Thank God for excellent Ipoh Trip!

Thank God for a wonderful break in Ipoh. Thank God that Jiaen and Meilan offered their house for me to stay there during the trip. There are many things to thank God during the trip. First day in Ipoh, the good food and famous white coffee already seal my love for that small town. In the afternoon, we visited 小西湖, where the couple had bought a house with an irresistible price of RM250k, very cheap as compared to housing prices in singapore. In the evening, we tasted Ipoh's well-known dish "bean sprouts chicken", 芽菜雞 and also honey chicken. The portion of bean sprouts was so generous that you can actually see a steep mountain shape dish.

Second day was filled with excitement. We woke up at 6am to climb 万里望升旗山. The view on top of the hill was exceptionally good. I took a few photographs and video of it! I tried a different route up but ended up dirtying my precious shoes. Thank God that there is a place to wash it clean! After coming down the hill, Jiaen drove us to a place where we can see the great scenery of 升旗山 while having my sumptuous breakfast. I ate Laksa Hor Fun and ordered chicken cutlet to be shared around the table. It just taste yummy!

Third day, we visited Ipoh Train station where Meilan had to purchase train tickets. I came across an interesting sign board that says "No Playing of Music". It will be over my dead body if I can't do that during my free time! Thank God that it is only forbidden in the station! In the night, Pei Yun drove us to the 'dessert street', 糖水街, for a local delight, mixed fruit on ice shaving - 杂果冰... it was so delicious because the huge bowl was filled with real, fresh fruit (not the usual, boring Del Monte Fruit cocktail!)... in fact, there were generous servings of 10 different fruits - water melon, papaya, pineapple, honey dew, grape, dragon fruit, mango, jackfruit, kiwi fruit, longan! on top of this colourful display of fruit was a scoop of ice cream! inside there was red bean too... it was really mouth-watering, even if you merely look at it! That was one of the best desert that I had tasted so far! Definitely, next year I am coming back for it again.

Fourth day, I visited the local church that Jiaen and Meilan are serving in. For the first time in my life I had the experience of laying grasses on the barren field! It was a hard labour job but for the work of the Lord, it is worth it! At night, we went to Daniel first month celebration. I was requested to present an item "爱的真帝" to Jing Tai and Amy for their 10th Wedding Anniversary and their child's first month. This hymn brings back memories to them.

Fifth day, Pei Fen drove me, Xue Yun and Xiu Ling to the Moon River. It is a nice place to talk but I didn't really talk a lot, probably because of my quiet and shy nature. Seventh day, I had Tim Sum with Yan Ping's family together with Jiaen and Meilan. In the afternoon, Yan Fang drove me around to see the SeJarah Kellie Castle. Kellie's Castle Building or Kellas House was built in 1910 by a farmer rubber leading British called William Kellie Smith. This building does not have time to be completed after Kellie Smith died at the Port of Lisbon, Portugal on December 11, 1926. Kellie's Castle has always been a location of filming the drama and film. Among them is the film Anna And The King is played by Chow Yuen Fatt. Next, we went to 三宝洞. This place is filled with idolatry but the natural caves makes me curious to see what is inside. I saw some tortoises and also felt some cool air flowing while inside the cave. Next, we went to a guitar shop and I purchased a capo at a good price. In the night, we ate "肉骨茶".

Eighth day is Christmas Eve, there is a Cantonese Music Gospel Meeting (他的一生) in the church. The meeting portrays the life of Christ and his purpose on Earth, his death and resurrection to save Sinners. There are also the rendering of Choir, Piano and Gu Zheng's recital; a very meaningful way to spend Christmas Eve!

Ninth day, I had breakfast and coffee with a Jian Gan's family together will Jiaen and Meilan. After that, they drove me off to 草原快车 boarding place. I bid goodbye to their warm fellowship at around 9am then come back to Singapore.

10 things to thank God for in 2009

Finally, it is near the end of the year. It is time to count God's blessing again!

