I just came back from a long break. Last week was challenging and frustrating. I had a serious throat infection and I had to stay in the hospital for several days.

There are times when you're okay and you wake up one morning and things feel like they're spiraling down. I never expected a hospital stay less than two months into my newlywed life, but maybe then again, God is teaching me things, showing me who He is in this season of my life.

No matter the circumstance, He is God and He takes good care of His children.

I'm feeling better now and on my way to recovery. My heart is recovering as well. :) And I find comfort in holding on to the truth that the Lord is my shepherd. It's the last thing I'd ever want to forget.

I feel so tired today. I just got home from work and I can’t even force myself to do the things I need to do. Yes, I don’t even have the strength to walk to my room or to go to the bath. ^^

Tomorrow…is another day. Another work day. But even though I’m almost dead tired tonight, tomorrow is filled with hope~beautiful hope.

Sometimes I wonder and just can’t help but be amazed where all the strength comes from to travel for more than four hours a day, to and from work. Almost everyday, I come home really, really tired but it’s amazing how I’m able to wake up early every single morning. It’s amazing how God gives the strength and energy I need to enjoy the purpose and dreams He has prepared and set for my life.

On my own, I’m tired and really out of strength.

But in Him…everyday…

there is strength.

And it never runs out.^^

Isaiah 40:28-31

Tonight, my uncle who is a doctor in Kuwait came over to surprise us with a visit. Everyone was so excited because we haven’t seen him in years. When he sent a message that he’s coming this afternoon, cousins immediately came to our house to welcome Tito. We ate a lot of donuts and chocolate while catching up! ^^



After dinner, we drove to Pasig to my Aunt’s (My Tito and my Mom’s sister) house. We had ice cream and talked till midnight. It was fun and these family moments are just so lovely!

But there was one striking moment for me tonight.
We were readying to go back home when my 4-year old cousin Rhianne started to get anxious. She couldn’t find her new, beloved crayons. She was looking for them everywhere~inside her bag and on the table where she was previously drawing. But the crayons could be found nowhere. We were all starting to get out of the house and she started to panic. So we tried our best to console her.

It’s 2PM and tried to go upstairs for the first time in more than a month. Everyone in the house is sleeping and I don’t know what came to my mind but I just wanted to go upstairs. LOL I was so excited and I knew I could do it. So alone, I took my crutches and made my way up. It took me 4 steps to realize I can’t do it. I wasn’t able to go any further. Haha And I realized fighting spirit alone isn’t enough. You need strong legs! I thought if I’d be brave and if I’d believe I can, I can do it. But I was wrong. And so I realized one valuable lesson today. :D

It’s so natural for me to keep pushing even when things are hard. 

I don’t like giving up.

I remember my goal back in college was to “always try to beat myself”. to push beyond what I know I could do. I always thought it’s all in the mind. But God is teaching me otherwise. And today, I am reminded of it once again. Going up the stairs, I have to decide in my heart to give up. Because I need real strength. I need strong feet that would carry my weight. I may be fighting and determined in my heart and mind, but if my foot is injured, it just wouldn’t work. 

Sometimes, it’s in giving up that we become stronger. When we admit our weakness, that’s when real strength comes. Because then, it is God who becomes strong in us. It is when His power shines though. It’s in rest and surrender that are battles are won and our fears are gone.

 

And so tonight, I know the Lord is teaching me the important lesson of “giving up”. I will give up trying to go upstairs until my cast is removed (esp. when everyone is asleep. My Mom will get angry if she finds out. Yay). It’s only when I accept my weakness and rest  the way He wants me to that my injuries would be healed so one day, my bones will be stronger and I’ll be able to walk again.

Let’s keep trusting!

 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

 

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It’s almost 4am now and I’m about to sleep but I can’t put off writing about this till tomorrow. I really can’t wait till tomorrow to share this with you.
 
I was on Facebook, checking out Pastor Min Chung’s profile. I do that really often because I love how he writes, how he shares his thoughts. I learn a lot from the things he shares, his insights from normal everyday happenings. They really are really words of wisdom I cherish in my heart.

