sorry, little late, didn't get a chance to use the com

anyway, recap

saturday
usual
woke up late
headed off to service
which was really really good
and then after that I went to have a nice chat with my leader, sis yinting
hahaha, it surprised me
but it was a good chat

afterward, come family cell thing
a farewell dinner for the yip family

sunday

family communion
first with my NEW buzz group
then with my family
I think my new buzz group is awesome cool
we are the S.E.A.L.s
Spiritually Empowered Adolescent Leaders
so cool worxzxzxzxzxzxzxz
ignore that

afterward
traditional family gathering
where I somehow managed to sprain my middle finger
yes, I don't know how either
however, now I can't bend it
which affects my typing
and also, when I clench my fist
all my fingers bend except for my middle finger
yes, bad

anyhow, last post of the year
I've kept this blog alive for the last 2 years of my life (and roughly 340+ posts)
and I have no intention of closing it down

2007 has been a great year, one of change, of renewed hope, of salvation. In my own words, "I believe in the hope that this year will not just be like the years before. It will be more than I've ever expected." (31st december 2006)

and it has been
in so many ways God has shown me that He is good
that He is above all
that so long as you place it in His hands, you don't need to worry
He gave me control over my emotions
He opened new doors for my
by His grace, I passed my chinese
in fact, by His grace alone, I have survived this year

but no,
I shall enter this new year with thanksgiving
but yet I will not look back
the things that have caused me to stumble before
the wrongs I have committed
inside my heart, I know I've been forgiven
and that settles it for me
no turning back

and I will be still
"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today... The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:13-14

thank you God

nothing much, just the obligatory friday update
I don't want school to begin again :(

actually, to be honest, I like school
I just hate the teachers

scratch that, I hate the annoying teachers

and the homework, don't forget

AHHHHH

Its good to talk to you again
as a friend

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO THE ONE AND ONLY
DING XUE ER
My half life friend :D
(no, we did not play half life together)
thank you so much for everything
the blessings you've showered upon us
the joyful times we've had
the encouragements that we usually needed
thank you!
God loves you and I do too (yes, in a totally platonic way)
we will miss!

monday to wednesday recappppp!

MONDAY
slept 4 hours!
went down to botanics with the botanics gang
a xue farewell/ dee birthday thing
then we went to abby's house
where the girls painted their nails and camwhored
while I sat contented with watching the hamsters
*cough cough cough*
which were crawling all over each other
*cough cough cough*
and looked very cute together
*cough cough cough*
maybe pets mirror life!
hahahahahahha
yep, fang's gonna kill me
ANYWAY
yes, I did the camwhoring too
and I took that awesome sepia photo of ariel
unlocking my unknown photography abilities
hao cool worxzxzxzxxxzz
then after that
we went down to ben and jerry's at dempsey
which has awesome awesome decor
we had to walk alot though
and I don't do well in sunlight
hahahaha, xue had us take a photo against the mosquito-killing fog thing
because she said it looked like genting highlands
hahahahaha
many thanks to abby and mum for treating us to the ice cream
it was really really good

afterward!
onward to colten (and family)'s house!
for the annual joint-family christmas countdown party
where there were laughs and general joyful tidings
and (quite unexpectedly) praying!
yes, it was fun and good
and I recieved awesome presents :D

TUESDAY
slept 5 hours!
(yes, I do like talking about my sleeping habits
I like sleeping okay!
I just don't like waking up)
christmas service!
I love the song "we are the reason"
because songs like that are nice :D

afterward!
went to my grandparent's house
then my uncle brought us out
we watched national treasure: book of secrets
which I thought wasn't bad
but it felt like a more amp-ed up american propaganda film
ANYWAY, I felt very bad cause my uncle spent so much on dinner but we were so stuffed on popcorn we couldn't eat much
but he was really nice

