treasure chest couldn't contain it!

They also performed a mime on 'Find us Faithful.' :) 

This mime always serve as a reminder to me. 

I'm still keeping my plant, Faith.  Faith speaks to me a lot. heehee. There was once when some PKA leaders started posting the pictures of their plants on FB and theirs were like growing..tall and healthy. Mine was just small and..small, so I asked 'How come mine not growing?' Then I realized that I was actually comparing my Faith with others. In the same way, God never asked us to compare our faith with someone else.. it's not a comparison game that we are playing :) but we should rejoice with them when they are growing!

My faith is now a big big boy :)

and I'm proud of you!

To sum up, for the past month, I realized that there's 

nothing I can boast about myself.

If I want to boast, I can only boast in the Lord.

"For the Lord, my God is able."

A-team :)

This is a good team to work with, I give you A+! haha
Despite the differences in our personalities, it's a good chemistry I would say :)


I will miss you guys very much :')
Baiii.


Remember to Go B.I.G, even in the churches that you will be serving in the future :) Go go go B.I.G!

such a time as this

I have this junior. She always make me laugh out loud. I don't know why but I think because of her simplicity and sincerity :) she's quite similar to me, in terms of family background (we are christians but our family members are not..), name (just different spelling), course, sanguine-ness (just that she is WAY louder) and we were both very shy during our first semester in PKA. I think she deceived most of us with her gentleness during first semester haha like how I used to deceived my seniors too :p


But of course she is also very different from me in many ways. Looking at how she has grown in PKA from the first semester, makes me smile :) and it's encouraging too. It's really amazing how God works in people's lives. 

Yes, they call us the noisy fellas!

 but even if carmen + fongwan, 

we are still very much defeated by her :p

As I look at all the juniors that God has brought into PKA, I'm really thankful and grateful to God for such potential people that will lead PKA in the future :)

It's almost the end of second year now.. Time flies super fast like superman. 
My friend was asking me just now if I will miss those graduating seniors.. yup of course I will, especially this person who have impacted my life indirectly. I didn't really get to know her until I serve in the exco team.. I would say it is a privilege, Monica, to know you as a senior and an awesome friend :)

Next semester, I will be missing Miss.Woon from Kluang as she will also be going off to Australia for her exchange programme. Pls remember to watch my series when you're in Aus :) so that you will miss me more :D heeehee

Yes, People go..but new people come too. I have to prepare myself to accept new PKA juniors who will be coming in next sidang..be ready to embrace new people, new friendships :)


I have 2 more years to my graduation because my course is 4 years but most of pka-ians from my batch will graduate next year. Fong Wan reminded me the other day, "I'm graduating next year in May." It hit me. Wow..that's like really fast. One more year left. Sure cry one lo..(i will miss you soooo much Fong Wan) haha but as for now, I want to learn to appreciate every moment that we have together as friends.. precious lives that God has brought into my life for such a time as this..to add values into each other's lives and to make a difference in USM :')


God knows when is the right time
to bring in the right people into our lives
to shape, encourage and build us.
Thank you.

special thanks!

This post is dedicated to all excos in PKA 2011/2012 :) do you feel touched or not? hahaha, I want to thank all of you for your patience and love that you've shown towards me for the past semester as I learn (actually still learning haha) how to serve in the leadership team. I know it's hard to tahan someone like me hahahaha so I really thank you for that haha! It has been great and I would say that it's a privilege to be able to work with you guys :) This team has cheered me on when I felt so tired in serving and your heart of service has challenged me to give more to God.

Monica Khoo the President :) Tai Kar Che of PKA :) You've been a real encouragement and role model to me without you knowing. You never fail to look out for others and try your best to include them in the family. If I am really a queen, I would have promoted you to be my General ahhahahah :) You led by example and your actions speak louder than words. May you continue to be a blessing in your church after you graduate :)
Thanks Monica! :)

Melanie Yong the VP. Cat lover *eww* haha You're like the caretaker of this family. Your sincerity and your love towards the juniors compels me to learn how to jaga them and not leave them out. A woman who has a big heart for missions, not forgetting Malaysia! May you continue to use the gift that God has given to you to connect people back to the church and most importantly, back to God :)

Ngoo Sze Jie the treasurer. :) A small size girl with a big heart :) I still remember you woke me up during CPR because of 20 cents! hahahaha It's PKA's blessing to have you to jaga our money :) God sees your faithfulness in the little things that you do and He will surely multiply it :) May you continue to be an architecture student (for now, real architect in the future haha) that builds up the Kingdom of God! :D

Ngoo Sze Min the secretary :) My beloved course mate who is very patient with me HAHA it's great to work with you whether in our assignments or PKA, we need people like you who are into details (Sze Jie too! haha). Thank you for being there to listen to my complaints haha I appreciate your service in PKA, mostly behind the scenes :) How you ran up and down to HEP :), applying for DK/BT, writing minutes.. God sees! :D May Jesus be the only audience in the things that you do and the words that you speak! :)

Joanna Grace Dorai the Cell Group Coordinator :) How come you so pretty one? hahahaa not only that, smart melebih some more! HAHA Thank you for serving alongside with us in the team. Your love for God and your desire in wanting to please Him is something that I want to pick up. I still keep the note that you've written to me and it meant so much :) The dolphin too! HAHA Continue to rock on, Joanna! You're just cool like that :)

Wilbur the Niser. HAHAHAH, just kidding. I mean, Wilbur the Praise & Worship Subcomm leader. Heehee :) The thinker. The melancholy. The analyzer. The Diam-diam-Ubi-Berisi. Thank you for challenging my thoughts with your 'deep' questions, it made me think more :) Thanks for the 'decision' that you've made :) I believe many are blessed by your service. Thank you for tahan-ing me, all the noise haha please don't forget me when you become rich in the corporate world haha. Be salt and light for Jesus wherever you are! :)

Tien Hui the Education Subcomm leader. Why are you so in love with me? ahahhaha Thanks for the things that you've done to strengthen our friendship, i appreciate them :) Your willingness to accept corrections and wanting to improve has challenged me to do the same. I'm glad to have a great friend who teach me how to think more, to be more aware of the things around me and most importantly, to love my very own country :) Continue to berkhidmat untuk negara dan kerajaanNya :p

Stephanie the Prayer Subcomm leader :) You're one of my 'early' friends in PKA :) I'm very glad that God has sent you to me. It's a great blessing to have you as my friend because you are a good friend :) Thanks Steph for the word of encouragement, the prayers (we should pray for each other more often :D, i miss those times! haha) and your listening ears. No matter what you're going to do in the future, God will bless it as you live to honor Him and giving Him the glory He deserves :)

Lum Wai Quan the Follow-Up subcomm leader :) *superman pose* haha Thank you Wai Quan for working so closely with Evangelism subcomm. Thanks for all your support and encouragement. As I serve alongside with you, your service always make me reflect on my attitude when I serve. You always do things behind the scenes and you never complaint about the things that you do for PKA, no matter how small :) that's a very beautiful thing, a heart of a servant. Keep up the good work! :)

Being in the excos team sometimes make me wonder... why God never make me a melancholy? so that I could actually think before I say something..and have the ability to analyze things? or why didn't God make me a phlegmatic? If so, I would probably be more relaxed and not so tensed up? more people-oriented and not so task-oriented?
Why?

So that I can never say I do not need Tien Hui or Wai Quan or whoever.. We are all many parts of one body. My weaknesses could be other people's strengths and their weaknesses could be my strengths. We are not here to disqualify those who are weak. We are here to edify and to complement each other. That's how A BODY should work.

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-21

Thanks to all the many parts! :)