.. My Journey with an Awesome God ..

.. I LOVE Adelaide! ..

2011-12-15T01:32:00.000+08:00

Really really thankful that I can have the opportunity to re-visit Adelaide!

If not for the financial breakthrough that came with the sale of the Mountbatten Suite, this wouldn't be possible. :)

God is good, and I am just so thankful that He granted the desire of my heart, once again...

Had a great great time catching up with many of the friends... Many of them will be graduating this year. Beside those who are rooted there, and a few who will be graduating in another year, I guess it will be very different feel if I visit Adelaide again the next time, with so many people not around any more!

Hmmm. Maybe the next time when I visit Adelaide... will be April 2013? Haha.. For Janice Chiang's graduation!! Janice, if you are reading this, hope this will bring a BIG WIDE smile to you! :D

Also had the opportunity to visit Sydney for the 1st time! It's a.... HUGE city! Everything is....... SO expensive there! HAHA. After visiting Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne & Sydney, actually I feel living in Adelaide is the BEST of all. I really love the peace, the serenity of the place... :) Maybe because as I aged, slower pace is more lovable for me... Wahaha...

But of course... Sydney trip would not be great, if not for EVA! Appreciate her hosting me, bringing me around... Taking care of me, even though I am so many years her senior. Hee hee... Had a great time catching up with her! EVA! I will keep you in prayers! Don't give up trying! God will surely provide... A great job opportunity for you & Derrick!

It has been a great year thus far! Though it was challenging, God has brought me through day by day. His goodness & faithfulness has never failed indeed.

I am looking forward to 2012... Believing it will be a year of greater breakthroughs! It's so exciting! Life is so exciting! So fulfilling! Really feel I'm living in the prime years of my life right now!

:) :) :) :) :)

.. The Last Quarter ..

2011-10-19T23:56:00.000+08:00

Time flies, really flies this year!

It's already... 20th Oct! 6 more mins to 12 midnight..

I am getting ready... to hit back the office this coming Tues! :)

Feeling much better... and much stronger.

Gonna end the year well! The latter shall be better than the beginning indeed!

AMEN! :D

.. No more sorrow, No more pain ..

2011-10-14T15:09:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I was startled, and very much saddened by a piece of news that I heard from a sister very dear to me. Her mum who was suffering from depression, committed suicide & died on Wed. This sister was holidaying in Taiwan, reached Taiwan on Tues and supposed to come back on Sunday. But she flew back on Wed late night.

When I saw her SMS and returned her call, I knew something must be wrong. Her mum's death was really something that I could not expect...

I teared. I asked God to strengthen her. And me. It was at that very immediate moment, I was reminded of this song by Chris Tomlin. I will rise. I wasn't even very familiar with the song.. But the few sentences just ministered to my heart...

I will rise.. when He calls my name.
No more sorrow, no more pain.

I am really looking forward to the day of His return.

In heaven. No more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears.

I happened to chance upon this short video posted in FB. CNN Heroes. Never heard about it before. But when I watched the clip, it blew me away. I went to the website & watched the various nominees, their lives are so so so inspiring.

While it disgusts me to see & hear about how the world is suffering because of evil-ness & sin, it is comforting to see & hear of the different creative ways that people are doing so that they can be a blessing & an impact to the world & society.

I can see Jesus in the works of their hands. I am really really stirred, comforted, inspired, encouraged. These people are indeed demonstrations of His hands, His feet, His love.

The work of Christ must be done, ONLY by His grace & through His grace. It can never be by human effort.

I am seeking for an even greater significance to my life. Life should not be enslaved by the culture of the society that we are in.

Let us be people... who will be a blessing to the people who are suffering today. Be His hands, His feet and His love. And I am really looking forward to the day of His return, so that the promise of no more sorrow & no more pain come to pass.

The Love of Christ - Hope of Eternity. Let it be in every heart......

.. Jehovah Rapha: He's our Healer ..

2011-10-08T02:04:00.000+08:00

Went back to SGH for follow up over the last 2 days... Praise God my blood count is recovering well! He is indeed our Healer! :)

Met Prof Tan on Thurs.. He was the one who operated on me. The first statement he made when he saw me was, "So you are the one who made many people so worried that night"..

Basically he explained to me what happened that evening in the operating theatre... When they made the abdominal incision, and upon removing the fibroid, they were shocked to see lots of blood inside. They need to extend the length of the cut so that they can check the source of bleeding. Prof Tan was initially worried it could be liver rupture or something like that, but thankfully it was not so. So after checking, they could not determine the source of bleeding. And since the bleeding already stopped, they decided to just close up the incision, put a tube in my stomach to drain out the blood.

I lost about 1/3 of the total blood count in my body.. The bleeding most prob should be from the fibroid, could be some vessels burst or something like that. Prof Tan extended 3 more weeks of my hosp leave.. I was actually looking forward to go back to the office!.. Felt really bad that I have to be away for soooo long....

Drew some blood again to check on the blood count. Today when I met Dr Ong, the general surgeon, he told me that my blood count is recovering very well. :) Thank God for the tonics & fish essence & DOM I have been feeding on.. HAHA..

What an..... experience indeed.

Looking forward to be back, jumping & full of energy, to serve God and the people..

Indeed, 休息是为了走更长的路。。。

.. The Emergency Op ..

2011-09-27T03:28:00.001+08:00

Wow, it has been more than a month since I last blogged! It's really quite time-consuming to keep blogging.. I wonder if I will be able to keep blogging from now onwards...

Thankful for a successful op 2 Saturdays ago... Though the cause of the bleeding in my stomach still unknown.. Removed a huge fibroid from my body. Scary how it can grew to be this BIG...

It's really quite a.... scary experience. When I was in the operating theatre, I hoped, yet I knew it was not a dream. But everything just happened so sudden... I was happily celebrating Vic & Roger's ROM just in the day, and then an emergency op in the evening.

I'm so sorry to have caused worry especially to my family.. But I am really really thankful for the support from them... By the time I regained consciousness, it was 11pm plus (I asked the nurse what time it was).. When they pushed me out of the theatre, I could hear those familiar voices. It brought me so much comfort, knowing that I was not alone...

Stayed in the hospital for 5 days... Many people visited me. Really thankful for their visits, prayers, gifts, flowers & all those tonics... Thank you sooo much, from the bottom of my heart...

Pst Kong & SUN visited me too. Wow.. I was really blessed by their love & prayers.

I just felt everything is like a warfare... Spiritual warfare. But I know, greater days are ahead. Greater days are coming.

I need to pick myself up.

I will get back soon. :)

This bear from Angelin was my "best friend". It came in so handy when the doctor removed the tube from my stomach... It was soooooo painful. :(

Thanks for all the gifts & flowers! :)

My adorable nephew Daniel visited me..

The fibroids removed from my body....

Cute Papa Smurf from Jialing! :)

Yes I will... Get well soon. :)

.. I Love My Family ..

2011-08-23T00:41:00.000+08:00

I love my family... :)

Can never thank God enough, for His grace that has seen us through evidently over the last 12 years.. Ever since we came to know Him. :)

God is good, all the time. All the time, He is good. :)

.. The Great Bunch ..

2011-08-14T23:41:00.000+08:00

Love this bunch of people with all my heart. :)

CHC celebrates 22nd Anniversary as we COME TOGETHER as a great spiritual family... to celebrate this joyous occasion!

12 years in CHC! Saved in 1999 through a touch by the Holy Spirit... It has indeed been an exciting journey.

I am thankful to God for opening the door, and giving me the opportunity to serve God full-time in this spiritual family..

6 months in full time ministry, seen a bit more, experienced a bit more.

And I seem to be able to understand, and empathize about certain things... as I myself went through the experiences over the last few months.

I am praying... for a breakthrough.

Went on a Desaru tour today, and it was really a great fellowship! I wished we can have this kind of fellowship as often as we can! :)

Serving God is great. But the journey is made even more awesome with a great bunch of people serving together with you.

I am thankful, that I am blessed with such a bunch....

.. Déjà vu ..

2011-08-07T22:47:00.001+08:00

Today is a HAPPY DAY! :)

Many years ago... We have a dream. A desire... That we will take a family portrait together, in our convocation gowns.

Today, it really came to pass.

It was really like a déjà vu moment... As we stood there to be dressed, to prepare ourselves for the photo shoot...

I am really in awe... of His goodness, and His faithfulness...

And.. To make the day even sweeter. Fetched Dad to grandma's place to pick Mum.. Mum finally agreed to come home today. :)

Looking forward to see the family portraits we took today... Gonna pin it onto the wall! Yay Yay!!

Been a tough one month... But praise God, things ended well today. Love indeed covers a multitude of sin... Love is the greatest.

God is good, all the time. All the time, He is good. :)

.. A New Beginning ..

2011-08-03T02:32:00.000+08:00

Today's meeting was really awesome. Once again, so blessed & ministered by the Word. Indeed the Word is life, and the Word gives life. :)

I came home, really desiring for more of His presence. It has been a while, since the most challenging moment of our lives took place. Mum is still away at Grandma's house.. I really miss seeing her around. I hope she will come home soon..

It has been 6 months of full time ministry. Things were going really great. We sold the property, that was really the highlight of our lives. It means clearing the debts that we have, & living a debt free life. For me, it's definitely a relief to clear the study loan debt I had incurred for the last 2 years.

Yet, deep on the inside, I was actually a little uneasy... because I thought, things can't really be that "smooth"? Was it a wrong thought that I had, that I shouldn't even think about it at all?...

Because, really. Right at the next moment, woke up the next morning. Heard of the incident that had happened. Mum left home.

I felt everything just happened too sudden. Out of nowhere, and it happened.

It was really a hit to all of us. Family is very important, and indeed when the devil strikes, he always strikes at the thing that is most dearest & precious to us.

It was at this point of my full-time ministry, I got really frustrated at a couple of times. There were still counseling cases going around... and my personal CG, which I just took over, wasn't going very smooth for me. Sometimes, thoughts like, I am already at my weakest, and I still need to talk to/counsel people etc etc.

But. I checked my heart. I guessed it was wrong. Perhaps for the last 6 months, I have been relying a lot on my own strength. I was reminded, I cannot do it like this anymore...

I really desire a breakthrough for my full-time ministry for God.

Today. It shall be a fresh new beginning for me. I have a new vision. And I desire for really great things to happen in the zone.

The more the devil wants to hit at us, the more we have to bounce back.

The more he wants to depress us, the more we will smile.

The more he wants to discourage us over the things that are most precious to us, the more we will not be moved. Our faith & trust is in the GOOD GOD that we are serving.

God. Give me the kind of joy, and faith, and peace, and energy that I always desire to have.

Touching lives. Impacting lives. Reaching out to lives. I want to do all these.

6 months. A good check for me. I thought I was alright... But today I am reminded, not by might, nor by power, but it's by the Spirit of God.

I commit my parents into His hands. No matter what the outcome will be, one thing for sure. I don't want to allow it to affect what I can do for Him. There is so much, so much more that I can do & plan...

This Sunday, we are going to take a family portrait. I pray that we can talk to mum, and ask her to come home. My prayer is still that, our parents can reconcile...

But whatever it is, I will CHOOSE to rejoice.

A new beginning. A new day. Let me start afresh all over again.

Loving God, loving people. Let this passion be renewed.....

.. Hong Kong ..

2011-07-21T00:06:00.000+08:00

Visiting Hong Kong with Mummy & Wen this Sunday!

陪妈妈去散散心。。。

Praying that it will be a good trip for Mummy...

And Dad & Mum can have a good talk after that....

It's our first visit to HK too..

Looking forward to it. :)

.. 妈妈好憔悴 ..

2011-07-19T02:45:00.000+08:00

It has been a week since the incident happened. And it has been a week since Mum moved over to Grandma's house & stay over there...

It's amazing... The day when Mum went over, it was also the first day that my uncle rented a room to this Chinese lady. She happened to be a Bible School student here, and she has been really a great encouragement to Mum.... She talked to Mum, prayed with her, brought her to prayer meeting...

Mum shared with us that her 意志力 has been very low... Thankfully this sister was there to be a companion to her. Seems that God has placed her there... For such a time as this?

Went to JB with Mum & Mad today... Mum looked so haggard. Her eyes.... Must have been crying a lot.

有家归不得 ... What nonsense is that ...

Dad is still the same. Been trying to talk to him... Sometimes I really dunno what is he thinking of.

Just felt that we should settle this whole thing soon... Why should Mum be the one avoiding us & leaving home, when she isn't even the person at fault?..

爸爸。。。您对妈妈好残忍。。。

Divorce?

2011-07-13T17:08:00.001+08:00

Reality sets in...

Mum wants a divorce.

Dad is unrepentant.

I thought we all have grown up.. I thought I can accept this..

But as e reality sets in, Mad checking out on e law firms that we can engage, it dawns upon me..

Is e family going to be separated from here?

How will things be like from here?

I don't want to be separated from Wen.

I don't want to be separated from Mum.

Though v upset with dad, Christ's love is already so deep rooted, that I can't choose to be so upset to leave him by himself.

I still love dad. I don't want to be separated from him.

Will dad just choose to humble himself... Admit his mistakes. Dun do it again.. They can still reconcile.

Dad needs God.. He needs to see that he needs Him.

Father God.. I just commit this to You. Indeed You know how much we can bear..

Papa. Pride won't bring you anywhere. It destroys your life. Choose love..

We love you a lot...

.. God of the Generations ..

2011-07-10T04:37:00.000+08:00

What an awesome word it was from Pastor Tan yesterday!

I was totally blown away.... At the last part of it!

The Bible is indeed credible, the Word from God that we can put our trust in.

God is indeed the God of the generations, seeking to bless His people. Everyone who chooses to turn to Him.

I am full of hope, and expectancy, to see the great & mighty things that He is going to do through our lives, individually, as well as a church.

God... You are so good, so good...

.. Childlike Faith ..

2011-07-04T13:46:00.000+08:00

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. ~ Matt 19:14-15

Recently I had this encounter with Samuel, which I felt really blessed by it..

I brought him downstairs for some cycling activity... and I was so proud of my nephew that he can cycle on his own now! When he first started, he had problem peddling.. But that day, he was able to! So I just asked him casually, Wow Samuel you can cycle now! Who taught you?

Initially he responded, "I teach myself..." So I said "Wow, so clever huh"..

But then after a pause, he actually said this: "Jesus teach me. I pray, and He teach me."

And he went on singing this song we always sang in the children's church & JAMs church.

God is so good... God is so good...
God is so good, He's so good to me!

Honestly, I was a little surprised by him! At this young age, he already knew how to give thanks & give all glory to God! He is only 4!

I started to ponder.. Children like Samuel, perhaps they themselves have very real encounters with Jesus in their personal lives.. Could they have seen or even commune with Him?