WEDNESDAY
woke up late
cabbed down to the airport so we could send off xue er
it was a good time, but a sad one as well
and I will (shamelessly) admit that I miss xue
but I do believe its God's placing for her family
so I shall trust in His plan :D

anyway!
then we went to town
for.. wait, why did we go again?
anyway, we watched I am legend
which is cool!
I think its a very good movie
but it requires a certain maturity to fully appreciate the film
oh yes, and thank you deborah for the very nice chocolates
and valerina for the huge box of merci chocolates :D
very much appreciated :D

I shall now go and look at all the cool pictures uploaded of monday

farewells are never easy
but covenantal friendships are built to withstand the test of time
friend :D

whop, sunday post
not that there's much to say though

SAT
father's love
had dinner with my NEW buzz group
which is awesome
anyway, then went for fathers love
which I thought was quite good
although I felt the drama ended a little abruptly
but nevertheless, good
and of course, salvations!
sadly, the people I talked to kinda blew me off
but still, many were saved, so that's very very very good :D

presents!
the only I actually brought was xue er's
mostly because I'm not done writing the letters yet
I've still some 20+ to write
ni!

I'm scared of losing this faith

whoo, back
bangkok was fun
typical day's schedule

wake up
wash up
breakfast
SHOPPPP-
break for lunch
-PPPPING
dinner
back to hotel

haha, this trip has helped to build up my shopping stamina
from 8 hours to 10!
see? training!

anyway
MOST IMPORTANT PHRASE IN THAI
"Tau rai?"
translation: "how much?"
2ND MOST IMPORTANT PHRASE IN THAI
"Heng!"
translation: "expensive!"

and then there was my hotel, and its address I can recite from heart
"soy see, sukumvit, nana station, omni towers, near nana hotel"
(taxis in bangkok are seriously cheap, a trip that would cost $10 in sing dollars costs about 3 in bangkok)

on the first night though, we didn't take a cab back, we walked from the train station
the block of buildings that the hotel was in formed a perfect little rectangle, with the train station at the opposite end of the rectangle
which meant walking to the hotel meant walking along the block of buildings

for those of you not familiar with bangkok or thailand, it is notorious for its... freedom, acceptance of anything and everything.

Our hotel soared a full 40 stories from the ground, towering over the 2-or-3 story buildings that made the block.

down that road we walked, shopping loot in hand, turning towards the final stretch before the hotel

as we passed that turn, something in my spirit got very very uneasy, and I soon realised why

'ladies of the night', as one poet put it; 'painted ladies' as a less-tactful clerk said; 'prostitutes', the more coarse workman would put it

all will admit, you've heard it before, but you don't understand the full gravity of it until you walk those streets, depraved, lecherous men holding out wads of bills, young women walking around in barely-there clothing, shop-owners at the side of the road with a table of discs and a sign that proudly screams "HAVE PORNO"

"how far they have fallen, they cannot and will not get up"

I rebuked that voice

"they cannot reach out to God, He doesn't love them

I casted out that lie

"it hurts me Gid. Every night, they do this, every night, giving parts of their souls away. I weep for them."

and my heart went out to them

surrounded in this place of depravity, my soul cried out for someone to dare to reach out to this modern-day Sodom

But I know, my God saves
and so long as the people are willing, He will move
All things are possible with Him

need sleep, serving for father's love tonight, will see how it goes

yep yep, sunday post! whoo!
sadly, by the time you're reading this, I'll probably already be in bangkok
and sleeping

alright! week recap!

MONDAY
SP empowerment
it was... empowering
a session of preparing for camp
very fun :D
MORE IMPORTANTLY
God was there :D

TUESDAY
day 1 of camp!
When I first saw my group, I was fearful
cause I honestly didn't think that much of them
but once the games began, I was surprised
my group just gelled so much, bonded so much
that even though it was the first day
we were moving together like it was the second last day
we saw the score chart at the end of the day
found out we were in 7th place
me:"alright guys, 7th place, not bad, aim for 5th!"
jean:"nonono, have faith, 3rd place!"
then there was night service
was just... wow
no words can express the power and presence of God that filled the room
simply amazing

