its been more than three months since the last time... could it be that im losing my fire in blogging (drama, eh;)? or is it the busy-ness that i can't find even a teeny-weeny time for this? these are actually better reasons than not blogging for lack of things to write about which could mean a boring life and i say that that isnt so! (at least i dont wanna think of it as that:)
well, what follows is a most recent email message i got from one of my favorite girl friends... a very good friend... she's actually one of my life heroes, especially when it comes to her faith in The Higher Being... i was so touched that i immediately asked her permission to have this posted here... i hope you will be encouraged and be touched the way it did me... tells a lot about how God works for those He loves and those who love Him...
Dear friends,
It’s been a year since I left my beloved Philippines, yes it has been one year already, Sept 10 to be exact! Parang kailan lang, I joked about leaving my life back there and ready to face the stove, the sink and the laundry. Well, I have left all right, and now 12 months after, I have had my fare share of cooking, cleaning the bathroom, dirty socks, broken nails, gardening and what have you. Looking back, am glad for the prayers (loads of it from all of you!) because it was your prayers that sustained me through the adjustment (which every immigrant, tnt, OCW went through). As I write this praise report, it helps me process all that has taken place over the course of this new chapter in my life journey. This is also my opportunity to declare God’s work in my life, to Him be all glory always! Also to let you know how your faithful prayers sustained me.
Here is a list of my first experiences dito …
1. Sing with a live band (at a local restaurant, I think I sang You by Karen Carpenter … clap! Clap! more Lynne, more, more practice!)
2. Go on long roadtrips with my hubby… see Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Toronto, New York, Pennsylvania
3. Play host … our house is the center of most Fister gatherings … aaaahhh!!!! Many helpful hands but still!
4. Gardening, dinaan ko sa dasal, I bless my plants … Honestly, I was surprised that the flowers I planted blossomed -- yellow, red and violet flowers adorn our mailbox.
5. Lito and I attended a Christian conference, sponsored by a black congregation. If you watch TBN, you know what I mean. They are truly a bunch of lively folks! ;) by the way, this conference I attended also had Paula White as one of its speakers, and apparently, she is ministering to Donald Trump. The guy actually refers to Paula as his pastor. Donald Trump's favorite charity is Salvation Army.
6. Attend a formal military dinner when Lito was inducted as Chief Master Sergeant. It gives me goose bumps when I am with such dignified military men and women.
7. Celebrate Thanksgiving, Fourth of July celebrations
8. Have a reunion with the North America based Asuncions … in Toronto last April. I saw for myself how well-adjusted the families of my brother Claro and sister Gie are. It was signficant coz I realized that I can make this place my home. So now, thanks to that visit, I have made great strides!
9. A new home church. I still think of Bread as my home church but FCC or Filipino Christian Center is my home church away from home. I have made many new and pleasant relationships. It will take a while for them to grow but I am slowly building relationships which are genuine and supportive P.S. We also go to a dynamic multicultural church in Utah whenever we are in town (yep, this Mormon state is being redeemed by the Lord, one soul at a time!). The pastor is so cool! He only saw us once, and the next time we attended (two months after), he personally acknowledged us from the pulpit, calling us their friends from Washington D.C., naks!
10. Eat snake, crocodile and wild boar (all in the shape of decent looking sausages) at a latin restaurant in Salt Lake City. The spice killed most of the gamey taste, interesting taste but once is enough!
11. I failed my driving test once. (I beat you Marie!) Sa Pinas ang dali, atras abante, tapos! Katakot ang instructor, mukhang lalaki. But the important thing is I now drive and have conquered my fear of driving here (they drive faster but show more road courtesy). Nakatulong ng malaki that I drive in the Philippines.
12. Nadulas ako sa ice, last winter, while walking on the driveway, hindi ko alam kung iiyak ako o tatawa!
13. Reach 108 lbs. (sa akin mataba na ‘yon!). I was 100 lbs when I left Pinas. I know the double chin gives me away! My in-laws predict “tataba ka rin!” (yeah, katulad nyo!) to my face, the nerve of these people! ;)
14. I borrowed my husband’s black belt once, coz my black belt doesn’t fit me anymore aargh!
I can only praise and thank God, for His abiding grace and unfailing love. I try not to focus on the downside of being here, like being with my family, bonding with my girlfriends and spa/massage! God has in a very real sense … pampered me here. He has given me a husband who is so loving, kind and generous; a church which has welcomed Lito and me with friendship and support; a family, which has embraced me as one of their own (would you believe, I live harmoniously with my father-in-law), protection, strength and wisdom on a daily basis. The blessings of the Lord are truly pressed down, shaken together and running over!
The first few months were indeed difficult, lahat ata talagang dadaan doon! I adjusted sa climate, culture, being married, housework, etc. I remember what my sister-in-law advised me, “Don’t look back.” And that advice helped me to embrace the present and the future. So, 12 months after, honestly, I am happy where God has “stationed” my husband and me, I like living abroad.
Now, a familiar face from Bread is here and going through the adjustment period. I saw at church on Sunday, Matet and Willy Aranza. Matet and her daughter, Townee, recently arrived, petitioned by Willy. They temporarily live about 15 miles away from where I live. It’s interesting that as I celebrate my one year here, the Lord has brought a familiar Bread person, a connection from the past.
God is good and so is HE to you! Wherever HE causes HIS name to be honored, HE will come to you and bless you (Exodus 20:24)!
I celebrate you and the person you are to me,
Lynne ;)
Posted at 10:07 am by ephimethea
