Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful!

Lots of goodbyes...and since I'm on a roll, why not goodbye 2012? :)

This has been my greatest year, and lowest too since year 2000. That was a good 12 years ago. Just reminiscing the year of 2012 in almost chronological order.

1. Met a dashing young guy called Matthew Stelpstra. More like I picked him up from the airport together with Nick and I told him he smelt awful after an almost 2 day flight from Canada and he got hooked.

2. Cluster phobia in YWAM Perth at the end of 2011 through to Feb 2012.

3. In relation to #1 we packed heaps in the kitchen and there were no classrooms for every school and some school met in parks and houses. IPHC made it to its very own classroom at the start of the new year. And it was in January too that Matt told me he showered for 30 minutes after I had told him the night before that he smelt after a long flight.

4. Went to Warburton with Kathy, Alyssa and Anna D for 2 weeks in February. We drove for 2 days - 1500km. Lived the life with the Aboriginals of Australia. Good times.

5. Started courting with Matt. Announced at the Brigatti Gardens somewhere mid-Feb. He was almost peeing in his pants.

6. Celebrated my 28th birthday with a white boy in my life. He took me to the beach and barbecued for me. Amount of things he brought with us - a whole 80litres backpack. In this same month, we saw God bring in all the finances we needed for outreach for the school before the due date. God is faithful, as always!

7. In April, Matt and I separated for the first time when I went to India for outreach and he left for a short break at home before leaving for Oxford, New Zealand. In India we saw many miraculous healings of God, and many salvations too. God is faithful to His people, and so loving.

8. My small team of 5 headed back for Perth to finish up our outreach in Warburton. 5 weeks was the plan. But we were hardly there. Did not arrive. We met with a life threatening accident on our 2nd day of travelling. All were flown back. Private airplane, the Flying Doctor and business class back to Perth.

9. We continued to heal from the wounds of the accident. Marchien was awesome throughout. So were the other 3 girls.

10. The school ended. It was a good ending considering what we went through. Everyone went home.

11. Life started at the kitchen again in July. I asked not to be put for leading any crew for the quarter. Leading was difficult after the accident. Marchien flew home to Holland. Life moved forward. I decided time in Perth has ended and will finish it off at the end of 2012. Went for a week of holidays in Melbourne with Glory and James and the kids. It was a good break.

12. Nothing really special happened in August except that 3 months had passed since the accident and I continued to be reminded of the accident every time I stepped into the car.

13. Matt came for a visit after 6 months of separation in September! It was so so good. John and Larraine invited us over to stay with them for the duration of Matt's holiday here. He proposed at their house on his 3rd night here! :) And of course I said yes! That began to have implications - immediately.

14. Matt left in October to go back to Oxford. It was awfully difficult. And I began to prepare mentally that in 2 months I was leaving YWAM Perth. Time was moving. so. slowly. And I planned the menu for the last quarter of 2012 in this month.

15. Myrriah organised a bridal shower for me in November. This was when the reality of my impending marriage and leaving began to form in my head. It still was not travelling down to my heart yet although many wedding plans have been solidified in Canada and Malaysia. 

16. I began to pack in November. And gave things away. Sala went away for a holiday in Fiji and got ENGAGED! And Erwin and I drove in the Transit van every day to do food pick-ups. The drives were therapeutic! Uncle Kee In and Aunty Mei Ying came to visit and bless me with their presence. Went to the Pinnacles for the first time in my life!

17. Flew home for the weekend in the mid of December for Charles' wedding. And spent quality time with Papa. And did some wedding gown hunting in my hometown.

18. These last 2 weeks have been hectic. Filled with goodbyes, reminders of good memories, Christmas lunch and gift exchange, Boxing day hanging out with Tiff, reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness by giving me a really nice Christmas and Boxing Day celebration by not working much in the kitchen, chatting with Matt 5 days in a row which is a BONUS!!, a surprise farewell that was leaked by Daniel Lim, and farewell from the church and their love given to me, more goodbyes, more packing, more throwing out to make room for the new and the reality of leaving slowly daunting on me. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the year. And tonight is the last night I will be sleeping on this very bunk I am typing this post from. Almost every month has its own highlights, and I am impressed I remembered them all. God has been faithful through my ups and downs and I am thankful that He is God, and He remembered me and called me by name. 

And He taught me that He cannot be beaten, and His faithfulness endures forever. 

I give you thanks and glory and praise for all that You have done in me and through me this year Lord. And for all that I have been able to be a part of. I count them all as blessings from you - especially the challenging moments. The scars on my hand remind me of Your goodness to me in preserving my life. I look forward to 2013, because I can have the hope of glory in You, and will continue to learn to be joyful, prayerful and thankful for all that You will give me!

I love You Jesus.