I Preached :):)

When I was asked to preach in Church, My mind boggled."Uncle, U mean ME???" I gasped. "Really???". After they assured me they did want , I really felt honored. But just think of it. ME ! A girl of twenty one who has never preached in church before such a crowd of people elder and elder than me. What will I say to them?? Parents are far older than me. I knew It wouldn't be good If i explain the experiences I had with Christ because I knew they would have gone a mile more with Him. And I knew they never need any long minded speeches.

I thought and rethought. Finally came with an idea to tell them "What I have learnt from my experience". As I gathered these new thoughts I drifted back to my past !!! zoooooooooooooooooooooooing :):):)

When a person asked me who is my inspiration in life, I remained silent for a while and finally spelled out " NOBODY".  

A couple of months after that when my dad *laughed* saying me that when his friend asked about my course am doing in college, and my dad dint even know what course I was studying in college at that time. When he told me this with a smile in his face, I was really shocked but I dint react to him much. I wondered if he is really concerned about me. This particular incident left a mark in my heart. May be people who are reading it may not have any impact with it. But am sensitive.

When It comes to my career , I really don't know If this course is God's Will !!.My parents keep telling me that, " If its God's Will , It will be done". But I always have a doubt that, whether parents are all just speakers about His Will and not doers. 

So having all these in minds , I was determined to talk. When I stood at the podium, All eyes were fixed upon me. I began to speak. I told them I was honored to be addressing them. As it was mothers day , I honored an elder mother of the Church with a small gift calling her in front.And I threw three points before the parents.

Be an inspiration to your kids like David did - I kings 3:14

Be concerned about your kids spiritual and worldly growth like Annal did- I Samuel 2:18,19

To be perfect in the previous two points Walk in God's ways like Moses did- Exodus: 33;13 

and ended the preaching with a song and a Prayer.  :) :) :) A big breath now :) :) :)

I can't count how many time children would have uttered in obvious disappointments" Don't know what is with parents today???" "Yeah, I don't know what is with parents today."

And my dear , dad and mom, I love you, I dint want to hurt you at all . But I am hurt most of the times. Just waiting for the days when you will understand me better!!

Alright!! After the final day program finished and when I heard those good compliments I got from the floor, the happiness I had is just Exemplary.A person can live a month off a compliment, I can for years actually :):) A moment to cherish forever in my life. One of those rare occasions in life. Lovely seven days. Just loved it.I feel blessed.

And my special thanks to all the people who helped me through!!!

ToothBrush

I never had an idea to use toothbrush as a model to make the kids lead a perfect life. It was new to me when He explained the concept behind that toothbrush which we use daily. Am sure It will help the readers if I share it here.

Q:What's the use of TB??

A:We brush with it daily.

Q: who taught you to do this?

A: Parents

Q: How many years they questioned if you are doing it regularly?

A: Till we were 5 or 6

Q:What if you doesn't do it?

A: Bad odor ejects

Q: Next

A: Tooth decay

Q: Mm good , anything else

A: will end up removing teeth.

Q: So what happened to you now?

A: It became a habit and without it we cannot move our day.

Like the same way When Reading the Bible becomes your habit, You cannot move one without reading it daily !!! 

Make it as a habit and Let your life Spread the good odor and be a witness !!

A brilliant concept behind this very small tooth brush. For this whole episode I must thank Edwin Anna!! and today is the Sixth day of our Vbs. Just one more day to go. And that is the final day.

Love Feast

Finally A day to play. Conducted games for all of them including teachers. Started with Beginners who played" pick the item". Followed by Primary" bursting the balloons behind", then Junior enjoyed with" paper walk",and Inter Seniors " finding the pairs". Kids thoroughly enjoyed. And lastly , Teachers had their Bible games :) :) :) " pictures and verses". I was really really really surprised with their active participation. Moving the chairs and running to me with answers, Even throwing the verse chapters in the Bible. Many a times we knew the verse but we may not the know the chapter it takes place in Bible. I was really surprised by them. Super teachers and brilliant kids I had :) :) A day to enjoy I would say.

Inspection Day

The word Inspection reminds me of those days in school when I urge my mom to dress me up neatly,polish my shoes and stuff like that. Except studying will do all those. :P But here , Teachers were in a hurry in reaching the church, arranging their charts, cleaning up their classes. The first few hours were fraught with tension, not to me but to them :) :) Three people threw their questions on each classes and I was really amazed with the answers the kids gave. Noticed that teachers were sincere in their work !! Everyone wants to win but not everybody gets the chance. No matter what happened, whether they make first or not, I think each class were best in their own way. Lovely day:)

Giving Day

There are so many things in life I have received from people around me through Christ. But I wonder if I really deserve it and one question that keeps disturbing me is "what I have done for Him??" Nothing. Absolutely Nothing.

