A best example that a person’s vessel of strength and love should come from an unlimited source which can only be found in God.
Psalm 18:32-34 NIV It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Reblog from Paolo Punzalan.
Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
I can’t even begin to share to everyone my overflowing gratitude for great things He has been doing in my life, most especially my family. This has been one of my prayer points during the start of the year and I can’t believe (No I cancel that. I believed by faith)… rather fully grasp that what was once just a prayer has now come to actuality.
For the past few weeks, my cousins and I have decided to start a small group. So far, we have met for three times already and I believe this has truly making our bond stronger and closer than ever. Each and every second is indeed a fragrant offering to Him! I love how we have managed to open up to one another, share each other’s revelations and testimonies, pray for each other and be accountable with one another. This is definitely the beginning of many more amazing things He has in store for our family!
Last Sunday, we had our third Bible Study at TechnoHub, Quezon City. 4 hours passed by like a swift, next thing we know it, it was past 11pm. Too many things to say, so little time. But just grateful that this isn’t the last of it. There are many more to come for a set of lovely conversations.
But God wasn’t enough with us, right when we stepped out of Shakey’s, there were fireworks in the sky as if it was intended for us!
NEVER STOP PRAYING. NEVER STOP BELIEVING AND TAKE COURAGE! AS YOU BECOME MORE FAITHFUL, HE WILL DO GREAT THINGS BEFORE YOUR OWN EYES. HE WILL SAVE YOU AND YOUR WHOLE HOUSEHOLD ♥
Acts 2:42-43 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
OUR CEBU VIDEO! :) Good job, Ira Macalindong!
CEBU.
Now, I’ve been to Cebu a lot of times over the past few years. But I’ve never really seen it like the way I was able to when I went there just a week ago with my friends—Kara, Nic, and Beam.
I never really realized how such an amazing place it is :)
So we were there for five days and we just swam and ate and slept and just chilled and spent time together. Cebu really does have a lot to offer and it’s a great place to spend summer vacation.
We went swimming with whale sharks, had a 3-hour road trip, went trekking to see the waterfalls, snorkelling, swimming in the pool, and a lot of other stuff :))
Personally, I like it here since there’s not a lot of people here unlike Boracay. Don’t get me wrong though, Boracay will always be Boracay. It’s still a great summer vacation. But I like the peace and serenity that Cebu offered.
Boracay may be the place to be seen but Cebu is the place to chill and relax…and eat. Which I love to do.
I really can’t thank God enough for giving me this experience. Actually, during the trip, not only did I get to spend time with my friends and meet Nic’s super awesome family (haha!) but I actually got to know God a little bit more. Just when you think that you have God all figured out, He reveals himself to you in ways you cannot fathom. It was time well spent with God too.
I think I want to make it a point to document every special moment of my life here on Tumblr. I’m so glad that I got a new DSLR with Video recording because as much as I try to deny it—and there’s really no point in denying—I really do love making videos. I see the world differently when I’m trying to make videos. I don’t know why. I don’t know if that makes sense to you though but I just see things differently when it comes to that.
Anyway, I will blog about the Cebu experience soon. But the highlights of our trip are pretty much in this video right here. So enjoy! :)
I miss you three! This will definitely not be the last! Summer 2013, here we go!
(Source: vimeo.com)
Innocent Wisdom
*Random Conversation*
Angel: Ate, wawa naman Papa Jesus noh?
Me: Why wawa?
Angel: Kasi may blood siya dito *points to her hands and heart*
Me: Bakit siya may blood?
Angel: Kasi bad girl ako
This answer took me by surprise. Ever since we got her, we have made her accustomed to praying every before meal and would encourage her to pray to Him every time she’d feel sick. More or less, she has gotten to know God as her Papa Jesus.
Just last month, I made Angel watch the Passion of Christ for the very first time. While watching the scourging, bashing and crucifixion, she couldn’t stop asking so many questions.
“Why palo Papa Jesus?”
“Why may blood si Papa Jesus?”
“Wawa naman Papa Jesus…”
I patiently answered her questions… Trying my best to explain salvation in terms she could understand. My 2 years old baby sister gently nods, looking me deeply in my eyes and I can sense that she was trying her best to understand too. I wasn’t really sure if she understood… But the random conversation we had last afternoon somehow confirmed it! She understands… Maybe not fully but she understands that our sins have been the nails that crucified Jesus.
