Forever a Spice Girl Fan!

Wahhhhhhh!!!! The best band ever. :) 'Nuff said.

Thoughts to another... and another.

Once, somebody texted me just to ask what I think, is a make or break question for any SFC member.

"Sister, what makes you continue to serve in SFC after all these years."

Isang simpleng tanong pero nakakabagabag.

I remember praying before sending him my answer. In fact, the answer I sent him took me back to the six years of serving in Singles for Christ. 

I may not be able to write the exact words now but I said something like these:

* I rebuilt my personal relationship with God because of this community. My service is not because I love just the community, but more of an expression of how I love Him. Sabi ko sa Kanya, kahit san Niya ko dalhin, magseserve ako. I guess dito Nya kasi ko dinala for now. So nagsusumikap ako for Him.
* Hindi perfect ang community bro... Pag tao ang titingnan mo, mapapagod ka, mauubos ang pasensya mo, masasaktan ka. So draw your strength from the real Source of love, kasi makikita mo na lang, hindi ka pala nauubusan kasi pupunan Niya yun lagi. You cannot give what you don't have bro. And if you have the overflowing love of God, it will be natural to share the love to others. So fix your eyes on Him. :) 

Hopefully, God touched his heart. Happy to be used for His glory.

Hindi naman ako perpekto. Marami rin akong ayaw sa community, ayaw na tao.. ayaw na kultura. Maraming beses na kong nasaktan ng community na mahal na mahal ko. Pero di ba ganun naman? Pag mahal mo, madali patawarin? Pag mahal mo go lang ng go? Buti na lang maaga kong natutunan, "The community, the church, is a  hospital for sinners." Lahat tayo may swero pa... so tuloy tuloy lang. Go go lang unti we recover di ba? Basta ang driving force lang lagi si God at hindi kung sino man dyan. Take it one day at a time. 


***

Dear Lord,

What is your message for me at work? Help me glorify You through my job. Love and hate relationship naman kasi talaga yung nangyayari sa kin pagdating sa trabaho. Grabedad. Inspire me Lord please?


***

How do I save the world? Or at least her world?

Pano mo tutulungan ang taong ayaw tulungan ever sarili nya? Puro excuses, walang ginagawa. Pano mo tutulungan yung taong, naalala ka lang pag gipit na gipit na siya? Pano mo tutulungan ang tao kung asar na asar ka sa kanya?

Lord, how do I love my neighbors again? :)

***

Today, I think, I will be a forever girlfriend. 

***

Hmm.. how I wish I can not multi task. But then again, multi tasking is a rare gift. And Ive mastered it already. 

***

Sa gitna ng habagat nagsilabasan ang mga bayani. Nasukat ang tibay ng Pinoy. Nalaman rin ang mga buwaya, plastik at nagbabakat kayo. San ka dun? Mas importante ata, san ako dun?


Sana dalawin na ko ng antok. 

Pray rather than speculate. Help rather than spread non sense.

I find the picture ridiculous.

C'mon people, you can do better with your time.

This is what the Bible verse is all about:

"7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro , until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her , and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening ; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more."

But if you finished the story of Noah's Arc, you should know that God promised never to wipe out the earth with water and flood, hence the rainbow.  (Genesis 9: 8-13)

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹ “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰ and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. ¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."

Make good use of your time instead. Pray. Help. Pray harder.

And please, if you are an RH Bill supporter, stop spreading that the rain is God's punishment to the Philippines for pushing the RH Bill.

If you are pro- RH Bill, stop telling people that anti RH supporters are spreading the latter.

Stop the hate. Stop the lies. Pilipinas unite.

God loves all of us. God loves the Philippines. Now move!

Laguna, declared under state of calamity

8.7.12

Tatlong taon, matapos ang Ondoy, binaha ulit sa Golden City.
as of this posting, 2:46pm, humupa na ang tubig. Ngunit sabi ng PAGASA, maguuulan pa daw hanggang bukas.

Ang kalakhang Luzon ay apektado na ng kalamidad na ito.

Pero may awa naman si Papa God. Ang bilis nga Niyang dininig ang dasal namin. Hindi na Niya pinapasok sa bahay ang tubig. ::) The best ka talaga Lord.

Sa gitna ng trahedya, marami paring pwedeng ipagpasalamat. At sa gitna ng kalamidad, maraming leksyon ang pwedeng matutunan.

