These few months have been quite challenging; from growths to deaths, summer to fall, victory to defeat, you name it. God has been working a lot in me through different trials and tribulations. It’s been..fun..

I remember writing this exact question on my journal a couple of months back:
“God..I know that Your grace is more than enough.
But..what happen when you feel like you used up all the grace before the day ends..??”

and then God brought me to this video on YouTube (yes..He is a funny God):

and with His still, small voice, He then said:
“My grace goes up to eleven”

So why did I post this on my blog today and not two months ago? Because I believe that you need to hear it too: God’s grace is always more than enough..

..and why did I take 30 minutes in the middle of my work day to post this? Because in the midst of overwhelming, busy day (week / month), I need to remind myself that God’s grace is more than enough..

“..victory or defeat, it’s up to me to decide..”

It all started 2 years ago. A gal name Sarah Billings (I was introduced to hear through one of my best friend, Natalie), a dear friend of mine, is a local artist / singer / songwriter / musicians. Her style of music is a combination of jazz, soul, blues and country. Her passion inspire others to create, her confidence lays within her bubbly personality, she’s a joy to be around. She is a full time music student at PSU, full time artist and part time barista at a local coffee shop chain.

As a bass / piano player in her band (Sarah Billings Band), I got to meet and play with other artists around town. These are some of Portland’s greatest musicians; they’re legends in my book!! These are the people that shaped Portland’s music scene; they put their heart and soul in what they’re doing. They don’t just create music, they impart their creation to others; inspire others to create more and even better art.

I remember the first time I sat down with a gentleman name Jacob Merlin, who met Sarah through some random connection (typical Sarah..). A brilliant composer and musician, Merlin found his passion for songwriting at a very young age. One lovely evening at a bar, Jacob played for me a song that he wrote when he was a Sophomore in High School. The repertoire consist of some crazy chords, progressions and beautiful, poetic lyric! Jacob is Portland’s best kept secret!

To make long story short: I have the privilege to play with one of Portland’s funk / soul band this Sunday evening: Jacob Merlin & The Alchemist. Jacob has played with some of Portland’s legendaries, saxophonist Renato Caranto and trombonist Rick Tippets to name a few. The thought of being on the same stage with these guys is very humbling. Here I am, a 22 years old bassist from Indonesia, making music with Portland’s greatests!

The moral of the story: I would do just about anything for the love of music..

Keep hold on to love,
When your strength all gone.
When the dawn fall,
You’ve had it all,
Smile, you’re not alone.

You are the apple
of the Father’s eyes.
You are a treasure,
Precious in my heart.

When the night closes on you,
When the moon stop shining through.
I’ll be here with you,
Singing this love song.

Let me hold you,
Let’s skip along.
This day is new,
There’s nothing we can’t do.

Today is a lovely day,
To be with you
To stay with you.

Don’t rush for tomorrow, now
Let’s stay, let’s watch
The sun goes down.

Let me fix you,
Let’s make your heart new.
Will you, my love,
Trust me with your heart?

Believe me, true,
Our love won’t fall through.
When I say “do”,
I’ll keep my words, too.

Freedom reigns in this place
Showers of mercy and grace
Falling on every face
There is freedom

If you’re tired and thirsty, there is freedom
If you’re tired and thirsty, there is freedom
Give your all to Jesus, there is freedom
Give your all to Jesus, there is freedom

I fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart
(I carry it in my heart)

Proverbs 31:15 (MSG)

in other word:
“Because she threw a party for her volunteer,
and she’s one heck of a cook!!”

Proverbs 31:26 (MSG)