Out of the Woods

"Light at the End of the Tunnel" by James Anderson

And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to Him
must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

- Hebrews 11:6

My 8:55 a.m. flight back to Bacolod City touched down at exactly 9:35 a.m., twenty minutes ahead of schedule!

The flight was smooth, and it felt like the plane was just gliding through the clouds. After six days of stormy weather, we finally saw the sun, for a change.

In fact, the weather bulletin for this day read,

As of today August 11, 2009, no tropical cyclone existing within Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Surely it was an indicator of the "weather conditions" in my current circumstances as well!



Obedient One and I woke up at 5 30 a.m. This gave us enough time to get dressed and have a quick breakfast together before leaving for the airport. I always like taking the mid-morning flight out of Manila, whenever possible. It gives me the opportunity to drop off my daughter at her place of work on my way to the Centennial Airport. Within the 40 minutes that it takes to reach her office we are able to talk some more, and pray together.

Leaving Obedient One behind this time was not as difficult for me as the last time. As many of you know, she went through an emotional storm last month.

Thank you dear friends for praying for her. Her inner joy has returned, not completely, but I know she's out of the woods. I do praise God for this. This is what a mom is for. Not to deprive her of precious opportunity to try out her new wings, but to be as a mother eagle flying under the eaglet as she ventures further out into the world. It was indeed worth all the effort, time, and money I spent to be with her at the time she needed emotional and spiritual support.

Picture of Obedient One taken last Sunday,
just before we left our home for the pamanhikan at Chosen's house

While praying for my daughter a few weeks ago, I asked God to lead me on the right track. I needed to be sure that I was praying "on target, hitting the mark" prayers, praying the prayers that are on my Father's heart, not simply my own.

He showed me the picture of a girl under an umbrella. You will understand the surge of joy that flooded my heart after I tell you this story:

Obedient One loves necklaces. One Sunday after church, a few months ago, we went to Greenhills to eat lunch and look at the shops. A bronze necklace caught her fancy. It had a unique pendant, a little girl under a big umbrella.

When God showed that picture, I was immediately reminded of my daughter's bronze necklace. God whispered these comforting words in my heart, "She has a big umbrella over her, Me. She is safe, she just needs to stay under my protection and care."

Amazing, but it was God who led my daughter to purchase that beautiful necklace.

We almost didn't buy it. But after thinking it over while eating our lunch, she finally decided in favor of buying it.

Obedient One's storm had something to do with obedience. Her choice to obey God rather than her own heart brought her much emotional pain, but in obeying her heavenly Father, she was able to tap on to His supernatural strength. One obedient step may seem small, but it does cause our faith to grow several notches higher!

As he was about to end his preaching last Sunday, Pastor Edgar said these timely words: Faith is like a muscle, if we don't use it, it will atrophy.

Obedient One has also joined a small group in her office that meets one night a week after work to study God's word. Another small step in the right direction!

Here is a closer look at that girl-with-umbrella necklace:

From the Bacolod airport, Worshiper brought me to Riverside Medical Center where my grandson Forerunner has been staying for the past four days, starting Saturday morning.

His pediatrician wanted to be sure the baby was given proper medical attention. Matthew's cough and fever had turned out to be a case of penumonia; hospital care was indeed important.

Praise God for the healing.

Forerunner was discharged yesterday afternoon and medication can be continued at home. We appreciate your prayers for his full recovery. Let's ask the Father that Matthew will be able to keep the medicines down, and that he will regain the appetite he has lost.

We remember to put our trust in Jehovah Rophe, the God our Healer.

Clap your hands so gaily...

A doggy and a flowery welcome awaited me when I got home. Below are a few pictures taken upon my arrival.


My stargazer lilies, yellowbells, red euphorbias in full bloom:









My dog Sammy, getting ready to fall asleep in my arms again!

It's so good to be back.

Thank you, my dear friends and loved ones who have been a part of my life journey through this blog. I truly appreciate the fact that we meet often at God's throne of grace.

God Himself is our reward!


Related Post:
To My Daughter: If I Could