DEAR GRANDMA

Dear grandma,

your life has been such a blessing, an impact to many. You have always took care of others, thought of others instead of yourself. Most importantly, the love you shower upon your children has been so contagious, even your grandchildren have been infected with that love. You have proudly raised up great children who are finally ready to carry the responsibilty of continuing your legacy. Your grandchildren have also witnessed the life you led and we are thankful for the many things you've done for us (ie. buying ice-cream, little toys n cups, saving our fav. food etc...)

As for granddad, i'm sure he misses you and loved you so much. While you were alive, I saw how granddad cared for you even though sometimes you were a bit hot-tempered n demanding. However, during the wake n funeral, he showed a side of himself we as grandchildren will probably never have a chance to see. He loves you deeply. And i hope that he will remain strong for you till he sees you in heaven.

Grandma, we all miss you, i especially miss you very much. No more calls of asking me to come down and drink my favourate soup, or eat the saved-up chocolate or durian. No more calls of asking me to come down and bring the cute little toys you buy for me. No more little jokes and stories about the old days when u were little. Though your voice may never be heard of again, the memories of you will always linger on.

I hope you are doing well there, seeing the Master's face. No more pain, no more suffering. We will meet again soon grandma. I love you very much. And the lipton cup that you always pester me to use just before you left for the hospital...i'll remember to bring back to australia n use it. And don't worry, i wouldn't let anyone else use it. Okay. Till we meet again.



Love from your eldest granddaughter,
Cheryl

ROAD TO ETERNITY

Life is but a stopping place
A pause in what's to be
A resting place along the road
To sweet eternity

We all have different journeys
Different paths along the way
We are all meant to learn some things
But never meant to say

Our destination is a place
Far greater than we know
For some the journey's quicker
For some the journey's slow

But when the journey finally ends
We'll claim a great reward
And find an everlasting peace
Together with the Lord

This week hasn't been the best week for me. Nai Nai (grandma in chinese) passed away on thursday which was very unexpected. Yes, she was in the hospital for a week due to a major stroke. But all of us thought that she was recovering well when she started to chat with us, eat well and was able to move. However, due to complications in her internal organs, her organs failed and got infected. Thus leading to her last days on earth.

And the last 4 days have been a tough one, a tiring one that the whole family had to go through. What a roller coaster ride for me personally...physically n mentally. I remember on tt thursday when we were all at the hospital hoping for the best at the bedside, one moment we were all afraid n crying that nai nai will pull through, the next moment we HAD to take a break from all these emotional stress n think of the funny things nai nai did while she was still among us.

So the funeral was today...and looking back, i was glad that i went up there and made a speech to bid my nai nai farewell. Dad went, Uncle Shane went, Uncle Chris went....i had to go to represent the grandchildren. Went up there, not prepared but i guess pple wld understand. Reminded everyone tt grandma will always have a special place in our hearts becoz she was the only one who called us y our 'nicknames'.

-take a breather-

Anyway, the whole thing has ended, she is gone, but let me assure you that the love she gave to her children n grandchildren, the legacy that she has left behind will never be forgotten and will continue to pass on from generations to generations.

Love ya grandma,

Cheryl

I STRUGGLE TOO U KNOW

Honestly, I'm not feeling the best right now. Yeah, yesterday was V-day and i had an awesome time. Today is a new day and it has its own challenges. Well, just saw something which made me look at myself from head to toe, literally. Then "IT" creeps in sutly, just when you least expects it. I started comparing myself with the more beautiful more talents girls, the girls who have what i probably will never have.

It happens to everyone, perfect or not perfect, strong or not so strong. The lack of confidence in oneself, the ability to accept oneself for who they are. And it hurts. Its a struggle.

I tell God that no matter how strong I am in knowing that I'm a child of God made in His image, I am still struggling. Its one thing to know it up here(brain/mind) and its another to know really believe it in here (heart).

Despite all that, I still persist on in reading what I already know as head knowledge. I guess i know for a fact that God's Word never fails me no matter how bad I'm struggling. Let the wonder of God's perspective on you soak in. Do you fully realize what it means to be …

• Precious to God (Isaiah 43:4)
• God's child (John 1:12)
• Jesus' friend (John 15:15)
• Chosen by Jesus (John 15:16)
• Loved dearly by God (John 16:27)
• Free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• A temple—a dwelling place—of God's Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• Redeemed and forgiven of all your sins (Colossians 1:14)

After reading these gems of truths, make a real attempt to believe it even though you may have tried it many times and somehow it fails to stay in your heart. I dislike myself once in a while. Everyone dislikes themselves once in a while. Its not how many times you hate yourself, its how many times you are willing to give yourself another chance that counts. You know, having read these verses, although I still admit to struggling to accept myself, I find it easier to get over with the things I can never have or become and start living life to the fullest. Maybe you should too.

