Tuesday, November 28

the team just had a meeting at my place just now...had to settle a lot of last minute changes and preparation...its really last minute and very much urgent considering that we are leaving on fri..so the next 2 days are the really critical days..and also considering that tmr i have a mtg for mentors and with the students as well in the afternoon...

have to prepare quite a bit last minute lessons and individually, we have to practise our khmer and the songs for our cultural exchange..the later is a tough one, considering we have not exactly practised much till now...i guess alot will really depend on how we strive through for these 2 days...come on, its the last phase of preparation..i'm telling myself that its now or nv...its either i give my best now in preparing or regret at the end...i nv consider regret as a choice so its really right now that we get prepared as a team to push through the final lap...

Thanks for the little favour granted just now..i really appreciated the sincere actions that you all have done when you came over...truly, i believe my home will be blessed by the Lord...

May the Lord continue to bless us as we presevere on with His love...

jel; 11:17 pm

Sunday, November 26

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7

This was the verse which the Lord has reminded me during early this week and i've held on to it through this week to keep me through...and the events which happened last night and this morning really tested me fully on my application of this verse...

not to be anxious and trust the Lord with my matters and eventually have His peace in my heart...i'm glad i was faithful enough to hold with this and after what i've been through this morning, indeed i see the Lord's grace upon me and coincidentally, this was the verse which joel shared in cell...haha..the Lord brings my learning in a full circle...

i'm thankful for what i was taught and learned...and i want to continue to remain the faithful and obedient child of God...

jel; 9:54 pm

Friday, November 24

just one more week to Cambodia..flying off next fri...the past 2 days have been focusing on the planning and logistics issues and the next few days will be touching up on quite a few areas too...

yest, the 3 of us guys were discussing abt how we have not been mentally prepared to embark, at least at this moment...we've been planning to ensure that the plan will be carried out smoothly over there, but nothing much of personal preparation has been done so far, and our concern was if we're too caught up with the last-minute prep next week, we might even neglect this aspect totally...

seriously, i dun wish to be any less mentally or spiritually prepared for this trip than i want to...that wld bring me back to the core issue of why i want to embark on this trip...bringing love to the Cambodians wld be an app answer but it sounds too simplistic and vague...yes, the love we bring over to Cambodia will be translated in our actions there...

everything we do over there needs to be done out of love, and more preciously, the love which the Lord has loved us with...and its with this love that will be reflected significantly different in our actions...without this love, our actions will count for nothing...and our motivation is based on this love too...for in 1 cor 13, love never fails...it will keep us going and thats precisely the motivation we need to present the best of ourselves...

this has been mentioned by pastor and in many blogs already, but i'll mention it again here...what is the greatest in the bible? Love....and its simply because the Lord Himself is love..He has first loved us so that we can love others in the same way too...

through the past week, the Lord has been reminding me of His love for me...the love which will give me rest, strength and the will to carry on...and its this love which i want to rmb and hold on forever...

jel; 4:11 pm

Wednesday, November 22

just booked a chalet at aloha changi for my birthday next yr..i booked 27 jan cause its a saturday and i guess its a better day than sunday...had initially thought its not necessary to book so early but didn't realise others are even earlier...by the time i went to check yest night, the whole of aloha loyang and the more popular ones at aloha changi are already booked for the day...

so i settled for the next best choice..halton bungalow...semi-detached double-storey chalets... fully furbished with living room set with TV and games table;dining room; 3 air-conditioned bedrooms, furbished with beds (1 queen-sized and 4 single-sized), wardrobe, dresser, bedside table and wall fan; 4 toilets /bath with shower heater; BBQ pit and a fully equipped kitchen..

its not a bad idea i suppose..considering that its only 60 dollars...actually i haven even thought of what i wanted to do during the chalet, but i just know i want to book a chalet for my birthday..most prob having a bbq on sat night itself and invite all my friends along...and when i say friends, i really mean everyone i know is invited...so if you're reading this and i know you personally, yes you are invited...haha..such an insincere invitation right?

nvm, i'll come up with an e-invitation end of next month and send out via email..just cross my fingers that i wun miss out anyone...the idea of seeing all my friends tog at one place to celebrate my 21st birthday is such an exciting thought..

jel; 3:12 pm

Tuesday, November 21

just came the movie 'step up' just now...it was a typical dance movie with quite standard plotline..but its the chemistry bet the 2 leads which really makes it the highlight of the movie...somehow, watching this movie brings out the groove in me and inspires me to take up dancing...have being prolonging the first step to learning dancing for quite some time...well, i guess i'll put that plan on hold as its not my priorities now..maybe next yr i hope i can finally pursue it...

