week 1 of TWD 12 week challenge

21:12:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

I weighed in shockingly at the obese range for my height and ethnic group. I guess that is not the best way to look after the body God has given me. So the aim I guess isn't necessarily to lose weight but to be more mindful of the way I am looking after my body, it's going to be an extra challenge because I will be overseas on two occasions during the challenge.

Don't wish me luck, pray for my persistence.

This is from the website.
My personal targets:

YOUR PERSONAL FOOD GROUPS TARGET

Meat & ProteinBread & CerealsVegetablesFruitDairyHealthy Fats & OilsIndulgences
2.532.52331


Which is roughly

BREAKFAST MEAL PLANNER

Food Groups at BreakfastExamples
1 unit Bread & Cereals40g cereal (e.g. All Bran or Sustain)
1 unit Dairy1 cup low-fat milk or 175g low-fat yoghurt
1 unit Fruit1 medium piece fruit (e.g. banana)

LUNCH MEAL PLANNER

Food Groups at LunchExamples
2 units Bread & Cereals2 slices Burgen Bread
1 unit Fats & Healthy Oils1 teaspoon unsaturated margarine
½ unit Meat & Protein50g chicken breast
½ unit Vegetables1 cup salad

DINNER MEAL PLANNER

Food Groups at DinnerExamples
2 units Meat & Protein200g raw beef, lamb, chicken or fish
2 units Vegetables2 cups cooked vegetables
2 units Fats & Healthy Oils2 teaspoons olive oil

SNACKS MEAL PLANNER

Food Groups for SnacksExamples
1 unit Fruit2 small pieces fruit (e.g. 2 apricots)
1 unit Dairy1 small tub low-fat yoghurt

#3- Finish a half marathon- DONE

07:49:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Praise God! After 3 gruelling hours I've ticked off number 3 from my 30 before 30 list, leaving 10 items to cross off in the next year. I'm pretty sure there are a few things that won't be possible, but it wouldn't be for the lack of trying.

0400: Woke up
0430: breakfast and ready to leave
0500: arrived in Southport
0530: all preped up and throw away clothes in the charity pile
0600: first racers leave the mark
0609: crossed the start line, started to pray for people in the run
0616: first km body feels good, started to pray for workers
0640: first 5km, first drink stop, started to thank God for the experience
0720: 10km, starting to feel a lot of pain in my legs and feet
0800: legs killing me, 14km straight without stopping, began to walk
0840: managed to walk next few km, allowed the other injured walker with me to go ahead
0910: after 3.01 hours, crossed the finish line



It's the prep work and the pain after that took the most effort. And I am very grateful to my support team, those who cheered on in the sidelines, adidas for sponsoring my entire outfit, those who contributed to the charity effort and my God who has made this all possible.


羅慧娟's testimony

20:41:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments



聽見天堂 - 羅慧娟


羅慧娟 is a wellknown HK actress and she shares her testimony.


Movie review: Cinderella "Have Courage and Be Kind"

20:24:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments



Movie summary: Just like the classic Ella's father marries a woman with two daughters around her age. After an accident, Ella is left in the care of her stepmother, and her role slowly changes from a lady to a servant of the household. She is belittled and mistreated. And yet she holds steadfast to her mother's last words- to have courage and be kind. With this, she is rewarded with a happily ever after.

My thoughts: With so many twists on classics, I was fearful that disney would change a classic. Cinderella was beautifully made complete with innocent Ella and Prince Charming.

The take home phrase, "Have courage and be kind".  It's easier said than done. In the bible, God also asks us to "be strong and courageous" and to "love your neighbours as you love yourself". It's very easy to read about and even teach about in children's ministry. We have seen both these things on the news this week. As a religion we were attacked with guns while meeting for prayer. And as a church, what they did was to have courage and be kind. A bit amazing, but it's possible.

