Christmas - not X'mas

Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts
So give your heart to Jesus
You’ll discover when you do
That is Christmas really Christmas for you

My all time favourite Christmas song. This year, the gang went for shopping on Christmas eve because some of us realise that we haven’t gotten presents for some of our friends. I got a bit depressed when I can’t think of anything to buy for a friend. Felt like such a loser. How can I call myself a friend when I can’t think of anything to buy for her? Oh gosh. So, left The Curve bout 6pm. Went for family Christmas dinner at 730pm. Put on a really fake smile all the time till it ended. Got home and stayed up till 2am preparing all the presents and even cut myself. The joy of preparing for Christmas day.

Oh this year we had a pretty interesting Christmas carolling time. I enjoyed it even though I joined in unintentionally. You see, I was out with Weng Yan for lunch. After dropping her at her home, I was thinking of going to Ikea. And since I was alone, I thought it would be fun to go together with yueen san la. Since I barely spent time alone with her this holiday. But when I called her she told me she was in an orphanage. Only then did I remember the YF was having a whole day carolling session at orphanage and old folks homes. And since I was in the area and Yueen San asked me to go, so I went la. Join them and sang and got bitten by mosquitoes. But, it was reli fun la…..Really enjoyed it all….The whole day was fun. Eventually went to Ikea with Josh and San. Our luck to be in Ikea when the power went off and no air-cond and only emergency lights on – woah, it was terrible. Then, the time spent catching up with Aliza was fun too. Ahh….so fun

Christmas day…hmmm, it was rather ordinary feeling to me. I didn’t feel like there was something to dress up to…Went to church and seeing it packed was something quite nice la. Choir did well. I’m so proud of them la. 3 weeks worth of practice and they can come up with something that well. It’s really God’s grace man! And then I came to realise, hmm…Chris can be pretty charming too, when he did his solo, erm, side profile la. Haha. I think Joshua did very well for his narration. His lines, postures, gestures, emotions, all went pretty well. Ah. So happy.

After Christmas service was over. Went to Joshua’s house for Christmas lunch and then all of us got to say hello to Charity and Cherrie. Hehe. Sorry ar Charity, I camera shy la. Hehe. Still, Merry Christmas!!! Went back and slept. And of course, as it is our Christmas Day tradition, we met up at nite and stayed in Sam’s house till 5:30am. I got back at 6:15am. I rather drive at 6am than at 3 or 4am lor honestly!!!

So overall, Christmas wasn’t exactly very super extra an emotional high for me. But being able to celebrate with friends and family was really exciting. Friends more than family I think. Whoops. Hehe.

Sigh. God, help. God, sorry. God, forgive me. God, help.

Christmas movie?

I managed to catch Casino Royale yesterday. Oh it was good seeing James Bond being beaten up. I am not sadistic I am just real. Please la, the previous few James Bond movies protected James Bond like crazy. He became the hero without a scratch. I’m glad this new James Bond got many scratches. Okay, he is not good looking but did you see his eye? Oh my gosh. Such beauty. I wish I had more beautiful eyes. Haha.

Oh the cheesy lines...there were too many of them. Can vomit blood la I tell you. Still, a good watch. Hah!

I’m trying to watch Love Actually and/or High School Musical soon. I know friends who have the VCDs but these movies cannot watch alone wan. So, I’ve gotta find partners to watch it with too. Maybe Sunday or Saturday. Hehe.

Christmas on Monday.

And thanks to someone, the lines “Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away…” is in my head all the time la….

Argh.

Musing

Nothing brings more happiness than being at home where friends and family are. I’ve not had much time to catch up with most of them but still, seeing their face brings warmth in my heart.

Nothing brings more joy than speaking to a friend about who Jesus is. Yesterday was a rather gloomy day. Maybe the time in Josh’s house putting up Christmas tree was short. So, the tree is up! I’ll put up pictures soon for you, charity. :) In the evening, I met up with a friend for a drink and we chatted quite a bit and somehow the conversation stirred towards spiritual matters. And I realized that nothing else brings more joy when I get to share the joy of being a child of God.

Christmas is soon. I’ve not done Christmas shopping. I’ve only watched Nightmare before Christmas as the only Christmas movie. There are other Christmas movies to watch and Christmas songs to sing along with. Need to get hold of some of these things la. Hehe.

Blessed Christmas everyone!!