jel; 10:12 pm

Monday, November 20

actually, unknown to many, i am actually rather busy these few weeks and for the next few weeks too...i'm not working but somehow various committments have taken up much of my time..its mainly the ntss class camp, cambodia and recently the christmas@orchard...the various mtgs which i need to go for each week already take up abt half the time i have...

yest on the way to suntec in kenneth's car, this was the first thing which he told me when i commented on my feelings on this- 'welcome to ps sl's tribe'...haha...that now i'm truly part of the high committment level working life of this tribe..and true enough, looking at how kenneth has been super busy with his work+committments, rushing from one place to another and this, is also 'inherited' from ps sl...i guess all these are part of the 'inheritance'...

but i guess my stress level is still not as high as them yet, since they're handling both work and committments while i can focus purely on the commitments and still have some time out with my friends..at least today i feel slightly more relaxed...hmmm...not that i dun have stuff to do, but i just dun feel lk doing it now...at least i'm still relaxed enough to afford to do that...

over the past weekend, the Lord reminded me strongly that His love for me will provide me with rest and strength which i need to handle all the committments..that His love is unconditional...and since i receive this love from Him, my love for others is indeed with no strings attached..that really gives me the motivation to give my best in all that i'm doing, since His love is so pure and abundant, what more shld be expected of us as we carry out our actions with His love?

i'm really thankful that i've blessed with these opportunities..and because of that, it brings me joy in committing to all these and nv once did i feel that its a waste of time...in fact, it kept me focused in fulfilling the path which He has paved for me...i'm glad the strength of His love has prevented me from growing weary and tired too...

anw, pls do not assume next time that i'm very free just because i'm not working now...

jel; 9:15 am

Thursday, November 16

has been much in touch with the ntss students ever since the camp ended...i really feel blessed simply having having the opportunity to know them...maybe its been quite some time since i've last known a grp of friends from this age grp and the interaction with them do make me thankful even for this chance to know them...after these few days of knowing them, i do treasure these friendships as i believe friendship does not occur by chance...

to those who have been popping by my blog or chatting with me on msn, i do appreciate the friendship which we have...

will be busy with the pre-cambodia from tmr to sat, followed by training at tct on sat night...so i'll prob be tired out by sat night...somehow, i realise i have been busy with quite a bit of stuff these 2 weeks..it can be exhausting but truthfully speaking, i'm enjoying every single moment of it and i've been much blessed through all these opportunities..thank you Lord..

jel; 10:51 pm

Wednesday, November 15

went back to the hairdresser whom i always go to in jc...has been lk 2 yrs since the last time cause of my absence in army...everything seems to be how it is lk 2 yrs back..my hairdresser, mandy is still working there and she still looks the same...and as i was directed to a seat, something at the mirror caught my attention...

the salon was empty and of all seats, this was the only one with such a sticker pasted across and i was directed to sit there..is this pure coincidence or divine intervention?...anw, this was the main difference i spotted in the shop, the addition of this sticker and a cross hanging on the wall..dun rmb any of these in the past...

anw, with the message staring at me, i wonder: is the Lord trying to tell me smthng?..maybe He was trying to tell me to put my trust in Him for my hair change in a moment's time cause i was worried what my hair wld turn out lk cause i didn't want a radical change...

true enough, the moment mandy started snipping at my hair, i was at ease again..i know i can always trust her with my hair...always and forever?...but the hair dying part was rather agonising...can't stand the smell of the dye and the amt she put on my hair, the time needed to wait and the number of times my hair need to be washed with the different shampoo and conditioner...but after 3 long waiting hours..here it is...

jel; 11:21 pm

i simply love the style of my hair..much neater and definitely more stylish...mandy's skills are always very reliable...i'm very satisfied with the hair colour too...although youcan't exactly see it clearly in this photo...can't really name the colour cause i also dun know..but it belongs to the golden series (although i think it doesn't look lk it)...

u see some colour in this photo but still dun think it accurately reflects the colour i have now...meet me in person and you'll see...i'm still not used to seeing my hair in a completely new shade of colour...but as i mentioned, it turned out that i really lked this colour although it wasn't intentional when i chose this...

well maybe its because i trusted in Him...and i could not be more satisfied with what i've been blessed with...

jel; 11:20 pm

Monday, November 13

somehow there's some error in the previous post..so this is a continuation of that post...

thats yufan and daniel..know them before the camp but its only through this camp when i really have the opportuniy to interact and know them much bettr..thank you for these 2 brothers in Christ and may this brotherhood continue to grow...

