Only Human

I think my faith is being tested. Please keep me in prayer, people...

Monday

Had dinner with a brother, Benjamin, at Coffee Island. Probably this is the last time we would ever get to meet up in a long while. He, like many of my immediate juniors, will be graduating from medical school this Sunday - as a doctor!

We sat, ate and chit-chatted for almost 3 hours. I felt that it was too short. But I had to go home already.

For one thing, I'm really thankful for Benjamin in my life - a dear friend and brother, who's always blessed me wherever he could, edified me in the Lord, encouraged me when I was struggling in my walk, and helped me to see God's big picture in clearer light. He has also been very supportive of my calling and my courtship. The last time we met up was in December 2008... It's been 6 months ever since, but what ALOT of things have happened. We've both been through our fires (I mean everyone does)... but this brother - he's been through so much more than just facing his final exams. Extreme trials. As I listened to him talk, gaping away, I'm so glad and touched how he has stood strong through it all, by the grace of God. His faith is truly a testimony to me. Bro, keep it up. All the best in medical work and whenever you get into the missions field.

Sobers me to think that I will be separating ways with more people soon. This year, I feel much sadder compared to last year. Saying goodbye to people like Edmond, Kean Yew, Yeh Han, etc last year was difficult - but I felt consoled that I still had the rest of my PMC comrades in Penang for an additional year. This year, 'the rest' are finally leaving too. *Sobs*

Allow me some sentimentalism...

Well, I'm glad and thankful that the Lord has given me many new friends, in the past year I've been in Penang. That helped me deal with some of the loneliness-es of being in a sort-of foreign land...

Also many new friends at MBTS...

Above (left to right): Ai Hua, me and Serena - courtesy of Ser...

Weekend :)

My weekend had a icky-tasting start...

Tried out the Redoxon Blackcurrant flavour on Friday night... Put it into too much water...and it turned out looking like this:P Tasted like cheap, slightly gassy black-currant cordial drink diluted in too much water too. I'll try it again with less water this time...

On Saturday morning...

The orange-flavoured one tasted much, much better... but ok, I will reduce the amount of water used to dissolve the effervescent tablet next time.

There were stuff to do on Saturday morning and afternoon... we also had a meeting at church for some matters...

Before the meeting started... We arrived a little too early...

...and were bored...

Stopped at the Ban Chang kueh stall in front of Pulau Tikus Police Station after we were done with the meeting at church and lunch..

Very, very long wait...

Our ban chang kueh's finally. Thought they were a little too buttery for my liking. But, still, it's ban chang kueh. :) Me likey!

CG on Saturday night was really amazing. We had a new member today :) Great time of Bible study and worship. Prayed for one another after sharing, like we always do. Some of us went out for supper (ok, this was spontaneous) after CG - Matt, Ai Choo, KL, Ben and I. Loved the fellowship. Praise God.

Early Sunday morning, Ben and I had quite a bit of fun serving in the 1st service Sunday School as actor and actress for the various lessons of the day...

Ben played triple roles - You know the story of the good Samaritan? Well, he was the priest, then the Levite...and then lastly, the Samaritan... The kids probably enjoyed it even more than we did..

As for me, I was acting in another scene - as a bad, naughty girl who was going to copy her classmate (Aunty Soe Kit)'s answers in a class test. I think, I didn't have much problem with that - coz I admit, I have been a naughty girl myself back in school... committing the same 'crime'. Oh well, how great are the follies of my past... :P

Would definitely serve in Sunday School more often... I'm encouraged at how the children respond to the Bible stories. Some of them have even high-lighted their copies of the Bible. Amazing...

Ben, 'Behind-the-scenes'...

Went to a hawker's stall amongst the Free School flats for a quick breakfast in between 2 services ... (Was starving!!!)

Halfway through our breakfast, it started raining like nobody's business...But I thought it was exciting to sit under the umbrella...

While rain pitter-pattered around us...

Sunday evening, after a long day...

The best laksa I've tasted in Penang so far...somewhere in Paya Terubong... I can't remember the name of the hawker center... It was just a huge clearing with many food-stalls... (Rings a bell, Penangites?:P) The fish slices were in big, generous chunks, the noodles al'dente and again generous and the other toppings fresh. Plus, it was nicely spiced with cili padi... *Sweat* I came back home and headed straight to the bathroom thanks to the chillies. But, yeah it was definitely worth it.

Enjoyed this ban chang kueh more than the one we had from Pulau Tikus... I'm a great fan of crispy sides... and this one doesn't have quite as much butter as the former, so the nuts and corn don't get drowned in it. One word - YUM!

It was so good, that Ben ate 2.5 of it, after a full meal...

... and I ate 1.5 for dessert :)

On the whole, a beautiful weekend. Full of laughter, prayers and people. 2 geeky Moo-ments I had:

Scenario 1:
I was in Ben's place on Saturday morning, and his mum had placed 2 cups on the table, one of which I was to drink of it. I don't know why, but I was under the impression that it was honey that I was drinking... My brain got abit confused. It tasted pretty good, and I kept thinking, "Wow, honey!" Then, I exclaimed after I had finished the last drop, "This is the best honey I've ever tasted!!!"

Ben merely grinned at first... but later, he couldn't contain himself, laughed loudly and told me that it was fresh Chrysanthemum tea. Later, his parents got to know about it and laughed very, very hard.

Scenario 2:
I commented to Ben that I could see how much one of my friends resembled her mum. He didn't quite agree with me, and asked me to clarify. I told him, "Well, for one thing, I think her teeth looks like her mum's..."

Ben burst into laughter and screamed, "Her mum's teeth are fake lah. You know, dentures?"

Now every time I saw my friend's mum smile, I can't help laughing uncontrollably. :( And I feel really bad for doing so.

Sigh...

I've got classes the whole of this week for World Living Religions. And yipes...more homework!!!

Yay, it's Friday!

Finished a report for the church Beacon very late last night... My tummy rumbled, and I was only too happy to have 2 plain Jacob's cream crackers with cheese on top, and a soothing cup of hot chocolate - before I dove into bed. What a treat! :D

Poor Ben came down with a cold. I am not too far from that myself, what with all the calamities going on in my oral cavity - ulcers, sore gums and stuff. (And I thought I just recovered from the flu not too long ago...In fact, that was just 2 weeks ago!) Therefore, I swept Vitamin C off a shelf at Watson's pharmacy today. There was some promotion going on in Watsons for Redoxon 1000mg, but since this is the first time I am buying Vitamin C *guilty look*, I am not sure how much lower the prices have gone.

Paid my electricity bill today, and was very thankful that God had provided for it through Lydia. Thanks, dear!

Cleaned my house (and did my laundry yesterday) - and I noticed that I've been shedding alot more long hairs from my head lately. I concluded that my body must be trying to get used to the new school term as much as my brain. (Plus I had an infection lately.)

Happy Friday, people! And have a great weekend! :)

It's Thursday already, people!!!

My exam results are out! Although I made a few ridiculous mistakes here and there - which made me crack-up laughing when I saw them (Dr. Lee returned me my marked exam papers today), praise God that it was still a pretty amazing score :) He must have really helped me, for I was sick and all during that time. I'm contented. Thanks for the prayers, people!

