Good Grades

Got back my results for 2nd semester and I am happy to say, I got rather decent grades for my modules.

All this time, I was scared stiff and kept praying just for a mere pass which is C and if I can get C+ I'll be very happy already especially for the Law Module.

Once again, God has heard my prayers and answered them. Not only did he bless me with more than C, I got an A and B- for the 2 main modules! Wow! I'm speechless!

I expected myself to do badly with all the emotional, mental and physical things I was going thru just before the exams. But wow! A and B- for the 2 main modules... I'm so happy and thankful to God.

Not only did he pass me, I think the results are "flying colors" in my standard! I've never received such good grades before in all my years of studies.

I've very happy. Some may say B- is not good. I don't care. I passed everything! And B is definitely better than C anyday anytime. That's good enough for me.

Thank you Dear Lord for hearing my prayers and blessing me with such good grades! Thank you for the wisdom that you infused into my brain and helped me thru the exams. Thank you for having big moderations!!

Yes, so now, I'm moving on to Semester 3 already. Halfway through this program already and just need to grit my teeth and very soon, all this will be over. Come next year Jan, both Hubby and I will be doing our programs together with different institutions, we'll be able to motivate each other better, hopefully.

Thank you Dear Lord, once again!

A piece of Cake

Again, I got this from email... and to those (myself included) who are facing downs and have no idea why and how to do... this is for you.

The Cake : A beautiful way to look at life!

Sometimes, don't we wonder “What did I do?' to “Why did God have to do this to me?”.

Here is a God sent explanation.

A little boy is telling his Grandma how everything is going wrong. School, family problems, severe health problems, etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like one, which of course he does.

“Here, have some cooking oil.”

“Yuck says the boy.

“How about a couple raw eggs?”

“Gross, Grandma!”

“Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?”

“Grandma, those are all yucky!”

To which Grandma replies: “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!'

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise evry morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Hope you enjoy this “piece of cake!"

Stop Struggling...

I got this via email from a friend who will post inspirational stories without fail almost on a daily basis and in view of my recent loss and struggle, I find this apt... So I wanna share.

"A story is told of a man taking a trip on an old wooden sailing ship. He was out of the deck one day and saw one of the crew-members climbing the ropes, going up to the crow’s nest. When he was about half way up, the ship pitched to one side and he was thrown overboard.

When he hit the water, he began to scream for help, and flail his arms wildly, as he struggled to survive. The traveler watched as a sailor walked over to the rail of the ship, and calmly observed the man in the water. After a short while the man in the water tired, and began to sink.

Immediately the sailor standing by the rail jumped overboard, and rescued the drowning victim. After both men were safely on board, the traveler went over to the rescuer and asked, “Why did you wait so long to jump in the water and rescue this man?”

He calmly replied, “I have found that as long as a man is struggling in the water, there is a greater chance that he will get us both killed if I jump in too quickly, and try to save him.” I have learned that it is better to let them struggle awhile, and when they come to the end of their own strength, I can then jump in and rescue them.

My friend, are you like the drowning man in the story? Have you fallen from your place of comfort and safety, and you are now struggling just to survive? Have you cried out to God to come and rescue you immediately? It is possible God is waiting until you have come to the end of yourself, and stop struggling in a vain attempt to save yourself, through any means. When you finally admit you can’t save yourself, God will jump into the water and save you!

We should never allow worry or anxiety to enter into our hearts and keep us from reaching the heights of victory that God wishes for us to reach and stand upon."

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Be encouraged to continue on and know that God is with you and will meet your every need because of your faith, confidence and trust in Him.
~Psalm 37:3-9~

Isn't this so true and real in our human life?

Folded Page

Father Steven in his homily preached about the "Folded Page". I'm not sure if I can do justice to the homily, but I'll try.

The homily was something like this.... "when I was young, I read a book, the contents seem too difficult for me and I folded the page. When I asked the master, the master said, you'll know in time. Over the years, I forgot about the book. When I finally took it out, I saw the folded page and remembered what the master said."