Thank God that

1) He had kept me in the faith in the midst of many challenges and testings in my life this year.

2) I become better in my service to God with regards to playing the piano at the Chinese Service

3) my friends came for Gospel meeting and one friend accepted the Lord. Will continued to pray for their salvation.

4) my mum came for the chinese gospel meeting and that aunty Karen and Lily, Limei, Pastor and aunty Elizabeth visited my mum.

5) my mum cooked nice food for me so that I don't have to eat outside too often.

6) Brothers and Sisters in Christ who fetch me to and fro different places, which had helped me to save much time and money.

7) I got a new job with better pay, prospects, benefits and career advancement.

8) can complete my AED Specialist Diploma course without much difficulty.

9) I had a good mentor to guide me how to teach Mathematics more effectively.

10) I am able to have a good holiday break in Ipoh.

My resolution for next year is to be closer to God through prayer and devotion, hence not easily discourage or fall into sin.

Thank God for converting a soul

It is a great rejoicing day! I had invited 6 friends for the gospel meeting in my church. At first, 5 of them agreed to attend but eventually 2 of them said that they had something to attend to. I was a bit disappointed but God had answered my prayer in an uniqued manner! This few days I had been praying for them that God will touch their hearts. One of friends tends to ask lots of questions in the class. Suddenly, I thought that since she is seeking for the Truth, why not asked her to see Dr Paul Ferguson? I told her that if she had any doubts in mind, she can approached Dr Paul. I walked over to Dr Paul and introduce my friend to him. To my surprise, my friend uttered, "Can I have a moment with you?" (Not the exact words). After some time of conversation, I saw that she walk with Dr Paul and take a seat in the sanctuary. In my heart, I was thinking, "Is Dr Paul going to lead her to pray the Sinner's Prayer?" Indeed in a short moment, he did that! Praise the Lord! What a harvest for the Lord! I just bring the people in and God do the work! Amazing! This really boost up my spirit for the whole day! When I was on the bus this hymn sounded in my mind - "I wonder have I done my best for Jesus? When He has done so much for me!" Truly, nothing that I can do can help to reciprocate what the Lord have given me; that is Eternal Life with Him in heaven! Amen!

Thank God for wisdom to do my assignment in my course

So many weeks had already passed. Thank God that now my Allied Educator Specialist Course come to the end of the last 4 weeks. Thank God for excellent teachers that had taught me many things. I suddenly found out that being a good teacher has a great and tough responsibility. Of course, I don't want to be slack and be a lousy teacher. Therefore, I believe that there is more work to be done from my side. I am still taking in a lot of new stuff every lesson. May God help me to enjoy my job when I went back to school next year!

Yup! Thank God for His Word on Charity

This song was composed by me some years ago; in mind of my favourite verses 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in the bible. I apologised for the bad sound quality. I am not a Pro. Singer so don't criticise my singing, I sing it to myself and to God. Anyone wants the music score for this song, you can send an email to me. I will be glad to send you the score. To God be the Glory!

Charity | Music UploadCharity (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) - Tan Yu Leun, Alan

Charity (3/4) (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Text & Music: Tan Yu Leun, Alan

A F#m Bm E

Charity suffe-reth long, and is kind;

A F#m

Charity envieth not;

C#m F#m

Charity vaul-teth not itself,

D

Is not puffed up,

E

It is patient,

A

God tells it so.

Chorus:

A F#m Beareth all things, D E Believeth all things, C#m Hopeth all things, Bm E Endureth all things.

A F#m Beareth all things, D E Believeth all things, C#m F#m Hopeth all th-ings, Bm E A Endureth all things.

Doth not behave itself unseemly,

Se-e-keth not her own,

Is not easily provoked,

Thinketh no evil;

But think pure thoughts,

God tells it so.

Re-joi-ceth n-ot in iniquity,

But rejoi-ceth in the truth;

Charity never faileth,

Prophecies, tongues, knowledge will all

Be done away.

