Run for the Nation (Sarawak Edition)

Heya..

Its a new day and lovely one at that.. :)

After a late start to the day, (woke up early, did some work then decided to sleep again, and woke up only at 12pm.. hehe) I'm back to my laptop writing this new post.

My post today is focused on a special event happening in exactly one weeks time. (so excited!!) :-

Run For Sarawak

This event is actually a National run that started in 2007 where Christians in Malaysia had a burden to pray for the country and paired it up with running to make it a special event. I joined the RunNat family last year (2009) as the Sarawak contact as they decided to make the run nationwide. It was SUCH an experience and now, I'm already helping out in 3 runs altogether, this upcoming run being the 3rd.

Basically, this is what RunNat is all about:-

RunNat… RunNat… RunNat… Not only had the sportsmen been talking about it since the first RunNat event in 2007, even God’s people are excited about it because Run For The Nation is the first-of-its-kind prayer event that combines the passion for running and the desire to intercede for our beloved nation. It’s the one thing that everyone can do together as family of God despite our age differences, background divergence and various personalities. In prayer, we are one in Christ. And through prayer, we can make a difference.

Run For The Nation (friendly known as RunNat) is a single morning running event that sees Christians praying as they run throughout selected areas in the city or town where the event is held. The Runners are grouped into teams of three and each Team is required to cover a 5km run of a preselected route passing by homes, schools, commercial areas, government buildings, religious sites and other places of interest. As the Team runs, one will lead in prayer while the other two will agree. With the aim to cover most grounds, the Run adopts the relay style by using Prayer Cards in replacement of batons.

In short, RunNat is about gathering God’s people to pray and intercede together for Malaysia by physically running across the areas which we pray for to bless the place with God’s blessing and anointing. We believe that this simple act of prayer will make a difference because our God is One who answers prayer.

Exciting stuff isn't it? :)

Well, next week's run is a special edition run for this year (The full scale run throughout Malaysia was done in May in conjuction with Global Day of Prayer). The run focuses on Sarawak. A team from West Malaysia is coming down to Kuching (WOOT!! WOOT!!) to join hands with the Kuching runners to pray for Sarawak and the current issues regarding this state.

I'm so honoured to be part of this event and I hope that you all will be too!!

For those who would like to take part, you can ask me more about this event through the comment box or come join the prayer group that will be held in conjunction with the run.

Ciao.

p.s. Here's to all the RunNat family out there. Y0u all INSPIRE me..

Single all this while?

[NOTE: This post is an extraction from my old blog]

This post was extracted because one of my youth member came across it the other day she said it is exactly how she feels right now. It struck me how words written 3 years ago even though forgotten, can still impact others. And its mainly because of this I'm picking up blogging again. To make a difference...

Single all this while? (March 15, 2007)

As of this year, I will be turning 23 officially.. Not NOW but one day down the road this year

And as most people my age would understand, it is at about this time when the evermore famous question will start to come out…

“So ah, any boyfriend yet?”

*Sigh*

Is that all that can come across the mind of generally almost everyone when I mention that I’m 22 going on 23? Is it? Where is the hope of mankind? (okay… that sounded a little bit toooo drastic.. hehe)

And then to make matters worse, the question doesn’t just end there. It continues with a string of other “investigative” questions…

“So.. ah, any boyfriend yet? Who arh? When together? Settling down? Tell me everything ah!”

Right.

Why so pumped up about this question? Well, the other night ( I won’t mention when) I had a conversation with some people ( I won’t mention who) and they asked me theexact same question.. Of course not same words but the meaning is the same mah…

So I answered them…

“I don’t have a boyfriend and I NEVER did have one.”

They all (and there were quite a few of them) couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of my mouth..

Yes people… I am single.. And I have always been single.. From the day I was born until now. (Sheish.. I sound like a desperate advertisement). What is sooooo hard to believe about that? Many people go through the same situation that I do.. Some of the people I talk to still believe that I am pulling their legs..

Well, here is what I feel about singlehood at the moment…

First, I’m not tied down with commitment which means that I’m able to move around quite flexibly without worrying about slowing people down or people slowing me down.Next, I’m still young and by being single a little longer, I’m able to make more friends and thus able myself to widen my “choices”.. Hehe

Thirdly, with my situation back home in Kuching, being single now is the best thing because I can put my full attention towards helping my mom look after my dad. Lastly, this is the time where I can also focus on myself and get to know who I am and what I can be. To discover my potential on my own (of course have aid from above lar…).

I’m not saying that it is bad to be in a relationship. If you are in a relationship, good for you.. I’m also happy for you.. Is just that, I don’t understand why is it sooo difficult for people to believe that I have never had a boyfriend.. Its not that I don’t want… I do.. but just not now.

Okay, enough said.

Ciao.

p.s. Here’s to all single people (whether by choice or not), enjoy it while you can. Here’s also to those who are in a relationship, cherish every moment that you have. Take care.

