Thank You.

As the year draws to an end, I seat here with gratitude overflowing as my fingers tap upon the keyboard. It is almost unbelievable how this year has gone by so quickly.

It has been a bitter-sweet 2009, but every bit of it makes me stronger as I embrace the coming of a new year. I am truly anticipating what this new year has to offer. Are you feeling the same too? :)

There's truly so much to be thankful for; as our God is good and His love endureth forever. The best decision that I have ever made and still am making in this 19 years of my delicate life is to take up my cross and follow Him. Because I have tasted His goodness, experienced His reality and felt His embrace. Just as He said in His Word, that He will never leave us nor forsake us; its in times of great trouble, I find Him near. Many can vouch what I say is true since we all serve the same good God.

Stepping across the finish line of 2009, sure leaves one gasping for large volume of air. What a journey, what an adventure. Wiping the sweat from my brow, give myself a pat on the back, "I made it through!"

Was I saying I have a lot to be thankful for?

Recollecting the events over this one year, both the good and bad, its inevitable that a silly smile widens across my face:

• In January - Got busy trying to work out my New Year's resolution where half remain unaccomplished to date


• In February - February?


• In March - I struggled a lot trying to fit into my 'new shoes' in ministry. Sobbing umpteen times in my leader's presence; but at the end of the day, God still came through


• In April - Started year 3 of my exciting poly-life. It was hard to get by initially without my usual awesome classmates


• In May - Clueless how I got brought into the games comm of youth camp. Survived through countless meetings in Marina Sq Mac and all the preparation work in TPY Church Office


• In June - Made it to and through the very awesome Youth Camp 09' Elevate! And had a joy-full time in KL after everyone else came home to their SG nests


• In July - Saw all the youths back in the 80s and 90s at TheEdge's Retro Fever. I really enjoyed that :)


• In August - I turned 19. Had 17 cakes, received my pretty purple turtleneck and took a photo with a (married) Bakerzin Chef. Thanks friends ♥ Haha!


• In September - Went back to secondary school for a nostalgic tour around the class rooms. Then, internship begins. Hardworking Carmen slogs her guts out for the company full of nice colleagues, worth it!


• In October - Sudden realisation that the year was drawing to an end. Probably lived in a state of shock, I can't recall anything for that month. Goldfish memory syndrome acting up again.


• In November - Was part of the very amazing Adam&Eve. It was not the moves that counts, it was the hearts of the dancers and their determination that kept me fighting


• In December - I'm giving thanks. To friends who were there to put a smile on my face. To leaders who were always readily there when I needed encouragement and a shoulder to bury my head in. To Dad who treats me like a precious little girl and loves me in his silent way. To Mum & Family who also treats me as family. To Aunties, Uncles and Cousins who always make me feel like an important part in this Tham Family. Finally to God for being so good to me blessing me with these people in my life.

Blessed Christmas

A season of joy,
Blessed festive of giving and sharing.
Thank you for your words & love so dear,
Thank God for His Son so precious.

Nothing Has the Power to Save, but Your Name

Big Boo! I'm down with a really bad cold. This evil flu bug is making my head spin like a merry-go-round and my nose run like its on a marathon; determined to win.

With that, I gave work a miss today. Really praying for a speedy recovery because there's surely a lot to do this Christmas week. With a body condition like that I need lots of grace and strength to pull through.

Just yesterday, I was suppose to bring my net out for carolling. Unfortunately, this flu bug caught me faster than I could see it coming. So the girls actually went carolling at Natalie's block without me. Now, how awesome is that? They manage to carol without me, and I'm sure they did really well:) Proud of you ladies! I can't tell you how encouraging these young ladies are. I got lots of fruits and some medicine from Chew Min, faith-filled prayers by the net and heartwarming 'get well soon' texts from all of them :) Totally made me melt under my cold.

Today is our Net Outreach #1 - led by Natalie :) And I can't wait to be at the outreach and see her lead the outreach together with Chew Min. In fact, I need to get ready to go now. So wait for my good updates on how it went! :)

100 Net Outreaches for this Christmas!

Others.

Give me a heart for them, I pray.
Give me the courage to believe again.
The strength to stand once more, I ask.
With the love that overcomes too, Lord.

He bore the cross upon his back,
and the humiliation upon himself.
Transgressed for the sins He did not commit,
He loved us, loved the undeserving.
& We love them because He first loved us.

The cost of indifference and passiveness,
The price of giving up out of weariness & discouragement
Is too much for us to bear,
The expense of their eternity is too much for us to bear.

No Not One Define Your Worth

We have raised a thousand voices
Just to lift Your holy name
And we will raise thousands more
To sing of Your beauty in this place
Well none can even fathom
No not one define Your worth
As we marvel in Your presence
To the ends of the earth.

(Chorus)
We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

As we fall down before You
With our willing hearts we seek
In the greatness of Your glory
It's so hard to even speak
There is nothing we can offer
No nothing can repay
So we give You all our praises
And lift our voice to sing

(Bridge)
Our hope is drenched in You
Our faith has been renewed
We trust in Your every word
Nothing else can even measure up to You.

- Give You Glory; Jeremy Camp

The Hands that Holds the Heavens, Are Holding Your ♥

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone

(Chorus)
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

(Bridge)
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

- 'Safe' by Phil Wickham

I Know that You are with Me

Season's Greetings!

I don't know about you, but I'm already soaking and drenching in the festive mood. It is truly, the most wonderful time of the year! :) In every shopping mall you hear familiar Christmas melodies, loud decors shouting 'Merry Christmas' in your face, even a stranger's smile seem brighter than it would be at any other time of the year. Or maybe, it's just me?

Of course, Christmas isn't the only reason why this is a joyous season. It's an extremely-packed-but-fun time for all the youths! We had 180, our annual dance competition just last week and then our super awesome Edge Conference that happened just last week!

The 3 short-weeks of dance choreography and practice leading up to 180 was a thrilling learning journey for me. I wouldn't deny it being a struggle but it was at the same time enjoyable when I knew so sure that God was with us. And I have to thank God for the most awesome team, for the support that was displayed throughout the practices. Each time when I feel like throwing in the towel, they'd be there to encourage:) Just seeing them work so hard at each practice is an encouragement itself.

Surely as the song sings "I know that you are with me, always", God taught His faithfulness to me and to the dance team. Every single practice, God has been so good. From inspiring the choreography to helping the team coordinate, He was with us. Surely there was nothing we desired more than to see the smile of God upon us, knowing that God is pleased with the offering we bring to Him.

So yes, we pulled through the 3 weeks of intensive dance practice with a generous outpouring of God's grace. And I'm so proud of each and everyone of you dancers - Gordon, Jired, Ron, Jacinth, Rane, Yihui - you guys (and girls) did so well! I'll never forget:
How we sulked at the not-so-pretty pants initially,
How we unintentionally laugh whenever worship had Samuel Heng around,
How we kept pressing soundtrack 9 on that huge powerful Radio,
How we enjoyed each others company together with our faithful cheerleaders that dropped by so often
And how each of you committed yourself so much to this dance, I don't remember hearing a word of complain from you! :)

Now, I'm kind of missing those crazy dance practices!