Darn busy bros..

Heyo people! It' s been long since the last post. I apologise for that..=] Anyways, the training now is getting high-tempoed, so I might not be able to update this space so regularly..pardon me.

Well, I've just returned from outfield yesterday. It sure was tiring, but I could feel that the Lord was always by my side, even though I'm kind of experiencing some dry spells spiritually. It was on the 2nd day when I took a cadet for a battle course run. The course route was like one of the simplest I've ever seen, but that cadet managed, somehow, to get lost. I, taking for granted that he will not get lost on such an easy route, did not navigate. When he told me that I was like, "Dang! we're seriously lost!" I took over the navigation to get us back to the training shed, it was raining pretty heavily then. Then, the comms failed, thus I had to guide the driver using a guiding stick. This was the worst-case scenario I tell you. My plan was simple, to drive till I see something familiar, then do a map-to-ground reference. We travelled a long distance, I was drenched from hand to toe, thanks to the rain, and somehow we did not seem to be heading back. I then whispered a silent prayer unto the Lord. Next, I made a left turn and went straight, guess what? I saw the training shed. Man wasn't I relieved and thankful. This is a killer account I can assure you. Simply sublime to the max!

Well, from this I really know that no matter what, He is always there for me. I cannot picture a life lived without Him by my side. Well, sometimes you know you are wrong, but it is so hard to try change even though you want to. It seems that it is impossible, but well, I'm taking on the impossible! Wish me success..

You just have to ASK..

Hello world, been missing in action, yah I know..So here's something uplifting to all those out there who needs help! It's a pretty long account so bear with me..

When I reported for work the first day as an instructor, I was immediately tasked with the organising of an incoming/outgoing dinner for the incoming instructors and the outgoing ORD personnels. Thus I went about doing my task. However, whenever I set a date, called everyone to confirm, there bound to be someone in the ORD group that could not make it. The top priority was to get all the ORD personnels back for this dinner, hence, all have to be present! Other than this condition, there were more. The dinner had to be on a week day, an instructor has to be at the wingline looking after the cadets while we dine, the place we are eating at has to be air-conditioned, and the price has to be cheap. I changed the date again, and again, and again in order to satisfy all the conditions. I bet everyone is irritated by the fact that the date is always changing. I came to a point where it was literally a dead-end. I had to get the dinner up in a week's time because 1 person in the ORD bunch is flying off for further studies. I was desperate, and helpless. Then I remembered God.

Perhaps I was too pre-occupied with this whole organising thing that I forgot about asking God for His guidance and help. I thought I could do it on my own. Asking God for help didn't even occur to me. I whispered a quick prayer and asked Him to settle this for me, to make everyone available on a particular day, and to show me that particular day.

I chose a day (Friday) and consulted my superior, he was against it because there will be night training that day. Then I saw Thursday, there was no night training. I then called everyone to check if they were ok with that day. After each successful call, I thanked the Lord. Finally! the calls were done, and all were able to be present. Next, I called my friend who was an instructor a couple of weeks back before he was re-posted out to another unit, to supervise the cadets while we dine. He was ok with it. Praise the Lord. He settled this HUGE problem when I asked. This testimony serves to remind me that the Lord can do whatever men cannot. We will only fail if we depended only on our strength and not His.

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. - James 4:2

Busy, busy, busy..

Hello world..I'm back after so long..This week felt like a month man! It is in this week that I realised the true weight on my shoulders caused by my 1 black bar! Being an instructor is not easy..hahas..This week I conducted PT training for the cadets, and was introduced to the art of planning for lessons. The conducting officer would have to cover all areas and details. A minute detail that is left out could lead to undesirable results. I learnt that in my first conducting lesson.

However, administration aside, I learnt alot too! From planning to proper presentation of work, and how to manage my time well to do all that was assigned to me. Being an instructor was also very rewarding. Seeing the cadets learn new things and being able to execute their new-found skills well brought loads of joy to me. It is only a week into the training programme, and there is a long way to go with much more things to learn and teach. This is the best environment where I can cultivate my character and develop myself. I am really grateful to God for this posting. Okay, enough said, I am booking in early as I am the duty instructor for my course tomorrow.

What a night..

