25th

June has always been my most awaited month, it often leads me to reflect and be thankful for my existence. I am now counting the days as I will be celebrating my 25th birthday before this month ends.

As that day draws nearer, I am grateful thinking of how I was able to live my life and survived a quarter. I actually asked my mom if she appreciates having me for more than 24 years as of date (haha!).  Looking back, I see nothing but awesomeness and generosity of God in my life, I am thankful for the chances that he has given me and the people that he blessed me with.

25 years of unexplainable journey, periods of ups and downs, of friendships, service and love, of joy and of sorrows – it was an amazing experience.  It may sound cliché but I would likely choose this life again, given another chance. Even the mistakes and wrong choices that I have made contributed to the life that I am living and enjoying now.

Life throws a lot of challenges and struggles to me these past weeks, I considered it as a test to my maturity and strength as a person. Through the years, I learned how to truly live a positive life and it is something that I owe to God and to the people who inspired me to be one. My faith teaches me how to remain strong and hopeful amidst grueling situations, I will never trust my feelings when it pushes me to give up for I know I have a mighty God.

As I came to face yet another chapter of this exciting life, I recognize all my fears and doubts. My prayer to God is that, He will bless me with enough strength to surpass whatever problems I might encounter. The same strength and faith that He blessed me with for the past 25 years are the best weapons I could ever think of. As I enter into midlife transition, I don’t know if I will still have another quarter to live and, maybe life is more than halfway over. I just hope that I will never experience the “quarter life crisis” that some people of my age are experiencing or at least do not dwell on it. I put my hope on finding Christ in every trying situation that I may have, as someone told me before, “In every crisis that’s where CHRIST IS.”

I am welcoming my 25^th Birthday with these truths:

•  I am blessed and loved by God who never changes His mind.
• God is a God of hopes and promises so I’ll wait as He unfolds his plans for me.
• I am still single and all my siblings are married now but I am not alone because I have my parents with me.
• I am surrounded by wonderful and loving people.
• I am destined for greatness.

With these truths, I have all the reasons to celebrate and respond to God’s call to love.

MAGNIFICAT Conference Experience

Blessed and Privileged - these are the best words to describe my weekend experience serving CFC WestB's Magnificat conference as a Stage Manager.

Grateful for these people who helped me accomplish my task especially our Directors and all dedicated PA's, who never complained inspite of demanding situation.

Serving with joyful and passionate people made it more easier. Thank you Lord for the talent and for allowing me to just trust in you.

I live to Proclaim your Greatness :)

This is what I am up to lately.....

I never had issues with my schedule in the past but lately I was led to discern and revisit my priorities, as my schedule has been filled with meeting and activities these past days. I said YES to God's call of leading a Christian Life Program (CLP) in our Chapter with Jay - our Team Head. While we are so busy preparing for the upcoming CLP, an opportunity to serve as part of the Production Team in an event in CFC (Couples for Christ) came, I can't say no because I already made a commitment to the service team 2 months ago. On top of these, I am also part of the Evangelization and Mission Team in the same community who's busy planning and preparing materials for evangelization, and I am also leading the Mission Ministry in our chapter who happens to have a lot of activities this month.

This situation allows me to seek God's will in terms of what activities I need to get myself into, this is not a question of what matters the most (as services for the Lord are equally important)but more on what is really God's call for you. God reminded me of his call to obedience, As much as I wanted to be present in all the activities that this services has, I have to delegate and allow others to work. I am grateful that in Mission Ministry we have ministry heads who are equipped by God to work, though I may not be present in all the events that we have set, my heart is at peace knowing that I have a partner and the rest of the team who facilitates the activity. It is a perfect opportunity to allow others to grow and thankful because God made me available during the planning for those activities. My call now is to just check and and pray in silence for the success of all these activities.

I am nothing but grateful to this opportunity to serve the Lord in every possible ways. Though my schedule was filled with services, I thank the Lord for allowing me to spend time with my family especially during dinner. We have been dealing with various issues lately and this is the time that my parents needs me the most. Like what I always do, I am allowing God to take over by surrendering and emptying my heart with useless worries.

Choose Jesus

Jesus coming into this world is a manifestation of God’s love and fulfillment of God’s mission to save us. It is through him that we come to know what God is like and how He is as a Father. As a response, let us continue to fix our eyes on Jesus and allow him to take as out of darkness and isolation. Believing in Jesus also believes to the One who sent him to us. Let us continue following and listening to Him because he is our way to the father. By knowing and believing in Jesus, we are preparing ourselves to our destination – union with God and eternal life with Him.

Highlight of the Week

Just when I thought that this week is nothing but ordinary, God surprised me at work. My candidate passed the interview with one of our client and he was scheduled now for offer. His job offer was moved on Monday and I am praying and hoping that he will accept it. I never expected that God will reward me a placement this early, He is really a God of hope and promises, indeed, a God of surprises. Whatever my candidate's decision is, I am still thankful because God proved to me that I am doing my job right. Thank you Lord! Thank you for my job and Thank you for this beautiful and surprising week.

