Best of 2014

The best of 2014

Indeed, 2014 has come to an end and it feels like it just started yesterday. Time flies very fast and what we can do is just to enjoy and savor the moment until it lasts. 2014 has been a great and unique year for me with a lot of ups and downs with twists and turns and dark to light moments. 2014 just like the previous years that passed allows me to continuously improve with myself since I know I am a work in progress, a clay to be molded upon, a light to be sent out to spread with others and a jug waiting to be filled to the brim.

Today may be the last day of the year and still we have few hours left to make the most of 2014 before we welcome 2015. So now let me take this time to appreciate and say thank you to the ones who touched my life and will be touching my life for the many years to come. Thank you Lord for all the blessings, graces and love that you have showered upon me through my family, friends and the community. You are a faithful and merciful God for you have given me chances despite my sinfulness and stubbornness. Still your love remained and it keeps on getting stronger. Sorry for the times I failed you and for disobeying your commands. Allow me to continue growing and become the person you want me to be with the help of my loved ones. May your will be done in me as always as it should be.

I am excited for a new year which means a lot of new events, experiences and encounters. There are a lot of things/situations and circumstances to look forward for. I hope and pray that may I learn to love more not just in words but in deeds. I guess I’m ready for a new chapter and I know with God’s grace I’ll survive like the previous years that passed. Let’s all prepare our hearts for the plans that the Lord prepared for us. May God’s peace, hope, faith, grace, forgiveness and love be upon us all! Yipeeeeey!

Happy New Year! Happy 2015! Cheers! :)

Happy 31st!

Happy 31st Wedding Anniversary Papabels and Mamabels!!!!! I miss and love you both! Claiming for December 2015 Family Reunion  See you soon. I praise and thank God for blessing us with wonderful parents. Take care always! God bless our family.. Lablabsss.

Best wishes to you both on your anniversary! May the love that you share last your lifetime through, as you make more wonderful memories together! May your marriage be blessed with love, joy and companionship for all the years of your lives! Happy Wedding Anniversary Papa Larry and Mama Christy! From all of us: Kyle, Sarah, Iek, Caila and Vince..

Just wait Princess

A message from God

“No man will ever claim you unless he claims you from Me. For I reserved a man for you who has My heart and loves Me even more than he loves you. For I won’t give you unless he asks you form Me. He is asleep; don’t wake him. He is busy for Me... My kingdom. Soon you will know him, but I have the perfect time. You are My princess and My daughter. Let no prince claim you unless he asks you from my hand for I am Your Father and King of kings. You, my princess is worth loving for.”

It is better for a princess like you to be asleep a hundred years and be kissed and be awake by the right prince than to stay awake and be kissed hundred times by the wrong frog.

It is better to wait for years for someone you are sure of, than to grab that chance with someone who picks you up but drops you whenever he wants to.

"Place your heart in the hands of God and He will place it in the hands of a man who he believes deserves it."

Good things come to those who wait. Just wait Princess! <3

Rejected but REDIRECTED.

As I attended the Arabian Catholic Youth Conference which was a 3 day activity held at St. Joseph Church, Abu Dhabi, UAE last November 15-17, 2012 I felt the Spirit of the Lord urging me to go and experience the World Youth Day the year after. God blessed me with that conviction because He knew I needed to experience it. I was so sure that time that I needed to go. In my heart there was a longing, a space that needed to be fill, a desire and a prayer that wanted to be with God through the event. The World Youth Day is not just a gathering of Catholics but it is a time to renew our faith and also to meet the Holy Father which is our beloved Pope.

I'll pray for the grace to attend the World Youth Day in Rio, Brazil 2013! Amen!

-Sarah

I had dreams and plans for the WYD but my concern was finances and I didn't know where to get the 10K money for me to go. I know money is never an issue but standing in my shoes it is definitely a struggle. I don't earn as much because I am inexperienced and fairly new in the country. I only earn a regular salary enough for myself and for my family. I am thrifty and I was raised to be practically wise when it comes to money. I was thinking of a part time job for me to raise it but I think I wasn't capable of something. I doubted my capability and all the more I doubted God's possibility for me.

