The JoyFoo Life!~

Back to blogging - on a Christmas Eve! So how have life been 2-3months after SOT?

A post written in Aug 2019, and elaborated in Nov 19...

Wow..6 months just flew pass like that.. never expected to be so busy, yet so fruitful in SOT.. :) This journey is something i will remember, as it forces me to preach (do public speaking-something i am most fearful of, out of all the fears), complete mock cell group, book reviews, exams, PA week, Mission Trip, and also experience serving in ministries like Greeters Ministry, Dialect Church Ministry, Children Church Ministry.

Due to serving in a ministry, our weekends are often packed, but there was a joy inside which cannot be explained - that you are doing His work and serving others, not just living for yourself. :) The joy of the Lord is your strength! I guess that's how i felt, although have to admit on some weekends,  really had to pull myself out from the bed i loved so much. Have signed up for Greeter's ministry,  am excited to learn and challenge myself more in this ministry! :)

Other than SOT curriculum, there were many outings with friends whom i loved (uni friends and work friends), and also more time with my family. (Although still feel could have been more!)

I experienced inner healings from past hurts and bondages from fears, and this alone could have worth every cent. Not only that... there were many fixed wrong mindset that i had, which were renewed.. Just to name a few, the mindset of not trying anything new, because i am scared of making mistakes. This was something i struggled with for the longest time, because i dislike being embarrased or making mistakes. One day in school, they covered this and said that it is ok to make mistakes. It is part of the process of growing. Just don't repeat the mistake. If you make one mistake a day, you will be 365 mistakes wiser at the end of the year. Trial and error, this is part of how people become successful and grow, isn't it? No successful people succeed at first try.



By being stuck at the first part, (not wanting to make mistakes), i am actually inhibiting any kind of growth in myself. So yess!! This was one mindset that i am thankful for learning at age 30.



Another important lesson learnt is, I always viewed God as someone who will love me when i do well, and when i don't perform, He will/may love me lesser. This is what the world tells us. Perform well and you will be loved/accepted. I thought this was the same standard that He loves me too.

Which is why i (used to) try not to perform badly, and must do 120% each time so that i can produce results. But this perfectionist nature has resulted in breakdowns and harsh lessons learnt. So am a changed person now. Though will still try my best, but now not at the expense of my health.

One particular lesson, God showed me that He will always love me, no matter whether i produce results, His love for me is unconditional, because I am His beloved daughter. He loved me for who I am, not for how well i do. So much that He is willing to die on the cross 2000 years ago...for us.. After i had this revelation, i cried and cried as I felt His love strongly.

I was reminded of a situation when i was younger, where i thought i have improved, but was compared with others for not being good enough. Since then, i always thought i need to earn the love from others, be a better human, so that God will love me more....This intention of earning approval from others is evident and sometimes, i feel tired, for caring way too much about how other people feel. But that same week, He gently showed me His type of love for us through a situation.

One day, Dan was in cell group meeting, and that day, He didn't strum the guitar well, because he was too busy and didn't had time to practice. After the meeting, he felt bad and lousy, so he told me about it....Without hesitation, i just told him i still love him the same, no matter how he perform. I would not feel ashamed of him just because he didn't played well. Just at that moment, God gently prompted me....that's how my love for you is..and even more...my daughter... and i just...woahhh..=')..............

After this two incidents, I began to become bolder, because i realised it is okay even if i don't perform despite trying my level best. God will still loves me!! :) So yes, beginning to take on more challenging task, and dare to try more things which i was always afraid of.



Just these few lessons alone (out of many more which i am still thanking God for, up to this date)...made me really very very glad to have completed SOT this year. =) This was something i couldn't do in 2012...(i went for one month and quit due to finances and many fears)... and 7 years later, it is done. Thank You Jesus for making this journey possible, putting good caring friends around me, where we motivate and grow together.

Although it doesn't mean that i will never make another mistake from this moment on, I still will, (maybe more since will be trying more new things lol) and still an imperfect human being... Work in progress..... but we are one baby step closer to our dreams..

Ever so grateful that Mr A sponsored my SOT course fees, books and mission trips, and I just want to thank God for providing me with all that i need in this 6-7months. Never felt in lack, and Mr A told me that this money is from God, and He will provide for all my needs, as i take the step of faith to learn more about His word and grow closer to Him.

$3000+!! Who will be willing to do that in normal circumstance?? I am so blessed, and thankful to be able to go SOT in this phase of my life.. Such good memories that i will treasure in life.



