100 Hymns

During my recent hospitalization stay, I received a 3 CD-compilation of 100 Hymns. What a treat! It was from Dr. & Mrs Khoo B.C. We played the CDs and enjoyed it so much. I could sing some and hum with others, and they are mostly familiar. I am one of those oldies who love hymns. It brought back fond memories of my school days.

I was from St. Hilda’s and St. Andrew’s. I remember that I always love chapel time which was once a week, there would be prayers, hymns, scripture reading and a short sharing by one of the teachers or the chaplain. Unlike some of my friends I enjoyed this time. Daily at the beginning of the school day there would at least be opening prayers. From this early exposure to the Word of GOD my life was well watered and prepared for the receiving of the gospel. In school I did not experience any compulsion by the teachers but rather they just exposed us to the Word of GOD through hymns and scripture readings. I received the gospel when I attended a meeting at BKC with my best friend Joo Ser.

From St. Hilda’s I went on to St. Andrew’s which also had the same tradition of hymn singing. I remember at St. Hilda’s the teachers taught us to be loyal to the Anglican schools. At PSLE we were all told to request to stay on at St. Hilda’s and not want to go elsewhere. From my class, all of us stayed on except for one. After O levels we were also encouraged to go on to St. Andrew’s, believe it or not, most of us followed our teachers’ advice including the best of the cohort. That in St. Andrew’s, one class alone had a dozen of St. Hilda’s girls. On reflection I thanked my teachers for encouraging us to stay on in the mission school family.

I remember that my time at St. Andrew’s had been a blessed time because it was there that I participated actively in ISCF and learned the meaning of service. I began to love the Word of GOD and love fellowship with the “saints”. We had teachers who guided us in the right direction. We enjoyed going to visit HDB flats door to door at Potong Pasir and sharing the gospel, not that we were able to speak the dialect but we handed out tracts.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my school days in both these schools. Praise be to our LORD who sent the early missionaries to set up mission schools in Singapore. Indeed I am one of many who have been blessed by the faithfulness of our mission schools’ forefathers who steadfastly gave money and resources to send teachers to our distant shores to educate us and most importantly to preach the good news of or LORD Jesus Christ. Amen.

ALWAYS

A dear sister sent this encouraging card to me and I just have to share it with you.

One of the nights as I was on my way home from my daughter’s house I chance to look up at the sky and behold there was a full moon in all its majesty. Ribbons of light radiated from her into the dark inky night. Somehow she appears to be there all alone in the heavens. Since M was driving, I kept my gaze on her reflecting on GOD’s overwhelming goodness. His greatness, His power and His might. Then all of a sudden our car manoueurved round a bend, I lost sight of the moon and the sky faded to black. How oten has that happened in our lives too? How often have we turned to GOD only to find darkness and despair? These thoughts flooded my mind. But before I knew it, the moon came back into view and her light once again flooded the sky. The moon hadn’t moved but I had. GOD too doesn’t move from our lives. HE is constant, always watching, always waiting, always ready to shine upon us when we turn from the darkness and seek His face. Sister Li Leng, I want you to know remember that in the midst of a spinning universe, GOD is our still point. He is “AN ALWAYS GOD!”

As I read this note I am again reminded to set my mind and heart on WHO GOD IS and not to be overwhelmed by the present circumstances. Sure it is natural to feel disappointments but I must steadfastly fix my eyes on the character of GOD. Our omnipotent GOD is love, He is full of compassion and mercy.

Just back

My dear friends, I just got back from Gleneagles. I was admitted on Wednesday midnight because I had severe nausea and vomiting. I am obviously reacting to the cumulative build up of Revlimid. It was a miserable few days and nights as I could not hold down anything in my stomach and the normal nausea medications did not work to stop this. Thank God it did finally stop – on Friday night and I was able to slowly get back into a soft diet by Sunday. Thank God for protecting my stomach as a gastro scope done on Friday showed that there is no bleeding or ulceration. I feel better now though still weakened from the episode. Thank you for lifting us up in prayer – your cards, letters, emails, CDs, books and sms remind me that I am not alone and that God is ever present with me.

In consultation with Dr. Teoh, it is now decided to stop both the Velcade and Revlimid for now and give my body some time to recover from the side effects. A blood sample was taken this morning to find out where the M-band is. Tomorrow, I go back to the radiotherapy department to have the treatment plan confirmed and to discuss with Dr. Edward Yang who is likely to begin on Wednesday for 14 sessions – ie: 14 days continuously. Please pray that I will not suffer serious side effects and for this treatment to work against the disease.

Still steadfast and trusting in the LORD

The recent two weeks treatment of velcade has affected me quite badly. I was very tired and my back muscles ached, numbness of hands and feet also bad. After a night sleep, I wake up and soon I get tired again and the day was spent mostly in bed. Sometimes I could not open my eyes, hence I am not able to write, sms, email etc.
This is the start of the rest week but I have been nauseous and had not been able to keep down my food. My energy level is low because of the vomiting. I have been to doctor and he has suggested that I reduce the dose of revlimid, alternate day instead of daily. I will also be having a velcade break. This is good news for me because velcade causes the most fatigue and aches. The doctors will assess me again on Friday to see if I am able to start with radiotherapy this Monday, 11th for 14 days.

My heart is still steadfast, believing and trusting in the LORD. When I am very tired and fatigued, I find it hard to praise the LORD but I know the LORD understands my weakened frame. I am sad that I am so helpless.

Pray that I can eat and keep my food and be strong during the radiotherapy.
Pray that the radiotherapy will help to reduce the pain in my back.
Pray for minimal side effects from radiotherapy.

Continue trusting in the LORD

Today is a difficult day with Li Leng experiencing tiredness and pain from the velcade treatment. We are not able to do much at all but we can still pray.

We just received the results of the M-band a few minutes ago. It has gone up to 7. Last week, it was 5. We don’t understand this at all. It seems that the velcade is not helping to bring it further down. We have not discussed with Dr. Teoh as he is away in Europe attending a conference. We are reminded of Prov 3:5,6 and will put our trust in the LORD. Next week is a rest week from the velcade and we intend to start radio therapy under the care of Dr. Edward Yang. There will be 14 sessions over 14 days – 3 weeks and we probably will stay off velcade through this time. We will continue with the new drug – Revlimid as well as 3 days next week on Dexa and hopefully Li Leng can tolerate all this without side effects or complications. Our eyes are on the LORD and He is our help and our strength. Is 41:10 Please pray for GOD’s will and purposes to be worked out and for us to stand firm in our faith so that we can glorify GOD even in our sickness. We do pray the desires of our hearts to be made well so that our youth will be renewed like the eagle’s. Ps 103:5.