The most wonderful time of the year

Another year has almost come to an end, and 2015 is fast approaching. Every year seems to be passing faster than the next, and this acceleration of time sometimes scares me. As the year comes to an end, I've been doing much reflections on my part. I cannot find a word to describe 2014 simply, because I think that too many overwhelming incidents have occurred within the time span of a year. However, for the good and the (seemingly) bad, I thank God for seeing me through yet another year, and letting me get to know more and more individuals who I have come to treasure and be appreciative of.

For the times which I thought were difficult and horrible, I look back now and I see how these situations have actually been better than I thought that they would be. I hated the thought of graduating a year earlier than my friends, and I prayed desperately for a miracle, for my CAP to change so that I could just linger one more year in NUS. I even mentioned that I was willing to do anything just to not graduate at this time of my life. If only I could have seen how silly I was at that moment. Yea I graduated unwillingly, but the next half a year turned out to be more enriching than I could ever imagine. I was blessed with a workplace and colleagues who are so eager, nice and spontaneous, somewhere that I have learnt abundantly even though I've only been there a short 3 months plus. I've had so much more time to myself to do the things I love, and even ample time to just catch up on the rest that I didn't have much of a chance to in the past 3 years. The most important thing that I see clearly now would be that if I had advanced to Year 4 miraculously, I know I would have taken it for granted and tried to pull through with my own strength, and probably not be able to handle the workload and get discouraged for no reason. Slowly I came to understand God's plan amidst all the uncertainty, that my place was to be somewhere else. And as I accepted this fact, the road ahead seemed clearer and clearer. Even though there were times I relapsed (haha) and fell into the cycle of 'what ifs' and 'if onlys', I was always brought back to the path I was supposed to be on and given assurance repeatedly. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so stubborn to only see things through my own eyes, and this would be something I wanna work harder on in the new year, even though I don't make and stick to resolutions..

I'm thankful that even though I have graduated, friends from school still keep in contact, and I think that these communications really steered me on and encouraged me. For those who have made the effort, I am so appreciative. For the new friends that God has placed into my life, I'm so happy and I will work harder at maintaining the friendships that I have been blessed with. When I was so pessimistic before, I am learning to look at things through a larger lens scope and try to be more optimistic whatever the situation may be.

I love Christmas and that was the original point of this post, which I have digressed far from. I love the festivity, the lights in town and on random streets, and the holiday mood that seems to be present wherever I go. Everyone suddenly seems a lot nicer, more generous and just happier. I love receiving Christmas cards and my mother thought I was crazy smiling while reading the cards I got in the mail, but I didn't care haha. But more than receiving things, seeing people receive things and be happy gets me feeling happy too! I think that's what the spirit of Christmas is about, the willingness to give just like Christ has been generous to us. And beyond the presents and gift giving and feasting, I'm sure when God looks at His people enjoying the company of each other and spreading the spirit of love, He is overly joyful too. I am rambling and probably should end this post soon, but I really wish Christmas would never end, no one would need to go back to the hectic bustling working life and just take as much time as they want to express their love and gratitude for the people around me. But then again, who says the Christmas spirit can only exist during Christmas right? Haha.

Even as Christmas draws to a close, I hope everyone will still be happy. New Year is coming too, and thats another event to look forward to! I'm really excited and I really love the end year celebrations. Hehe. Wishing everyone peace and joy and much laughter in all that you do and wherever you go, I'll consolidate my thoughts and write a proper comprehensive reflection post at the end of the year probably.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! FELIZ NAVIDAD!! HOHOHO :D :D :D

DK

Sometimes it seems bleak

Sometimes things don't seem to go smoothly

Sometimes I want to drop everything and give up

But its exactly in these times I know You will intervene.

I need all the courage and willpower I can get to continue on being here but I know my strength is not enough. Relying on You and praying for a breakthrough and I know things will eventually add up and things will be rectified to what they were before. Over the past few days I have been reminded of Your great love and grace for all of us and it is by these reminders that I am once again in awe. You are faithful and You love me and that is all that I need to keep me going. The festive season has always been my favourite time of the year and I am really glad that I started looking forward to Christmas on the right footing. Thank You for making me see and believe in Your wondrous works once again.

Thanks to all those who walked by my side, those who took time out to share their testimonies of faith with me, and for reminding me time and again that we serve an all powerful Father.

Things can only get better because You are in control. Holding these promises close to my heart.