Top 3 things indeed. (Have i mentioned it just now already? LOL oops just had to say it), and will most highly recommend whoever who is thinking of going, or hesitating to go.

For exams, God has been so good. This phrase totally sums it all, "Do your best, and God will do the rest." Able to start picking up books again, as this was an area i was traumatized for a long period after uni...:')

Some photos to share about this wonderful journey....



Such a humbling experience to serve in PA duty, during deliverance week!



Mission Trip - July 2019 in Ipoh.. This moment is unforgettable.. When the kids ran towards us..and asked us to pray for them. The moment where the words flow out from my mouth so powerful and strong...Holy Spirit guiding indeed!! (Prayed so hard before that and He never fails..) And we have a powerful time of ministering and praying for them. (first!)


Graduate LO!!!



Lovely Team 16 who went through this journey together..



 
Friendships forged...









Graduation Party at LiYan's house! Thank you to our Team Leaders for organising and blessing us with the awards! :) My SOT friend was blessed with a brand new guitar, and he generously ask all of us to sign on it. With permanent marker! Woohoo!

CG members and family celebrating together :)

my loves

A miracle award.. Thank God.. =D


Gifts from friends!! =)
This marks the end of SOT. Will try to blog more...(forever saying this haha). Thank you all for reading this long post!! To anyone who is here.. :)...

Shall post about my new job next! :)

And so, three weeks have passed since I tendered. Time flies!!

My 9D9N in Penang is over just like this.. Went around with my uncles and aunties to eat, watch movies, shop together, not forgetting giving out ang paos. When we were young, they always ask us to study hard, and to do well in school..hope that one day we will earn enough and do our parents proud. I do wish that we have reached this day, 26 years later! And make our parents proud. :)

After I came back and rested one day, I felt bored and went to search for a temporary job..Found a 5 days job where I need to do sorting of Nintendo switch, wires, etc. Asked my mil whether I should go ahead and take up the job, and she replied that she will prefer me to prepare and get ready for SOT the following week. HAHA oops - decision from the wise! =)

So here I am, 7 days later, better prepared mentally, and abit more ready for classes.

Went out with my ex colleagues on Tuesday too to D Good Café @ Holland Village. Had a great night laughing and chatting! Let's stay in touch!!:)

Wow...so the final awaited moment has arrived...After rushing and trying to handover as perfectly as possible, feeling the heavy responsibility till today, tomorrow is finally THE DAY!

I can say that I am 90% done doing my handover, just a bit more to go tomorrow! :)

Really pleased on how everything has turned out. Did I mention that I am going to JB after work tomorrow, for 3D2N? :) It will be an early celebration for our birthdays/valentine's day. Hehe, I really LOVE travelling, so I am looking forward! :)

Afterwhich, will be going for a 1.5-2weeks trip to Penang. Looking forward to this long break!

I am so going to miss this wonderful workplace, but I guess everyone has a different phase to go through in life! It is time's up for me for now! Pray that I will find a great place to work in again, after my SOT. :) Believing God for a greater provision after that! :)

SOT

I am really thankful for the financial blessings, and also for a supportive family, to go back to school full-time. I hope I don't disappoint anyone/myself this time, and complete the course well! Will Jiayou and use my time wisely.

While going with my dad for his doctor appointment today, I felt a great sense of peace in my heart...that I am going to SOT this year. I would have so much more time for both sets of my parents.

This means a lot to me, as they are getting old on age. (Dad is 70) I really don't want to miss the opportunity to accompany them to doctor appointments when I can (They have always accompanied me to my appointments since young - even after I am married, and I am ever so grateful that I have people who cares about me and go out of their way to specially accompany me. It really make me feel so loved!) This is called parents' unconditional love for their children. Their love for us is so great~

So, this time, I am committed to do the same for them!! Since I will end my classes at 1pm daily,
asked my dad to tell the nurses to arrange all appointments in the afternoon, so we can go together. Pray that his report will be clear, and he will be healthy and totally healed!

God..please watch over me, and be with me in every decision I make, daily, during my SOT! I need you! To go through life well. Received the verse below today. Will commit all the plans to the Lord! :)




Adios for now!

Lots of love,
Auntie Fung :)

A teacher in my workplace organised a food donation drive, gathered up students and staff to help, and today was the day of distribution! Really kudos to her initiative, for us to be able to donate money, or help out - hassle free!

                                                    Rice and goodie bags to distribute~

Glad to help and be able to offer some manual help. Think we became more tone too with all the exercise. Muscles in progress!

This experience made me treasure and be more thankful of what we have, a beautiful home. Lots of inner feelings that cannot be expressed in this short post.. but yea, hope to be able to do more of such activities in the period when I am not working!!

