Best timing.

I've come to realization that for all the years since I first decided to follow Him, His timing is always the best. It is no coincidence that now I am in Tung Ling Seminary, studying deeper of His Words. It always makes me so grateful, thinking back of how He prepare me before going off to Tung Ling. 

You see, I often have difficulty in expressing myself, my thoughts to people. Although I get it in my head, I can't really deliver it clearly (at times.) So i'm gonna try and express it by writing it down, since I know writing is one of the good things i can do. Apart from the financial situation that God had helped me through (and recently, a pleasant news that sustains me until now ^^), I felt that this 3 months are so intense and exciting that I find myself always looking forward to see what's next! Classes were fun and exciting. The lecturers were great teachers and comedians (this is true in every class.) Friends were great as well. We get along well and just knowing them is a blessing for me. But above all of what I've mentioned, there is something divine that is shifting and moving me into seeing a greater revelation (which I can't really explain clearly). Day by day, it just confirms what God has put in my heart all this years. The burden for the young people. Especially the natives in Sabah (to be specific). Even before I heard of Jubilee year and PAN, that burden was there. For a period of time, I thought it was gone and no longer there. But it has just gotten heavier and I often felt the tug in me to pray for them.

During FJM in Kuala Lipis, I was blown away at seeing how God moves. Tabitha and I were given the chance to share our hearts from the view of young people of Sabah & Sarawak. [You see, the reason why I'm posting this is because I've figured out that I cannot this matter linger in my head without telling people about it. And simply because I am CONVICTED.] To simplify what both of us shared, it is about yearning to see the young people to grasp the vision that the leaders have (which God has put in their heart) and not just wander/follow leaders without OWNING the vision. Its very easy to just follow and do what is told by people. But it is a very different thing to own the vision and do what God tells you to do (be it through leaders or personal conviction). I cannot imagine Jesus' 12 disciples simply followed Him, not having any vision or idea why they did. If they did, they wouldn't be delegated and change the world! Years after years will pass by. By then, some leaders might not be around anymore. Think about the next generation. Its not about positions or whatsoever, but the main thing is to do God's will and let His will alone be done. 

We need each other. I have so much to share but I'll just end here for now. Let's keep praying. And until Jesus come for the second time, let's live for Him and Him alone. And God's timing is the best. Always will. :)

Be blessed.

Athena

GB = Graduation + Birthday

Hello November! Nice to meet you. ^^ 
I know I'm totally late for an October post. But still, I wanna mention two highlights of what and how October went (in a nutshell). I will go briefly specifically.(i just tend to be a lengthy writer at times.)

1. Graduation.
   - 3 years of being a biotech undergraduate
   - Having the opportunity to officially graduate feels awesome. I couldn't believe how the years have passed    by so fast!
   - I love my family. =) I hope I made them proud.

How u spell Family = Father and mother, i love you. =)

2. Birthday
   - So, I haven't really decided how to celebrate my birthday this year actually. My parents decided to 'makan2' at home in conjunction of both success (age and scroll). A big one. I thought not many are coming but it turns out mannnyy. Families... And I'm so grateful to have most church members came that night. One family in Christ, indeed. =)
   - Later on,the night before the day, i went out with my high school besties. There were 5 of us (wish Gloria could join us!) and 3 of us planned a surprise for 2 of us (me & Geraldine). Our birthdays were just 3 days apart.. It was a lovely surprise in Bali Bali Garden. Thanks for the gift! ^^ The waitress came out with the cake after we are done with dinner. Along with the band singing a Happy Birthday song. I just didn't expect they would surprise me in such a public way. haha! 

