Cheerdancing for Christ

Cheerdancers from SFC Dubai last November 14, 2014 at UAE University, Al Ain!

"I never thought I could do it but because God was with me, I did it!"

Being a part of the creative ministry is a big fulfillment for me. Never did I know that I was capable of doing something simple yet achieving great results. Dancing has been my weakness ever since and somehow I need to face my fear and conquer it. As the passage say in Philippians 4:13 states "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Never did God failed me and look to where He has brought me? Because I said Yes, He removed all my fears, insecurities and doubts away. 

Looking back, 3 weeks ago, upon hearing about the cheerdance for CFC Sportsfest, I was hesitant and somehow shy because I know that I'm not a dancer. I would reason out stating "I prefer to draw..blah blah.." and would say "Bear with me. I'm having a hard time because I'm left handed....." I actually joined last March and somehow I wanted to try it out for the second time. So because I was in a crisis and I needed to change my ways, I made a decision to join for me to regain my old self and somehow become better. Hopefully.

Honestly speaking for the past months I have been so lazy and selfish that I lost proper time management, self discipline and my self worth degraded. I wasn't productive anymore, I lost confidence, I was a bit depressed and I indulge myself with food cravings, wattpad reading also anime/drama/movie addictions. I admit I was a total mess and I needed to stand up on my own and regain what I loss. It was a personal battle that I need to win. I know and I learned to cling on to God. The week before practice I was making changes little by little.

When the practice started, things, circumstances and my perspective started to change. I praise and thank God for His grace for without it, I'm nothing and not capable of anything. Two weeks of sleepless nights, hard work, lengthy patience, frequent practice, self discipline, memorization of steps, getting along with co-dancers and brain processing was torture at first but then became a daily routine for me. As the day passes I was able to appreciate and somehow perform the steps if not perfectly then correctly. 

As we journeyed together, the fruits of our labor started to flourish and indeed it was generously paid by blessings, gratitude, loud cheers, encouragement, fun, genuine laughter, friendship and deep within us, self fulfillment. We know deep in our hearts that God was glorified with our performance and to Him we humbly offer ourselves for His great glory. Thank you Lord. Thank you dance instructors. Thank you co-dancers. Thank you family, friends, household and supporters. Thank you so much. May God be praised. :)

What I would tell to my weak old self…

We often face challenges that bring us to our knees but rest assured that we are in the best position to pray. We may be troubled, worried, anxious, questioned, put to the test, lost and tempted so this leads us to become weak, helpless and sometimes hopeless. It's hard to overcome a struggle when you feel like there's no hope. You may feel mixed emotions, have doubts, incapable, impossible and you think there's no other way out. It is only in God's hand where we can feel at peace, full of hope and unlimited love. We can always run to God for help, for guidance, for strength, for mercy, for forgiveness and for trust. We stumble and fall but God is there to carry us through it all.

Here's something I want to tell my old weak self especially in times when it doesn't make sense or when times get rough.

Hold on, Trust God.. Cry hard, Smile harder.. Let go, Move on.. Surrender, Pray hardest! Be strong, God is in control!

>>>>> Hold on, Trust God.

I know you're in a very tough situation but remember that God always has a plan for you. It is a plan so great that you won't realize it now but soon you will. Keep holding on to His promises for they are sure like the sunrise. Hold on to Him by placing all your cares or worries upon Him. Do not worry nor be afraid for He knows what He is doing. Submit to Him and surrender for it will be the fulfillment of His plan for you! Place your hope and trust in Him. All is well. Everything will be alright. Just hold on and trust God!

>>>>> Cry hard but Smile harder.

Crying is a therapeutic act that cleanses our soul and sets us free from whatever that is bothering us. There's a saying: "Our visions become clear when our eyes have been washed away with tears." Crying may not be the solution to a certain problem but it can release you from carrying the burden. Crying is not a sign of weakness but a strength wherein you cry out to the One Most High and allowing His will be done in your life. Never be afraid to cry and to admit that you are weak for in that way, you are allowing God to be your strength for you to face your struggle and to heal you of your brokenness. And when you have cried it all out then learn to smile for you to leap an extra mile. Show your sweetest smile and make them wonder why. Remember, it's ok to cry hard but after that just smile harder!

>>>>> Let go, Move on.

Learn to let go, allow God to take over then move on. It's called a struggle that you overcome not a struggle that you dwell on. Learn to let go of all your worries, fears, past experiences, problems and concerns. You don't need to carry all of those emotional baggages. Surrender it to God and let His grace take over whatever it is that you're going through. Allow His will to be done. You can feel the hurts, the pain, the aches and the struggle but you can never stay there. You have to move on for God has a lot of things in store for you. Focus and know your goal. When it doesn't make sense, just let it go and move on!

>>>>> Surrender and Pray hardest!

