National Service is often interpreted as a time when young men, like me, face a period of transition whereby everything close to our hearts are separated. Our families, friends, and God. People will struggle with their faith when the situation challenges against their beliefs. Hence, many times, we question ourselves, “Where is God? Has God abandoned us in these tough times?”

For the answer to that question, we just need to open our hearts, and open our eyes.

My personal experience is that I found it a struggle to seek God in camp. It was difficult to pray and read my Bible in the surroundings of several unbelievers. I think this is the reason why people backslide because they failed to maintain their relationship with God.

However, just that night, a group of Christian brothers from the opposite bunk invited me to their small prayer group. They occupied a little corner on the top floor, and we spent about 20 mins together there.

Another incident was during my medical checkup, the specialist reviewed my skin condition and gave me 2 months excuse from field training. This resulted in me dropping out of my current course, and I was posted to my unit office to help out temporarily. I did the little things like buying coffee, newspaper, cleaning the office, photocopying documents and such. Spending more time in office gave me the chance to interact more with the perm staff, and the admin spec happened to be my secondary school friend.

He helped me with my posting and now, I’m also one of the perm staff. It’s quite a nice position because once I finish my duties, I usually have time to do my own stuff. He is also making arrangements for me to occupy the spec bunks instead of the trainee bunks. I still have to stay in, but I hope it’s not for long!

Looking back at the past few weeks, it’s hard to ignore God’s hand moving in my life.

You may ask, “Where is God?”

Well, open your heart, and open your eyes.
You will discover that God is actually all around.

Posted to Artillery Institute, Towed Mortar Course. It’s a 7 week course which, I’m not really interested in.

Managed to smoke some people and got an off pass today.
1430 to 2230.

Really appreciate the time out of camp, but I think that my off pass would be of better use if I get it on Wed/Thurs/Fri.

I wanna go Asia Conference!

I am suddenly very tempted to get a PSP.

I don’t really play games.
In fact, I hardly ever play games.
Search my computer, you won’t find anything like Counterstrike or Dota or GTA or Need For Speed or anything of that sort.

At home, I spend most of my time on YouTube and blasting music.
In camp, I spend my free time listening to my iPod and reading.

But now I am very tempted to get a PSP!

And lots of things to get done as well.

1. Asia Conference. (It’s a pity I can only make it for the weekend sessions.)
2. Touch up my tattoo. (The ‘N’ in PROVEN needs some touching up.)
3. Go for my skin specialist appointment. (Actually to be frank, if I can downpes now, I don’t mind because I’m really bored of combat vocations.)

So I’m out of BSLC, and my next posting is..

ARTILLERY.

I received my posting with mixed feelings because I was expecting to remain in Sispec to continue with my ASLC. Moreover, I was the only one in the platoon who managed to get posted to Artillery.

Everyone thinks I’m very lucky (and blessed) because most of them got posted to Combat Engineers, Guards, ASLC, Armour.. And they claim that Artillery has the most relaxed life. I hope they’re right.. But anyway, my course is only 6 weeks long.

Initially I planned to visit my specialist next week to get my downpes status, but since the situation is now in my favour, I shall get my Sergeant rank in 6 weeks time and downpes after that!

Just 5 more days to my official graduation from my course in Pasir Laba Camp.

Tuesday: Additional Obstacle Course
Wednesday: Urban Ops
Thursday: Urban Ops
Friday: 28km Route-march
Saturday: Graduation Parade

I was one of the few who were short-listed to crossover to OCS.
Praise God for this opportunity that I managed to maintain my performance for the past 8 weeks.

However, during the interview, I told them that I didn’t want it anymore.

Many people asked me why, but I have my own reasons. Partly because I realised that crossing over to OCS isn’t the ultimate goal of my NS life. Crossing over to OCS only marks the beginning of a new journey. A journey that requires much more determination and perseverance.

Or can I just say, I am very contented with what I have now.

I almost wanted to start a new category for this post but I stopped myself because I shouldn’t be mentioning this at all.

You see, I’ve been blogging about my dreams. The targets I’ve set for myself, what I want to do and what I want to achieve for these coming few years.

I was quite sure of myself that I won’t get distracted or let anything stand in my way. I was very determined to make sure that I put in my 101% effort and cast aside every distraction.

In other words, I am still a proud member of The Singles Club.

I told my friends and leaders about my past relationships, the mistakes I made and how they all failed. I received loads of encouragement and that really motivated me to seriously put all these issues aside. I am not going to disappoint myself or anyone else. I want to focus on the more important things.

Now the stupid thing is this.. Take a deep breath.

I don’t quite know how to explain myself, or how to even put these into words.. But, it’s like you notice this girl around quite often. She’s not that outstanding, neither does she belong to the kind of girls that are always in the limelight, receiving a lot of attention. Just a normal typical girl with her own attractive features.

For months, I see her familiar face every time I step into that fateful place. She just appears as a beautiful stranger.

I don’t know why but I started feeling very happy when I saw her yesterday.

I hope this doesn’t lead me into a trap.
Oh God, please, not now.

Phil 2:19-22

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.