151 days to go until forever!

In this world where there’s no uncertainty with God’s amazing grace, I found hope, acceptance, healing, renewed faith, confidence, freedom, security, family, blessings and most of all true love when I met you.

I can definitely say that it is only by God’s grace that we are blessed with each other’s presence. I am eagerly looking forward to a crazy, exciting, rock and roll adventure of a lifetime with you. It is no longer I in this journey but we. May God continue to bless our relationship as we get ready for this lifelong commitment in marriage.

We have 151 days to go until forever! 😍 😍 😍 😍

George Arias & Lim Sarah Lauren
St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Cagay, Roxas City, PH
March 24, 2018

#bisayaMEETSilongga #JORHEwedsSARAH #GariaSwilltakeyouforever #nothinGSgonnastopusnow #SGAdventureofalifetime #SARAHmeant2b4GEORGE
more hashtags, means more fun hahaha 😍 😍 😍 😍

Credits
Video: BOX Films
Photo: Keru Sato
HMUA: Ana Nieva Revil Blaza

Adventure of a lifetime

October 24, 2017

Luke 12:35-38

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

Today’s gospel reminded me to:

1.) Always be ready for service –  The Lord will always call you to where he needs you to be and by saying Yes, we are allowing our own selves to be used by God to spread his message. We may doubt and be worried but we have to trust God that he calls not the qualified but he qualifies the called. He can transform us to be better and we should be available to serve, always prepared and be spiritually ready for battle because we are God’s warriors.

2.) Keep our lamps burning – We should take care of our lamps – the heart, the source of life, filled with love and our inner passion to do greater things for Him. We should purify our intentions and fill our hearts with love to keep us going and by emptying our hearts with all the negative things and distractions. As we serve, we experience a lot of trials and difficulties and the posture of our heart and intentions are tested. We should keep our lamps burning by nurturing our passion, keeping our faith and expressing/receiving love to continue the journey by never giving up and finishing the race.  

3.) Be watchful while waiting – We don’t know when our time will come but as long as we are alive we should cherish every moment. We should give our all because our God highly deserves it. We should always be ready for service and keep our lamps burning for the Lord may come at an hour we don’t expect. Let’s make ready our hearts to welcome the King!

The journey towards God is a tough one for we will not be spared from being questioned, from rejection, from pain, from insecurities and even from being stripped off anything that we have. The only thing we hold on to is the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven and the genuine love and happiness we receive after serving him fruitfully. The other blessings we receive are bonuses from Him and who are we to say no to that? Indeed God is a generous Father, he will really take care of you as long as you faithfully serve Him through his people.

I am blessed to become a part of this community and this has been God’s greatest gift and blessing to me. Ever since I started my journey in YFC way back 2005, God has given me what I thought I needed and I never realized that it was only the beginning. I came to UAE last 2011 and finally moved to SFC and how time flies very fast, I’m almost 6 years in SFC. Indeed a lot has changed and it just keeps on getting better. God has molded me to become an instrument and a channel of his love to others. I may not be his perfect disciple but I know that I am still trying to be good in my own way. I am thankful for the many blessings God has given me, my family, the community, my household, my friends, my work, my fiancé, my life, the fun adventures and everything I have. Being in YFC and SFC has been an amazing adventure and it is by God’s grace that soon we’ll move to CFC. I am more excited for God’s revelation for the next chapter of my life with George and we are 151 days away! -March 24, 2018 #SGAdventures

Thank you Lord and for that may God be praised! 

Looking back during MEC Beloved 2013

The most memorable conference - Beloved 2013 - where I planned and dreamed of what will happen and to where I want to be in 3 years time.

God's perfect time is always the best time ever. For we can never phantom the ways of the Lord. We just have to trust his will and believe in his plans for us for He will never fail us.

And then 4 years later, through the many ups and downs, God has finally heard my prayers, my every desire and my every cry. He has answered surprisingly and in his mysterious way fulfilled my dreams. Only by his love and grace that I am amazed and am truly blessed beyond measure! Indeed I am God's beloved.

