Cellphone

Sa blog ni Ate Gil, may phone na nakapost (ang kanyang dream phone). Ganon din naman sa page ni Ate Weena, ang kanyang bagong biling phone. Ito naman ang sa'kin...

Hindi yan bagong bili (obviously) at lalong hindi yan ang dream phone ko! LOL! That was my phone since I enter college (meaning to say 5 years na yan sa'kin) and now I will hand it over to my younger sister. Bumili kasi ng phone ang ate ko so ako naman ang gagamit ng lumang phone nya. Oh di ba, parang damit lang...ipinamamana!

Packing Up

Last night, inimpake ko na ang iba ko pang gamit sa apartment. Yun na ang huling tulog ko sa lugar na 'yon.

Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko (at sa prayer) "Khen, kailangan bang mag-drama ka ng ganyan? haha! Feeling mo naman sa abroad ka pupunta!" (actually natatawa rin ako sa sarili ko) Buti na lang nagkakaintindihan kami ni Lord. Hay... *isang malalim na buntong-hininga. Hirap pala talaga iwan ang isang bagay na mahalaga para sayo...

Ate Malu's Birthday Celebration

Thanks to Ate Malu for a bountiful lunch. Few weeks before, iniisip pa lang namin kung ano ang menu. Every one seems to be excited sa pagdating ng araw na ito... kung saan seafood ang maghahari sa hapag. :)

mapapansing wala ako sa mga larawang ito dahil ako ang cameraman :)

My plate was this full...

For main dish, we have:

- a tray of baked salmon of Conti's Restaurant

- sinigang na hipon

- baked talaba

- crab in garlic and cheese

- 2 whole Andok's chicken

For dessert:

- half gallon of Nestle Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

- half gallon of another flavor of Nestle Ice Cream (I don't know how it's called... it's a combination of chocolate and peanut butter I guess)

- mango bravo of Conti's Restaurant

The cake was about 4-5 inches tall with three layers. The first layer was chiffon, the second was a layer of mango and the bottom layer was crunchy (tipong toasted chiffon kung may ganon man). That was the only cake na nagustuhan ko ang icing. Yummy!

More blessed years to come Ate Malu... and more mango bravo for us! haha! :D

Revealing my Secret Place

After 6 months of staying in an apartment in Pasay, it's sad to say that we're (my sister and I) leaving. I've decided to stay in Dasmariñas with my parents. So, uwian ulit just like before.

Actually, we attempted to leave the apartment for almost a hundred times for various reasons. Pero hanggang dun lang. I said, "Lord, there must be a reason kung bakit hindi kami makaalis dito..." Finally, mukhang totohanan na this time. I have with me a bag of clothes which I will bring home later.

Nakakalungkot din kahit papa'no dahil nasanay na rin akong umuwi dun. Yesterday, I had a chance to take some photos dahil ako lang mag-isa. :D

This photo shows almost all the parts of the house. It's not that big but the size is enough to accomodate 3 to 4 persons. (Apat nga pala kami dito. I, my sister, her workmate and her sister [replacing my officemate, umalis na kasi sya last November. She stays in Cavite City naman, uwian na sya ngayon.]) We're the first tenants. Medyo choosy kasi ang may-ari. He doesn't want a couple as tenant, neither those who have children (kasi baka daw sulatan ang pader), etc. gusto nya all girls para maalaga sa bahay.

Looking closer... the kitchen was not used as a place to cook but rather a place for laundry! :D Wala rin naman kaming masyadong gamit for cooking, ang madalas lang naming lutuin ay noodles! We often buy food or eat dinner outside. I also took a picture of the bathroom. Maliit lang pero cute. Sabi nga nga ng sister ko sosi daw ang CR namin... nasa third floor ang toilet bowl. LOL! Yan ang part ng bahay na madalas ako ang naglilinis. hmp. The bedroom turned out to be our closet. We were provided with a steel bed (I don't know how should I call it) but it's good for one person only. There's no window on this room and nobody from us dared to sleep here.

