The top 5 highlights of my life in 2013 (Continue..)

Okay, i couldn't stop writing. So, i'm going to continue with the top 5 highlights of my life before i go to bed. 

2. Organizing two school event - Leadership

This year has been a quite challenging for me especially in my workplace. A month before we celebrate the World Teacher's Day & 10th Anniversary of the school which is on October, Sylvia, the school principal asked one of my colleague, Wilma, to manage the event. I had noticed Wilma couldn't handle it by herself, so i offered to help her. We work together, we plan, we gather volunteers and etc. To my surprise, everyone in the team looked up to me! I don't know where the courage came from to take this leadership. But i try my best take this responsibility in a humble way. I take time to listen and encourage them to express their opinions and ideas. Motivate and lead them at the same time.We came up with few interesting ideas for the event such as singing, dancing and drama for the kids. Drama was the biggest challenge for the kids because they have to act and speaks in English. I really thankful to God because during my high school days, i directed a short drama for our class project. These experiences and knowledge that able me to make the best use of these kids talents & giving them a wonderful opportunity to show their acting skills. Everyone fully engaged in their tasks that been given especially the kids, they came every day for the practice. Sylvia put her trust in us and we didn't let her down. The event run smoothly and successfully. The kids did very well in their acting. The teachers & parents blew away by their performance! I believed these kids has opened of the eyes and ears of the teachers and parents that they are talented, capable and smart.


Again the second time, Sylvia put her trust in us to organize another event for the school closing day on the 23rd November. We wanted to show our appreciation for the teachers, the ideas of 6 ethnics fashion show came from Shima . I was very impressed with her idea. And these idea strike literally out of nowhere into my head that to combined the 6 ethnics fashion show together with their traditional dance. I was so excited BUT i'm in trouble at the same time. Why? Because i don't know how to dance! Dancing is not my forte. The first week of the practice i struggled in choreograph the dance. I feel so frustrated and cried out to the Lord for help as i'm driving home. The song "Bless the Lord" playing at the right time. I feel peace slowly filled my heart. I started to sing praise & worship to Him whenever i feel helpless and trouble. A week later, God showed His faithfulness and love by sending His Angels to help me to choreograph the dance. I have learned a lot from them like how to notate the music, beats and rhythms, break down the music into phrases or sections in order to create the steps. The event again went smoothly, and successfully! God is so good to me! He is indeed an awesome God!


Here's the list of 6 ethnics dance


1. India - Bollywood

2. Suluk - Pangalay

3. Malay - Joget

4. Kadazan - Sumazau

5. Chinese - Trandition fans dancing

6. Western - Footlose

I went through my Bible and selected scriptures that would help me rise above the anxiety and dread I felt. I frequently remind myself of these verses to strengthen myself in work. It's helps a lot.

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:13




3. Spiritual growth

Let me start with this verses "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

I used to work as a purchasing cum sales coordinator in Kota Kinabalu. Working 6 days a week for nearly 12 hours a day. At the end of long days I fall into bed and my mind runs in crazy circles. Instead of corralling it and pulling out my Bible or spending time in quiet conversation with God I roll over and go to sleep because I just don’t have the energy. My spiritual life is dull and dry. I feel empty. Everything just doesn't feel right. From that moment i knew I've been away from God. One evening i was on my knees crying out to God. I prayed  "Father i don't know what's your plan for me, but whatever you want me to do, i will follow and obey you."  I found peace in my heart and decided to leave the job for good. I don’t have anything else lined up. It is a leap of faith. Two months later, i went to visited Sylvia, knowing i was unemployed by that time, she asked me to help her. I said why not. Let's try. Never crossed in my mind that this is God's calling for me. I obeyed His call.

I never regretted of leaving my previous job and choose to do a part-time social work. I am currently serving as a volunteer teacher in a local community school (Rainbow Of Hope School) for 1 year 1/2 now. I teach twice a week and the rest of the day i will stay at home. During my day off , i slowly seek Him by engaging myself with His Words and connect with Him through prayers. I got back into my devotions routine every morning. A lot of the times, it's not consistent. I have to confess here. But i'll always remind myself to keep on communicate with Him everyday. I started to do journal and memorizing His Words.Involved myself more in the cooperate prayers really helps a lot in my spiritual walk with God. I'm beginning to feel so much more like myself again - happy, energetic, confident and content. I have been doing this until today since i quit my job. Peoples surrounding me could see the changes in me. Some could see my face looks so radiant and more beautiful than before. I'm not trying to boost here but that's what they've told me. I take this as a compliment and give glory to Him. For me, this year is a season for me to rest and draw closer to God. I'm looking forward for the coming new year 2014 on God's plan for my life.



4. New Car !

Finally i got my first new car. I mean my own car! Why i looks so happy? Because i don't have to borrow my husband's car anymore. I've been driving my husband's car - Toyota Hilux  for quite sometimes. We have to take turn to use the car most of the times. So my husband decided to get me a new car. A small car. I don't mind rather i'm thankful to God for using my husband to bless me since i don't have any income coming in anymore. So, yeah, nothing much to share here. I'm happy with my white Myvi car. =)


5. Meeting great people

Working in the Rainbow of Hope gives me the opportunity meeting and making new friends from different part of the world. Meeting new people can be really interesting. You can end up having great conversations, discovering new stuff and making a good friends. I've met few that i still keep in touch until today and some of them become my student. (I teach Bahasa Malaysia's language for adults too.) Meeting with so many lovely people and seeing them leaving, there is this one person that stayed special in my heart. This person have made an impact on my life. This person has made me a stronger person and makes my life more interesting than before. I always thankful for all these wonderful people.