And for this, I praise and thank you Lord.. ;)

Say Yes to God’s sweet invitation

Last August 4, 2017, the moment I woke up early today was a gift and blessing from God, and today being a Friday was a bonus since its day off! It was 5:50 in the morning, for some reason I still wanted to sleep more but since I was invited, I felt guilty to reject the invitation since it was not the person who invited me but our dear God who did. I quickly hurried getting ready and was even picked up from the place where I was staying. Together with me was Ate Shane, Ate Phiel, JJ and Aimee. So before going to the “retreat”, we had a heavy and big breakfast at McDonalds first then we drove to St. Mary’s Muhaisnah. Then we were brought to the place and where we were warmly welcomed by the St. Paul sisters. The place was very peaceful and calm. They even offered and prepared breakfast for us which we had for the second time. So we had a short discussion / briefing about what we will do that day and then we went to their chapel to pray.

After that, each of us had to share something about ourselves and answer the question “Who Am I?” The question made me think deep and I prayed to God for me to be honest with my answers. Before answering the question, I introduced myself. I am Sarah, from Capiz and nearly 6 years as an OFW here. I am 2nd from the 5 children. Currently planning to get married next year but I have emotional baggage that I need to clear for me to be able to face the next chapter and have a clean fresh start. We were ask to describe who we were through anything like animals or things we prefer.

So I think again and I realized I was like a dog in a cage. I am man’s best friend, I can be there whenever you need me and surely you can depend on me. Though I may not talk or complain, all my feelings are kept hidden. You can see when I’m happy through my tail and when I’m not, I will just stay at one corner, waiting for you to notice me and cheer me up when I’m down. I am loyal to my master and I treat them in my own special ways. There are times when I can run and play freely but most of the time, I am left in a cage or chained. I desire freedom, the freedom from past hurts and emotional baggage. I desire healing, openness and forgiveness. I feel that now is the best time to free myself from the cage or break the chains that prevents me from experiencing God’s ultimate grace and overflowing love. I will be going home soon and I am excited for God’s revelation and his leading for me and George. I know in my heart that this is his great plan for the both of us.

After our sharing, we wrote our journal then had a light snack and went to the chapel for it was the Holy Hour. The very thing I offered to God was not my achievements, my money or what I have or earned but for him to accept my broken and sinful self. God never left me in times when I needed him the most and he even accepted me despite and in spite what I have done and what I’ve become. Truly God does not look at our physical appearances but through our hearts.

The retreat was one way of assessing and instilling awareness on one’s purpose on earth. It was an instrument of God for us to ask questions and in return hear the answers. Attending this retreat made me realized how blessed I am to know my purpose. It is very important to discover your purpose so as to live your life fully with God’s grace. I then remember when I was younger, I dream of being able to help others. When I got to college, I dreamed of being a nurse and pursue that degree of helping the sick. When I entered the YFC community, I dreamed of being a missionary to evangelize people and bring them back to the Lord. When I came to the UAE, I dreamed of excelling in a different career to provide for my family and seek greener pastures. As I slowly matured, God allowed me to join in the SFC community where I continued to dream of leading more people to be close to God. I desire to become an inspiration and proclaim on how God has blessed and worked in my life with the experiences I have been to. Then again, God blessed me with a new dream, a partner and an answer to my ultimate purpose and realizing my deepest desire. Now I am dreaming to be a best partner, a supportive wife and soon to be a mother to our future family. With God’s blessing, I continue to dream big and trust his great plans for me.

It all started with a simple invitation, an invitation to do good or do bad, an invitation to follow or ignore and an invitation to either say Yes or No to him. We are called in many different ways and how we respond is what matters as long as it is pleasing our God. In saying your YES, it may lead you to different places where you can’t imagine, allowing you to meet different people, fulfilling various roles, pursuing or sharing Christ to others and enjoying the smooth yet sometimes rocky but worth it journey towards Heaven. I thank the Lord for continuously calling and inviting me to be part of the community, for allowing me to witness his transformation in my life, to be able to listen to his words and by following Him to where he wants to lead me. I am blessed to be invited and I in return will also invite others to discover that there’s more to life and there’s more in store for us when we accept and say Yes to God’s sweet invitation and when we do, then our life won’t and will never be the same.

