2007 in retrospective.

Hmmm... its another 2 days to the end of the year. To sum things up as usual, i shall do a recap of the events over the months:

January:
- grandmother admitted to hospital

February:
- grandma admitted to hospital, again. 心事.
- first time praying together with Lin lin over the phone :)
- we celebrated Valentine's Day for the first time as a couple. :*

March:
- busy with FYP report after slugging it out with lab work for 3-4 mths; lab work = construction worker work, mind you. LOL
- my persecution within my family began. IT was somewhat tough in the beginning, but God is faithful; he did not allow me to suffer beyond what i could bear. Selin and her parents were also a great source of spiritual support; so are my friends from footprints and the church!
- Felix left this world; he ended his life with his own hands. Who would have known that a guy who always seemed a jovial person was actually embattling depression? =/

April:
- i spent my April fighting exams and FYP report. Hahaha. Nothing much to look forward to eh?

May:
- had a nasty high fever which lasted a few days; fought it while studying for my last paper. And again i also realised 2007 is the year which i fell sick many times... that's bad...
- took 2 subjects in a bid to make up for lost time in NTU.
- helped out with church camp children's programme. Very meaningful time spent. It also created time where Linlin and me were able to serve the Lord in helping out. :)
- lost another brother: Aidan, to an accident. The Poh family will never be the same again. Why do the good people have to go? :(

June:
- helped out in Lin lin's camp after the one last year. The boys still remember me, if it was of any surprise at all. Haha...
- bought a steaming new PC; a HP slimline s3080d. It's minimalistic and i love it! Wonder why some ppl hate HP though.. and i'm 1400 bucks poorer.
- we celebrated our 6th month together in gelare.. Hee...
- I passed all but one subject. Haha... oh well.. one more semester left!

July:

August:
- My birthday; i enjoyed it, and at the same time, i didn't enjoy it either, It depends on who i spent it with. Heh.
- got a project to swap parts and fix up 2 bikes. Busy, but very well worth the time (and the money earned!)
- IA registration; i picked Pan United Concrete as my IA company.

September:
- We celebrated Aunty Nancy's birthday. =)

October:
- made sushi for the first time; onigiri for my dearie. I bet it's one hell of an onigiri that she'll never forget. :P
- went Ketam trail for the first time.

November:
- spent my entire month preparing for exams, studying with dearie. :)

December:
- i got Pan United as my IA company. :)
- I cleared all requirements to graduate, except IA; mortar board here i come July 2008!
- Event of the year: Kel and Jean are finally married! Makes us wonder when is it our turn? :P
- Housewarming at Kelvin and Jean's place: we made a mess of their kitchen (haha), but the food was good, the company was great!
- Gathering with the CIs: played board games and had a feast; later on in the night we exchanged gifts and prayed together for our relationship. :)
- The next day was spent feasting again; my tuimmy couldn't take it and i had stomach trouble.
- Lin lin went China with her parents and relatives. First time separated for a week...

Overall, i guess i learnt alot this year. Feelings of anger, bitterness, being misunderstood, to happiness, bliss, and joy (from above). It's a bipolar thing. And life is not going to be always smooth sailing. Sometimes its difficult to love others, even though as they persecute you; but as Christians, we always should learn to love others even though they have their misgivings, simply "because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Ok, back to my resolutions:
1) A closer walk with God: I'm not too sure if this is considered a pass/ fail, because of what happened in my family. But all i can say is that, the determination to take up the cross of Jesus has become stronger and stronger everyday; not even the threat of cutting my allowance has stopped me from seeking Him (i did not get it anymore after June anyway) Not that it really matters, but it is clear that whatever shit that pours on you, God will make sure there is a way out of it. And i truly believe it because i have been shown His love through support from Aunty Nancy, Selin, Footprints, Pr Wesley, and all my friends. Those whom have told me to think twice about it, or have negatively pointed out about it, i thank you all too, as it created opportunity for me to clarify these doubts and make my faith stronger. I pray that you too, may be saved one day. :)

2) Save more money: Well, i did have more savings this year, but my intention to save 10k this year went into flames. So i achieved only half of it. But i hope that as i graduate and head out to society to work, i can save up more, pay off all my debts, and embark on that big project that em and Selin are looking forward to: "Project M".

3)2007 to be smooth sailing: Well, 2007 wasn't exactly smooth sailing entirely, my relationship with my parents was always ether good or bad, my health wasn't good this year. But in all, i would say that with God, it has been a pretty good year. :)

So then, what are my resolutions? Well...

1) Save more money!Yes, Again it shall always be... Looking at property listings these days has me breaking out in cold sweat lately. And what about the intention to buy a car? My house? My wedding? Haha... *faints*

2) A good career: As i know it, i'm far behind my peers. All i pray for this year will be to get a good job to kickstart my career, be it in construction line, this line, that line... blah blah...

3) To grow in my love for God: the Lord has provided many things this year. I would want to continue to dedicate my life to Him... =)

4) For our relationship and love for each other to continue to grow... *smiles at Lin lin* =)

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, thank You for the year that has passed. It is truly a year to remember, going through the ups and downs. But in experiencing these ups and downs, we do not forget the lessons you have taught us through these trials. Once again we thank You for Your Providence and blessings.

Father, as we usher in the New Year, we pray for the people who have not heard the Good News. We pray for these people that they too, may be saved in the New Year, as Luke 15:7 states that "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." So Father we continue to entrust this in Your hands.

Father, we also want to remember to pray for those unloveable people, for it was said to "love the unloveables". We pray for an open heart, to forgive those who has hurt us over the year. May we set free the unhappiness, grudges, and hatred harboured in our hearts. We pray that we are able to open our hearts to these people, so that it may be a great testimony to those who have not yet believed You.

Finally Father i pray for me and Selin to be closer next year, in spite of a change in my life as i am heading out to work. May you give me the discernment to be able to set apart time for my loved ones, even though work can be a little bit overbearing sometimes. May we continue to love, understand, and compromise in good ways with each other more day by day, and grow in loving You more.

So Lord we just want to entrust everything into Your hands. We pray not for our own glory or bennefits, but for the utmost glory of You. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.