Another Year is dawning..

One of my favourite hymns sung at watchnight every year (: 

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

Saying goodbye to unforgettable 2012..welcoming 2013!

2012 has been one the best years of my life, after 2005.

God gave me the opportunity to go on a 6 mth exchange to Budapest. I'm truly thankful for the various experiences - studying, making new friends from all over the world, finding a church/bible study, travelling!!! Looking back, i'm amazed at how i managed to live independently and planned for my travels. God provides and sustains!

I came back early August and was swamped with new and challenging responsibilities. Taking on the role as Peer Helper coordinate took up a lot of my time and energy but i'm thankful for a fun-loving and cooperative team. We made major changes to the structure which we will be executing in 2013. Our wellness centre is also undergoing major construction and is set to be ready by April 2013.
This sem was mentally draining especially in the first few weeks of school. Think i was quite stressed in week 2 and 3 and was still adjusting back to life in SMU. But things got better and crunch time came after break week again! In my 4 years in SMU, this is the first sem i managed to go overseas!! Went to Malacca with the PHCs for recee trip.
This was a different sem - didn't step into the library much. I was in school everyday. Took a horror mod which i didn't know what was happening but God prevailed and i did better than expected!
I decided to sign up for a Campus Mission Trip with campus crusade for Christ to Kaohsiung. We started planning from break week! On top of that, i was involved in the planning of SS camp(as a mentor).
For both, many things were uncertain but we planned and prayed for God's will to be done.
Going to Kaohsiung for campus mission definitely placed me out of my comfort zone. Speaking in Mandarin was a REAL challenge. But God turned my weakness into a strength as students showed interest in listening to me and my broken Singaporean chinese. I've learnt to cast out all fear and anxieties and to lean wholly on God.

Thank God for sustaining my family and that my bro still has his job as there was a scare in Oct. Still praying for my father who needs to rely on the Lord more and set his eyes on things that are eternal.
For all that has happened in 2012, all glory to God! (:

My prayer for 2013: To continue trusting God for His plans for me, that my joy will not be dependent on circumstances but knowing that joy comes from the Lord. To be more prayerful and be a guide to my sunday school students.

                                                       Closest friends made in Budapest!

                                                          Peer Helpers Coordinators

                                                                                  YAF!

                                                     My Taiwan Mission Trip team!

                                                                          Family (:

Psalm 28:7 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."

Be Strong In the Lord

Chanced upon a blog post from Rachel's Blog (in 2008)..a song of encouragement to me even as I await to take my final paper which falls during SS camp..

Be Strong in the Lord

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Victory is sure when you call on His name.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And be of good courage, for He is your guide. 
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And rejoice for the victory is yours.

So put on the armor the Lord has provided,
And place your defense in His unfailing care. 
Trust Him for He will be with you in battle,
Lighting your path to avoid every snare.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And be of good courage, for He is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And rejoice for the victory is yours.

Be strong in the lord, and be of good courage; 
Your mighty Commander will vanquish the foe.
Fear not the battle for the victory is always His;
He will protect you wherever you go. 
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And be of good courage, for He is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And rejoice for the victory is yours.