There’s nothing sweeter than simply sitting in the presence of my Creator.

Hello! I just wanted to hop on here and share what the Lord has been showing me these past couple months! There are so so many things I could write about, but I will just highlight a few things in this blog and if you want to hear more, I’d love to share!

Beginning in Vietnam, my team had a small balcony connected to our top floor, and almost everyday I went there to read my Bible. Sometimes I found myself just sitting there for over half an hour, praying, or just simply enjoying the Lord’s nature and sunshine (or quite often, rain, which I love just as much!). As this became more and more routine throughout my days, spending time with God came less out of obligation and more out of a pure desire to be with Him. Even if I didn’t have my Bible or worship music to listen too, I knew His all-encompassing love is the only thing that can fill me spiritually, physically, emotionally.

As Vietnam came to a close and we got to the Philippines, my time with the Lord shifted a bit. My team was in Tondo, which is the true definition of overpopulated… people everywhere. Living in the tiny house in a building surrounded by markets and busy streets, there was no place to be alone. In those few weeks, the Lord showed me what it looks like to be in constant communion with Him while communing with other people. The Bible tells us to live in constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), to continually seek the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:11), to abide in Him at all times (John 15:4), not just in time alone with Him. This expanded my prayer life to where I found myself praying while cooking meals, walking the streets, or doing any other mundane tasks throughout the day. I grew to love just talking to God, both out loud and silently, about any small or big thoughts or questions.

A few weeks later, my team moved to Cainta, and I was able to spend time with the Lord alone again. There was another balcony where I sat every morning (you can always find me on the balconies!), and that was by far my favorite time of the day. With the sunshine, breeze, and trees, I was in awe of the beauty of nature created by the hand of God. Being away from nature for three weeks in Tondo made me realize what a blessing it actually is. The Lord doesn’t have to give us beautiful sunshine and grass, but He does. He doesn’t have to paint perfect sunsets across the sky every night, but He does, simply because He loves us and wants us to enjoy Him. Everyday He puts His glory on display for us to behold Him and to remind us of His goodness. My eyes have been opened to the abundant blessings of the Lord, and I have learned to greatly enjoy the seemingly small aspects of His beautiful nature.

As I grew more and more in love with time with God, I simultaneously grew more discontent with the “real world.” I was tired of the brokenness and hardship of everyday life, and I longed to be in the full, glorious presence of the Lord. Hebrews 13:14, “for this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven” felt so real to me. Throughout that week, the Lord continued to show me verses about the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5), and I grew unsettled, knowing so deeply that my home was not where I was. But the Lord saw, and He cared.

Near the end of our ministry days in Cainta and into debrief week, the Lord gave me overflowing joy. I honestly don’t remember the last time I had felt that consistently joyful, and whenever people asked me how I was doing I thought I might burst with indescribable excitement. Randomly, my leader told me to describe with one word how I felt that day and the first thing that came to mind was “jubilant” (…I don’t think I’ve ever used that word before). Whether I was going on spontaneous adventures with my hosts or just hanging out at the base with the squad, I was filled with overwhelming gratefulness. It was as if the Lord was reminding me that there’s still joy to be found on earth, even as I look to the future life with Him. He put me here for a purpose, and He will sustain me until the day of His return because eternal life with Him starts now. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13)

If you take away anything from this blog, my prayer is that you would 1) know the impact of just simply sitting with the Lord, and 2) the truth of how much the Lord knows and cares for the condition of your heart. I am continually amazed by how much He cares for what seem like the smallest things, and how He abundantly blesses and provides everyday.

Mo 😊