This is NOT an "I-am-Engaged" Post

More and more people I know are getting ‘engaged’.

A former colleague and close friend’s boyfriend recently proposed to her in one of the islands in Maldives. Another close friend (and former wingman) got engaged also, and he bought a ‘perfect cut’ diamond engagement ring for his now-fiancée which costed him almost a quarter-of-a-million pesos.

Talk about extravagant and costly proposals!

Then there’s Jojo Lakwatsero…

Should I get pressured? No lah! Probably my mom, relatives, and some friends are more pressured for me than I am, but the thing is…

I know I’m not getting any younger, but age is just a number, right?

And would I choose to spend my time with the wrong person, rather than wait for the perfect woman, the one being prepared by God for me?

I’d rather wait for His perfect timing.

********************

A friend of mine once asked me,

“What do you really look for? Maybe you have very high standards?”

I thought at first I already knew what I want, but last year was so eventful that my so-called standards also changed.

Attraction still has to be there, of course, and she must be sensible and a great conversationalist. I’m removing the “low-maintenance” requirement (which I thought was the most non-negotiable on my list), because I realized that every relationship needs to be ‘highly maintained’ to flourish and last, but I’m also adding two more:

• We must both share the same faith (aka she must also be a Christian).
• She must also have the heart for missions, just in case God calls me to do missionary work full-time.

So no quarter-of-a-million worth engagement ring for her, whoever she is. 

New Beginning?

All my bags were packed: CHECK! (Well, almost…)
I was ready to go: CHECK!
I was standin' here outside your door: Errr...
I hated to wake you up to say goodbye: … (???)

Seriously, I was ready to leave Singapore. 

My work pass already got cancelled, my jumbo balikbayan box was already signed, sealed, and delivered, bought my plane tickets, paid my 'last' room rental, announced my press release of departure to some friends...

The original plan was to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam first for a week-long mission trip, then back to Singapore, and then Philippines as my last pit stop.

But I guess my plan was not really part of God's plan.

Because currently,

I'm still in Singapore…

Working for a new company…

With a new boss (who's a Mystica deadringer)...

And new colleagues…

My dear readers, my season in this country of abundance is far from over.

I wonder what will happen next.

RUN!

Leaving, it's not always bad. Right?

Though at times there's a bit of either sour or bitter taste that comes along with it, especially if you're leaving behind something, someone or someplace you love, or maybe goodbye is unwelcome, still that decision of leaving can be for the better.

The other night I went out for a practice run with the rest of the Bugoys near the Gardens by the Bay area in preparation for the Adidas and Nike marathons, and then nearing towards the end of the trail, my friend, the ex-blogger Mr. Whattaworld himself, started opening up:

MW: We are leaving Singapore in December.

ME: Whut?! No kidding?!

MW: Yup. We're going back to the Philippines. Babes (his wife) wants to take a rest for a while, so we talked about it and made a decision last August.

ME: Seriously?! She's not pregnant, is she?

MW: Hahaha no! Not yet!

***************

So when is leaving good?

One, if leaving means going back home, then that is considered good. Right?

Two, if there is dissatisfaction with your current situation and you want some change, then leaving can be a good option to consider.

Three, if there is a certain longingness in your heart, and you want to pursue something, which will entail leaving, to satisfy that.

***************

I was dumbfounded when he told me the news. In my mind I was like, "What will happen to the Bugoys now?"

I thought about it some more, took a deep breath, and told him and the rest of the guys:

ME: I have a confession to make...

I am leaving Singapore this year too.

Snooze Button

Only a few knows about it.

It may be a big deal for some, but not big enough for me to shout it out to the whole world. I admit, it hits me at times, especially lately as I've been spending awesome times with good friends old and new. The thought of it kinda saddens me.

A friend of mine from church, who's relocating this week from Singapore to the Middle East for work, approached me yesterday, and said:

"Have I already shared with you my vision about you?"

"Huh? What vision?"

"While we were praying the other day with the whole music ministry, and then when I looked at you I felt that God was impressing upon me something..."

"???"

"He will use you greatly, Bro. I'm not sure how, but it's somehow related to your eloquence or your love for music. Either He will use you to become a worship leader or somewhat related to education, teaching..."

I was dumbfounded when I heard this. Eloquence? Teaching? This guy, though we're friends, I don't really share that much to him so that time he didn't really know about my current 'struggle'. Though what he said may sound creepy and too Madame Auring-ish, they made sense to me.

It's another confirmation of my calling.

It's also an encouragement that whatever happens in the next few weeks, I have nothing to worry about. I have nothing to fear as I am in good hands.

In God's hands.

So let's wait and see.

Remains of the Day

Be careful with what you wish for. Or like in my case, pray for.

We ask for a lot of things. A higher salary, a trophy girlfriend, a PR status in Singapore. Some are intended for others, but mostly for our own selves. Our supplication never stops. Come to think of it, there's really nothing bad about it. Jesus said, "Ask, and you shall receive." right?

I've been struggling these past few weeks about some stuff. They're too many to mention, so I've been praying to Him, "Lord, I want more encounters of You. I won't struggle like this if I already have more than enough of You."

Then last Friday, something happened.

Something very important was taken away from me.

It was all too sudden, so my initial reaction was that of a bit of shock. Then sadness, disappointment, and worry immediately followed.

But as I was reflecting over the weekend, I realized that God actually answered my prayer. This is THE 'encounter' I've been praying for.

It may not be what I had in mind, but who am I to question if what happened is really part of God's greater plan?