Magicbox-ed

Seeing Pastor Khong, our dear spiritual father, grow from strength to strength in the extraordinarily many aspects, especially in his magic presentation as seen in Magicbox on Thursday night, i cannot give thanks to God enough for how much he inspires me to reach for excellence in all that i do. All glory to God! :)

Catch up dinner with my ex-Coachees

From left: Ainiah, Amy, Belinda (coach intern), Ronghui, Yati, me, Elizabeth

Call it occupational hazard or 'trying to be difficult', even during my catch up dinner with my first batch of life coachees last night, I could not help but ask them these leading questions:

* How do you think you have grown in the past year?
(Most of them entered a new stage of life into the Polys last year, one of them emerged through the O'levels, and another began working for the time being)

* What do you hope to work on in your personal life that will make this year better than the last?

The truth is, i wasn't trying to be difficult. I believe in the power of speaking out your growth journey and personal goals. It is always different when we hear our own selves articulate these, especially the affirmation of our growth.

So there i was trying to 'poke' into their lives though our official life coaching journey ended more than a year back. But it definitely paid off to be meddlesome in this case. My heart leapt with unspeakable joy as i heard each of them share from my questions above, especially when some of them expressed that they had overcome certain issues that were brought to light during the coaching journey!

I guess the best answer that i had gotten to my first question above was: moustache.


Shereen and Asyiqin, you were missed! =)

Thank you Meishan

Dear Meishan invited me to her community event last night. Tired as i was, i thanked God tremendously when i was there, that i went.

I saw so many smiles of truest joy on the faces of so many kids, especially the moment each of them received the balloon sculptures he/she had asked for.

Not just the children, even their parents seemed to wear a more simple and childlike delight, seeing the colours and shapes.

And most importantly, i observed the dedication, commitment and patience in Meishan as she twisted balloons after balloons, having to manage and entertain both the event visitors and also the helpers. Every other minute, she might have turned to me, holding up her finger, saying 'Pain pain', but she always did that with a sweet smile, not as an act of complaint at all.

So proud of her. =)

See what she personally folded for me in the picture above!

She intentionally stayed later just to keep her promise to fold a gift for me. I requested that she rested instead, since she was tired and her finger was painful. But she replied with her sweetest smile again, 'It's okay. I promised you mah. I want to fold for you'.

Simple act of love. Simple gifts. But they touched my heart tremendously. =)

(Even if i had to carry the balloon sculptures on the mrt after that, and had the people around me staring at me. Ha. Maybe they were admiring the sculptures) =)

5th Year of knowing.... dear Jean!

I met Jean dear (gal in dark blue) when she was a warm young Secondary 2 student. She was in my Trybe (formerly Thumbs-up!) class, and her extremely warm and caring nature touched me. We met up pretty often then, to go through school work or just to catch up, but much lesser through the years.

FINALLY! Last night bro whale (he was also the facilitator for Jean back then) and I caught up with Jean and her bf. My, she's really grown into a beautiful young lady. =) And yes, her caring and kind heart has not changed but blossomed.

Ej and I blessed the young couple for 100k, and this led to much sharing about their life updates, also about their friend who is in quite bad state emotionally. We told them we would commit ourselves to pray for them, believing in miracles that we know truly only the Lord Jesus can bring.

Yes, Jean and Weilong, Jesus loves you, and He can bless you abundantly! =)

Celebrating Belinda, Lilian and Minghui

Happy Birthday Lilian and Belinda!! You are God's workmanship, truly worth celebrating. On the day that God formed you in your mothers' wombs, I cannot imagine how delighted God was, looking at even your unformed bodies, simply imagining your beauty and form in His mind.

Minghui, all the angels in heaven are truly rejoicing over your rededication today! =)

Beautiful time in Sentosa

Good food. Good time.

My family are lovers of good food and good travel (and I add on good arts and music for myself).

Ever since I became wisdom-less (?!), oops i mean wisdom-teeth-less, i have been dining good stuff. Well, enjoying a good meal with my loved ones and friends is definitely my definition of a good time spent.

(Okay, i had used 6 'good's in the mere three lines above. Ha)

In the month of June...

***

My dear spiritual son Cerwin called me up to celebrate, i thought my belated birthday. To my most amazed delight, he said, 'Nope, remember I said I would give you a good treat when you recover from your wisdom tooth surgery?'. Aww....

And before i got over the surprise, he shoved a wrapped present and a card into my hands, saying 'And these, are your belated birthday presents!'.

This is the second gift from him which is personalised with the words 'Mum Mirabel'.

I can never thank God enough for this son for 3+ years. Son, in this race, there are times when any of us can stumble. But the fact that you never gave up despite this, even if you had thought of giving up, is really wonderful. I am proud of you. =)

***

Birthday Treat for Simin's 16th birthday!

