IT IS

{ January 18, 2010 @ 3:57 am } · { Faith, Family & Relationship }
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IT IS (Author Unknown)

It’s a great feeling when he wants to be with you because of the happiness you have when you’re together. That even if silly jokes and senseless stories are told, it won’t matter as long as you’re together.

It’s a lovely feeling when someone thinks about your future, with or without him. He cares and he cares enough to think of you and what you’ll be someday. But of course, he also wants to be in it someday.

It’s a nice feeling when you can be who you really are with that person. No pretentions, no lies, no hypocrisy, because he accepts you for who you are. You can be funny, you can be embarrased, but it won’t matter coz it doesn’t matter to him. Trust and faith in each other keeps you alive. And it will always do.

It’s good to know that you have someone who’ll not have the intentions of breaking your heart. Instead, he would be willing to mend it, picking up the broken pieces of your heart that your past love have scattered in the ground. He may not be able to put the pieces back to where they really belong, but you shouldn’t mind, because he had repaired that heart of yours, and he fixed it in his own way. He loves you in his own way, not the way your past did. He fixed your heart in a different way, to keep you from feeling the pains of your past heartache and to make you feel, the love, that he’s unselfishly giving.

It’s a great feeling when that person has every effort to let you feel what he feels for you. Because of the distractions, you may not hear him shout it to the world, but as long as you feel it, his efforts has paid off, big time. And when you feel the same way too… He’d feel as if he’s the luckiest person alive.

… when in fact, you’re more blessed to have him.

****
Hon, I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thanks for everything you have done to me sincerely. Far or near, my heart will always be devoted to you. With God stands beside us, we’ll make everything possible. Btw thanks ya dear for creating this pic, lemme modify it a bit for the blog ya hon ^_^

From Sydney With Love

{ January 12, 2010 @ 8:18 pm } · { Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal, Relationships }
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My dear,
Oh I miss you so much
wish I could be with you right now
wanna touch you, feel you, hear you
lean on your chest, listening to your heartbeat

I really treasure every moment we spend together, honey
praying together, sharing God’s Word, encouraging each other
growing our faith together, longing to become a more godly couple
realizing our weaknesses and willing to improve ourselves
This is the kind of courtship I’ve been dreaming of

You’re my knight, a gift from the Lord
I thank God for bringing you into my life
He must have heard my prayer and known everything I’d need
Let us keep glorifying His name, dear
for He gave us this love we have for each other

I love you more every day, darling
Please wait for me as I wait for you
We’re gonna share our dreams together and make ‘em come true
that will be that day where I’ll be yours and you’ll be mine
forever and faithfully

* God, as always You know the desire of our heart, please bless our courtship. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

S.P.E.C.I.A.L

{ November 22, 2009 @ 7:51 am } · { Faith, Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal }
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Dearest God,

I really don’t know what’s your plan towards my life. But I feel that you love me so much…. you give me loving family and friends, promising career and education… I’m already happy with all your blessings… but then you let me know him. I’ve been learning many things from him… he has opened my eyes to the things I was not awared of… but most of all he makes me love you even more! With him I feel that I can become a better person. Thank you Lord for sending me such a special friend. Please bless our relationship. I know that not my will, but Your will be done… therefore I’ll patiently wait for Your time and meanwhile preparing myself to be a godly woman for my special one. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

~ Single & Happy ~

{ October 19, 2009 @ 5:22 am } · { Family, Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal, Relationships, music }
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oppieSingle & Happy
by Oppie Andaresta

mereka bilang aku pemilih dan kesepian
terlalu keras menjalani hidup
beribu nasehat dan petuah yang diberikan
berharap hidupku bahagia

aku baik baik saja
menikmati hidup yang aku punya
hidupku sangat sempurna
I’m single and very happy
mengejar mimpi mimpi indah
bebas lakukan yang aku suka
berteman dengan siapa saja
I’m single and very happy

mereka bilang sudah saatnya karena usia
untuk mencari sang kekasih hati
tapi kuyakin akan datang pasangan jiwaku
pada waktu dan cara yang indah

***
Dearest Mom & Dad,

you’d say I’m choosy and lonely
working too hard, living a dull life
and you’d then give me thousands of advices
wishing me to live a happy life

Yeah, I know your concerns
but I’m all right
I’m enjoying my life
my life is just perfect

I’m single and very happy
pursuing my dreams
I’m free to do whatever I like
hanging out and making friends with anybody

You’d say it’s the time to find a sweetheart
because of the age
but it’s only a matter of time
and I’m sure my soulmate will come
in God’s beautiful and perfect time

Time flies and I cannot stop it
I just wanna the best for my life
So, Mom, Dad, please don’t worry
I live my life to the fullest!

with love, your daughter

God Will Make A Way

{ October 11, 2009 @ 12:08 am } · { Faith, Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal, Relationships }
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Proverbs 3:6
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

God Will Make A Way
~ Words and music by Don Moen ~

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

(Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson)

A Marriage Prayer

{ October 10, 2009 @ 11:17 pm } · { Faith, Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal }
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vowsI find it to be an encouraging marriage prayer… I don’t know who the author is but hopefully he/she doesn’t mind this prayer to be shared to all singles out there who long for a godly soulmate.

