Anyway, last Thursday my Mum and I went to a GP and he told us that I would have to go to A&E to get the infection removed that night and that taking medication would not work as eventually I would still have to get it removed through surgery. What a news to receive on my birthday... So the next day, we went to A&E at CGH and after a check-up, the doctor called her senior doctor and he too said that I should get it removed that day if not it could get worse. Although antibiotics could help remedy the infection, it had a very low chance of doing so. So my parents and I decided that I went for the surgery that day.

We got the ward, I went in and got myself comfortable on the comfy bed. Some doctors came in to further check my infection. So everything was set, I was going to get the surgery done and all that day. We considered the consequences of doing the surgery- it would be uncomfortable for me to sit and do the ss paper on Monday and it would be hard to even study for it. Moreover, it would take about one month for the wound to completely recover after the surgery. But we decided that we might as well get it done once and for all. "how bad can it be?" I though to myself.

Not long later, the doctor came in and told me that the operating theatre they needed to use was unavailable as they had two life-threatening cases lined up. Thus, I would only be able to get the surgery done either late that afternoon, night, or maybe even the next day although it was just a short few minutes surgery. So we discussed again and decided to wait till next Monday as it would take a long time for the pain wound after the surgery to subside, not in time for my paper on Monday at least. The doctor gave me an appointment on the following Tuesday(today) to see him. However, he said that if the infection did not get better or became worse, I should go on Monday. In the meantime, he gave me some antibiotics, swelling and other pills to try and remedy the infection. So I was checked out of the hospital that day. I felt God remind me of a verse in Exodus where he said "I am the God that heals you". I also felt that this whole course of my infection getting cured is a purification process which I asked Him to take me on the previous Saturday during service and cell.

On Saturday, I got my awesome cell to pray for me :D I also prayed everyday of course. After praying for healing I felt that it was important to not just pray for healing, but complete healing. Being specific counts? I dunno but I just did what I felt I should have done.

So the progress of the medication was:

Friday- NIL

Saturday- NIL

Sunday- reduced in size

Monday- reduced in size

So today, my parents and I went to CGH for the appointment with that same doctor. Mingled feelings I felt... He checked the infection and said "looks like the gamble(of taking the medication at the risk of it failing and the infection worsening) paid off!" He gave me a few more antibiotics to take till Friday and said that I shouldn't need to go for the surgery. So now I'm just praying that by Friday everything settles. =]

Through this whole course, I felt God's peace. I really thank Him that I don't have to go for the surgery. Because if I did, my holidays, my post-O level holiday to be precise, I would not be able to enjoy O: But at least now I can, knowing that the medication worked. It was a struggle preparing for the SS paper on Monday because of the difficulties sitting down I had, but I thank God for bringing me through it. The infection is small now and it no longer hurts. Another verse I held close to me through this whole course and through the O levels is Joshua 1:8-9 "8.Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. 9.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

God is truly a God who heals =] What we see and what we hear? Cannot determine what God is doing in our lives=]

As cliche as it may sound, there's so much truth in this statement. I was just thinking about this statement just now and I came to realise that taking one step towards God? Isn't just any simple step we take because is costs us nothing. From my perspective, it's a step of sacrifice. For example, reading one chapter of the Bible is so simple for some. And if he reads one chapter everyday that's still fine. But if it comes to a point whereby reading one chapter a day is just a "do for the sake of quiet time", there's a problem there. So the step of sacrifice is going beyond the norm, for example, challenging one's self to read two or maybe even three chapters of the Bible everyday. Something worth sacrificing.

I think that's what the statement 'Take One Step Towards God and He Will A Thousand Steps Towards You' means. Just that little extra effort we put in into getting to know God better, it's a sacrifice.

I think realising the essence of God in everyday life is an awesome way to draw close to God =] So many things, our circumstances, nature and all, God's in it =] He's the creator of school, history and everything we can ever imagine. God is beyond the limits of this universe, how can He not be in the things we see and encounter everyday? God, You're awesome =]