When i first met Simin 3 years ago, she was a scrawny blur-looking kid. Ha. Look how pretty you have grown, Simin! =)

***

Popcorn feast with Sheryl and Ben (new friend!) etc. at the movies!

Sheryl is one the bravest young girls i have ever known. She is one with a certain drive that i did not see in me at age 14.

Sheryl, God the Dream Giver will propel you towards your dreams! Keep shining for Him; you are a star*! =)

***

Lobster Spread at Jack's Place with Mummy!

Imagine two big red lobsies spread over your table!

Not forgetting our lobster biques and stuffed lobster-and-crab mushrooms! haha.

***

Dinner with Lilian, Jing and Stella at Sun with Moon Japanese Restaurant!

Pretty food, pretty company, pretty talk. =)

I have been sensing the word HOPE for Lilian and Jing a lot recently. May you receive it dears. =)

***

What a retro setting. Thus i sepia-ed the photo. Ha.

Oven-baked pasta and mudpie at where else but N.Y.D.C!

I caught up with Yvon 2 months ago before she embarked on her poly studies, and this time after.

Dear Yvon, know it's not been an easy beginning in poly for you. May you always remember the Father's delight upon you. That's truly enough. =)

***

Now now, i didn't say i was going to write a food critic right? So, sorry not many photos of food. Ha.

Love is spelt as t-i-m-e. =)

Date with Yati

Yati is one of my life coachees in whom i have witnessed transformation thru' our journey together.

Reason? She has a desire to improve herself and pursues it.

And that, always touches me.

Boo, she said she still does not consider me a friend now. I exclaimed "WHYYYYYY??" and she told me she will always view me as her life coach.

I shan't debate over our differing definitions of a friend, ha, but really there is no need for the 'level difference' between us. =)

She shared many many things tonight. I had no solutions for her, but she expressed that tonight was already a breakthrough for her to be able to tell someone that much.

I can't tell you how, once again, i am so proud of her to dare to be brave.

To the rest of you and even for myself, i think we can learn from Yati in her courage to face up to her weaknesses and circumstances. That very first step of daring to be brave marks the beginning of the breakthroughs and breakouts for our lives.

Bridal Showers. Wilson. A Brave Gal.

Two dear sisters invited me to their bridal showers next week!

They are getting married in June! Yippppeeee. But what a pity i would not be able to attend their weddings due to other commitments, and i even have to miss their bridal showers. =(

i will be recovering from my wisdom tooth surgery next week. Finally Wilson will be gone! Plus three of his accomplices too. Will be taking out all four wisdom teeth under general anesthetic (gives me a lil jitter). Please pray for no serious swelling, and a fast and painless recovery!

Back to the brides-to-be. Jaime and Jia Huey, God bless you with excitement, joy and wisdom for the upcoming new stage of life! So glad to journey with you through the years. =)

* * *

My 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. =)

Love is spelt as.. Trust.

(an continuation from my previous post 'Love is spelt as Time, part i & ii)

I was just telling someone last week this

"Sometimes i wonder why many people trust me so much".

He answered, 'Well you have a gift, of making people comfortable with you'. I remembered a pastor affirming me similarly that i have an endearing spirit.

* * *

i was very surprised and warmed to see Amy's (one of my precious life coachees) note on my tagboard (at sidebar). My blog has become her 'motivation core'? What an honour. i asked her in what ways, and she described,

"Should be those pictures you put up.. those happy smiling faces, and those meaningful quotes (from the Bible) which make me feel so comfortable and awake. Gradually i saw the meaning in life".

* * *

Last Saturday evening i had a date with yet another girl from one of my Trybe sessions three years ago.

Yvon trusted me within half an hour of knowing me when i first met her as a Sec 2 student. I was so thankful to be allowed into her life.

She is still reading the Bible i gave her 3 years ago. Grins.

Though we talked maybe once a year, we share an incredible bond which i know has been preserved and blossomed by God Himself. It could not have been, by our own means.

She is now a beautiful 17-yr old who just started her Ngee Ann Poly stint today with much boldness for the new stage, excitement for the new environment and love for her newfound friends. I am proud of her. =)

* * *

To all these, i truly thank God.

* * *

Sometimes i wonder how i can have so much strength to continue loving people and more and more.

I am no superwoman of course. I do feel rejected by friends and family at times too. I did harbour thoughts to stop loving certain people too. I remember myself crying out in anguish to Jesus a few times before, "Lord, it is sooooo painful to love. Sooo painful.....".

I do fear giving my all for persons too. I too, don't like to be disappointed at the end of the day by people. There are times when i feel like a failure in handling certain relationships.

i am as human and feeling as any of you.

But my God, as described in the song below, is my strength.

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

A kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything i believe in

Now i surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

I need compassion?... Jesus has it the most. He has that even for those who murdered Him.