I'm not so concerned about scores though. Perhaps age is catching up and I'm no longer as kiasu as I was back in school and A-levels. Perhaps even, this was the change med-school brought upon me! I don't know, but I am now more concerned about learning the things I have to learn, how to apply what I've learnt and how to serve God with a spirit of joy and excellence. It's been an exciting time so far - and more interesting things are coming up. Will blog about them when they do.

It looks like God is finally opening up many new doors in the area of ministry which have been previously shut. I'm so thankful for the grace He gave me to wait not go ahead of Him in any way, and to stay still and silent until He said, "Go!!!"

In fact, nobody should go ahead of God before He says, "Go!" A wrong thing is always wrong. But the right thing at the wrong time is still wrong. Um, I learnt this the difficult and painful way... once upon a time. The right things at the right time, God blesses - and we bear fruit.

A stanza from Hillsong's 'Still' that really touched me today:

Find rest my soul
in Christ alone,
Know His power
in quietness and trust...

Sang it over and over again. Can't seem to get tired of this beautiful song.

Google map - Last night, I had loads of fun travelling 'around the world' using its satellite (thanks to Ben's wonderful ideas!:P) You can zoom-in and when you are really close to the earth, you can even see houses, roads, rivers and stuff - labelled neatly. I even went as far as to 'tour' the Red Sea which God gave Moses the power to part, so the Israelites could cross it! Hehe. It was that fascinating! When I have kids of my own, I think I will surely let them use the Google map when they have to start learning geography. It is more fun and interactive!
Gosh, things are so convenient nowadays.

Anyway, I am that kind of person who thinks that learning and lessons should not be just books and homework... although I like homework.. and honestly loved tuition (what a geek!) I heart field-trips, visits to museums or historical places, orchestras and concerts, ballet, musicals, nature walks, educational computer games (Adventure in Math was a sure hit with us back in my childhood days... and so was Digger. Ehem!!!), documentary shows (National Geographic, Discovery channel, etc) and other activities, in which you can learn alot from participating. Hands-on, team-building, etc...

One word - FUN!!!

I can imagine what kind of mum I would be like...

Ulcers in my mouth again, and a sore-ish throat. Looks like it's time to buy Vitamin C.

Phew...

Guess what?!? I finally finished my reflection papers!! Yippeeez! Praise the Lord! Well, at least I hope they are acceptable... :P (Please don't let my eye-bags be in vain...)

I had better start on my other assignments... which are due in July. Now to tidy-up my house a little...

Anyway, some pictures from last Saturday's simple but yummy breakfast somewhere in Bayan Lepas area...

Fragrant, crispy buttery toast, with half-boiled eggs and Milo... yummers...

For Today...

Outside my window... dust, the view of hills, trees and houses...

I am thinking...that it's time I went to bed...

I am thankful for...a house of my own, in which I can romp about and not worry about disturbing anyone with my homework-messes; the calls Ben gives me everyday to check on what I'm up to if we don't see one another; my brothers and sisters in Christ; my family. Thankful for the past year, which has taught me many valuable lessons to live by.

From the kitchen... Jacobs' cream crackers, Iko Oat Biscuits, instant coffee, instant Tesco's Choice Hot Choc...Not a very interesting kitchen, I'm afraid.

I am wearing... pyjamas...

I am creating...more mess in my 'work-station'...

I am going...to have to try to finish my homework by tomorrow (today?) afternoon... coz I've got MLM training in church in the evening. Almost there, almost there... I promise.

I am reading... 'Chasing the Dragon' by Jackie Pullinger... It's part of my homework... Well, of course the homework involves more than reading..

I am hoping... that I won't fall sick again... since the corners of my mouth are cracking, and I've got more than one ulcer in the mouth. *Annoyed*

I am hearing...the whir of the fan blades, dogs barking outside and the clickety-clackety-noises the keys on my laptop keyboard are making as I type away...

Around the house...my portable grand piano, my books, my laptop, the rest of my furniture ...

One of my favorite things...is the voice of a loved one at the other end of the phone...

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finish up my reflection papers, MLM tomorrow night, start on the rest of my assignments which I'm supposed to be handing up in July, pay up my electricity bill, type out my reports...

A picture to share...Hehe... Kev Lee, your yummy present, bro!:) Loved it! Ate it on the bus on my way back to Penang from KL!

Jesus loves me this I know...

'Jesus loves me this I know...
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so...

Jesus loves me This I know,
As He loved so long ago
Taking children on His knee,
saying, "Let them come to Me."

Jesus loves me still today,
walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a Friend to give
light and love to all who live...'

Was listening to this song on Kevin Tay's blog and watching the video-clip. Made me cry, it did.

Never undermine the power of a simple song.

Our Korean lecturer, Dr. Lee, kinda made us sing it over and over again in class on a few occasions. We laughed everytime she did that. There was once, when she made us clap our hands in time to the beats too. Then, somehow, the song got a little stuck in my head. During the Korean Praise concert at Trinity last Saturday... this was the first song they played and sang! - except the more upbeat version (What's with the Koreans and this song?:D)

But yeah... I'm slowly growing to love this hymn again. The beauty of being able to have childlike faith... When we worship God like the little children do, it brings heaven down to earth. I don't know about you, but it makes me long to go Home to be with our Heavenly Father...

Yes, Jesus loves me... The Bible tells me so.

Tuesday

Another new day to work my socks off...Had a late night yesterday... Could hardly get up this morning - but anyway I did. I am proud to say that I did not go back to sleep later in the morning.

Did my quiet-time in the morning, just before I went out for lunch with Yvonne... Felt a little down in the morning about certain things (ok, so what is unusual?:P)... so I read and copied Psalm 31 into my journal, and prayed. Subsequently, I was reminded to have childlike faith in the Lord - to be 'strong and take heart', as the Lord who hears every cry for help and mercy is a faithful God, who preserves those who truly love and wait on Him.

Went out for lunch with my dear former housemate, former uni-mate, former churchmate, etc - Yvonne. She just passed her final medicine & surgery / General Practitioner exams, and therefore it was kind of like a celebration we had for that... More than anything, it was to remember God's faithfulness and grace in our friendship throughout our years. It was funny how we met during our PMC orientation 6 years ago. I was so shy, that I didn't really want to put my name-tag on (although we were supposed to) - ummm, so I wore it upside-down, and I wouldn't leave my dad's side :P (Malu-fying also, when I think of it now.) But yeah, we got to know one another... and first impressions last forever! She still reminds me of that first meeting we had every now and then. :S

Throughout the years, she's been really a friend and dear sister-in-Christ to me. Even after I had graduated (she took pre-med year and I did not), we continued to keep in touch. She's one of the young women in church I was 'commissioned' to disciple (and baptize) when we were in Every Nation Dublin... and I'm so proud of her - I really am. Not that I'm proud of what I did, because it could only have been by the grace of God (and boy, I almost gave-up on her once - This, she reminded me very sneakily and gleefully today :P - Thankfully, she didn't give up on her fickle-minded discipler...). But I remember how far she's come since I met her. How much she had gone through in the past. How she had truly surrendered her life to the Lord, living her fullest for Him. How she started serving Him with all her heart, mind, soul and strength. How she stood on her own feet, even when I had come back to Penang, and she was still in Dublin... I was so overjoyed that she didn't 'need' me anymore, but had established her own intimate relationship with the Lord. Now she's such a committed servant-leader in church, discipling other young women too. She is one of the reasons I believe my med-school days were not in vain :) I was telling her today (feeling rather emotional) that I feel so privileged and blessed to have been able to cross paths with her. In fact, I think she's more than a friend, a sister and a former housemate. She's someone who had faithfully walked with me through my ED days too and given me unstinting support to follow God's call.

