It’s that time once again when I look back and reflect on the highlights of the year. 2021 has flown by so quickly and like previous years, I am in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness yet again. Yes, it has been a challenging year but if we look closely, we can see God’s hand of provision and favor. He is ever present and actively involved. Though we don’t understand the whys, we trust the God we know.
This time of reflection never fails to bring me tremendous peace and joy. Despite the trials, there are wonderful moments of realizations and new experiences. I urge you to do the same. Check out previous photos, posts, and revel on the Lord’s favor. May you have a wonderful time of reflection. You are welcome to read on and I am excited on what the Lord would reveal on yours.
January: It was my brother’s 50th /golden birthday celebration and even with the lockdown, the family made sure it was extra special. It was great to hear beautiful greetings and messages for him from loved ones and friends even from his high school and university days. Contributed a new year’s blog to my high school Alma Mater, FBC’s portal. Subscribed to Weight Watchers for the year that helped shed off 30 lbs (praise God!).
February: First hike for the year at Lake Aquitaine and Wabukayne with friends. It was memorable for me since with the winter plus lockdown, it has been months since I did an outdoor hike. Fueled by the high of that hike, had more hikes at Earl Bales Park, Edwards Gardens and Port Credit. The stunning beauty of snow-covered paths, trees, and surroundings kept us coming for more.
March: We grieved the passing away of a dear grandaunt, Mama Nancy, whose legacy of love, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and grace will always be treasured in our hearts. What an emotional milestone in this pandemic as Papa got his first vaccination. We also celebrated Papa’s 84th birthday and with the lockdown, still had it within our home. Praising God for Papa’s continued good health. More hikes in Lakeshore/Port Credit, downtown Brampton and around the neighborhood with Papa and friends. The sights of mini-pantry giving out free canned goods and mini-library warms the heart as it shows kindness in people’s hearts.
April: My brother, sister-in-law and myself had our first vaccination shots. Renewed my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is valid for another 3 years. Re-connected with high school friends as the idea of a virtual reunion was brewing.
May: Successful 25th high school virtual celebration with beautiful tokens given to our teachers and mentors and fund raising for our batchmates who needed support as they grapple the effects of the pandemic. The meetings/calls leading to the celebration and even after were all lovely and memorable – made us all feel young again as we reminisced our youth. Papa and I welcomed spring with its beautiful flowers in our walks. Saigon Park, new park within the city we discovered. Another new conservation park, Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby – explored with friends.
June: First drive-through rib-fest experience for Papa and me and we brought home, grilled food/meats to celebrate my nephew’s birthday. Restrictions on restaurants have started to ease up that allowed a Japanese eat all you can dining for the family for my nephew’s birthday, post birthday celebrations of friends at Turtle Jack’s in ErinMills Center, Lakeshore dining with friends at Posta Italbar in Port Credit. More hikes and graffiti art space discovered with friends. Silvercreek Conservation Area – new discovery with family and friends. Papa got his second vaccination. Received a Service Excellence Award at the workplace (what an unexpected blessing!). Breakfast fellowship at a friends’ home. After work walks with a friend interchanging from her and my neighborhood.
July: Urban strolls with friends at Riverdale Park East, Craigleigh Gardens, Evergreen Brickworks, Todmorden Mills Park. Another urban stroll at Guild Park and Gardens. With the strolls come good food - Mediterranean dinner (Café Landwer) and Greek dinner (Atlantis) in Danforth. Celebrated finishing our (Crossover group) first book Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur and had our breakfast picnic and hike at Earl Bales Park. Weekend getaways with friends: Lion’s Head Beach, Greig’s Caves, Owen Sound (Inglis Falls). Watched fireworks for Canada Day at the bay just behind our hotel. More friends’ getaway picnics at the Niagara on the Lake and sunflower farm at Davis Family Farm. My niece getting her Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) status at the College of Nurses of Ontario and what a delight seeing her graduate and her name in the online directory (proud Aunt here!). With the easing out of restrictions, we had a housewarming party at a friends’ house and what a great joy to see our Portico Filipino group in person.
August: More weekend getaways at Pinery beach, Windsor and Point Pelee - Southernmost tip of Canada. Saturday day trips planned by a friend for WAGOH ladies/friends: lunch/high tea at Mad Hatter in Erin followed by sunflower watching at Campbell’s Cross; African Lion Safari then lots of meat dinner at Saltlick Smokehouse in Hamilton. Attended virtually a friend’s daughter’s wedding. Memorable getaway covering Barron Canyon Trail in Algonquin Park. Conquering our fear of heights at Eagle’s Nest in Calabogie. Calabogie boat tour and bonfire – both memorable. Cave exploration – Bonnechere Caves, canoeing and hiking at Bon Echo park.