Many things in our life happened like that doesn't it? Things that we don't understand happens to us in our daily lives and we marked it down. Hoping and hoping to find an answer as to why it happened the way it did. Why there are disasters, wars, failed marriages, why some women can have healthy babies and why some want to abort their babies, the list is endless!

I can relate to his homily so well today. I still do not know and do not understand why I had a missed abortion. The gift of life that was given to us was then taken away a short few weeks later.

It's an experience I'll never forget. An episode that I wished to get answers to, of course, scientifically, Doc Lee told me that sometimes it just happens. There's no way anyone could have done something to prevent it. It's nature's way of ensuring that the baby has a fair way of life and those with defects are just removed. But I believe there's other reasons... which I do not know.

I'm very sure that God has in mind and plan something for us. I do not know, and it's a folded page for me. One that when I meet my master and Lord, I'll then understand in time to come.

A job to do

While being out with Godma last Friday and just left with the 2 of us, we were making our way to Tangs to get my bag. We began chatting about Christmas.

Christmas is a wonderful part of the year. The end of the year, cooling, everyone's in a good mood with all the festivals coming etc etc I was sharing with her, we've already set up our Nativity and Christmas tree in preparation for it. She of course went, "Har?! So fast!!!"

Anyway, that's not the main point. The main point was, it got her thinking back to year 2003, Christmas.

That was the first year that hubby and I went to CTK for Christmas Eve mass. And for some reason, she did not go overseas. She went on to say that it's been a long long long time since she celebrated Christmas in Singapore. Every year, she'll be somewhere with her family. But that year, so happen that she did not go away and was in Singapore.

It got the both of us thinking.

To me, I was grateful to her for being able to reserve us seats for mass and then show us what to do and all. Of course, the greater thanks got to be given to God, who arranged it. For sure, if Godma was not at that mass, hubby and I will definitely not have gone for it.

For her, she said, God must have given her this job to do, that's why in all the years, only that particular year, she was in Singapore.

God really works in strange ways and in ways that we'll never have thought off. But 1 thing is for certain, He will have already paved out the way and the people / angels that will lead us to His way. For that, I'm grateful and thankful.

It also once again assures me that, no challenge is too great for God, as long as we put our faith and trust in him, all things will work out. There is no exceptions to any matter. As long as our faith and trust and ways are what he has in store for us, there will not be any exceptions.

I thank you, Lord, for being here, all the time and forever. I know that in you, all things are possible and before you bless us with anything, you would already have thought of whats and hows. My only job left is to let you do your will to me and I pray that I have the discipline and obedience to follow through your mighty plans.

Amen.

My Cross to Bear

I got this comic strip thru email. I find it very meaningful and thus would like to share.

The best part was, on the day I got the news and was feeling really depressed over it, I got this comic.

And I immediately felt slightly better... Indeed, God lets us hold our own size of the cross and it will never be too heavy. Because, that size of the cross will help us to overcome other hurdles along the way.

Thank you, Lord.

contendment is key

Been a long long time since I last update this page. But today's homily by Father Peter struck some cord deep in my heart I guess and I decided to write it down.

Today's gospel was about the steward who cheated his master's $$. Cannot remember where anymore but it should be from Mark.

As usual, had lunch with Emma after mass. And we began talking about $ matters as well. Like what the priest had touched on, what is important is doing the right thing and also not to place over emphasis on material goods, be it $, clothes or any other matters.

Put the emphasis on the right thing and all will be resolved.

I'm kinda worried over our financial situation. Not that we are broke nor anything. Just that the year end trip to Israel and also hubby's course fees are big ticket items. Not to mention, we definitely need some spare cash for any rainy day too.

Also, though we do not plan to have any BB for the time being, but like the recent episode of delayed menses really got me worried. Very worried. What if I'm really pregnant? How and where do we get the $ to manage and handle our BB?

Thank God, it was all a scare, menses came in the end so that's that.

Had really been praying so hard to have enough cash for the trip, hubby's school fees and a possible BB the whole of last week. So for the time being, we just need to have enough cash for trip and fees. No BB on the way... yet.

But having said all these, today's homily also brought a new light to me. If we placed our emphasis in the right area, no matter how tough or insufficent it may be, we'll be able to handle it somehow.

