.. Last Paper ..

Last paper in 8 hours' time!!

ELAINE CHUA!!!

You can do it!

You can do it!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

GOD is with you!!! :D

.. 2nd Paper ..

Took my 2nd paper yesterday, Management Accounting, what an experience it was!

During the 10 mins reading, I took a look at the problems. Told myself, ok! I got to practice this, practise that, etc.... So when we can start writing officially, I tackled the MCQs first. After that, I moved on to the 6 problems that were worth 70 marks.

That's when I got stuck, really stuck. Suddenly all my memory left me, and my mind went blank. Maybe I was too tired? Woke up at 330am as the paper was 9am. Lesson learnt: Must have ample rest before an accounting paper!!

I tried doing Q1, then moved on to Q2. Stuck. Moved on to Q3. Totally have no idea how to go about doing it. It's about variences, and I had been practising that. But this question was totally different from what was covered in tutorials. Left it blank. Then to Q4. About Absorption Costing & Variable Costing, which I also practiced too. But can only remember part of it. Then totally skipped Q5 cos I didn't have time to cover that topic in detail. Then Q6!! I wrote in my powerpoint slides to focus on reciprocal method of costing, cos the lecturer said so! Ended up the question never asked about reciprocal method, but the other 2 methods: Direct & Step-down.

This is the 2nd time I felt so "cheated" by the lecturers. They must have forgotten what they had told the students during the lectures.

So apart from the MCQs, my paper was almost blank. Literally blank. I tried re-calling, but mind just doesn't function well. I almost, almost wanted to leave the exam hall already. Be prepared for the supp paper.

But then, decided to have another go again. Perhaps just try solving them with "Maths".

Amazingly, thoughts just flow.... I tried my very best to attempt the 5 questions. Also got "revelation" how to fill the missing info in the table in Q3 so that I can do the variences.

Though not confident, I left the exam hall with a peace in my heart. Like what the saying goes, "do our best and let God do the rest".

I prayed to God to let me pass the paper. I will be very thankful already. I scored a distinction so far in my semester test & assignment. So if I fail this course because I failed the exam, it will be so "ai wan".

The cry of my heart is just to clear everything so that I can graduate this Dec and go home!

At the end of the day, I just really want to thank God for His grace. And also to my friends for praying for me. God really moved in amazing ways, doesn't He?

When I left the hall, after collecting my bag, I started walking back to the hostel. Checked my HP and saw a sms from Wanling. She smsed to wish me all the best for my Management Accounting paper. WOW! She even remembered what paper I was taking! I saw the time, it was about 930am. Coincidentally, it was about the time I was stuck with the questions. WOW.

Thanks for your sms Wanling! Thanks for praying for me! :)

Though a very simple gesture, but it really touches me. This is something I will learn from you too! :)

1 more paper to go... Strategic Management!! The case study topic is out, gotta start doing my research soon!

Thinking, Visualizing, Believing, Speaking!

I will graduate this Dec!

I will graduate this Dec!

I will graduate this Dec!!!

.. Time is running out ..

One and a half day to go for my first paper, Finance & Investment! Not so worried about passing this one because we are allowed to bring in one A4-sized "cheat sheet". Not so concerned to aim for distinctions anymore, to me, what matter now is just PASSING all the modules!

I'm more concerned for Mgmt Accounting paper on Friday... cos, I know I am really really not well-prepared for this one, not even 50%. Been trying to cover the topics, but the progress is really slow and I cannot seem to understand & grasp the concepts. Brain is simply dead.

But I just want to thank GOD!! Because from this study period onwards, supplementary paper is offered for both F&I & MA courses. Guess the failure rate is quite high, thus the Uni decides to give the students another chance to take the supp paper, instead of repeating the whole course again.

It's not that I am pessimistic.. But, I know my progress.. I know I am really, not ready, for the MA paper this Friday. But, really thank God for the availability of the supp paper. Just got to prepare for the worst!!

Strategic Mgmt paper next Thurs! This will be such a killer too. Got to start preparing after the 2 papers this week! May God give me grace & enlarge my capacity as I'm scheduled to work too!

I will graduate this Dec!!

I will graduate this Dec!!!!