Through mouth -> No. I use it to praise Him but at the same time I fight with people who are in His image.

Eyes -> No. There are a million of things I see which I shouldn't.

Breath -> Nope. Sometimes I breath for others.

Heart -> My heart Skips a beat for a person in this world.

Hands -> Sometimes I do things against His will.

Legs -> Many a times I walk in my own ways.

What Have I done for Him???

How am gonna repay for the blessings I have received from him. I don't know. Suddenly now my heart is heavy and I am choking my tears!!.

Just one life I wanna live it for you. Thats the only thing I can give you.

To conclude,

Today we celebrated "Giving Day in Vbs" :) :) :)

Green Day

Daily had a detailed discussion with my SIL in selecting a saree to wear the next day. And today there was not a problem with the color. As we celebrated Green day , I wore a green color saree and interestingly most of the kids and all the teachers were in green. It looked totally greenish and it was beautiful as well. I explained about the importance of trees and requested them to plant one in remembrance of this Vbs and also for the betterment of the future generation. In the afternoon cleaning day was celebrated and I inspected and allotted marks in accord to their beauty of the class. Was fun. Big fun when they welcomed me for their classes addressing " vaange director Akka" :P :)

Friendship Day Part 2

As we both were sharing the things happened in our centers and when I told him, "I was kind of strict today" He gave me an idea for easy going with the teachers!! I had a packet full of chocolates and in the teachers sharing time I passed the packet asking to take them how much ever they needed it!! They took two,three,four, and one fellow with over excitement of chocs took 17 :):) Any guesses what I asked them to do?? I told them to tell the facts about them for each choc they have!! The 17 chocs guy was in a trouble :P. They started very comically but ended up with testimonies. I was really surprised with the experiences each and everyone around had and having. It turned as a time to praise Lord. Wondered If this chocolate could bring out a person from their walls. And when my turn came, I shared my experience with Christ. The first ever time I did it without tears :):)  Its not that am happy but I'm strong enough to hide the tears!! And am sure teachers had their time with me and understood Am not a terror one :):) Ha ha ha..Actually I am to some people.

And now A big thanks Edwin Anna who helped me to get close to the teachers with the chocolates :):) I'm not really brainy to have these kind of ideas!! So people out there If you have some u can help me.

Friendship Day

Now it’s the seventeenth time I am calling a number but nobody picked in the other end. Tried again. Again no response. Still with hopes tried, and was just waiting for the mobs to display call duration and finally it went on, I was so happy that am gonna hear that long awaited voice. “Paapa Endhri” are the two words which disturbed my dreams: P opened my eyes immediately with unsaid tears. I was happy that my mom interrupted in my dreams, else the whole day would have been worse thinking about the voice, which will definitely kill me. Actually it did already:(:( .

Alright so with a dull mood woke up, splashed water in my face to make myself clear that those were dreams, and then as usual was getting ready disturbing everybody. My mom pleased, “Paapa please en ATM card le poi money eduthtu va”. Ean ma ipdy pandre?? I’m already late. I can’t help in the last minute. It was 8.10 I rushed to the ATM centers in my area. SBI “A big queue”. Axis” sorry ma, money ille machine le”. Indian Bank” A very big queue than in SBI”. Rushed back home, explained the reason, gave the card and started my bike. I was in a hurry to reach the place on time and I did :). As we are celebrating each day with a special significance in Vbs, Today is Friendship day (may3)!! As it was instructed the previous day, Kids brought many new kids and the strength increased to 117 and I gave chocolates to the kids for those who brought the new kids. I was happy that I have got many souls inside the four walls to introduce Christ. I enjoyed being there.

Next Five Years

First I want to congratulate the winning party. This win has given me hope for a better future. I always look at the government which would help the lower class people to come up and show their face out in this world. And as the new government is gonna take its charge, the expectation of the people is really higher than the bar they had with the previous government. Say, Village people are those who turn out and vote for them in large numbers who are really in need even for the basic shelter, food. Students are expecting education technically with a lot of new equipments, Graduates focus is to get settled with a government Job, daily wages people for a hike in salary, and a reduction in cost of living.On the whole people are expecting good road, power supply and anti corruption which is the key to develop our economy.With great trust from people and nothing against conscience AIADMK has got its responsibility to life Tamilnadu more than it was before. And finally hats off to the election commission crew for their super good effort. Worth waiting a month.

Goal for Now

Am being thrown up by a lot of questions in my minds. A lot really. This is leading me to be silent for some period of times. And now its one of those times. Am alone in a crowd. Alone in a company. Feels like am in an other country where people talk different languages which I don’t know. Am just alone!!And I know that no matter to whom I talk, and what I do, at the end of the day am alone again. There are times when I have loved the way I talk, the way I sing, the way I carry myself, the way I love. But now everything I dislike. I hate for what I’m now. How, Why, What, are the few questions that is raising and am clueless to find the answers. I am sick in heart. But it’s quite an interesting time to know who I am and to learn about people around me. To know the **Better me** is the ultimate goal for now.     

Walk In My Ways

The whole week went on with a practice. Didn't hear any other songs other than VBS's. Was really working hard for this one. Even the prior night dint get proper sleep. But unknowingly closed my eyes at 2. It was like only few minutes passed, but Alarm started to shout. As usual turned my alarm off and thought for a while whether to hug the pillow and sleep again or to wake up and get ready. Guess what I did???? Sooper!! you are right. I slept off again hoping I can get up in ten mins. But only when my dad Screamed Paapa after his come back from walking in thirty minutes, I opened my eyes. Even I we grow old , We are always kids to our parents and No matter how beautiful our names are, Parents love calling their kids Papa and thambi :):) and my parents are not an exception in calling like that. 

After my dad's voice, I woke up.With super excitement did my prayers,brushed, had a shower, wore a saree, ate idly and got ready with a little make up:) :) It was 8.10. Started my bike. Drove as if the whole road is being owned by my dad. For sure would have got many scoldings( bad scoldings) from the people on the road. Reached the Church at 8.25. " Paatha Yaarumey Varale".:) then slowly by 8.30 teachers came. I again introduced myself for those who dint present in the planning meet. Started the teacher's devotion with a prayer. I was scared inside but then with confidence I started the session.69 kids turned up with 7 teachers. Sang songs, narrated a story, classes in groups, had lunch, and finally teacher's sharing time. It was a full day Vbs from 9 till 4.I had a lots of time to spend with the kiddos and to hear their family stories.But nobody around me is patient enough to hear my cries :(:( leave it. So with super fun, first day went on. yet to update about the rest of the days. 

Church Of Love Divine

I generally never feel God's Presence in other Churches except the Church to which I belong and Lady Doak College Chapel. Its not that Lord is not present in those churches, He is present everywhere in this world. But I feel His presence only in few places may be because of my mom who kept telling me from the day I started to go with her for Church, "This Church is Lord's house,So must not play!! Be a good girl, Christ is watching you". Even if it happens to attend an other church in some Sundays, I never feel like being in the Church. The fault is not mine anyways :):):) and the Church of Love divine is not an exception for my thoughts. A tones of times I have crossed the Church but I have never been inside , I dint want to also actually.

But it happened for me on  May 1 to go to Church of Love Divine with my mom for the formal introduction as Vbs director for the Church and for the preparatory meet with the teachers. As it was the Dedication day of the Church , the special service went on till 12.30. I was like very tired and hungry also. Around 1 , I met them, gave my agenda for the 7 days, few conditions and rules to be followed. I was really a strict officer that day.:P When I met the teachers who are far away from my age , I dint have an idea how am gonna tell them what all we gonna do in the coming days. With blind confidence started talking to them and explained things. Was fun being the leader for those old people :):):) will post about those seven days soon , very soon.

Just Posting

When I heard that I’m for church of love divine , I was little scared remembering the few words which one sis told me about her experience as Vbs director in that church last year. Even before the official order came from the junior church as Vbs director, I started preparing for teacher’s devotion, general assembly, skit, songs, actions, games, magic’s :):) Just one thought kept ringing in my ears,” I should not be ashamed, so prepare well”. Started surfing the net for materials, new games, how to attract people, few points for the teachers devotion. It happened to attend a VBS conducted in compassion home. I thought I will have an idea about how to conduct being alone. So daily went there, sang songs, and was very keen in noticing how they narrated the story. More than I learnt, I got the confidence that I can do well, that’s what I needed right??:):)