So. yeah. I'll just continue to try my best to trust in Him always and things will work out in His time someday.

Amen~

Coincidence or God Sent?

Was at the 11.30 am mass as usual with hubby and we met Nicholas, who after having been in and out of hospital for so long finally came for mass. We were sitting in the pew behind each other. So not that bad, can talk abit here and there too.

Also met Mervyn and his family in church. This was a surprised since he don't come to CTK, much less 11.30am mass.

Anway, to cut the whole story short, it started pouring during mid mass and continued on to even after the mass has ended. =/ We were all trapped. in church.

The rest of us don't really mind it if we were caught in the rain but Nick can't afford to be caught in the rain. Just as we were thinking how and what to do... I met Mervyn again. This time at the carpark.

Guess what? He loan me 4 brollies! Woah. Not only did we get Nick out of the rain, all of us got out of the rain too and there were like 8 of us? Just nice, 4 brolly!

So... coincidence or God sent?

Easter

The day where God suffers and died and carried all our sins on his shoulders. All for OUR sake and because he loves us soooo very very much.

But, this year is different for us and also for 1 of my God-brother. He is going to spend the whole of his Easter holiday (and more!) in hospital. Not very sure what is the cause of the illness... and all we know is that a blood vessel burst in his brain.

We were all so worried when we heard about this last nite! Today, we all went to see him. He seems fine enough though pale. When we first saw him, his back was facing us, sitting on the edge of the bed, in the middle of his meal.

"Thank God" was all I can say and think.

Indeed, Thank God! He is on the mend. The cause of the burst is still unknown. But he is ok and should be making a full recovery. There is no signs of memory lapse or anything like that... Doc says "observation" which I think is pretty normal... so should be fine.

Thank you God, for your healing hands and blessing on Nic. Please continue to bless him and I pray that he will be making a full recovery.

In the name of the most precious and loving God.

Amen.

Life, is really so precious and really, we know not when diaster will strike. =(

Am I one?

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.
~Proverbs 27 15-16~

Was shown Proverbs 27 this morning and this 2 verse caught my eyes.

Am I being one?

Am I being what the verse says?

Of course, I did not aruge with hubby all the time, but those times that when I did, then it's a sign of how irriating I will and can be, isn't it?

Then last night when I told hubby that sales is not his strong point, I was not trying to pick a fight, I was trying to tell him that he will either have to improve himself on it or find somthing that he is good at and make it stronger. He got upset at me.

I'm feeling down and lousy. Since I feel that it's only something that I am expressing my views on it.

I feel I've actually learn to discuss things over with hubby rather than get upset and all. Though there are times when I still do that.

And this verse this morning... am I really being quarrelsome?? Please Lord, TELL me!!!

Yes Lord, I hear you!

Was feeling very very stressed out with all the assigments and work that is due in March for my course and I made an entry in blogger earlier...

Clement & Wiselyn read it first and their words to me were "You do your part and God do the rest, he will give u the energy, the strength to pull thru"

I was consoled.

Then shortly after Lyn read it too and her words of wisdom "relax and take it easy do your best, God will do the rest ask Him to grant u the confidence and energy to persevere in all your undertakings"

Same meaning, within a short time span of 10 mins!

I was MORE than consoled!

All these few days, I've been telling meself, have faith, have faith, pray for strength, energy and wisdom to pull thru. I believe it. But somehow, the stress of all the datelines in my calendar has gotten to me this morning and I lost it.

Yes Lord, I hear you LOUD and CLEAR now. I know you are with me, even though I'm so stressed out and not praying, you heard me and sent me dear friends to bring me your words of wisdom. Words of comfort, words of peacefulness.

Thank you Lord. I can never acheive anything without you Lord. Thank you Lord for being here. For being so thoughtful to my every feeling, every thought. Thank you Lord.

Amen!

"Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest"

I went for my FIRST kickbox session of the year and I passed by St Andrew's Church at City Hall.

Their banner read, "Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest." This phrase has always been a favourite of mine and when I saw it earlier, I was thinking, good place to place such a verse since there will be lots of people who will see it.

