boystomen

"whatever that is not good for us, we don't want. Whatever we don't want, we don't keep..."

6 Singapore Infantry Regiment.
2 weeks of PTP changed the way i think. Or slightly at least.

Who would defend my land if I don't?
Who would stand strong in the face of aggressors if I don't?
How can you be tough if you're not effective?
How can you be effective if you're not fit?
How can you be fit if you're not discipline?

Regimental life. I was forced to change within this 2 months.
Adapting to the disciplined life of the forces.

Things such as waking up in 0500 hrs for exercise.
Such as washing my own clothes.
Extra trainings after R.O.
Or even things like telling myself I can do it. Just one more round to go. Just one more chin up to go.

All these small but important things made me realize that it takes a man a little inspiration to want to change, but a whole lot more of discipline to execute it, and another whole lot of determination to sustain it.

I was forced to change. I did. Now, I just have to go from glory to glory. Pushing myself everytime.
Every breakthroughs, big or small, is significant. They are the result and evidence of hard work, sweat and determination.

These 2 weeks had been very taxing physically, but even more mentally.
indeed...

boys to men.

boy to man

"a soldier job is not to die for his country, but to make the other fellow die for his..."

I'm just a few hours away from entering into a new phrase of my life.
the phrase that most dread of, but some proud of.
I will be enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces.
Finally, it is my turn to serve the national service. Finally, the day has arrive.

Well, I really thank God for the cell groups and Cat.
She organized a dinner, where we all ate yuki yaki and of course, I was blessed.
And the cg gave me a gift, a flip flop.
Cheryl's mom gave me a t-shirt.
Cheryl and Pamela rushed down to join us for fellowship after work.
Carita, Sharon and Lulu came down too.

Alycia, Qianqi, Pamela, Yanbing, Ting, Cat, Jonathan, Yongsheng, Yongheng, Henry, Jieqi were there to eat my "last supper".

I really felt blessed.
Apart from the gifts, I will bring into my camp with me the fond memories of friends and family, the well wishes of everybody, and the strength that comes from the unseen power of prayer...

But of course, as time draws nearer, I'm starting to feel a little insecure and perhaps a little worry.
What's it like to be in there?
What kind of mate will I meet?
Will my family be alright?
What about my friends?
Will I be able to excel?
Can I do it right?
How about staying focus?
Can I reall resist the temptations?

too many fears and insecurities...
hence, what I realize is this:

As the time draws nearer, I realize I need God more than ever before.

if only..

"there can only be one life, so you'll have to make decisions you don't regret, and you'll live by them..."

I always thought that even if I have to relive my life, I wouldn't change anything.
Not the things I do,
nor the wrong decisions I made,
not even the people I met.

I always felt that every single thing that happened in my life made who I am.
Every victories were affirmations,
every defeats were lessons.

that had always been my mentality

until now...

I wished I had a chance to do it all over again.
I wished I had a chance to relive the incidents.
well, I can only wished...

it'd never come to past.
so,

I'll just have to look forward.

trust.

"stretch your hands and straighten the paths..."

how many times we do need God to straighten the paths for us.
As the path of life gets winding and meanders, how we long for God to do something.

Jesus.
I'm trusting You with all of my life.
I'm Yours and You got me.
but
if You don't show up.
I'm done for.
I'm praying for mercy,
for grace,
for strength,
for provision.


"The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing."
[Psalm 34:10]

I'm holding on with all of my life...

NSprep

"a prepared man is ready to face the challenges ahead..."

today I went to the Emart at Stagmont Camp to do my sizing for my army uniform.
Man! I'm so excited.
When I wore the No.4, even if it was just for a moment.
I just felt good. It seems like I'm made for that uniform, and the uniform for me.

the clerks in HQ Signals would always urge me to think twice and twice about finding a career in the army. saying how tough the life in army is, how "out-of-the-world" it is, and how much a person can earn if he join the secular workforces.
but
I just find a sense of belonging in the army.
I just like it there.
Probably I'll dislike it one day, maybe I might hate it.
But one thing is for sure - I'm in love with it right now.

oh ya..
today got random spot checks.
I nearly got caught for bringing in camera phone(I got no other phone leh!).
thank God I hid it and the guards didn't manage to find it at the entrance.
If not, I'd surely be charged...

thank God....

liveSTRONG

"to grow up is the willingness to accept and overcome the defeats in life..."

boy - man.
How easy it is for people to demand you to grow.
How easy it is for people to demand manhood.
How easy it is for you to proclaim maturity.

How tough it is, for you to put into actions.
Action speaks louder than words.
A person communicates more when he speaks less.

Army - the journey from a boy to a man.
how true is it?

but age doesn't makes you a man.

I look forward to the army life very much
but will the 2 years make me a better man?
sure enough, it provide opportunities. Plenty of them.
but I need a decision... and plenty of determination.
and I need God's help.
Cos I don't know where to start...

but well,

let's make a decision today.
and stay true to that decision.

To grow up,
To mature.

Maturity comes with the acceptance of responsibility...