Ingatan mo po kami Lord sa loob pa ng 24 oras na ilan. Mas naniniwala kasi ko sa weather forecast Mo. Amen.

P knows how to spoil me.

I get flowers for no reason at all. My boyfriend is the sweetest. Thank you Lord. 

Meet Pucca!

Late posting, but this is worth a slot in my journal.

P gave me this baby last March. I'm like, what is this? But then again, it's the thought that counts right?! So meet Pucca, our baby! :) I guess this is his subtle way of reminding me to wear a smile always.

I love my P's! :)

Restless...

Daily Devotions by Elisabeth Elliot

http://www.elisabethelliot.org/devotional.html
On Repentance.

Are You Really Ready For Marriage? | Cord of 3 Strands

http://cordof3strands.org/courtship/are-you-really-ready-for-marriage/
Because I am in the wedding industry. And because I know I will get married in God's perfect timing. This is a good read.

Blessed indeed.

Taking a breather from my busy life to thank my Great God for everything.

Makulimlim na Lunes ng hapon!

I shall delight Thee.

Amen and amen. 

Happy Wednesday everyone. :)

I shall delight Thee.

Amen and amen.

Happy Wednesday!

My prince, my love.

Dear Girlfriend,

While I can tell you to find a man who is handsome, extravagant, good with words, and romantic, I tell you now that you can have everything when you choose to be with a man of God. For the day will come when you are no longer in the honeymoon stage,  good looks will eventually fade and the weight keeps kicking in. The sweet words will be overused, and the luxuries will pass by. The man of God knows perfectly that you are a precious gift from God. And so he will take care of you like how God wants you to be treated. That man will know that the a love triangle is necessary: you, him, and your Creator. And if both of you will delight Him first, He will shower you with the desires of your hearts. Nothing can beat the storms of blessings in store for you.

I prayed for a man like that some years ago and God answered my prayers.

***

To my prince,

Thank you for treating me like the Princess God said that I am since day 1. Thank you for always reminding me that I am precious.

Thank you for always being the calm sea.

Thank you for making me smile, even if it's difficult. For telling me to "turn my frown upside down." And for stretching my curled eyebrows all the time.

For being my mission and service partner. For rising up to the challenge of  "walking the talk especially in Singles for Christ." For restoring my faith in the brothers of SFC.

For loving me in all of my shapes and forms.

May 2008

August 2008

December 2008

May 2010

June 2011

February 2012

For being a man of action and prayer.

For always replying "Let's pray" when I initiate a fight. :P

For simply being my frog Prince!

For believing that our relationship will be perfected in God's love.

Thank you for reminding me to just love my neighbors without expectations. For reminding me to "kill everyone with kindness." Thank you for being a living example of SFC-CLP talk 6, a walking proof of 1st Cor. 13

And hang on sweetie, God is still not done with me. I'm working on it. :)

Happy four years! I'm so blessed to have you. Thank God for you.

***

Sister, keep on praying because God answers prayers.Wait patiently and remain faithful as you wait. :)

May we all be continuously blessed.

Date a girl who reads by Rosemary Urquico

“Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilightseries.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.”

I pray thrice.

St. Agustine said, "He who sings well prays twice."

Pero sabi nga ng choir teacher ko nung bata pa ko, "He who sings not so well, prays thrice."

So pano pa ko? Hehe.

Pero sabi nga, when you give it your all for God, He knows it, for nothing can be hidden from God.

Here's my relaunch during last May's SFC Heat.

F na F lang! :) Pero for God naman yan. Go Music Min! :)

Never look back.

"Remember Lot's wife!" Luke 17:32


"But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26







Today I am reminded of the story of Lot's wife who turned to salt after defying the most important survival instruction: Never look back. Hers was a chance of a lifetime. She and her family will be saved from her sinful city's destruction, if only they run fast and do not look back. Obviously, she did not pass the marshmallow test.


When I went through my writings from years ago, I knew that I have come a long way already from being a drama girl that I was. I have learned to count my blessings and have gained wisdom to know what I should consider the treasures in my life. In my darkest hour, God has redeemed me and gave me countless of chances. And through the years, I am convicted to use my story in however God wants me. 


I was able to run away from the fire. But today, I confess that I haven't really stop looking back when I get the chance. 


I am Lot's wife in many occasions.


It's always tempting to look back, let alone dangerous. A sister always tell me that the devil is scheming. He wants me to look back. He wants me to go through the mental pain of "What ifs, and wasn't it more fun then?" It brings me back to the days when I used to have those things, used to do those things. He wants me to be weak again. 


