I entered 2019 with a hopeful heart for what God will do. I readied myself with a mindset that there might be big changes, but I never really imagined things would be like this until they finally happened to me. One of them was the fulfilment of a daydream of serving in whatever capacity God has designed me for. It also includes leaving a certain lifestyle into somewhere else which I never knew I would enjoy and embrace well. That's just the start. I guess you'd have to read on if you'd want to know the details.
As for my highlights, I've selected these which are either new or too impactful that they changed the trajectory of my life. Big ones include my resignation from my first job to work as a digital nomad and starting up communities of faith and tech here in my home city. Some of the photos show the people whom God allowed me to meet as I transition back here. I am grateful and privileged that I get to cross paths with them!
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| What does faith and tech look like in Iloilo? Here's a first. #indigitousph (c)Mikeel |
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| We praise God for the new coffeeshop with which we met for #digitalmissions. Thank you, Riverun Craft Coffee! Photo grabbed from them too. |
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| The Shipmates (c)Mikeel |
Of course, travelling has been one of the best experiences this year. But it's by God's grace that I got to be in places where I have never set foot before. Adding Addis Ababa to my visited cities was like a bucket list accomplishment for it was previously a city that I just get to read from the list of timezones! Bonus part was meeting inspiring brothers and sisters there, and getting encouraged in what God is doing in Digital Missions! Here are some shots from my travels:
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| A Taiwan-derland visit to Ying De University from Meteor Garden, among others, with the #FirstbornSquad. |
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| Coffee roasting is made before brewing and a sidewalk seat with the locals is just a treat in Addis. |
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| Made a new friend from the US during a trip to Singapore. |
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| Went to see Japan autumn to reminisce the old and make new memories. γΎγζ₯ζ¬γΈθ‘γ£γγγ¨γ―ζ¬ε½γ«ζ₯½γγγ£γ！ |
Also during this year, I decided to go back to my hometown. I lived again with my family after being independent for almost thirteen years. Independence surely grew into me, so it was challenging to unlearn and relearn habits. It's quite weird to go back to a really familiar place, especially now that I know that I am not the same person anymore. I sometimes wonder if relocating to a new place altogether would be so much easier. But no complaints! I am grateful for this chance that God has given me to be back here after such a looooooong time. This season also brought me back to reconnect with good old friends who were a part of the younger me.
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| A shot I took in my hometown while on a motorcyle. Notice the canopy of mountains! |
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| Iloilo City means co-journeying with these ladies again! |
I mentioned about transitioning from a season of my life into somewhere else, and working with a Christian organization with which I was a part of since college made it unexpected. Indeed there are situations in life where the timing of how things happen convince you that there is something more than just coincidence. It has really been God's grace, and I thank God for this privilege to work here. What more, I get to work at home, travel at times, and rest in the identity of being just the child of The Creator of the Universe! It has been a privilege waking up everyday, being excited about getting to know Him and serving Him in this capacity that He also designed me for.
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| Faith and technology, they fuse so beautifully. |
To top it all off, here's a 1SE (one second a day) video of what my year looked like. Not all 365 days were filled, so you'd see random selfies there (sorry about that!). January 1 opened with an immediate flight from Manila to Iloilo. I left Japan from a business trip a day before and arrived just hours before the new year. I got into a fix with my transportation, and feared being left by my plane! But all was well that ended well. Whenever I watch this video I get reminded of God's faithfulness through every season. You could notice the transitions as people enter and leave the frames. I guess you'll have to see for yourself (it's roughly five minutes)!
Apologies for some selfies. They were supposed to be fillers. π
One day I might look back and see which of my life experiences brought me much change. For each and every reason I will be grateful to God in remembering that it will be this 2019. π³
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13-15
P.S. I felt so "vulnerable" writing these memories down. I usually post online but I guess this one's under my category of rare. In this age of data privacy, it's ironic I had to post mine out. π
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