The Long Agonizing Wait Is Finally Over

Ever since my practical for my driving test was rescheduled, the days were somewhat uneasy for me.  I was actually asking myself why.  Did I need to learn more?  Would I have done something wrong if it pushed through?  No matter what the reason was... I knew it's for the best.  But it also meant that I had to endure 2 more weeks of anticipation and it was  such a torture.  I knew, I've been driving here for 3 months already, but the thought of someone (especially of different nationality) watching (rating) me while I drive... almost gave me a heart attack(lol).

When the day of the test finally arrived, I just couldn't understand what I felt.  I was glad that the wait was over yet the uncertainty kept me trembling inside out.  Good thing my family was with me that time, they became the source of my confidence.  I made it clear in my mind that I needed that license for my family's sake.  I just didn't know how many times I prayed to Him while waiting for the one who's  going to rate my driving.  And what I asked our Lord was to calm me so I could do what I had to do to pass the test.

And after months of hard work (yes, I practiced a lot just to prepare for it) and with the Lord providing me wonderful friends to help me, everything paid off. I cannot describe how sweet and fulfilling it was to hear the words: "You did well... you passed the test." from your examiner....in a foreign land.  I knew the test only took more or less 15 minutes, and it assessed if i knew the basics of driving... but it's also the very thing that made it hard.  One have less room for error and indeed. Everybody knows the basic of driving (one should) but many don't practice them at all, so when they take the exam, they miss to do it and fail.

I'm glad I have brothers (Ryan, Joey and Nong Titoy) and uncle (Kel Matt) who taught me how to drive... found friends (Larry, Kuya Ver, Buddy and Toto) here that shared with me some tips in driving that helped me in passing the exam... and a very supporting family, the source of my strength... truly I'm blessed.  With this new milestone, I will also use it to be of help to others (as part of me paying it forward).  Thank you Lord for everything.  Yahweh bless.

Celebrating Special Occasions In A New Place

April is the month when there's a lot of celebrations in our family.  But unlike the previous years, we had begun having them all here in Texas.  It's a different yet meaningful experience for us, since we're used to celebrating these moments with our families and relatives in the Philippines.  The toughest I would say was the birthday of our daughter.  We used to have her cousins and friends visiting us during such occasion.  But now, all we could do for her was to prepare food good for a few friends (glad we had a Filipino family as neighbors who had helped a lot in the preparation) and a little cash gift.

Celebrating along with our new friends.

Also, my wife and I just recently celebrated the day we exchanged vows, a moment we would forever cherish and remember.  We now have 11 wonderful years of sweet memories and overcoming tough challenges.  I guess we lasted this far since we had these feelings of trust, love and faithfulness toward each other.  And above all, putting God in the center of our family... with this we know we are guided along the way.

And just celebrated my birthday.  The thing is as we grow older, birthday celebrations become less and less fancy as we had them before.  More especially now, we are in our new home, and we need to put our money to what we need to prioritize the most.  Well, I had all I wanted to have for my day anyway... I woke up feeling great that day, I was with the ones I cared the most (my family), and the Lord has always been there for us:

I was in the DPS office, to take my practical test in driving, but the officer in charge found that our car insurance expired just a week ago.  The insurance agent told us that we were given an erroneous copy and the expiration date should still be on August.  As a result, my test was rescheduled and I sued my insurance company and became rich (just kidding!!!).  I'm still thankful to Him that it wasn't a police officer questioning me about an expired insurance. 

I believe that everything is in it's rightful time and place.  We just need to put our FAITH in Him since He definitely knows what's the best for us, way beyond our human comprehension.

Happy anniversary, my twart... thank you for standing by my side throughout the years.  Everyday, you make me fall in love with you over and over again.
Happy birthday, our dearest Rael... we're proud you grew up to be a dependable daughter and ate to your brothers.  Our love for you never changed, from the day you made the pregnacy test result positive... until forever.
And a happy birthday to me... as again I conquered another year... and received countless blessings... I am humbled, my Lord.  Yahweh bless.