The Beautiful Mess of 2016

It is been some time ever since my last blog post. What happened for these past five months? 
Beyond words, but since 2017 is like few days away I would like to record my bits and pieces of 2016.

1. Landing on DSA Ground

Early this year I landed on my first full time job in Beijing. After applying here and there, few interviews at last I found somehow the job I would love to do. I worked in Dezan Shira & Associates before as business development and marketing assistant. I was trained to work really outside my comfort zone, delivering reports that I have to check gazillion times before I pressed the send button, and working in the environment mixed between locals and expats. Well there were days when I was literally feel suffocated by travelling from Shaoyaoju to Guomao daily but DSA has taught me a lot more than just work work but endurance and stepping outside the comfortable bubble in the professional level. 

2. The Genesis of Fleurdelys

Every time I recall how He put this passion in my heart, I smile. Girls and flowers, oh come on who does not like flowers? It was last year during my 21^st birthday in Beijing that I received a fresh blue hydrangea. How I wish I can get it daily but again I thought it’s impossible to run my own flower studio. But my passion grows every time there were birthday surprise, I have to rely on local florist and the way flowers being arranged is just meh. See how I spot the need; I believe I am not alone. Then it leads to a phone call with Sherly, a Sunday meeting with Jenny and Gaby. Trust me people; it was not an easy peasy thing to run a business from zero level ground but we made it :’) I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parent too who support me simply by saying “Go do it, Elle! We support you” via our weekly wechat call. Check our portfolio on here. 

3. Graduations and The Happiest Place on Earth

A little flashback, Beijing has never been my dreamland for my undergraduate study. It was the least least or let me say I have never put this city in my list but again His way has always been higher than mine and the story continues. For me personally graduation means winning over my comfort zone, I learnt a lot more than the textbook and classroom activities. Graduation means winning over the hustle bustle and tough life in Beijing. I survive four years in this land all by His strength. I would never regret my decision (well my madre’s decision actually) to go to Beijing because there I found my love for Christ. For meeting my small group fambam – that's one of the best thing ever happened in my whole 22 years of living.  To close the Beijing journey, my family visited me and we went to Shanghai Disneyland grand opening. You know the feeling when you visited Disneyland and end the day by watching fire works with beauty and the beast song in the air? That is exactly how He celebrated my Beijing journey; the Disneyland fire works was a celebration from Him especially for me.

4. Leizhou and My 22nd Birthday

My dearly mentor once told me how I am such a little ambassador of Christ. Since then I always hold that statement in my heart. Education has always been part of my heart and He totally knows it. On my last month in China, He gave me the opportunity to serve the under privileged school in Leizhou. I have no idea where in the world is this town, did not dare to tell my madre about this too :P I took 8 hours bullet train to Guangzhou, stayed there for a night before another 8 hours bus trip to this unknown land. It was blazing 35 degree celcius hot, all the volunteers have to walk from our homestay to school. We stay at school from 8am to 5pm everyday from preparing, teaching, and checking student's works. It was the best birthday I have ever had in my entire life! Being able to teach to these kids although they literally look down on my Chinese skill -__-" since I dont look like any Caucasian yet I have broken Chinese. Oh well I was just there for a week, I shed 3 kgs but gained kilos of joy and happiness. You all are truly my bundle of joy who always remind me not to give up on my dream. Prayerfully one day I have the opportunity to serve back again! 

5. For Good, May Be?

I hope one day whatever I type in this paragraph will be a great reminder of His promises. On August 1 2016, I have to leave the city that I proudly called as my second home. Actually my flight supposed to be on July 31 but heaven knows how Sunday service in IC means to me, my flight got cancelled. The past five months of my life back in Jakarta was not a fun end game at all. There are days where I cursed myself for taking such a wrong decision to go home. Days when I question His promise, days when I wish I can just stay in my comfortable bubbles. Going home means starting everything from zero again - finding the right job, home church and community. This is yet to be continued story but even in my brokenness, He deserves my worship.

6. Landing on Axioo Ground

I know it sounds so fafafoom but after months of question mark and constant puzzlement, I have landed on Axioo. This is my first full time job back in my own nation. Well I am trilled yet confused on why am I here again in the land of aesthetic seekers where usually I used to wake up in cash cow kind of land. Grateful that He gave me the key to enter the creative Alice in Wonderland world! Feeding my eyes with daily doze of all the beautiful photos, with a little help of caffeine and cake of course.

As a planner freak as I can be, my 2017 agenda is still empty. I thought I will be flying to Sydney for my master but He has leaded me to a land I have never thought before.  I thought I will be working in consultant industry but He saved me by taking back the steering wheel I have tried to control on my own. It was not easy to surrender and to trust but since the day I received the news that my scholarship application was rejected – I am totally left motionless. This lyric by Laura Story just reminds me of His divine promises. Thank you 2016, its been a beautiful yet messy and chaotic year to cherish.

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

What if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise