Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Baby Jessica


A healthly 3.97 kg & 53.5 cm baby Jessica was delivered yesterday morning @ 8.50. Everyone says she looks like her mum. Great!:) Thanks for all your prayers and support. It really means a alot to us.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Exciting Times

I rejoice in the Lord this beautiful nite for his love endures forever. Tomorrow morning Jessica will be a new addition into our lives. The fruit of our love. I thank God for blessing us with new life. Wow! It's real exciting.

Life is surely going to change and I look forward to it. Thanks for all your concern, support and prayers. It really made a big difference in our lives. God Bless!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

ABLAZE!

SACCRE Youth Ignites Ablaze Youth Rally

More than 350 young Catholics in Singapore had their hearts set ablaze with God's Love as they took part in the Ablaze Youth Rally. The event was held on 9 September 2006 from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm at the Ignatius Hall of St. Ignatius Church. Its overriding theme was "Experience the Deeper, Higher and Longer Love of God".

During the first half of the rally, sonorous praise and solemn worship were led by a combined music ministry from youth groups such as Amplify Ministries, NTU-CSA Charismatic Prayer Group, Living Stones Campus Outreach, SJ Connectors, and John 10:10. Despite the hall being filled to its maximum capacity, the young congregation was undaunted by the standing-room-only space and spent all their energy to praise God. This unexpectedly huge turnout speaks in favor of the truth that God's Love proves to be an even stronger crowd-puller than Saturday night clubbing for many of today's young Catholics. Ria Anggriani, 21, who led the organizing team for this rally explains the phenomenon thus, "The need of youths to experience Christ's love is shown through this event. We are no longer afraid to show to the world that we are God's children, and that our joy is in gathering together to worship Him."

After praise and worship, Freddy Gomez from Amplify Ministries passionately delivered a spiritually enriching talk. Filled with conviction, he spoke of how God imparts the gift of self-control to his people and how this gift enables them to re-frame their concerns and challenges in life with a Christian paradigm. Furthermore, he said that having this frame of mind helps them to respond to any situation in a Christ-like manner and to influence its outcome to be more reflective of God's Love. Referring to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi, Gomez expounds on the rationale for his talk saying, " Just like Paul's response to his imprisonment, we too have to recognize that we have control over our response to an event in life which would in turn determine the outcome of the event. By exercising control over our emotions through the power of the Spirit, we would be better able to reflect the love of God in all our challenges of life."

The young audience took home the message. One of them was Erwin Siow, 24, a student of The National University of Singapore Business School. When asked what aspect of the speaker's talk gave him a better understanding of God's Love, he vividly recalled, "Freddy's talk illustrated how we can use our God-given ability of self-control to re-frame our responses to bad situations so as to derive positive outcomes from them." Furthermore, he commented on his overall experience at Ablaze. He shared, "The passion for Jesus displayed by our friends from SACCRE Youth is simply infectious. Aptly enough, it has set ablaze my desire to deepen my relationship with God through a community focused on Christ."

The Ablaze Youth Rally is organized by the various groups that comprise the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Youth (SACCRE Youth). The next Ablaze Youth Rally is expected to take place sometime next year. More information on Ablaze can be obtained from the SACCRE Youth Website http://www.saccre-youth.org , the Ablaze Blog http://ablazesingapore.blogspot.com, by E-mail to info@saccre-youth.org or by contacting Marcellus at 98781601.

- Miguel

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Rejoice!

Morning!

The week is almost over and tomorrow's yet another Monday. It's super fast, how time just fast forwards almost too quickly. Mondays can be rather daunting because it means more work (if you're working) or more classes (if you're studying!). And for some of you, it's back to school after the 1 week break ya?

Instead of facing this new week with a frown, do chin up and smile for the sun is shining brightly and there's no reason for you to not feel cheery too! :)

And here's just a recap of what we covered at the GOD & Me session helmed by Freddy Gomez (www.freddygomez.blogspot.com) this Friday:

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Phillipians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again, Rejoice!

If St. Paul can rejoice despite being imprisoned, so can we.

Your response to challenging situations will determine your outcome. It's about being victorious for Christ. We are more than conquerors. Undesired events might deter us from being positive but our response is detrimental. It decides what state you'll get into.

It's always easy to blame it on the environment and to complain or get upset but it only leads to more grievances.

Ultimately, the way you react to situations determines the state you'll be in. So try to be resourceful and see the upside of events that might not necessarily be too rosy and you might not feel so miserable.

- Cherly

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Getting a Maid

Jessica Faye Gomez would be arriving on 19th Sept 06. To prepare for this beautiful new life, my wife & I decided to get a FDW. Being 1st time employer, it was challenge identifying a new maid. Moreover, we had some standards that needed to be met.... Indonesian, Catholic / Christian, experienced in infant care and English speaking. And hence, the challenge.

I identified a transfer maid a few months ago only to find out in August that she preferred to go back. So I went back to the internet to search for more maids & also down to Bukit Timah Shopping Center. It seems much easier to look for a maid online. mmmm obviously.

I prayed ... asking for God's direction and finally went to meet a maid on Sunday. After interviewing her, my wife and I decided to get her services. Just before I could make a down payment, the maid said she had to discuss some matters with the agent prior to agreeing to work with us.

So I received a call the next day and I was informed that the maid wanted every Sunday off. So off I went in search of a new maid. Checked online.... none suitable. Went down to Bukit Timah Shopping Center again. This time just walking into every agency stating my requirement. Came across a few but England very weak.

Finally... yes... I found her! Simply amazing. She can speak Bahasa, English, Hokkien & Mandarin... wow! Loves looking after children and ex - Singapore maid. What more can I ask for? Oh there was more alright. She used to train maids who were coming to Singapore to work. Hahaha ... she is a trainer just like her employer. Praise the Lord

Sunday, September 03, 2006

1st Sept 2006 - New Begining

1st Sept marks a very special day for me. Besides being Teachers' Day, it is also my wedding anniversary. 4 awesome years with my beloved wife Sandra and this year is extra special as new life is going to be brought forth into the world. On 19th Sept Jessica Faye Gomez will see the light... hahaha. Yes, what ultimate joy and a great opportunity to become more responsible. Life is indeed worth living.

I hear from friends about the struggles of having a new born and at the same time I see the joy in their eyes. A joy that overcomes the struggles. Why focus on the struggles then? I just have to keep replaying in my mind the joy of new life. The opportunities that await baby Jessica. The challenges she has to go through and the ultimate victory in life... which, by the way, is already won by Christ.

I pray Jessica will be on fire for Christ from a very young age... mmm... let me correct that... from birth. All glory to God.