It is pretty cringey for me to do all these year in review stuff, but I felt 2017 was a special year and it is important to recount and give thanks for all God has given and blessed me with!
I will be recording the milestones that I have achieved this year! Some of them just come with growing up. This year I've experienced many 'firsts' so PTL :)
1) My first real JOB!!!!
I had a hard time finding a job that I wanted at first, because I was pretty picky. I wanted to find a job where I could learn new things or something that will be related to my industry with good pay!!! HAHAHA. I chanced upon an unpaid internship at first, and I was almost on board for the next 10 weeks, but after going for 2 days, I felt that the learning opportunities were rather limited and (it was a learning centre for young children) I personally felt many of the things the children learnt were not structured or effective enough. So I left oops. I think the boss was mad, but I left for I.R.A.S!!!! Really good decision it turned out to be. Thank GOD! At Iras, I learnt so much more about taxes, handling people on the phone in a professional way, meeting people from other parts of Singapore.
I met so many nice/funny people in my training class! From L-R: Andrew, Feroz, Kenny, Jamos, Melvin, Jia Xuan, Tun Leng, Divya, Jie Yin, Farhan, Harie, Kai Yin, Sheryl, Denise and Sharilynn! HAHA. It was a really fun 2 months! We had dinner after work and bonded. It was a pretty much stress-free experience because there was not much to study after work:)
For fun, me and my aunt signed up for korean class before our trip to Korea!!!! Hehehe. We just wanted to pick up some conversational skills and ability to read. We got more than expected though!! The teacher was fantastic at making us learn. She was the type of teacher you dont want to disappoint and you will try your best and will revise at home so that we can answer her questions. It was really fun!!! I also got to spend a lot of time with my aunt which I really appreciate :)))
anyway, I quit my job after 2 months, said bye bye to everyone and left for the trip!!! I really loved the people at my job! I liked my supervisors too ♡ I think we should be very very proud of this government organisation as they train even their temporary staff well and are quite transparent with us. They take pretty good care of us too!!! Really thankful thank you GOD!
And I did it!!! HAHAHA I overdid it and planned too many activities in one day but it was all good.... Hahaha oopss... I think my mum felt very tired after the trip so.... ah... lesson to learn.
I really liked the place and I don't mind going back there much:) There is a relaxed vibe to it and I thoroughly enjoyed the non-touristy feels of the place.
People at the Gwangalli Beach were lighting the place up and ahhh so much fun!!! :-D
Lmao. It was at SpaLand at Shinshigae mall in Busan. Really nice! Enjoyed the cleanliness of the place!
Tried the katsudon store at the bottom and it was yummilicious. Would 9/10 go back.
And back to SG!!!!! (no:( )
7) My first time taking mrt all the way to the LRT stations connected to SENGKANG mrt
Every time I go there I tell myself never again... but i've been there thrice already HAHA
Around this time, I joined Faith Community Bible School!
8) First time joining BIBLE SCHOOL!
It was a renewing journey for me. In the midst of working and the trip, I grew really dry and tired of seeking Christ. I had no motivation and quiet time was dreary. In that time, through the words of my friends when they were leading worship, I felt my heart renewed in a special way. SO thankful! I am nothing without GOD!
It was Yong Kiat's, a friend I met through volunteering and all the people I know through volunteering are SO nice.
9) First time running 3KM IN THE MORNING (when it was still dark)
10) First time surviving a camp with close to no toiletries lol
My memory is blur now, but I think i did not even use facial cleanser until the last day of the camp, when we exited Pulau Ubin. We went to Aston's to eat, and I finally had access to my toiletries (ya, somehow me and 4 girls put our combined important things into the bag that we did not bring into Pulau Ubin and there was no way to retrieve it.... what an adventure), that at last I got my cleanser and washed my face in the toilet. Legit.... I think I was the only one who did that... How??????
11) First time stargazing lying on a cloth with my friends and talking at 2AM
I am a fan of these comforting night things. These breeze, the moonlight and the random talks were a great memory for me ♡
HAHA this camp required me to be strong and to take initiative, even though I was tired and hungry. Many times I knew I could have taken more initiative, but chose not to, because I was sure that someone else would do it. My group was fantastic and really proactive. I questioned myself in my heart, am I really that lazy?
