Waiting on the Lord

It seems like ages since anything has been posted here. Except for Kuya Art's report of the SMMR (which he posted on the nymm egroup), nothing seems to be happening. But I believe something soon will.

As ramadan comes to a close next week, my own fast also ends. I've done this before but not this long and this intense. I have some pretty heavy personal and ministry concerns that I can't pray about in the usual way. At the top of my list are some unsaved loved ones.

So far, God has been showing me my own spiritual hardheartedness. Even if I do most of the talking, I am doing more listening, too.

Hirap palang mag-fast. Hindi ka lang nagdidisiplina sa sarili na huwag kumain, pati yung puso mo binubulatlat! (Sorry, I didn't know how to express myself in English] But I really believe it's the right time for me to do this. Before I expect God to move in a mighty way, He waits for me to make time for Him.

For an update, Eman will soon work in Qatar as a tentmaker. The other Filipino delegate to SMMR is studying at ATS and wants to meet with the NYMM core team sometime when her schedule permits. I also met another young missions mobilizer who coordinates short-term mission trips for youth.

God is truly making things fall into place. May He bring the core team together soon.

Blesssed to be a Blessing

Today I officially have a new cellphone, exactly one week after I lost one. Just as I had barely finished emailing and telling just about everyone about my loss, God sent someone to give me its replacement. The "angel" asked me three times why I hadn't bought a new cellphone yet. I didn't have a ready answer but I tried to come up with one. Then I heard the surprise of my cellphone-less life, "Because I will give you one."

I couldn't believe my ears! Sure enough, three days later (last night), I held a cellphone unit in my hands, complete with charger, cable, software CD and SIM card. It even uses the same network I have been using all my cellphone-user life (SMART). My first trial text message to the "angel" was "Thankyou" (didn't know how to space yet). The reply was "Ur mst welcm ate. Ikaw talaga pinabgyan ng Lord nyan."

Amen and amen. A blessing on all such "angels" and the people they bless.


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http://timetogetrealwithgod.blogspot.com
~~~~ We are the NYMM at your service ~~~

While SMMR is Going on

While the SMMR is going on, I experienced another mini-crisis. I lost my cellphone right in the comforts of my spacious office. A female outsider loitering in the lobby yesterday morning is suspected as the lunch break thief. The last time I recalled using my cellphone was right before lunch break. I guess times are, indeed, hard and office security ought to be tightened some more. The lady was a pro. Her kind are probably roaming around security-lax Christian establishments now.

The reason I highlight this personal tragedy is because it happened on the very day (and time!) that K Art presented the NYMM at the consultation. The only time I left my desk was lunch break (12 noon). K Art's slot was 11:30 to 12:10 (if they started on time). I confess that my hunger took the better of me and I failed to shoot up a prayer for him. Up to now, I still have to hear from him and how it went. K Art is not the emailing type (sigh!). If I know him well enough, he is having the time of his life making new friends and trying out new things. And that's what he should do.

Surprisingly, I don't feel that devastated. This is my first time to lose a cellphone. I had used only one number for the many years I've had a cellphone. Maybe I'm still in shock. Or maybe it's not that big a deal compared to the emotional turmoil I went through the past weeks. But it sure felt funny waking up this morning without hearing the Polaris sound of my cellphone alarm go off.

It's going to be a bit more serene for a while  I've always put my cellphone on silent mode so I won't miss the ring tone (just the morning alarm). And I just have to start collecting contact numbers again (a great way of updating the directory!) and rely on the landline for a change (sort of like regressing, right?).

Even if it looks so petty as an application, what Job declared at the height of his loss is how I can describe what I feel at the moment: "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away: may the name of the LORD be praised." Yes, I can live without a cellphone. Just not too long (heh-heh). - Ate Joy


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~~~~ We are the NYMM at your service ~~~