one... two... THREE!

April 21, 2008, a perfect 20°C spring weather!
Exactly three years ago today, we landed in Canada. “Time flies”, quipped one friend of ours when I shared the information. Time flies indeed. After counting three years, one cannot help but look back to all the blessings God has provided. I am not referring to wealth here… I mean more valuable blessings than tangible wealth.

In 2005, we came with FEAR and ANXIETY for the big change ahead… but God constantly provided assurance that He is in control. Through caring relatives and friends who share their resources and valuable advice, time and again, we get encouragement to go on every time worries start pushing us to sulk and give up. In His prefect time, God has opened up paths to provide clear answers each time we reach a crossroad… which house to buy, what car to get, what job to apply for, which church to make our home church… I guess that is how God answers prayers… when He opened the sea for Moses and the more than a million Jews... go forward or perish... as one clear soda ad says.. The CHOICE IS CLEAR!

The most significant updates on our third year in Canada are relating to two MOVES…

Elaine will be moving to a new company in May. The decision to move has been made few months back but again, God dictates the perfect time. The doors just opened up and in a very short time the offer was finalized giving Elaine sufficient time to submit her resignation in the current post and still stay on long enough to assist in the turnover during the transition.

The second move involves our Home church CECC (Christ Emmanuel Community Church). After 21 years, God has given us a building to house His church. With the money on hand several months ago, buying this building is ‘wishful thinking” but that is precisely how it works… it is when we know that it is beyond us that we then come to realization that is CLEARLY GOD WHO PROVIDED.

Finally, after 3 years, many would probably ask…“Any regrets?” I like to ask myself this because it is the same question I ask a lot to other newcomers as well. The answer to that question rests on our objective in deciding to move to Canada... the kids. The good report is, both of them are doing excellently in school, they enjoy and have adapted to Canada so well and so fast that you can compare them to fish thrown in the water. Household chores are one thing they never had to contend with back in Manila but even with that they would get A++. Independence is the new found strength that Lorenzo and Chester have embodied but above that character is the total dependence on our God Almighty…

Any regrets? NO!

Once again, to all our loved ones, friends and relatives who have constantly cared and included us in their prayers, THANK YOU. To God Be All the Glory!