Home will always be home

I have been home for a month. The first 2 weeks was rather tough as I tried to adjust to life at home after being away for 3 years. It was not easy adjusting but thank God that He helped me to ease back into life at home. Although I am adjusted, life is still not the same. Malaysia has changed and so have I in the past 3 years. That being said, nothing has stopped me from enjoying at home.

I am grateful for the opportunity to visit my extended family in Tawau, KK and Labuan.
A few highlights from the trip:

- Throughout my 2 week stay, I was showered with an abundance of love and care! I felt like royalty! As I struggled with homesickness (homesick for my life and friends in Canada), God showed me that I STILL do have a community of family and friends here who love me lots. Though things have changed, nothing has changed their steadfast love and care for me. For that I am very grateful.

- I was given the opportunity by my high school teachers to share my high school and university experiences as well as my journey and life experiences in Canada with the Form 3 and Form 5 students at my former high school. It was such a blessing to be able to share with them my story. I also really treasured the time I was able to spent with my teachers. They were all so overjoyed to see me again. My teachers took me out for lunch, shared with me their joys and struggles of teaching and they continued to shower their love towards me even though I have moved on to finish my tertiary education.

Pn. Lim, Pn. Chan and Mrs. Tay. They taught me while I was studying in St. Anne's.

- I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship that I had with my extended family in Tawau, KK and Labuan. I also enjoyed sharing with them my experiences living in Canada for 3 years. These are the people who have seen me grow since I was 10 years old until today. In a way, they are like family to me. I know that I can always turn to them for guidance, support, and prayers.


My Bible Knowledge teacher, Aunty Ping Ching, with her BK students from 2002-2009.

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My family and I took a family vacation to Penang for 3 days recently. I really enjoyed the fellowship and bonding time we had as a family. I especially enjoyed spending time with my family be it in the car, while we were eating or while we were shopping. I know my mom and dad had been planning for this trip for a while now so I hope that they had enjoyed themselves.


"We should love one another" 1 John 3:11
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Life has been good and I know that it will continue to be so. I have limited time but still so many more people to catch up with! I trust that I will somehow be able to schedule everyone in before I fly back to Canada.


"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:13-14

Here's a few photos while I was in Kelowna :)

Georgia and I at the top of Knox Mountain. Lake Okanagan is behind us.

Georgia and I in an apple orchard.

Georgia and my paper bag puppets (I helped her make one for her class)

Me on a dairy farm!

Oh Tanah Airku

So, I may as well make it public: I am finally going home for a visit!! Three years away from home. It has been an amazing three-year stay in Canada. Heck, it has been so good that I'm returning back for another year! ;)
Nevertheless, I eagerly await the day I step foot on my tanah air (homeland). Sometimes it takes going away to be reminded of your tanah air and just how much it means to you.

I have 2 friends who are coming to visit me and my family in August! So, some things & places that I'd like to bring them to:

1. Pasar Malam

2. Ramadhan stalls (how convenient that they're visiting during Ramadhan)

3. Mamak. No trip to Malaysia would be complete without a trip to the mamak stall. Now they will get to experience the true meaning of "supper" ;)

4. Petaling Street. Of course. Can't miss it!

5. Central Market

6. KLCC & Menara KL



7. Shopping!!!

8. Lake Gardens

9. Zoo Negara! This is Chrissy & my top places to go to when she visit ;)

10. National Art Gallery

11. Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building



12. KL Railway Station


By no way is this an exhaustive list. Depending on how much time we have and how gung-ho we are, we may do more or less.
Either way, I know that when Chrissy and Siobhan come to visit, we will have an unforgettable KL experience.

-Pictures courtesy of Google

Flower Sale!

Check out our cool and awesome flower costumes (:

VOP 2010

In front of the Olympics flame

The Vancouver Olympics Project (VOP) went really well. I attended 2 days of it with some UVicers. On Wednesday, the theme was Celebrating Repentance/Justice & Thursdays's was Celebrating Creation Care.
It was really nice getting away from Victoria for a bit though after being around tons of people for 2 days, I was so ready to return back to the island on Friday ;)
I'm very content to watch the Olympics on TV. Heehee...

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Spring like weather - Beautiful! :)

I thought I'd leave a random New Year's post

This is in response to my sister's post:

"I am horrible at crossing roads, very very bad. I hate crossing roads ALONE because it's like turn left, turn right, turn left again, then shouldn't I turn right again too? When do I stop turning? Secretly, I like it when someone holds my hand and guides me across the road."

