Love your neighbour as yourself

I still found this greatest commandment strange. But I remembered what Pastor used to say, that is to just love your neighbour. And as the Samaritian story goes, the people (even people who you don't usually talk to) are the neighbours. So that means to love the people around me.

Things are piling up but I'm thankful that the school holidays are coming. I don't have much time during the holiday though - got courses and all. But I'm looking forward to the G12 conference as well as the encounter weekend with Johan and Caroline.

Zzzing. . awoken by the smell of pizza hut

Was trying to sleep but my dear kept pestering me that she is hungry. So ordered Pizza Hut - CNY festive pizza. It's delicious lor - but this is the third (or is it the fourth?) time I'm eating it so I'm quite sick of it. Anyway, I am feeling extremely bloated. . . will have to work off the calories.

Feeling quite bothered today. I think I'm becoming a sloth. . that's not my end point. Dear shared with me something meaningful today which I felt was very insightful. When we do things, we are not just doing it for our own success or for our own gratification. We are in the Lord's army and each of us have a part to play. Thinking in this manner, I know that every effort I put in is for God. Erm, except for mahjong lah . . .can't exactly figure out how much that fits into God's training for his army. So I limit my time for leisure and mahjong and such things. But I put in the maximum effort into work and in taking care of my family and His family.

One thing I realized is that my children really reads blogs. . .Hmm. . .got dear to spruce up the blog for me. Also tried out the blogging through email - IPAQ rocks. I think I can compose my entries on my HP now and once I return back home, I can send them out via email.

Found a song I loved - Thank you for giving to the Lord. It's a song that dear and I particularly enjoyed. Didn't realized it till dear pointed out to me just now. . .phew. . .very magical, can bring me back to the ole' dazes!

Me helping out with the dishes...

Testing: blogging thru email

Trying out the new facility of blogging @ 20/2/07.

Day 1 of Chinese New Year

I feel like I'm in dreamland - things feel so different during holidays.

Lots of things happened. For one thing, I managed to catch more than 40 winks definitely. Dreamt. . .of many things that happened and dreamt of what I want to do.

What had happened
Total Defence Day just passed. Most of my male colleagues just wasn't interested in donning the army uniform. I can understand - I felt dready even as I wore the uniform that morning. But memories of me during my Army days returned so vividly as I pranced around in my No. 4.

I still remembered my dream of becoming a CNB officer. Well, if not, then a police officer. It's cool - having my revolver, catching people doing sneaky things, keeping the place in order. However, God somehow, have other plans for me. Being a teacher was something that's definitely not natural. I would much rather do some forms of workout rather than stand in front of 40 pairs of winking eyes teaching them English, Maths and Science. Academic subjects is definitely not something I exceled in during my schooling years.

However, that day during Total Defence Day, God spoke to me yet again why He wanted me to be in school, and not on the streets catching criminals. As I was explaining to my pupils about the food and water rationing exercise, and the fact that they had to do without electricity in the classroom for an hour that day, something just hit me. I am doing something that God had wanted me to do!

I remembered the day when God asked me to teach, I was very unsure what I can impart to the children. My grades aren't fantastic. Add to that the misery I felt during my teacher training, I really felt disappointed because I can't see myself anywhere in God's plan. But in recent weeks, I realized that this is something exciting. Some people don't even bother to itinerate the key points of the rationing exercise. Or discipline. Or PE. Or social studies. But I realized that I been consistently driving home the point of working hard, saving up, being good, working for the future, etc. . .

What's in the future
I have three main areas for focus - my family, God's family and God's work. God's work is the key indiscernable part yet. I'm not sure if I am to stay in teaching forever. But until God says stop, I will just stay here. But I know I tend to be looking forward to changing lanes but God kept reminding me to stay.

God's family - hmm. . .only have 6 children as of today. But I thank God for each of them - they are unique in their own ways. My hope is that they will grow up to be strong and steady children of God, each trusting and knowing God personally and not just through people.

My family - will continue to wait for God's timing. Hmm. . .I'm still praying for our family's salvation. It'll come.

Stoning now. Yesterday went to leaders' meeting - lasted till 10pm. Felt very tired. By the time I got home, it was around 11pm already.

Did my QT today. Was reading Ps 2 and Mat 2. As I was reading, I felt that God has a certain order to things. Even as John knows that Jesus will be one greater than him, baptizing people with fire and the holy spirit, John still consented, relented and baptize Jesus with water.

