Last Thursday was one of the sweetest days and another milestone for me at this very start of my music therapy career. It all happened like this….my present supervisor was supervising four other music therapy students including myself. And on that day, she said in front of everyone that she got something to say to me but she wanted everyone to listen. In my heart, I thought what big “BOO BOO” I’d made and needed to learn but this was what she said:

Cheryl, I got a message from another music therapist in the Royal Children’s Hospital where you did your practical last term. There was this boy that you were seeing by the name of K. He came back to the hospital lately and he excitedly asked for you. The music therapist then had to explain that you were just a student and was no longer there. But he told her that he wanted to convey a message to you,

“Tell her that I want to say thank you for having music therapy sessions with me in the hospital. I know I was a very difficult and stubborn kid to deal with. But I just want to say thank you”.

Note on K: K was a 13-year old boy who was undergoing surgery due to some complications in his intestines. He had to stay in the hospital for more than a month and that was when I had weekly sessions with him. He was referred to music therapy because the nurses found him having very flat facial expression, not motivated to cooperate with other staff, depressed and isolated. According to the other music therapist, no one among the staff could actually breakthrough and talk to him as he was very stubborn. But I am glad that even though I might have thought that my sessions with him were not very fruitful initially, but now I know, that they made a difference and really meant something to him. It has been 6 months since I left the hospital, but it was surely a memorable practical experience for me.

Just few months ago, we were are so excited planning our Easter break and now it's all over! I had wonderful week with so much to do, so much to learn, so much to receive and so much to share. Was down in Philip Island for Oceana Convention, the biggest camp I've attended with over 900 people. I've learned and grown so much especially over these past few months.

A group of us travelled down to Melbourne and it was hillarious as we carried our stuff round in the city (preparing me for my backpacking trip in Europe haha!) and bumped into church friends at practically every corner of Melbourne last Friday! A lot of my friends wanted to go shopping and eating as there are so much more variety there than Brissie. However, since I wasn't too interested in that, I went to stay with my cousin up in the mountains of Marysville instead after the camp.

I practically ate and slept there, trying to catch up over the loss of sleep at camp haha! It was cold, like winter in Bris. Here's a little peek for you into Marysville......

Just being part of the worship team jamming sessions has taught me lots over the past few weeks. Stuff that maybe I already know but not put into practice; to be able to answer these questions and really reflect on what it means to be learning to worship God from the inside out:

-When I play with my instrument, do I mean what I play?
-Have I actually reflected on the words of the songs and see how my playing can enhance the words and its meaning?
-Am I actually sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in worship?
-Am I actually leading a life of worship during times when I’m not playing?
-Can I worship in my own quiet moments even without my instrument?
-How can I contribute to the worship team so that we can be more effective in drawing people to worship?
-How did the people in the Old Testament worship and how can we follow their example in today’s setting?

Being involved in a worship team once again has given me a new meaning. There is indeed so much we can learn from each other not only musically but in living a life of worship and prayer. I believe this is just the start of a breakthrough that has begun in my life and I’m trusting God to take me and use me further in this ministry.