Beautiful Memories

18 May 2010, another new page to write on. Stepped into our fourth year. Dinner for two at Fiorelli. We have been there once last year. If we left Melbourne one day, perhaps that is the only restaurant we will never ever forget because it has become our memory.    

A day-trip to Philip Island on 22 May 2010. It was great to stay close to the nature once in a blue moon. No studies, no work... Only relax.    

Straight through our heart..

Jaclyn has finally graduated - majoring in International Business and minoring in Asian Business and this is probably one of the largest photo-taking group ever. This is the fellowship that we are sharing ups and downs now. Not only in the church we meet them, some of us are even staying together too. Seriously, we never have thought that we would have known so many people in such a short term.

Life, one thing that is hardly explainable through words. It is also the major thing that God has planned for all of us. Being unnoticed throughout our life is probably one thing that we've been trying to do all these while, to avoid conflicts and unhappiness. We enjoy being just the normal person in anything so that no one takes us as rivals or anything else.

Recently, we're struggling a bit in some decisions. We do not know whether the steps that we are taking are pleasing God or not. However, "do not fear man, fear God" is what keeps on echoing in our minds. We truly understand that whatever we plan or do, God will direct the way but are we really suitable? We have no idea. Only He knows. Therefore, we decided to leave it all to God because we believe that whatever God brings us to, He will bring us through.

For this is God, our God forever and ever, He will be our guide even to death. (Psalm 48:14)

Our Journey

May 18. A new year started today.

In the past two years, we have walked through ups and downs together.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Patient, faithful and tolerant bring happiness.

Happenings

6 March 2009, it was Justin's birthday. Initially, churchmates wanted to give him a surprise but... I did not know, so I told him that churchmates would come to our place that night.

Forgot the date. An outing with CMYF at Wattle Park. Activities we had: BBQ, praise and worship, games and sharing.

4 April 2009, my birthday. However, celebrated it a day in advance. That was a real surprise. Reached home around 8 something. Sitting in front of the notebook. An hour later, door bell rang. Few minutes later, churchmates came in with birthday cake.

10 April 2009, Justin and I went to the Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne. It was crowded. Many families were having picnic there.

13 April 2009, a visit to Point Nepean National Park with CMYF. Both of us did not go for the bicycle ride as I have no confidence to ride up the hill. After the visit, we had lunch at Mornington town. Later, we went to Sorento Beach.

Those are the places we went. It is going to be a busy month as many assignments are waiting for us :D

Praise the Lord!

Still remember when I post about me losing faith and got it back after struggling for a while? Well, let me tell you what God has done for me.

Just to let you know that I still didn't get my visa the day before I fly here. It was frustrating but I found a solution to come to Melbourne which was getting on the plane with a tourist visa and then re-apply for my student visa when I touch down in Melbourne. That was the plan even when I got on the plane to Kuala Lumpur. But God's works were so amazing! He actually approved the student visa that morning before I fly to Australia!

In my head, I yelled at myself.. "WHY DOUBT HIM?!" Shame on me, really.

Being able to see Jaclyn physically makes a lot of difference in my life. It's like whenever you feel mistreated or troubled, thinking about her will eventually get you out of them. I'm so glad that I have her with me now. But the only problem is that I start to miss my family now. :S

Anyhow, don't stop visiting our blog. Although it has not been as active as the past now, we are still around. Plus, we still hope to write more (which we will)!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

One Day Trip

It has been a long time since our last update due to our packed schedules. The hot weather in Melbourne is driving us crazy. 40-44 celsius degree for a week. If you asked us how the heat feel like, well, our answer is: It is like having sauna.

We joined the one day trip organised by the church's youth fellowship on 17 January 2009. Departed from Southbank. The belows were the photos taken along Yarra River.

This particular photo was taken by Mandy while she was playing with JT's camera. We did not purposely pose for it though because it was taken without our notice. Both of us love this photo a lot.

After a long ride, we finally reached our destination - Williamstown. Photos below were taken at the Williamstown Botanic Garden and Williamstown Beach.

A map from Williamstown Info. The red line indicates the journey we took from Southbank to Williamstown that day. It is not necessary to go by the ferries. You can go by train or car as well (walk there? no one will disallow too. haha.)

Lucky Draw: Winner!!

2008 has ended. How was your 2008?

