Newness

Newness : in the most recent form, period, or development.
The theme in recent times.

Friends
Family
Work
and spiritual life refreshment after some sad realisation.

Thank God for a lesson on humility.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; - 2 Corinthians 3:5

My prayer : Lord, please be my ALL in ALL.

Tomorrow is the big day - months of suspicions and suspension will unfold. I don't know about tomorrow, but I know God holds it in His sovereign hands.

人生十大点

微笑露一点，

说话轻一点，

脾气小一点，

做事多一点，

理由少一点，

脑筋活一点，

效率高一点，

行动快一点，

嘴巴甜一点，

肚量大一点。

***

某些人的信任，

是一点一点儿建立起来的。

我的信任，

完整付出，

然后一点一点儿消失。

May Murmur

I hope you had a great year and managed to avoid the worst of the rain on Saturday for those living in Perth.

Personally, it's very much a "get going" type of year. I shall not bore anyone with the details!

With so much going on in life at present, it's really important to maintain my focus on God so I wanted to resume blogging to reflect on God's hands of goodness at work.

That's it for this entry. Just a quickie to say hello. Take care and God bless!

Until then...

Rug up for Winter is coming!

February Murmur

Hello February
Hello New Year
Hello little ones

Goodbye lies
Goodbye 2012
Goodbye you

Been thinking about: Pretentiousness.

Seeing with my own eyes,
Hearing from others their disappointment too,
Somebody's words and actions mismatch,
Underneath your smile something fades.

I had so many questions within,
Until the LORD said, Doest thou well to be angry? (Jonah 4:4)
Your departure says there's no need,
I still thank God for the times we shared.

I'll pray for you with true sincerity & love,
That the Lord Almighty directs your path;
I'll pray for me with deep humility & shame,
That the root of bitterness defiles not man.

October Murmur

A rainy day today.. weather-wise AND emotion-wise.

Though I greatly adore damp-air, courtesy of the tropical environment I grew up in, I pray that my soul may not turn mouldy from the 'spiritual dampness' (ie impatience) that's been trying to creep into my heart.

Below is a small portion from my mornng devotion that helped to direct my impatient heart back to God:

The Bible records God’s “delays”, many of which seem at the time to be inexplicable from our point of view. Yet every delay flows from the depths of His wisdom and love. If nothing else, delay, if we accept it, can produce the quieter virtues - humility, patience, endurance, and persistence - qualities that are often the last to be learned.

"Every delay flows from the depths of his wisdom and love." What great encouragement for those waiting on the Lord! God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time, wise words I once heard from somebody. Indeed, God's wisdom is infinite, God's mercy is inexaustable. Thank God I am waiting on the Almighty God Who knows me (and my desires!) personally. There is no need to fret, heart, God is near.

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW

By Ira F. Stanphill

 I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry over the future, For I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is a head.

Every step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden’s getting lighter, Every cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye,

At the ending of the rainbow. Where the mountains touch the sky,

I don’t know about tomorrow, It may bring me poverty;

But the one who feeds the sparrow Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me And I’m covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

PS. Finished reading the book of 1 Corinthians last night (finally) *wipe sweat*. It took a little while this time.. Hehe.. Thank God for His rich grace sustaining me through the Bible reading thus far, especially on nights when I don't feel very motivated to do quiet time.

PPS. Wednesday is catching up again.. and no clue as yet on which verse I'll share. Maybe a verse on waiting? Mmmm..

Confession

My heart string's been tucking lately,

I'll give you a small clue...



*love*

Smiling Rain Cloud

Hmm..
not often that one would wake up with a smile,

but it happened to me this morning. 

Two guests named calm and happiness paid me a special visit.

Hehe..
Thank God for this wonderful expression that I don't use often enough!

