Life in a FishBowl

(I know it's been forever since I last wrote, but now that I have officially made it to the missionfield, I have some interesting stories I would like to share. Just a quick update of life July 1, 2014 made it to the Philippines. July 19th married Pastor Marvin Montayre. Yep, pretty big events...thought they were worth mentioning).

Life in a FishBowl

If I were a fish I wouldn't want to live in a bowl but rather in the deep blue sea. I suppose there's good and bad points to either place. Like in a bowl, at least you would know when your next meal was coming, but in the sea you might be someone else's dinner. In a bowl it might be very lonely, but in the sea you might have a lot of friends. In a bowl you might feel safe and in the sea I suppose you could be lost forever. In a bowl you might be watched all the time, but in the sea no one may ever see your show.


Now let's see, how does this compare to my life now. Well I don't worry about being someone else's dinner, but I know my body has never consumed so much rice in my life. Sometimes I feel lonely in the fishbowl where I live now. I have many friends in the sea, but the sea is far and not always easy to get to. I know I must ask God for patience and wisdom in building relationships with the other fish in my bowl. Finding a new "normal" and feeling safe in a new country can often be be challenging and at times impossible. We know that God can show Himself strong in our weakness. As far as being watched all the time, well this one is hard for me. Somedays I just wish I could blend in with all the other fish, but alas I will always be different in my new home. Different isn't always bad, in fact it can often be an open door for sharing the love of Jesus with someone.




So for now if I have to live as a fish in a bowl, I will choose to be thankful and pray that my bowl will be filled with His love all the time. 

Significant Moments

Some moments in time are very significant in our Christian journey. 

The most significant would be the day you received Christ as your Saviour. 

That day for me was April 17th 1992, Easter Sunday morning!

Do you remember the day when the Lord saved you?

Another significant day was when God called me to the mission field.

This was 2 years ago, on July 2nd, 2011!

I can't believe it's already been 2 years.

It is a great privilege in life to be called to share Jesus with these beautiful Filipino children.

I am so thankful!

(Pastor Johnny Lim's ministry in Cebu, VBS 2013)

I can't wait to see what the next 2 years of life will hold. But most of all I am thankful to know WHO 

holds our lives in HIS hands. 

What moments in life are you thankful for? 

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way." Ps 37:23

The LORD is my helper

Hebrews 13:5-6

"Let you conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

North Carolina

Genesis 50:20

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

A mountain village in Cebu, Philippines

Who will go to tell these children about Jesus? Will you go? Will you pray for those who go?

They are so precious in His sight!


Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."



The Lord encouraged me today with these Scriptures. May they also be a blessing to you.

Blessings

Blessings can come in all different sizes, shapes and colors.

                                  (This picture was taken during my 2nd mission's trip to Cebu)

Beautiful Flowers
Today while in FL I saw flowers just like this and it blessed my heart. I remember how excited I was to see pink and yellow flowers blooming together.

I am blessed by God's creation.

 Beautiful Friends
This is me and my adopted Jewish Grandma Eva. She is one of the most loving people I know. My life has been blessed by her friendship. She has such a heart for orphans.

I am blessed by Godly friends.

Beautiful Children
What a beautiful smile. I met this little girl at church during my first mission's trip. I'm looking forward to living in Cebu and sharing Jesus with these beautiful children.

I am blessed by children.

Beautiful Words of God
This little boy was helping say the pledge to the Bible. I loved the way he hugged that OLD BOOK. So many people in the world do not have their own Bible. Today, if you have a copy of the Bible...be thankful, read it and know you are blessed.

I am blessed by the Bible.


Thank you God for the sweet blessings you give to us each and everyday. May we all find something to be thankful for, because we are certainly Blessed.

God has a plan! Life as a missionary is an adventure. And it is worth every moment to be able to share Jesus with the lost people of the world.

Taken on my 1st mission's trip 2011... one of my favorites.... Apple

While traveling down life's road, one never knows quite what to expect. It's the same with driving. Sometimes there is beautiful scenery: a mountain top, an ocean, wildflowers and sometimes there is backlogs, potholes and detours. I am learning to be thankful for the detours on my journey, because God is not surprised by them and yes...He has a plan!

Today I am thankful for the Lord directing my path, blessing me beyond belief and teaching me so many lessons through the detours.