First day, first assignment

Today, I had a nice short day at work. I had to go through a nice induction course with the nice long lunch break that normally comes with it :)

I was told from tomorrow till mid-Feb will be training for myself and my team mates. The training will get more intensive as time goes by. My manager told me, it is what they termed "Honeymoon" period...hahaha.

The afternoon went well till late afternoon when my manager announced that I was to be team IC! I heart dropped and my blood pressure shot up a few notches. I was stunted for a while because I am only one day with the company and we never discussed this in my interview. However, I believe that if God placed me there, I shouldn't be complaining.

I just smiled knowingly. I prayed "Father, thank you for preparing me for this job." All these years of humbling is to make me a good team member and a better person, so that I may manage people the way I wish to be treated.

It is not without fear that I take up this challenge as it's not as simple as it sounds and all the responsibility will be on my shoulders. However, I shall not lean on my own understanding but God's wisdom to be my daily guide. I shall take baby steps. Amen!

It's 2009! Tomorrow, 5th Jan, will be a new beginning for me. I will be starting work in a new environment, new industry and with renewed confidence. This confidence does not come from my own ability but rather what God had promised me.

For the past week I was both excited to complete my notice period with my previous company and yet, I cannot help feeling apprehensive about my new job. I have a feeling my new manager has very high expectation from me during our few short conversations. He was so confident that I am the right person through my sharing with him till the point I had to stop and ask myself, "Can I really do it?"

Why I asked myself that question when God has provided me this job and made smooth the path?

Well, I guess, somehow my self-confidence was eroded during the past 14 months while working under my previous manager. He often lectured me over simple issues such as LCD not totally powered off, Photostat machine and/or air purifier not switched on, chair not pushed in etc.

I told myself then, "I will do it though other will not because I must submit to authority and because Jesus died for me." Yet, I lived in fear each time I received a SMS with harsh words saying I didn't perform either of the task. Then when it comes to official work, I was left to perform tasks without directions nor instructions. However, I did my best to make my manager look good in the eyes of our big boss. I believe it was good enough; he had a big bonus and I had a good pay increment :)

Today, Senior Pastor shared about God's promises and then, I knew the answer to my mixed feeling. It was found in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV),

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I am so thankful and relieved that God spoke thru SP. My confidence is no longer on my own ability, skills or knowledge. It is His wisdom and grace that I should continually seek to let Him guide me thru this new venture. Amen.

Picture courtesy of FCBC.org.sg

Christmas 2008 - Time For Thanksgiving

Most people will associate Christmas with Santa, Gifts or Chilling. Some will party and make it an excuse to get drunk. Sad to say the true meaning of Christmas has been diluted with meaningless parties, elegant costumes or even expensive gifts. All these will pass, only God's love will be eternal.

Today, I hope to share with you what true love is and why Christians celebrate this eve with joy! This is my story of how God blessed me in my most trying time of my career.

Due to the current financial situation, I was informed that my company had to let me go. There were not enough projects to justify having me around. My manager told me they will give an additional 1 month on top of the 2 months notice period they have to give officially me to look for a job. Why me? Well, let's say he has his own interest at hand.

I was terrified because it was the first time in my life that I may be jobless. I started doing things with my own strength; offering to take a pay cut, offering to be outsourced to other company, look for other jobs and even contemplated to do full time study.

I was ashamed to tell my family as this has never happened to any of my family members (with exception to my father who was retrenched during the 70's depression). Only Ruby, my brother and sis-in-law knew about it.

I was angry because I felt I was unfairly treated. My manager (sick ....) gloated when he saw how tormented I was and even taunted me in front of my colleagues to make me leave earlier. Often he will come over to me and asked "What are you doing now? Why are you sitting around doing nothing?". He then says, "See, if you don't have projects to do, that is what happens. You sit around doing nothing the whole day. It's better you leave early".

I prayed and prayed and there was ..........no answer. Some friends even said, "Well good for you, collecting pay for 3 months and doing nothing" :)

Then, I received calls and went for interviews...a total of eleven. None came back positive. I began to loose hope and confidence in myself. Until I had this conversation with God:

Me : "God, I will die to self and totally surrender to Your will".
God: "Resign."
Me : "But Father, I have no job offers. I need time to look for jobs."
God: "Trust me"
Me : "I have only savings for 3 months and still have to pay for tuition fees. Let me stayed till the very last month"
God: "Resign now."
Me : "Ok. I will trust You totally."

I tendered my resignation letter the very next day, Wed. That evening, I had three calls to attend interviews the next day (Thu). On Thu, I had two more ad-hoc urgent interviews. In total I had five interviews that day.
Edited: Three of these came from different HR agencies who somehow got my CV off the Internet and two from friend's recommendations.

Thu eve, I had my 1st job offer. The following week I had more job offers. In total of I had six (6) job offers! All these offers have more prospective than my current job. Most of them are for senior positions.

