Australian Adventure - Week 4

It's been a month now since I joined my dearest hubby here in The Land Down Under. The Lord has been sooooooo gracious and my heart is tremendously overwhelmed and grateful! ^_^

My prayer is that we'd always have this expectant heart towards God's blessings as well as an ever appreciative spirit for every blessing that comes our way.

I flew in...

...with great anticipation and excitement of the "what could be's" and the "would be's"

...weighing about 40.3kg (and I'm now at 43.2kg!)

...with no kin (and now have been blessed by wonderful friends who have welcomed me with their beautiful smiles and warm embraces and hospitality that feel like family!)

...with one luggage and a backpack (and my sweet husband and our generous friends have added a few more to my wardrobe and stuff since then..thank you!)

...without much of tangible possessions but full of faith, peace, love, joy and hope ^_^

Psalm 118:28-29 (NIV)

 28 You are my God, and I will praise you;

   you are my God, and I will exalt you.

 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

   his love endures forever.

Australian Adventure - Week 3

Tue, 6 December 2011

My 3rd week at beautiful Brisbane caught me at a time of the beginning of December. Oh how I miss the warmth of the Christmas spirit of the Philippine madlang people at this time of the year!

I haven't weighed myself in this week yet...will post an update on my next entry.

If you're curious about my past weeks, kindly check my Australian Adventure Notes:

Week 1 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150409511038369)

Week 2 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150417695698369)

I may be putting in some more observations, experiences, lots of surprises together with some bits of rants..hahaha! So here it goes:

• I've never seen so much of the skies before, and here, there's just the vastness of it! and the clouds just look so much like heaps of scoops of vanilla ice cream!
• the hint of Christmas lights and decors on houses excite me! makes me feel that THAT household is excited and looking forward to Christmastime just like I do!
• if I were an animal, I might have been a dog: sticking my tongue out while the wind blows against my face on a hot summer road cruise, or rolling over the green green grass of home, or barking wildly at cool sprinkler water, or splashing onto the nearby pool
• the Chard leaves in my salad bowl taste like 'alugbati' leaves from the Philippines (minus the slimey slime..that's what I don't like about alugbati leaves...arggh)
• Baskin-Robbins' Prailines N' Cream (vanilla ice cream with praline-coated pecan pieces and a caramel ribbon) taste sooooooo good! had to look it up to know what the nuts were..and so they're pecans! yummy!
• 'tis the season of mullet dresses...fa la la la la la la la la
• the brownish pears taste like Philippine 'singkamas'...so aside from the yellow-skinned pears I know, there are the brown- & green-skinned varieties I've seen
• kalachuchi flowers also come in different varieties: white, pink, peach, yellow (didn't know that there were quite a variety of colors)
• I'm surprised to know that the dandelion plant is a beneficial weed! Wikipedia says, "it has a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen."
• there are child safety restraint laws in Australia which states that children must be secured in an approved booster seat with a H-harness or a booster seat with a secured adult lap/sash seatbelt that is properly fastened and adjusted. The child must be secured in this manner up until they reach 22kilos in weight, otherwise, the driver will risk being fined A$300 and three demerit points for each unrestrained or incorrectly restrained child in the vehicle (the memories of hometown children sandwiched in vehicles up till the trike roof (or men overflowing from buses and jeepneys) flash before me! anong safety-safety rules?! basta humawak ng mahigpit, kumapit ng maigi at wag malikot, safe na un, diba, manong driver?!)
• you say 'McErs' instead of 'McDonalds' and 'toilet' instead of 'comfort room'
• while shopping for shorts with my hubby and Cheska yesterday, we discovered that the Abercrombie & Fitch drawstring shorts I bought were made in the Philippines!
• my feet hurt and my head spins around under prolonged shop-hopping..I don't like being in the mall for so long! waaaaa! why can't they just have lots of my sized clothing so we can get the shopping over with!
• I now have another beauuuuuutiful red dress! my mama & I bought my very first one for my highschool prom and this second one was personally handpicked by my hubby ^_^
• kitchen electronics and appliances make me look soooo bad...have had a lot of awkward moments with machines such as the microwave, a bread-popping toaster, the oven, and even a rice dispenser! arrrrggghhh!

....to be continued...

Australian Adventure - Week 2

Tue, 29 November 2011

I'm on my 2nd week at my new home! I've been blessed a lot and my heart is overjoyed (will have to always remember na dapat "kalahati lang ang ngiti"..heheh) by the Lord's lovingkindnesses!

There's a lot of beautiful people I'm meeting, a lot of things and happenings I'm experiencing, and places I'm visiting!

