… a new posting and sudden change of
working environment in June 2011 after my advanced diploma in gerontology
nursing, yet it’s a place where the harvest is plentiful and where I see my
calling to be… news of my father-in-law bring diagnosed with Stage 3 lung
cancer in October 2011, yet after a good battle with the illness, he went home
to be with the Lord in early February 2012… a farewell to my beloved Grandpa in
Hong Kong as he went home to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep just a
month before my wedding, but not before the Holy Spirit giving me promptings so
I was able to talk with him the day before he left …… busy preparations for my
wedding in November 2011 and saw how everything just fall into place so
wonderfully, with the help of all our family members, cell members, church
friends, colleagues and friends… being diagnosed with having a 10.5cm diameter
fibroid in my uterus in October 2011 but yet received much peace and joy from
the Lord, successfully went through my first operation in April 2012 to have
the 11.5cm diameter fibroid removed with much success and without much
complications and also receiving a speedy recovery from the Lord now…That’s
my life in the last few months!
I m truly grateful and am filled with
thankfulness for all that God has done in my life!
MY
WORK
Praise God that I graduated from the advance
diploma in gerontology nursing on 10 June 2011.
With 5 distinctions, 2 As and 2 B+, this
has been the best grades and achievement I have gotten in all my life of
studies thus far. I still remember how I
was having a terrible running nose and fever on my last day of my exam and
could not remember much what I wrote on my exam script. But when the results were
released, I remember being filled with great joy as I come to realize that I
scored a distinction. I know that this marvelous achievement has not been by my
own strength but that God has truly been with me and has led me on.
On 13 June 2011, I was informed to report
at another clinic and to serve my 2 years bond. Initially, I felt a bit
disappointed as my former workplace was just 4 bus-stop from my home and, apart
from that, I knew that going to a new working environment, I will have to
readapt to a new culture and rebuild new relationships. But, just as I was
making my way to my new workplace, I uttered a prayer and surrendered my work
into God’s hands. He then convicted me with Jeremiah 29:11, reminded me that He
has plans to prosper me and not to harm me.
Over a period of 10 months, I developed
strong relationships with my new colleagues and saw how God has placed me in
this place where I could be a blessing to my colleagues and my clients. I also
discovered that this place is a fertile field where the harvest is plentiful
and I was affirmed, through many circumstances, to be called to station in this
place for this season.
With the Holy Spirit’s prompting in April
2012, I used the Evangelism Explosion tool and skills which I have learnt from
the course and reaffirmed the salvation of a colleague of mine, whom I have
been praying for 9 months. Hallelujah!
I believe that more will come to receive
their salvation very soon. My motivation to go to work every day is to save 1
more for Jesus!
MY
FATHER-IN-LAW
My father-in-law (Mr. Eddy) was diagnosed
with Stage 3 lung cancer in October 2011 and after fighting a good battle with
the illness, he went home to be with the Lord in early February 2012.
I thank God for how He has given me an
opportunity to interact and know my father-in-law during chats and visits. Though
just a brief period, I felt that I have known him for long. We spent time
together, having ‘makan’ and he would share with me his life and his past. He
treated me like his own daughter and I feel very comfortable and loved by him.
I also thank God that I was also able to
apply what I learnt in my nursing studies and understand the treatments offered
and provided relevant information and support to my husband and his family in
terms of treatments, medications and caregiving matters. And when my
father-in-law went home to be with the Lord,
I also thank God for the strength
and wisdom as He guided me through in assisting and supporting James and his
family in preparations for my father-in-law’s funeral.
I remember that just when I needed strength
to move on during that period, God provided it and helped me to carry on with
my work everyday, sent people to pray alongside me, granted me peace and
comfort in my heart and granted me wisdom in supporting James especially.
MY
GRANDPA
My beloved grandpa in Hong Kong went home
to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep a month before my wedding and I
really thank the Holy Spirit for giving me promptings to call my grandpa on
Saturday afternoon (a day before he pass on) while I was making my way to the
hospital to visit James’ dad. Though he conversed with me with a weak small
voice, I could hear him call my name. I teared after talking to him as I missed
him so much and I could sense that he might not live long. I quickly contacted
my cousin who stayed with him to check on him and I even shared with my mum my
plans to fly off to see him the next day.
Unfortunately, with a phone call from my aunt early next morning, I was
awoken in cold sweats, and learnt from her my grandpa has just gone home to be
with the Lord. I was devastated, the feeling was so painful and I cried myself
to sleep.
Later that morning, I told myself that I
will still go church to worship God even though my heart was still grieving
badly for the loss of my grandpa (he was
closest to me among all the grandparents, and I always confide in him about
many things in my life). As I made my
way to church, my tears would begin to flow whenever I think of him. As service
began, and the worship leader led us in singing ‘Amazing grace’, my heart ached
so badly I cried as I sing. But later as I cried, I asked God to heal my grief
and allow me to trust in Him that grandpa is in a better place. I could
remember every line of the lyrics of the song as the whole congregation sang
graciously. When worship segment ended, I could feel deep comfort and God’s
embrace around me.
I am thankful that my new manager was understanding
and granted me leave to fly back to Hong Kong for my grandpa’s funeral. Little
did I expect, during the funeral, I was given opportunities to evangelize to my
closest cousins, my aunt and uncle. Though they have yet to say the sinners’
prayer, I know that I have planted some seeds in them. I am still praying for
their salvation and know that the day is approaching!
Even though I still feel a bit emotional
now whenever I think of my grandpa, I am grateful that God has granted me a
chance to talk to him the day before he left. I miss him a lot but I am certain
that I will see him again in heaven.
MY
WEDDING
Amidst all the circumstances-my grandpa’s
departure and James’s dad health condition-I asked God for strength for both
James and I as we made preparations for our wedding in November 2011. By
October, we actually had a long list of “to do”s but miraculously, God just
helped to ensure that everything fell in place. From the bridal shop, make-up
artists, photographer, emcee, church venue, banquet matters to helpers, everything
just came into place perfectly so much so it amazed both us and our friends
around us! One thing is certain, everything in our wedding preparations went so
well and wonderfully because God has blessed both James & me with the help
of all our family members, cell members, church friends, colleagues and
friends. Praise God!
I thank God for the opportunity and courage
to share my testimony at my wedding banquet in Hong Kong. A month before the
wedding, God impressed on my heart to share my testimony to my relatives.
Without much thinking, I obeyed His call to testify. Due to our hectic schedules,
I did not have the time to prepare my testimony, even more so, in Cantonese! But
God helped me to prepare my testimony, ‘freshly out of the oven’ the night before
the banquet dinner. I could remember frantically rehearsing in the hotel room
continuously! I was filled with great excitement that our relative’s salvation
day is here! James & I prayed that our banquet dinner would be special; that
people will at ease and enjoy the dinner and my testimony would impact them.
That night, the banquet went extremely well. In fact, we were amazed that the
banquet manager, who looked “straight faced” as I shared my testimony, shared
that she back-slided as a Christian and how my testimony encouraged her to
return back to church once again. My Hong Kong make-up artist, who stayed for
the banquet, also shared that she was inspired by my testimony. Even though
none of my relatives came forth to talk to me about my testimony, many shared
that they enjoyed the whole dinner and the heart-warming atmosphere of the
banquet. That night, I was just so amazed by all that God has done and all that
He is continuing to do that I think I was smiling all night in my sleep!
MY
HEALTH
In early October 2011, I was diagnosed to
have a 10.5cm diameter fibroid[1]
in my uterus during my pre-marriage health checkup. I felt rather depressed as
much has happened during that period, with James’ dad just being diagnosed with
lung cancer and my grandpa just passed away. I desperately prayed and asked God
for strength as I felt that I was at the bottom of the pit.
