Some lessons that God has been teaching me over the past few months and days:

1. His Grace. Yes, I'm overwhelmed by His grace. At times when I should have done more but didn't, His grace saw me through. He gave me so much more than what my efforts deserve, over and over again.

2. His faithfulness. I may not find it easy to put my full trust in Him due to my own human weakness, but it starts with acknowledging His faithfulness, His eternal faithfulness, whether or not i am able to trust Him fully. God's faithfulness blows us away. He created the universe. He called Abram. He made a covenant with Abram to make him into a nation and bless all the nations of the earth through Abram. Hundreds and thousands of years later, even when the Israelites forgot their covenant with God, and time and time again, had forsaken Him, God remained faithful. 2000 years later, the promise came to full fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ, who came to truly bless and redeem all the peoples of the earth. How should this impact the way we respond to His faithfulness?

3. In all things and in every situation, God be glorified. Nothing can ever change the fact that He has done His work in my life and is still doing so, and nobody can ever deny that except for God Himself. People can say what they want, think what they want, but they can never deny His work in my life and they can never steal His glory away from Him because it belongs to Him and Him alone.

4. Our joy lies in Him - in the eternal and unchanging truth that He is a just, merciful, loving and faithful God whose glory belongs to Him all the time. It lies not in situations, circumstances, our current state of being, our thoughts, etc. The Name of the LORD is a refuge. He is our refuge. Put your hope in His Name. Put your hope in the fact that He is the unchanging, eternal Almighty God who is faithful, merciful, just, gracious, loving Father, strong enough to carry you through anything, so faithful even when we are unfaithful. Put your hope not in your dreams of how you want circumstances to change, or yourself to change, or things to change, but in Him and Him alone. This hope can never be shaken except by God Himself.  Nothing can steal His glory away from Him, and nothing can shake the hope that He offers in His very nature of who He is.

Now, the challenge is: In light of His eternal and unchanging nature - He is eternally faithful, just, loving, Almighty, merciful, gracious, sovereign over everything, and to Him belongs all glory all the time, how should that impact the way we live our lives?

I leave you with that. Have a good day and a good week ahead. =)

R-I-C-H stands for:

R- receive with a thankful heart. Don't compare your salary / allowance / amount of money you get with someone else.

I - Invest wisely

C - Cautious in spending

H - Honour the LORD with your firstfruits.. Giving to the LORD (see Prov 3:9)

That was my dad's two cents on Christian perspective of wealth / money. This is from a man who has worked for years, a man who raised 3 children and supported himself and his wife with a salary of less than RM 2000 a month. This is from a man whom God loves, whom He touches and transforms. This is from the man who raised me up to be who I am today.

Christians sometimes forget to go to God as the source of healing. It's good to go to doctors, but remember also to pray and ask Him for healing, besides going to the doctor. No harm with that. Whether or not your prayers are answered, it's always worth asking.

Appreciate humans but don't glorify them. Glorify God. People in ministry are God's instruments, but the actual glory should be ascribed to God Himself.

All these are from my conversation with dad today. I felt so encouraged after talking to dad. I jokingly said to him that he should enrol in Bible College. haha. And he said that I was his first audience. I replied, 'What a privilege!' =)

In moments like these, I realise how good God is.

I also recall some insights from mum:

When you are doing God's work, don't complain.

Money is not everything. In Cantonese, chin zan im sai.

God is really good. Thank You LORD, for opening my eyes. Thank You for giving me that nudge and that reminder of how good You really, really are.

On a side note, don't underestimate parents' wisdom. Someday in the far future, if I ever want to date someone, must let pa and ma screen (and God). =)

Today, I saw hail for the first time in my life.

I've always had this mental image of a big block of ice, bigger than a man's fist, dropping down from the sky, hitting somebody's head, and the person 'pengsan'. haha. Hilarious. Guess what? Actual hail is just tiny pieces of ice falling down from the sky. And today, it didn't last very long. When it falls on you, it just feels like raindrops on your face, except that when the 'raindrops' hit, you feel a bit sakit.

First encounter with hail: At the sunday market this morning. It hit my face. A bit sakit, but that's it.

Second encounter: while walking along Willis St. I was under shelter =) Saw little pieces of ice dropping down from the sky. The pavement was full of them. I didn't really stop to stare because it was cold.

