He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
~Benjamin Franklin~
~Benjamin Franklin~
It was another busy weekend, coupled with horrendous unpredictable london weather again..
Ah...isn't it just so normal...Yet again it will be a WET Wimbledon this year...sigh, the lawn tennis championship begins tomorrow and I'm gonna get so mad if it pours the day I go watch Federer play!
Just came back from celebrating E's birthday with the gals - it was classic. Got myself a pair of Birks and a red pair of classic Clark's originals in between shopping for E's pretty funky prez at Octopus! Most memorable part was conversing in French and talking about French guys..ahh..I think some french words really sound like chinese especially if we get the intonation wrong! We spent the last part of the dinner embarrassingly conversing in comical French and deciding on a secret emblem for our care group membership sparked off by E's funky bday prez!
So, I think I will be able to get by pretty okay when I head off to France...at least I've got the most important phrases sorted like " You are beautiful". " I am stuffed" , "Very good", "Chocolate Ice Cream" and "Orange Juice"!
Felt it was really meaningful sharing a meal with the gals from my dcg group, and i'm excited for the months ahead as our group moves to JL's cozy new flat..
Finished "SHAPE" series on Friday. On reflection, really thank God for how He has brought us through the last 7 weeks, seeing different people encountering Him and many deep breakthroughs that have been so evident in these sessions. Last nite was tough for me as I shared on Experiences. It involved a very transparent life sharing, and a spirit of deep brokeness not just from me but from everyone. We've learnt the importance of God's shaping and timing of circumstances in our lives, both painful and joyful - and how all these make us who we are today. I am encouraged to know that God is using our experiences to prepare us for our destiny, that these experiences are just stepping stones in bringing that destiny to fulfilment. Indeed, life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.
"Val, people are always more encouraged when we share how God's grace has helped in our weaknesses than when we brag about our strengths", a still small voice cried out in my heart. Maybe that was just what was needed..For me to share a specific time and experience in my life openly to them. It was difficult but with much prayer, I took a small step, holding back the emotions(which are still very real) but amazingly see afresh God's hand at work in my life through that. Of course, no doubt I wished I could erase that part of my life. But I also see it has made me the person I am today, emotionally stronger and better to journey alongside others. How can one keep from singing His praise?
Met up with W who was visiting from Bristol as we continue to reflect on our shared journeys especially after last week's retreat. G was also here. So was W from Notts. Oh, and MW too! Guess its all divine appointments, and opportunities to deepened that bond we share in Christ!
Went to Borough market feasting on yummy fresh food there, until I had my train adventure before spending some quality time with my pastor and his family.
Realised last night as good news after good news came in throughout the day, God's been so faithful in the lives of his children who seek and desire Him. And just so timely that today during Equip training, so many leaders shared testimonies of God's hand at work in their lives. I wished even more had the opportunity to share if we had more time! Testimonies do build faith and encourage!
Oh yeah, Merv's amazing job saga is really an item of thanksgiving. So, he's going to be in his desired speciality for the next 8 years (secured training contract) , and being where God wants him - right here in London for this season. When he was sharing with J & CJ over lunch today, I felt a sense of God's favour so real upon his life - the journey of brokeness, trust, faith and promise. When he tells it, somewhat there is this glow that God made it happen. Testimonies do build faith. And indeed, an encouragement to CJ who's doing his medical exams in August that God is always on the throne..
So, its almost July, riding into the 2nd half of the year. Scary! Yet I am reminded today to "Love Life" because we only have one life to live...and the key is in how we choose to live it. For God? For others? For ourselves?
July-Aug is a busy month for me both at work, church and beyond. So...first stop, I'm treating myself to a short time of rest and solitude in the tapestry of beautiful Normandy - Touville, Deaville, Caen, Bayeux and Omaha Beach..pray for me to have a purposeful rest, and time to seek God afresh..
Ah...isn't it just so normal...Yet again it will be a WET Wimbledon this year...sigh, the lawn tennis championship begins tomorrow and I'm gonna get so mad if it pours the day I go watch Federer play!
Just came back from celebrating E's birthday with the gals - it was classic. Got myself a pair of Birks and a red pair of classic Clark's originals in between shopping for E's pretty funky prez at Octopus! Most memorable part was conversing in French and talking about French guys..ahh..I think some french words really sound like chinese especially if we get the intonation wrong! We spent the last part of the dinner embarrassingly conversing in comical French and deciding on a secret emblem for our care group membership sparked off by E's funky bday prez!
So, I think I will be able to get by pretty okay when I head off to France...at least I've got the most important phrases sorted like " You are beautiful". " I am stuffed" , "Very good", "Chocolate Ice Cream" and "Orange Juice"!
Felt it was really meaningful sharing a meal with the gals from my dcg group, and i'm excited for the months ahead as our group moves to JL's cozy new flat..
Finished "SHAPE" series on Friday. On reflection, really thank God for how He has brought us through the last 7 weeks, seeing different people encountering Him and many deep breakthroughs that have been so evident in these sessions. Last nite was tough for me as I shared on Experiences. It involved a very transparent life sharing, and a spirit of deep brokeness not just from me but from everyone. We've learnt the importance of God's shaping and timing of circumstances in our lives, both painful and joyful - and how all these make us who we are today. I am encouraged to know that God is using our experiences to prepare us for our destiny, that these experiences are just stepping stones in bringing that destiny to fulfilment. Indeed, life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.
"Val, people are always more encouraged when we share how God's grace has helped in our weaknesses than when we brag about our strengths", a still small voice cried out in my heart. Maybe that was just what was needed..For me to share a specific time and experience in my life openly to them. It was difficult but with much prayer, I took a small step, holding back the emotions(which are still very real) but amazingly see afresh God's hand at work in my life through that. Of course, no doubt I wished I could erase that part of my life. But I also see it has made me the person I am today, emotionally stronger and better to journey alongside others. How can one keep from singing His praise?
Met up with W who was visiting from Bristol as we continue to reflect on our shared journeys especially after last week's retreat. G was also here. So was W from Notts. Oh, and MW too! Guess its all divine appointments, and opportunities to deepened that bond we share in Christ!
Went to Borough market feasting on yummy fresh food there, until I had my train adventure before spending some quality time with my pastor and his family.
Realised last night as good news after good news came in throughout the day, God's been so faithful in the lives of his children who seek and desire Him. And just so timely that today during Equip training, so many leaders shared testimonies of God's hand at work in their lives. I wished even more had the opportunity to share if we had more time! Testimonies do build faith and encourage!
Oh yeah, Merv's amazing job saga is really an item of thanksgiving. So, he's going to be in his desired speciality for the next 8 years (secured training contract) , and being where God wants him - right here in London for this season. When he was sharing with J & CJ over lunch today, I felt a sense of God's favour so real upon his life - the journey of brokeness, trust, faith and promise. When he tells it, somewhat there is this glow that God made it happen. Testimonies do build faith. And indeed, an encouragement to CJ who's doing his medical exams in August that God is always on the throne..
So, its almost July, riding into the 2nd half of the year. Scary! Yet I am reminded today to "Love Life" because we only have one life to live...and the key is in how we choose to live it. For God? For others? For ourselves?
July-Aug is a busy month for me both at work, church and beyond. So...first stop, I'm treating myself to a short time of rest and solitude in the tapestry of beautiful Normandy - Touville, Deaville, Caen, Bayeux and Omaha Beach..pray for me to have a purposeful rest, and time to seek God afresh..
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.
~Leonardo Da Vinci~
~Leonardo Da Vinci~
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