Currently I think I feel like I’m a David. A Jeremiah. In their seasons of trials and insecurities. Without even realizing we subtly trust on self. And that’s when the ‘wake up’ call came. And it came with quite a depressing effect. When we say trust God it seems easy. But in reality is it truly that easy?

Actually yes and no. If u are experiencing a dry season, like me right now. Picking the bone in the egg. Seeing the dirt in the mist of everything good and having a critical mindset about ourselves and always thinking about people’s opinion then it is hard to simply trust god like that.

You may be reading and studying the word but the attacks will still come. It happens. Then it makes you want to stop sitting at Jesus’s feet. This is very subconscious you may not even know it. But this is how you actually feel condemned and unworthy.

But take heed and remember every great man of God goes through trials and tribulations. We need to go back to their encounters put ourselves in their shoes at that period of time and think if we are in that situation. How difficult how painful it is!

Joseph knows that the Lord is always with him. And that made him overcome his trials. David constantly reminded himself that he is God’s beloved. And God himself reassure young Jeremiah when he is having doubts. And the best part of all these are that they are all true and real stories. If that can happen in the old testament before Jesus died in their place. How much more will it be for us today.

I googled the worst of things about self recently trying to find out if I indeed have a problem. And even prayed for a sign to let me know if I am on the right track. How far I have strayed.

It is right there at the moment that I just heard God telling me softly. To simply rest in His love. And He Himself will make me perfect in every season of my life. Such simple words. But it is the key to overcoming this.

For Joseph David and Jeremiah. Just one word from god can change their life. As long as they hold onto, grip tightly onto His promise.

David never look at himself in the natural when he threw the stone at Goliath. Why should I? Why am I looking at what I can do what should I do when all it takes is just to look to Jesus and find myself in Him!

I may not see the breakthroughs or fruits right now. But God says He will make me prefect in every season. of my life. And every good things come at His perfect timing. He only wants the best for us. But He will not let it to come too early in case it destroys us. Take things as they come for the grace from God is already superabounding in all circumstances that we are going to face.

If you are going through a dry season a rough patch of situation and can’t wait to get out of it. I hope this encourages you. Let’s all boast in our weakness so that we can see how God’s strengths can be fully manifested in that area.

Proverbs 25:11 says “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Start declaring blessings over ourselves. Speak and believe that we are everything God has called us to be!

So many things have happened throughout this year. Not just things that has happened to me but also events that has happened to friends and family.

God has really been faithful throughout this year. From the start of year 2011, the theme of the year is Psalms 65:11:

“You crown the year with your goodness, and richness overflows wherever you are.” – God’s Word Translation Bible

As seen, 2011 is a year that God has always crowned with His goodness. If you realize just how good our God is, you will be able to tap in the fullness of this goodness that He has for you.

Richness overflows everywhere we go because Jesus has already gone ahead of us, paved the way for us, open doors of opportunity for us, set people in our paths and working everything together for our good. See the supply no matter what situation you are in. Richness is in abundance wherever you are. Because where you are, there Jesus is. =)

So for this year, what is it that I wish to thank God for?

In fact, before I can start on the list, which by the way is never-ending, I would like to say that I am just reflecting on the ‘major’ things that has made a difference to my entire well-being and personal walk with Christ. There can never be a time whereby I am able to fully thank Him for all He has done for me. For I’m sure that there are much much more that He has done for me that I know not of.

1. Ministry

The first thing that came to my mind is ministry. Ever since I began serving in children’s church, I can see a difference in my life drastically. The way things happen around me, and how even though some might not began good, turned out to be blessings in disguise.  Through my ministry in which I serve God and am very happy through it all, I realise I have grown much. Spiritual especially.

And what happens from within, will slowly reflect on the outside. Because there is such a refreshing, such peace inside, things seem to become so much more beautiful around me. I feel like I have become closer with Abba God. Able to feel Him, experience Him, talk to Him. Especially when things are not working out right. It is like I am lesser and lesser relying on flesh. But more and more on His strength and power.