I need to forgive.... or even to forgive myself? Jesus teaches me how to. With His dying breath, He asked the Heavenly Father to forgive the murderers.

If He can move even mountains, if He has the power to even overcome death, nothing is impossible for me. Yes Jesus was resurrected!

When i am afraid or feel like a failure, all i need to do is to surrender. At the Cross.

I trust Him.

THESE ARE HOW I KEEP LOVING.

=)

A Date with my son, Cerwin!

(Script is fictional. Any resemblance to any person and his life is purely a coincidence)

Love is spelt as Time. (Part II)

(Remember i once wrote about one of my goals this year in Love is spelt as Time?)


I couldn't believe i took Neoprints again... after maybe five years?? Ha. Gosh.

Thanks dear Xianglin for reintroducing it to me. I had a fun time with you! But i would still prefer my Canon Powershot which costs cheaper for every photo too. Hee.

Hey dear, thanks for your time of sharing your heart last evening. It is so invaluable that you still trust me so much though we had not met for two years. It is so delightful to see how you have grown from a secondary school girl to a warm young lady.


I thank God that He spoke much peace and truth into your heart last night (Is it that my voice is boring so you sense peace talking with me?? Ha kidding =p). Remember, His blessings are for you to claim. And i bless you with faith to do that. =)

hugs,
Mirabel

* * *

Last Saturday i took my Granny and Mummy for lunch at Soup Restaurant. I always marvel at this type of three-generational gatherings. The most fun thing is that, nobody believes that my grandma is my grandma, and my mum is my mum.

Cos' they look soooo much younger than their ages!

I claimed this youthful-looking legacy long ago! Hee. You can try guessing which are my grandma and mummy in this picture.

We could have a good time of shopping after lunch last Saturday, but i suddenly felt very unwell and we all retreated home. Shall have a 3-generational date again soon! =)

Chillout Night with my Life Coachees

Last night i met up with my LCs (life coachees), and i gave myself a challenge.

I wanted to capture the beauty of the smiles on every of their faces.

I think i did quite a good job. *winks*

Flash Slideshow

(Photos taken on Canon Powershot A710 IS)

To my wonderful LCs and best coach intern Belinda,

I was not surprised that, when i asked one word from each of you to describe how you feel about your upcoming stage of life - enrolling into polytechnics, taking the O'levels, graduating from polytechnic, most of you said 'fearful' and 'worried'. It is understandable.

Nonetheless i want to bless you with courage. Courage to brave up, and move forward, knowing that the future is there for you to behold. You may face successes and failures altogether, but remember, failures too are excellent opportunities for us to learn and grow out of, and into our potentials.

If you never give up, nobody can ever make you give up, on pursuing your dreams.

I am excited for each and every of you! =) Having walked through you gals for almost two years (Belinda, 4 years?), I have seen each of you grow, and i know that you gals really have what it takes to shine, more and more.

Let me say this again, thank you gals for allowing me into your lives! =) *huggies*

Mirabel

Love is spelt as Time.

One of my goals this year is to meet up one-on-one often with my sisters, daughters and other gals close to my heart, at least one per week, on those weeks when i am less tied down. I call them 'dates' and my greatest reason for meeting them is to catch up on their lives, and to tell them i am more than willing to fork out that time to hear because i love them. I believe Love is very much spelt as Time too.

I think God has been very gracious, that not only do i get to hear from each of the precious ones, i get a chance to pray to bless or minister to many of them on these dates. And Christian or not, they were all willing enough to open up and confide in me and then receive wisdom and blessing from my beloved Jesus.

I pray and believe that my every 'walk across the room' (in Ps Bill Hybels' sense) redirected each of their forevers even for an inch. I pray that every word i say to them will mean eternal significance in their lives.

Above is a picture of my recent sushi date with my ex-life coachee (hey wait, isn't life coaching supposed to be for life?). Dear Amy, thanks again for trusting me and letting me into your life. You have a really tender heart which you do not dare to show. But i saw it. You have a wonderful smile which you try to hide. But let me reinforce again that you look really nice when you smile. =)

To the rest of you who met me over these two months:
You thanked me so much. But may i say all of you have encouraged me too when you dared to trust me, open up to me, and even affirm Jesus' presence in me. =)

Look what dear Tessa's got me

Such a pretty orange butterfly.. as sweet as dear Tessa herself. *grins*

You are right dear. It's such a beautiful bond God has forged between us through the many years it's unknowingly passed. Thank you for opening your heart up to me tonight. More dates to come! Hee. *hugs*

My v-day date

A number of you asked me about my V-day date.


To this, i scratched my head.


* * *


Ha, well i did date someone. Check out the lovely moment...

and my self-made present (look left).


Sidenote: It's been so long since i laid my fingers on handmaking gifts. The moments of burying my head into making something and having to be so meticulous are precious.