SOT Team 15 Appreciation Night - 261106

What We Had
Laughter (includes rolling on the floor)
Birthdays Celebration
Singing (from serious to nonsensical)
Tears (gallons of it)
Fun
Delicious Food (Indian, Malay, Chinese, Western)
Prayers
Presents (for everyone)
Thanksgiving Speeches (by all to all)
Photo-taking (lots of it)
Guitar-playing (volume adapted to suit 3am playing)
Video-watching
Notes & Cards
Cakes (ice-cream & cheese)
(how can I forget) Duckie Softtoy (likeable to both gals & guys)

How Can I Describe It
Awesome. Unforgettable. Touching. Loving. Funny. Memorable. Team 15.

Team 15's Appreciation Night in full...
Pre-event
During the day, Mal & Jas were telling me how "nervous" they were for the night. I am too. The whole day I was singing "Friends are Friends Forever". I was feeling very unsettled in my heart. I was in anticipation for the night yet feeling very apprehensive. I hate to be reminded about parting.

9pm
I arrived at Eunice's place with Faith. Throughout our journey there, Faith kept assuring me and making sure that I wasn't already crying before time. To think Malvin also called me earlier (knowing that I was alone at West Mall) to make sure that I wasn't alone crying at some corner. (hahaha!!)

Sam & Saral were rolling some dough. They said it's "puri". Don't know what it is. Altona was frying chicken wings in the kitchen. Satay & some chicken is on the table. Eunice then went on to cook her Hokkien Mee while we helped her to taste it. I guess our help weren't needed as no matter what we suggested she should add, PEPPER is the only thing she kept adding. (So now I know...PEPPER is the key to Eunice's yummy food.)

Altona was busy setting the table, then writing our names on each of the plastic cups. Then took out the chairs and arranged them round the table. Sam took out the chicken curry that Saral had prepared at home while Saral took over the stove to fry the "puri". The flat dough that they were rolling can expand!! How cool.

10.15pm
We laid out all the food on the table. WOW. Satay, Chicken curry, Puri, Hokkien mee, Chicken wings, Stir-fry chicken. I said grace and we started eating!! SO YUMMY!!!!!!!! (still drooling now thinking of it)

10.30pm
Al fetched Jas from MRT. We locked the door and continued with our food ignoring them. While they were trying to knock on the door, Sam imitated a dog's bark!! It was so real even we in the house got a fright! (where did the dog come from?) Our Rose Syrup arrived with Jas & Al got busy preparing the drinks. He made it so sweet!! Because according to him,...."Indonesians like sweet things." (haha!) Jas joined in our feasting and after some time, Kunming & Kelvin arrived.

11.45pm
Waiting for the last group of T15-ians to arrive. We were fellowshipping in Eunice's study room (dunno what room is that so I named it myself). Al & Kel were lying on the floor with "duckie" and we went into the topic of potential life partners. We suggested some names to everyone - ***, ***, ***,... (oh..the names are omitted because of confidentiality. hahaha!) Michelle said they were downstairs. But they took like 15 minutes to come up.

12.15am (27 Nov)
Finally, Dorothy, Tony, Michelle, Malvin & Alex arrived!!! First things first. Feed them. Eunice, Saral, Kel, Kun, myself,....all got busy heating up the curry, frying more puri, scooping the Hokkien Mee, pouring the drinks for our VIPs (VIPs usu arrive last. haha!).

12.30am
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Malvin, Jasmine, Eunice,..."
We celebrated the January & December babies birthday with a nicey nice cheesecake bought by Tony. (even though until now, it is still lying intact in Eunice's fridge. Program for the night was too packed, no time to cut. Hahaha!) Malvin wished to set up an education centre (liken CHEC) in M'sia one day; Eunice wished to do well in her acting career; Jasmine wished to do Biz in SMU and eventually shine in the marketplace. YOU GO GUYS/GALS! I BELIEVE IN YOU! After presenting them with their gifts, we moved on to the next part of the program.

(From this point forth...I lost track of time...)

