How well do you know me?

Pinay's Challenge!

Taken from QuizYourFriends.com!

small voice

At this moment, there’s a part of me that says it’s healthy for me to cry. I might listen to it.

Work has been pressing lately.

Yeah, that’s the best way to put it. Somehow it’s starting to tire me down (this time, more than physically). Wish to get off this stage….quickly!

We just finished another event of the day, a day-long conference of CEOs in the government. I did not have much to do; was assigned to man the publications yet, the whole preparation and the day itself is tiring. My body cries out for rest.

I so much appreciate my colleague’s response in the “notes matter” I’m worrying about. She consulted one of our supervisors on the matter and Tita Jean willingly said she’ll get things done. Thanks Ate Lyj, so much. I’ll still pass the report anyway.

Whenever I think of the things I plan to accomplish for the week, it simply drains me. Gosh, I really need to finish all of those! The end of the month is even more threatening. Huh…

Now, I want to go home…at least to the apartment where I stay. I find comfort whenever I get there.

Hope to have some meaningful entries soon and not rants and grudges like this.

"First Love"

Revelation 2, NASB
Message to Ephesus

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

2 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;

3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.

4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.

6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

Lord, let not my heart be weary; keep the fire burning in me. I wouldn't want my first love gone. And if you may, that I grow fonder of You everyday; like I was when I was a child. I love You, Lord.

FRIDAY The 13th

Huh... why am I so bored... and sleepy??

*Sigh*

Loyalty

Last night we were talking about the story of Ruth and Naomi. Here's a couple of verses from the book of Ruth (Old Testament) Chapter One:

16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."

17 "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

taken from: New American Standard Bible

Little Angel

Here’s my nephew, Aaron Ariestotle. He’s three weeks old now.

This pic was taken on his birthday Dec 16. Look at this angel! Such a cutie!

another weekend ahead

tomorrow, i will be going home. a lot of activities await me this weekend. for one, it's our church's anniversary. another year of God's blessing in His church. we planned this to be very simple yet of course, preparation is necessary. i pray that it will bless the people all the more. and for another year, for God's shower of blessings and anointing. thank you Lord for another year of service.

we are also called to have an assessment for the youth conference last dec 29-30. i have to rush to the MYF office right after the anniversary. Sunday busy-ness! pwew!

of course, family time. well i'm sure, we'll all be busy with the church program and all, but i will see my loveones, so it's fun! i'll make sure to have a chat with my father despite the sched!

have a great weekend everyone. and a restful one, too. God bless!

^o^

Len
Lolen
Bunny
Nek-nek
Lira
Iska
Bru
Sis
Mare
Ate
Tita
Inang
Misua
Teacher
Gob
Ma'am
Sweetie
Ganda
Pinay

What else?? Sometimes it's hard when people call you in many names... =P

I can dance.

This statement can cause uproar when heard from me. How come? Simply because I can’t. People who know me would take this as a major joke. Gracefulness is something I would learn in a century. You might even want me to sing instead. I am no dancer at all.

I have long accepted this fact. Ironically, back in grade school, I remember I actually did perform dances in school activities. I even was the leader. I don’t know what went on; maybe I’ve been busy with so many other things in school, in church and even in my personal growth that the knowledge slipped away. Now it’s a pity to see me trying hard to follow basic step.

But what’s wonderful about this is: I don’t mind it at all. True. And it doesn’t stop me from praising God. Human standard would find it a dire thing for me to do but I keep on dancing. I love to dance. And I only dance in one occasion—during worship. I love to dance for the Lord. King David himself looked crazy when he danced for God, so what should I care about?

A lot of people are blessed with wonderful gifts and talents and God expects them to use it for His glory. I may not look graceful in the eyes of men but I will still dance for my God. I personally identify with this song:

Oh, I feel like dancing
It’s foolishness, I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy like I’m dancing now.
I can sing of Your love forever.

I’m a growing Christian in faith. And something I learned is, if you want to glorify God with your work, don’t hesitate. Do it. He loves it when He sees you working whole-heartedly; giving your all. I may have two left feet, but I’m a graceful dancer in my King’s eyes.

So they say I can’t dance? I don’t think so. See me at church during worship and you’ll know.

It’s nice to be back.

While I was away, I told myself that I’ll definitely have a number of entries when I get back; to my surprise, I could not think of any right now.