Happy Birthday Joselle Salvador

Missionary, Humble Servant, Exceptional Dancer, Excellent speaker, Director, loving household Head, extremely passionate Leader, and not just a friend but a real Sister. She’s probably one of the best person I know and whom I valued much besides my family.

I used to see her in every family day and sponsored mass of the CFC Chapter where my parents joined year 2001, however we became close March of 2003. I joined a summer youth camp, an entry point in Youth for Christ and she happens to be my facilitator. She’s very active, talented and really passionate in serving the Lord so I admired her then. I learned a lot from her and from that moment on I become active in YFC as well. It is a joy serving God with someone who can lead you to love the service, the community and the Lord more. From then on we are always part of one Household (Core Group), 7 years of faithfully serving the Lord in one household with her makes it easier.

She used to tell me that she admire my way of serving and loving the people I serve, what she doesn’t know is that I got it from her. I have always been proud of all her achievements and we may not be part of one household now, I never stop praying and supporting her in any possible way. I may have a lot of Sisters in this community now but she will forever holds that special place.

Happy Birthday Sis! I am one in the millions of people who are joyful today because you exist. :)

New Work, Same Passion

Working for almost 2 years on a night shift resulted to my alienation on the everyday rush of people on regular working hours. This month I moved to another company where I can work regular hours and as of date I am still learning how to cope with changes especially with commute and sleeping hours. The first 2 weeks has been perfect (maybe because of the excitement) but for this week, I failed to reach the office on time and I can't get myself to sleep early as well. I am just hoping that this won't last for a month as I don't want to consume all the allotted time for latecomers.


Despite all the changes that I have to face with my new job, I am thankful for this opportunity to live a normal life again (haha). I am now available for my family and friends during dinner plus I can do a lot of things too. My  aim is to finally revive my relationship with people close to me whom I lost contact due to limited time when I worked night shift. I am hoping that I can do it soon. 


My new schedule brought me back to dancing again, what a joy to do the thing I love the most! I am now available for the dance training of SFC dance ministry and I was able to danced for the Lord during the Grand Mission Festival. I really thank the Lord for granting my desire to find a new job, He even exceeded it by bringing me in a really good environment and generous management. Other than hires, I can't wish for anything more in this company. Everyday I am excited to go to work, something that I have lost before including drive and motivation. However, I am still thankful that I have learned professionalism, hard work and discipline from my previous job.


Though uncertain of what I am going to face in this company, I am confident that God prepared and equipped me for this. I am counting on God.

Eight

My countdown begins. I am about to close one chapter of my life story and start writing yet another beautiful chapter. Though uncertain of what my future holds, I have surrendered the Pen to God and to His all-knowing will. Amaze me Lord, like what you always does.

Psalm 139

You search me, You know me
You see my every move
There's nothing I could ever do
To hide myself from you
You know my thoughts, my fears and hurts
My weaknesses and pride
You know what I am going through
And how I feel inside
But even though you know
You will always love me
Even though You know
You'll never let me go
I don't deserve Your love
But You give it freely
You will always love me
Even though You know

After all the hurts and pains that I've gone through because of the wrong choices and decisions that I have made, it is comforting to know that God sees us and loves us still. Truly, no one will be sweeter than the love that He has to offer. Every time I hear this song, I can't help but cry and bask in the comfort of this undeserved Love. Thank you Lord for the love you've freely given; for your forgiveness and for not letting go of me.

Mantra

Greater things are yet to come

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the CALLED.

I am not perfect and I still have a lot of shortcomings but despite all that God is giving me the privilege to serve Him with all that I am (Yes, including the imperfections in me). There are so much more to learn and so much more to improve but I was reminded again that in serving the Lord what matters is our Heart and our willingness to allow God to use us in this mission. All we need is a single YES to Him.

Note to Self:

You are destined for greatness because you have a great God...

When God takes something, He replaces it with the Best

Love Cloud - March 9, 2012

If there's a kindness that only you can do, you must not refuse it...

Love Cloud - March 8, 2012

Just so you know, I am WAITING for you

Dear One,

I am wondering what you are doing right now and I am not even sure if you know that I exist. We may have been separated by time, distance or priorities but I believe that someday we will meet. I am not sure how or when but I know that it will be worth the wait. I am in constant search for you in every christian brother that I meet and there are times that I have mistaken them as you. You know what I am hoping now? That somehow in your busy life, you think of me too; you protect yourself for me and you wait for God to reveal us to each other.

There's this one brother that I met last year, I was inspired by his passion for his service and mission as a Christian. He has most of the qualities that I would want you to have - responsible, loving, nurturing, God-fearing and family oriented. I love having him around, I am comfortable spending time with him and I am enjoying my friendship with him. But you know what? I love the happiness and inspiration i felt seeing him around, I am just not sure whether I should trust my feelings. Only God knows when is the right time for us to meet and I am trusting Him - that's better.



