What a year its already been!

Might as well share my thoughts seeing how I have a blog ;)

Mentioned to R-Dee last year how big and different this year is going to be.. Amazing that its only March and so much has happened.... Feels like I've got enough memories for the whole year. However I feel God's not quite done yet...

Thank God for leading us to a new church so quickly. Its a crucial step, but it was made easy. Not just because its dad's church, but its because its where God has confirmed that he wants us to be. To share abit of that, prayed with dad, mum and R-Dee on sat night and we had a few words - all of us - over the situation and each other. God confirmed the words by prompting the preacher to change her sermon on Sat night - that sermon was exactly what we needed and very much confirmed the words we had. We were then prayed over and really encouraged. When God moves like that, its easy to respond!

After finding a new spiritual home, I knew the timing was right.. So I made my battle plans on how to propose. The plan had to involve several things:
- a special/meaningful place. Devonport is the most special place for us both. We had several important talks there. Even had a waltz session there at some ridiculous time at night once.
- a special spot in the special place. There was a spot in Devonport where she once asked me (before we were going out) what my intention was. My reply was hilarious, borderline stupid, but hilarious (you'll need to come to the wedding to find out what I said).. and we never forgot that spot.
- an element of surprise. So I did a normal home cooked meal (okay, I cooked her favourite dish) and was being spontaneous self and "suddenly" wanted to see a sunset.
- romantic setting. City lights after sunset - enough said.
- a good ring. I've never chosen any clothes for her (and still don't intend to). An expensive ring was a massive step and a massive risk! However, with Uncle Nel's guidance and about 2.5 hours, I bought one in Malaysia and tucked it away for 2 months.

You only get one chance to propose and I was very very nervous! Battle plan in hand, I committed it to God and went ahead. Everything was going according to the battle plan and I knew it was time to seize the moment... I went on one knee and asked the all important question "Will you marry me?"... After around 5 agonisingly long seconds (very very long seconds!). She said yes.. She even liked the ring!

After 2 days, I think I'm fully absorbing that I now have a fiancee. And she's amazing.

This year is definitely going to be a big year.. Thanks for those who have been supporting us and believing in us... And thanks to the many wishes/support these last few days. Its been special and its even better because its being shared.

(Congrats if you made it this far down my novel)

Btw, did I mention I have a wedding to plan?

Comments that change your life

Once in awhile in life you meet people who through their lives change yours. Other times you'll be in a conversation and one statement may leave a lasting impact.

One such statement was when I was in uni. Being quite busy in church, studies took a back seat most times. I passed, but never really excelled. I thought I was doing overall. However, through a conversation with a non-christian friend, he made a statement that would change my attitude to my studies for the last 2 years of my uni life. His words were more or less:

"I understand that you can't do well as because you have other priorities".

Now I knew as Christians, we are to excel in all we do. Being busy with other things was not meant to be an excuse. I knew I could do it, I'd just have to work harder. However, hearing that coming from a good friend, set me into action. These actions that would lead me getting into my current job.

I was reflecting on that as now that I'm at work, I've met a colleague who not through her comments, but through her disposition and energy is able to keep going and not get bogged down through the amount of work she has to go through. She's one of those people who are naturally more outgoing/perky, etc, etc. Now its not about being outwardly happy, but she had a good attitude in facing her workload (which was more than mine). That's been rubbing off on me and its something I realised a few weeks ago.

Whats amazing is that none of these people are Christians, yet they were used to make an impact on my life. God can truly use anyone and any circumstance to speak to us.

Shabang!

Coffee at client = free
Lunch at Wendy's = $10.70
Muffin for avo tea = $4.00
Coffee at cafe = $4.80
Coffee at client = free
Kevin coming home after 5 coffee's = priceless!!!!!!

*Kevin plays bejewelled*
Colin "Ko, what are you on?"
Kevin "Its the caffine speaking man...."
Kevin "yus!! High score!. Crap, its not even my account!"