Perhaps right now, it's because I feel very tired so somehow, I felt like a piece of worm. But I know that God has an order to things. He called me to be a teacher so a teacher I will be. How long? I don't know but he hasn't told me to stop. I know from His word that He told us to be faithful and diligent servants/sons so I just obey. Actually, now as I pen this down, I feel happy leh. Because just being in his plans, I know everything will be ok. Even though I am tired, even though I might get "arrowed", even though I might get "pointed fingers at", I know that He is watching out for me.

Tiring and drained out

Dragged myself out of bed today. I felt so drained out today. I haven't been able to do much at home lately - it's like me going home and then I just plopped myself down on bed. And I had wanted to go to the gym every evening this year!

Yesterday was quite an exciting day. Yijie showed an attitude as usual - did not bring his PE shorts and just refused to tuck in his shirt. But more than that, he behaved like he wasn't in the wrong.

Anyway, don't want to talk too much about him - today read Ps 1. A beautiful psalm about a man who does not follow the masses. Sometimes, I wonder if I am doing good. But as I read the psalm today, I realized that's nothing wrong with being good. Just stick to what's right and do what's best in all situations.

The psalm goes on to say about the righteous man. I want to be a righteous man. I believe that it's not easy being righteous. To be one, I believe that the man have to possess integrity and grit. To continue to being true to what's right even when everybody else's actions seems to say otherwise.

I am beginning to have some progress in my P5 camp planning. Going to meet the P5 teachers today and roll out some plans for them!

Aftermath of Tabernacle

Hmm, didn't manage to go through the tebanacle after all. Felt very drained out. The young ones were jostling with one another most of the time, which drained out my dear dear and made me spent lots of energy, draining me out in the process. I thank God I pulled through the weekend though. I had originally made a wrong decision - not going to church. But thank God I didn't commit to that decision.

Today, spent much time tying up all the loose ends of my weekend fight. I'm glad I managed to finish most of my marking. Strangely, overheard some colleagues who were thinking of quitting their teaching jobs. I think in a few more years time, there wouldn't be any more male colleagues among my midst. If there were, they probably be much much younger than me! I mean, the old are retiring and my peers are all thinking about quitting. So sad. . .

Spent my QT this morning - humph, everyday before food. I am keeping to it. It's rather strange but time seems to stand still as I do my QT. I looked at the clock before I started - 5.30am. And when I ended, 5.31am. I definitely spent much time lor - prayed in tongues, prayed to God, read the sermon passage about Jacob who wrestled with God. Yet, all within a minute?? Strange!

Went home with the young ones after service yesterday. I am looking forward to Chinese New Year with them. Yeah, much feasting! Much food! And I am looking forward to long weekend. And Valentine's Day with my dear dear. And Total Defence Day (Feb 15th) - I get to wear my army uniform!

Saturday, 03 February 2007

Went to school today to do a spring cleaning for the staff under the umbrella of Staff Well Being Committee. I was the only guy in the committee and somehow, found things to be moving very very slow. They can't seem to make up their mind about things. . .but it was fun la.

Anyway, cleaned up the resource room and the pantry area. I think it looked pretty impressive. I think these places are among the most neglected places around the school. It's not taken care by the staff, cleaners nor the teachers. Yet, everybody uses it so often.

This week had been a rather fast-paced week. We lost to ZhengHua Primary. Though it was a fiercely fought match (or so I heard, I wasn't there. I was at my drama course), I felt that it was good that the players lost. They were getting so hot-headed and giving me so much problems that I couldn't really enjoy bringing them out anymore. Trouble in their classes, outside school, etc. . .very xian lah.

Talking about that, got one boy who kept disturbing my pupils by splashing water on their bags. I think it's crazy. So talked to him and gave him a stern warning not to do that again.

Santification week, went to TC. It's a very memorable place. When the worship started, my tears kept flowing non-stopped. I didn't know if you call that mourning, but I was sad la. Anyway, the place gave me good memories. I am looking forward to moving back to the neighbourhood I grew up in. It would be good if I managed to get a place in that area. Hmm . .would cost a bomb to me though. But I remembered that I never knew if I ever got the money to get married and get my first house anyway. So I dared to dream and keep on dreaming.

The next two weeks would be focused on P5 camp as well as the upcoming heritage tour for P6. I hope I can pull these two programs through. Sometimes, as I think back, I just know that it's all about God. Right from the start, I knew that I couldn't do anything in this "ministry" of teaching. But God hath brought me through till now. Praise God!