A Celebration of God's Favor

This is a quite late post - been busy enjoying new life's chapter as a "wife" yihiiiii!
I am very excited to share with you, my dear readers, about God's FAVOR on our wedding day last Dec 5, 2014. Yay! It's our 3rd month already as husband and wife and life is really getting better :)

If I have noted in a personal diary all the kind favors we have received from the first day of our wedding prep, for sure it will be a thick note. But I was able to kept them in my heart ^.^- not washable and will never fade. My husband and I are really grateful to God who authored and prepared everything for us as well as the people He used to generously help us. What an amazing journey to revisit!

The preparation is really tiring if you'll do it with full time work at the same time. Oh, juggling things and desiring details to be organized, is really stressful. Yes, physical body will get tired but I tell you, if you are looking forward to something beautiful, you will never get drained. This celebration is a manifestation of God's generosity and faithfulness. December 5th served also a thanksgiving day for 7 years of being together. With God's provision, a rustic themed wedding was created. I am still in awe every moment I look back on how it was celebrated.

And here's the amazing testimony...
Did you know that there was a strong typhoon "Ruby" announced on the week of our wedding? Wow! Our faith was really shaken. We never let our fears and worries dominated that time. Instead, we earnestly prayed for a favorable weather together with our supportive friends and loved ones. God answered our prayer!!! We have seen a smiling sunshine that Friday morning till the end of our reception program in the night, we never felt any storm effect - no rainfall all throughout the day. What an amazing story of favor to testify.

Isaiah 25:1

O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
 

Special thanks to our dear family and friends who celebrated with us. To our beloved parents, thank you for your support and unending love.

To our suppliers, you are much appreciated! You have been so generous in giving your full skills and talents to make our "rustic themed" wedding a success. You guys rock! God bless you with overflowing clients ;)

Happy to share with you our wedding photos and same-day-edit video.

 

 

 

 

 

And for those who have been asking, here are our suppliers:

Coordination: Paramount_Asia Events Management

Photo and Video: Jerome delos Santos

Wedding Cake: Chew It by Chew Venzon

Florist: Villa Rosa by Aida Lazatin

HMUA- Pabs Cudug

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! ;)

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!

Listens Through my Heart..

"Lord, I can't say it in words....
Can you please just listen through my heart"..

That's my attitide toward God at times.. when I feel I can't express what's inside me.

I always blow a whisper of prayer to God. Amazingly, He listens and understands.
I can't express how surprised I am whenever He does ordinary miracles to satisfy my heart.

A God who sees and understands.. A God who knows our deepest sadness and desires.
The fact that God is our creator so He owns everything - even our heart.
He must know what, why, and how do we perceive things and situations we encounter each moment of ourlives.

How do I explain? How do I describe?
I just thought about the intense of "God's pursuing love".
Thank you Lord for the indescribable love I know that is mine.. :)

Here's a song for you my God... I also don't know how to express my gratitude, love and praises to you - just listen to my heart ;)

~ ~ ~
How do you explain
How do you describe
A love that goes from East to West
And runs as deep as it is wide
You know all our hopes
Lord, You know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear

So listen to our hearts
Hear our spirits sing
A song of praise that flows
For those You have redeemed
And we use the words we know
To tell you what an awesome God You are
But when words are not enough
To tell You of our love
Just listen to our hearts

If words could fall like rain
From these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
I would still run out of time
So if You listen to my heart
Every beat will say
Thank you for the Life
Thank you for the Truth
Thank you for the Way
 
And listen to hearts (oh, Lord, please listen)
Hear our spirits sing (and hear us sing)
A song of praise that flows (a song of praise)
From those of You have redeemed (from those You have redeemed)
And we will use the words we know
To tell you what an awesome God You are
But when words are not enough
To tell You of our love
Just listen to our hearts

So if You listen to my heart
Every beat will say
Thank You for the Life
Thank You for the Truth
Thank You for the Way

Casting Crowns — Listen To Our Hearts

Fashioned for Significance

with my "Stage Mother" :D

Caring, loving, diligent, incomparable, vigorous, noble, patient, hero, all encompassing, wonder woman and a lot more! No doubt, I am describing a woman of worth - Mommy, Mother, Mom, Ma, Ima, Nanay or whatever you call them.

Yes, this is the season of remembering our great moms.
I am convinced that they really deserve to be honored not just for who they are but how they accept and act their worth as a mother. As I write about feminism, motherhood stands out in my thoughts. Not yet a mother but I would understand how significant are they in the lives of every mankind.

Seeing and feeling her love for the past 26 years, words aren't enough to exalt her.
God is so generous that He thought of creating a unique woman who can be an extension of His unfathomable grace and love. How blessed are we for having great moms who have been so sacrificial even while we were still inside their womb. Sometimes, I can't imagine how she has managed to carry and nurture me for 9 months - incomparable sacrifice!

How I appreciate my mother whenever she prepares my "food/baon", how she monitors me, how she makes "sermons", how she would keep herself wide awake to wait for me to come home at late night, how she converse with me about heart/relational matters and especially how she pursued to build and nurture our family.

God has fashioned "Mothers" for significance. He knows that we need an affection of a mother.
I believe you'll agree with me if I say they're indeed significant.

Proverbs 31 illustrates the wife of noble character - highlighting these passages...

Proverbs 31:25-30
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

I would greatly attest that we have a visible treasure that is so priceless!
I also completely understand that mother knows best! All she wants is to bring us good all the days of our lives - let's appreciate and love them more..

Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there! God bless =)
 

It’s not who she is but who she can be…

December 2011 - Christmas Party

I am not a teacher by profession but I have experienced 4 happy and momentous years of being with children, parents and Co teachers  – that was a very rare opportunity, all by God’s grace.

I started teaching at the age of 19, nervous at first but I know I was really excited.
I know it was indeed God’s plan – I had a word from Him and was guided from the very beginning. But that was not an easy decision, I kept on resisting.


Is this really your will Lord? Yes or No? I’ve battled with that thought.

These are the things I’ve pondered:
• Teaching is a noble profession, teachers’ skills are exceptional!
• No one touches the future like teachers routinely do – this will be a great fulfillment.
• Try! It’s God’s way to mold and teach me to love people even more.
• By God’s grace, it will be enjoyable!

Another reminder was the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30
To sum it up: Three men were given talents by their master. The first two received five and two talents of money which they are put to good use and doubled their money. The third man chose to bury his because he was afraid to lose it. The master called his stewards to account on his return. He applauded the first two but upbraided the third.

So, I realized - this is my starting position and I said YES to God and to the calling! At the back of my mind, I’m afraid to be scolded by God if I will not maximize and explore the skills that He has entrusted me. In the long run, it was all for God’s glory!

My journey through teaching has thought me numerous lessons and experiences that justify saying YES to God was of great purpose. I enjoyed being with young minds: talked and thought like a kid – had long discussions with their parents and most of all loving these kids like mine.

Yes, not a teacher by profession but I became a mother (young mom), companion and supporter of many mankind.

Left teaching with fulfillment in me, I know I left something.. Not a perfect one but did things with great love. The good thing is, I still communicate with my bebes. They are indeed a manifestation of God’s generosity in giving wonderful opportunities -  ie. to love and be loved!

This is the challenge...
Are you willing to stretch yourself to seek, obey, learn, experience variety of things and  do more than what you know and are already capable of doing now? Do you believe that God has a wonderful plan for your life?

Let's learn to listen to His instructions and act according to His perfect will. Pray fervently to recognize His purpose. The more we seek the more we find.
All of our days are held in God's hands - crafted into His perfect plans.
We can be a clay that is surrendered to the Potter's hand!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8