Happy Birthday dear Nico!

We can never thank God enough for you, a blessing to the cell. :)

Beautiful Christmas Service

WELCOME CHIEW LI!!!

SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU, AMANDA!!!

SHER MINH AND MICHELLE, YOU WERE MISSED! :)

Dear girls,

I found this year really beautiful to have journeyed with each of you in different ways. I must say, many of you have grown in the Lord significantly. Praise God!

In the new year, we will still find ourselves at different faith levels and journeys. And i think the description of the body of Christ as the human body is most apt in depicting how we should move forward.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

It is extremely important and strategic for us to build one another (not leaving anyone aside) up in the new year themed for FCBC 'Love Our Neighbours' (L.O.N). God will be using us to love and serve many. The My Hope parties were a good beginning; and each of you have done well. :)

love,
Mirabel

Dear Ying Shuen!

We had a guest with us before the My Hope meeting last Thursday. Especially for me, it was great to catch up with dear Ying Shuen again. :)

Happy Birthday Michelle!

Dear Michelle, i always thank God for having you with us. You carry with you a gentle love for the people around you, no matter how cool you look (Ha!), and your smile is really beautiful.

May the Lord's work continue in your life, as i know He has your best interests at heart and also your best purposes laid out. 'Before you were formed in the womb, He knew you' (Jeremiah 1:5a).

Love n hugs,
Mirabel

Our dear Sharon, wonderfully and fearfully created!

Some of us caught Sharon at her dance performance today. She was great! :)

Our dearie Sharon with flowers as bright as her! :)

Dear Sharon, you danced with such freedom and exuberance, beyond the mistakes that you mentioned and the stress on being on stage. Yes, the latter are not the most important, but your dancing your best which delighted God's heart and ours! :)

The might and focus you portrayed in your moves speak of the resilience and inner strength already in your heart through which God will sustain and propel you towards His good purposes in your life and family. So glad to see in even greater measure the beauty of the Lord in you as you dance! :) *HUGS* - Mirabel

Ganbatte kudasai!

As many of you persevere for your exams right now...

I pray for the peace of God to guard your hearts.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9)

Jia you dears, for the Lord!

Babysitter + Updates from Novie

Photo from YC: Amanda the Babysitter!

To Amanda: You looked really quite tired after babysitting Anna and Elsie during Leaders' Meeting. Thank you for serving. God must have been grinning to Himself watching the three of you play. =)

* * *

Updates from Novie in Indonesia:

"Thank you for praying for my mother and me!

My mum says 'thanks!' for your birthday wishes to her too. =)

She can bathe, walk up and down the stairs by herself now, though she is still not involved in our shop cos' she needs to rest.

There are so many conferences this summer (referring to Ed Silvoso's), but I am missing all of them. =( Life somehow feels different for me nowadays, like it's just a passing time. There's nothing much to do, now that my mum has limitations. We used to do a lot of stuff at home alone. I guess I have adapted better. Anyway time passes fast, and I won't feel this way for long. =p "

We are looking forward to seeing you again soon, Novie! =)

Note from dear Novie

Sms from Novie tonight: (no internet access)

It's been a wonderful journey (with you all). I can't imagine how much greater our walk together with Him will be in the future, knowing that He is that wonderful and big. =)

I'm glad to see you and my sisters grow so much in such a short time. You are all just beautiful and pleasing to God. =)

Novie will be flying to Indonesia this Sunday 7.15am with her mum, cousins etc. Continue to uphold her mother in prayer for the healing to be complete!

We will see Novie soon! =)

SuperStar

This is the song by Ps Eugene's son, Ben, which Ps E shared last Sunday. These were what Ben wrote about his song on his blog:

Where do we find our worth? There's always someone better, someone smarter, someone stronger, and the list goes on. In conclusion, there is no where on earth we can find our worth, in a literal sense. We all strive to be that superstar, to stand out, failing to realise the mere beauty of our existense. We are His proudest creation, made in His liking. We already are valuable from the point of the birth, already a star. So shine on (: not for the glory of one's self but for our Creator. For that is the only way we can shine, through the very Source of Light!

May every word seep deep into your heart. Receive it!