Well, Vonz blessed me with lunch at Chili's. We caught up. Don't know when we will ever get the chance to meet again after this... um, perhaps when either of us gets married? :)

I look forward to meet some of my juniors later this afternoon, just before they graduate and leave for their hometowns... and housemanship.

I honestly don't like this time of the year, you know. Alot of goodbyes to be said...

Yvonne made a remark that totally surprised me... "I think you look more and more like your father..." (I secretly think so too!) That's hilarious, because everyone used to tell me how much I look like my late-mum. Oh well, there is always a first for everything, huh. Hehe.

Monday

Had a good day on the whole, praise God.

Went out for lunch with Pig. It was a lovely, blessed time. We haven't done that for quite a while, have we?:) Thanks for buying me lunch, dear!

And then...

...and then since I was at QB, I thought I'd wander around a bit as I usually did on Mondays (when I was a full-time staff at Trinity, and Mondays were my off-days...) Well, hardy har har... it was quite a joke! The first shop I felt somewhat 'compelled' to enter was MNG, since they were having some big sale going on. The labels which read '50% discount', '20% discounts' and etc. seemed to be calling out my name! (I do like window shopping, even if I cannot afford to splurge on new outfits!)

Then weirdly enough, I suddenly felt very guilty and convicted that I was in there, and not doing my assignments - so I rushed out as quickly as I had gone in.

In short, the rest of my afternoon was spent trying to put together my reflection papers...and I am still not done! Argh, help!

Tomorrow, I'm meeting up with Yvonne for lunch.

Just a quick weekend update...

It has been a really refreshing weekend... although most of what I did was to TRY and do my assignments, watch Youtube (interesting stuff; great for my homework) and catch up with my sleep-debt. Watched Terminator Salvation on Friday night with Ben - what a lovely ending to an amazing week.

Went to church today. There was a special sermon just for parents - which I am very thankful about. You see.. not only those, who are already parents, need talks like these from time to time. Young, yet-unmarried people (single, yes... but especially those who are currently in courtship/are engaged or those who have just gotten married) need them too. It is never too early to prepare for a godly parenthood, I always feel.

Kev Rimas, thanks for prayers, bro! :) Really appreciate them.

Korean Praise was held in my church on Saturday night. I had a great time indeed!

Next week is a study-break week, somewhat - but I'm going to be really busy. Time to quickly finish up my reflection papers (:S - ARGH, help!!!), and I've got an event-report to write on Saturday's Korean Praise too, for Beacon. Then I can also start on my missions program planning...

Meeting Pig for lunch tomorrow (yipppeeez!!) then Yvonne on Tuesday.

TGIF!!!:)

My favourite day of the week! I'll let my blog entry be short and sweet today.

Some heart-warming things for today...

- Walking up the MBTS slopes in the morning with new-found friends...
- A brother, who very kindly brought me a biscuit during one of the breaks this morning, when I didn't feel like walking to the canteen and stayed in class.
- Talking to Ai Hua and Caroline after lunch
- God-given confirmations regarding 2 matters I've been praying about

- The encouraging email from Aunty May Ling :)

Strangely, I've been feeling a burden to take Mandarin more seriously lately.

A year of grace...

Exactly one year ago, I wrote this in my God journal:

"Praise the Lord!!! I passed my medicine and surgery finals! Great is His mercy indeed, unto me!"

Results had been released a day ago, I think. Finals had just ended a few days ago. Anyway, I happened to have that particular day to myself...

Sweet memories of myself sitting in a cafe that afternoon (with fascinating ceiling lights - balls twice the size of my head, dangling down at various distances from the ceiling) all by myself to celebrate - coz everyone else was either working or had gone home to be with his/her family in between our finals and graduation in July... I had chosen to stay back in Penang, partially because I had an interview coming up for my full-time work at the church, partially because we were having choir practices for the upcoming Church Anniversary, and there were many other matters to settle before July arrived.

The coffee tasted extra-great, btw. I'm not kidding. I had gotten so accustomed to drinking bad-tasting coffee just for the caffeine, in the preceding months. This one was heavenly!

You can probably tell that I am a coffee-lover.

I stayed in the cafe for a few hours writing in my journal and savouring every bit of the heavenly drink. Penned the following verses:

"...But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let those who boast, boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

Today, a dear sister and friend, Lydia gave me a surprise call this evening... and seriously, I had not expected such encouragement to come my way at such a random time of the day/week. But God brought it... and she said things that left me trembling literally - in awe of God's faithfulness. (Thank you, my dear...) I could do nothing but to fall down on my knees, and cry out to Him right after the phone-call had ended. When I read my journal (as I often do 'cross-journal-entry' comparisons from time to time), it seemed as if God was reminding me again, exactly a year after that beautiful day - about how He often uses the most rejected or looked-down upon vessels for His glorious purposes. If only more of us would avail ourselves to be 'foolish' (as the world deems) for Him.

I didn't know then, that God was giving me a 'fore-taste' of what the rest of the year would be like for a 'fool'. Or um... the rest of my life, perhaps.

I'm not saying here that I was very good at being 'foolish'. Neither am I trying to boast about my 'obedience' to choose to be a 'fool'! It was only by His grace, I had arrived where I arrived. But yeah, I was a fickle-minded 'fool'!

It's a little like how Peter said so decidedly, "No Jesus, I would NEVER deny you..." but he ended up denying Jesus 3 times by the end of the night. Just as how Jesus was not surprised that Peter would end up that way, I don't think He was surprised with me...He knew the stuff I was made of, and how much I had to learn. I had of course counted the cost, before I chose to walk this path... but when the terrible weight of it started descending upon my shoulders, I was shaken... rather like Peter, when he was walking on the water - and he should have been keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus, but he got distracted by the scary winds and big waves! (I could have been more shaken, if it hadn't been for God mercifully giving me the best friends ever.) My family and close friends, you'd know - how weak and timid I've been, how many times I've texted you guys asking for prayers, how resentful I was in some ways, how terribly discouraged I was... and how tempted I was to dig for myself another path, apart from that of the Lord.

I'm serious. I contemplated the most unthinkable things. You can ask Pig. She walked a long stretch of this journey with me. I still keep all the histories of our conversations, dear.