I will graduate this Dec!!!!!!

.. God is the Strength of my heart ..

Went to run some errands today... Wanted to find a card to send to Rachel... Went to a few shops, took a look at those cards with the words "With Sympathy". But I realised the more I look at it, the more depressing it is... I mean, people are already depressed enough when their loved ones died... Upon seeing cards like that, won't it make them even more sad? Hmmm..

Then I also realised another thing. While there are cards for "Loss of Father" and "Loss of Mother", I can't find a card for "Loss of Parents". Hmmm. Guess to lose both parents in one day is really such a tragedy...

I wonder how is Rachel doing now? I hope she is better now and much strengthened by the Lord..... I think she will be because many people are praying for her.

I was really down 2 nights ago... But praise God that I am feeling so much better already. He is indeed the Strength of our heart.

Thank you my friends & beloved family for praying for me. I always believe in the power of prayer. Your prayers have strengthened my heart.

3 more days to my first paper. Honestly speaking, I feel really, really unprepared.

May His grace once again bring me through this semester.

The final lap is always the toughest. But, I shall still rejoice because He is with me.

Thank You Jesus.

.. A gloomy day ..

It was raining this morning. Supposed to get up at 5am to continue my revision but once again, can't get up. Final alarm went off at 7am & I knew that I have to get up soon because I am working at 8am. Saw an incoming sms, tried opening my eyes to see who was it from.

It was from Rachel! My ex-colleague from IPB. I used to support her in account openings for her customers. We drew closer because of God. She is also a Christian and we would always be talking and sharing about God and our lives. The last time we exchanged sms was in March when I wished her on her birthday.

When I read her sms, it was such a shock. Her parents were killed by robbers in their home in Malaysia! She smsed to ask for prayers for her parents' souls & wisdom upon the police to catch the killers.

That sms got me off the bed, in a state of shock. The feeling is, indescribable.

The passage way to the toilet in the hostel seemed unusually gloomy as I made my way there to wash my face. The lights were off and the sky was darker due to the rain. It was the first time a morning appeared that gloomy to me.

Though news of such are so common in this broken-down world, it really impact differently, when the victims are the loved ones of those that we know.

This is not a dream, but a reality.

I feel so much for Rachel... It must be really devastating.

Apart from praying, I feel so loss of what I can do for her. Because even in the simplest support of physical presence, I can't even do that right now.

If you are reading this blog right now, please help me, say a prayer for Rachel and her family.

While we are limited, God is limitless. While there are things that are not within our control and we cannot do, God can.

May God bring tremendous comfort and strength to Rachel and her family right now. May our Lord Jesus shower His grace and mercy upon them right now.

Why does this have to happen? We may not know now... But let's take comfort that nothing happens in our lives without God giving permission to it.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".

Rachel, must be strong, yea?

I am keeping you in my constant prayers...

.. Freezing Winter ..

It has been so so cold in this winter season...

It is affecting my revision!! :(

The cold weather makes it very hard for me to concentrate... and worse still! When I am not working, I always ended up waking later than usual.... cos the coolness makes it so good & comfortable to sleep in!

Need to really crucify my flesh!! AHHHHH!!

One week to my first paper!! Feeling really a little nervous now! -_-

.. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God ..

This man is simply phenomenal!

Rev Dr Phil Pringle!

He is indeed a father of our faith, of our church. I was so sad to miss out on his messages during the Asia Conference, but so thankful that he came back and preached in the services this week! And what a powerful message he really preached! My faith is lifted like never before, I'm sure the church is too! :)

I'm so looking forward to see the "exceeding weight of glory" that God is going to do and bring into Singapore and Asia!

This week has been a great week! Felt closer to God than ever before. Found a renewed passion in praying and seeking God, reading His word. Meeting in Oxygen was also good, with the powerful testimony of a fellow brother-in-Christ AK. Felt really encouraged. Pastor JB also preached a very good message in city church this morning.

Come to think of it, for me to be here in Adelaide doing my Bachelors is really a breakthrough from God. Stopped schooling and started working at 17. Had my private diploma in computer studies when I was 21. SOT when I was 22. Finally continued my studies and got an advanced dip in management when I was 28, all thanks to the encouragement & support from my sister Madeline. Am looking forward to have my Bachelors in Dec this year, before I shall turn 31! HAHA!

