Last 2013 entry

Last 2013 night in Brisbane. 

Thought I might write a little something since I stopped in July. 

Yes, the second unmentioned blessing I wrote, if you already knew through other avenues, was the promise of the rider.

The year has sped past with a couple of blinks. I would classify it an intense year, both at work and in my personal life! Initially I thought it wasn't that fast, but as the second month knocked on, I found myself on the rocket path. 

God promised lots of breakthroughs in my life last year. And this year was also a continuation of that. I first finished last year, thinking why God hasn't fulfilled the promises. But encouragement came along the way. God wasn't finished yet.

 I thought when a brother prayed for me last year regarding breakthrough and success coming at work, I thought our paper would be published. Yet right after, we got scooped. Unhappy moments, yet still holding on that breakthrough would come. Last month, our research had amazing breakthrough and not just a mediocre publication, but in an high impact factor journal (issue cover page also featuring our data), and also our work was reported in the media internationally. All glory to God!

Great friendships along the way... Learning to grow in communication, wisdom, leadership and security in God. Learning to push away from set backs and discouragement, communicate issues in life and ministry, and fight carnal desires and temptations to remain in comfort. 

Tomorrow I fly to New Zealand. Hoping to experience some intense activities and relaxing time.

Oh it's today already. Merry Christmas!! Remember and celebrate Jesus! :)

July... 2013 Blessings and promises :)

July 2013.. :)

7 years ago, July, I touched down in Brisbane.

7 years later... I got my PR. :)

And a new chapter of my life has just begun.

What's two blessings, gifts, in a week...? In 3 days...

Only my God who ordained it all.

7, such a beautiful number. :)

Thank You Lord.

Don't Give Up!

Don't give up!!

In 2008, one of the first verses I learned and one of the first few God spoke into my Christian journey. It jumps back into my mind today.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces persevereance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3

Was at prayer meeting tonight. God spoke straight to my heart.

Many things have been drawing me down. Yvonne says I always look happy so it's hard to know what I'm feeling.

There's been good, and there's been the not so good.

I've been wanting to give up.

To give up on the successes, the ministries, the callings, and the dreams. Too many disappointments. Some resentment. Some questions. Some discouragements. Was once labouring with hope. Now labouring seemed tough. Was once filled with faith. Now the faith flame is dying.

Was fired up to do it together. Yet together seemed far away.

But having said that, this season, I am constantly reminded by the prophecy about me. I looked at my life now, and find it far from what was prophesied. Because I've been thinking of giving up...

No... no give up Shannon!

Once again, this day, I was reminded of the verse a prisoner in Manila City Jail gave to me. Just as I was going to leave, he approached me and shared this verse with me. And I shared it in one of my earlier entries this year.

"...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

It seemed as though God already prepped me up for this year's challenge.

Two weeks ago I embarked on one of the hardest mountain hikes I've ever done in my life. According to the Department of National Parks QLD, I climbed a Class 5 mountain. Whao!

In a quick summary, I would say I learned a lot through that hike. Prior to the hike, I was all excited about conquering the mountain! It would be awesome.. breathtaking, and rewarding. But just when I embarked on the first kilometer up, I saw how high the mountain was, how steep the climb to begin, and there were no tracks...!! I was already thinking, I can't do this.

Pant pant pant... puff... help...

And though there were the months before where I have been physically training for it, at some point in time, I did decide to give up long hours of cardio training in exchange for shorter spurts of strength training, thinking that I needed the strength to climb that mountain. So, the cardio did drag me down. Had I persevered through the ritualistic and long hours of cardio training, I might have been able to do the mountain easily.... maybe.

The gear - I was in jeans! Alright, I had proper hiking shoes, and that did work to my advantage eventually. Jeans... not the best choice, but I found out that as I persevered the jeans did eventually do its job, maybe got more scratches than it needed to.. and got pretty dirty.

Every rock is steep and high...

Surfacing and making it through two big rocks to smile at the camera.... lol.

