From the Archives: City Girl Meets Provincial Life (Part 1)

by | Oct 26, 2017 | Uncategorized

(This post was originally published on October 20, 2012 right here.)

I was born and raised in the city. And though my parents’ roots were in the province, they spent a good number of their younger years in the city as well. There were no grandparents to visit in the province, as the then surviving ones also lived in the city. I had gone to a few provinces in the past, mostly for vacation (like beaches), or ministry and missions purposes. But staying in a province for a prolonged period? Never. So when the prospect of having to live in a faraway province surfaced, I was not thrilled at all. My whole life, my whole history seemed to be hinged on city life. My family, my friends, my work and ministry — all these were conveniently located in the city.

But I had no way out of it. It was part of my life’s syllabus, much like Photography 101 was part of my college course syllabus (for some reason, I dreaded Photography 101; but being enrolled in Communication Arts, I had to take it. Go figure.)

So I couldn’t escape this prospect, for the very reason that I’d be marrying someone who had just recently relocated there for work. Either I marry the guy and begin a life with him, or marry him and still live a separate life. So I married the guy and we agreed to visit the city every so often.

A feeling of uncertainty and slight sadness came upon me as I said goodbye to my family. Then again, I would be seeing them in two weeks for four days. But for someone who was never away for long periods of time, this could very well be a month or longer! So off I went with my husband of three weeks…to a place unknown…to a people unfamiliar…to a language undecipherable…. (Not once did I go there prior to getting married; not even to check out our future apartment!)

We rode this super deluxe bus. I had never ridden in a bus for that long — nine hours! It was a night trip, and good thing I was able to sleep during the ride. Arrival at our destination was quite surreal. Is this really happening? It was reality all right. And what a reality it was.

From the Archives: Living Differently by God’s Design

by | Oct 26, 2017 | Uncategorized

(This post was originally published on October 19, 2012 right here.)

Hello, everyone! This is my first ever blog post. The inspiration to write a blog has been in my mind and heart for quite a while now, and I believe it’s the Holy Spirit who has been nudging me to do this. I’ve been learning so many lessons ever since I began living in two places nearly seven years ago, and I can’t keep silent about how the Lord has been so good to me.

Now about the title of this post.

“Living differently by God’s design.” I think these five words kinda sum up how my life has become. God has ordered my life in a way I’ve never imagined and never planned…it has become my “new normal”…oh wait…it has already become my normal.

So how is my life different?
1. I live in two places — the city and the country
2. I live a commuter lifestyle, having to ride planes often (buses before I had a child)
3. I distance-manage the office (based in the city) when I’m in the countryside
4. I homeschool our five-year-old when I’m in the countryside
5. My son and I are away from my husband for several days a week when I’m in the city
And more…

OK, maybe that doesn’t sound so different. Or maybe it does. Whatever the case, this is how God has allowed my life to be designed at the moment, and I’m happy to be discovering the bigger picture. A passage from the Bible comes to mind: “Indeed, everything is ordered to your benefit…” (2 Corinthians 4:15, NAB unrevised). Amen: Everything that I’ve experienced and that has happened in my life thus far has been for my good (even if I didn’t think so at particular times!).

That ends my very first blog post. Now to munch on some chocolate-covered macadamia nuts….

Till the next blog…may God bless you!