Christmas Package from My Beautiful Friend

Yes, that is what I call her, "My Beautiful Friend". Because, she is a real beauty, inside and out.

I was to sign for a package which arrived a day before Christmas, but I was in church since dawn on that day and the post office was closed the next day. I left for HUGE 2011 at Port Dickson and was there for four days. And like it is for all camps, campers usually return with sore throats and a need for sated rest, for the next 24 hours. I wasn't excluded.

That left today. So, went to the post office I did.

And, I came back home with this

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I carefully tore off the sticky tape on the back of the package. In it was a Chrissie present.

I looooooovvveeeee handwritten notes like this!

My gift - Front.

My gift - Back.

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Dearest Vicky,

THANK YOU for this Chrissie gift. Those two words, they barely suffice to show the depth of my appreciation for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

The move, the transition and the adapting this year wasn't easy. I moved down to KL not knowing to expect, with only one thing in my heart: I knew I was walking in the will of God. And the thing about walking in the will of God is this: He never promised that it will be all smooth-sailing, but He did say that He will walk it through with us.

He did exactly that, and He did more - He blessed me with a friend like you.

You're His blessing to me. I treasure you and I cherish our friendship.


Love you heaps,
Melissa.

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An End and A New Beginning

"Nothing else matters, nothing in this world will do
Jesus, You're the center
Everything revolves around You
Jesus, You"

I shared this song here after watching Hillsong's 25th Conference podcasts.

All that is within me was so blessed with this song then, and now, months later, the lyrics of the song has taken root in my heart. Deep and firm. Whom the song is about, I am crazy about Him. I was then, and even more so now.

I'm ending 2011 with one of the most exciting, challenging, scary, mind-blowing, unbelievable.... (Too many adjectives. I should stop now. I think you get the idea.) decisions I have ever made in my life. I hope to share about it one day here at Chatty Lass. Till that day comes, please keep me in your prayers.

I'm starting, beginning, spear-heading, jumping onto 2012 the only way I know how: With HIM being the center of it all.

MORE Blessed to Give than to Receive

He said that it is "more blessed to give than to receive".

I have learned of His faithfulness when I gave Him my best, my very all. When He had asked me to give - in the area of finance and in areas of my life - I have seen with my eyes and forever will remember Him giving back, it was more than I have given or could ever give.

I know the truth of His Word. I know it by heart, I have seen it over and again. Four days ago, I re-learned what I thought I knew.

I signed up for a camp not knowing what to expect. Or, to put it more accurately, I wasn't sure I was expecting for something to happen.

He had to deal with that attitude of mine the minute I stepped onto the campsite.

Of all the things I was offered to do, I was asked to minister to precious young lives.

On the inside, I was throwing a tantrum - I didn't sign up to minister to lives, I wanted to be ministered to. I have given so much of myself in the past two weeks leading up to this camp. I wanted to unwind, relax and re-charge, physically and spiritually.

It was what it was, so I swallowed it in, reluctantly.

Night One and I was floored in His presence. It was amazing. The energy that emanates from 900 campers who were completely abandoned to all else and wanted nothing more than to be lost in loving King Jesus gives me a high that I have missed for the longest time.

Day Two was the beginning to my journey as He (like the song goes...) "took what I have known and break it all apart"; to show me yet again that His greatness knows no bounds and He is always, always at work to bring about something new.

The message was about purity, a life that was sexually and morally pure. That afternoon, I saw His hand at work. I witnessed it, I was a part of it and I am thankful that He extended the invitation for me to be His vessel.

My heart was in pieces when I saw the lives that were taken captive by the lies of the enemy. As I laid my hands on the hearts of youths, I couldn't help but weep as I sensed the brokenness. But, what joy it is to see Him touching hearts and restoring lives, moving in power and authority, gaining ground and taking back what is rightfully His, lives being set free, bondages broken, the claws of sin unhinged and the shroud of shame forever torn... No words would ever be enough to depict what I felt.

And yesterday, Day Four (also known as The Last Day) was one that I would remember for a long long time.

It's an amazing finale to a great year and a fantastic way to begin a new year - with more hope, greater purpose, bigger heart and stretched faith.

Kelfy and Piggy | 17 Years (Or, More) of Friendship This Christmas

I got a little more nostalgic, a wee bit more emotional and a lot more grateful for family and friends this Christmas.

Particularly because if all goes as planned and as I would have it, this might be my last Christmas spent back in Penang.

So, I treasure everything and find them more precious as the days go by.

Anyway, moving on.....

Kelfy and I have been friends since forever.

We grew up in Sunday School and we sat together all the time. We moved on to attend Youth and as time went by, our bond grew stronger. We talked, we wrote and we made cards (for each other), all the time.