But, hey... I didn't mean this to be a sob-story. I've learnt more about grace this year than I've ever had before. Grace, undeserved, in its purest form - I saw how God caused it to flood every corner of my life. Where I kept rebelling and later, feeling bad about that filled with remorse, grace came again and again, as if freshly wrapped each time. Where I found it tough to rough-out the consequences of my decisions, grace came and gave me the strength I never had. Grace came in the kind words my loved ones gave, the kind hands that blessed me, the beautiful love-gifts that fell into my lap (lovely surprises, all of them), and in answered prayer.

I didn't know how miserable I would be when I saw my friends leave one by one, after our graduation in July. I cried my eyes out, when it all finally sank in... and I realized with much sorrow, that our season together had ended and that we'd be going down very different paths. And there was nothing much I could do about it, except to keep in touch.

But the year wasn't all too difficult. I didn't know that I would meet Pig in the lithurgical dance workshop (hehe, remember that one?:P) - and that we would end up being such close friends today. God gave me many other wonderful friends here in Penang (as well as many new friends who were not from Penang).

I didn't know that my degree (which I used to think rather 'redundant' ) would earn me a chance to do M.Div's at MBTS - which has always been something I had dreamed of, since I took seriously the call to full-time ministry. In fact, I've stopped regretting med-school eversince. I wouldn't even have ended up in Penang, if it wasn't for that! I am starting to realize more and more often nowadays, that God had His reasons to put me through that 5 gruelling years.

God has been very gracious indeed.

Today, during worship, I thought this well-known hymn very appropriate. The words are all true, btw. I've found all of them to be true indeed. Couldn't sing the last stanza without tearing.

Great is Thy faithfulness
O God, my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee..
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be...

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I'll see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great it Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me...

Summer and winter, springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above...
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside...

Thank You, Lord.

Goodbye, 3rd Uncle... for a while...

3rd Uncle passed away yesterday, from septicaemia, secondary to severe cholecystitis... I'm quite sad about it, but nevertheless, we are all rejoicing because we know that we will see him again in heaven someday - free of all pain and sickness.

Called my aunt today, and was very encouraged to hear her faith-filled voice at the other end of the line. According to my aunt, he died in great peace. His wife and children 'sent him off', singing songs of praise and worship beside his hospital bed, and even though he was unconscious, he clearly responded. I think it must have filled his dear heart with joy and peace, knowing that he would meet our Lord soon. In time, his face lined with pain relaxed... and he dropped into a fitful 'sleep'. I am also glad that my non-Christian relatives had the opportunity to hear the gospel being preached at his memorial service. I believe in faith that God's seed has been planted in each heart.

Although my uncle was a relatively 'young' Christian having accepted Christ just over a year ago, his life is indeed a testimony for the Lord. I remember him as a rather proud man once, hardened against Christianity, but somehow, God turned his heart of stone into flesh - and he invited Jesus into his life. And he shone. My aunt tells me what a changed man our 3rd uncle has been, eversince. All glory and praise unto the Lord! :)

Till we meet again, san ee zhang...

One down, more to go...

1 am.

I finished one reflection paper... on Jim Elliot. Actually I chose to write about him, because he's been my 'hero' missionary all this while - since I read jie's 'Shadow of the Almighty' back in Dublin. Can't count how many times I've read that book and 'Journals of Jim Elliot' from cover to cover. (I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Elliot's books, btw). Initially, I thought that my first reflection paper would be much easier to do, considering I've done all that 'groundwork', but obviously, it was not as easy as I thought it would be. As a result, I've taken 5 days to complete my first reflection paper of 4-5 pages. With good, healthy intermissions in between of course.

School. Coffee-breaks. Naps. Answering phone-calls. Emails. Blogging. Toilet breaks. Snacktimes. Church. Quiet-time. Etc, etc, etc... Gotta love 'em! :)

Oh well...

One more reflection paper to go...

Then I've got massive planning to do for the other 2 'mega' assignments... Did I ever mention that I love homework? I just don't like being in the middle of nowhere... when the feelings of 'sien-ness' creeps up, and I start getting distracted. The beginning and ending parts are fantabulous! :D LOL!!!

Such a warm night tonight... Time for bed. Goodnight, world! :)

Wednesday

I've been experimenting lately with ~ what is the best time for me to start out from my place to arrive at MBTS on time. At 7 something, the roads are already congested with cars and buses, thanks to the commencement of the new school term. Alot of honking, road-bullies and impatient people around as well. I've been starting out at 7.15am, and I usually manage to get to MBTS by 7.50am - to give me some time to breathe and prepare myself for the day's classes.

I avoid driving along the main-road passing by Penang Chinese Girl's School at all costs. Usually I'd drive along Brown Road... then eventually this links me to the winding Mount Erskine Road.

No wonder I am thoroughly awake when I arrive at the seminary! I often feel like half of my breakfast has been digested in the process too! (Nowadays, I try to have a tiny snack mid-morning, or I'd be starving by the time luncheon hour comes around - at 1pm!) I mean - it's 2 sets of extremely winding roads to get through... (The Mount Erskine road...then the one approaching Batu Ferringhi). I'd usually mutter, "Left, right, left, right" to myself as I round the sharp bends. I'd park my car at the student's car-park opposite MBTS, cross the road, and then huff and puff my way up the steep slopes leading to the buildings. I won't be surprised if I end up with increased lung-power, as well as beautiful thigh muscles by the end of this year! Woo hoo....Talk about morning exercises...

I'm just afraid of my calves turning into cows! (I'm just quoting my little sister, Zoey, here... She said that her calves have already turned into cows...thanks to all that walking to-and-fro, in between our home and her workplace...) LOL.

Something my lecturer mentioned in class yesterday really impacted me. He was teaching us how to put together a ministry team. One point he made was, "When you choose your team members, look at their characters and the fruits of the Spirit their lives bear, before their spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts have nothing to do with the individual - they are given by God. But the fruits of the Spirit have got to do with our faithfulness. And you cannot afford not to have faithful people in your team. Spiritual gifts alone, one who does not have good attitude/character and who does not bear the fruits of the Spirit in his/her life, is prone to pride.."

What a good reminder! I truly appreciate it now when leaders put me in probation before formally accepting me into a particular ministry team. I remember secretly resenting it when Mark, my Namibian worship leader back in EN Dublin put me on probation, before I was considered a 'fully-fledged' worship-ministry member...I just felt so... 'unbelonged' for that 2 months. But he made his reasons very clear to me later, and I understood that there was no other way. For him, having the skills needed just wasn't enough. You could be the best vocallist or pianist in church for that matter (I wasn't, of course!:D), and you'd be still on probation. If he saw that your spiritual walk wasn't right, he'd either put you on a longer probation... or tell you gently that perhaps, you could serve somewhere else first. Trust me. Past experiences of having been in any music ministry were useful of course, but he did not count that as a ticket for team-membership either.

"What is the point being on the worship ministry, if you do not worship the Lord in your heart, your life, and your entire being? When you lead others up-front, there is no room for showmanship. You are leading others to worship God. So you must first worship Him. Not only on Sundays... but every day of your life.." he would say. It was alot of discipleship he did with us. Everytime we came for practices and meetings, he'd ask us how our walk with God was going. He'd rebuke us if we did not take seriously the importance of punctuality during practices - he made us see how important total, whole-hearted commitment towards serving the Lord was. (There was once someone came very late for the practice with no valid reason - he merely woke up late, and he wasn't allowed to play that Sunday...) Sometimes, he'd ask some of us to prepare something from our daily devotions to share with the team. Most of the time, he'd share something, himself. We'd always start our meetings with prayer and worship... before going into the songs for the weekend service.