Cindy's "preaching"...
I was trying to prepare this message earlier but the playful guys kept distracting me. Anyway it was just more of a thanksgiving speech dedicated to team 15. I thanked them in helping me B.E. who I am today.
(Quoting Malvin..)
"BE, B-E,...B stands for Believe" (hahaha!)
I thank them for believing in me the past 10 months. In always going the extra mile to make things happen. Be it praying early in the morning, or late at night; manpower at the warehouse or SPO, doing admin or helping at sports event during Emerge; outing in town, overnight at airport or even all the way to JB; setting chairs in 5 mins, breakfast at 8am,...whatever requests I make, they will carry the words and make it into a reality. THANKS GUYS! YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!

(Quoting Malvin again) "B-E, E stands for Enduring"
I thank them for enduring this race in SOT. I know that all of them went through a very challenging year, area of finances, career, ministry, family, relationships, personal life,...all of them have a story to tell. So I took the chance to mention to each of them the tough periods they went through this year and how their determination and courage to carry on has encouraged me and inspired me. They are all champions in their own right!

Finally, I took the opportunity to serve this great team of people. A leader should be the servant of all. But for this whole year they have been serving me and crowning me as "queen", "boss", "majesty"...now, it's my time to do what Jesus did to serve His disciples. While washing their feet, I prayed for a word of encouragement to share with each and every one of them. The moment was tremendous. Magnificent. I feel so honoured being able to do that. I think it was such a glorious time.

Once again, they let me feel like a 'queen'. Sam and Saral, being the eldest in the group, washed my feet. God, I feel so humbled. So, so, so humbled. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for giving me this privilege.

It only takes a spark...to get a fire going...
The team gathered back into a circle and got me to sit on a cushion in the middle. Facing Faith, she started lighting up the candle in her hands and started sharing with me how I have impacted her life. One by one, Alex, Kun, Dorothy, Jas, Mich, Saral, Sam, Mal, Kel, Tony, Al, Eunice lit up the candle in their hands as I turned one full round and they took turns to share what I have done in their lives. I was so touched as each of them shared. I did not realize how their lives had changed since they entered SOT. I thank God that the team could inspire one another so much that they all moved up another level in their lives. I thank God that I could leave a footprint in their lives.

"God, I thank You for using me in such a great manner. To impact men and women who will one day have their own big ministry. Thank You for moving through me to touch them. I am amazed at what You can do through a simple person like me. Thank You for choosing me. I am truly humbled in Your great love."

In appreciation of each other
After I lit up my own candle to symbolize how they have lit up my life, in the beauty of the candlelight, we rounded up with the song "Friends are Friends Forever". (I have to say....we were out of tune...haha!) So we gave up singing and went around to give hugs to one another, at the same time everyone took turns to tell one another how each one has impacted their lives. It was a beautiful sight. As we shared, one-to-one, smiles started to show on everyone's faces. An atmosphere of God's love and joy filled the whole place.

Watching video trailer
We gathered back together and proceeded to (what I called earlier) Eunice's study room. I was ushered into the room with a "pillow blindfold"...(not really helpful so I corporated by closing my eyes). They sat me down on a chair in front of a computer and when they took down the "pillow blindfold", Jasmine is speaking on the screen!! A video trailer for me!! So sweeeeeeeeeet!! I just knew something was up their sleeves when each time I tried to enter the room, someone will shout, "oh CINDY! You are going into the room ah?"..... Anyway, the video is so cool!!! With a super funny intro...a whole flashback trail of the photos of everything the team had done together this year, speech from each team member (with their 'title' on a title bar) and the Arise & Build song!!!! TONY!! The video is simply (forgive me for my limited vocab) AWESOME!! The video is PRICELESS.

