Life as it is

I think my packed holiday schedule of camps, outings, going out with friends is finally taking its toil on me. Feeling the effects now, but I won't complain.

Just reminded of what Ate Joy spoke to me about in the morning (we were roommates for 1 or 2 nights during the ecamp) when I woke up around 6+. (We were stuck in a 3 and a half hour traffic jam the night before en route to south Cebu) She asked me how I was doing, and I replied that I was quite tired. She then told me in a serious tone that I have to learn to ''discipline my body'' like Paul did, and then run the race. I was taken aback, but I remembered reflecting on what she said for the rest of the day. Really respect Ate Joy and her discipline, and it was truly my privilege to be able to room with her.

So, in a way, I just really want to thank God for everything that He has given to me. Thank You Jesus for being my Best Friend, my Lord, my Comforter, my Helper, my everything. With You just reflects my heart for now.

You have been so good to me
How can I find the words to thank You?
Healer of broken hearts and broken dreams
Lord, I never cease to praise You

I am constantly amazed
You are a God forever faithful
As I look back on my history of grace
How could I be anything but grateful?

// doreeen

End of a life chapter for me

I've been in my church youth group for coming to 5 years now, and as much as I'm reluctant to close that chapter, I have to move on to young adults, especially after my parents' firm decision for me.

I remember the first time I stepped into GLCC, I was moved by the warmth and welcome of the people, including every single one of the youth then - Melody, Yufei, Elizabelle, Claudia, Giolo etc. My first youth meeting was the screening of Fireproof, and other than the movie that moved my heart, the people at that youth meeting treated me as if I was already part of them, which really moved me greatly.

Then, after the Lord touched me in a special way, I felt moved to join Street Evangelism (or Street E in short) because I was excited to tell people about the power and the love of Jesus. I still long for souls to be saved everyday, for people to experience the amazing love of Jesus like what I experience. I also joined the Youth Ministry, because I wanted to reach other newcomers and welcome them like I was welcomed.

The past 5 years in Youth taught me so much, and I made so many new friends. Though many came and left, I still pray that the youth will continue growing and reaching more for the Kingdom. It is my heartbeat for youths to love the Lord and fix their eyes on where true joys can only be found - in Jesus, and help others to experience that great love of God.

I guess I should be grateful that I've had an extra 2 years with you all when the youth extended the age limit to JC and poly kids, but I guess the time has come for me to move on.

I am truly so thankful that I have had the privilege to serve with so many of you, whether through youth camp or other means, and every one of you have made an impact on my life in some way or another. Really sad to leave especially after all the new friendships forged in this youth camp, but I believe God has a plan for me. One day, maybe the Lord will lead me back to the youth again to serve. Praying for y'all!

// doreeen

Study sleep repeat

One down, 3 more to go!

Feels as if I'm taking the Alevels all over again. It's so tough to survive the exam period, having to focus and concentrate all the time, and try to put off procrastination. 

At least it's just about 1 more week to go!!

// doreeeen

Verse of the Day

Ephesians 3:20 ''Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.''

What a great God we serve! Know that your prayers do not go unheard, and that Jesus is constantly interceding for us when we pray. God is able to take our prayers and answer it in an amazing way, that we may not have imagined.

It may not be something we ask for, or the answer that we expected sometimes. But have faith that God is not holding something back from us, but He is working all things for our good! :)

Keep pressing on in the faith!

Little snippet on Switzerland

So Switzerland is an amaaaaazing country, with beautiful scenery. It's essentially my dream retirement place. Haha. 

So we arrived in Interlaken West in the early afternoon and the weather was nice and cool. From the moment we got off the train, we were treated to a view of beautiful blue skies and towering mountains. Our home for the next few days would be Swiss Inn Hotel and Apartments. Their owners were really friendly and hospitable, and provided great service for us. 

So our room had a balcony, which presented a breathtaking view which looked something like this, only pictures do the view little justice at all. 

The view from the balcony of snow-capped mountains at such a close range took our breath away. It was just amazing, that my brother and I just sat on the chairs in the balcony and gazed at the view for hours on end. It was just so surreal for us, because we were so used to seeing concrete and HDB buildings outside our windows in Singapore but this was like 'another world' for us.

On the next day after we arrived, we headed for the beautiful Lake Brienz which we heard great reviews about.

This was the view at the Interlaken West train station. Feat. Lake Thun and snow-capped mountains <3

After shopping at Coop (their supermarket) at Interlaken Ost train station, where we decided to packet lunch to eat at Lake Brienz, we headed off for Lake Brienz.

