No, I Did Not Forget

The Lord said to Abram:  

"Leave your country, your family, and your relatives 

and go to the land that I will show you.  

I will bless you and make 

your descendants into a great nation.  

You will become famous and be a blessing to others.  

I will bless anyone who blesses you, 

but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you.  

Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you”.

(first sunset in Perth, 3rd January, 2009.  Scarborough Beach)

Flight SQ 112, aboard Singapore Airlines.  

I will never forget the eve of the New Year, 2009.  I was on the plane enroute to Perth, Western Australia.  Eyes all damp and puffed up;   my heart was aching....crying, missing my family back home in Bacolod. Clutching on to my bag, I had great anticipation for a new life journey ahead. I was ready.  God has brought me thus far.  There was no turning back.

It’s been four years and 29 days since I set foot in the land down under, the land where I was promised to go, the land which brought about the realization of an impossible dream, the land of inheritance.

(a shot from the plane, Singapore Airlines, Jan. 1, 2009)

It’s been a blessed journey, a walk in faith never traveled alone. In His Goodness, His  amazing grace was abundant and His hand never short by showing me my "lot"  through these lovely people.  They were there tirelessly, walking with me the extra mile, whether silently or with words or with actions; the ones who never left my side.  To all of you, my heart says a humble “Thank You”.

To my Salvador-Medina Family --- my Mama, whose dreams for me never waivered.  I miss you.  I know you and Papa are looking at me now from heaven.  I know you are proud of me.  I know you are smiling big.  I love you Pa and Ma.  You have been my inspiration.  My siblings and their families starting from our eldest, Manong Jojo, Manong Jiji, Manong Jules, Manong John, Jeffrey and Janice --- thank you!  No, I did not forget your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for believing in me.  I love you all, my siblings!

To my Locsin- Gomez family – From Papa Ed, Tita Alice, Tita Nena, Ray and H, Gerro and Gina, Jang, Meg, Tita Pynky, Aisch, Heiner.   No, I did not forget your loving support and encouragement while going through nursing school.  With you backing me up, I have earned my bachelors degree in Nursing.

My church family -  the backbone of my Exodus, who prayed for me earnestly: Pastor Joe and WOP family, FFI family, Ikthus staff and supporters particularly from the 10AM service and the Operation Care Ministry team.  I wouldn’t have “crossed the Jordan River” without you cheering for me to finish the race! No, I did not forget you.

My Jonathan sisters, Ione and Jessa.  And my sister, Mayang…..Words are not enough…thank you’s are not enough…. Hugs are not enough!  No, I did not forget the love and the prayers.  Thank you for “walking” with me.

I did not forget the very first “family”  I have here in Perth. Jing.  You probably didn’t know how blessed I am to have you as I was starting here in Perth!  Thanks for picking me up at the airport and for helping  me get a new accommodation.  The little things you did for me are a “huge” blessing!  You made my first journey steps lighter.

(Jing brought me straight to Dome from the airport for a large breakfast!)

My very lovely, and one and only landlady, Fleur!  Thanks for making me feel at home.  Thanks for showing me “things” aussie style!  You and Stef were angels and will always be.

(Stef and Fleur, at my new apartment, April 2009)

Then, there’s Faith.  My first barkada, almost half my age!  Now who would ever imagine that God will put us together here in one place?  A small congregation of people from Ikthus?  Then comes Tara and Jenny, then Ysa, and then Tracy and Estee.  How can I forget?  You were my first family in a foreign land!  Our trips to the beach, our cuppa’s, laughter and adventures together just so that we wouldn’t be lost and alone!  Look at us now!  We are a growing family of lovely, beautiful people! I praise God for all of you!

(Faith, Tara, Jing and Fleur - they helped me move in my new apartment, April 2009)

Mitzi, my Mitzi!  Four years of trusty service until now.  I will never forget our "firsts" - first flat tire, first overheat, first change of radiator, first school (bridging course), first job interview! You've seen my successes and my failures, my worst and my finest! Nothing is hidden from you! You were my constant, loyal companion from the very beginning!   How can I ever part from you?  You are a keeper!

(Very first car in Perth, Mitsubishi Starwagon, people mover.  I named her Mitzi--- a very reliable one!)

My precious jewels, CJ, Jed, Daisy and Caila…. You gave me strength to go on at the crucial times when I was about to give up.  All the hard work and sacrifice are a breeze   because you are all worth it!

(CJ, Jed, me, Caila and Daisy--- at Scarborough Beach - their first Perth adventure)

And my Bim --- my ever supportive partner and the love of my life.  Can’t imagine life without you.

(In joy and in sadness, in sickness and in health, together forever and for eternity.
  April 2009 at Scarborough beach)

No, I didn’t forget,   I will NEVER forget!

What about you, my friend?  Do you remember the people who helped you where you are now?  I hope you didn't forget.