See the sign behind me? I evidently enforce a rule that no one jaywalks and that everyone obeys the signal at any crosswalks. Thus, since I'm good at that, I will hold your hand and guide you across the road when I get home and when we need to cross roads, my dear sister ;)

On a different note, I am enjoying my stay in Hamilton. Canada is sure growing on me. I love the mild and beautiful weather in BC, the crazy Chinook weather in Alberta, and the cold, wintery, snowy weather in Ontario. I can't decide which is my favourite ;) But I guess that's okay. I could always opt to stay in every Canadian province and territory and pick my favourite or live a nomadic lifestyle. Either way, I'll be happy! :P Anyways, enough of ranting.

Road trip here I come!

Only 2 days until I leave for my super exciting trip!!! In 2 days, I'll be busing down to Seattle and then flying to St. Louis, MO for Urbana!

After 5 life-changing days at Urbana, I'll be busing to Hamilton where I'll have 12 days of bliss. Then I'll be flying home to Victoria to begin my final semester at UVic doing student ministry :) Exciting eh?
(click on map for my route. See... I'm sort of making a round trip: starting from the West heading to the East and then back to the West.)

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BLESSED CHRISTMAS & A BLESSED NEW YEAR !

Wisdom from above

Words of wisdom from my parents... It was so nice to spend the day just reading through the emails they sent me since I arrived in Victoria until today; and seeing how God has worked in my family and my life.

It will a pretty long post, but I do believe you will be encouraged in as much as I did. I see my parents as having a lot of wisdom from God. I always find their advice encouraging. I'm really thankful to God for my parents.

Miss you a lot. Not one minute goes by without me thinking of you! Guess I miss you more than I expected! Tot I'd be strong. So strange to see your room empty! Now that you are away there seems to be so much things I want to tell you! Trust that our relationship will be better from now onwards! Take care and will chat with you when sam chats with you. Love Ya.
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Am praying for you everyday! Praying that the fear of God will rest upon you so you will do that which is pleasing to Him!
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We pray for you everyday. Trust all is going well though we cannot expect it to be smooth all the way! There are always challenges that come our way to stretch our faith and obedience to God. Most important is acknowledge our weakness and need of HIM.Keep ourselves pure and blameless always.

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Am glad to hear you are well, enjoying uni, making new friends and exploring and learning and exposing to so many new things around you! As I've said to you, make the best of your time in Canada!

Our secret place and time is the MOST (I cannot stress it more) IMPORTANT Of all our activities! Without that whatever we do is useless! No relationship with God, our life is meaningless. Glad to hear you are really making the most of your time there! Am proud of you!
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Hi Girl,

He has shown Himself faithful in providing and showing you the church to go to, godly friends and so much favor upon you!! For that I am so so grateful! See what a marvelous, wonderful, great and awesome God we have!

Remember that rebellion and unholiness blocks His blessings from being poured out upon you! Always the right thing to do is to obey HIM all the time! Guess this is a process we have to go through until we see Him face to face! As I said this to you, it is also a reminder to me as well to keep my faith and walk with HIM!

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Am really grateful to God when reading your mail about your time with your cg leader. God is good and faithful. To Him be all glory and honor!!! Remember to ask God to help you remain faithful to HIM in your devotion and prayer life!! The devil is never happy when our communication channel with God is open! he will do all he can to discourage or put hindrances upon your path. So be watchful and stand firm. Be accountable to your cg leader all the time. Remember God loves you no matter what happens! As always am praying for you everyday!

Remember that God desires a worshiper who will worship HIM in spirit and in truth. One who is humble and teachable. At the end of the day, what counts is not intelligence, wealth, status but CHARACTER and ATTITUDE. Always have a great ATTITUDE towards everything!!!
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Dear Chelle,

Good to know that you are actively involved in reaching out. It will be good to have all these activities photographed. Photos always paint a thousand words. Thats why we gave you the camera... he ...he... Who knows. One day you will use these photos in your ministry.
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Am really thankful to God for the wonderful work He has begun in your life and the amazing experiences He is leading you through! Glad you are experiencing His presence and blessings as you obey Him and submit your life to HIM!! His Word in Deut 28 promises us His blessings if we obey Him but curses if we Disobey and turn away from HIM. He has asked us to CHOOSE Life instead of Death!!!

From your email I can feel your excitement and joy of all that you are doing in Victoria! As I've shared with you before you left, there's so much for you to experience and enjoy! And this is exactly what is happening to you! There's more to come.
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It is really heart warming to read what you have written. From this I have seen how much you have 'grown' both mentally and spiritually! And I give God All the Glory and Honor!

This few months, I see how you have soared with God. I believe it is possible also because YOU were obedient and willing to allow HIM to do this great and awesome work in your life!
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You have grown so much spiritually as well!! By leaps and bounds!!
I sensed God [...] and confirming to me that Canada is where He wants you to be and that I need to trust HIM and let go. I sense immediately HIS peace upon me and knew in my spirit that He was going to do something great!! I now see HIS beautiful plan unfolding before my very eyes!! And it never fails to amaze me everytime I hear what HE is doing in your life!! My prayer has more than been answered for me! He has given me more than I ever asked for!!!! He is trully GREAT, AWESOME.

