Weekend of Reflection

Its been sometime that I've blogged. I'm into my third week of school and assignments are beginning to pour in. I'll be having a four day week this semester. This means that I'll have Fridays to catch up on my assignments and personal stuff.

I just went for a morning swim and lunch with Desmond. Swimming was really relaxing as it took my mind off all the projects that are coming in. I'll be attending a reflection night this evening stretching till Saturday afternoon. Its always good to take a break from time to time to do a stock check of your life and quieten ourselves to listen to what God plans for us.

I was reflecting on the practicum that had recently passed and images of a couple of kids in the class came into my mind and I said a prayer:

He's Likeable, Lord
----------------------
He's one of my favourites,
though I couldn't say why.
It's not that he's brilliant
because he simply "gets by".

It's not that he's good
or handsome or quiet.
Yet I love when he says:
"Hey, teacher, I'll try it."

Thank you Lord for children who do their best, no matter what their best may be.

DiLloN

Finally ...a day to relax ...

Finally, the first practicum is over ..That means I finally have the entire weekend to myself again. Next week is a holiday week for me. A time for me to recharge and energise before returning to school.

Had a late night out with Frank & Daniel yesterday. Frank and Ming Hao were looking for someone to design a gaming portal for them. Managed to link up Daniel with them. Daniel did a wonderful presentation on the wonders of web technology which I thought was really great. He really suits the title of a creative executive now. We met up @ Cineleisure for the discussion before heading down to a street side stall near Cathay for 'Tao Huay'. It was wonderful. Frank drove today, so had a fun ride in his car for a change.

This morning woke up at about 8am. Followed my parents to Dr Seng as my mum wanted to go for a blood test. Had prata for breakfast after that. My dad wanted to view the Kia Cerato as he received a mailer inviting him for a private viewing. The sports edition was really nice. After that, we went to purchase some soil from a shop @ Kovan as my mum wanted to transplant some of her plants.

There after, we came back and I had a short nap before rushing down for a session with ZJ. I've finally decided to be in the L&M ministry after much reflection and I've also be wonderfully assigned to sharing group 1 with Nic as our SGL.

Rushed of halfway through the session to join my family for mass. After mass we went down to Kelvin's place. Really enjoyed the view there. Could see the planes landing from far as it was at the end of Pungol and there was a huge open space beside where he stayed.

It has really been a relaxing day for me today. Didn't have to think of any lesson plans this week since practicum was over. It was great to note that all the children in class enjoyed the lessons. That made all the effort put into the preps worth it.

That's all for now ...will blog again soon ..

DilLoN

Its amazing how God works through people

It has been 4 weeks since I was attached to Holy Innocents for my practicum. It has been very hectic however wonderful experience for me. Every weekend, I found myself rushing out lesson plans for the following week as I never seem to be in the correct frame of mind to plan lessons on weekdays. Most of my weekdays are spent marking and going through the lessons before actually presenting it to the children.

Nothing beats the joy of conducting a great lesson where both the kids and you enjoy and much learning is done. The sparkle in the kid's eyes when they finally understood a new concept which you taught them makes all the preps worthwhile.

Today was the first observation done by the school's SCM. It was done in my class with the rowdiest kids. However, during the time of observation, all the kids were extremely well behaved. Every child was so cooperative and knew exactly what was expected of them. Even the kid that would go running all around the classroom from time to time set extremely still and raised his hands quietly to answer the questions asked.

Initially, I was worried that the kids would misbehave. Therefore I prayed and committed everything to God. Its amazing to see how God works through the children, my co. teacher and even the SCM. The entire observation went extremely well. I'd like to affirm the goodness in each and every child.

Next week, I would be having another 2 major observations done by the Principal & my supervisor from NIE. I'll continue to work hard and prepare the lessons and give off my best for the benefit of the children, and I'll leave the rest to God's Will.

Weekends up and coming. There's a ZJ session this Saturday. Hope I'd be able to make it. I'd have to finish up with all the lesson plans before the session.

DiLloN

What A Wonderful Day

Today was a wonderful day. A day full of fellowship & fun.

It all started wonderfully when I awoke @ 9am to find the sun shining in as the road outside was glistering wet from the shower the night before. My parents went out to spend sometime with one another. After my morning dose of songs, I went to grab an early lunch as I had a fellowship with my new found friends from YES Camp. The sharings & fellowship we had at the gathering was wonderful. The P & W was even more wonderful.

As it was the feast day of the church, we went for mass which was celebrated with 9 priests. The homily which rounds up the talks we had during the triduum on the Family was wonderful. After mass, I proceed with my family for dinner in church which is a yearly affair during the church feast day with the usual group that formed the table of 10. The dinner was also to celebrate the birthday of Fr JJ. I felt so blessed to have him as our parish priest. Coincidentially, he was the priest that baptised me when I was a baby.

We sung a beautiful song @ the dinner which I felt very appropriate to boast about God's Love all around us in nature & in everyone around us, both friends & family.

What A Wonderful World
----------------------------
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Chorus:
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people goin' by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do!"
They're really saying I love you

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn so much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world

DiLloN

Reflection of the past 3 days & a little prayer

Accompanied Justin to church in the morning on Wednesday & Thursday. A wonderful new found friend that I made during the Secondary 2 camp.