Christmas time?
We went back into the living room and now it's Malvin's turn to speak. (It seems each one came with an agenda in mind) He gave each and everyone of us a keychain with our names nicely engraved on it!!!! It is so beautiful!! We have decided to all attach it to our SOT tags! (my tag is getting heavier & heavier.....) Then he took out this BIG stack of placards to give us! Each one has 6 photos (different for everyone) which we had taken this year with a personal note from him. IT'S SO SWEET of him!!!! The photos are beautiful. A tiny bit of the beautiful memories we shared.. Then beefore we could move on, Michelle shouted, "WAIT!! I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU ALL TOO!" .....Christmas came before time? Why is everyone giving gifts??!! (but of course..who minds receiving? Haha...) She gave each gal a BIG packet of marshmellow & each guy an inspirational poster with a personalized letter to each of us......I already dunno what else to say to praise my dearest teammates...

Praying...praying...Praying
The team members then laid hands on me and some of them toook turns to pray for me. I feel so blessed. It feels like 13 great and power men & women laying hands on me. I tell myself, I must really go all the way and lay down my life to do mighty things for God. For God's glory and for each and everyone of them. I am committed to them.

We then laid hands and prayed for the 5 international students. In turn, they also laid hands on us and each took turns to pray for us. I really believe great ministries are getting birthed forth.

Cleaning up time!
Programs over. Fellowship has just begun. Eunice made a really delicious ice-cream cake for us!! It's SO YUM YUM!!!!!!!!! The ice-cream, nuts, cake...............*drool* We each took a piece & after the dessert it's cleaning up time! Everyone just got busy packing the mess, rearranging the furniture, sweeping then mopping the floor, clearing the rubbish...and special mention, KUNMING DID ALL THE DISHES! *applause*

(finally looked at our watches again...4.30am!!!???)

R & R
It's amazing how everyone looked so energetic and excited at this time. We sat together to sing some songs that Kunming wrote on the spot...then we took turns to add in lyrics...like "Tony, we love you,...", "All the guys are so handsome...", "Girls so sweet and pretty...", even "wooooooooo...." also considered as a line....*dotz* Dorothy was laughing to much she was rolling around on the floor. (This is the Dorothy I know!)

It didn't take long when tiredness started to set in and one by one we each concussed on the sofa, chair, every nook and corner became our 'King Koil mattress' because the moment we take an eye blink, it seems the eyelids are too heavy to lift.

Finally the last few survivors, Dorothy, Michelle, Mal & Tony, who are busy taking pictures of people falling asleep in weird places, initiated the departure. So one by one we packed up and left in Mich's car, Kun's car and Al's car.

This appreciation night is such a memorable event in my heart. Team 15, you guys left such a deep impact in my life. You guys helped shape me into who I am today. I REALLY THANK GOD FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

(man...I took more than 2 hours to blog this...but worth it lah..must keep this memory...)

Fellowship with Princess Diana & Dedication to Friends

Wednesday, 22nd NOVEMBER 2006

Diana & I went Vivo...supposed to buy presents...but we walked and we walked and we walked and walk....somehow we ended up walking outside Vivo to take pictures...hahaha...

Anyway...we had a great fellowship with each other. We shared about our past...the challenges we faced, the setbacks we went through. And we encouraged each other about our future in God. We know that as we trust God, our future is secured. We don't have to try too hard.

I thank God for Diana...though we only really shared and talked to each other since two months ago..we are like the closest of friends. I feel comfortable in sharing everything with her. Knowing that I won't be judged and knowing that I will surely find support. I look forward to see God moving through the both of us in a great way!

God has been really good to me. Though this year has been especially trying for me in the area of relationships, the best fruits I bore this year is also in the area of relationships. I would say my friendships this year has been awesome. It is one thing to have friends but another to have godly friends who pick you up with prayers and encouragement whenever you are down, inspiring you to go further in your ministry with God. All these friends are so precious to me. They are the ones who walked with me through my challenging but rewarding 2006.

My dear friends...know that it is you who gave me the energy and encouragement to stay up into the wee hours of the night to finish up my work and wake up early in the morning to arrive in school early; courage to step out whenever I thought it is too difficult; strength to move on when I thought I can't make it anymore. It is you, who gave me the smile I wear on my face whenever I see you because YOU, you are the gift that God gave to remind me of His love for me. I LOVE YOU all SO MUCH. =)

BBQ Outing!