If you're curious about my 1st week, kindly check my Australian Adventure Note -

Week 1 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150409511038369)

So, here are a few more things I've added to my overwhelming list of adventures, interesting observations & discoveries:

• weighed around 40.3kg the time I arrived here and just this morning, I weighed in at 41.2kg..whoa! my dearest hubby has been cooking for me wonderful menus, stuffing me with lots of yummies, bringing me 'bibums' and is very much taking care of me (thank You, Lord!)
• most of the establishments/stores (even the small ones) have automatic doors which open/close for you once you enter/exit their shop (am really battling the urge to do a tap dance to let it open/close at my every move! hahah!)
• roundabouts are pretty much in every road here (always gives me the 'weeeeee' glee moment everytime we drive around it)
• fiery flowery flame trees are sooooooooo lovely!
• the yellow taxis look more orangey than yellow (you'll also see white taxis)..aside from the car-type, there are also multicab types..and the taxis have handicap ramps! (cool!)
• salmons and steaks 'wow' me...as in wooooooooow
• found out that kiwis can make me cry..just lurve that fruit! and discovered that my dearest is allergic to fresh kiwis & pineapples
• some of the locals really smell oh so UNheavenly! in this kind of weather, i think even the cat will take a bath! phew!
• i give out my hat to the inventor of the microwave! (i just gotta remember to use it always, though, and put down the pot..nakakalimutan ko kc na may microwave..wla nman kc sa bundok nmin un eh! heheh)
• am fascinated at how merchants do business here esp with regards to EFTPOS payments (electronic funds transfer at point of sale is the general term used for debit card based systems used for processing transactions through terminals at points of sale)...cashless transactions!
• saw the Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane a bit upclose! first saw it on the web (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40391866) while still in the Philippines & thought of it as such an architectural beauty..would really like to see it once it puts on its dazzling LED light shows..what a nice sight that could be ^_^
• it's sooooooo hard to find good clothes that fit me..haay! (hmm...let's check the teen's or children's section..)

....to be continued...

Australian Adventure - Week 1

Tue, 22 November 2011

It's been a week since my arrival here in warm, sunny Brisbane. We actually live in Sandgate, a suburb.

I'm still getting used to a lot of things, familiarizing myself with my surroundings, remembering names of people & friends I'm introduced to and even getting used to just having my hubby around..and it truly is quite an overwhelming adventure! I got lotsa things whirring in this little head of mine that I'd just have to put bullet points in here and probably find the time (next time?! when?!) to expound on my thoughts.

• am amazed at how clean and fresh-smelling the surroundings are
• gotta remember to keep my seatbelt on 'immediately' when i get on the car
• am still quite disoriented while on the road coz they drive on the car's right hand side
• the road signs say 'keep left'..that also goes for the escalators in malls
• there are roadsigns with a kangaroo silhouette that means kangaroo crossing area (haven't seen a single one on any of our road trips, though)
• the malls are only open until 5pm (oh well, so much for window shopping now that I got the luxury of time)..but they're open until 9pm on Thursdays (yeheeeyyy!)
• enjoying the warm & sunny weather (it's summertime here) coz I get to wear my kinda clothing--sando, sleeveless, shorts, skirts & dresses!
• got quite a shock when I saw some shoppers at the grocery/mall with no slippers/shoes on and some males walking around topless!
• people don't usually bring umbrellas..oh yeah! good thing coz I hate bringing an umbrella around with me!
• am fascinated at the colossal trees around..not to mention the preeeety fiery flowery trees!
• the roads are beautiful (great for cruisin'!) and some parts feel like a roller-coaster ride
• our neighborhood is just soooo beautiful! most of the neighbors' houses look like beach-houses (may silong at stairs)
• the passing of the railroad train near our neighborhood sometimes give me a jolt at nighttime especially when we're already sleeping
• was startled the first night of my stay here...naalimpungatan yata ako...i stared really hard at my surroundings and at the person beside me...sabi ko sa isip ko, "asan ba ako? panaginip ba ito?"...and then I finally realized I'm in our bedroom and my dear hubby was sleeping while he held me in his arms...haayy...thank You, Lord!
• familiar stores/resto I've seen so far are the following: Pizza Hut, Dominos Pizza, 7-Eleven, Subway, McDonald's, KFC, Cibo
• walang unlimited gravy sa KFC...waaaaaaaaaaa! (take note: mejo malabnaw ang gravy nila dito sa AUS)
• their post office personnel are all standing up! they take your transaction and automatically encodes the details in a computer in front of them..and aside from sending mail/courier, they also accept ID photo transactions (we were in a hurry so I just wonder what other services they provide..hmmm)
• I've seen & experienced the 'great divide' on the way & quality of living as to how things are in the Philippines against how things are here in Australia..what may be considered a luxury in the Philippines is but commonplace here in Australia
• it is heartbreaking to see food go to waste (ex. bread)...breads here don't contain much preservatives so the shelf-life is short :-(
• apples and nectarines look the same! (especially the small ones)

....to be continued...

