Moving on

I've now moved on to - www.linnieooiyl.tumblr.com

It's been a pleasure, blogspotters!

See you on the other side :)

xxx

When I look at my life, I see:

An overflow of laughter, a painful jaw, and a deeper wrinkle

Time spent with lesser people but in deeper conversations

Uncertainties, but convinced that it ought to be that way

Body pump at the gym is often excused

Rest in the night is solitude

Singleness at quarter life is necessary

Marriage is a mystery

Travelling is a luxury

Best friends are missed

Families are there

The marketplace is full of it

That I need perspective

That God is here.

The Little Things

I've been doing this 31 days Wonderstruck challenge, a challenge which encourages you to want to make the intentional move to acknowledge God in our everyday living, and allowing God to wonder-strike you through the little things in our lives. Relationships, prayer, letters to God, stillness, rest, sunsets, sunrise,dreams...are amongst other things. 

The challenge yesterday was to meet and acknowledge God as you watch the sunset. I thought to myself in the morning, but I never get to see one in KL. Not behind high rise buildings and through the office rush home. I'll skip this. But I was so so wrong. As I was returning home from work at Desa Hartamas, I was greeted by the most beautiful sunset  beaming through the skies. So wonderstruck, in my car, I parked at the side of the road and I said to my Lord, "Wow, thank you for this. It's beautiful.".  So my question is, how often do we get to make moments like this with God? I think sometimes the spiritual moments are there, but we don't cease it. I know I often pass it by. Then ask God why is He not working in my life. No no no. It's there. He's working. So let's open our eyes and arms shall we? 

God's hand painting.

Love, out. 

xxx

And there will be no more tears

As I read Hui Wei's painful and heart breaking letter to her late Mother, in more ways than one, I just cannot understand how and why. What's going on with this world? What's going on in people's hearts and minds, body and... spirit.

What's going on?

Tears stream down my face as I read those pure words. Pain and heartaches are so real, that I imagine that no one can ever comprehend Hui Wei's trauma from such a horrible tragedy. No one.

Words cannot describe how I truly feel about this. I look at my Mummy and Daddy, and I said to God - Thank you, for life. Thank you that there is life after death for Hui Wei's mama. Thank you.

Hui Wei's letter in memory of her Mama
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/In-cyberspace-a-daughter-remembers-mother-hero/

Here's to Hui Wei's mama, who is resting in the arms of Jesus. Rest in Peace. 

Wonderstruck

There's something missing. I know it. And I can't sleep at night.

I want to be awaken to God's presence. I want to be restored. I want to take walks with Jesus again, and talk, talk and... talk. I miss Him. My relationship with God is like a coffee chat, a quick catch up, then I'm off. He doesn't deserve it. I know that. I miss Him, a lot.

I'm reading the book called Wonderstruck, by Margaret Feinberg. It's such a wonderful read, and I enjoy how I'm just thinking about God as I'm turning each page. It's like reading a love story about Him, except it's an invitation to encourage you to pick up your Bible and meet Him there.

My favourite quote of Maggie in this book is this -
"For me, praying for pixie dust was an expression of childlike receptivity. More than anything, I wanted Jesus to catch me up in his arms and twirl me in the air".

"Praying for pixie dust is an invitation for God to lavish you with His loving kindness"..

As I was reading this, I thought, I want pixie dust. I want twirling in the air, and falling into Jesus' arms. You must be missing out if you don't any of it. Sounds lovely doesn't it?

I miss God. Do we ever say that enough?

I'm praying for, change. For, wonder. For, life. Surely, there's more.

I challenge you to be wonderstruck!

Love, out. 

Feeling the love

I do feel as though I'm at the stage where I wonder if marriage will happen someday. A home with kids, a handsome husband who loves Jesus, and me being a mom and wife who can cook or bake... you know, the whole package. Some say I'm way too young to begin with. But I really don't think so. I've always wanted to be a young mom and wife. It's my prime time to be doing it at best. Plus, I don't really believe in prolonging a romantic relationship with someone if it's not going to lead towards marriage.

