Back from PL camp! :)

Before the camp, I felt quite sian because the high-ness from training kinda died off. Not just hesitant, but also afraid since it's my first time facilitating as a mentor in a camp (besides Youth Camp which is pretty much different in terms of demands).
I think I was quite okay on Day1, just that I felt like there was this barrier between me and my mentees, and I wasn't doing much about it. Kinda not daring enough to cross the fence. I also don't have the habit of empowering people with tasks. It makes me feel like I am ordering people around, and Mr Glenn has told me before that I shouldn't feel that way. I still tried to empower them especially since I had so much on my plate. Later that day when I had to facilitate the games, I felt stretched since I was alone with 20 students. Deniece came and gave me some feedback and got Auntie Jenny to help. I felt a little like "pride gone" but I know I needed help. Kept telling myself to have a teachable attitude rather than feeling insulted. I learnt and applied their skills the next day. I guess that's one thing I felt proud of myself.
On the second day, I tried to let things loose too. When we were doing mahjong work, I gave them more liberty to write on the mahjong paper themselves. I was quite happy with the results - in spite of limited space, most of them engaged themselves and I only needed to engage the few who are a little 'heart-not-there'. Thank God for wisdom in managing such a large group of people. :) As for our showcase, the kids really got good sense of judgment to vote for 2 of their friends to do the 'em-ceeing' and the two happen to be pretty strong leaders too! :) It really made job easier for me. Our showcase was quite a success. :D And it was staged purely by their own efforts! :) Due to limited time, I only managed to affirm some publicly in their group. There was this team spirit that I see - when I affirmed those few, the rest cheered for their friends. It was not like the kinda of spirit of "why you affirm her only". And this unique spirit is like super commendable. :D

All in all, it seemed impossible to have a 2 day camp but we did it!! :D There was the 'give-and-take' and we may have to sacrifice doing some activities due to time constraints. However, it is because of the limitations that brought out the best in us - we just couldn't waste any minute and we conquered the thought of impossibility! :)

I understood 1 Cor 10:13 better today...

"There are so many distractions. And You promised to make a way out, so I believed in You."

This was my conversation with God during staff intercession, and SP encouraged us to give thanks to God.. It's a really good practice. Instead of saying, "God, give me give me", we started every sentence with "I thank You for..." And as I prayed tt, I began to thank God for the things that He has given me (what I have) rather than focus on what I dont have. :)

God is awesome yo.

Hello 2011. :)

What I am really excited about now? Leave this Friday = SFC Gathering = Great time of bonding and being myself. :)

Not that I am putting on a mask. But you know, there are certain expectations that are placed on us when we are working or serving... And sometimes we really need some time to just chill and play! And I begin to appreciate more the times of just being myself before God - just as a child . :)

I heeded Cheryl Chiam's advice to list down "10 things I did well" and "10 things I struggled with" in 2010. I struggled to list down. It's like an intentional way of capsuling the year that has just passed so quickly. But it was good. I even wrote down an extra column, "10 blessings from God in 2010"... But you know, God always does more things than we think we can thank Him for. Simply put, His love and care is unconditional - even if we fail to see some blessings in our lives, He's not going to love us less. :)

10 things I want to thank God for:
1. The liberating experience at Youth Camp
2. BFC - the group of friends who have been thr much tgt
3. LEADS - learning not to think so much but depend on God's word
4. My job and pay! :)
5. Being with me thr transition and beyond - thr the grief n uncertainties
6. My boys, a rewarding ministry
7. A good supervisor who is pastoral & firm
8. My friends who have been thr A levels!
9. Love of family at home
10. My new cell group! :) Interesting sharing and caring leaders