Adversity reveals the true deep partts that we may not know of ourselves. That above aspect is one thing I learnt about myself and my challenge for myself is to grow in that area. Don't be afraid of hard work and just face the challenge head on, doing my best and don't shy away or be lazy.
This camp, there was even peer evaluation LOL... I know the others probably did better in peer evaluation because they were really active in helping, giving solutions and I was so quiet during this camp (?!?). Then again, my bigger takeaway from this camp is greater self awareness and hopefully I will be able to hone this area more by pushing myself to greater lengths in future!!!! By God's grace as always... ♡
I was so touched that we only knew each other for a month and Anping, Xin Yun and Zana wrote essays for me :') Actually for all 18 of us. What????! So touched by the effort they put in.... Even got photo..... Let me get my tissues..... :') Really a taste of heaven from them.
I read a quote somewhere that says, every time someone is nice/kind to you, it is a taste of what heaven's going to be like. Every time someone is nasty to you, it is a taste of hell. Eternity is forever.
12) First time going to an OLD FOLK'S HOME and MEETING NUNS.
I say this in a respectful way. The old folk's home were run by nuns and we had a sing along and cake cutting sessions with them.
We proceeded to prayer walk at one of the neighbourhood areas of Kluang. We were tasked to go up to random strangers and make conversation with them. My impression of the people was that they were generally friendly and nice. My and Chloe (Chantel's sis) talked to an auntie sitting on a table on her own. She was initially aggressive cause she thought we were selling things, but turns out after we told her we were foreigners, she was really kind. Honestly thought Chloe did a superb job with the whole conversation. I was like tongue-tied and didn't know what to say, but she made the auntie so comfortable and I see her strength shining for the Lord!!! PTL! Yay
Then we went to a children's centre, where kids would go to after school. Some of them come from broken homes and all. The principal is a guy and he would say that some of the children do not have father figures at home, so the guys have to take up the job as they are here and to affirm the children. Really breaks my heart. We were there to fill the love tank of the children, but as I was there, somehow it's like God touching a part of my heart.
13) First time visiting a gambling rehabilitation centre
Honestly, previously I felt very detached from the whole gambling situation, even though I knew it WAS BAD. Seeing the people there and hearing their stories of how they were unable to find freedom in their situations really helped me to see what a real problem gambling is.... It's like drugs, I met a man who was kind enough to share his story. He shared how this is his 3rd time in rehab, because every time he goes back to those bad friends, he gets back into gambling. It's not like he's not trying. Every time they got into rehab they spend months in there being cut off, learning God's word and learning good disciplines. Each time he tries very hard not to do it again, but he is like being trapped.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
Christ sets us free!!!!!! Thanks to God, He took my addictions and my sin, so that I will not have the desire to sin anymore. it is a miracle!!!!
I remember when I was in Sec 2, the year I told God I really wanted to give me life to Him, the pastor at church shared this verse and I read it during my devotion as well.
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."James 3:9-10
Haha, if the same verse appears in both devo and sermon, that means God is trying to tell you something!!!!! I really struggled with that. I struggled with gossiping. Growing up, not to blame anyone in my family, but I grew up in an environment where almost everyone said nasty things about each other behind their backs. Except my dad. I LOVE MY DAD! Like really. Between in-laws, siblings..... Really. There is so much drama in the Lam household, you may be able to film a Mediacorp show. There is a lot of discord and unforgiveness. When I grew up to primary school, I would also spend hours gossiping on the phone with my friends. I would talk bad about my best friend and hardly feel guilty.
In MGS, I met a bunch of friends who are really the nicest people you can possibly think of. One of my friends, Louisa, she never says anything bad about anyone. Really. I've known her for 7 years and we were close for maybe 2 years and she is just THAT NICE. I had a friend I met along the way that I judge and talk bad about to my friends lah. Forever can switch into gossip mode, just waiting for the right time (IN LOWER SEC AND PRIMARY SCHOOL OKAY, NOT NOW amen!)
