I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy about 3 weeks ago. It's an illness that has baffled doctors 10 years ago, and are still a mystery to them. It's an illness where there is paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side of the face. The trademark of this illness is the rapid onset of partial or complete palsy. I got mine right after lifegroup on Friday when I was brushing my teeth. Yes, that's how sudden it can happen. Can't do anything to stop it from coming coz there're no prior symptoms. Just sudden paralysis. Doctors think that an inflammatory condition leads to the swelling of the facial nerve. This nerve travels through the skull in a narrow bone canal beneath the ear. The swelling of the nerve in this canal is thought to lead to nerve inhibition, damage or death. The cause of this illness is unknown, but doctors believe it results from the virus called herpes simplex type 1.

As a result of loss of facial muscle control, I can't move my lips, can't smile, can't close my eyelid properly (means I gotta tape my eye close at night to prevent the cornea from drying up, and I gotta keep applying eyedrops during the day), can't frown, etc. Eating and drinking is a challenge since I can't keep my lips closed on the left side, and speech is a problem coz I can't pronounce words with 'b', 'p', 'm', or 'f'' in them. That covers almost all English words I think..lol. Can't smile or laugh properly as well (and it's torture for me, a person who loves to joke and laugh). Basically, I've become those kinda 2-faced cartoon character where one side's smiling and the other side's practically expressionless. It was a shock for me, coz I didn't expect I'd get this illness again. Yep, I've had it before. First time was when I was in pri sch, and it was on my right. Now it's on my left. And doctors said there's about 5% chance a person who's had it may get it again. I'm one of those 'lucky' ones. (Now why aren't I this lucky in winning lottery? Lol..)

Anyways, my first thought was "Lord, why this again?!?!" But then..I thank God for this, coz I've learnt alot through it. Through this condition, I've had the chance to experience the genuine love and concern God has for me through my friends. I've also learnt how precious and important every part of my body is - never to take anything for granted again. It's also gotten rid of some of the pride in several areas of my life. Right from the time I lost facial muscle control, I was praying for healing. There was a healing prayer meeting 2 Tuesdays ago, and even though I wasn't fully healed on the spot, there was improvement immediately after prayer! There was visible improvement, and I definitely felt I was able to control my left upper lip alot better. Another thing to praise God for was the healing of the back ache that I was having at that time! All praise be to God!!

After that prayer meeting, I've been praying for healing every day. And I've been seeing improvement day after day. It's only been 3 weeks since I lost facial muscle control, but I'm already healing quickly. I couldn't speak properly, but now I can speak somewhat clearly. I can now pronounce words with 'b', 'p' and 'm' in them. Still waiting to be able to pronounce words with 'f' clearly. I couldn't eat properly, but now I can eat relatively well. I couldn't drink water without a straw, but now I can drink straight from the cup/water bottle. I couldn't lift my eyebrow, but now I can raise it alittle. Praise God!!! This much healing in just 3 weeks!! God is amazing!! Like His words say in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." And in Proverbs 4:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

I'm still waiting on Him for 100% healing, and till then and even after then, I'll continue to praise and worship Him and testify of His goodness coz He really is worthy of ALL praise!! =)


I totally looooooveeeee this song!! It's "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen.

Redeemer - Nicole C. Mullen
Verse 1:
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus 1:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Verse 2:
The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Chorus 2:
Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life wihtin me cry
I know my Redeemer

Bridge:
He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave

Chorus 3:
And I know my Redeemer He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
And this life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Don't you just love this song?? Very very impactful song..

I got a revelation from God last night as I was lying in bed and praying..suddenly just occurred to me. I've been attending this Christian Development School (CDS) class called 'Doctrines A', and we were discussing about the tripartite being of God - Father, Son & Holy Spirit. We were talking about them being 3 persons in 1. I was trying to get my finite human mind to grasp this concept. I was thinking, "how can someone be 3 in 1? You mean God has multiple split personalities?" Yet it's not so..all 3 of them work for the same reasons, think the same, do things the same. Just that their functions are different. As I was thinking about that last night, Holy Spirit suddenly revealed an aspect of their tripartite being to me. My arm, my leg, and my head, they're all me. I can't say my arm isn't me, or my leg isn't me, or my head isn't me. They have different functions, but all truly me. Only one me. Same as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We can't say the Father isn't God, or the Son isn't God, or the Holy Spirit isn't God. They have different roles and functions, yet all truly God. Only one God. Indeed, God has made us in His image!! No other living creature on this earth has creativity, emotions, intellects, etc. like us. God IS amazing isn't He?? AWESOME!! ^^


I was doing QT today, and I came across something that Joyce Meyer wrote in one of her devotionals. It made me truly understand...how I react to things that happen in the day..it all stems from how much time I've actually spent with God before my day started. Here's what she wrote:

Exodus 31:3 "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship."

My children didn't like it when I started spending time alone to seek God. They said, "You're always in that room."