Don’t worry, God knows the desires of your heart. He will lead you to the right one when you’re both ready. Don’t settle for less than God’s best!

***
Lord, Your Word says that it is not good that I should be alone, so I believe it is Your will that I be married someday.

Father, Your Word also says that You desire that I live a life free from care, that I should be content and satisfied in every situation that I am in, and that I should not be anxious or worried about anything. If I am willing and obedient to Your Word, You will give me the desires of my heart. It is my desire that someday I will be married to a person I am attracted to and love, and who loves me. Because my future spouse is somewhere in the earth right now, by faith, I pray for her/him.

Father, especially help her/him to grow in love, Your kind of love. A friend loves at all times, and I desire for my spouse to be my very best friend. I desire that my spouse be a person who shares the same love that I have for You, someone who will be one in spirit and purpose with me.

I ask You to send mature men and women into our lives to give us good, godly counsel and to teach us how we should love each other and care for family. Teach us both what You expect husbands and wives to do and how we ought to behave toward each other. Reveal to our hearts Your Word concerning the marriage relationship and correct any wrong thinking in our lives. Grant us knowledge through godly people, books, tapes and preaching that will give us understanding concerning relationships, so that we can avoid many of the common errors and mistakes people tend to make.

Father, You are omni-present (everywhere at all times) so You know where my future spouse is right now. It may even be someone I already know. I trust You to lead me and guide me by Your Holy Spirit so that when Your perfect time is right, I will have the wisdom, discretion and discernment to know when I have found someone who is compatible with me. Not only will she/he be good for me, I thank You that I will be good for her/him. Help me not to be over or under spiritual in my choice, but to rely on the mind and the spirit that You’ve given me.

I pray that the eyes of my future spouse’s understanding will be opened so that she/he will have complete knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I pray that she/he will live a life that is worthy of You, Lord, and pleasing to You in every way. Thank You that she/he will always be involved in doing good deeds, and have a stronger, growing relationship with You.

Thank You for commanding Your angels to surround my future spouse, protecting her/him from any harm, danger or evil.

Father, as I wait on Your timing, I will prepare myself for marriage. And as I date and develop stronger social and relationship skills, I determine to keep myself holy and pure from sexual sin. I will save myself for my future mate. I determine that I won’t scare people off by being uptight, worried or desperate for marriage, but I’ll act in faith and patience and be happy, content and satisfied until that time. My hope and my happiness are in You, Father. Thank You for my future mate.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bury your heart so deep in God
so when a man wants it
he has to go to God to find it.
~ author unknown ~

Do You Still Love Me?

{ October 10, 2009 @ 11:23 am } · { Family, Family & Relationship, Life, Relationships, TV Show }
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husband
husband
wife
wife





I was told by my mom and friends that there’s a new reality show in Indonesia. The show is called “Masihkah Kau Mencintaiku?” or in English “Do you Still Love Me?” The participants are husband and wife who have been married for years, but for some reason either the husband or wife want a divorce. The show describes the problems in the household with the goal to unite the couple. There are marriage counsel and pyscholog expert who listen to the problems and try to find the best possible solutions. Of course at the end of the show, to separate or unite will be the exclusive decision to the marriage couple.

The show makes me curious. Luckily some of the sessions were uploaded on youtube, so I gave it a watch. It turns out to be quite interesting. One of the sessions that I watched is called “A Perfect Wife for My Husband”. The case was quite unusual because the wife (Nia) asked for a divorce from her husband (Indra) not because she didn’t love him anymore. On the other hand, she loved him so much that she would let him go and ask him to marry other woman for his happiness. Nia and Indra had been married for 12 years. They had a 10 year old daughter. 3 years ago, Nia was diagnosed with cervical cancer and her uterus had to be removed. Since then she was feeling incomplete as a woman and wife. She could not do her duties as a wife to her husband. She’s in a wheelchair. She thought she was a burden to Indra and wanted him to divorce her and then got married to other (perfect) woman.

However, Indra could not accept his wife’s decision. He loved his wife so much that he just couldn’t let her go. He held his wedding oath, in health and in sickness, he would always be with her wife. He never thought of marrying other woman, let alone divorce Nia. He tried very hard to convince Nia that his love to her was never change. He would take care of her for the rest of his life. He stated clearly that he still loved Nia, regardless her condition.