And I did. After that came along the time when I read the bible verse, and I told God, I will not gossip about anyone again. I surrender my lips to you, that I will not curse my fellow humans and only praise You. I kneeled down, prayed earnestly in church and cried a lot of tears.
Next week went quite smooth until I was with my friend and she brought up the topic about the friend again, and I was trying hard to resist the urge to gossip, but it was like my mouth had a mind of its own and I talked bad about her again.... Ah... I was really disappointed in myself. Because I really prayed earnestly and set it in stone in my heart. Yet, when I was faced with the temptation, I caved... In church that weekend, I prayed again. I told God I was sorry and to forgive me. And surprising, a miracle came into my life. After the second time I prayed, God healed something in me. I did not have a single desire to say anything bad about my friend. Even when I saw something, something stronger in my heart prompted to think good thoughts about the person and not say anything bad about her behind her back.
It was amazing. God redeemed my friendships. Previously, I had the impression that my friendships were shallow and there might be backstabbing, because I was pretty much two-faced. After that, me and my friends, we don't ever say anything bad about each other, and I'm pretty sure we will defend each other. Not saying that if someone has a flaw, you pretend you didn't see it. I mean to not talk behind a person's back in a way that will tear them down. If you really love a friend and she does something not right, you would speak to her personally in a constructive way to help her. Yeah, that was really long, but I'm saying, God has the power to redeem us and set us free from the sins we think are too difficult to overcome. Nothing is too big for Him, we just need to be willing to let our Father refine us :-)))
14) Cooked Aglio Olio for the first time!!
I met Kalista during NTU interview and we clicked almost immediately in a way that blows my mind. She is so easy to talk to, I shared my testimony with her. (I dont share so early one okay...) and She loves the LORD and we just talk about God and I have such a good edifying time with her... ♡ Truly wishing her all the best!!!! I dont meet her much, only like 1 other time, but it was gold. We spent 3 hours in solid conversation. Lol 3rd time meeting only HAHAHA
16) My first time leading worship with the GUITAR
Thank you for the patience of my classmates because i cant really play.....and i tend to sing off key...... but i really wanted to try, because i think learning to lead worship is important! Worship ushers in the presence of God and it was in worship that I first felt a touch from God! And thank God for Elijah cause he taught me the cheat chords, how to play in beat and how to adjust the tone of the chords. YAY! Kingdom friends are lit.
17) First time undergoing a SURGERY
18) Hahahaah...... it was my first time getting my WISDOM TOOTH REMOVED.
It bothered me for a week, and woah... I AM AN ADULT SOON! I even have wisdom teeth pssssh. It cost $700. Thank God for His grace, my dentist did a fantastic job. I stopped bleeding in a day and after I removed stitches, almost everything back to normal. During surgery, it was really quick and good too so PTL! Oh this is after I finished four months at FCBS! After I completed my exam too. It was bitter sweet T_T
Mid-autumn festival after not celebrating for so long!! Jie jie finally dont have anything to study hahaha.
With Megan! I must say she is so BRAVE! She had no qualms about sliding down the Free Fall thing that really kinda looks you might be slightly into the air from 5 storeys.... She went first like so fast and I was sitting there for 2 seconds looking at the person like WHYWHWYHWY then I went and it was like mini heart attack. Siao one. I had a good heart to heart with her also much love ♡
(CRAY HOW AM I GOING TO FINISH THIS???? AHRDHDHDHD )
20) First time attending a GKIDZ PARTY:)
I've been a David Club leader for awhile now and I've never known that FCBC is so good at throwing fun parties!!! One of the best days of the year HANDS DOWN! Let me just list what they had and just generally the vibes and loving atmosphere
- karaoke bar was a game so you can sabo your leaders to sing HAHA got couple song also I SHIP!
- dance class HAHAHA
- ice cream man we ran off during dance class to queue for ice cream!!!! And my leader went with us HAHAHAHA
- acting was meh... we got 1st place though!
- children around!!!!!
- good and sufficient food!!! people serving were ♡♡
- harbour nearby!!! The kids and I witnessed a man getting his gains from having fished with a net!
