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So so much has transpired in the last 2 months.

If I may just draft off very quickly.

The short trip back to Singapore was well spent -

1) 2 days of "heavy" shopping and quality time with mum. God was with us as we went about Bugis, Marina Square and just doing what we do best - spending quality time. I remember this trip back was special cos God has been challenging me to share the gospel with my parents. The whole story short, by His providence and the right timing, I managed to "plant seeds" as I hinted and probed about our separate spiritual faith. Big step forward, I must say, cos 10 years ago, mum and dad were not as open to my Christian faith.

Mum even said that who knows that in the next few years, pa and ma would become Christians themselves. This, said in no sarcasm at all, was a great great encouragement. Trusting God that in His timing, this would come to pass.

2) Church service on Sunday @ Aldersgate. I felt so welcomed by my fellow brothers- and sisters-in-Christ. Although they might not understand the "grumbles" and mixed feelings towards coming back to Singapore or remaining in Australia, they were supportive. Thank God for them.
Talked to a Sunday school teacher and kinda rekindled the longing to come back to serve once again. I think I miss Sunday School. KFC in Brisbane is just "different" ;)

3) Dinner with family. Dining out with family has become such a once-in-a-blue-moon affair cos sister and dad are working while bro's doing NS. But thank God we had the opportunity to dine out that Sunday night and there's this "camaraderie" spirit in the household as we plan for the interior design of the new house we will be moving into. Thank God we managed to come to a consensus pretty quickly and happy with things. Went to visit the new house for the second time together and WOOHOO renovation's begun! Cant wait to move in this year end.

4) A conversation with dad on the first day of arrival brought up the possibility of staying on in Australia for 1-2 more years before a final return. - 2 year bond in Singapore.. appealed to MOE for another 2 year extension of bond deferment was unsuccessful... Decided not to apply for an internship vacancy in Brisbane for 2013.. Then, dad was pondering on the possibility of him getting a Singapore citizenship and thus me being his biological son, I would automatically be converted to a citizen as well and thus "voiding" the bond. This, however, seemed unlikely. Next step, find out the cost of breaking the bond? Definitely in the 100K I suppose but I didnt find out. Inasmuch the amount would have been easily paid off by working in Australia with the higher pay and stronger currency exchange, it was probably not morally right to do so. Getting more money from my parents when they've already paid for my 4-year-med tuition fees and another 2 years of not taking care of them physically? Like Uncle R* had mentioned, I dread the notion of not coming back to Singapore, the longer I stay on in Australia.

5) Spent a good 2 hours talking to Mr D.C. about this struggle and he knew my desire to stay on in Aus. And he challenged me to learn to make an objective decision - one that  is free from emotion. Spot on as we both knew emotions often times get in the way of making a right decision. I shared that I had feelings for a sister-in-Christ in Brisbane and I think that was probably a huge reason why I wanted to stay on. But God has asked me to put that on hold, to surrender my life to Him fully first, and He will reveal soon enough.

No matter where I am, although Aussie offers a better work-life balance and better pay, and Singapore's double the hours of work and stress with lesser pay, there would still be the same amount of struggles and God would still help me to overcome as long as I rely on Him. God did not guarantee a better life in Australia, neither a far worse one in Singapore. God is faithful and He will see me through wherever I am. Jeremiah 29:11.

6) A night of durian and bible study with a new bible study group. Different but "solid"! Good time of sharing and praying for Singapore. 40 days of prayer.

7) Dinner and supper with the good o' mates - Dar, Kit, KL, KK, KW - was like dejavu. A BB brotherhood. Thank God for BB.

8) Went for BB parade and joined the P5 Boys in Kayaking. Wonderful time of bonding with them. Cant explain the joy when I heard a few of them calling out "Mr Loh!" and waving to me. (These are the Boys who will be going to Cambodia this year end.. Praying for opened doors cos I miss Cambodia and her kids :) )

Although it was only a 2 hour session, we bonded right from the start. Somehow, it's great to not be seen as a teacher-ic but a fellow senior officer to take care and also have fun with them. They'd invite you into their little circle. They touch you, pat you, shake hands with you, "bully" you, laugh at you, and even slap you on the shoulder. All done with due respect for an officer.

Soon enough, the time to say Good Byes and it was really heartwarming to hear them say "Good bye, Mr Loh" in unison. One day, some of these Boys would come back as officers with the heart to lead and to serve 33rd and 33J.

I so miss those relief teaching days. Got to relief a remedial class who were taking their mock Science paper and I felt just like a teacher again! :) Teaching PE, Math, English... Doing the ACES day dance... ;) Good old days. Met some Fairfield Methodist Primary teachers along the way and they still look the same. Some look even younger than they were. Seriously, if I have not taken med, I wouldn't mind teaching in Fairfield ;) If ah.. if...
Meeting Mrs H*, the discipline mistress - one whom you love to hate as a student and whom you adore so much as a fellow colleague - has always been special. Bon Affection in Fairfield. Thank God for you, Fairfield. Happy 124 Birthday!

9) To have experienced so much in Singapore in 6 days was God's way of showing how much I would have missed out if I continue to stay on in Australia. Indeed, I feel God has a plan for me in Singapore in the next 2 years at least. Church, Fairfield, Hospital, Family. Hehe... I'll go wherever God leads. Since I've prayed the same prayer - for "opened doors" - God has led me to UQ and now He's bringing me back to Singapore by making a job available! Grace, grace and more grace... Thank God. Jeremiah 29:11 once again.



Before I forget, this year's Oceania Convention was one where I truly learn to let go and let God. Spending time with God as I learn to praise and worship Him "alone" was sweet.
Pastor H*Kirby prayed for me and re-confirmed the same prayer PC* prayed for me to be a man after God's own heart. I believe when 2 spiritual leaders whom I look up to, prophesise over the same thing, God must be saying something.
Ps H* also prayed sth that baffled me. She said something about reaching out to the Chinese. The closest I could link to was the Katanning Perth Trip last Dec where we reached out to some many Chinese families. That was a joyful and superb experience with many breakthroughs. But when Ps H asked me how I felt about that, my answer was I dont forsee working with a group of Chinese in the long term. No plan or inclination at all! But she encouraged me to pray in this area. Chinese missionary one day?



Also, recently God has been pointing out the importance of putting aside pride, esp against the leaders. Shared with sister D* yesterday about similar past experiences with our shepherds and realised the importance of true forgiveness just as Christ has forgiven us our sins. That brought to light some degree of "hurt" still remaining.. Gotta pray for complete forgiveness.

And away from lukewarmness! Hehe.. from phlegmatic to choleric!! Pray pray pray... And I love UQ6 =)



Ooops.... FACEBOOK!! A tool I've often used as a distraction from daily reality. Felt it aint healthy spiritually. Also, time wise to study for finals. Logged out of FB. And only occasionally for announcements by 33J, UQMS and the like...... Hence the title, but hey! a great deal of things to give thanks for! This IS my facebook update for the past 2 months. Nites everyone!! God bless.