Closer Than Before: A Year-End Prayer

The years 2024-2025 were some of the most challenging seasons of my life. There were days filled with questions, nights heavy with tears, and moments when the whys felt louder than the answers. In the midst of the pain, I confess that I did not always see Your reasons, Lord. I did not always understand what You were doing. 

Yet now, as this year comes to an end, I pause, and I thank You.

Thank You, Lord God, for never letting go of me, even when I struggled to hold on to You. Thank You for drawing me closer through the very trials that almost broke me. Thank You for answering my prayers, not always with what I wanted, but with lessons. Lessons etched into my heart, lessons I know I will carry forever. 

You already know what is in my heart, O Lord. Every unspoken hope, every quiet fear, every longing I could not put into words. And now, as the year 2026 stands just hours away, I come before You with a humble prayer: let what I have started with You continue. Let my walk with You grow deeper, stronger, and more sincere. Teach me not only to seek You in desperate moments, but to remain close to You in every season.

Please bless me, Lord. Bless my whole family and my friends. Cover us with your grace, guide us with you wisdom, and surround us with Your peace. You are my God, my Savior, my refuge, my stronghold.

I choose not to fear, for You are with me.

I choose not to be dismayed, for You are my God.

I know You will help me.

I know You will strengthen me. 

And I know you will uphold me with the righteous right hand of Your love and faithfulness. 

On this promise, I stand.

Thank You, Lord, for the past, for the present, and for the future You are already holding. Into this new year, I place my trust in You - fully, willingly, and wholeheartedly. Amen. 💛

Understanding Jeremiah 29:11

 Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord....

It is often shared as a message of immediate comfort, spoken over dreams, plans, and waiting seasons. But when you read in its original context, this verse becomes even more powerful, though far less comfortable. 

Because Jeremiah 29:11 was spoken not to people living their best lives, but to people living in exile - people who were displaced, grieving, and far from what they once knew. And somehow, that makes the promise feel even more real.

Hope Was Spoken to the Broken

The audience of this promise was the Jewish captives in Babylon, people who had lost their homes, their temple, their land, and their sense of security. They were not where they wanted to be. There were not free. And yet, it was to them, that God said, "I know the plans I have for you.."

This tells us something important: God's plans are not cancelled by displacement, loss, or discipline.

Not Everyone Received the Same Promise

Just a few verses later (Jeremiah 29:17-18), God speaks of sword, famine, and pestilence - but this time, to those who remained in Jerusalem. They believed staying behind meant safety and favor. But God call them "bad figs" while the exiles are called "good figs" in an earlier vision (Jeremiah 24)

A Promise with a Timeline

Jeremiah 29:11 is connected to a difficult truth just one verse earlier:

"After seventy years are completed..." (Jeremiah 29:10)

God's promise included waiting. Seventy years meant that many who first heard the promise would not personally see its fulfillment. The hope was real, but it required endurance, faith, and trust across generations.

This challenges our modern understanding of hope. We often want God's plans to fix things quickly. But biblical hope is not about speed. It is about certainty.

What This Means for Us Today

Jeremiah 29:11 does not promise an easy road. It promises that God is present even in displacement. That suffering is not meaningless. And that the future is secure, even when the present is painful. 

When life feels like Babylon, foreign, heavy, and far from what we prayed for, it may actually be the place where God is shaping our future most carefully.

Hope does not always come wrapped in comfort. Sometimes it comes wrapped in endurance. But the same God who allowed the exile also planned the restoration. 

And if God could say "I know the plans I have for you.."  to a people in chains, then He can still speak hope into our waiting, our losses, and our long nights. 

Because hope, in Scripture, is not the absence of hardship. It is the promise that hardship will not have the final word.

The Beauty of Unexpected Friendships

Bui's Squad

Life has a quiet way of surprising us, and sometimes those surprises come in the form of people we never planned to love this deeply.

I never imagined being part of this group. We didn't start as friends. Most of us were nurses, and worked at the same station, that was actually its greatest advantage. Being in the same place allowed us to understand one another more deeply. We simply knew when someone needed help, a break, or just a quiet moment of understanding. What began as a shared workplace slowly became a shared bond, turning colleagues into friends, and the station into a place of connection, not just duty. 

We came from different backgrounds, carried different stories, and walked into each other's lives for different reasons. Yet somehow, without forcing it, we became a circle.

Our friendship didn't just happen overnight. It grew slowly - in shared laughter, in awkward silences, in late conversations that stretch longer than intended. And I started to realize that these people around me are becoming my safe place. Because they are the ones who show up not because they have to, but because they want to.