- photo booth, which explains picture above
- at night, the place was lit up with fairy lights, including a lit carriage!!!!!
- we played sparklers
- we ended the night singing a song of devotion to serving and God (I really dont remember... but it was such a sweet song. I recorded it and forgot to save :(() The memory lives on in my mind ♡
- we ended with prayers and reminder to be the light wherever we go
- shuttle bus to the west for home!!! YES so considerate ~
- just really bonded with my gkidz leaders
I'm really glad it went SO well, because it was meant to be an appreciation service and I think it went tremendously and I feel so appreciated ♡ much yay!
Had a lovely meal and a conversation about things related to the 'adult world' and I guess you can it was one of my first times. The fact that someone sees me as mature enough to relate that kind of thing was kind of a process for me. I think this year has really been a year of reflection and of growing up. Realising that I'm not really that small anymore, I can take more things up and understand and am expected to handle more things on my own.
22) First time leading girls in UG for their badge activity
23) First time sharing Christian Education
24) First time joining UG camp and doing all that reporting stuff
This is also God's grace to me leh... Wah if I were to recount everything that God has been good to me, I will sleep at 4am leh. Currently almost 2am. I was so blur, I didn't know that UG was supposed to be this strict. Like it's a little stressful at times, because the girls make sure they aren't late, and me as the reporting madam, cannot be late also. Ahhh.... Learning curve for me also.... Will still share God's grace. At first I was quite stubborn against the idea of joining a UG. I was okay with helping out from time to time, but it seemed I was almost not given the choice to commit to it weekly. (Like I could ask to opt out if I wanted, but it was already assumed I was joining at that point) I never wanted to join UG. My bff Sop was in UG and I see the way she has to make sure her uniform is in good state and all, it just scares me, because I'm not the sort that will care about details. It's not fun okay? And I think I did not consider Sop's feelings enough when I told her several times "I will never join UG". I'm sorry sop :( And I joined brownies in p3 before and honestly, there was not much gain from that experience, except the people.
So I told God about it and tried to pray and lay it down before God. That day I prayed, God placed a powerful word in me that I carry in me when I help out at GB. "If I serve, it's because I'm serving the Lord" As long as I am serving God, it doesn't matter if I don't like the structure or cca. Amen! Truly, out of helping out weekly, I've learnt alot from the wisdom of my leader Joelle. She teaches me how to win others and she is passionate about God. I have learnt more than I expected, and I believe these kind of things, I don't think I can learn anywhere else. I am still learning, not very good. I hope one day I can win more souls to Christ!!! Glory to God. Also overcame nerves and shared about honoring parents to the secondary school students. All praise to God! It all comes down to the little things, obeying the small things. If I didn't obey my mum during my bday party, I would have trouble teaching about honoring parents because I haven't walked the talk. God in His grace allowed me to reconcile and experience something powerful with my mum, and I was able to testify it to the students. So all glory to God ! ♡ Currently, I am still trying to improve my relationship with my mum so yes. My 3 points were, 1. Forgive 2. Say Sorry 3. Give thanks HAHA
Ended the camp with a pict with the white officers because we arent allowed to post pictures with the GB girls! So much to learn.....
My grandma's recipe is pretty much bomb.
26) My first time RUNNING 10KM WITH MY CELL GROUP (Nov 5)
We not only conquered the mountain, we did it together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Slow timing HAHAHAH, 3 of us waited for each other, held hands and pushed through the hardest parts together!!!! I only trained up to 5km, so being able to run 10km on the day itself is a combination of God's grace, good weather and scenery and the encouragement from the girls!YAAYAYAYYAYA here's to more races HAHAHA I've ran a grand total of maybe 3 times since my 10km race HAAAHAAHAHAH one was because of cell hahaha. I must also say that during that period I was down with a horrible cough and sinus. And I went running despite! God is good! And on the day of my run, I got my menses also. God is still good!