12 days left - alive

21:23:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

It's been a crazy 6 months... I moved out of home to take a chance on a job opportunity. Over the last 6 months, I have met some pretty interesting people in and outside of my clinic room. I have had epic adventures in this city both in the wild and within the cityscape. And I have experienced a range of human emotions from pure joy to despair.



I felt like it was more than an existence. There were so many moments where I felt absolutely alive. Not just in the ups, and not just in the downs, but even in those mundane moments. I have been incredibly blessed.

In 12 days time I'll be back home. I'm not sure where I will be in 6 months time, but I guess I can only take it a day at a time.

Guitar tabs: http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/h/hillsong_young_and_free/alive_crd.htm

Alive- Hillsong Young and Free 

C#m     E/G#        
A
I was lost with a broken heart
                                      
C#m   B
You picked me up now I'm set apart
               
C#m        E/G#       A
From the ash    I     am born again
                        
C#m    B
Forever safe in the Saviour's hands


You are more than my words could say
I'll follow You Lord for all my days
I'll fix my eyes follow in Your ways
Forever free in unending grace


Pre-Chorus
C#m       E/G#      A
You are, You are, You are my freedom
           
C#m        B
We lift You higher, lift You higher
C#m          E/G#          A
Your love, Your love, Your love
                            
C#m       B
Never ending


Chorus
              
 C#m    E/G#    A
You are alive      in         us
                            
C#m  B
Nothing can take Your place
             
C#m    E/G#      A
You are all        we         need
                            
C#m     B
Your love has set us        free


In the midst of the darkest night
Let Your love be the shining light
Breaking chains that were holding me
You sent Your Son down and set me free


Everything of this world will fade
I'm pressing on till I see Your face
I will live that Your will be done

I won't stop till Your kingdom come

Flawless

19:59:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

I am bless with a job that allows me to get to know people... many people, and hear their stories. On a given day, I would be exposed to people with persistent pain, long term health issues, long term mental health issues, depression, anxiety, behavioural difficulties, substance abuse issues, etc.

There was an inspirational client I met lately, who was able to overcome what medical doctors thought was impossible. The client had this energy, and instead of giving up, they tried harder, and now, in recovery, they are determined to motivate others to overcome.

That is just one part of our health. Or two if you count both physical and mental health. We were made completely flawless, completely clean and free from imperfection in God's eyes. But one man's sacrifice. Sometimes we forget the enormity of this.

No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises
No matter the scars, still the truth is 
The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless 



Tabs:http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/m/mercyme/flawless_crd.htm 
MercyMe - Flawless (Capo 2)


:Intro G (strum or pick)

:Verse 1
                  G
There's got to be more, than going back and forth 
     D
From doing right to doing wrong 'cause we were taught that's who we are 
C
Come on get in line right behind me you along with everybody 
G
Thinking there's worth in what you do 

G
Then Like a hero who takes the stage when we're
D                                        C
on the edge of our seats saying it's too late 
                             G
Well let me introduce you to amazing grace 

:Chorus
G
No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises
D 
No matter the scars, still the truth is 
    C                                      G
The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless (the cross has made you flawless)
G
No matter the hurt or how deep the wound is 
D
No matter the pain, still the truth is 
    C                                      G
The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless

:Verse 2
                 G
Could it possibly be, that we simply can't believe 
          D
That this unconditional, kind of love would be enough to
C
take a filthy wretch like this and wrap him up in righteousness 
G
But that's exactly what He did 

(Chorus)

:Bridge
F       C            G
Oh yeah oooh-ooo-ooo oooh-ooo-ooo
 F
Take a breath smile and say 

Right here right now I'm ok 
C                     G
Because the cross was enough 

G
Then Like a hero who takes the stage when we're
D                                        C
on the edge of our seats saying it's too late 
                             G
Well let me introduce you to grace grace 

God's grace 

(Chorus)

G                                              D
No matter what they say, or what you think you are
                                         C
The day you called His name, He made you flawless
            G
He made you flawless

G
No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises 
D
No matter the scars, still the truth is 
    C                                      G

The cross has made, the cross has made you flawless

the lord giveth, the lord taketh away, and may his name be praised

20:44:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

It's been a humbling few days. I take pride in my work, MY work. So when it's taken from me, of course it hurt. Then, like any human, there were sensitive emotions and grossly exaggerated thoughts. But like any good therapist, I engaged my support network, did some self soothing and did some reflecting on my values.