This area is the living room (supposedly) pero hindi na kami nag-abalang maglagay ng sofa or small chair man lang... hahahaha! That's where we spread our mats and sleep. That's the only part with good ventilation and enough space para matulugan. The window faces a firewall kaya safe naman kami... walang makakasilip!

This is my favorite spot. Pag-uwi ng apartment galing work, latag ko lang ito tapos salampak na! hahaha. That's where I read my Bible along with various devotional books and pray. But in some cases, sa kitchen ako nag-dedevotion, when all of them are sleeping and they don't want the lights on.

This is a very special place for me. This house used to be the mute witness of everything - of how God trained me and changed my attitude, how I spoke to God with all boldness, how I cried so hard when I was under great testing, how I learned to praise and worship God alone with singing and dancing, how I delved for a longer time in prayer, how I contended with my own weaknesses and how I learned to be submissive to God.

They say, 'In order to have an intimate relationship with God, find a specific time and a secret place where you and God can meet.' Well, this apartment was our secret place (which I'll be leaving soon). Too sad. :( But then, I know God will provide another place where we can meet. I might be leaving the place but definitely I'll be bringing all the learning and the sweet moments with my King!

How to Prevent Failure in your Ministry

I received this email from Bro. Alex Solis. It's quite long but it's really worth reading.

Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Michael Todd Wilson & Brad Hoffmann's new book, Preventing Ministry Failure: A ShepherdCare Guide for Pastors, Ministers and Other Caregivers, (InterVarsity Press, 2007).

You hear about falls from ministry all the time, and sometimes you wonder if burnout, ineffectiveness, or moral failure could someday cause your own ministry to fail. But the good news is, failure doesn't just happen without warning, and you can take steps to prevent it.

Here's how you can prevent failure in your ministry:

1. Approach your ministry from the right perspective. Remember that it's ultimately God's ministry, not yours. Instead of trying to minister in your own limited power, decide to rely on God's unlimited power to work through you. Give yourself the freedom to be human and break free of unrealistic expectations to be perfect. Expect that you'll make some mistakes, but when you do, embrace the grace God offers you to learn from them and move on with confidence. Rather than imposing your own agenda on your ministry, seek to discover God's purposes for it. Then simply do your best to fulfill those purposes, trusting God for the outcome. Ask God to give you the humility you need to work to please Him alone, instead of trying to validate yourself or please other people.

2. Keep short accounts with God. Be aware of how much you sin on a daily basis, in both big and small ways. Realize that all sin, no matter what kind, can block your intimacy with God and drag you into bondage. Regularly thank God for the new mercy He offers you daily because of His great love for you. Don't ignore your sins; deal with them as soon as you recognize them. Make a daily habit of seeking spiritual restoration through confession, repentance, reconciliation, restitution, accountability, and renewing your mind.
Take care of yourself. Understand that if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of the people you serve through your ministry. Don't neglect your own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Make time every day to nurture your body (getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising, etc.), mind (constantly learning something new, refreshing yourself through recreation, etc.), and spirit (spending prayer time in solitude and silence, reading and meditating on the Bible, etc.).

3. Value intimacy. Recognize that you need close relationships with God and other people just as much as any other human being. Make it a top priority to develop relationships where you can fully know others and be fully known yourself. Don't believe lie that as a minister, you can't safely be vulnerable with others. Realize that you can't afford not to be open and honest with others if your ministry is to survive, much less thrive. Guard yourself against isolation that will damage your soul and ministry. Pursue God and enjoy the love you experience as you connect with Him. Pay attention to your need for support, encouragement, and accountability from other people. Invest in close friendships with a few other believers of your same gender. Nurture an intimate relationship with your spouse if you're married, and rely on God's strength to help you meet your needs for intimacy in pure ways if you're single. Be willing to take the risks required to form healthy, close relationships. Learn how to identify and express your emotions and resolve conflict well. Welcome help from others when you need it, and be willing to help others when they need it. Learn how to express affection in appropriate physical ways, such as through hugs and handshakes. Don't hesitate to laugh often. Seek out adventurous experiences with others, such as by taking a trip to a new place with them or trying out a new sport with them. Take time off work regularly to play and enjoy yourself with other people. Pray for others and allow them to pray for you.