I'm thankful for the salvations of 2 new friends on sunday...i believe the Lord has been working in their lives since the start and their hearts have indeed been touched during this time...i do pray that they'll grow spiritually in the presence of the Lord and be a proud disciple of Christ!

jel; 1:34 pm

Sunday, November 12

just to share some photos from the CLASS camp

the whole team of CLASS camp...participants+mentors+staff...indeed, it was a memorable time with this special grp of pple...had a wonderful 3d2n time spent with them..

my group which apparently named themself "dengue"...they couldn't think of anything better...anw, it was a grp which was formed out of unplanned circumstances...cause the original grouping was different..it was pure coincidence that this grp was formed...and i really appreciate this grp which was formed...they have really blessed me in many ways and i'm thankful that i've been blessed with this grp..

fellow mentors, the freshmakers...plus eugene who is not in this pic...worked well with them as we carried out our mentor roles...going through this camp has been an enriching experience for all of us..
hey thats yufan and daniel

jel; 11:49 pm

Saturday, November 11

just came back from ntss class camp...

want to thank the Lord for blessing this experience for me....i believe this experience wld not have been so wonderful without His blessings and protection along the way...really want to applaud the student leaders for their enthusiasm and involvement during this camp...they re-affirm me of the reason why i'm here for this camp-which is to be mentor to them and they enhance my role as a mentor by being such coachable lders...

share some personal feelings throughout this camp...of course, even as i went through this camp tog with the students, i learned tog with them at the same time...but its holding on to the position as their mentor which make the difference...its abt befriending them, building relationships with them, earning their respect as well guiding them through their project as well...its a slightly different experience from being an OGL in nj cause now instead of leading them all the time, you take the backseat at times and allow them room to grow and lead...and it takes even greater skills and responsibility to exercise the amt of control u need to allow to the students..and esp when some have pretty gd ldership skills, its impt that we as mentors to be able to observe and coach them such that they will still learn from the experience they have in the camp...
this is my first experience working with TOUCH Youth Services and it a gd working experience with the staff as well as the mentors and volunteers...want to thank TOUCH for giving such opportunities and i will definitely be looking forward to more of such opportunities to help out in future....

jel; 2:59 pm

Wednesday, November 8

managed to do 3 special ord gifts for 3 of my friends...didn't have much time to do so many and i've tried to do the best i can with the limited time and resources which i have...

this is for jin ping...concept is simple, shimmery gold frame with oriental-styled border, with a tied folded card on the right which has my message for him inside...simple yet elegant..

this is for yk...dirty-antique styled frame with old english handwritings as the backgrd and wooden pieces, similar to the frame, completes the rustic feel of the design..

this is for wj...concept is 3 smaller frames 'hanging' within a bigger one...slightly more bubbly and fun feeling to it with the small marbles at the 2 ends of the frame...and the patterned bkgrd at the edges complete the whole look...

it was an enjoyable time making these frames...its a joy for me to make all these and it brings me greater joy when i know they appreciate their gifts...they have blessed me in one way or another through my time in brigade and this is one way which i can bless them back with...a momentoir of our time spent tog...indeed, i wldn't have been able to do it so well if these were done for myself instead...i guess its the friends which make the difference to the end prodt..


well, i hope i can get down to my christmas stuff soon...wld be pretty busy with many various commitments..

jel; 11:14 pm

Tuesday, November 7

was particularly drawn to the song "complete" last thur when the parachute band performed it...i guess the lyrics spoke lk voices from my heart at this moment...

i'm looking up to the Lord, to offer myself to Him and allow Him to fill me up with His spirit and love such that eventually i can be complete in Him...i will hold on to Him no matter what i go through, how tough it may be...i know that through His strength i can break through all these...

there was much conviction in me as i sang through these words....and it brings me much joy when i know He's hearing all these words which come right from my heart...but the greater joy is knowing that i will be found complete when i look beyond the Calvary one day...

i know this song has touched the hearts of pple as it has for me and i believe it will for many more pple in time to come....

jel; 1:09 am

was brought into a fresh focus for my blog..need to define the purpose for this blog..if not, i guess its easy to lose direction when i blog...after much thought, this came up- to inspire, influence others through the sharing of my daily life...it may be simple but it captures the essence of the love which i wld want to share with others....the love of God, the love of those whom i care and the love which the rest of the world needs....and i want to make use of my daily life experiences to have an impact, whether big or small, on the hearts and lives of others...it brings joy to know that through my sharing, you learn and gain smthng....