Does it actually matter? I guess it felt like being stabbed in the back and then have the mat pulled from underneath me. The way I sell the story, I couldn't see anyone who wouldn't empathise with me. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think it matters as much as I thought it did in the moment.

I've had a very good weekend- great hike yesterday and the work issue really didn't matter when I got lost in the bush. All I could think about at the time was, Mum and Mr MK would be pretty annoyed at me if I couldn't find my way back to the carpark, (because I hadn't told anyone I was going to go hiking, went off the trail and did it by myself with no preparation, not even a backpack with water). Yes, I safely made it home with a few bruises. Mostly, I made it home with a fresh mindset.


Throughout today's church service a phrase repeated itself in my head. "The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, and may his name be praised". The exact words from Job 1:21 is a bit different: and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

My name on a paper is simply another "THING". But my name on a paper isn't anywhere on my 30 before 30 list, nor is it a particularly important value of mine. I think this experience has been a huge blessing. I have been working crazy hours and spending a lot of effort on something that isn't the most important thing to me yet I am determined to serve out the rest of my contract with all my might as to be a good witness for others and for others to see God's mercy and grace in my life. I am a sinner. But I have been saved, and it's about time I use this experience as a way to reach out to others.

The project was just something the Lord (not man) gave me, and I learned a lot through the process. Now that the Lord has taken away, I shall still praise the name of the Lord.


I cried at work today.

19:37:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Yes, I cried at work today. It's been a while. I didn't cry because of any clients or any conflicts with particular people at work. I cried because it hurt. And I let myself.

There is sometimes shame attached to crying. It's a natural human expression, and sometimes, the more it hurts, the more you want to cry. And it's a true moment of suffering.

I had some interesting time thinking about the situation. I cried because it hurt, it hurt because it mattered. It wasn't effective to keep crying, so after a few tissues, I allowed myself to reset gradually and focused my attention to what actually mattered.

And on the ride home, as I was waiting at the traffic light, I smiled. I smiled even though my eyes were still a bit teary. I am so incredibly blessed. I thanked God that 99% of the time I love ALL elements of my job, that is extremely rare. I thanked God because I actually care about the work I do. I thanked God because I love the people I work with and alongside. I thanked God because I have a supportive friendship network. And I really really thanked God for the challenge he gave me today. Not enjoyable, but an important experience.

While I may still hand in my resignation letter, for every last moment I have left at work, I will put in my all- because of the people (even though the thoughts of doing vindictive things have cross my mind :P).

Hurt is a human experience common to all humans. Even Jesus, cried. it was the shortest verse in the bible- "He Cried". And just with those two words, it communicates something we can all understand. Hurt is a natural part of our current existence. I am just like anyone else. And I'm loved by a God who understands the pain that I have gone through today.



#11- improve cooking skills

20:13:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

I know, I know, I haven't made the goal very specific. So really, I could have learned one skill and ticked it off my list. It's amazing how God provides me with opportunities to refine my skills. A bit unexpected at the time I set the goal, but I moved out of home and had to cook for myself. And because of a colleague at work, I found myself trying new recipes. 

Over the past few months, I have learned how to cook with foods I have never even heard of with techniques I've only seen on masterchef. I am far, far, far away from being a masterchef, but I guess the spirit of the goal was to in someway prove that I was self sufficient. And I surprised myself.

What I have found out is that cooking is an incredibly tedious task. I'm not quite sure how my mother has done it for so many years. I slave over the stove for half a day and end up with a bunch of meals for the week. And by the end of the week, I definitely have to cook again. This is not including the time where I have to visit the shops, and visit the shops again because I forgot to buy the key ingredients.

