It's Hard...

There are times that you can't continue with what you're doing no matter how good and pure your intensions are. Maybe because it's not the perfect time or somebody else must be doing it and it's not supposed to be you.

Alone...

Few days ago, one of our lovebirds died...si Pipoy, mag-isa na lang si Pipay ngayon...

Today, mag-isa lang din ako sa bahay since my mom and younger siblings are in Tagaytay. Eventually baka magtransfer na rin kami dun from Dasma.

Though i'm with my friends, still I know I'm alone. I don't really feel like I'm kawawa...

This is just a point when God teaches me to stand on my own...
-make decisions without consulting somebody
-not be dependent on anyone

just alone...

"Garfield"

....crying times with the Lord...

mukha na naman akong isda...


pero nung makita ako ng boardmate ko, may iba na syang tawag sakin...

"GARFIELD!!!"

New Book :D

God has blessed me with another book. Actually few months ago na 'to...hehehe

Thank you Lord for your blessing. I could still remember, kasama ko si Kua JB and Mae pati si Joi sa PCBS nung nakita ko 'to. I laid my hands on this book and prayed, "Lord I want this and You know I need it..."

Ayun, after two days nabili ko na sya sponsored by my parents. 1 copy na lang to... amazing!

Greater Things for the Philippines

Year 2009, What's in store for our country? No one knows...

I just wanna share these data I got from the news.

> For every 10 Filipinos, 7 say there is still hope in the Philippines.
> 54% says they would still choose to stay in our country even if they'll get the chance to migrate abroad.
> Sociologists say that our faith in God plays an important part for the country's progress.
- Source: Pulse Asia, 2008

I believe that God won't allow us to pray hard for something over a long period of time if He's not determined to answer it. I encourage those who faithfully prays for our country. God hears our prayers. Let's just remain faithful.

I love this song which a co-worker shared to me...




God of This City
Chris Tomlin

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of these nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things
Have yet to come
And greater things
Are still to be done in this city

For greater things
Have yet to come
And greater things
Are still to be done here

God can do great and miraculous things in our nation! Let's believe!

Answered Prayer :D

I failed to update my blog for the past month for some reasons... at namiss ko talaga lalo na ang blog hopping. I will try my best to recall kung ano yung mga nangyari during those time so I can post it here... sa aking "modern diary."

August 14. I went to Manila, as far as I could remember... unintentionally, I went to Philippine Bible Society (PBS) along United Nations Ave. Nakakabless lang, I bought a Bible at a discounted price care of Ate Vicky. Naaalala ko pa nung minsang magkita kami ni Ate Weena sa PCBS-SM Pala Pala, we were both praying for a Bible since we have given ours to people na alam naming kailangan un. hehehe. :D



Investment nga talaga ang Bible... I hope and pray that I will love God's Words all the more... Thank You po Lord!!!

Period ( . )

I said good-bye to elementary teaching last Friday, August 29, 2008. I resigned due some personal reasons. Now, no more....

> lesson plans
> examinations
> topic outlines
> class records
> textbooks
> teacher's manuals
> school memos
> classes
> school discussions

What's sad about this is that I will no longer have time to bond with my students. I could still remember how my advisory class cried before I leave, and how they prepared cards and letters. (Medyo nakakataba ng puso at nakakalungkot at the same time). Sa decision na aking ginawa, I believe they were the ones who were greatly affected... though may teacher naman na nag-take over right away.

I won't forget those times na nakikipagkulitan ako sa mga bata. 'Di kasi ako mahilig sa kids since I have younger siblings (at parang nagsawa na...), but through them, I learned to appreciate children. They are so honest (to the point na nakaka-offend na minsan ang mga sinasabi..hahaha!), so pure, cheerful and giving, nakakabless. I pray that I'll meet them again someday.

When it comes to teaching... will it be a "period" Lord?

Hectic...

Sobrang dami ng work na nakaline-up sakin...hai.

School Work:
- checking of students' project
- grading sheet
- student evaluation
- updating of lesson plan
- preparing quizzes
- Linggo ng Wika presentation (advisory class)
- topic outline for second grading

Iba pa yung sa bahay at ministry...

"Lord, please strengthen me.. help me to finish everything. Thank You po."

Childish Prayer

It was the first day of our periodical exams. Nakakatuwa... dati ako lang ang nagtatake ng exam, pero ngayon ako na ang gumagawa, nagpapatake at nagbabantay sa mga students.hihi!

Before we start the second exam (second subject) my advisory class (specifically the girls) knelt down and prayed. Their prayer goes like this:

"Heavenly Father, sana po matanggal na ang malaking pimple ni teacher sa nose. Please remind her na 'wag na kumain ng shrimp para 'di na sya magkaroon ulit ng malaking pimple. Saka sana po 'wag na syang magka-asthma at wag na sya a-absent...

Tapos biglang may pahabol ung isa....

...tsaka sana po may magkagusto na kay teacher para magkaboyfriend na sya. Amen."

Hahaha! Natawa talaga ako lalo dun sa last part. I can't imagine that at a very young age mas naiisip pa nila yung ganong bagay than I do. pambihira! Anyway, I appreciate their simple but sincere prayer (lalo na ung sa pimple... ang laki kasi talaga!).

Nakakatuwang isipin kung ga'no ka-sweet ang prayer ng mga bata sa ears ni Lord. :D

Confession

I was doing the periodical examinations of my students when I encountered this wonderful poem. Share ko lang... it's very humbling. :D

Confession
Francis Ridley Havergel

Last night, my little boy confessed to me
Some childish wrong;
And kneeling at my knee
He prayed with tears –
“Dear God, make me a man
Like Daddy— wise and strong.
I know You can.”

