It's been a restful few weeks at home supervising the upgrading work and packing up the house in preparation for the Big Move which will likely take place before and after the wedding.

This has certainly been a season of transition for me as I close my chapter as an administrator in the youth sector to handle more direct work teaching the youths - I will be lecturing at a polytechnic come next week.

It is and has always been my passion to work with the youths - that was why I made the switch from the journalism world to the youth sector more than two years ago. I did not once regret the move, and these two years have been a joy for me as I learnt the ins and outs of the youth sector, and how youth organisations work on a national level.

Beyond the arena of work, I have really grown to love an office culture that cultivates individual growth and personal relationships. There have been many colleagues whom I have grown fond of over these past two years, and I have come to call them my friends - even my bosses who have been really encouraging and have taken time to nurture me both professionally and personally (I write this not because they're here on Multiply as well, but this is something that I've come to cherish during the span of my working life there).

Ecclesiastes 3 reads: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time... I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man."

I'm thankful that God gave me those two good years in my previous company; and as I take the next few steps in my life - to embark on a new career, to buy a new house and to get married - I aspire to take pleasure in all that He has given me - to the glory of His name.

The message from last Sunday's Youth Day Service is still imprinted on my mind. It was a celebration of youth, and the pastor spoke on the different types of youths present in today's society - the poseurs, the muggers, the emo, the sporty, the cool...

Then he shared personal stories of the youths in church, to illustrate how some of them have grown in stature over the years.

The story of one particular youth brought tears to my eyes. Fast and furious they flowed; uncontrollably, and unashamedly.

This was the story of someone I have been mentoring since I first answered God's call and entered youth ministry five years ago. He was then an ordinary youth who was one day chosen to be a leader because he was a year older than the others. The journey has been long, and I still retain many fond memories of the times spent together over the years, as I started a mentoring relationship with him and other youth leaders. Since then, this youth has grown much in stature, and it still brings tears to my eyes as I reflect on the key milestones in his life - footprints in his life which I know that God had honoured me with - by using me as His instrument to shape the life of this youth.

It dawned upon me then that I have been serving in the youth ministry for the past five years. On reflection, this constitutes one-sixth of my physical life, and it's indeed no small part. Looking back, I don't think I would ever have imagined that God would take me down this path. I remember the first youth camp that I helped out in so many years ago and the intensity of the emotions then still brings tears to my eyes now - just as it had brought tears to my eyes then - when as youth leaders, we cried our hearts out as we prayed for the youths of this generation.

As I started to dry my tears during the service last Sunday, I was again reminded of God's call in my life - to be a minister to young people in need of Him, and to mentor young leaders to walk the way of Christ. This is something I know I want to continue doing all my life - or at least as long as He continues to call me in this direction.

21st January 2007. The day I begin my third decade of existence. A number of people have asked me how I feel now that I'm 30 years-old. I really don't know and can't say - afterall I've only been 30 for less than an hour :) What I can say is that I'm thankful to God for every day of my life. It's really been a wonderful journey so far... and I know that as long as I continue to walk closely to Him, that I'll enjoy this path that He has directed me towards...

I have so much to give thanks to God for this year - the first thing on my mind is definitely the wonderful girl whom God has provided for me as my fiancee, my dearest Sue. These eight months together have been eight of the most enjoyable months in my life. Yes, of course our relationship has had its ups and downs, but I'm most thankful to God for providing someone who understands me and loves me for who I am - and that in loving me, she always seeks my interests above hers. I know I try to do the same for her - not always easy, but what I'm certain is that when we choose to consider each other above ourselves, that's when we build a relationship that lasts. More so when ultimately we consider God above ourselves...

I'm also thankful for my family. Although things have not always been a bed of roses, but I know that when push comes to shove, they'll be there for me. It's a very unusual relationship I have with the different sets of family members, but am very thankful that all of these relationships are built on love - the love that we have for each other.

Youth ministry. I know this is my calling in life - can almost see myself here even when I turn 50, but I know that when God directs you towards your calling, it doesn't matter how, what or where, but that you'll always be filled with an inner joy that can only come from Him.

My job - can almost say that there's no other place I rather be... I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know that I'm meant to be here this season - that's all that matters :)

Thank you God for everything :)

No idea why these past couple of entries have been about the family - I guess I've been thinking alot about what are the things that really matter to me - part of an assignment for my counselling psychology class... Maybe that's why... Or maybe it happens to be the way my life has been...

I just came back from a simple family dinner. Mum, Amah & Ah Kong, Sue and me... Nothing out of the ordinary - just a meal together on a weekday night... Yes the food was good, and yes, food has always been important to me, but it was more the time that we spent together that mattered... Telling Ah Kong for the upteenth time that I've graduated and am working... Telling Amah that her Mee Siam is the best in the world... Telling Mum that I've grown up and can take care of myself...

I remember another family dinner almost a month back. It was the farewell meal for my dear half-sister Min who was to have flown off to the States the next day for her university studies. A dinner at Dad's house with fine wine and delicious food. Again, the food and wine were enjoyable, but they were not the most important... What meant more was the time we spent together - hearing Dad and Min play the guitar together under the stars, enjoying the evening meal with Sue by my side, and feeling along with my younger half-sister Lyn when she wept at not being able to send dearest Min off at the airport...

I've come to realise that the best things in life are found in those around you. Of course I hope for better pay, of course I hope to have a better home entertainment system, of course I hope to get a better computer system... But when it comes to the crux, these things don't mean anything to me at all. I can say without flinching an eyelid that I'm prepared to let go of all these things if God desires that of me. Not so my family.

No matter what, my family means most to me. They've shaped the person I've become - from my mannerisms and idiosyncrisies, to the things I enjoy in life. I know I've not always appreciated my family, especially in the early years during the separation and divorce period, and also during my self-absorbed teenage years; but I know now that I would be at a loss without my family. Truly I can say that God has blessed my life greatly - with a wonderful job serving the young people I've been called to serve, with a wonderful ministry in church again serving the dear youths God has led me to serve, but most of all with a dear family I deeply love.