Now, I can rest well knowing I will have a truly Blessed Christmas. God has shown that He is faithful to those He loves. He will protect me though some people will try to harm me. He has been doing that for all of us since the very day He created us. He loved us so much that He even send His beloved Son, Jesus Christ to us this very day, more than 2000 years ago.

For this, Christians all over the World celebrate this very day. I hope you will be blessed too as I have been, May God forgive those who did me harm and wronged me, for they know not what they did. Amen.

Hope: Trusting God In Difficult Times

Hi, it's been a while since I have the urge to blog. Ruby and I have been spending much time readjusting our life style since the demise of my Mother-In-Law. Though we have come to terms with it, there is much lingering pain and longing for her presence. Much things has happened since then and we have only each other and God to hang on to.

It's not easy for me as well in my current workplace as many companies are "down-sizing" to survive. Rumours are will be without a job in the coming months. Already you may have heard or seen news about retrenchment, un-renewed contracts or even company closing down.

Being human, I do fear too. Many will preach "Trust God and stay close to Him". That is true, for He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. If He can provide for the Birds and the Bees, what more of us? I have come to terms that when the time comes for me to leave my company, I will go forth without fear. I have limbs to work but most of all, I have God.

I thank God for Bro Nick as he shares how he has gone through trying times since birth and still praise God for whom he is.

Here is his story: Nick Vujicic

The Week After

It has been a week since our visit to Mandai Crematorium. Today, Ruby and her siblings went to collect the remains and home them at the allocated space. It was another round of grief for them.

The area is located near Upper Seletar Reservoir where the surroundings are peaceful and quiet. Away from the hustle and bustle of highways or any residential area, one can feel the serene peace of the final resting place.

I couldn't hold back the flow of tears last week as I watched the casket being cremated. It's no a "Manly" thing to do but that's me. I am made to be a sentimental being and it wasn't easy for me to show a bold front all the time. Many times during that period, I had to sob silently lest I affect Ruby. She needed me to be strong and I was her shoulder to cry on.

Despite knowing that my mother-in-law is safely with Jesus now, I couldn’t help to grief knowing that I can no longer hold her hand nor hear her voice. I reminisced the times I performed my duty as a son-in-law faithfully. Thus, I have no regrets. I believe that those who honour their parents will be blessed as it’s written in the Bible that honouring your parents is next to honouring God.

Love your parents and be blessed my friends.

A Final Duty

Just a week ago, we had a wonderful birthday celebration. It was my Mother-In-Law’s 70^th birthday. As it was an impromptu gathering, the affair was simple but yet meaningful. I could recall the joy and pride in her eyes when she took her photo with her grandchildren. She made a wish with them and blew out the candles together.

Alas, today, I have to prepare my heart to be her Pall Bearer. In a few hours time, her body will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium and be laid to rest there. She will then only be a memory in my mind and her passing, a scar in my heart.

I truly believe that she is with God now, singing praises and worshiping in His beautiful garden. However, the grief and sorrow of not being able to feel or be with her, leaves a lingering pain for the coming future.

Her eldest brother asked of us, why did she have to go before him? We are found speechless; only to reassure him that she has gone to a better place.

I dread the coming hours; counting down to the inevitable. Yet, to prolong it will only prolong the sorrow. I do not relish the role I have to bear but I will do it as a duty to my late Mother-In-Law, for one last time.

“Mother, may you rest in peace knowing that you have nothing to fear as you walk with Him in the garden for Eternity. …..

Your loving son,

Ming Wei”

An Eulogy To My Late Mother-in-Law, Mdm Goh

Dear all,

I thank you for your prayers during this time of our bereavement. My Mother-in-law went home to our Lord at 4.52pm today 14th Jul 2008.

Both Ruby and I are grateful for your care you have showered us and our family.

Let me share an eulogy as a tribute to my late Mother-in-Law, Madam Goh.

"Madam Goh was a kindly lady with a gentle spirit. She was an easy going person who seldom shows irritation. She has always been considerate towards others and is well liked.

She came from a humble background and took over her parents stall at Marine Drive wet market. Nevertheless, she was hardworking and brought up two wonderful sons and a beautiful little girl. That girl is now my precious wife, Ruby. Thru nurturing and good examples, her children grew up to be good, honest and kind people.

I would not have been Ruby's husband if it wasn't for her. She accepted me the first day we met and shared with my father-in-law her faith in me. From then on, I was accepted by the family.

Now that she has gone home to our Lord, I pray that she will rest in God's presence.

Of course, I will miss her dearly as she has always remembered my birthdays when many had forgotten. How can I forget her gentle ways and her kind words when I felt burdened at work? Her passing was not easy for Ruby nor I. I can never hear her gentle advice again.

So, goodbye Mother for now, as I know we will meet again in Heaven. I love you dearly and will never forget you. Thank you for loving me like your own. I will miss you very much.

May you enjoy the beautiful pastures in Heaven and sing praises to God always. Do not worry as His staff will guide and comfort you. I will take care of Pa and Ruby till we meet you again.

Your loving son,

Ming Wei"


God bless you all.