Randomnesses

Seeing liren today was so heart-warming. Ah, i've missed him so much. It's good to have him back. Really! I have been very tired for the past few days because I have difficulty sleeping. So, when he came and meet me today, I was looking pretty zombified and excited-less. When in fact I'm so happy to see him. Aih.

ya la. I'm so tired. I can't wait for exams to be over. Then, i can sleep like a pig (assuming that I can sleep with no problem at all). It's been very tiring not being able to rest well and also needing to study for exams. I can't wait for exams to be over!! One more paper to go and yet, it's like so far away. The paper is gonna kill me. Phonetics and Phonology. When people hear this they get all sorts of funny ideas. It's really funny when people ask me what's phonetics and phonology. haha. I dare not even imagine what kind of question my lecturer will come up with. It will instantly kill me. I need Jesus to rescue me. hehe.

I can't wait to be back home honestly! argh. This has been torturous. Missing home for so long! Argh. Terrible. And it's oni been a month since i was last back home. But time doesn't explain away homesickness. Really! I still miss home. And i can't wait to be back home. I already have my food cravings le. haha.

Awww....Thank You

Just a few days ago, I was on the bus and was just thinking about something when God pop up a thought in my head - the thought of how I am fearfully and wonderfully made; about being specifically designed; like a clay being formed by the potter; with the maker's handprints and fingerprints on me. And of course, the song "Fingerprints of God" by SCC was playing in my head. God knows my heart because I really needed to hear that from my Maker personally, at that specific time. And to know that God knows your every heart's need and HE meets them to brought tears to my eyes. Thankfully, the bus weren't packed.

And then, as I listen to the song "Creator King" by Don Moen, I recall that thing that took place on the bus. Read the lyrics. It really is quite meaningful.

You, Who made the mountains and the sea
Measured out the universe and you make me
Echoes of the voice that called the worlds to be
Reach throughout the ages and now speak to me
You're my Creator King

You, Who made the valleys and the skies
Displayed Your love on far horizons and before my eyes
You, Who lit the stars and set the dawn in time
Called them all by name and now You whisper mine
You're my Creator King

Chorus
Who am I that You are mindful of me
Who am I that You sent Your love on me
You're my Creator King

You, Who made the darkness and the light
Sun and Moon to watch the day and guard the night
The hand that stretched the heavens like a canopy
Reaches down to cover and watch over me
You're my Creator King

There are many reasons why I enjoy listening to Don Moen. He must be one of the most established and greatest worship leader. Of course there are other great ones too but there's something about Don Moen that makes him special. Maybe because he's old. He's fatherly. His songs have impacted me even when I was very young.

Mr. Khoo Teck Hock (aka David) says his songs are too christian and I have no idea what does that mean. Well, Don Moen is a christian and he is a worship leader so I don't understand why one would not like Don Moen because his songs are too christian. haha. pardon me.

Words are not enough

They say the joy of leading someone to Christ is so great that you can’t hold it back. Well, honestly, after it took place, i didn't quite feel the joy till a little later. Well, while praying, of course I was excited but to say that excitement was joy is a little of an exaggeration. And after that, i didn't quite feel the joy anymore. So, I prayed and talked to God a little. And i figured this happened: Maybe it's because God wanted to teach me that I shan't take pride in what happened and boast. To be very honest, I figure that it is very easy to have taken so much pride in what happened and to a certain extent, even boast about it. Because, I have been spending the last week and a half reading the Bible with her and just doing so much (okay, maybe not very much) during the study week when most people are preparing for exams, and honestly, it is so tempting to boast. After figuring that this is possibly what is happening: that God is teaching me to not be boastful or prideful over what has taken place, even though it is a thing that is really worth rejoicing over, I prayed and ask God for forgiveness if there is any way in me that is unrighteous and that if i even dare think that the conversion of a friend is something that I brought to pass; that it was something I DID. And gradually, I felt the peace and the joy and then I realised how I really should be rejoicing together with the heavenly beings over a soul saved. Truly, my heart goes up in Praise to the Saviour and mighty God.

And today, my mind replayed a very emotional scene, which brought tears to me eyes. The scene where my mother left me to be in Singapore. My mother came with me to Singapore to clear every single thing for me. I am truly blessed I must say. I'm not as independent as people think eh. haha. And when she left, I knew I was going to be alone. No more family. No more comfort. This will be life for me for the next minimum 6 years. When I thought of it that way, how not to cry rite? But yeah, I miss my mother. I miss my father. I miss family. BUT, I'm so excited that i'll see them in 5 days time. On friday, they will all be here. Too bad popo can't come. Still, it's so exciting thinking that I'll see family again. I'm so excited. Family!!!