It is 1 January 2009. First of all, we would like to wish everyone Happy New Year. Secondly, like promised, the winner of our first ever lucky draw will be revealed today. Are you the lucky one?

Here comes the most exciting part. The winner is "tiffanie.tan@123.321" (to prevent spam).

Congratulations!

The winner will receive a mysterious gift from us. However, please respond to our email within 3 days. If the winner fails to do so, a new winner will be drawn.

Thank you to all for your participation. Current subcriptions will not be canceled. Like what we have mentioned earlier, we may have the next lucky draw anytime soon. Who will be the next lucky star?

Thank you for following Our Journey. We really enjoy sharing about us and we hope to keep doing this. Feel free to drop some feedback because only through that, we can improve.

Happy new year and have a blessed year!

I feel.. but God says..

Days of waiting for my student visa application to be finalized were unbearable which also caused me started to lose faith in God. I thought that I could leave my burden to Him and He would carry them for me yet, it seemed like He had abandon me but it was Jaclyn's reminders that woke me up from the darkness.

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26)

I completely gone out of track and was mad at God for ditching me. I felt as if He disliked me and overlooked me but after I said those words out of my mouth, I felt so pressured and guilty. I feared of Him because I knew that I had done something terribly wrong and so ashamed of myself.

I once told Jaclyn to draw a bubble in the center of a blank paper. In the bubble, I asked her to put herself into it. Then, whatever troubles that she faced would be drawn in the other bubbles all linked to her bubble. You can try while reading this, try to draw as below:

Yes, if you look at it.. it seems like I am facing a bunch of problems. But it is also because I am too self-centered. I believe that most of us are equally selfish. We often look for self-benefits in a matter that we overlook the importance of God's kingdom. We're supposed to spread His words and not to destroy Him yet somehow, we often do things without thinking over it first.

As you can see, it is impossible for me to handle all of these alone but Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God". (Luke 18:27)


So.. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour." (Psalm 42:5)

Shame on me for my little faith. Shame on me for my fear. I never should have doubted Him but fortunately, Jaclyn knocked sense into me. I guess this is our way to encourage each other. Everytime when one of us falls, we will definitely motivate each other with His words. That's how we are comforted and feel peace.

I will never confess or focus on doubt and a lack of faith anymore because "God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

No, not there yet!!

Hey people, the subscription for our lucky draw is now officially closed! The total of eligible subscription that we've received is 17. However, you can still continue to subscribe to our blog. Like what I've mentioned earlier, who knows.. we may have the next lucky draw anytime soon? Plus, the more readers, the more motivation we gain. We will be extremely delighted to see the numbers growing everyday.

So, in these few days, we'll try to compile the emails. Like promised, the winner will be revealed on the first day of 2009 - 1 January 2009. Then, the winner of this lucky draw will receive a mysterious gift from us. However, if the winner does not respond to our email within 3 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Anyhow, I guess that some of you might have heard a little. Yes, I am not in Australia yet. I'm supposed to be flying over yesterday morning to celebrate Christmas with Jaclyn and enjoy shopping today which is Boxing day. But the fact that my application for student visa has been dragging for a while due to my medical history, is disappointing.


I'm sad, she is sad, and my family is sad as well because I actually have to pay some amount of money to change my flight to 7 January 2009. If you wonder why I have to pay for the change, well.. it is because I am flying with Air Asia X. That is probably the biggest drawback of the airline but I can't really blame them. There are only a few days left to 7 January 2009 and my class will commence on the 8th. I just hope that they will process my application swiftly so that I can fly on time. Otherwise, I seriously have no idea on what to do next.

Be that as it may, stay tune for the next update! And also, the 17 subscribers.. PRAY HARD! One of you guys may be the lucky winner! :D

Lifestyle In Countryside

Many people dream of luxuriant city life. Big shopping malls, nice apartments, high-classed restaurant, bars, branded clothing, luxury cars... Busy work, study, tuition, noise, clubbing... Activities go all night long. That is the lifestyle in city. Bustling, sleepless.

In contrast, both of us love countryside. If we were rich, we will buy a farm, with a cosy cottage, animals, vegetables, fruits, flowers, pond... Stressless and worriless, that is the lifestyle in countryside. Beauty of nature, that is the greatest of the world. Everything is non-polluted. I love the nature, it sends me carefree and joyous. That was the reason I joined scouts in high school. On the other hand, my beloved loves photography a lot. He also can take many photos of the nature.

Hope that the day will come.