For all of this, may God be praised!

 

 

The best ME for God

DM 2017 July 8

Sarah Lim – Batch 43

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

 

Reflection:
Last 2013, my previous work surprised me with a 6 months labor ban even if I finished my 2 years contract. During that time, I cried hard to my family about my situation. I had hopes to find a new job but in every interview I attend to, I always get rejected because of that ban. Still, I tried to be optimistic and continued to serve Him. Oftentimes I would ask him why did this happen and it made me struggle more just to hold on.

At that darkest time last January 2014, I met a guy at the Church while serving at the festival. He was nice and we instantly clicked. Everything went fast and I realized I started to like him and we dated. He gave me strength and I became dependent on him. He supported me, he pushed me to believe and he motivated me to find a job despite the ban. For some reasons I became overly dependent on him and I started acting childish maybe because I needed attention.
There were situations that created conflicts and that may have been the reason why he stopped. Again, I was struck with another more painful rejection. I admit I had expectations so I became depressed and I was unable to accept what happened. I had a lot of questions that I wanted to ask. There’s a big WHY? in my head and somehow I kept blaming myself. I lost hope and I was ready to give up and go home but there was one voice telling me to keep going. I convinced myself and I tried hard to pull up a strong front but I know deep inside me, I was very sad and hurting.

I never thought I would overcome that darkest time and indeed God hears our prayer. At the last minute before my visa expired, I was hired in a free zone company and my ban was lifted. Everything went well since I was able to cope up and adjust with my new work. God has given back what he has taken away with something better. I felt relieved but in my heart there’s still pain and in my head there were questions left unanswered. I was fired up to keep going and that experience changed me completely. It taught me how to be strong, to be independent and not to trust easily. It also allowed me to build walls to protect myself because I do not want to go through that pain again. 

Our God knows everything and he knew I needed help and so he sent someone to show me and reveal to me that he has greater plans for me. And so I met George. At first he reminded me of that guy but as I got to know him, he was totally different. He was patient, understanding, loving, sweet, caring, and he respected me. We became a couple though there were some struggles since we had a lot of differences. It was a challenge for us to meet halfway to make ends meet. There were times we fight and we don’t talk to each other but then we learned from our mistakes. Sometimes we argue at the smallest and senseless things but it is by the grace of God why we keep holding on to our relationship. Yes, it is not just by our love for each other but by the grace of God why we’re going strong and why we’re still together. And by next year, we’re getting married! 

Back then meeting George was God’s way of redirecting me and through him I was able to be happy and I am claiming to be healed of my past hurts. I am still in the process and I have realized that I am no longer the old me but perhaps I am the better me and will be striving to be the best me for God.

Indeed the Lord loves me despite and in spite of what I have done and what I will become and the Lord continues to remind me of the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17 saying “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

A work in progress

Date: May 3, 2017

Sharer: Sarah Lim

 

Gospel: (John 14:6-14) NIV

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

 

Reflection:

 

Last January 2017 when I was in my hometown, God has revealed 3 messages for me after hearing the Sunday mass: 1. Pick up and carry your cross; 2. Embrace your calling; 3. Stand firm in your faith.

I was then bargaining if I should go back or stay. Obviously I cannot stay because God knew I had to go and fulfill the mission he entrusted me. With a heavy and confused heart, I pondered and I asked for God’s grace to be poured out in me so I can fully accomplish what he is asking me to do. I returned to Dubai full of hope and a direction to pursue what he has called me to. Life in the Philippines is different from UAE. I somehow miss my old self when I am home unlike here where I have to be strong always and keep going.

Again this March 2017, God revealed his message through an influential person, “God is expecting you to do more things for Him.” I felt worried and doubtful if I can really do all those things that he is asking of me. When he said more, it just doesn’t mean all the good stuff, but it includes the bad to the worst things too.