Tonight, I love his story about “stapling”. I used to staple a lot too when I was younger…and even till now, when I make hand-outs for our young people in church. And I’m loving it! And like Pastor Min Chung, I want to always feel the same way about stapling--to always feel privileged for the opportunity to do things for the Lord no matter how seemingly small and mundane they are… even if I would be asked to clean, sweep, or remove gum under the chairs.


So this short note is really like a sweet reminder/test/encouragement for me tonight. Very, very humbling. Praying I’'ll always feel and understand how privileged I am to serve Him, regardless of how small or big the task.   Enjoy reading! Have a blessed day ahead!

‎1. When I was a junior high student as a youth group member, I was happy stapling Sunday school material for the church whole Saturday, because I felt so privileged to staple for the Lord

2. When I was a college student, I was the first to come to church and the last to leave, setting up the chairs and cleaning the floor, because I felt so privileged to set up chairs for the Lord

3. When I became a pastor, I sit and meditate and prepare sermons and I am on my knees praying for people, because I feel the indescribable sense of privilege to be able to feed His people for the Lord.

4. When I feel the potential for my heart to be proud, I test it as I always ask this question, “will I still be thankful to staple for the Lord?”

5. When my time is done as I lie on my deathbed, I want to be able to say, “what a privilege it was, while I was alive, to be able have the chance to staple for the Lord.”

LOL

 

It’s 5am and the celebration in my aunt’s house is not yet over! My cousins along with my Dad are still singing {They were even playing folk dance music and dancing when we arrived after midnight! Funny!}I’m laughing like there’s no tomorrow. Really having fun!

 

I’m popping in for a minute just  to say Happy New Year! I know the Lord has great plans in mind for us this year. He’s preparing things that are new so let’s look forward to what’s ahead with hope that He will come through for us and He will do just as He had promised.

It’s December 26 here in MNL! I can’t believe Christmas is over! We just got home from visiting relatives and am so tired. The girls (my sisters) are asleep and Dad too…but Mom is busy preparing what to wear tomorrow. They’ll be leaving for Batangas in a few hours together with my aunt, uncle and sis.

Christmas this year has been busy and fun! Since my sisters and Dad had colds, Mom and I had to do all the cooking for Christmas eve dinner. There’s a service in church on Sunday morning and we went to visit relatives after. The day was filled with laughter and fun. My cousins and I had a great time joking around and talking about a lot of things. I was the noisiest. I think I’m the happiest “cousin” today. LOL :)

 

But amidst all the hype, all the carols and all the laughter…deep in my heart I’m searching for more. I know Christmas means so much more.

For the weeks that has passed, I desired in my heart for the Christmas eve dinner to be offered to Him. My heart broke at the thought that people—including me, of course--forget why they’re partying and cooking, and eating after all.:)

I wanted to cook for Him and prepare like how we prepare for family members who celebrate their birthdays. I wanted this year’s Christmas celebration to be different from all other celebrations we’ve had. I wanted to make “handa”  for Jesus and not for us.

 

So yesterday, when the salads were done and  I was making the last item on the menu, I was praying and I said “Lord, it’s already You’re birthday!” I was excited because it’s the first time I wanted to intentionally make food for Him. And since I never asked Jesus what He wanted for His birthday, I began to ask.

 

And then I realized the food I was making wasn’t what He desires. He wanted more than the celebration. He longed for more than my preparation and the party hat.

 

Because…

He wanted me. What He wanted was me.

 

I stopped right there to let the thought sink in and tried my best to hold back the tears. For while I was busy preparing, while I thought of bringing the most thoughtful offering… deep in His heart, Jesus just wanted to spend time with me. No other Christmas gift from me would matter to Him-- if my heart is busy,if I am far away.

 

And so today, I am humbled and my heart rejoices as I quiet my heart and pray. This is what my heart is longing for after all. I want to spend time with Him, too--on His birthday.

”Happy Birthday, Lord. Merry Christmas!”

Photo Source:

1,2,3

Our house was full of friends last weekend and it was so refreshing and heartwarming, the smile in my heart wouldn’t go away!

