the year that was...

How time flies so fast, we're at another 31st December again. I look forward to the new year with excitement as well and worry. Excitement because I don't know what God has installed for me for 2005, worry because I don't know what's installed for me for 2005. Do I make sense?? Seems like I am contradicting myself. Every year I look back at the whole year and see what God has taught and and re-visit the tough times I've had for 2004.

Following are highlights for the year 2004:

her reverie

What I thought was going to be a walk in the park considering that my band mates are as well my dearest friends. Little did I know that this band will some how put our friendship through some great times of testing. It was hard to separate out friendship and business within the band and that some how put our friendship through some hard times. I'm glad that even through some differences, our friendship has remained intake and in some ways or another got to know each other even better. The band has brought me great happiness throughout the year of 2004. Beginning from the release of our EP featuring Isabel's beatiful silhouette to our first gig of the year in Singapore for the Sonic Edge Service to Sonic Fest to a very successful underground show to appearing on air waves to appearing on newspapers and megazines and coming close to TV if not for the mix up. It's amazing how Keng our dearest beloved band leader managed bring her reverie so far in just a span of one year. Thank you Keng for the hard work you've put into the band and making the best out of it for the year.

The Edge Conference

The first ever major conference that I took charge of. God's hand was really on this conference. I remember Scott had only one month to do marketing for the conference and up to 2 days before the conference we had slightly more than 300 people signed up for the conference. The target was 500. On the day of the conference, we had over 700 hundred people attending the conference. I really thank God for the numbers and thank God for Scott's hardwork. I remember all of us staying in church until 1am the night before the conference and we were already bushed on the first day. If not for Judah, Chiew Har, Tien Ming and Chuckie, Hock, Terry and Paul the conference would not have been a success. People raved that this was best conference they have attended. We had an average of 700 people attending the nightly conference with the last night attracting over 1000 people. What amazed me most in the conference was the Desperation Band. Ps Ross Parsley, a well known song leader with Integrity with high profile albums to his name was the most humble of person I've met. Travelling in economy class, staying in House 3 instead of a fancy 5 star hotel. He really set the example of humility.

The Esther Play

Believe or not, it was my first time I had a part to act in. Previously it was either back stage work or some extra. This is the first time I had lines, not one, not two... but many lines to say... even though I wasn't the lead actor, I was still glad to be part of such a good production team lead by Darren, Joelle and Janice. I enjoyed the play. Darren Ong!! here is to next Christmas play by you.

YC College Camp

YC's first college camp and it was a resounding success. Friendships were made, bonds were strengthen and all 80 people were challenged. I remember I was nervous like crazy because I've never spoken in a camp before. Praise God it all went well. What I'm most touched and most impressed was seeing people like Creez Chan, Ann, Jhim, Cherrie all coming to the fore front and taking charge of camp. Isaac Yap, it should be your turn to be YC camp commandant next year.

YC Camp - Alive

The most powerful I've been to thus far. It was power pack from the word GO. Like Hock put it. The message was simple but the pressence of God was powerful. I actually teared when I realised that camp was coming to an end. I believe everyone has got a break through in the camp and my prayer is that the passion last.

Bali

A proper holiday for me after almost 2 years. What made it so much the better was that I got to go with my best friend Hock. No, I'm not gay and neither is Hock. We just enjoyed one week of intimate non-gay moments.

Youth Church

My first full year as a senior leader. I totally enjoyed myself in YC every sunday. Off course there were the Sundays which I could not wake up but it was no regret coming and serving in YC week in week out. It was the YC staff and JLT that really motivated me and drove me on. Seeing the YC Staff and JLT so committed this year also made me push up one gear. It was great getting to know Judah better too this year and having such an honour to work so closely with such a fantastic brother. Hock, you have to agree with me, between us 3 senior leaders, Judah tops both of us. You can come in second Hock.

College Leaders Retreat

What was suppose to be a carefree and easy relaxing light trip turned out to be one that had God visited us in our simple praise and worship sessions. Off course who can forget the faces of fear on the girls when Chu Yaw came out of the cupboard with the monster mask. I believe friendship became stronger in the camp and everyone totally had a blast. Off course the other memorable part of the retreat was Val beating Hock 15-2 in badminton.

Hobs

What can I say about him. God brought him into my life to teach me patience and He is still teaching me patience. Numerous times I've come close to throwing him out of the window because he kept asking me stupid questions. He still is the good example of if you have white skins, it counts. He is really a testiment to A.W.A.S (All Whites Are Stupid).

My "shit" hole

How can I forget the day when I came back and found my beautiful condo flooded with sewage. The smell and the sight is still so fresh in my mind. It was caused me fear each time I open the door to my condo. Each I open I'll take a sniff and take a peek to make sure that it's not flooded.

love life

Another year pass with no love life. Guess have to see what 2005 holds.

Overall God taught me a lot of valueble lesson in this year. One of the most valueble lesson that God has taught me was to put all my trust and depend on him. I was too comfortable at one point in my life especially during the mid-year that God had to shake me up a fair bit. I thank God too for the many lessons that He has taught me through out this year and how He has brought me through the hardest times of my life in 2004

Here is to 2005. Happy Blessed New Year