EN ZE is here!!!

En Ze's daddy n mummy! Stella ordered to rest in bed, but still looking good =)

oops, flash went off! Soo cute right!!

all tucked in and comfy, thanks to daddy derick!
haha.. Larry's head seems so big next to En Ze
Can you sense Larry's stress? Nice pict though!
My favourite closed up pict..
Me turn to carry Enze.. oops, flash went off again. Hee..

Now w/o, but a little too dark

a hungry n upset enze.. milk milk
Congrats to Derick n Stella once again and welcome to the phase of parenthood! Believe both of you will do a great job as you lean upon God's strength and wisdom.

Congrats!!!

Lotsa of good news recently!
First and foremost, wanna congratulate Derick and Stella on the birth of their son, En Ze. Can't imagine that they're both my age and have began parenthood liao. haha... hmmm....ok. Congrats!! Stella took only 3 hrs to deliver EnZe. Sounds almost effortless (am not too sure about the pain though). Still, praise the Lord for the smooth delivery.

Then wanna congratulate Min and Hongwei for getting the keys and beginning reno of their new flat. Feel excited for them just by looking at the drastic change of their new home and still more changes to come!!
Then got to know that Yixuan and Jiawei has gotten a flat at Sembawang. Believe it should be just in time for their ROM in July. Congrats too!!...
Then Shuyun and Daryl getting married in Dec.. though its old news liaoz, but still congrats!!

Then there's Glo Glo!! Finally have her permission to divulge her good news!! P'Loong has proposed and yes, they're engaged!! Looking at 09' for marriage. Have to admit that I was really shocked when I received her sms fr Nepal some time back. Seems so fast and was worried if they're ready and sure about this? But after talking to her, know that both of them have prayed about this, and have peace from God, about direction, call. So, I'm excited for both of them(international marriage)!! Congrats to the both of u!!


P'Loong; me, glo n pris =)

Rhema gang

Happy Mother's Dae Mummy!!!

Hahaa.... though I know that mummy most prob wouldn't get to see this blog till days later, that is, if I show her, but just wanna dedicate this blog entry to her. Happy Mother's Day Mum!
Wanna thank you for all the dedication, love and sacrifices that you have made for me. Thank you for also taking care of me when I'm not well, and for being soooo patient towards me when I'm throwing tantrums. Know I have hurt you many times with cruel words, yet you never fail to shower tons of love upon me, always believing in me and supporting me in all that I do.
Sorry for the times when I have made you sad. I might not be the best daughter, but to me, you're the best mum that I can ever have!!
Thank you once again!!! Love you lots!!!
Dad, don't be jealous if you see this k. Yours will come soon.
Hahaa.. So mushy.. brrrr... = )

Love in the highest form

And in exercising brotherly affection develop Christian love."
2 Peter 1:7

Term "Christian love" implies that it differs from human/natural love. How is it different then?
As I was reflecting on this passage this morning, I am reminded of the various instances when I've heard different individuals comment that there's a lack of love among people in church, and that to them, friendships and ties amongst some of their christian friends are good, superficially good. And as I look back, I remember struggling with similar feelings too.
The disappointment and hurt is often magnified by x 10 as we often expect our christians friends to be more gracious and to walk in love. Yet, do we set the same standard upon ourselves- to be more gracious and show love to others?
The usual answer and reasoning that I'll often give others and myself is that: christians are humans too. We're all learning from Jesus and we do make mistakes too.
Which is totally true. (I know its the truth, but it would sound kinda "excusie" (if there's such a word;p) if we keep using this reason and not improve.)

And this morning, God led me to see this issue in another perspective:
He brought me back to the basis and definition of love, Christian love.
Jesus said in John 15:13,
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Oswald Chambers states that "love is the sovereign preference of one person for another." Christian love requires for us to love others as we love ourselves, and even more, to love others as how Christ love us. Unconditional and sacrificial love.
Oswald Chamber goes on to say: "The Holy Spirit reveals that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it is His nature to do so. And now He says to me, show the same love to others- "Love as I have loved you." I will bring as any number of people about you whom you cannot respect, and you must exhibit My love to them as I have exhibited it to you."

It hit me when I read this part. I mean, I've always known that Jesus loves me and even before I knew Him, He gave His life for me. Yet, it has slipped my mind at the fact that it wasn't "easy" for God to love me, when I was still yet a sinner. There wasn't much about me that He could really love me or respect me for, yet, He still chose to love me for who I am. I did nothing at all to earn His love, yet He loved me anyway. Because He is love in the highest form!
I was humbled by this thought.
Then I realised why many times I fail to act in love, and why so often I find myself choosing selfishness instead of selflessness, because I was trying to fulfill Jesus' command to love by my own strength!
I have been trying to love people with the expectation of wanting them to earn my love. I was afraid of being hurt, afraid of losing out.

But Jesus was never afraid to be at the losing end. Instead, He gave His life for people who were cursing and spitting at Him, people who were gloating at His death on the cross. He didn't give up simply because He loved us too much to give up on us! He knew that His sacrifice would make the way for God and men to be reconciled once again.
To love as Jesus loves is difficult, yet it is not impossible. We are never to condemn people, and neither do we condone sin. To love people for who they are, yet to hate sin and evil.

The greatest way to love is to first experience love. I cannot give what I do not have. And I am reminded today, that God is the greatest source of love, and everyday should be a day of experiencing a fresh and new revelation of His love for me.

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Crossing Paths

Had a good catch up with Vict yesterday over dinner. Robin was supposed to join us too, but he was down with flu and couldn't join us. But the catch up was good. It is really amazing how God brings people into your life at different time period and through various ways. Victor, a primary school senior who I really didn't like back then, thought he was a little "sei"(4), hahaa.. thats what I always tell him. And I wouldn't even consider him as a friend, was more like a acquaintance to me. And coming 7- 8 years later, he spotted me at 85 where I was helping my aunt at the dessert store when he was having supper with Robin and Caifeng! And today, I would consider him as a good friend. Though we don't see eye to eye with various stuff, he is a friend that I know I can count on in times of trouble.

And there's PJ, who's getting married next year! Congrats girl!! My Sec friend, we were not exactly close friends back then, but I remember us taking the same bus back a couple of times and I'm always amazed as there always seem to be stuff that we can talk about whenever we meet. And we went our separate ways after O's, and tadaa.. we meet again in Uni, took the same Southeast Asian course and became good friends!! Haven't been able to meet her lately though, both of our schedule rather tight lately. But we'll definitely meet soon, wanna hear all about the proposal! =p

And there's Quek!! My Sec 1-2 classmate!! Used to dislike him alot for he was soooo childish then! Hahaa..boys..!! He used to call me names and was very loud and noisy. Then we went to the same JC and attended the same lectures. And somehow, we started talking and gradually became good buddies! Now, I'm contemplating to match make him with a couz of mine. Muahahaha.. so fun and exciting. Just thought it'll be nice to make more friends, esp since they're both from the same church and both currently single and available. hee..

Just by writing this entry, brings back the memories of schooldays.... ... ... miss school...
Well, I may not know who's path I will cross in the days ahead, but I can definitely cherish and treasure the people whom I have right now in my life.
Thank you Lord for all the friends and wonderful people that you have brought into my life..