The experts—marriage counsel and psycholog—asked many questions to this couple. Nia honestly admitted that her husband’s behaviours in fact never changes in the even slightest degree. He had been a devoted husband for years, being with her to undergo medical tests and treatments (including chemotherapy), never once complaining. She really loved him and wanted him to be happy. She would let him go to look for a better wife, not like her who couldn’t do her duties as a good and normal wife. Indra actually never forced her to do all those duties, including on bed duties. He knew she was in pain during their sexual intercourse and he didn’t want to make her suffer. Indra wanted his wife not to think about that, but focused on her health. The experts gave the same advice. Nia should have increased her desire to recover. She had already a loving husband and daughter who fully supported her. She wasn’t supposed to think about divorce because it didn’t make her husband happy, after all. Instead, she should never give up praying and giving her best efforts to cure the disease. The experts also reminded Indra to be consistent and comitted with his decision—to love Nia unselfishly.

It’s a touching session on the show. I like what Indra said when he tried to convince Nia: “My Dear, there’s no incurable disease, believe that God will heal. These are challenges from God that our family have to face together with strength and faithfulness.” This couple indeed share real love and understanding. They love each other unselfishly. They want to give and do the best for each other, let alone willing to sacrifice their own needs for their partner’s happiness. I learn something from the show. And I hope when I get married, I can stick to my wedding oath…. to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health…

Polygamy, should it be legalized?

{ October 8, 2009 @ 7:11 am } · { Family, Family & Relationship, Life, Relationships }
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polygamyRecently, an Australian Islamic leader has announced that polygamous marriages should be legalized by the Australian government. Keysar Trad from the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia said that polygamous relationships should be recognized to make things safer for Muslim women.

He said, “If this woman has wilfully chosen to enter into this relationship and make a lifelong commitment to this person to be married, it shouldn’t matter.”

It would protect the woman as the man would not have any reason not to marry her just because of “I can’t marry you since I’m already married to another woman or “I can’t take you as my wife because I’m not allowed to take a second wife.”

He added that it would not be acceptable for women to take more than one husband but it should be acceptable for men to take more than one wife.

Those who support the practice of polygamy argued that it should be legally valid in order to reduce the number of affairs and men who visit prostitutes because “they do it anyway”

Well, I don’t agree with this polygamy issue. Having more than one spouse does not guarantee fidelity. If you take one wife and you think you will be satisfied when you take a second wife, it is nonsense! You will be tempted to take a third or more wives.

And what kind of protection given to women? Who would want to share her husband with another woman? Is there any woman who willingly accept the fact that her husband is sharing a bed with other women?
Legalizing polygamy won’t make things better. It could even increase infidelity.

Every woman is dreaming to have a one woman man. And every man is eager to have a one man woman as well. It satisfies God’s law on marriage: one husband, for one wife, for life.
I’m not sure about the practice in other religions, but based on Catholic teachings, I don’t support polygamy.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [Genesis 2:18]

“Each man should have his own wife (singular word), and each woman her own husband (singular word) [I Corinthians 7:2]

“that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” [Matthew 19:4-6 and Genesis 2:24]

God defines marriage as a man leaving his father and mother and uniting to his wife, so when a man first marries a woman, he leaves his parent’s authority. Once he leaves the household, he cannot leave the household twice! If he does so, it will be against the Bible passage.

When two people are married they are tied together for life; they are bound together until death parts them [Matthew 19:5-6]. Marriage is binding until one of the persons involved dies [1 Cor 7:39]

“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.” [Romans 7:2-3]

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” [Matthew 19:9]

Therefore, God gives us only two circumstances where a man can marry another woman: (1) if his wife dies or (2) if his wife commits adultery.

It is obvious that Catholic marriages is permanent and exclusive (monogamous). In addition, having more than one wife won’t solve any problems, instead it will definately add more problems: more wives, more troubles which might lead to a disaster.   

Don’t risk your household!

For those reasons, I won’t support polygamous marriages to be legalized in Australia, Indonesia or any other countries.

Aussie Oh Aussie

{ September 20, 2009 @ 8:04 pm } · { Family & Relationship, Friends, Life, Personal, Tourism }
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operahouseIt’s like a dream come true when I finally got an opportunity to pursue my LLM in Aussie. Studying overseas has been my hidden desire since I was a teenager. I remembered reading Enid Blyton’s books about those boarding schools and dreaming to become a foreign student one day. I went to many foreign education exhibitions, browsing good uni in the US, Europe, Aussie, talking with my friends who graduated overseas and asking them to share their experiences… I could tell so many foreign uni that some people who barely knew me thought I had studied abroad. However there were always some obstacles, preventing me to go. I thought maybe there’s a good reason why God not allowing me to study abroad, and as time passed by I almost had to force myself to forget that dream… but God IS Good! He gave me a chance to finally study overseas through the company I work for. He knew I wasn’t ready so he took time to prepare me… I had to gain working experiences, going to seminars, and at last here I am… studying in Aussie.