I remembered Yan Yan, my ex-Citi colleague, she shared with me about this story. A 9-year-old boy was cycling on the road, and he was almost hit by a van! But miraculously, he was saved. When asked about what had happened, the boy replied that 'Jesus saved him'! At that very brief moment, when he was just on the verge of being hit, he cried "Jesus"! There was this invisible "force" that came & stopped the van in time...

To some people, this is ridiculous?. We are living in this age where people just want to rationalize everything.

But, for me, I guess, I want to live a life that gives all glory to God. Keeping a simple faith, a childlike faith.. I think, living this way will help me to keep my heart right.. Always thankful to not just the big things, but also the little things in life...

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God".

Let us not allow the "intelligence" of this world, to take away the credits that actually belong to Him. Let us not forget that in the first place, all intelligence, all technology, everything & everything. God is the Creator of them all.

I believe.

.. A Chance ..

2011-07-03T01:47:00.002+08:00

We just want to be good shepherds for the Lord...

Can you just give us a chance?

.. Matthew 6:33 ..

2011-06-23T00:12:00.000+08:00

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."

This verse has always been the foundation of my life. My life is built upon this Word.

Perhaps, all these years, 12 years as a Christian, God has never ever shortchanged me.

As I make a decision to choose to seek His Kingdom first... Thus far He has never failed me.

Though there are (so many) times that I failed... He never fails. :)

Though there were very stretching moments at times... He always walks me through.

Last night during the leaders' meeting, as we were praying.. I just felt the HS putting into my spirit man...

Why is it that this verse has to be spoken by Jesus, and recorded in the Bible?

For us, living in this world, in this fast-paced society.. I guess all of us will want to strive to succeed. And there will always be so many temptations that will come along the way, creep into our lives... 'Convincing' us that we are too busy to serve, too busy to care...

Seek first the KOG thus often gets neglected, and overlooked in our lives...

When we were younger, we served to the best of our ability...

When we stepped into working life, very often we ended up consumed by the cares of this world...

I just felt this verse really serves as an encouragement... a reminder... and an affirmation to everyone of us...

He will take care of us. As we seek to take care of others...

I'm very thankful to God that all these years of walking with Him, I am blessed with good role models in my life.

They showed me what is meant by seeking the KOG first... They already have a family of their own. With kids & career, yet they juggled so well with their ministry too...

My prayer is that, more people will truly discover His grace, that is always more than sufficient..

My prayer is that, I will continue to be a good shepherd to my people.. That is really the cry of my heart.

.. Ezekiel Wenzel Ng ..

2011-06-19T02:07:00.000+08:00

My 3rd nephew is born! He is such a lovely boy!.. :)

Thankful for these 3 little angels... They brought tremendous joy into the family! :)

.. LOUD Camp 2011 ..

2011-06-15T17:41:00.001+08:00

Campers from AZ District

LOUD Camp 2011. A camp for the youths in CHC.

WOW! What a journey it has been! :) :) :)

I think this is the FIRST youth camp I attended, in a sense, getting really involved in it... Helping with all the coordination & stuff.. So much frustrations at the very beginning... Going into it with a really really unwilling heart. LOL.. My oh my... I need to repent! :P

It's really not easy to work with the 3 other zones.. I guess when we hardly knew each other, different flow, different style... Working together is really not easy. I felt totally displaced in this camp. Thoughts like "if it wasn't for my zone & members, I wouldn't want to be here" keep hovering in my mind..

BUT. When I saw the power & presence of God that really came. The way He touched the spiritually hungry youths. The way they were ministered by God. I teared. I was so impacted.

In the midst of having fun. The most precious of all is really His touch from heaven.

I felt God really challenging my heart... to have a heart for the youths. All these while my heart is more channeled to young adults. I felt God stirring my heart.. Not just the young adults. He wants me to enlarge my heart capacity for the youths too. Perhaps that is why He is adding on Ai Hui's & Mark's members to me? :)

I am definitely challenged, yet encouraged. This life that I live, I want to live it according to how He wants me to.

His will, and not mine...

Thank you Jesus. For renewing my heart & passion for the young people once again.

This full-time ministry journey is really getting more exciting, meaningful & fulfilling. :)

I love serving God. I love serving His people. I pray that I can be a good shepherd to the people.

Another precious thing is definitely... the opportunity to work with Catherine's people & getting to know them! Very thankful for these new friendships built.... :) :) :)

At the end of the day... Love is indeed what we choose! So excited for all that God is going to do in CHC and in our lives! :)

.. 肥佬ship @ Xin Wang Cafe ..

2011-06-01T02:05:00.000+08:00

Had a Dinner + 肥佬ship + Short Sharing with EC zone leaders & helpers today...

It was really a great time! Really enjoy spending time with this group of like-minded people... with a heart for God & His people! :)

Greater & greater days ahead I'm believing! Thankful to God for this awesome bunch of people to serve God together with. :)

.. Awesome! ..

2011-05-31T01:53:00.000+08:00

Full time ministry has been.... really awesome! :)

Loving it! Every bit of it! :)

Definitely not everything is perfect.... but when you see lives getting changed, getting touched & transformed by the power of God, everything is just so worth it!

It's been nearly 4 months... and praise God, I had already passed my probation, so now I'm a confirmed staff. :)

Means... I can apply leave now. But I also really like the flexibility of the working hours... Not those rigid 8-5 kind. :)

And I am..... planning to go back to Adelaide in late Nov to visit my friends there. Missssss them loads really!

Wheeeeeee!

.. The Undented Dent ..

2011-05-31T01:48:00.000+08:00

I just want to testify this amazing thing... Miracle or not, I still wanna give thanks to God! :D

I drove quite a bit last Sunday.. being my sister's "chauffeur", fetching her & Samuel to Toa Payoh, and then to some other places... by the time we got home, it was about 8pm, and I was quite tired actually... I dropped them at our block downstairs, and then I drove to park the car at our HDB carpark.

Then! I found a lot, and it was at a little weird angle... so I drove up the slope a bit, and reversed the car. THEN! I didn't realised there was this kerb! And the right side front of the car HIT the kerb! :(

AHHHH!

I drove up the slope and parked the car at the next level. When I got off the car, I saw some orange-y coloring.... and this DENT! My heart sank! Imagine! The whole day you were driving and nothing happened.... and when you parked the car at the end of the day, this accident happened!..

AND IT IS NOT MY CAR! :( :( :(

I confessed to my sister when I got home..... Was so apologetic.... Told her I will foot the cost of repair... $200 maybe?... But I really felt a bit sianz la... Such a silly accident that could actually be avoided...

Today! When my sis & bro-in-law got home, I asked them did they see the dent? Both of them said that they only saw some coloring, but did not see any dent leh? I say huh can't be??? The dent was so obvious, and though I tried pushing it back into position, it wasn't successful. When I last saw the dent yesterday, it was just so obvious... how could they not see it??

So just now, I can't wait anymore.. I asked Wen to accompany me to the carpark. We went to the car... and YES!!! THERE WAS REALLY NO DENT?!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!! :) :) :) Just some coloring & scratches... but NO DENT! :D

So now, just need to do some repainting on the scratches.. My sunken heart was restored & rejuvenated! HAHA!!

Just want to thank God for this!! YEAH! God is good, all the time! All the time, He is good!! :)

Wheeeeee!

.. S.O.L.D! ..

2011-05-25T02:05:00.000+08:00

This is the property that my sister and I had invested 2 years ago...

Mountbatten Suites.

And we finally sold it! :) :) :)

It came really as a blessing... and we are just so thankful for it!

God is really good.

Praying that the process will just flow smoothly for the next 3 months.

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" ~ Ps 27:13-14

.. My Adorable Nephew ..

2011-05-15T17:45:00.000+08:00

This is my very adorable nephew... Samuel!

Played nanny to him yesterday... Picked him from MindChamp and brought him to play the motorbike at Toa Payoh Central. Then drove & sent him back home.. But, AGAIN!! Went the wrong way.. Haha.. Ended up driving towards PIE towards Changi, where I should go PIE (Tuas). Thankfully I got an iPhone now!! :P So can use the google map to direct me back to the right path....

Samuel was sitting beside me... I told him that Ah Yi went the wrong way... Need to find the right way back home... Then he said in his very Singaporean English, "You know how to drive or not......"

LOL! This sentence really made me laughed. He is turning 4 years old.. It's a fun age because we can have a conversation with him now.

Thank God! With e iPhone.. Managed to get back on the right track. From Ang Mo Kio area, managed to find the right path back to PIE (Tuas)...

Thank God for journey mercy... Thank God for technology!! :)

.. EC Zone ..

2011-04-18T17:38:00.000+08:00

Finally! Had our zone outing for the very first time... and it was a great start!! :)

Weather was great! But sun was very HOT too! HAHA.. Guess we prayed too "powerful" that it will not be a rainy day... Must remember to be more specific with our prayers.. To pray for good weather, SUN will be there, but to be covered by clouds! HAHA..

Many of us are burnt! :P

This outing will be "perfect" if more people can come.. It's always hard to get everyone to come. Nevertheless, glad to have a first session with the leaders & key helpers. :)

Definitely... Wanna thank Pok, HL & Ng for helping me with the planning for the games... The outing wouldn't be possible if not for their support!

And Wen Wen, Shella & Vic for helping with the refreshments!

2 and a half months of full time ministry! Hmmm! It has been... a great experience. Ups and definitely downs.. But learning day by day to overcome the downs part... Sometimes I would have a thought, how long will I be able to stay in this? Then I would remind myself that this didn't come easy.. I can't just give it up so easily.

That's why am really really thankful & grateful for the few who have always been by my side.. serving together with me. It is them who give me the extra strength that I need. When I get really frustrated, then I would think of them, then I would tell myself. I must hang in there because of them...

I need to pray more... So many burdens at times. At the end of the day, I felt it's also a matter of how much I will pray & cast them all to Jesus. I can't do it by myself... I need more of Him..

Jesus always encourages.. I will jia you!

Loveeeee this song! Sang it for the first time in service last week. First heard it while I watched Presence online... thought the song was really powerful! When we sang it, it really ministered to my heart so much!

Be really blessed as you listen to it... :)

So faithful, so constant, so loving and so true

So powerful in all You do

You fill me, You see me

You know my every move

You love for me to sing to You

Chorus:

I know that You are for me

I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come now

Even if to write upon my heart

To remind me who You are

Verse 2:

So patient, so gracious, so merciful and true

So wonderful in all You do

You fill me, You see me, You know my every move

And you love for me to sing to You, Lord

Chorus:

I know that You are for me

I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come now

Even if to write upon my heart

To remind me who You are

.. April Fools' ! ..

2011-04-01T01:48:00.000+08:00

Happy April Fools' Day!

Haha... I must be really wu liao to blog this up... :P

It's April already! Wow... First quarter of the year is gone!

.. A New Day! ..

2011-03-25T05:05:00.000+08:00

I really love our new place....

SUNTEC CITY! :) :) :)

Though the first weekends services were a little overwhelming, in terms of the crowd & the number of ppl who were turned away...

I'm sure things will pick up so much better in the days ahead! :)

God is indeed faithful to us... Believing for really exciting & greater glorious days ahead!

Woohooooo!

.. Let Him Be Lifted Up ..

2011-03-14T23:52:00.000+08:00

Hosanna
In the Highest
Let our King be lifted up
Hosanna

Really love this song a lot. Speaks a lot to my heart...

Desire of all that we do? That Jesus Christ be lifted up in all that we do.

It's already March 2011. And praise God we will be moving into Suntec City this week! :)

Though not in CHC since 1989 when it was started, it has still been a very memorable 11+ years of my life. Pastor Kong preached a really good message yesterday. Restoration of the different areas that we need to do as a church, as an individual. Though he had preached on the gates of the temple before, it was great hearing them again.

So for now, I am really excited, for the move to Suntec. It is indeed a new chapter of our lives.

A few hoo-ha again in FB recently.. Which caused me to really wonder, what is the "forceful increase" all about. Since I came into CHC 11 years ago, what had made me stay till now, is, love. Even till today, I believe church is all about love.

Why blame the system, when it takes 2 hands to clap? It takes an individual to choose how he or she wants to respond to any situation in life.

Let's all move on in life leh. We want to move on. Can the people out there, please stop criticizing us? Ironically, very often it's not the non-Christians who criticize us.

If you believe in grace, and keep talking about grace, then can you please practice it also?

We are all believers, in Christ Jesus. We are brothers & sisters. All churches serve the same purpose. To lift Jesus up in all that we do.

Please stop talking about the past & move on. Do what God wants you to do, ok?

We want to. :)

.. Significant 33 ..

2011-03-07T00:37:00.000+08:00

33 is a significant number.

To the Christians, it is the age where Jesus Christ was crucified. He died on the cross for our sins. But praise God that Jesus did not remain in the tomb.

He died, He was buried. But on the third day, He rose again! :)

I felt it was like the same for my parents too. Early this year, they went through a really really tough patch, where I thought this might just be it! My mum who has been praying for my dad's salvation, though discouraged, she will still keep believing & praying. And her heart has always been willing to be softened by the Lord's prompting & leading.

But after an incident early this year, she was so so angry & disappointed in my dad that she told us some of the plans she had in mind. Though we tried to talk to her, she is very stubborn and insistent in her ways. She even mentioned that who knows, maybe this is what God wants her to do, so that our dad will change & cherish her more. Because she is so firm in her decision, we felt that there's nothing we can do.

And I thought, well, if she really wants to do it this way, we should just respect her decision... Right?

So began a period of cold war between the 2 of them that really lasted for quite a while... But, God is always an amazing God. Though we can't see it, He is always doing works of restoration & reconciliation that we can never fathom.

My mum had 2 encounters with God that really "crushes" her stubbornness. When she shared with me the encounters, I was just so touched, and amazed of how God can really turn things around.

Many times we often come to an end of ourselves because we know that it is not within our control. But God wants us to know that, just commit these things to Him. He will work it out for us.

My parents' marriage is one that, we know that it is only because of God's grace, that it can come so far. There are too many occasions that divorce is just the next option for the both of them. I'm thankful that, they are still together today. And still want to believe that, dad will receive Christ someday. I want to see my parents going to church together, happily loving God and serving Him.. together... A godly, loving couple. :)

.. Goodbye Expo! SUNTEC here we come! ..

2011-03-01T02:13:00.000+08:00

Just had our last Expo service yesterday!

And 2 more weeks of 6 services in JW... and indeed, SUNTEC CITY we are coming! :D

Believing that it will be such a new beginning... Moving on, to greater heights and glory!

Hasn't been blogging as often as I used to do!.. Time flies! Stepping into the 3rd month of 2011 already!

I am really loving serving God full-time. Enjoying very much. As I met up the different individuals, caused me to also ponder upon lots of thoughts recently..

Honestly, so much has change over the years.... As people grew & matured, leadership style also has to change.

But, at the end of the day, these basics still stand. Loving God. Loving People. Meeting the needs. Building relationships. Making a difference. Making an impact.

Most importantly, bringing Jesus into the hearts of people.

God is really a good God. His love is overwhelming. His grace is always there.