Now let me introduce each of them as I came to know them.

First up: Marvin, a.k.a. Bui.

Bui is that rare kind of human who is a guy by gender but a girl at heart, and honestly, the world is better because of it. He is kind, genuine, and so pure-hearted that trying to think of something negative about him feels illegal. Seriously, my brain refuses.

I got to know him when he was my Head Nurse, and wow… this is where his magic really shows. He has this rare gift of making people laugh even in the toughest situations, when everything feels heavy and overwhelming. I remember countless times during busy shifts when tensions were high, and somehow Bui would crack a joke, flash his trademark smile, and the whole team would breathe easier. His humor isn’t just funny, it’s healing. His presence alone could lift the room.

But what really sets Bui apart is his heart. He notices the small things whether it’s checking on someone who looks exhausted, offering advice when you’re struggling, or quietly staying back to help without being asked. He has this amazing ability to make people feel seen, valued, and appreciated, and that’s a rare gift.

Leadership came naturally to him. Not the bossy kind, not the “do this, do that” kind, but the I’ve-got-your-back kind. He’s the type of leader who won’t leave you hanging, won’t walk away when things get hard, and will stay with you until the very end.

Let’s talk about Kristal, a.k.a. Taltal.

First of all, this girl is pretty. No debates. No objections. Case closed.

I first met Kristal when she became my mentor while I was still new at the hospital. Right away, we found our common ground: we were both nurses who had previously worked in Saudi Arabia. So yes, she knows how to speak Arabic and yes, that little connection pretty much kick-started our friendship.

Kristal is the kind of person who speaks with zero filter. Like… none. Brutally honest? That’s her brand. Sometimes what she says might sting especially if you actually did something wrong. But the truth is, she never says anything just to hurt you. She says what needs to be said, whether you’re ready for it or not.

She gets angry. She calls you out. She tells you the things you might not want to hear but absolutely need to hear. And yet, here’s the best part. She will never leave you behind. No matter what.

That’s what I love about her. Kristal may scold you, lecture you, or emotionally slap you with the truth… but when things get hard, she stands beside you. She won’t let you fight alone. Ever. And honestly? That kind of loyalty hits different. Oh, and by the way, she is still single. :)

Now let’s talk about Jean 

I didn’t get to know Jean right away, mostly because I was too shy to talk to her. My first impression? I thought she was snob, strict, and probably not the easiest person to approach. Clearly… I was very wrong.

As it turns out, Jean is the complete opposite of that first impression. She is warm, chatty, lively, and full of stories. The kind of person you can listen to over and over again and never get bored because everything she shares comes straight from the heart, full of passion and sincerity.

And when she smiles - ahhh - those dimples. I honestly wish I had them. One smile from Jean and the whole room just feels lighter.

She’s a simple girl living a simple life, yet somehow she carries the most extraordinary love story of her own. The kind that doesn’t need to be loud or flashy. Just real, beautiful, and quietly inspiring.

And now, it’s Nikka’s turn.

I actually already knew Nikka before, because she attended Lee’s baptism. But let me be honest, I completely forgot about it… to the point that she had to remind me. Oops. Memory fail aside, I’m very glad we found our way back to each other.

What do I loooove most about this woman? Easy. Her food.
Cookies? Yes.
Spaghetti? Absolutely.
Mango float? Say less.
And that’s just the beginning. Anything Nikka prepares comes with love and probably disappears very fast.

She’s the kind of person who is incredibly easy to love because she is, quite simply, lovable. Everything she says comes straight from the heart. No pretenses, no drama, just sincerity.

And when Nikka gets angry? Oh, you’ll know. Not because she shouts or explodes but because she goes completely quiet. Silent. Peaceful-looking… yet deadly serious. She can stay that way for an entire shift, no words wasted.

But here’s what makes Nikka truly special: she is deeply trustworthy. If you are her friend, she will never allow anyone to talk negatively about you behind your back. She will defend you, stand up for you, and fight for you when you’re not around.

That loyalty, that heart, that’s Nikka. And that’s exactly why we love her.

Let’s talk about Darl, also known as Quinn.

What can I say about the long-lost twin of Sarah Lahbati? Because honestly she is a spitting image. I even sent her a photo of Sarah Lahbati once and told her, “Quinn, kamukha mo.” And of course, being the humble soul that she is, she brushed it off and replied, “She’s too beautiful, ate.”

Well… there you go. Probably one of the most humble people I’ve ever met.