aussie2I enjoy studying and living in Aussie. I love the fresh air, the views, the food, the people… well, yeah good and bad people are everywhere… same like in Indo… you just have to take the positive things from what you see and try to adjust with the rules applied here. For example here water is very precious. You cannot water your plants or wash your car everyday…. it’s very different in Indo coz we can use water anytime we want to… other thing is parking and speeding… you cannot park everywhere… if you do and you happen to park in a restricted zone, your car will be given payment notice—which is securely affixed to the windscreen of the car—or even worse, towed away by traffic police. Unlike in Indo where the traffic police will do his best effort to catch those who breach the traffic rules (with his motorcycle), here I can hardly see any traffic police around. But don’t ever try speeding coz there are speed cameras and if they catch you, a speeding fine will be sent directly to your house! Here many international students got fined because they use concession tickets while getting on the public transportation (bus, train, ferry). Concession tickets are much cheaper than normal tickets (can be half price!) but they are not for Int’l students, only for local students and PRs. I don’t want to take the risk coz the penalty can be hundreds of bucks… not worth it.

aussie3However, I must admit that I quite admire people here. They are very independent. I can see many teenagers working in fast food like MCD or BK. They don’t depend on parents to get maybe some extra pocket money. And those people in their fifties or sixties, oh they look so energetic… they walk, drive, do groceries and everything by him/herself. To my surprise, disabled people seem comfortable around here; they use electric wheelchairs on the streets and getting on buses! I often feel pity on them, thinking about their children or grandchildren who (seemingly) don’t take care of them…. but maybe it’s just the culture here… and those old people don’t seem to bother or mind, after all.

aussie4 The relationship between man and woman in Aussie is open… you’re free to choose with whom you want to be with—with opposite or same sex. There’s even a so-called gay celebration here (mardi gras) where Aussie gays, wearing colorful outfits (or bare chested), dance and sing on the streets. However I heard that the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, insists not to legalize gay marriage in Aussie. It becomes a pro and contra here.
Anyway, I think that being with someone, regardless it’s against your religion, family, custom or laws, is your own choice. Respect and love anyone you’re blessed with. I like the way man treats his wife here… they’re sharing responsibilities… man doesn’t look ashamed holding a baby or pushing a stroller/pram, doing groceries, washing the dishes, and yes cooking. Commercial ads on TV often show man showing off his cooking skill to his family. Yeah I know woman must be able to cook and handle her baby, but isn’t it nice if your man can cook for you and take care of your baby once in a while? :) Or at least if you have cooked for the dinner, for example, he would be willing to wash the dishes without being asked to.

Unfortunately, this seldom happens in Indo. There’s like an unwritten rule that taking care of kids, cooking and doing house chores are the responsibilities of women. So when his baby cries, a (normal Indo) man will immediately —and panickly—call for his wife or nanny to take care of the crying baby. It’d be great if Indo men can learn from Aussie dudes in taking care of their children and handling the house chores, hopefully.

aussie1 Oh, I’m sure I’m gonna miss Aussie when I’m back to Indo for good. Everything I learn here is priceless. Thank you Lord for giving me a chance to experience that.

I Left My Heart in Kiama

{ May 2, 2009 @ 9:46 pm } · { Family & Relationship, Friends, Personal, Tourism }
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I never imagine that there exists a beautiful seaside town called Kiama. The town is located in the south coast of NSW, around 120 km or 2 hours from Sydney by train. It’s famous for its white Lighthouse and big and small Blowholes where spectacular plumes of water noisily erupt through natural holes in the coastal rock… well, actually its aboriginal name, Kiarama-a, means “where the sea makes a noise”

It was like in a fairy tale when I visited the town for the first time. It has such a breathtaking scenery… beaches, historical buildings, public parks… everything looks so green and fresh. I just felt peace. I really like the fact that local people enjoy to bring their family on picnic during weekends. Small kids played with their dogs while mom and dad were chatting and preparing lunch… seagulls were everywhere. I saw some big families were having barbeque there. I wish I could have a family gathering as well :)
I was on picnic with my friends, we were having a chit chat, laughing and playing cards (learnt to play UNO hehe)

Kiama is a small and quiet town; I guess the population is less than 20,000 inhabitants (very small compared to Jakarta with its 10 million inhabitants!) but somehow I love it… I even imagine to live there; I think every one knows each other there… Mr John Smith the fisher, Ms Jane Doe the baker… ^_^ I found it hard when I had to leave Kiama. I definately want to go there again, bringing my friends, family, and perhaps my loved one one day :)






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