But! God has a deeper meaning for me. That message was meant for me! (of course to everyone else as well). Why right? Coz... shortly after I reached home, after my bath, before I was even able to dress myself fully, I got a call from my family. I thought it was my mom, but it was my youngest sis who turned out to be relaying a message of my father to me.

Turned out to be that he crashed the car that he was driving while reversing from the garage earlier today. Since he is the employee, the employer (who is my uncle) wanted him to pay $1.5K for the damages if the repairs turned out to be $5K. Of course, my dad was upset. And he told me the story and all, including the status of the car and also he injured himself during the accident.

After listening to him, I was troubled. There's nothing much I can do. To help him pay? No way. But I was not knowledgable enough about the laws and contracts to advise him. I was also worried for him.

After hanging up the phone with him, I prayed. I know that God will be in front of us to be with us.

I was gathering my thoughts when hubby came home. Then just as I was about to start blogging, the verse on the banner came back to me.

No wonder, the whole of today, though I was feeling darn lazy and relunctant to go for kickbox, knowing that I will surely suffer at the hands of Philip (since I've stopped for almost 2 months!!) somehow, something just made me go ahead and go for it.

I think it's coz God know that this piece of bad news is coming, so before he present the bad thing to me, he sent me his word that he IS and WILL be here for me.

Thank you, Lord and God for being so kind to me. For being so senstitive to me and for being such a loving Father. I know, though this situation is not what we like or want to happen, I know that whatever the outcome, your approval is already given. Your signature is already on the verdict.

What's ur passion?

Mass this morning was celebrated by Father Robert. But the homily was given by Father William Goh, the 'zi dong' (worked-up) priest.

He has a signature action. The moment he remove his watch, he's gonna start with his homily, when he puts his watch back on, his homily is ending. And usually, he gives very long homily.

His topic today... I cannot really remember now. But what I can remember is this statement.

"If you are passionate about God, you will want to read His words everyday."

So very very true! Over all these months, I've tried to make myself to that or pray more regulary but somehow, the attack of the evil one will be much stronger than my 'want' to do all these and after just a few days of doing it, I stop.

I think I MUST at least read the daily readings EVERY single day from now onwards! And as much as possible, spend time reflecting on the passages and blog.

Since blogging seems to be the only thing that is making me so engrossed over!

Another OGF

Another month has come and gone. And this month, the OGF topics were on the book of Joshua and Judges.

Long session and so many things were being said and explained. Which by now, I think I've forgotton a big part of it... I will try to do a summary...

And the worse is, I still have not done the summary for the last session of OGF which was in Nov!

Arggg!!!

Thanksgiving

What are the blessings that have been bestowed on you for the past year?

This was what the priest asked us during his homily at the Thanksgiving mass earlier.

I took a long while to think thru the past year. What are the blessings that I've been blessed with? To my horror, I cannot remember any. But now as I think thru, there was nothing that made 2006 terrible.

But honestly, even till now, I cannot recall a single most important blessing that has happened. Not that nothing good has happened. It's just that plenty of small blessings and I cannot remember any significiant blessing.

Could it be my further studies? Could it be that my mom was OK and given a clean bill of health? Could it be that my marriage is doing ok? Could it be that I have kind IL's? I don't know, cannot pin point any.

But I must say, as I look back now, plenty of small and good blessings. Even when anything seem to be not doing well, it always turn up fine and good, with God's graces and blessings.

I got to be Thankful for...
My mom was discharged after 3 weeks in SGH and given a clean bill of health.
Open House 06 went on beautifully.
My catechumens were all baptised.
My company sending me for further studies.
My family is supportive of me.
Though hubby is not working, but our marriage is not affected.
With the grace of God, I don't push and nag hubby as much of work issues.
I have a stable job.
Relationship with momsy and sis is improving.
I have good and loving friends.
I have kind parents in laws.
I have a wonderful, loving and God fearing hubby.
I'm blessed with understanding superiors.
I managed to get my 2 surities.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And I guess the lists goes on and on and on... Most of it, I cannot remember.

And the bad? I think, none. Just that some of my prayers are not answered and I think, God's answer to that is just a simple "No".