So many languages in the world, and a smile speaks them all :)

被人誤解的時候能微微的一笑，這是一種素養；

受委屈的時候能坦然的一笑，這是一種大度；

吃虧的時候能開心的一笑，這是一種豁達；

處窘境的時候能自嘲的一笑， 這是一種智慧；

無奈的時候能達觀的一笑，這是一種境界；

危難的時候能泰然一笑，這是一種大氣；

被輕蔑的時候能平靜的一笑，這是一種自信；

失戀的時候能輕輕的一笑，這是一種灑脫。

不管是有什麼事情，為了什麼原因，

我們每天都要開心一笑~

A Full Cup of Happiness

Coming back from holidays I have been careful not to drink too much coffee. Reason being that I need sleep. During the holiday my body was in overdrive - lots of walking & activities during the day on little sleep recharge at night. Now my body clock is confused. It sleeps late yet wakes up before the birds.

So I looked for something to substitue the daily caffine fix, especially with the weather being so chilly. Nothing like a hot cuppa to warm up the belly (and hands and nose hehe).

Introducing my new morning routine: vanilla scented chai milk tea. Have to say that I am in love with this drink. Weird. Never been a fan until recently...

I chose Twinings' light flavoured chai as I wasn't confident about spicy tea. So far, every cup of vanilla chai milk tea has been sheer enjoyment. This morning I dunked three Monte Carlo in the drink then went back for more biccies to dunk with! Talk about finding a happy place - tea infused snack!

Good stuff ought to be shared with good friends.

Drink me chai :)

♥ of the week



alpaca soft toy

(fluffy dream)

and,

arnott's lemon crisp

(biscuitry genius)

♥

Hello.

Just want to say that I miss blogging

Hoping to restart soon

:)

Having a bad day? I was!

My carpool buddy, Miss K, was feeling tired and exhausted this morning from a lack of asleep. I on the other hand was feeling deflated about work and other issues. Hehe. Imagine being in the same car with two moody ladies! 

As we shared with one another our cross, Miss K was reminded of something which refreshed our noisy souls. She'd heard from a female speaker that if we were to ever feel moody and forecast a bad day ahead, stop and think that God was the planner of that day (and all that will happen)!

So a practical lesson here for me: bring the day under His Lordship (Jim Berg) and have a good time :)

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

Every day is worth rejoicing over because it is a day that God has made ^^

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive" Jeremiah 29:11-14

Feb Murmur

3:16 am

I am career mapping,

Action planning,

Performance assessing.

Uninspired,

Brain juice dried up,

Eyelids are falling heavy.

*zzz*

Wake up!

Back to work,

Tomorrow's freedom awaits.

*pours another coffee*

My dear sleepy friends.

Cheers.

Forty Winks

Sleep
=

Recharge

Big day on Thursday:

Two-hour exam,

Uniform fitting,

Workshop till five.

Claiming lots of travel :)

Thank God for tonight's progress,

and tomorrow's study leave.

Good sleep to you!

Life Update [photos]

*whoosh whoosh*

Cleaning away blog dust :)

It’s been a while since I posted some proper photos on my blog, which reminds me how many things have happened in my life in the first month of 2012.

Some of you may already know, I'm finally a home owner! Thank God for the whole journey and a smooth settlement finish. Got the keys two weeks ago so begins the wait to move in. In the mean while I'm keeping busy with Cert IV studies for work and bible in a year.

This year I am using the The Daily Walk Bible to do Bible in a year. I also downloaded the Glo Bible App which is a great little tool. The Media Lens on the app is my favourite, it sometimes has maps, virtual tours videos, artwork and photos related to a particular Bible passage. I really enjoyed browsing the virtual tour on the Israelite camp in the wilderness as described in the book of Exodus. Unfortunately the version I have is the lite version so not all the materials are available :)

Anyway, some photos from my January 2012.

Outdoor Picnic & studying
Beautiful weather & great company

Homeware window shopping
How many items have I bought thus far? 

~ZERO~

Keeping a little resolution to not shop on impulse

But how cute is this mug right!

