Looking Back at an Extreme 2016

2016 was not a ten-minute roller coaster ride.

It's more like riding vintage ship sailing for months on the unpredictable open sea. There were times enemies overtake and you have to fight for your life. There's loss, but there were also times when you enjoy the stillness of the ocean and the peaceful night sky (while still hydrophobic). At least that's how I picture it.

via GIPHY

2016 was a year of changes - a lot of them.

The first quarter of 2016 was pure bliss.
Roy and I got married in February. { Our Epic Wedding Review: IMP Sea Breeze Resort }

He and his brother started a business in March. We found an apartment unit near the business establishment and moved as soon as we could. It all happened so fast.

We survived living together with nothing but the wedding gifts we received and some stuff we acquired from single hood. Our parents donated some furniture to make our space more livable. We survived three months without an internet connection! { Life Without Wifi } Until now, we don't have a television set, and maybe we won't need one anymore.


In 2016, we had the most fun church camp to date!

Instead of the five-day format, our church decided to shorten the duration of the camp. Changing the schedule to three days only made it more exciting and meaningful for us members. Our first camp as a newly reorganized and revived church was truly memorable.


It was in 2016 that we got our first furbaby, Xena the chihuahua. Xena is the smallest puppy in Muffin's litter - a runt. We actually thought she had a visual impairment judging by the 'cloudy' appearance of her eye when she was only weeks old. Since my parents couldn't sell her, I decided to adopt her. Now she's our own little princess. { Change the Way You See Friendship }

It's not all pleasant and smooth-sailing in 2016 because we lost our unborn child. { The Firstborn That Wasn't Meant to Be }

I still grieve whenever I remember Baby Robyn, but I also respect and God's plan. It was devastating but we managed to move forward.

My husband and I immersed ourselves to church ministry work. It was one of the ways God helped us move on from our grief and put joy back into our lives. { Volunteer Teachers }

When your partner in the ministry is also your partner for life... 😊😍😘

A photo posted by Kye Felix-Pajela (@sleepwalkingscarlet) on Dec 24, 2016 at 1:26am PST

We took every opportunity to serve in the church. { Old School Promotion Work } The purpose is not to brag or gain favor from God. For us, service is an act of gratitude because God has really been good to us.

In 2016 Sleepwalk Trail Designs was born! { Introducing SLEEPWALK TRAIL DESIGNS } It was one of God's channels of blessings to us. Though I ended up giving away some of the products, I still believe it was a success.

The year ended with a new challenge to test our family and our faith. Tatay had a stroke just before Christmas. { Responding to Stroke | The First Few Days } He was in Critical Care for a week, in a hospital room for two more. Now he's still on his way to recovery.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - I Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

The good still outweighs the bad in 2016. We gained more than we lost. God is good all the time.