 

 

Isn’t a blessing to have people around you—people who love you and care for you and whom you love and care about too?

 

I remember in my Biblical Studies class back in college, Pastor Mans talked about 3 kinds of people (3 kinds of friends) every Christian should have in his life. It was one of those lessons I really never forgot.

 

Take a look at this sweet excerpt I saw again last night.

Every Christian should seek to have these 3 individuals in their life: a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy.

A Paul is an older man who is willing to mentor you, to build into your life. Not someone who's smarter or more gifted than you, but somebody who's been down more of the road than you. Somebody willing to share his strengths and weaknesses--everything he's learned in the laboratory of life. Somebody whose faith you'll want to imitate.

A Barnabas is a soul brother, somebody who loves you but is not impressed by you. Somebody to whom you can be accountable. Somebody who's willing to keep you honest, who's willing to say, "Hey, man, you're neglecting your family, and don't give me any excuses!"

A Timothy is a younger man into whose life you are building. For a model, read 1 and 2 Timothy. Here was Paul, the quintessential mentor, building into the life of his protege--affirming, encouraging, teaching, correcting, directing, praying.

It’s so nice to think how none us could walk this faith alone, but we need people to walk with us along the way. There are times we would need others to be there for us and there are times when it’s our turn to share, to help out and encourage.

 

Do you have these three people in your life presently?

 

 

Photo source:

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Since the day we started to move I’d been listening to Sara Groves’ new album ‘Invisible Empires’ in the evening when I’m alone upstairs and everyone has fallen asleep.

One song that I really love to play and repeat over and over is this song called ‘Eyes on The Prize’, which is a remake of the old civil rights version.

 

What struck me the most about the song is its message to keep pressing on and holding on no matter what we may be going through right now, and to keep our eyes on what’s ahead—on what really matters.

 

When The Road Gets Rocky

Sometimes, when things get really hard while we work for the Lord, we get so discouraged and we lose sight of the prize. We forget that  this is not “it” and there’s eternity waiting for us. We forget about His promise.

 

When I was younger, I thought that I really didn’t need any reward when I get to heaven because being with the Lord is enough and it is reward in itself. I mean, Jesus is really the reward of heaven and it’s true and He is my reward forever... But as I grew older, in fact, just now, I realized  the value of the ‘prize’ and ‘reward’ that the Lord will give to those who serve him.

 

Ay, my dear friends! It has been a very busy month. My September and October have been full-packed and I sleep like l live in the west. I  sleep when it’s bedtime in NY and early morning in MNL. {So if my friends in NY are wondering why I’m always available on chat, yeah, the reason is work.}

 

But, I am extremely happy and joyful for what God has been doing the past few weeks.

 

I wrote in a previous post that that September for me this year was a season of beginnings. Not only because September is my birthday month but because God brought me to a different place other than what I’ve planned.  And it was really like riding a plane to a destination of your choice but God brings you somewhere else. He makes the plane land in a different airport.

 

 

At first I was so scared and my heart raced because I didn’t know where God was leading me or why was He denying me the things I badly wished and hoped for. It’s hard when you were planning this and you were working hard for that but it just wouldn’t work out. And there were times I wondered if God really cared about my heart and if the desires of my heart mattered to Him. I was really hurt and broken and didn’t know where to go.

 

But ultimately, it’s for the greater good.  He just knows where you’re supposed to be, where you would grow and where you love Him more…where you would shine His light the brightest. And isn’t that our ultimate goal? Isn’t that what we live for? To give glory to One who made us?

 

And now I see His hands moving, taking me to places I never thought I would go... and it just blows me away. I told a friend  that  sometimes, when God moves, you get so surprised and you can’t say anything. You just stand in awe and you can’t believe He’s giving you things you never even dared to ask for.  He gives you far greater things than your heart and mind can hope for.

 

And I know He’s just beginning.

 

 

And I know He he also has great plans for you,too,  my friend! You just have to believe and hold TIGHT to what He has told you. God has so many good thoughts for us. We just have to trust Him. We just have to trust that He loves us and desires nothing that would harm harm us. He wants to give us the best.