Over the last couple of days, I find myself worrying not about whether I am eating or drinking, or whether I have enough clothes, or whether I would feel safe. I find my thoughts drifting to Mr MK and his family's tough situation- whether they are warm, well fed, or safe. But from the other side of the world, there is very little I can do. I am 100% reliant on my heavenly father to provide them with their needs during this time...


“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-30

Why do bad things happen to good people?

09:53:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

I'm not the only one who wonders this. I know. This morning I got some pretty bad news. I mean, I can handle when I have something happen to me. It's ok when my room gets flooded and things are damaged. I'll just sweep out the water, throw the property away, and I thank God that I had the property in the first place, and that most of my important things were left untouched. It happens. I'm ok when I discover a new health problem. I'll just thank God that I've found out earlier rather than later, and listen to the advice of the medical professionals. There have been deaths amongst my family and friends. I understand to some degree that it's beyond my control. I understand that some things just happen.

BUT... when bad things happen to people I know to be good and innocent. I struggle with that. Why do children suffer with illnesses that are incurable, why do good people get robbed, why do planes drop from the sky, why do natural disasters lead to the deaths of hundreds/thousands of people.

GOD DOESN'T MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. He doesn't cause these things, he loves us - why would he cause these things to happen purposefully? Yet God allows these things to happen. This is a stumbling block for many people either new or established in their faith.

It's not something I can come into grips with right now. Especially since I think everything happens for a purpose. Then I think, even Jesus asked if the cup of suffering could be taken away from him, if it was according to God's will. All this suffering we go through now? Well, I'm glad our God actually has suffered himself, for our sake, so to some degree I understand that God does allow suffering. Jesus went through betrayal- his own friend sold him out. He went through isolation- his own friends ran from him. He went through physical pain- he was beaten and hung on a tree. He went through grief- his friends died. He went through hunger, emotional hurt, etc. He even went through death.

Yes, GOD ALLOWS BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO US. And to those around us. But that is never the end of the story. After death, Jesus rose to life. That is to give us hope in a life ever lasting.

Our time here is very temporary. For some people, more temporary than other people. The suffering we endure here is also very temporary in comparison to the grand scale of eternity. I can't give you an answer of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Nor can I understand it. But I accept that is one of the things I will never understand, and no matter of intellectual or emotional problem solving will get me any closer to the answer. And the bad things that happen? Well that is never where the story ends.

The book of Job is a prime example of this. God allowed satan to take away his children, his property, the support from his wife, the support of this friends, his health. Yet he chose to praise God during this time.

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21).


And that wasn't the end of the story, you will have to read it yourself to understand. What I am getting at, and processing for myself is how to praise God when things are tough. 



Lest we forget

21:43:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Today is a special day for Australians and New Zealanders. For me, it was a bit more than that. When I was in primary school, my best friend stood up at assembly and read the famous lines- lest we forget. As I remember the service men and women who have given their lives and continue to give their lives for our freedom, I also remember Dani- Impossible to forget.

Komorebi [木漏れ日]

20:49:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Some words or ideas, are simply beyond words. Sometimes if you had to define something, a relationship, an experience... no words can describe what you are trying to say. But it doesn't mean that the meaning can't be conveyed.

Some ideas, feelings, are simply beyond words. They need to be experienced together.


Sometimes, like now, I don't know exactly what to pray for. I know the situation, I'm struggling with what to do with my future, everything seems challenging, I'm not quite sure what words to use... God pre-empted that... 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26



3 simple words I want to hear

21:03:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

3 simple words that I want to hear from someone I care about, really want to hear. No, it's not "I love you", nor is it "I miss you" or things like "I need you", "I want you".

Racking your brains now right? What else would someone want to hear? GOD'S NOT DEAD. I'm hoping you will join the movement, whoever you are who has stumbled on my personal blog.


What am I talking about? You have to watch the movie and find out.