One day I told them, "You'd better be glad I am in that room, because it is making your life a whole lot better. If you were smart, you would beg me to go to my room, instead of calling me to come out."

Next time you find yourself screaming, ranting, raving, and carrying on at your children (or anyone else), excuse yourself and say, "I am going to my room." Take time to ask God what He thinks of everything that is going on. You will quickly get your day started over right.

As I was thinking through, I realise the times I got exasperated/frustrated at things that happened, got angry with people or situations, felt hopeless, or even "I couldn't control or help myself", those were the times that I didn't include God in my situation. Those were the times I failed to spend time with God or share my day with Him. In those times, I was dealing with whatever came my way on my own. But there were times I chose to turn to God, and somehow these things that bothered me didn't seem so huge anymore. These things no longer made me react as if I had no control over myself, as if I had to blow up or think negatively or say something nasty just to get it out of my system.

Lesson of the day: spend precious time with Him. Even if all you can spare is afew minutes, spend time with Him. Choose to turn to Him whenever something happens or comes up against you, and you'll find that these seemingly huge battles to win will be put in the right perspective - MISSION POSSIBLE.

I've been going through alot of challenges and obstacles recently. They seem really HUGE and I often feel as if they're too much for me to bear. Yet I've constantly been encouraged by Him. As long as I keep my eyes focussed upon Him, my rock and my shield, nothing can shake me; nothing can tear me apart.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:33-34

Just today, my car broke down for the 2nd time. 1st time round was when my battery died, and I had to get a new one (cost me A$159). This time, it broke down when I'm really financially challenged. I was seriously on the verge of crying. My first thought was "Lord, not again!! Why now?! Why when I'm in this situation?!" But after my first rantings, He just reminded me once again.."Joyce, do you trust Me?"

Throughout this year, praising Him has been a real challenge. Through all the bad times, through all the obstacles, His constant challenge for me has been "No matter what happens, be it good or bad, will you still praise me?" It's really tough, an extremely tough time of stretching, but I believe as I continue saying "yes" to His challenges, I grow by leaps and bounds in Him.

This is a song that just popped into my head as I reflected on what happened today. 'Yet Will I Praise Thee' - this is my heart's cry. No matter what happens, be it the sky falling, my world crashing down on me, my prayer is that He'll always find me faithful, always find me praising Him.

Yet Will I Praise Thee - Paradise Community Church
Lord You are the One I long for
In Your presence is where I belong
Lord Your love brings joy to my heart
And Your touch is all I need to feel
Deep in my heart
Won't you satisfy my soul

Yet will I praise Thee
Lift my hands and sing
Yet will I praise Thee
I will bow before the King and praise Thee
Give to You my everything
I lift up my hands to You
Yet will I praise Thee

"Lord make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is discord, unity
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is error, truth
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant me that I may seek
Not so much to be understood as to understand
Not so much to be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in losing ourselves that we find ourselves
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

- Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi -


I actually watched it last week on Wed (16th Apr), but didn't have time to blog about it till now. It's really AWESOME!!!! We watched the one which was acted by Anthony Warlow (the Phantom) and an Aussie girl (forgot her name =p) together with the London cast. The props, effects and singing were really superb..just blew Brena and me away!! Loved every part of it..especially loved the mist effects which made the stage really look like a misty underground waterway and the way the "boat" slid on the stage..my goodness! Looked so real!! And it really amazed me how they could fit so many props on that stage..and some are really HUGE! There was a scene where there was this huge flight of stairs..and think the entire cast was on it, singing and dancing..coolness!!

Out of the whole opera, I loved the song "All I Ask of You" the best..it should be playing on my imeem playlist..Andrew Lloyd Webber's a really talented songwriter..magnifique!!

~All I Ask of You~
Raoul:
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you

Christine:
Say you'll love me ev'ry waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you

Raoul:
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, noone will find you
Your fears are far behind you

Christine:
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me

Raoul:
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you, here beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
That's all I ask of you

Christine:
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you

Together:
Share each day with me, each night, each morning

Christine:
Say you love me...

Raoul:
You know I do

Together:
Love me, that's all I ask of you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me....
That's all I ask of you


Superb, remarkable, sensational song!! ^^ Definitely the song of the week..or maybe even month =p

This amazed me..I watched the clip on how they made the thing, but I still don't know how it works..oh well..what matters is that it's nice ^^

This artist is really talented!! The most amazing art I've seen so far...

Love 2008 - video powered by Metacafe

Welcome!! May you be blessed by my life and may God be glorified!!! ^^

Joyce Lee
University of Queensland


Planetshakers I'm Forever Yours
Darlene Zschech You Are Holy
Hillsong King of Majesty
Planetshakers Come To Praise

Adam
Bernard
Baby Reuben
Cheryl
Felicia
Michele
Shannon
Shin Yee aka Mother D'
Shirley
Wenkai
Yikying



This site is 100% done by kriss, with the help of other media(such as brushes, textures, etc.). No ripping or stealing of images or codes without author's permission.