DIvision Retreat 2008

i don't normally post my emo posts online but this one is an exception because this is dedicated specially to my cell group: HOTBULBS and the division.

firstly to my dearest and most beloved cell. whatever i shared with you guys on the last night - that 'speech' really came from the bottom of my heart and i meant every word i said. i know sometimes i repeat things but the fact remains - I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS DO IT, BUT YOU GUYS JUST ROCK. goodness, that sounded like it just came from a secondary school kid, but honestly i don't know how else better to put it. you guys honestly rock and throughout the four night spent with you guys i've learnt so much about you through all that sharing and screaming and shouting and bridging and german-bridging and phototaking and ... the list goes on.... and i realised yet another thing. that the moment you guys left the house was the moment i started missing you guys already. and now that the retreat is over and done with, all i want to do now is to just talk and see you guys again. fellowship and talk and bridge and mahjong (welcome to the club!). and that's precisely how i feel now that it's over and you guys are back home and then just when i want to call or sms you guys, i realise that my phone's not with me. you guys brought me so much joy and laughter that i could forget about the loss of the phone. and i guess it's really because of the company, one that i can never find anywhere else in my life, that made this all worthwhile. i take comfort in the Word where Paul wrote in 1 Cor 15: 58, "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN". seeing you guys grow in Christ really have made it ALL worthwhile.

to my fellow leaders - Rachel, Lynn, Salome, Lewis and Gregory, THANKS for making this retreat a successful one despite the tight planning schedule. take comfort in Paul's words as written above! let's all have the holy expectation of seeing our cells grow even Further in and with Christ! i hope the retreat have started something new in your cell, whether it has rejuvenated it or revived it or encouraged it or strengthened it, let us continue to strive for excellence for we do it ALL FOR CHRIST. let us also continue to support one another in ministry and prayer, keeping one another in our thoughts and prayers! david and wilbur, WE MISS YOU!

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to the division and everyone else, thanks for your attendance and participation because really without you all, not only will this retreat be doomed to failure, the division would fall too! thanks to all who have made this a reality! and last but not least, TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

my ORD Thank You List

today marks the end of a twenty-two month-long milestone in my life. and i don't want to forget the people who have made this journey what it is today.

first and foremost to God, my everlasting Father, Saviour, King, Redeemer, Sustainer, Provider and Giver of All Good things. through Him there are no impossibilities and it's been a great pleasure learning this throughout my length of service. i carried a hope and a desire when i enlisted, to be a leader, whatever that meant in the force. and when i didn't achieve that, naturally i was disappointed. but His sustanance and providence for me has been more than enough for me and soon i was blessed with something far beyond my expectations. in fact, it was far beyond the expecatations of anyone i knew. back there, i was further blessed with good health, great friends and an experience like none other. it was awesome and i still attribute it to the goodness of my God. without Him, i would not have made it out on my own. Father, it is by your power and your strength for me that has seen me through; without which, i cannot do anything. Thank You.

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secondly, to my family who have supported me all the way, silently but surely they did so. even when i was posted There, i had the full support of my family members and none disagreed to it even when they first heard of it. their support for me when i was still a bloddy recruit was all the more crucial to me as i learn the ropes of their trade. i am proud to be a soldier, just like they were; though i must say that it would be foolish for me to join the force simply because i wanted to follow in their footsteps. nonetheless, i am proud of my parents' previous work experiences. Thank You Dad, Mum and Sis for all the support and love even through the times that i wasn't around.

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thirdly, to all my dearest Cell Group, HOT BULBS and my dearest co-leader of which i must must make special mention, because she has undertaken the responsibilities of two people during my absence. to Rachel Kee, you've been most valuable and appreciated for for all that you've done for this cell group. i know the kids can get quite uncontrollable at times but by the grace of God, all things are and have been made possible. when i left, i knew that the Lord will not forsake you, for that was His promise to not just me, but to those who read His word, and i'm glad He has not gone back on His word. Thank You for your every single bit of effort, dedication and hoarse vocal cords because you keep getting them to settle down. to the rest of my cell members, you guys have been a great joy to have and i thank God for each one of you everytime in my prayers. you have been my motivation and inspiration at times and more than that, it brings me great joy in seeing all of you grow and mature spiritually in the Lord. Thank You All for your prayers, constant encouragement, love, and even those msn convos.

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fourthly, to my awesome friends back there (you know where it is). the months spent there was the most awesome time ever spent, not only because i was alone and away from home and could do whatever i want but it was the company that still make me reminscience of all the good times we had. you guys were there when i was down, stood by me, cared for my wounds, and not forgetting those random walks to 7-11 just outside the gates. i still remember and will always have them safe in my memories. so Thank You All for the great times and fond memories. a special shout-out to the following people: Aaron, Jeremy, Jeng Hei, Wei Wei, Philip, Ganwei, Kevin, Guan Teck, Jacob, Junyi, Ting Ho, Eric; thanks for the support and friendship man.

fifthly, to my BMT mateys as well as my Signal Cours Platoon 17/06, thanks for the wonderful memories of crap in tekong and stagmont. i know stagmont was complete slackness but hey during those times it was errr, just slack la huh. but Thank You for your friendship and constant encouragements. a special shout out to the following people: Falcon Platoon 1 Section 4 mateys (Prabhu, Samuel, Benjamin, Han Fei, Nelson, Li Qian, Roger, Brian, Yi Liang, Dean, David), Kai Siang, Bing Long, Alvin, Brandon, Daryl; Stagmont 17/06 mateys (Wai Kit, Gabriel, Benji, Eugene, Rif, Suren, Eng Chye, Shi Chun, Vinodh, Zhi Jian).

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last but not least, to my relatives, friends, and aquaintances who have supported me throughout these twenty two months of my life of which all of them have brought me comfort, encouragement, even strength and renewed faith. a special shout out to: Victoria Chorale, i know it was my bad pang sehing you guys for In Song 2007 but i'm back and ready to contribute and improve myself for Korea 09! (Samantha, Siying, Jian Hao, Marie, Pei En, Stephanie, Jon Chuah, Sue Lynn); 4B, 05S43, , HQ SIG MP BR (Ms Lee KT, Marcus, Jennifer, Kian Long, Boon Teck, Mr William) Joel Sng, Gerald, Wilbur, Justin, Kenny, Zara. Thank You All.

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so that probably sums up an ESTIMATED list of those who have supported me through these months. if i've left you out, please know it was not at all intentional, i'm really tired now and cannot think very straight. it is my greatest pleasure to have had your encouragements and support, care and concern; please know that they all meant something to me. so to those unsung heroes, and a final admonishment to all, THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING.

dating is an anesthetic to what is to come -

marriage is about healing the past of the individual,

it has never been about romantic love.

PS: i grabbed this off the Oprah show, just found it interesting.