The year is still not over but I can't help but reflect on how it has been a GREAT year for us!
This year, thankfully, has been a better year (note that last year was a good one too!), and at this point, I really can't complain anymore!
I had to go and check my January 2013 blog to see if all the projects and goals I have set for the year has been met. I can only whisper a prayer of thanks seeing that all of them, and more has been achieved.
Career
This year was a year of good breaks for both me and Alvin. Getting teaching blocks was the farthest thing from my mind, but God has proven that He has great plans for me! Through these teaching blocks, I was able to meet the 180 day requirement needed for my accreditation at NSW IT (and I'm almost done with it! I'm claiming that I'll get to finish it before the year ends!), I was able to establish myself with two of the schools I usually work for and is now part of their "trusted casuals" and more importantly, we were able to bring my in-laws here in Sydney. Not to mention that I was able to contribute to our savings for our first home.
As for Alvin, he was given the right opportunity at the right time. He is still with BAT but was given a permanent post, in a different department. We are more secure knowing that even if (touchwood) the Manufacturing industry based here in Sydney is phased out, Alvin will still find work.
Family
Last year, I wrote that our marriage was better than ever so I really don't know how to describe it now. It's better-er? hehehe Alvin and I have grown individually and as a couple. It wasn't easy but I think we should both give ourselves a little pat on the back for a job well done. Our communication has greatly improved. We have learned to choose our battles. We became more appreciative of each other, more vocal in giving compliments to one another and in settling our differences. We became more in love with one another. We achieved this by praying for one another, supporting one another and more importantly, by His grace.
It was a good year for me for I have finally come to terms with my differences with my in-laws. A new phase in my life. Although the road to acceptance, forgiveness and healing were not that easy, it was all worth it in the end.
The kids are doing well too. Kuya started attending the big school and boy did he excel! Sam has grown as well over the year and we can only shake our heads in disbelief that she's already 3 this week! We are thankful that both our kids didn't encounter any problems in reaching their developmental milestones. There was no delay in all areas that could have made me and their Papa worry. More than the milestones, we are happier that they are growing up close with one another, happy and responsible. We are also happy that young as they are, they are slowly picking up the practices of our faith.
Health
Generally, it wasn't a good year for me when it came to my well being. I got sick and the kids got sick too. Nothing major, but it still was a hassle. It was a blessing in disguise as it was an eye opener for us to better take care of ourselves and to invest in our health! Earlier this month, we started to do some healthier practices at home. Hopefully, we will stick with it and it will pay off in the future.
Service
As for our service, there was a time I thought we were not doing enough, but through our weekly HHPMs and their sharing I was again proven wrong. God indeed works in ways we cannot see. I humbly reminded that He is in charge and that we are merely His servants. But we are are not getting complacent. We still want to do more, go farther especially when it comes to service. In His time, I know both me and hubby will be readier and bolder :-) This will probably something we can work on in 2014.
As for our service, there was a time I thought we were not doing enough, but through our weekly HHPMs and their sharing I was again proven wrong. God indeed works in ways we cannot see. I humbly reminded that He is in charge and that we are merely His servants. But we are are not getting complacent. We still want to do more, go farther especially when it comes to service. In His time, I know both me and hubby will be readier and bolder :-) This will probably something we can work on in 2014.
Finances
God has again proven how generous He can be! This year, I felt it's like Christmas everyday! Napagod at nagsawa na ako magshopping! Joke! Because of hubby's new position and my teaching blocks, it was a good year for us financially. We were able to upgrade one of our cars into a bigger car, we were able to have funds for the trip of my in-laws and was able to sustain all the expenses while they were here, that is in addition to our usual expenses and savings. We got more materially. We got a lot of extras. But more than that I am happier to share that through these financial blessings we were able to help more. We realised the value of sharing what you have in a way teaching the value as well to the kids. The thing there is, the more we helped and shared, the more financial blessings that came in. Parang hindi rin kami tumulong, di ba? I guess that is God's way of telling us that we should continue helping. We are mere instruments. We can only be thankful.
God has again proven how generous He can be! This year, I felt it's like Christmas everyday! Napagod at nagsawa na ako magshopping! Joke! Because of hubby's new position and my teaching blocks, it was a good year for us financially. We were able to upgrade one of our cars into a bigger car, we were able to have funds for the trip of my in-laws and was able to sustain all the expenses while they were here, that is in addition to our usual expenses and savings. We got more materially. We got a lot of extras. But more than that I am happier to share that through these financial blessings we were able to help more. We realised the value of sharing what you have in a way teaching the value as well to the kids. The thing there is, the more we helped and shared, the more financial blessings that came in. Parang hindi rin kami tumulong, di ba? I guess that is God's way of telling us that we should continue helping. We are mere instruments. We can only be thankful.
Travel
One of the plans that I wrote was the family will hopefully have one major travel locally or internationally for 2013. We didn't fly to another country because the budget was put to a better use, we had to finance the holiday of my in-laws here. We also didn't fly locally, but we went on a lot of long drives, not to mention our first experience of real snow! Yes, I forgot all about our Snowy adevnture this year!!! Going to the snowy is usually part of the to-do list of Sydney siders :-) In addition, when my in-laws were here, we were out almost every weekend, doing long-drives --Canberra, Central Coast, South Coast. Sa isang lakwatsera na tulad ko, matagal bago ako maumay sa kalalabas, but this year I reached that state. I looked forward to just staying home during weekends! Napagod din ang lola mo. That might not equate to my definition of travel (flying) but if I'm not to be too strict about it, we did travel, a lot! We were able to explore more places around Sydney so I guess, we were able to reach this goal. Hoping 2014 will be a different story hehe plans for our first quarter trip is shaping up weeeee!
On a serious note, the tragedies that have happened this year all over the world, more so in the Philippines made me look closer on the blessings that He has given us. It pushed me to look into things that I should be thankful for everyday, to look for everyday miracles. To look beyond material things.
I cannot complain anymore because indeed it was a great year. We had what we needed and what we wanted.
Thank you Lord for 2013.
I can only pray that it will also end great to everyone.
I cannot complain anymore because indeed it was a great year. We had what we needed and what we wanted.
Thank you Lord for 2013.
I can only pray that it will also end great to everyone.
