I was doing my quiet time on Thursday morning before I started to revise for my microbiology quiz on Friday. I was reading Proverbs 31: 10-31. Proverbs has a lot to say about women. How fitting that the book ends with a picture of a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills and great compassion.

This verse particularly struck me Proverbs 31: 30.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

In this present dark world which we are all living in. We can easily be deceived into looking into outward appearance and not the heart which can be destructive at times. But its really comforting to know that God looks at your character. Character is more than good looks. Our appearance is important to us and we spend time and money improving it. But how do we develop our inner beauty? Patience, kindness and joy are the beauty treatments that help us become truly lovely on the inside.

In 1 Samuel 16: 7, God judges by faith and character, not appearance. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.

1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Peter 3: 3-4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

I guess we should really reflect on whether we are looking at outward appearances or are we looking at quality individuals? Are we judging on outward appearances? I hope not.. or at least we are trying not to….

I had a busy week. I was struggling to get all my 4 assignments done in 2 days and getting my micro test ready. It was hard but God has brought me through. Today as I was doing my test, I was mumbling a little prayer to God, asking him to help me cos I didnt do much revision as there was a lack of time. By God's mercy, I did not have much problem with the quiz. I didnt do much during my 2 weeks break cos i was sick for a week. Trust me .. U wont want to hear my sexy voice that week n u wont be interested to see my pale face either. I am much better now but still not completely well yet. During this period, I experienced the grace and love of God so abundantly through his beloved children n his words of comfort. God is just simply so powerful n his grace sufficient for all his children.

At this moment, I am currently at Yoshi's place. We r trying to bake a cake for Tina's B day. It smells good. Not because we r good but because the cake was baked with all the love of the sub comm n of course ladened with our Father's love which is sovereign n everlasting. This time is a time of great fellowship. I always feel excited on Friday because of the happenings in OCF and the encounter with God. I guess all I can say is our Lord n Creator is worth of all praise.

I was talking a lot with Yoshi today. She was telling me abt the driving instructor. Its really bad news. He is so touchy ..oh man! U wont want to be called darling or love by someone u dun know n dun love at all.. argh! Now i m learning my lessons from this cheeky instructor.. I hope everything will be fine.. God will Bless n Protect me!!!!

Today is the very first day of my driving lesson. I was excited yet nervous about it. It went well I would say. I learnt quite some stuff today which initially I thought would be hard for me cos I am not really a technical person I would say. I am usually bad at stuff like these. So today for me is very much like a challenge. Haha.. But I did have a little achievement today. I actually drove all the way to West Terrace to see Fion. Unbelievable for the first try.. Especially for someone like me..haha..

I found the solution to a problem which has been bothering my mind for so long. It not like I found the solution but rather the friends around me reminded me. Really thanks to them!

Tonight I would need to struggle through the many assignments I have. Hopefully it would be 3 down tonight. I can do it. I believe..

" I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

I love this song. Its a song of our deep love for GOd.

DEEPLY IN LOVE

In my life You've heard me say I love You
How do I show You it's true
Hear my heart it longs for more of You
I've fallen deeply in love with You

You have stolen my heart
I'm captivated by You
Never will You and I part
I've fallen deeply in love with You

You and I together forever
Nothing can stand in the way
My love for You grows stronger each new day
I've fallen deeply in love with You

My two weeks break has passed so quickly. I havent really started on my work. These days I spent lots of time with OCFers, spending time with God, reading his word, in prayer. It really makes me happy n feeling satisfied. This Friday is my second time leading worship in OCF. As I was choosing the songs some days ago, I felt God's presence in my room guiding me in my choice of songs n scriptures to read. The flow is simply just so smooth n the feeling wonderful.

I have some thoughts on my mind lately. Some thoughts which I cannot confirm but I did speak to someone about it as u know, 2 brains r better than 1. Haha... I guess I usually think of how other people may feel instead of what I really think n what i eagerly want. Sometimes its good. But other times it is not.

I have also gotten a driving instructor lately. Lessons start next Tuesday which is a public holiday. I am excited about it N I hope everything will be fine. I feel a bit nervous actually cos I m always not good with technical stuff.. Blah!