4. Understand and follow your calling. Discern honestly whether you're serving in ministry because of your own desires, or because God invited you to do so and you can't be at peace doing anything else. Recognize the common characteristics of a divine calling: It's not about you; it's about God's desire to use you in ministry to others. The calling is bigger than you are, so it requires you to depend on God to fulfill it. It represents your heart's greatest passion. The calling will make use of the experience you've already gained in life to accomplish ministry that's unique to your journey. And, once God calls you, it's to a lifetime of ministry service in some way. Even though you may try to resign the call, the call won't leave you. Understand that you may experience discouragement, struggling with sin, and being removed from a particular place of ministry and yet still be pursuing a true calling. But if you view ministry as simply a job, if you lack passion for it, if your ministry expresses self-centered desire, or if you find satisfaction doing something besides full-time ministry, God may not have called you to ministry, and you should seek His will in the matter. If you have been called to ministry work, ask God to give you clarity about what He's calling you to do, and the confidence you need to follow that calling despite the challenges you encounter along the way. Pray for perseverance and the ability to stay focused on your calling, so the difficult circumstances that are bound to come your way in ministry won't knock you off course. Live out your ministry role according to the natural talents and spiritual gifts God has given you -- rather than just according to your expectations and assumptions. Invite God to show you exactly how He has designed you for ministry. Devote yourself to pursuing God with a passion, making your relationship with Him -- not your work -- your top priority. Trust that, in the process, God will plant the desires He has for you in your heart. Create a personal purpose statement to guide your life and ministry. Once you've identified your calling, avoid wasting your time and energy on activities that distract you from pursuing it well. Every day, build your decisions around your priorities, while keeping your purpose in mind. Help other people who work alongside you in ministry to find and fulfill their callings, too. Encourage them and give them opportunities to expand their ministry work. Whenever God's calling for your own ministry work conflicts with other people's expectations, choose to follow God, no matter what others may think. Wait until a crisis or conflict is over before deciding whether you should stay or leave a particular ministry place, so you won't be just reacting to feeling tired, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Spend a significant amount of time praying about whether or not to move on before actually making the decision. If God is calling you to stay, ask Him to give you the wisdom you'll need to solve the problems facing you and create positive change. If you think God may be calling you to pursue new ministry work, ask: "Am I spiritually discontent?", "What has God been speaking to me about?", "Do I possess a consuming new passion?", and "Is there an open door?". Make sure you won't be moving from a bad situation to a worse one, but from a good situation to a better one.

5. Manage stress wisely. Acknowledge how stressful serving in ministry truly is, and do your best to manage the stress you face well. Let go of an unhealthy need for accomplishment, an unhealthy desire for other people's approval, perfectionism, and hard-charging ambition. Resolve anger that's causing you stress. Surrender your ministry situation to God and ask Him to give you the peace you need. Rely on His power working through you instead of trying to do your ministry work through just your own efforts. Connect with God through spiritual disciplines, such as: meditation, prayer, fasting, simplicity, solitude, submission, and worship. Create margins in the pages of your life by eliminating activities that aren't truly important so you'll be free to spend time and energy on what matters most. Schedule enough downtime and rest for yourself. Make time regularly to get away from your ministry demands to spend time in quiet reflection. Plug into nurturing relationships with other people who care about you. Build short breaks into various points of your workday to refresh yourself, and take longer breaks for retreats, days off, vacations, sabbaticals, etc. If your thinking about the challenges you face is in a rut, confide in some people you trust and invite them to give you a fresh perspective on your situation. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring Scripture to your mind that applies to your situation. Improve your work habits so you'll be more organized and efficient, which will decrease your stress level. Make sure you get enough sleep every night, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Know that even simple practices like deep breathing, affectionate touch (like a hug or handshake), therapeutic massage, and giving yourself small rewards (like a walk or a nap) for jobs done well can reduce stress. If you need help from a health care professional, don't hesitate to consult one, since stress can significantly damage your health when left unchecked.

