Ever so faithful

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Psalm 36:5
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Yesterday, God really answered my prayer. I was so overwhelmed by his faithfulness that I cannot stop praising Him. I still cannot believe myself what happened.

Let me explain.

Remember my last holiday back to Malaysia? In January, I took one month leave for Sept-Oct. I knew NATA accreditation was in Oct, but no one knew exactly which date. I couldn't wait till I find out, else I would miss out on the flight sale (see blog on January 24). So I book my leave for 4 weeks. AS NATA date drew closer, we were all so stressed out. One colleague was supposed to go on leave for his wedding just before NATA. Guilt just plagued me when I thought that I would go on leave at such crucial time. Both of us will go on leave, leaving behind just one scientist manning the lab. I didn't commit this anxiety to God instead I took matters into my own hands. I changed my flight and cut short my holiday to 2 weeks. At least I would be able to help out in my lab, I comforted myself.

Then a week before the original NATA date, my boss came in and announced that NATA has been postponed to December. I was thrilled but speechless at the same time. I should have just trusted the Lord to work something out for me. So, I had to bear my own consequence. All was good then, no more stress though I had a short time in Malaysia.

When I came back from Malaysia, the other scientist who was left alone manning the lab told me he's taking leave in Feb (which coincides with CNY). I thought I won't be able to take leave for CNY. To make matters worse, we have another NATA accreditation in February, this time for forensic and also in February. Still, I voiced out to my boss about my intention to go away in February. He however was reluctant to let me go then due to NATA. He asked me to wait before I book my flight so that he can confirm with me. So I waited. This time, I really trusted in God for His plan. I wasn't that worried as I knew He will perform yet another miracle.

True enough, my patience paid off. My boss came in and said he has a bad news for us. The NATA accreditation for forensic was not in February 7, but January 7 and that he has mistaken the dates. My jaw just dropped when I heard the news. I couldn't believe what I heard. Now, tell me, isn't God faithful??

So now, I can peacefully book my flight to go home for CNY. Praise the Lord...

Australian Idol 2007

I've been following Australian Idol for 4 years now.. that means I have been here for almost 4 years now.. how time flies!

Anyway, was particularly happy when Natalie Gauci won. Not that I don't like Matt Corby but somehow the debut single is important. Whoever sings it well, deserve it. However, the same song may only suit one singer and not the other.. well, it's unfortunate then. Here's the list of Australian Idol since it's opening in 2003 accompanied by their winner's single. Actually this is more like a compilation for myself.

2003 - Guy Sebastian, [Shannon Noll (2nd)] with debut single, Angel's Brought Me Here



2004 - Casey Donovan, [Anthony Callea (2nd)] with debut single, Listen With Your Heart



2005 - Kate DeAraugo, [Emily Williams (2nd)] with debut single, Maybe Tonight


2006 - Damien Leith, [Jessica Mauboy (2nd)] with debut single, Night of My Life



2007 - Natalie Gauci, [Matt Corby (2nd)] with debut single, Here I Am

Getting serious with my endeavour

I always believe that a hobby must fit these criteria below:
a) enjoyable (of course, needless to say)
b) free or with minimal cost
c) useful and
d) rewarding

Of course this is strictly my own conviction and I am not placing judgement on what others do with their hobby. As I mentioned before, I am very shrewd nowadays when it comes with money. I do believe it is good practice to manage your finance well and be a good financial steward with what God has bless you with.

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will
trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone
else’s property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16:11-12).

Anyway, I became quite obsessed with making jewelleries that it's excess for me to wear alone. Hence I've decided to sell them. My policy, however is not to sell them expensive but to make it affordable for everyone. My new endeavour has since fulfilled my criteria as a worthy hobby ie very enjoyable, free and at minimal cost (it wasn't free initially, but I have sold some and since got back the cost of the jewelleries), useful to myself and even others as I can custom make jewelleries for them and last but not least rewarding, as I am making some money for myself. Isn't that awesome?

Here's to share with you some of the jewelleries I made:

Am thinking of setting up website and/or catalogues but let's see how it goes, shall we? Wish me the best!

Lab Photos

I try to keep my promise. Took some pictures of my lab to share with all of you. I'm not too sure if I'm allowed to. But hey, it's because I'm proud of the lab that's why I need to share with everyone about it.

Cut the chase, here goes.

My lab ~ Sonic Clinical Institute
(A division of Sonic Healthcare, the largest pathology company in Australia)

The stairs to the entrance

The entrance

The whole thing

The core of the building

The restroom


Break out area

Stairs leading up to my office (cheh... beh paiseh, thick skin)

See anything unusual?? Anything that rings a bell???

Perhaps you can get it this time.. Just in case if you still don't get it, my lab is health related, why on earth do we have rock stars' names for our meeting rooms? Good question, I don't know, ask Colin Goldsmith, the CEO of Sonic Healthcare.

Tada, my precious office space. It's spacious, I tell ya..

Praise the Lord

It has been a good week since Uncle's surgery. Uncle has since been recovering well and yesterday, dad called to say uncle's report was out. The cancer cells did not spread and uncle may not even have to succumb to chemotherapy. We are still waiting on doctor's decision on that.

