It's a matter of the heart

There are some things that my hands remember when my mind does not.

Yesterday's HOP retreat went well:) Praise God! I went to church early in the morning at 9 for Pastor Steve C.'s "Understanding Buddhism" seminar, and can I just say how enriching the seminar was? God really used him to open our eyes to so many new revelations. I've learned so many interesting facts about Buddhism, that I just cannot wait to ask sharon about them:) Let's talk about your faith soon dear!haha

So we finished the seminar at about 4pm, and I joined Jen and Judith for the youth service. felt old sitting there, but still, I felt comfortable. It was great to have some really loud and fast worship songs once in a while. haha, and it was good hearing Michelle speak about prayer and healing. She really reminds me of her.

And as we proceeded to dinner and games for the HOP retreat, Nicole was just saying how it's good for us the older ones to participate in the lively and energy-consuming games of the youths. So we played electricity, whacko, charades and lots more..haha, it was really tiring, but very very fun:D

We had an enlightening discussion on the Great Commission during the prayer workshop led by Jeslyn. and we were just sharing what matthew 28:18-20 means to us personally. I shared of how I felt like God was asking me if I am ready to "make disciples". It's one thing to bring your friend to church, but it's really a whole new level to help them become disciples of Jesus. But that's why it's a good challenge to all of us. I believe God will help us to be willing and able to do what He wants:)

In the end, we had Macs for supper, and I slept for less than four hours, while some of the Hopers slept for less than two. haha, our eyes were like slits in the morning.

It was amusing because though I was asleep, I caught bits and pieces of conversations in the room. So it was during one of those in-out state of dreaming that I overheard this conversation:

"Sometimes you can find a person with all the qualities you like, but he ends up not being the right one..."

...slipped back into sub-conscious mode...

and woke up slightly to hear,

"...but sometimes the same qualities can be expressed or displayed differently in different people."

It was just a snippet of the conversation, but as I fell back into sleep, I remembered nodding my head slightly to agree with the two seemingly random statements.

turned out that the team continued the game of truth or truth, and everyone had a chance to "confess" about the same topic. and conversations after that were of the same issue. it was interesting because we are all of slightly different ages, and as they talked(I listened) about their personal feelings, I just felt very glad that all of us(including Shu Hui and I who were half-asleep) ended on the same conclusion. in the words of Amos, "We don't want to limit what God has in store for us, and whatever His will is, that is what we want." :)

It is not out of duty, or obligation that we desire His will for our lives, it is more of coming to a point in life where we just believe and know whole-heartedly that His plans are really the best plans for us.

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Oh, one more thing, I am really thankful that my mum just shared with me how she learnt so much from today's sermon. Today's message was about the power in the name of Jesus. And she felt so encouraged by the message and she shared of how God really spoke to her about various aspects about her walk with Him. Praise Jesus!:D

Alright, I shall go back to my resume. It's tough writing a resume. Chinatown with the girls tomorrow!

Lord Jesus, be lifted up in our lives now and forevermore.