For Christmas eve, my sister and I went to a church near our home, only 1.7 miles away. It is not my home church, but the St Peter Lutheran church. I thought to give it a try since I was in the mood for a quiet service, and this church has candlelight service on Christmas eve with carols and hymns. It actually has another service on Christmas day, too. So I went to both. I like the church. The music with harp, clarinet, piano, and organ was beautiful.
These are pieces of the songs we sang, or prayers that I loved from the two services:
God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world. But to save the world through Him. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
O Lord, though You have loved us with an everlasting love, we have not loved You with our whole heart, and have not loved our neighbors as ourselves as You desire. We have sinned daily and much.
Jesus said that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. So your faith has saved you.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6-7
Be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask Thee to stay.
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and take us to heaven to live with Thee there.
Highest, most holy, Light of Light eternal
Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes
Son of the Father now in flesh appearing!
As Your church proclaims joy to the world at the coming of the Savior, may every heart be filled with faith, comfort, and joy to receive Him.
Let us first consider our unworthiness and, before God, confess that we have sinned with thoughts, words, and deeds, and cannot of our own power save ourselves from our sinful nature. Therefore we take refuge in the undeserved mercy of God, our heavenly Father, and desire grace for the sake of Christ and say: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus, even now I ask You for this great miracle, that you also would be born in my heart and dwell there with all that You bring from Your Father. Lord, this is the greatest and most inconceivable miracle: that You, with Your holiness and love, your purity and zeal, could dwell in me, a sinner. Lord, I am not worth of this.
Come from on high to me
I cannot rise to Thee
Cheer my wearied spirit
O pure and holy Child
Through Thy grace and merit
Blest Jesus, Lord most mild
Draw me unto Thee! Draw me unto Thee!
This is the Christ, our God Most High
Who hears your sad and bitter cry
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free
I was not very happy this Christmas season. It is not right to feel alone at Christmas. Not at Christmas. Friends around here are I guess.. having some activities on their own. Oh well. Thus I very much looked forward celebrating Jesus' birthday. At least I can spend more time with Jesus than I usually do. And so far, I do feel peaceful :)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thanksgiving
There is a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. I went through a lot of things in the last one year, made quite a number of important decisions, and was just generally more contented with my life.
Chit Hui was a blessing. I say that without doubt. One thing I learn from her is to ask questions. People usually say, "Listen", "Listen more, talk less." That is true, but before we can listen, we have to ask questions. We were not that close, but when she asked me questions about my plans, thoughts, opinions, etc, I feel she cares and is genuinely interested to get to know me.
Her presence at home always cheers things up, too. Never a dull moment watching her shopped with my sister and carried bags of shopping items home :). I will miss that.
Can't talk about Chit Hui without talking about my sister. I have to say she influences lots of my decisions in life, directly or indirectly. Regardless of the pain I have to go through because of her, she has many merits that I look up to and am grateful for. She can be very impatient when we get lost and she has to drive aimlessly for a while. But she is very patient and understanding when I am in bad moods :p. Another way to say it is, even though I put a bad face, she will not keep it to heart and still treats me nicely. Bless your heart, ce. And even though she is tired and just want to relax when she gets home after work, cooking for me is a good enough reason to break that deal. She makes sure I have food for dinner and lunch. Oh, and they are delicious.
I am also thankful for having Happy in the family. He lives up to his name :) - bringing joy to my sister, myself, my friends, and lights up the home. It won't be honest to say there is no trouble with having him. But I know my sister loves him and is happy with his company. I'm glad just with that reason.
There has been several changes in our bible study group, too, in the last one year. Maybe it is only me who feel this way: we have grown closer to one another. Some more than others, but that is okay. I can feel more comfortable sharing with the group. I know more about each person individually. I will go out for lunch/dinner or activities with them now, happily, compared to somewhat reluctantly in the past.
