Journeying together

It's not something people generally like to talk about but I really feel like God has been teaching me more about this subject and it can be quite a challenging "subject", but I'm sure you will know that already since we all go through struggles in life.

 

At the end of MEC (Midlands Easter Conference) where my dad was speaking, a guy sat in the response and evaluation chair (don't ask) and was talking about, among other things, how we should learn more about how to cry out before God... and not just as a metaphor but physically shed tears. At that time, I was reminded of the books 'Kneeling We Triumph', as you know as one of my favourites. There were a few chapters in both books 1 and 2, I think, that also mentioned crying out, groaning and sighing in the presence of our God.

 

Of course, returning from that camp was the moment we found out about my grandmother so there were tears though it was the first time I thought about what possibility of a different sort of tears that were mentioned at the camp and in the books. Last Sunday, the preacher was starting off a series on the Beautitudes and who would've imagined but it starts off:

 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those that mourn, for their shall be comforted."

 

Even on Monday morning when somehow I decided to join the team for devotions at Manna House (our team guest house), we were also looking at tears, at the emotions of Jesus in the context around the verse John 11:35, which you will probably remember better as the shortest verse in the Bible.

 

How pure were His tears? How much heavier were His tears for us, for the blinded and foolish? What do WE cry about if and when we do? Is it so bad to mourn and weep and cry out for a nation turned away from the almighty God? Psalms 119:136

It should hurt our hearts, pain our thoughts, trouble our souls that there are people out there perishing. Let us shed tears for worthy reasons and may God be merciful to hear our heart's cry so that we don't need to dwell in sorrow but also then learn to REJOICE in His presence and His goodness because in His presence is fullness of joy (and you know it!).

 

 

Dearest Friends and Family,

 

Praise the Lord, He has been faithful to provide once again! I managed to get a flight through some dear friends and so I will be flying back to the UK on the 18th of April 2007 (that is the day after tomorrow). So, I will be arriving on the 18th at 6:30pm. Unfortunately, my parents have not yet got a confirmed flight back so please pray that they will manage to get one as well since there are also a lot of things awaiting their return to London, now including me.

 

It was wonderful to be able to meet up with so many people in such a short period of time and I only wish we could stay longer as there were a couple people that I would've loved to see but did not manage to. [Shu- if you're reading this and I'm sure you're too busy to anyway but just in case, I am so sorry that we did not find the time to meet up. I would've really appreciated having an ice-cream with you and doing our usual window shopping and catching up. I'll have to try and drag you up here to the UK since I doubt I'll be able to get back to Singapore until sometime next year. I do hope you continue to enjoy your job. Missing you already]

 

Please continue to pray for my mum's family. I'm sure it's still hard going and so many things still have to be done. Please also continue to pray for me as I try to study for the exams, as I think I've already reminded you too many times (it must be the nerves). As you know by now, I've got 7 exams which may or may not sound like a lot to you but it feels like a lot to me. I'm always baffled that there COULD be so many exams for one subject, for maths! =0)

 

Anyway, thanks again SO much to you all who have been so faithfully praying. I don't know any other way to thank you. Thank you especially to those who just took a little extra time to give us a call, send a note or even visit us at the funeral! I know we were all really grateful for the Christian support and I am sure my mum's family were touched as well.

 

For those in the UK, if you would like to get in contact, please feel free to call my at home (I think the number might have changed- long story- to 020 8460 2292 but if that doesn't work try again on 020 8464 4450 and if THAT doesn't work I guess you could call me on my mobile 07711106243... though perhaps wait until the 19th of April when I've had good night's rest. =0)

 

Our God is an AWESOME God,

Debbie

Happy Easter... or as I have been told, Happy Resurrection Day!

 

Wow, what a trip! In the shortest way possible, it was absolutely fantastic! Of course, it was not without it's low points being mostly that I was sick for most of it and worser still that I was not the only one. That, PRAISE THE LORD, did not stop us though and I think that some of the people on the ship (Logos 2 not Doulos) were quite impressed with the initiative that people in our little group took to go out there and do the extra mile.

 

We were only away for a total of 9 days so we were quite limited in the number of things we were able to do with the ship especially since the Logos 2 left on the 31st of March and most of our group stayed till the 2nd of April. We had to say goodbye early to 2 of our dear troopers but had a wonderful time after that exploring a little bit more of that most interesting Island of Malta and Gozo. Alot can and DID happen in these last 9 days but I know I would definitely start getting carried away and giving you details you are probably yourself not interested in.

 

Instead, let me remind you that besides the joyous celebration events of Christ's death and RESURRECTION (PTL), the revision and exam season is also upon is. I've got 7 exams altogether, which I am not sure is a lot compared to others or not but in any case, it feels like a lot. I'm putting below a short-ish exam timetable so if you ever have a moment, please do pray for me as well as the many of my fellow student friends who are "stressfully" revising for our exams...especially for those who are in their last year that they will finish well.

 

8th May          Calculus II                                        2:30pm

9th May          Intro to Dynamical Systems               2:30pm

10th May        Probability & Statistics                     10:00am

10th May        Geometry I                                       2:30pm

14th May        Linear Methods                                10:00am

16th May        Intro to Abstract Algebra                    2:30pm

17th May        Numbers & Functions                        2:30pm

 

You may have no idea what Linear Methods or whatever means but basically they are all my different modules so they are all some kind of Mathematics.... I know... wierd. I can already imagine all of your faces (those that don't like maths or just think I'm plain strange). In any case, I really do appreciate all your faithfulness in prayer and also those who have been praying for my grandmother. We would really appreciate continued prayer for her and for my mum's family in general.

 

Because He is RISEN,

Debbie