One year

A year ago, the moment I had submitted my final year projects and was announced to be one of the student's graduating, I have decided to take a 1 year break.

Seems like a long break, but actually it is not in compared to the amount of years spent studying and educating.

throughout this 1 year of alienating with myself from any responsibilities, i have been glad to learn that along the way I had been able to mastered and enjoyed myself to the fullest by doing things I love to do.

Piano lesson for example.
Although I won't say that it was all too perfect for me, but I was glad to learn that within that 1 year i was given the opportunity to learn more in depth and practice like i had never practiced before. At the same time, allow myself some room for exploration into playing master pieces like Mozart's Twinkle Little Stars or Canon in C major.

I was glad that throughout those times used to practice, I was able to get myself better-ly acquainted with sight readings and piano theory.

Besides that, I was also given the time to mastered up my sewing skills where I made for myself many felted products from plush toys to food; while at the same time allowing myself to experience with colours and fabrics. I wont say that I am a very artistic person, but with the projects of felt that I am involved in, I was surprised and glad to learn that at times when artistic side is needed, it came out of me as an instinct.


Along the way, I was also given the opportunity to serve God.
Involved myself in more than one ministries, while at the same time continue to live a Godly characteristics outside church environment.

There was the opportunity to pray and shared love to those people less fortunate than I am when I involved in a volunteer work at Red Cross Home for the Disabled with Youth Fellowship.

There was also time where I learnt to share skills I've learnt in school to those older generations who had difficulties in understanding the computer during my one month service with CPF. While at the same time exercised patience and firmness at times when tempted. On the other hand, also allowing some room for friendship and love during the festive season of Christmas.

I guess, though it seems like a one year seemingly fruitless year in other's point of view, but to me, there are more to it than the eyes can see.

Throughout this one year, I learnt that I am getting ever more closely to God too.
A routine daily quiet time every night while at the same time taking an extra mile to read the bible ever more detailed.
And the time taken to pray for those who need His love.
Time to share the words of God to those who need it but unfortunately haven't got the answer.

There were also time to be joyful when a prayer is answered.
Or when a soul decided to believe in God.
When I was given the ability to share the words of God not by my own words, but God's spirit through my mouth.

Then at times when other friends were tempted, learnt to be a good encourager/ listening ears.
At times when a friend is tempted and fall, before they fallen in too deep, learnt to pick them up and stabled them back on the ground God had set for them.

Learnt to love despite the sinful nature of other's actions.
Learnt to be humble when being taught.

There were also times when I myself doubted God and got myself wearied because of the expectations of getting a job etc. etc.
Fear of the unknown and doubt for the future.
Blinded by expectation and hasty in making decision.
Impatient to step out of God's plan to wait.

Fortunately, God is kind and patient towards my every actions, and each day He moulded me again and again to see what He is seeing. To wait as He desired.
To act as He intended to.
To be wise according to His eyes and not my owns.

And most of all, to surrender as a true disciples surrender to God's plan and perfect WILL!

Along the way I was also given friends who loves me and prayed for me constantly.
Helped me to pick up my load at times when the road seems hard to walk by.
Friends who is ever so willing to be by my side and hear me of my rantings and worries.
Friends who is ever so loving as to provide me comforts and joy.
Friends who is ever so lovely as to share the burden of fear/ worry/ and excitement each time an application of resumes and CVs were sent out.
And each time the letters sent failed to return, they were ready to pick me up and brushed me off the negative thoughts that began to swirl in my brain.

These I would refer to as the greatest blessings in my life of 1 year expedition in search for the next step.

To feel God and see Him through people around me who acts like Him.

There was also the amazing opportunities to be involved in the pilgrim to visit God's once dwelling places, Israel.
A nation chosen by God to serve Him.

It was a blessing to experience what the biblical characters experienced before when making their way out of Egypt and into the promising land. And to walk the road Jesus once walked through.
His birth place.
His churches, where it was once used as the places Jesus preached and teach.
As well as His sufferings as he walked down the road to Calvary.

All these I will say is once again, a blessing.

And of course, last but not least, just as the 1 year is up, as if He knows it already, A Job is here for me to do His service apart from church.

Thank God for His ever wonderful blessings and I pray that I will do my part as worker 'of God' wherever I am being placed.

Love and Peace,
Yuliana