Lesson learnt: Be careful about making assumptions. Haha. We often have preconceived notions about things, and these assumptions get corrected when we see the actual thing.

In places where people are persecuted for their religious beliefs, these people do not get to attend worship services because of that. For me, my challenge now is to get out of bed on a cold sunday morning. Looks like this will be the challenge for the next 2 months, at least. I'd never known myself to be so reluctant to get out of bed on a cold day. When I got up this morning, the wind was howling outside my window. It sounded like really really bad weather. And mind you, it was the southerly wind (the coldest). I pictured myself walking in that condition, with the cold wind blowing against my face, and felt so so reluctant to get out of bed. Tried to reason that I could probably sleep and attend the evening service instead. And again, realised that if I didn't go for the morning service, I'd be even more reluctant to get out of the house for evening service since it gets dark at around 6pm. So, I did get myself out of bed, to church.

Lesson no. 2: Bad weather should never be the reason to not attend the sunday worship service. In fact, there should be no reason to not attend the service. Come rain, come hail, come strong wind, I must be found in the house of the Lord. Looks like this will be my lesson this winter.

On days like these, I wish I had a car to drive myself to church. Or people to drive me to church. ^-^

I'm now sitting at my desk indoors, safe from the wind outside. =) I miss the hot Malaysian weather. I want Malaysian grilled fish with sambal. In Malaysia, I wouldn't have to wear 3 layers indoors. Kepada kawan-kawan yang berangan-angan mahu menikmati hidup di luar negara, dengan salji putih dan cantik, dan cuaca sejuk, it's not that glamourous after all. You just get used to the unpredictable weather and wish for good weather on days when there's bad weather. And wish that you could stay indoors on bad weather days and not have to go anywhere.

The not-so-nice things about cold weather:

- You wear 2,3, 4 layers of clothing when you're indoors

- You try to study but you feel cold and can't help focusing on the fact that you feel cold. You want to use your hands to highlight as you read your notes, but it's more comfortable to sit on your hands to keep them warm. Or you put on gloves to keep your hands warm, but find that you can't turn the pages of your book with gloves on. Sometimes, your hands are still cold, even with gloves on, that you'd prefer to put your hands on the heater to get the nice warm heat. Kalau begini, macamana mau tulis nota?

-  You drink cups and cups of hot chocolate, that your milk finishes so fast. I used to consume only 1 litre of milk per week, but now it's 2 litres per week.

- You don't feel like going to class in the morning because your bed is much warmer. But then, you are reminded that thousands of Malaysians paid for you to go to class, so you'd better get yourself out of bed. Plus Bro Jonat's polite reminder to the group not to skip any classes for the rest of this semester.

Now I know why animals hibernate in winter. Hmm, why don't humans do the same?

I had a wonderful birthday celebration last week =) Thanks everyone

Jie: I'll claim my present for last year and this year, next year ok? =P Just kidding

Been thinking and getting confused.

Does this mean I am still going through the process of identity development? I thought I completed that already.

Sometimes things are not very clear-cut. Or maybe actually, it is very clear- cut but I'm the one making it so vague. Or maybe the truth is right in my face, but I'm trying to work my way around it..

2 more weeks. 2 more assignments. 2 more tests. Then merdeka =)

Using the term 'deaf and dumb' is the ultimate insult you can inflict on a Deaf person.

Dumb implies lack of intelligence. The Deaf community has suffered enough stigma and oppression in the past. They do not need to face such stigma now. Deaf people are not less intelligent. They are as intelligent as the rest of us who are hearing. Perhaps, even more intelligent. Intelligence has nothing to do with whether you are Deaf or blind or confined to a wheelchair or whatever forms of 'disability' as perceived by people who think they are normal.

I guess it wasn't done to insult and it had nothing to do with the Deaf. The term was used in an entirely different context. It was probably out of ignorance.

But still, there could have been a better way to put it.

Away with such terms: pekak dan bisu, deaf and dumb. Such terms should be deleted from our language forever and ever and ever.

It's that time of the year again.

What?

My birthday! It's in 2 or 3 days' time! Yoohoo!

Last year, I wasn't so excited about my birthday. I think I was afraid that there wouldn't be anyone to celebrate with me because everyone was kind of new in NZ, just came here, trying to settle down here. This year, I'm excited!

