Women Of Destiny

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.

Christmas is round the corner & all of us are busy. Even as we're involved in activities/events. I really hope that you will see beyond the task. But let's remember and ask ourselves why we're getting ourselves busy even during this festive season.

My Hope (Adults): 19 Dec, 730pm at Zhimin's place
My Hope (Girrrrlssss): 20 Dec, 5pm sharp Vincent's place (Blk 5, Upper Bukit Timah View, #01-02, Bukit Regency)

Requirements:
1) Come with a heart to be a blessing to others (even as we're so richly blessed by Christ's birth)
2) Gift not more than $5 for gift exchange

It's more blessed to give than to receive :)



Pass It On
It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing.
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love;
Once you've experienced it,
you want to sing"It's fresh like spring";
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top,
I want the world to know;
the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.

(Happy Birthday Jesus!)

Luv Cynthia

I thought this is a wonderful post from EJ. Hey girls enough of me telling you all the time about short skirts and stuff....Hear it from a man himself!

A month ago, I had a rather traumatizing encounter while shopping at a shopping mall. This incident happened while I was traveling up on the escalator. Sited ahead of me, next to the step out point from the escalator, there was a shop brandished with perfumes and cosmetic products. What shocked me at that particular point was that one of the salesgirl, back facing the store entrance and wearing a mini flair skirt, was climbing up on a ladder and stocking up products in the cabinet. She was totally oblivious to the fact that in that position, she was going to almost let everyone around have a free upskirt show!

It didn't need to take supersonic senses for me to understand what was coming next if I were to continue staring for another 10 seconds. Instantaneously as this salesgirl started her climb up the ladder, I immediately turned my eyes away to look elsewhere. Phew! A huge sigh of relief.... (I will explain my point later in this post. Read on.)

Traumatized enough, I wasn't prepare to stay around to spot the "Ti-Ko-Pek"s whom may be drooling at this free view nor see if there were anyone whom would go and get this salesgirl down from the ladder. I zipped off to the next level and carried on with my shopping.

Gosh! What has happened to the dressing culture of the teenage girls of today? Aren't they worried of over (or indecent) exposure when they wear such short flair kind of skirts? Honestly, I have nothing against girls wearing skirt, but I just feel strongly that there's got to be a limit to how far this can go. There has been enough horror stories of molest cases and people using handphone cameras to capture upskirt pictures. I seriously think girls can go one step further to protect themselves by giving their mini-skirts a bit more cloth-lengthening.

To the Girls: Yes, you do have the free-will to wear anything you like. Yes, guys should learn to be more self-controlled and not have wandering eyes. But the truth is that you will do yourselves and the guys a huge favor by re-considering your approach the next time you want to wear those short skirts. You can take active measures to protect yourselves. Example: If you are wearing those mini-skirts, do use you handbags to block or get a friend to stand behind you while you travel up the escalators. and for goodness sake, girls please do not climb ladders when you are wearing skirts. I am sure there are plenty of gentlemen around whom can lend their muscles to help you. Honestly, we guys are all visually stimulated, that slight upskirt/buttline/over-fleshy exposure will trigger a lot of reaction through our mind.

Having said this, Girls, you do not need to wrap yourselves up like a dumpling. Either opt for longer length skirts or learn to take proper preventive measures. I am certain beauty and proper cover up can co-exist.

Okay, I know I have never posted here despite the long long time that this blog has been up. But I've been regularly reading the cell blog So, I guess it was after reading all your posts for so long that has finally got me round to be a more active participator here, :}

Anyway, this past few weeks has been extremely hectic and stressful for me, with the performances spanned over consecutive days over the next few weeks, Dance trainings is in full force and had started as early as the holidays, 9-5 everyday for two weeks, on top of that there was deadlines to meet homework to finish and school was starting, as much as I hoped that I would for once have a more peaceful holiday, that time never came around.

And among all this hustle of life, yet there are times where emptiness seem to have just washed over me. Some of you may have felt this way ? But, its during those moments that it feels like nothing is really worth it anymore, even God doesnt seem to be there. And then, just yesterday a certain incident got me thinking, what's with all the things that we busy ourselves with ? What's with all the excuses that we give to God for not making enough time for him ?