It really brings joy beyond explanation to my heart when I read of all that you are experiencing and learning and I am humbled to see the humility in you to accept the pruning and rebuking of the LORD!! It is only because HE loves us that He prunes and rebukes us!! Yes our pruning will never be over until we see HIM face to face! Treasure all these precious lessons that GOD is teaching you in your heart and constantly reflect on His goodness and faithfulness!
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Read your blog. Really proud of you & sam - as daughters & sisters. Am glad that Sam looks up to you for everything.
Love Daddy
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Am glad you had a great time of praying and fellowshipping with your friends! Guess this group of friends are different cos they are sent by GOD to nurture you, encourage you and pray with you to build and prepare you for the work that GOD has in store for you in the future.GOD knows you need such angels to be around you so you wont stray and backslide from HIM! This is also my prayer that GOD will protect you and send you godly friends to love and guide you!
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I fully agree with you that GOD HIMSELF placed you in UVIC and arranged for all the friends you now enjoy!!! Nothing happens by chance!

Keep loving God and allow HIM to prune, change, refine and train you to be the woman of GOD whom HE has ordained you to be b4 the foundation of the world! And you will cont to enjoy all HIS abundant blessings!
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Nothing can stop the plan of GOD. It will always come to pass. The only thing that can stop it is WE ourselves!!Meaning we do not obey HIM when He calls us! He gave us the gift of CHOICE. He will not force us. That is the greatness of GOD. He treats us with such great respect!!!

Though we may be unfaithful most of the time, HE is forever faithful!!! So like Mary, I kept on praying and trusting GOD. Giving our lives fully to HIM is the best thing we can ever do! As HIS Word says, he who looses his life for God and the gospel shall find it!

Nothing can thwart the plan of GOD. As you can see how HIS plan is unfolding before your eyes! Keep close to HIM and soak in all that HE is teaching and training you in this journey with HIM. You got to stay close to HIM at all times. In bad times and in good times, stand firm in HIS promises! Read HIS Word and pray unceasingly! Build up your devotional and prayer life. For this is the foundation of a strong relationship with HIM!
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Here's a big2 hug from daddy and me. Blessed and happy birthday again!!
Love and miss you lots, mummy
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As I've said, your countenance is different. What your friends have done for you is how GOD is showing you how much HE loves you and cares for you and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are the apple of HIS eye! Seeing you happy brings much joy to my heart for I know that GOD is taking care of you and there's nothing for me to fear or to be worried about!

Yes you deserve the best! All of us deserve the best cos we are all children of GOD!
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Truly God's answer to my prayers for sending godly people along your path who will inspire you to love HIM and grow in HIM! Indeed nothing can stop the plans of GOD!

You know I cant thank God enough whenever I think of you and how you have chosen to walk this path with GOD when I compare you with other friend's children who have allowed themselves to be sucked into the world (ie going for all the worldly entertainment and life style) and here you are sipping tea, walking in the park, journaling with you friends and praying and reading the bible!! I know that this would not be possible if it wasn't for GOD's grace and also for your love for GOD and your obedience to HIM!!

Vancouver Aquarium

So, today is the day when I had the whole house to myself! :D

I decided to catch the bus to Stanley Park and decided to be a "little kid" today and ventured in the Vancouver Aquarium. Was it a great experience! I spent the whole day there ;) If there's one thing I learned today, it is about God's majesty and splendor! Having this opportunity to see and learn about so many different creatures opened my eyes to God's awesome wonder. No wonder He is Indescribable! :)
I'm so thankful I serve that God :)

Dolphin show

Sea lions

Sea otters

Beluga!

Beluga show

Giant clam

Turtle

Crocodiles

Sting Ray

Moon jelly fishes

Wuhoo... Look at what I found today in my inbox. My devotion and guess what it was about? :)
Bingo! you're right! :)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

We've all had those moments when something in nature captivated our attention, whether it was a sunset that displayed a mixture of colors or a mountain that rose high above the clouds. We've all seen something that has caused us to stop and wonder at the beauty.

Those moments are testimonies of God's existence. They let us know that something greater than ourselves exists. They are examples of God revealing himself to us. That does not mean we can look at a mountain and be saved. But it does mean that God has placed enough evidence in the world for us to consider his existence.

God has given us evidence of his existence so that we can look for him. He's not trying to hide from you. He wants you to find him. All you have to do is look around and see the evidence of God. Then, turn down the path that Jesus provided so you can find your way to him.

I believe that the fishes and mammals and every living creature too declare the glory of God :)

And so...