6. Set boundaries. Establish and maintain clear personal boundaries so you can focus on what matters most, both professionally and personally. Whenever someone asks you to use your time, energy, and ministry resources to help them, ask: "Is this person typically responsible or irresponsible?", "Does this person own up to the problem, or is he or she blaming others for the lack of follow-through?", "What are my motives for and against helping this person?", and "How might God be glorified in this situation?". Recognize that the mere presence of a need doesn't necessarily mean that you're the one God has called to meet it. But also be willing to help if God is calling you, despite the inconvenience. Don't live from crisis to crisis; instead, try as much as possible to align your daily and weekly tasks with what's important (rather than just what's urgent). Protect the time you need to invest regularly in your relationships with God, your spouse, and close friends. Make time regularly to clarify your ministry vision through prayer, fasting, and reflection. Set boundaries around who can access you and when. Take the phone off the hook during family meals, don't call into the office on vacations, check e-mail only at predetermined times, assign another minister or a lay leader to be on call for hospital visitation on your days off, etc. When something urgent demands you attention during family time, don't be afraid to say that you have an appointment you can't break. Decide carefully who you will and won't let in as friends. Set boundaries that will help you resist sexual temptation and maintain purity if you're single or a healthy marriage if you're married. Place boundaries around the way you spend your time and money so you'll be a good steward of it. Think before you speak and before reacting to what others say to you, setting appropriate boundaries so you don't regret your conversations. Maintain strong boundaries around your inner life so you can resist attacks from evil spiritual forces and stay close to God through the Holy Spirit.

7. Energize your ministry through recreation. Recognize that God has designed life to operate in a rhythm that includes regular time for recreation. Understand that disrupting that balance by working too much will actually make you less effective in your ministry. Figure out how much time you really spend on ministry work -- both onsite and off -- by charting the number of hours you do anything that relates to your ministry during a typical week. Then figure out how to increase the number of hours you spend on recreation each week. Counter your excuses: If you don't think you have enough time, work on better stewardship. If you think you have other more important things to do, work on prioritizing better. If you think you have too many responsibilities to deal with, work on delegating. If you think that people expect you to be available, stop seeking approval through people and focus on pleasing God alone. If you don't feel like you need a break, stop denying the reality that you do. Get enough rest so your body and mind can recuperate. Take an afternoon nap or do something refreshing during your time off work. Make time to play through fun activities on a regular basis. Renew yourself spiritually through activities that help you grow closer to God. Set some goals for how you'd like to use recreation to improve your life physically (such as increasing your stamina), mentally (like learning about a new ministry area), emotionally (such as getting in touch with why you've been feeling sad or angry lately), and spiritually (drawing closer to God in a way He's leading you to do so). Make sure your goals are specific, achievable, and measurable. Be patient, making changes gradually so you can best incorporate them into your life. Evaluate your progress regularly and make whatever adjustments are necessary.

8. Develop people skills. Get to know your own personality well, and be aware that when you experience conflict with others, it may simply be because of how their personalities differ from yours. Learn how to work with different types of people so you can tailor your ministry efforts most successfully toward the various people you encounter. Resolve conflicts wisely, either by overlooking the offense or engaging those who have offended you in prayerful and loving dialogue aimed at solving the problem. Be willing to forgive as God forgives you. Listen to others well by eliminating distractions; giving your full attention to the people speaking; remembering your reason for listening (because the people to whom you minister are important); suspending judgment about the topic until you understand the other person's perspective on it; listening for themes in the person's story; reflecting the person's message back in your own words to clarify it; asking thoughtful questions; and responding to the content, feelings, and meaning of what the person tells you. Be assertive when others make requests of you, or when you make requests of others: Identify who owns the problem, describe the problem, state the consequences, describe your feelings, pause, and make a direct assertion. Negotiate "win-win" solutions to problems so both parties are satisfied. Respond to critics by either agreeing with the kernel of truth in their statements or by agreeing with their right to have an opinion, even though you disagree with it. Stand by your convictions while still respecting the people who criticize you.

