I Love my iPHONE!

Face it!!! I'm converted! I love my new phone!

1) It's coolz

2) It enables me to be connected to the latest news. (I can finally read the papers regularly with this new power phone. No more complains of not being able to sit down & read the papers cuz I need to rush out of the house

3) Some of the iPhone apps are really useful and fun. E.g. TransGuide, Dictionary, Bejeweled2 etc

But then again, there are also downside and dangers with such a power phone.

A) Parents don't blur blur just get the phone for your kids. Some of the apps are adult-content and not suitable for children. *shake head*

B) My new Singtel plan is TOTALLY EXPENSIVE....................SOBS....................... 1st bill is already a shocking $112...

So there are always pros and cons. Do your research first before jumping in to the iPhone craze!!!!

Luv Cynthia

Teen IDOL Camp 2009

Check out pictures from Teen IDOL Camp 2009. See if you could spot Bren Bren & Bel Bel!

http://markadifference.blogspot.com/2009/06/teen-idol-camp-2009.html

Good things to share!

I came across this wonderful free site that shares free to use Christian wallpapers. Check it out!

http://wallpaper4god.com

*Slurp Slurp*

I really wanted to post this up because i felt that it was quite interesting =)

A young lady is alone in her apartment. She goes to bed with her dog on the floor beside her. In the middle of the night, she is woken up by a strange sound. She is alarmed, but reaches down to the dog, who licks her hand. She is reassured and goes back to sleep.

In the morning, she finds the dog hung in the shower. Where the dog slept, she picks up a note which reads "Humans can lick, too."


Of course, this is not a true recount, but i can remember how creepy i felt when i first read it.
Found it on this site

Dancing with Wolves!

Matthew 10:16 (MSG)
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
This week's sermon was brilliant! Plus Mr Khong was very entertaining. =)

How do we dance with the wolves?
1. Be a snake!
How do we be a "snake"?
Sneaky, yet in a positive way.
"..don't call attention to yourself.." v.16
Don't judge. Don't be quick to correct others. Don't be loud in pointing mistakes. Being discreet, but not deceitful.


2. Be a dove.
How do we be a "dove"?
Phil 2:15
"...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe..."
Pure, and not of the flesh. Doing things out of the purest intentions and with a sincere heart.




Application
Zhimin- Choose words with care
Brenda- Flexible in thinking, instead of trying to solve the problems head-on
Jolene- Be tactful
Priscilla- Not to be rude
Janelle- Use words carefully
Annabel- Be wise
Cyn- Think sharply, speak clearly
Jo- Flexibility in tackling problems

What are we doing with we are given?

(Exodus 4:1-5)

Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"
Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"


"A staff," he replied.
The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."


Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."


What is our own "staff" that we want to lay it down for God to use?

Mr Ken Costa shared that like how the staff that represents what Moses do for a likelihood and the identity that he have, each and single one of us should also possess this "staff".

So, what is the "staff" a.k.a talent that each one of us have, that we also can use to help others?


Annabel- Bringing joy to people, a good listener. How she can use it is through listening to them, able to understand them better and even pray accordingly to what they need

Anndrea- Patience and loyalty. Good at planning and research holidays. *someone who's good at organising*

Cherish- Can dance very well. (She indicated that her dance can make ppl happy)

Cynthia- An eye for details. VERY very detailed. Able to organise things well. Can write stuff in clear, simplified and easy to understand manner.

Jolene- Her brains. She can provide help to others in their schoolwork etc.

Joanne- Good listener. I know there are many many more, but God have yet to reveal to me..... hahaha <>

When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.

When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.'


She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?'

The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son ? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through hi s thick red curly hair.

'Would you like a lock of his hair ?' the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will he lp some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

'Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You' . I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again.

Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.

The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him.

Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed.

Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.

God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him ?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool ?

I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.'
Luv Cynthia

Application for 3rd May

HELLO EVERYONE! Its been so long since i last posted something. So this week i'm in charge of posting everyone's application. Actually, suppposed to do it last week but i forgot, oops.

The sermon was about blessings of a Father or something along the line, didnt quite catch what Mr Ed was saying.. So he talked about how God like us, how his love for us requires correspondence, and why people need a Father because he gives them 1) Feets to stand 2) Wings to fly 3) Compass to navigate, and that blessings to do go on for generations and generations, using 2 Chronicles 6:4,10 as an illustration.


Application
Zhimin- Pray until curses are broken
Annabel- Bless properly since the blessings that follows will keep on coming
Brenda- Corresponding to God's love, spend more time tuning to His voice rather than keep praying e.g for blessings or about own troubles
Cynthia- Continue to keep doing and saying what is right, even if people may not like it is being done or said, know that blessings will come
Jo- Since God likes me and wants to spend time with me, am going to like Him back and spend more time with him

Ok, that's all =) I still want to put this up because i think its important to apply them, to build a close and intimate relationship with God. All the way!

