Fireworks and Lessons From God

Several weeks ago, we were told that New Year’s Eve was the big night for fireworks. Filipinos traditionally do most of their traveling, attending special parties, and shooting off all kinds of fireworks on the 31st. So we prepared ourselves for the thrill of gazing at numerous firecrackers that were expected to explode throughout the city that night. Wow! And what a night!:-)

Instead of a 30-45 minute firework show, some people sporadically began to shoot them off as early as 7pm on New Years Eve. It was almost as if they were warming up throughout the evening for their big climax around 11:30pm. :-)

In order to keep ourselves awake until midnight, we prepared snacks and watched a few family movies. Yet, we did not need help staying awake, because with the constant shrill and pop of firecrackers exploding throughout the city—and right outside our windows—there was nothing to do BUT stay awake and watch the show! ;-) As soon as 11:30pm came, fireworks all over the city became more numerous and intense as they filled the starlit sky with an explosion of sound as well as vivid, sparkling colors.


Never before have we seen a fireworks show as we did on this New Year’s Eve! We raced from window to window trying to see all the fireworks going off as well as capture the colorful and beautiful lights on camera as they filled the night sky. (It’s hard to capture fireworks on camera! They come and disappear so quickly.) No matter which direction we looked, or which window we watched from, we were able to see all kinds of fireworks exploding at the same time.

Our neighbors were shooting off these huge elaborate firecrackers and lighting small fountains. It was almost as if every single person in Angeles City desired to welcome in the New Year by shooting off their own set of fireworks and noise crackers.:-)


Every time a firecracker blew up nearby, our windows rattled and we “oohed and aahed” at the beautiful colors exploding directly above our heads.:-) This city-wide show lasted past midnight! It was awesome.


As each firework exploded and quickly faded away, in a similar way, the year 2007 (as with each year!) has slipped by so quickly. “…For what is our life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,” James 4:14. Just before 2008 approached, our family reviewed our events of 2007. We were reminded of God’s blessings through each circumstance, friend, family member, situation, and challenge.


Living in the Philippines has been exciting for our family. We have been given the unique opportunity to experience a new culture, establish new friendships, and observe more of God’s beautiful creation, etc. Yet, each adventure in life is accompanied by challenges, adjustments, and learning experiences.

As we have encountered occasional cultural adjustments and struggles while living over here, we are learning to accept each of them as blessings from the Lord. With each struggle or adjustment, He has a special lesson for us to learn.


Some of our blessings & lessons from God are listed below.

1. Able to live here together as a family
2. Learn to be a minority
3. Gain a larger world view (different culture, lifestyles, and needs of others)
4. Reminded that we are pilgrims in this world and ambassadors for Christ
5. Learn to be more sensitive to other foreigners, visitors, and minority groups in the future as we have a better view of what they may be going through
6. Learn to be content and bloom where God has planted us

“…For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content,” Philippians 4:11.

Happy New Year everyone!