WEDNESDAY
2nd day of camp
woke up early to wake up the others
but surprisingly, they didn't need waking up
by the grace of God, every one of my members woke up on time and ready
service, I served
but God showed me that just because you serve doesn't mean that you miss out on God's presence
He moved mightily
workshop was fun!
for some reason, I became the go-to guy for the RGB
haha, imagine that
games were awesome
eating vegetables (amazing)
getting cool designs on my shirt from the water and the flour
awesomeness
and once again, my group did amazingly
night games!
WHOO!
played capture the flag
I thought that the three groups worked well as one mega-group
and I was awarded the title of VIP
:D
and I learnt how to say romans 12:11 in under 2 seconds
hahahaha
and I killed 3 other VIPs
:D
but seriously, I really have to thank my group members
if they weren't there defending me
I would have been killed quite fast
and my group would have suffered
WE DID GOOD
:D :D :D :D :D :D

THURSDAY
Day 3
haha, started off with bro andy's sermon on reflecting God's love
then altar call came, and bro andy asked all those that wanted to recieve part of God's heart to go up to the front
so I went up
"Gid"
"Yes God?"
"Kneel"
so I did
"You want a piece of my heart? Then I give it to you. Right now, stand up, and pray for all those I direct you to"
so I did
and it was amazing
simply amazing
no greater feeling
then the games at kent ridge park
that then seemed so long but now seems so short
my group did awesome
I really believe that we did very very well
dinner
haha, fellowship
good fellowship
service!
I served again
and God moved again
even as P Gary asked the leaders to go to the front
and asked the different groups to pray amongst themselves
I felt God leading me to pray for my group members
and I did
and it was good

oh yes, and before I forget, thank you to all those who wished me happy birthday
I really appreciated it

FRIDAY
Day 4
Woke up late
10 minutes before reporting time
thank God though, I packed the night before
so I changed, rushed down
just in time
thank God :D
we walked in as a group
hmm, top three groups scores were circled
eh? we're circled? whoo! good job team, got 3rd place
hmm... abraham 45 something
david 45 something
joshua 46 something
wait
46 something
SHOCK
our whole group completely didn't expect something like that to happen
because we didn't think we'd do so well
but I realised that if we had done very very well on the first day, we would have become complacent
but we didn't
and we did good :D

camp was awesome
and I believe it was a sounding of God's battlecall
what matters now though, is heeding that battlecall

SATURDAY
woke up at 11 to go to nydc for lunch with my awesome group
with that $70 voucher that our group graciously got from the camp comm
was a good time of fellowship
then rushed back to church for the last p6 orientation (say with me awwwwwww)
haha, but its cool being seniors
service was good, I believe God imparted something to us
even though yes, I was tired
and fellowship at macs was good

I'll be back on the 21st
so watch out!
and to my dear benn who I do believe completely forgot, I know you'll regret but ITS OKAY

and to benedict who is right now... far away, I've been praying for your protection and for journey mercy

My group has been an awesome, awesome group
JOSHUA, JOSHUA, ALL THE WAY
WE LIKE IT HERE
WE LIKE IT HERE
WE'VE FOUND OURSELVES A HOME
A HOME
A HOME SWEET HOME
*bang*
hahahaha, with cool cheers

COMMANDER: Jean Ho, Mighty woman of God destined to rise to greater heights
DEPUTY COMMANDER: Me :D
Joseph, who has been a good level-mate and has encouraged me and this group
Juztin, (WITH A Z) who I believe still has a part to play in ACS(I)
Andrew, who will take hold of the mantle of leadership some day
David, who's destiny in God is a strong one, who will do mighty exploits for His name
Clio, who has been like an assistant assistant leader, helping with the girls when jean wasn't around, and who's calling is still strong
Xian Wen, who will develop a greater hunger and yearning for God in the months to come
Xi Wen, who I believe will rise up to lead and herd sheep in the year ahead
Joey, who's heart God isn't done with, who will burn with a greater passion
Sister Corinna, who's presence has been a blessing to this group
Eliza, who wasn't always there, but still given so much of herself to this camp

