Monday, March 31, 2008

How the Lord has blessed KBU CF

This is a personal testimony of how the Lord has blessed KBU Christian Fellowship…

The KBU Christian Fellowship (CF) was initiated in 1995 by a group of students in the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Engineering programme. The first advisor was a lecturer from the School of Design.

At its peak, the CF grew to 30 – 40 members. We had 2 groups – English and Chinese. So, there were 2 advisors. I was involved in the English group. We have organized quite a number of activities – 2 camps, various outings, forums, workshops and evangelistic events.

I have witnessed 3 pre-believers (perhaps more) coming to the Lord through the CF, and many lives who were touched by the CF. The CF has indeed bear fruits, and these fruits are everlasting because they now have eternal life.

The numbers in the CF started to drop in 2000. The lecturers still remain faithful. At one point, there were only lecturers but we still met to pray and share. Occasionally, 1 or 2 students joined us. Over the years, the student numbers fluctuated from 2 to 12.

If I just focus on the number, it is so easy for me to give up this work. I believed that this CF belongs to God. He is the one who has started the CF and what He has started He will finish it. God will finish what He has started.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

I am confident that He will personally complete every good work that He has begun in the CF. I asked God to help me to remain steadfast in that confidence.

Recently, the thought of giving up popped back. I was really encouraged by the sharing from the KDU CF members. I was once again reminded to remain faithful. We are not at KBU by accident or by chance but God Himself has placed us here. We are here for a purpose. Each one of us has unique purpose. Moreover, this is a very exciting time indeed because we have people from more than 30 different countries in one place! We should not miss the opportunity to be a blessing unto them.

When I was in University, I was actively involved in the Overseas Christian Fellowship. What I have learned in the OCF and the friendships that I have built have enriched my live tremendously. We will always be busy. I am also busy with my work but I know that I need to make time for God, for His people. It’s important that we are not distracted by our busyness.

Last Friday (28 March 2008), 4 of us from KBU attended the evangelistic event at KDU. There were about 50 – 60 people. There were students from UITM, IMU and ITP as well. The performance was really cool. Most importantly, souls were saved on that day. Praise the Lord!

Some of us, including myself can’t help but compare. No, we should not compare. God has a different plan for us. We don’t have to be big to make a difference. All great things have small beginnings. Jesus started with 12 disciples, and they have made a great impact to the whole world. Think about the mustard seed. It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. (Mark 4:31). Again, in Luke 19:13, “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." The KBU CF may have a small beginning, but it can still make a big difference.

God spoke to me again on Friday night through a sister in my church during the Prayer and Praise. This sister doesn’t know not all what I was going through with the KBU CF. God said this through her, “No matter how small the things you do, it means a lot to God.” Wow! God has seen my faithfulness, and what I am doing is significant to Him.

I want to encourage all the believers in the College not to give up the KBU CF. It belongs to God. It is part of His Kingdom. Don’t look at the numbers. Don’t compare. Don’t complain. Just remain faithful.

About 2 years ago, someone gave this vision to the KBU CF. “The members are like candles but God desires us to be like a torch, just like the Olympic torch – big and strong”. We may feel small like a tiny candle but God doesn’t want us to feel this way. He wants us to think big, be big. If we think little, then we will accomplish little. We are not the only CF around here. We are part of a bigger family.

I have said to some of the students and lecturers before that even if there is only one student and I, I will still carry on, for the Lord has said that, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20.

God has blessed the CF by bringing pre-believers to Him. God has blessed the un-churched believers to be part of a community. These are the fruits of the KBU CF. These are the work of the Holy Spirit. I believed that God will do more amazing things.

God’s work will move on…

Praise the Lord!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Promises received on Easter Sunday

For me:
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You..."
(Jeremiah 32:17)

For Seng Chor:
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."
(Nahum 1:7)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided

his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest;
"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"


Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

"You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE . What do you make Mr. CEO?"

His jaw dropped, he went silent.


(Author Unknown)

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Personality Style Report

My Personality Style Description

Christine values close, personal relationships, and she will often put the needs and desires of those who are loyal friends ahead of her own needs. She is an even-paced individual who thrives in a peaceful, harmonious environment. Christine will work to avoid conflict and sudden changes in her lifestyle and finds joy in keeping tradition.

Christine is a fact finder and does things "by the book". She can be sensitive if others are being critical of her work, especially if they have not carefully reviewed all the data. Christine clarifies expectations before undertaking new projects, and she works hard to meet standards. Christine will typically maintain a neat and orderly work environment.

A thoughtful, caring person who likes to be around others, Christine is one who appreciates relationships. She enjoys being involved in social functions, but does not usually care to be the center of attention. Christine seeks balance between personal and social time, and enjoys a quiet evening with a few close friends as a good mix of the two.

Christine would prefer things stay the same, rather than to risk a new venture (unless it is proven and true). She is typically peaceful and low key, and is usually seen by those around her as a good friend and listener. She tends to adopt a "wait and see" attitude about things, rather than taking charge of a situation, usually preferring to let others take the lead.

MotivationalLiving.com

Kenny's 31st Birthday



Lsat night, we celebrated Kenny's 31st Birthday at Swensen, SS2.

The people - Seng Chor, Christine, Jordan, Eva, Alex, Lu Kenn, Yoke Kheng, Kenny, Kevin, Sahaya, Yung Ling and Charis.

The food - Breaded chicken, fried mushroom, salmon pasta, chicken baked rice, fish baked rice, Hawaiian pizza, Banana apple crumble, walnut apple crumble, Earthquake

It was a fun outing for the Teohs - no catered food for the night. Hehehe!