Maybe it’s practical to start of with the Holidays. Ironically, I didn’t go to any of my relatives’. I don’t know; I just skipped family visits this year (actually all my siblings, too). But Christmas was still happy with our own family. And the Lord's Christmas gift to us is our baby Aaron, my nephew (the baby I saved from the dogs --remember my dog bite--while still in my sis-in-law's tummy). He is so cute! Also, we went to church and the service was great—only that we missed a few brethren because of the occasion. On Christmas eve, the youth (I mean almost all) from church went to our home to celebrate with the family. Ain’t that sweet or what? I love those kids.

Right after Christmas is my Ate’s (big sister) birthday. She’s 28 this year, but we keep saying she’s 29! Haha, what a way to make fun of big sister! Just to tease her a little –she knew we were kidding! Thank God for another year He gave her.

New year celebration was a blast! You might expect, yes, my youth group was there again. It’s like a designated route for them. But it was really a blast. Before the clock turned 12 midnight, my father led us to a family altar as we thanked God for another year and welcomed the new one with His blessings pouring in the family. It was really heartwarming to pray together and welcome the new year with assurance from the Lord.

And now, I’m back to work and the usual routines; but is more blessed with the Lord’s goodness and love. Happy new year to all!

End of the year.

Several things I want to share but will settle saying few of those.

First, thank God for another year. It’s been very challenging for me, at work, in the ministry, even in our family. Yet the Lord is faithful. All praises to Him!

We had a Christmas party at church last Sunday. Each one was given a badge that says: The Lord’s Servant 2005. We’re asked to give it to whom we thought was deserving of the title. I got mine. Thanks!

Looking back, there are so many things that happened in my life this year. And so many things to be grateful about too. I met new friends and was able to strengthen the old ones. There are moments when I felt so alone, yet the Lord sent people to cheer me up. There were countless times I wished my mom was beside me, but the Lord reminded me His love is more than enough. My work had been so pressing, but God provides strength and wisdom. And the reward afterwards, of course. When I felt like giving up, He gave reasons to walk the extra mile. Huh, there are just too many to single them out; I had to put it in general.

I may not update until January so I got to give my greetings to all:

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY!
GOD LOVES YOU!

Kaylangan ko ng lunas.

Dapat sana ginagawa ko na ngayon yung outline for Friday, pero talagang masakit ang tiyan ko. Heto na naman: lamig. Isang oras na lang ang hinihintay ko at uuwi na talaga ko. Masakit. Baka sakali mawala kung nakahiga ako, or mabawasan man lang.

Lord, Help!

Prayer request

I am feeling sick today. There's something wrong with my system. My stomach won't rest. I feel like throwing up every minute. This is really giving me a hard time.

Still has to work on the message for Friday. And the powerpoint, of course. How can I if this tummy won't stop?

Lord, help me. Heal me, please. By the Blood of Jesus. Amen.

T.G.I.F

Thank God It's Friday!

This is so true. Glad it's end of the week. Thank God for today.

First of all, I can be home! Will treat my siblings and my Dad to a concert tonight! Hahaha!

Also, the report is done. Final output will be passed today. Ain't that the most wonderful news this week? *can't hide the big grin*

Rest. Yes. Looking forward to a lot of it this weekend. Oh, and will be going to my friend's son's first birthday party on Sunday. Just can't imagine she's already a mom. I can still remember us in pigtails back in high school! Anyhow, I'm happy for her and her family.

Wishing you all a great weekend and a restful one, too.
=D

Good news!

Hey everybody!

I want you to know that …I FINISHED THE REPORT!
(dance, dance, dance!)

Thank God!

Now I wanna sleep. I'll start tonight!

*Exuberant*

Lost

I was giving both left and right
Trying to beat the sun
Walking a thin line
Minding the time
Noting all possible options
Keeping, listing, choosing
All sorts.

There’s still time.
But I’m tired.

Clock is ticking
I need to.
I have to.
I must.
I can't afford to fail.

I’m afraid I’m lost.
I hope not.

Awesome Sunday!

There's no place like home. ^.^

As you know, I had to stay at work until Saturday. I got home around 7:30 in the evening, missed practice at church, the leadership training, and prayer meeting. It made me feel empty. Anyhow, dinner with the family on a Saturday is something you would never want to miss.