For some of you who might not know, Angel was just blessed to us a year ago (see full story here) and there are just days when I’m grateful for this opportunity and some days that I’m really grateful. Personally, I believe this is also an active preparation for me as I have my own children as well in the future.
To all moms and older sisters like me… Know that these children, as seemingly innocent as they are, posses great wisdom and knowledge. What you teach them as early as now can greatly affect his or her future. They are the future generation!
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
In 15 minutes, it’s officially the start of MAY, my birth month!
I’ve always been fond of making wishlists, may it be for Christmas or my birthday. Not that I have to get them all, but it never hurts to have faith and claim these things, right?
I felt like being creative and as you may have noticed, I have been inspired and of colorful “bohemian” patterns (which explains my layout) hence the design of my list. Haha!
Here’s just a few of my list:
1) I’ve been asking for a new camera for a while now cause my old Canon digi cam has officially rested in peace… Last Christmas, I wanted the Canon G12 but I’m pretty grateful I didn’t get one because just early this year, Canon released Powershot S100, a new compact digicam that has an exceptional quality for a digital camera!
2) A Study Bible, not necessarily this design but preferably in pink, or in bohemian pattern, that’d be really awesome too! Haha!
3) I’ve been browsing through watercolor sketches of this kind lately and how I wish I can have a self portrait painting! I’ll be more than grateful! I’ve always wanted one in my room! Hi, creative and gifted friends? And btw, I’m actually trying to pimp my room a bit, so decorations for my room would be lovely!
4) I have enough books but for a book collecter like me, you can never go wrong in adding one in my collection! Preferably a Christian book :)
5) Strength. Above all, I ask for all your prayers, which I believe is truly powerful and will go a long way, as I enter this new season that requires great strength from Him. Above all, I pray as He stretches my faith and secures me more of His love.
6) Some of you might squirm to hear this but I haven’t tried Sophie’s Mom and I heard they have really good velvet cupcakes! Soo… that’d be great too! Or any sweet delicacies you want me to try :”> I looove sweets!
7) For my closest friends, I would love to have a date with you! Ehem, girls only. For my brothers, pwede rin group date. Hahaha!
Any other May birthday celebrants? Happy birthmonth to you all!
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
After 7 years, we are finally reunited!
EVERYONE, meet my two gradeschool bestfriends, Bea and Ina! I’ve known them for almost 12 years now. I met them when I first transferred to a new school for Grade 2 and got closer the next year when we actually became classmates. Since then, we’ve been inseparable. Our memories are composed of collecting cute stationeries, using them to write letters to each other, with my vague memory that most if not all were about our fights and how we’d reconcile with the same. I guess this is something I’ve brought with me as I grow up— writing letters when mere uttering of words are not suffice. I guess we three just express ourselves better in writing.
Unfortunately, we all went out separate ways for highschool. Ina went to Quezon City Science High School, Bea to PAREF Rosehill School while I studied at Assumption College Makati. Oblivious and juvenile to our separating ways, we never got to update or speak to each other again.
Once in a while, especially when highschool or college dramas would surface, I would remember them and be nostalgic with our petty fights that were nothing compared to more “mature” problems.
Few months ago, Ina tweeted about having dinner with Bea which I was really surprised about. I saw this is an opportunity for a long awaited reunion and we promised each other we’d have one during summer.
We finally met up last April 20, 2012. I guess we all have really grown up because Ina drove with Bea to my house to pick me up! It was all too surreal. I was in the car of my 2 bestfriends, with my last memory of them as 11 years old girls playing chinese garter and now is Ina, behind the wheel. We decided to eat lunch at Cibo, Rockwell and was caught in traffic for around 2 hours. Yet despite traffic, I was amazed with how our conversations were endless and kept on flowing… As if we were never separated, as if it was gradeschool was just yesterday. We talked about people, caught up about each other and promised each other it won’t be the last.
Hi Ina and Bea, if you’re reading this, I just want to say how much I missed you both! I thank God for bringing us back together after 7 years. Truly, we shall be bestfriends forever like what most of our letters said… KBI forever. Quality over quantity, all the time! I can’t wait to spend the rest of my summer with the both of you!
Hi Bea, we have yet to go shopping! And Ina, I just want to say that you’re a very strong woman and as you enter this new season of your life, know that Bea and I are always here for you. God loves you so much!
I love you both :’)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Last April 21-26, I spent my summer with a lovely bunch (Ira, Nic and Beam) to Cebu! After a stressful term in school, it has been something I really looked forward to. I believe this is the rest God wanted to grant me with, and true enough, He didn’t fail me. I experienced many firsts such as my first swim with a whaleshark, first time to do island hopping (yes, surprisingly and unfortunately) and my first time to (ever) get a sunburn! :(
Late lunch at Cafe Georg!
