conversation with little adults

so, this evening we were talking about gender terms like waitress, waiter, peahen, peacock, etc.. (you get the point)

and we got to.... "bride" and "groom"... and TADA~

these little adults of about 72 months.. are so so wise!

RJ: Teacher Xin Pei, have you been a bride before? (look at the sentence structure, amazing questioning)
Me: Nope.
RJ: Why?
Me: Because I haven't found my groom.
RJ: I want you to find your groom tomorrow then bring your groom to the school after tomorrow and show us. (Great sequencing which continues below..)
XL: Bring your boyfriend to school to show us (She knows before marriage is called "boyfriend". Interestingly, they seem to wanna "screen" for me? HAHA!)
RJ: And get married..
XL: And kiss lips to lips..
RJ: And have a baby.
Me: Hmm, when i find my groom I'll invite you all to my wedding ok?
In unison: OKAY! (YAY tough conversation ended!!)

coincidence? hmm.

What are you odds that someone posts about the exact thing that you're doing at that time but in the different place? It's a small small world~

thanksgiving of 2014 #3

Give thanks to Him who led me in completing my studies :)

another thanksgiving of 2014

This has got to be BIP Camp 2014!

In the album description on facebook, i wrote it was "a truly heart warming youth camp that can only be the work of God" and indeed, it is, it really is.

As i type this... this is so back dated.. but oh wells :)

Here it goes!

1. Give thanks to God for the campers that he has provided. Not a big group, but a size just right for us to manage. Not a group that we are deserving of, but God brought to us people whom we seldom see. Not that we have done the best contact work, but God blessed us with so many angels that helped to encourage more youths to join us. The campers were also the most accommodating bunch. Did they expect the most smooth-running camp? No. Did they expect the smoothest transition/ believable story plot? Not at all. Did they complain about the long distance walking and heavy bags? Not really, it just was the camp comm over worrying.. To put it simply, one of the best bunch we're blessed with. (it might just have been better if not so many people went overseas sighh. 我还是有一点耿耿于怀hehe)

2. Give thanks for the opportunity to serve in the camp comm. We were a really new team altogether. We brought with us varied experiences. But it was God who helped us to complement each other. And we worked so well together that I would safely think that a new comer would never know how new we are! The work of the Lord is truly NOT to be underestimated!

3. Give thanks for the people that served alongside with us. Besides the above-mentioned "encouragers", we had YAMers who stayed with us throughout the camp that made everything so much at ease. With them, we know that things will be carried out smoothly. With them, we know that overlooking details is quite impossible. With them, we learnt how not to be discouraged but in all times serve the Lord with joy!

4. Give thanks for the people who helped me out, esp in Pulau Ubin.

 In Ubin, there's an "infamous" Punai Hut, this hut can be considered a start point of the Chek Jawa trek. I was there as a station master alone. 

To cut the long long long story short.. The wild boar family of 5 and dog family of n stays there. In my (2 hours+ maybe?) time there waiting for the groups to come to me, the families were fighting throughout. It was such bad fight. To make matters worse, I am so so terrified by both types of animals.

The animals either got to close to me/ cornered me/ didn't allow me to get my bicycle/ overtook my station. Alright, the idea is there. I was that close to being petrified, I'm serious. Really give thanks for the 3 passers-by that helped me greatly in my time there. There was one who asked me to walk over to him cause the dogs were just too close. There was another guy who gave me directions when the boars cornered me. And there was another who helped me to get my bike because the animals' families were in a super heated and fierce argument just beside it. Thank you to all of you. Might not have make it without all your help.

 This bicycle featured here.. has something wrong with the gear and chain. For almost every paddle I take up slope, it changes and doesn't allow me to paddle further (sorry this is the best explanation i can give for that bad bad situation). To keep the story simple, there was a good Samaritan who stopped to help me though he was in the middle of station games. Yes, his entire group stopped for me. He got his hands really dirty from helping me to put back the chain that came off. He also taught me what to do if it happens again. There's so much to learn from this guy! Thankful for him.

The groups that came simply reported to me and then would leave for their task of about 30 mins. That leaves me with the animals and insects. However, super sweet Elsie gave me her walking stick for self defense in case anything happens. I remember Joyce saying take care before she left. I also recall Sabrina's group being so understanding of my fear. Yes, I may have joked about the experience, but it was t.e.r.r.i.f.y.i.n.g.

Give thanks for everyone that protected me from dogs while we were eating, cycling etc. Thank you for all your love <3

5. Give thanks to God for giving us wisdom and Chinese language ability. We tried so hard to be inclusive and considered the needs of our 3 friends from China. But we are still very very lacking. God helped us to communicate, converse and pray (yes pray!), etc.. all in Chinese. That is real cool. God is really really cool, y'all noe!

Alrighty, more next time! Good night :D

thankful for these people :)

a nice catch-up with ex classmates today! :)

happy new year everyone!

It was a lovely session earlier at kendra's place with countdown as a nice excuse for a meet up actually hehehe :)

Finally home and got to read 3 "love notes" of encouragement from 3 sweet people. Really touched to receive and read the notes♡ thank you all so much for the totally unexpected surprise! :)