MY HAPPY PLACE

One morning as usual we were drinking tea and listening to the radio. News reported the current world’s affairs, including ‘megxit’ (Harry and Meghan decided to quit the Royal Family). Apparently being a senior member of British Royal Family is not their happy place to be.

Then I asked Tobias, “Is your job at the National Institute for Science Communication your happy place and why?”

He answered, “yes, because I love my job, I know that I’m competent, I have great colleagues and nice working environment, I have freedom and this is a luxury.” 

Then, he added “but, my primary happy place is you! And the best part is you are mobile. So I’m happy while I’m working in Heidelberg, in Barcelona, wherever we go, because you come with me”.

::: PLEASURE IS THE MEASURE OF YOUR TREASURE

Tobias is my treasure on earth.

Some people may say that they are most happy in the garden, or in the studio making music, or photographing, or skiing, or enjoying a good bottle of wine, or just relaxing with their spouses, or be outside in nature, or giving shape to their dreams, or engaged in meaningful activities, or writing, or with their children, or with a good friend, and so on.

Without exception, all human being seek joy and happiness. Whatever different means we employ, we all tend to this end.

This is the motive of every action of every person, including those who take pleasure by hurting others, and even by hurting themselves.
We live in a world that has been corrupted by our own selfishness.

If something wicked gives some people happiness, it’s not their pleasure problem. It’s their treasure problem. It’s what they love that’s out of whack.

Our treasure is what we love.
Our greatest treasure is what we love the most.

Is God your greatest treasure?
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

::: REJOICE IS A CHOICE

This week, I didn’t receive the scheduled immunotherapy Avastin because I have a cold since last week. Instead, I received bad news about my MRI result. My doctor said, the tumour is stable in my brainstem, but there is something that came up in the MRI in my cerebellum. She assumed that it maybe a pseudo progress, not a real tumour.

Even though I’m dying and my health is very vulnerable, and the cure for healing is unlikely to happen soon, I choose to rejoice anyway, because of my hope in God’s love and promises.

I know that I’m redeemed. And when my time on earth comes to end, I will enter the eternal kingdom crowned with eternal  joy.  I believe that Jesus’ love has overcome death, therefore, while I’m still here, I’ll continue to rejoice in Him, cos’ it’s my inspiring hope in the midst of my hardships. 

Of course, it doesn’t mean that I ignore or suppress my emotions and sorrow.
It doesn’t mean I turn the frowns upside down.
I am sometimes crying because of losing some abilities that I have had before,
I am anxious when getting bad news of my health,
I am sad when thinking about death, leaving my other half behind, Tobias.
I grieve about children battling cancer, and dying from it.
My heart is broken when I hear about turmoil and disaster in our world on the news.

I acknowledge my pain, but I also made a choice to trust Jesus, that my suffering wouldn’t be the final word.
Being full of sorrow and yet rejoicing.
Rejoicing until I say goodbye.

Friends,
no matter where you’re at,
happy circumstances or sorrow and suffering,
always rejoice in hope;
be patient in troubles;
pray continually;
and give thanks in all circumstances.
May His peace be with us, today and always.

Love,
Titien

Rejoice in the Lord- Roy Hamilton

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:8-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬


::: UPDATE ABOUT ME
2 Years 8 Months Post Biopsy
Midline Pontine Glioblastoma/DIPG Grade IV

On January 15th the 24th round of Avastin was cancelled because I have a cold since last week.
So I’ll receive it next week on January 22nd.

My MRI result showed that the tumour is stable, but the MRI showed there was something new in my cerebellum. My doctor believes, it is a pseudo progress. She called me to do MRI again sooner to observe it further.

My symptoms are pretty much the same.
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.
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Saturday breakfast waffles 🧇 by chef Tobias👨‍🍳
Tobias’ way
Titien’ way. How do you eat your waffles? 😁
But, when it comes to toothpaste,
Tobias squeezes from the back to the front.
While, I just squeeze from anywhere.
Monday Conference Call with Ashlee and Kayan
You almost there Starbucks Heidelberg 😅💪
Barista: what’s your name?
Me: Maier (I thought Maier is easier to spell than my first name Titien)
Here’s what I got,
In 2018: Bryn
In 2019: Mai
In 2020: Majr
Hmmm I hadn’t posted a recipe for a while.
I’ll share more recipes this year.
Snapshot when I was on the phone 📱
My face when talk about something serious 😜

2 Replies to “MY HAPPY PLACE”

  1. Good to read from you Titien. I Love the was you decorate your waffles. Lots of good thoughts to you from South America…

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