O God, I thank You for my life - for the people that You've placed in it, not by coincidence but by Your good and perfect plan. For the friends and family that i have, each one so dear to me. Father, I thank You for all the blessings that You've given so freely - be it big or small. oh Lord, You've been so so so exceedingly good. forgive me for the times when i've complained, when I was blind to all the love that You showered upon me. for without You, this day and many others would not have come to pass. so God, i dedicate my birthday post to You - as a chronicle of Your blessings and grace and mercy for the past 2 decades (:
this year's birthday has been so special and i cherish it so so much. come to think of it, it's quite crazy actually. i've celebrated my birthday for a grand total of 5 times (!) and i thought it couldn't get any better than last year's.
ah.. i count my blessings (:
the very first
was last friday's celebrations with the best PCG (cell grp) in the whole wide world (: luanie's mum and dad were so kind as to have rented the SAF chalet (which was downright fantastic. most gorgeous chalet EVER), for her over the weekend to celebrate her birthday. but luanie being the big hearted person that she is, decided that all the nov babies, including myself and vincent, will celebrate it together and celebrate we did (: hahaha how i thank God for such a great bunch of friends (: and thank you everyone for the really sleek black mac crystal casing! LOVE IT!!! thank you all so much! (: and luanie, i still have not passed you your bday card! will pass it to you soon! (:
the second
celebration was with the doughstick chicks at Wine Company! and ladies, it was a splendid evening... the recipe of a simple dinner and the company of great friends makes for a swell time (: it's amazing to see how we've all grown and changed in 4 years, even what we talk about now is different. it's difficult to find friends to bare one's soul to so readily, without inhibition and without the fear of judgment and i've found that in the security and the rock of our friendship. i love you guys so so much and i thank God for each one of you (: from respecting my beliefs to understanding even the weirdest of my quirks. i have amazing friends and you're it. thank you guys for such a wonderful birthday celebration! hugs! here's to a lifetime as friends (:
third,
celebration was a surprise in school by the LOVELIES! haha. my DG mates from crusade! you guys are the sweetest ever - they surprised me with a mini muffin and 2 lollipops as substitute candles. how cute, followed by a massive tradition of photo-taking, no not cam- whoring. ahahaha. it was a lunch well spent and i feel so loved. friends whom i've come to befriend for less than a year, yet speak at length about our lives and just being accountable to one another in christian fellowship. it's amazing to grow alongside one another with our walks with Christ. all the encouragements from one another when life in school gets tough is extremely reassuring... (: and i do think everyone in the LOVELIES dg is lovely inside and out. sigh. i am so blessed!
fourth,
a birthday celebration with my family (including auntie grace, uncle johnny, little darius and popo) over the weekend (: dinner was most fantastic at kymomoma (i think) though the sashimi didn't sit very well. adjourning over to ben&jerry's @ dempsey's was awesome! always wanted to bring the folks there. the merlionster was hmm... very milky and sweet. a little ugh.. haha. but i loved the homey country touch to the interior of B&J's. and i couldnt believe they bought a cake on sunday to celebrate again! (we ate one small slice on sat evening at dempsey's already!) haha. cakes are a permanent feature. the card was so lovingly made with sincere messages from everyone (: and the gift is so amazing. thank you mum and dad!
what can i say? they're my family and Stitch says that family means no one gets left behind. i thank God for a family who has been so supportive of me over the years, for understanding and giving in to me when it really ought to be the other way round. for parents who work tirelessly to make sure we're comfortable, to make sure we're doing ok, to make sure that we have all that we need. and every time i see their calloused hands, i'm reminded of all the sacrifices they've made for us. thank You God for parents so selfless and who works for the sake of us, monkeys, without complaints. for siblings to go nuts with, for siblings to share and uphold one another with. i'm thankful that i don't come home to an empty house, but rather i come home to laughter, love and joy though shouts and rebuke find their way into our conversations sometimes. but i'm still thankful that someone cares and bothers enough to reprimand me. thank You so much Jesus not just for a house, but a home.
fifth,
it was a long overdue breakfast on sunday with jaime dearest (: my dear mentor! jaimeee, i'm so glad we managed to have breakfast together albeit it being a little short. but it's still time well spent and i thank God so much for you! being ever so patient and understanding, so nice and sweet, reassuring and for simply speaking truth into my life through your words and deeds (: and i see Jesus in you all the time, from the way you treat people right down to the things you do. you're a really great mentor and you inspire me to run a better race for Christ, to set my eyes on the things eternal and to make everything count for Him. come to think of it, it hasn't been very long since you've begun to mentor me and already, you've made such a great difference in my life (: and for the the love of Christ and for music, let's continue to make a joyful noise and bring praise to Him in every season of our lives - good and bad! we will rejoice (: thank you too for all the gifts - the notebook, the exam pack, the verse card and msgs; so much heart and hard work, everything so lovingly, thoughtfully and painstakingly prepared. thank you (:
and for everyone else; all the thoughtful messages on facebook to smses, phonecalls, homemade (SO LOVING LA, haha) cards and letters and gifts and all the hugs and sweet sincere heartwarming birthday wishes, and even greetings from friends in faraway lands, thank you (:
it was so good to be able to go to church on my birthday to give thanks and to worship God in a
familiar sanctuary. i couldn't help but tear while singing the song The Stand, by Hillsong.
You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You
surrendered
All I am is Yours
this song struck me so hard... that God loves me so much and so deeply and at this juncture, at the mark of 2 decades of his faithfulness, how can i not be rejoicing? how can i not give thanks and say that i am blessed? so with arms high and heart abandoned, i'll lay back down at Your feet what is rightfully Yours - my life.
for i am exceedingly loved and blessed by You (:
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