Sunday Service starts at seven in the morning. God is awesome. The worship was good. I need something like that after this tight week. After a few announcements we closed around 9:30 AM. Me, my sisters and my nieces, got ourselves some turon, lumpiang toge, and okoy for snack. Haha! Talk about breakfast! Yum yum!

When I got home, I was just so tired I climbed up in my room and dropped dead on my bed. Had to set the alarm at 1:07 PM (my clock is 56 minutes ahead of the standard time!). Missed lunch with the family, which I certainly should've not done, but just can't. I heard my sister called me, saw I set the alarm, and simply let me sleep. They understood how tiring the week had been for me.

I was not up until 1:13 PM. Had to take a quick lunch then head my way to Red's place. I went to their house for a little fellowship we planned some time ago. Ate Marie and my sister Jai came along. Red is a registered Nurse and now teaching in the University. He's my co-worker in the body ministry and so is Ate Marie. They are my best pals in the core team.

Red prepared some hot cakes, cola, and a list of songs. Now we’re talking. He had set up the “magic sing” and had our turn with the microphone. That was the funniest thing ever! He warned us that the scoring system was accurate. My turn, I got an embarrassing 59 per cent! Ate Marie, 66 and Red, 71. I said something’s wrong with that scoring system! Red’s voice was plain terrible. He should rather preach. LOL. Another Round: I got 71, Ate Marie, 69 and Red (drums roll) 22! LOL. Now, I’m more convinced the thing was working perfectly. Hahaha!

We sang a couple more before leaving. And for the record, I thought the lowest score ever made was 22. To our surprise, Ate Marie’s last song gave out a mind-boggling 16 per cent! Would you believe that! That was totally outrageous! That’s what you get when you made to sing a preacher, a dancer, and a youth leader! Hahaha!

I hurried home for the year-end planning at church. After tackling several matters, the meeting was over. And finally, my last meeting for the day. Got to be at the MYF office by 5:30 PM. I came at 5:40 and the meeting did not start until 5:45. There’s Red and Ate Marie too, with the rest of the core team. Pastor Mark just came home after going to the United States. We studied a little Youth Guide made by Richard Crisco (might post this some time here). Then, we talked about the Nights of Obsession on Friday night, the coming outreach, and the upcoming conference. There are still so many things to accomplish. We really need prayers. We had snacks after the meeting, a little fellowship with one another and I went home with a long day.

I was too tired to eat dinner. The night wasn’t over without bedroom chats with my siblings. Satisfied, we went off to Fantasy World (Zzzzzzzzzzzzz).

I thought the fun ended that night but this morning was simply humongous blast. On the bus station, you’d never believe whom I saw! My favorite cousin! I missed him so much! He’s been away for so long and I only see him at least once a year. I was hoping to see him on Christmas but I saw him today. It made my day. I love him like a brother –we practically spent our childhood together. At times, growing up cause us to miss so many people.

That short weekend was stretched to very fun-filled, memorable day. I almost forgot all my angst the previous week. Now, I know God has planned a better week ahead of me.

A happy Monday to all!

Next Level

Still not finish with the report. Now comes the harder part: The Next Level. Need to put this into writing....

I wanna go home.

December

While the sun now rested in the West, it's brightly shone here in the East. It's a Saturday. I'm supposed to be home with my family yet me and my good friend are here in the office, trying to finish a report that has troubled us in the last few days. Yes, it cost us to wake up too early and stay up late at night. So today, Lord help us, we hope to finish.

Perhaps this is the busiest month for me. I think so. To start with a working Saturday is the cue. Haha! I can't even find time to "rest" inspite the holidays coming. To begin with, my fulltime work is flooded with deadlines. Plus, my ministry life is overflowing. I have weekly meetings on Sundays in the youth ministry, weekly fellowships with my youth group at church Sunday afternoon, of course, my worship ministry in church, our upcoming planning for 2006, Training every Mondays for the conference, teaching on the Nights of Obsession, the week-long youth conference right after Christmas, our "pilgrimage" to Cavite, and so forth. When I think about it, I wonder how I'll be able to get through. Then I remember, "My God shall supply all my needs, may it be strength or wisdom or resource." He's been faithful enough to sustain me in all my endeavors. Afterall, my life testimony is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", and He really does. I just want to thank the Lord for the privilege I have being able to serve Him this way. It's a blessing to serve. Praise the Lord.


Back to business. Pray that I will do all these with efficiency and faithfulness. Thank God.