The most fun thing happened is I inspected the class in the inspection day :):):) ha ha ha it was fun really. I admit, I’m not a BIBLE worm. But still I questioned them with the little knowledge I have in Bible.:). Few children, teachers appreciated my vocal, that’s the only thing I feel I’m blessed with for now!!When teachers sharing time was going on, my mobile phone ringed with an unknown number. Was confused, asked the person nearby to pick and ask who is on line. Guess who……..It was my Elder Bro Runcie from Bombay. My eyes are smiling now really :):) I was like awww Runcie anna, Runcie anna...:):):) I have met many amazing people through my career but the most important fall is for him. Mr.Runcie Paul Mathews :):) will post about him in my coming posts :):)

P.S: VBS - Vacation Bible School

Trip With My Friends

So far twenty years have passed. But three years in the college were the finest years in my life I guess. What a friends I have made. My friends are just awesome who accepted me for what I am. It’s been a year stepping out from college as graduates but still we hold that belonging to each one of us. We are separated now in distance but not by heart. I will write about my friends in my other posts. Now I want to share about the trip with my friends.

It’s Geeths who was very interested in arranging a trip. After a lot of problem in planning we finally made a trip to Munaar. When we started planning, OMG how many problems?? Aki calls “Hey am getting a wrong number di, I’m scared”. Geeths,” Hey my dad is not telling OK for Varkala”. Fragz calls, “Siblings not letting me”. Deby,”Sunday is coming in between, how I can make it”. Vandy,”I’m struck in a big problem using mob phones in Coll, I won’t be coming”. And finally me, not bothered about anything. “Ponaalum onnum ille , pola naalum onnum ille.”

I personally was not very excited like my other friends were. Changed their status in FB, made a tweet in twitter, was planning for costumes etc. I didn’t have any dreams about the trip. The night I was staying in my granny’s house. April 16^th morning came home, packed things, went to Geeths house , stepped inside the car and occupied the back seat with Aki, Fragz, and Vandy in Enova. I’m not good in traveling hills. I started to throw off and everybody continued. Even though my stomach was empty I did that. Friends kept talking, clicking pics, eating, laughing but I laid my head in Aki’s laps and closed my eyes but dint get sleep. Kept thinking “What’s gonna happen??”. Six hours went on just like that. Reached the place safely.

OMG the resort was just awesome. It was too good more than we imagined. The cottage we stayed is awwwwwwwww super:):). Had lots of clicks, played cards, dancing, a walk around the resort in the midnight, swimming pool, hammock, the night was just awesome with my friends. It’s a dreamy, magical world that I usually want to be in. But my moods completely went off after hearing X in phone :(:( Wanted to cry aloud but I didn’t want to spoil the happy moods of my friends. I managed somehow.  Slept in the night with tears. The next morning woke up early at 6. Refreshed sat in the hammock alone. Aki noticed the sadness in face and asked,” What X said”?? I dint have words to explain how I really felt. She tried comforting me but it dint work out. My other friends woke up, we walked towards the falls. On the way was planning about our Business which we will be starting in few months, hopefully. Lot of ideas peeped out our minds. And the final decision is to start with textiles and to end up with wedding planners :):) got the special designation in our business. Me the Public relation officer :):) Reached the falls, my friends enjoyed being in water. I dint go in. came back to the resort.

Deby and Vandy jumped inside the pool and the other families from Kerala were talking to us. It was fun talking to them. Then by 12 we left the resort, stopped in the C.S.I Christ Church, Munaar for a small prayer as we couldn’t attend the mass in the morning and it was Palm Sunday. We got the palm, prayed, made cross and we started our journey again heading to our Home town. Now I changed my place to the middle row, sitting next to Deby. As the air passes through the window and I Kept watching outside unknowingly my thoughts were running in minds. A big breath now :(:( .Reached home at 7 in the evening. I was surrounded by them but still I had that pain. I don’t know when it will vanish :(:(:( But overall it is a nice trip I would say.

Hoping to have a trip again together. I think that will be an officially first business planning meet :):):)

A Night With My Friend

Was just waiting for the calendar to display April 10. I was really excited in making a visit to Bangalore with my friend. Finally the day arrived and we Got our train at 7.25 PM. She was in coach s8 and I was in s4. Luckily one family people exchanged their seats in S4 and she came to my coach. Had our dinner and climbed up. Happily Started talking with the fun we had in college but ended up with tears adding so many topics in between.  What all happened, how life has changed, God’s promises, phone calls, messages, present people around, their cunningness and finally broke into tears. 

