Second Wind

After the flurry of postings in May when we started our blog, we seemed to have lost steam, no thanks to me being away and also being sick for a period in June. But I guess life sometimes is unpredictable, and sometimes when you're so busy you just don't have the mood to blog. But never fear, we're not going to let our blog die, are we? So do continue with your support by viewing and dropping comments ok? I know many of you are also having finals at this time so you've cut down on surfing, it's cool. Just remember to come back to view the blog k?

Ok.. let's see what has happened since a few weeks ago.. let's start with Alpha. Ah.. Alpha, we're on the last leg of Alpha now, so far we've covered about 8 topics ranging from Who is Jesus, Why should I read the Bible? Why should I tell others to How to resist evil. I've attended 2 Alpha course so far and the one in youth is the first that I'm actually sharing the word and this has been an interesting journey for me. Why? Because I find myself challenged to share the word of God every week. Of course it's made easier with the Alpha manual that was provided and all the powerpoint clips all ready. Still, it was scary at first but coming to the end of Alpha, I am glad we went through Alpha. We set ourselves a target of 10 friends but we only managed 3 friends. I hope we will do better next time round.

Speaking about friends, I think we need to be more mature and less selfish in our behaviour and attitude. Why do I say this? Well, Joel brought a friend along, a girl, but all the guys did was to tease him that it's his girlfriend. It didn't help that the girl is a shy girl, and honestly, if I was the girl, I won't come again with all the teasing! I admire Joel for actually bringing his friend, which is really a cool thing, but he got 'sabo' by all of us who tease and alienate the girl, supposedly so that Joel can spend time with her. Please lah, if you want to date a girl, or a guy, you won't bring them to youth for a date, would you? Honestly? Please, grow up guys. Let's welcome new people and stop with the teasing.

And talking about admiring, I have to salute Waltson lah, when he was here, he would always scold us for not talking to new friends.. haiya Walt, we miss your face.. I mean your scolding oh. Because we forget too easily that we should go out of our comfort zone and talk to new friends. And think about it, they are already out of their comfort zone by coming to join us, strangers in a strange place, but we, who are in our comfort zone, do not actually draw people in. Then we wonder why our youth never grow? Hmm.. there are many reasons also lah, but our friendship and warmth towards newcomers is a reason.

Something to think about huh?

Sacrifice

You know you had a good holiday when you don't want to come home. Holiday is a great escape from reality, where you don't have to worry about your work, or studies, exams, assignments, meetings with the boss, or ministries, practices. And the only thing you have to look out for is taking care to cross the road, or which sights or shopping complexes you want to go to. But unfortunately, or fortunately, reality starts when holiday ends. So there you have it, my feelings all summed up in a paragraph after my short holiday to Kuching last weekend (That's why I wasn't in youth last Sat!)

So yesterday evening while in my room, I was praying and telling God, "you know God, I'm tired. I wish I was still on holiday and I don't have to think about ministry and church. It's not like I don't like youth ministry, Lord, but.. I'm tired." So with that in mind, I did my quiet time.. and God nicely reminded me that "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then..." Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ came to set you and I free. I have forgotten that fact, when I was complaining about being tired of ministry. Christ suffered so much for me, and I'm complaining about tired? Christ suffered so much for me, and I still continue sinning? Err... "Lord, I take all those words back."

I guess I was still on holiday mode when I prayed that, but well, I'm back in reality and am aware once again of God's sacrifice for me. So... back to business! Heheh.. And.. if that wasn't enough to snap me back to reality, let me tell you a little story.

When I was holidaying in Manila in May, I bought myself some cute little angels, and they seemed to be the favourite of my nephew too. And like all little boys 3 years of age, they are pretty clumsy. So last night, when I was about to go to bed, I happened to glance at my angels and to my horror, one of the angel was headless! HEADLESS! Argggggggggghhhhhhh.. I could hardly believe my eyes! And then I spotted the head lying beside the figurine. My nephew had come into my room while I was in Kuching and snapped the angel's head off! It was traumatic to see a headless angel, believe you me. Sigh. I managed to reunite the parts with glue and now my angel is back to normal, aka scarface. How's that for a reality check!

Youth Camp

As of today, I have received only a total of 4 camp forms, Hannah T, Sylvia, Jacqueline and Joel. The rest are..... ? where are your forms guys/girls? I expect at least 20 people to sign up woh.. and you know what, we have no excuse not to go. Let me list out the reasons..

1st.. it's in KK so there's no roller coaster bus ride to east Sabah, vomit inducing journeys that ain't pretty. It's in ASC, which is just downtown KK ya!

2nd.. it's affordable too. Only RM30 and it's for 4 days! Where can you get such affordable camp, that you can have 400 friends around, dynamic speakers, luxury accommodation, great concerts, smashing games (eh, gotta promote ba this.. ) did I say it's in KK?

3rd.. I'm going for the camp so you better not leave me alone with only 4 friends as listed above and 400 other friends.. you this.. you can't do this to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! -.-

So.... sign up sign up.. hurry hurry hurry!