Today, when I remembered a specific memory, it just didn't bring me to a happy place. I relived the pain. And then I remembered Mother Theresa saying, "You are exactly where you are supposed to be." I am already a new creation. He said, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" 2 Cor 5: 17


I have come a long way because Jesus Christ made it possible. And yes, there is still things ahead of me but I know better now to face my giants head on. The urge to look back will always be strong. But this is what I have to say, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. 


No more looking back. 

Rainy season kick off

Sometimes I wonder if kids are old souls trapped in tiny frames.  

Back to my first love

Tomorrow, I will be back to doing my first love. But this time around, I will be doing it not for myself, but for my great God.

Only a few people know that my first love is singing. I started singing when I was three years old, back when my sister and I would record a tape for my father abroad. Batang OFW. My parents supported our talent by enrolling us to a music school when I was seven. I was also a diligent choir member, and a soloist at that. I've had recitals, concerts with Aizza Seguerra (who was really an icon for kids then), and yes, joined competitions. 

I won my first competition when I was six at our school. I didn't even know what a singing competition is. I remembered my competitors wearing nice dresses and belting out Whitney Houston songs. I, on the other hand, was wearing terno Mickey Mouse shirt and shorts, ready to sing and dance to the tune of-- hold your breath-- Rachel Alejandro's "Mr. Kupido." Hey, I won 3rd place, beating the bigger girls! The rest is history as they say. I became part of a trio in school, until I became too cool for singing.Or at least I thought so. Deep inside, I really wanted to become a famous singer. 

Sadly, I stopped singing even before I got really famous. At 10 years old, I became eligible to represent my school to a regional singing contest. (That's only because my sister, who is the better singer, cannot represent the school for the 2nd time and the rest of the good singers were done as well :P ) I was ready to conquer the song, "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang" by Regine Velazquez. They said I was a front runner, and to this day, I still think that I might be, except that I got sick the night before the competition. So, I went to the competition (held at our provincial coliseum and judged by Dulce) with fever, sore throat, bad colds, and a really hoarse voice. I sang my heart out very badly and heard my voice break at the last birit. I remember crying at the backstage with my mom and lola comforting me.

I stopped singing after. I hated myself for disappointing my family and my school, and most of all, for humiliating myself in front of thousands of audience. I short, na trauma akesh.

Many singing opportunities came but I never went near a mic until Singles for Christ came along. I guess I never escaped the mark I made in my village (haha!), that right after graduation from SFC, I immediately became part of my chapter's music ministry. It made feel alive again. My voice, of course, was never the same, having slumbered for almost eleven years, but it was a start for me. My sister had to ruin my singing career though, when she followed me to SFC the year after. She took over the singing, as I moved on to writing for our newsletter (my second love), and then doing events (my third love). 

I never gave up my first love though, thank God for bathrooms and morning showers. I guess music will always be in my blood. Duh! I'm attracted to musically inclined people, and I am actually in love with one (except that he is not just musically inclined, he is very gifted).

In SFC, I learned that whatever we do out of love for God is a way to glorify Him. I learned to be thankful for my talents, and actually use my talents. I learned to say YES to wherever He calls me to, because now I know that there is purpose to my gifts. And every time I use it for His glory, I make Him known. 

At bilang go lang ng go, nagkaron na ko ng guts para mag volunteer kumanta, sa provincial music ministry. Tomorrow, is my relaunching. But you know what, I'm not anxious, because this time, there is no fancy dress, no coveted award, no expectations to meet. My Great God is my only audience, cheerer, and my biggest fan. I am super ready for You Papa God! :) Let me glorify You through my talents.

As I reconnect with my first love, let me quote my chorale teacher from grade school, "He who sings well, prays twice. He who sings not very well, praise thrice." So Lord, 100 x to infinity po ang level ng praise ko!!! Hehe. 

"That in all things, God may be glorified."

First Quarter Storm

The beginning of the year started just right for me. And every inch of my body feels that this year is just gonna be the most promising ever. Praise You always God. I just want to honor God for the storms of blessings and I await with expectant faith for more!


January

As usual, we spent New Year's eve with family, praying and eating together. Forgot to take pic! Bummer!