Thank God that my Pastor visited my mum

Thank God that Pastor Ho visited my mum just now. The gospel was shared to her but she had some restrains. She is afraid that she can't help my grandmother in the Tomb Sweeping ancestral worship. She is afraid my dad will divorce with her if she believe in Christ. The time is still not ripe. However, thank God that the gospel was given again. I prayed that it will cause her to ponder upon her life.

Thank God for good Christian teachers

I saw this on one of my favourite teacher's (Tan Lay Leng) blog. It really inspired me to be a good teacher like her.

3）巨大的心意“Miss Tan, you are dearly missed!”
“Miss Tan is going for the gathering?! OMG! I can’t wait!”
“Miss Tan, you are always our favourite teacher! All these years you are not forgotten!”

十六年了！1993 年这些家伙是小学里高头大马的小八生。是小八。不是小六。他们升不了中学，必须留在小学多两年。其他的小学生对他们是又怕又有一种不可捉摸的感觉。连没教他们的老师也怕他们几分。可他们是我教书以来最疼爱，最特别的一班了！有人情味，肯努力，重义气。我教得很过瘾。

就快见到他们了。紧张得很。好比要去第一次的约会。

I happened to be one of her students then in 1993 in class 8B. Yes it is 8 extended in Primary School. This was because I failed my English in Primary 5, therefore I was 'demoted' to Primary 7 extended then. You probably won't heard of Primary 8 unless you are in my era! Thank God that I was motivated to study hard and I went into Secondary school express course. I came to a conclusion. Good teachers will motivate students to study well and he/she will be remembered by them after many years had passed!

Thank God for looking after our Nation and my work so far!

Today is Singapore 44th Birthday. Not only I want to thank God for keeping Singapore safe, having clean and green environment, excellent transport system, I also want to thank God that we can have the freedom to worship Him in Singapore. I also thank God for helping me in my work so far. Almost months had past since I am appointed as an Allied Educator. Thank God that I am still coping well with my work.

Thank God that I enjoyed teaching primary school students and also learning new things from my mentor. Thank God for a good mentor! She is that kind of person that don't really shout at students. Her teaching style really makes me respect her and I idolize her sometimes haha. She is also handling a difficult class. I often amazing at how she can handle her class so well. It of course comes with many years of experience. One sad thing is that she may be leaving next year. I hope that she can still stay on and I can continue to learn from her.

Thank God I also started to teach music last week. It is not easy to teach students music and to make the lesson interesting. However, I think it is a good training ground for me now. I prayed that I will be close to God. I struggled with my spiritual life recently. God sent me test after test. May I be found faithful to Him! Lord please keep me!

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." Lamentations 3:25

Thank God that the legged robot was finally done

Thank God after a few days of struggled. Finally the NXT legged robot was completed.

Thank God for the 1st May Chinese Gospel Meeting

Once again, it is my church annual Chinese Gospel Meeting on 1st May. Thank God it was held in the evening, therefore my mother decided to go. Most importantly, thank God for working in her heart. I also wanna thank aunty Karen, Lily and Limei for visiting my mum and also inviting her to come. In my heart, I am thinking that my mum won't come. However, I ask people to pray for her. Despite for my lack of faith, God still answers prayer. God also sent Miriam to offer to fetch her to and fro. Everything is in God's hand. Although, the friend that I invited never come, I still thank God for the chance to invite. May I not forget to fulfil the Great Commission!

Thank God for safe return mission trip from Tanjong Balai

Thank God that I am able to go to this mission trip in the passion week. After the trip, I learn three lessons. One is regarding the furvency in brother David service to the Lord. He works in Singapore as a finance personnel in an education institute. However, he makes it point to go to Tanjong Balai every alternate weekends to serve in the small church there. He would conduct tuition for the students and also visits the church children families over there. If they were Christian and were facing persecution at home, he will go to their house to encourage them. If there were none Christian, he probably will share the gospel to them.