Not a perfect church, but we are learning to be better. Believing God greater days are indeed ahead. A brand new chapter in the history of CHC, and also our lives.

.. First 2 weeks ..

2011-02-20T23:44:00.000+08:00

It's been 2 weeks of full-time ministry...

and it's been really fulfilling. :)

Met up many people, though still a lot a lot more to meet up! HAHA...

But I really enjoy it... Building relationships with the people.

Also the flexibility of the time to start the day... Though it may mean that I have to work everyday in order to accommodate to the schedule of others. But I guess as I get busier in the days ahead, will arrange for at least a day off so that I can have time to myself, and my family too.

Pastoral duties. It's such a broad term? Haha... Will just do the best that I know how. Cause it's really about doing this together with God.... :)

Met up some leaders and helpers at Suntec office yesterday for a time of devotion.... Hope it was a good meeting and a word of encouragement for all of them! Really love this group of awesome people... Some have been with me for the last 6-7 years already. And new people whom I have the opportunity to start serving together with. Really praying that as a zone we will always stay connected and united.... Loving God and people will be the core of our hearts.

Our love for God must be translated down to the love for people. Praying that God will help us to be better shepherds as the days go by.

28 more days to the BIG SHIFT. God is really good. He's always faithful, and true.

.. 2011 新年快乐 ..

2011-02-07T23:58:00.000+08:00

Took this picture during the reunion dinner that we had, and it was the earliestttttt reunion dinner ever! Cos Mad + family needed to go back to Kluang 2 days before 初一... so we had our dinner 3 days before the actual CNY.

Looking at the picture, can really see what multiplication is all about! HAHA... From a family of 5, now we have 8! And with Mad's number 3 coming out in June, our next reunion dinner will be 9 people. In fact, 10!! Cos most prob Jason will be joining us for the 1st time.... HAHA... Hmmm... Will it be "11"? HAHA... I hope so???!!! :P

Anyway!! The CNY holidays is over....

and YES!!! I am going into the office tomorrow morning.......

One word.

Wheeeeeeeee!

Been really looking forward to it..... Initially supposed to go into the office on 1st Feb, but changed to 8th Feb cos CNY was just around the corner! So I got to enjoy another week of "holiday" lah. But just so glad that I am going to start my official working life again tomorrow.... YAY!

Once again stepping into the next phrase of life! A dream since 2002 that has been fulfilled. I know that God will walk me through indeed.... :)

.. AZ Zone Thanksgiving ..

2011-01-31T02:49:00.000+08:00

Attended AZ zone thanksgiving cum appreciation dinner today at SMU..... Felt it was a really good time! :)

Get to meet new people... Though I am still a little shy to talk more actually. HAHA.. But, still, good to see "old" friends especially some of the leaders...

Felt the best part of the day was the testimonies shared.... Heart-warming moments. BEST of all, will definitely be Pastor Aries' sincere, heart-warming thanksgiving speech!

I am really thankful for this great man of God... He is really such a role model for all of us.

Been in CHC for the last 11 years... Going to be my 12th this year. Changed zone 2 times... Praying & believing that me & my leaders will definitely be planted in this zone forever & forever! :)

Had a great great night..... Believing that this year will indeed be an awesome year for all of us.... the AZ zone! :)

It's been a great month!

2011-01-30T11:26:00.001+08:00

Have not been blogging for a long long while!

Waiting for Xuelin in e cafe now.. Am thinking can blog a little bit while waiting for her..

It has been a really good & fruitful month so far.. Birthday is over, praise God for all e celebrations & blessings! Been also meeting up many people, which makes this month even more fruitful. :)

Going to start my work officially this Tues.. Though a little nervous, am definitely excited too!! Felt that entering into this path, though been a long wait, it could not be as significant as now! Really thank God & praise God.. Felt that He is truly guiding my life & steps.

2011 is indeed going to be e best ever! God is indeed good, all e time! :)

.. An Awesome Service, An Awesome God ..

2011-01-17T16:05:00.000+08:00

Service yesterday with Pastor Kong was really awesome!

It was not just the word; the presence of God that was there....

The tangible encounter with Him, once again.

Many times, we are really so limited in our thoughts and mind. We thought that we can only do this, but God says, you can do even greater than this.

I am in awe. Also, really excited for the things ahead. This journey with Him.

And thanks W116 for celebrating my birthday! :)

.. Setback ??? ..

2011-01-12T13:59:00.000+08:00

Saw this tweet by Pastor Zhuang, and it just hit directly to my heart!

What you thought is a setback is actually a setup for something even greater!

I am excited for the year ahead. Really excited..... :)

More of You, and less of me.... LORD.

AMEN.

.. Ten days have passed ..

2011-01-11T00:17:00.000+08:00

Ten days of 2011 have passed...

Been "resting" at home ever since I came back to Singapore... Met up some people, but most of the time have been helping to look after 2 nephews and fetching Sam Sam from school. Especially now that Mad & Ryan are away holidaying in HK.. Been tasked to fetch Sam Sam to MindChamps class, bring the boys out, to church, swimming, feed them, etc etc. Realised that parenting is really not an easy thing. Kudos to all parents out there. You are just so amazing!! :)

Thank God Wen Wen & Siti are around to help too. HAHA.

Mad & Ryan will be back tomorrow night! YEAH!!!

Been sleeping a lot, far too much... HAHA. I don't like to wake up so late actually, felt the day is so wasted away. But well, now that I can "rest", will just rest a bit more. Hee hee... to "compensate" for the busier days ahead. :P

Really hope to have "something" settled soon... Really need to have an idea of what I am going to do so that I can start planning and have visions for the things I need to do.

Yea.. Will keep it in prayers. :)

.. Sing Out ..

2011-01-04T23:23:00.000+08:00

Love this song! :)

Misses Paradise worship...

Hope they will come to minister in CHC someday... :)

.. First Service of the Year : AWESOME!! ..

2011-01-03T00:14:00.000+08:00

For the last 5 months, I had been catching S4 online services while I was still in Adelaide. Today, finally I get to attend the service, in person. The feeling was really awesome. :)

Had the opportunity to meet up Pastor Aries for a short prayer before the service starts with few other leaders. This man is really awesome. I can't find another better word to describe him. I really look forward to receive and be impacted by his ministry. I want to learn to be pastoral like him. :)

Pastor Kong preached a really good message today. I really love this man. My spiritual father. :) If not for his ministry, I can't imagine how my life will be like. I know, definitely Jesus is the one who has changed my life. But it is through this man's ministry that I came to know God, and grew deeper in Him, thus starts the journey of me finding my purpose in God and in life.

Thank you Pastor Kong. :)

Anyway, back to the message. The main gist of it, there are 5 types of people in the world:

1, Those with no dream.

2. Those with low dreams.

3. Those with wrong dreams.

4. Those with vague dreams.

5. Those with God's dreams.

I pray, we will be people with God's dreams.

I want to be one. :)

Really believing God that 2011 will really be an awesome year. Especially with the moving to Suntec City in 89 days!!! :) Indeed as a church, we will launch forth into achieving & fulfilling greater dreams in our lives... and for God!

Great start of the year with an awesome service!!! Excited for the days ahead!!! :)

.. Getting Ready for 2011 ..

2010-12-31T03:38:00.000+08:00

Time flies!! It's the 31st of DECEMBER!!! Last day of 2010!!!

So many things had happened in this year alone. Though a very very challenging year for our church as a whole, still thanking God for the many many who had remained.

Had a meet up with 3 sisters today, we had been friends for one decade. Our paths crossed in church. Though things may have changed, all of us had matured & grown & changed through the years, I am thankful that our love for our church & pastors remains. And that is really really encouraging to me. :)

God is good, always good. All things will work together for good.

I am looking forward to an amazing year once again with Him. My awesome God. :)

Thank God for fulfilling my degree dream. He not only fulfilled it, He did it in a way that surpassed what I could ask or think.

2 years in Adelaide. This is indeed true. The latter days will always be better than the beginning. It was so tough initially, in fact for the first 3 semesters, but everything turned out so well in the last few months. I thought that I will never miss Adelaide, but now I do. Which is good, cos the harshness & (somehow) cruel reality of life I experienced were replaced by good & wonderful memories, especially those shared with my LG friends & Paradise Church. :)

It doesn't really matter how it started, but it's how it ends that matters more.

Adelaide is definitely a very beautiful part of my life. Thankful to God for that. :)

And now... 2011. Gonna be another awesome year! I'm excited! Really excited..... :)

Looking forward to a meet up!! Praying that, if it's the time, it will be, for me...

New Year! New Resolutions! Gonna start planning them! Still in relaxed mode! Hee heeee! :P

.. Back in Singapore... for GOOD! ..

2010-12-24T12:59:00.001+08:00

I am back home!!! :) :) :)

Will blog again soon... Lots of things to update!

It's been such a great and blessed 2 years journey of my life... God is indeed good!

I've GRADUATED!!! :)

.. IT IS TODAY!!!! ..

2010-12-17T23:52:00.000+08:00

Finally!!! Been counting down for sooooo long! And my mum, aunt, Mad & Samuel will be arriving in Adelaide today! To be exact, 5 hours' time!!!!!!

Time really flies!

And I am going home in 6 days' time!!

Rented a car to serve us for the next 6 days of travelling... It is a good car! :)

Praying that indeed God's protection will be upon us... Journey mercy with all the travelling. Minimum car-parking fees (HAHA)... Praying for His grace & favor indeed! AMEN!

.. Last Day in Kim Wang! ..

2010-12-16T23:54:00.000+08:00

Finally! Today is my last day in Kim Wang. :)

Am HAPPY, cos it is not a work that I really enjoy doing........ But for the sake of earning the income to cover the rental & expenses, I just got to do it.

Thankful to God that I can tahan so long.... HAHA. Many times I have a rush thought to just want to QUIT!

Started working in this supermarket since June last year. Till date, I had counted. I had earned close to A$10K!! To be exact, it was A$9,823! Woohooooo!

That's really one of my biggest encouragement... A pat on my shoulder. HAHA...

Of course, other than that, one great thing is the opportunity to know more friends! :)

I always believe that God can definitely bless me with another good job, if He wants to. But there must be a reason why He placed me here... And it has indeed been a great molding to my character......

Nevertheless, I am thankful for this part-time job. HAHA. I used to be one who don't know the names of the vegetables!! What to do when I hardly do any cooking at all before I came to Adelaide!! HAHA... But now I know a lot already. Chinese Spinach, Chinese Broccoli, Snake Beans, Chives, Choy Sum, Bok Choy, etc etc etc....

I think next time when I go to NTUC, whenever I look at the veggie, I will definitely think of Kim Wang!

Family's reaching Adelaide on Saturday morning!!! So....... EXCITING!!! :)

.. 宿舍好静啊 ..

2010-12-14T21:50:00.000+08:00

Yizhi left this morning... So her shoes outside her door were all cleared. When I came back from work, I saw the stretch of rooms from room no.2 to no.7, the passage way was so "clean". No slippers. No shoes.

So many hostel mates had returned home for holiday....

The hostel is so quiet now... :(

Life's been pretty slow for the past few days... Business at the supermarket where I worked was super slow too... Wonder where did all the people go?? Maybe a lot of students had gone back to their home country for holiday. Some also said that because AUD$ had gone so high, so more Aussie people took the chance to go travelling cos their money is BIGGER now!

2 more days working at Kim Wang. Looking forward to Thurs!!

I miss the sound and the noise of the hostel mates... Miss the laughter, miss the birthday celebrations etc...

宿舍好静啊。。。。。。

.. Wheeeeee! ..

2010-12-12T13:06:00.000+08:00

Wheeeee! GOD IS GOOOOOOOD! :) :) :)

.. I HAVE GRADUATED!! (Part 2) ..

2010-12-10T22:48:00.004+08:00

Results out for Ethics course! Praise God for a Distinction!!! :) :) :)

.. I HAVE GRADUATED!! ..

2010-12-10T22:35:00.001+08:00

Praise the LORD!!!

I have GRADUATED!!! :) :) :)

I had 2 dreams last night... and in each dream, I failed 1 of the courses. One was Global Issues, and the other was Management Control Systems. When I woke up, I was a little nervous, because sometimes my dreams do come to pass....

But really thank God! These 2 results were released already and I got credit for both of them!!!

Global Issues was really a miracle. I failed Assignment 1 (quite badly), and Group Assignment 2 was surprisingly not done well. So for me to get a credit for this course, I calculated that I need to score at least 80% in the exams. I was prepared to settle for a pass for this course... but deep in my heart I really was hoping that I can at least get a credit so I can maintain a good GPA. This is indeed a miracle, all glory to GOD!! :)

And for Management Control Systems!! The course that got me really really stressed and depressed! But thank God to the prayers of many, I scored a credit too!!! :) :) :)

Still awaiting the results for Ethics course, but I have already passed that course with my 3 assignments. So now just praying for a good grade!

WOW! GOD IS SO GOOD! He has fulfilled a long-time dream of mine! THANK YOU JESUS! :)

Looking forward to attending the graduation ceremony on 20th Dec!! :)

Thank you for standing with me and praying for me!! :)

.. First Cycling Experience in Adelaide ..

2010-12-09T20:34:00.000+08:00

Being a cycling lover, it is indeed unusual for me to be cycling for the first in Adelaide today!

But I am thankful for the opportunity... at least get to do it once before I leave Adelaide in exactly 2 weeks' time! 2 more Thursdays, at this time I will be settling down in my Boon Lay house!

Wow. Time really flies. What a great and memorable 2 years it has been in Adelaide! These 2 years will indeed be such a great part of my life!

Thank God indeed... He is so good. :)

.. Leaving Adelaide in 2 weeks' time ..

2010-12-06T22:27:00.000+08:00

Hostel mates had left one by one, back to their home country during this summer break.

I used to be one of them. I remembered I returned to Singapore last year on the 1st of Dec. If I am not waiting for my graduation, guess I would already be in Singapore now!

But this time is different, feels really different for me. Cos I know that I am graduating, and will be returning to Singapore for good.

Suddenly, I realized. Just dawned upon me that I will missssssss here so much. Especially the friends here. :(

What an irony right?!! I used to be counting down to the days of my returning.

Of course I am still looking forward to go back to Singapore! But I really feel a little sad, very sad actually, that I will not be back to see my friends here anymore........

But, I guess it's a good "sadness" lah. Cos I used to be very determined that I will not come back to Adelaide for holiday. But now I think, why not, maybe I will come back for visitation again someday. Come and see the city campus holding its service in the new building since I will not be able to attend the first service that's going to be held in January next year. Come back and visit my church friends, especially Northrington LG. Come back to visit my AOSA mates. :)

Adelaide. So many memories indeed. Were really tough & challenging days, but, God is good and has always been so good. Thinking back, I am really thankful to how He has brought me through, and the people He has brought into my life.

Results' going to be released this Sat! Wah. Really can't wait.