Went for the Triduum Mass @ IHM Church as tomorrow we'll be celebrating the Feast Day of our church. Thanks to all who helped out for the past 3 days as their hardwork has enhanced the splendor of the Triduum Mass. The homily done by Fr on the different aspects of the Family, the Father, Wife & Children was wonderful and enlightening. The P & W team with the choir and band were excellent. Thanks to the many people helping in the background also. They made the Triduum celebrations possible.

YES Camp for me was a life changing experience. Tonight, I decided to do a little prayer for a change.

Prayer to The Holy Spirit
----------------------------
Holy Spirit, be behind me to support me.
Holy Spirit, be infront of me to guide me.
Holy Spirit, be beside me to hold my hands & walk with me.
Holy Spirit, be above me to give me wisdom.
Holy Spirit, be within me to help me live life fully & give me strong foundation in the Gospel Values.
Amen.

DiLloN

YES Camp Testimony

YES camp was Great as God's Great. He has indeed answered my search for God's Love. Let me share with you my story to be a testimony that God Loves Us All ..and we are indeed immersed in the Love Of God ..as it would be a sin if I did not testify to glorify His Name.

As those who helped out in the Sec 2 camp recently, remember the time where all of us were running all over the place shouting "Where's the Love ..Show me the Love ?" It did not occur to me that this was my inner desire. Upon reflection only did I realise that, He told me so wonderfully through Daniel that "My Love for you is abundant through our families".

Originally, I did not want to join the camp due to the 'age' constraints as those I've spoken to before the camp would have known. He then sent 5 messengers (you know who you are) inviting me to this YES camp and so I decided to join. Throughout the camp, as I have shared with my group, God revealed his Love through so many people and so many ways I cannot describe. He was so worried that we missed out that night on His Love, he sent messengers through means of the Internet even before YES camp started & SMS the evening before the baptism through a participant of the Sec2 camp as God works through people. All these came apparent to me through the reflections made before & during the camp.

When we do P&W, let me testify that we indeed join all the Choirs of Heavenly Angels praising our God and it is pleasing unto Him. For He is so Majestic and yet so Loving and so Kind. He is indeed the source of all internal life and God's very nature is LOVE. That night during baptism, we were all indeed at the foot of His Throne worshipping Him together with all the angels and saints. God's Majesty is worthy of all our praise. Let every living creature sing praises to The Lord Our God. His Spirit lives in each and everyone of us. I have to testify to this so that everyone may believe that our bodies are truly the Temple of God and we are all called to do His work. And I agree with Kevin when he says "No one can ever outdo God in generousity".

Thank You each and every single one of you from ZJ for the faith renewing experience and Praise God for He has indeed answered your prayer to be wonderful stewards of Our God to "Bring others closer to God, & God closer to others". To make those who seek God realise that God is indeed in no far of place but He is actually all around us.

Once again ..Thank You.

Renewed ..Recharged.. Reenergised ..

Just returned home from YES Camp 2006. The experience was indescribable.

During the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there was an outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many people was dancing and rejoicing in the presence of God. Before the camp, I was searching for the Love of God. Throughout the camp, he showed everyone present that we were surrounded by His Love. During reconciliation night and in the baptism of the Spirit, there was a tangible presence of that Love rediating all around me. Now I truly believe that every living creature is a reflection of God's image and His Spirit recides in each and everyone of us.

Throughout the camp, I could feel his Love in everyplace and in everything. It is so real. I used to be a person who only had head knowledge, but now I know it through experience. All I can say is that his Love for us is Indescribable.

It was a really successful camp. Give thanks to God for He is Great to have choosen Zion's Joy to be his instruments to bring others closer to God and God closer to others.

DiLloN

Family Trip to Malaysia

I've just returned yesterday from a road trip up to Genting Highlands. Though I went to Genting only last year, it has been about 10 years since I've been there with my parents. On the journey there, I was fortunate to witness the beauty that was present all around us. The vast open spaces and the beauty of the clear blue sky that was present throughout the journey was apparent. Such beauty is often overlooked as many cars whizzed by. 3 accidents occurred between vehicles most proberly due to speeding was a result of a down pour that lasted for about 30 minutes.

The 3 days spent @ Genting was a really good time for my family to get together especially when all of us are rather tied down by work on an average day. I could really feel the family bond strengthened after the trip.

I was praying that I would be able to spend more time with my family during the Pentecost Rally as I felt that really lacking for the past couple of months ever since my exam period, and it has been answered. Just the next morning, my dad woke me up and asked if I was free to join them for the trip to Malaysia... It has been all wonderful.

I was sharing with Daniel about the trip and he said "God's Love is abundant through our families" and that "Piety is one of the Gifts of the Spirit". How true... These words struck me as I've really felt God's Love flowing through the interactions that I had with my parents the past few days.

YES Camp is approaching. Angeline & Jerry will be the facils of the group which I'm in. Its great to be a participant for a change. It has been a long time since I've had the opportunity to be a participant of any camp.

DiLloN