*******************************************

Well, now at the age of 25, I'm still single but my stance has changed. I do feel that I'm ready for a relationship but I know that will come when God thinks its the right time. Till then, I'll just wait patiently :)

Ciao.

p.s. Here's to those who are waiting for the ONE. Be patient. The Good Lord will provide. Take care.

Cute..

When life throws you lemon, you make lemonade.. :)

When I throw students Biology. They give me a birthday wish... ;)

I have this student..

He's one of the creative few in the class and can throw really random comments that will catch you off guard. Yesterday was my birthday. And recently I taught them about Digestive system and the organs that are involved in the process.. He basically used his KNOWLEDGE :)

Here's the wish:

"Happy Birthday Miss Sarah :) God has blessed you with 3 perfect pairs of salivary glands. Use it to proclaim His word"

HAHAHAHA... I mean, how cute can Biology get?!! Apparently, very very cute.. So funny yet appropriate at the same time.. Totally brightened up my day..

Who said getting older wasn't fun.. :)

Ciao.

p.s. Here's to all celebrating their Birthdays.. Have fun

Extraction... :)

Yes.. yes.. I know my title sounds like something that came out from the Chemistry text book... But before you close the window on this, my title really says what I mean.. (come on.. give it a read..)

Well, as my last post said, I'm giving blogging another try, I thought, I should merge the information of my other blog here. As my computer skills is pretty much zilch (zero), I'll just extract the information in a copy and paste manner..

I won't be putting all of the posts here, but only bring your attention to certain ones that I think is important enough to be featured ;)

To have a first hand view of it, go ahead and CLICK.

That's it from me for now, enjoy the reading below :)

Here's one of the first that I wrote when in UUM,

Date: March 11, 2oo7

Title: Joy...

Sing along to this song if you know it…

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

If you want joy you must ________ for it

If you want joy you must ________ for it

If you want joy you must ________ for it

The joy of the Lord is my Strength

This song has been in my music archive ever since I was able to sing.. But although a childhood memory, it has never been so real to me as it is to me now..

The blank line that I placed in the song is usually changed according to the actions.. The usual words that fill it are: -

i) shout

ii) laugh

iii) clap

iv) jump

Many more words can be used to fill it..

Why out of the blue this song? I don’t know.. Seriously..

What word would I use to fill in the blank? PRAY

Prayer has always been my weakness in my spiritual life.. I admit it now. Openly to all of you.. I’ve at times slack so much in my prayer life that it makes me feel ashamed of myself.. I hold so much responsibilities in church, youth, school, at home and everywhere else but when it comes to the simple responsibility of praying, I fail.. All this while, I’ve been living such a lie.. Most of the time I pray for the sake of praying but without much participation in the prayer, making them just mere, useless words only.

My current 10 month detour to Kedah has taught me such importance of prayer.. Without prayer we are useless because the basic interaction between us and our Heavenly Father is stagnant.. When studying psychology and sociology we all know that interaction and conversation is the basic necessity in every relationship. There is no difference when it comes to our relationship with God. He wants us to worship and commune with Him..

Boy, have I been ignorant about this all this while..

Looking back on the sermon given by Un. Thomas Chung a few days ago in Alor Setar really struck home as well.. He kept pounding on the verse Romans 8:26.

Romans 8:26

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express,"

My dear friends,

How true the word of God is.. There are nights here in Kedah that I do feel down and probably as bad as depressed. When hopelessness comes upon me, I would crawl onto my bed and curl up and just cry out Jesus’s name. Tears and sounds come out but not a word.. Yet, I feel comforted.. I feel God’s presence.. I feel God holding me and cuddling me.. I feel PEACE..

In such agony, the Holy Spirit prays for us. When we just do not know what to say, he says it for us.. He prays for us..

Dearest everyone,

I feel a burden to share this with everyone. Let prayer become a habit in our life. Someone once mentioned:

“Martin Luther prays for three hours.. I will never pray longer than half an hour but I will never go for more than half an hour without prayer.”

Wonderful words that we should keep at heart.

Take care all,

God Bless,

Ciao.

p/s: Here’s to all who needs a little encouragement; God Bless. May the Joy of the Lord be our Strength.

Yes? No? Why, of course!!

Hey all...

I'm going to give blogging a try again..

Dipping my toes into unknown territory again.. Have updated the layout of my blog.. More will be coming soon!! Can't wait for the outcome!

Love,

Sarah.

Ciao.

p.s. Here's to second chances..

Sweeter by the day...

The end is near... It gets 'sweeter by the day'

Today is the 21st of April and I have officially rid myself of two exam papers. One more to go... *sigh*...

today's paper was....how do I put it.... WEIRD... Not so much the question but how I felt about it. Its been a long time since I really answered proper essay questions ( my lecturers are generally lazy to mark essay questions with exception of one or two)... and today, I received 4 LONG essay questions.

Total marks were 100 and question four was worth 50 marks! Can you imagine the horror that went through my head as I read the total marks? I couldn't believe me eyes.... Thinking back to the notes of my lectures, there really wasn't much to study... And there it was before my eyes. an essay question that blows my mind beyond recognition....