Shall try to achieve what I set out to do, during the 7-8months break. Please don't end up sleeping and wasting my half day away, fung!

Enjoy the weekends everyone!

14days left~

Lots of love,
Auntie Fung :))

WORK

And so I did it, on the first working day of 2019.

It has been a week since I tendered. There have been a mixed of emotions...bittersweet, yet relieved at moments. It is finally over!!! Well, almost. :)

                                       

But I would say, this place was a really good one, I have been so blessed working here for the past three years. There is close to zero politics, everyone is friendly, work load is manageable (definitely have stress, which workplace doesn't), AND there is work life balance. Something which is hard to find in the finance/accounting industry. I have always liked working in schools/hospitals. So it was like a dream job. Sigh.. I am going to emo again, but nooo...I shall not do that!

I can't express how disappointed, and pity I feel, that I am unable to go back after my studies. It would have been a good place to retire and have kids. Also, it was a chance for me to do well in this year performance grading, to finally earn my reward from working hard, and I would have got many months of bonus in March. Ouch my piggy bank is sobbing lol!! =((




But oh well, since I made this decision, I am believing God for an even better path for me (more than just monetary terms)!

As I study His word deeper, grow stronger spiritually, I trust that He will provide fully for me, as He has always been faithful and good.

God sees, and I know in my heart that He WILL provide for me. JIAYOU myself in SOT!! Going to conquer all the silly fears of mine, be bold, and obey God in everything He ask me to do. There are going to be so many breakthroughs if I am not afraid and have faith!

                                      

HOME

Dan showed me an episode of Marie Kondo in Netflix, on tidying and de-cluttering, and I was hooked! Watched 7 episode in 2 days, and was motivated to declutter too. Glad to throw/donate away 8 medium packets of things in the first week of 2019!!(bags passed down from others, old shoes that I have kept for years, papers, etc)

                                        
                                                   Marie Kondo, she looks so angelic! =)

I would highly recommend to watch her shows, as she has such a cheerful spirit, and makes tidying a "fun" thing to do. Her method of keeping things that "Sparks Joy" in you, and saying thank you to things that you have stopped using/don't want anymore....is such an interesting concept! It teaches you gratitude when throwing the things away.

I shall put the link here, for those who are interested in a trailer of her show! CLICK HERE to read and watch the video at the end about tidying!

Tidying has always been something close to my heart. As we moved hours thrice, our house were often cluttered. For a few times, I have led the family to clean the house, as amiably as I can. Yet, I lacked the proper tools and methods needed to do it an even better way. (KonMari Method) I am inspired to try and make the house cleaner when I go back to visit in the weekends!

Having Kids

A beloved sister in Christ, passed me a book on "Supernatural childbirth" one day, and I am so blessed by it!! Read the whole book in 1.5days because it was so refreshing!! I am glad to say that God has renewed my mind totally about having kids. He took away the many negative and unbelief thoughts that I have about pregnancy, and on having kids.

Teared so much too, because the hope in my heart is stirred. I am now more ready than ever, to receive the little bundle of joy! It would be such a beautiful and joyful journey!!*prays for a miracle* :)

                            

The book talks about a lady who was told by the doctor that she could not conceive. However, her husband have a strong faith and asked her the question. Who said? He quoted Bible verses that promises that there will be joyful children in the house, and no barrenness. And they confess it daily and had faith in the Highest God. In the end, she is a proud mother of 4!!! Wow!! 4?! Miracles can happen when we believe!!

Some promises in the bible!:)

Pslam 113:9

Genesis 25:21

Tomorrow will be the day that I am going to tender my resignation. I thought I would be feeling all excited and happy...But I am actually feeling abit jittery now. Afterall, this has been my iron rice bowl for the past few years, a means of providing me with the financial and emotional security I need.

Suddenly, there is a feeling of "bu she de" and a slight dent to my faith. Tendering would be an irreversible act. Just like transferring your CPF-OA to CPF-SA. Haha.

Will I find a better job with a good pay after this? Will there be nice colleagues too? Will I do well in SOT? Will everything be ok and good?

Aww.. why are decisions so tough?

Alright, since I have made this decision already, I will follow through and move on! Shall pray that a miracle will happen tomorrow, and somehow I will be able to take unpaid leave for the 7months. (which no one has done it before-so what are the odds...hmm)

God is our provider, our strong rock. Having faith that He will make all things good to those who love Him.


Jiayou in 2019 and be bold!!!

Lots of love,
Auntie Fung :)