Normalization

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

After my grandmother passed, I thought about getting back to a normal life. But then I started to wonder what a normal life is without her. Although I grew up in Iloilo and my grandma was in Manila, I always had the assurance that she was there. She was only a phone call away. She spent her last year in Iloilo, and that was the most I've seen her all my life. Still, her passing seems to let me see the world as no longer normal.

Things have happened after she passed. Independence Day came, which is a national holiday.



Father's Day came, and I was able to treat my dad out to lunch.
















Church is still church, except that I see life now from a different perspective. Grandma's passing seems to have given me the "growing up overnight" experience. I feel like an adult now more than ever. I also had the opportunity to do the Sunday Scripture reading. I made the mistake of asking the people to read the "evil" verses while I read the odd verses, when I should have told them to read the "even" verses while I read the odd verses. And also, the worship team is still growing.




























It's good to be reunited with old friends. Dr. Mark has been a best friend since we were in elementary school. He visited Iloilo for a week.


Family life is still family life, except that my sister, brother-in-law and niece came for a visit. I spent time with my baby niece and now I miss her more than ever before now that they left.




















I also was able to drive them to the new Iloilo airport for the first time. I think it was the longest distance I've ever driven a car.

Daily work is still daily work, except that my job description may soon change, and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of my two officemates who got married to each other.




I gave them the Topical Study Bible (New Living Translation) as a wedding gift. We then had barbecue chicken plus other courses for lunch.








My pets are still my pets, except that two of them are under medication for skin problems.

And my heart is still my heart, except that I think God is giving me courage and getting me ready to step out of my comfort zone and talk to... somebody =) .

So, what is normal when things are different? What is normal when you step into a new season? Just the same as before -- being normal is following Jesus and being the person He made you to be.