40 Days Later

The week of my Mother’s funeral, I have decided to stay in Manila with my Father to grieve with him for 40 days. I have heard more than once before that there’s significance in the first 7 days, the first 40 days, and the first year. I’m sure there is a lot more, and I wouldn’t mind knowing any of this stuff. I’m sure old Christian traditions or the Protestants and the Orthodox churches have some answers to this. So, if you have any thoughts or real ideas, I wouldn’t mind hearing about what you know.

Unfortunately, 2 of my sisters were not able to share this experience with me. Because of the norm in American jobs, they were only allotted to stay in Manila for 2-3 weeks. As for me, I was laid off from work unless we get more funding this up coming school year. In some ways, it was nice not having a job and just taking my time in Manila.

I was working in a Charter school, but because most of our students testing out of the special education program, our department lost some funding. Gee, I guess, too, bad on us, ‘coz we were actually was doing our job. So much for teachers and assistants in rewarding us a raise or even just keeping our jobs, and folks, that’s what we call American education system!

I’m not bitter or anything, I just find it’s ironic. The truth to all this, I believe God gave me that awesome job for that specific moment for that specific need. So, if He was the one to give me the right job for the right time, then He will provide another one, where He will prefer me to serve Him next.

Oh yeah, many of you having been wondering what I did for the last 40 days. Well, I mainly just hang out with my Dad. I went on a personal 4 day solitude retreat to a cabin, a couple days later, I stayed in a Roman Catholic Convent with some Nuns for 3 days. If you’re interested to hear all about the convent experience, feel free to ask ‘coz I’d love to tell you how it went.

Some of the highlights of my stay in Manila, I was spending my time with my Father. See, you kinda have to understand that my Dad doesn’t really know how to relate with his children. He only knows how to provide, obviously maybe because that’s only what has been taught to him growing up.
I never really had much of a pleasant relationship with him. He has always have pushed his children to work hard and strive to live a successful wealthy life with no guidance.

Hmm, yeah, it’s a bit the opposite of my life value. Well anyway, something happened when my Mother passed away. God truly intervened and allowed my relationship with my Dad to become pleasant and sweet. He became affectionate and kind. He even tries to carry a conversation, and that my friend is rare. All I can say the LORD is truly good and the only One who restores all things. The Heavenly Father blessed me in filling the gaps in my life that I’ve always longed for from my earthly father. My only response to our Maker is “Praise the LORD!”

So here’s the real reason why I was writing this, 40 days later I decided to fly back to the states. I stopped overnight Seattle to see my sisters’ family, then I flew straight to Boise. As I arrive Boise, my youth group was getting ready for 2 White water Rafting Camps, which were one week for high school and the following week for jr high. And, I had three days, since the day I arrived to rest and pack. I wanted to join them for 2 weeks, but before I could I also had to prepare my next future endeavor.

See, I have been wanting to visit Josiah Venture and Malachi since last year’s spring or summer, but because of my Mother’s condition I had to postpone. For sure, God knew the timing of all this obviously. Fascinating how my Mother’s passing happened in the beginning of summer, with having the allowance to rest and grieve. Then, timely I arrive to Boise just to have enough days to prepare my trip for Europe, then drive out to Riggins where rafting site was at.

I gave myself a one day turn-around where I came back from Riggins to Boise, which was a 3 ½ hr drive. I just had enough time throw a load in the laundry, buy last minute things, and repack for a month in Europe. YEAH!

Yup! Europe, baby… I am currently in Darmstadt, Germany hanging with Anna & AJ with Malachi. I also get to see Laurel & Brad in Kaiserslautrn. I will have the privilege to see each of their youth groups in the military base, then by the end of this week, I will have the opportunity to join all the Malachi Leaders for their conference. I’m quit excited! Actually, I cannot believe that I am seeing old Multnomah friends again.

2nd week of August, I hope to visit Josiah Venture in Czech and in Poland. I am still somewhat planning how this will all work. I also hope to see Christina & Anna in J.V. Slovenia.

See, you have to understand, Laurel and Anna from Malachi and Anna & Christina from Josiah Venture are some of the key people in my life while I was studying in Multnomah. They were the kind of friends I wish I could keep around while doing ministry. Some of them somewhat were my mentors and most especially they were the people I processed my classes, ministry, and life with while I was freshmen & sophomore in MBC. And Christina was an awesome old roommate my senior year. So, I feel quit privilege to watch them in action and talk ministry, once again. As a woman, I don’t find many women who I connect with when it comes to processing and/or strategizing ministry with much in my life time.

With these ministries visitation, I hope to see the heart of each ministry and hear about its DNA. I hope you can also join me in prayer, in seeking out where the LORD desires to lead me next. I have promised myself, my purpose of coming here is observe and gather all the information I can. I hope to be quick to listen and observe and wise to ask well-thought out questions… I desire to learn and grow through this experience while even visiting. And most of all, have FUN!!

And so far, I’ve been enjoying chatting for hours with Anna & AJ here in Germany… I feel like Anna & I have 4 years of catching up to do. As one of the Malachi’ leaders said, we look like a bunch of hens clucking non-stop.


(Sorry, this blog needs major editing..., but Iknow many have been wondering and asking about how's life lately for me.)