Buy buy buy

Have been on a buying spree the last few weeks in view of the GSS. Got a new flatscreen TV for our home, upgraded my handphone to a Sony E Cybershot (my most expensive hp ever!) Added a few items to my wardrobe. Bought myself 3 pairs of shoes at one go! Was initially hesitant to do so, but was egg on by my mum. Heh. She is one unusual mom cos she would urge me to buy stuff, unlike most of my friends' mothers who would nag at them for spending money. Mum always tells me that she does so because she knows how thrifty I am, and she trusts that I will be cautious in my expenditure. If I were any less prudent in spending, she would definitely not risk egging me on. Oh also, mum used to be in the beauty business in her heydays, so she sees the importance of being well groomed and appropriate dressing :)

Bought some books today as well. Was at Life bookshop and this book "Woman to Woman" by Joyce Meyer caught my attention. Browsed through it and was immediately captivated by the content. It consists of 81 short chapters on issues that women usually grapple with. Very reader friendly and certainly appeals to women cos its written by a woman for women! Well, lots to learn in terms of growing in maturity and wisdom :) Thank God for this purchase. Gonna indulge in it over the next few days. Heh.

Gonna restrain from further spending for the moment though there are still items yet to be acquired (PC, MP3). Shall wait for opportune time for those purchases, maybe at the next IT fair?

Link to video

In my previous post, I mentioned about Team Hoyt video clip. Here is the link that Ben has provided to us... The song comes on in the later part of the video. Hope it inspires you as much as it does me.
http://208.65. 153.251/watch? v=flRvsO8m_ KI

Happy Daddy's Day!

Some months back, I blogged about crying when I listened to the song "I can only imagine". Today, listening to the same song again brought unexpected tears to my eyes!

This song was played in the background of a video clip featuring "Team Hoyt". Pastor B beamed the video at the end of his sermon, depicting the extent of a father's love for his quadriplegic son. He shared that the father (Dick) had taken to competing in marathons/races together with his son (Rick) because Rick had once indicated that he (Rick) felt normal when taking part in these competitions with his dad. Dick had since trained hard and taken part in many, many marathons, triathlons and other competitions with Rick. I quote from their website - "When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached ot the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilised boat being pulled by Dick."

When the video started playing, I was moved by scenes of Rick trying hard to form the word "CAN". As the video progressed, I saw Dick taking part in various competitions with Rick. Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw how the 65 yr old man complete his swim segment, then carry his grown up son from the boat through a distance to his bike, secure him on the front seat, and then started peddling off. The extent Dick went to let Rick experience as much of a normal life as possible shows just how great is the father's love! I believed many present in the sanctuary were deeply moved by the video. I heard many sniffles after the video and noticed several wet eyes.

As I reflected thereafter, God the Father's love is many, many times greater than that of any human father. Why do I often doubt Him and His love for me? This is one experience that provided me a glimpse of His perfect sacrificial love. I just give thanks for such a wonderful heavenly daddy. Happy Father's Day!

"I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Eph 3: 17-19

Random thoughts

Was on leave yesterday. Had initially taken it in view of a short trip with my parents, bro and sis-in-law. In the end, my parents and I couldn't go due to work commitment next week. Oh well, didn't cancel my leave yesterday, and dad decided to bring me and mom on a car hunt. We visited some dealers in Ubi and obtained price quotes etc. Learnt a thing or two about car purchase - COE (bid/guarantee), rebates, loan interest etc. Dad is still comparing prices at different dealers, so has not committed to anyone yet. But he kinda narrowed down his choice of car ;P For me, I am not too particular about the car model, as long as it's not too huge... ease of parking and maneuver lah.

In the evening, my parents were rather game to have dinner at Macs, which is sooo rare and unusual. So we pigged out there. Dad commented that the fries were oh so unhealthy. Guess it's goodbye to Macs for a long time to come :P

This morning, we had more car viewing, this time my bro and sis-in-law came along. Bro is very interested in such things. Think its a guy thing... Hmmm, for me and sis-in-law, we were just chit chatting with each other and commenting on the exterior of the cars (colour, finishings etc.). Ha ha.

Just sent my bro and sis-in-law to the airport for their HK trip. Taking a short break now before heading out again, to go on the Duck Tours with BS and family! Can't wait to see Alicia :) Praying that the rain will stop in time for the ride.

Camp Reflections

Its been such a long time since I last blogged, that I actually forgot about this platform to provide an update on my life… i.e. till I was reminded by Jing during cell!

I returned from Camp Ohana last Wed evening. It was a very enjoyable camp. Basically, Hope pp were grouped in the same tribe with Will as our Tribe Leader. So we were very much in our comfort zone, despite the total camp size of 830 campers! Though it was a logistical nightmare, I thought that the committee and helpers did a great job. The program was run smoothly, with many people helping out behind the scene. I am so impressed by the 10 or so BB boys who came specially to help out at the entire camp. They were very much at work while we had our sessions and workshops and other activities. Another group that I am thankful for is the children program helpers. Many of them had been involved in the planning and discharge of the various children programs catered to different age groups, much like having a Sunday School each day of the camp. Amazing love and sacrifice!

Upon arrival at the hotel in KL on the first afternoon, the rooms were not yet ready, so we hung around at the common areas for a pretty long time. I took the opportunity to walk around the premises praying and singing to God, kinda settling my heart for the camp and to meet with God.

I enjoyed most of the worship sessions, as I felt free to worship uninhibited. Awesome. Learnt much from the teaching sessions by Pastor P Koh and the workshop by Pastor KL. Though many of the points raised are rather common sense, it was good that they are pointed out explicitly to serve as reminders to us. I especially liked the teaching on the 5 Laws of Relationships. Though much of the illustrations are relating to married couples, the laws apply to other forms of relationships too. Pastor KL’s workshop on “chua bo – finding a spouse” was very interesting, even fun! Pastor was very candid in sharing his knowledge and experience in this aspect. There was even a Q&A session for this!

Other enjoyable times are the simple things in life – on the first afternoon, we enjoyed a tea snack at the hotel café for 6 persons costing just RM72! We were amazed at the deal as there was such a spread! We just sat there chatting while waiting for our rooms to be available, and for dinner to be ready. We got to know Francis’ nephew, Shawn, a little better. He is a 13-year-old boy who is so very sensible and mature. We were comfortable interacting with him, and he with us. Hope that he’ll be able to join us in church sometime.

During this camp, I felt a strong desire to relax and pamper myself. And what better way than to go for a spa! AH and I found a couple package at a promotion price, so we were game to try it. It included massage, essential oil bath, ear candle treatment and aroma eye pillow treatment. I rarely go for spa, so this was indeed a moment to cherish!

While we were at the spa, the other Hope folks took the evening to visit a nearby shopping mall. AH and I ended up spending the evening in deeper sharing. So very therapeutic. Haha, and Dawn joined us subsequently. We talked till 1am!! Guess we were kinda knocked out the next day, and we opted to turn in early the next night. Hee.

On the final morning of the camp, we had a time of testimony sharing. For an entire hour, people stood up, one by one, to share and give thanks for their experiences/lessons. Listening to each testimony just fills my heart with such joy and gratitude that I can be part of the camp. Praise God for the time of rest and rejuvenation at the camp!