Not the WINNER nor the LOSER...

Wackiest picture we have on file.. Hahaha!

I've always want to blog about relationships especially (the boy/girl relationship) but I was always hesitant as it would really speak about my own. This time, the urge in my heart has burst - the experience will tell it all. 

I am proud to say that I have an almost 7-year old relationship with my "fiancé" as of this writing. I could confidently justify that there's no really perfect relationship on earth. Two different persons who will share similar things is not really that easy, promise! In the long run, as you grow together, you'll somehow realize the magic of these differences.

From the time we started this journey, I know it wouldn't be a smooth sailing one. Given the fact that he was my first boyfriend, I am very aware that it will require lots of adjustments on my part as if I will have "feelings experiment". By the grace of God, I was able to love unconditionally and maturely.

We both act, think, prioritize and decide differently. Despite of this fact, I can say that we really don't fight, we just do deeper conversations. We would sit together and discuss matters with so much respect on each views. As we move forward, through God's guidance, the differences have made us stronger. For the love history, the relationship has started with conversations... endless conversations. There were debates, serious talks, career discussions and spiritual points. Generously, I will reveal the secret of a peaceful and successful talk. It's because we don't converse to WIN nor recognize ourselves as the LOSER at the end of every conversations.

I can describe it as a "selfless" way of loving. In a relationship, competition in any way will definitely pull each other down. Needful to say, helping your partner to succeed in every aspect of life is a must - that's how companionship works. So, throw the pride and hug all the humility - that's it! How exciting a marriage will be knowing at this stage of our relationship we have already developed this kind of understanding. Of course, it is all by the guidance of the Lord who is the center of this kind of love.

As we go on, love grows well. Meaningful and meaningless talks will always be cherished!

Galatians 5:15 (NLT)
"But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another".

Watch out! ;)

Blissful Independence Weekend!

Last Thursday and Friday, (June 12-13, 2014) I was privileged to attend a church conference and an incredible concert at Araneta Coliseum. That weekend was remarkable in a way that it filled my heart with joy and excitement. Blogging about the events that I've attended makes it more memorable. Furthermore, sharing what you've learned could add more value to the experience.

June 12, 2014 
Expand Conference
His Life City Church, San Fdo

As you can see from the speaker lineup above, you would automatically think that it was a substantial conference.These great speakers have shared meaningful insights, life testimonies, expansion tips, and a lot of Godly words of wisdom to ponder.

Old friends who made it to the conference also brought an overwhelming joy in me.
I super miss these people! 

Looking back at a nearly decade, we shared struggles and blessings together.

Another highlight of the conference was the chance to worship with Miriam Quiambao.
I admire how she humbled herself to share how God has changed her life and mindset to be the woman her Creator purposed her. Yay! Had a chance to took a selfie with her! 

June 13, 2014
Hillsong United Concert
SMART Araneta Coliseum

Great to see packed out Araneta praising only one name! God was there smiling to thousands of people shouting for glory and honor! As I've posted to the my Facebook account - this is the loudest and remarkable concert I've been to.

A Night to Remember...

I never thought that there will be one unique night in my life that the man I love and adore would ask me to marry him and give me the most wonderful material I've ever received! Yes, it was the proposal night! 

Every proposal has its own story... But I tell you, this one is so intimate. I mean, this is between the two of us - at a romantic place on a romantic date (Feb 14, 2014).

I appreciate being pursued. Well, most of the women feel so great every time we feel that we are loved and cherished. The highlight of the wedding proposal would be the reality that you will be engaged then be married! Honestly, I've been waiting for this to happen (though not really expectant at all haha!). 

And now, I am getting more excited with the wedding day as well as the "married" life - I believe that's the more important one. I can't wait to spending forever with my God's best (being confident that he's the one whom God ordained for me). I feel so blessed for having a night to remember...

The Man Behind the Woman

I always love to affirm how  God is so brilliant in designing relationships – I’d love to make “kilig” as well to other couple’s own sweet story.  And now I am talking about my own unique love story. I’ve elaborated on my recent posts that God’s women are princesses, daughters of a Heavenly King who were pursued and fashioned with love. Hence, a pursued woman deserves a pursued prince. 

God doesn’t want her daughters to settle for less. He wants the best for us, a man He also pursued - bounded with love and significance. I will not try to do a “story telling” thing to tell everyone when, where  and how I met him. What I am focused and grateful for is about the testimony that he is an answered prayer, molded and progressed by God.

Without further ado, I would love to describe him in 3 qualities that influenced me.