Not even halfway, I decided.. I might stop and let my friends climb up. But they didn't abandon me. They stood by and I told myself, we are a team! I need to tell myself I can do it, and keep going. 

Rarrr, c'mon Shannon, you can do it!!

Roar!! Go go Shannon, you can do it! I kept shouting to myself, literally. Yes - it was a pretty quiet mountain, so no one except my friends, could really hear me...

I even ran out of water... and didn't carry any food up there! Thank God, my friends  had them....

Had to do this... when you get up there... that's what you should really do. LOL

Eventually, I made it to the top. It was rewarding.. and it would have been a shame if I gave up. Would I try it again... yes, after more training and preparation too.


Lessons learned:
1. When God gives us a vision, and shows us the promised reward, it can definitely be exciting.
2. Things get hard... we start to want to give up.
3. At times, during the process of getting there, we wondered... if I trained a bit more for it... like, persevered through the lessons God was trying to teach me back then, maybe it would be easier now!
4. God gives us the skills and talents necessary for the journey. Take them with you and use them the right way! (don't wear jeans for hikes!)
5. God brings people to help you along the journey! Don't abandon on yourself, when others haven't given up on you! If you are a friend, don't give up on others who are weak and need a bit more motivation!
6. We all need water for the journey! Jesus is our living water!
7. The reward, is worth the sacrifice.

Much as I constantly sink into the mode of giving up, I'm holding on... cuz the enemy wants me down, but I'mma show him who's on my side. God is! :)

If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against!

Thank You Lord, for the lessons learned in this hike.

God, is faithful, through all the seasons.. of my life.. even when I'm faithless.

She teared many times today. Some times it feels like she's all alone and there's no one who really understands what's fully on her heart.
In times like these, the King reminds her that He sees the tears and they're collected in His jar. And He reminds her of His promises.
All she really wants is everyone to plough the field together. Paint the beauty and victories together. Yet everyone else is caught up with their own agendas.

This world will soon pass and dissolve like snow. She doesn't want to run this race alone. But if that's how it is gonna be for now.. She will.

She's thankful for the few who are running hard with her. And the prayers of those who cared enough to ask.

Yet her heart longs for the rider who would truly make her fly...

May it straighten all out.. And may she keep focused. She knows, she already can't give up. Whatever is the King's is hers. She can't bear to give up what's really really important.

The reason behind all her invested time and money and tears.. Are just so in all she does she might save some.

Pray... For her.

Faithful through the Seasons

Hello March?
Bye March..

I'm walking out on you. It's been such a sprint.
Breeze contact's been cool. Just like popping a mint.
Maybe another few hectic weeks will bring me closer to winter...

Time seems to fly by as age catches up, so they say. Well, maybe on a different tangent - I'd say the doors have flown open and the bull is kicking. Kicking real hard...

Last week was a memorable week for many in my group. God's faithfulness highlighted in all three significant events in the lives of the people close to me.

We attended William's Dad's funeral. It was a privilege to help and be there for our bro and his family. The first funeral I've consciously attended and helped out in my life. God's faithfulness have brought uncle into His loving arms.. Walking by the coffin, I told uncle to have a great time in Heaven. :)

Then a day later birth sprung forth. Elysaa popped Caleb Ang into the world. Both his fists clenched in one of the photos, faith filled, reminding me of the countless times I've seen him kicking in response when pastors were preaching in service. :)

And then the next day, the holy matrimony of Adam and Steph. Whao.. Thankful to God once again for the privilege to help out and film too.. Play a song.. And attended my first Aussie Chinese wedding reception too.

Blessings upon blessings on the lives of those around me.

A lot more to come. Praying for passion and the love of God to fill our lives even more. More breakthrough. More God focused decisions... God is awesome. Without Him, I don't see how can live be better.

Signing off.. At Indooroopilly, sorting out private health insurance stuff.

:)

Oh... And Shannon's Winter Syndrome is not a made up...! I just found out today that its real!