God believes in me so much but before I can do all those things, I have to pause, fix my broken self and heal my heart first. I have been struggling with an emotional baggage for so long. I had several attempts to overcome it but it just doesn’t go. It is difficult to confront as most of it had long been kept hidden and suppressed in my heart and I am afraid to face it. Truly God never forces us to change but he will allow situations to happen for us to realize that we are wrong and we have to follow and trust him. Many times I have run away but God, in his greatness and goodness, keeps calling me back and giving me chances to change. This time, he is giving me a final chance and with God’s grace, I will overcome this completely.

I know God loves me so, and that is why he never stops reminding me to let go and let him take over. As he is trying to mold and prepare me, I keep on resisting, refuse to listen and act as a stubborn child. There is no other way but through Jesus as he said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” I have tried my best but now it is time for God to work his way in me.

Lord Jesus, be my guide, my inspiration and my strength. Allow my heart to be opened in accepting your healing and grace. Bless me abundantly and empower me with your Holy Spirit. Please help me to overcome this struggle so that it cannot hinder me from doing the mission you have entrusted in me. Remind me to stay focused in you as I continue this journey. And may the will and plans of God unfold in me as I face the trials along the way and look ahead for a better and brighter tomorrow. Amen.

 

Called and Empowered

This sharing was written a day after the empowerment that happened last Monday (March 27)

We had a powerful empowerment yesterday at Tita Grace’s residence at Sharjah. Everyone was surprised to see almost ¾ of the service team from SFC who attended. Before the prayer started, Tita Grace shared and exhorted about the battles we will be facing. She gave us a glimpse of what we will experience during this empowerment. The exhortation itself was empowering and somehow most of us were excited for what’s next.

We started the prayer by singing songs of praise and were praying in tongues. During the prayer, the Lord was telling me messages but it was not clear but I just felt it. Everyone in that room was moved by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Each of us prayed in tongues. There was a time when our hands were blessed with Holy water and even our bodies were sprinkled by that same water. It was a long and continuous prayer, before it ended we all surrendered and claimed the victory.

After the prayer, was the time for eating! Since it was nearly 12 MN, it’s time for us to go home since there’s work the next day. Tita Grace hugged us all individually before we left. When it was my turn, she whispered to me that: "Marami pang gustong ipagawa si Lord sayo..." English translated: “You have more things to do for the Lord”. Of course I was shocked and it was then that I realized what the Lord made me feel during the prayer. He made me remember and see both the bad and good things when serving Him like pain, frustration, struggle, doubt, worry and even joy, victory, love, fulfillment etc. He is expecting me to do more things for him before I settle down. Maybe he wants me to work for the mission and he even assured me that he will take care and lead me as we prepare for our upcoming wedding.

After that it made me think more of what I can do. I realized that I have to give my full force in serving God for he is expecting me and calling me to give more because he still needs me and who am I to say no? After all he has done and given me? I say yes for greater and bigger services for the Lord. I also realized before my services sometimes became my burden because I myself is serious enough to fulfill them. There are moments that maybe I partly enjoyed but now with all the experiences I have been through, I finally know how to handle them and I am enjoying. I am having fun because I need to feel the excitement when preparing and doing my service to Him.

Before the awaited desert camp, last Sunday I attended the meeting for KFC Family Conference. I was given a task and I just said yes because I want to give God the glory he deserve. My current service is not yet done for the Family Ties and here comes another responsibility but I know the Lord will sustain and prepare me to do what he is expecting me to do. I believe that my God is strong and faithful and I hold on to that truth. I hold on to His promises for I may fail but I know he never fails.

Sisters and brothers, I thank you for the support and love that you have for me. Thank you for being God’s instrument to me and altogether let's stand firm in the faith.

Mercy + Forgiveness = LOVE

Gospel for the day: Luke 6:36-38

36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”


Last 2015, we had our family reunion after being separated for 10 years. After new year, it was my first time to celebrate my 26th birthday and it was also the time when me and mama had a misunderstanding. I guess I was full of myself and unknowingly hurt the feelings of mama because of what I said. As a result, she pushed me away and she was angry. I never understood the reason for my actions back then and I also felt hurt about what happened. I went inside the room, confused and cried as I kept myself busy with packing my things. I never spoke to anyone but they were wondering as to why I was crying.

