Countdown to Zero

Life is like playing a board game, it allows one a way of escape those "back to zero" moves that bring all players to the same starting point all over again.
All's equal again and one get as good a chance as any other player to try again for a win.

At the end of each year, we reflect on the year past, we face both our victories and achievements as well as our disappointments and regrets. We are often stuck for the next move.
How wonderful to get the chance to go back to zero again. The score chart is wiped clean and you get as good a chance as everyone else to decide how you want your next year to turn out.

The bible says in Lamentations 3:22-23, "The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For HIS compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness."
This is the GOD we worship. He's Alpha and Omega, who directs the beginning and the end.

Baptism Day

It's Baptism Day for me later @ church during service. There will be many people getting baptise today (i think about 40 people)
This is undoubtedly an important occasion for Christans as it marks the sign of being child of GOD.

Nobody will be coming to witness or support except maybe my room mate during the weekend Network Encounter where he was being baptised last month.
Yesterday, one of my student's parent asked me an interesting question upon hearing i am baptise today. It also signify that i have to give 10% of the monthly salary to the church. I was dumbfounded ...................... No other religion declares that right?

Lee Ah Mooi Old Aged Home

Entertained @ Lee Ah Mooi Old Aged Home this afternoon for the festive season.
Supposed to start @ 1400 hrs but was delayed for an hour because of a talk conducted by MOH.

Wow, i thought it was Lunar New Year or playing @ a "Ge Tai" upon looking at the tentage i was entertaining.
This home has been around for more than 20 years, a little run down with the most basic facilities. It used to be a primary school before becoming a home for the aged. I houses mainly the old, aged and some disabled residents. A very much 'chinese style' of running the place set up by two brothers who took over from their mum.

The session was held outdoor and everyone slowly but steady was assisted to the tentage.
There was mix reaction from the residents. Generally the women were more spontaneous and responsive than the men. Started off with some christmas medlay, Asian favourites, one english and the rest chinese old songs. Maybe there weren't many nurses or care givers to egg the residents on, the mood wasn't 'created'.
Some slept, some dazing away, 3 uncles began to walk off a while later (one after another) one uncle tapping his leg, a couple of them clapping.
One grandma lamented how come "ding ding dong dong but no singing"

At the end of the session, 2 aunties came to thank me for the music.
Was told that perhaps it was near dinner time (1600hrs), the residents became a little more restless.
Then it was back to work as usual.

See HIS glory

Did you see HIS glory??

The shepherds saw it, the first time the angel appeared to them, announcing the good news of Christ birth. "The glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified" (Luke 2:9)
But the fear turned to joy and worship, and they returned to the fields in a totally different mood, "glorifying and praising GOD for all the things they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20)

We don't have to wait for an angelic visit or choir of the heavenly host to see the glory of GOD. It may be in the face of a child, a moment of joy, a word or a touch. But it will be a moment of connection, when the human spirit touches GOD's spirit.
Isaiah 6:3 says, 'The whole earth is full of HIS glory".

Christmas comes and goes. What will make this Christmas a truly blessed one is to have seen HIS glory and to have the opportunity to share HIS story.
Let's not miss out the CHRIST in CHRISTmas ...................

Special People's Ministry

It was indeed a very busy and hectic weekend. However, all the time and effort was worth it as I had enjoyed myself throughout.

Saturday
Help out in the ID Ministry (Intellectually Disabled) Christmas party celebrations by playing the keyboard with another 4 musicians (2 guitars, 1 bass and another drummer) in the afternoon.
Early in the evening, i have gone to support the hokkien cell group Christmas celebrations by playing the keyboard (only musician). This was a last minute decision as i have closed business early again this week.
Didn't attend Hokkien service at night as i had intended to attend the main service on Sunday so i went to attend the deaf service instead.

Sunday
Woke up early @ 0645 hrs to go for Sunday service.
Helped out in the Special People's Ministry for the main and chinese service by wheeling the elderly to the hall and back to the waiting van to sent them back.
This Ministry is mainly people that needs our help as they are mostly elderly, disabled, blind................ Have t0 also help direct traffic (like real, haha)
There was christmas celebrations from the chinese ministry so just helped to serve food and drinks, egg them on on the singing of songs and finally cleared up the place after the event.

Came back to work after service.
Had an eventful weekend in church. Was proud and happy i am able to play a small part in others lives.
Isn't Christmas a time for giving and sharing?
Oh, Gosh, forgotten to buy presents for some of my students. Have to do some last hour shopping ...........

Deaf Ministry's Christmas Party

Decided to attend the Deaf Ministry's Christmas Party last night instead of Dong Fang Billy's sermon in which there was a big turnout crowd.
Again the shop closed early for the day as many students have gone for holidays and a teacher was ill.

It was the first of the 'series' of Christmas Party that i shall be attending till Christmas. Next week, i shall be contributing by playing keyboard for the Special People Ministry's party and follow by attending another gathering for the older folks cell group in which i shall sponsor some biscuits for them to bring home. Thought of buying a cake but changed my mind.

This year's the deafies organised their own party and the hearing just supported by helping out in the background such as serving food, entertaining the guests ..........
The buffet spread was good but as usual i ate very little eg just one serving.
The event started with worshipped and then Pastor gave a short sermon on Christmas followed by dinner.

Didn't stay for the gift exchange (didn't bring mine too) and lucky draw instead i went down stairs to listen to the last part of Billy's sermon. Stood far away till he finished the sermon and then it was home sweet home.