He would encourage us to go for the annual conferences held in Belfast, so that we would be more equipped for the ministry. In my two-and-a-half years in Dublin, I have travelled to Belfast at least 3-4 times for such events - which have truly changed my life and my perspective towards worship.

When he saw me struggling with my eating disorders (those dark, ol' days...) he'd never fail to encourage and edify me. Many times, he'd rebuke me for saying unwholesome things about myself... for example, I'd use 'fat', 'stupid', or other negative adjectives for myself. He was faithful to keep everyone of us in prayer... Then he'd challenge me out of my comfort zones whenever he felt that I was ready. I must say that he was an amazing steward of the leadership mantle God had given him. Such a humble, servant leader too.

Boy, I do miss brother Mark! I don't think I'd be who I am today, if it wasn't for him in my life.

Homework...

Need prayers...

I have this assignment, apart from my 2 reflection papers for last week's course (took a break from them).

It says, 'Make a plan for the missions program for a local church...' In Dr. Lee's own words, she said something like, "Pretend that you are the missions pastor of your church...and you are supposed to plan out the missions calendar for the year ahead... Think: mission's education, prayer support, financial support, mission trips, local mission's projects, etc..." This is due on July 10th, 2009.

@_@ --> How to pretend?!?

Then from this week's course, I have another assignment whereby I would have to plan a church-plant. This is due on July the 19th, 2009.

@_@ @_@

Both are like.... so wide! *Munches on cookies for comfort*

I covet your prayers!!!

You are my all in all...

The church-planting and church growth course syllabus I'm taking this week is so good. I have no regrets whatsoever deciding to go for it, last minute. God, thank You for leading me to do so.

I basically sat and gaped at the lecturer, while scribbling furiously in my book, the whole time. He was amazing! Or rather, God truly made the man such an effective communicator of His Word, His commands and His big picture. It was a challenge to sit in his lectures because he challenged every pre-conceived idea many have had about church-planting... and God reminded me through him, of many things I've absolutely forgotten, ever since I left EN Dublin, to come back to Penang - and settled down in the clinical phase of med school.

I ended up with a headache, and had to come back home after lectures to nap. LOL.

I've been singing and playing a song on my piano during my quiet-time, for the past 2 days... and I could sing it for the rest of my life, without being bored of it. I guess most of you would know the song, because I've been singing it since I've come to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior 8 years ago, so the song has been around for ages. Played it again today, and I was filled in awe of God's love and forgiveness. It makes me cry everytime I play this song, to remember that God is my all in all, and without Him, I would be so lost. I wouldn't have known what it is to truly live.

My life was truly a mess before I met Him. I mean, He's always been there. My Maker. But never knew Him before. I struggled with my identity, because fearful as I was that others would not love or accept me, I strove to be that I was not. I strove to find joy in the wrong places. I strove to excel in my life for the wrong reasons. It was a life driven by acceptance-seeking and people-pleasing... And it was a life filled with confusion, pain, and grief. There was no real purpose of living. Deep down within, I hungered to find Him who made me. I needed Him to put me right - and He did come to make Himself known in the most beautiful ways.

I only came to know and call on Him, in my late teens. Being my Maker, He knew how fearfully and wonderfully He had made me. He knew the purpose I was here, for He had purposed me to be here. And having been reconciled to Him, through believing in Christ who He sent to die on the cross for all our sins - it is the best gift I've ever known. That of being able to live my life purposefully, knowing that this side of eternity is just a foretaste of His glory that I would be able to enjoy forever when I reach 'the other side'. My life will never be the same again, and I live now - because He is my all in all.

Allow me to share this song with you.

You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all...
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name...
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,
Rising again, I bless Your name,
You are my all in all..
When I fall down You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup,
You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name...
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name.

Monday: Evening

My second post for the day... *Grins sheepishly*

I guess I'm running out of brain juice for my assignment. I've finished 4 out of 5 pages of the first one. I still need to think of a suitable conclusion for it.

Started reading Pastor Edmund Chan's book. It is really good. But I'll try to go through the book slowly, instead of gobbling up its contents like I usually do with the books that land themselves in my hands. This is because I have to finish reading another book for my written assignments - and I am kinda tied for time.

Had a restful, but also fruitful Monday! Quiet time, homework, my house is squeaking clean (I can probably eat off the floor now), and my laundry's all done...

Contructed my annual faith-list today. It's a list of what I am praying and believing God for, especially in the months ahead - and I've found faith-lists to be very helpful for two reasons: One, I remember to pray for the things regularly - and two, I tick off the prayers when they have been answered, which gives me an indescribable sense of joy and reminds me that God is more than able to answer the other prayers too - albeit in His own way. (Things don't always turn out the way I expect them to, but God's knows best how to work with my circumstances).

I also read today a very touching passage from the Bible - the last part of 2 Timothy (chapter 4:16:18), where Paul wrote this: "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength that through me, the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

How gracious Paul was to pardon those who deserted him. (Even some of his fellow believers) "May it not be held against them..." I believe it was the strength that fruited from the joy and peace he had in the Lord to deliver him, which enabled him to endure and forgive. It was perhaps also the reflection upon the Lord's kindness when Paul encountered Him on the road to Damascus years ago and His mercy that brought him to repentance, that had led him to recoil from his hurts. Why do we find it so difficult to forgive others when they hurt us (intentionally or non-intentionally)? Why do we hold on so tightly to our right to be angry that we forfeit the peace that could be ours when we give it up to the Lord? Yes, it is normal to feel betrayed and hurt when people wrong us, but must we let these evolve into the kind of bitterness that transforms us into hardened, cynical and revengeful beings?

Let us remember the words of Christ, who cried out to the Father for our sakes, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing..." and was crucified for our sins. If anyone had the right to be angry, it was God. But what a portrait of forgiveness and compassionate love! Can we say of the sins of others that naught can wash them away when Jesus did come to die for the world?

Brothers and sisters, we can all afford to love and forgive, as Christ first loved us. Give up your hurts to Him, who comforts and encourages.

I haven't begun on my Cantonese-testimony yet:P I'll get to it after the Korean Praise concert this Saturday. Too much work on hand.

Just consumed a cup of hot chocolate and a packet of Iko biscuits. Time for bed. Goodnight folks!!!

Monday

I've got angular stomatitis. I'm not sure if it is because of some vitamin deficiency, my infection or the medicine I've been taking recently...

It's kinda tough to smile without feeling the prickly, stinging sensation at the corners of the mouth.

I only hope I don't end up looking like the Joker from the Dark Knight movie:P

But having said that, it's a beautiful Monday morning... I only realized that my class only starts tomorrow for this week - so I'm back home doing my homework, housework, laundry... and resting a little. Been physically very tired for the past few days, thanks to the flu. I was so surprised to find myself nodding off even before 10pm last night. So I'm glad that I get today off. After a packed, full week too.

