Legally Blonde Encounter And Other Challenges
Dear Felicity,
Had the privilege of counseling the Malaysian version of Elle Woods on Wednesday. Picture a Chinese girl with looks and an outfit that would melt the very floor she’s standing on. You listen to her speak about wanting sororities and immediately your mind starts to judge her as “blonde”. But as the conversation progressed, I had to recant that judgment because just like her namesake, there is a bright mind in there and a friendly personality. She even gave me her blog address to read about her. While most guys would immediately try to snag her, I just wanted to understand this individual. Turns out there’s a lot happening in her life. I pray that she’ll find what she really needs in life.
Also, moving on, these past few weeks have been really challenging as it seems that just after I taught in Home Cell about the importance of submission, my director (God bless her) becomes more difficult to work with. Talk about learning to practice what you preach!
I am also blessed to see the Youth growing spiritually. I am praying really hard that all these guys and gals mature to be what God called them to be. I pray especially for a boy called Nick who is caught in between maturing and still acting out. He’s going through a lot because he’s a teen: hormones, dealing with old childish attitudes, parental pressure, etc.
Also, I am so glad that one of the boys has made the decision to come in. I pray I’ll be able to treat him right.
Lastly, I have been challenged to take stock of my life and go deeper in my personal relationship with Him, to seriously let go of my past distractions and addictions that hanker that relationship to mature as a Youth Leader. I really need to mature more. Guess I can thank God that the scratching of my Dad’s Waja is a start because one of the boys distracted me off the road to rub against the pavement.
Anyway, until next time.
Busy-ness, Slight Depression And Puppies
Dear Felicity,
It’s been a real trying time for me these past months, dealing with loads of work at the job and home as well while handling certain duties in my father’s absence while trying to handle Youth and home cell together.
Because of all this, depression has set in a bit but I thank God for yesterday. First uplifting thing was the fact that my best friend was back from KL for a while and we got some time to chat. Also, another friend came by and had puppies. We frantically had to get some milk as they weren’t weaned yet but it was relaxing to be able to feed them from a bottle.
Woke up this morning at 6.30am because Aspen snuck into the house and had to fight with her to get her back out on the balcony. I have to find ways to work on my relationship with her.
Dark Shadows
Dear Felicity,
How do I even begin? I had a heart to heart talk with God many times on this and because of where I came from, it’s been hard to grasp even now. I have attempted to understand why I didn’t get it ’til now. Now I realize.
As fun as it was supposed to be, I have learned that the tomfoolery I have done has caused some problems to me and to others. For years, I have wondered what it means to truly be a man (Not a man the way people see it but the way a man is supposed to be, whatever he is) and one things men do not do innocently or otherwise is cross-dress. Even in my previous sareed state, I start to realize how intoxicating it was at the time. A friend commented about how much fun it looked and I said I was possessed. In a way I was. I was possessed by a desire to be feminine.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t care about masculinity and femininity per se as I believe God made everyone unique with their own quirks and eccentricities and personalities. I’ve met people who have elements of both genders in their personalities and doing very well, thank you. But my destiny is to serve people and I can’t let a dark shadow from my past have a hold on me anymore. (Trust me, guys, for those of you who know me and are reading this, this is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back to my childhood) I have to rise above this and be what I am supposed to be. I understand that this could open up a whole can of worms among many people who know me who will then start to either wonder where I stand or worry that I’ll get homophobic and be insensitive like some people have been. I don’t know. What I do know is that I will continue to grow in my desire to love people and help them be the best that they can be.
So here’s to the next battle. *sips a glass of soda pop* (anti-climatic but since I’m a tee-totaler* NOW CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And to those I have upset over this or the previous “stunt” from India, I apologize. May we continue to mature.
Dad’s Gone And The Japanese Craziness Has Hit Me
Dear Felicity,
Dad left last week for KL. His eldest brother came to visit him and decided to take over from us. While I miss him, I’m thankful that he’s with someone who can help him recover and “bully” him into eating, going for physio and other stuff. I hope he comes back soon.
Meanwhile, one of my Youth is going away to NS. Because of his background, we fear that he might get into trouble if he’s not careful so we’re praying for him. See, he believes one thing when the country I live in (God bless it) insists he believes another. ‘Nuff said.
Also, I have recently downloaded a whole lot of Japanese broadway from Sakura Wars (8 CDs) and have decided to try to understand what the heck they’re singing about. So I’m learning Japanese indepedently online to understand their grammar and such. Tae Kim’s Japanese grammar guide is wonderful. Give it a try. Also, I highly recommend this online dictionary.
