Good morning, Indah,

I am writing this to you from January 2026, back when we were just planting seeds and holding onto hope. By the time you read this in August 2026, I envision you sitting in a quiet moment, letting the reality of last few months wash over you. If you feel exhausted, let it be the sweet exhaustion of a race finally finished.

I pray you are reading this with a heart so heavy with Jesus's grace that you can't help but be moved to tears. I hope that when you look back at the path that brought you here - through the effort and waiting - I hope you see Jesus' hand in every single detail.

Soak in the moment of awe. Let the mixture of joy and gratitude pour out of you as a release. You trusted, you waited, and now you are seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living. Breathe it in. 

Say hello to your future: PhD, Jan 2027, Macquarie University, sponsored by AAS.

In this moment of victory, take time to honor those who have been your leaders in this work. Remember the mentors, the supervisors, and the spiritual guides who labored among you while you are in the trenches of application writing. Recognizing their guidance, even when it was challenging, was part of the Lord's provision to get you here.

Hold them in high regard and let your heart overflow with respect and love for them. They poured their wisdom into your proposal and their prayers into your waiting: this scholarship is their victory, too. Let your gratitude for their hard work be as evident as your joy for the reward.

Finally, as you prepare for this massive transition to Australia, make it your aim to live peacefully with everyone around you. As you close this chapter at work and with your community, let your exit be marked by grace and harmony. Walk into this new promise with a spirit of peace, leaving a blessing behind you as you step forward.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

With love, Your January Self