Thanksgiving

Thank God for a fruitful last week!

1) Settled our wedding banquet at The Pines! :)
We learnt a lesson about ourselves during this adventure – that we actually are quite concerned about how we feel about the place and how things look.

Here’s the initial story: amazingly both our parents were willing to not have a banquet so we had originally wanted to go for a simple solemnization and buffet. Hehe.. so we were actually quite disappointed with ourselves for succumbing to temptation the moment we signed for it. But I guess we really like the ambience at The Pines, and comparing the prices, it is really quite worth it to have a banquet there. I think our parents and friends will enjoy the ambience and food too. Heard it’s good. :) Anyway, though we will be spending more on the banquet, we hope to plan a good program for the wedding that’d express our thanksgiving to God and all our friends. That’d make sure the money is well-spent. :) Praying that God will guide us in this and that the wedding will be memorable and impactful for all who attend!

2) Signed up for a pretty good bridal photo package in JB. :D
Thank God for helping us to keep costs low for this! At this moment, we are really quite pleased with this incident because we had specificially prayed for a good studio with good service, good photography, nice gowns and a good rate. And when we went JB to look around, this studio just so happened to be having a promotion! And God really answered our prayers for all the 4 points above! Our hearts were filled with thanksgiving and gladness because we also felt that we had learnt our lesson from the banquet and grateful that God helped us keep to our budget. :D Yeahz!
If the service is good throughout the entire process, will recommend this studio to those getting married next yr. :) Can earn privilege points.. haha..

On hindsight also, I think we prayed much more for the bridal studio than for the banquet. Lesson learnt – be more prayerful!
Action point – pray for every part of our weddings plans. Best if in specific details!

3) Had a fruitful shepherding with my two sheep.
We discussed about how we can keep God’s righteousness and be wise in some of our work situations. For e.g. if in order to achieve the end result, we cannot reveal A during the process, how shd we respond when we are asked whether we are A? should we say no? Wouldn’t that be lying? [For confidential reasons, I am unable to provide the exact example… heh..]
It was an interesting discussion. After that we also discussed through some of the questions they had about the OT – such as Numbers 22, why was God angry with Balaam for going with the princes of Balak when it seemed that he did agree to it initially?
It was a refreshing time to delve deeper into the Word and learn from it. :) We shall have it more often.

4) Exercised.
Played badminton with ST during my leave and also on Saturday. This Monday I also went jogging. Yeah! Thank God for ST. :D He helps to discipline me to exercise and keep fit! Finally I see myself getting down to fulfilling my New Year resolution of exercising regularly!

5) Also, God has blessed me in my family
They (all of my immediate family- father, mother and brother!) now know I am planning to go Ecuador and do not have violent objections! In fact my parents seem quite supportive. My brother is quite shocked and I think I really surprise him with this decision. He has lots of questions- why South America? Why Ecuador? How will you find a job? They speak Portuguese don’t they? (Explained that they speak Spanish and I’m learning it now. Very fun! :) ) God help me to continue wisely in my planning so that their worries will be allayed and that this may even be an opportunity to bring them closer to God!

6) Two of my very good friends – Huaqiang and Sarah are in courtship! Woohoo!~
Very happy for them! Their story – how God brought them together, is an amazing one as well – about obeying God and listening to His perfect timing. :D

Ok, I have more thanksgiving points actually. But I must learn to keep my blogs shorter.

Started photoshoot today. So far so good. Pray for physical strength, creative ideas, efficiency and everything to be smooth!