I'm honestly a very dream-eyed girl, who sits in bed and have got everything from the wedding venue, how I'd love my dress to be like, the theme, and who I'd make as bridesmaids, to who I'd ask to officiate the ceremony all planned out - all this, without a prospective husband! I'm just laughing to myself saying, "God, can You actually take me seriously?" Haha. But all kidding aside, I know that I desire a married life with a life partner. I want to spend the rest of my life with a man who loves God, and whom I know will love and cherish me through the best and hard days. I've learnt a great deal about unconditional love as I watch how my mom loves and cherishes dad's life. It's not easy, but as I watch her do it, to me, it's just so worth it. It'll be an honour if I could love like mom does. And I know for sure, that that's who I want to become when I finally meet my husband. How can it go wrong if God orchestrates it? How can it go wrong if this love I'm speaking of is, God. 

I recently found this book which is such a light and easy read, that one chapter a night before you go to bed gives you the satisfaction that God really does want to write your love story. Witty, honest, and unfairy-tale-like! Loved it. It's on loan! 

So as I wait for the right season to date again, my friend Joyce recently sent me this video about waiting for him, called "I will wait for you" by Poet Jannette. Her rich words hits you to the core that you can't go to bed without thinking it.

"when you speak, I will be reminded of Solomon's wisdom, when you lead, I will be reminded of Moses, your faith, will remind me of Abraham, your confidence and God's word will remind me of Daniel, your inspiration will remind me of Paul, your heart for God will remind me of David, your attention to detail will remind me of Noah, your integrity will remind me of Joseph, your ability to abandon your own will, will remind me of the disciples, but your ability to love selflessly and unconditionally will remind me of Christ."

Boom! That's the kind of man I know I deserve :) 

True love, out. xxx

A milestone

Daddy has finally agreed to go back to church (KL Wesley Methodist) with me and Mum :) This is a new milestone people! Mum and Dad's friends were so happy to see them, welcoming the old timers back to the church they have served so faithfully for the past 20 years. It's been 10 months ago since Dad stepped into KL Wesley 3 days before his accident. Well folks, he's back, singing and rejoicing. YES!

Here's something to be joyful about! 

Speaking of singing, Dad's speech therapist explained that singing works from a different part of the brain. So even if you had a speech impairment (from the left part of the brain) which Dad suffers from, he can sing. Dad does sing, especially when it's spontaneous or when he's very familiar with a song like, Amazing Grace. His pronunciation becomes clearer, and he can string the sentences better. We found a guy on American Idol who demonstrates it like no other, and his voice is big and beautiful. Speech impairment or not, he sounds amazing!

I hope he goes far! 

Love, out.

All things new and be inspired

It's a new year. I woke up on 1 January 2013 with this thought in mind;

It is time to close the chapter on last year and to open a new in the coming year. Life doesn't end then, but the beginning of something new. I'm ready to face what my God has prepared ahead of me; may it be greater challenges, bigger adventures, unexpected discoveries, and a renewed spirit to embark on this journey with my Lord.

I wanted to read a book to excite myself about... just life. So.. I started the week reading this book by Patrick Regan, founder of XLP in London titled - "No Ceiling to Hope". A book about troubled youth in East London and South California, living it rough, being all gangster and shooting boys down like life don't matter. Stories we've all probably seen in the news or watched on television before but, Patrick speaks of the hope we have in Jesus like, how do we make use of this hope to change the lives of a troubled community? and how do we be this beacon of hope? XLP is an urban youth charity based in East London which seeks to help transform lives of young people who are involved in gangs,  drugs and very much living a troubled lifestyle. The birth of this charity was a result of a stabbing of teenager at a playground which moved Patrick to start up this organisation to fight against social issues such as these. The more I read about their works, the more inspired I got. Something in me wanted more. So in 2 weeks, I will be visiting one of their projects in Lewisham to learn more about what they do and to find out what God will show me there. I can't wait.

Read it, and you too will be inspired.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: the faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!" - Lamentations 3:21-24

Love, out

Going organic

Francis Dunn, elder of Bangsar Gospel Centre, youth leader and friend recently introduced to me the term "organic church". In other words, as Neil Cole had put it -  taking the whole new meaning of church back to the simpler ways when two or three could meet at a home, at a garage, by the dump site, at a bar, a coffee shop, a rehab clinic.. any place where Jesus can be made known. A church that is brought back to basics, to go out and bring "church" to people.. people who will not or dare not think twice of entering into a building that has the word "church" on it!