I applied the leave of 2 weeks for the WYD and it was approved. I decided to help in raising the fund. I thought of ways but I never made a move. I was stagnant yet I prayed but I lack the faith in doing something to make it happen. I guess it was hard for me to accept that I couldn't afford it. It was too late for me that's what my mind was telling me. I felt sad knowing that I promised to go there yet I failed. I'm sorry Lord that I lacked faith and that I started to drown with my doubt, fears and what ifs.

I found it hard to accept the fact that I was not capable to raise the kind of money in 6 months. I can't sacrifice the money since I know I'll need it for support and other things. I was in denial but in the end I knew God has better plan for me. With God's grace, I was able to let go of that desire slowly but surely.

In my mind, I was discerning of going home instead. I wanted to see my family and loved ones. I wanted to go home. I want to settle things and I want to take break because I am being consumed slowly and I don't want any negative change in me. I knew that I'm starting to be unhealthy – with relationships, diet, problems etc. I asked God for the wisdom behind this. It was a change of plan and I had to face it.

The desire to go was there and I didn't know how or where. I kept going and I struggled all the more when the environment was not being nice to me even if I was to them. My heart was shattered because of hurt, trial and disappointment. I felt being stepped on yet I managed to keep myself standing still on the ground and holding on to God. It was difficult to work yet I stayed positive and I tried to be kind. God knew I had to overcome this. It was when I realized I can freely express my feelings, that I had a voice and everything happened because it was my choice. God made me feel angry, sad, disappointed and it was a time that I really prayed hard. I had frequent questions to Him regarding all the why's that I had in mind. I kept reminding myself that God is merciful and just that nothing escapes Him. He will give what is just and what is right for all. I never showed anger nor revenge yet I was praying for love and kindness to envelope me. I placed my trust in Him and that He is in control of everything. Though the situations were hard on me, still I'm thankful because Christian character was bent and learned how to deal with it positively. I had ups and downs yet I managed to go through it with God's grace and healing.

A lot of changes happened. I filed a local leave from June 30 to July 30 which was approved. I had to take it or else they won't pay it. I had no plans whether I'll work part time or just stay at home. I didn't know what to do but God has something that He wants me to do. It was somewhere last May when I decided to go home and have a break. I was again tested yet I didn't doubt. This time, I was full of faith that God will carry me through and He did. What I thought was impossible before was indeed possible. I held on to His promise and I experienced His greatness. The joy and excitement of going home was priceless. I was teary eyed and very emotional that I can easily express my feelings. I was refreshed and renewed. I settled my previous relationship. I asked forgiveness and was forgiven. I shared my time with family, relatives and still, YFC. I was reminded to OBEY and WITNESS and this is a miracle that He revealed to me. I may not have been to the World Youth Day because God knew that He wanted me to be HOME instead. He gave me a better answer to my prayer and I feel so blessed to experience going home the 1^st time. I just can't believe it and I know it's real. God is so amazing! Thank you so much Lord!

Indeed, God answers our prayer with a yes or no because He knows what is best for us. It doesn't mean that He won't give it now but He's waiting for the right time to give it and sometimes it exceeds our expectation. God's no is not a rejection but a wonderful redirection. If the Lord allows it then it will be done. I may have prayed for WYD but God allowed me to fulfill my dream of going home for the first time. I was redirected to something better than I could imagine. God is a God of impossibilities and truly all things became possible for me because I believed and I had faith. Everything was made beautiful and God works in amazing ways that we cannot see but we can experience completely.

