Juliet's Touching affirmation

Sigh, it's so ironic that my first post is going to be copied from someone's email......


Hmm... I was thinking that I'm gonna write an affirmation email this morning once I reach the office. But Steven was faster than me!! And yeah lah Steven, it was an attempt to touch your sexy back... you realised liao can don't say out so loudly in public? I'm very shy one leh... *blushex*

Anyway, just to share some thoughts with everyone else... was actually quite unsure about going for the retreat because although there are quite a number of familiar faces, but there's still a sense of unfamiliarity and I was apprehensive because I wasn't sure if I could "blend" in.But thanks Bernard, on the very first night, when we did the Mandala, he turned around to me to invite me to sprawl between him and Elaine just by opening up a space, patting it and saying simply, "Eh! Togetherly!" . To Elaine for inviting me to supper (because I was too shy to invite myself). I realised that this is a group that accepts and invites.

Thanks Elaine, Joy, Greg for listening to my sharing of my dad's conversion story, to Joy, Greg, Ilona and Jiazheng for listening to my job ethics dilemma story. To everyone who listened attentively and supportively as I shared and cried at the same time on the second night (argh... totally unglam!~). I could really sense the silent support. And thanks to Eric Tan who approached me to affirm me and give me his two cents after my sharing. I realised that this is a group that listens and supports.

Thanks to Kevin who checked with me on the first night if I feel alright and inviting me to speak to him if I want to after the retreat. To Steven who suggested buying Mutabak back for me (don't worry, I felt alright hanging out with two pairs of lovebirds! we had fun too! haha!) and Freddie who try to ignore his cigar calls because "Don't smoke lah... if not Juliet will feel very left out leh!" and he with Bernard who reminded me that I should sleep if I'm tired because I may not be used to being a night owl like they do during our overnight Bridge. I realised that this group is sensitive and cares for the feelings of others.

Thanks to Joy, Elaine, Steven, Dennis, Thaddeus for your sincere sharing about your labyrinth walk. Your sharing were particularly meaningful to me (hey Joy, your sharing in particular, made me more appreciative of my mum's love for me, thanks!). I realised that this is a group that trusts (us with your deep sharing).

Thanks Eric Tan for sharing the salad because he knows I also miss my vegs, for sharing the roti john with me because I probably can't finish it, thanks Elaine for sharing Milo with me when there weren't enough cups. I realised that this is a group that shares.

Thanks Steven, Eric, Ignatius, Michelle, Freddie, Dennis, Bernard, Elaine for the Bridge sessions. Bridge is my archilles' heel lahh... cannot resist one, so thanks for playing with me. I realised this is a group that plays together.

Thanks Eric Sng and Michelle for your sincere sharing about not being able to open up easily and why you've been away for a while (respectively) . We all take time to grow, just allow God to mould you in His time. I realised this is a group that's true and honest.

Thanks Greg, Ignatius and Eric Tan for being our "official resident drivers". You didn't have to, but you did. And double thanks to Ignatius who initiated driving me back because he remembered I've once mentioned I stay near him. I realised this is a generous group.

Thanks Thaddeus for your very lame milk-joke that made Elaine laugh like mad and Freddie for your many many jokes (even you falling asleep in Mass can be so tickling!). Greg and Elaine for the oreo-condense milk concoction for Iggy and Steven for your multi-layered present for him and "guess-the-present" clues. I realised this is a group that has a sense of humour.

Thanks Eric Sng for suggesting the counting of the tiles for the perfect square that we've to create and the insights that you mentioned about the pentagram (can sense Steven's tensed feelings ease immediately! ). To Greg and Steven who shared what made them love their jobs (I feel damn inspired!). I realised this is a group that shares knowledge and experiences readily.

Thanks Steven for the previous email of affirmation and Elaine for sharing that she appreciates my support during the walk in the park. I strongly believe that affirmation helps an individual grow and it is the input that we all need to walk another extra mile for another person the next time. It's free and super powerful fuel basically! I realised this is a group that affirms.

There are probably many many other incidents from the retreat that are significant to me but I don't want to bore everyone with a too-long email (considering this is my first post on this yahoo group, I'm not usually so lo so one, ok?). I really really appreciate every act, big or small, that reflects wonderful traits and values that are shining through in the group.

To end off, I'd also want to thank everyone for letting me know that my desire and struggle to build a relationship with God is not isolated - it's really great to know that we all share the common desire to walk closer with Him, no matter how tough it may be sometimes. But team, I'd like to point out that, even if God still doesn't seem THAT present/tangible to you during this retreat, perhaps you'll like to walk through the retreat in your mind again, think about your many interactions with everyone, and then perhaps, like me, you'll see a piece of Jesus in each fellow sponsor's face too.

-Jul