I was stalking Dian's blog when I run across her October Thank You List- and then I thought, why not make one myself? My November has been particularly eventful, all of which are made possible because of God's grace and blessings.
Each item deserve a write up of its own but I need to learn to be brief as I enter a new season. Here's my list, in NO particular order:
1. Gifts of Friendship - Thank God for friendships, old and new. Specifically, I thank God for:
*****Celia and her Sydney Visit. She came to stay with us - i have to say her cooking eased my home sickness. When she made nilaga, I had stomach upset afterwards because it was sooo delicious I didn't notice that I have eaten too much. Oh, and her adobo! Remind me to make one, if you like *winkz*
*****Penrith Visits. The Dardah family has been more than a blessing to us - seeing them is always a fond reminder of my hometown, Tago. And we met their good friends Mrs E and Chris as well. Laughter is a sure thing with them around.
*****my new online buddy Karen
*****my Brisbane-based friend Mana Lals aka Insomada whom I only "met" from our hometown website, but when she found out that I have moved in Sydney, she went out of her way to call and welcome me.
*****my new friend Caloy of Center for Volunteering , fellow UPian and new down under like myself, who shared and encouraged me about job hunting issues.
*****when we crave for authentic Indian dishes, Prag and Bhat invite us to their home
*****movie night with Bijit and Rose
*****Mana T's surprise call one evening
2. Our First Wedding Anniversary last November 9th. I can't believe it's been a year! It's funny because Prag called that day to congratulate us - I just said thanks and didn't wonder what for until after hehe! We were suppose to go to Hunter Valley but after a few wrong turns, we went back home - tired.
3. Gift of a Car. Hubby's friends and his first "second" family in Wollonggong practically gave us their green Volvo so we have something to drive around.
4. Althea's Sutherland Visit. After four months in Sydney, she finally visited our southern suburb for a separate birthday celebration..oh, and the joy of meeting her flatmates, Angie and Mildred who turned out to be fellow Talamban residents back home.
5. Saturday morning family devotions time and Jones' quick prayers every time I rant about something - it encourages me knowing that my husband relies in a power beyond himself.
6. Job offer at HfH. I can't stop raving about God and his faithfulness. Joining this organization is a dream that I didn't know was possible. I got shortlisted but my experience was more than what they advertised for. I wasn't hired, and it really left me desolate. Three weeks after, the recruiter called me again if I was still interested. A position opened, which is close to my experience and one of the interviewers recommended me for the job - is she kidding? i would work for them for free! (but i didn't tell her that of course!) I am hired, pending a reference check. Oh, and did i say the second position is paid more than the first? God's delay is NOT necessarily denial, isn't it?
7. Monday Morning Cellgroup. It wasn't an easy decision because I wanted to go to Every Nation, which is just a few suburbs away. My husband feels that God is calling us to stay in Shirelive. Three months into my struggle, God spoke to me in two words: Trust Me. I felt that He also challenged me about being faithful to Him not because of my ministry affiliation but because of my relationship with Him.
I have always attended cell meetings since I moved here but I didn't feel like I connected with the people. Lest I paint a different picture, these girls are wonderful, but it wasn't until I joined the monday morning schedule that I really connected with them. The girls are between 29-45, could be older, but what draws me to them is their sincere desire to get to know God. They are so warm and animated who just love to worship and pray.
8. Provision for my siblings' studies. End of October and early november wasn't a very good time for my family. In spite of the lack, Joseph and Matet had a 4-day trip to Manila and tuition fee for their enrollment. Isn't God a faithful provider or what?
9. Gift of a Fantabulous Husband. I have never denied that I am a difficult person, but I never realize the extent until I moved in with my husband. There are times that I would have silent spells - times that I just refuse to talk - with no explanation, and it drives him nuts. What is worst, I expect him to leave me alone until I come around - which happens faster when I am ignored.
10. Gift of Family Relationships. I am blessed with wonderful in-laws. They always make an effort to communicate, even when I was still in Cebu, waiting for my visa.
I've never been closer to my parents and siblings, even with the distance that divides us.
How about you? What are you grateful for this month?