Thank you Lord. I feel so blessed and my feelings of gratefulness are overwhelming! It was unexpected and You never failed in fulfilling your promises and in fact it was "SIKSIK, LIGLIG and UMAAPAW!" The Lord's blessing upon me is immeasurable, uncontainable and overflowing! You are a great and awesome God. Thank you for making things beautiful in your perfect time and for allowing me to experience your greatness in witnessing the impossible things made possible with your love and grace, AMEN!

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES.

-Mark 9:23

Light of Jesus

Blessed to share in Miraculous Medal Chapel. Thank you! Praise God! :)

Assigned Date: December 14, 2014

Assigned Verse: John 1:6-8,19-28

Reflection Story:

John was conceived in Elizabeth’s womb though barren at an old age. He was sent by God and to testify that with the Lord nothing is impossible. John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose on earth. He baptized people, spread the good news, prepared the way for Jesus and became a witness to the light. He humbly admitted that he is unworthy and he’s not the source of light which he referred to Jesus, the Messiah.

Let me share to you a story about the little candle’s discovery in knowing its purpose. Once there was a little candle placed in a room together with other candles. The little candle felt very tiny for it has seen several candles – plain, small, tall, glittery, scented, big, multi-colored, wonderfully shaped and expensive.

The sun went down and the room began to get dark. A man came to light the little candle then he started lighting each candle and the room was filled with light. The little candle realized that all the other candles gave out the same light regardless of what they are. Few hours later, the wax started to melt. It was then that the candle realized its purpose, “to give light until it dies”.

We are the different candles who are chosen by God, called to spread the word and be witnesses of Jesus. We were created on earth for a purpose and we should fulfill God’s will/plan in us. Jesus is the source of light. He first taught us to love. He gave his life for the salvation of our sins. He is the light that brought faith, hope, peace and love to all of us. He is the match/lighter that ignites the fire in our hearts. Apart from Him, we are lost, we are nothing and we are not capable. With Him, all things are made possible. Let’s continue to give and spread the light of Jesus.

11 days to go before Christmas! Am I excited? Is my heart ready to welcome Jesus and allow Him to light my path? Will I allow myself to be a witness to the light and live my life in accordance to God’s plan? Am I ready for the challenges that await me if I choose to follow Christ no matter how difficult it may seem? Am I ready to become an Alter Christus (alternate Christ) to my neighbors?

If the answer is Yes then be excited for the Savior is coming. Strengthen your faith, pray more and be ready since greater things are yet come. If the answer is No/Maybe then you still have time to prepare yourself for the birth of Jesus. Open your heart and allow the Spirit to teach, equip and lead you to the right path.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! :)

EFG: Patience while waiting

(I got this message way back 2010 in a book titled Emails from God by Cloninger)

Not Yet (Psalm 13:2-3)

Dear Child,

Time is a strange thing. To Me, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. I’m outside of time. Time is just something I made in which you live. I entered time when I sent Jesus to earth. So I know how frustrating time can be.

But I also know what’s best for you. The only way you can learn patience is by waiting. Some people pray, “Lord, teach me patience,and teach it to me now!” That doesn’t make much sense. Learning patience takes time. I hear your prayers. Keep praying. I may give you an answer quickly but if I’m teaching you to trust Me no matter what, I may ask you to wait. If you can learn to trust ME, if you can learn to wait on My timing, I will use you to do great things. Will you trust Me?

Your Leader,
>God

31 days to 26th

A year has nearly flown by since I had a 31 days post before my 25th last 2013. So now, I can't believe that here I am doing the same before I turn 26th next year, 31 days later.

It's just overwhelming how 2014 has been a great year for me - with all the ups and downs plus the humor, heartbreak and horror.. Thank you Lord for allowing me to come this far. You have blessed me with so much that all I can say is "Thank You!"

So now, the clock is ticking. 31 days before I bid goodbye to being a silver girl. I need to prepare myself for this since I never had the chance to do the "birthday for a cause" thing which I planned last year. I hope it all goes well. Whatever it may be, I trust in you!

Lord may your will be done. Thank you so much!