The second lesson I learn is contentment. The people over there is like living in the 70s. They have lots of children in their home. Their living condition is like my grandmother's era. However, they lived happily together. Most of the man are fisherman and they were out fishing when we visited them.

The third lesson is God's blessing towards me. One children shared that her father objects her to believe in Jesus. However, I did not received such persecution. Thank God she still secretly attends the church with her mother.

I felt very blessed to be in Singapore and also the things that God had blessed me with. All glory be to God. If you had not been to a mission trip before, I urged you to go. You will realised how blessed are we who are living in Singapore compared to the people over there.

Thank God for a new job

Yeah! Finally, I feel much secure after receiving the Allied Educator posting memo from MOE. I will be starting my new job on 13th April 2009. I am not too sure of the exact job scope yet. I do pray that I will be able to pick up the new job soon!

Thank God for the Cantata on "No Greater Love"

Saturday evening was a well spent one. I went to Calvary Pandan to see the Cantata with 3 of my colleagues. One of them is an unbeliever. I was reminded of God's love for me. I was urged to reach out to people. Through this global financial crisis, people are losing their job. They need to gospel to enrich their lives. God please help me to have the burden for lost soul.

God arranged photo shoot!

Yesterday, I had to go to Cisco take have my Civil Service (CS) Card photo shoot. I left the school a bit late. When I reach City Hall MRT, I thought to myself, "This time I may be late, what happen if the person-in-charge asked me to come back another day?" It would be quite a trouble to go down to Paya Lebar again! I quickly breathe a prayer to God about this matter. When I reach Cisco, I was around 7 minutes late! I thought to myself, "I may have to come back another day. I am prepared for it."

As I walk in to the room where I had to take the photo, I seem to me that there is someone packing up the equipments. To my surprise, when he turned around I recognised a familiar face. It is Isacc Lum from Agape fellowship! It came as a surprise to me! I wouldn't have thought that he is the one who will took the photo for me! Even the photo shoot is carefully arranged by God! He told me that if it is someone else, he would have ask me to come back another day! Thank God! After the photo shoot, I had a small chat with him.

Sometimes after I pray, I don't really think that God will answer me directly. So there were a few occasions that I thought, "If this time the request failed then I just do it another time loi!" I don't have enough faith that God will answer a definitely, "Yes!" Yesterday, I really learn a lesson about faith in prayer. God will hear us when we pray, however do we sincerely believe that he will answer "Yes! Your desire is granted" or we will have the thought of "Let's pray and see whether God will answer. If not today, then another day perhaps." What a lesson for me!

Thank God for a new job in this great economic crisis!

The Lord is so good to me. I had failed Him countless time but He never took it into account with me directly. I am still well, strong and healthy for His use. I am so unworthy but the Lord still bless me with many things. It this world of economic crisis, many of them lose their precious job. They still have to feed their family. God grace is upon me and I just got a new job post. The job which I very much wants to be in. Previously I tried to apply for normal teaching post for 3 times, it is not His will at that time that I will be a teacher then. However this time, God think that I am ready. He make it in such a way that I will most likely to be selected.

During the interview session, it is in my school. My Principal, Admin Manager and two other principals interviewed me. God arranged it! Therefore, I really thank God for what He had done. For now, words cannot describe my joy! My official first day of school will be 13th April 2009. Pray that I will be able to cope with the new job scope!

Thank God for burden to do sometime for Shomerim

Yesterday, I suddenly have the thought of how I am going to encourage those people who are not attending fellowship so often. I am going to give them a card designed by myself; with writings and signatures of those Shomerim members that attend fellowship regularly. Hopefully by doing that often, God may moved them to come to fellowship meetings. Today's morning, I send a personal email to each one of them. I simply poured my heart out to them. I do hoped that they will be encouraged and challenged to attend fellowship meetings.