2007 wasn't a typical, smooth-sailing year.
It was kinda tough, not particularly a year i'd wanna relive. Yet it was not meaningless, not a year i'd wanna wish away... It doesn't look like much to the visible eyes, yet i think it was a year of inner journey.
It was a year of struggling with ministry, with church, with disillusionment, with missing a mentor. Yet through it all, upon looking back, God never let me walk through it alone, nor let me give up and walk away. He spoke on many occasions, with such clarity, with a demonstration of His power and love (like the shooting star night!) I'm thankful for this... that He allows me to hear Him, that He is faithful, that He loves me. And i'm thankful for the growing that these trials bring.
It was a year of struggling with discouragement at work. Of wishing to be able to do more for my students, make more of a real difference to their lives. Of yearning to see growth, changes, beauty, but feeling the sadness whenever i hear complaints and see ugliness. Perhaps i was too impatient, perhaps i should not have taken Man's assessment to heart, perhaps i have been trying to love with my own strength... whatever it is, i know i have to keep on loving, keep on hoping, keep on praying for them.
It was a year of getting used to married life. Well, munch is probably already the easiest person in the world to live with, yet it was really hard for me to get used to being married and away from the family i grew up with. Compounded with my "dry season" and work stress, i was rather blue. I thank God for Ps Tiak, who prayed for me and took time to meet up with me. I thank God for friends and their love and concern and prayers and their fellowship. And i thank Munch for being the unselfish, loving, patient husband he is. And i'm thankful for the growing that this journey brings.
It was a year of desires and plans ... hoping to change the world, even checking out the possibility of serving in some grassroot organisation. Considered pursuing a Masters Degree, even checked out the possiblity of a 2 years' full time study stinct, looked into the application, and even started preparing to take the GRE. But perhaps the time is not right yet? Perhaps i should play my part in some other ways? Perhaps... Perhaps...... Perhaps.....
Suddenly, the wondering ceased, coz it became...
A year of morning sickness. And THAT story has been told too many times, i'm sick of my own whining. Yet with this "torture", i learnt much too. About God's love, mother's love, courage, life... and there's so much more learning to come.
Oh, and with that, 2007 also became the year i reverted to flat shoes.
Uh-huh.
After years of walking on heels and
Six pairs of (almost) flats...
believe me, it was hard shopping for shoes like these. It went against all my instincts. but ah well... what did i tell u about mother's love...
Au revoir, 2007! I'm thankful for all that you were!
and with a newly bloated tummy, got on the train again.
and (... i dunno why i find this very grown up, but i do.... ) i poked out a parking coupon, displayed it on the dashboard, and queued at the HDB Branch Office for half an hour!