Submission vs. Rebellion
Dear Felicity,
I am going through John Bevere’s teaching on Under Cover and I’m learning that I am far from submissive. There are times when I complain and vent frustration over my current bosses and sometimes I say too much about my dad’s condition for my own good.
God help me to truly be under cover and truly honour the authority placed on my life.
Broadway Bug
Dear Felicity,
I’ve been bitten by the Broadway bug and I’m finding I love musicals. It’s a reminder of my times as a child collecting Disney albums and singing along to Hakuna Matata and the like. Turns out Disney is reviving some of their old stuff into musicals, the latest being “The Little Mermaid”. I love Ursula’s extra songs. You can check them out on youtube here for the first song and just follow on through from there.
Wouldn’t it be great to produce Crossway musicals? Maybe it can happen one day. 
Perak Fiasco
Been reading and hearing about the political circus that has been going on in Perak with politicians hopping between parties more frequently than a kangaroo high on sugar, the elected party being deposed in favor of the old coalition because of the Sultan’s decision (the newly deposed Chief Minister to sue) and of course, one or two politicians suddenly dying leading to even more confusion and I’m thinking: OY! What a soap opera.
Here’s praying Perak has some stability soon. And Anwar, next time just prove what you can do first and THEN you’d win!
Belated Update
Dear Felicity,
It must have been so long since my last update. Two month at least. Here’s what’s been happening:
a) Youth – Christmas was a success and I’m amazed at how they came together to make this a success.God has asked me to continue to build upon this and teach them the principles of co-operation, teamwork and maturity in Christ through more creative ministry. It’s different from anything I’ve ever done so God help me. Also, several of the guys/gals have gone or are going away. Four are in East Malaysia on a mission trip (so proud of them *sniff*), one will head of to Australia and one will go to N.S. It’ll be interesting times ahead.
b) Work – Two projects running concurrently along with my other duties. Hopefully, I’ll do a great job and get a raise or a promotion in due time. Whatever the case, it’s in God’s hands.
c) Dad – My dad has recovered from a mini-stroke since mid-December but his journey isn’t finished yet. He has a lot to go through in this chapter and while he can jog, walk and do lots of things, he still can’t speak or eat very well. Must continue to pray for him. Also, because of this, I’m his personal secretary and will be helping him with Cell Group. It’s a big task but I know God’s the real Teacher, so bring it on!!
d) Aspen – My darling daughter is now sterile. The little string is still there though. This may mean another visit to the doctor.
All that and a car air-con to fix and a pair of new shoes to buy. Gosh! A lot’s on my plate.
Don’t Rain On My Parade (Sam’s Version)
Considering what I’m going through, my theme for this month is this, albeit modified:
Don’t tell me not to live, just sit and putter
Life’s candy and the sun’s a ball of butter
Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
Don’t tell me not to fly, I’ve simply got to
If someone takes a spill, it’s me and not YOU!
Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my parade?
I’ll march my band out
I’ll beat my drum
And if I’m fanned out
Your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn’t fake it, hat, sir
So what if I don’t make it!
But whether I’m the rose of sheer perfection
A freckle on the nose of life’s complexion
The cinder or the shiny apple of it’s eye
I gotta fly once
I gotta try once
You only die once, right, sir?
Ooh, life is juicy
Juicy and you’ll see
I’m gonna get my bite, sir
Get ready for me, world, ’cause I’m a comer
I’ve simply gotta march, my love’s the drummer
Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade
I’m gonna live and live now
Get what is mine, I know how
One roll for the whole shebang
One throw, that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham!
One shot, one gunshot and BAM!
Hey, watch out, people, here I am
I’ll march my band out
I’ll beat my drum
And if I’m fanned out
Your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn’t fake it, hat, sir
So what if I don’t make it
Get ready for me, world, ’cause I’m a comer
I’ve simply gotta march, my love’s the drummer
Nobody, no, nobody is ever gonna rain on my parade…
Take that, challenges!!!
Christmas Butterflies
Hey, all…
It seems I’ve let myself go a little bit. Because of the inactivity in November, the kids may have too. With that in mind, I’m praying very hard that I’ll be able to rally the Youth together for Christmas despite their part-time jobs, Bible school semesters and camps for a real shebang this Christmas.
To me, the most important thing is not so much whether we make it but whether we all grow from the experience. I still believe that God wants great things to happen for us. I still believe that these kids are special with the potential to be anointed worshippers with the ability to really bless God’s people.
I’m just nervous about a lot of things. Thank God for pillars of strength like supportive parents, a real helpful bro and the Youth who want God’s best for their lives.
Here’s to an amazing journey this next few weeks!