Quinn isn’t just pretty on the outside. She’s even more beautiful on the inside. In our group, the moment she cracks a joke, it’s game over. Laughter everywhere. Non-stop. She’s bubbly, cute, kind, and effortlessly funny, the kind of person whose energy instantly lifts the mood.

And here’s something I truly admire about her: Quinn is a one-man woman. When she loves, she loves only one. No confusion, no distractions. Even if a hundred men lined up begging for her attention, her heart already knows where it belongs.

That’s something we both share. We stand on the same ground. One-man women, through and through. And that loyalty, that sincerity, that beautiful heart? That’s exactly what I love about her.

Her name is Esther Sundae, but we all call her Kimmy.

Another pretty lady in the group, but not just pretty. She’s the kind of pretty that could easily walk into a pageant and come out wearing a crown. Miss Universe vibes, honestly. And just when you think that’s enough, surprise! She’s also very smart.

Kimmy is the type who understands things with just one simple instruction. One. Meanwhile the rest of us are still processing. Like… how does that even work? Hahaha. She already has everything. Pretty, smart, kind, simple. Come on, Kimmy. Leave some blessings for the rest of us.

But what I admire most about her is how unpretentious she is. No airs, no drama, just genuine goodness. She’s one of the most accommodating people I’ve ever known.

She has helped me in so many ways, especially when I was still working as a clinical instructor. There were times I needed books, and without a single question, she let me borrow all of hers. And do you know what she said?

“Take your time, ate. You can give them back when you’re done.”

That simple line says everything about her heart. I am truly blessed to have someone like Kimmy in my life, and I can’t thank God enough for placing her in it.

We’re down to the last two, and now let’s talk about Mevee, a.k.a. Love.

Another literally pretty woman in the group, inside and out. Her real name is Mevee Love, and most people call her Mev or Mevee. But once we got closer, I earned the privilege of calling her by her real nickname: Love.

And honestly? The name fits her perfectly.

Love is exactly what she is. Pure love wrapped in kindness and simplicity. She’s the type of girl who loves to hug, the kind of hug that feels safe, warm, and real. The kind you didn’t know you needed until you got one.

She is also fiercely loyal. This is the kind of person who will never betray you, never drop names, and never talk behind your back no matter how difficult the situation gets. If you could read her mind, it would probably say: “You can say whatever you want, but you will never hear it from my mouth.” And she means that, even if it costs her something.

That’s why she’s a keeper.

She hates attention, and if she ever gets angry, don’t panic. Give her a few hours and she’ll be okay. But fair warning: if you hurt her deeply, don’t expect things to go back exactly the same. She forgives, but she remembers. And that’s just honesty, not bitterness.

I love this person deeply. She is one of the reasons my life feels beautiful and I am so grateful she’s part of it.

Last, but definitely not the least, Jhulia.

Her name alone already says so much: Jolly, Honest, Understanding, Lovable, Important, and Admirable. Every letter fits her perfectly.

Jhulia is an integral part of the group, very much like Bui. She’s responsible, dependable, and a natural leader. The kind people naturally trust and feel safe with. But what makes her even more admirable is her humor. Every word that comes out of her mouth carries joy. You don’t just hear her. You feel her.

Honestly, the group would never be complete without her. She is that missing piece that quietly holds everything together.

Even though there’s more than a decade between our ages, the maturity she carries in everything she does deserves nothing but respect. It’s the kind of maturity that isn’t forced, it’s earned, lived, and deeply rooted.

Jhulia brings so much joy, authenticity, pure love, and honesty into my life. I truly can’t thank the Lord enough for blessing me with a person like her.

And with her, the circle feels whole. 💛

Looking back, I feel so blessed to have crossed paths with all of these incredible people. Bui, Kristal, Jean, Nikka, Quinn, Kimmy, Love, and Jhulia. Each one of them is unique, yet together, they create a circle full of laughter, loyalty, love, and unforgettable memories. They are more than friends; they are family by choice. Every story, every joke, every shared moment reminds me how lucky I am to know them. Honestly, life is brighter, sweeter, and just… better because they are in it. And for that, I can only be grateful. I love you everyone. See you, when I see you. 

P.S

Sorry, I think I forgot 1 more person. Sir Oppa.

Well, as everyone knows, he is my husband. And the Love of my Life. Nothing more to say. :D

Jacob: A Life Shaped by Struggle and Grace

Let's talk about the story of Jacob (Genesis 25-50)

Jacob is one the great patriarchs of the Bible - The son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham. His life is recorded mainly in the book of Genesis, and it is a story of struggle, transformation, and God's faithfulness. 