This year, I have stepped up to take on more responsiblity in the ministry. I know immediately that this is God working through me. However, initially I have my doubts. Doubts about myself. Thoughts like “Can I really do it? Am I well able to step into this new role? What is it that I can share with people? How can I do to impress others more?” and the most terrible thought is, “Did God really call me for this?”

I hate to but have to admit. This is a big challenge for me. Even till now. Time and time again I need to catch myself. Because the ‘instinct’ to go back to our fleshly thought is so subtle, so easy, that I forget who is The One who appointed me. Who is The One that truly works through me.

I need to take firm hold of the fact of 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” – God’s Word Translation Bible

Since He is the one who called me to this. It is all dependable on Him. Afterall, what am I, who am I, if not for Him?

For this coming year 2012, I will constantly expect to see how God works through me. How He put His words into my mouth to help me minister to people. I will also see that because I am the righteousness of God in Christ, I shall be bold and be able to see things and do things and say words that are far beyond my age. Wisdom is He in me. And wisdom and favour shall increase more and more in all that I set to do. For He is with me. He will do all the work.

2. Studies

As I grow, I begin to realise that every decision we make can direct our paths in life. That is why no matter what decision it is, seek God first and let Him guide you. He will give you the desire to do things that you will enjoy, that is ‘you’.

Years ago, I merely wanted to work and gain experience and work and work and then get married, have kids and continue working. I do not ever want to study. Firstly, this is because I felt like I have studied for almost 15 years, wow this is enough. And secondly, who wants to do homework go through exams again? This is something I can control. I don’t want to go through this. So studies is not an option ever since I began working.

But I realise, God’s dream for us is so much bigger than our own dream. What we dream of is based on what we have seen and heard as long as we live. But God is outside time. He is big and know everything. He has big dreams for you because you His beloved child. And most importantly, because He knows you will use His strength and wisdom to achieve that.

So anyway, suddenly, there is this prompting to check out on this professional course. It’s a course to become Chartered Secretary. Expensive and not so easy. Wow, discouraging.

But I have learnt, to follow the prompting. That is the holy spirit who is my helper, who will guide me teach me in ALL THINGS. I prayed and asked God. And then if you don’t have an answer still, pray some more. Talk to Him even more. Talk to elders in the church as per what people did in the bible. But please don’t expect them to give you a direction, to tell you what to do. Their words, however, should be able to identify with what you feel. You should feel the peace from within.

And then, I just knew. This is it. God proves Himself to be the giver, the supplier He said He would be. Money came. Mum won lottery twice within 2 months or less. I had the highest bonus paid.

So this coming 2012, I am going for classes! Praise Jesus. I see the spirit of understanding coming to me. His holy spirit to guide and teach me in all that I am supposed to know. I expect to see God perform the miracles again. Time to get excited!

3.  Protection

A year of crowned goodness, paths dripping with riches. All because Jesus’s shield of protection is around me and He has gone ahead for me already. So many things that has happened that God has kept me and my family from. His hand of protection covering over us. Over the land that we live in. And over angry people.

We can be as careful as we want to in life. But this is us. We cannot control the actions of others. And how it will in turn affect us. This is when we must be so thankful that God is with us. Never ever will He leave our side. Therefore be rest assured that you are well-kept under His wings. No harm no evil shall ever befall us.

Jus recently, at this korean BBQ place. A waitress dropped 2 trays of bbq metal hot plates on the ground. Which were very near me. Jus diagonally behind me in fact. But then nothing happened to me. Not even a speck of the crumbs or anything, not even a dust from that mishap came near me. It was as if Jesus was standing there facing me, and used His body to shield that from even coming near me.

In these end times, protection is what we needed the most. However fear not, because Christ is there with you. Walking beside you. Looking out for everything that might be harmful for you. See that shield of protection that is always there, shielding you.

