Preacher Christmas Eve
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Christmas Eve but it was part of NUS science fac Campus Crusade for Christ Christmas outreach. We put up a musical ‘Pepper or Salt?”. And I was the preacher that evening. It was 1990. There slightly more than 200 people and 2 persons made he decision for Christ. And one of them told me he was moved to tear. Glory to God. I was so nervous!! My cell group leader, See Kheng, was very nice. She rushed from her workplace to give me the support.

Carolling Christmas Eve
Those were the days that we practiced the carols and went to houses to sing. One year, my youth visited the Teen Challenge Youth Hostel. Once, my young adult ministry ended with a overnight at NTU staff chalet and I had the chance to do a small part in presenting the Gospel.

Outreach Christmas Eve
When I teaching in Sunday School, it was almost traditional that I would organise my youth for Christmas outreach/party. The youth would invited their friends for fun, food and gospel. That's where Kelvin came to one of my youth group and subsequently joined them. Thank God.

The earliest Christmas Eve
Then, my parents invited the carolers to come. One of them would dressed up as Santa Claus. He was then a young man, now in his 40s. Time flies! It was fun but stayed up late for them to come.

The darkest Christmas eve
That was when my mother was in hospital.

All in all, Christ was there and here. And that’s the peace and joy of all Christmas Eves.

We are set to explore the river and see the fireflies. If possible, we will catch some.

N leve result was released on Monday. I never enjoy giving our results. The stress of seeing the result and the little time to analyse the performance.

But the hardest thing was to reveal the reality. And it might be a painful one for some. Their expression of disappointment, lost etc. And to tell some that they are better off not to repeat and proceed to ITE.

And there is the farewell part as it would be the last time they are coming back to school. And the atmosphere for the farewell is never a pleasant one in this case.

Nevertheless, I pray that God will lead my students in their future endeavour.

It is interesting as a teacher when I have a chance to look at my current and past students . Found this neoprint when packing my drawer. Kelvin was mentioned in my previous blog. Then there is hafiz, mu current student, whom I am close to too. I thank God for the chance to know so many beautiful people in my live.

We went to my wife's mothers' group Christmas gathering at Ping grove on Sat. Must say it is a nice place and a nice wading pool. Big and shallow enough for Karis and Han Ern to wade about.

They had great fun, though Han Ern was reluctant to go into water till his sister and I went into water. Karis is always the more daring one. So she was having fun blowing bubbles into water, plunging her face into water and then out. At one point, I was telling son about something, with my back faicng Karis. To my horror, when I turned around, she was faced down into the water and struggling to stand. Grabbed her and she must had drank quite a bit of water. She didn't cry!! :-)

When bathing her, she accidentally touched a slug (it got into the bathroom!!).

We had a real fun time.

Church time is good today. Han Ern was wiling to go to Sunday School on his own. Encouraged him and he was happy.

Son and I don on the apron and dig our hands into the dough to made Christmas Cookies (Crinkles). We enjoyed the Friday morning class at this place call Home-horizons. First, there was the beating of butter and sugar, the vanilla, coco powder etc. And .. our cookies! Never know thta making cookies can be so easy and yet so hard. Han Ern enjoyed it so much. He was so proud of himself and posed to have a pic taken of him and products. We made a desert too, chocolate cup surprise. Will pose the pic next time.

After that we went to IMM for lunch and went on to Lot 1 to collec our Desaru photos. Will pose next time round. :-)

Here I am, sitting between 2 very pretty ladies. I miss them. Karen was the first in school to notice I am handsome 5 years ago. Ahem..

Jesus came almost unrecognised, without the trappings of humanpower and wealth - the very things that the spiritually blind earthlings worshipped … He knew that in leaving heaven for earth, He wasgiving up heavenly glory for human mess, joy for sorrow, unceasing adoration for inhuman torture, and the crown for the cross. And yet He came.

By Dr Robert Solomon, Bishop of Methodist Church in Singapore

I am suppose to update on earlier but I am 1 week late.
Last weekend, we went to Desaru, plus my parents. Fun but tiring. Very tiring. I think I am really old leow. Ha ha.
The bus ride was smooth going. Started with me and Karis, and wife with Hanern. It was Fun riding with Karis. We played, sing song etc. The first day is really tiring. We thot we would check into hotel after lunch. Instead, the guide changed the plan. We went to Giant after lunch. By then Karis already sleeping. We put her down on the trolley. :P
Then when for dinner, early one. And finally the highlight, to see Christmas tree in the jungle! We took a 20 seaters ferry along the river into the jungle to see fireflies lighting up the trees. It was beautiful. Hanern sat on my lap and was smiling to himself for the whole 40 mins. He has always wanted to see fireflies and he was so thrilled by it. All the backache and tiredness was erased when you see your loved one happy. By the time we reach the only resort in desaru, it was 10 pm!!
Next morning, we went for a swim and Hanern chose to pick shells at beach.
Went to Oscritch farm too. Hanern was so excited that he literally forgot about us. haha.
Karis was brave as usual, so she was following her kor kor too.
Lunch was lobster lunch. Hanern ate 2 0.5 lobster!!! He loved it!

I am thankful for the trip. My parents enjoyed their time with their grand children too. The weather was good and we saw fireflies!! God is good!! Praise God!

Dug these up. Taken when I was wise. Circa mid 1990s.

Finally, some time to write bout the prom nite.
That night marks the farewell of the pioneers. I had mixed feeling, one of hard to bid farewell and one of joy, knowing they have indeed matured and now truly ladies and gentlemen.
Can't imagine how they would turn up when I met them when they were Sec. 1. Some didn't change much, some a lot.
I took some pic, hugged some, wish it was all, I am missing them now. (Will post them when they are ready).
Had some fun too. Escort Jane, one the 5 prom queen candidates who later won the title. I guess it surprised many. But all the good fun and memory.
I know when school re-opens, a large chunk of my usual friends will be missing. Those familiar faces, laughters and jokes.. will be silence.
Well that's the 'curse' of being a teacher - you have to send off your students. And yet a blessing. To know that they are ready to move forward to greater challenges and height.

I pray God will bless all my friends..... and remember to visit old man at school.