For A While, it Felt Like a White Christmas

Only it was March. Only everyone was anticipating for Spring. Christmas was over "three" months ago and it wasn't white. The idea of white and snowy one remained just that: an idea, a mere wish for the hopefuls like me who has never experienced snow, a dream that would be carried over to the next season when snow-wishing would began anew.

Christmas came. New Year came. Not one bit of snow fell. Then the Valentines. Then my Birthday. Then came along March. As the calendar moves towards the second quarter, our snow dream was replaced with these new exciting possibilities: cherry blossoms, warmer weather and longer days, in that order. But I think life's great surprises do happen sporadically in a year. In my countless experiences, I have known that God loves to surprise us, in ways and moments that would catch us off guard, in a good sort of way.

It was a holy week, a Wednesday. For unknown reason, I woke up earlier than usual, checked the weather (something that I learned to do out of necessity) and got the best surprise of the year ever: snow had built up in our tiny front yard! It was snowing so peacefully that for a while, it felt like Christmas, that for a while and for posterity, I wanted to call our loved ones in the Philippines to wish them a merry one! I just stood there at our glass door transfixed by the falling pieces that flickered midway in the air. I stood still and wondered what God was thinking sending snow in March, the beginning of springtime.

I could only think that this is His world. It's His call when to command a snow even if muggles like us wouldn't thought it's possible. You see, impossibility is His specialty. That's the lesson I would take away on that surprisingly snowy morning. Another dream in the bucketlist has been ticked. :)

The scenes while I rode the bus to my workplace. The snow didn't last long in the part of the city where we lived. I heard it lasted for days in some part of Ireland. 

Oooh, so till next snow-dreaming season!

A Week of Reflection

It was another holy week gone by in this fleeting life of mine, my first one since residing in a city where my faith walk has had its own share of ups and downs and bends and stretches.

For the past three years, holy week has taken a different level and meaning in my faith journey. This year, I committed to just slow down and reflect on God's goodness and greatness. I know this is something that I "should" practice everyday, but I'm still a work in progress needing a lot of molding and even pounding most of the time.

With my Instagram photos, let me walk you through my first holy week in Dublin and the reflections that came along with them: 

Monday Blues - On Monday morning, we walked our usual path and we were surprised to witness that ray of sun penetrating the thick grey clouds that enveloped and depressed the city for almost two weeks now. Finally, a little bit of sun would do this city good.

A stroll in the park Tuesday - I finally paid a lunchbreak visit to that park near the office and was charmed by those sweet daffodils in shades of yellow and white.  While I sat and ate and endured the freezing weather, I wondered what work it was that would make me happy, like truly happy. I lifted the question to God and that little pain I always felt when discussing about my career. At the end of the day, I felt grateful. I should be grateful. A lot of Irish folks had no job and couldn't find one in their own land.

Snowy Wednesday - I woke up earlier than usual, checked the weather and surprise, surprise: snow had built up in our tiny front yard! Oh, I had the best quiet time ever in front of the falling snow. For a while, it felt like Christmas and I just tucked my chin on my palms, wondering what God was thinking sending snow in March, a springtime.

Blue Skies of Thursday - What made my Thursday: I love you from my father, a boss who declared tomorrow a holiday, a blue skies, fluffy clouds and a pinkish sunset to gaze on while I walked from office to home.

Home Alone on Friday - So I learned that Black Friday is not a usual holiday in Ireland and it depends on your employer whether to call it an off or not. I was blessed to say I did spend the whole day at home in my pajamas while poor hubby had to work for one more day. I truly, madly, deeply miss my bum days.

Sharing on Saturday - We watched some clips from the Passion of Christ and we posted this question to our bible group: "What does the Passion meant to me?" My simple sharing consisted of this: "I just know that I need a Savior because I sin everyday." It still boggles my mind how Jesus endured it all, but one thing's for sure, because He loves me so much and it is one of my deepest desires to make something good out of this one precious life that He paid for in the cross.

Oh-Happy-Day Sunday - Nope, it's not about the Easter Eggs nor the Bunny. I know that for a fact, thank you very much. Behind those Easter Eggs was the celebration all around the world. To end this, I would just echo the words sang by the kids at our church with a hope that you too will know why we this week was holy and why today, of all the days, should be a one happy day. :)

"Oh happy day, Oh happy day

When Jesus washed my sins away...

Oh happy day..."