Can't wait to hear Ben sing this out. =)

SuperStar

"Just like the stars in the night sky
My child you shine so brightly in My eyes
How could you doubt My creation
Everytime you look down on your formation"

"Cos before I gave this earth life
I was thinking of you, your face was on My mind
That precious smile, the twinkle in your eye
Just as I planned, they look so much like Mine"

Chorus

"Special boy, special girl
Why do you do this to yourself?
Don't you know, how much you make Me glad
And I'm proud to be your Dad

Precious boy, precious girl
Can you not see how much you're worth?
Just think, you must have been worth something big
Cos i would'nt come and die just for nothing"

"Do you see the beauty of the sunrise?
Can you feel the coolness of the night?
But the purpose of these I was creating
Was for you, for you in the making"

"Cos long ago, I had a dream of you
You were more beautiful than the stars and the moon
Then you were made fearfully, wonderfully
So as I've dreamed for you, would you now dream for Me?"

Chorus 2

"Special boy, special girl
Wipe those tears of your face
Cos I paid for you with the fullness of My grace
Just so you could feel again the warmth of My embrace

Precious boy, precious girl
Plaeas don't change the way you are
Can't you see? You're so beautiful to Me
Can't you see, can't you see"

Bridge

"Child, I love you
I believe in you
Child, do you know how much I care?"

"Child, don't listen to them
Child, I hope you know that I'll always be here
You are special in My eyes"

Mirabel's Birthday + Novie's Farewell

(Click on the image to see full size; then Right Click and 'Save Picture as' to save the image)

Thank you, Beautiful Ladies!

A flower moment for Amanda too, who is also a spiritual mother, of Chee Foon and Small Eunice! =)





And also to our dear Apple, who is a real mother, of her 3-year old Gareth! (Forgot to take picture with her on Sunday, hee)


You are all the joy of my life!

The First Step of Victory is Won when you have Faith!

To all of you dears having your exams soon,

The Holy Spirit will definitely be your best Teacher, Counselor and Guide for every question in every paper for the exams!

Win the first step of victory by overcoming your lethargy, laziness, fear and doubts through claiming these verses:

Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears"!

Psalm 84:11-12 (NLT) "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in You".

John 14:26-27 "...the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My (Jesus') name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid".

Dina did so on Saturday night. I am proud of her. =)

F E A R = False Evidence Appearing Real

Have Faith instead!

I am rooting for you!

My co-labourer in Love, Belinda

Daughter Belinda and i went for the dinner get-together for Trybe life coaches last night. It was a good time of catchup and also proper review discussion of how the very first round of life coaching had gone.

I thought the picture below is really cute cos it looked like we both purposely clenched our fists into a punch. Well we are Warrior Princesses with a good fighting spirit! Ha, but the truth for the picture is that we both happened to be grabbing our bag handles which were rather camouflaged with our tops. Ha.

I put a photo Ber and i took together two years back here as well, on the right (i can hear Ber screaming). I always rejoice in how Ber has grown. Prettier too. Beautiful smiles. I had gone thru' ups and downs with her, but she is essentially a very humble girl who is open with even her weaknesses and seeks to learn to become better. It is always so good to hear her heart.

Dear precious Belinda, i know that you are taking small brave steps in restoring things in your life and putting things 'right'. I see your heart of love growing through the years. Thank you for labouring in love with me in life coaching.

In all that you do, may you not rely too much on your own strength. I bless you with faith and boldness for every step, and may you experience Love and Grace even more, as you walk. =)

Keep our Hearts Simple.

Can you hear the song in the blog background? If not, click on the player below.

Simple words that express actually the deepest desires of my heart.

Father, i ask You again to keep my heart simple like the kids'. =)

A Kid's Prayer

Dear God
Thank You for loving me
And giving me Your all
When I grow up
I will still be serving You
I want to know You more
I want to love You more
I will never forget You Lord
In Jesus name,
Amen

I want to know You more
You are a great big God
I’m young and do not know a lot
Come and be my all

I want to love You more
Giving You my life and all
You died for me You sacrificed
I won’t forget You Lord

I love You Jesus
I’ll grow up knowing You
I love You Jesus
I’ll grow up serving You
I love You Jesus
My life was made by You
I’ll never forget
I’ll never forget
I’ll grow up loving You

Ying Shuen, you are not forgotten!

Dearest Ying Shuen,

Thank you for your sms this evening. A short yet very sweet "I miss you" touched me so much. I cannot thank God enough for the special relationship that you have with me and the cell group; thank God for preserving it in His hands.

Hope your mum and you were okay just now. My heart ached for you after the abrupt phone call. But at the same time, i told God i am continuing to believe God for your family's salvation, and that you WILL get your mum's blessing to be saved and be reunited with the spiritual family! Believe with me!

Hugs tight,
Mirabel