The Land Down Under

• Mon, 14 November 2011

5pm (PH time) : went to the airport with my dearest family

9pm (PH time) : boarded PAL flight to Melbourne, Australia

• Tue, 15 November 2011

8am (AUS time) / 5am (PH time) : arrived @Melbourne, AUS

9am (AUS time) / 6am (PH time) : boarded same PAL plane for my connecting flight to Sydney, AUS

10:45am (AUS time) / 7:45am (PH time) : arrived @Sydney, AUS; rode a Tbus from the International airport to the Domestic airport

12:45nn (AUS time) / 9:45am (PH) : boarded Quantas plane for my connecting flight to Brisbane

1:30am (AUS time) / 11:30am (PH) : arrived @Brisbane, AUS

Note: Time differences

Melbourne & Sydney, AUS are 3hrs advanced as against the Manila, Philippines

On the other hand, Brisbane, AUS is 2hrs advanced

It was my first international flight and what a trip that was! Thank You, Lord, for your strength, guidance & traveling mercies! Thank You, also, Lord for smooth transitions from the immigration & through all the stops & baggage checks. You have truly been a wonderful traveling partner! And now, I thank You, Lord, all the more that You brought me safely into the arms of dearest hubby! Thank You, Lord!!!  ^_^

Everyday is a Gift

(Psalm 90:12, NIV) “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Sometimes our days can be so full and busy that we forget how fragile life really is. It’s easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Maybe something doesn’t go our way or someone says something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to lose focus if we let it. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss the beauty that each day has to offer.

I encourage you today; don’t let the precious moments of life pass you by. Don’t wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care. Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable. You have been given time that can be invested or wasted; hours that can be used or misused. That’s why the psalmist prayed to God, “Teach us to number our days.” He was saying, “Teach us to value every moment we’ve been given.” As you daily keep a proper perspective, you’ll gain a heart of wisdom. You’ll draw closer to God and experience the full blessing that He has for you each and every day!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to focus on the blessing of each moment instead of allowing the little things to steal my joy. Keep me close to You always as I submit every area of my heart and mind to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Forgiveness

For some, forgiveness may be the hardest thing to give or probably the least celebrated thing to receive.

The standard definition of forgive or forgiveness according to Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states:

The term ‘forgive’ derives from ‘give’ or to ‘grant’, as in ‘to give up,’ or ‘cease to harbor(resentment, wrath).’ More specifically, ‘forgive’ refers to the act of giving up a feeling, such as resentment, or a claim to requital or compensation. And the term ‘forgiveness’ is defined as the action of forgiving, pardoning of a fault, remission of a debt, and similar responses to injury, wrongdoing, or obligation.

In lighter terms, , forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you may always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.

Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.  It is very much different fromreconciliation.

Here are some notes from today's Life Apps teaching on "Forgiveness" at church:

1. Forgiven people forgive
2. It's God's standard to forgive
3. Forgiveness can cure illnesses

You must agree with 1 & 2, but doubts may even arise with 3, so here's God's Word to support it:

(James 5:16) "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Even health specialists attribute forgiveness' healing benefits:

(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131)

Letting go of grudges and bitterness makes way for compassion, kindness and peace.  Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety and chronic pain
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

So here are some tips for a healthier you:

1. Don't be easily offended
2. You can avoid an unforgiving spirit by realizing how important forgiveness is to the Christian faith

Ptr.A also shared several quotes on forgiveness:

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." -Mahatma Gandhi

"He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass." -George Herbert

"Resentment is like a glass of poison that a man drinks; then he sits down and waits for his enemy to die." -Nelson Mandela

"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well." -Lewis B. Smedes

"Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me."

"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?" -Abrahan Lincoln

"A happy marriage is the union of two forgivers." -Robert Quillen

"In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another." -Andy Stanley 

It will really be easy for us to forgive and release someone or some people (Colossians 3:12-14) if we ourselves realize that we have been greatly and eternally forgiven of our sins, wrongdoings and shortcomings by a Savior (Hebrews 8:11-13). Only when we do so would forgiving be 'real' to us. Anyways, it is 'our self' who benefits the greatest when we forgive. And wouldn't you want to receive forgiveness as well?

Psalm 103:2-4 (NIV)

2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion

Trusting God

I was awakened by loud and distressed voices talking yesterday, very early Sunday morning. My uncle was talking to my dad with news that our tricycle was stolen during the wee hours before daylight. Shortly after, everyone in the house soon awakened and rose to the sound of distress. I'd say we were all shocked with this kind of circumstance. That tricycle had been with us for more than 15 years already. Other than my dad (who's the operator), two of my uncles drive that tricycle to provide for their respective families. "What now, Lord?", I asked.

