ChIcKeRiFic LiFe

Hey guys, just came back from our CF’s Family Camp. This year the camp was in Maxwell Hill, Taiping. A very cold indeed but somehow or rather I feel that God is always in the mountains. I mean of all the camps I’ve attended and when it’s in the mountains, sure God will meet me. Not that camps by the seaside God is not there but just I feel that God is closer with me up in the hills. Camp Cameron, NC and now Family Camp, God was indeed speaking.

The camp was themed, Standing on Higher Ground, based on the verse Romans 12:1-2. The verse teaches us that we are to be set apart, holy and pleasing to God as living sacrifices. It also was a time for many of the campers to evaluate their Christian life thus far. After so many years, the CF decided to do a camp just for CF members. The last few years it has always been about unity and also about fellowship. I think it was a nice change for a lot of us.

Kim Cheng was our speaker and I can tell you that she really drove a lot of nails into a lot of us. Here are some things that have caught my attention. "God put his love on the line for us", "The beautitudes is God’s upside-down rule", "All that I am, All that I have, I give to the Lord". Theses are a few phrases that really spoke to me. Actually they are all reminders for me. Therefore I actually named my experience in this camp as "REMINDER…a reminder of myself, a reminder of people and a reminder of purpose"

A reminder of myself…..I’m already in my final year. And in this camp, I had time to reflect about what I have done for God through the CF. I actually remembering reading’s Jinny blog that she actually am thankful for her seniors. Simon also wrote that he already ‘mm sek tak’ us. Actually I also ‘mm sek tak’ them too. How I wish I don’t have to grad but to continue to be in USM. Impossible cause life have to go on. A newer generation have to take over. But the reminder of myself in CF, in USM still remains in me. Have I been a good senior to my junior and a good junior to my seniors. I still remember when I was in first year, the final year students at their farewell did a mime "Find us faithful". The song goes "To all that come behind us will find us faithful". Am I ready to say that when I leave? I hope I can.

A reminder of people……..My four years I realise has been about people. People have been a big part of my life. My senior and also my juniors. All have played a part in helping me grow. I remember when I was in first year, my seniors helped me be a part of the CF and also be a part of uni. Kah Ling, Christina and Jonathan, I really thank you for making my life in USM so special. My juniors…you guys are the best lah..Everyday I get to hang out with you guys, and you guys are so cool to be with.

A reminder of purpose….."Aaron I see you carrying a lantern around USM, I believe God wants you to shine Jesus’ light through you in campus", that was the prophecy/vision that my pastor saw when she prayed for me. At first I didn’t understand it, but after joining CF and also being a part of the commitee I just realise that my ministry is with people. To help them. To understand ppl, and to understand that God has plans for everyone.

All in all the camp was indeed a blessing for me. I’ve grown and I’ve seen ppl grow.

To my tasik group: Josh P, Christina, Pui Fern, Chee Khoon, Nik Siong, Yan Wai, Sze-Lyn..you guys are the best. The lessons I’ve learnt from you guys have encouraged me. When I say TA you say SIK…

Camp Commitee especially the two coordinators: Derrick and Yan Wai, you guys made me proud. I know I have said it many times but I really really am proud. I pray that God has taught you guys somethings in the journey. Continue to grow as CGL. The rest of the commitee, it was fun man. The meetings and the camp itself was a blast. I thank God that you guys volunteered.

Whole Camp: Higher Grounders, praise God that you have met Him there. I believe all of us are changed in a way. I pray that we will continue to grow together as a family. Remember you are not alone.

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you" Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

Just a song to share

In the quiet
In the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call i won't refuse
Each new day again I'll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos in confusion
I know You're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord
Forever more

Sorry guys for not updating my blog…Sigh…just pretty lazy and when I find the inspiration to write…I get caught up of other things. 2 weeks ago, I and a few others (Max, Ah Lia, Sui Ying, Chee Khoon, Yee Wei and Tze Lynn) went for another FES programme called TIME OUT…designed for student leaders in the CF. The programme well it’s for leaders to have a TIME OUT, time to reflect what has happen for the past few months ans also time to regroup one self.

For the first time in history, the participants from USM KKj outnumbered the rest (actually there was only 8 of us..1 from USM main campus…nice to be meet you Esmond).

The day started with a praise and worship session….acapela style and it was wonderful. Simple and yet God’s presence was really strong. Then Uncle Chun Chung gave a short sharing on why we should be taking a break. About 11 we were then given time to reflect on past few months. I had a great time at the garden of the condo (where the FES office is). The tree, the breeze and the weather was so nice that it was really a calming effect on us. The reflection was from 11 to 2pm. Then had a light lunch before meeting up with Uncle Chun Chung for some one to one talk. Really enjoy it when I’m with him cause I have always seen him as a mentor and a good friend.

About 2 to 4 we had simple fellowship, laughing, playing games and also playing tricks on ppl. After that Grandma Swee Kit gave a closing sharing about Martha and Mary…another inspiring session.

What have I learned? I just realised that God is my PID. My provider/portion, My Instructor and also my developer. I realise that God has been super faithful to me and now I’m at crossroads of what to do in my life in the future. Well that is for God to tell me and for me to find out.