Signing off,
Jo

APPLICATION-26/4/09

hello everybody.
sorry this is so late,this week is test test test, homework homework homework.
sorry cyn. i Thought this got posted up, but it didnt go up.
anyway, hope you all have been carrying out the applications.

C:Be more patient with people who irritate her
Pris: Whenever irritated, don't say anything
bel:make an effort to talk to the people who are left out in her class
Abi: Try and be more friendly to someone in class
-talk to her
Bren: Whenever people ask her to borrow stuff, willingly lend it
Jol:Be more hospitable to guests in her house
Jo:Offer the people around her better treatment
Cyn: Bless her brother
ZM: Continue to pray blessings over her dad.

bel

I'm gonna be a History Maker in this land!

I've been very inspired and touched by this song lately. Today I just want to speak that TRUTH into you!
"Yes it's true and I believe it, I'm living for YOU!"
Non of us is too young, too old, too busy, too stupid, too small to be used by God. The matter of fact is....GOD WANTS TO USE US!!

So the question that really remains is .....
1) ARE WE GOING TO BELIEVE GOD,
2) stop believing the devil and
3)START MOVING IN FAITH!!!! :)

Luv Cynthia

History Maker
Is it true today that when people pray

Cloudless skies will break
Kings and queens will shake
Yes it's true and I believe it I'm living for You
Is it true today that when people pray

We'll see dead men rise
And the blind set free
Yes it's true and I believe it, I'm living for You

I'm gonna be a history maker in this land
I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind
I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna run into Your arms, into Your arms again
Into Your arms, into Your arms again

Well it's true today that when people stand
With the fire of God, and the truth in hand
We'll see miracles, we'll see angels sing
We'll see broken hearts making history
Yes it's true and I believe it
We're living for You

Written by Martin Smith ©1996 Curious? Music UK



faith

it's a night before my syf.

syf, is the most important event of any performing art for it tells others the standard of which you are at.
my school is aiming for gold.
i just can't describe how nervous i am right now. everyone around me can't do their homework too. jittery bittery goes my heart. we either get a gold or our conductors get sacked. i just feel like everyone tells us we're history makers but there's just this silent heavy doubt hanging in the air. it's suffocating me for one thing. even as i type this i suddenly remember the delirious song 'history maker'.
well in all our 50 years we never got a gold for our symphonic band before.faith perhaps is all we have left. my heart feels like dropping.
then i have to remind myself. courage is facing it even with fear,not the absence of fear.
i will be strong and we will overcome. yes we will. please pray for us!

love
brenda

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Let me put it this way. Let's say my college.


Of course if my college has a big funfair or any other event i would want my close friends to go, support me or whatever. But the thing i myself would really want is to let them see the kind of environment i study in, the place i go to everyday for 5 days a week whenever i'm not meeting them, the school God chose for me to go to, the friends i mix around with.... In a way, i feel that it can bring us closer.

The funfair or any event would just be an excuse for me to ask them over. That's how i think la.

So Bren, even though it would delight us even more to see you while we were there, i'm happy enough to see see and look look around your school, its like i have a better understanding of you.. I dont feel that the trip was a wasted one. I believe the others feel this way too. =)








Lots of love
jo

yello.

i have been wanting to say this for very long, especially when i never really made it clear.

I'M SORRY ABOUT MY SCHOOL'S FUNFAIR FIASCO.
):
i really was kinda stuck in the haunted house and i wished that everyone could come down, and i really am very grateful you made the effort to come!
i'll pay everyone back somehow!

love
brenda

Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen

MUST WATCH! Coming this June.

Storm Signals

Was reading something by Gordon MacDonald in "When Men Think Private Thoughts" & this portion I read was very meaningful & doesn't seem like something exclusive to guys so I'm going to share a little here. Hope it benefits you as it did me!

What Storm Signals Means (Alarm bells within self that signals trouble is brewing - do a check for yourself here)
1) Moods
- Watch out for bursts of anger, prolonged bouts of sadness & continuing feelings of irritation that goes beyond the normal.
- Are you overcome with intense sadness? Are you able to celebrate with someone in his success? Why do you see gloom & bleakness in every possibility?
- It would be good to reflect upon your changing moods & what they really mean. And it would have been the right moment for a courageous fren to step in & question you & your abnormal moods & behaviour.


2) Predominant thoughts
- Thoughts that are almost always out of control. Thoughts that emerge without warning.
- Why are these uninvited thoughts growing in frequency & variety? What is the underlying message?

3) A change in key relationships
- If I find myself jealous of other peoples whose fortunes have advanced beyond my own, if I begin to think of people competitively as better than or not as good as I am, etc etc, I am getting some fairly strong signals that something in my soul has gone sour...