Can't tell you how excited I am. haha. haha. haha

Suz sent me a birthday card, a lovely bookmark, and bracelet. hehe. Thanks, gal! =)

Surprisingly, today after work, I wasn't that tired. Sempat lagi jalan kaki to Grand Century and Regals to book places for yum char. Wah. Semangat. Haha. Oh, yum char not for my birthday, but for a friend. So long didn't yum char. Looking forward to it.

After that, came home, did laundry, some chores, played with Excel, ... went facebook-ing for 45 minutes.. hmm.. not very wise. My brain wasn't in the condition to think about hard stuff, but still can function with medium-level of processing kind of tasks. Not bad eh? Must be due to the coffee I had during my break. And strength from the LORD. =)

Ok, I had my fun today. Had my chillout today. It's time for solid brain-work tomorrow. Ciao! =) I am really, really looking forward to my birthday. heeheehee ;)

People come and people go. Why? I don't know. Life is not perfect. I wish I could say 'it's ok, because they leave footprints in your heart'. But it feels sad that I may never see some of them again.

I've been quite disciplined for the past few days, so today I allow myself to chill out and blog. =)

Have I really caught the vision? Am I really missional in my approach to life? Or am I too salty?

At this point, I may feel that I will miss some people soooooo much. But perhaps, later on, with time, I will move on, because life goes on. It sounds sad, but life does go on. People do move on. I am not in control of whether people will remember me or not. I'm not in control of whether people will cherish the time we spent together. I guess the best I can do is make the most of now.

You don't always get what you want in life. Sometimes, you have to settle for what feels like second best, but that's fine. Maybe second best isn't really second best after all. Maybe there is a reason behind it. Maybe I need to get out of the saltshaker and get some water.

How time flies. One more trimester, and I'm done with NZ. Then, one more year of study, and I'm done. Off I go into the big, (bad?) world...

I think I'll miss JP heaps. Heaps. Heaps. (JP, we have to go hang out... muahaha). Oh, by the way, JP is one of the people whom I 'go crazy' with. She brings out the crazy side of me. When I'm around her, I tend to become super bubbly. (If JP knew that she had a place in this post, she'd go 'awww...')

Jia you oh. JP, gambate for the next few weeks, then after that we can hang out like crazy.. muahaha. Bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian.

Things won't be so crazy after all. Thank You God =) But I still need to be disciplined. The sooner I get things done, the better. Then, I can move on with life.

Why can't people come and not go? (I think other people will be asking the same question regarding me..=P)

Can't believe mid-year conference is coming so soon. At mid-year conference last year, I was contemplating stepping up. Now, the time for other people to step up is drawing nearer. Not sure if I want it all to end so fast. I will be relieved that there will be less things to do, but I may also be bored and wonder what to do with my time.

It's true: serving doesn't end when the position ends. How will that look like in reality? I don't know. Will cross the bridge when the time comes. Meanwhile, still need to give my best while it lasts.

Was talking to Pa and Ma on Sunday and they were talking quite excitedly about a family reunion in KL. Makes me feel like instantly flying home. haha

I look forward to going home because I can see my family again. Yet, I don't look forward to going home because it means that I may never see some of the friends I've known here again. It's not how long you've known someone that matters, it's the meaningful times spent together. But in some situations, how long you've known someone matters, because friendship does last through the years (this is dedicated to you, SWTW).

Peng, Min Yu, JP, Jon Jon, Edwin, Rachel, Mich, Miri, Fran, Fi, Thi, Lynne, Rubee, Teresa, Josh, Kirsten, PM, Sarah, Josiah, Gina, Ben, Jamesey, Karen, Sun, Apple, Kim, John, Matt, Sarah, Lainey, Lesh, and everyone else (too many to name): I know I'm gonna miss you all heaps.. and heaps.. and heaps..

Allowing myself some nostalgic moments today. Back to normal functioning and getting things done tomorrow.

Today, in the lecture, there was a statement about people using drugs to help them stay up for days to get things done. Reminded me of a book that mentioned that we need to respect and acknowledge God's rhythm for humans - work, rest, work, rest. We're not meant to plough on and on and on non-stop because we are not machines. So, this blog post is my nostalgic moment. Tomorrow, back to normal functioning. =)

Talking about respecting rhythms, it's bedtime. Good night =)

The next few weeks will be pretty busy. I hope I will survive. I must.

DEAF 101 test this Friday. DEAF 101 assignment due next Monday, EDUC 340 assignment due next Thursday. I'm working on my EDUC. Doing research, but getting a bit stuck with the brainstorming.