From this, you will know how excited I am to meet you. I am still preparing myself for that special day. I just want to become the best for you that's why I am taking my time. Please be patient too. Till that very day, see you soon.




Maj

Love Cloud - March 7, 2012

Love Cloud - March 7, 2012

Our own awareness of the injustices, corrupt practices and self righteousness should compels us to be just, pure, and righteous. We have to turn our experience and awareness into action so like Jesus we can be living examples that His gospel is attainable and in fact can be practiced in this modern world.

A Big Step

forgive-bible-quotes.jpg

Forgiving those that have hurt us is as difficult as forgiving ourselves in our failures, I know because I have struggled with forgiveness for the past 2 years. I did something really foolish and ruined a really wonderful relationship with a person dear to me. I have tolerated someone’s foolish act consequently exposing myself to such foolishness as well. We both know then that what we are doing is wrong but we keep on challenging our strength to overcome temptation. Looking back I am thankful that God won and never allow us to be tempted more than what we can bear. However, the feeling of unworthiness haunted me. By the grace of God, I was able to go through a much needed healing process; He provided a constant assurance that despite what I have done, I am precious to Him. True to His promise:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

God’s forgiveness enables me to humbly admit and recognize the sin that I committed, I have thought of running away to forget everything but He has other plans. He made me confront and face the problem and the people involve. No matter how painful and disappointing, reconciliation and restoration is possible. My friend and I are in constant communication, God has been really good to us and consuming our heart with forgiveness and compassion. I honor my friend for the love that she has in her heart and for the courage to reconcile with me despite all the pains that she’s feeling. We’re both hurting but God is leading us to embrace the pain; offer and accept forgiveness. We are still in the process of healing but glad that we are able to take that big step – Forgiveness.

LoveCloud - February 2, 2012

LoveCloud - February 2, 2012

I have learned that, “Life is God’s gift to man, and what we do with it is our gift to Him.” I realized that I have something to do and something to give in order for me to be able to show my gratitude to Him. Everyday we are surrounded by temptations and I am also struggling to uphold this life and live according to God’s will. However, every time I feel weak and tempted I remember Jesus Christ. He offered a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people and since He himself has gone through immense suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hello Weekend

Welcoming my weekend and looking back on how God's grace and generosity was poured upon me this week. I am in AWE Lord! <3

There are so many things that I am grateful for. Allow me to list some of those:

Good Health: I am feeling well now and I am almost done with my medication.

Mission Ministry: I had a meeting with my partner and our Chapter Heads, we laid down our plans for the Mission Ministry and we were able to seek guidance from them too.

Short film Entry: An idea of my brother in SFC to join this contest for our Conference this February. This week we had a planning and brainstorming and Wow! I am surrounded by talented bro's and sis's in this community. I am inspired and now excited to start the shoot this weekend.

Despite this busyness, I was able to exceed my quota for this week. Yey! Thank you Lord for showing me that still I have reasons to love this job. Ahahaha!

Finally, the highlight of my week: Papa celebrated His Birthday. I am a certified Papa's girl and being the youngest I claim that I am His favorite. HAHA! I remember one speaker mentioned that your first image of God is your Father and I believe that. Probably the reason why I am fully convinced that we have a loving God is because papa is so loving and I hope that I don't sound bias  if I would say that I am God's favorite daughter. AHAHA! Oh well, despite papa's imperfections and shortcomings He was able to raised us well :)

And here I am facing my most awaited weekend with so much joy in my heart. I am excited to serve and cover the CFC Leaders Conference this afternoon and on Sunday will be the Shoot for our short-film entry.

Thank you Lord!

LOVE is WAITING

This song has been running on my mind since yesterday night. I was just redirected to this video for some reason and since then I can't get over it.

What really strike me is the line that says: Love is waiting till we're ready, till it's right. That line says it all. It hits me, while listening to the song I can't stop my tears from falling. Again, I was reminded of the very reason why we should not rush things. It's as if God is singing for me telling me that everything will be alright and will fall perfectly in His time. He loves me and He is waiting for me until I am ready. As I continue my reflection, a deeper meaning came to my understanding. God will never be tired of waiting for us until we accept the love He has to offer; He won't force His way.

"I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again and like I can't force the sun to rise or hasten summer's start, neither should I rush my way into your heart."

 God is waiting on the other side, He don't seem to mind no matter how long He is waiting. So hold on if you can and do not give up on yourself because the source of Love won't give up on you.

Love Cloud - January 2, 2012

Love Cloud - January 2, 2012

He must Increase; I must Decrease. Realizing that everything that I am is because of Him.

* My first write up for LoveCloud. Thank you Lord for the talent and for the gift of service. Use me for Your greater glory.