This was the view we got the moment we stepped off the train. Just like a scene off the Lord of the Rings.

Amazing views all around. As we sat on the benches, eating our packet lunches, we admired and gazed at the snow-capped mountains and the sparkling (I'm not exaggerating here!) turquoise blue waters of Lake Brienz. These waters are said to be glacier waters. 

P.S. None of these pictures were filtered. Just a snippet of how genuinely beautiful Switzerland is.

Just a pity that the cruise on Lake Brienz wasn't open, as we were in Switzerland between end winter and early spring. But still such a great privilege to be able to see such beautiful creation by God <3

Stay tuned for more on my trip //

// doreeeen.

Eager anticipation

So glad that this week has passed. It was essentially the hardest week ever, because of the stressful 3h practical test and the 2 CAs. But it's over! :)

Wishing all A level students all the best for tomorrow! It'll pass quickly, just keep pressing on towards the end. Don't give up after one paper, no matter how bad it is, just keep studying and looking forward!

So can't wait for finals to be over. Although I have camps every week after finals, it's still something to look forward to :) And youth camp!!! Essentially my favourite time of the year, plus this year's ecamp.

Just one more month to go!

// doreeeen

Ecamp 2014

Isn't this view just great? Taken in Cebu, Philippines. I just miss it there so much sometimes.

Remember the time especially when we travelled to Bogo, north Cebu, when it was a 3-4 hour journey from the city by van. Our van was all youths, and I remember someone was playing music via bluetooth in the van. 

As I just stared out of the window while the rest were falling asleep, I felt so moved when I saw the village life of the people there. And then this song just played,'' What a joy to give my life away to You.'' Obviously, it's been my dream for 4 years to go to the Philippines for the e-camp, and the experience was just amazing. 

When I think about how the youths sang together whenever a familiar song played in the van, or during the 5h jam to south Cebu when Luzerne and Eishen rotated playing the acoustic guitar that somehow always was in our van, it brings back really fond memories. It was like non-stop worship when Luzerne just kept playing different worship songs in the van during the jam, which really kept our spirits up, even though it was close to 10+ and we were tired and hungry. 

But my favourite moment yet was when we travelled up the mountains on our last real day of the ecamp to share the gospel. It was early morning, around 8+. Our van was all Singaporean youths this time and Yufei suggested a morning worship session. Once again, the acoustic guitar was in our van and Luzerne was the guitarist. We started singing I could Sing of Your Love Forever as the first song, and immediately it was such a memorable moment because we travelled over mountains and seas as we sang it. It was like the Holy Spirit was in our presence that very moment which was amazing. We also sang How Great is Our God, amidst a few others. 

Really an amazing experience. Unforgettable.

Perspective and change 💫

That was a random title I thought of. Haha.

But anyway, you can't imagine how draining this week was for me. 3 labs in the same week (2 on the same day!) is just killer, having to complete all the prelabs and quizzes and then having to concentrate fully for 3 hours. I barely did anything this week except to do my prelabs and print lecture notes sigh.

Oh and I find it really amusing how I get out of the house at 6.30 everyday and still be late for lectures. Together with my OG mates. Haha. It's like some sort of adventure every morning. It's like almost a standard to miss 2 or 3 D2s everyday. But I think we got the trick on how to catch D2 to go to Utown just recently. And we've been early for the past 2 days! Lol I think we can totally write a book: How to Catch a D2. Haha.

Making capsules sounds fun but it was so hard for me. But really thank God for my new bench mates (cos my sink at my original bench was leaking so I got transferred) who helped me so much, really thank you guys! :') The other labs were more or less okay, just need a lot of focus and concentration.

This week was also the first VCF contact group, but by 7 my brain was shutting down for the day and my body battery level was dying after 2 consecutive labs so I was really drained and exhausted. Sorry for not contributing much! :(

Yesterday was my first Combined Prayer Gathering, a great time of worship and message and prayer to end off the week. Really moved by the message by Dr Ho. 

Exodus 14:14 ''The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.''

Been asking myself a lot of hard questions this week, not really academic questions but more of life questions. I really don't want to come out of uni just with good results and nothing else, but I really want to come out of uni saying, through it all, I have seen and experienced Jesus more everyday. My motto for the next 4 years: With all I am, for you Lord. I don't know what may come my way, Lord, but I choose to trust You. It may be hard, it may be painful, it may be trying, but I choose to follow You. 

// doreeeen