Baguio City | Ptr. Jerome, our prof, took us to a pre-grad dinner w/ this view :)

 For the entire month of March, I had the privilege of visiting seven provinces outside of my own. The kind of work that I have allowed me the weekly plane rides and local culture immersion, in which I am so grateful, but honestly leaves me exhausted at the end of the day. A trip, no matter how simple, personally costs a great deal of both my physical and mental energy.

    By the end of the month, I was irritable and burned out. This led me to be overly sensitive to my circumstances, my work tasks, and my relationships. Looking back at the past weeks, now that I have rested by God's grace,  there were actually a lot of good things that I overlooked, to which I am now thankful.

    In between work flights, I was able to be reunited with Kiking, my former roommate yet forever sister, along with her little one, Isla. Her family has always welcomed me warmly, and I am glad that I get to see them again ++ the pebble beach behind their house (I missed it!!!). I flew to Surigao with my sister and stayed only overnight, but it was a time truly well spent. 

Neyney & Kiking

Pebble Beach!!!

    I was also able to (finally) graduate from my classes that I started way back in 2023. Looking back at my old notes and clips, how did I even manage to keep attending theology classes despite being lost by the terms most of the time!?!?! It was all God's grace indeed. I was able to march with 88 other graduates, to whom I believe God will use immensely to spread the gospel and plant communities. My conversations with a few of them humbled me, for they have diligently attended classes and submitted requirements to equip themselves for ministerial work. I, on the other hand, was full of complaints and was probably not even putting in as much effort. 

    Those simple and small talks truly left me encouraged. I am always amazed by great preachers - those who speak well and can unpack the Scriptures and communicate them to the congregation with clarity and conviction, yet I have a deeper respect and high view for those who maintain such grace even outside the pulpit - those who embody wisdom and discipline in conversations at the dinner table, around informal gatherings, or even in quick chats. When I meet people like that, I find myself reflecting on my own words to others. Have I been that well in speaking life to others? Have my words been loving towards my husband? How many times have I spoken so harshly in the name of being funny or in the name of "being me?" So easily I blend with what the world finds entertaining - crude joking, making fun of someone's appearance, pronunciation, or circumstance, and the unnecessary remarks that send one discomfort - I've sadly become indifferent to this, like a calloused heart, I find them normal and sometimes laugh about it.

    I have great remorse in remembering these sins, as I know very well they stain the gospel to which I have been saved and called to be different. My Savior's blood was shed so that I may be free from these subtly creeping transgressions. I now have the freedom to speak gently, with wisdom, and even the power to hold my tongue when I know the very words I will say will cause wounds. I can go on and on with how humbling and empowering it is to have a new life in Christ. My only prayer is that as I grow older, may these lessons cling dearly to my heart - and may my younger self, by the Lord's working, be proud of the progress of this striving. This conscious, intentional pursuit will not be a lone battle; I pray to see our church grow in this area as well. 

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    For the entire month of March, I was required to manage my energy wisely. But no matter how restless and overstretched it felt, it is now a chapter I am grateful to close. Thank you, Lord!


- N