Then while he slept,
I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins,
And prayed with low-bowed head,
“O God, make me a child
Like my child here –
Pure, guileless,
Trusting Thee with faith sincere.”

Life Seasons

Below are pictures of the same place in different seasons (which I received from Ate Gil via email :D).

These photos reminded me of Joshua Harris' words in his book, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye."

"Each of the seasons of our lives has a different emphasis,

focus, and beauty. One is not better than another;

each season yields its own unique treasures.

We cannot skip ahead to experience the riches of another life season.

Each season builds on the one before it."

We might be in a season that seems to be difficult but anyhow, one is thing is for sure...through the seasons that change, God's love remain...

I had a dream...

Last night, I had a dream that was very meaningful...

I walked with Charm (my co-leader in the ministry) and crossed a road (na parang may center island) going to a dark place. I couldn't remember other details but I could clearly recall that there were men who wanted to hurt us. Napahiga na nga kami sa kalsada sa kaiiwas sa kanila. After a while, we were cornered and there's no way to escape. One man, na parang distorted ang itsura, tried to hit us with a hammer (a bigger one, na parang old model), we embraced each other tightly. Suddenly a transparent shield covered us, so hindi nya kami nasaktan.

I felt like crying when I woke up this morning. Sobrang nabless ako sa protection ni Lord. Even if that's just a dream, I strongly believe that God does protect us even more in reality. Thank You so much Lord... You are our Defender and Refuge!

The Right Approach

It is very true that God knows what we need. That's the reason why everytime I read His Words and pray or go to church on Sundays, I always ask God to give me an expectant heart. I know that the Sovereign God will speak to me, may it be a rebuke or an encouragement and so on. Yesterday, I just received a word from Him instructing me on how to face my problems, my Goliath.

The Right Approach in Facing Your Goliath

Text: 1 Samuel 17:37-40

1. Be Yourself. I don't need to pretend to be somebody else.
2. Use your talent. God has given me a full package of talent (this is somehow related to our team's devotion last Saturday) starting from planning, which means intelligence, up to execution, meaning skill and ability. (Exodus 35:30-35)
3. Use your faith. Indeed, believers live by faith and not by sight.

These words from the Lord strengthened my weak and tired soul. Thank you so much Lord!

Gurong Estudyante

Mahirap maging estudyante...
- maraming assignments, projects
- nosebleed sa examinations
- may mga demanding na professors na tipong feeling nila yun lang ang subject mo kung maghain ng requirements
- mahirap magbudget ng allowance lalo na kung may biglaang photocopies and handouts na dapat bayaran

Mahirap ding maging guro...
- kailangang magprepare ng lesson plan everyday or for the whole week
- kailangang mahaba ang pasensya sa mga batang makukulit
- bawal ang mapikon
- masakit sa lalamunan ang magdiscuss ng magdiscuss
- mahirap sagutin ang ilang tanong ng students, dapat laging prepared sa pagsagot ng possible questions nila
- dapat iba ibang approach ang gagawin sa pagtuturo since mahirap hulihin ang attention ng bata at madali silang mabore (it's a must to squeeze out your creative juices)

pero higit pa lang mahirap kapag pareho kang estudyante at guro...
- dapat i-budget ng maigi ang oras
- madalas 3-4 hours lang ang tulog lalo na 'pag weekdays
- dapat maging handa sa pagbabago ng appearance (up to 3 layers ang eyebags, papayat, etc)
- medyo mahirap ang shifting ng status, sa umaga teacher mode, sa gabi student mode
- gumagawa ng ipapa-assignment sa mga tinuturuan at gumagawa ng ipina-assignment ng professor

Gayunpaman, ang kalakasan ay nasa Panginoon. 'Di Nya tayo bibigyan ng kahit ano mang higit sa kaya nating pasanin. :D

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Y.A. Camp 2008

This was my first time to join a camp (sa church). I was recharged. I learned new things. I was reminded... and I realized a few things.

I love the place. Malaki ang alon kaya pala maraming surfers dun..hehe.

Below are some pictures (saka ko na idadagdag ang iba pa...):

Ma'am Edith's Birthday

Kain to the max na naman kami sa office, it's Ms. Edith's golden birthday. Ang laman ng plate ko...



...Yang chow, sweet and sour fish, steamed vegetables with sauce (I don't know how to call it), chicken, pancit canton. For dessert, double dutch ice cream, mega mocca crunch ice cream and double dutch cake of Red Ribbon. :D

More birthdays to come Ma'am! May God bless you even more!

Napansin ko lang...

Nakakalungkot pa lang maghugas ng plato 'pag bareta ang gamit mo at hindi dish washing liquid, lalo na 'pag nasanay kang yun ang gamit mo...

I Missed Cooking!

'Pag nasa bahay ako, pagluluto ang madalas kong ginagawa. Since I'm at work on weekdays and in church on weekends, wala na 'kong time para makapagluto pa. Kaya naman sobrang natuwa ako nung makapagluto ako ulit last weekend.

• Saturday. Ginisang Manok sa sayote (I don't know how should I call it)
• Sunday. Pork Sinigang
• Monday (holiday). Chicken Afritada and for merienda, Champorado and tuyo. :)

na-realize ko lang, namimiss ko nang magluto...

Joyful Toons by Mike Waters

- I received this email last week. Nakakabless lang... Indeed, we can use everything for God's glory. :)

7 Practices of the Effective Woman

- a repost taken from Ate Gil's page.

1. She rises early
2. She maintains the spiritual disciplines
3. She focuses on relational priorities for every season
4. She sets up regular times for planning
5. She develops an effective to-do list system and calendar/planner system
6. She establishes an efficient routine for managing her home
7. She organizes her house systematically