On the topic of impulse, which is an emotion, Miss K and I have been going through a sermon series on Biblical Emotions by Brian Borgman (GCC). This series consists of 20 sermons and four categories: Biblical Foundations, Sanctification & Our Emotions, Mortifying Ungodly Emotions, and Cultivating Godly Emotions. I'll write a separate blog entry next time and post some of my notes for your reference. If you'd like to get started on listening to the sermons, the link is here.

Coffee fellowship

A lot of you lately
Sorry my beloved tea
I'll return soon

Meeting baby Simon at Jason's birthday dim sum lunch
He's so chubby & cute!

Absolutely adorable & super cuddly

The girls at Harbour Town

Has Miss K found her dream outfit?
I will defend her fashion sense

Tacit collusion of the bows
Ultimate jiemei unity

Whose shoe is who?

Coffee Girls vs Tea Girls
It was a tie
Regardless of what the Coffee Girls may claim

Din din :)
Nom nom nom
more nom

Holiday planning
!!!

Silly AMEX played up
Foregoing our free travel insurance rights

130 days to go (or something like that)

Thanks Miss K for keeping the count down for us

The Bank's offer
Generous much?

Gloria Jeans
Favourite hangout before work

Flat white perfection

30 Years
Or maybe not?

Steamboat & BBQ at EEe
Food & friend meet place

My friend

Now holidaying in Thailand

Sawadeeka

BBQing into the night
Feeding the mozzies
But it doesn't stop us

Learning how to read in Korean

A much needed skill put off for too long
Can't let the jiemeis down

It's here :)

The Dyson came a few weeks ago
Everyone at work has been nagging me to give them a review

Sorry, but I'm not going to play with it until after the exam

It's now sitting by the staircase and no one is allowed to touch it hehe

Looking forward to it though, a little prize

Before the next course begins

Lunch

Finally checked out this place

Got lost in it for 3 hours

Will be back soon :)

CYN Eve dinner

Sun and Chi unite

A dangerous union to cut off the buffet food supply

40 Degrees hot

The upper floor cooks like an oven

Yet there's studying to be done

So Dad heard his daughter's cry

And made this ingenious lunch

Traditional Korean cold noodle

Oz Day Fireworks

Lightening & gunpowder
A sky show from Heaven

An awe day of Oz Day Outreach

Worth the heat battle

To experience God's Hand at work

I will remember this day

How God is in control of everything

The weather obeys His commands

Sneak Peek

First picture

More to come?

Keys!

Cardboard boxes one by one
Packing memories and goodies
Ready for another chapter
Around the corner

Literally!!

The final countdown

Sleep deprived

That's how I am

Stayed up again last night

Jotting down findings at the final house inspection

Tomorrow is the day

I pinch my cheeks

Settlement at noon

I'm a nervous wreck

Lots of running around today

Making phone calls
and dashing to the bank

Getting ready at my end to honour the deal

Today

God's goodness proven once again

The Seller's prompt actions

The Property Manager's initiative

All declare Thy works

The Lord is good

With a strong hand

and with a stretched out arm

His mercy endureth for ever

Two more items

From prayerful to thankful on the list

To God be the glory

Finished Genesis

'I am a Joseph in progress'

May I never fail to rejoice

that 'God meant it unto good'

♥

Give me Jesus

January Murmur

有時候天下一場雨, 

是因為世界需要洗一洗; 

有時候眼睛下雨了, 

是因為心需要洗一洗~

♥

好喜歡好喜歡這幾句話

因為小雨點愛流眼淚

是個名副其實的愛哭鬼

原來是在洗心呀

呵呵～

✿

今天去看了房子

Final Inspection

帶了一疊紙

倒數星期五過戶

有那麼地一些些感覺到

我是這房子的主人

緊張，開心，擔憂，雀喜

五味雜陳

到了門口

看見招牌上貼著 "SOLD"