I went through the questions one by one... And one by one my mind came up blank.. I thought I was in for DOOMSDAY.... (is that how it's spelled?) Then the lecturer mentioned one thing that kept my hand writing till I couldn't anymore...


"JUST write..."

So, 'just write' I did (as al did many of my friends).... Until now, I do not know what I have written nor remember it... All I can remember was that my hand was flying all over the pages filling it with words.. I hope that i amidst all those gibberish I would have hit a point or two... And this is where I ask for God's intervention... :P


Whatever it is, I have done as best as I could. I shall now focus on my Final year project report which is to be handed up on the 26th and my last paper on the 25th... I hope I can manage...


I guess this enough updates for now.

Take care, and God Bless.

Ciao.


p.s. To other students; past, present and future, here's to those papers where we always feel confused about. Without them, life would be boring.. Haha :)

Pressure....

Just finished a long weekend... Easter weekend...

Anyway, today it is official... My exams are starting in a few hours time... And yet, I'm still sitting here typing on my blog... (This is sad)

Well... I still can't get over the fact that I will be finishing my degree course in 3 weeks time... But still there is a chance that I might fail a subject and have to repeat.... that would be my worse case scenario... Aaahhh!!!!! God please help me....

I really have nothing to write actually... I guess it is just nerves..... Have to calm them down....

Alrights, I guess that is all for now.. Take care and God Bless

Ciao.


p/s: A shout out to all Malaysian University Students who sitting for their exams this two weeks... all the best to you guys.

Easter

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago, I came upon a sign that read Heaven's Grocery Store.
When I got a little closer the door swung open wide
And when I came to myself, I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels.
They were standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said "My child, shop with care."
Everything a human needed was in that grocery store.
And what you could not carry, you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience.
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding.
You need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom, and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course.
I would need some of that too.
I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost, It was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was free.
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill.
For I thought I had everything to do the Master's will.

As I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I know when I stepped outside I would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."
Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"
"My child," he said,

"God paid your bill a long, long time ago."


-ANONYMOUS-




Isn't God great?


p/s: Happy Easter everyone.

A taste of adulthood...

Monday... the day I dreaded....

But I did fine actually.. :) Managed to hand in my C.V to my faculty and also my final year project draft to my lecturer.. So I'm fine...

Then my friends told me there was going to be an interview session by Nestle (yes Milo, Maggi, Nestum, Nespray, Nestea, NesVita, etc....) for Managerial training program. They were all going to give it a try for fun. So there I was, begged by my friends to join in the group. I mean, I did get my C.V done so why not right?

Thoughts ran through my head.. My very first interview!!!! Not expecting anything, but a little experience that would really be a great exposure to my future job applications.

I went to the interview room, was asked to fill in a LOOOONNNNGGGG form only then was I sitted down. I was third in row after my fellow coursemates. There was three booths altogether so the three of us went first. After the interview, I discussed with my coursemates what was asked and the three of us had different reactions.

My other two coursemates said that their interviewers were the ones talking while they listened.. Guess what.. I was interviewed by the Chairman!!!! (Human Resource Director!!!) Aaaarrrghh!!! I personally had a scary time.. My interviewer had such a big presence that I actually felt very small sitting across him. (And I'm a relatively Big person)

He asked me on my credits and on my claims that I've held several posts in clubs. He also asked on what my expectations were if I were to work in Nestle. Other then that he gave me a CBI session (Competency something something). Was too intimidated to really hear anything.. And finally he ended the interview by giving me a little advice on interviews and what to expect from other future interviews ( I told him this was my first interview).

All in all it was an experience to remember and to gain from. I lost nothing but I had a brush with adulthood. I learned that I may be 21 but I am very far from being prepared. If this is just a little taste of what I'm going to get in the future, I better start getting ready....


I guess that is it for now, take care all.


Ciao.




p/s: Too all those who are stepping into the real world and going through the interview phase, All the best to you.

One down...

Remember in my last post where I mentioned a list of things that were trials to me?? Well.... One has been erased... therefore the title :)

I handed in my assignment this week and all I have to do now is just concentrate on my Final Year Project and my exams... But who am I kidding??!!! Just? I have to hand in m first draft in 2 days time. What have I done? Hmm.... ( Had better not reveal just in case...)

What's even worse is that my faculty had to add to my already impending list.. (is that the right way to put it?) Yesterday, my faculty called me up to tell me to hand in my CV or short for Curriculum Vitae to them by Monday. For what reason you ask? Well, that is for you and me to find out because I do not know myself.... Time will tell...

Moving along, today I made my passport photo and it turned out much, much better then my IC did. I had a great laughing session with Su Yin today. We both compared how we look in our photos over the years. I'm still laughing just at the thought of it... :)

I guess I have nothing else to say for now... My head is just to dizzy thinking about what to write for my report.... Monday Dateline... aaahhhh!!!!! (Brings full meaning to the song Manic Monday).

Okies, that's all for now. Take care all.

Ciao.



p/s: Brian (brother), this post is dedicated to you. Happy 17th Birthday (a little late la but nevermind..)