Welcome to busy season people.... Its about time I made a post and after 5 coffee's and leaving after 7 everyday (more like 8), its now or never. Can't let this blog die!

Okay.. awkward, so buzzed, no idea what to say... Esp when this is meant to be thoughtful. I'll update with some more deep thought, esp since its been like 7 months since my last post soon. Suffice to say I'm buzzed, physically tired and Chuck is starting (Which I only watch it coz of the story line!)

2 days left!

2 days left before going off on my holidays.... First one was a working person. Having now worked for 10 months, I can see why people need holidays ;) But I can say that I've definitely learnt heaps about my job and businesses in general since we started (Which was part of my aim, so that's great!). However, alot more learning ahead though. It only gets harder... On the topic of work, we managed to pull of the highest amount of donations received for Movember, not a bad effort at all..

Thought I'd leave with a thought about the holidays, wrote this earlier today while replying an email..

"Spiritually, its easy with church routines and that.. but a true test of one's walk with God is seen often in their holidays. I often talk about strength in personal worship, QT and prayer being reflected when leading things (e.g worship, etc etc). However such things can be "learned" or sometimes God uses us even when our walk is not right. However, when all those things are taken away, it'll show if our focus is the things of God or God himself."

Blessed holidays!! ( for all three of my readers ;) - This is just in case I don't have any more posts on my blog as once we're back as a family in Malaysia, we become so absorbed with one another)

Movember!

For those who aren't familiar with the month of Movember, its a play on the word November using the word "Moustache" (called a "mo" for short), hence Movember. (I'm sure there was a more correct way of explaining it, but you get the point!). Its when the men around the world (well mostly in OZ and NZ) grow a moustache in efforts to raise awareness and money for mens diseases...

So good old Kevin thought it'd be a good thing to do, especially with the number of people doing it in the office. It was also (secretly) a chance to see how I'd look like with a mo, not having a proper one before ;)

So I went about my business growing a mo, first and second day it seemed like I was keeping up with the crowd, but after that it got tragic real fast, my mo wasnt growing!!! People were having mean as handlebars and sideburns and I has little bean sprouts. My Chinese side was getting the better of me, suppresing the facial hair growth. So in the end Shaun (my colleague who also struggeld; he's half islander, quarter Chinese, quarter Caucasian) and I were consoling each other on the facial hair (or lack of it). We were also copping alot of slack from our colleagues! The things we do for charity!

Have raised a reasonable amount, but definately not my best fundraising effort.. if you'd like to contribute to my efforts, its at https://www.movember.com/nz/donate/donate-details.php?rego=1637611&country=nz

Oh and my mo is definately going off come December, copped enough slack for it ;)

So much for twice a month...

I think I've confirmed to myself what I've feared all along, I'm not an online sorta person!! Aim was to update blog twice a month (or once in two weeks) and eventually get to once a week. Yea rigtht ;)

Anyways, my baby is doing well. Abit slow just coz there is so much information in it, but I'm getting better at understanding my baby, so its good... lots of e-books on it too. Thats like adds another 100 books to my "books I have to read" list. I'm sure I'll get there eventually, finished on recently and starting on another, so thats all good.

Strangely, or not so strangely, I'm reading books on prayer. Along with the word and worship, I see those three as the three pillars, and that pillar in my life is short, so yes, prayer...

My new baby!!

Yup, thats right, I have a new baby in my house... Thats a good enough reason to blog I suppose ;)

Just received my new bible software, Logos Leaders Library... Been wanting it for ages and finally able to afford it, its probably the first major thing I've purchased for myself. I haven't even bought any new clothes or shoes (two things I need for work...). Think so far most of my money has been used to pay off debt and major expenses like cars.. conventions.. air tickets.. house contributions... So this is probably my first proper purchase of something I actually want.

Still haven't used it yet, as its currently installing (Seems to take a long long long while to install). Quite shocking. But looking forward to using it. Quite like all the other materials that come with it, i.e. books, atlas'..

Btw, I still want to update this blog more often, will see how that goes ;)