Last farewell with Lebay

This was 2 weeks ago. And this post is dedicated to you xiao Mei. hehe..
I know it's already basi, but yeah. I still made it! ^^

All the best for you in Malaysia.

Thanks for everything..
being patient to me,
listening to both my sense and non-sense,
thanks for the companionship,
getting lost together,
accepting whatever I cooked,
thanks for your laughs,
and thanks for being there for me ^^
Always remember that you can do it!
Nothing too hard to try,

Take care always.
God bless you. ^^,

God's in control

Reading: Esther C:12,14-16,23-25

How often have you been faced with a challenge that you have tackled through the sheer force of your own will and strength, as if you were a pillar of self-reliance?
From our first years, we are taught to approach life this way, and while that’s a good thing, it can lead us to forget how much we need God. The temptation is to live as if we are in a closed universe, not dependent upon anyone else. Could this be the reason we sometimes fail?

The Book of Esther teaches us that we are not alone, and that we should never feel as if it all depends on us. As her prayer reveals, she believed that God really does guide us and give us wisdom to deal with difficult situations. Sometimes he answers with unmistakable miracles. But at other times, he helps us through more subtle, natural means.

In Esther’s case, God used the love of a husband for his wife to save the Jewish people from extermination. This is one example of how his guidance can come to us in the whisper of a gentle breeze or in the words of a trusted friend. While it is true that God wants to give us good things and to help us as we navigate through life, it is also up to us to entrust our lives to him with complete reliance on his goodness and providence.
Esther humbled herself before God in faithful surrender as she prayed, “Help me, who am alone and have no help but you” (Esther C:14). She did not expect a miracle but knew that God would work through her. She prayed that God would give her courage to speak the words that she would need.

In addition, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take Esther as your model. Stop and pray. Ask God for what you need, and listen to your heart. Take the advice of the writer of Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Proverbs 3:5). Expect him to speak to you clearly, truthfully, and peaceably (James 3:17).
Don’t stay stuck in a rut; stand with confidence on his word and move forward. As you follow the path that seems the best to you, you will undoubtedly meet Jesus along the way.

..
This was the reading on last Thursday, 5 March 09. As I was reading this reflection, I was struck by it. It is so relevant to me lately. And I've been asking God for direction and even for his voice. I am always unsure to myself, whether what's in my mind only comes from me, or it is God. Many say that what's in our heart, that is from God. Yet, I am still wondering..
But one thing I believe is that, whatever we pray/ask for, He'll lead us to the way that He wants us to go to. When our thoughts seem to be going on the same way as how our life is going through.. that might be God's answer to our prayer. We just have to pray and be more sensitive to Him..

...
“Lord, I put my life in your hands. Stay by my side always, and help me to trust in your presence, peace, and direction at every step of my journey.”

God bless!

Source of the reflection: www.wau.org

Korea..

I am so into Korea now!
How not? ah, okay okay, temptation... =P
But it's not something bad, right?
How do I not want to fly there, with flight $$ for (only) NT 5,984.. Fu Yoh!
Once I get my ARC, I'll soon book my seat!! yahoo..!! hehe.. Hope this time it works! ^^
And hope I can soon get over from all this complicated-stuff-to-do for Masters. (peluh the sweat..)
(Lebay, wish you were here, together we'll fly there!..)

Lenten season

Today I went for a Reconciliation at the chapel in my University. It wasn't so much of new things that I gained, but rather reviews of things about Lent season, which indeed gave me a wider understanding about it.

It was Fr. Paskal, an Indonesian Priest who was carrying the session. And it was in English. Anyways, there is a few things that I'd like to share with you.. ^^ As it's mentioned in the Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten 2009's message, that Lenten includes mainly 3 things: Fasting/Abstinence, Prayer, and Almsgiving.

Here, he called these 3 as the Three Prongs.. You know Prongs? it's like the Fork, the sharp part of it.. So, that's why, these 3 Prongs are the things that strike us and to deeply feel the meaning of Lenten itself. Besides, he also mentioned about the Value and Meaning of fasting..
1. It is a way to avoid sin and all that leads us to it.
2. It is a way to clean out our lives, a time of discernment.
3. It is a way of making sacrifices, a time of detachment.
4. It is a way of removing our masks.

The first, by nature, we as human always fail not sin again, although we've promised ourselves not to do it again and we've even tried many times. But it is okay, there's nothing wrong with it. God still loves us and He'll be even glad when we realise that we've done wrong and ask Him for His forgiveness. For "God looks on our hearts." (c.f. 1 Sam 16: 7). Confession is indeed a way to get ourselves closer to Him. It is also a mirror for self-reflection. Don't be afraid to confession our wrong doings, and most importantly, don't get tired because of the same sins to confess! What's important is our desire to repent. Therefore, by avoiding the sins, we are to receive God's blessings.