I hurriedly prepared for church to help me clear my mind and I was expectant that He might have an answer for me then. And praise be to Him that what He told Ptr.A to feed His sheep was just what we needed to hear! LifeApps14 was entitled "It's Only a Test".

(James 1:1-3) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

First human reaction to distress: shock, followed by panic, then sadness, then worry. Being "joyful" isn't always in the equation, and so God's word is really challenging us all to be willing to look at trials in a different perspective, to put our faith in the finished works of Jesus, and still believe and trust God even in the absence of blessings.

(James 1:4) "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

After church (and thank God for JOF3!) today, my sisters and I went back home much more encouraged, uplifted, assured and blessed! We were able to share the teachings to our parents. We may not know the answers to the "how's", but our Lord will surely provide us with the wisdom, strength and provisions.

Just as how the Malayang Pilipino song "Kailanman" goes:

♫ Kailanman, O Diyos, Ikaw ay tapat, hindi nagbabago

Kailanman, O Diyos, Pag-ibig Mo'y wagas, Ito'y walang hanggan

Kailanman, O Diyos, Biyaya Mo'y sapat, hindi nagkukulang

Kailanman, O Diyos, Wala nang papantay, pag-ibig Mo'y tunay ♪♫

!!!NEWSFLASH!!!

"I was lost, but now I'M FOUND!" -VATODA Tricycle #36

Praise the Lord! our tricycle had just been recovered last night--not one bolt or nut missing!--from Pasig and now is home sweet home Paranaque! our God is such a miracle-working God! ^_^

One of the VATODA drivers went to our home last night to tell our family that our tricycle was reportedly recovered in Pasay. They said that it was parked near a house in Pasig. The homeowner reported the suspicious-looking trike (ours was a back-to-back trike & their community's trikes weren't) to their Baranggay Hall, who in turn, reported it to Paranaque City Hall, who then reported it to Baranggay San Isidro, who then reported it to VATODA authorities, who then went to our home to tell the good news..(whew!) And that night, my dad together with my uncles, other brgy officials hurriedly went to Pasig to fetch our trike. It was all in one piece! The journey of that trike still remains a mystery. One thing's for sure, the Lord works in such mysterious & mind-boggling ways ^_^

Christian Music

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.  Praise God in his sanctuary; 
   praise him in his mighty heavens. 
2 Praise him for his acts of power; 
   praise him for his surpassing greatness. 
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 
   praise him with the harp and lyre, 
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, 
   praise him with the strings and pipe, 
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, 
   praise him with resounding cymbals.
 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫ ♪♫

Good Medicine

I went to see my cardiologist yesterday for a check-up & to get a medical certificate. While I was waiting outside the doctor's clinic, an elderly couple came in. The elderly woman walked alongside the elderly man who held a walking stick & so I figured he was blind while his medical attendant held him by the arm to assist him. They sat down together on the couch near me while the medical attendant stood close looking more like a bodyguard than an attendant. The couple were talking happily; he was cracking jokes; she was giggling & laughing. We can't help but hear their conversations because the elderly woman would always ask her husband to repeat what he just said coz she can't hear him very well. And what made everyone in the waiting area laugh was when she said:

"naku honey, bagay talaga tayo..bulag ka, bingi ako at may ksama pa tayong pipi (looking at their quiet medical attendant)."

("oh honey, we really are meant to be together..you're blind, I'm deaf, and he's mute.")

Shortly after, they were called in by the doctor. Though it was just a short encounter, it was such a sweet & refreshing moment. It was really nice to see such a wonderful relationship they have with each other & such cheerful countenance. The Lord bless their hearts!

(Proverbs 17:22) "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

He Who Gives Me Strength

I haven't been feeling well since last Thursday..have had colds and have been coughing recently..the changing weather and climate may be the culprit but I think I'll throw in stress & lack of rest/sleep in the bag, too..I don't blame it all on the weather or on the devil (who's only here to steal my strength, productivity & joy)..I can also say I have my share of neglect & overwork..

But I thank God for His grace & promises..He is my Healer, my Strength, my Joy. And how glad am I to have been kept reminded of His Word:

(Philippians 4:12-13) "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

I know how it is to be full of energy & live out every ounce of strength there is in me as if there's not going to be any tomorrow..I know how it is to have plenty or be full..& for those times, I am truly grateful..but to have experienced lack or sickness, I am humbled for I know I am nothing without Christ. For these humbling times, I know I am abundantly blessed because I have a great big God who assures me of His love, blessings, provisions, forgiveness & redemption.

God bless us all!