The beginning of the new year was monumental, especially because it signified another decade, at least ‘numerologically’ speaking. For me, it simply marked a decade of life as a full-time missionary.
Ten years ago, I marched down the aisle to celebrate a very important milestone in my life — graduating with a masters degree in music education in another country thousands of miles away from home.
But what I thought was going to be a journey of pursuing even ‘higher education’ turned out to be very different. A few months later, I ended up training as a medical missionary, which led me to go back to the Philippines as a volunteer, marry a missionary, and live a life of total-dependence on God for everything, especially financial support.
Ten years later, here I am still doing the thing I love doing the most. No regrets!
The transition from 2019 to 2020 went by in a blur for me, which is a usual happenstance, especially here in the mission field. But I will not trade this life for anything. Everyday is a constant reminder that the Lord is good, and that His love endures forever.
So this is life lately…
Life Lately: January 2020
- Came back from a short trip to Palawan to visit my husband, who was asked to temporarily substitute for one of the missionary pilots (here’s a video of the flight we did from Puerto Princesa to Brookes Point)
- Hosted the second annual online recital for my piano students
- Finished listening to The Secret Piano, an Audible book about the amazing life of Zhu Xiao-Mei, a Chinese pianist who survived labor camps during the time of Mao and the Cultural Revolution
- Spent two weeks in evacuation mode. Taal Volcano erupted, and since we were living in close proximity to the volcano we had to quickly pack our bags and leave. Another cataclysmic event that reminded me that time is short. Thankfully, Davin was back in time from Palawan to pick me up.
- Met kind people in Manila who allowed us to stay in their place during the disaster
- Finished reading Atomic Habits, awesome book and highly recommended!
- Picked up relatives to help them evacuate and saw a rainbow amidst the grey ash crazily swirling around in mid-air
- Started bullet journaling for the first time, and it’s really helping me to get organised, reach goals and stick to my habits and routines
- Watched Game Changers, an amazing documentary that will truly encourage anyone about the benefits of a plant-based diet
- Sent off a good friend to the mission field who is in dire need of a nurse
- Finished writing the first hymn worksheet for my piano students
- Watched a presentation series called UNdoctrinated by Scott Ritsema, dealing with the blueprint of true education. This is currently influencing the way I’ve been teaching piano lately
- Sent off Davin to Pangasinan to do actual flight time for his Instrument-Rated training
- Researched, tweaked and customized my routine for online group lessons
- Edited 95% of the hymns on this website after changing my theme and web design
- Learned so much about prayer and the important message of the sanctuary from this sermon series called “Salvation and the Sanctuary” by Jorge Baute
What about you? What does your life look like lately?
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