1.) A servant leader – I can proudly say that He is an example of a servant leader who leads according to what God has impressed him. I like to see in him the perfect example that Jesus did while he was with his followers. He was ready to do the service and became the foot washer instead of being served as the son of God.  I am praying that he will be continuously guided to a higher purpose – committed and courageous to lead. I can see a picture of Godly-led head of the family in the near future.

2.) Encourager – Over the past 6 years, I’ve been encouraged entirely by this brave man. Career, personal issues, emotional and spiritual instability – name it! As if I got a guidance counselor instantly. LOL! What amazed me most were the times that God made him strong while I’m weak. Apart from the companion I got from my Heavenly King,  his untiring and passionate encouragement made me a woman with a firm and a clear outlook in life.

3.) A man of action – Yes, he is a man who can accomplish things quickly and efficiently. A man of initiative and optimism. The Lord bless him with godly wisdom as he takes the step toward his life’s purpose.

Without so much sugarcoated words, I just want to appreciate him for walking behind and beside of me. As the saying goes, “Behind every successful man, there stands a strong woman” I can switch it like this – “Behind every blessed woman, there stands a godly and pursued man”.

Philippians 1:3  Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Delved into the Richness of Baler

Bear with me if I had inserted a travel post here ;) I just can't keep the remarkable weekend getaway I had with my brethren and the superManly himself. Since I am addicted to travel documentaries and blogs, I myself would like to experience the actual fulfillment when you get to see a fresh view with great adventures. A few weeks ago, my friend Remsy has invited our Life Group to try Baler, Aurora. When I heard the place I was not hesitant to say yes to the invitation, of course I invited my superman to go with us (I am confident that the getaway will be more fun if we will be with him, naks! apart from the fact that we need an additional driver, lol). The preparation lasted for just a couple of weeks because we believe in the saying that an outing will push through if it will be planned on a shorter period of time. I guess that's proven so true!

I woud like to express the amusement with a number of pictures we had taken from the trip. Thanks to Manly and Teacher Tinay for the photos :) #photocredit. Sharing some views on our way to Baler and the destination itself.

Concluding this is a lake extending Pantabangan Dam

On our way to Baler proper, a very peaceful lake has welcomed us. We believed this is the extension of Pantabangan Dam - it's situated in Pantabangan area. We didn't see the actual Dam as we took the new and long road unknowingly. Road trippin' indeed! We do not know what lies ahead of us. Getting more excited for the next nature that will cheerfully greet us.

Relying on GPS and "pwede po magtanong" stop overs, we reached Baler after more than 2 hours of straight and 3 hours of zigzag road plus 20 minutes of pauses to ask for the correct direction. We didn't consider it as an arduous journey at all. Laugh times and bullying moments made the journey a fun!

After settling a room for the overnight stay, we have decided to try the waterfalls first. Baler locals said that there are 3 water falls to choose from but 2 of these require strenuous effort so we have decided to just go in Caunayan Falls that doesn't require trekking.

Oh rough road was worth it! See the breathtaking Caunayan Falls below. I've collated our photos - the water is super cold and clear! I tell you, you'll get tossed out from the powerful streams.

Baler beaches were described as one of the "top surf spots" in the Philippines. We will not allow to miss the happy waves that Sabang Beach could offer. Two of our brethren had the courage to try it. The waves were not that scary - fair enough!

Inah, Mai and Randell having fun with the happy surfboards...

Swimming was fun regardless of the painful impact of waves on our bare bodies haha! Joke! We actually enjoyed watching the professional surfers...

Sabang Beach

I tell you, you can't see any night life in Sabang Hotels. So what?! We will not get bored, Teacher brought UNO cards to celebrate an entertaining night in Baler. Some of us were not familiar with this card game - through Teacher's great effort in introducing the game mechanics, we made it! Losers will be punished. You can't believe what's the consquence. How about drinking a bottle lid of tuba vinegar. Ayiiii! (I am one of the losers, so I have experienced the awkward taste)


Playing UNO Game before calling Saturday a day - ManSelle and Inah were the losers of 3-round game.

Food trippin': having a taste of first hand Buko fruit which has a first hand price haha! Lunch on the second day at Gerry Shan's Place located in Baler town proper was awesome as well! Food really taste good with an affordable price. It was indeed a satisying meal for all.

Before heading home, we got the chance to see Baler Museum. Very historical... Award winning movie "Baler", will tell it all.

Museo de Baler

"Kulitan" was the highlight of the weekend, we may say.. Travelling with these guys was crazy! I can still remember why teacher has been K.O as you can see below. It was Remsy's fault haha! She got drunk from the tubas that Remsy brought for pasalubong. lol! Laughing a lot made our journey a remarkable one.



