The Year That Was and The Year That Will Be

I welcomed 2009 with big, open arms but was disappointed as the year wore off. I am not saying that my 2009 started on a wrong footing. As a matter of fact, the beginning of 2009 was promising for us. We spent the holidays with our love ones back in the Philippines. We applied for our USA visa for the first time and got approved. My brother's employer gave him a chance to work full time in their company. And I established good blogging relationships with new bloggers who later on became my online-sisters cum buddies.

2009 didn't really start to disappoint me until the recession took a nose dive sometime mid of the year. Our company did not give us increment in lieu of our job securities. We did not get our bonus for the exemplary performance we gave for the previous year. However, despite the lack of monetary award, we have our jobs. That is a blessing in itself.

A lot of misfortune happened this year. Many calamities hit my motherland. A lot of people perished. And now, Mount Mayon is showing its natural force! Are there more to come before the year ends?

My heart ached for this year's misfortunes and misgivings of people I trust and close to my heart. I feel bereft of anything except for the flicker of hope that is 2010. The recession is still on. But I hope that tiny shimmer of hope does not wane as I enter the new year ahead.

I am praying for everybody and not just for myself and my family. I am praying that the coming year will bring us good tidings and peace. Please join me in this solemn prayer I wrote:

Dear God,

We thank you for the year that was and the year that will be. We know the trials before us are something to prepare us to strengthen our faith.

We pray that You will guide us through 2010 with big hopes and belief that all these will come to an end. Help us detach ourselves from earthly possessions which hinder us from accepting all the harsh realities. Let us grow in our faith and hope with your loving grace.

We know it will be tough but with You on our side, we will get through this. We will believe that there is hope in everything as long as we pray with sincerity.

Thank you dear God for the lessons we learned this year and prepare us to learn more with a better discernment and bigger faith as 2010 approaches.

We believe. Amen.

Welcome Year 2009

2008 came and went and here we are, facing the uncertainties of 2009 with perturbed anticipation of how it is going to be like.

I too am worried with what the future brings but if I pray, why should I worry, right? I will just leave everything to the hands of our Almighty because He will not forsake us. These are just wake-up calls because we have been too comfortable with everything. We do not exert efforts anymore to do something worthwhile. Everything is just convenient. Maybe this time it's time to exert more effort.

So, welcome 2009... I hope this year will be a good year for all of us despite of...

Catching Up

I am back but taking things easy and slowly this time as I have a lot of catching up to do. I didn't realize the amount of tags and awards I need to do and post; not to mention the other articles I have set aside to post eventually at a later date. They need updating of course.

How was everyone's Christmas? I hope it was spent meaningfully with the people who matters most. My family had a great time and I was glad I took the trip. I was adamant of going because of financial reasons. I felt it was too "inconsiderate" thinking how the world was suffering from economic crisis and there I was - traveling. Then again, I didn't travel for the sake of satisfying my travel bug sickness but I had to spend my Christmas with my mom and siblings and in-laws too.

Well, the New Year will be a different matter. I dare not talk about it ;) I just pray and hope that good things will come despite the rise of job cuts, the crazy increase in credit card interest rates (which reminds me that I need to discard mine before I fall into a bottomless pit!), the uncertainties looming around us. I always believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel might be long and winding but it will reach its end. Let's just have faith and rely on our family and friends for support in this time of need.

I wish you all a very peaceful and prosperous 2009. Prosperity might not come in riches but the blessings that we still have food on our table, a roof over our heads, clothes to keep us warm and a job to sustain our living. Let's all believe. We will all pass this storm unscathed but with more steadfast faith in Him.

Happy New Year everyone.