In honor of teachers

Giggle wrote today ...

As usual, 31st August is dedicated to celebrating Teachers' Day in school - the usual concert and gifts from students, lunch from the Parents' Support Group, and then it's a day off for the rest of the day, and tomorrow too! =)

It's good that there's a day set aside each year for us to honor our teachers - those who have taught us, or those who had inspired and impacted our lives. It feels funny that in school I'm considered a teacher (though not formally one as I don't teach subjects but take charge of the Christian aspects of the school plus CCA) and I get gifts and wishes from students too, but when I'm at theological college, I'm a student and I myself give gifts/cards to my teachers/lecturers =) Sounds somewhat funny and "weird" *wink*

My school has a tradition of honoring teachers of teachers - each year, the younger teachers who come back to the school to teach will take time on this special day to honor teachers who had taught them before during the celebration. This is also our way of teaching the students what respect is - that respect for teachers don't just end when we leave school, or when our teachers leave us. Respect is life-long.

Personally, I feel that it's a privilege to be in the ministry of teaching - having the chance to inspire lives and to impart/share what God has taught us. Maybe that was the reason that kept me going for the last 15 years, from teaching Sunday School classes to being involved with Youth Ministry and Cell Groups, and now working in a school context. 1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us that "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - what is the "trust" that we who are given this teaching privilege must prove faithful in?

Ivan Welton Fitzwater wrote "The future of the world is in my classroom today, a future with the potential for good or bad. Several future presidents are learning from me today; so are the great writers of the next decades, and so are all the so-called ordinary people who will make the decisions in a democracy. I must never forget these same young people could be the thieves and murderers of the future. Only a teacher? Thank God I have a calling to the greatest profession of all! I must be vigilant everyday, lest I lose one fragile opportunity to improve tomorrow."

Each life is precious - for all are created unique and special by God. We cannot afford to be careless with the lives entrusted to our care - that's why I choose to be not just a teacher/mentor to my girls, but a friend too. I enjoy those moments when they will just drop by my office and rattle off their problems, confide their troubles and fears, and sometimes even sharing nonsensical talks/jokes - but one taboo my girls know that is, in my presence, there is absolutelty no using of vulgarities, especially the "Sugar Honey Ice Tea" word. *wink*

I'm thankful to God too for giving me wonderful lecturers in theological college - lecturers who are also like friends - haha, I've even invited a couple of them to visit my blog too =) Thanks for sharing your experiences and convictions with us - reminding us theological education is not just about the intellect, but a spiritual journey - and cautioning us not to toll the line but to be bold for the works of the Lord.

Once again, let us be reminded, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2. Indeed, may we truly be found faithful for the works of the Lord ...

Find Us Faithful (Words & Music by Jon Mohr, sung by Steve Green from "People Need The Lord" album)
Verse 1

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Verse 2
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
Chorus
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Verse 3

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
Repeat Chorus

For all who are teaching - have a blessed Teachers' Day!

Just for laughs ...

Giggle wrote today ...

OK, I think I've been the butt of friends' jokes these 2 weeks =) It's ok - as long as they have fun, I have fun, and no harm done, that's what's important =P

Well, if you read my post 2 weeks ago, "Haha, what a day", you will probably notice the part where I totally embarassed myself in the school when my colleague from the general office announced over the PA system to get me to remove my car which she said was blocking a lorry trying to get out of the school. And I mentioned a male colleague laughing his head off. Ya, since that day, each time I see him, he would be asking me, "So did you park your car properly?" ... or otherwise I would automatically tell him, "Yes, I parked my car very nicely - it didn't block anything." =) And then just on Monday, the entire staff were treated to hi-tea at Marriot Hotel, I asked him if he drove to town, he replied, "No, I didn't want to block any lorry" and burst into laughter. Well, friends ...

Then there's a lecturer who called my name in such a way that it sounded like a city that collapsed when Joshua was tasked to conquer it (go find out yourself k, it's in the Bible =P, and ever since then, my mischievious classmates have been calling me by that. Ya, and they even want to march round me the same way Joshua and the Israelites did to make me tumble and fall =) Hahaha ...

