Better to give than to receive

Today, I had the opportunity to be a receiver and a giver. 

A receiver? 

Yes, I was blessed with an off day today. Spent it waking up at 9am, having breakfast,watching tv till 12 plus, reading from 1plus to 2, taking a nap from 2 to 330pm. Subsequently, left for my appointment at 4plus to the Lee household so that the Lee kids could model their clothes for me to see. 

Had loads of fun with them as they showed off and took photos in the pretty frock and suits. =) The doc met us there at 5ish -6 and we brought Mrs Lee and the kids out for dinner leaving Mr Lee to do some studying for his quiz tomorrow. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, watching the kids and just chit chatting with Gen over dinner. Caleb and Sarah are really good kids and e doc even said it was good practice! Ha! I guess so... but.. even then no way, no kids for at least the first year. 

After sending them home, we paid our friend's dad a home visit to see how he was and to pass him some medical equipment that was required. Today I realize that God has placed in our hearts this burden of caring for those we know who need medical attention outside of the hospital. Especially nowadays where doctors are becoming more specialized. Often I find that families and patients have many doctors but no one doctor who is able to give them overall care of their health, putting everything together. I'm glad the doc is going into internal medicine and not surgery. He's interested and cares about all the medical issues, from the fevers, to the coughs, to the swollen legs and all that jazz. I love him for that. For caring enough to make this effort with me to go make this visit after work. 

And our life is made more meaningful. Indeed, its better to give than to receive. I feel blessed that I'm a receiver of many good things in my life. But i feel even more blessed when we are able to be a blessing to others when we can. 

Thankful for rest days

In my line of work, we are very thankful for rest days. everyday seems like the same to us...especially this week.

Worked 4 mornings in a row this week and found myself automatically 'switching off' at 10pm every night. Yesterday, after attending marriage prep after work and subsequently having dinner to celebrate Ruth's birthday (e doc's sis), I literally just fell asleep at 10pm while e doc was driving me home!

I dont know how my body does it... it just shuts down. e doc was apparently talking to me and i didnt respond to him. hahah

Nevertheless, I'm glad and thankful for rest days!

Getting through the many Ups and Downs of Life

I have not blogged for quite awhile now.. This is primarily because:

1. I'm now working full time again after studying for two years
2. I'm working shift - hence irregular hours
3. I'm constantly tired so every free moment is spent either napping on my living room couch or stoning in front of the tube box
4. There are alot of things e doc and I got to settle in preparation for the upcoming next stage of life

But you guys deserve an update, so here's an attempt:

Work
Life in the healthcare sector back home has been a mixture of emotions. It's definitely not a bed of roses for me as I adjust to the culture, the working environment and pace of the hospital. There have been many many times during the course of the past 6 months or so when I have felt upset, stressed, distressed. I have cried, vented in frustration and what nots as well.

The doc i must say has been really patient with me. However, there were times that he reprimands me and i usually out of pride resent it. In my human nature, I resented it cos it reminded me that I'm not great. I admit that many times I run to him first before I go to my Maker

But these trying times have also made me realise how much I need God's provision, support, strength, wisdom, compassion and mercy. God has been extremely patient with me while I go through periods of rebellion; not reading His Word. But He has always been there waiting for me to come back to Him.

Just like today. When I woke up, all I thought was, I dont want to go to work. I was on the verge of crying out of desperation and tiredness. It was too early to moan and groan to the doc so I could not turn to him. Instead I turned to Him. I asked Him to help me through this day. To take control of it.

And you know what? Yes, the day went well. He watched over me through and through. I want to go to Him first and foremost.. not as a second option. Im still learning..

There is so much to learn about depending on God for everything in life. That's what i want to achieve.. to be daily content with what He has given me and to be dependent on Him for every aspect of my life on a daily basis.

More Photos on Gracie-buddy

To all my dearest friends who have posted their comments in the past two blog entries:

Thank you for the kind comments you have given. =) Some of you have requested that I post them on facebook.. but not so keen cos i think i want to keep some mystery to the photos for now. but here are some other ones for you guys to comment.

We have to choose the pictures for our photoshoot and i'm really putting it off cos there are so many to plough through! dunno which ones i should put in.

Haha..1. At the Link Bridge

2. Intercontinental Hotel

3. Garb: Liverpool T-shirts
Location: East Coast Park

4. Same as above

some other shots

Photography by: One Eye Click
Location: Bedok Jetty
Clothes: Our own
Flowers: Country Florist (Siglap Center)
Man on Bike: Passerby

Sneak Peeks

Here are just 4 of the many many many photos from our photo shoot.. some better than the others (like we look fat etc..) ... but all in all we are pretty happy with them.. hahah enjoy.. let us know your comments.