its not my aim to increase or achieve a high hit count but its how much through my blog entries that you are inspired, whether to apply what u learn, to do smthng gd or anything which is positive...

thank you Lord for bringing this focus back in my blog and may You be the inspiration and motivation behind my love for blogging and i pray that everyone who visits this blog will receive Your love and be blessed by You!

jel; 12:49 am

Sunday, November 5

found this treasure yest at hmv...its tuesday with morrie dvd...telecasted on tv in u.s. and the dvd is imported from u.s. too...i'm so glad hmv sells it...i'm a fan of the author and the same-titled book...

the show gives a different dimension from the book...emotions can be displayed more explicitly and i think the actors and director shld be given credit in this...i want to appaulse them for their efforts...its a rare treasure which i've pleasantly discovered...just for those who may have not yet heard or read the book, its a true-life story abt a journalist's visits to his ex-professor who is suffering from a terminal disease and it records of each of his weekly visits as the professor imparts his wisdom and knowledge on life to him...

it does make us stop and ask ourselves the same qns which the professor poses to mitch, the journalist...pondering over it and reflecting really brings us back in why we live the lives we do now and somehow, as the story progresses, i was led into the bonding of the two as their relationship grew closer...and i did share and relate to their emotions too...

just a wonderful account of the last weeks of a wise man...i'm glad this story is now being shared to many others ard the world..go grab the book or the dvd at hmv..or even better both and be inspired by the teachings...

jel; 11:01 pm

Saturday, November 4

thats me and my precious pink ic...it makes me value the fact that i can be taking this pic with my ic when i almost could not collect yest when i forgot to bring my medical and dental ffi...anw, i'm just glad that i collected it in the end..

this marks the end of my ns days and i've actually planned to write up a long entry to jot down my journey in ns, my experience and my feelings..but i'm feeling well today, went to see a doc just now..anw, i dun exactly have the time to spare too but i guess i can always briefly mention it now...

God has really been blessing me throughout my ns journey..it is through national service when i got to know and accept Him as my Lord and Saviour...and from that day on..my journey has been eventful, but not neccessarily smooth..went through the tough times of backsliding and reconciliation with Him and growing strong in His presence....He played a major role in shaping who I am in the army, being the soldier whom I was supposed to be...

I've been blessed with a rather nice working environment in the brigade...it may not be the most pleasant place to work in if i have a chocie, but it has moulded me and allowed me to stay even stronger in my values and believes...furthermore, i have been blessed with great friends whom i've gotten to know in army and whom i'm still staying in contact even after out of army...

thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey in ns..whether if you're pple i know in bmt, soa and brigade, you from the memories i have and truthfully, these memories i have, i treasure and value dearly....indeed, this whole journey has been a blessing itself and i'm looking forward to a greater journey...a wonderful time with the Lord and fruitful and eventful challenges ahead...thank you Lord

jel; 11:54 am

Thursday, November 2

rather than allow the weight of the commitments pull me down, why not let these be opportunities and tests to draw me closer to Him and fight stronger for Him?

this thought after to me today during the lders mtg and i believe this is what the Lord wants to tearch me during this period of time...and this fresh anointing from the Lord will keep me going even stronger for Him...the more tired i am, the more i wld need the Lord to keep me going..thats the spirit...and i'm not going to let go of Him in all situations...

to be a warrior of light...thats the apostolic call which the Lord has given the church...i haven exactly caught the full understanding and application of that yet but thats something i have to embrace as we prepare to enter into a yr of victory...i do believe He has prepared much exciting stuff for me next yr, much more than i can ask for..but i need to claim this promise with the faith to first go deep, look far and then ask big...

2007, a yr of breakthroughs and victories.......

jel; 12:02 am

Wednesday, November 1

yest was my last working day in camp...felt a slight surge in emotions as i left the office for the last time...it was an unexpected feeling in my heart as i thought i wldn't be that emotionally attached to the place...but at that moment, i can't believe its already the last time i'll be there and the thought of leaving, though wonderful, causes me to bear a slight unwillingness and sadness...and the farewell hug from bracer really reminded me of how much i'll miss the friends whom i've bonded with during my stay in the brigade and that i've have to leave them here while i continue with my journey....

sigh, thats prob how i always feel whenever a place after staying for so long...i can't imagine i'll feel on fri....hope i'll be able to control my emotions...

jel; 8:49 am