Guess what just now my laptop hang on me too. Just as I wanted to get online, the screen went blank! Obviously, for a computer idiot like me, I panicked and rushed for the phone to call my friend for help. Thank God that my laptop is alrite now *smiles*

Anyway I better get back to work before holidays r really gone.

Today is saturaday. I have been back from Easter Camp for about 5 days now.. This year's Easter Camp is very meaningful to me. There are so many lessons I learnt.

Lesson 1: Be really patient and tolerant especially when ppl r obviously giving u trouble.
Lesson 2: Be organised.
Lesson 3: Be approachable.
Lesson 4: Be totally reliant and submissive to God, to listen to his soft voice. To listen for his
instructions and not go in the way I want.

This camp has brought me more things that I expected. Firstly my committee, I really learnt a lot from them. I saw how the committee members, Zac, Amanda, Samuel, Moses, Lishan, Sophia, Jasmine sacrifising themselves to make this camp happen though we depend on God always in prayer. The memories they give me is unforgetable and the experience wonderful n priceless. Now that the camp is over, I find myself missing them. I miss the time where we spent together in prayer, crying out to God. Earnestly seeking him and interceeding for the non-believers. Sunday was miraculous. In camp itself, it is just like a mini revival. People were redelicating their lifes back to God as well as souls being saved.

This camp has also brought many people in my life. Relationships are being strengthen each day. There was always sharing among us. I felt involved in people's life and its a pleasure to spend time with them. * Smiles * There are some ppl I really appreciate very much, my comm of course, Grace, Joanna, Jovina, Gerald, our advisors, Sally, Sharon and many more.

I also learnt alot from the sermons especially Sunday's sermon. It really struck me deep in my heart.

Luke 10:41-42

".... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

It just struck me that I should not lose focus on God when I am so busy serving him in all I could. It reminded me of my first love. Really thank God for his gentle reminder when I m loosing my track.

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because u must, but because u r willing ... but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to u..."

1 Peter 5: 2-3

Tmr we r having a gathering again in Flinders. Looking Forward to seeing them again.

These days I find that my relationship with some people is getting strained.. Not because I dun care but cos they r too free n I am too busy.. They are not OCFers but they are people around me. I wish I had no such feeling but it still existed. Probably they dunno that I care so much perhaps to them its a small issue or not even an issue. I want to get it resolved. It is disturbing my spirit..Argh!!

Just now, I packed my stuff for Easter Camp. Surprisingly loads to pack..I am excited about Easter Camp.. all the hard work that the committee put it will be worth it..

Tonight is the night for more prayer.. more conversation with God..

I was really happy the past week despite the busyness n lacking of sleep. I guess it is the understanding of the total reliance of God that has sustained me till now. Yesterday was "mummy" birthday. Really just want to thank all who have contributed in one way or another to the scrap book. Someone once said that the contents in the book showed the relationships she has build up here. This is really true. All the heartfelt words and all the effort put in by everyone really means a lot to her * Very Touching*

On Friday I was "Drowsy" or rather sleepy during my practorial and I was caught red-handed by my lecturer. But thank God, we are friends so it was fine.. Just chatted about what I was doing the nite before only..hehe.. But I guess I was realli too much.. before my real prac ends I slipped away with my friend.. But before u make any judgement on me.. let me explain myself. The assignment that was to be completed that day was a bioinformatics assignment which can be done at home and is due only after the 2 week break which is at the end of April.. I was really tired that day so when my friend suggested on going off early I obliged... I think I gave myself enough excuses..*sighs* But after that I went to gym to destress before heading of to OCF early * smiles *

Also as this week draws to an end, it means that Easter Camp is fast approaching. I think its not too early to count down now. My heart is full of excitement at this moment but prayerfully I request for all to keep Easter Camp in prayer. Prayer for our Speaker and prayer for the people who are coming. It would be a life changing experience for all I believe in one way or another. The Lord works in ways which we cannot fathom.

Easter Camp Here We Come!!!