9. Learn leadership skills. Invite the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out so you can become the leader God wants you to be. Practice integrity in every part of your life, relying on God's strength to live out a walk that aligns with your internal desire for holiness. Ask God to show you how you can maximize your strengths and overcome your weaknesses to be most effective in ministry. Keep up with changes in your ministry work due to technology shifts, changing needs and desires of people in your community, ethnic and age diversity in your congregation, and other factors. Get to know the people to whom you minister, learning their dreams, passions, and what makes them discontent. Whenever you must go through a change together, communicate clearly and regularly with them during the process. Lead as you are rather than trying to lead like someone else. Discover your unique leadership style and use it. Don't compare your ministry to other ministries; ask God to give you the confidence to do your work the way He has uniquely designed you to do it. Pray for God to constantly renew your love for the people you serve and help you stay focused on His vision for your ministry. Learn how to resolve conflict well. View yourself as part of a team of people whose ministry efforts are just as valuable as yours; do all you can to encourage and support them as you work toward common goals together.

Consider these when riding a bus...

Monday morning, around 8:00, I rode a San Agustin bus going to Manila. My fare was P43.00 and gave a 500 peso-bill to the conductor, that's all I have in my wallet. That was their first trip I guess, so wala pang panukli. The conductor wrote 500 at the back of my ticket and said he'll be back for my change. Few minutes after, I fell asleep. The moment I opened my eyes, we're already in Baclaran. I got off the bus in Buendia and I forgot my change!!! It was time for lunch when I realized what happened. I almost cried (secretly) sabay sabing "Lord, P457.00 din un!"

I looked for my ticket and searched for San Agustin's telephone number but it wasn't there. I didn't even know the bus number (wheew!). I grabbed the telephone directory but I didn't find it. I called the emergency hotline of PLDT but the number they've given me was unreachable. I looked at the ticket once again and found San Agustin's TIN (Tax Identification No.) so I called BIR and they gave me the telephone number (different from the first one). I dialed the number but it's not working too! I just prayed, "Lord, bahala ka na po." Then I went back to work.

I was supposed to stay in Manila but I decided to go back to Dasma having this in mind, "sasakay ulit ako ng San Agustin at magpapababa sa terminal nila," and I did. I sat beside the driver (sa may hagdan na halos kasi standing na) and opened the matter to him and to the conductor as well. When we reached the terminal, I met the conductor and he gave me my change. Thank GOD!

Now, I need to consider these things when riding a bus:
1. Keep the ticket. (It's really my habit not to throw my ticket until the end of the day and now I see the importance.)
2. Get the bus number. You can also see it on your ticket (the first 4 digits of your ticket number).
3. As much as possible, pay with a smaller bill.
4. If you have a change, let the conductor write it at the back of your ticket and let him sign.
5. Check everything before getting off the bus.




The bus tickets issued by Erjohn & Almark Bus Line is better than San Agustin's. Almost all the important details are provided (except the telephone no. wheew!), including the driver and conductor's name.

I learned so much from this and hopefully it won't happen again.

COG Workers' Assembly

Here are the photos taken last Friday at the Church's Workers' Assembly, yung dalawa dyan taken by Kua Jerome. Hindi malinaw ang karamihan jan 'cause i'm using MP4 not digital camera. :)

Trying so Hard :(

Haayyy... ang hirap pala mag-customize ng blog. Sidebar pa nga lang yung tinatry kong i-modify 48 years!!! (exaggerating) Pero mahirap pala talaga ah, lalo na kung 'di ka masyadong familiar sa HTML codes (gaya ko). 'Di tuloy maayos yung side bar. huhu. Anyway, natutuwa naman ako kahit papa'no at least nailagay ko yung Bible search and Verse of the Day from Biblegateway. Sa susunod na lang ulit ako magta-try. :_(

