Love, we can believe in

(Bolivia)

The exams are finally over! phew! Gosh am i glad to survive through it. Anyway, I think it'll be weird not going to school for 1 and a half month. It is too good to be true! But hey, I will try to enjoy it now, while I still can.

-> From this point on NC16

So I have been thinking quite a bit recently. With all this talks about finding the right partner circulating everywhere today. This is not only the season of prayer, but love as well. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about! I see sparks flying everywhere these days.

At one point or another in your life, you will definitely ask yourself this question, "who am I destined to be with?"

Well to be honest, no one can answer that question, the free will of loving belongs to every individual. There is no forcing love, or there won't be happiness (better translated in mandarin). Many people play the dating game, in order to scan through their prospects, compare and contrast, trial and error, to find their "perfect" partner.

But the truth is this, no one is perfect. Sometimes, the person can be right infront of you. But it took you years to realise. What blinded you was your expectations, your perfect conditions, The beauty of love is this, loving even through the imperfections of the other, giving even though it's tough.

How then is love love, if everything is about perfection and taking without giving. That is never going to happen.

This issue has been a major concern especially in Singapore, with low birth rates (as PM Lee states), aging population and to make matters worse a huge percentage of singles. Look, I am not saying you should stop here and get married immediately.

Marriage is a life-long commitment. I like what pastor said, "your life-long partner can either make your life heaven on earth, or a living hell." Hence, lower some expectations if you figure your expectations are too high (e.g. looks, brad pitt, jessica alba, etc.), but don't fall for anything. Or you will fall out of everything.

Carol told me this, "best couples always starts out by being best friends." I can't agree more on that. Reason being, nothing is hidden when all weaknesses is revealed from friendship (bad habits, past hurts, fears, etc). But take for example, if you are dating someone for the first time, you will definitely go all out to impress the person! To a certain extent you are just showing all the good points about you, and all your strengths. But, you don't show your true self, your weaknesses, your past defeats. Not an ideal way to start a relationship, I would say. But hey, all things are possible.

Hahas, can't believe I just did a whole post on this. Oh well, I know I'm 17 =) But I hope that helps!

Eph 5:31-33

31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

-take me away.

When we first starte out, I still remembered people laughing at my idea, saying "are you crazy? it's not possible! Who would do a business like that?!" But that didn't stop me. And look where we are today. It is already happening. It is a victory, Sole Makers!

(Prize presented by Mayor)

(visiting our booth)

(Photo with Elim Chew)

(Some encouragement, and helpful tips)

(Triple J: John, Jing Ying, Justine)

(Presentation)

-Thanks for all the support: Yah Lan, Joshua, Ameia, Felicia, Ms Joyce

And those who gave words of encouragement: Carol, Cecilia, Twinkle, Joshua Lim

Most importantly, all glory goes to God!

Jeremiah 1:7-8

7 But the LORD said to me: “ Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.

There is no hurry, no worry, no anxiety, when you know what is ahead of you. See, there is a price to pay for everything. Things may not be the way you want it to be right now. But be far-sighted, look beyond the surface. Greater reward awaits for those who wait.

Patience is indeed a virtue. God, I will wait.

1 Pet 2:19-21

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

(my heart will always be with you China)

-who would have thought we'd come this far?

He used David (a boy) to slay Goliath (a GIANT). He gave Abraham a son (when he was a 100 years old). He used Moses (a man who stuttered) to lead an entire nation out of bondage, and through him parting the red sea. He used Paul (an initial antichrist) to be the greatest apostle of his time. God has a sense of humour. He uses the fools to shame the wise.

You may say what is it that has happened today? Well I'm saving it for another day =) Hahas.

1 Corinthians 6:27-31
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

-I wasn't sure, but now I am certain.

Big Price, Satisfied?

