Close It with Grace

Hello everyone.
hampir 3 minggu aku off nulis, after that Holler at Ya Girl Series.
[I do really hope that series can help a lot of people, at least open up your horizon, or at least give you a new perspective in life, I really do hope so.]

I didn't write bukan karna aku ga tau mau nulis apa, but I thought, only until I finish the assignment that I had, which was "Shared Christmas", then I could go on and write.

So, as I was doing my 30-day of Prayer and Fasting, after I finished the first week of it, I felt in my heart, that this year, the money that I've saved anually to be given to widows/widowers/orphans at my church in Medan should be given to orphans in the city where He's put me in, which is Padang.

And at that time, it occured in my heart, I was scared and not sure how to do it.
For 1) it was barely 3 weeks to Christmas, 2) I didn't have any orphanage's contact person's numbers, 3) how do I gather my friends, or tell people about this plan, in such short time, when I didn't even know which orphanage we're gonna have this celebration in, how we're gonna do it, or we'll what we give impact the orphanage.

 One thing I learnt from that assignment is that  :

If He put it in your heart, all He asks from you is your obedience, 

to follow  what He tells you to do, and to just trust Him, 

trust that He'll make the way.

Long story short, Shared Christmas went out fantasticly.
We had short but meaningful sermon, we shared food, and the highlight of the night was we had games....and it was really fun to do, even for me as the MC and jury.
The kids and my friends were really after the prizes, they were really competitive...
bahasa Medan-nya sih "BETEKAK" banget demi poin kelompoknnya...ahahahahah... 😝😂💕
and this is one of the memories I will surely rejoice from 2019.


And I am forever grateful for my friends and family who participated in giving money/stationeries/bag/clothes/dolls/books and their time in this celebration.
I didn't expect we'd be able give money in that amount and packages that many.

I sicerely thank you all.  

And thank you for trusting me to allocate them, to trust that I won't manipulate or take personal advantages from it. 

~ S H A R E D   C H R I S T M A S ~

Makasih Bi, udah nerima Gladys dengan sangat hangat.

To give people what you would be happy to accept if you were the one to accept. 

I swear I was nervous...
jadi Worship Leader, ngasih kata sambutan, dan MC.
 It was surreal. 🙏🙏🙏

What I want for Christmas...

***

I did get to spend 24-hour of Christmas at home.

Old me would be mad over only being able to spend 24 hours with my family at chirstmas, mad and sad because I didn't get permission to not come to the hospital for one day, when we actually have the 'one day off' right.

But, I believe every thing happened for the good.

So on the day that I should have gone back home (Saturday), instead I met a friend that needed a 'safe-place'.

And the next day (Sunday), I got to spent time with Opung, having our discussion, on her next department and on my next journey.

And on Monday,  I got to did my 'mini case' exam confidently, and attended a meeting for study group.

All of it turnt out to be fruitful and meaningful time.

So, when I reached Medan, I feel more joyful as I got to be with my family, after all the things I did for and with other people.

I know, right? we cute. 💋💁💕😂

~ T H E   S I R E G A R S ~

My MVP, holding me up through it all. 💕💞

P.S.

Did He answer my wish for my prayer and fasting?

Of course HE DID!

He is the One who never leaves the one behind.

He releases me from all bondages of pain, hurt, disappointment, and bitterness that happened in and before 2019. #ThankYouAbba

And for 2020, He gives me visions and hope.

And that is all I could ever ask for.

W A I T I N G [Part III : Holler at Ya Girl]

Heelooooo everyone.

First week of Dermatovenerology down, and I have one more science session, which is case report, to do. 😉😊

***

Today, we're entering part III of Holler at  Ya Girl.

This one takes less time to write cuz' it doesn't really involve anyone other than me, and I don't have to ask for informed consent first. 😊

I love countdowns.

They just gets me excited everytime I wake up and get to see the number gets smaller as I get closer to the events/things I'm anticipating for.

And I used to loathe waiting.

Like...if I could get everything express...man I'd certainly choose that.

I'm sure some people can testify on that part of me..ahahahha 😝😜 (you know who you are)

Like I didn't like waiting cuz' I didn't see the active participation in it.

I used to think of waiting as a 'lazy alibi' for not doing anything to get things that you want/desire.

But, as I spend more time in the presence of The Lord (personal devotional time, pray, listening to sermons on subjects I want a revelation about, and tithe), I begin to have better understanding of it.

And last Wednesday I stumble upon this sermon by Rich Wilkerson Jr., that says :

A vision rarely needs immediate actions. 

It always requires patience.

Waiting is working.It's working while I wait.And on the flip-side of it, WAITING WORKS. 

And when I wait on HIM, it ALWAYS WORKS. 

If GOD promises something, if I wait on HIM, HE will deliver. 

The bigger the responsibility, the more preparation required. 

If life gets too hard to stand, kneel.
Prayer helps you see things, that you otherwise would miss. 

(I swear when Rich said this I had a de ja vu moment, cuz' I've been saying and experiencing this many times)

You want opportunity and favor.
So ask God : "GOD, please give favor in my life" 

And if life gets too hard to stand, if the vision becomes too heavy, if the waiting feels too long, get down on your knees and pray. 

Because waiting is working.Cause it is your job to wait.And waiting works. 

It always works waiting for God's timing. 

I'm gonna pray like I'm hoping God's gonna do it. And I'm gonna plan like I know God is gonna do it.

So...as Christmas is coming and so is New Year, 

we are in week I of ADVENT (a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming)

I'd like to spend the time on :

     1. Praying and Fasting for 30 days until Christmas

I have fasted before...but never continually...and whenever I fast, it's usually on the same day when my appetite and hunger are at their lowest points, due to monthly hormonal change. 

So, when I tell this to my friends about this, I be getting like :

"ALAH! Gladys puasa?! Tiap sebentar aja jajan HOYA" or like 

"Ahhh lu...pas kemarin bulan puasa aja ga tahan..."

And I laughed hard on that cuz' they're true. 😁😂

I mean my friends see how I be around food, especially bread and sweet things.

So when I reached the first week (which is today) of this fasting and praying time and not once bailed on it, I just laughed harder. 😁😂😀

      2. Let Abba break any bitterness, dissapointment, or hurt-feeling in me from this year

Cuz' whatever you're binding yourself to, is what's gonna come around.

source : The Artidote, by Moniaco D'Amore

      3. Let Abba show what He wants to do in 2020, so that what I desire is His desires.

Now..this part is nothing like I've done before.

Karna I like making resolutions...feeling excited when I write it and even make doodles of it.

But something I learnt from this year is that before stepping into anything, 

ask Abba what He wants to do in it. 

So even though I know 2020 will have some major events in it, 

I'mma shut all the voices inside of me, and pay attention to what Abba's gonna say.

xoxo,

Edys