I was job-hunting at that time and had a list of requirements that job agencies found too mafan, but God had a plan. I wanted flexible hours because I had volunteering commitment on different days, flexible hours and ability to meet many people. Where to find??? Seriously.... God bless Joanna. She is a really good friend. She found event jobs that were HIGH PAYING and she introduced them to me. And at those event jobs, there were a lot of foreign delegates that we had to attend to and I could interact with MANY PEOPLE. Events only last a few days so it was FLEXIBLE and they could fit into my schedule. I was stunned. God answered my prayers miraculously.
This is the story of how me and Joanna met because it is too good not to share. Around last year?? December or somewhere. I somehow met Joanna randomly at random places!!!!!!!! At bus interchange, at driving centre and 313, while I was with my friends. Mind you, we were only secondary school friends so we did not meet at all in JC! It was really weird to meet someone so many times in such a short span of time!!!!!!!!!!! So I felt God telling me, okay you need to meet Joanna out. We didn't really have that opportunity until late Sep. I sent her a message on instagram after seeing her post. We finally connected and I told her Im studying in Australia, because by then my admissions were settled. Then!!!!! She told me she wants to drop out of NTU to study a different course in Australia..... WHAT ARE THE ODDS!!!!! This is definitely divinely planned out!!!!! I don't know what kind of motivating factor I was, maybe because we are going together or something, but somehow God had a plan for both of us, and wanted to bless us both through each other. Truly thankful. Honestly, I don't think I'm a big help in her move to Aussie, because Joanna is so pro-active in finding out information on her own, and I just help her with whatever I have done and all. Yep.... so giving thanks and praise to God! I hope to help Joey more as she has helped me ♡
Bank Conference!!!!! FOOD!!!!!!!!!! ehehe. My job was printing kiosk assistant and I had loads of free time.
28) First time working at BANQUET
The timings after that haven't really worked out so... yep. Hahaha it was a rewarding experience. The flurry and mad rush in the morning. The heels, the humbling tasks and conversations with people, mainly the latter, are things I hold quite close to my heart. Some of the people who work there are so young and are just finding their way, older and determined. I had a really kind manager for one day and one that I don't think I really enjoy working with that much..... Either way... I really learnt lessons from that short period of time. The hard work behind money, being nice to everyone pays off and being on time.....
Before long, I was working at my second event, introduced by Joanna! It was real fun too!!! I met a friend named Peggy, whose name means little pearl.
Oh oh!!!! There was a guy signing books so we got our books signed!
29) First time getting my book SIGNED
Do we look like asian nerds lol hahaha. We got a book on data analytics hahaha.
This starts my pre-christmas week of meeting friends!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!
CHRISTMAS EVE: We had a fantastic party at my grandma's house with close to 40 relatives! My auntie planned a really good gift exchange programme, which was pretty laborious, because it involved buying and wrapping 30 gifts AHHH. I think my gift wrap skills improved:) It was a special time because we were supposed to say a genuine wish to the other person based on what they received, so it was funny XD
CHRISTMAS: After a tiring week, I just stayed home and enjoyed the day to myself. lOL. I was supposed to do my FCBS reflections, which I procrastinated doing, but ended falling asleep on the bed. Had a great nap and was really refreshed for the next day. Ah... some days you just don't want to do anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30) My first time STAYING OVER AT A CHALET
It was like a milestone for me, because my parents have been very cautious of me staying over anywhere. They are usually worried I will do something unwise. Now they trust me yay! To be honest, I didn't meet my iras friends way back from March for quite some time, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get back to their wavelength because they still meet each other in their unis. Fortunately, they are honestly nice and very accepting so I had a pile of fun :))) Yep. OMG 8 people slept on 2 double beds. It was real tight >< Thank God at least we separated by gender on the 1st day, and my friends were very understanding towards me when I said I wasn't comfortable or anything ♡ We went to WWW together!!!! It was as fun as when I went with Megan, because that time the place was more empty and we had free food ahaha. I watched a bunch of movies/shows with them, none as good as The Shack, which I watched recently!!! They kept wanting to watch horror, but I was so against it!!! Refused to watch when they played it. Partly because I don't like seeing the images, and more because I am concerned if the images will continue to play in my mind and scare me!! I mean, we have to guard our hearts, and what we put into our mind through our 5 senses!