4) Defensiveness
-We're dealing with storm signals when we react to difficult moments with defensiveness, complaining, or whining.
- I'm defensive when I resist any attempts to evaluate my work or my life - performance. I refuse to listen, to consider that anyone might offer a different outlook on what I'm doing or becoming. Thus, I become angry or make excuses or try to deflect the blame to someone else.
- Difficulty in listening to difficult news about self. You want to give one excuse after another. You spend more time trying to explain yourself than you do listening & asking where the point of truth might be. 5) Sleeplessness

- You're probably getting a storm signal when the body cries for sleep but the mind doesn't permit it to happen. It's time to ask why!
- If the quiet messages of the soul are resisted in the daytime hours, it is not unusual that the soul will speak more persistently in the night time.


Taking the time, the effort, the opening of the ear & eye to hear & watch the stomr signals that send their messages to us that something is wrong, that something needs correction, that something needs assistance. In so doing the hurricanes are tamed, & life goes on in greater fullness & maturity. ~ Gordon MacDonald

Luv Cynthia

CS, WOW

Just 2 weeks ago, after lessons from a sch, we went back to the office. Upon reaching the glass doors, i was greeted with the sight of a room filled with people gaming. Counterstrike, WOW, DOTA, Op 7 etc. Its a very common sight, considering that the gaming center is part of the place where i work.

And i asked myself this, "Very fun meh?", rolled my eyes, turned and walked off into the other room. I really really really think that its a waste of time getting into a team with some strangers to fight against some other strangers on DOTA. And CS is such a complicated game, so much blood and the counter terrorist ppl look so much like the terrorist ppl... (Gaming from a girl's point of view) I just cannot picture myself playing those games, or even getting hooked to them. NO WAY.


But last week.. i was simultaneously introduced to Warcraft 3 and Counterstrike. ITS SO FUN!!!!! At first, it was really hard to move around in CS, and i felt really dizzy after trying to move from place to place, and i "died" almost instantly whenever an enemy spotted me. But after a few more practices, i so enjoyed that game! =D There's also no lack of people to play with. ;)


For warcraft 3, i chose to play that myself. What happened was, every night when i came home, i would see my brother playing it. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. And it really intrigued me, what exactly is the attraction. To be able to answer that question, i decided to experience it myself. So i started on the easier levels first b4 i slowly moved on to harder missions.

I can only say this: I'm enjoying the game.


Now now now, i'm not asking you guys to try the games, just that its a really good way to relax =) and its always fun to play with other people.



Jo

my fav weapon in CS: sniper!

Mark a Difference

This blog (a FCBC Youthnet initiative) is created for the proclaimation and sharing of testimonies. Truly, we hope that the testimonies of God's goodness will flow continually and will serve to edify and encourage this family. =D http://markadifference.blogspot.com/

You can send your testimonies to markadifference@gmail.com :)

Luv Cynthia

My Most Memorable Valentine Day 2009!



This year holds the most memorable valentine's day memory for me because ...... kena BURNT under the hot sun!!!

1) We went to celebrate V-day with BrenBren at her school funfair but we didn't grab a glimpse of her at all...... SOBS!!!! We ended up having a mini picnic under the hot sun [ZM kept insisting that it was a shady afternoon!]. We bought pizza, nachos, sardine puffs & drinks with the coupous we bought.

2) We celebrate V-day with our ETHNOSEMMANUEL cluster mates! It was a chill out night where unprofessional singers belt out many wonderful melodies to entertain the others. heehee. The atmosphere was very relaxed and fun & peppered with soooo many lame jokes! Rennie, WangYing & Phoebe really did a wonderful wonderful job in organizing the whole programme. ZM sang 勇气, EJ & me sang 爱和承诺and 梁山伯与茱丽叶.


















All in all, I thank God for such a lovely and meaningful V-day where we're not just caught up in emo mo mo love but celebrating a day of love & marvelous friendships!!! Happy FRENSHIP Day Gals!!!!

*Special thanks to cherry who made the yummy mummy cup cakes for us!!!

Luv Cynthia

FAMILY!

I've been extremely happy this few days, not to mention the fact that its Chinese New Year too. =)




Like what my family have been doing every year, we went to my dad's godmum's house for reunion dinner. I agree it sounds weird, as we are not related at all, but, they do treat us like family we feel really comfortable whenever we go there. This year was a bit different for me. For the past years that we've been there, i avoided talking to the kids who are around my age, maybe i'm just shy (Ha ha). But i made effort to do it this year, and its not even difficult at all. =)



Like what my family have been doing every year, we headed off to Malaysia! But this year was a bit different for us. We made a stop at my auntie's house first, then from there, we went to Malaysia. The thing is, i get to spend time quality time with my wonderful nephew and niece, Douglas and Faith. We watched Monster Inc. on the car and laughed over the funny characters. Just recalling it made me feel so much younger!! They are really intelligent too, very unlike me when i was their age =)



Like what my family have been doing every year, we reached Johor at around 10pm and waited for the fireworks put up by our neighbours. (Putting up fireworks are illegal, especially when people put up those mega loud and brights one, its actually easier for them to be caught, but....the people do get away with it..) But this year was different. It rained. So there were no fireworks. All the kids, including me, were quite disappointed. Yet, because of the rain, all of us stayed inside and we get to catch up with one another. Like, I know how my cousin is doing in school and how their curriculum is getting heavier. He is doing 11 subjects. Like, i talked to my cousin's husband, who i now know is a very funny person.



