Tuesday, 31 December 2013

GIFT...CHALLENGES...HOPE...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

This time of the year when people start writing down their new year's resolutions, their year end journals, or 2013 blog summary etc, they narrate their experiences, learning, challenges, and begin thinking of what they could promise not to do the following year.  And I can totally understand that because most of us just love to express through writings.

This time,  Yes. this time, I felt that I should document what are so called interesting things happened in my life last year, and how did I learn from those experiences.
Well, I have to say this before anything else, I am human and I am not perfect.  God hasn't finished with me yet.  So bare with me and thank you for just simply understanding.  

GOD GIVEN GIFTS.  
January 18, 2013 was great day.  The anxious waiting had finally ended.  After a week long coming and going on my wife's expected delivery, we finally saw the beautiful, angelic most gorgeous little girl in the planet.  Once again God's love and never ending grace were manifested.  We were elated by this blessing.  She was truly a gift from God.  BUT SHE WAS JUST ONE OF THE GIFTS. We were given extra.  That day, we found new friends.  To me it was a great work of God.  My wife, alone came out of the car in pain and minutes to deliver Althea, God sent her angels and one of them is Sis. Lyn Lorenzo, who accidentally saw me in the corridor followed me and stayed with us till that moment was finished. From that day on I cherished that moment of unconditional love and concern.  I didn't expect it.  But truly it was a gift.   Sis. Lyn, I hadn't had the chance to thank you but from my heart you were and still are a blessing.  

GOD GIVES CHALLENGES.  
2013 probably the most challenging year for us.  Financially we were down.  Hit a few overdrawn fines.  Nearly in tears for losing ten pounds because that's all I got to buy a few necessary things.  Months had gone with just one salary going in the bank.  I hit all time low in my life.  Thoughts of things I'd would  never have thought.  Blamed people and God for my unfortune.  But challenges like those are there to make you more stronger.  I have said this before and I will say it again, in those trying times, God has purified me and prepare me for even harder challenges to come. Gone is the year and yet, we are still a family.  We are still coping and surviving and most of all happy.  See, I think the most beautiful thing about is learning.  God is giving so much opportunity for us to grow and learn.  God is blessing us the gift of wisdom.

I have had so much hurts and disappointments the whole year.  But I perhaps should go back to my own rules.  "Never expect for you not to disappoint yourself."  There are disappointments, hurts, and broken relationships because people expect, and expect more.  If we could only just look at things with out expecting and accept things the way they are.  We could probably save the world from hate.
See, people are people.  They are not perfect.  They are just like me, God hasn't finished with them yet.  They will fail you.  They will hurt you.  They will destroy you.  But the fact is that's a fact.  It's a reality.  All we have to do is chill out and deal with it.  Getting on with means, putting it into prayers.  SURRENDERING IT TO THE LORD.  Trusting it to God, otherwise hate and disappointment will destroy you.  It is unfair that they get a good night sleep and yet you can't because you have that ill feeling in your heart that is killing you.  I have learnt it the hard way.  And I am glad I have because now I could say, bring it on.  Anything perhaps, I could take it.  I have a
bigger God.

GOD GIVES HOPE. 
This is also I have discovered and it is very true.  That when God closes doors He opens new more.  It may be not what you expect but sure they are the best for you.  God is bringing that inspiration to you for you to think that God has not abandoning you.  Thought of being a full time dad after my wife resumed hospital duties is bad at all.  Thought, It will bring me to the whole new level of life, and It did, but surprisingly, I loved it.

Maybe I am not the "I am earning big" guy anymore.  Thrown the towel as a working dad and embraced the apron, baby nappies, and baby wipes, taking kids to school thing role but I loved it.  It wasn't easy a first.  Whenever his mum's at work, Getting in the routine of getting Adrien ready for school, feeding him and getting him dressed, take him to school with the little baby on the other arm was a challenged.  Going back home and take care other needs of the baby Althea was a real challenge in a different level.  
My first 4 weeks, I have had times when I just pull my hair and shake my head.  But then you carry on and you get used to it and eventually you see the real meaning of what you do and as to why you doing them.  God is just great that he will let you go through things like this in order for you to see the real essence of why we exist.  I could have stayed out working, pay so much money for the child care but after my experiences, i would never trade those time I spent looking after my kids.  I may have no money, maybe skint and can't afford to buy stuff other people usually buy, can't go to what other people go but hey, who cares.  What mater's most is that I am with the best people in the world.  I am with the people that maters most.

Sometimes, I wonder those times I spent working long hours, taking on two jobs and no more time with my family, if they could have been spent with Adrien and my wife Riza, perhaps, I could have been much much better dad and a husband.  But those times are well gone now.  It is always great to know THAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME ANOTHER CHANCE TO DO WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN ADRIEN WAS A BABY and I am very happy.

 All I could do is just bring back the glory to the Who deserves it the most, my God.
Yes, 2013 has brought so much high and low.  Happiness and laughter.  Tears and sadness.  Challenges and Triumphs but, most important thing is we learn from them.  We move on and ready to take on more.  2014 is a whole new year.  What it may bring, no one knows but I am just sure of one thing, I am just welcoming this year with a renewed heart and spirit.  With a great family with me and I think with that I can make this year a better year.

To all who have been part of my life, my family's life last year, thank you for just being there for me.  Truly, I have discovered true friends in you.  Sa mga totoo kong kaibigan, marami salamat sa inyo.  Sa aking mga pamilya sa Pilipinas, for just simply understanding me and my situations, I love you all.  Thank you.

I guess, there is only one last thing to say,  Thank you 2013 and hello 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.  GOD BLESS US ALL.