Yesterday, I was feeling particularly tired and unmotivated. The first week of school was hardly even over, and dance practices plus desperately trying to start the first week of school off right was starting to take its toll on me, and I could already feel myself wearing out. Whatever it was, I went for dance trainings later that day. Feeling exceptionally moody already, Training was no help at all. Our Choreo was not completed and our shows were on next week already, that aside, Right from the start the juniors had really bad attitudes, no sense of urgency, and they had hardly even know their steps. Still, they refused to put in any effort to practice, and any free time they get they sit down and chat. Even our trainer was starting to feel very annoyed, yet the unsensitive juniors were totally oblivious to this. What made it worse, was that seniors + trainers + Teachers have sat them down and talk to them nicely about this matter, how it concerns the reputation of our group etc. Three times already, and still the second last practice and they were still having the same bad attitude and laziness.
Seniors then felt very pressurised and stressed, because whatever that they were lacking in, we had to compensate for it in the way we dance. In other words, we had to put in thrice the efforts.

I told myself, that whatever it was, it didnt matter if they didnt give a two cents worth about anything, it didnt matter if they refused to put in effort, it didnt matter at all, because those who were willing to work hard would make up for it. Every practice, I told myself that over and over, everytime I felt frustrated I told myself that. But yesterday, as much as I tried to beleive in that, It seemed almost absurd. As I danced through that same dance countless times, as I tried so hard to get everything right, As I tried so hard to tell myself that everything would be okay, I felt horrible, because Something kept telling me that it wont. That day, I dance to a point where I dissolved into tears, That day, I danced on emotion and rhythm and not on the restrictions on proper techniques. Because, I felt that everything had come to a point where I just felt as if it was all out of control, emotions piled high, I never realised that there was a limit to how much one could actually feel.

As friends crowded around me, taken aback by the sudden breakdown, questions were strewn at me. But their words flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither while they pass, I took notice of none. A sinking feeling in my heart, that I really could not fanthom. I didnt know what to say, or even how to translate the emotions that I was feeling all at once. It was after that, as I talked about things with a friend of mine, that she said something that struck me. " Dont worry, God will take care of this. "

And then I went home, I thought about it. God will take care of this ? I have hardly ever made time for God, I have gave God countless excuses why I forget to talk to him, I have used God at times only when I feel that I really need him. And, Umpteen times I have placed God not as my number one priority, and here I am to beleive that God will take care of all this. it was then, that I remembered what I had once heard, God is always there, its your choice on whether you would like to come to him or not. It suddenly dawn upon me that, all the excuses that I gave, that I was busy with school, dance and whatnot, they were all just nothing but mere untrue things that I tell God, in order to make me feel less guilty. Because, If I was busy then I would have no time to talk to him and spend time with him. It plagues me somewhere in my heart, never ending and it never ceases.Something would always question me over and over, like a broken old tape recorder, " why am I unable to trust in him as readily that I would like to? "

And then, as I try to answer my own questions, I realise something. It is not that we are busy, we say that we are busy in order to have something so that we'll feel less guilty, Its not that God takes note of every wrong thing we do and slowly distant himself away from us becuase with every sin that he takes note of, he finds out the more sinful we all are. It is more of the fact that, we think we are unworthy, and we think that we have done so much wrong, that even we are disgusted at ourselves, so how can God actually be able to love sinners like us ? But we often forget that, he is always here for us no matter how horrible we are feeling, when we hurt, he's feeling even more hurt. If not, why would he even have died for us in the first place ? [: I dont know about any of you, But I have found myself asking myself this many times, And I would always remember one incident where a friend told me that no matter what we do, even if we turn away from him, God will always be there ready for us to go back to him. So, whoever's feeling discouraged / sad / unmotivated etc. wouldn't it be nice to take comfort in the fact that God would always be there ? 8)

Love,
Cherish

P/s: Sorry, I know my thoughts and everything are very messy, I scored badly in writing !

Man this has been delayed & delayed for the..... VERY LAST TIME! :) yea!
3 key areas that I would like to thank God for! He is indeed the ONE who gave & is able to give victories indeed!
*Lead 3 to Christ in 2007
First is in the area of personal growth. I'm always inspired by how pastor Serene evangelize to everyone around her & I wish to cultivate the same habit of testifying & sharing Christ too. Though I didn't mangaged to lead 3 people to Christ but through obeying our church's corporate call I bless over 20 people (lost count of exact number) during the 100K Blessing. Amongst these are my relatives, my good friends, strangers, neighbours, my mom & my grandma!
*Family Salvation in 2007
Hmmm, didn't hit this as well. But I'm totally awed how I got to bless family & relatives through the 100K Blessing. I'm not really close to my relatives as we only see each other once or twice a year. But things have improved since & I'm asking God for greater breakthoughs beyond 2007. Oh ya, God answered my mom's prayer as well so ya la she definitely know God can answer prayers! hehehe. (It's sorta kill two birds with one stone cuz it's linked to my final area) And God also provided my whole family to visit Australia together last year. My family hasn't gone for a trip together like more than fifteen years ago so it's definitely a precious time together. It's less stressful than I imagined & we really had fun & good family time!