(The Message paraphrase of )Romans 12:2, urges us to reject the flawed thinking of our culture and those around us: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out."

Be blessed,
Cheryl

VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy V-day to one and all....hehe. Guess wat, I had a date. HEhehe....can u believe it. It was a fine date. It was an enjoyable day. A day i would probably not forget. In summary, i managed to kill 3 birds wif 1 stone. Not bad for an inexperience dater...hehe....So who was responsible for making my day so special??

Its this single and available young bloke...Peter Chew...yup!

This guy, was able to buy me the biggest bouquet of flowers (white lilies to be exact...jus love them, so graceful n elegant looking) ever seen @ orchard rd today. All the gurls were jus so envious of me when we were walking along orchard road. One of us said tt the only person who can beat my biggest boquet of flowers is if tt person carried a tree...and guess wat....this guy beat us. A potted plant...close enuf to be considered a tree....hahaha!!

Anywya, we had a great lunch, catching up wif life n wat God has done in our lives. It was nice to know that God is working in peoples' life. Very encouraging. Thanks Peter. What u said to me was very encouraging...i will do my best in my ministry.

So after lunch, we both met Sam, a good brother of mine. (this was wat i meant by killing 2 birds wif 1 stone...hehe...below is a picture of me n sam) So we continued walking ard orchard n then we met up wif David. (now u understand why i said i killed 3 birds wif 1 stone...hehe...had 3 dates in 1....not bad ah!)

So, the day ended well. I've never felt so special in my entire life...hehe...girls were jealous of me (my flowers more like it).....three guys were spending V-day wif me. What more can a gurl ask? I feel on top of the world rite now....haha.......GOD BLESS AMERICA....haha!! Oh well, i hope u guys had a great time too...spending V-day wif loved ones.

Though all these guys weren't my significant other....but they sure are great friends, great brothers. And i guess today was more of a celebration of great friends. THank you God for these wonderful brothers u sent my way.

God bless,
Cheryl

FOOLS 4 CHRIST

Here is something to ponder: Do you know this God u serve? Is he who you thought he was? Does he attend your church on Sunday? Can he be found anywhere in your everyday life?

-Pause-

Now think about this next statement: As important as it is for you to see God for who he is, it is equally important for you to see yourself for who you are. So, who are you really? Do you know you?

When it comes to seeing yourself rightly, you have to understand one very important truth: You are a fool. Seriously. You are a fool, or should be at least. You and I are meant to be fools for God in this messed-up world that thinks it has it all together. In 1 Corinthians 3:18, Paul says that you are called by God to be a fool for Christ. The way you live should be so radically different from this world that people are dumbfounded and demand to know more.

Of coz, to be a fool for God is no easy thing. You can't be a fool and be worried about what people might think. To be a fool for God is to get excited over the fact that God loves you. To be a fool for God is to believe that God would use you to bring joy into a world filled with sin, pain and chaos.

I personally think that as Christians, we ought to be celebrating constantly … because we have been liberated from the fear of life and the fear of death. We ought to attract people to the church quite literally by the fun there is in being a Christian. Why, you don't think its fun being a christian? You rather sit on the side of the road cursing and swearing at life and how it sux? Think about it for a second. When you become a Christian, your reason for living has got a new name. Its like waking up everyday, looking forward to what God has install for you. Of coz, if u are those who goes, "nope, being a CHristian is no different" then let me advice you to look at your own self, and the attitude you bring in facing life itself? Is it a positive one, or a self-motivated one?

I just hope that you are challenge to live a life that shouts God's fame. Be a fool, a fool for Christ.

"A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day" -Proverbs 15:13-

MUSIC MINISTRY

Man am i excited about tonite. This will be my last time leading worship for youth before i head back to Australia and i am really excited to lead a good session tis sunday. But in order to do that, we are going to have a jamming session. This jamming session is going to be different. No more slacker mode, play-wateva-we-feel-like-playing attitude. Its going to be powerful, impacting, life-changing. So excited.