One person, OB, just has to stand out, especially for how he has blessed my sister and Chit Hui. Weekends would not have been the same without him. Oh, but of course, right? Yeah.. just won't be the same and a lot worse. I thank God so much for him, a good friend, companion, and role model. Never did I see humility, modesty, and a passion to serve Jesus like he has. What a living witness he is for You, Lord.
Last but not least, the very people who I can't say I love them as much as they love me. My parents. I do think about the time I will be back home with them for good. You won't miss me anymore, mom, dad. You will probably be upset with me :D. I know they pray for me at all times. Their support, words of encouragement, and love have kept me strong in my journey. Their words of correction, too, have rebuked me and helped me to get back on track. Lord, please, care for them.
This grateful heart also wants to mention the many people who have come to my life and influenced me in incredible ways. Debra, the volunteer coordinator at Salvation Army, who shows me what it means to love, have open arms, and even open house to the very people she is serving. Sarah and Jason, the parents in my respite program, who loves and works very hard--despite the many challenges--for Max, their child with special needs. And many friends, both who are far and who are near, who have made me to be who I am today.
I can hardly recall where I was during last year's Thanksgiving. But I will remember this year's Thanksgiving. My sister actually came with me to a dinner gathering with some good friends. They are like my family here.
Chit Hui was a blessing. I say that without doubt. One thing I learn from her is to ask questions. People usually say, "Listen", "Listen more, talk less." That is true, but before we can listen, we have to ask questions. We were not that close, but when she asked me questions about my plans, thoughts, opinions, etc, I feel she cares and is genuinely interested to get to know me.
Her presence at home always cheers things up, too. Never a dull moment watching her shopped with my sister and carried bags of shopping items home :). I will miss that.
Can't talk about Chit Hui without talking about my sister. I have to say she influences lots of my decisions in life, directly or indirectly. Regardless of the pain I have to go through because of her, she has many merits that I look up to and am grateful for. She can be very impatient when we get lost and she has to drive aimlessly for a while. But she is very patient and understanding when I am in bad moods :p. Another way to say it is, even though I put a bad face, she will not keep it to heart and still treats me nicely. Bless your heart, ce. And even though she is tired and just want to relax when she gets home after work, cooking for me is a good enough reason to break that deal. She makes sure I have food for dinner and lunch. Oh, and they are delicious.
I am also thankful for having Happy in the family. He lives up to his name :) - bringing joy to my sister, myself, my friends, and lights up the home. It won't be honest to say there is no trouble with having him. But I know my sister loves him and is happy with his company. I'm glad just with that reason.
There has been several changes in our bible study group, too, in the last one year. Maybe it is only me who feel this way: we have grown closer to one another. Some more than others, but that is okay. I can feel more comfortable sharing with the group. I know more about each person individually. I will go out for lunch/dinner or activities with them now, happily, compared to somewhat reluctantly in the past.
One person, OB, just has to stand out, especially for how he has blessed my sister and Chit Hui. Weekends would not have been the same without him. Oh, but of course, right? Yeah.. just won't be the same and a lot worse. I thank God so much for him, a good friend, companion, and role model. Never did I see humility, modesty, and a passion to serve Jesus like he has. What a living witness he is for You, Lord.
Last but not least, the very people who I can't say I love them as much as they love me. My parents. I do think about the time I will be back home with them for good. You won't miss me anymore, mom, dad. You will probably be upset with me :D. I know they pray for me at all times. Their support, words of encouragement, and love have kept me strong in my journey. Their words of correction, too, have rebuked me and helped me to get back on track. Lord, please, care for them.
This grateful heart also wants to mention the many people who have come to my life and influenced me in incredible ways. Debra, the volunteer coordinator at Salvation Army, who shows me what it means to love, have open arms, and even open house to the very people she is serving. Sarah and Jason, the parents in my respite program, who loves and works very hard--despite the many challenges--for Max, their child with special needs. And many friends, both who are far and who are near, who have made me to be who I am today.
I can hardly recall where I was during last year's Thanksgiving. But I will remember this year's Thanksgiving. My sister actually came with me to a dinner gathering with some good friends. They are like my family here.
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