You guys have made my first year as an AGL such a wonderful one, may God continue to bless you and keep you within his mighty hands

Here's to JOSHUA, BATTLECALL, 2007

For the mg girls, keep in your hearts what God has spoken
never be afraid to take that step of faith

And thank you God
for the work you've begun to do in so many of our lives
have Your way
and be Lord over every area
that nothing will hold us back from giving our all to You
This post is dedicated to You Lord
Who's thigh and robe had been written "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:6

Labels: camp

ni, early morning, still counts.

saturday
slept late doing name tags
woke up early to go down to church
rushed to church for flags
rushed to p6 program
ran off halfway for camp briefing
ran back to pack
rushed down to serve for RGB
(slides within 20 minutes, awesomeness!)
guided friend in and left him at benedict's (very capable) hands
served! :D
(on a side note, I wonder if theres a smiley thats in between :) and :D. hmm)

heh, today was fun
lazy to write more though

CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

sorry, had to get it out of my system

I can really see how God's been preparing ignyte for camp
preparing me for it
"I sense a month-long storm brewing"
---me!, Thursday, October 18, 2007

and it was
a weird turntable storm of life

and the best thing was that God gave me an extra 24 days to screw up just enough for camp to make it all right
:D

heh, I'm happy

can you tell?

"Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" Ephesians 4:26

been a busy few days
doing... stuff
my fingers hurt though
no idea why

heroes episode 11 season 2 ended... abruptly
sad!

humph, filler post

time now: 03:45
telling myself to write
just gotta wait

pick a random topic now
*rustle rustle*
hmmm... okay


Shepherd

I am
the one who sits, counts, watches.

I am
the one that sits against the
hazel brown tree
under the shade of the youthful leaves
as They graze on the field

I am
the one
that walks in front of Them
leading Them to the flow
of cascading, sparkling diamonds
each one with its own small rainbow

I am
the one who, for all intents and purposes
looks sound asleep
but on the first broken twig
draws his staff in its direction

I am
the one
who sees the beast of black and claw
but does not back down
for fear of harm
to the ones behind me

I am
the one who merely points and swings his staff
with mere hopes of scaring

I am
the one who takes that leap of faith

I am
the one who is seconds away from open jaws
and unsheathed claws

I am not
the one who made
this stick of oak
into a golden, glittering hilt
attached to a long silver blade

I am not
the one who
somehow
persuaded my arm to move against its will
to deal an unnatural wound

I am not
the one who's actions were
smooth
quick

I am not
the one who dealt 3 quick strokes
that were enough

I am
the one
who woke up minutes later
staff in hand
no one around
bear on the ground

I am
the one who lead my sheep
back to their pen

I am
the one indebted

I am not
the one who found a way out

and it seems

I am not
the only shepherd out today



Ni, time now is 4:16
just a little over half an hour
yes, it takes me that long to write an impromptu poem

Labels: poem

sorry for the lack of a friday post
didn't get a chance to get on the com

saturday
woke up at 10
left house at 11
bought supplies from coronation and headed for church
spent the next 2 hours rushing around trying to get the poster done
helped in the p6 outing
grass cuts annoy me
climbing trees though, are fun
got back to church
changed and went to spc to buy stuff
sat around in the sound booth till service started
sat with benedict and julian
worship was good
He was there
with His thick presence filling the air

it was good

communion
sermon
altar call.

macs
talked with brian
one of the longer conversations we've had in a while
played a lousy game of truth and dare
went home

hmm. lethargy?

just found out I'll be in bangkok from the 16th to the 21st
and as much as I delight in the idea of spending time with my family

I don't want to miss out on share a christmas
and I do want to be there to send xue er off
but I trust my parent's decision
and as such, I will follow

fighting this lethargy

will change blogskin asap(or when I bother)