Never Give Up

Today, during Leaders Huddle with Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) students, we've shared our highlights and low moments for the week. After hearing from everyone, we all agreed that God's message for the team is "Never Give Up!".

Aside from the team's visions and objectives, we have our individual goals too. Each of us may be facing different temptations and challenges everyday yet God is ever faithful and patient that He even encouraged us not to quit. We were reminded to fix our eyes on Jesus and throw off anything that can distract and stop us to succeed.

Before we ended in prayer, this verse came to mind,

2 Corinithians 12: 8-9 (NLT)
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

We can continue and not give up because God is there, He is enough to keep us going. His grace is all we need. Once we become humble to accept our weaknesses and surrender all our struggles to God, He becomes our strength. His power works best in us as we depend on Him. There is indeed no reason to give up!

Ninong Dolphy

I was privileged to have given a chance to write a tribute for Ninong Dolphy (lower left corner) through Inquirer last month, so I am posting a copy of the article here. My friend, Jill Lejano also shared her own encounter with the Comedy King (At LVN, upper right corner). Thanks, Pam Pastor, for this opportunity!

Inquirer Article posted last July 14, 2012.

Note: You may open the photo link in a new window to view a larger copy.

To God be the glory!

2011 Highlights

God definitely blessed me again this year. He has been so faithful and loving.

As I look back through my Facebook, planner and phone calendar, I can't stop thanking HIM for all the blessings and blessings-in-disguise. I am just so amazed on how gracious He is despite all my short-comings.

This year, God made sure that we're together in every step and decision I make, He made sure that everything I do would be pleasing to His sight, He made sure that I give importance to things with eternal value, He made sure that I realize what's important for Him, He made sure that I get to appreciate the simple things in life, He made sure that I learn to value every relationship He's giving me, He made sure that my faith in Him becomes stronger and unshakable...

I can just keep on talking on how God made sure He's with me this year. He made sure I become a person who knows that this life is all about HIM. So many revelations overwhelmed me and I thank Him for keeping me sane.

He gave me lots of new great friends and some old friends He allowed to stay, He gave me a new career which I know is just a preparation for His greater plans for me, He gave me an opportunity to lead people to follow Him which hurt and challenged me at times yet His plan to mold my character was fulfilled through it. Oh... I am just amazed with this great God.

Above all the blessings and lessons this year, I thank God for revealing how a great Father & Provider He is to me. Indeed, I am secured in Him! Thank You, Jesus, for 2011!

It's hard to choose highlights since I had many events and things to be thankful for but still I tried...

JANUARY:
My 1st Prayer & Fasting (Corporate), Victory Weekend (Participant; whole family), Training for Victory (Johnru & I enrolled)

FEBRUARY:
Johnru's Kiddie Bday Party, Victory Caloocan's Weekly Outreach Programs, Jeffrey's Vacation, Chinese New Year with Hannah & family

MARCH:
Design Project, SOFA (Interior Design) Workshop, BalikBayan Relatives & Friends (fr. US, Canada & CDO)

APRIL:
Started leading Victory Group & One-2-One's, Joined KIDS Ministry, God's revelation through Matthew Chapter 6 (made this year more wonderful and satisfying)

               ^v.30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
                   ^v.33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

MAY:
Home-based Job Interview & Orientation, Parents to CDO (I learned more house chores), Mom & Dad's Anniversary, Blog entry featured by OMF Literature, chikkas with Ags again after 3 yrs. (Sorry! I have to include this. hihi! *blush*)

JUNE:
Gave a Testimony for Leaders' Convergence, Outing with Nieto family, Prayer & Fasting

JULY:
Victory Weekend (Counselor), Mommy's Bday, PLV Team, VCF Ubelt's Singles' Night

AUGUST:
Home-based job Started, Dad to CDO for Lola's operation (Safe Flight & Successful Operation), Won a free book from OMF for sharing a Tweet/Quote

SEPTEMBER:
Met Jericho R. (appreciate simple things! *blush*), Parents' Interview for Immigrant Visa, BalikBayans (attended a funeral & enjoyed a short vacation)

OCTOBER:
Training for Victory (Parents; Recognition), Youth Leaders' Meeting, My Surprise Birthday Party (Lead by Team Gulat), More Birthday Treats & Surprises

NOVEMBER:
Prayer & Fasting/ Victory Weekend (Counselor), Worship Night (thanked God for His faithfulness for 2011), God's healing power for Mommy, Daddy's Bday, Another Home-based Job, Opportunity to design for LifeBox, Ten Days Mission (so unexpected)

DECEMBER: Ten Days Mission Sponsors (friends), Parents' Visa, Leaders & Volunteers' Appreciation Night, Victory Group's Christmas Party, Noche Buena with Family, Christmas Day


Thank You, Lord, for every single day of my 2011! I spent these days with family, relatives, great friends & acquaintances... each day was special as God planned it to be! Looking forward to more Blessings, Surprises and Revelations for 2012!!! :)


To God be the glory!

