“… Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Seventy Two … that is exactly the number of days our family has been residing in Dallas, Texas (as of end of September)! We are missing home a lot (!) … our family, our church, our friends, our favorite Filipino food … Jo’s Chicken Inato, Kare Kare, Palabok, Zagu … the simpler days and Philippines in general.
Our hearts are broken with the tragic news of the fatal storm “Ondoy” that has transformed Manila into a sea of floating dead bodies. It is disheartening to hear about 250 lives lost and with about 350,000 people displaced and homeless. This is probably one of the worse disasters that have hit Manila in its history!
We are glad our families back home are safe … thankful that our friends in Manila are all intact. Yet, we are a bit concerned and worried as another storm has entered Philippines and that the rainy season is not yet over. May our Lord be merciful upon our nation! May this be a wake-up call among believers that each life counts and each soul needs the direction to the Way, the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6)
In midst of the mourning and sadness in Manila, I face daily my own moments of struggle, as my mind gets twisted left and right with the simultaneous study of Greek and Hebrew languages, plus tons of readings, papers to write, daily quizzes to review and exams to anticipate as a student of Dallas Seminary. The Lord directed my attention to this passage … “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4, The Message) God used this passage to turn my mourning into joy. Truly, I count it a great blessing, distinct privilege and tremendous joy to know God and His Word deeper!
Few Sundays ago, my family and I, together with another couple, drove up about 30 miles up north to Frisco, Texas to visit Stonebriar Community Church. We worshiped with about 2,000 other believers and listened intently, with fullness of joy, as Dr. Charles Swindoll expounded on God’s Word. His message was a timely message … “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15, NASB) It was a great blessing to hear this man of God, who has been used by God globally to proclaim His message of truth to a broken world.
While I am intently focused on studying, Tuesday mornings for Aileen is a joyful time of learning as she attends the women’s Bible study at a nearby church. Wednesday mornings is fun time for her and Hannah as they stroll along towards Luke’s Closet, to get free food, clothes and household items. Wednesday nights is AWANA night for Hannah as she learns God’s Word from Teacher Gloria at Dallas First Baptist Church. On Friday mornings, Aileen enjoys fellowship and Bible Study with her SWING (Seminary Wives in Nurture Group). At weekends, we bring Hannah to swim at Baylor Fitness and joyfully watch her have fun with her floater and swim with other kids in the indoor “kiddie” pool.
Finally, the best is yet to come … Aileen has been tested “positive” … by a pregnancy test kit! Yes, Aileen is dizzy with morning sickness and vomiting a lot and joyfully adjusting and trying to remember her last pregnancy. Pray for Aileen as she is already about 8 weeks pregnant. We are excited that Hannah is soon going to be an “A-chi” (meaning, older sister)!
As we trace back each step that we have taken thus far in our life in Dallas, we hear an echoing out of God’s Word to us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4) We pray for you that the joy of the Lord likewise abound in your life. Let us celebrate and feast on Him daily and rejoice in the Lord for all the surprises and excitement that He unfolds into our lives!
