Raise a glass- I've finished!

It’s all over! yesssshh.

So I got my results and cert today… and I passed with honours, coming in #1 in class, only by God’s grace. Most surprisingly, I got 90% for that grammar written exam which I had nightmares of not passing. My lecturer gave me a hi-5! haha. God has really been so faithful to me, showing His mighty strength and power in my weakness.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart… for your incredible support. For the comments left, the emails written, the msn offline notes, the prayers and the encouragement. ‘Thank you’ just seems to fall short of expressing how I really feel. Words cannot express my gratitude adequately. But thank you anyway…Thank you so much!

Remembering the tears of pressure and the tears of joy, God’s love through the toughest times, these are precious blessings not to be forgotten or taken for granted as I close this chapter of my life. I’m all ready to embrace life as a teacher once again!

Off to put on some weight before mom and dad comes to pick me up tomorrow.

3 papers & 1 report to go...

For the love of blue skies

Can't believe it! One more course mate dropped out. It’s the last week! She could have just drag herself through. After all that work the past 3 weeks! This course has been like the reality show ‘survival’.

I fell ill yesterday but I’m feeling much better today. Fighting!

Saying grace

Remembering the first meal I had with my course mates…… My food came first that afternoon and my friends seem to all be commenting on what a great choice I made. Asking me to go ahead and eat, I knew what I should do first before digging in. Yet, ‘should I just utter a prayer with my eyes open so no one will notice?’

Matthew 5:16 ran through my mind that very moment. “Let your light so shine before man that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” How could that thought have crossed my mind! I was ashamed. I closed my eyes. From that day onwards, whether I was sitting at the head of the table or alone in the canteen I enjoyed those moments to be still and know that He is God.

Last Thursday, my food was served the first again. But just before I was about to close my eyes, my friend said this “Lydia, I just want you to know that I really respect what you do. I’ve seen you from our very first meal together that you always say your grace even when we look at you.”

All I can say is that God works in His own ways for His glory. Well, I wrote this for those of you out there who has ever thought “Should I pray?” May this testimony encourage you to be faithful. I want you to know that you’d not be seen as some “weird goodie spiritual boy/girl” rather, you’d gain something that not many can obtain.

like a tsunami

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Lord,

Grant me a quiet heart before the exams start.
Lead me to use my leisure hours to re-invigorate my powers.
My mind from day-dreams liberate, give me the will to concentrate.
From all distractions set me free,that in my studies I may be
A student with a sole fulfillment to make my work a sacrament.

From my faint heart, in love, expel, all failures, tears that therein dwell,
And from my pillow drive away dark forebodings of the day.
Help me in faith to rest so deep that I may have untroubled sleep.
While notes and lectures I prepare, may I not lose my zest for prayer.

May I not forget to look for daily guidance in Thy Holy Book.
In quietness, confidence and peace, may I have sure and swift release
From needless fears and apprehension
From outward strain and inward tension
And may I ever grateful be, to all who daily pray for me.
While for myself I intercede for other students too, I plead.
So may exams find each one alert in heart and mind.

Thus inward joy and peace possessing…
May exams prove a source of blessing.

My next paper is in 2 hrs!

around the neighbourhood

Elray, Sha & Ina

my happy sunflowers

Thank God for another weekend :) Lookit, isn't this cafe just perfect. Some quirky charm. I had the most wonderful delicious mash potatoes with garlic bread there. I'm still thinking "mmmm" about it. For those of you who know where 'Boat' is (the place we always eat before traveling up to Mae Gone). This is just one block away from there.

I love studying in such relaxed open-air environments. It helps make mundane work enjoyable and of course plus great company. I love teeny tiny cute things too. I think all kids like small things because they are special and can be carried around or hidden in secret places. I think I just never grew out of it.

It'll be my busiest week ahead. Assignments due on tues, thurs and 1 major paper- 4 hrs long on fri. AND it's on my weakest point -grammar. All the different conditionals, present perfect continuous, clauses etc. drives me crazy! I've seriously never used this word but here it goes... I'm mugging hard... in need of ginseng.

Have a Blessed Sunday tomorrow!

" Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men." (Col 3:23)

grammar & me

What (n) the (det) figures (n) represented (v) in (prep) terms (n) of (prep) annual (adj) rate-of-return (n) on (prep) investment (n) is (v) difficult (adv) to calculate (infi n).

The going gets tougher... This is what I've to do for another 10 pages full of words. Lectures on Phonology tomorrow.

Help me!

Lord, shape my life as only You can.
Guiding each day by your loving plan.
Take what You need and give what You will.
My life is Yours to use and fill.

Fine little day

The weather is as hot as it can be! School ended early for us today :) So Sha and I sat down for a good drink, well deserved break to get our minds off the books! Oh. i guess I've not told you about her huh. She's one lovely girl. Half Indian and Thai. Thank God for bringing these wonderful people into my life! I love this cafe it's about 10 mins walk from my apartment. The surroundings is like the botanic gardens. You know where to find me when I need some fresh air from that smelly library!

Hope the week gets better for all of us!

staying alive

It's only been week one. And I've seen people break down in class. Yesterday, I sat for 6 hours straight writing and writing with just a 5 min restroom break. The only other Christian who sits next to me and encourages me with a verse daily and a pat on the shoulder, walked out of class today. That makes that the 2nd student who has dropped out of this course. That's how tough my week has been. So when I read this quote it left me stired, humbled and uplifted.

My power just begins to operate in it's fullness when you have none left. The suffering that humbles you, the suffering that draws you into My presence, the suffering that dispenses My grace is also the suffering that makes you powerful. It's when you're broken, it's when you're at the end of your own resources, it's when you have nothing in yourself to lean on or trust in that you cast yourself completely on Me that you really become poweful. As long as you keep trusting in your own ingenuity, as long as you keep trusting in your own cleverness, as long as you keep trusting in your own money and your own ideas and your own strategies and keep trusting in your own ability to solve all problems and accomplish all ends in ministry or whatever it is, as long as you operate, you're going to be weak. No one is too weak to be powerful, but many are too strong to be powerful. You want to come to the end of yourself and then you begin to see the power of God released through your emptiness. - John MacArthur

God's just been showing Himself so mighty to me. I know He wants me here and He's going to bring me through this. I've 6 more tests to go. Out of the 8 tests, I've got to at least have 70% pass for 6 of them or else byebye cert. My finals is on the 26th. oh! would you be my prayer warriors...

first day of school

Yes, new friendships, new discoveries.

Fumbled my way around the campus.

It was scary, exciting and energizing all at once.

Lots of essays due and group presentations.

I never remembered school this way!

AND it's only day one....

Headed Out

Just a quick hello. Today flew by. I've got the vitamin C packed, a map of Chiang Mai -- want to do some exploring on the weekends, chargers, notebooks, spare pens... I think everything is packed and I'm ready to go! Funny how all day long I've been humming "Leaving on a Jet Plane" when I'm not even going on one!

I will try to keep the blog updated. If you think of me, I would appreciate prayer for: wisdom in each situation that I'll encounter, understanding to absorb all that is taught, and most of all that God's name would be glorified.

Hasta la vista!