We also played drinking games, which I hardly participated, because my dad told me not to drink before I left. When I asked him again, he said i only can drink a few sips. My friends were super accepting, they didn't scold me when I drank so little, and they didn't ask me to pay even though I did drink a few sips of alcohol. Alcohol is also really expensive and my friend just treated most of the cost of vodka, which is pretty rad and generous to me. ♡
Thankful to have made friends with them and that we can have these memories! We went to Pasir Ris Park thrice in total LOL! Priscilla is SO STRONG! She piggybacked me for like 500m or super long OMG. Felt so paiseh and happy!!! WEEEW~~~ Being piggybacked is fun, but I feel sorry because she has to exert a lot of strength! I've discovered she is stronG!!!!! My secret hope is that one day all of them will know God's love and want to be like Christ.. It's difficult to meet them because we are all at our separate ways. It was really nice to have some heart to hearts with some of them, like when me and Kenny were buying drinks, we took a walk around the Dresort and it was nice to hear someone's honest thoughts. Will be praying ♡
Met my church friends from my mum's cell in the afternoon! (Faith, Grace, Cheryl, Isaac, Kennice) Kennice means beautiful. Had a fun time with them!!!!! They are so mature despite being younger than me ! :) At times even more mature than me, I am sheepish to say.
YAS, I love counting down to the new year, because I feel that is one year to feel that you have truly crossed into the new year! SO YES HAPPY 2018! The BBQ was really chill. I highly recommend BBQ warehouse because they managed to deliver our bbq goods to such an ulu HDB block and were very patient with my request to deliver during what I think is peak period. Thumbs up guys!
My cell leader, Owen, and some of the other guys really did a good job of cooking the food while we played music and card games with the guests. It was fun! I really enjoyed talking to Jie Ying's friends who came, HAHA they live in the West!!!! YAY :) Owen's friend and Denise :) We had a gift exchange and that was really fun too :)
Reflecting on 2017, there is definitely so many I have to be grateful and thankful for ♡ Especially thankful to God, for the many instances of LOVE and GRACE shown to me, as well as BLESSING.
1) The fact I spent the whole of 2017 on HOLIDAY and doing what I like. Going to bible school, working at fun jobs, going out with friends, travelling
2) The spiritual renewal and increased faith I experienced through going through FCBS. The renewed sense of acceptance and love, the shutting down of defeating thoughts in my mind and just meeting so many people who love Jesus and encourage me to do so. A glimpse of heaven that I'm looking forward to, definitely.
3) God's faithfulness and providence, for giving me the unexpected blessings! Opportunity to study overseas, Godly friends who I've known previously, Godly seniors, Godly officers. People who have reached out to me to tell me about someone they know over there. I am already so excited and so thankful for the love poured out to me ♡
4) Experiencing God's providence. When I heard God tell me to tithe this amount, I was very hesitant, because it was way more than I ever tithed, and at that time, I had very little money in my bank account, from my earnings in March and some savings (though I save somewhere else too). In my main bank account, after tithing I had only double digit left. Quite sad haha.
The miracle I experienced is that now, I think the amount in my bank (after banking in everything -- which I have not), I think is 8 times the amount I tithed. Not exactly, because I didn't count every thing, but it is so much more than I expected. Firstly, when I had very little money left in my bank account, God helped me to pass my driving test on my 2nd try (MIRACLE). Secondly, a month later or something, I received bank draft for my school expenses for scholarship, which I did not expect to receive so early. Thirdly, because I had so little money, I went out to find jobs with more urgency and managed to earn a small sum. Fourthly, many of my relatives, mum's cell group friends have blessed with my angbaos for my overseas studies. So all in all, I have no lack, despite my initial "lack". So all glory to Christ!
5) Divine arrangement and encounter with Joanna. Her going to uni in Aussie and God used her to bless me because she introduced me to many good event jobs! Really thankful to her! Thank God! It can only be the work of a loving Heavenly Father because we met thrice in short space of time. AMAAZING.
6) many many more. ♡ ♡ ♡
here's to a 2018 in God's presence and God's strength!