Pinoy Style Action Movies

Nagkaroon kami ng unang Board Meeting noong Martes sa Makati. Pagkatapos ang pulong, naisip kong dumaan sa Landmark kaya naman sumakay ako ng bus patungong Cubao. Bukas ang telebisyon at ang palabas... action movie na pinagbibidahan ni Fernando Foe Jr. Sobrang bigat ng daloy ng trapiko sa Ayala kaya nakapanood ako ng mahahaba-haba. Habang nanonood, nasabi ko, "ang mga senaryo sa action films ng Pinoy, iisa." Tulad na lang ng mga sumusunod:

• Isa lamang ang pamamaraan upang malaman ang kinaroroonan ng nagtatagong grupo(mapa-grupo man ng bida o kalaban), huhulihin ang isa sa mga kaibigan o kakilala, pahihirapan hanggang sa mapaamin.
• Sa sandaling malaman nila ang kinaroroonan, pupuntahan nila ang lugar sa'n mang sulok ng daigdig (sa probinsya, sa barko o sa terminal ng bus) at tiyak na matatagpuan nila ang mga ito. Hindi naliligaw!
• Mabilis mapatay ang kalaban, isang bala lang ng baril ang katapat. Sa kabilang dako, ang bida, malapit na sa puso ang tama buhay pa at take note, nakakatakbo pa ng mabilis at nakikipagsuntukan pa! (Aba'y parang simpleng galos lang.)
• Ang bida parang hindi nasasaktan. Tatalon yan mula sa ikalawa o ikatlong palapag (with matching babasagin ang salamin ng bintana) at mahuhulog sa lapag sabay takbo ng mabilis. (Pare, bakal ba ang buto mo? hindi nababali!)
• 'Pag ubos na ang lahat ng kalaban (as in dedo na), magtutuos naman ang bida at ang kontrabida. Sa likod ng mga kahon o pader magtatago ang bawat isa, hawak ang kani-kaniyang baril tapos mag-uusap pa yan. Sisigaw ng ganito: "tapusin na natin 'to!" (at kung anu-ano pa)
• Ang importanteng karakter sa pelikula (kamag-anak man o kaibigan ng bida) kapag nabaril o nasaksak, makikipag-usap muna at makalipas ang ilang minutong usapan sabay mamamatay sa braso ng bida.
• Ang mga pulis darating lang 'pag tapos na ang bakbakan. Tipong poposasan na lang nila ang suspect at isasakay sa police car.
• Kung magkakaroon man ng engkwentro sa pagitan ng mga pulis at kalaban, mapapansin nating ang mga pulis na hindi naka-uniporme ay may nakataling puting towel sa may noo.
• Ang kontrabida, kung hindi makukulong ay mapapatay ngunit ang bida, ano pa man ang mangyari sa bandang huli mananatiling buhay. (Syempre nga naman kasi 'pag namatay ang bida tapos ang storya!)

Ang layunin ng post na ito ay hindi upang pulaan ang action movies na sariling atin. Ang mga nasabi ay pawang obserbasyon lamang. Marahil sa mga susunod na pagkakataon, foreign action films naman ang ating titignan.

Sa aking panonood, hindi ko namalayang lumagpas na pala ako sa lugar kung saan ako dapat bumaba. Sa Buendia Station ng MRT, Edsa ako nakarating. At dahil sa tinamad na akong bumalik, umuwi na lamang ako! huhu!

Additional Inaanak

Nadagdagan muli ang bilang ng aking inaanak, apat na sila ngayon. Last Sunday, bininyagan ang pinsan ko - Joaquin Antonio (pang-telenovela lang ang dating di ba?), kasabay ng kanyang 1st birthday celebration.

Natutuwa ako sa batang 'to kasi ang haba ng buhok nya sa side, kulot pa!




Naisip ko lang, mamimili ako ng Christmas gifts ng maaga para hindi ako magka-cram sa December! hahaha.