God has been so amazing to our family. Without Him, we would have been like lost sheeps, without direction, without hope, without light. We may not be perfect, but we surely have God on our side. The only thing I'm so proud of my family is that they all know the Lord and have accepted Christ as their Saviour and Lord. We are heading the right direction.

On a different note, got a surprise gift today from a colleague to thank me for helping doing so well and helping out so much in the lab. I like the chocolates and the wrapping in particular. I got the same present before (remember the green present?) and I feel bad that it's not reciprocal. I should get something for my colleague as well. Alrighty, will write more in the future.

Our responsibilities

Just an update on Uncle Lawrence. The surgery went well although doctor had to remove 90% of his stomach. We only pray that the cancer cells have not spread to other organs.

If you were wondering who Uncle Lawrence is to me, he is my father's brother. We used to live in one big house, with 17 family members, 4 sets of families ie 4 brothers and their respective families and 2 unmarried aunts. My dad is the oldest, who has 3 children, then Uncle Lawrence who has 1 child, followed by Uncle Steven, who has 3 children, then Uncle Louis and my two single aunties. So, you do the math (do include all the wives as well).

My dad's family have been living together in the same house since they were born. So, you can imagine how bonded we are, as a family. Everyone in my hometown have always been in awed with the fact that my family lives together. It was only until all my uncle's children in the family grows up and needs their own room did my dad decide to move out.

Not having any of my family members there in any occasion, seems odd. There are times when I thought that my family were too closely knitted that the 4 immediate families and 2 aunties tend to cross their boundaries on personal issues encountered by any one families. Hm.. my family's relationship is a little complicated to understand. Anyway, we are seriously close, that's my point.

When I first heard of the news about my uncle Lawrence, it immediately brought me back to the memories of losing a dearest family member, that is my paternal grandfather. My grandpa and I were close as we lived together too, and I always knew I was special in his eyes as I was his favourite. He passed at 69. His death brought so much pain to me then. I was 12. My maternal grandma passed away when I was 18. I was not as close to my grandma as she lived much further away. I was a pity that I wasn't as close to her as I was to my grandpa. After her death, I regretted that I never get to know her better.

When I was young, I never knew how to love, not until I got so much older. This is the time when loved ones should be cherish and not be taken granted for. I only thank God that my family is saved and I can be certained that they will meet God one day in heaven when God calls them home. But I surely will miss them. Even now, I realised these fun and enjoyable times with family will end rather soon, as everyone ages.

However, I do believe we can ask God to grant us good health and live till old age. Matthew 7:7 says "Ask and it shall be given". This is God's promise to us. But do we have responsibilities on our part? Of course we do. We need to also be a good steward of our health. We need to do all it takes to ensure a good health. I am a scientist yet, many a times I am in awe with how God created our bodies. Some people may say, it's all in your genes. Yes, but God is a genious maker. For instance, I learnt that eventhough certain diseases are caused by genes as detected by testing, but it can be polymorphism which does not produce any syndrome nor indication of the disease. In other words, that person is basically normal and healthy. Even cancer, God gives us a second chance if we are careful with our diet and lifestyle. Of course, these doesn't account for all the genetic diseases. It's sad that some person doesn't seem to have a "second chance" at all. But who are we to question God. God can give, God can also take away.

But for those who are without any sickness or illness, be responsible over your health.

Update on Uncle Lawrence

Uncle Lawrence underwent gastrectomy this afternoon. Doctors had to operate on him in order to do staging. Apparently doctor said it's stage 3. We were all gobsmacked by the news. It was totally shocking, although most stomach cancer diagnosis is made at advance stages. Ironically there isn't any symptoms leading to stomach cancer. Apparently, stomach cancer isn't genetic but rather due to diet and environment.

Please continue praying for him. He is only 51 and has a 10 year old daughter.

He is the most helpful uncle and always is a sport. He loves to organise trips and will go all out to help family members. Without him, there's really not much fun in the family anymore. He does mean alot to everyone. I just realised that all my family members mean so much to me. It would be horrible to lose any of them, but we should all know and accept the fact that we will leave this world someday, somehow. The world is not to be called our own.

Prayer and Petition

Today, I received a sad news. My uncle Lawrence was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the stomach. Although it is sad and discouraging, but we all should realize that this world is just a stepping stone to another destination. In my belief, this destination is called heaven. We are all saved by faith and grace, as long as we believe that Jesus, the son of God who died to pay for our sins. I know many sceptics who will refute that, but I'm just wondering, if they cannot come up with something better for me to believe in, then they might as well not counter and dash one's hope.

Anyway, this news just made me realized that nothing in this world matters. Of course, even if we take good care of ourselves, we will still die one day. No one lives forever in this world. We can only live to our fullest, with the time frame we have.

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the Sick, we turn to You in this
time of illness. 0 dearest Comforter of the Troubled, alleviate our worry and
sorrow with Your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this
burden. Dear God, we place our worries in Your hands. We place our sick under
Your care and humbly ask that You restore Your servant to health again. Above
all, grant us the grace to acknowledge Your holy will and know that whatsoever
You do, You do for the love of us.
Amen.

http://www.jimfeeney.org/powerofhealingprayers.html