Farewell Aunty Oi Lin
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.
I did not know her well. She was the interim Sunday School teacher when Aunty Sushiang left for Melbourne and before Aunty Amy took over. I wasn't very well behaved in one particular class, I remember. >.< I last saw her more than a year ago, when El and I met her at Cassia Crescent. We chatted a bit. Once in a while we will also hear about what's going on with her life from Aunty Theresa.
Well, as much as we will all miss her, we know that she is in the best place possible - with the Lord Himself, and away from all the tears and sighs, sufferings and pains of this world. And we will see her again, when this passing world is done, and we will behold one another with the love and joy of being able to worship God eternally without sin.
Thank you Lord, for her salvation, without which there is no hope.
Oh the arrogance...
It's very sad to read something like that. Not just because I believe his faith is placed in the wrong place, but his interpretation of religion is wrong.
I've long been wanting to write, publicly, on what Fundamental Christian means. Afterall, my facebook status declares that I'm a fundamental Christian. No I don't make bombs and kill "infidels". I have good relationships and friendships with many non-Christians. But with the equivocating of fundamental Christians to fundamental Muslims, and fundamental Muslim to terrorists, we conservative Christians who are holding to the fundamental tenets of Christianity have been wrongfully equivocated with violence and intolerance.
I really should work my brains and my pen (keyboard) soon.
The silliest smear | Democracy in America | Economist.comShared via
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Backlogs - The Result of Laziness
Many significant things happened in the month of June too, but for some reasons I have not had the desire to type them out here, so now I'm suffering the consequence of having to recall to record and hence the first hand emotions are lost. =(
The most significant of all is of course the YAF camp, which came to pass from 17th to 20th June. The bungalow at Tanjong Puteri was perfect! Thank God for providing that despite the last minute reservation. We had a wonderful session of learning and fun and fellowship. I really learned alot about Creationism and the basis of our faith in Creationism. Let me just say this, Christians are not anti-scientist. We are against the biased proposition of a theory over another, and of which is given a priority so high it is taught as facts in schools in the name of secularism. Too many proves of Creationism and flaws of Evolution have been discussed in the videos by learned scientists, not religious leaders. They are people with access to the knowledge and academics and research. Too many, I won't list them here, but would be glad to direct anyone interested to relevant urls and also to share with you face to face.
Anyway, we had great fun playing games and simply relaxing. For the working folks, this is a good break from work. Though eventually I didn't get to ride my horse, I still had great fun. So thank God for that too.
The camp also saw SJ's mother willing to come to Christ. I was so overjoyed I teared. It also gave me an opportunity to have some heart to heart talk with SJ. =)
Astro-updates!
Jupiter is up now at night so look to your east after 10pm or 11pm. The bright star in the sky that doesn't twinkle is the biggest planet in our solar system, Jupiter itself! Saturn is setting at the moment so easy to see. Constellation Scorpio is up, together to teapot Sagittarus.
It has been a lovely holiday so far. Now I'm starting to work and man it's tiring. But ah wells, life's responsibility demands work.
This Sabbath's updates!
Today Leon and Jacinta dropped by and joined us in worship before displaying some books for us to buy. I was really refreshed by their presence. Knowing Jacinta was no coincidence, and I thank God for providing for me a sister-in-Christ, of which through her I know another faithful sister Jaime too. They were my encouragement in school. Even though I attend JSM's bible study, I didn't fellowship with them as often as Jaime and Jacinta. I got to know Jacinta the first semester in EL1101E tutorial. She sat behind me, and together with 3 other strangers we formed a group. Believe of not, before I learned that she is a Christian from a conservative church I had an inkling, really! During the time of my breakup she was also a source of great comfort and encouragement to me. =) Leon and Pastor discussed at length some issues, and I can tell Pastor was also encouraged to see another young man wanting to serve God full time. I thank God for the healthy and chubby Leonaidas too! Splurged on some books, which is worth it. I just hope I'll get back to the discipline of reading.
I really miss fellowshipping with sisters in Christ. I'm so looking forward to meet Jaime and Jacinta again soon!
Nostalgia Express
Taking a relief job at Swiss Cottage again is a fast trip down nostalgia lane. There are many changes. More teachers are gone since the last time I went there for relief 2 years after graduating. Now it has been 6 years since I've graduated. Ms Annie Tan, Mrs Constance Wong, Mr Ang, Mr Ngoh, Mdm Zainab, Mrs Sally Yu - these are some of the few teachers who have taught me and are still there. The rest have moved to other schools, among them two of my favourite teachers of all times - Mr Jason Lim and Ms Kaur. Some teachers aged significantly, while others look the same as when I last saw them.
Everytime I relief in Swiss reaffirms my desire to teach. I have no idea why - well I have some idea, but I don't want to write a whole page about my aspirations. My O level year marked one of the most significant identity-shaping time of my life, and definitely without the help of passionate and caring and patient teachers like Ms Tan, Kaur, and Mrs Wong and Mr Lim, I could not have made it thus far. I wonder if I'll still get the same drive if I go to another school. Going back to my alma mater makes me proud to be called a Swiss again.
From an old TCS Drama starring Chen Han Wei, 阳光列车2， the song celebrating teachers:
蒲公英
知识的门由你开启 走向光明的路是你指引
眚眚学子幼苗长在大地里 师恩是春雨
每天用爱将智慧灌慨 培育我至诚至勇胸怀
教导我坚强 鼓励从不间断 开创美好明天
我们是高飞的蒲公英 您的叮咛祝福是和风
陪伴我自信翱翔 不怕迷失方向
飞向阳光绚丽的远方