~ ~ ~

For year 2012, expect the fullness of God’s blessings to rain and pour upon  you. Let this be a year hat you will walk by faith, not by sight. For what we can see is temporal, but what is unseen, is eternal. Angels are all working for  you. Goodness and mercy shall follow you all throughout your life.

Start thanking God for what you have and God will increase whatever that you have. Expect and take from God.

See Him not just as an almighty God. But also as a loving Father. When you know God’s heart towards you, you will start to ask more from Him. His heart is so full of love and goodness and treasures for you.

First of all woke up eary on a public holiday and went over to the hotel ballroom for meet up and help in our operations and logistics matters for my children church teachers’ appreciation event. It has been a long long day. Long but meaningful, with a purpose and most importantly, very very full of Christ’s presence.

At night went for Hillsong God is Able Tour.

I strongly believe that this is not a coincidence for these 2 events to happen together on the same day.

God wants to set his people up for a blessing and for his people to bless others too.

However, when God does that, the devil starts to attack.

During our children church appreciation event for the teachers, I was suppose to overseer the registration, door gift & crowd control role. Like the previous year, everything happened in a rush and was very hectic. All of us don’t even have time to drink even some water.

Things get better after we closed our registation counters. But then there’s packing to do and boxes stuffs to move about. Once again, all happened very quickly.

When everything starts to slow down and everyone began taking food the devil attacks started. I began feeling just a little bit dizzy and light headed. But I know I need to at least eat something so I had some light bites. Well, which left me feeling rather nausea and basically not very comfortable. It wasn’t bad. But it was definitely uncomfortable. So much so that while watching the programme, I had a thought to actually NOT attend the Hillsong Concert! Serious. This is how the devil attacks you.

But you know, my God is almighty and powerful and how would He let His own beloved suffer? He who did not even spare HIS OWN SON JESUS. What will He not do FOR YOU darling?

Somewhere in the midst during the apprecation item with the UV Lights about Christ and us and “Thank U” in the end. I felt really touched. Words are not adequte to descibe that moment. Even as now I’m writing this I felt this rush off emotions flooding through me. This item was so impactful that even though our sound went off and also gotten jerky out of beats at time, God’s message to us still comes to us so clear and forceful.

I truly felt that God really really loves me and likes me. I really know and feel that He is thanking me for what He has called me to do by first giving me that grace to do so. How wonderful is that??

It feels even much much more than a tight hug of appreciation. God Himself is thanking me and showing me just how much He likes me through this whole thing. I am very overwhelmed. Even right now.

I remembered telling Him then as I was watching the item that “Lord, do not make me cry.” And well I gain control. But it was really so touching so very impactful and most of all I feel really loved by Him. Personally.

Not am I just highly favoured. I’m also well pleasing to Him. But it’s not me or by my works at all. It’s all through Jesus who is in me who is flowing and working through me yet God rewards who? Me. I am really in awe. This is MY GOD. I am so proud of that.

Fast forward. At the end of the event. I got up. Thinking to do what I have to do. And then I realised. Hey! I m back to normal!! I am definitely tired yes. But I am definitely NOT uncomfortable. Not at all. No nausea feeling whatsoever. Well, maybe just really really really hungry. Haha.

Very thankful to Jesus who helped me through this and helped me make it to Hillsong Concert which once again, like our event, was impactful and Christ centered. Not only me, I know that each and every person in the auditorium felt that strong anoninting when we were worshipping our Lord our Jesus.

Well, in this case you should be very amazed. Because me, who had a long tiredsome day, actually jumped and danced during the worship! I am very amazed in case you are not!

Jesus is indeed my strength. Whatever I need I just have to look to Him and there I find it. Guess what. And all along He has been looking at YOU. He’s just waiting for you to turn to Him and ask.

Life has realy changed and I have definitely grown from glory to glory once I started serving the Lord. Because it is not me. Not my efforts nor my strength or my wisdom (if any lol). But all Him. Who LIVES IN ME. That is a big WOW. Jesus living inside you working through you leading you guiding you what more do you need? And then He rewards you! Wow wow wow. (BTW I won shopping vouchers ONCE AGAIN. I won it last year too woohoo~ And we also won BEST DRESSED TEAM Award 300 bucks woohooo!)