Yes I am slightly biased. I'm a unashamed at being a Christian, a creationist, and simply a friend of Jesus. I don't claim to be perfect or sinless. I'm the opposite of that. I'm imperfect and a sinner.

You know those AA meetings where people go around the circle and say that they are a recovering addict? Well I'm a recovering sinner. Christ died for my sins once and for all, but I guess this old me keeps creeping up and doing things that upset God. Lately, I've done quite a few. And I know it. I'm conflicted because some of these sins feel good. There is this part in the movie, where an old lady tells a successful Godless business man- sometimes the devil lets people have no troubles, so that they don't think they need God. Sometimes, the jail cell is so comfortable, that you don't want to find your way out, and be free.

Sometimes sin feels good, but just because it feels good, doesn't mean it's right. If I truly believed that God's not dead. I should stop sinning...

#Godsnotdead

another epic ending

22:09:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Over the past 12 months, there has been too many news reports of fallen planes, tragedies during holidays and the like. When you watch these reports you fail to realise the how real these events can be.

This trip has had many stories I want to share, but I will start at the end. On the last day of the trip, Easter Sunday, we went to a Japanese version of Hillsong church. Took us 3 transfers of subway lines and walking in the rain. Christ is alive indeed, and His name is for salvation no matter what language.

After church we wandered around the city a bit more and made our way back to the hotel. On the way, I did a bit of shopping, and mum wanted a snack so we bought KFC. I thought we had plenty of time to get to the airport. And probably have dinner at the airport, do a bit of duty free shopping. BOY WAS I WRONG.

We got to the JR station at 5.15pm. The flight departs at 8.30pm, ideally, I would have liked to be at the airport 2 hours before an international flight, so 6.30pm. By the time we arrived at Tokyo station it was 6.00pm. We ran down to the airport express for the 6.03 train. We waited at the platform, and 6.03, the train rolls passed. we were waiting in the wrong spot in the long platform. So the next train was going to depart at 6.33pm. By that stage, my heart was pounding incredibly hard. It would take 55mins by train to reach the terminal, let alone the check in counter. When the train arrived in the platform, I ran with my luggage. I couldn't break, my legs were just carrying me at an extreme speed, mum tried to keep up by fell over badly. Up 4 flights of stairs later, I arrived at the checkin counter which were all closed. My heart was pounding so fast, my lips were starting to go numb, and I felt like puking. 7.40pm. Counters closed. I was about to cry, I begged and begged the service people to let us on the plane. I couldn't' breath, pretty sure I had a minor heart attack. Amazing. Praise God. They let us off on a warning. And even allowed us to check in luggage. Unfortunately, boarding was 8pm, so we ran and ran to immigration- huge line- and rushed all the way to the boarding lounge. Made it.

EPIC.

Through all this mum and I were praying. Praying for a miracle. So many things went wrong, but so many more things could have gone wrong. I used to think we couldn't ask Jesus to help us in these little trivial things- he's a big God who conquered death. But he cares enough for these little things too.


rotten roots

20:57:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

This little orchid is the first orchid I bought myself, with the help of a few friends- I was in the orchid section for a LONG time choosing. To my utter disappointment, the orchid started to weep shortly after it came home with me. All the roots had rotted. Being sentimental, I trimmed a couple of the rotted roots and repotted this little baby before I moved up to Brisbane. Now, a few months later, the baby wasn't looking too flash. So today, once and for all, I cut off every single dodgey root. And there really wasn't much left to support this plant. Oh well, better than having rotten roots. 

And this is a strong reflection of what I learned in church today. We were covering the book of Judges in the Old Testament during Sunday classes. The pattern was that the Israelites sinned, they suffered, then they would cry to God for help, and God would forgive them (God would send them a judge to lead them), when the judge died, again the Israelites would sin again (this time worse than the last). This is because the root of the problem stayed, they couldn't drive out their enemies and became influenced by foreign Gods and intermarried with foreigners, turning away from the will of the one true God. 