Thank God that Jordan has recovered from fever and runny nose. He was really good at calling, "Uncle Sahaya". We are teaching him to call all the Uncles, Aunties, Kokos and Cheh-chehs. During dinner, he enjoyed some chips and ice cream. He drank the whole glass of apple juice. At home, he watched his 'Brainy Baby' and 'Mother Goose' VCD before bed. He has learned much from the VCDs.

He is now 13 kg.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Mei Yen and Kok Sun


Mei Yen - my ex-student, present colleague and friend.



(Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel, KL)
Saturday, 1 March 2008

Chinese New Year 2008 til now...

4 February 2008
Company Annual Dinner at Imperial Ballroom, One World Hotel
Everyone looked forward to the door gift and lucky draw.
For the past years, I’ve got vouchers, microwave oven, portable stove, umbrella, multi-purpose cooker, Tupperware set, mini compo. This year, I prayed for a usable gift, and God blessed me with another rice cooker. Guess what? Now, we have 3 rice cookers at home – current one, second rice cooker redeemed from Citibank because the current one has scratch marks in the pot, and the third one – my door gift. We are still using the one rice cooker. Seng Chor has been asking me when I plan to use the new rice cooker. Eh…I am still thinking about it.

This is my 13th year working in the company. So far, I won the lucky draw twice – VCD player (for my bedroom) and a voucher for 2 days and 1 night stay at Damai Laut Resort, Pulau Pangkor. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to go because Jordan was not well. I won the trip in 2006, and I was actually still on maternity leave.

5 February 2008
We left home for Penang at 8 pm, and arrived there around midnight. Then, Seng Chor had Char Koay Teow for supper. Jordan also ate some.

6 February 2008 – CNY Eve
The agenda is the same every year.
Reunion lunch – steamboat

7 February 2008 – 1st Day of CNY
Visited 1st and 2nd Aunt and family.
Late dinner at Manhattan Fish Market.

8 February 2008 – 2nd Day of CNY
Visited 3rd Uncle and family.
Then, all the relatives came over for dinner. Mum-in-law cooked noodles, prawn, lobak, mixed vegetables, etc.

9 February 2008 – 3rd Day of CNY
To the home of 3rd Aunt and family in Penang Island

10 February 2008
Left Penang around 8 pm.
As we were heading toward the Penang toll, there was a massive jam. To avoid it, Seng Chor turned to another road but it was also jammed. Then, he decided to make a U-turn to the earlier road. We realized that the jam was actually at the Penang Bridge not on the highway. We wasted about half an hour on the other road. Certain parts of the highway were quite jammed, and Seng Chor avoided them by using the trunk road. Finally, we arrived PJ around 2:15 am, 11 February 2008.

11 February 2008
Initially, I planned to cancel my annual leave and take Jordan to work with me. The office was opened for us to pay a visit to our big boss at the headquarters, followed by lion dance performance, and lunch at One World Hotel. However, Jordan didn’t wake up until 11 am. I was a bit disappointed. I was looking forward to taking him to my office, and showing him the lion dance performance. He loves to watch the lion dance.

12, 13 and 14 February 2008
I took replacement leave to take care of Jordan.
Jordan didn’t take his afternoon nap until Seng Chor came home from work. He hardly ate a proper meal and was active the whole day. It was extremely tiring.
Later, I realized that I was relying on my on strength rather than on God.

Seng Chor didn't plan anything for Valentine's Day. I expected a nice lunch but all we had was Ipoh Chicken Rice at Jalan Gasing. Sigh.

15 February 2008
It was Seng Chor’s turn to take leave to baby sit Jordan. I resumed work after almost 2 weeks. I felt relieved. For lunch, my colleague and I went to McDonald’s and we bumped onto Seng Chor and Jordan. They were playing hide and seek at the playground. What a joy to see both of them!

16 February 2008
Heavy downpour in the evening – no swimming lesson.

17 February 2008
Lunch at Patrick’s home, Subang Jaya – Seng Chor’s colleague.
Our Growth Group organized a Chinese New Year dinner at the Wong’s Residence. Eva and Lu Kenn joined us. We celebrated birthdays as well. It was a free and easy night. Food was excellent.

18 February 2008
All lectures and labs commenced – 13 hours a week until end of April 2008, not including project supervision and consultation. Super hectic indeed!

20 February 2008
3rd Aunt invited us to her house for dinner. Other relatives were there too – Tai Pak and wife, eldest Aunt, youngest Aunty and Uncle Tong, youngest Uncle and wife, and cousins. It’s good to see them again.

21 February 2008 – Chap Goh Mei
The Teoh cousins (including Seng Chor) hosted dinner at Pantai Seafood Restaurant with 2 tables.
The menu (RM 638++ per table):
- Salmon Fish Yee Sang
- Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with scallops
- Roasted Crispy Duck Hong Kong Style
- Steamed “Estuary Garoupa” Fish
- Fried King Prawn with Mushroom Sauce
- Braised Sea Cucumber with Mushroom & Sea Moss
- Prosperity Steamed Rice with Chinese Sausage
- Pantai Chinese Pastries
- Chilled Mango Cream with Sago

23 February 2008
Back to work to attend a meeting with the Marketing Department.
6th Swimming Lesson

25 February 2008
On Medical Leave – throat infection and slight fever

27 and 28 February 2008
Jordan stayed overnight at the babysitter. Seng Chor was not feeling well too.

1 March 2008
Attended Mei Yen’s wedding. I am really happy for her. It's a joy to witness the solemnisation of her marriage.

3 March 2008
Alex started his new job - second one, at Kelana Jaya.

6 March 2008
Received news from Mama that Cousin Siau Ling passed away in a car accident in Tawau last night. What a tragedy! She left behind husband and 3 young children.