The Providence

Last Sunday, Pastor dwelled on the book of Jeremiah in 29:1-15. The story was set where the Israelites where taken into captives and were exiled in Babylon by the King Nebuchadnezzar.

Their lives had a major turn to  a hundred and eighty degrees, having their homes shattered and abandoned, their stocks and livelihoods were all taken away from them, their freedom along with their family members have to suffer and are forced to live as slaves to some foreign land, along with the temples they've built during the years, were all taken away from them. Thinking about such drastic changes and devastation would surely leave someone feeling hopeless and lost. 

With the pandemic going on, where many lives are lost - - may it be a family member or someone they dearly love, people losing their jobs or with  our economy crashing down, businesses going bankrupt, hence freedom had been limited, and fear about the unknown and unstability --- the Pastor can't help but to compare and look back at the time when the Israelites were living in a time of turmoil like ours. 

Now, why are there sufferings? And if God loves us and want the best for us, why does He allow these kinds of tragedies? 

It was stated in the Bible that the Israelites were living in sin and are back to worshipping their pagan gods, hence God allowed their sufferings to happen. We all need to reflect upon that and where do we stand from this. Maybe God wants us to draw back to Him, maybe He wants us to repent and turn away from our wicked ways, or rmaybe He is moulding us in a way where in we can be the type of Christian He created us to be, with the pandemic going on, but why to this extent? Easy. Because He knows us, and what can get our attention. 

Whatever God's reason is for allowing this pandemic, He is not obligated to give us some explaining to do, why? because HE IS GOD.  Period.

 He is the LORD God Almighty who created the entire universe, He is the same God who freed the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage, the same God who dwealt with us, the same God who helped us, and the same God who loves us, and the same God wants the best for us. 

 God is OMNIPOTENT (Almighty and Powerul) OMINISCIENT (All knowing and can see the future) and OMNIPRESENT (He is everywhere) It was discussed in Jeremiah in 29:1-15, where Jeremiah spoke to the people and said that there're false prophets that were propehesizing that their bondage would only last for a short notice, Does that sound familiar?  But then  God told them to start "accepting" and just "live through" it, for the suffering will last them for 70 years, now God didn't tell us that the pandemic would last as long as that but at the end of their journey and suffering is that God had given them the promise of emancipation or freedom and assurance.

If there is one thing that I've learned based on my experience is that before reacting in any given circumstances is that I have to always remember who God is, and what kind of God I am serving. He is a Loving God, who is Faithful, Gentle, Mighty, and Just. Surely He wants the best for me, and surely His plan will always be the best for me, and we all can rest on that because I know what a reliable and trustworthy God I am serving. 

In a life filled with uncertainty and troubles, know that God is still in control, and will always be. 

 I dont know what situation any of you who are reading this article are in right now, but know that God surely is faithful, and that we can truly rely and trust in Him regardless of how undeserving we are, because that is just who He is :) 

Toronto Canada Layover (75hrs)

Greetings Everyone! So -- 2 days ago, my Flying Partner and I just arrived back here on our base (Jeddah) coming from YYZ. (Toronto, Canada) btw, It's both your homegirls' first time! So y'all know the drill-- Tour package and Souvenir Shops are the main target here. hihi. It was a 75hour layover, well it was almost 4 days truly, and it's such a blessing to stay there and have our own mini vacay treat amidst all the flight delays, cancellations, and ground times that we both dealt with these past few weeks. 

Our Airline stays in Hilton Hotel, 'love the view, but hate that weather. haha

Since it was a long layover, we decided to take some time and rest in our rooms for a bit on our first day, then went out for dinner. Yep, 3 Asians = Asian Food. 

Toronto was like a crossover of London and US architecture.

We had our dinner at Asian Bowl.. 

Y'all know how I love Thai Food, hihi, so I ordered some Beef Wanton, some Pad Thai, and for dessert? O Mygosh! O Mygosh! ahaha, The classic Mango with sticky Rice! Man! That's food porn over there!

Had some takeout, yes, don't mind if I do, haha, Tofu with Vegetable Steamed Wrap! 

We went out on the 2nd day, 'availed a Tour Package the night before we went out for dinner on our first day in the city, 'cost was around 81 Canadian Dollars

The Iconic CN Tower.. 

Bus Ride, Bus Ride! Way to take a Selfie! haha

First stop was Niagara Falls. Took us 2 hours  to get there.. Fyi, it ain't raining sweetie, it was just a mist. Pretty strong --eh??? (Lol, one thing I learned about  Canadians is the "EH" expression they put in most of their sentences, another fact is that, in America, Spanish is the second language, where as in Canada--- it's French ) 'Took us so much effort to take pictures without squinting, because the mist kept on splashing them faces. 

Snow is still eminent in Canada, where as it's already in the Mid April, and Spring is about to start already in the US! What?? Canada, you gotta keep up with the US' spring season! Haha. Nobody hates snow more than I do 

We had a stop on our way to our 2nd destination, as our tour guide showed us a closer look of the boundary  between US and Canada, having  the lake in the middle to separate the 2 countries. It's pure amaze-balls guys!

2nd Stop was the Niagara on the Lake, it is a well preserved village from the olden times, that kind'a reminds me of Canada's version of Vigan and London's very own Lacock town. Sure is serene to live in a village full of history and baroque architecture.

Last but not the least is... Niagara College Canada, where we got to have some free wine tasting, yum!!!

First wine sample they gave us was white wine.

I always preferred red wine over white wine

I remember the tour guide telling us that this college was more of a scholarship program, having the students to be trained and supported for free! But don't be complacent  about  this set up as it's very hard to get in, only 30 students were accepted to be a part of this year's program to be trained as a professional  somelier and wine-maker?? Is that a word? Haha. All the wines, jams, and syrups that they have were all fermented/made by their students. 

They specialize in Ice wine products, and much to my surprise--- I really liked it, 'having a sweet savour after taste, I liked it more than their red wine.

On our 3rd day of Layover was a chill/ laid back activity, 'explored the city, roamed around the malls, food tripping, and watched a movie. Yes, like how typical girls are like. God! And I'm even an advocate of feminism, how can I just say that?? haha. I planned to go to a castle that was built on the early 1900's but then odds are impossible as the castle was far from our location, and weather seems to be not on our side, plus we have a movie to catch at around 16:30, But I'll definitely have it on my bucket list once I go back to Toronto.

So our day started with a Tim Hortons, it's like Canada's Very own Starbucks

Ceasar Salad and a pack of Sushi plus carrot cake = Pure Delight! Muy Delicioso! O Mygosh!

'Watched Furious 7, the gang ain't the same without Paul Walker in it.Roman and Ludacris sure made us laugh though.. 

And as for the 4th day itinerary -- haha, let's  just call it a "back to work itinerary" that's  the day wherein we'd  be getting ready for our flight back to jeddah on the following morning, so let us end this article with my hotel room view of la ciudad at night, including these souvenirs that I got. So again, thanks for taking the time to visit my page guys! Adios y Dios bendiga a todos :)