Hhhhmmm...Aaahhh...fresh!!! This is how I always feel everytime the old year is wrapped up and the new one rolls in. No matter how physically, mentally, emotionally and, sometimes, spiritually, draining the past year has been, a brand new year always signals to me hope and excitement!
This is why, I think, we welcome it with the big 
bang! The word "new" in New Year maybe short but its impact on me is
liberating. It gives me a hand in letting go of the "old" stuff that weighed me down (like frustration brought about by plans that fizzled out). With much load off my back, I could again gear up to put my "yet unfulfilled dreams" back on track on
full gas! (vroommmm!!!)
2006, just like any other year, was another year of victory! It may seem ironic saying this considering my family experienced another major assault, my mom's breast cancer diagnosis in May (which we thought was so soon since we just lost my father and my uncle in 2005) and until now, my job applications are still being junked
(non-stop and
back-to-back!!!)
Beauty from ashes...that's how I could sum up my spiritual journey in the past 3 years with my family and Thomas . It
was in 2003 when cancer first struck my family. Although my father suffered excruciatingly, he never questioned God
about his fate. Instead, he was even grateful to God for blessing him with 75 years sickness-free. He added "Anyway,
we will all head this way and will say goodbye, one day..." His attitude of "total surrender" to God is the most that I treasure in my heart. Job well done, Tatay Dick!!!
It was a sense of "deja vu" when I got the news from my sister in Manila about my mom's breast cancer. Of course, we
were disheartened again. But, amazingly, my mom displayed the beauty out of this...by being at peace with God. She confessed she got scared while she was wheeled inside the surgery room. But it was only for a moment because
she prayed and offered all to God. It was a successful operation that made her cancer-free now! She's boldly sharing
her faith with her friends especially those who are spiritually down! Kudos to my mom for giving the “enemy” a kick
on the butt by not losing her faith. Way to go, 
Mama Linda!!!
My very young nephew, Gian Carlo, whose “barkadas” are in Manila, opted to go to Makati and stay with my mom. Since her surgery, he has been with her and showy about his concern for her! Bravo, Gian!!!
Justine Monique, my teenaged-niece, told me some weeks back that she has been going to a “bible cirle” in her college.
She even asked me about my christian cds because she wanted to start listening to them. This gave me a big
smile because before, everytime I would ask her to pray for our meal, she would always say no. But, now on her blogs,
she openly chats about her relationship with Jesus! Hurray, Monique!!!
As for Thomas and me, in late September last year, we got to take our holiday break after not making it in 2005 due to
his stomach problem. Going to the yramids was not in our plan because it as expensive with the tourbus and I thought the 6-hour drive in the desert could take a toll on Thomas since from time to time, his tummy would act up and haul him to the toilet. (It wouldn’t be a pleasant sight getting stuck out there 
doing your “thing”, out in the open!)
Anyway, we ran into a shopworker one day and told us he could give us a very good price for a private tour. And
irresistible was his offer so we grabbed it and off we went…taking our time and all the stops we needed for “nature’s
call!” Shokran, Sam and Amir!!!
I would say last year’s highlight for me is being able to go home to Manila using the money I earned at work here in
Switzerland. Although, I had to let go of this work eventually, (due to physical and language constraints), this experience proved to me how God knows our future. Thomas could have paid for it but God knew I would be too timid to ask this from him especially this was the time he had to shell out much for
his stomach therapy.
God not only provided for my trip but He even prepared the right flight for me! As soon as my mom got the cancer
diagnosis, the doctor recommended surgery right away. It left me roughly less than a week to search for flights, all were
scheduled after the surgery. I kept praying to God and He made a way (as usual) for me to book a flight with
Manila arrival in the morning. Late that afternoon was my mom’s check-in at the hospital for the surgery next day.
God, indeed, is never late!
I’d like to thank God as well for: my 2nd trip to England early in February last year all expenses paid courtesy of my oldest sister; for giving me back the money I sent to my family this
Christmas (someone gave me the same amount as christmas gift!); and for the “10 and 20 swiss francs” I would pick up
while walking either in the forest or on the sidewalk!
As the new year dawns, I simply leave my yesterdays in the safekeeping of His faithfulness and reach forth into the
unseen tomorrow in trust and faith while I enjoy the beauty of today in His joy and love.
Have a blast this 2007!!!