I am sincerely grateful to each and every one of you who read this blog and support me. Pardon for my bad grammar. I couldn't have had such a successful 2013 without your encouragement and motivation over the past 12 months.Thank you!



Wish you all :






Finally! Phew~~
I better stop writing now. It's 1 am !!



Lots of love,
Mary xxx

The top 5 highlights of my life in 2013

Wow! Time flies really fast! Don't you think?  In only few days we are going to celebrate the new year. But before the year ends i would like to share some of the best part happened in my life. It took me awhile to choose the top 5 highlights for the year. As i look back at 2013 these are some of my favorite.

1. Involvement in politics
         
Never in my wildest dream i could involved myself in the politics area. Few months before the Malaysia 13th General Election which is on 5th May 2013, a friend approached me to volunteer for Darell Leiking's (Opposition Party) campaign. Without a second thoughts, i say yes! The campaign activities includes join the march & distributing the flyers & leaflets from shops to housings area by foot. It's not as easy as you think. We work outside in all weathers and prepared to deal with unknown dangers & risks when meeting with a strangers, or pets that may be in gardens or come to the door.  My volunteering job continued and after attending few training courses, I've got appointed as Polling Agents and Counting Agents role on election day. It was an amazing experience, and I am thrilled that I am part of it. My favorite moments were seeing how we put God first in everything we do. I remembered on May 5th morning an hour before we need to rushed to our own stations, i could clearly hear God says "PRAY!" I asked one of my friend leads us in the prayers as we all hold hands together. We prayed & declared His Words. God is so good to us. Even though we all face pressure,challenges and problems that we didn't expected the moment we stepped into the classroom, but God won't allow us to be completely ruined. I know, we know, He was there. If we remain in tune with His Spirit and seek Him even when we are scared or facing incredible odds, we can uncover more of His strength and wisdom in ways we wouldn't find any other way.

Here's the photos of us joining the march on 24th April 2013. 

Alright, it's not end yet. Will continue in the next blog. Till then, i wish you all a Merry Christmas and have a beautiful one. 

Love, 
Mary xx

Know Your Own Personality, Love Your Personality. ( I'm an Introvert )

What is personality? My definition of personality is very simple. Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. Before you can define who you are, you have to understand your personality. Many people struggling to understand their own personality. So am i. 

I didn't realize i am an introvert until my very close friend shared his personality types - introvert, with me. Wanting to know more about introvert personality, i began to research. I didn't do the Myers-Briggs test, however i went to looked up the signs or traits of an introvert. Most of these common traits are found in me. I discovered that i am an introvert! 

What are those signs and traits found in me ? 

1. I love parties. I may sometimes enjoyed going to parties. But I'm not as excited like extrovert when meet new people. I would rather spend time with people I already know and feel comfortable around. 

2. I'm not a talkative person. My husband loves to talk. He can talk for hours! 

3. I will need to recharging and gaining back my energy through alone time whenever i start to get tired, and unresponsive after been active for too long. So, i will be fine if you give me half an hour to have my quiet moment. 

4. I can watch people for hours – with no conversation. I observe what they're doing and learn from it - in a good way. 

5. I am better at communicating in writing than a person. Sometimes. 


Long before i know i'm an introvert, i have always thought that i am different from others. Different and weird. At one point, i really hate myself  because i don't understand my own personality. These personality caused many people misunderstood about me. But after done few research on introverts I have come to understand my introversion and now, learning to appreciate it much more. I began to accept, to love, and even embrace myself. 

Each person has a unique personality. Find yours now. When you understand yourself, then you will be able to love yourself. 

As for me, introversion is a gift. The differences that makes us beautiful. 



Blessings & love,
Mary

A moment of reflection (He brought me this far)

It has been awhile since I was able to sit down and write on this blog. It has been years if you had notice from my previous post. But i am definitely have no plans for stopping blogging. I just felt i don't need to expose too much about my personal things. But if my stories and testimony could encourage and inspire others, why not share a little bit aye? 

This morning as i was spending my quality time with God, praise, and soaking into His presence. The Holy Spirit fills and guide me to revisit my past. He wants me to see He loved me even before i knew what love was. He didn't even judge my past instead He showed me He was there when i am going through some rough things in my life and I have my moments where I don't see a way out. He knew i would be able to overcome it. He give me room to grow, make mistake, and learn to seek Him. Without realize, He make me strong when i am weak. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2nd Corinthians 12:9) All along the way, He molds and make me into His likeness over and over. He didn't throw away the clay. He let me experience and prepared me with so many things for my future. He knew i need it. Over the years, I've been through the storm in my life, everyone does . I know it was God who guide me through those dark tunnels and directed toward the light. And when God say, "Look where you are at now?" I immediately stopped feelings sorry for myself over the things that i have been through lately. I am so grateful it brings tears to my eyes when i think about all the goodness & mercies God has showered me throughout the year. 

I am today, it is all because Jesus didn't throw the clay away. He just picks up those pieces and molds me over and over again. "Look where you are at now?" 

Don't give up on God for He never gave up on you. 

Love,

Mary