welcome to 2012!

2 Corinthians 5:17 

[ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ]

I say goodbye to 2011. with many things lined up to do.

First, i replaced my old blog and started afresh. It is abit heart tugging remembering how long the blog as been with me. a few years short of a decade. I was never a hoarder, but i am a tad too sentimental. but i did it hence this is the first post. :)

2 weeks before the end of the year, after a inspiring deep chat with belfast over supper, i decided to write a 30 by 30 list. i,e 30 things to do before i am 30. Would probably post them up soon when i have the time. i did a couple of them already though - or rather have plans to do them. i roped in yang to write them too, and right after the new year, sitting at rochester park's starbuck going over each of our list. now that day was productive!

the best thing that happened in 2011, is the "conversion experience retreat". By a sharp turn of events, somehow i made a trade off and ended up enrolling myself into that. the person who introduced this to me is Veron. i never knew her well...but i guess by God's grace - after procrastinating - i still ended up going for the retreat.

it is a 4D3N stay in retreat conducted by one of Singapore's most renowed priest. i kept asking veron what is it like..and she refuses to tell me. there aint much to google online..and i went in feeling underprepared and not fully packed. lucky i wasnt alone. i went with david and gladys. and all 3 of us each feeling scared! because we do have other friends who went and everyone came out just telling us it is amazing, awesome and all the flowery language.

at the end of it. it was AWESOME. AMAZING. AND SO MUCH MORE. Oh how blessed, the retreat ended on the Feast of Ephiphany. How apt.

The rite of reconcilliation set me free. The stations of the cross broke my heart - knowing how much Jesus suffered on the way to calvary. how can i be worth his blood? the many para-liturgy as part of the healing process - it dawned on me. i had the answers i was seeking. the people who i thought i can never forgive - no longer mattered. and i discovered exactly what was.

i remmbered on the last day when i turn to my friend next to me, i said " i want to remmeber this high forever".

i want to remmeber how much i can feel that God loves me. how much everything is just perfect. not perfect in what i imagined for myself - but i feel contented in God's providence.  I remember the last song we sand after the Thanksgiving Mass...

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

- Chris Tomline -

I am a new creation.

and i pray for God's grace that i will continue to be. :) i went online and bought 2 spiritual guidebooks. ^^