It's a strange parallel to draw from the book of Judges to my little orchid baby. I know I should have cut off all the roots, but I couldn't' bear it, and so I came up with re-current problem of a weak plant. Can my little baby survive with only 2 tiny roots? In hindsight it was so blindingly obvious. If it's going to cause long term damage cut it off, get rid of those rotten roots. The Israelites couldn't do it. I couldn't even do it with a plant. I was really really compelled to address a rotten root in my own life today. It had been sitting in the background for a while now, and if it stayed in my life for any longer, it would just affect other areas of my life. Maybe this fresh start would be for both my plant and I, a big risk to take for us both. 



Walk hand in hand with you

20:11:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

One of my favourite things to see in the morning is this lovely couple. Rain, hail or shine, they would be walking, hand in hand. I want to love like that!

To me, their love is patient, their love is kind, it is giving...

The sermon at church on Sunday was quite interesting, it was about Aquila and Priscilla. Whenever they are mentioned in the bible, it's always together, sometimes with Aquila first, sometimes with Priscilla first. The couple led by example, their faith in God, their dedication spreading the gospel, their warm and gracious hospitality. At the end of the sermon, the speaker got up and held his wife's hand. They have spent 3 decades together, and the gel that keep them together is their love for God and each other. I want to love like that.




I want to love like that. #walkhandinhandwithyou
A photo posted by Karen Li (@kikoprincess) on




My top 10 songs of sympathy in times of grief and loss

21:43:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments



A few of these songs were played at the funerals of my family members, best friends, and loved ones. I hope they give you as much comfort as they have given me. The central themes behind these songs are so similar. It's a blessing to have known these wonderful people, they have touched your life and allowed you to experience. We will see them again in heaven. And we we have hope in a future God has planned for us. 






1. I can only imagine (MercyMe)


2. Untitled (Chris Rice)


3. With hope (Steven C Chapman)

4. Nearer my God to thee


5. What a friend we have in Jesus


6. In better hands

7. 

當你走到無力


8. 

我知誰掌管明天



9.

每一天




10. Amazing Grace



Cherishing those who are dear to us

20:54:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

When I went to visit her by her bedside on the weekend, I knew it would be the last time I would see her for a while. It wasn't the first time I had stood by her bedside while she had ailing health. Yet, it's still a little surreal to receive news that one of my best friends at church passed away.

When I saw her, I had to leave the room, tears automatically streamed down my face. I recovered enough to join the group prayer by her bedside. Yes, if God was willing, he could heal her. And if it wasn't part of God's plan, we were ready. My fondest memories were running away from her giving me gifts at church, yes, I wasn't being chased around the church hall by a 2 year old, but a 90 year old lady. She would always be the first one to greet me after the church service with my full name. We would hold each others hands and feel a deep connection. Not like the handshakes you get by half-hearted strangers or acquaintances but of best friends.

Seeing her in my mind's eye still brings a smile to my face. She was a rebel. She was naughty- when we told her not to go for huge walks in the sun, she refused, despite her health and age. Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional.

As everyone said their goodbyes on the weekend, I wasn't saying my goodbyes. I was saying "see you later". God has rooms prepared for us in heaven, and I hope I will see her there, with all her smiles and quirky love.

"My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" John 14:2




RIP Grandma Lee.

The 36 Questions That Lead to Love

20:37:00 Kikoprincess 1 Comments

This has been circulating on the web for a while, and finally saw it on "big bang theory". The original study suggested that you can make 2 strangers fall in love in a little under 90 minutes using 36 questions, and getting strangers to stare into each others eyes for 4 minutes.

In the spirit of science, and for my love of the TV show, Mr MK and I tried part of this experiment over the past week. Am I in love? Not sure, but certainly the questions do help to build intimacy. This sense of asking questions and getting responses is not unique to this experiment. It's about the fundamental importance of communication: It's a two way street. Sure, a relationship can develop without it, but I believe a relationship would flourish with great communication.

