Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Greetings from Switzerland + Happy New Year to all of you! =)
A new year brings about many new beginnings and experiences
As I depart from my warm and cosy home to the icy cold, wintery Switzerland
There are plenty of thoughts running through my mind
Though there are many old faces that I already met in SIM
It's a totally new environment that I have to adapt to, apart from the climate
In addition, there are so many classmates and from so many different countries
(being an International School)
With those concerns aside, as a 'little girl', I'm ultra excited about school *grin*
BUT
This entry's not about Joanna's 1st day at school is abt what I was reminded of...
As there are a number of students who have yet to return from their in-training,
Current in-take who are in school has the priviledge of helping them with their duties (meal / house-keeping)
MEAL DUTIES
to assist in the dining room, with the food and clearing up after meals
HOUSE-KEEPING DUTIES
as obvious as it is written, it simply is clearing up someone elses rubbish (literally)
guess what?
Joanna got rostered for HOUSE-KEEPING DUTIES **argh!!!!!!!!!!**
The duty is 2 days x a week and for 1 month (8 x)
Each duty day, 2 sessions - 12.30PM & 7.30PM
However, the duty is tedious
1) clearing of ash bins
2) picking up trash & cigarettes' butt
3) cleaning tables in the recreational area
4) clearing ash tray in the smoking room
5) vacuuming classrooms in the evening & arranging the furniture
it's like super horrible and the cold winter is not helping
as I gotta walk outside the school compound (the circumference) to pick the butts
Nevertheless, as much as I hate the job like how strongly I feel that only smokers should be scheduled for this task, I am reminded of Jesus' humility and literally being a servant to others. God sent his son Jesus to be a servant to man though he could have been the King of mankind. He humbled himself, and did all that was commanded to him in obedience to God. He as the son of God even acted as a servant to his disciples when he washed their feet.
Many times, being on stage gives us the limelight and the wanting of outshining our team-mates. As a band, be reminded that we are 1 body, and as written in Romans 12, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." You are equally important. Learn to listen out to each other, do not let the "showing-off" of your skills be a hinderence to the band and to the worshippers. Ultimately, we are doing all as a service to God, proclaiming our love for Him, declaring it with the wonderful gifts that he has given to us.
Entering into this new year, let us be constantly reminded of Christ's character, his humility and servanthood spirit. Wishing all of you a blessed new year. Stay close to the Lord, I'm sure it's going to be an exciting year for you as it is for me in our spiritual journey!
Love
amen.
6:37 AM