18 years

Hi! Rey & I celebrated our 18 years anniversary last Monday, here in Greenville, SC. Nothing fancy celebration happened. We had a simple dinner at our favorite eating place (secret...) a week in advance, just the two of us. Last Monday, we ate out again, and this time with Abigail. We thank the Lord for "the wonderful things He has done" in our lives... His grace is amazing! We never get tired of counting our blessings... especially when we see Abigail with us. I thank my husband of 18 years... he is a wonderful husband! I am blessed with his humbleness in everything he does... his patience... his love for the Lord... and his devotion to God. I thank the Lord so much also for our daughter, Abigail. God has been good. My goal for this new year in our married life...? .... is to please the Lord. My verse is: Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." We need the Lord to direct our paths. We need to acknowledge His presence always so He can instruct us and teach us in the way that we should go (Ps. 32:8). I need Him always. I blunder many times in my Christian life but He is ever near me to encourage me to continue. I thank God that He is still polishing me in the person He wants me to be.

This week, will be a little hectic for Rey... final exams at BJU is this Saturday and next week. 2nd semester is almost ending... I am excited to attend the commencement next Saturday even though Rey is not graduating yet.. still a long way to go... but first we will attend the drama Henry V on May 1. We've watched Much Ado About Nothing, Barber of Seville, The Living Gallery, and now Henry V.

Last Saturday was BJES Field Day. We enjoyed it inspite of the intermittent showers. I'll post some pictures tomorrow or next time..

I'm off today after 3 day consecutive 12 hour shifts at the hospital, 7am to 7 pm. My patients that I had for the three days, were asking me, " how many days do you work?", or had this surprise question... "You are here again, are you working all week?" I know, it seemed like I was working all the time. My daughter have been asking to go to Target for her "neopets cards." I am glad I can unwind a little bit today. I was sooo tired, believe me. I have two days offf then work again this Saturday for an overtime, we call it "red line" in the hospital because its time and a half pay. My husband is just wonderful, he understands me so much. When he picks me up after work, I'm like too exhausted to lift a finger when we get home. I prepare our dinner, then it's his turn to wash dishes afterwards. What a blessing! My daughter, in the meantime, updates me what happened in the school, what she plans to do when school is out for the holidays, and her "neopets". Trying to understand everything she says while getting the food cooked, and asking my husband to set the table, a multi-tasking brain at work. But, after things settle down, its time to have coffee ot watch the news on television and then get ready to sleep. Greenville has been blessed with mild weather this week, even last week. The temperature has been in the 70's and in the northeast is like, 30's? We enjoy it. So now, am at home. I will pick up Joy at 12 noon. This is their last day in school. Their classes resume in Jan. 9, 2008.

Lighting Ceremony at BJU Nov. 30, 2007

Taal Lake

Just checking in...

God has been so good to us. We have been in Greenville for almost 4 months! Rey is privileged to be enrolled at Bob Jones University. Abigail is happily studying at BJ Elementary School. I am conveniently employed as an RN at a nearby hospital of St. Francis. The apartment we live in is conveniently located also. God has indeed directed our steps... Although there are quite a few adjustments we make, we are happy to be here, just amazed with what God has done in our lives. Truly amazing.....

Physical Check-up

I accompanied Rey to see a doctor today for his physical examination in readiness for his BJU studies. The wait was longer than the actual examination. He had some bloodwork done and he was given Hepatitis B vaccine. Rey went to work at Macy's in the evening.

After Rey, appointment, I personally hand in my letter of resignation but my Nurse manager, Debbie, was on vacation. So I just left it in her mailbox. So, that's it. Then, I go to work tomorrow. My last day at work will be June 29.

We need to pack some more of our stuff. I have packed some of our winter clothes already and put files on boxes. Next week, we will reserve the truck that we will rent. Then, reserve also for the apartment at Ashworth at Pelham. I hope there's a unit available for us.

Till next blog....

I'm Back!

Wow! It's been that long since i made an entry... My other blog had some problems and I could not access it... so here am I...

Anyway, God has been good to us. In June 8, 2007, Joy will be one year here in the U.S. Her classes will be over in June 21. And then we move to Greenville! We are excited of what God will do! I have some concerns or anxieties, but the saying that goes: When God leads, He provides," is assuring. Rey is determined to go. Even though the church we are helping is trying to make him change his mind and suggesting that he just get distance learning courses thru the internet, he's not swayed. I have to go where my husband goes... For him to go to BJU has been our prayer since we got married... God is so gracious to allow us this far...

So, I hope I can keep writing here of our journey and pursuit of God's purpose for our lives...

We need to start packing our stuff soon. We need to inquire about trucking and reserve an apartment in Greenville first week of June. I still have to hand in my letter of resignation in the hospital...

We need prayers....

VERSE FOR THE DAY

II Corinthians 12:15
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."

This speaks of the Apostle Paul's love for God's people. He was willing to spend all his strength and time and life and all that he has for their welfare as a father does for his children.

As we were entrusted with the Gospel, we are committed to "spend and be spent" for others. To find pleasure, delight and joy in our service even if it takes all our strength and time that it demands.

Let us be willing to labour and "be spent" for the good of others even if we do not receive recognition for our efforts. No matter if people do not show their appreciation of what we do, let's keep on... Rejoice that we are doing God's will.

Count it all joy!

