Carried Over

It has been quite a while since I've written and since then, the amazing provision and miracles of God in my life continue to flow. 

Philippians 4:19--And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Coming to the the US with just enough money, I had to figure out how to make it fit until I get my first paycheck. God had just the answer---my employer allows us to take out a loan, interest-free, to help with moving expenses. I took advantage of that and, because of Him, I was never in lack throughout the process of starting a new life here. He guided me and my roommate toward great deals in stores and alternatives to particular furniture and appliances mushroomed before our eyes. As a girl who loves stretching her buck, this was a joyful process. =) When I would start focusing on the amount left in my bank account, I would worry. Bringing my fears before the Lord, He reassures me and "calms me with his love." (Zephaniah 9:17, MSG).

I also spent a lot of money getting around the area during my first month because I didn't have a car yet. Taking a cab was ridiculously expensive. But God came to my rescue, my wonderful King in shining armor! He provided me with gracious friends with the same schedule as mine so that, for most days, I had a ride to and from the hospital. My roommate was generous to lend me her car on the weekends she was on call and I was not. On the days that I could not get a ride, He favored me with buses that ran on time so that I was never late for work. To move in, my bestfriend, Marily, and her boyfriend, drove from New York to set me up with the bare necessities. They chauffeured me around and introduced me to the essentials of being on my own. While I had the money to rent a car, His wisdom directed that amount towards a downpayment for my own car.

Speaking of my car, His hand was certainly in this process too. My first month rotation was an ambulatory block wherein I only had to go in for half of the day most days of the week and I had my weekends free. That gave me time to scour the internet for good car deals and making trips to several dealerships to get the best price. When the time came to pay for the car I liked and could afford, I got stuck. My uncle loaned me some money for the downpayment but I didn't have the rest of the balance. I had no credit history so no one would lend me money. But nothing is impossible with Him! I applied for a car loan at my institution's credit union...and got approved the very next day! Weeks after getting my car, I got mail after mail from several loan and credit companies denying the application that my dealer sent in my behalf. One of my favorite worship songs has a line that goes, "I call Your name, Lord You reply. You bring Your kingdom to stand by my side." This is certainly what happened when my loan was approved! =)

I needed a cellphone with a subscription plan. Through my educational fund at the hospital, I got an iPhone for free. My roommate and I plus two other friends are subscribed to AT&T's family plan that, combined with the our hospital discount, cut our cellphone bills substantially. Abundance!!

I furnished my bedroom for only $20. Yes, that's right, $20. Using Craigslist, I bought my big, beautiful study table, second hand, for $15 from a surgical resident in my building who was graduating and moving to another state. When I came to pick it up, I saw the matching chair and asked to buy it for $5. Because he lives in the same building, I didn't have to pay for delivery! Buying a mattress took a while as this would cost significantly more and I just didn't have the budget for it. I was willing to sleep on my (borrowed) air mattress for as long as I could stand it. But an appointed conversation with a graduating medicine resident gave me more than a bed. First of all, she offered to GIVE me her mattress and boxspring. In the course of my thanking her and arranging to pick it up from her apartment (she lived in the building across mine, so no delivery charge too), we began talking about other things. Which I will talk about in the next section of this post. =) 

Psalm 92:13--Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

The hardest part about leaving home was leaving my church. Alabang New Life Christian Center has always been my home church and Pastor Paul has always been my pastor. My heart is knitted to the revelation of Jesus to the church, to its people and to its vision. I feared that I would not find a community like this in Connecticut. 

In the first week I was here, I had an appointed conversation with the resident who gave me her mattress. We found out that we were both Christians and began talking about how moving to the US was a big change in terms of finding a church to be a part of. She found one just a few months earlier and gave me its name. Church of the Living God (CLG) is located in Manchester, 12 miles from Hartford. I attended once, found it great but too far, and tried to look for another church closer to where I live. For several Sundays, I went to one in West Hartford but felt the peace of God bringing me back CLG.

The second Sunday I was back was the church's annual picnic. I went to service with the full of intention of....going straight home. There was no way I was going to that picnic without knowing anyone, no matter how much I wanted to make friends. 

Well, God solved that problem--a middle-aged couple seated beside me at that service introduced themselves and asked if I was new and if I was going to the picnic. I said no I was not because I didn't know anyone. They offered that I go with them and ride to the park in their car. Yes, they were strangers and we're taught not to talk to strangers, let alone get in their car, but God said it was okay. =)

Things snowballed from there. As they introduced me to other people, I saw the heart of the church for the Lord. It perfectly fit the advice Pastor Henry gave me about finding one to be a part of while I'm here. I met the ER doctor who gave an orientation to us at the hospital. She pointed out to me an Indian guy in a gray shirt, saying that he too was a resident in our program. She introduced us and I found out that he also knows several residents who come to the church!! He was getting baptized that day and he was beaming. 

I now attend the Alpha Course every Tuesday night, a 10-week class that is very similar to New Life's Firm Foundation. What a real blessing, privilege and honor it is to worship God in a community of believers whose lives are also being changed by the only One who is worthy of praise.

1 Chron. 8:20--"He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished."

Certainly, God is faithful. He has proven that in my life over and over again. I believe He will continue to prove Himself strong in days to come. He didn't bring me to Connecticut just so I could blog about it or just so I could tell a wonderful story at the LIFE conference. He didn't bring me here after all that and hang me out to dry. His faithfulness continues every day. 

My budget is tight but I'm never in lack. All my bills and loans are paid, there is money in the bank and I have extra money to enjoy. I am far from the people I love but His grace envelopes every conversation we have and strengthens our ties exponentially. I praise Him every time for allowing me to be away from home at this time of technological advancement. He knows my sentimental heart will get too lonely for snail mail and scratchy long distance telephone calls. I'm in touch with the Philippines through my iPhone--Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, Chikka, Skype and Filipino News RSS reader. I don't even have to use my laptop anymore. Magicjack is pure magic as Jeremy and my family can call me anytime for free and Rebtel is so convenient as I call their cellphones for a minimal fee. 

If there is only one thing I have to know, it is that I am the Lord's beloved. He loves us with such a passionate and unconditional love that saves us to a life that is all about Him. Truly, the riches of His love will always be enough (from Hillsong's "Forever Reign). I encourage you to receive His love and revel in it. Lean into Him and watch as He makes your life story a miracle everyday.