Though it may seem that my "studies path" is not as smooth as most other people, I felt there's still no denying of the fact that "with God, all things are possible". I think when I graduate in Dec, when I see myself in the gown, with the cert, I will cry. Cry not because I am sad, but really because in awe of His awesomeness, grace and mercy. He has fulfilled one of my many dreams in life.

Trials are indeed good! Hardships equip us for the future! Always be ready to change "gear" to TRUST!

I want to believe God that our Mountbatten property will soar in price in the coming months. I want to believe that my family will be able to come to Adelaide for my graduation this Dec! :)

Thinking, Visualizing, Believing & Speaking! The laws of the 4th Dimension! I had written them down on the white board in my room, always ready to confess things I'm praying for when I see them!

Like what Pastor JB preached this morning, we not only need to have the faith to BELIEVE, we also need to have the faith to RECEIVE!

God is definitely a good God! Something that I really want to do is to be someone that testifies of His goodness. Those who seek the Lord shall indeed not lack any good thing!

With this blog today, it seems that God has answered a prayer I had in my heart for quite a while! WOooooooa! :)

6 more months in Adelaide! Though I have been somehow frustrated at times, I just felt that God is working something in my life. I may not see & understand now, but I know in the days to come He will reveal them to me bit by bit, pieces by pieces.

One thing I know for sure, when I look back at my life next time, my 2 years here in Adelaide will definitely be something that will bring back some very beautiful and wonderful memories.

Life is just so awesome, with God. and I'm loving it! :)

.. A Grateful Heart ..

Time flies!! The semester is coming to an end. Last lecture at 4pm later!

Got a really bad headache last night, really really bad. Popped 2 tablets of Panadol Extra and went to bed at 10pm. But can't get to sleep as the pain was really splitting my head. Laid hands on my head and asked God to take away the pain. Finally fell asleep soon after...

The next moment I woke up, it was 930am! Missed the last revision lecture for Strategic Mgmt at 9am. :( Hopefully get to find out from some friends on what was being covered.

I just wanna thank God for His grace thus far. His amazing grace that has sustained me for the last few months since I came back to Adelaide in March. It hasn't been an easy one as I find myself dipping to a record low, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Physically I am still alright, didn't really fall sick.

OH! I had lost 8kg already, since I came to Adelaide last year! :D WAHAHA...

Anyway, there are a couple of things I wanna thank God for!

1. This guitar!!

Bought a guitar from eBay in late April that was supposed to come along with a free bag. The seller sent me a different model and without a bag! Had been trying to settle this issue but the seller was downright irresponsible. Refused to answer my call and hang on me! I finally get to settle the issue with PayPal, got the full refund of A$66.99 credited back to my account! WOOHOO! :)

So now I got a FREE guitar!! Praise God!! :)

2. The Finance & Investment assignment 2 that I shared earlier in my blog.

I got back my assignment and praise God!! I scored 98/100!! :) :) :)

3. The Mgmt Accounting group assignment

We scored a distinction! :)

3 more papers to go before summing up this semester! Got to be really diligent and have fruitful revisions cos time is running short!

Had decided to stop farming in my FB Farmville for the next 2 weeks! LOL...

Skyped with Madeline and Wen Wen 2 nights ago, and my oh my! How I miss them!

Family is also going through some tough times now... And church. And some of my leaders.

Whatever it is, I know that God is good and everything is going to be alright! Everything will be alright!

Let's indeed be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication!

Many times things and situations are not within our control. But though they may be impossible to men, we can be encouraged that everything is indeed possible with God!

Our God is greater!

I just want to thank God that I am finding joy and strength in Him once again as I spend more time in prayer and worship lately. It has been very renewing and refreshing. He is indeed very real.

Like what John Bevere said, the goal of the high call of Christianity is really to know Him. I want to know Him more, and more.

.. Not my will, but Yours be done ..

The last week has been a very burdened one, a travailing of the soul.

Straight after the very successful and impactful Asia Conference 2010, my beloved church was involved in a case of alleged misuse of church funds.