Snowstorm

It's Sunday and am at home. There's a snow storm, a blizzard. It was a blessing that I didn't have to go to work in the hospital today. Church services at Bergenfield was cancelled due to the weather. Stayed home, slept a little... When the snow stopped, I think there's approximately 18 inches of snow on the ground. And my car was all covered with snow... I cleaned it this afternoon so the snow would not freeze on it overnight and be quite difficult to clean afterward. I would paste the pictures I took with my Nokia camera phone but I don't know how to to do it. Well, anyway, I miss Rey. It would be him cleaning the car instead of me, ha! ha! ha! My back hurts and it wa sooo cold!

Appointment Letter

Today, I received news from Rey that the packet we're waiting for from the U.S. Embassy arrived today in our Tagaytay address. Abigail Joy is scheduled for medical on March 10 and her visa interview on March 17. Praise God! God is truly faithful and good all the time!

Ladies Fellowship

February 5, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. I had another privilege of ministering to the ladies of Lord Jesus Christ Bible Church, "Seekers of God's Heart." I spoke on the material by Dr. Creason on "Maintaining a Good Prayer Life".

Together with the ladies, we learned that we have to be disciplined in our personal prayer life - our spiritual relationship with God. It's tough to be disciplined in prayer. But knowing that prayer works and because of previous answered prayers (and there are many of them!), I am encouraged to go on praying... not to stop until the request has been granted.

Today, I was reading some entries from my old journals, and again, I was encouraged the way God answered my prayers. Although it was long in coming (takes years!), God always answer! He hears! I realized that it's worth the waiting, the agony of waiting, to persevere and not to faint.

Here are some excerpts to share from my journal and my readings :

"Pray until what you pray for has been accomplished or until you have complete assurance in your heart that it will be. We dare not stop praying until either the answer itself has come or we receive assurance it will come..."

"When we believe God for a blessing, we must have an attitude of faith and begin to act and pray as if the blessing were already ours. We should respond to God as if He has granted our request."

"Delayed answers to prayers are not only trials of faith; they also give us opportunities to honor God through our steadfast confidence in Him even when facing the apparent denial of our request." C.H. Spurgeon

"Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except those things outside the will of God."

"No prayer is ever lost, or any prayer ever breathed in vain. There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things we see as refusals or denials are simply delays." H. Bonar

"Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you... blessed are they that wait for Him." Isa. 30:18

Count It All Joy

Prayer Answered!

January 27, 006 6:15 a.m. as I was about to go out the door to work (I was really running late that time), I received an early long distance call from the Philippines-- It was Joy-joy my daughter informing me her birth certificate has been released!

Praise God! at last after months of waiting (about 6 months?). Rey told me the whole story when I got home from work that night. We are so happy and relieved! Another hurdle is done, next will be Joy's passport, then the letter from the embassy for medical & visa interview schedule. God hears our prayers. His delays are not denials....

I remember a week before the phone call, the Lord reminded me in my devotions, to keep my focus on God, to look up to Him that He is sovereign and in control of everything. He knows our desires. He wants me to put aside worries, concerns, hardships and look to God...

Daily, God assures me to continue to delight in Him, seeking Him first and "keeping our lives open to God.... to maintain a position of beholding Him..." And let not "the busyness of things obscures our concentration on God." (My Utmost for His Highest)

I need to continue to focus, concentrate in beholding my God; enjoying His goodness, faithfulness, power and mercy, and not to be distracted with the cares of this world. "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

And now, it gets me excited, there is this "constant state of expectancy" from the Lord. Excited how God will answer our other prayers to Him. "

Proverbs 24:14 reminds me - "..there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off."

Count It All Joy

"Look unto Me..."

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isa. 45:22

"Look unto me..." That's what God is teaching me today. Instead of looking in the circumstances, in waiting and waiting for the documents to arrive, I need to keep my focus on the Lord. He is in control of everything. All these worries, concerns, difficulties are known by God. I have to puth them aside and look to God...

What a blessing!

I praise God for a full day of blessing last Sunday, January 15. First, the message from the worship service, spoke to my heart and I used it as an intro to my devotions/seminar to the ladies that afternoon. Pastor Jim Harms spoke on the Parable of the Unjust steward, entitled "Living the Christian Life in the Present Tense. " Have I been a good steward in 2005? According to Pastor Jim, the unbleievers work harder than we who are saved. How true... Sometimes, we take for granted our spiritual position we have in Christ. Are we "playing catch up with Christ?" We need to be serious in our service to God. Invest more, try harder, work harder. Investing for eternity... making every day count for God! Isay, I need to give my very best for His glory! It's not too late. Let us redeem the time. Buy back every opportunity God has given us.

I thank the Lord for the privilege and opportunity to speak with the ladies. We had fun in the games, and fellowshipping with the Jersey City ladies. I had opportunities also getting to know some ladies, their situations, and trials. I pray that God will use me in encouraging and being encouraged with our ladies in Bergenfield. What a bleesin the day was! I praise God.

"So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Count It All Joy

I thank the Lord so much for all the things He has done in 2005. I count it all joy... God has been faithful to me and my family! His grace is sufficient! I praise Him for another year and excited once more for many blessings and challenges in store for us this year 2006! And with this blog, (I don't know that there is such a place like this in the internet. I just happen to browse on it !), I can share God's wonderful blessings to me and my family and our ministry. This will serve as our prayer bulletin and missionary updates spot.