And family will be reaching Adelaide NEXT SATURDAY! YES NEXT SATURDAY! WAHHHHH! Time really flies! Can't wait to see them! :D

Father God, thank You for the opportunity that I can have this overseas education experience. Indeed I am blessed. Thank You for the friends whom I had met here, especially those whom had really made a deep impact in my life. There are so many so many things I can thank You for. And as I make my way back to Singapore in 2 weeks' time, I pray You will guide my path, to where I should be in, and what I should be doing. Father, it's really like a new and fresh beginning for me, once again. I pray I will be able to adapt well and quick enough. I do feel a little nervous.... but I pray you will give me Your peace indeed. Everything indeed is going to be alright and will be alright.

In Jesus' name... Amen.

.. The Farewell ..

2010-12-02T21:25:00.000+08:00

Had the last Life Group meeting last evening... It was supposed to be a farewell for me, Rosadel & Rony who will be leaving at the end of the year. Rosadel had graduated and will be moving on to Darwin to work, while Rony is an exchange student and will be returning to India when the semester ends in December.

What a great night it was.... We had food (there will always be good food!!), games (I taught them the tribal game that YJ taught us many years ago... it was so fun! Thank you YJ if you are reading this! :) ), forfeit and some funny awards presentation... Then came the part that I dreaded the most and yes, the farewell......

Guess I knew that it was the last LG and I will be leaving soon, for good.... I just felt a little sad, real sad actually... Tears just started to flow naturally and though I was trying to hold them back, they still came.. Aiyoyo... As I grow older, I actually dread this kind of emotional scenario lo... Haha...

Anyway, it was really a great night. I am thankful for the appreciation speeches that the LG people gave me... I thank God that through my sharings & the little little things that I had done, it had blessed them in certain ways. This is what that will always assure and encourage me that I have live a life worthwhile, to impact & inspire the lives of people around me, for God.

Yep, had been such a great 2 years. I am really blessed, very blessed. Though had been really challenging and made me broken in many areas, this is always true: God is interested in our character more than our comfort. I felt that in these 2 years I encountered God and knew Him in a much deeper way, more than I had ever known Him. New revelations, new understanding of His goodness and grace especially.

And also, can 1 person make a difference? Indeed definitely. My LG leader, En Qi, is a real example. Only 25, yet her faith, her passion for God, for Oxygen ministry, for the international students really touched my heart a great great deal. A good leader can really make a whole lot of difference. And I pray by His grace, I will continue to be such a leader, and even better.

Thank you En Qi! You are really amazing!

Last night LG really ended late, very late! For the first time, we left Eva's place at close to 12 am! Thank God En Qi and David drove all of us back home. Then when I reached hostel, finally I had the chance to talk to Audrey!.. This girl huh, has been so busy till we haven't spoke for a long long while. But I'm glad we had a good catch-up, and also said a prayer for one another. Wow, I was really touched to see how she is growing in God. She only just came to receive Jesus into her life this year, and I always wanted to have more fellowship with her, but our time-table just doesn't fit. But God has been amazing, and has been touching her heart bit by bit, day by day. God really has His ways... Salvation is indeed in His hands.

Audrey Loo! I'm going to miss you so much!

This bidding farewell thingy really dampens my heart.... But I guess, this is what building relationships is all about. When emotions are triggered, means that sowing has been done in a person's life. This kind of relationship is much better than just "hi & bye" relationships. So I should be thankful, that we have been a part of one another's lives according to His timing, to His plan. God just make our lives so much more interesting, so much more meaningful, isn't He? :)

Last but not least, I also want to thank God that I am able to give Getting Started BS to Eva & Ann. My oh my... there is just such joy for me whenever I can give BS to teach the Word! They felt blessed by the lessons, I felt even more blessed to be sharing! Though it's going to be kinda rush... got to finish the remaining 8 lessons in 2 weeks' time, I pray that we will indeed finish the series and they will have a stronger foundation in God. It's always so encouraging to see young people like them to be hungry for more of God!

3 weeks remaining in Adelaide! Excited for the next phrase of my life.... Though things seems uncertain for now, I'm sure God will guide and lead my steps. Because He is a good God. :)

.. New Hair Cut ..

2010-11-30T22:47:00.000+08:00

Spot my new hair cut! Do I look younger? LOL.....

Hair's been getting a little messy... even when I tied it up, which I usually do, messy strands still hang around everywhere. Which really irritates me! Ha...

So.... wanted to tidy my hair a little, get it nicer for my graduation! Decided to ask my hostel mate Vivian if she is free to help me do some trimming. Vivian learnt hairdressing before when she was in Malaysia, and she is really talented! She trimmed my hair once last year and I liked it!

So last night we had the second hair-trimming session again in my room. And as usual, what I always do when I sat on the chair waiting for the hair-stylist, I will say a prayer! Haha. Ask God to anoint the hands of the hair-stylist and give me a nice hair-do.

But it was really funny last night. Maybe we chatted too much. And then Vivian kept cutting and cutting and cutting. Then suddenly! She realized she might have cut in the wrong way. By the time she stopped, and I looked at the mirror. WOW. So......... SHORT! HAHA. Need a bit of time to adjust and accept the new hair-do. She was so apologetic! Even though I kept telling her it's ok it's ok, I think it's really ok!

This morning when I got out of bed, went to brush my teeth. Looked at the mirror, WAH!!! My hair "POM" 起来！！！ HAHAHA... It's really funny! I laughed at myself. Wet my hair and pressed it down. Make sure the POM is gone!!!

I think the hair-do is really ok lah.... HAHA. At least makes it really obvious that I had a hair-cut! I had been keeping the same hair style for the last many years, and even when I did some trimming, no one really knows I had a hair cut, unless they are really observant, or when I tell them!

Whoever saw me today, they first thing they say is, YOU CUT HAIR AH! LOL....

Good lah. I think this hair-do is really ok! Haha. Praying that by the time 20th Dec came, it will grow and be in the best condition for photo-taking! Hee hee....

Time flies!!! It's 1st DEC! :D Counting down to the arrival of my family!! :) :) :)

.. 好开心！..

2010-11-26T22:37:00.000+08:00

开心！！！真的好开心！！！哈哈哈。。。

EXAMS' finally over!!!

Praying by the grace of God, indeed I will clear all 3 papers and graduate on 20th Dec! :)

Today's paper was good! Yeah. It's on ethics. Quite an interesting course actually... Can ethics be taught? Yes definitely it can be... Does anyone need to learn ethics? DEFINITELY!!! I actually learnt so much from this course too.

Wow... Last paper! How do I feel?? Really great!!! Exams' really torturing for me... Haha. Nothing has depressed me as much as exams have?? So I am really so glad that they are over for me, for now. :)

Results will be out on 11th Dec. Praying that it shall be....... GOOD! :)

.. Last Paper to GO! ..

2010-11-25T17:54:00.000+08:00

Finally, for the first time in my Uni life, I have a hostel mate who is doing a same course as me. So we are course mates, and through her I get to know 3 other friends doing this same Ethics course. And we have been meeting a couple of times to prepare for our exam paper tomorrow.

This is a picture taken today in the library.

These gals aged between 20-23. And YES I am so much older than them. HAHA. That's why, see, they asked me to sit in the middle and they stood around me and gave thumbs-up!

It is indeed so good to have friends to study with?? Haha.. Though sometimes we ended up getting distracted and chatting away... Yea, I think it's still a very good support to have. :)

Finally I am not such a loner in this last semester. HAHA... GOD IS GOOD!

Last paper tomorrow at 2pm! WOOHOO! Can't wait for everything to be over!!! :) :) :)

.. Feels so GOOOOOD! ..

2010-11-22T11:37:00.001+08:00

Today's paper was............... OK!

Praise the Lord!!!!!

Can't exactly say that I answer all correctly.... But at least I kept track of the time & avoided what I went through last semester for Strategic Mgmt... I left one 20marks question blank! And only left 8 mins to write 3 short paragraphs in another 20marks question. It was indeed His grace that I passed that course!!!

At least now I have a good feeling..... that I should be able to graduate indeed this December. :) :) :)

All by His grace indeed. How will my life indeed be, without Him? I really cannot imagine.......

Last paper to go! Thanks to all who had prayed with me and for me all these while. Your prayers and support really gave me such strength!

Thanks to my family for their support indeed! They are my most beloved!!! :) :) :)

.. He is the Strength of my heart ..

2010-11-21T10:58:00.000+08:00

Just got back from church service and it was indeed refreshing. Ready to take on the new week ahead.

He is indeed the Strength of our heart.

Just a day more to go... Will just do the best whatever I can today. Have a good night rest and get up early for tomorrow's paper.

Praying that indeed things will be fine, everything will be alright. Just got to let go.... and let God take control.

Appreciate all the support & encouraging posts on my FB wall. Thank you all! :)

Been checking my Uni mailbox and the forum that I had posted. Till now, no reply from that Basil lecturer. It is really such an irony. While he was teaching us, he made comments & promises that if we have any issues, we can always approach him for help. He said that even after we graduated, we can still look for him should we need advice in anything.

Something that really convicted me after this incident. Don't talk big if you are not going to do it. It really disgusts me.

When we say and commit something, let's do it. Don't just be talkers, but really doers.

I thank God that He never fails to His words and promises. He is indeed the One we can depend on all the days of our lives.

It has indeed been such a journey here in Adelaide. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. 4 seasons in the natural. 4 seasons also in the spiritual sense. May this Winter passes soon and let Spring comes. I am really looking forward to it.

Thank God He is always good and He never fails. Sometimes I wish I don't always have to rely on a miracle in my studies. Ha........

Jesus. Just one more paper. I ask that You will indeed bring me through once again.

Amen.

.. Immerse Stress ..

2010-11-19T16:06:00.002+08:00

Was in the library at 10am this morning, was doing revision all the way till about 4pm where I cannot take it anymore. Need a break. Need to pray. Need to come before God to have a good release.

Am really concerned for the paper on Monday. It is not a difficult course. Management Control Systems. After going through all the seminars, I can relate to what I had seen in Citibank, and come to understand why certain processes and practices are put in place. It shouldn't be hard at all.

The lecturer told us that the exam is not a matter of memory, but understanding the concepts and applying them. And not any direction is given at all to the areas we should focus on. Everything is examinable. EVERYTHING.

I really hate lecturers like that. We are in Uni. Everything is so broad. There is so much covered in a semester of work. And he expects us to study EVERYTHING?

It is really such a irony. When I failed my first assignment, all my fears were driven at failing Global Issues for Accounting. I took the exam on Wed, the paper was ok. Thank God the lecturer really gave us some very good directions to focus on. So we can eliminate and concentrate on what we should revise. I met a friend in the library just now. Asked her about the figures for the foreign currency translation question and the journal entries. Was so relieved to hear that we got the same figures! Means that I should have got it right! 18 marks guaranteed. I think I should be able to pass the Global Issues course. Thank God for His grace indeed.

Except for the 1st seminar which I missed because I came back to Adelaide 1 week after school had started, I had attended all 12 seminars for this Mgmt Control Systems course. And I have scored a credit average for both the assignments combined. So I really cannot accept it if I fail this course because I fail the exam. I looked at the 2007 exam sample that was provided. I cannot seem to answer any of the questions at all. And no answer was provided for us as a reference guide.

I emailed both the lecturers in some sort of desperation for some advice & guidance. And you know what? Both are away from the office and will only be back on 22 Nov. The day where I will have the paper. Maybe I am expecting too much. But I think, the lecturers shouldn't be away just before our exams? Shouldn't they be around to help us? I can accept it if one lecturer is away. BOTH are away. Who can I find now?

So at 4pm, I can't take it anymore. I need to release my stress to God. I came back. Took my guitar. Worshiped for a while. Prayed. Tears streamed down.

It is not that I cannot accept failure. If I fail, surely I can do it again. I can go back to Singapore & take this course externally. At the most I come back to Adelaide again next year for graduation.

But tickets have been bought. My family is coming over. The thought of them coming and I can't graduate. I don't want to let them down.

Every semester I seem to go through the same cycle. First semester it was Macroeconomics. Then it was E-Business. Just last semester it was Strategic Mgmt. And now, this. Why can't I just have and enjoy a peaceful semester for once?

All thanks to His grace, I cleared all 3 courses. Strategic Mgmt was indeed a miracle. I pray, indeed if He has done it before, He can do it again.

But indeed God is good. Was comforted and encouraged by Him just now when I prayed. He brought to my remembrance of the 3 courses and I was really encouraged. Indeed be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to Him. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

I am so much more at peace now.

2 more days. Was contemplating should I work tomorrow, but I think a break from the books is good for me.

As the saying goes, do my best and let Him do the rest. I just got to do that right now.

Praying for a miracle again. Lord, please help me.

.. Exam finally starts TMR! ..

2010-11-16T16:36:00.002+08:00

FINALLY! My first paper is going to start tomorrow!!!

Not that I am fully prepared, I mean, who can be?!! At least it starts, means one by one will get over. :)

Can't wait for everything to be OVER!! Wheeeeee!

.. Bad Sore Throat ..

2010-11-13T21:35:00.000+08:00

Down with a bad bad sore throat... :(

It is so bad that it is so painful.... Throat really hurts and disrupted my sleep for the last 2-3 nights. :(

Lord, I pray that you will heal my throat.... Take away the pain! In Jesus' name I pray... Amen!

First paper in 4 days' time. FINALLY... Not that I am fully prepared yet. But I just want everything to be over soon.....

But for now, I hope my throat gets better so that I will feel much better to take on the exams too!

YEP! AMEN!

.. 爱心晚餐..

2010-11-10T19:21:00.000+08:00

This saying is really true.

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Our LG leaders did something that is really nice for all of us today.... Ern Chee cooked and prepared a dinner box for every one of us, and David drove & sent it all the way to where we stay.

YES! They did that for us!!!

We are so blessed. Northrington LG is blessed. :)

I felt so inspired and stirred. It just brought me back to the good old days when we were under Lorrain's leadership. Her personal touch that really ministers and touches everyone of our hearts.

We need people like them. We need leaders like them. Who makes a difference not only by the words that they say, but by the works that they do. :)

This dinner may just be a simple gesture, but to the international students who are preparing for exams, and where mum is not here to do the cooking, and where food is not as cheap & nice comparing to what we have back home, it meant a lot. I am really really touched, and truly appreciate it.

Thank you Ern Chee. Thank you David.

Thanks for being such loving and awesome shepherds over our lives. :)

I thank God for the things that I had seen and learnt through you. :)

.. Revision Revision Revision ..

2010-11-08T23:00:00.000+08:00

First paper is in 8 days' time!

Really wish exams can just get done & over with quickly!! Ahhhhh....

Uni Adelaide people already started their exams today! And most of them will finish by the end of this week. Means by the time I take my first paper, my Uni Adelaide hostel mates can go and celebrate already. -_-

My revision is picking up momentum... though still need to be more focused and disciplined... See, I am blogging now. Means I am distracted at this moment. Hee hee...