I stupor today... and eat and sleep.
Yes, more eating and sleeping.
Oi... I need some good exercise.

Anywho, as promised, updates about my trip to Kamloops.

April 9th:
- Christine lovingly made breakfast, such good breakfast! Thank you Christine.
- Georgia and I caught 3 buses to the ferry and my grandaunt picked us up from Tsawwassen; and we headed for lunch - Malaysian food! :)
- We caught the 1.45pm bus to Kamloops. What do you do after a big and hearty lunch? You sleep/nap. We did that. ;p
- I met Georgia's parents.
- We hang out, and I finally played the piano again after years of not touching one.

April 10th:
- We slept in a little, and then had breakfast.
- We headed for a walk Downtown as well as to the Riverside Park.
- Poor Obilix the bull was terrorized by Georgia and Rachelle! ;p
- Tree climbing and lots of random pictures
- Home for more food, and out again to rent a movie (Miss Potter). It was a really good show.
- After the movie, it was time for dinner. Met a couple of Georgia's relatives and also her friend, Natalie.
- Dinner/ Georgia's birthday party was superb! Her grandma baked a super yummy lemon siffon cake! :) So good!
- Hang out until 2am! :)

April 11th:
- Slept in, and it literally was sleeping in! :D We woke up at 10.30am, had a light breakfast and then headed to Oops Cafe for lunch with Natalie. (Owh, such good sandwich!!!)
- Valhalla for a rain jacket and then back home.
- We crawled into bed, talked and nap :)
- A nice dinner with Georgia's parents, and we played Dutch Blitz! :)
- And then more sleep! ;p

April 12th:
- Georgia took the car out for a spin :) Such a great driver... hehe... ;)
- We left Kamloops at noon: Dutch Blitz on the bus, and more napping.
- Dinner/Georgia's birthday dinner Part 2: Authentic Malaysian food! Yeah!
- After dinner, more Dutch Blitz and hanging out

April 13th:
- Georgia left for Saltspring
- Rachelle's stuporing holiday begins :D
(Oh, and it was also my 1st time taking the bus in YVR)

So, that's in a nut shell, our trip to Kamloops. As you might have realized, it involved lots of eating. Yeap... :)

Denman Island Leaders' Retreat

So, as promised, here are the pictures and updates on my trip to Denman Island. :)

Friday, January 11th:
We left UVic at around 7.20pm and drove up island to catch the ferry to Denman Island. :) We arrived at Denman Island slightly after 11pm. We were blessed with a lovely cabin to stay in.

The cabin

The living room

View from the living room

Saturday, January 12th:
We had breakfast and then we had a session on manuscript study. We studied and learned from John 15. We were all truly encouraged by God's Word. :)

In the afternoon, we went on a hike/walk.

Leaving the cabin and starting the walk/hike

Into the forest

We took a group picture on a bridge :)



Not long later, we came to this place with this awesome tree :)

My friend Margaret hanging from the tree :)

Margaret and Robyn (I love this picture)

We all decided to climb into it :)

Us in the tree :)

Soon we arrived at the beach!

The beach

Scenery from the beach

Hornby Island

Friends enjoying themselves ;)

Digging a hole...

All in a line...

... and passing the bucket to fill up the hole

Filling it up...

The hole

We then decided to take a group picture of us jumping ;)

Annabel and I.. still "sane"

And now, just trying to be well, crazy... ;p

It looks like as if they're walking on water

More friends venturing out ;)

Margaret and Brian balancing on a foot...

Us on a tree on the beach...

Brian, Jesse and Margaret gazing into the sky....

Shantel and I

Robyn and I

Georgia, Annabel, and I

That took up the whole afternoon. We had dinner and did some sharing at night. The sharing was so so good! God was just working so mightily amongst us. I am really thankful that I was given the opportunity to be on the Leadership board for my CF. I am amazed at the work of the Lord and how He has led each one of the leaders to greater heights and giving each one of them dreams and visions for our CF. It's just the beginning, and I know that we are all excited for all the things that God will do in our midst in this semester as well as the coming semesters. :)

After all the sharing and cleaning up, most of my friends decided to play Boggle. Whist they play, I took pictures. ;) Hehe...

Full concentration on the game...


Sunday, January 13th:
We had breakfast and thereafter cleaned the cabin and we left Denmand Island on the 11.45am ferry.
While waiting for the ferry....

Sceneries of the mountains on Vancouver Island


I find this picture so captivating. It reminds me God's love and presence... For some reason... Each time I see this picture, I sense God's wonderful peace in my life

Margaret and I

Elisabeth, Alison and I

Brian, Annabel and I on the ferry back to Vancouver Island. We, and Rebekah (who took this picture) were all in the same car. :)

This trip was really a good one; and one I will always cherish :)