A Year Later

I realized I have been running away.. and where does it lead me to? The same crossroads that I ran away from a year ago. Time to decide. *cringe*  #easiersaidthandone

To: My dad's tenant

Dear Mr. Hartmann, or should I just call you Nils. Even though we only met once when you came to my house, and I doubt we clearly remember each others' faces, I still cringe at the news that you had recently passed so suddenly. The fact that my dad's bike played a part in the accident makes my family feel as if somehow, we are responsible for the tragedy. Our hearts go out to your family in Germany, whose grief must be such that 'devastated' is an understatement. With your homecoming only days away, it adds to our regret for the way that you have gone. Our only comfort lies in knowing you are in a better place right now.

The MUET experience

Just got my MUET results yesterday. Was kinda expecting the worst, so I wasn't as impatient as my friends who kept checking via texts despite the line being busy. Nevertheless they managed to help me retrieve my results, and it says Band 5 :) I've shared about my experience with MUET before this, and my fellow SHEEP members would know I couldn't have done this without Him. Actually, the day that I got through the speaking test was a miracle in itself. Before MUET, my English lecturer did a mock speaking test, and lets just say it was a disaster for me. I went completely unprepared, quite sure that it was going to be easy, just like what everyone else says. Obviously it did not went well. I felt my brain stopped functioning halfway through the mock test and there was an awkward and painful one minute silence until my lecturer started prompting me.
Naturally, I started feeling more than worried about MUET, and did all I could to prepare myself fully for the real thing and asked for prayers. When the day came, I brought a devotional book and did my quiet time while waiting for my turn. Then peace overrode anxiety. It was also due to some encouraging texts I received from my friends who knew about my mock test ordeal. And guess what? The topic I got was about the importance of friends. :) The test went off without me pausing or stuttering. I knew not whether it was good enough for the examiners, but I certainly knew that I did my best with God's help, and that was more than good enough for me.
Despite that I still felt a bit worried about the results when it came out ("O ye of little faith"). But that feeling was quickly replaced with joy and thankfulness after I got the news. Eventhough some may say that it was an expected one from me (my sister got the same result), but for me Band 5 is definitely a gift from God.

The Lord reigns!

R.O.C. 2 had been such a ride. Honestly I did not expect all the weariness, frustrations, sweat, bruises, etc. when I signed up for it. Thought stage fright was the only obstacle I'd have to overcome but it turned out to be the least of my worries for the entire duration. Trust me, during the days of practices, I've had my share of petty complains.
But God is good. Midterms that were scheduled on those two nights were postponed for some of the cast & crew, and my assignments' due dates were postponed too. My high school best friend called me last minute to tell me she was coming. Everything practically went off without a hitch. To God be all the glory!

Stressed.

Dear reader, I desperately need you to pray for:

1. All those who are coming for the R.O.C2 musical

2. All those who are unsure of whether they'll make it or not

3. For everything to go according to His plan, and stop the enemy from attacking the cast & crew

4. For me to keep in key during the play. (The key is so high that I automatically sing with my falsetto)

Oh, and it's less than 48 hours away. 

2012 already?!

Don't know if it's a growing-older thing, but it seems to me 2011 just came and gone in a snap. 'Cause I can still vividly remember last year's watch night service. But then when I think of the 4 days National Service that I joined, it seemed like it happened very long ago. Time is very mysterious thing.
I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions like I always do during the end of a year. Truth be told, 2011 has been quite tough on me. As I reflect upon the year, the memories that stood out don't quite stir up a warm, fuzzy feeling like they did in 2010. Nevertheless, I think God has taught me a lot more during 2011; I have that and so much more to be grateful for.
This year, instead of making a list of new year's resolutions, I'm just gonna commit to one resolution - to be resolute. Ashamed as I am to admit it, I seldom stick to my resolutions. Therefore I'm just gonna try this year, to not be a quitter, to stop running away when things get heavy, for "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mark 13:13). This one resolution kinda covers all other resolutions that I can possibly come up with during the year, so I'm just gonna at least do my best to commit to this resolution, and hope that God will be proud of me after another year ends once again.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23). Blessed new year everyone :)