Special Delivery; Day244; First Day Of School

Psa 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Jehovah delivers him out of them all.
Psa 34:19  Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

My lifetime afflictions:
1972-Age 08, I was hit in the head by a flying baseball bat during a baseball game in Merida
1983-Age 18, Death of my father (I was so sad/confused, I wore a mourning pin for 2 years … I think). Started college without my dad.  Decided to follow his footsteps. Enrolled at CIT and then took up EE. Same school/same objectives.
1986-Age 20, Met my wife Britta for the first time (this is not an affliction) ;-O
1988-Age 23, Fell from a 15 feet ceiling to the ground (first day of work at General Milling Corporation)
1988-Age 23, First bike accident at Pardo-Mactan route, hit a pedestrian at 18mph
1989-Age 24, Second bike accident at the foot of Mactan Bridge, (almost died, Mama Bulak and Papa Jojo were there and helped me, Bebs/Chadd nursing my wounds)
TURNING POINT OF MY LIFE: 1989, Easter Sunday – Eden was there and witnessed me responding the altar call by Pastor Joe Desarno
1989-Age 24, Gave my life to Christ (Maranatha Christian Fellowship – Pastor Tony Ebarra and Joe Alfafara as my mentors), gave up my 5 years of Aikido training in exchange for the promise of the Holy Spirit.
1991-Age 25, Survived the Ormoc flood in November 5, 1991, ~5000 people died. This is 5 days before my departure to New York to meet Britta. Witnessed the rising of the water at the bus terminal and the 9 feet water level rising at Rizal Street. I survived that day. Ended up sleeping in the car overnight after helping at maternity hospital with Marla and Lynnete Go.  Slept in my car and at around 3am in the morning, I started crying as the Holy Spirit ministered to me about the disaster.  I did not know yet that there were 5000 casualties that day.  My car (mom’s red car-undamaged) was parked right in front of the catholic church (children’s playground), I walked towards the sea wall with mud about 2 inches deep.  Saw dead people on the street, the beautiful bermuda playground was covered with mud and debris.  Saw cars hanging at the edge of the sea wall and just a bunch of  dead bodies lying on the ground. I asked God why this disaster has to happen? His answer, “My ways are not your ways”.  From that day on, I don’t question Him anymore.  He has His own ways.
1992-Age 26, I joined the Army in New York (could not find an engineering job in NY) and the day before I was scheduled for boot camp, we learned that Brtita was pregnant with Brittney. So sad to leave Britta pregnant.  I wanted out but I already signed the papers.  Start of 4 years wandering in the desert to find the promise land.
1996-Age 30, Got out of the Army, did not know where to find a job.  Fast forward, I end up working for AMD in Austin
1998-Age 32, A Samsung manager called me and asked me to work for Samsung, I hesitated/regretted at first because AMD was at the peak at that time (took a pay cut).  But this decision to work for Samsung led to a better job and I met new friends.
2001, Age36, I was sharpening a lawn mower blade using an electric angle grinder.  I dropped the grinder accidentally and the running grinder hit my right knee, open wound (1”x.5” in size) and blood was all over.  Knee was fine at the end of the day.
2001, Age 36, I was driving from work (nigh shift), my car hydroplaned, did a 360 in the middle of Parmer Lane at 50mph, I hit the guard rail but survived.  Broken front bumper was the only damage.
2002, Age 37, During my 45mile bike ride, at Mile 25 near Rice Crossing, 2 dogs attacked me, I tried to evade but end up crashing hard. Bleeding and bruises on my left arm and leg, pedaled for 20 miles to get home.  Survived to tell the story.
2004, Age 38, Car crash in Interstate I35 at 70 mph, I slammed my brakes and avoided the accident but the driver behind me failed to stop and and a loud “bang” and a severe shaking of my car right after.  I got out of the car to assess damage, Pathfinder did not have any structural damage, just a broken license plate holder.  Did not even claim any insurance.
to 2006, Age 40, A close family member suffered a setback, I had to fly to New York to pick her up.  The objective was to travel back by car with her.  At mile100 after we left New York, the car started making noise.  I prayed and told God I will not stop driving for this car problem.  At mile 200, the noise stopped.  We slept through the night in a hotel and then drove the next day. After 1500 miles, mission accomplished.  Got her settled at my home. 
2006, Age 40, My marriage was threatened by external event, Britta emotionally exploded on Christmas Day of 2006. (one of the greatest ordeal I have to survive)
2007, Age 41, Applied a job for Samsung Fab2, just wanted to work with new technology. Did not know that Fab1 was in the brink of closing.  A good move
2008, Age 42, My heart attack at age 42, almost died (100% blockage post my 1 hour indoor cycling training, did not collapsed, collateral arteries saved my heart.
2009, Age 43, Samsung work stability threatened, I survived.

So why do I have to mention all these events here?  One reason, to show to some of my friends that God and his promises are real.  If you experienced those afflictions and survived, will you be silent?  I won’t because those experiences can encourage other people.  Those hard times are examples of trials and tribulations turned into victory.   It is really hard for me to convince some of you that all of these are true but I did truly have a first hand experience of Psalm 34:19.  The key word is “ALL” and just a few and that is the reason why I worship and praise Him every time I have the opportunity.  I know that some of you are questioning your life’s disasters.  Why it has to be me?  Why this time?  And the most dreadful question … Why?  One sermon told me that everything in our lives are pre-arranged and I never believed on that before; but when I look back into my colorful/interesting life journey, I can always agree on that statement.  Things do happen for a reason.  Sad to say that sometimes we wont know the answer until we are out from the big storm.  Be encourage.  God is still in control of your destiny,

Life is filled with afflictions but when we are following the path of righteousness, God will provide us with an exit strategy and deliver us victoriously.

To my friend Ellie, the Holy Spirit is ministering to you. Do not be bothered.  Our God is a God of Peace and not confusion.  We just need to piece together the things that was placed in your heart long time ago.  One hint, it is for the Glory of His Kingdom.  Keep reading.

MIT (Most Important Task)
1. 2.4mile swim (will attempt, the >95F weather is slowing me down)
2.
3.

0000, Sleep
0100, Sleep
0200, Sleep
0300, Sleep
0400, Sleep
0500, Sleep
0600, Sleep
0700, Breakfast; journal;
0800, Drop off the kids
0900, Journal
1000, 2.4 Mile Swim
1100, 2.4 Mile Swim
1200,
1300,
1400,
1500, Pickup Brent
1600, Pickup CC
1700,
1800,
1900, Backup Sharepoint Server and Hyper-V
2000,
2100,
2200,
2300,
2400, Sleep