Sunday, 19th November 2006

The long-awaited BBQ outing at West Coast! Diana & I skipped our way to West Coast Park hand-in-hand...(sorry Princess! I let out our secret!) thank God managed to escape the eyes of onlookers! Haha...I wonder how silly we look. Well...cannot lose the joy in us rite?

Arrived around 5pm..with most of my teammates...SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU GUYS! All ready to set the fire for all the pits...and off I go with some others to prepare the water dispensers. Joanna gave me some instructions...but apparently I couldn't understand it well enough because we ended up needing the guys to "dance" with the dispensers to mix the drink well. Haha...

BBQ started...and...Diana, Eunice & I started our photo-taking spree!! We decided to forsake our food and went around taking pictures with almost every other student!! It was fun, fun, fun!! [photos are at community.webshot.com/user/cin_val] The 3 "crazy" girls going around the whole of Pit 9-12 saying, "So-and-so! Can we take a picture with you?" Haha.. but well..like I said..BBQ food..can eat anytime..but taking photos..only tonight!

Had a lot of fun at the games. Seldom get to see all the "diligent ministers of God" letting down their hair playing like no one's watching. When trying to get the game masters attention, everyone dashed, screamed, pushed, squeezed, shouted...during the games, you can't differentiate the 20s and the 50s; the youths and the adults; fresh grads and established businessmen [when I say 'established', I mean 'ESTABLISHED']...everyone just had fun. Towards the end of the BBQ..started to pour...but thank God for holding back the rain all the way till the end...I will surely miss the people in SOT...

Signing off...the 3 'crazy' gals...

Fun Times in SOT

Friday, 17th November 2006

This is my journey to school. Since I forgot when...Priscilla offered us ride to school every morning, 7.10am at Potong Pasir MRT. Thank God for her. Save time, save money, made friends, get front seats...these are my transport khakis.. today not full attendance... haha...

We will usually reach at 7.45am... then...queue up for the front seats...but we don't usually get the front seats... Cos there is a group of students who never fail to outrun us to grab the chairs to sit in front. Ha...Well, I really admire their hunger for the Word of God so I won't go "fight" for the front row...I can only pose for the photo... Haha...

Today's PA team is awesome. Team 6 & 7. They gave us really nice momento! Very cool bookmark and a heart-shaped paper which says different phrases. Mine says "God is my Shepherd". So nice. =) God is indeed my Shepherd who takes care of all my needs, cares and loves me.

As usual, we took lotsa pics with people and I really love this pic with Eunice, Altona & Malvin!! And these 3 are my closest team mates in SOT. Always there to listen to my jokes, my problems, my good times and my bad times. We form the M.A.C.E!! Or C.A.M.E! Haha...

Spent the afternoon having fun in attributes with Laverne and some others...almost turning the bookstore upside down..but of course we help make the customers feel so loved by our warm greetings the moment they enter the store!!

Fun times in SOT...

Last lesson with Pst Mats-Ola

Here I am to backtrack again..wanted to write since last Fri but I guessed I waited too long. Ha.. Anyhow I wanna write about today's lesson first.

Today's lesson was tremendous. Preparation for Ministry last lesson. Pst laid hands on all of us. During P&W, it feels rather 'normal', in fact the most 'normal' for the whole week. Presence of God was there but for this whole week today was the only day I did not even tear. But the moment Pst started talking, I felt the presence of God so strong. Tears started filling up my eyes. I could not help but kept tearing and tearing. Pst talked about answering the call of God. He talked about paying the price to follow the call of God. Giving up my life and my will so that God's will can be fulfilled in my life. I felt the deep tangible presence of God.

I think I have been living my own life for too long. Wanting to enjoy myself, a life without much of a sacrifice. A life not too hard to live. A life which don't need much faith to get by. I feel I have lost that energy to stretch my limit. To test my capacity. In short, life has been too comfortable.

I feel I have lost my focus. I feel I'm becoming very inward looking. Only looking out for my own needs and desires. God I am sorry I have lived for myself the past few weeks.