From left: Ellie, Eca, Geraldine, me & Mel

Eca: my childhood friend, neighbour, teman satu bas skolah, teman main masak2 masa kici (masak Maggie sampai kering tu air. haha!), classmate, schoolmate, ketawa-mate and bestmate. 
Mel: pengawas yg nampak garang, classmate, schoolmate, gengkaras-mate and bestmate.
Ellie: teman seperjuangan di zaman kegemilangan/zaman keremajaan, fashionista (you really have to give me credit on this. haha), classmate, encouraging-mate and bestmate.
Geraldine: Pustakawan paling kiut time highschool, classmate, geng karas-mate, Uni mate (We graduated in UMS at the same time) and bestmate.
Thank you so much! Words can't describe it. And sometimes my actions may not describe it too. But I truly am blessed to have you girls! *groupie hugs* =)
   - One church leader happened to be there with his family at that time. So I cut some cakes for them as well. He is also watching the whole surprise thingy going on. Hohohoh.. 
   - So anyway, after that my friends dared me to sing on stage with the band. I thought of it lightly at first but then thought, Why Not? So I did. As an appreciation of what they have done, I sang LOVE by Frank Sinatra. The band was awesome. We had great time. ^^ We hit Party Play later on for desserts (choc fondant! #yumness)
   - On the night of the real day, I went out with my Uni friends. There, again, I had a second surprise! I thought there was no cake or whatsoever, since we did a surprise a week ago for Sue. When I first arrived at the scene, they were singing me birthday song, so i thought there might be a cake prepared. But there isn't any! Then Acho pulled out his SG Tab and open a candle application. Yessss...that's what you thought it is. I am supposed to blow a digital candle. How impressive is that? XD It did blowed out like a normal candle though. Without the heat and smoke, of course. haha! 
   -While we were talking and chit chatting as we wait for our meals, Acho and Sue came with this cake that came out from nowhere (well, actually, its from my left side XD) and they were singing birthday song to me again (for the second time of the night!)
   -  I laughed my heart out that night. Thanks for the humor. I love the big orange card without pictures on it! Especially the music notes. Pretty! =)

(left) me, Sue, Acho - (right) Mc, Annas, Kenny

Oyoe was the funniest that night without even intending to be funny. Owh! Dan photographer berjaya! Ko break record gambar2 yg diambil sebelum ini. XD
Kenny, as always, the organizer and main planner. (After all, we were partner in crime a week ago. hehe..)
Annas, the cheerful one. Always with the smile and gentleness. tapi beware...garagas mati kopio oi.. :p hehe..
Sue, ko la paling macam Mama2 tapi paling innocent. Tapi, ko juga la partner in crime ni kali. haha. 
Acho, thank you sebab susah2 bwa tu kek dri kadai. haha. And also sbab jaga kawan sia bagus2..hehehe.. 
Mc, thank you sbab sudi turun n celebrate with us!  X sia2 ko dtg, byk mknan dan hiburan yg menyenangkan hati. hohoho.. Plus, jumpa teman sebangsa ko lagi tu (trus kami jadi blur =.=")!

In a nutshell, Thank you, uri chinggu ya! Posting this post is what I can do to show my gratitude (again!). 
God bless y'all! My sincere prayer is that let the friendship sustain through eternity! =)

Be blessed,
Nethy.

Blessed Good Friday!

You know Good Friday doesn't mean that friday is good, right? Here I am, after a long time of silence in this blog, just wanna share about what God's goodness. Not only on friday, but everyday...

Busyness. its a word not all people likes. I am one of them. But like it or not, I am bound to finish my lab work ASAP. So, the night before friday i went to lab and work there overnight. As i was driving to campus that evening, I was talking to God casually, speaking in tongue and just talk, in other words - pray. I was reflecting on what He has done on the cross 2012 years back. As i was praying, i realized how much i miss Him. thinking back, my life had been so busy. I truly misses Him.

When i finished my work in lab at 7AM (Yes, a sleepless night indeed), i went home and had only a nap. Then, we went to church for Good Friday service at 10AM. We are all fasting and praying on that day. In the beginning, i wasn't feeling that sleepy. But when it comes to afternoon, it seems almost automatically that my eyes shuts down itself. It was after a testimony that i felt my spirit began to stir slowly. Pastor realized many people are sleepy during that time and she said Do not sleep but try to activate your spirit! I was very sleepy at that moment. Very2 sleepy. I try to ignore my tiredness but i just couldn't help it. But slowly, one at a time, my spirit was being stirred without me realizing it. When we worship that afternoon, i remember myself just giving thanks for Jesus' blood. But as i keep on repeating and giving thanks, something took over me. I felt its as if my SOUL is giving thanks to Him in a great manner. I was overwhelmed! I quickly took a tambourine and began to shake it. As we go more into the worship atmosphere, very quickly, my sleepiness seemed to subside for the time being and i felt my innerman craving for more and more of Him. God is awesome!!

