The end of 2011

Perhaps another reason to keep this blog going is to reflect about the year that is going to end. or perhaps boredom has cause me to write this. This entry has no apparent content. Just sharing it out loud from my thoughts.

Certainly, many things happened - too much to be said in an entry and too little to sufficiently share it here.

There are no doubt happy, sad, encouraging, discouraging, disappointed and regretted moments. I thank God for all for He has used it all to groom me.

2011 resolutions
Did you manage to get your resolution achieved? accomplished? forgotten? ignored? or cancelled? I have never really set mine this year because I have already set them a few years back. Perhaps I'd like to call it my life resolutions. Well, too much to be said in an entry and too little to sufficiently share it here.

Life in 2011
Life has always be tough, never meant to be easy or fair. Until one realizes it, complaints would reduce and compliments would be more. There are so many discouraging remarks made compared to encouraging ones in the social media. No wonder, it is hard to stay positive at times. When good things happens, few appriciated and when bad things surfaced, many criticized. This is the nature of our being. Denying it could bring you no where but defying it could change a situation 180 degrees.

Relationships in 2011
I've come to fully realized that a family without a father would cause a power struggle in the house at times. Where the son would try to take lead and the mother would want the son to obey. Thankfully, there's a Father who keep watch and controls every situation.

Relationship with friends has gone rather shallow. I meant no negativity. But I have always feel that a true friend is someone who knows you, not just the everyday you. A person always longed to be truly cared for, and constantly be listened by someone trustworthy.

Relationship precedes ministry/everything. I always abide by that. But I am still struggling to be outgoing and initiative. Well it's not all bad. At least I have something to strive for. To take courage and 'go out' is a real deal to me.

Faith in God - active or passive?
We are called to have faith in God, not lose hope and believe in miracles. I have learnt that we need to do it both consciously and unconsciously. If not, desires will take control. I have many desires, so big that it can be one of my aims in life. I have committed those desires to God in prayers and asked Him to show me in His will and time. But it is hard to maintain prayerfully. I dont know but when there are things that you know you just cannot afford to lose, you will try your best to achieve it in your own strength. Most often than not, I failed miserably and realized 3 things - wasn't God's will, wasn't God's time, or something Better has been prepared.

I wouldn't want to be passive and just sit by waiting for God's time and will. And whenever I am active, things does not work out or at least it hasn't been.

Staying optimistic, still
My desires, resolutions, aims, goals or dreams aren't simply academic results, physical fitness or buying something expensive. But mostly lifelong commitments such as career, family and future. Everytime it seems impossible, I'd always remind myself of the miraculous events that God has accomplished in my life. They are always the right things happening at the right time. When such things happen, that particular event will always be a miracle, and a testimony. You will never get tired of sharing it so many times.

I pray that the upcoming year will be a prosperous year for all when your dreams come true at the right time. Till then, share it with me (if u've read this entry) so that I can share your joy.

Agape
Eugene
28 December 2011

The voice from within

Stagnant for a long time.

Decide to write, perhaps for the sake of writing.

Perhaps this may serve as a platform to share and voice my thoughts when certain things are just not practical to share with others.

Since ‘people care about how much you care and not how much you know’.

This blog was originally created to commit to God.

So I guess, it will eventually end with the greatest life testimony and grace I will be experiencing in the near future.

I have blogged one of my latest and greatest grace in the previous entry so I shall end with another greatest grace (obviously it is not going to be the last) in time to come.

Praise God.

To those who STILL read this blog, despite of its stagnancy, I thank you.

Because you know the purpose of this blog – that is to glorify God primarily, and subsequently, encourage and remind you how faithful God is.

I hope, certainly, that my next greatest testimony will be written in the next 2 to 3 years. And perhaps the subsequent one in the next 4 to 5 years.

That is, if blogspot is still available.

Of course, I have also recorded mini testimonies I experienced all these years in a small booklet kept inside my Bible and share during fellowships and cellgroups.

I encourage you to do the same.

For this booklet is going to worth more than any of your assets.

It is going to be ‘your legend’ with God after you have passed on.