A Good Start

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35

It's good to begin a day with prayer and a dose of the Scripture. The same thing goes when starting a year. Last week was the church's prayer and fasting. I joined the fast last Friday night until the breaking, Sunday at 12 am.

The following I learned about fasting:
- Fasting is like declaring war against the enemy.
- We don't earn God's favor when we fast but it places us in a position of receiving from Him.
- Prayer and fasting is not a time for bonding and good time, it's a special time between you and God.
- It doesn't matter if you're on a partial, normal or absolute kind of fasting. It's not good to compare your commitment to others'. Fast without pride.
- Do not let others see that you are weak. Try to act normally.

Aside from the abovementioned, I took note of the following:
- Your god consumes you. Whatever consumes you and your time that is your god.
- Believing is what God wants us to do, absolute faith and not partial.
- When you fall in love with prayer, you will start falling in love with God.

I love this line from Pastor Anthony's prayer when we're breaking the fast, "Lord, we're serious, dead serious on our prayers to You." It's time to take God seriously because He is taking us too seriously!

This is one my prayers, "Lord, I want to start the year right and I want to start it right with You."

Saving Money Traditionally

Cards - Ito ang nangigibaw sa mundo natin ngayon. 'Pag pumunta ka sa grocery or department store at bumili ng anuman, maririnig mong itatanong ng kahera, "Ma'am/Sir, may SM Advantage Card?" Sa National Bookstore naman, "Ma'am/Sir, may Laking National Card?" Sa Walter Mart naman, "...may Plus Card?" Lahat tipong may membership na.

Lahat halos ng transaction kailangan ng card at ito ang ilan...
- Renting DVD or VCD sa Video City (pinaliit ang version na pwedeng isabit sa zipper ng bag)
- Shopping using credit cards
- Applying for a loan (GSIS members)
- Withdrawing/Depositing money via ATM

Na-realize ko lang yan last night when I was withdrawing money... from my coin bank. hihi!

Probably, most people save their money in banks and only a few save traditionally using 'alkansya' (mas cute ang dating 'pag Filipino term). Sa bagay, hindi naman nakapagtataka yun dahil "computer age" na nga, lahat encoded. 'Pag alkansya lang, di pwede ang balance checking (except na lang kung bawat hulog mo ng coin recorded), hindi rin pwedeng ibayad sa items ng department store or pang bayad ng bills (gaya ng credit card) dahil walang debit, lalong hindi pwede ang money transfer. Haha!

Ganon pa man, kami ng mga kapatid ko (even my mom) nag-iipon pa rin sa alkansya, 10-peso and 5-peso coins only. Yun ang takbuhan 'pag biglang kinapos. Pero kagabi, na-withdraw ko na lahat (nag-iwan lang ako ng P50.00) kasi kailangan kong bayaran si Kua Nad sa MP4. (Don't worry ipapapalit ko naman ng bill yung coins. hehe)

Almost 1 hour din akong nagsungkit ng coins. As a result, lumaki ang butas ng alkansya ko (as in kasya na ang isang daliri) at sumakit ang braso ko... ang bigat eh! Lumabas nanaman ang pagka-maskulada ko! :D Masaya pala ang may coin bank.

Lakad to the Max!

I'm currently renewing our (PACEOS) business permit for 2008. In effect, I have to go to Pasay City Hall over and over again to complete and submit the requirements.

Yesterday, I went to the following places:

- Barangay Hall (to claim our renewed Barangay Clearance)

- Pasay City Hall (for tax assessment)

- Philhealth Office in Taft Ave. (to submit 2007 last quarter contribution record)

- BPI- United Nations Ave. (to activate my E-cash. singit lang 'to! hehehe)

- Banco de Oro - United Nations Ave. (to encash check. kailangan ko ng allowance sa lakad eh)

- Break muna... so lunch sa Chowking - UN Ave.

Sa sobrang dami ng nilakad ko, nasira na ng tuluyan ang shoes ko.. huhu.

