Happy =) Nothing beats enjoying the best things in life.

Savouring my favourite ice-cream from Gelare.

Wild Strawberry & Brandied Cherries.

Yum Yum.

. Blessed Day . Happy Thoughts .

Today is a joyful and blessed day. It's has been 7 months into my happy relationship with Dearest. Thank God for His grace upon us and His guiding hands as we work on building the foundation of this relationship.

And there are also other reasons why my day has been so good.

It warms my heart to receive 7 sweet smses from Dearest on our 7th month together. Smitten. *Details of smses to be kept highly confidential*

The weather has been superb. Yesterday, while I was walking towards the MRT station after work, it felt like walking in Korea during the beginning of Autumn. It was slightly chilly yet pleasantly comfortable.

Tying a pretty gold symmetrical ribbon that is perfectly horizontally sligned admist all the other chiffon ribbons which I was tying. Tying a perfect ribbon is an art. It takes great patience and skill to make it look beautiful. Was adding the final touches to the cabaret invitation cards which I designed. Looking at the real tangible card is so much prettier than the one I saw on my LCD screen. Satisfied. Boss is pleased. More importantly, the couple is happy too.

Dreaming about my own wedding like a little girl. I have seen much pretty weddings lately and very much inspired to create my very own dream wedding. Was so smitten by a page in a magazine where a tree is beautifully adorned with hanging floral arrangements and candles while the entire aisle on the grass was formed by petals in hues of red and pink. I would like a wedding tree and call that tree 'a tree of love'. =)

Had desserts with Dearest at Fosters Rose Cafe in Holland Village on Sunday. Beautiful English setting... warm and cozy ambience... asked the waitress the seating capacity of that cafe. Won't mind having a wedding celebration in that cafe although only 40 privilege guests could be invited.. but wait a minute, I still want my real wedding tree. Ha!

Just being myself, a little girl hidden in a woman's body, gradually revealing the girlish side of her. My hippo is the best testimony of my child-like nature. Oopes..

"I encourage you walk closely with the Lord. Begin to set some time specially for our Father. He deserves our attention. Do not put the Lord out of your life which has been blood bought by the Lord on Calvary... ...

I pray that you'll become a better disciple of Jesus each day. C0nsecrate yourself and re-dedicate your life to God for God loves you, His dearest child... ...

In His Love,
Because He first loves me,
Faith Tan"

Chanced upon the draft of a letter to my friend. Wrote this a while back to encourage my friend. What a timely reminder.
Thank you God.

Orientation Team Gathering 2007

at my secret garden

20 July 2007

• We were that bunch of jokers and crazy people who worked very hard and for many hours to make the Orientation of our juniors possible.


• We were that army of dreamers and believers who dare to dream and march in common identity with great sense of unity.


• We were known as Zaerii, the OGLs of our juniors, who had much fun organising their orientation and befriending this new generation of the Rafflesian Family.


• We called the Orientation as Xantheus and my Alduris (OG) is known as Venizar, the clan of elite lizard warriors. Ha.


• We still go strong as a team although Xantheus was five and a half years ago.

Enough said. I know, we Rock.

"Come heed the call Rafflesians all

And let out hearts be stirring

We'll do our best whate'er the test

And keep our colous flying

Let comradeship and fervent hope

With one voice make us pray

Auspicium Melioris Aevi

With God to guide the way"

-Raffles Junior College School Anthem

"Life is short, Live it well."

Dearest became melancholic after he visited his maths tuition teacher in the hospital for the final time before he passed away. This was the maths teacher who used to teach him at least a decade ago. When he saw his teacher who was already in the hospital for the past three months, he couldn't help but to feel sad for someone who would leave anytime. This is the fragility of human life. At one moment, a person could be successful and standing at the prime of his life; at the following moment, the same person could be ailing and coping to sustain his life through medication and tubes which are inserted into his body.

Hence, I say, we only have one life and this life is short and unpredictable, we ought to live each moment of it well. Dearest commented that such a perception towards life is largely secular because for most people there is no life and hope after death. Hence, it is even more necessary for them to maximise this life to the fullest and enjoy every bit of the successes, riches, wealth and luxury lifestyles if these are within their means. Life might then evolves into a lifelong pursuit of better wealth.

Greater wealth >>> Greater satisfaction >>> Greater achievements

I feel that as believers of Christ, we are merely pilgrims of this earth. Our life here is temporal because we have an eternal life after this earthly life. Our time here on earth is merely a passing phase which is also a training phase when the pilgrims gradually walk towards the holy city of God. During this journey as we are heading towards the holy city of God, we would be experiencing transformation that brings us nearer to the image and the character of God which we are intended to be before Man fell.

For me, I recognise that my pilgrimage here is short in relation to my eternal life span and this earthly life ought to be spent well in touching lives and bringing people nearer to Christ, hence an eternal enjoyment of Christ and His love. It's a reminder for me to walk in sync with His steps and be like His disciples who were so bold and fearless in proclaiming His name. As I am already considering the career path I will like to take in the future before I graduate, I am mindful of a lifelong decision to be involved in changing and touching lives. I pray that I could be like Christ, edify and encourage my loved ones and friends (both believers and non-believers) and draw them nearer to their devotion in Christ.

Many are at the doorstep of God's Kingdom. If they are willing to open and cross that door, they shall be saved and experienced the joy of living an eternal life with God. Alternatively, God Himself could be at the doorstep of their hearts. He's knocking on it gently, consistently and patiently. (Revelation 3:20) All that is required for them is to willingly open the doors of their hearts and allow God to enter their lives. We could be that friend who either lead them to the door of His Kingdom and encourage them to enter His Kingdom through that door or lovingly nudge them to bravely open the doors of their hearts and allow the King of all kings to enter into their lives.