Secondly, this Lenten season is a time for us to do cleaning. Just like what Chinese people when they're about to celebrate Chinese New Year. They clean their houses and throw away things that are not used anymore and buy new things for their house. Same for us, we should clean up our hearts, too, from everything that isn't good, that bothers us all this while. We ask Him for healing and thus, we'll have the peace within. Do not be afraid to ask, for "when we ask, it will be given; when we seek, we will find; and when we knock, the door will be opened to us." (c.f. Matt 7: 7)

Thirdly, it is also a time for sacrifices. If we have not done any almsgiving to help the needy, why not starting it from today? We can donate few cents/dollars to the church or any charity organisations, give some food to the little children on the streets, etc.. This reminds me of the money that I lost just last week. It was a huge amount of money and I couldn't even recall when I last hold that piece of paper money. -_-". But I told myself that it was part of my almsgiving and I pray for whoever got it, he/she will use it for something good. (That's why I am now more careful in spending my money.. considering if I were to used that $$ for things that I want to buy but in fact, I don't.. )

Other than this, sacrifices could also mean giving up something to gain something better. In other words, letting go something that doesn't do good to us. It allows us avoid the temptation of this world. Food is one of the example and the most common thing for people. We (at least me and my friends) hear a lot about food sacrificing. For me, besides food, computer is another sacrifice. By 11PM, my laptop has to be OFF. ^^, In addition, through this sacrifices, we're providing more room for God and us. So the relationship between the two is strengthened.

Last but not least, Lenten is the time for us to revealing ourselves and removing the mask which we've used all this while. We need to be opened and just be who we are! Nothing we shall be feared of, for God is with us. (c.f. Luke 12: 7). In addition, we should be true to ourselves first then we can be true to others.

Moreover, in order to carry this on, we need to cultivate within ourselves the new spiritual disciplines, in which we prepare ourselves to receive God's grace. And now is the best time for us to prepare for His coming.
The joy of Easter is right in front of us, so what are we waiting for?

God bless.

Le dîner de l'Italien

A friend of mine, Adalene, just celebrated her sweet 21st Birthday at Caf'e Grazie last week..

The birthday girl et moi

the Appetizer..the Main Course..the Dessert..
and bien sur, plus the bday tart..

Thank you for the beautiful night, too! ^^
Best wishes!
God bless.

The Lord's prayer

"Our Father"

Matthew 6: 9-13

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. . . .
Lord, you are my King and God. I praise and adore you. I am your child and you are my everlasting Father. Right now, I want to come before your throne to honor You and praise You for your holiness. Father, help me keep my mind fixed on You and my eternal destiny.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. . .
Father, everything in heaven and on earth is Yours. And that includes my heart. I want to do what You want me to do. I want to say only the words You give me to say. I want to go only where You will lead me. Father, fill me with the grace I need to build, brick by brick, the kingdom of God inside the city of man.

Give us this day our daily bread. . . .
Father, you know I need you! I need your Bread of Life to live and to love, to learn and to grow. I cannot take a single breath without Your grace. I hunger and thirst for You. I hunger and thirst, too, for more people to come to know You. Many are thirsty, but don’t even know it. Help me be an icon of Your love for humanity. May my life help create a hunger and thirst for You.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. . .
Father, I need Your mercy and forgiveness. I also need Your help to forgive the people who have hurt me. Father, set me free from the pain of wounded relationships, especially those wounds that have caused me to develop an unhealthy outlook on life. Widen my heart, Lord! I want to reveal Your mercy to the world.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. . . .
Father, help me to avoid all occasions of sin. Give me the wisdom I need to avoid situations that put me at spiritual and moral risk. Open my eyes to the subtle temptations of the evil one, and give me the strength to say “no” to his deceptions.

“Father, I praise and worship You for Your unfailing love for me! May I never forget Your goodness!”

Source: www.wau.org - daily meditation
God bless!

Sansia

During last Valentine's day. Gaby and me decided to spend the day at Sansia (since we have no one to date with =P). We heard that it is a nice place to visit, especially with its olden street and architectures..

After a long wait and getting lost at Wugu, we eventually decided to stick on to the first plan, which was Sansia. So here it is..

The old street..

The famous Croissant..
Posing for the arts..

Gaby and me, with the shadow arts. Does it look like us? ^^

To conclude , I'd recommend you to visit this place whenever you come to Taiwan =)

Cheers,

Birthdays

Hi again!
It's been some time since I last updated this blog. Been pretty busy with some stuffs over here. So yeah, anyways, here's a bit of updates for the past 2 weeks..

There were quite a few of birthday 'parties' going on, for the past few weeks (My stomach is really full of birthday cakes!!). Here's the 2 of them..

An Indonesian friend of mine here, Tika - on my right, and her Birthday cake. She turned 20 this year ^^.
Happy Birthday, Tika!

and this is what happened post-birthday suprise. We ended up overnight at a friend's room.

...

Preparation for Father Paskal's Birthday gathering..
So much, isn't it? =P

Sister Valentine and me, preparing the food.
She cooked. I cut the food (vegetables, etc). hehe.

*Taa daa* Here it is!
Delicious Indonesian Food ^^,