I am thankful that God has brought my
family, my husband, my in-laws, my cell members, friends and colleagues into my
life because God used them to bless me abundantly. They have provided me with
physical support, prayers support, send words of encouragements and support via
sms & emails and they also availed themselves to help me in my every need
wholeheartedly. I felt really blessed.
I am thankful for God’s word which I feed
on daily to strengthen my inner man and took courage to face all the mountains
in my life. Even though the devil frequently came to steal my joy and bring
fear, such negative feelings only last for awhile. I have learnt to proclaim God’s
words in faith over my situation several times everyday. One of my favorite
remains to be from Psalm 118:17: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim
what the Lord has done”. I thank God for His peace to rest every night without
fail.
I am thankful that God is teaching me to
endure through tough times and to learn to truly rely totally on Him in all
circumstances. He has convicted my heart to not think and feel about my health
condition from just a medical angle but instead to trust in the Lord with all
my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways submit to Him and
He will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6). God also impressed on my
heart that He would be directing the whole operation and that I need not worry.
On the Sunday before my operation, I felt a
deep pleasurable heat on my right hand as the worship leader led us in the song
‘Jesus loves me this I know’. I felt such a deep sense of Jesus’ hand and
presence that He is holding me and telling me to be secure in Him; He assured
that I am being taken care of and am in His good hands. After service, I went
forth for prayer and Elder Andrew anointed my hands with oil and prayed for me.
Throughout the whole time, I could sense
God’s will for me to just trust and obey Him and to go through the operation
instead of living in fear. He shared with me in my devotions that my step of
obedience is a part of His greater plans. On 24th April 2012, I successfully
went through an operation to remove a 11.5cm diameter fibroid without much
complications. Hallelujah!
Despite the difficult times, I have learn
to give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for me in Christ
Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). I am thankful to God that my operation was
successful; no blood transfusion was required, no wound infection, no deep vein
thrombosis and my uterus was preserved. I did not experience much side effects
from the morphine, was able to walk and sit up on the second day and slept well
during my hospitalization. In addition, I was taken care of by a good team of
healthcare workers, regained my appetite quickly and felt really great
physically, emotionally & spiritually after the operation.
Now, I am into my 2nd week
post-operation and I can see God’s work through all that has happened. I could
see my faith being heightened to a new level. My testimony has encouraged
others who are sick and have given hope to people around me. My family
relationship has also become closer. My mother-in-law prayed out loud for me for
the first time. My husband shared that he was inspired by my courage and faith
in God and it edifies him. I could also sense a heightened spiritual atmosphere
in cell. I now also have a better understanding of how it feels to have to go
through an operation and become convicted to avail myself to provide support to
people who need to go through operations or women with fibroids in the future.
I was able to use the photographs of my extracted fibroid and testify to others
about the Great God I serve.
I just can’t help but thank God for His
strength, providence, joy, peace and everything! He is awesome and I m assured
that surely His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).
MY
APPRECIATION
People I am extremely grateful for their
prayers & support:
My daddy, mummy, sister, hubby (James Lim),
mother-in-law, sister-in-law (Joyce Lin).
My spiritual family (Onelife 3: Lydia also
my Prayer Accountability Partner, Michelle, Daniel, Huifen, Cynthia, Xu
Chao, Joshua, June, Kent & Elly, Joyce & James Seah, Chui Wai &
Ivan).
Area Overseers Chek Shih & Pei Kwee.
Onelife leaders (Sarah & Bill Leung,
Wendy, Glen & Veronica, Ee Yang & Charmaine, Lydea, Maurice)
Riverlifers: Elder Andrew Goh & wife, Celina, Angie
& Kexin from Hospitality F & B Team, Alginna, Sarah Jenny, Amanda, Lucy
Leng, Angela, Leng Leng.
Colleagues: Regina Lee, Xin Yi, Jerry, Ming
Keat, Tok Cheng, Dawn, Zainon.
Friends: Yi Xuan, Syn Syn, Jia Hui, Grace
Leong, Teri, James’ colleagues from Salvation Army HR department.
[1]
A
tumor growth in females. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow
and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and
urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy.