Also, there are new additions to the family. Or should, i say they've grown since they were still very tiny last year. And OMGosh they are so cute and adorable and pinch-able and delicious-looking. I totally changed my opinion towards children..especially after my another nephew and niece arrived the following day, which is a 初一. Since both of them were breed and born in the States, they have this cute accent when they talk. I had this conversation with one of them.


Abby: I love princesses! [In Disneyland] We watched the princess parade. I love Santa Claus too! *Giggle*
Me: But Santa Claus is not a princess.......
Abby: *burst into fits of laughter*
Me: And he doesnt wear a dress......
Abby: *Laughter goes on...*


Now, the real reason i'm feeling so happy is not because i feel younger when i play with them, and definitely nothing to do with the hongbaos i'm receiving, its the family warmth i can practically sense covering the entire house. Seeing them enjoying themselves, laughing over lame jokes, kids bickering over toys and stuffing their faces with food just fills me up with happiness and bliss. The feeling is that great. =)

I'm already looking forward to our next gathering.


Jo

Running after you...


It was pretty late when i get home, but still i decided to went ahead with my run. I started having this run routine since it was the holidays and i can feel myself getting fat, so i try to run whenever i can.

Yesterday, i was desperate to hear God. I'm not those who is a regular to hearing him or sensing him, not sensitive at all. I didnt realise i could be very nonchalant at times, and that there are things that really needed my attention, yet i choose to let it pass..Ytd, i was reminded of them and suddenly i felt so, heavy. Heavy with responsibilities.

So it was already very dark, and i chose a different route this time, longer and quieter. I broke out into a run immediately (usually i dont do that if i want to last a few more rounds). On the way, i prayed-muttered to God, asking for help.

Amazingly, i finished that round in that same fast pace, with no thought of wanting to stop and rest.

And suddenly, it just hit me. It could be both a reminder and also an assurance from Him.

As i kept running, i was able to go further during this particular run. He reminded me of the year that just end. He reminded me who was the one who sustained me last year, pulled me through the tough exam periods and school stress when i thought i was a goner.

He assured me it will be the same again this coming year, he will continue to be my strength. Want to encourage everyone not to give up, this year is a tough one. When this year ends, we will be stronger in faith if we keep trusting Him.

Also, i have stopped doing my QT the past month, especially during my days of peace, fun and joy. As i prepare myself for this coming year, i try to set some resolutions too. Starting from how i treat my family members, and slowly moving outwards to the circle of people around me. Try to be more active with the noisy girls (ha ha) around me in church etc..


Jo

P.S: I can no longer enjoy the privileges of being a student.. *a deep sigh* No cheap bus fares, no student meal in Mcd...

"Fooled by what we "see"!

Don't let the world define for you what is beauty. What you see to be real is really just a lie. "Fooled by what we "see"!

At the end of the day, be true to yourself. And not blindly follow what the world brainwashes you to believe. Else we'll end up just a sad final product of advertising lies.



Proverbs 31:30 (Contemporary English Version)
Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD deserves to be praised.

happy new year!

haha happy new year everyone! just going to tell you a little story that you MUST not be too stressed during this year or you'll end up like this:
i just finished helping out in sec 1 orientation and i was beat. i went straight home and slept at 9 plus. then suddenly i felt myself back at school again, at the meeting place near the pr. everything was a mess, people scrambling around to get things done.

a fellow psl (peer support leader): hey come, it's starting already!
me: yes, i'm coming!
the overall i/c: brenda, hurry up!

i was about to reply a really long sentence and ask her something when i suddenly sat up. there was no longer sunshine glaring at my eyes near the canteen, just darkness and the whirring of the fan. where am i, i wondered.

my sister michelle: bren, are you ok?
me:oh, oh yeah why? (i just recalled i had fallen asleep)
my sister: you were sleep talking.really loudly too, you freaked me out okay.
me: huh what did i say?
my sister: something like 'yes i'm coming'. are you really ok?
i laughed and explained to her what happened. i was too groggy to remember every part of our conversation though but please, if you are highly stressed when we're going for cell retreat please let everyone know. i'd be freaked out if you start sleep talking too XD

love
brenda

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