Neil draws very important ways on how to begin an organic church movement, and this book definitely has very good insights on how to start, where and most importantly, why. I love how he emphasizes so strongly in his book that it has to start with Jesus. Otherwise, don't do it. It just made me think, that it's so true how often we leave Jesus out of the picture when really, God is the actual painter.

I enjoyed brewing over this book the past few weeks, it gave me a whole new perspective and outlook on what "church" could be or is meant to be and, the way Jesus may have intended it to be :).

A page turner :) 

I then came across the Organic God by my favourite author, Margaret Fienberg which I MUST get my hands on because according to some of her reviews, Maggie shares on how to begin an organic relationship with God and makes very strong scriptural references from the Bible and encounters with this amazing God. I get very excited when I get to read of what God can do in peoples' lives today :) 

Oh and by the way, Margaret recently realised that I've been a big fan of her writings and has requested for me to write a review for her on Amazon once I've read this book! HOW COOL IS THAT? Fine, it's no big deal but a small fry like me just got a bit too excited when I received a personal message from her via Twitter! :D 

Here's to good books over cups of tea/coffee/milo. *slurp* 

Love, out. 

It is Christmas

Here's a thank you note from the family to all who has seen us through and, for that we're tremendously blessed and forever thankful; 

"Sam and I would like to wish you a very Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year 2013.

This is a special time for us as there is much to thank God for and much to look forward into the new year. Indeed God has blessed us with miracles and spared Sam's life to continue serving Him and for us to have more time as a family.

Bless you and thank you for travelling this journey with us.

The marathon started treacherous and gloomy but the knowledge that our loving God is there, not only at the finishing line, but holding our hands every step of the way, guiding our weary feet and picking us up when we stumble, has renewed and reaffirmed to our family that He is indeed great and good!

You have shared our burden, as only God's people could, with your warmth and loving kindness, continued to cheer and will us to the finishing line with your prayers and warm wishes.

The journey is far from over, but we know we are not travelling alone.Thank you and Praise The Lord!"

Sally and Sam

Blessed Christmas to all x 

Love, out. 

December, December

It's December. Year 2013 will take over in a matter of weeks.

Mum and I agreed that this year had gone by very quickly for the family. Ever since Dad's accident in April, time moved on and we've not even stop to take a breather. Next year, will be a new year for us all. We want to make new memories with Dad, and we've vowed to live our lives like never before. Mum wants to take him on a cruise around Europe, travel to Japan and Korea, and go places they've never been before. It's time.

For me, I've decided to quit my first job, realising that perhaps it's really not what I want to be spending my time doing. The work place is great, but the job scope I found was just not suitable for me. This Friday will be my last before I move on. I'm now preparing to work for an NGO called Malaysian Care beginning January. I'm placed in the Prison,Drugs & Aids Patients (PDA) support unit working alongside with Kenneth Wong, Director of the PDA. I don't know what to expect but it's going to be challenging and exciting. I can't wait. It's always been something I've always wanted to do. Surely God has placed me here at the right time for a much bigger purpose.

Will blog more about the exciting work in the future :)

So the family tradition in our home is that each of us will only get one Christmas gift each, so we have to make it count. I've got tons on my list, that either one for me will truly be appreciated!

As mentioned over and over again, I really really want the book by Maggie Freinberg called Wonderstruck I've been a total book nerd by joining her book competitions to win a copy of it! Haha but obviously, it's too good to be true.

So I've added more books to the list -

I've read reviews on The Help and apparently it's really,really good. I've only seen half the film on a plane but fell asleep so I never got to find out the ending. Not too sure if it's the film, or I was just really tired. It's supposedly empowering in areas of human rights, and a true projection of love, and ultimate kindness of a human being who made a difference. By the sound of it, I think it's worth a read! Yes, please :)

Nick's book was translated into various other languages, so it gotta be good! I know this man loves and adores Jesus, and it'd be cool to read how God led his life. Must be truly remarkable. I cannot possibly imagine what it must have been like. Yes, this is definitely a must get I'm sure.