Jacob entered the world holding onto a heel.

From the very beginning, his life was marked by striving, reaching for what was ahead of him, grasping for a place that did not yet belong to him. He was born the younger twin, overshadowed by Esau's strength, and birthright, yet driven by quiet hunger for blessing.

And so, Jacob took shortcuts.

He bargained a bowl of stew for his brother's birthright. He listened when his mother whispered a plan, and wrapped himself in deception, stealing a blessing meant for another. When the truth came out, Jacob did not stand his ground. He ran.

Running from his brother's anger, Jacob slept under an open sky, resting his head on a stone. He was alone, afraid, and far from deserving, and yet, that was the very place where God reached him.

In his dream, Jacob saw heaven reached down to earth, a stairway filled with angels, and the voice of God offering promises he had not worked for or deserved. "I am with you" God said. Jacob woke in awe, realizing that God had met him in that place. He called in Bethel, the house of God, and for the first time, his faith felt real and personal.

But transformation is never instant. 

Years later, Jacob experienced deception from the other side. After laboring seven years for the woman he loved, he was betrayed and married her sister instead. The one who once deceived now understood the pain of being deceived. Long nights of work, extended seasons of waiting, and tangled family relationships slowly and painfully shaped him. Still, even in that place, God continued to bless him.

When Jacob finally turned toward home, fear walked beside him. Esau was coming. The past was catching up. 

On a lonely night by the river, Jacob wrestled not with his brother, but with God. The struggle lasted until dawn. Jacob refused  to let go without a blessing, and in that moment, God did something unexpected. He did not just bless Jacob. He renamed him.

"You shall no longer be called Jacob" God said, "but Israel - because you have struggled with God and prevailed."

Jacob walked away wounded, yet transformed. The struggle left its mark on his body, but it also gave him a new name and a new way of living. He was no longer driven by grabbing what he wanted. He had learned how to cling to God.

When Jacob finally faced Esau, the moment he feared most became the moment of grace. Forgiveness met him where fear once lived. Tears replaced anger. Embraces replaced revenged. God had gone before him.

In the later years, Jacob had 12 sons, who became the 12 tribes of Israel. Among them was Joseph, who was sold into slavery but later rose to power in Egypt. Through Joseph, Jacob's family was saved during a severe famine. 

Jacob eventually moved to Egypt, where he blessed his sons before his death. 

Jacob's story is not about perfection. It is about persistence. 

It is about God who meets us on the run, wrestles with us in the dark, and refuses to let us remain the same. Jacob's life tells us this truth: God is not afraid of our struggle. He uses it to shape us. 

And sometimes, the blessing comes with a limp. And sometimes, that limp is how we remember that we have met God.

I hope you like his story. 

God bless everyone!

Thank you for taking the time to read the story all the way to the end. Your time and attention truly mean so much. :)

What We See Is Not Always the Truth

We live in a world that constantly tells us to trust what we see. Photos, headlines, social media posts, facial expressions, and even silence are often taken as facts. Yet, time and experience gently remind us of a deeper reality: what we see is not always the truth.

So much of life happens beneath the surface. A smile can hide exhaustion. Success can mask loneliness. Silence may not mean peace coz it may mean someone is fighting battles they do not know how to name. We judge moments from the outside, unaware of the storms ranging within.

The human eye is limited, but the human heart is even more complex. We see actions, but we don't always know intentions. We hear words, but we may miss the wounds behind them. We notice outcomes, but rarely the sacrifices, prayers, tears, and sleepless nights that led there. This is why quick judgments are often unfair and dangerous.

Even in faith, this truth remains. In the Bible, God repeatedly reminds us that He sees differently than we do. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7) 

What appears like delay may actually be protection. What feels like loss, may be preparation. What seems like rejection, could be redirection. 

There are seasons when life looks broken, confusing or unfair. From the outside, it may appear that God is silent or absent. But just because we cannot see Him working does not mean He is not. Faith is learning to trust beyond sight, to believe beyond evidence, and to rest in the unseen. 

This truth also calls us to live with compassion. When we remember that what we see is not the whole story, we become slower to judge and quicker to love. We learn to listen more, assume less, and extend grace where we once extended criticism. Everyone is carrying something, some burdens are simply invisible.

In the end, truth is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it is quiet, hidden, and unfolding slowly. What we see may shape our perception, but it should never define our conclusions. There is always more than meets the eye.

May we learn to see with understanding, believe with faith, and love with patience. And remembering that what we see, is not always the truth.