And today, we were learning about mind-mapping and since most of us were new to this mind-mapping concept, we were given a little practice to draw out a list of items in the shopping list as a mind-map. Now, guess what? There's "fish food" in the list and for a moment, I really cannot figure out what fish food is - dumb right =) wink* and guess where I put the item under? SEAFOOD!! And my friends were like laughing their heads off; and my lecturer has to "rub it in" and say, "Next time if you want to bring her for seafood, just give her fish food" =) *Grin* I just can't stop laughing ... oh my, I laughed till I tear ... and I laugh till I got muscle ache =P and well, of course the other stupor from me that made my friend laugh her head off was my "miscellaneous" (like wine, toiletries, batteries, dog food, etc) was really miscellaneous! Haha, whatever I can't find a category to put under, I classified it as miscellaneous lor =) Well, what to do, my job is to ferry my mum here and there for her grocery shopping, she do the buying, I just do the carrying and driving what ... - mummy never teach me leh ... =P

So you see, such "friends" have I ... sigh* - laughing their heads off at my expense ... hmmm... aiya, but never mind lah, I'm not the petty sort that will be upset with them. Laughter is therapeutic - as mentioned earlier, as long as we all have fun and there's no harm done, that's ok. Go ahead, laugh it off - laugh at my expense, I'm fine =)

Aren't you glad that God gave us the ability to laugh, and friends to laugh with :0)

Just babbling ...

Giggle wrote today …

I think I’m falling sick – signs of muscle ache, signs of dry throat … oh, I dread being sick! =( Well, I guess if I continue to push myself so hard or if I don’t watch my health, then God is really going to force me to rest =( But can’t be helped!! So much to do, and there seems to be so “little” time – all the readings which by God's grace I have still been able to accomplish according to schedule (think of it … I’ve never read so much in my entire life, and I have NEVER been so disciplined to read all that I’m required to! =); all the assignments that seem unending; all the work that seems to pile up soon if I don’t clear them quick enough; all the marking that I need to finish before the close of the term this week; all the nitty-gritties that needs attention – at home, in school, friends, personally, etc … Phew, I need a rest! I need a break! I need a holiday!

Why do people not believe that I can be ill-disciplined too? Friends always say, “You, worried about deadlines? Please, you are one of the most discipline one k …” Oh, thank you for having so much faith and trust in me, but sometimes such statements are so “pressurizing” – I mean, the underlying implication is that people put so much of their trust in you that you just can’t bear to let them down, isn’t it? And as a result, no matter what, you just have to produce and produce and produce – no wonder my plate is filling up more and more =(

Somehow, after these 2 months of church visitation, I kind of “enjoy” being “lazy” for a while, that is, not committed to serving in any ministry =) I guess to a certain extent, I need the break … so it became a bit “scary” and “stressful” when I kept getting messages asking me when I’m going back to the Mandarin service to lead worship and play keyboard … I know you guys are short-handed, but give me a little more time to rest can, I haven't had any sabbatical since I began teaching in Sunday School 15 years ago! =P Aiya, but knowing me, so long as I get back to church after the field education program ends, my heart will be so softened that I will say “OK” immediately to all your “pleadings” =(

Sigh* and all the marking is just making my eyes so tired and strained – especially those words that I can’t make head or tail of … the writings that got “squashed” together … the sentences that I can’t make sense ??? Please, my dear girls, if you want to submit journals that are written, write them legibly and neatly. You are causing my eye power to increase in degree and decrease in strength =(

Help! Bring me out for coffee ... bring me out for a break ... God multiply my time!

Creativity ... confidence

Giggle wrote today …

Last Saturday during the national event, the best presentation in Estherfez competitions for the various genres were showcased. Well, to give a bit of background, the entire year’s focus was on the book of Esther, raising a generation of “Esthers” – teaching the girls through weeks of devotion to model after Queen Esther and to live out God’s purpose for their lives. After that, there were a series of competition which included online blogging about the person or on the book of Esther, then there’s a segment on making some artefact or sculpture, an online Bible Quiz, and finally a competition during June where original compositions of the various genres were presented and graded – all focusing on lessons learnt from Esther.

I’m super impressed by what girls in the other schools could come up with. I mean, from the same book and from the same person Esther, there can be so many different ideas of presenting the main story line or some prominent lessons to be learnt.

Of course, I must say that I’m very proud of my own girls who won the best song in this genre – praise God for giving them talents to write their own music and words! 3 cheers for you all! =)

The other genres were really good too – the dance, the drama which uses puppets enacting the scene of new telecast of Susa’s beauty pageant results, Esther’s fear and reason for Haman’s downfall as he received interviewed in the “prison”. Oh my, it was hilarious yet educational in bringing out the whole story in the book of Esther.

The school that won the best multimedia also did a great job! Using vegetables and eggs to “enact” the entire story, King Xerxes as Pineapple, Queen Esther as Carrot, and “till rotting do they part” as they marry – Oh, I just couldn’t stop laughing =) Then, when the edict was to annihilate the Jews were announced, how Mordecai turned from a Green pepper and becoming pale (yellow pepper) to becoming angry (dark red, or was it black??) – really funny. And of course, the possible “torture” the Jews (represented by eggs) would have to go through if they disobey the edict of the king – crushed in a blender, cracked and fried on a pan, boil till they crack in the hot water … Aiyo, I just couldn’t stop laughing … and I’m simply amazed at God’s creation and blessing of different talents and gifts to each person.

Where is the limit when it comes to creativity? The sky’s the limit? These days, students are challenged to be innovative, think creativity, think out of the box, and so on. Whatever it is, one lesson that can be learnt is that God gives to different person different talents, gifts and abilities – and our job is to recognize what they are and use them to glorify God instead of being lazy and hide them (read Parable of the Talents, Matt 25:14-29). At times when we feel we lack in confidence, ask of the Lord – He will help when we call on Him.

Just today, I was re-affirming my HDC that she has grown so much over the last few months since taking over the leadership role – how she used to always fret and comment, “I did very badly right, I knew it …”, “I cannot do it, oh no, how …?” to now being able to manage and handle a great deal of situations on her own with little help here and there. What I’m thankful is that she has really been teachable and ready to listen to what I have to advice her or even correct her. It has been a joy mentoring her and watching her grow so much over the last few months. But, please my dear, study hard and don’t make me worry for you – God can give you the ability to do well in your studies as much as He has helped you grow in the aspects of confidence. Remember our challenge to each other, that we must both do well in our studies and glorify God? We can do it, ya? =)

Feeling blue? Then say, "I do" - HUH ??

Giggle wrote today ...

Did you come across the health supplement in Wednesday's ST Pg 5, which reads "Feeling blue? Then say, "I do." "

The short report basically says that if you are depressed, you should get married as it will help alleviate symptoms of depression. Hmm... what's your response to that?

OK, I had to admit that I'm very sceptical about this whole report. Getting married for the sake of getting out of depression? My! isn't marriage supposed to be more than that? Shouldn't it be the union of 2 persons who ought to be good helpmates for each other - bringing out the best in one another? Shouldn't marriage be something that is give-and-take for both parties, than something beneficial for only one party? Little wonder why so many marriages are breaking down. Heard statements like this before, "if this is not working, let's get out of it"? Lots on it from TV and thanks to all these, it has "succeeded" to propagate the minds of today's society. Marriage becomes like child-play - something to the effect that "If I like that, let's enter into it. If I don't, let's get out of it." What has the world become?

I mentioned before in my post "Finding Mr Perfect" that relationship is NOT a trend or fashion fad for us to follow or keep up with - we don't have to be afraid of losing out just because we're not IN! I still stand by that, and I want to challenge you too, to look to the Lord for His perfect timing and meanwhile, seek God first for He will take care of the rest of our concerns and worries for us, don't you agree?

Feeling blue? Then say, "I do" - NO WAY! But rather Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - isn't God someone who can take away your blues better than anything else?