Met up with Pastor Woo yesterday (before we attended the 5pm service), and straightened out a few things with regards to school. He prayed with Ben and myself, and gave us a gift - a book by Pst. Edmund Chan from the Covenant Evangelical Free Church in Singapore, entitled, "Growing deep in God: Integrating theology and prayer". I'm pleased as Punch. I always feel that good books make good presents.

This week's going to be busy as well. MLM on Wednesday evening. Korean Praise on Saturday evening. Classes, last week's assignments (which are due next week), etc.

Cantonese boo-hoos...

Before I blog about anything... a few pictures...

The is the beautifully written, precious card, a very dear brother, Edmond wrote me - into which he had slipped a love-gift. I read it with Ee Ling last Saturday, and almost cried, humbled and touched. To quote the last part of his message, "This little gift is hardly enough for a couple of books, but may God multiply it in whatever way He pleases, that your life will continue to be used by Him exponentially. May the grace of God be with you always. Your brother, Edmond."

*Cries* Amen, brother. Thanks for your love and encouragement to me all the time.

To be so dependant on God is such a beautiful thing, of which I am not ashamed. He never fails! I pray that I too would be able to help my brothers and sisters in need, someday... or whenever God provides me to do so.

Above: My table while I was studying for my exams this week... I'm not a very tidy person when I'm hard at work, I must say.

The evening I was really sick. Was studying while waiting for Ben to come and bring me to the doctor's.

Something that kinda amused me this week...

... As you guys know, I will be going for a mission trip to Sandakan, Sabah, this August... with some of the students at the seminary. And I've been told that it's a place where everybody speaks Cantonese and Hakka.

It is not that I have a problem with that. After all, my dad is Cantonese... and my mum, Hakka. Plus, I've lived in KL for 18 years of my life. All KL people can speak in Cantonese. I ought be pretty comfortable getting around (although my Hakka is not good at all)!

In fact, I'd be even more comfortable getting around in Sandakan, than when I'm here in Penang - where almost everyone speaks Hokkien. For the past 3 years of staying in this then-foreign place I now call 'home', I've been speaking alot of Mandarin and Malay to the locals. Especially to those I used to meet in the General Hospital. I've even met a Chinese lady, who only understood Hokkien and Malay - so I ended up clerking her in Malay:P Hehe. How weird that was! Even I, was pretty embarrassed to be Chinese myself.

Thanks to Ben and his mum, I now know alot more Hokkien words than I did when I first arrived, and I've been trying to string them into sentences...

I said trying...

Anyway, on Thursday this week, I had a brief meeting with the rest of my missions team. Our team leader, who is from Sandakan himself, told us about the Cantonese and Hakka thingy. I secretly felt relieved. Hehe. But not for long...

He then revealed to us that his church, where we will be helping out with the children and youth ministry, is a Cantonese-speaking Baptist Church. *My eyes grew bigger* While there will be an English-service, in which I will have to do a sharing, we will have to prepare to minister in Cantonese, especially those who know how to speak Cantonese.

*Gulp*

"What?" I gasped.

How am I to share a testimony in Cantonese?!?!?!? @_@ (Yeah, we all have to be prepared for just anything.

How do you say 'Eating disorders' in Cantonese? Or explain it?

In case you are wondering, I do speak Cantonese... but I have to admit, it's not very accurate sometimes (Ben often laughs at my articulation and pronunciations - and my sister, Zoey, used to tell me that I sound like 'Dai look mui' when I speak - to give you a picture of how 'good' my Cantonese is). Sharing and preaching? Unimaginable. I am more familiar with Mandarin. And I have absolutely never thought that I would have to minister in Cantonese one day. I guess this would be a good opportunity to learn.

God help me!

When my dear boyfriend heard about this (he's Cantonese btw) - he tried to translate my testimony into Cantonese. While I giggled and laughed at how unfamiliar it sounded in a different language (I've shared my testimony in English and Malay, but never Cantonese), I was truly impressed! The words he used were simple - but he strung them together in a way that did not water down the effect of the testimony.

In fact, hearing my own testimony in Cantonese touched me so much.

It also made me regret that I have never considered learning how to share about the Lord in Cantonese before this.

Therefore, I've decided to ask Ben to help me with the translations...

What a step it is going to be out of my comfort zone. But I'm truly excited to experiment with an entirely new way of telling others about the Lord and His lovingkindness.

Thank God it's Friday!:)

TGIF... and thank God, my final exams for the 'Int. to missions' syllabus is over! Now for my written assignments - 3 of them. Next week's course/exams will be on church planting.

*Wipes sweat from brow*

My flu's kinda 'mellowed' down a bit. Thanks to those who have been praying for me. I had good, rejuvenating sleep last night... and I didn't even feel stressed about the exams, even though this is my first exam since I took my final med & surg exam a whole year ago.

A string of shiny pearls...

I am sick. :( And the exams have not been postponed - don't think they would be anyway (haha)... So pray for me please.

My brain is too exhausted with the fever. But I'd like to share something that truly blessed me today. On the way back from school, I drove past a quiet, peaceful cemetery - and what did I see in there?

*Drumroll*....

A whole herd (is that the right penjodoh bilangan?) of cows having a party of a time grazing away! Hehe. How contented they look! A few of them basked in the evening sun, oblivious to the cars swooshing past the cemetery. I saw that and remembered that the Lord provides for those who belong to Him. Reminds me of my favourite psalm, no. 23 - "The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not be in want... He makes me lie down in green pastures..." - although those I saw were not sheep, and the pastures looked anything but pastures! :D

Aunty May Ling sent me a love-gift today, which I absolutely treasure from the depths of my heart. While it has yet to reach me, I want to say thank you very much!:)

Recently God has been speaking to me very personally about something - through the words of my Korean lecturer, through the Word, and through a few people. Challenging me to give up something to Him. Weaning me. Stretching my faith. Arranging circumstances so that I would come to a crisis of belief...

Do we love our gifts more than our Giver?

Don't think I will share about what happened, right now. Perhaps someday.

This is nothing to be proud of... I was very doubtful in the beginning, skeptical about things, and truly reluctant to 'put my Isaac on the altar'... but I'd like to thank God that He gave me His grace to do what He had called me to do.

This week, tinged with a little doubt and a great fear of the unknown, I decided to give up the something - and trust Him. Asked Him for another confirmation that it was His will that I do it (a specific confirmation this time) - and that very night, He ushered it in. A string of genuine, shiny pearls, so to speak. (And yeah, this is figurative, btw).

My heart is swelling with thankfulness. In awe of His faithfulness, and rather glad that I did not refuse the Lord what He had asked. (That comes with a little shame and guilt of having doubted Him!)

I know this is random. But we all remember the story of the little boy with 5 fishes and 2 loaves of bread - who gave them up willingly to the Lord. He used it to bless others... but I always believe, He had truly wanted to bless the little boy. I mean, Jesus was never surprised at anything that came up. He knew the multitudes that followed him would be hungry (spiritually and physiologically). He knew that His disciples would be at a loss of what to do in that time of great need. He knew that the little boy would come up, with 5 fishes and 2 loaves of bread. He knew that one of His disciples would spot the boy and present him to the Lord. He knew that the little boy, faced with the challenge to give up his picnic basket, could choose to give away everything he had - bless and be blessed himself.