What about the most important love in my life? Do I spend enough time to build the relationship with God, and communicate with him? We talk to God through prayer and listen through reading the bible. If you love someone, can you stand having their letter sit on your bedside without reading it over and over? If you love someone, can you stand not calling them up when the phone lines are free?

It's never too late, God is waiting.




[http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html?_r=0]
Original questions:
Set I
1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?
7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?
8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.
9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.
12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

Set II
13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
16. What do you value most in a friendship?
17. What is your most treasured memory?
18. What is your most terrible memory?
19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?
20. What does friendship mean to you?
21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?
22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.
23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?
24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
Set III
25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ... “
26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “
27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.
28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.
29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.
30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.
32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?
36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.


Sharing good news

14:00:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

If you truly love someone, you would want them to have the best. And for me, I'm a sharer, if I have bad news, I'd share it with those I consider close to me, if I had good news, I'd share it with whoever is nearby. If I had great news? Well, my face cannot deny what my heart knows.

Well, I've had my share of bad news, good news, and great news. Bad news, the things I'm working on have hurdles that I have not yet worked out how to overcome. Good news, I'm really enjoying my everyday with the unique celebrations, and reasons for happy dances. Great news, I've had opportunities to share with other some serious good news. AND I've found people I really really really want to share this good news with.

I've had opportunities lately to share THE good news with people. It comes up in clinic, it comes up in the office, it comes up over dinner with friends and with conversations with Mr MK. I'm so blessed. I smile just thinking about these opportunities. And as I prepare my presentation for tomorrow's children's sunday school, I smile at the opportunity to share this good news.

This is what I believe in a nutshell, We are sinners living in a way we were not designed to live. Because of this rebellion we were meant to be destined to eternal death, but instead, God loved us so much that he was willing to sacrifice himself for our sake, so that we are redeemed. We are given this pretty cool gift, not simply to live as forgiven, but given eternal life with him living as children of God. And the reason we call it amazing grace is that we don't deserve this, it's not something we earn... THAT IS GREAT NEWS INDEED!

But I think Matthias media describes it well.... check it out with the link below.


How will we use our time today?

09:55:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments


There is a spoons principle I often use with clients at the clinic. If we are all given 20 spoons a day, how would you spend your spoons? We are all given 86,400 a day, my 86400 seconds is not longer than your 86,400 seconds.

And I believe for the most part, we have a choice as to how we use this time. We can spend the time complaining about the traffic- that's a good 5-10 seconds. We can spend the time watching commercial breaks, that's a good 100 seconds. We can spend the time pounding the pavement, playing with our kids, talking with our friends.

In therapy, we talk about helping people identify what is really important to them. Identifying how to best use their limited resources. I woke up this morning and said a quiet prayer, chatted to Mr MK, went for a run, came home and read my bible, prepared for my work week, and I will spend the rest of today with friends before driving to find my mum. It's rare that we can reach this kind of balance. We can find a million excuses not to live according to our values, and I have a bank of those reasons that come up in my mind.

So when you extract the day, you will find how well you are living towards what is important to you. I've spent spoons on work, relationships, God, friends, health, ...

What will you spend time on?

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Proverbs 90:12


[image from: dumpaday.com]

The one and only

21:29:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

It's nearly 2 months since I moved into my new place. And one of the things I've been trying to find is a "home" church. I think I've found it. And one of the things I love about this new church is the opportunities to learn about God. After the church service there is adult sunday school. Today in sunday school we were wrapping up the first five books of the old testament. I have learned so much over the last few weeks.

As written in history- God created people, and again and again they failed. But again and again, God chose to forgive the human race and love them. He would punish them for their sins, but then take them back. And the message that struck me today was that God wants us to love him wholeheartedly, with our everything. The first commandment is to have no other Gods before God. As our teacher today explained, let's start by having nothing, no one, no idol, before God. To love him above all else.

