#lina lifting it with oma!!!

[mnovenia]

October 2018 - Herfst (Another Autumn in the Netherlands)

It’s been >2months now living in this new city of Utrecht. Settling with working environment, home, social life and church. 

It’s not been the hardest road, but not the easiest as well. 

1. I found that I try so hard to please my boss and struggle to make friends at office. Seems like my approach is too quiet/reserve/boring/insecure/too serious. I feel like I press myself too hard to end up by getting an actual job at this office, that’s why when I don’t feel like I impress my coworkers I felt so dumb and insecure. I don’t really close with anyone apart from Jola, but these days my relationship with Nhung gets better, I also get to talk more with Jody, Mark and Hannah. I love Friday lunch because I can get out to have lunch with the IT team+Petra+Masouda etc. I heard the new intern will come soon as well, so I hope I can get along with him soon #fingercrossed

2. I have few problem at home with my dad, it’s just not as smooth and we seem just get farther, my intention to care about him is just getting less and less. Need prayer in this area I guess. Bro is not helping either :) Money is a pain and issue among us always.. Just try my best..

3. I get a bit in distance with my close friends as well, michelle n shan are busy preparing their wedding (I can’t help much this time), mayang n lina are also busy, I get to call with Patty which is nice, with LOCS we don’t really talk anymore, groni friends are all over places now, bu abeth, pak suwandi paling.. 

4. PRAISE PRAISE GOD for I passed my thesis proposal so I feel less pressured about school stuff, but now struggling hard to stay focus and making progress on my thesis. So many distraction, need prayer too

5. Highlight of my life here is the church. Today is my 1st time serving at Shofar. For the 1st time I saw both Pastors are actually do the ‘dirty job’. Renee was brooming the floor when I came, Dirk Jan was lifting chairs and moving tables :( But they spent time to teach me to vacuum the carpet, set up tables, making coffee, setting tea, cleaning the toilet, boiling water and many more. I feel like I have another opa/oma, ones that I missed having of (or pretty much never really feel growing up having oma). She welcomed me, hug, touch, tell me honestly, praise that she’s thankful, ahh Renee is everything. She’s honest, firm, to the point, funny and truly have a gentle spirit, such a role model. I love having her preach, so funny. Dirk Jan on the other hand is more serious but doesn’t lose his humorous personality. He is truly a father figure that gives me hug, welcome me, figuring out why coffee machine is not working, tall and strong to carry/fix everything, also wise while preaching truth. 

In general, I’m glad that I stick with this church where God called me. Ever since I meet regularly with my Singaporean treasure Eunice, then she encourage me to join Woman Affirmed event where I get to be closer with Eunice La Grange, Carlijn, Jolande and of course Renee. I love how they worship (Marco & Jolande), I can really tell that they are righteous people and love the lord with all their heart. This week I’ll try to come to the small group, and see how God is doing through it, wishmeluck!

During women affirmed session, I also learn about dutch verse: ‘’lekker in je eigen vel’’ which means be comfortable in your own skin. I grow up with my mom telling me to NEVER burden anyone else, to put yourself last, to not bragging on your own (youre not that good) which sometimes I value, but also not true according what the bible told us. Believing on those statements actually make me feel unworthy and less and not loved.