Towards the end of the lesson, I heard a word in me, "FIGHTER". I used to be a fighter. No matter what comes my way I fight. Not to survive. I fight to win the victory. It seems I have lost my overcoming spirit. I want to live an overcoming life. My life cannot be so comfortable. I want to be a FIGHTER! I can't put my comfort over serving God anymore. STAND UP AND FIGHT CINDY! Yes God. I want to serve Your will. Time to finish the race well!

I love the 2nd last verse Pst shared...
Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Michelle's Birthday!!

Celebrated Michelle's birthday today!! SO TOUCHED!!! She gave us gifts instead!!! Talking about being a generous giver, she certainly is!! Personalized notes also!! Wanna cry...........=..)
Our Al gave his photo-smile as a gift...
Those who know him...you know how precious it is...HAHAHA!! Anyway we had lots of fun and I think disturbed all the "inhabitants" of cafe during 3rd break..oopz...SORRY!! Crazy TL --> Crazy Team...haha...and....I was amazed at the mess left behind on our announcement table... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!! WE LOVE YOU!! And really...I believe God is going to use you mightily in your talents! =)

Surprise Breakfast for Eunice!

15th Nov (Wed)

Team breakfast today!! Meant to be a surprise for Eunice our great chef! All of us took great efforts to keep it from her because every time we organised a breakfast, she'll offer to cook for us..today we're gonna cook for her!! Sumptuous spread - Drinks, fruits, egg mayo sandwich, cheese hotdog bread, SQUID nuggets (note: not 'fish' nuggets), fishballs, you tiao, nicey nice chicken chunks,...I hope I didn't miss out any...Hope our great chef enjoyed her breakfast...

Kun left his drinks for all of us and went for musician practice...thank you!!!!

Must mention about the PA team!! My princess Diana's team... 3 Mentos sweets on Tues, today they gave mini Oreo,...So happy!! Nowadays look forward to clock-in because got presents to take!! Hee...Since our jelly...then Cat's team gave us food and drinks everyday...then this week...wow..so exciting!! Eunice says that our team must end with a buffet spread! Haha...shall we?? =P

GRADUATION PHOTO-TAKING

I guess I should start jotting down notes on the beautiful memories of what Malvin said, "the last 36 days of SOT"...=) [I'M SO gonna miss SOT!!!!]
Anyway..we had our SOT graduation photo-taking today with ALL THE PASTORS (WOW WOW WOW) and Pst Ulf!!!
And of course, we had our fair share of photo-taking with one another, as though it was already graduation day...took pics with our "grace SOT bus members", few of my dear friends in SOT, and of course not forgetting my ever dearest team! Check them out!! We were just having so much fun!! =)

After that we took Altona's car to Geylang for the famous BEEF HOR FUN!!! Yummy yummy!! [Feeling hungry just thinking of it...] And...went for another Tim Sum treat at where Al call 126 [or is it 146 or 162 or......somewhere in Geylang] for sump-licious Tim Sum...*droolz* Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun with very nice sauce, Fried Toufu with super lots of mayo, Ha Kaw,.......We listened to lots of Malang stories from Mal & Al...and not forgetting many...erm...jokes. Haha!


After that, Al sent ALL OF US back home!! From Jasmine at Chai Chee; Cindy at Serangoon; Michelle at Moulmein; Malvin at Jurong West; Eunice at Bukit Batok..... Literally like the song, "from the east to the west & the north to south"...

Did Al remember to send himself home?? Haha...yeah at 2.05am!! So sacrificial...when he needs to reach Expo at 7.30am tomorrow...I mean later...hee..Well, we were having our own share of fun in the car and of course the falling asleep and stoning moments... And how can I forget that magnificent moment when the car reached my home...everyone got out of the car!!!! Hahaha...Eunice and Michelle each thought I am getting out from their side of the car while Al and Mal each thought they are walking me up..Wow...like the arrival of the queen...as I'm always known to them...HAHAHAHA...

Awww....I'm so gonna miss T15!!