Australia, the land of dreams and possibilities!

(with the City of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino, 

who swore as in as Australian Citizens)

Excitement was building up towards the date:  9^th of April, the day that I will officially be sworn in as an Australian citizen, along with my two girls.  It is a special day, I thought.  So, me and the girls made a whole lot of effort to look our best.

We have been anticipating this day for the last four years, so to say I am excited is an understatement. For some reason ever since I set foot here, I feel at home. I want to live in Australia for good. But when the day came to swear in, along was a striking sense of finality that I now have to relinquish my Philippine citizenship.  Yes, I know I can acquire  dual-citizenship.  But I find this Australian citizenship ‘thingi’ deeply unsettling.

I had asked my second-born son to drive us to the venue as I was a bit stressed out as we were running late.  As I walked into the venue, I felt tears welling up. In my mind, I felt like turning my back and ran away.   My hands were clammy and sweaty, and my feet, wabbly.   I assured myself that I was not going to cry. Before the main ceremony began was a choir of elementary kids from my village in Ellenbrook singing some familiar Australian songs I only hear at school programs and at the local radio.

The simple ceremony began with an introduction of the City of Swan District Officials.  Followed by a short speech by one of the officers who was  previously a naturalized citizen  from Italy in the late 1950’s.  He was recounting his sentiments and something from that speech resonated with me and helped me reconcile my inner turmoil.

I could see clearly that my love for the Philippines is likened to what one feels for a parent or parents? Without them, I am not borne into this world. I owe them my life and I will fight for them! I feel a strong sense of responsibility for them.  That is what I feel when I think of my home country, the Philippines. Yes and true, there’s pollution, poverty, crime, political unrest, among others, but that doesn’t discourage me nor does it change how I feel about my beloved country. Had I not been exposed to all of this, I would never have appreciated what
 I have now.  I choose the Philippines for its colors, exuberance, resilience, culture, spirituality, and most of all, relationships.

Australia, on the other hand, is like the love you feel for a partner or spouse.
 You marry this person and choose to commit to spend the rest of your life with.  God brought us here.  Australia is our portion, our land of inheritance, a land that opened its doors of unlimited possibilities and opportunities I would have never dreamed of.

As I swore in with my right hand on the Holy Scriptures, there was sadness in my heart but I was happy!  Is there such a thing as ‘joyful sadness’?

I am Filipino by descent, The Philippines is the archipelago of my affections. Australia is where I am now and it is where I want to be. 

They say, ‘home is where the heart is’.  I embrace you, Australia.  You have my heart.  I am committed to serve and honor you, and I will partner with you.  Thank you for looking after me and my family. 

Thank you, Lord, for Australia.

Thank you, dear Australia.  The land of dreams and possibilities!

Thank God, I am a Filipino

I may be swearing in as an Australian citizen but there’s not a doubt that my heart is and will always be a Filipino. My country, The Philippines, the land of the morning, the land of the free, is composed of 7,107 beautiful islands, the largest known archipelago in the world- is the center of my affections. It is my true home. I do feel desperate, frustrated, and much so sad that my home country is suffering.

But I thank God for suffering! No nation or individual in the entire course of human history has become great without suffering. Thank God for the pollution, the crime, the poverty, the squalor and the misery. Thank God for all the people who moan and complain, thank God for all the people who get down on their knees to pray, and weep and proclaim: “Something has to change!”

So to rubbish with what the world, the media, the millions of cynics may say! Because “yes, the Filipino can” and soon the Filipino will! I refuse to lose hope in the Filipino, because I refuse to lose hope in my family and friends, I refuse to lose hope in myself. Thank God, the Filipinos can change. Thank God, we, Filipinos can work, inspire, lead, act and care!

Whatever else the future brings, thank God, THANK GOD I am still, and forever will be a Filipino!

I am attaching herewith a moving video of a poor Filipino boy who finds a paper Philippine flag in the dirt, dusts it off and climbs up an abandoned flagpole with it. It shows the true heart of every Filipino; resilient, committed, love of country, dedicated and strong to the end. The song in the background is the "Lupang Hinirang", our national anthem, simply delivered by a choir of innocent voices. It made me cry. Everything I love about my Philippines is represented in that boy. When he reaches the top of the pole, he raises and waves the Philippine flag. He is like the eagle, with wings spread out shining, strong, young and free!

God bless the Philippines!

Mabuhay ka Pilipinas!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

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.

The Promised Land 1

Jer 29:11 “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope”.

Dear Family:

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning: I see the blue skies, I hear the birds chirping and worshiping away, I smell lavender exuding perfume in the air. What a privilege it is to experience such a life readily available for us, His beloved children.

My journey here in Perth is all very new to me: the people, the place, the weather, the environment. I’m just beginning to settle in. On the one hand, my communion with God is all the more intimate. I used to take His presence for granted when life afforded me some comfort, a ready-cooked meal after a long day, and having my precious family close by.

I have been blessed tremendously here: I live with a beautiful woman in her mid-30’s who is such a darling, supporting my every endeavor; I have met her friends who are Christians and surprisingly, some of them attend the same church that I go to; I’m in the company of great, loving support-system: Faith, Jing, and Jenni, who is arriving tomorrow (Ikthus family). It’s a relief to have “sisters” nearby as we often dine, cry, laugh, and pray together. (Jing lives just 3 minutes walk away from me, while Faith and Jenni are 10 minutes drive away! We are practically neighbors!).

Our good Lord has laid everything out for me. It’s like walking on paved road and unwrapping gifts and miracles along the way. I recently have been provided with a very nice family van. Even then, God has directed me to the right dealer who is a Christian. I’m four weeks away to complete my competency as a Registered nurse yet, another miracle came along. I was called in for a job interview yesterday with the largest and most prestigious private hospital here in Perth and yes, it went really well. Last week, miraculously again, I was given a 100% mark on my first exams! One big and huge gift from God is my course coordinator. I never knew angels exist until I met Jillian. She's an amazing person and a great mentor! And last but certainly not the least, I was invited by my aussie classmate, who is a christian, to their church next sunday for a barbeque! I can only boast in the Lord and give back all the glory to Him. He has made it all happen for me and my family.

But then, it’s not all “bed of roses for me”. I long for my husband and children terribly and there’s not a moment that I wish I could hold and wrap them in my arms. I miss my Mom, my siblings, my loved-ones and friends, and my church family. I miss my favorite laswa and pinamalhan! I miss everything about home.

My past spiritual experiences has equipped me here. The verses in Isaiah 40: 28-31 has been my constant reminder. My “waiting upon the Lord” is reaping its fruit in season. I continue to obey and hope in Him, trusting His heart every step of the way for I know His plans is to give me hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11)

Thank you for all your prayers. Thank you for all the encouraging words. Thank you for just being there for me.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings and love,

Jenny

Isa 40:28-31:

“Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The eternal God, the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't grow tired or become weary. His
understanding is beyond reach. He gives strength to those who grow tired and
increases the strength of those who are weak. Even young people grow tired
and become weary, and young men will stumble and fall. Yet, the strength of
those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will soar on wings
like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't
grow tired”.