Well this time round, i'll be trying a few new things, hopefully this will really challange us as a music ministry to do great things for God. There will be a time for worship. Finally, our musicians get to worship instead of worry about what to play next. There will be a time of prayer. Always thought that our youth ministry lack the prayer aspect. And then the jamming session.

I was spending a few hours just planning tonite's jamming session and was really encouraged by God. Just being in his presence is so reassuring and encouraging. Amazing huh!! Anyway, i really pray that God will birth something new in our music ministry tonite that will be a starting point for better things to come for this ministry. So excited.

Rock on God!!
Cheryl

GOD THE SAME 4'EVA

Just a week ago i heard that my grandma was sent to the hospital because she suffered from a minor stroke. 2 days later i went to visit her. She looked tired lying in bed, but she was able to move around on the bed, talk a bit and eat a lot. So it seemed like she was on the road to recovery. 3 days later i went back to visit her. Things got from bad to worse.

The doctor said that she had suffered a major stroke that affected the part of the brain that was responsible for her vision. THerefore in time to come, she will become blind, she will be bed-ridden (however u spell it), and her dementia will get worse. She would be senile.

As i was listening to all these, i looked at my grandma. She seemed alright the other day. Why did it all became so bad suddenly? By now, my grandma could no more open her eyes by herself. She looked weaker and more tired than before. I could not take in what was being said. It was just a bit too much for me. Then i looked back at how when i had time, i could have spent more time with her. I was regretting not being there for her. Now when she is in this state, I am so worried to loose her.

At the end of the visit, Dad came up to me and apologised for not telling me the news sooner. But then he told me that things were going to be alright. He said that although this had to happen, and the family will have to experience this long and tiring journey, God is still involve in this. Then he, my aunty and grandpa started telling me how much God has blessed us as a family.

Reflecting back...yeah my grandma may not be as healthy as before, our family have to go through tis journey...but guess wat....God will still stay the same today, yesterday and forever. And he promises to hold our future in his hand...a future that will bring us prosperity, peace and not harm.

So i hope that this will encourage all of u out there...no matter how rough the seas may be in your life, God will always remain the same. And true stability, security is not so much of controlling the unpredictable circumstances in your life but rather being anchored to something that will never change....GOD!!

God bless,
Cheryl

SURVIVING SPIRITUAL DRYSPELLS DURING SUMMER??

It's summer—and the livin' is easy, as the song goes. It's a time filled with moments with friends enjoying walks on the beach, accompanied with an ice-cold sugarcane juice, or a nite out at the nearest kopitiam (coffee place in Singapore) eating the cheapest bowl of mee pok (pork noodles, i tink) one can never find in Australia. Summer is one of my favourite seasons...not like Singapore has many seasons to choose from really. But you know wat i mean.

However, when you are experiencing summer spiritually speaking, it is far from my favorite season. I remebered two years ago i experienced a time of pain and spiritual frustration. And i was just not doing anything to make the situation better. I was just too tired to do anything and have almost given up on God answering y prayers. However, from experience, i learnt that i could still find joy by serving him instead of passively waiting. It was then that i change the way i viewed my occassional summer seasons.

People say that they will always become stronger after learning to pick themselves up from a fall. And i always assumed the older I was, and the longer i was a Christian, the closer to God i would feel and the better i'm able to deal wif tough situations in life. Unfortunately, there would be times when i'd feel as if God didn't care about me. Yet, I've come to recognize certain truths exist whether i feel they are a reality or not: (1) God loves me and is with me every step of my journey; (2) God fashions me into his image through the good and difficult experiences we go through; (3) God uses people like us to remind others of his faithfulness once we manage to walk through the valley.

Sometimes, I would feel so overwhelmed with thoughts in my head regarding tough situations and i just can't see how God seems so distant and is not likely to help me out. It is times like these when friends are not around to advice me, prayers are not being answered, and the situation seems to be getting from bad to worse when i call upon my mini-savior, my mini-cd player. I would listen to praise and worhsip CDs or sing my own songs wherever i am, in the mrt station, bus or gym. Its amazing how songs of praise lifts one spirit up when it is feelin so low and hopeless.

Anyway, just thought that these are some ways you can help yourself when the world seems to go against you, even when God seems to go against you too. Fill free to share your thoughts and teach me a few things to overcome spiritual dryspells. God bless.

Cheryl