Completely

Just sharing another inspiring song to all!

May you also desire to surrender everything to God completely.

Take my heart! Take my soul! I surrender everything to Your control! 

To God be the glory.

Your Sufficient Grace

This song has touched my heart today!

May you also be blessed and be inspired to love God more and more each day.

And You answer, "My child, I love you..."

Oh, Lord! Your grace is enough for me! Thank You! I Love You too!!! *hugs*

"I'm learning to simply obey You..."

JOICE, THE JOYFUL MYSTERY

I saw this again and wanted to share this Note posted on Facebook by Mr. Ruben Velarde last July 2010. Thanks again, Ben! Really touched and grateful for this! :)

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There is this one lady that I always admire from the distance. She may appear fragile, a delicate lady that you thought you need to protect all your life but once she gets to open her mouth and hear her talk, you know in an instant that she has what it takes to rule the world. A petite lady with a huge personality, she never fails to make her presence felt effortlessly the moment she walks her way amidst the crowd. She smiles like it was only meant for you. She talks with you like you are the only person that matters to her. Whenever she passes, I would always wonder what it’s like to be close to her. What it's like to share intimate secrets with her that you know it will be protected the way she protects herself.

Funny, but I did dare attempt to offer my friendship once. I smiled at her, greeted her yet all I got was a nonchalant smile and probably one that she can hardly remember. Yet that didn’t lessen my admiration for her. Every time that she would pass my way, I would simply follow her with my eyes until she blended with the rest. Then I again would wonder to myself what it’s like to be close to her.

Whenever I pass by her station, I can see her attentively focused and immersed on her work and she never noticed that I would stare at her with unrelenting appreciation. And then again I would wonder to myself what’s like to be close to her.

Probably she knows me by my name all because I figured out in a few call quality issues. But that name does not go with the face that she can recall. Probably she hated me at one instance because an issue associated with me challenged her. I don’t know… all I know is I look up to her like a powerful goddess standing on her pedestal.

Joice… that’s how she is fondly called by all those people familiar to her. Every time I would hear somebody calls her name, I would turn my head and look around where she would be coming from or where she would be heading to. I never fail to admire her from a distance. And then again I would wonder to myself what’s like to be close to her.

a pretty face with a gorgeous smile

The Power Of A Praying Woman

"Prayer is powerful - but do you know how to pray for yourself?

It may seem easier to pray for your spouse, your children, your friends, and your extended family, but God wants to hear your requests for your life too. He loves it when you come to Him for the things you need and ask Him to help you become the woman you have always longed to be."

My friend, Alexie, gave this book last October 2007 as her birthday gift for me. I opened this again last week for my daily devotion. That night, I asked God to open my heart for whatever He wants to tell me before I sleep. A lot of truths were revealed again to me just by reading the first few pages and here's one part which really spoke to me...

And whenever you are disappointed because your needs are not being met, talk to yourself and say, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from HIM" (Psalm 62:5). Then tell God about all your needs and everything that is in your heart. ...He is just waiting to hear it from you.

I guess it is true that praying for others is easier sometimes, especially when they share specific requests to you. Of course, I do pray for my needs everyday but God is so great for He reminded me that it is better to tell Him every desire of my heart and be specific about it. And that's what He really wants me to do! =)

This book, I recommend to all women who wants to be drawn closer to God and know His plans and purposes for her life as she receives comfort and strength from Him each day. A total of 30 chapters and at the end of each chapter are these 2 very inspiring sections: "My Prayer to God" and "God's Promises To Me".

Be Blessed! :)

Second Half

Here are more photos from my 2010. So many blessings that it gave me a hard time to choose which can best represent each month. I love all the photos in my albums and I treasure every person & moment captured (even if it's not posted here)! I can't thank God enough for all the blessings he has given me!

I love you, Lord!

God bless us all! :)

First Half

I decided to count my many blessings for this year through my pictures. I had mixed emotions and was teary-eyed as I look at them... so amazed with how God loves me as He guided me throughout the year.

My original plan was to post one photo/ highlight for each month but as I reminisce with the pictures, I wanted to post them all! Haha! It's really hard to choose the best photo for the month since every shot is special. Now, I'm posting four for each. Whew! =D

These are photos of people, events, places that made my year fruitful, colorful and exciting... God is great!

Time Flies

Two sweet dreams left and we will all wake up to a New Year! :)

I love calendars... I love looking at calendars... putting marks on them to start my countdowns!

Maybe because I am always hopeful and excited for what God has in store for me each day. He never fails to surprise me with His blessings (& blessings in disguise). =D

Another year is ending soon and my prayer is for God to guide me again and again as He gives me a grateful heart, that I won't end a single day without thanking and praising Him no matter how amazed I am with how time flies.


God bless us all! :)