My Funny and Yet Amazing God

Lately I have been facing a difficult problem which somehow burden me. I can't stop thinking to find a way out of it, but until today I still stuck with the problem. A problem that have haunt me for several years and keep going on. There are times when I feel it not as heavy as it seems yet in many times I feel it so heavy that I want to give up. Last week, when I feel how heavy the problem and how to solve it, I was in a lot of stress. My neck began to stiff and clogged nose more often, I am really in a difficult phase. 

During my lectio divina moment last week, God strengthen me with many scriptures that I read. Even for 3 days in a row He spoke to me about "don't worry", about "being still", and about "His beautiful plan for me". His words really encourage me and I want to share one of the words that I read. This words was brought to me by Joel Osteen on one of his Today's Word series. As I quote:

It was like God was saying, "I can make it rain whenever I want to. I can use a little cloud, a big cloud or no cloud. I'm God. I'm the All Powerful Creator of the universe. When I say rain, I don't need a cloud. When I say healing, I don't have to have medicine. When I say promotion, I don't need your boss's approval. When I say abundance, I don't need a bank. I'm not limited by the natural. I'm a supernatural God.

When I read this words, I laugh so hard until my friend turn her head and ask me what's wrong. Ha-ha. I like what Joel's wrote, it gave me a slap on my cheek which remind me how amazing my God is. This words really confirming of what I have been receiving in my lection divina moment. Again, God wants me to stay still and know that He is a supernatural God. He can do everything for me even when I think it's impossible. 

I slept well that night, knowing that I don't have to worry. Until now I don't have solution to my problem, but I feel less worry. I know God will help and His timing is perfect. Thank You, Lord, for being such a funny and amazing God to me.

Picture source:
http://www.missosology.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=146166

Fun: Me and Knitting

I have a new hobby now, it’s knitting. The idea to learn about knitting came from making souvenir for my father’s memorial prayer. It isn’t a must thing, to give souvenir to those who come to the prayer, but it’s like a custom here. We serve dinner and give souvenir in such memorial prayer.

small purse for rosary

The idea itself was to make a small purse for Rosary. I bought my purse at the cathedral long time ago and when I look at it, seems it is easy to make one like it. Ha-ha. It isn’t easy at all. I asked my friend, Nit2x, to study knitting together. Firstly we studied online, we watched video at YouTube and learned from it. 

Secondly, we asked our friend to teach us and we discovered it was not easy. Ha-ha.

My friend is talented, she studied faster than me. I was so behind her and feel hopeless. At that time, it was too little time to finish 40 small purses (in only 2 months away) and we merely expert in it. So, I cancelled the souvenir. My mom came with another idea for the souvenir.

Back to knitting.

There are knitting and crochet, I love knitting more than crochet. While my friend loves crochet more than knitting. But turn out, knitting needs crochet skill too. Ha-ha. Knitting tools are two needles and crochet tool is crochet hook. 

this is crochet tool

this is knitting tool

Right now, I am using a tool from Japan, it looks like loom. I made scarf with it. Already done with first scarf project, a green scarf for Nit2x and now I am doing my second scarf project. I tried to be expert in it, still need to learn how to end the project with crochet skill. It is a fun thing to do. I enjoy making scarf and wanting to learn more than scarf, such as making sock and beanie hat. I love my new hobby. 

my first project: green scarf

Picture source:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01536/p_knitting-kit_1536394i.jpg

http://rosehavenyarn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/crochet-hook.jpg

Lesson: KEP

What do I think when I heard about evangelization? The first thing that come up into my mind is giving religion teaching to those who isn't Catholic and somehow I think it is a very hard duty for me. I think of it as a hard duty because for a Catholic, I know that I have to spread the Good News but interfering in someone's belief is too personal for me. Because religion is between God and the person and in that matter, no one should encounter or force a will. So, I try other ways in delivering Good News, for example by being a lector and joining choir.

To my surprise, I agreed to accompany my friend to take a course called KEP (Kursus Evangelisasi Pribadi / Personal Evangelization Mission Course). I never imagine before that I will take this course due my perception above. I thought the course was about studying the bible more deep but so far, it wasn't like that. The course itself is long, every Monday for 3 hours, and it will end on November. As the teacher explained, this course is about being an evangelist by telling others our own experience of God's love.

I still think the course is too heavy for me. I don't know if I can go on with the course till the end. It's not about refusing my duty as a Catholic. I am not ready for this kind of mission yet. But I
am already in it now, I believe that God has a plan for me in here. Help me, Lord to understand Your will in my life.

Picture source:
http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/

Lesson: Easter 2014

This year, I really celebrate Easter by myself with no family around. Actually I have a plan to celebrate Easter at my hometown but since I have a task to do in Church I rescheduled my trip. As mom already has a busy schedule in her community for Easter, she can't join me here.

Some years ago, I was chosen to be a Lector on Good Friday's mass. I was so excited to be trusted in such a big mass. But... that day, I have a massive stomach ache due my endometriosis, which made me unable to stand straight and walk. I cancelled the task in last minutes. I tried so hard to find a replacement and finally found one. I was so sad because unable to do this task.

Last month, I received a phone from the lector coordinator. She informed me that they elected me to be the Lector for Good Friday. I was surprised cause I already have ticket to go to hometown. I was confuse, at one side this task is like a redemption for my previous one, and at another side my mom will be alone. Difficult to decide... I finally choose to do the lector.

My task was for the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 52:13-53:12. What a long reading! As I study every Friday and Sunday with the lector's tutor, I feel nervous to read this. How to get the audience full attention with such long reading? How to keep them from sleepy? I studied a lot. I learnt how to read it lively and gracefully.

The day has come for me to be Lector. I practiced since morning, the mass started at 2PM. I did it well even though the electricity sometimes off I tried to speak as loud as I could. I prayed that the electricity won't go off again after my turn. God hears me although the electricity went off again during the Gospel for several seconds.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to serve your people. Thank you to Mr. Agus (tutor) and Fanda (Lector Coordinator).

Picture source:
https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/mission/campusministry/liturgicallife/lector.html
http://thebreakfastklub.com/open-easter-sunday

Quote: This is About...

I saw this picture on my friend profile and asked her, "Ruthie, may I copy paste the picture?" She said, "Monggo" (in English: go ahead). The quote in this picture touched my heart, it's beautiful. Here is the picture and I will translate in English.

Translation:
This is not about older, same age, or younger.
This is about balancing life and walking in togetherness.
This is about giving peace and comfort to your heart, and loving endlessly.
This is about laughing together, supporting and praying for each other.
This is about speaking freely on everything without thinking worthy or not.
When the world is so cruel, he/she is your place to go home.
Who can make you very patient and try to understand even it's difficult.


Such a beautiful quote as my final plea to you...
When everything is falling apart, remember this... I love you, always have, always will...