My first thought was, "Again"?? I mean, this is not the first time we are in the headlines on the newspapers. There were a couple of incidents years back where we were also accused of some issues that were never the truth. The church worshiped Sun Ho instead of God... The church were forced to buy her CDs.. The church forced people to give... etc etc etc.

And the truth is, God vindicated us every time. God is justice. The truth will always prevail.

So when we were in the news again, my first thought was, surely we will be vindicated once again! Surely we will be proven innocent once again!

But, this time round, the case is really quite different, and is more serious than the previous ones. In a way that more authorities are involved in the investigation, where the public claims that there must be really "something wrong"!

And reading the comments of the public really made my heart boiled. Accusations upon accusations upon accusations. No wonder the Bible says the devil is the accuser of the brethen.

But my heart especially hurts when I read about the accusations against Pastor Kong, and Sun. They have been the greatest mentors that we can ever have. If anyone has seen their sacrifices and how they had laid their lives for God and this church, how can anyone still possibly accuse them?

The thing is, people who spoke against them, are people who never knew them! And they have the cheek to speak as if they are speaking the truth. How demonic can that be.

Read comments from some ex-CHC members. And it grieved me even more.

My stand is, there is no perfect church. There is no perfect pastor. There can be no perfect human being. Every one of us makes mistakes in life.

But even if the church you used to attend is not the church for you, still, don't criticize the church and mock at the teachings that you grew up with.

I don't believe in speaking against a church, a pastor, a fellow person. We are told to bless and not to curse nor murmur nor grumble, let even accuse.

And some people who think that they are the smartest of all, say that we are "blind-followers". The truth is we also don't believe in following blindly. They think we don't have a brain??

We believe in loyalty. I believe in loyalty. I believe in 饮水思源... I believe in being grateful and appreciative to people, especially those who has sown into my life.

A church is a family. It is not just an organisation. It is a place where people will learn how to accept one another and encourage one another in life. So much more, so much more.

For us, even though we feel that the misuse of funds would never had happened, with the way of how the church leadership has been so transparent with the usage of the funds, and the spirit of excellence in doing things we have seen through all these years.

But, even if it is true, so what? SO WHAT? We all learn from mistakes don't we?

Something that is really beautiful emerged from this whole incident. The kind of unity. The kind of support. The kind of love for our pastors and the church. Seeing them in the FB statuses of my friends is really so encouraging!

I believe that this whole incident has also brought forth the church to another level of praying, and seeking God. Because even I myself have been praying more! Indeed some time, some things have to happen so that we will humble ourselves and cry out to God!

I have been praying to God that He will deliver us. I told God that I have faith in the church. I have faith in Pastor Kong. Even if this time is really an over-look, I am OK! We'll all move on! We will still support our pastors and we will be stronger!

But if we are convicted, I can imagine the "cheer" of the world, of the public. I can imagine the smug look on the faces. The jeer of these arrogance people, laughing at the church of the living God.

And I really dislike this! :(

I was walking to campus on Thurs and praying along the way. I told God that I really dislike the arrogance of the people of the world. I asked God not to let this happen where these people will have the opportunity to laugh and mock at the church.

But then as I prayed, God reminded me to pray this.

Not my will, but His be done.

I felt very comforted in my heart. I told God, yea... I will put my trust in You, Lord. Not my will, but let Yours be done...

Definitely this incident is a rather worrying one. But I know He is in control..... Have to learn to trust in His Sovereignty, and that all things will work together for good.

I was praying again on Friday early morning, and felt very encouraged and ministered by Ps 18. Verse 27 really encourages me!

"For You will save the humble people,

But will bring down the haughty looks."

Simple verse, but really encourages my heart.

Whatever the findings may be, I believe this whole incident will lift up the church to another level. That is what a challenge is all about. Breaking through and going forth.

People of the world and people who never really encountered God and His love in this house and in this City Harvest family will never understand why we are so passionate, why we can be so loyal people.

It's not about following blindly.

It's about a family.

I will forever be thankful and grateful to Pastor Kong, Sun and this City Harvest family. Because this is where I found God. This is where I find my purpose in life.