Okkkkk... Will continue now... Gambatte ok ELAINE CHUAAAAAA!

.. The Final Lap ..

2010-11-07T15:20:00.002+08:00

This is really the final lap.

Finally after 3 semesters and now in the 4th, the pursue after my bachelor's degree dream will end after this semester.

3 more papers to go. That's all. :)

I shall save the time to blog a long one after my exams. Too many things to thank God for. This is really a dream that came true.

If you are reading this post, please say a prayer for me because I truly believe in the power of prayer. :)

Our God answers prayers. :)

Pray that I will indeed clear the 3 papers and graduate this December. They are the final 3 modules. :)

Pray that even though I will still be working throughout the exam period, my capacity will be enlarged.

Pray that I will be really diligent & be focused in doing revision with whatever time remaining I have.

Pray that my revisions will be fruitful! MOST IMPORTANT!

My 3 papers are:

17th Nov, 9am: Global Issues for Accounting

22nd Nov, 9am: Management Control Systems

26th Nov, 2pm: International Management Ethics and Values

Going to start my revision again soon... Thank you for praying! :)

.. Oxygen Appreciation & Farewell ..

2010-10-31T20:00:00.000+08:00

We had the last OXYGEN meeting of the year last night in the new city campus at Currie Street. I knew that it was a farewell meeting, and had totally no idea about it being an appreciation night too.

Initially I thought it will be the few of us who will be leaving at the year of the year, standing together and the people saying a prayer for us! But then they did it separately!

And I was the FIRST one to be called out!

Aiyoyo.... So pai seh. :P

Anyway, Ern Chee & Janice came and stood beside me to give a thanksgiving & encouraging speech. And Xiao Wen led the people to say a prayer for me. It was a great prayer! I felt really blessed, touched & loved! Got some gifts... The one I love the most is the lovely flowers from the LG! :)

I honestly feel that I have not done much in this ministry, as much as I could. Had a rather tough time adapting to the different culture & style in Paradise & Oxygen in the very beginning.... but things really changed after Ern Chee became the leader of our combined LGs. Her passion for God and for this ministry really inspires me. We need people like that to keep stirring the fire within one another! That is why it is so true that there can never be a lone-ranger Christian. That is why we need to belong to a church, to a cell group, and have a group of close friends who are like-minded. Passion for Christ is contagious! :)

I also find myself loving Paradise more as I begin to learn to appreciate the differences in church culture.

Culture is really a BIG issue. In the business world, knowing and appreciating the culture in the different countries will determine whether an international business can survive & thrive in these countries. I realized that it is really the same in the church context.

So.... as much as Oxygen & Northrington LG appreciate me, I really also appreciate the things I had learnt through the pastors in Paradise, and the people in Oxygen & Northrington LG. I wish I had done more for them....

Life is not about regrets. It's about moving on. Learning from the different experiences and lessons that God brings us through daily.

Thank you Paradise. Thank you Oxygen. Thank you Northrington LG.

Thank You God, for placing me in this great church & ministry in Adelaide. I'll always remember how I went to visit the different churches when I first came, deciding which church to be planted in. And You indeed directed my steps & brought me to Paradise...

There's nothing much I want to ask for.... except that God to really help me in my weaknesses & flaws.

I hope that I will indeed be able to be a better CGL by His grace. Help me to be a better communicator and preacher of the WOG. Help me to be able to minister to the people. Help me in..... so much so much more.

.. The Countdown Begins! ..

2010-10-29T19:44:00.000+08:00

It's week 12, and next week will be the last week of school!

Time FLIES!!!

Exam starts in less than 3 week time, and I have 3 papers to clear before everything is indeed OVER! :)

Now awaiting for the results of 2 assignments to be released.... Really hope the global issues group assignment will get a good grade!

Anyway!! I am believing that indeed I will graduate this Dec. :) And I am counting down to these dates!!

18 Dec: Mummy, Mad, Samuel and Ah Yi arrive in Adelaide!
20 Dec: My GRADUATION!!
23 Dec: HOME SWEET HOME...... for GOOD! :)

WooHOOOOOoooooO!

.. I want to preach like her! :) ..

2010-10-24T12:03:00.001+08:00

This is Pastor Jane Evans! Senior Pastor of Paradise Community Church.

She preached in the city campus this morning, and it just dawned upon me today that she is really such a great preacher! I mean, I always feel that she preaches very well, but today I am really inspired by her! I want to learn to preach like her! :)

In the midst of listening to her preaching, I was also observing the way she preaches and her ability to connect with the people. Wow... I LOVE IT! I learnt so much today!

It is always inspiring to hear women preachers like Pst Jane. While we do not want to preach with the dynamics of a male preacher, we are women after all... I want to learn to preach with such femininity (womanliness)! HAHA...

I thank God for Paradise Community Church. I learnt so much from the people here. :)

Come to think of it, while I am sooooo looking forward to go back to Singapore this Dec, I also somehow feel a little nervous. I mean, it's a transition again to transit back to working life. Got to send resumes, go for interviews... While a part of me wants to go back to the banking industry, a part of me also hopes to have the opportunity to go into full-time ministry. But yet, even if there is really the opportunity, somehow I feel that... am I ready yet?

I mean, can I really make it as a church staff??

With the many things that have happened in CHC since Feb, and also seeing the flaws I have in my life....

I don't want to step into it, and then having to step out of it, because I cannot make it. :(

Though I may not know what lies ahead after I graduate, one thing I know for sure is that, I want to continue preaching the Word of God. :)

Yeap! Need to pray... Need to seek God. Which I know I will have all the time to focus and do so after my exams. :)

Exams' going to start in 3 weeks' time! Wheeeeee! HAHA as if I am very excited! But I am definitely looking forward to finish the 3 papers that I have!!! :) :) :)

.. Everything Beautiful in its Time ..

2010-10-17T22:05:00.002+08:00

Had finally finished the ethics assignment!!! Not too sure if I did it correctly though.... but it's my best effort, and I shall leave it to God's grace..

One more assignment to go! And a presentation!

Anyway, wanna take some time to blog this cos it's a significant day for Paradise South/City Church today! :)

Brief history... The South/City Church was started 5 years ago, in the heart of Adelaide. There wasn't any church building, so the church has been moving around for the last 5 years. When I first attended church service, it was rotating between Adelaide High School and UniSA west campus. Then it moved to the Irish Club, and then Hilton Hotel this year. Initially a rental was arranged with somewhere in Franklin Street, but things always did not get finalised, and no approval from the City Council.

I guess the frustration among the church pastors was really there... It is always better to have a fixed, permanent place for church services. So that people don't turn up at the wrong place as well.

Anyway, to cut the story short!! Just last week Pastor Ashley came and announced to us a great piece of news! And that is the Word Bookshop is moving out, and through God's prompting, the pastors just went in to ask for leasing the property.... and the "strippers" were almost about to tear down the shelves, fixtures, cafe and kid's playroom! The amazing thing is right now, we have gotten "our" place to hold service for the next 5 years, and the place really has great facilities! The Word Bookshop agrees to keep the facilities so that we can use it. So now we do not just have a place, we have a place with the necessary facilities!

God is really amazing! He moves in ways that we can never imagine indeed. Always higher, always greater! :)

This is the "main" audi. Wonder how it will look like after all the setting up is done!

The cafe! Imagine how much the church saves without having to build a brand new cafe! The coffee machine, fridge, etc etc are all there!

The kid's playroom! Can let Sam Sam play when he comes in Dec! HAHA...

It is really an amazing testimony. Reminds me just like how CHC got our church land and building. From JW... to Expo... and the coming SUNTEC CITY!

Pastor Jane shared something that is really good today as she led us in dedicating the place to God.

Everything is indeed made beautiful and perfect in God's timing.

She shared that they have been praying and seeking and praying and seeking... in fact, the church has been praying.... at least for the last 2 years since I came. and when it takes so long and the Franklin St deal hasn't come through, and the peace of God just isn't in their hearts...

What they didn't know is that, God has already prepared this place for them... the Word Bookshop. Located at Currie Street, a location so much better than Franklin St. With nearer proximity to Chinatown and Rundle Mall. Many carparking options around. HAHA.

What they didn't know is that, God KNOWS that WHEN the Word Bookshop is moving out, and has reserved such a time for a moment like this.

Instead of a place where they have to start building everything from scratch, now, God has blessed the church a much better place, so much better!

WOW! What an amazing God we are serving right! It takes indeed FAITH... and PATIENCE that will obtain the promises of God!

I am really blessed today. Cos Pastor Jane also somehow spoke to my heart... I have always been somehow feeling frustrated that... I felt I am so far away from my purpose in God. I wondered when will I be able to really live my life to the fullest for God. I really want to live out my life purpose. I am already 30!!

But today, I am reminded that... Everything is indeed made perfect, and beautiful in His timing. Not mine. :)

I will continue to hold on to the promises of God... and believe that I will be doing what He has called me to do. In the time to come. :)

YEAH! So I am very full on now..... Just wanna clear the last assignment and the last presentation so that I can start preparing for exams!

I KNOW I WILL GRADUATE THIS DECEMBER!! :D

WOOOHOOOO!

God is good! And I really want to be like Jacob. Like what Pastor Kong preached today... not to be a supplanter, but to have such a spiritual hunger for more of GOD!

I miss CHC! I miss my family back home.... I miss my church!

Paradise is great! I learnt a lot from the people here.... it really reminds me to going back to the basics.

2 more months in Adelaide... Time really flies.

Thank God for everything... Though it has not been smooth-sailing, that's what it is all about. It's not a bed of roses! But He will build us to go above the circumstances we are in.

In God indeed... I PUT MY TRUST!

.. Goodbye FarmVille... for NOW! ..

2010-10-10T22:06:00.000+08:00

The time has finally come... for me to say GOODBYE to my farm! For now at least till 26th Nov, after my last paper!!!

My beautiful farm... haha... the FB game that has kept me company for the last many months... my source of entertainment here in Adelaide!

I love it when Sam Sam saw me farming when I was back home for holiday... He would sit on my lap and look at the animals, and point out to me what the animals were! He would often distinguish all the different animals correctly, and imitate the sounds of them!

So adorable right!! Sam Sam is a smart boy! :)

I will let Dan Dan do the same too next time! Sit on my lap and let him tell me what the animals are! :)

Anyway, this game is taking too much of my time... or rather, I should say, I should concentrate all the time that I have (aside Uni, church and work) to do my remaining tutorials and assignments that I have now!

Praise God I finally completed and submitted a group assignment! Wah... this is one very tough group work.. but glad it's done. Prayerfully will get a good grade for it.

Another 2 assignments and a presentation to go go go!!!

OK. Good bye my pretty farm.... I will miss you. HAHA. Thanks for keeping me entertained all these while!

.. It is OCTOBER!!! ..

2010-10-04T03:52:00.001+08:00

It is now 6.09 am and I am still awake!!!

Haha.. cos I slept from 6pm to 10pm plus.. so guess I should just stay up and do my assignments!!

And praise the LORD! I completed my part on one group assignment! So now I can move on to the other 2 assignments while waiting for the rest to finish their parts..

It is now already the month of October! Time flies... 2 weeks holiday is over and school is re-starting! Thank God it's PH today so that we have another day off. WOOHOO!

Daylight saving starts again! So now the time difference with Singapore is back to 2.5 hours... But it's good that the day is longer now! Sky will only turn dark at 8pm.. so it's good! Safer to walk home from Uni or work! :)

And exam timetable is out!!! Finally! At least now I know when are my papers... and praise GOD!! My 3 papers are spread out so nicely! The hardest one is my first paper, which means I can focus my revision and clear it first! Then focus on the 2nd paper, after the 2nd then I can do my last bit of revision on the last paper! WOOHOO! Can't wait to finish this semester man!! :D

Gambatte gambatte!! Just few more weeks to gooooooo!

.. Beautiful Adelaide ..

2010-09-30T16:00:00.000+08:00

Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha... Ho ho ho... :)

My family has finally confirmed and booked their flights to attend my graduation in Dec. My return ticket has also been booked, FINALLY! This is such a motivation and booster for me! At least now I know when I am going back! :)

Even though not the whole family is coming, I am already very thankful... cos I know the cost will really be so high (it is already very high now even for the 4 of them). It's alright! I pray that we will continue to prosper and do so well in our careers.. and we can plan a family holiday sometime again in the near future!

These few days I have been thinking about the places that we can cover in Adelaide so that my mum, Mad and ah yi can have a memorable and good trip in Adelaide! And YES! I am so happy that Samuel is coming too! :D Initially I was thinking we can do a road trip to Melbourne cos I don't want them to feel too bored in Adelaide. HAHA. But after planning the initial itinerary, I realized that there are so many places we can cover and we won't even have time to travel to Melb! So... after exams I am going to start my "research" on the places to travel... and explore Adelaide and South Australia to the max that we can! Adelaide is not that boring after all! HAHA....

School holiday is ending soon....!! This week has been more fruitful.. meeting up group members for the assignments that we have. Hope to get the remaining assignments done and settled within the next 2-3 weeks, and then exam preparation can really start!

I am more concerned for the global issues course that I am taking in this sem... I pray that my first failed assignment will not be the fatal issue to cause me to fail this course??.. Thinking back, it was really just a bad "season" of my Uni life. I pray that God will indeed "deliver" me once again. This experience will definitely put me in a good position to encourage others next time who went through the same experience as me... and I pray that, this failure is enough.

Last lap to go! Gonna finish it well! :)

.. Goodbye Patsy! ..

2010-09-30T15:24:00.001+08:00

Went to send Patsy off yesterday morning at the airport.. when she was about to board her flight, I felt tears at the tip of my eyes but I managed to control it! Hee... Makes me also think for a moment that, though I always say how much I wanted to go home... I think I will really miss this place too.

Anyway, Patsy has went back to Indonesia to attend her sister's wedding, while waiting for her visa application status. She has graduated in August... and now looking for a job in Australia. Hmmm. I don't know what is God's will for her, but I pray that God will indeed lead her and guide her steps.

Patsy was the first person in the hostel whom I had a "proper" conversation with when I first reached Adelaide last year. The first "Christian" I met, and she helped me to get connected to the internet on the very first day so that I can get "connected" to the world and my loved ones back home. She then brought me to Paradise Community Church... I am thankful to God that our paths crossed. I know that she has a great heart for GOD! Though there are also much challenges, I'm glad that she is still going on strong in her faith and her walk. May these few months back in her home church will ignite her love for God even stronger. I believe Patsy is going to shine for Jesus everywhere she goes!

Do not know if we will get to meet again... But I know that the friendship will indeed go on till eternity!

Take care Patsy! Thanks for these 2 years of friendship and support! :)

.. Don't Stop Believing! ..

2010-09-27T11:16:00.000+08:00

Recently we had an OXYGEN event, it's a song-writing competition. So every life group is to present a song item, and everyone has to be involved!

I'm amazed at how things managed to get pulled together despite of the short time frame that we had. And I think, it was really a job well done! All of the people in the LG enjoyed themselves, we had a good time practicing and singing together.

