2008 New Year Resolution - Year of Expansion

Oh, yes.. I want many things (we can start with a new camera :p). In no particular order, subject to further additions..

Mental
- learn Mandarin (and maybe some Hokkien), otherwise I will probably die of being unable to communicate with Chinese patients and Hope JB people
- take up a musical instrument (either guitar or keyboard, or both), to faithfully learn them if given the opportunity, and have enough money to buy either or both
- continue to try my best to be an effective chairperson in caregroup when called upon, and improve - more discerning to leading of the Holy Spirit
- worship leader for only 2 occasions last year in caregroup, hope for more opportunities to improve self
- intercession ministry either on campus or church (for God to rock the campus and hospital)
- maximisation through multitasking / increased efficiency (coz in the midst of my perfectionism and procrastination, wasted a lot of time last year, which could have been used to study and do other things)
- raise the bar of academic excellence - HD in exams (If He is willing. I know I should be giving thanks in all circumstances. Although I may not always get what I want, God has been faithful in blessing me with what I need. However, I’ve been waiting a very long time since Year 1 semester 1 for this though. It will be tough, but we’ll see how, hopefully by His grace and with the previous point, this will come to pass.)
- consider plans whether to do BMedSci (honours) degree, roughly where to do electives, and a rough idea of what next after graduation

Physical
- weight loss – hope to reach 85 kg by end of the year (take up a sport when free, eg badminton, jogging etc)
- reduce fast food (ie McD, KFC) intake to maximum of twice a month

Spiritual
Last year: learnt a lot (I think the most so far) through sermons, WFL and leadership training, but reading WOG and QT still have room for improvements.
- finish the 5 Connect journals bought last year
- try to finish reading book on Intercessory prayer given by ex-shepherd, will be a challenge bcoz fun, storytelling-like, practical style of writing (with spoon-fed dot points in between) appeals more to me. Its 1st chapter gave an impression of quite some theology involved
- finish the remaining 4 books given to me as a gift for growth
- with 5 near misses last year, role in at least 1 salvation this year. I don’t mind more since God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask for (Ephesians 3:20)
- church membership (step of faith), not yet member, harder to be member of Hope JB than PJ
- shepherd to at least 1 sheep
- grow more in prayer - try my best to commit to prayer meetings and come up with items to pray for
- ministry house

Social
- peace of mind, able to adapt to atmosphere in Hope JB (advice from UL was try not to compare, coz 1 CL who went to UK for studies got discouraged by the cold reception from Hope London, different culture in Europe)
- hope to maintain an enthusiastic attitude which has encouraged CG people last year
- wisdom and seasoned speech - failed attempts last year to build long term rapport and sustain conversations with DoTA freaks, as well as coming under fire for being unsure how to respond to people who are harbouring discontent with the country’s present situation
- salt and light to family members
- continue taking initiative to approach people and build them up through conversations, quality time and actions that reflect sincerity
- lameness - it was said that JB people who have a very ’Cina’ mindset may not understand or appreciate lame jokes. Hopefully, last year’s outburst of creativity in PJ will continue to bring inspiration this year and change this mentality :p

Character
Things to bring under control:
- emotional instability (brought about by circumstances and feelings of insecurity, wallowing in self pity, fear of stepping into unknown territory / changes in plans etc)
- jealousy (the need to learn to be happy for others), prejudice
- over-obsessiveness and possessiveness in the name of perfectionism when undertaking projects / activities / assignments, that it becomes a 1-man show
- laziness and procrastination
- need to learn to say ‘no’, and be able to accept ‘no’ as an answer
Things to carry forward from last year:
- pride control (2007 was Year of Building Humility)
- anger management (December was a month of building patience)

Theme verse: Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

Theme song: 

We’ll Be Faithful by: YFC

Forgetting what lies behind
Setting our hearts on the prize
Always keeping our eyes on our Lord Jesus

We’re running the race to win
All the way to the end
Laying down every sin that would seek to hinder us

Chorus
And we’ll be faithful
To our calling
For You are able to keep us from falling
For in Your promise
We will trust
We’ll be faithful to finish
The work You began in us