Nabiyak yung swelas! wheew! Napabili tuloy ako ng bagong pair kasi 'di ko na matiis yung pain na dulot nito. I went straight to Quiapo para mura-mura naman. Supposedly, pupunta pa ko ng SSS, Macapagal Branch to submit contribution record din kaso 'di ko na kinaya kaya after bumili ng shoes sa office na ko dumiretso.

I uttered, "Lord, bakit kailangang ako ang maglakad ng lahat ng ito? Sabay sagot sa sariling tanong, "Kasi naman po Karen, ikaw lang ang staff ng PACEOS remember? So, walang ibang gagawa n'yan kundi ikaw!" God must really have a purpose. Before, I went to the Embassy for my superior's VISA to Thailand. Ngayon naman, business permit. Probably, God is training me this early because sooner or later sarili ko ng VISA (as in Tourist VISA not Working VISA) at ng family ko ang aasikasuhin ko. Same thing, with the business permit...maybe we'll manage our own family business and my own business as well. Ayoko kasing forever maging employee. I want to put up a business in God's time. Yeepee!

When I reached home (apartment), I said that exact statement to God and this is His Word to me...

- Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." (NIV)

I love the King James Translation:

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."

I can only think this much with my limited imagination but God has a greater plan that is far beyond what I can fathom. (I'll patiently wait for You, Lord)

No Rice for Dinner

Since Monday, I was trying not to eat rice for dinner. Anyway, ganon naman usually whenever I stay in Manila. Minsan naman nakakatamad mag-isip kung ano ang kakainin ko 'pag uwi sa apartment kaya hindi na lang ako nagdi-dinner.

Last night ito ang dinner ko...

bread and spanish style sardines. Nung Monday, bread lang din with liver spread.

Naisip ko lang, kasalukuyang nagfa-fast ang workers sa church. I wish to participate kahit papano. :)

Time to Relax

In a year, it's too seldom for leaders to have some time to rest. When I say "rest" i mean spending time together outside, making ourselves free from worries, unwinding and having some fun! :)

Last December 30, Sunday, we went out for lunch. Take note, nagpapicture pa sila Mark, Mitch and Mae kay Jollibee tapos sa McDo pala ang punta! tsk tsk tsk... After that, balik agad sa Church to prepare for 3:30 service.

January 5, Saturday, ibang gimik naman. We went to Robinsons Imus around 7:00 pm at nag-bowling and billiards. Napagsarhan na nga kami ng mall.

Hindi nga pala kami nagbilliard ni Ate Eu kaya picture-picture na lang kami. Hihi!

Nakakalungkot nga lang dahil merong hindi nakasama (Ate Peps, Ate Thine, Ate Kath, Mina, Eca, Chayanne) pero nandun naman si Kua Jer, Jerich at ung Barak.

Thank God for giving me true friends... they are real treasures!

Praise & Worship

Ang tagal ko nang hindi nakapag-post, madalas kasi gusto ko lang magbasa ng posts ng iba. :D

I kept this as a draft since early December and finally I was able to post this today.

When I hear the words Praise and Worship, I always have these in mind:

A Praise & Worship Leader...

Choir and back up singers...

A music band...

Dancers...
Congregation...

(photos taken last December 30, 2007 - Sunday Service by Karen Novicio)

But I was reminded of a deeper kind of worship, Worshiping Him alone. "Alone" as in mag-isa ako, nobody sees, nobody hears, nobody knows... Just between God and I.

Last December 4, I started to have my own Praise and Worship (and believe me sobrang saya! yihee!) Bigla na lang may pumapasok sa isip ko na songs at ayun...praise & worship ako mag-isa sa apartment.

I appreciate the song "Alone" by Clint Brown.

You don't need majestic choirs

and awesome voices raised

You don't need a congregation

to offer Me your praise

You don't need a mighty orchestra

to bless Me with your song

You get all of My attention

When you worship Me alone

I love to hear it when you sing your song

and worship Me alone

I'm praying that God will give me a heart of worship not just for a day or on Sundays. I want it even on my darkest times and especially when I'm alone.

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." - John 4:23