*Attached in 2007
Yes yes, my mom's prayer request during the 100K Blessing is that we can find our boyfriends & girlfriends. Since then my brother & I have officially started seeing someone! I know many people including all you precious little gals have been worried & praying hard for me. Thank you dearies & thank GOD!!! hahaha! I've got an extra special from God in the form of Mr EJ through your persevering prayers! :) He's a great guy & I really experience double the joy & halved the sorrows (can share with EJ mah so halved the sorrows). So gals pray hard, declare & wait for God's perfect timing. He gives us the BEST!!!







Sometimes we may be all caught up & discouraged by sad/depressing situations around us. But hey, Let me give you two tips.
1) CHOOSE TO GIVE THANKS! Remember that God is good & He loves you! As we give thanks we are reminded of God's goodness and we negate the negative thoughts which Satan is trying to plant into our mind to discourage us.
2) WITH THE END IN MIND! Remember 2007 theme verse.. God will eventually give you the victory! May you take heart in the time of moulding & refining through the adversities of life. Knowing that you'll emerged stronger & better!
2 Corinthians 2:14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Luv Cynthia

What a wonderful sermon by Ps Tommy Tenny. He was funny, humorous & straight to the point!

Esther was a slave gal who had everything against her. But what caused her destiny to change? She found favor with the right Person!! She didn't go around pleasing every other person, she made up her mind to please the King!
And when the King likes you, it doesn't matter who dislikes you! The King can change your destiny. God can change your destiny!

*With inputs from EJ; It absolutley summarises up the key points!*
"Don't flirt with lower lovers! You can lose your destiny! Don't prostitute your anointing from God for something lesser than God's blessing! You are shortchanging yourselves!"

How true these words are. So often because under the peer pressure influence of our friends, or because we do not have "spiritual guts" to stand firm for God, we cave in and follow the world and its cheap values. Things that we know in our minds is not right, but somehow we keep giving excuses that 'I'm not sure' or 'I can't help it', and soon we go with the flow.

Some examples - Illegal downloading, possession of pirated softwares, vulguarities, joining in to gossip about others...etc

We join the world into doing all these things because we want to feel accepted by the general crowd. We don't dare to make a stand, fearing that our friends will ostracize us. We rather go with the flow - If we can't be the popular and charismatic gal, at least people don't hate us. It is definitely and always easier to go with the flow.

But the truth of the matter is people whom go with the flow will NEVER find favor with the King.

Esther determined in her heart that she would not go with the flow and made choices not for herself or to feel good, but rather she made the choice that the King would like. She didn't bother what the rest would say, she was single-minded in just wanting the King's approval.

Hey dears!!!! Arise & stand firm for the Lord! Be a true blue God-Pleaser!!! Why wait? Why delay? If not now then when???!!!!!

You're destined to be a QUEEN, dun be a SLAVE!

















Luv Cynthia

*2hrs cell + 2hrs Post Encounter/SOL + 3hrs church = 7hrs
*Total hours a week = 24 * 7 =168hrs
* Total hours a week (excluding sleeping time. Say we sleep 8hrs a day= (24-8)*7 = 112hrs remaining hours of all other business)

7/112 x 100% = 6.25%

You might be wondering what is this calculation about?
I have no idea too.

Joking la. During this week's sermon, Pastor Mervlyn Mak posted all of us a disturbing question. "Is it ok to give God anything less than our best?"

Well, why do i call it a disturbing question?

Because, even i do shortchange God many many times.
Ok, cut the chase.

This week's application: Reflect and think whether the 7 hours is a lot compared to the remaing 112hrs we have and whether we are putting in enough effort in attending cell meetings and church.
Is 7hrs (out of 112hrs) a mere 6.25% of our time for God business so difficult to give compare to the remaining 93.75% that we have for all other business? Think about it.... I'm sure you have the answer.

Signing off,
Jo & Cynthia

Last Saturday was a great time at Abigail's house!! Many thanks to Abi's dad for inviting us to his place. The food was YUMMY-licious!!! Abi has a real nice place & Michael & Benjamin is simply adorable! :)

So dear daughters let's CLOSE RANK!

Today is someone's brithday. I was reminded of the first time i met her in my secondary school.