Wow. That's so simple to understand, yet so hard to achieve. For the longest time, I've been telling people I want to find a man that is after God's own heart, that loves God more than he loves me. My friends think it's a bizarre thing to request. If a man truly loves God though, he will love me- he will know what true love is like. There are parallels in the bible between Jesus' relationship with the church to our relationship with a significant other. In Jesus' love for the church there is sacrifice, there is patience, there is teaching, there is forgiveness, there is leadership, there is trust, there is passion, there is history, and there is eternity.


... and God asks us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. In other words, to love him above all else, be our one and only.

If love was food?

20:36:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

In anticipation of valentines day a friend and I were discussing love. Metaphorically, if I had the choice, how would love be like- if it was a method of cooking. My friend described the type of love he was after, slow cooked. You know the type of love that grows with time, where the love gets richer and deeper. The type of slow cooked-ness that you can imagine with a tender fall-off-the-bones goodness that leaves you wanting more with each mouthful. 

My friend guessed that the love I might be after would be akin to a fast burning hot stir-fry that is so intense that it would burn, leave me in tears, but still stubbornly, I would reach for another mouthful. on reflection, I think my relationships whether with friends or lovers would be akin to this later metaphor. Would it be the type of love I would desire though? 

Can't I have both? You know? The type of love that would be like quickly pan frying a lamb cutlet to seal in the juices then popping the lamb cutlet into the oven to slowly bake. Can't the love be intense, passionate, yet deepen with time? 

You know what though, in line with all these analogies with love is fire. Relationships require preparation, relationships require work, and relationships need to endure difficult times- they can take the heat. 


Most people, myself included go into relationships hoping that they would be satisfied in a relationship. That they will become full. That somehow the other person would fill the void in their lives. Sometimes, like a good meal, it feels like it. But then most of us will grow hungry again. Always searching for me. 

What if the other person can never completely fill us? What if the other person wasn't the answer? There is an answer to the hunger. It's Jesus. It's just such a blessing to meet someone who can eat the bread of life with.

John 6:35
"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY- 
No matter where you are and what type of love you desire. 

I am happy to be me

21:32:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

I've been quite lucky, incidents of perceived bullying can be counted on the palms of my hands. A few stand out- starting school in a place where my brother and I were the only asians in the playground was hard. I remember the odd looks, and the jokes about our eyes... that was until we flogged them all in academics. Then there was hardship while working under the guidance of a lawyer, I was made to feel very very very incompetent.

Over the past couple of months, I had really given a particular friendship a chance. When we started to become friends, I was well aware of the intentions. I had my doubts, and felt like the other person would use me to fill in their spare time. We had odd interactions were I would be made to feel very very small- almost as if nothing I did was ever up to standard. I just wasn't good enough. The way I planned wasn't good enough, the way I dressed wasn't good enough. And I put up with it all by laughing and telling them, that's fine, we are able to have our own opinions. It really didn't matter, these trivial pieces of advice that were given. But yesterday, something gave. "Karen, you can't have no plan. You must have a plan." The comments made me feel "" this small. I did have a plan. The plan was to submit to God's plan and be open to opportunities.



And it was such a bizarre friendship to have, especially since none of my friends agreed with me being ""this small. So, I am glad the friendship is over. No ill will towards the ex-friend, but the way they made me feel wasn't fair. I am so blessed to have this short time-limited experience. When I was leading worship this morning, and singing this song, it just affirmed the fact that I AM HAPPY TO BE ME. And I hope the kids really get to draw on the strength of this song when they are feeling teeny tiny.



hillsong kids- royalty

Verse 1:
God made me who I'm meant to be
He loves me just the way I am
God made me who I'm meant to be
His dream for me is so amazing

Pre-Chorus:
And for this simple reason I am happy to be me

Chorus:
Whoa Oh, Whoa Oh, My God watches over me
Whoa Oh, Whoa Oh, I feel like royalty
And for this simple reason I am happy to be me

Tags:
Whoa Whoa Oh, I am happy to be me

Lyrics: http://www.lyricsmania.com/royalty_lyrics_hillsong_kids.html