I can picture the month of December being very relaxed, and I look forward to the afternoons indulging in exciting books over a cuppa and, having Frank Sinatra play from the dock. I sound like a granny, but it's nothing like it. Try it :) I've also yet to find a nice chilled out cafe in KL where I can enjoy some reading, and talk to strangers. I'm not a weirdo... but try it! 

It's the Bangsar Youth Camp coming up in 2 weeks in Penang. Exciting times. Whooop!

Here's to a wonderful time of December. 

Love, out. 

Wonderstruck!

I've never been so excited about a book coming out, but I am for this one!! Not too sure if it's going to hit the shelves here in KL, but I supposed Amazon works its wonders.

 A fan of Maggie's writing posted this on Youtube, and now - "I.want.this.book!"

Hilarious!


Teach me how to rap, and I'll rap the gospel! ho ho.


Love, out.

Twenty something

I've been keeping myself occupied with books over a cuppa ever since I started my first job. On my off days of course. I enjoy being home with the parents, and watching Daddy by the day. He walks a lot more at home, his sense of humour is back, and day trips out to the mall is something we all look forward to every weekend. I love being where I'm meant to be. 

I came across this book called "Twentysomething: surviving and thriving in the real world" by Margaret Feinberg and it's just such a good good read! She talks about finding that dream job when hopeful fresh graduates are out and about and how do we deal with a quarter life crisis when things just don't go according to plan. My favourite part of the book is - when she addressed how and why do horrible things happen to Christians at this age; death, tragedies, illnesses...we stop and question God: why now? Every page of this book just made me feel like it was talking to me. It just made me think - wow, I'm not on my own. Millions out there are facing the exact same circumstances - facing hard jobs or finding out what is it that we want to do career wise, family living adjustments and making new friends, lost, and love. Maggie obviously knew what we young punks are going through and she could identify all this factors and linked it to how we should let God take control of every bit of our lives, finding our identity in Him, and fulfilling His purpose for us.

She dedicated a whole chapter on finding the right partner as well, and how we should all not rush into it even if we've attended 5 weddings in a year, and feel like a complete loner. She shared how she was always the single one and obviously questioning if she'll always be. When she finally met her Mr.Right he proposed first by washing her feet, and promising to love her no matter what. How Christ like is that?!? It's as though it's so worth the wait. I loved it. I read over and over again, twice, with a thought in my head and heart - I want that. 

Read it, you'll love it! 

I've become such a huge fan of her writing, that I now can't wait for this one to come out in Christmas. This is definitely going on my list! 

Love, out 

Mum and Dad's Wesley church group came to visit home today, and it brought so much smiles. They worshiped, prayed and really stood or sit in the midst of Jesus. 

That's how great my God is. 

Getting real

I've just started my first job. Very corporate, and very new to me. I'm finding it interesting - learning about securities and the capital market.

Finding it SLIGHTLY hard to wake up every morning, and knowing it's a work day, and dragging myself out of bed is quite a pain. I tell myself that this is what I'm going to be doing for perhaps the next 30 years of my life!! Not exactly motivating, but it's real life! Then, it's facing the traffic jam every morning and after work...... it's just dreadful! Although, I gotta admit that I've got it quite easy as the office is only 15 minutes away from home! :D

Despite my whining and ranting, I know I'm about to face a whole new chapter of my life. I believe there will be hard days, but good days will come and I look forward to a whole new learning experience that will teach me things that could be very invaluable. I pray and ask God to show me everyday how I can be a part of His plan and purpose at this new job place, because honestly, I know I can't walk in on my own. I need my God every step of the way.

Dad has been improving extremely well. He's learning to walk more up the stairs at home now, and his speech is slowly improving by the day. We know that the progress itself will probably take a another year, but watching him try to articulate words is always very encouraging and rewarding for all of us, especially for him.

JS has also left to Birmingham, UK to further his studies.  Mum and Dad of course were sad to watch him leave especially Dad, but pleased that he's finally finishing what is left.

Everyday is a new day for us, and we're all counting our blessings from the Lord above. We're finding so much joy from each other and it can only come from Jesus Himself. 

Love, out.