It was during the first meeting of Girls' Brigade. I was Sec 1 and she's 23 ( correct me if i'm wrong). There were many officers there too, like Penny, Liyan, Liping etc. The first meeting was fun ( of course, if not i wouldnt have stayed. haha) and i remembered i had no difficulty talking to the new people. I was still VERY young ma...

Then, i saw her. I was like "How come this girl who only look like she's a few years older than us is one of our officers? I think i asked Penny about this too but i forgot what she said. We were having this mini refreshment at the back of the classroom so i walked to where she is and asked her "Are you 15?"

And she kept laughing. Probably out of joy because i had asked a 23 year old if she's 15.

After that meeting, i guess we grew to know each other better. Also, i happened to be in her squad. But i would always ask if i am allow to be in Penny's squad instead, because during that period of time when i was still in GB, she was our drill captain. VERY FIERCE. We would be standing under the hot sun, trying to carry out every command flawlessly. All of us always complain and grumble after each session.

There was one time when we were punished and had to do hundred squats (forgot why we were punished) and she did it with us. And another time, we had long wooden rulers tied to our arms so that our hands would be straight when we march. Such grueling and hard sessions..

After that i went to church with the Officers, (oh i used to call them by "Officer Penny, Officer Cynthia"), and i began to go regularly, and i became Cynthia's cell group member. Even then, i still asked if i can be transferred to Penny's cell group and Cynthia always said no. haha.

Now, I'm just glad to be in her cell group. Because after knowing her for about 5 years ( this is the 6th?), she really is a wonderful person and a patient mother.

God's arrangement rock! *whohoo*

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, CYNTHIA!

Signing off,
Joanne (always 17!)

We had training today! =) Like every other sessions, i got reprimanded by my coaches. Quite alot. But that's ok, i'm pretty used to it. I have to be teachable in order to improve. Haa.

Just 2 days ago, I received an sms from my coach that we will be playing a friendly against Clementi Town Sec. SECONDARY SCHOOL. Can you imagine our individual skills and standard..? Well, the team is still quite new and only a few of us had some experience.

Anyway, we were suppose to be celebrating our 2 coaches' birthday, since they lie around January so we decided to celebrate for them together. The girls put in alot of effort such that they wanted to give them a surprise, by starting first with some shocking arguments among themselves, storm off the court angrily, then come back with a cake. 2 cakes actually. They even prepared 2 balloons with messages on them.

Only the supposedly "shocking arguments" never came, we were all too gigglish to even start one. Everyone was so frantically trying to think up something, other than quarreling. NOTE: We were all doing drills and planning at the same time, so my coach is like pretty frustrated when he caught us talking in our small groups.

Finally, we just took out the cake, light the candle and walked towards the court where he is coaching the new Year 1s. Another NOTE: There were many people at the court, because the boys bball team at a trial selection today, also with the hockey team behind, and the tennis people not far from us.

And we started singing the happy birthday song. This caught the attention of almost everyone at the court.

ONLY, the 2 coaches TOTALLY ignore us. The first one just turned around and looked at us, " Go to the side please, give them space to do lay-ups." The second one came, hang around for awhile, and he went dribbling off.

But 2nd wasnt too bad, AT LEAST HE BLEW THE CANDLE and made a wish when we asked him to. ( His wish: That we would win every match)

The 1st? "Have you finish your break? Not long enough is it?"

GOSH!! WHAT A GRATEFUL BRAT! We really should apologise for celebrating his birthday for him.

And we continued with our training. Like a group of girls holding on to 2 cakes, singing birthday song and having everyone staring at us (probably in disbelief and maybe, awe, because the birthday boys just ignored us, and we kept singing, as though to ourselves) haven just happened.

Many of us were so angry! Its obvious they didnt appreciate us at all... Well well well, we have taken in some new year 1s, dont think he need us anymore. My friend said he might be allowing the year 1s to play in our upcoming match.

All of us have trained for 1 years plus plus plus, and now we are being replaced so fast.

I totally felt like crying throughtout the whole training. =(

Signing off,
Joanne (always 17!)

When I hear someone comment that being a mother and homemaker is boring, I have a simple response: You’re right!

The truth is, almost any occupation – telephone operator, pathologist, lawyer or dentist – requires long hours of tedious activity. Few of us enjoy heart-thumping excitement every moment of our professional lives.

I once stayed in a hotel room next to the room of a famous cellist who was performing in a classical concert that evening.