Even right now, physically I am really tired. But inwardly, I am so refreshed so happy so so so loved. So very overwhelmed.

God indeed uses the simple things to confound the mighty.

I am not wise. I am young. I am not worldy. But because I have Him. All that I am right now are all given by Him. And best part is? I don’t even have to work for it. It’s freey given! Unmerited and unlimited favour always raining upon me.

If you are a server, kudos to you and do know you are very very very well pleasing to God. Take some time and hear His voice and feel His embrace.

But remeber this; The bible says to not get so busy doing the things of the kingdom that you forget who the King is.

Do not forget we are serving a faithful mighty loving God. He who is faithful will never forget your labour of love and will instead reward you for what He has first given you the grace to do what He called you to do!

Lastly, Jesus loves you. Regardless of whether you are serving Him. He loves you dearly and He loves you perfectly no other person can.

Always remember to spend some time with Him. He is always waiting for you to talk to Him for you to run into His loving tender arms that will also hug you so very tightly! He misses you when you don’t talk too Him.

So go. Go run into His arms of love. His arms that will fight for you in order to love you.

If you can actually finished reading this piece of entry full of my grammaric errors. Thank you and pardon my mistakes. =)

I really do hope this little episode of mine will touch your heart and enourage you in your walk with God.

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currently playing: Unmerited Favour – I Sing Hosanna Album

love from the locket girl, eli.

and so here are the little snippets of our lives. simple pure yet full of happiness and meaning.

participating in some random night walk shit.

& our one other indulgence. doing our nails!

we enjoy fast food, like Wendy’s!

other than this, we enjoy fine dining too.

sometimes we specially take leave to go out for some fun!

like… the universal studios!

there *will be* an entry on this.

and for our most recent scare, our halloween at the night safari~

there *will be* an entry on this too!

- that’s all folks! -

mini update: i’m having a mini birthday bash tomorrow! big 23 come monday! hooray!!!~

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currently playing: Bryan Adams– “(Everything I Do) I Do it for You”

love from the locket girl, eli.

So go on and hug those you love and tell them that you love them. =)

& here’s a fantastic wedding blog that i totally dig: http://www.oncewed.com/

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currently playing: Pink – “Please Don’t Leave Me”

love from the locket girl, eli.

Quick! Come on & join the Dailybooth now!

Remember to follow cool peeps like Ashton & Demi! I am so mighty loving them.

pictures of the gang and more.

Doroeleora is just minding her own business i guess. and me suddenly developing a camera shy thingy.

the other lady over there was just plain hyper.

& the poor camera girl on the left has like 0 interest in soccer but comes join us for the fun of it all.

& yes, the gang extends to the other table. fion with her little baby bump, looking way too shocked.

a picture of the crowd that has gathered as the time drew near.

guess which match were we watching!

failed to mention where we were. it’s at The Chambers at Church Street. nothing fantastic except they serve real good chicken wings with yummy hot chilli.

& a last picture for the night after the match ended. brazil 0 portugal 0.

hope you babies been doing well. i’ve been way too slack these days. lagging on might loads of stuffs. lazy bug infecting every parts of me at every minute of the day. and i blame it all on the world cup! very convenient.

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currently playing: Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Have you ever seen the rain”

love from the locket girl, eli.

ITALY

I don’t care that they have already been kicked out in the group stages. I love love them!

Be updating again soon!

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currently playing: Al Stewart – “Time Passages”

love from the locket girl, eli.

we had fun. laughed. played. sang. posed. screamed. and jumped.

i love these.

and we really enjoyed JJ Lin‘s wonderful performance.

& loving the people beside me.

thanks for tolerating my crazy screams! XOXO

i reeeeeeeeeeeeally love concerts! <3

P/s: sorry for the not so good quality of pictures.

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currently playing: JJ Lin – “背對背擁抱 Back To Back”

love from the locket girl, eli.