 

This is one of my favorite quotes from Elisabeth Elliot and  this totally makes sense to me today.

 

God never witholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God’s refusals are always merciful — “severe mercies” at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better.” — Elisabeth Elliot

 

So It’s spring in my heart… spring in October. Spring even though it’s fall. Because my God is the God new beginnings. And He gives beginnings regardless of season—even in summer, winter or fall. And because His love is enough. More than enough reason to keep me smiling, and happy, and joyful! I know my God is great and He has great things in store for me.

 

I’m ending with a quote from a friend, from his status on Facebook this morning after his plane landed in San Diego, very much far away from his destination.

 

I hope you get inspired to and keep on believing that no matter where we are, no matter our circumstance, God makes sense of it all. His love is enough reason to keep trusting that even though we are where we are right now, He will bring us to places greater that we have imagined before.

 

Have a great day!

 

I won't find myself and my happiness at my next destination; for it is right here in this moment, of existence: just to be a child of God.

At a deserted airport waiting for a bus. Perfect. –Jonathan Otto

 

Photo source

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This afternoon, I heard a familiar song playing on the radio. I was excited because it has been over a year since I heard that playing in the local Christian radio station. It was one of my favorite songs during my early college days and it really brought back pretty memories, not only because the song was good, but because the singer who sang it really inspired me as young lady.

I was  on the bathroom when my sister Ava called me saying “Ate, Kuya Matt is on the radio!”. And I was much excited to listen as much as she did. Hearing Matt sing again was really a pretty thing (and a nice surprise for my boring day today. lol). I smile because hearing him hitting those notes makes me think he is still alive today.

*Ate means older sister and Kuya is older brother in Filipino.

 

But he is still alive today! He is alive and well today!



I looked up to Matt because of his big dreams and for his courage to pursue them. And I really wondered why God took him at 26, of lung cancer. If he was able to fulfill his dreams, more people would be inspired.

But I realized God did more for him that just fulfill his dreams. If Matt is singing now in His presence, wouldn’t that be the greatest honor for singer?  And I, who looked up to Matt, who’s listening to his song today, who knows his story… I am inspired too, not just to fulfill my earthly dreams, but to look forward to what’s ahead and to trust that whatever God allows to come into my life is His good and perfect and will.
God gives us better things than what we can think of.



So when your dreams don’t happen the way you planned it…

When you wonder why God wants to bring you to another place you really didn’t planned to go…

When you look at the broken pieces and you don’t know how to put them all together again…

When you can’t find a reason to sing…

Just remember that in Him… for those who love Him… He makes all things work together for good. He has greater plans and wants to bring you to greater places…all because He loves you. You are His child and He wants the best for you.

And nothing can stop you from singing—because God gives you every reason to sing.

Good day!

Yesterday was my birthday! { I actually haven`t slept yet so I`m thinking that it still is today…} And I`m so much happy and thankful for everything. For what I have. For love. For life. For family and friends. For opportunities to share hope and inspire. For the time I`ve got to share about and live for Christ.

I`m 24 now. { I can`t believe I`m so old… old for my friends and the young people in church. } And I look back on all those years I lived and every day, every moment is all about Him. Everything was a gift from Him. Through all the ups and downs, He`s been there. I couldn`t be more thankful for all the beautiful things that has been and excited for what will be.


When I was younger, I thought that birthdays were just meant to celebrate you being born into the world. Now that God has opened my eyes, I know that birthdays mean so much more. Birthdays aren`t just meant to celebrate that day many years ago when you breathed you first breath. It means so much more than being thankful for life.

For me it means now that God has celebrated and rejoiced for my birth thousands of years ago, even before He laid the foundations of the earth. Birthdays mean God thought of you long before you were born. It is the celebration of the Creator thinking of you and loving you even before you were conceived. He knew this day would come and He couldn`t wait for it to happen.


I celebrate my birthday today because I know He loves me…longer before I was born. Longer before anybody was born.

I was on His mind. He was thinking of me.

And He celebrates with me today… the same way He rejoiced every single year… the same way He delighted over me when I was born.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for creating me.