I clearly remember this one incident which happened when we were much younger. We were due to attend a girls-only, one-night camp at a hotel and for a reason which I can't recall, the parentals refused to give me the green light to go. I rang her up and told her the news. Next thing I know, she CHOSE to stay home so that I wouldn't feel left out.

She is an amazing person; giving, incredibly caring and very beautiful, inside and out.

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Kelfy,

THANK YOU for your labour of love (also known as my Christmas present) this Chrissie. I know that you have no qualms about spending on gifts, but this year's gift is and will be (by far) the best Christmas present that I have received to date.

Love you so much,
Piggy.


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I love, love, LOVE, handwritten notes.

When the lights are down, little LED lights shine like fireflies.

Christmas with the Community | December 24th, 2011

Taken with my carolers yesterday.

Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Wishing you, dear readers of Chatty Lass a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

May you (always) be thankful for all that this year has brought along your path and be excited for what is to come.

It has been a joy writing and sharing a portion of my life with all of you.


Much love and tight hugs,
Melissa.

His Little But Precious Gift

I'm thankful for this gift, the gift of friendship; honest-to-God friendships - where you are not afraid to offend and speak your mind, where you love and give more than you expect in return, where you spend hours together doing silly nothings and talking crazy nonsense and laugh for no good reason..... where you get to do life together with another person.

I'm thankful for it. Truly.

A very dear friend wrote {this} post a little while ago. It's a good one, I think I'll keep it here with me.

Us both at John and Hui Min's wedding. :)

Infographics

:: Definition: Graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge ::

{Source}

#Too cute!

Live :: Dream :: Love

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Live Beautifully

Dream Passionately

Love Completely

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#Word. #Noted.

I Carry Your Heart in Mine

Someday, When I Have My Own Place...

I will turn one of the corners of my home into the perfect spot to curl up with a book - Pristine but minimal furnishing, fluffy pillows and a ray of sunlight.

Like so.

YI Christmas Celebration 2011 | The Event

Printed posters and hours of canvassing for ideas later, the event finally came to pass.

It was a success - Our expectations were met, the sense of His joy in the atmosphere was beautiful and my heart is ever grateful for all that He has done, is doing and will be doing.

If I may, a little snapshot of the evening's deco.

Movie Review | Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

I have not stepped into the cinema for ages. Literally. The last movie I recalled watching was Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

With Christmas approaching in less than a week and my gifts list getting longer by the day, I gathered that today was a good day to start shopping and be on a lookout for gifts.

I rounded up the mall in an hour and bought 85% of the gifts. (Fantastic workout session by the way, I felt incredibly energised. The only thing that was hurt in the process was my purse.)

With so much time to spare, on an impulse, I purchased a ticket to watch Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

If I was anxious about watching the then yummy Tom Cruise back in 2000 (Mission: Impossible II), this time around, I was more interested in hot stuff, Jeremy Renner. This Daniel Craig look-alike gives me butterflies in my tummy. In a good way. And, those slithering blue-green veins on his hands... What I would give to.... {clears throat} Oh, and his acting is pretty great as well.

I LOVED the fourth installment. It is the best of the MI series.

The plot was suspenseful, the action scenes were stylish and the inclusion of the latest gadgets (iPhone and iPad) in the scenes was a huge plus point. I loved the injection of humour in some of the more intense scenes. It was fresh, gripping and choked with spectacular stunts.

I LOVED that I was kept at the edge of my seat for the most part of the running time.

Director Brad Bird {sniggers} should take on the Bond installment next. With such creativity and daring directing, I believe that he would soon rock and stun Hollywood with some of the best action films ever to be made.

Nanny Duty

I have been offering my excellent babysitting skills to my dear friend, Mi-Chelle since forever and, I got my wish today. Well, sort of.

I played with Baby Kyra, kept her entertained, fed and patted her to sleep. Standard nanny duty. I just couldn't bring myself to change her. Not just yet.

She's nine months already; thriving, absolutely adorable and so luscious.

Chubby cheeks and that cheeky face. Too cute!

Asleep on my chest, purring like a happy kitten.

For Deelle on Her Birthday

The 9 Most Deadly Words in the English Language Used by Women

Women all over the world would pelt me with saucepans and stone me with their cakes (Hey, I just made up an oxymoron!) for this post, but the time has finally come. The vault of secrecy has to be unlocked, because the truth needs to be told.

Men of the world, guys, doods, boys... All those with XY chromosomes in your DNA - Listen up and listen good.

Learn to memorise these nine words, take them to heart and teach yourself to recognise them. It will save you a whole. lot. of. trouble, believe me.

