'He kept my 2 feet on the ground when people were losing their minds and getting stressed out. And even though I had my fair share of stresses, He was so gracious as to teach me and help me trust.'

Hi all,

I have to share this experience with you guys before I leave for a long trip.

As you know, I have just finished my final examinations. But the ordeal was not an easy one. I have always been a person who works well with a rewards system, but that was not to be for this examination. 2 weeks before the start of my papers, I suddenly realised that I might not make it for a second upper honours degree. That upset me a great deal as I had been working really really hard. I lost a lot of motivation to work. Then I met a friend who shared with me that my vocation as a student is to study. Whatever grades will be will be; what is important is that I am equipped to serve the Lord later in life. Much as I agreed with him, I still felt sore because toiling 4 years in law school was sheer hard work for me, unlike some other more fortunate brothers and sisters. Still I tried but with very little motivation. Then I met another sister in the group who said, " Look for something that will give you focus and direction and focus on that." I went back and thought hard! about it and finally it came back to what my first friend had said. It had come a full circle, but the difference this time was that there was acceptance. The preparation for the examinations this time was even worse than before as we were deprived of 2 weeks of study time. Needless to say, my friends and I were all clocking long hours with lack of sleep. But through it all, God was gracious and merciful and saw me through it. He kept my 2 feet on the ground when people were losing their minds and getting stressed out. And even though I had my fair share of stresses, He was so gracious as to teach me and help me trust. Daily mass 2 or 3 times a week became a practice and something that I looked forward to, and the beauty of it all was that friends that were drifting Catholics actually came along! Renewal of faith at a trying time!

But then 2 days before my final paper, my health finally gave in. I had no idea that the preparation had taken a toil on my health. For those who do not know, I had a brain operation 4 years ago to remove a brain tumour. The symptoms then were numbness in my left hand and lack of co-ordination. And 2 days before my final paper, these same signs showed up again. Needless to say, I was freaked out. I wanted to graduate, I wanted to sit for my final paper, and yes, frivolous as this may sound, i wanted to go to Europe (which had already been planned). In the quiet of my room, I cried, not wanting to worry my parents. Then I called my best friend. In the end, I told my parents. The support that they showed me was overwhelming. For a non-catholic, my dad said something surprising. He said, '" Let's pray". Even though he didn't pray with me, and i do not know whether he did pray or just meant it as a passing remark, that remark jolted me. And I told God, if this is what it! takes to jolt my family into loving and to have faith, then so be it. Then my parents even brought my rosary for me to pray. It was a long and painful night, but I eventually fell asleep. I was due to visit the doctor the next morning. But as God would have it, the symptoms disappeard by the next morning. Still I went for my checkup. I was rather surprised, though, as my doctor didn't seem to worried about my condition. He didn't even send me for a scan, and he even took my trip overseas for a 1 month lightly, saying that it wasn't a problem. Then he sent me away with a month's full of medicine. Needless to say, I was very very glad at being able take my exams and for being able to carry on with my trip. But most of all, I was very touched by the love and concern that God and my family and friends gave me throughout this time. The first thing I did when I went home was to play the piano. And I said, thank God for not taking away this gift from me.

Within a short span of 1 month, so many things have happened to change my perspective of life, and so much has changed and touched me. I don't know when the next relapse will be, but I pray not on my journey. Please pray that the Lord will keep me and my friend safe and healthy. I look forward to seeing you guys when I return. In the meantime, God Bless!

Lots of Love, Serena