Metanoia

I’m Frannie Bunye. I love God and hope to share to you a little bit about His love through this blog.

The past year,  I was in the process of earning my Montessori Lower Elementary  (teaching ages 6-9) certificate, but due to some visa complications, I couldn’t stay in the States to finish the rest of the schoolyear.  Though I was sad at not being able to complete my internship hours, I was able to spend Christmas in the Philippines  (where I am originally from) and got to help in preparations for my parents’ 41st wedding celebration and renewal of marriage vows! I went back to Seattle in the summer and completed all classes except for the summer seminar. I was hoping to go on OPT from there, but it was not meant to be, at least not for this school year. Anyway, I’m back in the Philippines! So yay, I get to watch Ateneo games live again.

Some more things about me –

In high school, I discovered that my mild childhood scoliosis became so severe, that I needed to have major back surgery.  My mom, a pediatrician, was aware of the huge risks involved. Instead of going through with the operation, we opted for the next best thing: wearing a brace 23/7 for four years, or until my iliac crest closed (in layman’s terms, when I stopped growing taller).  My condition made me examine my lifestyle. From being a sedentary person, I’ve made a complete 180 and started exercising daily.  Today I’m a badminton aficionado, and I’m also currently training to run 5k.   Though I miss swimming and snorkeling in the hot and humid rainforest belt known as the Philippines,  I’ve come to appreciate how outdoorsy the Seattle-ites are! I’m a new fan of REI!  I also am a die-hard Ateneo Blue Eagles supporter and follow them even from abroad! I still have scoliosis. I will not be rid of it, but I can maintain physical activity to keep it from getting worse.

I’ve been vegetarian for eight years, and this year, I’m trying a vegan diet.  It’s tough! I thought it would be more challenging in the Philippines (where people seriously love their meat!), but being a vegan in the US is difficult too, for different reasons.

I was miraculously saved by God’s grace in October 2006 in Seattle, WA.  It is such a joy to walk with Him daily. The Holy Spirit gives me courage to share what I’ve come to know about  God through the Bible. I don’t claim to know all there is to know about Him, and I can’t even say I will be as articulate as I hope to be, but I will definitely keep boasting about the His accomplishments in my life.

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the meek hear and rejoice. – Psalm 34:2

You could say that I chose the name Metanoia for my blog because of these fundamental changes in my life (from being sedentary to physically active, from being a complete carnivore to a vegan, and from dead woman walking to a still very much spiritually-deprived person who walks with God.  I first heard the word metanoia in high school. My Christian Values Education teacher said it meant radical change, much like what Saul experienced when he became Paul. Some theological books would also say it means repentance. Other sources say it means something as simple as changing one’s mind.

I love all those definitions.  (Word nerd alert!) When I think of how the Holy Spirit moves a person to conversion, one does experience a supernatural radical change. A Christian must turn away from sin to be able to follow Christ fully. He is  commissioned to bear witness about Jesus Christ.  Even though I hope that by my testimony, readers will change their minds about living for themselves, it is not in my power to do so.  I can only ask the Holy Spirit to guide my studies and how I share these with others. But no amount of research, writing, or gimmicks can win a soul. Conversion is completely His discretion.

I will be chronicling things I’m learning from my walk. My aim is to be completely rooted in  Scripture.  Bear in mind that if you do not share my views, you may be offended by what is posted here.  I am hoping that I am able to convey the impolite truth as gently as I can. However, I will not apologize for anything written here that has its bases on God’s Word. If I ever highlight my own successes, instead of acknowledging God, drop me a line and rebuke me! Let me know also of any inaccuracies (my biblical interpretations, etc) and I will correct them.

My baptism! (Federal Way, WA, March 2007)

Thank you Samantha Bird for the painting used in the header of the blog!