Lastly, for memorable sake, this entry is written during my attachment (Opps!).
Year 3 semester 2 of Civil Engineering in NTU.

10^th June 2011, Friday, 1315hrs.

Recap on His grace (Recap yours too!)

The Miraculous Journey Began ...

I was enlisted in 2007 into BMTC Cougar company (coy). During that point of time, I joined the JC badge, therefore that makes me 2 years older than them. Even my commanders are younger than me. Putting age aside, we managed to find similaries among ourselves and started to bond as a section, and eventually as a platoon.

My BMT was considered a short one as I was put with the enhanced badge with just 8 weeks of training. After 2 months of basic military training, I passed out as a private (PTE).

Upon passing out from BMTC school 1, I was subsequently enrolled into the School of Infantry Specialist (SISPEC) for Basic Section Leader Course (BSLC) in Foxtrot coy, where we were taught how to become a section commander with the charge of 6-7 men. It was fun but 'xiong', but it wasn't that 'xiong' until I realized what is the meaning of the 'true xiong-ness' in the later stage.

After 3 months or so, I passed out from BSLC as a corporal (CPL) with the old implemented system. With new trainee rank implemented, they call it the Specialist cadet or the SCT now.

My next course was a specialised one - Combat Engineer Specialist Course (CESC). This period was also the turning point of my life asymptotically.

After CESC, I got posted to 30SCE to become a section commander. All the skills I have learnt from the previous courses were put into test. Despite so, I realized it wasn't sufficient as all the knowledge and skills I acquired were just 'scatches on the surface.'

A Miracle happened. Perhaps one of the greatest YET. And I joined the Officer core since 1st Dec 2008. This was the period when I understood the meaning of tough training. Although trainings from the Engineer Officer Cadet Course (EOCC) has toned down alot mainly due to the commanders' changing of appointment, we suffered but not as bad as those from the previous badge of EOCC. Thankfully, the sufferings were worthwhile. Not only becoming physically fit, we also became mentally stronger.

After our final overseas exercises, we returned to SAFTMI during our joint term and enjoyed our final 3 weeks as a cadet with lots of marching drills. It was satisfying despite all the sunburns!

Appointment Certificate Presentation Ceremony if i remembered correctly (ACPC) was a glorious moment when all of us put on our No.2 uniforms and received our certificates and swords from the Chief of Army.

13th June 2009 was the defining moment when we donned on No.1 uniforms and marched our way through the SAFTI parade square to mark the end of our cadet training phase. It was the day, that tears of Thankfulness welled up my eyes before we marched out to the parade square.

This was perhaps the second Miracle led from the first. God gave me an opportunity to study at NTU and even provided me with a awesome room in Hall 12! Praise the Lord!!

School started in August '09. Study groups were formed and new friends were made. The camaraderie forged is strong and always memorable. And I am truly Thankful for all the friends I have in NTU - be it those from my course or those from the Christian fellowship.

This is a picture taken from Bible camp jointly organized by Christian fellowships of NTU and NUS. An intensive Bible study camp I would say. But it was the cooperation between the committees from the both institutes and God's grace that made this camp possible.

The Journey continues...

agape

eugene

Officership

I am an Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces.

My duty is to Lead, to Excel and to Overcome.

I lead my men by example.

I answer for their training, morale and discipline.

I must excel in everything I do.

I serve with pride, honor and integrity.

I will overcome adversity with courage, fortitude and determination.

I delicate my life to Singapore.

I have not been reciting this creed for quite some time now. Come to think of it, it brings back the memories during the cadet training days. Not forgetting this magnificent grace God gave me to become a cadet one and a half year ago. I am still thankful though.

All the sufferings and 'tekan-ing' session I had during those days were nothing comparable to what I have went through from BMT to becoming a specialist. I am thankful nevertheless.

This blog serve as a reminder of God's grace for me. Truly a magnificent miracle. Definitely an impossible made "I-m-possible".

Praise the Lord. Always.

I believe more and greater miracles are coming. Greater transformations is going to happen.

agape

eugene