Surrendering to God is not a weakness but the greatest strength for you are submitting to Him, the God of all Grace! They say that the one who kneels in prayer can withstand anything. We are nothing without God and praying to Him is asking for His knowledge, wisdom, discernment, gifts and teaching. Praying is everything. It is a complete package wherein we can express freely our self without the effort of pleasing Him because He accepts us for what we are. Praying helps us overcome our struggle and it strengthens our faith in God.  Imagine your day without prayer and you'll realize that it is not complete. Continue to talk because God listens and He tells us to just ASK (Ask, Seek and Knock). Let us be firm in the faith, ready to surrender our own self and give time to pray hardest. God deserves our best!  

>>>>> Be strong for God is in control!

I know the situation is tough but rest assured that God is always in control of everything. Be strong and fight the good fight of faith! For sure God will deliver you from the experience that you have. He won't leave you because He knows you need Him now. Allow God to embrace you in your lowest time, allow His grace to complete you, allow His mercy to be felt, allow His forgiveness to move you, allow His love to inspire you and allow His will to be done through you. It's not an easy task but it's worth it. Learn to sacrifice your desires for His greater glory and He will reveal His plans at the right time. Be faithful and hopeful! Everything will be alright! Be still and know that He is God and we are not. Continue to be strong for God is in control!

Prayer: Lord please continue to do amazing things in my life. I know they are blessings in disguise. I don't know where you may lead me but I trust your plan for me. Help me and provide for me Lord. Strengthen me more that I may face all challenges and struggles that are coming my way. Lord I surrender myself to you. I know you will fight for me. I claim victory over these struggles. May your will be done. Deo Gloria! Deo Gracias! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

So how about you?

What will you tell to your old weak self?

Miracle Garden escapade

Extended birthday celebration at the famous "Dubai Miracle Garden".. I guess they named it Miracle garden because it is a miracle to plant and nourish flowers/trees/grass in the desert where there's scarcity with water and limited or sometimes no rain... :) It's amazing how God works in the lives of the people with creative minds, ideas and hands to be able to make a great art/scenery such as these! So cool and it will make you say "WOW"! I wonder how it took them to build, recreate, design and maintain it. :) So lovely and it only opens during winter wherein it's cold. Some of the flowers are starting to wither and better go there to witness and see God's wonderful creation! :) Don't wait til it's too late!

Thank you Lord! Thank you so much! <3 :)

Happy and Blessed! Thank you Tita Belle, Tito Danny, Paolo and Kiko! :)

1st year as CFC Singles for Christ

Today, April 27, 2013 marks another milestone in my life that I am blessed and grateful for. I never regretted it and I am happy that I choose to accept and be a part of it. Today is a gift that I really cherish and remembering the memories of last year brings me joy. At first it was never easy and after all it was worth all the struggle and God willingly rewarded me beyond what I imagined. After years of waiting, praying, longing and anticipating of moving on to the next chapter of my life and leaving my comfort zone which was in CFC Youth for Christ, I finally decided to crossover to CFC SFC. God prepared my heart and my maturity for me to let go and to accept where He wants me to be.

Today, I am celebrating my first year officially as a member of CFC Singles for Christ. Thank you Lord! Praise God!

I entered the CFC SFC community last January 2012. We had 13 talks for the CLP (Christian Life Program) and we ended last April 2012. I met a lot of good and inspiring people that inspired me to also inspire others and served as a guide. God answered my prayer because I was seeking Him and I was longing for a family to belong in Dubai. Being away from your loved ones is a struggle that we always try to overcome and I have found them here. I would never imagine that I have reached this far. God is so amazing and no words can describe how wonderfully He has molded, guided and led me to a life that's full of purpose and blessed me with a household, with friends and a family in the community. The SFC community opened doors of opportunities for me to serve, to grow, to improve, to be better and more lessons to learn. It made my life complete and worth living.

Blessed by God. Gifted with Loved.

I am grateful for God blessed me with a Household head who’s ever supportive, loving, caring and forgiving, my Nanay este Mudra Annie and to my special sisters in crime este sisters at heart, Ate Lhen, Ate Phet, Ate Kath and adopted sister Ate Ann hehehe.. Thank you for your understanding, love and patience. I love and miss you big time! God knows how blessed and thankful I am for knowing you and for uniting us as one household! Looking forward to serve with you and be with you during activities!!!

Cheers to the 1^st Anniversary in CFC Singles for Christ! Praying for many more joyful memories and endless heart to serve a great God and somehow be a full-pledged missionary in God's time and if God permits.

Lord thank you so much for everything! Everything I am now is all thanks to your grace and divine providence. May I be a source of forgiveness, joy, hope, love, peace, humility, unity and faith to your people. Use me Lord as an instrument to inspire, to bless, to witness and to proclaim your greatness throughout the ends of the earth. Teach me your ways Lord and make me your servant. Please have your way in me. Let your will be done. All of these I ask in Jesus' name and through the intercession of Mother Mary, Amen!!  

And for this, may God be praised! :)) Hallelujah!!!!

Earth hour 2013

 

A picture I took at the rooftop at about 8:35 pm.. As you can see the Lulu hypermarket at Barsha 1, Dubai supported the Earth hour by switching off some of their lights. Thank you for the awareness. Let's make a move to do our part. Take a stand! Show your concern because we only have ONE EARTH! #EARTH HOUR #barsha #ONE EARTH #GREENERATION

OBEY & WITNESS!!!