This is a video of our performance that day. Out of 5 life groups, we got the 3rd prize! It was a great achievement cos it was really quite a last minute thing for us! :)

Looking at the video brought such a smile on my face... I think when I return back to Singapore, I will definitely miss Northrington LG! But indeed 天下没有不散之宴席。。。I'm thankful that our lives crossed in Adelaide... I'm thankful to have befriended this bunch of awesome people in these 2 years of my life. :)

Northrington Life Group...

Made up of international students from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,

Taiwan, Philippines and Vietnam!

Enjoy this video.... our very own version of Glee - Don't Stop Believing! :)

.. Thankful ..

2010-09-26T19:27:00.001+08:00

It has been a great week! Recovered from the viral infection... and got back to work on Fri & Sat! Completed the debate reflection few days before it was due.. the feeling of submitting an assignment way before the due date is really GOOD! Haha... I hope my last 3 assignments will also be like that!

Also thankful to my hostel mates whom showed their care by giving me oranges (peeled and piece by piece placed in a container).... and home-made sugar cane drink! WOW. Felt really loved...... and blessed. :)

Thank you Pauline..... Thank you Audrey. :)

Then yesterday after work, went to Tania's place for dinner. She invited me over, and we wanted to watch the online service with Dr Bernard together! Got to know Tania only recently, maybe 1-2 months ago??.... got to meet in a really unique manner. We were in church, and happened to sit on the same seat on 2 different rows. Then while chatting, she happened to ask me, "are you Elaine?"... We had a common friend, Wei Fen, who is also a City-Harvester. Had always wanted to introduce both of us to each other but never get the chance! Haha... So I am glad that we still MET! And it is really good to get to know a City-Harvester in Adelaide... knowing that you both come from "common" background!

And my oh my! Tania is such a good cook!! She prepared such a sumptuous dinner!! Awwwwww... Been so long since I eat such a nice, homely, delicious, nutritious DINNER!!

3 dishes and a soup! Made me missssss my mum's cooking so much! :)

So after dinner, Tania, Ern Chee and myself watched the online service together. And after that we really had such a GOOOOOOD sisterly chat! About church, ministry, etc etc.... I felt so relieved also cos I finally can share some of my heart... It was really a good fellowship. And I am really thankful for that.

I just want to thank God.... indeed when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. I'm thankful to have gone through these few weeks of a low low point, and yet now, things have moved on, and I have moved on.

God is indeed good, and I am thankful for the people He has placed in my life always to encourage me and to support me. My family, my church friends, friends in Adelaide...

It's going to be the last quarter of 2010 soon! WOW! And I want to make it such a good last 3 months!

Indeed the latter days shall be even better than the beginning!

Thank You JESUS! I love You Lord!

.. 早睡早起身体好??? ..

2010-09-24T05:09:00.000+08:00

These 2 days I have been waking really early... really early, at weird hours?.. 3am yesterday and 5am today! Maybe because I've been sleeping earlier after taking the medication.. and after waking up, I can't get back to sleep anymore! So I decided to get up! Then I realised that, WOW, 5am plus and the sky is already much more brighter than during the winter season! I LOVE IT! Spring has indeed come!! :)

Took this picture at 6.20am, it is already pretty bright! And the temperature hovering at 5 degrees only! Blrrrrr... Hope it will get warmer soon!

Actually it really feels good to be UP early! The day is indeed much longer.... and I think early morning is so peaceful! Will be good to go for a jog, or just take a stroll? Then can do prayer-walk? Wow... Maybe can get that started soon... if I continue to get up this early! HAHA... :)

Alright! Shall go do some devotion now... then can get started on assignment research. Then go to work! WOW!! Gonna accomplish so much today! YEAH!! :)

.. Spring! ..

2010-09-23T06:19:00.008+08:00

It is now Spring! More of the sun nowadays... but it is still considerably cold to me! Hope the sun will be out more often... We need more Vitamin D! :)

Took this picture last week but haven't been able to blog it cos was so sick!.. The flowers are blooming again... That's a nice sight to see.

Some issues happened recently at Uni.. made me realized that it is indeed a harsh, harsh world we're living in. Despite that reality is harsh, I thank God that He is a God of abundant grace and mercy.

Yep, just a setback! I'll be UP! Just completed and submitted my debate reflection! YEAH YEAH!! Means left with 3 assignments to go... JUST 3!!! WOOHOO!!!

I WILL GRADUATE THIS DECEMBER!!!! AMEN!

Praise God that I am better already too!! Slept so much, drank so much water, kept visiting the loo.... Aiyoyo... But I feel more energized! Gonna be back to my normal life and self soon!

God is indeed GOOD all the time! Thank God for Him, and all the support from my loved ones back home!! :)

.. First visit to an Adelaide doctor ..

2010-09-22T00:10:00.013+08:00

Yes, visited a doctor for the 1st time at the Adelaide City General Practice. Not sure if it is only in Australia that you have to book an appointment to see the doctor? I called yesterday and due to full slots, I can only see one this morning.

This is how the clinic looked like. The recept area with 3 admin personnels. Other then that, just about 10 chairs for patients, and then a few consultation rooms.

The meetup with the doctor wasn't very long. He asked me a few questions... Took my temp, my heartbeat, and checked my throat. Then diagnosed me with viral infection. And said that because I took so long to see the doctor, there's nothing he can do also. Asked if I want to have some anti-biotics? So he prescribed me some, and asked me to continue to take panadols to ease the pain and discomfort.

Pay so much to see a doctor and that's all they say, nothing they can do? They really are earning good money....

Anyway, then I got to go to a pharmacy to get my own medication. The clinics here don't prescribe medication. It is moment like this that made me miss Singapore even more. More 人情味？

Been sleeping almost the whole day today. Praying that will get well soon so that can get back to the normal life routine... I will be totally healed in Jesus' name!

Thanks to those who have been praying for me. Really appreciate that lots!

.. Happy Birthday 姐姐!!! ..

2010-09-14T04:30:00.057+08:00

This is my most awesome 姐姐.... MADELINE CHUA!!

Supposed to blog this yesterday... but anyway, here it is!

My BIG sister. As you can see from the picture, always full of funny poses and patterns! HAHA...

We are 1 and a half years in age apart.. thus explain why we shared really close relationship, and I really REALLY look up to her a great deal! She is my role model, my INSPIRATION!

When we were younger, we played together, we grew up together, we fought, we quarreled! She bit my foot when I was just a baby! LOL... It was so funny. But yet, as we grew up and matured more, we fought lesser. Talked more. Shared more.

We were in the same primary school: Radin Mas Primary School. I remembered how people would not dare to bully me because my sister was FIERCE! Haha. I felt so protected then.

Then we grew up. There was a period of time where we don't shared that much? Can't remember much of it now... But I will definitely remember, how her life changed when she started attending City Harvest Church. We were from a taoist background, and I was quite a religious person. I wore a 50 cents sized pendant of the goddess of mercy around my neck! HAHA. Thank God I'm wearing a cross now!

I still remembered how she would always share with us about God. And I also remembered once, how I talked back to her and said, if your God is so powerful, then ask Him to do this lah! I saw the hurt on her face, and I really regretted so much after that! I used to be like that! Tactless! Lousy attitude! Stupid! HAHA... and my pride caused me to reject God!

But, Madeline! She never gave up! Her constant testimonies started to open up my heart towards God. I started to think, if this God is really so good? Really so amazing, like what she always shared??

It was really the change in her life that caused me to be interested in this God. I followed her to church one day, but was stunned by the environment I saw that day. It was during the Holy Laughter season, and I was shocked by the response I seen in the people. To me it all seen so fake leh. I was cynical. But something that also struck me was, the passion I saw in the people. A kind of passion I don't get to see in my "religion" then.

I didn't respond to God that day. I needed more time. But Mad asked me to go again the next week. In my heart I was thinking, huh.. see how first. HAHA. But, she is such a good sister lah. So I also felt obligated to go, so as not to disappoint her... I don't like to see her disappointed leh.

Anyway, something amazing also happened during that week leading up to my 2nd church visit. I will always remember. Cos it was the first time I made a vow to this GOD. I used to be a CRAZY Manchester United fan. Really CRAZY. When they lost a match, I would be so depressed! Especially if it was against rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal! That night it was the UEFA Champions final. Man U was down by 1 goal and it was the final 10 mins. I was so desperate and I had a thought about praying to God! I prayed and said, God, can you let Man U win this match? If they win, I will go to church this Sunday! And guess what?? Man U really won!! They scored 2 goals within 90 secs in the dying mins...... I was stunned, really stunned. I was thinking, this must be a coincidence!!! I even have thoughts about nah... can't be God. But then, a holy kind of fear also lingered in my heart. I knew I had made a vow, and being a "religious" person, I knew that I must honor that vow!

So I went to church again that Sunday! It was May 30, 1999. I dragged myself out of bed.... really don't feel like going to church. HAHA. But Mad made sure that I got out of the house with her.... It was raining heavily when we reached Paya Lebar. We shared an umbrella......... and while walking, I slipped and fell! I felt sooooo angry man! And had a thought, I want to go home! HAHA. But then Mad helped me up, I felt that cannot lah... I already promised her and we were so near to church already! How can I do that?.....

And YES, that was also the day I gave my heart to GOD! I had an encounter with God. With many people being ministered by God and laughing away.... I told God, if you are really real, let me experience the holy laughter then? I remembered we were holding hands and praying together. Mad on one side, Jace (my sec school good mate) on the other side. And, I broke into holy laughter!

Okkkkkk.... to cut the story short. That was how I came to believe in God. But it's true that our faith in God cannot be relied just on miracles alone. Cos miracles don't happen always, and if we need miracles to sustain our faith, it will be gone! Like what Jesus says, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

I will forever be thankful to Madeline for bringing me to God. She is the first in our household, and praise God! Today, we are all Christians, and still praying and believing for our dad's salvation someday!

Not just my family, she has also brought many others to Christ. She has impacted so many lives!!

Mad sharing testimony on stage!

Oh no, this blog is getting so long! HAHA but there are just so many things to write!

I am really thankful to Mad. She has been such a giving person all these years.

Too many things to thank her for! But I want to give thanks especially in these areas:

1. For her love all these years. Her encouragements, her blessings, her companionship!

2. For blessing me to take driving lessons so that I can have a driver's license now!

3. For being my role model, and I have the dream and desire to do well in the banking industry just like her!

4. For encouraging me to pursue my degree dream. If not for her, I won't even be here right now. If she didn't remind me to continue my advanced diploma in 2008, I don't know when will I be taking it!

5. For lending her financial support to carry out the dreams I have.

Of course of course!! With all these I also want to thank my most wonderful and amazing 姐夫!!! Two are indeed better than one! HAHA. Cos combined power and finances. I thank God for such a godly man. Our family is indeed blessed to have him. Mad is blessed! But I know she is blessed because she herself is amazing as well! God is indeed good and He never shortchanges!! :)

Yea... my heart is eternally thankful and grateful.

Thank God for blessing me and Wen with such an amazing sister!

I pray for such greater days ahead for you JIE JIE! I LOVE YOU!

YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Continue to be such an inspiration to all of us!! You are a legend!

WOOHOO! GOD IS GOOD!!!!

LIFE IS GREAT!! I also want to be such a legend like Madeline!

.. Awakened ..

2010-09-13T17:11:00.010+08:00

Today, I finally received the assignment that I knew was the worst of the 20 assignments I had done.

And yes, I flunked it.

For the first time. In my Uni life experience.

Writing assignments is not my weakness... but this time I flunked it, which I know was because of insufficient research. And the many other factors contributing to it.

I am feeling.... a sense of numbness. I need to buck up.

Still can't really believe that I flunk an assignment. But yet I know, the result is fair.

Let this experience be one that will direct all my focus and energy back into this last lap.

Awakened. Definitely I am.

I know my God will help me through this last lap. I will do my best.

.. I AM BLESSED !! ..

2010-09-12T15:29:00.039+08:00

I recently have a realization of how blessed I actually am! And I want to blog about it NOW!

Being the middle child, I used to suffer from middle-child syndrome. When there were just me and Madeline, my mum doted on Madeline, while my dad doted on me.

Then, Wen Wen came along. All of a sudden, I felt my dad's attention was given to Wen Wen more than me.

So I grew up feeling very unloved by my parents. Feeling that Mum loved Madeline, and Dad loved Wen Wen. I felt that I am here because of an accident in life. No purpose, no reason for living.

So, guess I also became very independent, as a result of that. Not that it is not good to be independent, but to be overly dependent on oneself, then it is not good.

But thank God I came to know Jesus Christ in 1999. I gave my heart to God. And I felt I have a new life. And it was only in year 2000 or 2001, after a message by Dr Bernard, that he drilled into me, "You are NOT an accident in life"! He repeated this phrase 3 times. And it was after the 3rd time that this phrase was left burning in my heart.

So I started the journey of the burning desire to discover my life purpose. After an encounter with God while I was praying one day, God told me to go to Bible School to equip myself with more knowledge of the Word. So I went to SOT in 2002.

I became a CGL in 2003. What an amazing journey it has been. To share lives with the many young people that I have contact with. My heart became younger because of the energy that is within these awesome great people. :)

Today (12 Sep 2010) is a great day. HAHA. Cos it is the day where Wen Wen is officially in a relationship...... with my dearest brother JASON NG! WOOHOO!! HAHA.

It's amazing how things work out between the 2 of them. God is indeed good. :)

Anyway, the realization of how blessed I am, is because......

After Mad got married, we were blessed with a most wonderful 姐夫！！！To me and Wen, it is really like having a big brother to us! And this brother is really so gooooood! He has set such a high standard for us in our future partner-to-be!

Mad's happy family!

So, now with Wen Wen getting attached, HAHA. I seriously want to believe God that Jason will be my future bro-in-law. Hee hee... I love this brother very much. He is just like a 弟弟 to me!

Me, being the middle child, with one 姐 and one 妹. And because of "relationship multiplication", I actually also have one 哥 and one 弟! So I am blessed with 兄弟姐妹！！！I realized that being the middle child, I am actually blessed in everything! HAHA.

I know it may sound a little silly. But, I just want to be thankful in everything. I think it is really a blessing to have wonderful people to be a part of our family.

It's really a great testimony of how my family has come together, and be where and who we are today. All glory to the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. We know that it wouldn't be possible if not because of Him.

I'm really looking forward to even greater days. Eye has indeed not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of men, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!

Tomorrow is Mad's birthday. Will blog again.... a tribute to my most wonderful and awesome 姐姐！！！

.. Sick ..

2010-09-11T23:10:00.027+08:00

Had not been feeling well for the past 2 days... Think there's a flu bug going on. Felt feverish, and weak... Popped a panadol and slept for few hours after work today. Now feeling much better already... thank God!

I think it's quite a bad thing to fall sick while being away from home.