That is why I am a strong believer in God Almighty. (Okay now she's preaching u might say but can u help it if u're in looove with someone? U must tell ur friends or wait, tell the world, right? Now same to this case of mine.) As problems come and as people come and go, guess what, God is faithful. It is just His nature and nothing can beat that. Not even a boyfriend or a husband or a bestfriend. How i wish people could realize that and began to see Him through the problems. God is awesome. What I experienced yesterday only brought me closer to Him.

I hope what I'm sharing here is clear. When my sleepiness was stronger than my desire to worship Him that afternoon, I slowly come to Him JUST AS I AM. As i give thanks to Him, I was only speaking it out but my mind still in a state of exhaustion. However, when i press on (Yes, press on), something happened. My mind and thoughts were brought to captives to the mind of Christ! And as evening comes, I was soaked with gratitude. The cross. His blood. His love for us all. :)

God bless and be blessed!

The Lord protects.

Last Sunday night, the four of us went to watch movie. The earlier show was full already. So we grab the next one, which starts a bit late (Actually more than a bit). By the time the movie ended, it was passed midnight. We headed straight home after that. Here's what happen...

On the way back from Suria, as we are approaching the traffic light in front of All Saints church (the car is moving at normal speed), we all heard a sharp sound far behind us. Few seconds later, (at high speed) , a mini van just hit the side of our car, sliding all along it including breaking off the side mirror and ran off just like that. We all had the shock. I know I do. Very shocked indeed, because the crash aimed directly at where i sat [behind the passenger sit]. (What puzzles me is that, I totally didn't let out any scream.) I was resting my head near to the door and when the van crash the side of the car, I bolted and Debbie (shocked, too) quickly grabbed and hugged me tightly.

Totally shocked and speechless, I found myself praying for all of us, part of me are mad at the mini van's driver. "He must've been drunk", I thought. Which turns out true when we came across the mini van (now driving slowly but was NOT driving straight). We didn't plan to search for the van, yet we were glad we out it. The driver is totally, TOTALLY drunk. But he tried his best to apologize and pay back what had been damaged.

A part of me was angry because the way he drive earlier could've harmed lives. Part of me was shocked. I was physically trembling from the experience and especially thinking back the sound and impact I had earlier. "I could almost die", thinking back then. Part of me, however, pitied the van driver. He was messed up and he looked young. His friend who was with him in the van explained to us that they were from a pub and she don't know how to drive so all she could do was accompany him while he is driving. Bad decision. He should've called his friend or family to pick him up at the pub. Debbie let out a shout/scold to the lady about being drunk and still driving. Anyhow, it was sad to see drunk people. Not only they are not themselves, they are causing unwanted troubles, be it car accidents or anything in the list.

After all of us got home, I couldn't really sleep. I prayed and couldn't stop thanking the Lord for the protection upon us. Though some might call it 'luck', for me its not. I know we are all under His protection. Thank You, Lord. I also called a friend of mine, telling the story again to relief myself. If ever my friends or families would be drunk and still wanna drive, after all advises failed, my last choice would be to knock him off in the head or anywhere OR throw a pail of ice cold water at him to wake him up. (Okay, urm, that's mean of me. :-s )

How I thank Him for what He's done! The Lord protects those under His covering. So dwell in Him always, surrender every situation into His hand and He will direct you to the best destination.

Be blessed,
Nethy.

Be content.

Had a rare quality time with mom and bro just now watching TV (Dad is outstation, wish he was here too). Eventhough its a simple situation, the atmosphere was nice. Even its not a big deal, I thank God for the times we had. :) 

Sometimes we dream of having many things in life that we didn't even notice the small things in life that made life meaningful. We ask for more, yet we aren't satisfied in what we have. (Ouch, that touched a nerve.)

Sometimes we're too busy achieving this and that that we don't have the time to slow down and reflect on what has happened & what's waiting for our heads to turn around and notice it.

For a moment: Be thankful. Be content. In all things, give thanks to God. Give thanks, while we still have time. ^^