Aarghh.. I have to buck up. Cepat-cepat finish research, finish thinking, and start writing.

In addition to that, mid-year conference is coming up. I will need to do the paperwork for grant application. And I'm coordinating sausage sizzle next month. Gah.

I love all these. I love what I do. But I need to be really, really, super efficient.

God, please help me.

I've heard it being said before, that Christian students need to learn to integrate the Christian perspective into what they are studying. I did not really understand the need to do so, until recently.

Some of the things I've been learning in my classes are quite sad and disturbing. There are people out there who actually suffer from these things. What can i do to help? Do i want to do something to help? perhaps that's why I'm taking this paper.

people who suffer from xx don't fully recover, but they go through recovery throughout their lives. I beg to differ. I'd like to believe that God who is faithful, Almighty and sovereign above everything can bring complete healing. He gave Abraham and Sarah a baby when they were past childbearing age. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah was very old too. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. God raised Jesus from the dead. God rained down sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy the two cities for their repulsive evil (and I believe unrepentant evil). God is sovereign above everything, including the worst eating disorders, suicide, substance abuse, etc etc,

i found this quote from a website that claims to offer Christian views:

According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. Serious doubts would be raised about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his or her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God, and the decision on when to die is God’s and God’s alone.

Yes, I agree that suicide is murder. Yes, life is given by God and only He can take it away. But i disagree with the judgmental attitude of some circles towards Christians who experience issues such as depression, suicidal ideation, and other mental health issues (*Note: mental health is a positive word). Aren't Christians human too? Aren't they also vulnerable to mental health issues just like everyone else?

If anything, I feel that Christian circles should respond with more compassion and support - supporting the person experiencing the issue, showing the genuineness of God's love, pointing the person towards God's unconditional love. (I'm not generalising that all Christian circles don't respond with compassion. I'm just pointing out certain views that don't seem to reflect compassion)

As for the statement I underlined above, in my opinion, genuineness of faith is for God alone to judge.

To err is human, to forgive divine.

I agree with the first part of the statement but totally disagree with the second part. Well, I guess, it depends on who 'divine' refers to. Does 'divine' refer to God or to humans?

The centrality of the cross. To live in such a way that what Jesus did on the cross is central in our lives. How? I'm still learning.

I learnt a really humbling lesson. You know what? It's really, really true. Scripture is powerful. God really speaks. Was preparing Gen 22:1-19 with a few friends today. It struck me how long it took for Abraham and Isaac to travel to the place where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. It took them 3 days.

God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his (Abraham's) only son, whom he loves. Isaac - the son through whom God promised to blessed Abraham. Abraham obeyed without question. When Isaac asked Abraham where was the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham replied that God will provide. It gave a whole new meaning to Jehovah Jireh. Jehovah Jireh is more than just God providing in times of financial difficulty. More than just God providing food when you need it. More than just material needs. It means God providing a permanent cure for sin - saving me from eternal damnation. That, is more than everything. Jehovah Jireh. I can't really explain how it makes me feel. You've got to put it in the context of this narrative to understand.

Abraham and Isaac's obedience really struck me. Isaac did not resist. He did not put up a struggle when Abraham placed him on the altar and got ready to sacrifice him. Just like Jesus, like a lamb let to the slaughter, Jesus did not protest at all.

Today God spoke through Scripture in a powerfully convicting way. It broke my pride. It tore down my ego. It gave a whole new meaning to who am I, that You would care for me. God Himself, humbled Himself to the point of death, to die for my sins. He didn't have to. He could choose to let me go down the path of eternal damnation - burning in hell forever for my sins. But God, in His extravagant grace, chose to provide a remedy. The Almighty God, Creator of the universe, sent Jesus to die for my sins. Who am I?

It does not take a divine person to forgive. It does not take a noble person or someone who perceives themselves as noble to forgive. It requires sinful me to come back to earth and realise that I am nothing. if God did not choose to rescue me, I would be destined for eternal damnation. If sinless and perfect Jesus, who being in very nature is equal to God, could die on the cross for my sins, who am I to withhold forgiveness?

Who am I, that You would care for me.. I glorify, the One who died for me. Glorify, glorify, let Your Name be lifted up, and glorified, let the earth tremble at Your Name, let Your name be lifted up and glorified.