And it's a bad thing to fall sick when one can't take MC from work. I thought of not going to work today, but then it would mean A$75 to miss work for today. So I still went!

Really hate falling sick cos it would mean I sleep more than doing the things I want and need to do!

I hope the next 3 months will just pass by quickly... Actually come to think of it, it's quite fast already! Approaching week 8 of school next week! Means after the 2 weeks break, it will be 5 weeks remaining, and then EXAM!! :O

3 more major assignments and a debate reflection to go. Then I can start preparing for exam! Hope I will exercise excellent time management, and avoid the crazy exam scenario like the last semester!

Oh, wanna thank God for a good debate last week! We received very good feedback from our tutor, and it was indeed a good learning experience for me!

Mad's birthday is coming! And a BIG event is happening soon too!! HOHO... Can't wait can't wait!!! :D

.. Ethics Debate ..

2010-09-06T19:46:00.042+08:00

Just got back from a discussion with my group mates on the debate preparation that's going to take place tomorrow.

The topic is on should Same-Sex Marriage be legalized in Australia? And we are on the opposing side.

It seems a very difficult side to debate, because same-sex marriage is a human rights issue.

It's the first time for me learning to debate on something without using the Word of God as my source of reference. Cultural differences also play a very significant role, cos to the western culture, they see marriage not as sacred as we Asians see. My tutor, a Londoner, is definitely one supporting gay marriage. And he "warned" us a couple of times not to use "God" and religion as our reasonings. I think he has a very wrong mindset about who God is. And I'm praying that someday, he will come to know the true nature of God and come to believe in Him... :)

Anyway, back to the debate. It's really a good learning experience for me. As I do the research about it, (something that I would not have the "diligence" to do it if not for the debate), I realized of the great impact and implications it would have on the society as a whole.

Human rights. How far can it and should it really go?

If God has not given us this right, would the world be like what it is today?

But yet God has given us this right.

Lots of reflection to think about.......

I thank God for giving us the right to choose. And I also pray that I will always choose to do the right thing as I learn to lean on His wisdom.

Having human rights doesn't necessarily always mean good, cos human makes bad choices and decisions at times.

But one thing I'm sure, the Word is definitely true and speaks accurately of the many results of our society today.

I've also learnt to accept and receive the many diverse cultures and values. Though I don't agree with them, learning to receive them enlarges my viewpoint and acceptance of differences.

Hmmm. I pray for a good debate session tomorrow. I'll be one of the 2 speakers in my group! :)

Lord, help my group. Help me. :)

.. Hillsong United ..

2010-09-05T00:19:00.025+08:00

Hillsong United is in Adelaide for a night!

Went to the Hillsong United concert today and the atmosphere was electrifying.

The concert was really good! They are indeed a great band... For His kingdom and glory!

I do have some 感触 too... The hype seemed among the youths. I remembered when I was a youth, I was as hype up as them. But as I grew older, I have become a little more "reserved".

I think it's not about being hype up or not. It's not just about being excited. Worship is really a matter of the heart.

I know that I really love God. But I realized that I can be more expressive in my outward acts. I can be 30, and still very energetic. I can be 40, and still very energetic. When I am 50, I still want to be energetic when it comes to praising and worshiping Him.

Today is a good experience. First experience with Hillsong United. I saw the excitement in the youths. I am stirred by them, and reminded how I used to praise and worship God like them. Then it dawned on me that, I can do better, much better.

Let not the environment that I am in, determined who I am and how I behave. I am who I am in Him. My self-concept determines my destiny.

Father God. My life is Yours. I am not getting younger. So I really hope that as I step into my 31st year soon, I will be somewhere closer to where my dream is.

.. Goodbye Winter! ..

2010-09-03T22:52:00.026+08:00

This is Wright Street.

A street that is often "dangerous" with the aboriginals walking by. Shouting at us. Screaming at us.

A street where a "naked" man was seen few times by my hostel mates.

A street where we will not walk at night, even with a group of people.

Anyway, this post is not about this street. Haha... I took this picture when I was walking back to the hostel one day. Just wanted to capture the last "few moments" of these bald trees.

It is SEPTEMBER!! So now we are stepping into SPRING! Winter is over! :)

I guess after 28 years, I am already very used to the humid weather in Singapore. So winter is too cold for me, too cold for my liking... Even after wearing 3 layers of clothes, it is still not enough. Then I got to switch on the heater in my hostel room, which made my throat sored, my nose blocked & often bled inside due to the dryness.

Winter was also the time where I found myself eating more because I needed to eat to keep myself warm! HAHA. So I think I put on some weight too!

One last thing about winter which I do not like is that, I realized winter does make people feel depressed a little bit more often than the other seasons. I think it is true that we need the SUN to cheer us up!

Anyway, I'm glad that winter is over. Though I think I will miss it too cos I will not be here for winter next year.

It has been raining these two days, and the rain was unexceptional "long" today. 长命雨！I think it didn't rain that much last year.

I hope the rain will go off soon. I look forward to more of the SUN! Enough of the depressing days.... I want more joy.... more positivity! :)

Bye bye Winter. I'm thankful for the experience to live in somewhere with 4 seasons. I will visit you again next time, but I'm pretty certain that long stay is not for me. HAHA.

I LOVE SINGAPORE!

.. So Sick of Assignments!! ..

2010-08-30T21:40:00.010+08:00

Finally I completed the assignment on globalisation. I think it's the one that is the worst done of all the assignments I had done in the 4 semesters. But I am just so sick of doing assignments! I had counted, thus far, I had done 20 assignments. Another 4 more to go. The thought of it just make me so sick of it. They are major assignments some more...

I have not done my laundry. Had not been cooking proper dinner for the last 1 week. Hope I can find the time to do so tomorrow.

Still need to continue research for the debate and do my tutorial tonight!

This sem is really torturing! ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!

.. It's Week 5 !! ..

2010-08-23T16:09:00.023+08:00

We are in week 5 of school now! 3 more weeks of school, then 2 weeks break, then 5 more weeks of school, then 1 week exam break, then 2 weeks of exam!! That will sum up the last semester for me!! :)

Took an evening nap last night, then can't sleep till 5am, then overslept and missed this morning's 9am lecture! :( Totally concussed and didn't hear the alarm went off. :(

2 assignments down, 1 more to go. Thank God that there is an extension of 1 more week, if not I really die man. But I really feel that God is so good. He seems to know my time-table so well. Hee hee... He knows how much I can handle it seems.

Yesterday morning was really "exciting". I was doing the last question of my assignment. It was about 2am on Sunday morning, and I accidentally restarted my laptop. Cos my lappy very old liao, it took ages to load and get started. So I went to rest a while on my bed. Guess what?? YES I FELL ASLEEP!!!!! But thank God, I auto woke up at 6am plus, and quickly continued on the assignment. Time was ticking ticking ticking away! I managed to submit just on time, on the dot at 9am!!

PHEW.....

One more assignment on globalisation to go. Then going to have an ethics debate in 2 weeks' time. Interesting topic on Same-Sex Marriage. My team is on the against side! It is the tougher side to debate, cos the tutor says it is ethical for same-sex marriage in today's context. And we are not to bring in religion cos it will definitely put us on a disadvantage! Hmmm! It's really going to be quite interesting!

Anyway. God has really been so good. His grace is indeed sufficient for all of us.

I think I need to say goodbye to Farmville very soon... cos it is really taking quite a bit of time to maintain. HAHA. OOPS. God seems to be prompting my heart.. .. ..

I really want to graduate this year!

This is one of my course-mate, Alicia from Hong Kong! She has graduated in the last semester and had just gone back to Hong Kong for good. I also want to graduate this Dec.. Shall visualize myself in this gown!!! :) :) :)

The power of visualization!!! AMEN!

.. You are my Father ..

2010-08-16T16:52:00.017+08:00

LOVE THIS SONG!

Sun was back to lead worship in S4 yesterday!

Really so happy to see her, though it was indeed a challenging moment for us as a church. But it's good to have her back, by Pastor Kong's side.

Very thankful and grateful to God for this wonderful couple!

They do not just live such exemplary lives. They have inspired so many of us, and we know that our lives have changed for the better because of them.

Anyway, this is really a great song! True Worshippers are so anointed! And SUN is so anointed! Even though I was watching online service, I can still feel the very tangible presence of God.

Be blessed and ministered by this song!

It doesn't matter where I run, You're there for me
It doesn't matter what I've done Your love's for me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace

It doesn't matter where I go, You walk with me
It doesn't matter when I fall, You cover me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace

You are my Father, Provider
You're my Deliverer
Your mercies embrace me, surround me
Through Your everlasting love
Father I worship You
Father I worship You

And Your love is for me
And Your love is for me
And Your love is forever

.. The Last Lap! ..

2010-08-13T14:13:00.039+08:00

This is what I am going for...

Now into the last lap! :)

It's the end of week 3, finally I am feeling a little bit more UP! :) Ready to tackle the 3 assignments!

I am feeling happier, I think one main factor was because of the great LG meeting we had on Wed! For once, I felt the spiritual aspect was met, and I felt really energized!

Ern Chee shared a simple message on loneliness, and few points that she mentioned really spoke into my heart. I know that I know, I just need to seek God more.

I pray for more meetings like such. It is really so important to have such quality meetings so that people's needs can be met and they draw closer to God at the end of the meeting.

When I have the opportunity to take CGM again the next time, I want to lead such meetings. Meetings that will draw people ever closer to God.

Back to the last lap! YES!! I am looking forward to receiving this cert!!

Few friends graduated few days ago... and it was really such a joyous moment! Looking at the cert made me 感触多多。。。I know that I shall persevere to the very end!

Just few more months! ELAINE CHUA!! Few more months only!! :D

This is Northrington Life Group!

Patsy has just graduated, and it has indeed been a very challenging period of her life, BUT, she still graduated! She almost could not come back for her last semester because of finances issue, but GOD came true with a miracle and she managed to get back and finish her studies!

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

I am excited, and want to continue praying for a great breakthrough for my walk with God in the coming days. I realized that something that got me rather down was the feeling that I am getting nowhere to where my life purpose is. But indeed eyes have not seen, ears have not heard. God's ways are indeed higher and His thoughts are indeed greater.

I miss leading CG meetings, I miss preaching the WOG. I have not been speaking so much that my spoken English is deteriorating! OH NO! HAHA...

Ok ok, got to go start my assignment! Later still got to cook dinner. After coming here and having to cook my own dinner makes me realized that how blessed I have been all these years when I go home and dinner is already ready. Awwww...

Thank God for this overseas experience, I indeed learnt a lot and have my eyes open to see more things that I never see and learn.

.. Tick Tock Tick Tock ..

2010-08-10T20:51:00.018+08:00

Tick..... Tock.....

Time seems to pass by so slowly......

But perhaps it is actually not?

Now into week 3 of school, and the first 3 assignments to be submitted within the next 2 weeks.

I feel super not motivated for my 3 courses this semester. Seems SUPERRRRR BORRRRING courses. Oh no.....

I need to buck up, I really need to. :(

Gonna work from 8am to 6pm tomorrow. Then life group meeting at 730pm. It's gonna be the first LG meeting for me since the combine took place. North Adelaide LG + Carrington LG = Northrington LG. I quite look forward to this new change, hope it will be a good one for those who will be staying here for a longer term.

I thought I will be very motivated for this last semester, but apparently, I am feeling the opposite. Need to get the joy and motivation back.

Alright shall sleep early for today! Good nightzzz.

.. I miss home already ..

2010-08-07T22:39:00.004+08:00

It's been nearly a week since I came back to Adelaide... and I am missing home already!

There is indeed no place like home.

There is no place like CHC. A part of my life for the past 11 years.

Last 3 courses... Last lap to GO!

加油加油加油!!!

.. Sending off for the very LAST time! ..

2010-08-02T15:53:00.017+08:00

3 weeks flew by so fast! I am back again in Adelaide.... for my last semester!

Encountered some issues with the Quarantine rules this morning at the airport... Nevertheless, thank God for His grace that I only received a written warning and not a A$220 fine! The officer told me that if I "broke" the rules again the next time, I will definitely be fined! I say, Ok, Thank you Sir. Deep in my heart I was saying, thank God I am not coming back after this year!! :D

Was actually feeling quite frustrated, the very first step into Adelaide already encountered something like this! Missed my lecture... by the time I left the airport it was already 930am.

Came back to the hostel, still felt unrest... got down on my knees and made a prayer to God.

God is good! Felt much better after praying.... and NOW! Knowing that my mum has finally passed her driving test today with her 4th attempt, I FEEL SO HAPPY NOW!! :D

School will start officially for me tomorrow! 2 tutorials to go! :)

Thank you guys for sending me off last night!! Indeed it was such a long day yesterday, all the way from 7am @ the SIS till 1030pm at the airport! Thanks really... I knew you all were so tired!! I really appreciate your presence, love, and support! :)

And my most beloved family! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Thank God this is the LAST sending off!! IT WILL BE! :)

.. Last semester to GO!! ..

2010-07-26T10:44:00.004+08:00

School has officially started today, and I am still in Singapore!! HAHA!

One more week and I will be back in Adelaide to do my last semester... AWESOME!!

Gonna give my last good bash because I want to graduate by the end of this year!

Will reach Adelaide Airport on Monday morning at 8am plus... hope to be able to pack everything in 1 luggage so that I can make my way to the Uni easier.... for a lecture at 9am!

One more week in Singapore! So thankful that I can be back for this winter break...

The next very exciting thing I'm so looking forward is....

CHC's 21st Anniversary Celebration this SUNDAY!!! :D

.. Rest in Peace, Uncle & Auntie ..

2010-07-26T01:18:00.008+08:00

Finally had the opportunity to visit the tomb of Rachel's parents today in Pagoh, Johor. Very thankful that Jason and Madeline came along, and we managed to do a short worship and prayer together. Amazingly, I felt God's presence was really there as we sang and worshiped in the spirit together. Just want to commit both of their spirits to our gracious Heavenly Father.. I believe God has received them..

And also, may the Lord's hand continues to be upon the whole investigation process. May the results of the DNA testing shed more light into this case.

Rachel appeared rather cheerful and bubbly during the journey there, which was really her usual self. But when we reached the tomb, she broke into tears upon seeing the burial ground.. Our hearts were wrenched too. May our Lord Jesus continues to strengthen her heart with His grace and mercy.

Thankful to God for journey mercy today.. Also believing that He is our Avenger. According to His timing, truth and justice will indeed prevail.

.. Gracious Father ..

2010-07-18T00:36:00.024+08:00

Grace is when you know that you should have failed. But you didn't.

Finally, after 2 weeks, exam results were released. It has been such a long wait... the anxiety in hoping that I will clear all 3 courses, especially Mgmt Accounting and Strategic Mgmt.

Once again, God showed me that He is a gracious Father.

