Another Goodbye

This orchid planted by my father 40 years ago still blooms very often!


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope.

- Jeremiah 29:11

In just two hours I will be leaving for the airport to board my flight back to Bacolod City. It's been nearly three months since I got here.

AS I've shared a few times on this blog, I got here on April 14 for what I thought was going to be a mere two week visit with my daughter. Circumstances changed, plans had to be revised, and now, after eleven weeks, I'm on my way back home.

My suitcase still has to be packed, but I want to spend a few minutes to post my online journal entry for today.

I don't really like goodbyes.

I woke up with a lump in my throat and a tight knot in my stomach. I know that familiar feeling, that feeling of having to leave my daughter, someone I love so much, and the home where I grew up, and where my own daughter now lives.

It's been an unplanned extended time for me, really an unexpected gift because it gave me so much time to be with Obedient One. But it also gave my heavenly Father the opportunity to speak new things to my heart, and allow me a fresh perspective from which to look at the road ahead of me.

My daughter, Obedient One, is my baby. She is 24 years old, my youngest and only daughter. Her gentle and generous heart is such a blessing to me. Even though she's 24, I still love to do special things for her, especially since she lives such a hectic life in the metropolis that MetroManila is. I have loved preparing nutritious meals for her, and being with her late evenings when she comes home after a long day at work. Our weekends have been really special, all these weeks.

So it is with a heavy heart that I leave her.

At the same time, I also leave with a heart full of new expectations. How true it is, my expectation should always be from God alone. Then I will never be disappointed!

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.

- Psalm 62:5-6

When I reach my home city this afternoon, I know there will be new things waiting for me.

Thank you dearest Father. Truly you hold the times and the seasons of my life in Your hands.


Below are a few pictures that I took this morning of my last day here in Manila. I want to share these with you my dear blog friends. I know you have prayed for me, and for the fruition of God's purposes for my life. You have all been such an encouragement to me, just by showing interest in my journey, in my family, and in our country.

May God continue to abundantly shower His blessings on each one of you. I do want you to know that I often pray for each one of you BY NAME.

I treasure my relationship with you. Our having met on cyberspace is definitely not a chance happening!

Obedient One and me, just before she left for work this morning.

Here are some snapshots taken around our home.

My favorite front porch where I would sit early mornings and evenings, meditating on God's goodness in my life. There is always a gentle breeze blowing in this place! And it is a perfect place to watch a downpour here. So refreshing, so cool, and so beautiful!