With no further delay, I unleash to you

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The 9 Most Deadly Words in the English Language Used by Women

P/S: Kindly ignore the profanity found in no.8 and substitute the explanation with "You're an idiot/moron/jerk.

Last Wedding for 2011 | John + Hui Min - Dec 10th, 2011.

I was personally invited for three weddings this year. Here's the kicker: I was asked if I could worship lead, for the same three weddings as well.

I said 'Yes' to all three, because they are dear friends of mine. It was more of an honour and privilege on my part, rather than a task.

Here are some unofficial pictures from last Saturday's wedding.

Picture credits to Aunty Melinda of Melsong.

Did the best version of 'Shout to the Lord' that I've ever done with the team. My heart is full and blessed.

With Aunty Melinda.


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Dearest John and Hui Min,

I have nothing but best wishes as the both of you begin your journey as a married couple. The honour and thanks is mine, thank you for blessing me with the privilege to worship lead on the most important day of your lives. May His choicest blessings and cords of love bind your hearts together, always.

With love,
Melissa.


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Related posts:

• Shen + Pam - July 9th, 2011.
  
  
• Darren + Esther - September 10th, 2011.
  

It Takes Two!

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"When you combine what you LOVE to do (Passion!) with what you are GOOD at (Skill), you will make history."

Sidney Mohede

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#LOVE this! #Life lesson and reminder.

Unfading Beauty

Holidays Update - Week Two

I've spent more time journaling this time around - recording what I see and feel, writing down my dreams and desires... It's not easy because most of the time, I'd rather just keep 'em all inside or ignore them; in hopes that I will either forget them or they will forget me, whichever comes first.

But, I decided on a different path this time around. I learned that every story is important and every detail matters.

I had a busy but fulfilling weekend (singing for a friend's wedding - more on that soon) and a FULLY packed week awaits me. So, grace, strength and more grace!

I wrote this late last night.

"I feel as though I can't breathe. My heart feels so heavy. My mind is troubled.

You watch every movement of my heart, You listen to my every heartbeat, You hear every silent cry (when I can't find the strength to sob it all out) and You know every emotion. You know it all. You said that "all of our days are ordained before even one of them came to be". You had it all planned out, You have mapped it all in perfect harmony; in every trial, a testimony is born, in every heartache, faith is developed and nurtured, with each impossible situation, You display for all to see that Your greatness defies every expectation."

#Waiting, trusting, HOPING and BELIEVING. He's able, He's more than able.

Jeremiah 33:3

#Exceedingly, abundantly... Above ALL we could ever ask or imagine.

Guide to Life: Creative Living

Learned this over and again (75460141 times, give or take) this year and while I may regret the miniscule 10% of wrongs I have made (be it intentionally or unintentionally), the other 90% has been life-altering, in one way or the other.

I do not think that a person should fear making mistakes. Mistakes will never have the upper hand in a person's life unless one allows it to be so. Choosing to not rise above the mistake, now THAT is fear; a crippling one.

Rise above that mistake. Look at it from a different viewpoint (Perspective, perspective, perspective!) - If you've been scrutinizing every detail, it's time to survey that mistake from another vantage point.

Because, we're not meant to live in a creative world with a limited mind and constrained creativity.

Wedding Set List

{Click on the image to enlarge}

A portion of the set list for a friend's wedding this Saturday. Learning up these two songs for rehearsal tonight. #I LOVE weddings.

Pet Peeve - Irresponsible People

I HATE irresponsible people.


Just so you know, the world does not revolve around you.

One Life, One God - And, He's Awesome!

Happiness - What It Really Is

#Guide to life. #Reminder.

Food, Drivers and Family - Guess Where?

I'm writing this in my bedroom, laptop propped up on my lap with quilt shielding my feet from the cold air-conditioning.

It's only Day 3 but I have stuffed myself with half the items on my 'What I Have Been Missing Out On and MUST Have When I Am Back in Penang' foodie list and I am still on the roll.

I'm already annoyed with the drivers here since Day 1.

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Sideline: Doods and dudettes, please note that the farthest lane on the right is called 'The FAST Lane'. And, it is called that for a reason. So, if you are looking to slow-cruise your way to your destination (read: drive at 60km/h or any figure below that), MOVE. OVER. TO. ANOTHER. LANE.

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{exhales}

{flips hair}

{continues writing this blog post without banging the keyboard}

Max squirms and runs into hiding when he sees me because he is terrified that I'll smother him with my kisses. He is obviously overreacting. People ALWAYS say that 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'. What a little drama queen!

I'm missing my life in KL and feeling a little homesick (read: KL and my rented room in KL) at the moment.

But, catch-ups and nights out with friends, along with snuggling up to my parents in their bed is helping. A whole lot.

Happy December the First, y'all!