September: What a privilege to volunteer serving our region’s first responders at the barbeque event sponsored by the church. We applaud them for their hard work especially during this pandemic. Terra Cotta Conservation Park hike with WAGOH friends. Aunties prepared a dance number (Megan Trainor’s Better When Am Dancing) for our friend’s daughter (18th birthday celebration). We all had fun during our rehearsals and thrilled that the youngsters loved our dance at the event… Sugar Rush photo sessions with a dear friend. A lot of pool parties – housewarming for a family friend, another with WAGOH ladies then another one at a memorable Niagara on the Lake cottage getaway. Opportunity to share my testimony to The Conquering Ladies, a ladies’ group in the Philippines for cancer survivors or those still in the middle of their journey. Blessed that two other dear friends readily shared their powerful testimonies – one is a cancer survivor and another friend still in her journey and cheering these ladies on. Both their testimonies brought great encouragement to the group (praise God!).
October: One of the highlights for the year as we are grateful to be able to travel again via air and land. We thank the Lord deeply for this wonderful experience of exploring the beauty of New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia. We fell in love with Canada even more! Fall getaway with friends at Cheltenham Badlands, lunch at Villa Caledon Inn and hike at the Tera Cotta Conservation Park. Since it has started to get cold, went mall walking with a friend at Square One and haven’t been there for a long time – we discovered an art corner at the posh section of the mall. Futuristic dining with Papa at Wind Japanese and Thai as Bellabot served us. Blessed birthday celebration and grateful for the gifts, calls, messages and visits of dear family and friends (my heart is full!). Birthday lunch treat by Crossover friends at Flagio Greek restaurant. Our first movie watching in the cinema after 18 months – No time to die 007. Another birthday lunch treat by friends at Kinton Ramen.
November: Enjoyed the sights of the first major snowfall. Blessed to be reunited with two of my friends whom I regularly volunteered with at Meals on Wheels in Toronto prior to Covid lockdown. This time we served at Portico’s partner organization, Good Measure Food Bank and had lunch at Fuji Noodle House – we are foodies, and we look forward to lunches, just like before (some good things never change!). Celebrated a friend’s birthday at Miga restaurant after serving at the Good Measure Food Bank on another Saturday (grateful to serve here and God willing will take the WAGOH group to serve every last Saturday of the month for 2022). Mexican sundate dining with Papa at El Mariachi. Fall Hike with friends at Erindale Park and explored the lesser-known trails. More sundates with Papa at the Apricot Tree Cafe. Fall hike with Papa around the neighborhood including a historic town Meadowvale Village. Another dance number, this time, Filipino flower folk dance for Portico’s Kingdom Builders Celebration. Helped in the preparation for a friend’s surprise 50th birthday celebration. Retirement dinner for my former People Manager at the Keg and delighted to see 9 other IBMers in person after 19 months.
December: Grateful to experience an in-person Christmas party with friends at the beginning of the month. More Christmas events followed - One Hope event in church and the Pastors and staff really made the parking lot sparkle complete with a petting zoo! Rejoiced with a friend who won the Christmas tree decorating contest – she asked us to send our baby photos and incorporated these in the tree (how sweet!) Lights and Ice Winterfest open for free at Port Credit (thank you Mississauga!). Immersive Nutcracker event then explored the free lights display across Toronto (thank you Toronto!). Ladies Night Out at Alioli restaurant for some Italian fine dining. Christmas Dinner with WAGOH and Nights of Lights fun. More catching up and dining out with friends at Shore Grill. Virtual Christmas Party with Crossover friends. More sundates with Papa trying out restaurants - Noodle Fans for some good Ramen noodles, Greek food at Colossus Greek Taverna. Volunteered with a friend to deliver Christmas baskets to 6 families. Opportunity to fund raise for Typhoon Odette victims and Christmas baskets. My heart was truly inspired and encouraged by generosity of friends and seeing love in action. Two Portico growth groups were able to sponsor 4-5 Christmas baskets that brightened the holidays of 5 families. A total of 13 families and two Christian organizations supported for those who were severely affected by Typhoon Odette in the Philippines. Praise God for touching the hearts of people to give!
My year ended with a Covid isolation as I tested positive via rapid test. Still my heart is ever grateful that I had mild symptoms, no infection to the rest of the family especially Papa and more time to reflect and spend quiet time with my Heavenly Father.
As I enter 2022, I am reminded to surrender everything to the Lord and live one day at a time. I have always been a planner and would plan weeks/months ahead for any trips/events and other activities. In 2022, I will chill and enjoy what each day brings. My Lord Jesus Christ will take care of me and my family as He has always had. Above all, may God grant me the grace to be discerning to the needs of the people around me and respond to His call for any action. May we all have a blessed 2022!
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