Is God challenging anyone of us today to give up what we hold close to our hearts - to Him? He wants to bless. In a way exceedingly and abundantly more than we could have ever asked or imagined. He never shortchanges our faith.

In the very words of our Korean lecturer - "God is our portion!"

Aunty May Ling, thank you again for giving. I promise to use the gift as it should be used. Will write to you again, once I'm done with my exams...or when I've received it.

A little under the weather...

Feeling a little unwell today.

I'm hoping that I didn't catch somebody's flu! Also, getting <6 hours of sleep per day thanks to all that reading material is perhaps taking its toll.

There's a way, way painful ulcer in my mouth that disturbs me when I eat or smile, a sore throat (no tonsilitis please!) - and in the evening, after my short nap (I was zombified after class indeed), I felt a little chilly and feverish in my little apartment. Nose started running after an hour of revision.

Thank God, no MLM training at church tonight... I would have fainted all together. I'm serious. (Pardon the drama...)

Ok...now onto something more cheerful...

Classes were great today. Dr. Lee as usual kept us in stitches with her Korean jokes. We also watched a movie on a missionary's attempt to evangelize to the Moravians. Could hear people sniffling away in the class. Touched.

During mid-morning chapel, I realized that I was sitting in the midst of fiery-hearted missionaries and missionaries-to-be (it's the missions term in MBTS now - and we've got foreign missionaries with us this term, who are taking the same classes we are taking)... worshipping the Lord and praying together. Indeed this was something I could not have dreamed of in the past. Really treasure the opportunity to be here at MBTS. It's one faith-stretching place indeed. Here, everyone lives for a purpose - and this inspires me to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord too.

Anyway, since we're having a missions term, I remember a dear brother back in med school, Han, who used to always tell me stories of missionaries sacrificially giving their lives to pioneer missions movements, communicate the gospel cross-culturally to the unreached nations, with the hope of bringing more people to know God's love and forgiveness and establish self-supporting, self-governing and self-propagating indigenous churches all across the world. Today, when I see the posters around my college, with the faces of those very missionaries, and their famous quotes, it gives me a sense of familiarity - and I think how Han encouraged me in every way to pursue the call of God. Now that we've gone separate ways, I believe God had made our paths cross for a divine reason. I don't believe I would have been this encouraged to pursue God's call upon my life, if it wasn't for him. It seemed that the Lord prepared me loads through him.

Anyway... I know this is random but...one funny rule in our college is - we are not to feed the monkeys in the trees.

I had one 'Monkey story' to tell our dear sister Pig today... and her response to that was, "What are you referring to? The people in your college or real monkeys?" :P

I slapped my forehead and nearly pengsan-ed.

Think I'll have an early night today...

Tuesday

View of the sea from the college library...

Another long day of lectures today... Tomorrow's even longer - coz I have one full day of lectures at MBTS...then in the evening, I've got MLM training at church.

But, you know...one big difference between sitting through lectures at med school and lectures at the seminary - I go home drained after med sch. lectures... but not after seminary lectures, despite the information overload (almost). And I've never been so happy before to wake up in the mornings!

Contentedly ate my breakfast, drank coffee, and studied a bit this morning, before I drove myself to school.

I also keep forgetting that I'm not doing a Bachelor's degree this time - so when my lecturer said yesterday, "Masters students must write impressions on 2 books!" and many students in my class groaned, I happily and gleefully thought, "Ah, that doesn't apply to me..." until a classmate reminded me today that I too would have to hand up 2 written-impressions. @_@ Then I panicked a little, was in denial - and went straight up to my lecturer to confirm.

Guess what? I'll have to hand up two written impressions... Hallo....Wake up, Grace... wake up!

We had combined chapel this morning (it's just like any service - praise and worship in the beginning, then the speaker presents a sermon) ~ Combined chapel is attended by both Chinese Stream and English Stream students...so they have a translator. Today's speaker spoke in Mandarin... so someone translated sentence by sentence to English. The thing about bi-lingual services like that - I'm pretty thankful that I can at least understand quite alot of Mandarin. When the sentences were directly translated to English, I don't know about the others - but the sermon kinda lost its impact on me. Thank God, it started to make sense toward the end.

We're currently chugging through church history, history of missions and evangelism, world religion, and etc.

Anyway....

Let's talk about something not seminary-related.

My exercise - not good. I've not been exercising since the Langkawi Trip... haha. And I'm feeling sluggish already.

Kapitan's - Ben drove down from Sg. Ara and brought me out to Kapitan's (North Indian food) in town yesterday evening (before he went to church for MEC meeting). We had really good tandoori chicken with garlic naan bread... and chicken briyani. However, we still prefer the food at the Kapitan's opposite Queensbay Mall. It brought me much comfort to see him after a long day at school. Somehow, one funny feeling I've been getting so far - since I started out at MBTS... I feel kinda isolated from everyone else. Probably because I'm all the way in Batu Feringghi (which still feels like a new world to me), and probably because I'm still not used to my surroundings yet. Or my classmates. Or the idea of eating lunch with strangers... :P Well, I do hope I'll know them as friends soon.

Anyway, before Ben left for church, he introduced me to a cheap but yummylicious brand of bubble gum from the convenience store in my block! :)

Laundry - Ok, Pig knows that I'm obsessed with this, especially on Thursday nights :P ~ But I guess I'll have to start doing my laundry on Wednesday nights instead... coz we will have final exams every Friday - and I think I'd better spend Thursday nights studying instead of squatting in the bathroom, hand-washing my clothes! LOL!

Spilt perfume - I don't know what is it with my recent clumsiness with perfume bottles! (I am a big fan of nice-smelling stuff btw) I spilt perfume in my bedroom again this morning...and now the whole room reeks of the floral scent!

New pencil-bag - will buy one for myself this weekend - or curi one from someone. The need to carry pens and high-lighters in a neat case is finally back!

Monday - first day at MBTS

One word for it - exhilarating.

Had lectures today. Although it was very tiring to have to gotten up so early in the morning... to drive to Batu Ferringhi, sit through so many hours in a day (It's been a whole year since I last did that), and we were piled with readings to do, assignments... and ta daah - the final exam's this Friday - it was really fun and refreshing. This term's work and courses are all on missions, evangelism, church-planting, etc - and we get to go on mission trips in August.

God, knowing how I find it so difficult sometimes to adapt to changes and new surroundings (I'm serious!), graciously gave me a very sweet seat-partner, Serena from Singapore Baptist Seminary (she's doing a one-month attachment here) - since we were both new to the seminary, we stuck to one another. From the classroom, to the admin blocks, to the chapel, to the canteen, to the library, etc, etc. I thought that it was funny that she thought that I was cool, calm and composed about everything... Actually it was probably because I found much comfort in her presence. Thank You, Lord for a friend! Later in the day, I got to know some of my other course-mates better. Met the students from Penang Wesley Methodist Church too!

