MERRY CHRISTMAS, people! This Christmas is kind of special for me. First time away from my family in Indonesia and I am totally on my own.

Wise man said this year is not the year to get everything that we want, but to be grateful for everything that we have. The year of 2020 is indeed not an easy year for many people. Everything are upside down and sometime it is not easy to be grateful in difficult situation. I guess we are all learning how to cope with 2020.

For me, 2020 is the year when I learn to trust God and lean on Him even more. I guess when we completely surrender, so many things beyond imagination will happen. God has been very very good to me. He has never failed to amaze me with His love, care, kindness, and even with His rebuke.

I guess… me landed here in Malaysia, is one of the tiny part of “beyond imagination”. My friend said it is a “miracle”, since many people got rejection for their entry permit. I have lost all the hopes actually, but again… “with God on our side, everything is possible”.

And again, God shows his kindness to me. An ex colleague from Indonesia saw my picture in Malaysia and she contacted me a couple of days ago. She has been working in Malaysia for 3 years now. Today, when I sent a Merry Christmas greetings and asked her to meet up, she said YES. God hears my prayer and send me a friend in Christmas Day.

I spent my Christmas having dinner with Mbak Alfin. She treated me a dinner in Red Kettle, a nice restaurant in Starling Mall, just beside my apartment building. Then we had coffee in Starbuck. It felt so good to have a real contact and conversation in person, and not through zoom or teams meeting.

Well, of course I called my mom and dad, sister, brother, and we all had good conversation via video call. My mom tried so hard to make me not feeling very lonely during Christmas. Mom… well, always be a mom, right! I am grateful that they are healthy and celebrating Christmas safely at home.

I am grateful… super grateful for 2020 and for my first Christmas in Malaysia. Again… God has been very very good to me. He hears me and my prayers, even to my smallest wishful thinking.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Wishing you a Christmas season full of joy, love, and peace. May we remember to always be grateful for all God has done this year. God is faithful and His loving kindness endures forever.

Petaling Jaya, December 25, 2020