Was prepared to retake Strategic Mgmt because it seems the hardest to pass. P1 for both assignments gave me so much pressure towards the exam paper. Didn't manage to complete the paper due to poor time management. But really, all praises to God, I passed the course! :)

Mgmt Accounting. The paper that my mind went BLANK and I almost wanted to leave the exam hall, but decided to give one more try. After saying a prayer, miraculously, thoughts flowed, and tried whatever I can. All glory to God, I got a credit! :)

Last but not least, praise God for a distinction for Finance and Investment! The course that has a 40% failure rate. I'm thankful for this good grade. :)

That summed up the first semester for 2010. One more semester to go... 3 more courses and I will graduate this December! :D

Am really having a good time back home, back in Singapore. Went Sentosa today with some good pals, had a good and relaxed time. So much changes in Sentosa!! Doesn't feel like being in Singapore at all, HAHA. Got badly sun-burnt though!

Had a good time playing with my nephews, they grew up so much in a span of 4 months! Though Daniel has got a fiery temper, he is really so adorable. Samuel too. Can converse with him right now and I always feel such joy whenever I pick him from school, seeing the wide smile on his face when he sees me.

And of course, the good time catching up and chatting with my 2 awesome sisters. Nothing indeed can be compared to home. No wonder there is this saying, "Home Sweet Home". :)

Time flies, 1 week is almost gone! 2 more weeks to go. It has been a good time catching up with some friends.. Gonna meet up a few more and I am looking forward to them!

Going to attend service tomorrow for the first time since February! Indeed feeling so excited!

Thank You Father. Thank You for Your grace that is so evidently over my life.

.. Home in 18 hours ..

2010-07-10T23:35:00.007+08:00

SQ278.

Adelaide @ 11.50am.

Singapore @ 5.45pm.

I will be home in 18 hours' time.

I'm feeling so excited that I can't even sleep now! :D

God is really so good...... :)

Was actually really not planning to go home during this winter break. But there has been this deep desire and a prayer to God... "God, can I go home this July?"...

And He indeed fulfills the cry of my heart even though I didn't really pray for it "persistently".

Of course, thank God for my really supportive sister and my really understanding brother-in-law.

Looking forward to spending a really good and fruitful 3 weeks with my loved ones in Singapore.

God is ...... A W E S O M E !!!

.. Melbourne Trip again! ..

2010-07-07T01:51:00.005+08:00

Back from Melbourne again! Had a good trip, explored more of Melbourne, it is really a very nice and BIG city! But guess this should be the last trip there... 2 trips are enough! Hope to get to visit other cities like Sydney & Gold Coast next time!

Took this picture at the University of Melbourne. The Uni is really MAJESTIC!!

Will upload more pictures again when I have time. Got to run some errands and start packing because.... I AM GOING HOME THIS SUNDAY!!

YIPPEE!!! :D

.. Last Paper ..

2010-07-01T16:12:00.034+08:00

Took my last paper today at 9am, Strategic Management!

The paper was supposed to be ok. But, due to rather bad time management, I couldn't finish answering all the questions. :(

Section 1 was 10 MCQs, which 7 of them I was quite confident. Then section 2 was on readings, which we had to answer 2 of them. There were 26 readings in total, but I only managed to select a few that the tutor talked about more during tutorials. When I looked at the questions, none of the readings were what I had covered. FAINTzzz. Never try spotting again please, ELAINE CHUA!

But thank God one of it was on leadership. So of course, I used my knowledge on leadership and my previous work experiences in Citibank and the last assignment research on Apple Inc to try answering this question.

I skipped one question, hoping that I can come back to it later. So went on to tackle the case study questions which were worth 50%. There were 3 questions in all, 15% 15% 20%. By the time I tried answering the 2nd question of the case study, I realized I have only 40 mins left!!

By the time I tried to answer Q3 which was 20%, I only have 8 mins left!! -_-

Wrote 3 short paragraphs, then indicated "Not enough time!" on the paper before putting my pen down.

What a paper once again!

But I am really thankful that Madeline is so encouraging and supporting. She said a prayer with me over the phone after the paper and I felt really encouraged and ministered by her prayer. Just really got to let go and let God.

It is true that I am carrying some unnecessary pressure upon myself and allowing certain fear to cripple me. Actually I know I shouldn't, but, I still did. The "fear" of not able to graduate this Dec and the "fear" of failing a course and having to spend extra to retake the course again.

Yea. Should get rid of these feelings.

Like what Pastor Phil gave the vivid illustration of the apostle Paul. I know how to be abased and how to abound. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 weeks before the release of the results. I am praying for His grace and miracles again.

Actually I was reminded how fearful I felt last semester too. But I still cleared all 4 courses by the grace of God. I was also reminded how I should have failed my practical driving test and yet I still passed.

Perhaps it is going to happen in this semester again. :)

Whatever it may be, indeed, let go, and let God take control.

If I clear this Strategic Management, praise the LORD!! Indeed His grace once again!

If not, I can abound. Re-take the course next semester and I can still graduate this Dec!

I hope to share a great testimony again in 2 weeks' time. :)

And NOW it's................... HOLIDAY!!! YEAH!!! Happiest moment for any student indeed!

Visiting Melbourne again in 2 days' time!

.. Last Paper ..

2010-06-30T23:42:00.001+08:00

Last paper in 8 hours' time!!

ELAINE CHUA!!!

You can do it!

You can do it!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

GOD is with you!!! :D

.. 2nd Paper ..

2010-06-26T06:05:00.031+08:00

Took my 2nd paper yesterday, Management Accounting, what an experience it was!

During the 10 mins reading, I took a look at the problems. Told myself, ok! I got to practice this, practise that, etc.... So when we can start writing officially, I tackled the MCQs first. After that, I moved on to the 6 problems that were worth 70 marks.

That's when I got stuck, really stuck. Suddenly all my memory left me, and my mind went blank. Maybe I was too tired? Woke up at 330am as the paper was 9am. Lesson learnt: Must have ample rest before an accounting paper!!

I tried doing Q1, then moved on to Q2. Stuck. Moved on to Q3. Totally have no idea how to go about doing it. It's about variences, and I had been practising that. But this question was totally different from what was covered in tutorials. Left it blank. Then to Q4. About Absorption Costing & Variable Costing, which I also practiced too. But can only remember part of it. Then totally skipped Q5 cos I didn't have time to cover that topic in detail. Then Q6!! I wrote in my powerpoint slides to focus on reciprocal method of costing, cos the lecturer said so! Ended up the question never asked about reciprocal method, but the other 2 methods: Direct & Step-down.

This is the 2nd time I felt so "cheated" by the lecturers. They must have forgotten what they had told the students during the lectures.

So apart from the MCQs, my paper was almost blank. Literally blank. I tried re-calling, but mind just doesn't function well. I almost, almost wanted to leave the exam hall already. Be prepared for the supp paper.

But then, decided to have another go again. Perhaps just try solving them with "Maths".

Amazingly, thoughts just flow.... I tried my very best to attempt the 5 questions. Also got "revelation" how to fill the missing info in the table in Q3 so that I can do the variences.

Though not confident, I left the exam hall with a peace in my heart. Like what the saying goes, "do our best and let God do the rest".

I prayed to God to let me pass the paper. I will be very thankful already. I scored a distinction so far in my semester test & assignment. So if I fail this course because I failed the exam, it will be so "ai wan".

The cry of my heart is just to clear everything so that I can graduate this Dec and go home!

At the end of the day, I just really want to thank God for His grace. And also to my friends for praying for me. God really moved in amazing ways, doesn't He?

When I left the hall, after collecting my bag, I started walking back to the hostel. Checked my HP and saw a sms from Wanling. She smsed to wish me all the best for my Management Accounting paper. WOW! She even remembered what paper I was taking! I saw the time, it was about 930am. Coincidentally, it was about the time I was stuck with the questions. WOW.

Thanks for your sms Wanling! Thanks for praying for me! :)

Though a very simple gesture, but it really touches me. This is something I will learn from you too! :)

1 more paper to go... Strategic Management!! The case study topic is out, gotta start doing my research soon!

Thinking, Visualizing, Believing, Speaking!

I will graduate this Dec!

I will graduate this Dec!!!

.. Time is running out ..

2010-06-22T22:01:00.018+08:00

One and a half day to go for my first paper, Finance & Investment! Not so worried about passing this one because we are allowed to bring in one A4-sized "cheat sheet". Not so concerned to aim for distinctions anymore, to me, what matter now is just PASSING all the modules!

I'm more concerned for Mgmt Accounting paper on Friday... cos, I know I am really really not well-prepared for this one, not even 50%. Been trying to cover the topics, but the progress is really slow and I cannot seem to understand & grasp the concepts. Brain is simply dead.

But I just want to thank GOD!! Because from this study period onwards, supplementary paper is offered for both F&I & MA courses. Guess the failure rate is quite high, thus the Uni decides to give the students another chance to take the supp paper, instead of repeating the whole course again.

It's not that I am pessimistic.. But, I know my progress.. I know I am really, not ready, for the MA paper this Friday. But, really thank God for the availability of the supp paper. Just got to prepare for the worst!!

Strategic Mgmt paper next Thurs! This will be such a killer too. Got to start preparing after the 2 papers this week! May God give me grace & enlarge my capacity as I'm scheduled to work too!

I will graduate this Dec!!

I will graduate this Dec!!!!

I will graduate this Dec!!!!!!

.. God is the Strength of my heart ..

2010-06-21T18:38:00.013+08:00

Went to run some errands today... Wanted to find a card to send to Rachel... Went to a few shops, took a look at those cards with the words "With Sympathy". But I realised the more I look at it, the more depressing it is... I mean, people are already depressed enough when their loved ones died... Upon seeing cards like that, won't it make them even more sad? Hmmm..

Then I also realised another thing. While there are cards for "Loss of Father" and "Loss of Mother", I can't find a card for "Loss of Parents". Hmmm. Guess to lose both parents in one day is really such a tragedy...

I wonder how is Rachel doing now? I hope she is better now and much strengthened by the Lord..... I think she will be because many people are praying for her.

I was really down 2 nights ago... But praise God that I am feeling so much better already. He is indeed the Strength of our heart.

Thank you my friends & beloved family for praying for me. I always believe in the power of prayer. Your prayers have strengthened my heart.

3 more days to my first paper. Honestly speaking, I feel really, really unprepared.

May His grace once again bring me through this semester.

The final lap is always the toughest. But, I shall still rejoice because He is with me.

Thank You Jesus.

.. A gloomy day ..

2010-06-19T17:48:00.036+08:00

It was raining this morning. Supposed to get up at 5am to continue my revision but once again, can't get up. Final alarm went off at 7am & I knew that I have to get up soon because I am working at 8am. Saw an incoming sms, tried opening my eyes to see who was it from.

It was from Rachel! My ex-colleague from IPB. I used to support her in account openings for her customers. We drew closer because of God. She is also a Christian and we would always be talking and sharing about God and our lives. The last time we exchanged sms was in March when I wished her on her birthday.

When I read her sms, it was such a shock. Her parents were killed by robbers in their home in Malaysia! She smsed to ask for prayers for her parents' souls & wisdom upon the police to catch the killers.

That sms got me off the bed, in a state of shock. The feeling is, indescribable.

The passage way to the toilet in the hostel seemed unusually gloomy as I made my way there to wash my face. The lights were off and the sky was darker due to the rain. It was the first time a morning appeared that gloomy to me.

Though news of such are so common in this broken-down world, it really impact differently, when the victims are the loved ones of those that we know.

This is not a dream, but a reality.

I feel so much for Rachel... It must be really devastating.

Apart from praying, I feel so loss of what I can do for her. Because even in the simplest support of physical presence, I can't even do that right now.

If you are reading this blog right now, please help me, say a prayer for Rachel and her family.

While we are limited, God is limitless. While there are things that are not within our control and we cannot do, God can.

May God bring tremendous comfort and strength to Rachel and her family right now. May our Lord Jesus shower His grace and mercy upon them right now.

Why does this have to happen? We may not know now... But let's take comfort that nothing happens in our lives without God giving permission to it.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".

Rachel, must be strong, yea?

I am keeping you in my constant prayers...

.. Freezing Winter ..

2010-06-17T12:31:00.006+08:00

It has been so so cold in this winter season...

It is affecting my revision!! :(

The cold weather makes it very hard for me to concentrate... and worse still! When I am not working, I always ended up waking later than usual.... cos the coolness makes it so good & comfortable to sleep in!

Need to really crucify my flesh!! AHHHHH!!

One week to my first paper!! Feeling really a little nervous now! -_-

.. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God ..

2010-06-13T21:55:00.064+08:00

This man is simply phenomenal!

Rev Dr Phil Pringle!

He is indeed a father of our faith, of our church. I was so sad to miss out on his messages during the Asia Conference, but so thankful that he came back and preached in the services this week! And what a powerful message he really preached! My faith is lifted like never before, I'm sure the church is too! :)

I'm so looking forward to see the "exceeding weight of glory" that God is going to do and bring into Singapore and Asia!

This week has been a great week! Felt closer to God than ever before. Found a renewed passion in praying and seeking God, reading His word. Meeting in Oxygen was also good, with the powerful testimony of a fellow brother-in-Christ AK. Felt really encouraged. Pastor JB also preached a very good message in city church this morning.

Come to think of it, for me to be here in Adelaide doing my Bachelors is really a breakthrough from God. Stopped schooling and started working at 17. Had my private diploma in computer studies when I was 21. SOT when I was 22. Finally continued my studies and got an advanced dip in management when I was 28, all thanks to the encouragement & support from my sister Madeline. Am looking forward to have my Bachelors in Dec this year, before I shall turn 31! HAHA!

Though it may seem that my "studies path" is not as smooth as most other people, I felt there's still no denying of the fact that "with God, all things are possible". I think when I graduate in Dec, when I see myself in the gown, with the cert, I will cry. Cry not because I am sad, but really because in awe of His awesomeness, grace and mercy. He has fulfilled one of my many dreams in life.

Trials are indeed good! Hardships equip us for the future! Always be ready to change "gear" to TRUST!

I want to believe God that our Mountbatten property will soar in price in the coming months. I want to believe that my family will be able to come to Adelaide for my graduation this Dec! :)

Thinking, Visualizing, Believing & Speaking! The laws of the 4th Dimension! I had written them down on the white board in my room, always ready to confess things I'm praying for when I see them!

Like what Pastor JB preached this morning, we not only need to have the faith to BELIEVE, we also need to have the faith to RECEIVE!

God is definitely a good God! Something that I really want to do is to be someone that testifies of His goodness. Those who seek the Lord shall indeed not lack any good thing!

With this blog today, it seems that God has answered a prayer I had in my heart for quite a while! WOooooooa! :)

6 more months in Adelaide! Though I have been somehow frustrated at times, I just felt that God is working something in my life. I may not see & understand now, but I know in the days to come He will reveal them to me bit by bit, pieces by pieces.

One thing I know for sure, when I look back at my life next time, my 2 years here in Adelaide will definitely be something that will bring back some very beautiful and wonderful memories.

Life is just so awesome, with God. and I'm loving it! :)