My my, It's been a while since the last blog post.

Hey Cell troops,

Henry coming to you from 1/7 Princess Road where food can always be expected to be plentiful and all is quiet at the moment(housemates asleep! sssh...). It has come to my attention that this week is extraordinarily busy for everyone. Present company included. I was in uni today and it only dawned on me that I have 1 assignment and 1 progress report to hand in on Thursday. So long to carefree nights.

While troubled with thoughts of submitting homework and meeting deadlines, I always look forward to cell. And seeing as we're all Chinese here, I assume that you all are aware of what's coming up this week. THAT'S RIGHT! MOONCAKE FESTIVAL!!!!!! More specifically, it is on Sat., 3rd October. So I finally get to fulfill one of my years-long(not lifelong) dreams of making mooncakes. The three flavours I'll be making for Friday are lotus seed(lian rong), sweet bean(dou sha) and taro/sweet yam. It's gonna be awesome I know it! In the spirit of things, I thought it'd be appropriate to set the theme for refreshments this week as 'CHINESE CUISINE'!!! Let's really show off our culinary skills and showcase the 5000 year old legacy passed down from our greatgreat......greatgrandfathers. All chinese food is welcome. I was planning on 4 dishes but if there are visitors coming, we might upgrade to 5. CALLING FOR WILLING VOLUNTEERS!!! This excludes Janice and Lucas who have work and thesis. No favouritism here:) Let me know what you think, if we have shortage in man power, I will adjust accordingly.

Also, I am happy to report that I'll be starting my One-Man-Assignment tomorrow. Please pray for me and my cousin, Jia Xin(the One-Man subject). I really hope to build a closer relationship with my cous. On that note, I hope every one will hold true to their word and really act on LOVE. I was reading the book and the something in the passage struck me. Jesus left us a new commandment to love one another. And I was thinking, what's so new about this? Didn't God give us this commandment way back when: Moses who received it on Mount Sinai and subsequently passed it on to the Hebrews? Reading on, in John 13:34 it says "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another." What struck me was as if God was telling me, "Now, I know how much you all like rules to set your life to, but it seems you have a tendency to break them from time to time. I created you not for rules, but for relationships and LOVE." And Jesus is the greatest living example of that.

"The Power of New"- A call to reject the habit of doing a set amount of things just for the sake of filling up a day and to inject a fresh new attitude, excitement, enthusiasm etc. into what we do everyday, because it's just that important. Think about it, you could be an educator and what you prepare on a daily basis has the ability to make or break some kid's interests in learning and education. An engineer who thinks daily of ways to improve the way things are. There's a saying that goes, "Things are only new for a day" and I agree with that, but you know what I say to that, "Renew your convictions, your vows, your relationships and your LOVE daily". Think back to your favourite show, how it makes you laugh and you find yourself saying, 'Ah, that never gets old'. Why's that? Simple, you love the show. Life should make you say the same.

Okay, enough blabbering from me. I reiterate, let me know who's bringing what. If anyone is interested in going for Perth Royal Show, let Paul know. And Paul, could you get the details like prices etc. It's hard to decide when we don't know all the facts. Keep each other in prayer for strength, wisdom and health. That in our weakness, God is strong to not just get us through our assignments but to do it excellently. Face it, "I can't do everything , but God can."

That is all. Until we meet again, continue to sharpen your instruments of LOVE- axe(acts) of love and kindness, a-mace-ing grace, spear(spare) of forgiveness. Ok, lame I know. I challenge you to think of more!!! Haha. Zhai Jian!! Zhai Jian!!

God bless,

Henry.

Don't Give Up

Here is a beautiful short story...would like to share with you guys ! Hope you enjoy it (:

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spiritual walk...I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can You give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
He said, "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed, but I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me," Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots."
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said," The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high."
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said," Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give Up !
For the Christians, prayer is not an option but it's and opportunity !
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, but instead tell the problem how great the Lord is !

Friends, God is telling us...Never give up in anything ! Although it may seems difficult or impossible at times, but, just trust in God...pray to Him ! I guarantee you that He can make everything possible ! Hope you will continue to seek for Him and have a better and deeper relationship with Him...God bless and see you around ! *Hugs*

~Venny~

privacy notice

to protect the privacy of our dear dancers, members of this cell will receive an invitation from yvonne to be able to view the video in your own account :)

it will be done by next week :)

Hello one and all,

Trust everyone's doing well, preparing for midsems and assignments. Just giving you guys a heads up on what to expect this Friday. After exhaustive thinking, we came up with a theme for refreshments- INDO MEE night! All cool with that? Get creative, we'll need egg, the indo mee(obviously), an Indonesian??(bad joke!), some veges, maybe mushrooms? Bring what you want and let me know about it. Thank you.

On top of that, as you all know, there are a few major events headed our way. Search for a star- Get your tickets for SFAS from Wincy, invite your friends and be prepared to be awed and amazed by the talent our church has to offer. 40 Days of Love-I hope that everyone can be united supportive of each other, and excited as we embark on this 40 day journey to learn, unlearn and relearn on what love is. It's $15 for the personal book and workbook we'll we using. I highly highly highly...encourage you guys to get them. Venny will be, ummm sorry IS collecting as we speak. Feel free to invite your friends/coworkers/family to join us!!!

Alright, I think that's all from me. Remember to study hard, dress warm and smile always :)

Over and out,

Henry.

holiday plans

hey guys.. plans for dis hols.. wanna see if u all are free.. to either go to the beach on wed or thurs.. and either tue or wed go for the korean buffet (bbq & steamboat) hehe..

shout out if u can make it k? hehe.. lets just take a short break in the hols. n study real hard d rest of d time hehe.

hello hello :)

i apologise for being so lazy.. heh.. i've been so lazy to actually type sth.. thx lucas for reminding me =P

how haf u guys been??? somehow during wed/thurs i'll feel like i haven't seen all of u for AGES.. when its just like less than a week ago. hehe.. hope everyone is holding up with all the assignments and midsems and thesis stuff.. always rmb God is our firm foundation and we won't be shaken k? :)

now now. for some updates for cell.. dis wk we'll start @ 6.30 with dinner k? so pls dun b late. i've booked hogs breath for 6.30.. we're celebrating 2 of our cellie's bday if u din know. hehe.. let lucas/henry/myself know if u're coming :) then aft dat we'll head over to miss kwan yuexing's hse for cell :) it'll just be short time of worship and word/sharing yea.. n mayb if we all dabao bbt or sth, we cld haf it after while playing some boardgames/cardgames? :) oh yea.. bring along your/borrow someone's guild card cos u get 10% off @ hogsbreath. :)

now. for the school holidays.. so far there has been 3 suggestions.. monday/tuesday going to swan valley.. whos free?? hehe.. get some wine, some chocolate etc.. let yuexing know if u're interested k? :) and also, either tue/wed nite, i heard der is a super geng korean bbq/steamboat buffet in vic park.. cost abt $32 but people assure me its worth it :) anyone up for it? =P lastly, sunday morning, if anyone is up for it, we're heading over to miss mauds for der breakfast buffet.. :) apparently its really awesome. hehehe..

alrighty.. dat shld b enough for now.. i needa zzZZZZzZ.. if not, i wont get up for my class tmr :( hehe.. nites guys.. take care yea. n cya on friday! bring ur bibles & notebooks n be prepared to share!!!

♥ eunice ♥