Mandane or Relax

Many people are looking forward to year end but not me. Business esp school is the slowest this month as many students are travelling for vacations and some of them (foreign) are back with their family. Many took this time to take a breather including my teachers too.

Closing shop earlier and earlier as the year comes to an end. (sigh) Least, i am able to attend service early.
Perhaps, i can also consider to go for a short break next year end. With who? What more it's more expensive than usual and every place will be flooded with people.

I shall probably attend the Deaf Ministry's Christmas Party than special guest Dong Fang 'Billy' sermon later as the latter will be expected to be crowded but i finish work early today. Shall see how lah. Keep you update.

Product Launch cum Dealer's Gathering

Last night we (dealers) were invited to a new product launch and dinner by my supplier. This was also a chance whereby we could meet the company's management and other dealers so as to network.

It was held in one of the ballroom, Amber Room @ Sheraton Towers. There were introduction amongst the guests before the dinner began. It was an 8 course dinner prepared by one of the chinese restaurant in the hotel.

Menu
1) BBQ Combination (suckling pig, prawn salad, mini octopus and roast duck, garnished with jellyfish
2) Shark's Fin soup with dried scallop and bamboo piths
3) Sauteed fresh scallops with celery in XO sauce
4) Steamed sea bass with light soya sauce
5) Crispy chicken marinated with preserved beancurd
6) Stewed winter melon with assorted fungus and mushrooms, topped with carrot sauce.
7) Steamed lotus leaf rice
8) Chilled Mango pudding.

The dinner ended about 2200 hrs and it was home sweet home.

Question

Last week service sermon's was conducted by Pastor Oh Beng Kee.
As usual, with his wit and humor, he made it very interesting.
The topic was about 'Christmas'.

Do you know what's Christmas all about? Merry making, gifts, drink and dine ............
What's the purpose of having Christmas? Ho ho ho?
Anyone can tell me?

Elaine Khoo

She is one of my guitar teachers whom has taught for a few months in the school. However, she is unable to continue with us as of yesterday caused she is needed to help her dad in his business.

Sadden that she is leaving as she is one of the teacher who does 'extra' such as bringing a laptop to aid in her lesson to make it more interesting though there is only one class.
Once again, thank you for contributing to my school.
Best wishes to you.

Little Disciple

Finally my little disciple came to visit my new shop yesterday. As usual she lost her way again but finally found the place.
Showed her around the shop and we had coffee and chatted.

Thank you Tuti for dropping by, your cake and chocolate.

Entertainment

Besides my regular entertainment, parties and gigs @ various charity organisations and to ministers, MP's, top civil servant, CEO's .....................i have received a 'difficult' assignment this afternoon.
Usually, i would have accepted the offer but this time, it is a little more tricky and tough so have to need sometime to consider.

Whatever decision that i am going to make, hopefully it will be the 'right' one.
Looking for GOD's direction now.

Dancing

Cool and Rainy day today ...............

Thought i could stay in bed longer but still have to go teach in the morning.
After finishing my lesson, it was raining heavily outside so i stayed in my student's house waiting for the rain to stop.
Just then, my 2 students played some hip music by Raihana's hit, Umbrella and we danced.
She took her umbrella and i borrowed hers. (haha)
Really have a fun time but still have to come to work lah. sigh

Termination

Was sadden when one of my student from the school informed me that she will be terminating her piano lesson after today.
Being 72 years old, she is my oldest student in the school.

Ever since her eye operation a month ago, her health began to deteriorate, other problems started creeping in, and she began to fall into mild depression. She is 'losing interest' on her lessons too.
Of late, she has been consulting doctors and visiting hospital.
The most recent was that her hands started shaking and today she told me her legs was also affected.
She didn't do any playing for today's lesson and my teacher played songs to kill time and entertain her.

With GOD's grace and mercy, hope she will recover from her health problems.

Weekend Service

Attended Youth Service after lesson today. The bus journey from West to East was 'super' long and adding to that, the bus captains were driving so slowly and 'steadily'.

Wow, has never witnessed such attendance in church today. The whole church was 'full house' I estimated there must be 10,000 people attending service today. Praise GOD
The main draw today was this person call Nick Vujicic. It's about his life and testimonies.

In 2 days time, Nick will be celebrating his 25 Birthday and the whole congregation sang him a birthday song.
Today, it was about Nick's life, living a life of great possibilities. He does not allow the fact that he was born without limbs to impose any limitations upon his life, because the things which are impossibe with men are possible with GOD (Luke 18:27)
Also , 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us to thank GOD '...........who gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST'.

I believe Nick's testimonies must have touched many of our hearts. It must have put many of us to shame. Everyone is useful and has a purpose in GOD's eyes.
Well, it's back to work after service ....................

Visit

Visited my friend @ SGH yesterday evening who has one of her kidney removed.Thank GOD that i managed to locate her as she has shifted to another block after the operation. Asked the 'right' nurse who was the one that has arranged for the transferred.

Saw her in a high dependency ward. Thank GOD that the operation was a success however she still has to be on the dialysis. The reason for removing her kidney was for fear of 'complications' that the kidney will caused to other parts of the organs.

Was sadden as i was at a lost of words to 'comfort' her. Hope my presence helped.
Brought a basket of flowers and essence of chicken but the flowers were not 'allowed' in the ward. The pollens in the flower may cause infection to the patients so it has to be placed outside.

Left after a while to chat with her ..............
Father LORD, pls bless Heidi and that she will recover soon and YOU will try to lessen the pain and discomfort that she is experiencing from her illness. Amen