I spent the first day of the year mostly alone. Reflecting on God’s plan for me (and then cramming for school). But in the aloneness, I felt the need to really start the year right by closing some chapters in my life. And closing, I did. To date, I am still praying for complete healing.

This is also the month when I felt I’m really a student. I got to meet really nice people, adding to my circles. Graduate school peeps are really nice, and I’m glad that to take this journey with them.

And yep, got to taste authentic Korean dish for the first time! Yumyum!

Jan. 28, another milestone for 4Leaf, first wedding for 2012.

Lovin’ February.

Thank God for the 3.8 months with Papol!

Feb 14. It was my first time to celebrate Valentines alone by accident. I mean, the folks weren’t able to make it on time for our dinner reservation. I ate all the food, the restaurant closed, and then they arrived. Bummer! But who am I to ruin Valentine’s right? So we celebrated it at home instead and ate the take out food from the resto. Shempre, hindi ko na pinili pang icapture ang moment na ito :p

February 17-19 Great God experience. I got to serve in the 19th International Conference of Singles for Christ in Bohol. What a humbling experience! I can't believe that I get to share my meager talent in this AWESOME production.  Til now, I am still amazed with the overflow of talents in SFC, and how God put us all together. AMAZING! Thank you Papa God for the opportunity to serve.

Here's a glimpse of our segment for Talk 3 titled "Mary, Me?" before Praisefest. After the talk, we wrote down our love letters to God, and lit a skylantern to symbolize our readiness to surrender and let go of anything that's hindering us to follow Him.

Footnote! He answered another prayer that month. I can't say thank You enough!

Amazing March!

Survived UPOU! March 3 Final Exams!

This is me after DevCom 206 finals.

Us three: Cla, Marc, and me, after the two exams, and before grabbing a drink. Grad school is really fun because of my new friends.

March 18. Got a day tour in a luxurious resort for FREE! @Estrellas de Mendoza, Laiya, Batangas

 Mama's Bday, March 27
@Receipes, Solenad, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Earth Day, Mar31 with Pakner (post 3.9 celebration)

Hay Lord, the best ka talaga! :)

Claiming the floodgates of heaven this 2nd Quarter.

Peg para hindi mag extra rice!

Eto na talaga ang inspirasyon para hindi kumain na parang walang bukas, at kumilos kilos sa taon ng dragon! So, kung ganito ako nung unang panahon, eh pwedeng pwede pa ibalik. TANDAAN TETS: Bawal mag extra rice. Bwahaha.

Go go go!

Welcoming 2012 with an expectant faith.

From today's mass I learned that "Faith is the anecdote of Fear."

I used to be the girl who is anxious about everything else. Always the girl who wants to be in control. But over and over again, God showed me that He has a better way, a better plan, a future full of hope. While I learned to persevere and pray harder for the desires of my heart, I also learned to surrender. The day I learned to surrender is the biggest achievement for me.

2011 has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. I've got a handful of lessons from all the experiences. Will always be thankful to God for being with me all the way.

2011 is the year when...

I lost people dear to me. To Tito Del and Sister Rhia, your passing on brought new life lessons to me. I am sure you are happy with Papa God already. The family has been sickly this year, and so we resolve to cherish life and live healthier for 2012.

Dreams came true. I stared dreaming about my own business three years ago. It came almost full circle this year. I also dreamt of attending grad school, and yes, this year God finally gave His go signal. For SFC service, I once dreamt of serving in the International Conference. Hooray for being able to serve in the 18th Conference. Ibang level sobra. Thank you for that opportunity Lord. Hmm, next dream, giving a talk in a conference. Bwahaha. Why not? Dream bigger dapat! :P

I finished God's assignment to me. I have been SCOM head for almost three years. This year, I prayed that God gives the events team a new leader. One that can be an instrument of His love, through events. One that is unselfish enough to share a piece of herself, to the team she will be handling, and the rest of SFC Laguna. While letting go of what has been my routine, and the team whom I learned to love so muchie, I know that it is already time for other people to experience the joy of serving God extra mile.

I realized that going abroad is not yet for me. Everything I have is here. No need to look for elsewhere yet.

I learned how to truly love unconditionally through my 4G. Papol, thank you for everything. How could I ever thank God for you?

I learned to value money and use it wisely. More financial stewardship for me this 2012, so help me God.

Wow... I'm really blessed! Whatever you have for me this year Lord God, may I be able to glorify You, in all that I do.

Here's hoping for only the best that God planned for me! :)

May you be blessed too.