嘴角忍不住上揚

很是開心

嗯，沒錯

笑～

❁

最後

我心裏深處的話

用詩歌替代

哈利路亚

♪

感謝主

賜我力量面對試煉

每時每刻得以成長

當主引導我

哦我感謝主

在試煉裡學習忍耐

在成長的過程中

學習去關懷

可是這卻要違背自己

將過去的自己拋棄

且要讓聖靈來帶領所有一切

因當試煉來臨

我自己卻要故意不遵行

讓主的慈聲輕易地被我忘記

感謝主，每逢各樣試煉來臨

主必同在遠離錯誤

領我行義路

因主祢應許

在各樣試練中

祢教導我如何接受重新得力量

我們感謝祢賜我生活得更新

縱有萬事纏繞著我

生命更得力

我要感謝主

雖然環境橫逆險阻

我深信必能見主面

因主就在其中

Al...most...th...ere...so...close

Hello 2012. So excited to see you.

Now that the holidays are OVER and I'm getting back to routine as usual, I am really starting to get excited about many things.

Especially - 3 out 11 stages complete.

You must think I'm mad.

*smiles*

Twenty Eleven

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

I was writing today's date that it dawned on me this was going to be the last day for writing '2011'. It's hard to believe that the year is ending. I can look at this year and say it has been a year of 'seasons'. Indeed, a year of seeking and waiting, of weeping (a lot) and laughing, of keeping and casting away. All in all, this year was a good year. Trials, transitions, joys, growth, and all.

TRIALS

The unexpected theme this year.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5)

The biggest trial of 2011 is undoubtedly the search for a house. It began in March and continued throughout the year. The above verses have brought me back to God over and over again in times of weakness. I earnestly sought God's blessing in this matter but wasn't quite prepared for how tough it was! Through all the house inspections, research, unsuccessful offers and everything else that has been given to my portion I really, really thank God for this trial. It's been extremely draining both physically and emotionally - God has truly been my rock through it all. This year I have learnt more about waiting on God - that He strengthens those who wait and helps us to be patient. It is so true! His wondrous grace is so endless and available through prayer and obedience to His will. I trust that God allows trials to happen for growing my faith. No matter how heavy my burdens are, God's with me and the Atonement will heal my broken spirit.

TRANSITIONS

Mostly work related. New team, new training, new role, new manager, new education, new responsibilities are some of the transitions this year. Really thank God for seeing me through each new environment and for all the blessings undeserved. It has been a memorable year of work and a blessed year of productivity because of God's graciousness.

JOYS

This past year, has been that, a year of joy. The Lord caused my hart to rejoice in the marriage of two friends, in the fruitful fellowships I've had and other events too many to list. Reading through the New Testament has also been a source of joy. The Word of God has been my teacher and oft times a timely encouragement. I thank God for helping me to read the Bible, there are many passages I don't understand. I look forward to another year of learning and time with God.

GROWTH

All of the above has grown my faith. I am growing (little by little), because God is at work. In the year to come I pray to live more faithfully in my daily struggles.

2012 stares me in the face. Another year is closing it is not the end. My work on earth is not yet completed; there is more to accomplish for the Lord. More spiritual homework and room to grow in loving the Lord.

I know not what is coming. But it is coming. May I usher in this New Year with faith, trust, and thanksgiving. Thank God for seeing me through thus far, and for giving me all I need to move forward through the days, months, and years ahead, until the day He comes to take me home.

Blessed New Year and warmest wishes for 2012 to all of you. Let's all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

God bless ♥

My Vacuum Cleaner

It's been two years and we never bonded. I don't like it. It is heavy and awkward and the hose is stiff and it mocks me by falling to its belly every corner I turn. Because of it, I dread vacuuming! I avoid using it if at all possible. I use it only under duress, leavng mum to war the evil machine.

Over the years it has lost significant suction power. Now it struggles to pick anything up. The poor thing has seen better days. It is time to move on and find ourselves a new one.

After much research, my next vacuum will be a Dyson. To be honest, compared to my old vacuum which was just a dust sprayer, anything will shine. But for long lasting sparkles, I've decided to invest in a Dyson. I won't rave about it here as I don't own one yet, but it isn't short of compliments from owners all over the world.

My question is: How on this planet can a person decide what Dyson to buy?