아버지 ~ Father

Today, I watched the latest episode of Master in the House. Lee Deok-Hwa was their guest master. He is 70 years old and his father passed away 40 years ago. In the last part of the episode, they went to the lake where his father was recovering from illness which he visits every week and to go fishing as well. He started bawling thinking about his past memories with his dad. How his dad will shave and iron his shirt 3 days before he comes to visit, his dad preparing coffee at early dawn and paddling across the lake where he fishes. 

I couldn't help but cry as well because of my father. 2 years ago, I used to have coffee with him in our terrace while talking about so many things. Our plans in the future, what happened to him in the past few days and even our neighbors lives ㅋㅋㅋ 

This pas few days, I've been stressing myself with my visa extension. Like I want to get a sponsor so I can stay longer once my current visa expires. I've been thinking of getting a student visa so I can work longer here. I then realized that my father is not getting younger and we will only be together for few more years, Lord willing. Why would I focus in earning more money when I am losing days to spend with my father. Above the material things, our family is the most important. The days gone focusing on our career or getting rich, we can no longer recover once our love ones pass away. 

So sa ngayon, focus lang sa work. Magtipid para madagdagan ang ipon para kung kailan man ako makauwi eh good to go na ako. Spending more time with you is what matters most. You mean the world to me Tay. I love you to infinity and beyond. 💏❤️𝩍💏

A Living Sacrifice

This past few days were really tough battle for me spiritually. The battle between sin and righteousness. It made me realise how cheap my desires are and though I have been saved by grace through the death of Christ, sin is still lingering in my mortal body. In Pastor John Piper's book "Dangerous Duty of Delight" he said that it's not that the standard of God's holy living is too hard to accomplish or delighting in God is not so delighting. We fail to find our delight in God because console our hearts longing through what the world can offer; scenic vacations, accomplishments of creativity, stunning cinematic production, sexual exploits, sports, luxuries, drugs, etc. But even after experiencing all these...the longing remains. 

Jerry Bridges said in his book The Discipline of Grace, "Our sin is a burden that afflicts us rather than a pleasure that delights us." I couldn't agree more! The "separation" from God that you feel after falling in to sin and the Holy Spirit grieving inside you! Then you will ask yourself, "How can I, who has died to sin still live in it." What a pitiful condition we are in! But we are not hopeless, Christians. We can still pursue holiness through the grace of God. Sin no longer has dominion over us. Sin has been defeated through the death of Christ and His resurrection. 

We Christians were commanded to make our body as a living sacrifice. We can all start by renewing our mind. Body in Romans 12:1 includes our mind. In verse 2 it says "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." A transformed mind is the key to transformed behavior. (From GTY Bible Study of Pastor John McArthur)

So it was tough, really tough. But again, I have experienced the unfailing grace of God. It made me realise how selfish I am. In my 16 months of stay here in Korea, what did I ask  that he didn't grant? I got my visa, nakadalaw ako sa pinas, Tatay is doing well now, I settled all my financial responsibilities and now, I got the job that I want. The Lord is just but good to me and still, I choose the cheap delights of this world that I am in. May the Lord continue to be gracious to me and always remind me that I am already dead to sin and alive in Christ...

Joy in Adversity

So last month, Tatay was hospitalised for a week. By God’s grace, his stats are now back to normal. But the lump in his arteries needs to be operated. I thought makaka focus na akong magipon ng pang pagawa ng bahay, pero hindi pa rin. Trials after trials, it feels like it will never end. 

Parang gusto mong mag give up? Hindi naman, hindi naman ito ibibigay ng Panginoon kung higit ito sa kapasidad naming ihandle. “God will never give us more than we can handle. Is that biblically correct? Yes, if we mean God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. We will be enabled to do all we must do to get there.” - Pastor John Piper

Nakakapagod, oo. But I can rest in Him... “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28

I will always believe that God is sovereign and I can always trust His plans me... “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4

After each trial surpassed, you will then realise how gracious the Lord is. You will be amazed how He’s been so faithful in your life and there nothing else that you can do but to express your gratitude. For apart from the Lord, we can do nothing. 

Kapit lang!!! Sabi ng Tarsier 😂😂😂 My journey as a believer is indeed not easy, but still very fulfilling and satisfying. Knowing that the Lord is always on my side, there is nothing to fear. 

Thank you Lord, still in times of adversity, we can still praise You!~

Just Tired...

Four hours of straight work, one hour travel to the next, nomo himdoro 😭😭😭 Salamat sa Panginoon Saturday na bukas, I will rest the whole day. Ang hirap kumita ng pera 😂😂😂

Taean Trip

8 hours of travel to reach Taean because of too much traffic due to Childrens Week. It was tiring but yeah, still fun. Millions of tulips of different colors and other variety of flowers. Just in front is Kkotji Beach, 30 minutes of aura with the waves and seagulls. Parang kelan lang napapanood ko ang mga lugar na pinupuntahan ko sa 2D1N, dreaming to visit these places too. And yeah, now here I am. So mga ilang months na lang ako dito at uuwi na ako. I hope I could visit other places too. Thank you Lord! 

Taean Trip 05May2018

Endless Experience

Na endless experience talaga kami sa bus. Today is trip to Taean which happened to be Childrens week dito sa SoKor. 5 hours and counting, nandito pa din kami sa bus. Nauubos na excitement ko... wahahaha!!! I love you Heenim 😍😍😍

When absent...

Today is Tatay’s birthday... Second year that we didn’t celebrate his birthday together and I hope this is the last. I’ve been here in SoKor for more than a year now and I’m still missing home kahit kakauwi ko lang last month. Truly there is no place like home.

My journey here in SoKor has been really challenging... the work and the people. Salamat sa net, nababawasan ang boredom ko. Kung kelan ako nag trenta tsaka pa ako naging fan ng SuJu.. wahahaha!!!