PACPS DGroup



Thank you PACPS for the experience. So blessed to have you! We do not know each other for a long time but our bond through Christ has made us thicker. 



Thank you Guys for the great company! :)

Otso- the Magic Number!


Till next time Baler! We will miss your beautiful morning sunshine!

Sunrise lying in Sabang Beach, Baler

 GLORY TO GOD!

A Love Beyond Description

I was inspired to write about God's love through the "What is Love Series" being conducted in our local church (at His Life City Church) for the whole month of August. It covers the extravagant, healing, assuring, empowering and overflowing love of God.

I can feel it! Those warm embrace, pronounced acceptance and the overwhelming spirit. It all boils down to the lavish love of God - a love that does not need to be earned.  

Sometimes we don't feel lovable. There are a lot of battles in our mind that would tear us down. We even tend to delve into our mistakes and swim in guilt that the enemy may impress us. Oh that's really horrible!  But God doesn't want us to dwell in our failures and shortcomings. His sufficient grace has covered all that could hinder us to walk straight toward Him - all we need is a heart that is willing to surrender. Let us remember that God has demonstrated his love for us: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

How can we define God's love? How we comprehend His ways?
There are no words to describe how much He loves us. The moment God created us and gave His only Son Jesus to save us, we already experienced a love beyond description. God's love can forgive even our hearts refuse to forgive our own weaknesses. We are always appreciated even we feel unimportant. Amazing grace! How can we refuse such love that is unconditional?

Feel free to grasp the stretched arms of God. He adores us and nothing can be compared to His love.

Psalm 136:26
    Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

The Longing of her heart!

I would like to create circles through Hannah’s life – my favorite woman character in the Bible who is well known as the “The Mother who prayed”. Hannah’s sorrow, longing, desperation and faith placed a mark in my soul.

Getting familiar with Hannah, here’s the anecdote…

Hannah, a beautiful name that means “grace”, was a very ordinary woman who lived in an extraordinary time – a wife, mother and homemaker. She was married to a man named Elkanah who dearly loved her but he also had another wife. The other wife, Peninnah, had children but  not Hannah – “the Lord had closed her womb” a barren woman. The story begins in 1 Samuel 1:1.

Heart’s desire – Grace – Desperation – Purpose

Amplifying the circles with these points I learned from her journey as a woman – Hannah, a woman of prayer.

Heart’s Desire

What was her heart’s desire?

Since she was a barren woman, she begged and wept bitterly and prayed for a son.

1 Samuel 1:10 “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”

She was driven to prayer by the lack of a child – it was a great sorrow to her. She entered into the Lord's tabernacle to pray  for her deepest need. She even made a vow before God, a promise to God that if she bore a son, she would give him back for God's service. Hannah followed through on that promise and God was honored.

Like Hannah, we have our own unique desires. We strongly wish for something. Are you aware that God knows our deepest desires? He’s just waiting for a drive to pray – an approach before His throne.

Psalms 37:4 says.. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Hannah delighted herself in the Lord and God has blessed her with a son named Samuel – her deepest longing.

Are we getting what we want through our own strength and out of God’s will? Let’s examine our hearts.

Grace

Hannah’s life is a living example of grace and how we receive it.

Grace means to find favor even though it hasn’t been or deserved. Hannah didn’t do anything to receive God’s blessings. She simply cried out to Him to help her and had faith that He would – the grace of God did the rest.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

God’s grace is enough! His love is free of conditions – we just need to rely solely upon His grace!

Desperation

Hannah’s prayer was true pleading to the Lord, with many tears – out of a desperate heart.

1 Samuel 1:5-16 “Not so, my Lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Hannah poured out her heart to God and asked with great desperation. God found her heart – God was pleased in her desperation which was surrendered in prayer.

Hannah’s perseverance is astounding! She never stopped praying and never doubted God’s abilities. She kept praying through her pain.

"Desperation meets Faith"

When desperation meets faith

The curse is broken

A closed mind is open

Words of healing are spoken

When desperation meets faith

Jesus moves with compassion

Something good starts to happen

When desperation meets faith

Purpose

For many such “barren women”, life could have no purpose for them. God will use us and our lives for His greater purposes. God used Hannah’s barrenness to meet her in the midst of her trouble.

As I have discussed in my previous post, we are closer to God when we are brokenhearted. Hannah grabbed this opportunity to become closer to God and experience His unfailing love. God closed her womb to see what would produce – it was indeed God’s power! We can stand up like Hannah - just seek, surrender to God and allow desperation to show.

God delights in our prayers when they are spoken from the heart.

God can find such a heart!