blessed abundantly

I've grown stronger, not on my own, but with help from God =) It was Easter weekend and I had an amazing quality time with God. Although two days sounded short, but I was blessed in a way more than I can ever imagine. I too realized that it is important that we need to have the right heart to seek God and to rely on Him for every decision that you make.

Before the weekend comes, I was stuck in a dilemma. I wasn't sure if I should go to easter camp or not. Honestly, I knew where my heart stands. Is just that I don't have the courage to say it. yeah, I am weak and is pretty hard for me to say "NO" to others. I wanted to go away, to experience God. But I want to do something different this year too, somewhere I could really be alone with God. So, I decided not to go camp. Simply because is pointless to go for a camp that I know my heart would be somewhere else. Hence, it was just me and God.

Later the week, a few other people heard bout my plans and wanted to tag along too. I was alright with that idea, since is going to be a small group. But more and more people heard about it, and I was worried that they will choose the trip over the camp. Hence, I prayed. I pray that they wouldn't come if He doesn't want them too. Even if is just me alone, I am happy. A few people did pull out, and only one person was left with me, D. I'm glad =)

We were abundantly blessed in this trip. Firstly, we narrowly escape an accident (which I blame myself for) that could have seriously taken our lives away. Forgive me D, if you are reading this. That was really reckless of me. More details will be shared if you come and talk to me. Secondly, although the weather forecast did not seem so encouraging at first, but we had lots of sun on our way to Lake Tekapo. So much so that, we can walk around in shorts and sleeveless top. Thirdly, as we stopped by Lake Pukaki for our lunch, we came across with the vintage Zodiac road show! OMG! *hyperventilating* I love vintage cars and to see them on the road and able to take so many pictures with them before they leave (it was only a 20 min gathering), totally makes my day.

Before night falls, I prayed for a good weather to see the stars in Lake Tekapo. I heard God whispering in my ears that He promises the stars, but I need to have faith in Him. When the sun sets, I look up to the sky and saw those shinning stars, that He had quietly promised me before. I was totally speechless and dumbfounded.

3 months and counting

St Bathans

St Bathans

E's farewell

E's farewell

E's farewell

E has left Dunedin for a bout a week by now. The first night was tough and I cried myself to sleep. I know I took it pretty hard on myself, but I just cant help it. After all these years of having him so close to me, is really not easy to see him leave. What's more, this town is where we met and fall for each other. Sometimes I do wonder, if God permits, I would like to hold our wedding here too =) As for now, things are getting better and found myself lost in the extra, free time...

Last Friday, we went to this place call Saint Bathans (shown in the pictures above). Is about 3 hours drive north from Dunedin, pass by En Hakore and Middlemarch. The scenery is breath taking and I'm glad to be there with him. I hold a surprise farewell for him last Saturday too, but it some what failed. One of the girl I invited told him this, "I am not sure if is a surprise, but I cannot come to your farewell". LOL, I did put a note there not to tell him though. Maybe I should put it at the beginning of the description and bold it next time. So it turns out that he knew about the surprise the same time that others do, but thankfully, she did not reveal the date. It was a themed farewell too! Thanks to D and F, we came out with this awesome theme: "E's Style" [which consists of sunnies, hoodie, bog short and slippers] hehe.

I think God has been really kind to me. Knowing that E's leaving will have a big impact for me, He let me adapt to it slowly. How? The four day road trip that E took with his friend (a glimpse of LDR), then come back to Dunedin for a few days (where we went to St Bathans and hold a little farewell for him) then take off again to another road trip for a week (still within the same time zone) before flying back to S'pore for good. You see the change of period here? From four days to one week and now 3 months (I've decided to go back home in July), all these slow changes have allowed me to adapt to it slowly. So I'm pretty sure God will help me/us make it through LDR too =)

ps: BIG HUG to those who has sent me many thoughtful messages, and happily went out with me this week (you know who you are). I'm glad to have you guys around. You are a real blessing to me and thank you =) love you all! xoxo