Bacon, mushroom and cheese dip! Heaveeen!
I’m not really fond of bananas but this is an exemption! Best banana pie, ever!
And of course, you can never go wrong with chocolate :”> Just the best treat during a hot summer day!
At night, we had dinner with the lovely Uytengsu family at a French restaurant, Tymad!
Ira’s cheeeeeeesy gallette!
Dessert at La Marea! Warm brownie with icecream on top! Heaven in my mouth :)
Went swimming with the whalesharks at Oslob!
I couldn’t dare to get close to it! Props to Nic’s Fear Factor personality!
An afternoon swim at Nic’s house :)
Island cruising, here we go!
Our cruise! It was just perfect with the beanbags plus an iPod dock! I felt like I was in a reality tv series!
Meet my lovely friends! Ira, Nic and Bea!
Such a cute picture of them :”>
Now I know how I got my sunburn! :/
Weeee! Highschool Musical picture, Cebu version!
Back to our Movenpick Hotel :) We had a movie night by the beach.
Ira and Beam.
Nic and I.
Movenpick icecream with cutesies heart crackers on top.
At Imperial Place!
Yayy I finally got to ride the water slides! Conquered my fear of waters yet again!
Watch out for our videos! We took more videos than pictures, I think. Hahaha! Anyway, I just want to thank Nic for everything! Thank you for letting us stay in your amazing abode and for touring us around your home! Til our next summer escapade ;)
How are YOU spending your summer? :)
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)
Credits to Ira for most of the pictures!
When light kisses darkness; that amazing moment that captures unconditional love.
— But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
You know you’ve changed when you start missing the things you used to do and the people you used to hang out with.
Ever since my baby in womb got out into the real world, I had expected things to be a lot different. I expected things to be different, in a good way of course but sometimes you just have to lower down your expectations so you don’t get hurt. I’ve always wanted my friends to visit me at home instead of us (my baby and I) going out to meet or hang out with them. Sadly, their schedules did not permit them to do so. But now that it’s summer time, excuses are a no no, no?
I finally caught up with my bestfriend, Kara who played/plays a huge part in my old and new life. My bestfriend for 7-8 years? I can still remember our first conversation back in first year high school
Kara: What school did you come from?
Me: Sa mababang pamantasan ng Payatas. (not really sure if this school existed at the time…actually until now)
and the friendship started there. Who knew someone would actually want to be my friend after I’ve said something so foolish. Apparently, she doesn’t think of me as someone who only utters foolish words. Maybe, that’s how we became bestfriends. We’re the opposites of each other. And you know what they say (who are they? really?) Opposites Attract.
Today, we went to Robinsons Manila to quench our thirst with drinks from Happy Lemon. T’was a good day since I discovered a lot of things today. ➀ I found out that Robinsons Manila is actually a really huge mall with really cool stores. ➁ You can’t judge someone based on what you know. Because their experiences in life are different from yours. ➂ I really missed my bestfriend, Kara and last but not least ➃ It’s all about Jesus.
I wish I can say all these things to you… Or maybe I already have once before, but you probably could have cared less. It hurts me as I try to keep all these thoughts at the back of my heart wishing that if I tell them, maybe just maybe, there will be a spark of longing in you— to seek for something more, far greater than what you have or who you are now. Something that can truly fulfill you inside and out. I care too much, it hurts.
It hurts me to know who you were, what you’ve become and the person you can actually be. But you choose to turn a blind eye. It hurts to know the greatest and most amazing thing and how someone you care about choose to settle for less.
If you’re reading this, I just want to thank you for all the memories we’ve shared. They’re truly precious to me and something I will never forget. Truly, God has somehow used you in my life as an instrument to be led to Him but I pray and I believe that He will not stop there. It’s not enough that He just uses you as an instrument but may He lead you, yourself, into His arms.
I may act as if I’ve forgotten about you but I haven’t. You will always have a special place in my heart and know that you’re always in my prayers. I will never give up on praying that someday… We will be sharing the same source of joy and love, that of which can never be stolen by anyone or anything. Something genuine and forever.
Psalm 55: 12-15 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.
I know that these burdens are not for me to carry but for me to lift up to you and intercede for! God, you know these people I’m talking about… May You lead them to life everlasting. I CLAIM IT!
MNL PH