Service was awesome today. Hahas, we celebrated national day too. Oh gosh, was so disappointing yesterday, wanted to see the fireworks from the indoor stadium. In the end, the condominiums blocked everything (well almost). We saw like 1/10 of it, a fraction, a tithe. But those fellas on the condos sure enjoyed -_-

But still it was fun! After the picnic, we went to leisure park. I didn't know there was this cool antique shop at the 3rd floor. Me and Joh left the group to check it out, I was determined to find a vintage batman figurine (I collect batman figures and batmobiles), and true enough i found one! John's the man. He bought it for me! Rocker. We bargained well =D Even though it didn't cost much, but still thanks John!

Isn't it true, buying expensive stuff does not mean gurantee the other party will definitely like it. But when you really have a heart for the person,you just know what to get. And it's those little things that you do that people will remember. So BIG price doesn't equal BIG satisfaction. It depends on the individual really. I'm simple and easily contented. To me, it's not about having what you want, it's wanting what you have that really matters.

Count your blessings today. Have a thankful heart. Soon, you'll realise you are actually blessed and fortunate. Yes, there will definitely be setbacks in life, but don't count the setbacks. Learn from them and move on. If you can grasp this, you'll realise happiness is also a choice. But you need to discipline your mind to achieve it. Block out the negative, think positive. I'm not saying you become naive and think everything as a simpleton does.

But gather good thoughts. Thoughts of peace, thoughts of joy, thoughts that will strengthen you. See, your mind is a a battlefield, so be wise even you are just thinking. One wrong thought can actually cripple you, and trap you. This may sound weird, but I think it is so important to, be wise with what you think.Your mind is a very powerful tool, whether you believe it or not. Creativity comes from there(heard of this word brainstorm?), knowledge is stored there, memories is hidden there, analytical ability comes from there, belief system, and so so much more. That is why it is so important to protect and guard it. Just one thought can/might change or shift your whole mindset.

Philipians 4:6-8

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(taken at russel's place) Le En and Me

Playing pool. Zec! I won!

-you'll never walk alone

Looking at the title, your first reaction may be, "hey, wait a minute.. is that a mistake? How on earth do you kill death?! Death kills YOU!"

Yes, don't get me wrong, I agree that death is in nature. Things die in the physical, whether it is natural or unnatural. And face it, we will die one day, it is a matter of sooner or later. We can't run away from it. We WILL die. Sorry to burst some of your bubbles.

See, we don't know when it will happen. But it will. Met John Tay, the other day and was talking with him. And he started sharing about this girl who was having eating disorders, and he said she is already in ICU (Intensive Care Unit), but she still refuses to eat! I was so shocked to hear that. She was dying but yet she REFUSED, did not want, hated to eat. Why? Because she thinks she is fat, she is not slim enough...

Yes, I sympathised her. But I was even angry! See, many people would die to live the life that we have, literally! Do you know that 53% of the world population survives on less than $2 a day? If you earn $4000 a month. You make about 100 times more than they do in a day! I tell you, we are so fortunate. Imagine the 53 out of a 100, surviving with 2 bucks a day! EAT? FOOD? They are starving! And right here, in the modern context world that we live in, we take all those things for granted.

See, many people will die to live the life that we have, but some people just live to die. (Rachel, I googled it, didn't find see it anywhere). Yes! I said that to John while walking in CitiLink. I think it is really sad. Don't you think so? Living to die? Some people just can't seem to get it.

Death, and dying won't solve the problem. It never will. It is what we do now, the life that we live now that matters. This life determines everything. Everything.

So wait. How can you KILL death? To tell you the truth, death is not just in the physical. But when i say death. It means eternal. Eternal death. Have you ever wondered, where on earth do I go after I die? I can only say this, whether you are a believer or not. The life that you live now determines that.

See, something powerful happened 2000 years ago. Something so signicant, that it was able to split timeline. (A.D. and B.C.) What was that event? The birth and Death of Jesus Christ. Something powerful happened when Jesus hung on the cross, and died (for us). He broke the curse of death, over our lives! He crushed it! KILLED it!

Who ever said it was over when you die?

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

MS FU WA JING JING

-thanks for waiting patiently =)