Lionel's tots of MY HOPE

This year's Christmas season feels different... and i am thankful. It was kind of nice to hear over the radio a description of Jesus Christ's birth on Christmas Day.

I am thankful for the 3 hands that were raised for the Christmas Party for my students. Had a good talk with one of them. Need to follow up on the other two.

I am thankful for the team i led up to Thailand. The rapport and relationships built has been amazing considering we had so little time up there. Thankful that they have been pretty real to me and how the Lord has shown me how He is using me to touch these lives. It is a privilege.

I am thankful for the birthday party for Nigel. Had a wonderful time catching up with the old Marists boys again. It is always a joy to see them. And i caught a glimsp of how dynamic things would be if they were all on fire for God. Shall keep praying for that to become true!! Am proud of Gif and XF who just tirelessly worked to make things work out. Proud of Nig who seemed determined to be a light to his gang of friends. :)

I am thankful that thru Christ i really have hope for the future no matter how bleak it looks. More and more i am convinced that my optimism is not just my character but a God-given joy of knowing that He is in control. Timing of things will always look perfect even as i trust in the Lord to provide..... Jer 29:11 - His plans are always to prosper me and to give me hope.

I am thankful for the rest. Am on leave till Christmas. Just need to clear the accounts for the sch trip, finish up on 2 assignments (LAST TWO!!!) and i can really enjoy this break. Got two referrals from Dr. Tan... exciting! Praying that things will go well since one of them asked for CBT... not exactly my strength.

I am thankful that the Lord seems to already be setting things up for me next year in the area of work. Have been roped into a cluster team requested by my cluster supervisor to oversea certain areas for the cluster. Hopefully it will be a good learning experience. As much as i am quite resistant to climbing up, if it is what the Lord has planned for me, i shall do my best.

I am thankful for this year of being lost. Had been feeling so far and lost for the most of this year. Quite opposite to the theme of Sabbath, but it as shown me how little i can acheive apart from Him. Even what seemed as natural and easy becomes so difficult. It has been pretty humbling and i am reminded, just like what Paul said, that i can boast only because of what the Lord had done thru me.

I am thankful.

Thank God!!