It was around 11.30 a girl in our enclosure asked us to sleep. I nodded yes but still there was a plenty of things yet to share.  She said, glad now its 12.15 we will sleep at 12.30. I said ok and we kept talking again. Spoke out of heart. Eyes started paining. Watched the time. OMG it was 2.30 :):) Time flew just like that when u walk miles with your friend. And I really experienced it. I hoped there will be a tranquility of minds , newness of thoughts after the long conversations but still no changes :( :( . It was the same as before. That emptiness, that pain still I had. But I felt completely happy that I have got a person to share things.  We got 12 hours of time together after a year. Felt belonged to you Debby :) :)

Director's Workshop

It happened in one of the coolest places in TamilNadu on March 25, 26, 27 .When I got the letter for attending this meet, I was all excited. Guess why??? Cos this year I'm gonna be an official Director with proper training. Whole night was thinking how the training session would be. I called up my mom who is working in an other place to inform about the call letter. "Mom, Naan vbs directors training ku poreyn ". With a low tone she replied, "OH ok Poitu va "!! I understood that she was not really interested in sending me. I wanted to tell her that only ministry is adding colors at this juncture of my life. But I dint. I was determined to go anyways .I doesn’t know what she exactly thinks in her mind. She is not very open hearted. There is always a long gap between me and my mom. May be I'm grown up or she thinks I wont hear her. No idea. [Well, Get idea] :P.

So finally packed things, left home in the morning of Friday. Reached by 2 PM. Walked towards the Church. Ahh I was so hungry. How long to walk again for lunch with bags behind?? Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. Why not ask the Reverend here for keeping my bags safe in his control?? Met him, kept the bags and got introduced and said, Uncle I ll go for lunch and will be back in a while. Now the super part comes. He said , Here in our church today We are providing Lunch from Haggai ministries so u can have here :) :) :) with no further delay I nodded YES , washed my hands , took the plates had my lunch :):) ha ha ha. It was a complete vegetarian but still a satisfying food in that hunger. 

Holiday home van came to pick at 4. Reached the place. My eyes were in search of Edwin anna who is a strong believer, married, has kids. I feel always feel that he is concerned about me. I’m not sure. Anyways couldn’t find him when I stepped in in the holiday home. After refreshing when I headed to the conference hall saw him. I always love to sit in corners or in the first place of the row. This time I took my place in the 3^rd row, first seat. 

Rev.David Jebaraj uncle started the session with a prayer as always. VBS ministries national coordinator, Mr.Prabhu , Mr.Samuel thambusamy , Mr.Rajesh , Mr.Ravi came over to the dias and was welcomed by Rev.David Jeberaj uncle and he handed over the rest of the three days in their hands. National Coordinator spoke a few words and asked Rajesh to sing “ thannai thandhe yesuvukaahe, unnai kodupaya. “ an awesome song to start the session with a commitment. And I did it really. The session started by introducing the VBS theme 2011 “Walk in my ways” from I kings 3:14. Then according to their schedule they did. Mr.Samuel gave us the detail of each day’s theme and the theme objectives. He spoke about time management but he spent a lot of time explaning it. He did it in english which I personally liked. In the feedback session when people pulled his leg asking, “when you are Chennaiite , why can’t you do it in Tamil “?? He replied very beautifully, “I knew Tamil well but my thinking is in English”

I completely admire this person for his voice, talent, attitude, actions, expressions, body language, dressings, humility, involvement and more importantly his commitment to Christ. I loved the way he carried himself. “Cha ivlo commitment oda pasange irupaangala “?? This question kept running in my mind. Hats off to you Maen for your humility. God has really blessed you, I would say. I thought X is the only person who is so good in all the aspects of life. But there are people like Rajesh to oppose it :) . And when he handshaked saying “Have a happy Vbs, Akka, I was cloud nine “ :)

It was already super good cool climate in Kodaikanal but Sandhya session took place in the open ground. My teeth were typing :) :)  It was good but not up to the mark with the theme “un ejamaanan kail bayanulle paathiramaai irukiraaya??” I wish to but then I couldn’t. 

 Now the fun part comes. I played a naughty girl role in the skit and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the people in the floor I guess. Their compliment seemed like that. So with super fun three days went on but still that emptiness in heart dominated me all the time. I tried overcoming but most of the times I couldn’t. I managed not to cry. Alright now am stopping here. Else it would be a sad ending  :) :)