Happy Birthday to a dear friend...

Just want to wish you a very Happy Birthday! Though we celebrate you tomorrow, I just want to say how very much you've been a blessing to me in the last few years. As you have been a key person in encouraging me in my blogging endeavor (through our friendly competition *grin*) I thought it fitting to dedicate this post to you.

Thank you for walking alongside me in my journey in seminary. You've been there for me in my lowest of moments and helped me make sense of things when all seems to be in chaos, you've encouraged me through my fears, have been willing to listen even though you may not have the answers and most importantly, helped me in my struggle to balance faith and knowledge - and that it is possible to have both. You've helped me to laugh in my darkest moments - a great gift indeed - bringing in a little colour during those times when I would've totally despaired. This has meant a whole lot more to me than you'd ever know. Through your friendship, I've also learnt to understand myself a little better as you helped me to face parts of me that I've been running away from for a long time. You have helped me think through important issues and I would even go as far as to attribute some of the successes I've had with my college uni group to you. As I see you endeavoring to care for the students in STM, I've learnt a little more of how to care for those under me as well - to encourage them in the gifts that God has given them just as you have in mine.

I know that things have not been easy for you most times, but I want to say that you have made a difference not just to my life but also to those that you have met - I think more than you realise sometimes(whenever I try to point it out to you - kena cucuk balik pula. *long suffering sigh*.. Hehehe). Thank you for your sacrifices - though there has been setbacks at times, they have not been in vain. Thank you for daring to open up your life and sharing your life with us despite the potential misunderstanding at times. I've come to respect you greatly for the hard decisions that you had to make and you have taught me how to make mine too. I did tell you once that I've learnt much from you - I wasn't exaggerating. I see how God has used you to shape my life for the better and how you have been an important part as I am in this process of preparing myself for the ministry ahead.

So tomorrow evening as we have dinner, know that each of us is there to celebrate your life. No matter how things turn out, I hope this message goes to you - we are thankful to Him who has created you for you have touched our lives in no small way(despite your love for cucuking and shocking people. *poke* - see... I learnt that from you too. *cheeky grin*). We enjoy doing the things that we do for you because we all think that you are worth it and more. Despite the downs that you face, we pray that you know that we too are journeying with you and as much as you've been there for us, we are here for you too. Happy Birthday Kar Yong... :)

Special People - Mum

Author's note: This post has been pending for quite a while. I began the series in October(read here and here) and it has been on hold. There is so much to write, so much to say. I'll probably miss out a lot in this post. However, as today is her special day as well, this post is dedicated to one of the most special people on the earth to me.

To My Dearest Mother,

Happy Birthday to you!!! Despite age has added another year to you today, I will always love you. You are one of the most amazing person I've ever known. Your zest for life and passion for God has always inspired me. You are one of the most creative and wisest person I've ever met and I wish that I could be more like you sometimes.

Life has not always been easy and had at times been filled with uncertainties, fears and heartache. Yet, your faith in God in those times has been an example to me. When things get hard, you've taught me how to hold on to Him who is unshakeable.

From you my love for music began. Remember the evenings where you'd sit at the piano and just worship God? I was a little girl and would just sit next to you as you sang . I loved the times where I sang along with you. Today, as I sit at the piano on Sundays or lead worship, it's because you have sown in my life so many years ago. As is your desire when you made me finish my grade 8 piano, despite our many arguments, you have passed on to me your of love of music to me and I thank you for this legacy from you. This gift has become such an essential part of me.

You have a knack of making the most mundane things fun - the word 'boring' was never in your vocabulary. Rainy days will always have a special memory for me. Studies were brought to life as you pointed out how they applied to life. You made education seem fun and until today, my college students who used to be your Sunday school kids still tell me how they remember the Sunday school lessons taught by you. Holidays were never boring in our house as games were played together - games that were fun and yet had many lessons for us. Where many of my peers were into tv and computer games, you've taught us that there was more to life than that.

You've also taught us that it's ok to be different - that following the crowd was not always the right thing to do. And though sometimes it's hard to go against the tide, it's more important to do what's right in the eyes of God and to follow Him wholeheartedly. The boundaries and principles you've placed in my life has become my guide and wisdom.

In the time I disappointed you, you still showed me how much you loved me still and never let me go. That lesson still resounds in me as you embodied to me how God never lets me go and still love me despite my failures. You literally dragged me from my path of self destruction and brought me to the path of restoration. I understood then the kind of love that would go to hell and back for someone that they loved.

Sometimes, you have been my conscience. You have taught me to sacrifice and help those who are in need. You constantly remind me to look beyond myself and to recognise the signs of how God works - and I'm still learning.

I'm so blessed to be able to call you 'mum' and I thank Him for the gift you. :)

With Love,
Your beloved daughter.

Selamat Menyambut Kemerdekaan Kali Ke-50!

"Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!"
The cry of independence of a new nation 50 years ago echoes in our land today as we celebrate Malaysia's 50th Birthday.

As our speaker in chapel said earlier today, "It has been a long and tough journey to get to where we are today." In conjunction with our 50th year Merdeka celebration, STM invited a speaker to share his insights on our country. I appreciated his sharing a lot -especially the bits about steps that we as Christians could take to help in the nation building of this country. Gave much food for thought to me.

Earlier in the week also watched a local musical production called 'Tunku' that was showing in KL-pac. Both today's speaker and the show asked a question - "What does merdeka mean to you?". A friend wrote his thought provoking reflection.

As I reflect, I must say that though Malaysia is not perfect, it is still my home and my country whilst I am still here on earth. It is the place that God has chosen to place me. May justice and peace will reign here for many more years to come by God's grace. Happy Birthday Malaysia!!!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Dearest Lucy,
Happy Birthday to You! I'm so blessed to know you. Since I've met you a year and a half ago, my life has been enriched. You have brought such joy to our prayer meetings and our fellowship. Your honesty(daring to just be who you are) and your lack of guile are qualities that I truly admire about you. I've come to love you as I would my own sister.
May our God continue to bless you in all that you do. I pray too that you will continually grow in His grace and love.

Love you heaps.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Hey Dan..
Just want to wish you a very Happy and Blessed Birthday!

You are one of the finest friend a person can have... Thanks for being a good friend to me this past year. I've been truly blessed by your friendship.

God Bless.

Happy Birthday Sis!

To My Dear Sis,

A Very Blessed Birthday to you!!! I hope this day will be a special one for you (though you're having your exams shortly).

I'm blessed to have you in my life as my sis and I love you very much!!