I had several flashbacks then about me as a child growing up and feeling unloved. I tried to think and reflect on what happened. Instead of lowering my pride and asking for forgiveness, I ignored her because I felt my day was ruined. I knew it was my fault but I was afraid to admit and say sorry to her. That night we celebrated me and my sister’s birthday and of course I did not enjoy it since I was not feeling the moment.

The next day, I was hesitant to speak to her. There was fear in me that I might be rejected or she might misunderstand me. We were separated for almost 10 years and with that gap, made us distant. It was few hours away before our flight to Manila as we will be returning to Dubai soon. I was fearful and I believed the lies in my head. We booked an early flight so we had to be at the airport and they send us off. Before leaving, we had a chance to have a small talk and I was touched that she told me: “Listen to Mama. I love you!”After that I felt sorry for what I did and I realized she still loves me even if I hurt her. What genuine and unconditional love. I left with a peaceful heart even if it was my fault.

I failed in being a good daughter. I should have reached out and ask for forgiveness but I kept my pride with me. I held on to my fear and to the lies in my head. But that fault did not measure my worth and through forgiveness, made me feel loved and important. I am thankful for the chance of being able to understand what God was trying to teach me. I have been stubborn and that was a lesson learned. Thank you Lord for giving me a loving and understanding mother who showed me what mercy and forgiveness really means.

The Gospel today tells us that as the Father is merciful, He is calling us to be like Him. As the Father forgives us of our own mistakes, we too shall forgive others in return. Most of the time, it is easier said than done. As God has called each of us, we have to follow and obey Him in all circumstances. Serving God in and out of the community is a daily struggle and it requires patience, understanding, effort and openness. Not all who surround you, are part of the community and dealing with them can be very challenging. But through the grace from God, we are able to achieve everything with mercy, forgiveness and love in our hearts, all things are and can be possible.

Fireproof your relationship

Gospel for the day: Mark 10:1-12

10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Nowadays it is very common to hear news about break-up, separation, adultery and even third party. What we see on television greatly affects the mind setting of the people watching it and tolerating it more makes it seem “normal”. We tend to forget the importance of the sacrament of matrimony that once we enter it, we can no longer get out easily because it is a sacred gift from God. There are a lot of temptations in this world, a lot of problems and trials, a lot of easy way out and we are not spared from going through these things. Above all the trends of this world, it is still our choice that is important.

Last 2008 we watched a movie entitled Fireproof, wherein a married couple (Caleb & Catherine) was experiencing marital difficulties. They were having several misunderstanding and constant arguing wherein both of them wanted a divorce.Caleb’s co-workers convince him to hold off their divorce and he asks help from his father. His father encouraged him to try the Love Dare, which is a 40-day challenge for improving marriages by changing the way a spouse is treated. At first he disagrees but later on he tried it with his wife and kept it a secret. He started the love dare half-heartedly while his wife was busy about her work at the hospital and ignoring his efforts. Catherine was starting to fall for the doctor which led her to decide in leaving their marriage. The husband works as a firefighter and during his duty while putting off the fire, he got burned and was treated to the hospital where his wife was working. There he was taken care off by the doctor who also found out that Caleb was Catherine’s husband. After that incident, Caleb continued the dare with faith that Catherine might change her mind about their divorce.

One day, Catherine discovers that her mother's medical costs have been paid anonymously and assumes it was from the doctor but it was paid by her husband. Caleb discovers their affair and confronts the doctor which he found out that he was also married and was planning to end their affair. With the grace from God, Caleb completed the love dare but never stopped in following the guidelines and his wife found out about it. Moved by the efforts and sudden change from her husband, they reconciled and renewed their vows.

What I learned from this movie was to “never leave your partner behind especially during a fire” which is also similar to not finding an easy way out when there’s an argument. Yes sometimes we find it easier to leave but it is better that we stay and face it so it gets fixed. The Lord is telling us to value our relationships more than our feelings and that we should protect it from whatever or whoever wants to destroy it. Let us learn to fireproof our relationships and try our best to please and glorify God through it.

May God be praised!

Hello 2017