FANTASTICALLY TRUE STORIES

On Sunday I attended a church in Karlsruhe Durlach for the first time. On Tuesday I received a phone call from them. The lady on the phone asked me how I feel about their service and if I’m interested to come again. Then, she asked me if I am a believer, when and why. I had a flashback…

::: LIVE WITH THE SENSE OF WONDER

We are blissfully unaware of some basic things that make you function:
how to swallow, how to talk, how to walk.
Imagine if you loose these basic abilities.

I never knew what disability felt like until I was diagnosed with DIPG, an incurable tumor growing in my brainstem.
A month before my 36 birthday, my biggest wish was to be able to swallow again.

In a strange way when that wish came true. It’s a magnificent sensation just to be able to drink earl grey tea and eat Nussschnecke (a delicious German pastry) on my birthday. It made me extremely joyful and feel marvelled.

Then, I started to be able to stand-up and walk, I traveled, I am loved by my husband, I’m supported by my friends, I experienced so many good things, which I shared with you in my every posts. 

These past two years, my heart is easily overflowing with the feelings of wonder and enchantment, 
it is fascinating how that makes me feel so grateful and feel so fragile at the same time.

::: LIVE WITH THE TRUTH 

Since I mostly stay home these days, I often follow the news of what’s going on in the world from the news channels on YouTube.

Many news report financial problems, environmental problems, political problems, justicial problems.
All have one thing in common:
The ‘why’ is conspicuously absent.
Why is our freedom valuable? Why are our lives valuable? Why is our self-sustenance valuable?

How can we talk about liberty, about justice, about beauty, about equality without a transcending point of reference?

I recognize that we have the reference. The Bible show me that these things are enveloped in the Christ Jesus. He is the ultimate truth, the ultimate way and the ultimate life. There are fantastically true stories in the Bible, not fantasy stories.

::: LIVE WITH HIS IMAGE

I went to cinema with Kayan and watched the movie Lion King. It’s an anime, but one scene still successfully made me cry.

Adult Simba is looking for his father, Mufasa. As he looks into the pond of water, he sees his reflection. Rafiki, the prophet monkey advices him to look harder. Then, Simba’s reflection changes to that of Mufasa. “You see? He lives in you”, said Rafiki.
……..

Do you remember this story in the Bible:
Tax collectors looked at Jesus and asked Him “is it alright to pay taxes to Caesar”?
“You have a coin?” said Jesus.
They said yes and handed Him a Roman Coin.
As Jesus lifted that coin and He looked at the coin, 
He asked “Whose image do you see on this coin?”
They replied “Caesar’s”.
Jesus said “Well then, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar’s and give to God what belongs to God.”
Then they walked away.

When I read this, my heart said “Schade!” (what a pity)
They should’ve asked one more question, 
“What belongs to God?”
And Jesus would have said “Whose image is on you?”

::: LIVE LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE 

Do you also remember this Bible story:
5000 years ago Abraham went up a mountain and took his son up to offer him as a sacrifice. As a test of his faith before God whether he’s willing to give up his son. When the knife is about to come down on the son, God stops him and said “stop Abraham, I myself will provide”.

And 2000 years ago at that mountain, God kept that promise.
God took His only Son, Jesus Messiah up that hill, and this time God didn’t stop them. He redeemed us and gave us the life beyond the grave.

If there’s no life beyond the grave (the eternal), then there is no such thing as absolute justice, absolute love, and absolute truth. All definitions are up for grabs.

Because of His grace, there’s life beyond the grave for us.
Until you and I received the Son, that God has provided for us, we will be offering our own “sons and daughters” (literally our most precious) in the battlefields of our lives to the grave.

::: LIVE WITH INTIMACY WITH GOD 

If I could conclude from what I see in humanity:  
The greatest search in life is ultimately to belong and to love.

Only the relationship with the author of all relationships, God Himself, is able to give us the fulfilment of life.

Don’t be like those men in the Bible story, only asking Jesus the worldly matters and walk away without asking the truth.

Jesus Christ doesn’t tell us “here is the truth”, 
He says to us “I am the truth, listen to Me.”

Love, 
Titien 

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.””
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6 ‭NLT‬‬

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬


::: UPDATE ABOUT ME 
2 Years 3 Months Post Biopsy
Midline Pontine Glioblastoma/DIPG Grade IV

On Wednesday, I received the 12th round avastin chemo. 

My symptoms are more or less the same as last week. 

Please go to “My Medical History” for more details. 

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers 🙏

PS: Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing my posts. 
Please subscribe to get more stories on your email. 🤗

So happy to see my best friend Kayan from Hongkong 🇭🇰 
I picked her up at the train station 🚉 …and…
I saw my Doppelgänger!!!!!!  👀👭🤣
Same outfit!! I laughed so hard, she didn’t though…
Same looks, different characters 😁
Feels good to have Ms. Santa Claus visits me in the summer hot day 🤶🏻🎁
First time for Kayan swimming in the lake 🏊‍♀️
“The water smells like ducks…” said Kayan,
and many ducks passing by us 🦆
Hello there 🤗
Kayan with ice cream monster 👻
3 weeks of Tour de France is finally finished 🗓 📺
He doesn’t follow World Cup (like I do), but Tour de France is a must 🚲
2 years ago Kayan was 1.5 months here “babysitting” me.
This time, I could show her around 💕 
@Heidelberg
We cook dinner (check my previous post – mushroom pasta 🍝 for the recipe)
Beautiful Angels video conference with Ashlee in Singapore 🇸🇬
“Alive Titien at Alive Church” said Kayan 😃😎
Coffees on the house for the newcomers ☕️
human grandma, mama and daughter.
Cuteness runs in the family 📸 😽
Big Fat Fishes: “everybody, just come near to the boats, and open your mouth! I repeat open your mouth widely!” 🐟 🐠
We’re enjoying ice tea that is colder than your ex’s heart 😆
Asian selfie: Us with food 📸
Again..us with food 📸
Massage chair is a nice companion while waiting Kayan shopping
Early morning at the hospital before send Kayan to the station. I look so fit 💪 😄
Waiting for chemo ☺️
What an amazing friend I have. 
She just jumped on the plane to see me.
I feel so loved and blessed by her presence. 🥰
Thank you Kayan! 😘
Time to say “see you later alligator!”
Looking forward to our small reunion (with Kayan and Ashlee) in Barcelona in 1.5 months 👏 🙌🤩🥰
And…. show off my new YELLOW iPhone 😝 
My old iPhone was broken, and many times Tobias told me to get new ones since I work with my phone a lot (incl. writing my blog 🎗). So.. Ta Da!!! 💛 🥳
Short Interview

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