27.11.07
26.11.07
For Single Guys Only
Subtitle: How the Benjamites Got Their Wives
I had a very interesting Bible reading last night in Judges 21 - a whole chapter being devoted to a tribe who ran out of prospective wives for their men.
The account chronicles how the rest of the Israelites made an oath never to give their daughters in marriage to Benjamites. An awful crime was committed - gang rape which resulted to death on a Levite's concubine by men of Gibeah in Benjamin. When the Israelites confronted the Benjamites of the crime, their hearts were hardened and refused to listen - which resulted to war.
The Israelites won the battle, but they grieved for their Benjamite brothers. One time during an assembly when one tribe failed to show up, they devised a plan to give the virgins to the Benjamites as a peace offering.But still the women were not enough. The solution: in a festival in a tribe called Shiloh, they instructed the men to go and hide in the vineyards, watching the girls as they come out to dance. Then the men are to rush from their hiding place and seize a wife. v21 Should the girls' fathers and brothers complain, they will be assured of their innocence, since the girls are practically snatched from them.
Thus the issue was resolved - each man caught and carried off for himself a girl to be his wife, returned, rebuilt and settled in their inheritance.
Wouldn't it be nice to have the whole nation's support in the men's quest for a wife? And wouldn't it make things easier for men and women?
Here are some points that I learned out of that account:
**men chased women (this will get me in trouble hahaha)
**when they do, they have marriage in mind (I'm reminded of the sms that says: while waiting for the right person, play around with the wrong ones)
**the wives leave their parents/homes to be with their husbands to start a family
I don't know why I am writing for men, when it is my women friends who are more open about relationship issues. Truthfully, I don't know how God will do it - all I know is I am standing in faith with my friends who are believing God for a mate!
When I was back home, a common complaint among women is the shortage of men. I thought it was just a geography issue. Four months into a new country where I recently relocated, I discovered that the women are saying the same things - unless one will consider moving to the farms or the mining areas (mind you, there's plenty of money there hehe!)
Hmmm..how did I get here? I was just fascinated at how the Benjamites found their wives during a season of drought of the opposite sex. But then again, maybe I am half hoping that this will rouse the men into stepping up, maybe even learning from the Benjamites' example.
I had a very interesting Bible reading last night in Judges 21 - a whole chapter being devoted to a tribe who ran out of prospective wives for their men.
The account chronicles how the rest of the Israelites made an oath never to give their daughters in marriage to Benjamites. An awful crime was committed - gang rape which resulted to death on a Levite's concubine by men of Gibeah in Benjamin. When the Israelites confronted the Benjamites of the crime, their hearts were hardened and refused to listen - which resulted to war.
The Israelites won the battle, but they grieved for their Benjamite brothers. One time during an assembly when one tribe failed to show up, they devised a plan to give the virgins to the Benjamites as a peace offering.But still the women were not enough. The solution: in a festival in a tribe called Shiloh, they instructed the men to go and hide in the vineyards, watching the girls as they come out to dance. Then the men are to rush from their hiding place and seize a wife. v21 Should the girls' fathers and brothers complain, they will be assured of their innocence, since the girls are practically snatched from them.
Thus the issue was resolved - each man caught and carried off for himself a girl to be his wife, returned, rebuilt and settled in their inheritance.
Wouldn't it be nice to have the whole nation's support in the men's quest for a wife? And wouldn't it make things easier for men and women?
Here are some points that I learned out of that account:
**men chased women (this will get me in trouble hahaha)
**when they do, they have marriage in mind (I'm reminded of the sms that says: while waiting for the right person, play around with the wrong ones)
**the wives leave their parents/homes to be with their husbands to start a family
I don't know why I am writing for men, when it is my women friends who are more open about relationship issues. Truthfully, I don't know how God will do it - all I know is I am standing in faith with my friends who are believing God for a mate!
When I was back home, a common complaint among women is the shortage of men. I thought it was just a geography issue. Four months into a new country where I recently relocated, I discovered that the women are saying the same things - unless one will consider moving to the farms or the mining areas (mind you, there's plenty of money there hehe!)
Hmmm..how did I get here? I was just fascinated at how the Benjamites found their wives during a season of drought of the opposite sex. But then again, maybe I am half hoping that this will rouse the men into stepping up, maybe even learning from the Benjamites' example.
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