Our lecturer this week is a Korean lady, Dr. Lee Kuem Ju - who used to be a missionary in Indonesia. Amazing woman. She can speak Bahasa Indonesia so fluently too!

So tired. I think I'm going to settle early tonight, and see if I can wake up a little earlier tomorrow to continue studying...

Pics from the Langkawi trip...

As promised:)

1st day...

The ferry to Langkawi from Swettenham Port, Penang...

Staggering onto the deck for fresh air...

Sunning ourselves on the deck of the ferry - before we both got very sea-sick and were forced to go take a nap in the cabin...

So, so gorgeous. Look at the reflection of the sun on the waters...

We passed by Pulau Payar (a famous snokelling retreat) on our way to Langkawi Island... Some of the sea-sickness had died down after our nap... We were pretty thankful nobody vomited in the cabin - or it would have set us both off too in no time!!! Anyway, the waters at Pulau Payar were so clear that we could see all kinds of fish swimming near our ferry...

Our first stop on the island (after we had rented a car!) ...

Planning our routes over a yummy lunch at KFC... We were both hungry anyway; didn't think of eating at anywhere more 'authentic'.

In my cozy room...at Hotel Helang.

Cable-car ride...

Wheeeee!!!! So high from the ground...

At the first station...

In the Cable Car again...

At the Suspension Bridge.... 710 m from sea level... Was a little shaky. Then some crazy people were jumping on the bridge just to take photos @_@... Ben and I kept shaking our heads...

Ok, a little scary... I've got a fear of heights... so I didn't dare peer through the gaps between the wooden planks below my feet...

Taking a photograph after we had 'conquered' the shaky suspension bridge...

Suspension bridge from the 3rd (highest) station...

Feeding the deer at Oriental Village's deer park. I grew a little envious over their long eye-lashes... Hehe, so sweet...

Our first stop at a Langkawi beach...

Loads of footprints on the soft, squishy, wet, fine sand...

Ships in the distance... :) and the sunny horizon.

Visited quite a few waterfalls. This one (Temurun Waterfall) is the tallest one in Langkawi... Ben's camera has much better photos of it...

Kilim Geoforest Tour...on boat.

...the Thai International Border...

Fish-farm...

Scary clawed animal that Ben was coaxed to hold...muahaha....

Sayang-ing the adorable sting-rays...They were pretty manja... weren't contented with the food we had given them. Kept coming up for more.

About to visit the mangrove swamp....

Exploring the Kilim limestone caves...filled with bats and almost-toxic-smelling guano! I didn't enjoy the guano part, but I certainly thought that the stalagtites and stalagmites were pretty! God knows how long it must have taken them to grow so long!


2nd Day

At the Awana Porto Malai jetty...where the island-hopping was to start...

Us before the island-hopping trip started...

Starting off! Basically we were taken on boat to the islands surrounding the main island of Langkawi. Witnessed another round of eagle-feeding:) --> It was awesome to see the eagles swoop down at such close angles.

Visited Pulau Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden)

Map of Dayang Bunting Island... There's a legend/myth that claims that any barren woman who swims in the waters of its lake would conceive... I'm not interested in finding out if the legend holds any truth.

Finally, at the lake - after a short hike - where we rented paddle-boats to paddle around the lake. Didn't get to swim in it though. Not that I minded.

*Paddle, paddle, paddle...* as the boat chugged across the water.

I was lost in wonder...

We took an hour to paddle around the huge lake. What a cool experience...

Heading over to the next destination...

The pristine beach of Pulau Beras Basah...

The sand was as fine as powder... Made me feel like burying myself in it...

The last of Pulau Beras Basah before we headed back to the mainland... and me trying to have a swing...

At the Langkawi Underwater World's outdoor park... Ben (being the avid nature lover his is) was extremely enthusiastic photographing the animals...

Don't know how he ended up in the bushes... Didn't look like he camouflaged himself that well though... hehe.

Penguins...cute aren't they??? :)

During some 3-D film experience we had at the Underwater World. The show... let's just say that I had a headache after it was over.

There were of course many more sea creatures...but I feel so lazy to post up all the photos right now... Maybe another time:P (Another reason for that, I'd better get this done quickly and go back to my homework!)

Admiring the beautiful corals... There were of course more corals living in the aquariums.

Jelly-fishy...the sea-animal we were constantly warned about when we were anywhere near the sea-waters...

Mahsuri's Tomb... The legend (or was it a true story?) sent chills up and down my back. I personally didn't fancy it very much, especially when we toured the museum. The sight of old weapons and pictures from the story did not really appeal to me somehow... I couldn't wait to get out of the museum! (and so did Ben!)

The kancil's cage near the tomb... *Phew* Glad to be out of the museum, and past the tomb.

A Malay traditional house... We did climb up its steps to explore its interior.. I think it must be rather cooling to stay in a wooden house like that. Not to mention cozy... I've always had a thing for houses on stilts like these - thanks to all the tales from my Moral Textbook about "Banjir menimpa kampungku..." back in School.. Also, after having seen photographs of Pangkor Laut Resort's beach/water chalets...

Lubuk Semilang Recreation Park... We didn't do anything much there, but to just walk about and enjoy the cool evening air.

We drove up to the peak of Gunung Raya later in the evening - just before the sun set... The view of half of the island from the top of the mountain was so amazing that I nearly cried. You can actually see everything - from the Langkawi Airport, the paddy-fields, towns, islands on the West/South-west part of the island... Ben climbed up some rocks to get a better view of the valley below... which gave me a tough time - since we all know what happened to him the last time he climbed rocks!:P I kept praying that he wouldn't lose his footing...

There was a delicious chill in the air too...

Breathtaking...One cannot but marvel at God's creations in a place like this... I'm sure my photographer friends would have oohed and ahhed if they had been there...

3rd day...

Did quite some posing around the Helang Hotel after breakfast...
Above: Rising on Eagle Wings?

Ben...

The hotel we were staying at was right next to the Langkawi International Airport...

The window-seat in my room which afforded some hours of sun-basking without having to leave the comfort of my room...

We went to the Pisang Art and Handicraft Village after check-out. This place is owned by a Japanese lady... The artists that work there produce such masterpieces of batik! Ben bought a batik picture to hang in his home. We did wish that we had more $$$ for the rest of the art items...

There was this adorable, leggy calf grazing at the carpark... (They have cows everywhere in Langkawi, grazing at the roadside...) I snapped one picture of it from afar - but when I tried going a little closer, it freaked out and disappeared into the bushes... Oh well...

At Kuah...where we shopped for duty-free chocolates and yeah, vodka for a dear friend...

The 2.5-hours ferry ride back to Swettenham Port in Penang in the evening. It was now my turn to get sea-sick @_@... We tried to distract ourselves watching Indian Bollywood movies on the telly... How thankful I was to see Ben's parents anxiously awaiting our return at the jetty...

It has been indeed a marvellous trip! Praise God! A big thank you to all our brothers and sisters who prayed for our safety during the trip, and for good weather! We did have a blessed time there - admiring nature, touring the island, relaxing and enjoying one another's company.