I could hear him through the walls as he practiced for hours. He didn’t play beautiful symphonic renditions – he repeated scales and exercise, over and over. He began early in the morning and continued until it was time to go on stage.

As he stepped onto the stage that night, I’m sure many in the audience thought to themselves:” What a glamorous life he must lead!”

Some glamour! I happen to know how he had spent the entire day in his lonely hotel room with his cello.

I doubt that being a mother and homemaker is more boring than most other jobs. As for the importance of the assignment, I believe that no job can compete with the satisfaction of moulding & guiding a child.
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Cynthia: Do you like what you're doing (E.g. working, attending CCAs, studying, Basketball training, reading Psalms, attend cell group, go SOL etc etc)? Yes/No/Not Really? If No/Not Really.... Do you then know why you're still doing what you're doing? WITH THE END IN MIND, things could sometimes be much clearer & makes more sense.
Studying - Teaching us to use our brains & equipping us with knowledge
Working - To earn a living & provide for our families & a kick start in our career life
All things related to church - To help us know God & develop a real relationship with Him. Knowing how much He loves us & the destiny He has in mind for us!

Luv Cynthia

I noticed that about your message so i never read them, haha.

Very happy that you are in the best class, Bel. No matter how boring or dead your classmates are or whatever class that you are in, you should still concentrate on your studies. Hmmm, if you are still in Sec 1, i would suggest to you: play! =)

However, that does not mean you cant continue playing when you are in Sec 2. You can, but remember to clear your doubts and any topics which you dont understand with your teachers. ITS VERY IMPORTANT!

That year, that i was in Sec 2, was my most memorable and happiest period of my life. So far. My friends and i were a total havoc. Anyway, i did study when it comes to exams and didnt end up in a class that was too bad. =) Just that i really regret i didnt set my foundations too well when i was in sec 3 and suffered quite alot when its comes to O levels. Nevermind that now.

I had bball training today! Realised how much i talked about bball-related stuff whenever i blog. Surprisely, very very unlike any other normal days, i was totally psyched up about the training. About 15 mins into the session, there was slight drizzling. We continued, thinking it will go away. Then, rain started to pour.

BUMMER! We totally had to stop. No excuse not to, because our school compound is VERY lightning-proned. We went to the canteen where all the pull-up bars are and did assisted pull-ups. I cant even pull myself up even with the help.

Training ended early at 6 and i went off to meet Louisa, Yong Xin and Wendi at Orchard. ( Just some introduction: They are my secondary school mates, we are very very close friends.)

We were walking when suddenly i had this crazy thought of going for a plastic surgery. It is so common in Korea that girls are getting insured so that when they reach the age of 18, they would have the money to go under the knife. I mean who wouldnt want to look wonderful? Of course, i definitely wouldnt not go for it, its just a passing thought. But being brought up in such a cruel and visual society, it is not hard to notice that the society values the beautiful looking people much more than the average looking ones. Its upsetting but that's true. Even we, ourselves, judge people by their appearances faster than they talk. It is also scientifically proven that the better looking people are more successful in life than others - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7420983/, which i think is not very reliable..

God made us and in His eyes, we are BEAUTIFUL as who we are, and that we should not change it to what we ourselves think is better looking. It is not always about looks. You cant have a pretty shell but NOTHING inside right? Like the old old old saying which can never be wrong, inner beauty is still the best and it last forever! It brings out the beauty in YOU.

Alright! I'm very glad to see that Annabel have heeded my commitment advise and started to blog. WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?

Signing off,

Joanne (always 17!)

Arise warriors arise!

A four-year-old boy was finally put into time-out after battling with his mother. "Sit in that chair until the timer goes off," the mother said in frustration. The boy sat down, fearing greater punishment, but said, "Okay, Mommy. I'm sitting on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside!"

Last weekend wasn't fantastic. Had a misunderstand that lead to much frustration & anguish. Half of me was battling to do the right thing, the other part of me offered nice little excuses & reasons not to. Put it simply I felt lousy & defeated. Yucky yucks feeling.

After a while of self pity & guilt I woke up one morning with this sudden thought that popped in my head. "You're a warrior. Warriors fight, warriors emerge victorious."

Woah woah woah. It's pretty amazing. As suddenly as it came I suddenly realized that though I was a warrior on the outside (My church's theme for 2007 is everyone of us are warriors of light) but really inside of me I wasn't one.

Well whimpy warrior no more. And my favourite female warrior is non other than Hua Mu Lan! Yeah! Arise warriors arise! THIS IS THE YEAR OF VICTORY! *Cynthia