Life is short, live it well. Don't waste this life.

Somehow along the way, I've chosen a different path, a path less taken, a path less known. I felt this is the kind of journey that I wish to pursue. But, as the demands of life get into me when I begin to work or start looking for a future career, I can't help but to feel inferior sometimes for the kind of career which I would possibly have in the future. When everyone around me is attaining reputable jobs and working in reputable companies, I sometimes feel that I am small in comparison to them. I know I shouldn't feel this way.

Friday is appropraching. Gonna meet my college mates after a long while. Guess most are doing really well, becoming lawyers and doctors and are employed in reowned overseas firms. As for me, I am still a humble student waiting to finish my final year. We all came from the same college but somehow.. I feel I am just not part of that college league. Ha.

My senior bravely moved out of a lucarative career in Architecture to pursue his passion as a graphic designer. He once told me that he has to take MRTs for the rest of his life, and probably some rare occasions of taxis. What he said just reminded me that sometimes our passion would bring us to a different kind of life, one that is less travelled and one that is harder to trod on.

Not easy. Gonna meet my friends who are mostly entering law firms and banks when I have to update my life as an undergraduate who is going on to her final year and most probably not pursuing what she has been studying throughout her university days.

Just some random thoughts. I have to learn to be secured in His promise for me for He has a plan for me, a plan to prosper me and bless me.

Here's what I read to prepare myself for CG in the evening and I was ministered by it.
"What is the chief end of man?"
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
Paul sums up in Philippians 3:10 the great goal of his life: "I want to know Christ..."

I read the above from "Names of God" by Nathan Stone. It is such a focus and direct reply by Paul, yet it is so profound and difficult to be fully grasped. To know Christ ... truly knowing You Jesus.


Here's what God has spoken while I was praying. He reminded me of His promise once again while I was worshipping Him during cg yesterday.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 29: 11-14

I am reminded of God's promises for me in the future. He has plans for me. He knows His plans - plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. I know His plans for me would be fulfilled in His timing because "He has made everything beautiful in its time. " Ecclesiastes 3:11 and He will.

Here's my friend's prayer for me which aptly sums up what I've encountered earlier during the day.

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorius Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorius inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. "

Ephesians 1:17-20

Fuchun Primary School Anniversary Dinner

Official Opening Ceremony of Fuchun Primary School at its new school campus. There wasn't much for us, the batch that has graduated at least a decade ago, to reminisce since the new campus is foreign to us. There is no longer that familiar big flight of grand staircase which used to lead us from the assembly ground to our classrooms . 'Ever Onward' which used to stand solemnly with great splendour above that grand flight of staircase is nowhere in sight.

I remembered the school for the wonderful teachers, my classmates, the hopscotch, the 'zero-point', the canteen food, and even the 'canon' flowers which adorned the carpark. Somehow, primary school memories are rather vivid as I take them out of my memory safe, bit by bit, and share them with my good old friends. Everyone of us kept a part of the school memories in our personal memory safe. It was a great time of exchange while we ate and laughed at the silly things that we once did with great courage.

It blesses my heart to be back in my primary school, even though the school has now resided at a new location. It blesses my heart to see the positive development of my primary school over the years and my little juniors performing musical in the school hall. It blesses my heart to know that some of the few primary school teachers who used to teach me are still serving in the school.

I'm glad to be a 'Fuchunian' if there's such a word. I am blessed with great teachers who cultivated my interests in the various subjects. When a Korean professor commended me on my command of spoken English, I gladly replied that I had great foundational teachers who taught me the beauty of languages.

It was good to meet my primary school friends. It warms my heart to know that everyone is getting along fine in their lives, one is planning to get married, most are having great careers and a few have met the Lord. And for myself? I am contented and happy to be His princess.

Grace
By Julie Meyers

My heart is so proud.
My eyes are so unfocused.
I see the things You've done through me
As great things I have done
And now You gently break me.
I cry just like a baby.
You hold me as my Father,
And mold me as my Maker.

At times I may grow weak.
And feel a bit discouraged.
Knowing that someone somewhere
Can do a better job.
For who am I to serve You?
I know, I don't deserve You.
But that's the part, that burns in my heart,
And keeps me hanging on.

As I walk with You, I'm learning
About what Your grace really means.
How all of my transgressions
Were paid at Calvary.
So instead of trying to repay You,
I'm learning to simply obey You.
By giving up my life to You
For all that You've given to me.

[Chorus]
And I ask You
How many times will You pick me up.
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?
And You answer, " My child, I love you,
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."

What is grace? Grace is when all my transgressions were paid at Calvary. 'So instead of trying to repay You. I'm learning to learning to simply obey You. By giving up my life to You for all that You've given me. '

This song ministers to my heart when I am reminded of His Grace.
Could you imagine yourself meeting God one day and asking Him, "How many times will You pick me up when I keep on letting You down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will your forgiveness abound?" And He gently replies, "My Child, I love you, and as long as you're seeking My face, you'll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace. " Isn't that so beautiful? To have the Heavenly King to say.. 'it's alright dear child.. as long as you are seeking my face.. I will still pick you up.. even when you fall short of my glory because my grace is sufficient for you."

Amazing.
That's my God, my Heavenly King. He's my Father. He first loved me and sought me before I found Him.