Above are the pictures taken at our start point: East Coast Park. It is really a pity that the majority of the cell couldn't join us, but we decided to carry on with the plan. It was an arduous journey through the night, but we had one another, and the beautiful sights of the night to accompany us. Downhill rides were the most exciting, and uphill ones - tough. All in all, we covered alot of unneccessay ground to reach our destinations and in the process, got to know more areas in our homeland. The hightlight was definitely the sunrise we witnessed when we returned to East Coast Park, enjoy the pictures posted below..

Happy New Year!!

Last year went by in a flash! A new year beckons, and so too its challenges..This year had been pretty rewarding for me in terms of self-discovery and character development. National Service was the medium that made all these possible. I believe that as long as one is positive, one will definitely many things and find joy in doing even the lamest things (not that I'm suggesting that National Service is lame).

Well, this 2007 I will embark on my instructorship tour, taking 2 batches of cadets, training them until they commission. I believe that there are so much more things that I can still pick up on the job, and I can scarcely wait. This is going to be so darn exciting! Furthermore, I hope to also develop my inner man, to reach a higher spiritual level, to have a breakthrough! Also I would stand firm in His Word, and live my life right. All these would be my resolution for 2007! So what's yours? Start penning them down; as research shows that people who write down their goals tend to achieve it as compared to those who don't. All the best in the new year people! God bless you and your family richly!! =]

After 38 weeks..

This was what most of us were looking forward to at the start of our officer training course..I too was one of them. However, life after commissioning is not a bed of roses..I believe I have said this before, so I shall not elaborate.

The parade's preparation was extensive! Rehearsals too were uber tiring..I personally felt that the parade need not be that extravagant, but that day, I was swayed a little to the other camp..

This was the most touching moment of the entire parade..The affixing of the officer rank insignia onto the newly commissioned officers by their loved ones..You could see how happy Mum and Sis were yah..hahas..=] In my journey to officership they were there to motivate me in my darkest hour, helping me to pull through the tough times..Thank you both so much, love you two loads!!

Not to forget, my cell also came to support! =] I was really glad to see them la..Without their constant prayer and support, I would not have been so blessed by God! Love you all too..=]

Hahas, after commissioning, I was on course straight away! There was no time to even clear our leave..The first course has ended, and I am attending the next one tomorrow. Thankfully we had our commissioning ball in between the two courses to help us relax a little! =] Anyways, the ball was like a mini-VJC gathering for us Victorians..There were loads of Victorians around! Miss VJ to the max lah, can't help it..The picture above was an all-Victorians photo..=x there were more people then these lah, just that I didn't manage to get them all together for the photo shoot..hahas..

So yupz, my life as an officer has begun, and I look forward to it with much anticipation and anxiety..Well, God will pave the way..peace out people.

I think I'm pretty brave..

Heys people! Can you believe it? I just ran 21km today!! Hahas..It was really madness lah, I did not even train for it like I did for last year..However, the experience today was much better than last year's. It was hot and humid last year, and I ran ALONE! This year however, everything was the opposite. The weather was windy and cooling, and I ran with my pal Nicolas. It felt shorter than last year man. Hahas..=] Timing today was 2:06hrs, 6mins more than last year's. But I guess I deserve a pat on the back for the effort. =]

After the ran, I rushed down to cell and had one really good session with the kids. God's presence was really with us this morning as we held a prayer meeting. Tears nearly flowed down my cheeks when I heard so many sincere prayers. My kids rock! Sam Phua's prayer was really apt, even I overlooked it. After the session, the cell seemed more gelled. =] Abit too early to say, but I believe! Really looking forward to seeing them at SAFTI this saturday at my commissioning parade. Kiddos, you guys are a part of my driving force when I felt I could not go on anymore, love you all loads! =] I sound really gay in this post man, grr..But once in awhile it's okay lah..

After this week, I'm tossed into the big ocean of officership..With great powers comes great responsibility..How apt! This commissioning is another landmark that draws me closer to ORD..hahas..=] Lastly, I leave you with something that's taught to us in the leadership lessons:

Watch your thoughts, for they become your words;
watch your words, for they become your actions;
watch your actions, for they become your habit;
watch your habit, for they become your character;
watch your character, for they become your destiny.