Bye 2015!!

So this is goodbye to the last day of 2015.. A few more hours before 2016 starts! Thank you Lord!!!!!‪#‎iamBBM‬ ‪#‎deogloria‬ ‪#‎thankyouLord‬ ‪#‎happy‬ ‪#‎pinaSMILE‬ ‪#‎prayersANSWERED‬ ‪#‎greatGOD‬

God never fails!

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, He is ever faithful.. Our God nevers fails to fulfill the promises He made to His beloved. The big question is, do we/I fail Him? Super duper thank you Lord. Looking back a year ago during my toughest moment, you have comforted me through family, friends and household. I wouldn't have survived and witness your great plans for me. Looking forward. Holding on. Lead me Lord.

#iamBBM #deogloria #thankyouLord

#iamBBM

You may be wondering what's the meaning behind the hashtag..
I hope it makes you think what BBM means... Hmmmmm...

Here are some ideas that I am BBM could mean...

+ I am blackberry messenger... (hahaha kidding)
+ I am a busy bee in motion... (cooool!)
+ I am beautiful but mysterious... (proud woman here)
+ I am broken but moving on... (woah! so deeep)
+ I am blessed beyond measure.. (definitely)

#iamBBM means I AM BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE.
This blog (project) will contain all the blessings received (whether good or bad)..
No matter how I think about it.. God's never ending generosity surpasses all things and He blesses us beyond measurable units. Sometimes He gives us His grace abundantly that even we, feel we're unworthy to have them. God gives. God loves us. We are God's beloved. And God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.

Share the blessings by being JOYFUL, PRAYERFUL AND GRATEFUL. :)
Boldly and firmly declare that "I AM BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE!" because the God of all grace has blessed me with so much that I am overflowing in thanksgiving and praise.

Soli Deo Gloria!
#iamBBM

Miracles do happen!

Miracles do happen! (Big and small, we just fail to notice them.)

I never intended to visit the garden but with the generosity of a friend, I was able to do so! Yehey! Of course I was privileged and blessed at the same time. I became the PA for that day. PA means Personal assistant but for me it was Photographer's acquaintance. I am so thankful for the opportunity of going out and living a good life. It made me realize to enjoy life no matter how hard it's going to be. I have struggles and that is normal because I am alive. God told me to just keep living, keep dreaming and keep struggling to do what is right.

People may push and pull us but what we become is what we can prove to them. I felt better and I know life is just starting to unfold. The year just began and there are more to come. Things may have ended dramatically but God will reveal surprises to us unexpectedly. I guess it's time for me to shine and to go out of my comfort zone. I have to let go of my insecurities, fears, burdens and allow God's mercy, love, healing and blessing to envelope me.

Being in that paradise made me appreciate the small things even the details that I don't pay attention to and that's a big thing. Seeing the colorful flowers was so attractive and I want my life to be like a rainbow that's full of colors. Gone were the days that I became confused, lost, full of questions, depressed, burdened, worried, emo moments and hopelessness. I may have become weak, questioned and fallen down but God has raised me up to be strong and standing firm in the faith. God has promised that it's not going to be easy but it's definitely going to be worth it.

Lord may you bless my journey that I may keep going through the path that you want me to choose. Bless my desires, my heart and my plans. May it be in accordance to your will. May the actions that I do and the work of my hands, glorify you! Lord in your name, I trust. You are God and I am not!

Praise you Lord! Hallelujah!

Thank you for the gift of new friends! Thank you Mr. Sponsor!

Happy Valentine's day! God bless you!

Dubai Miracle Garden

(February 17, 2014)

Let it go & Let God

I have been so addicted with the song because it reflects what I am going through right now.. I haven't been verbal about the situations that are coming my way. All I know is I can verbalize inspirational and motivational posts no matter what I am going through. I don't mention something negatively. (I usually turn a bad event to a good post with learning actually..) Yes, I don't post negative occurrences but I can definitely transform it to make it challenging, inspirational and always linked to God. (That's what I am proud of.. and I guess it's therapeutic for me and for those who will see it..) That's something I have grown up doing and I hope it works..

>>>>>>>> From the song, I linked it with>>>>>>Let go and let God take over.. :)))))))))))

I experienced being afraid, being isolated, being unable to express myself freely and everybody's opinion mattered to me (which I knew was wrong..) But then I realized I need to let it all go.. All the pains, hurt, cries and all other negative emotions that I have been hiding. I wanted to have a brand new start and before the year ends I wanna leave them all in the past and learn to move on. Yes I have grudges, anger, guilty feelings and depressive moments but I surrendered it all to God. It wasn't easy and I asked for the grace of love, patience, forgiveness, acceptance, hope and more faith so that I could go on further. I needed the time to relax, to think, to plan, to communicate, to de-stress and to seek God more so that I can act fully and freely.

Indeed, God is good. I feel so soooo better now. All the tears and the aches of the past are now a memory, a mirror and a good lesson learned. I became wiser, stronger, fiercer and I feel I can fight again. Of course it won't be possible if not for God and for the support of my family and friends. The decision was not that easy because I had to give up, to admit that I was weak and that I needed help. Things may change, appearances may improve, attitudes may be developed, relationships improved and my prayer time became stronger. I will obey and witness Lord even if it doesn't make sense! Thank you Lord for preparing me, for healing me, for molding me, for making me stronger and fearless. Thank you for you always act during the right time, never early nor too late. Thank you for the never ending love, assurance, mercy, forgiveness, understanding, blessings and for all things great and good in my life. You are a great God! You make things possible. I love you Lord.

Journey during the CLP

God has great ways in making you feel extremely loved, blessed, guided, empowered, inspired, gifted, evangelized and molded.

My heart and soul was touched deeply through the service during the CLP! I realized that there's more that's in store for me than what I knew for myself. :) Throughout CLP God moved in ways I never saw and mysteriously yet wonderfully He changed and improved me. I gained confidence that I know with God's grace and with my capability, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I became more loving, sweet, expressive, caring, concerned about others and family oriented. I overcomed my fears and gained new strengths. Though I lost somethings yet I gained better things!

I am proud to be called and chosen by God. Yes I doubted and questioned at first but God embraced me and assured me of the plans He has for me. Now I am blessed for saying Yes to the service of being a Facilitator and now a Household Leader in SFC! <3

For it was because of them that I was inspired more to serve and follow God. I became true to myself and never did I pretend to them. I became open and my feelings where real. I never lied and I learned to admit my faults. They are indeed blessings from God for it was because of them that changed me and help me strive to be better and good. It was because of them that I realized the importance of the family, relationship and work. And it was because of them that my service became meaningful in SFC because it was through them that I was sharing my life with and theirs too with me. They created an impact in my heart and therefore I can say that my life will never be the same again!

Thank you to everyone, to the team, to the heads, to the new friends and especially to my Angels! You have made my 3 months CLP journey worth sacrificing for and worth remembering! :) All the sacrifices of leaving the house early and going home late, travelling almost an hour and going back, the tears, the joys and all the mixed emotions are all because I did it for my love for God, for my family, for the community and for myself.. I offer it all to you Lord that may you always be glorified! For all my achievements and for the new found talent in dancing and voice over, Thank youuuuuuuuuu! You made me conquer my fears and I gained confidence to do it.

Truly you are a great God and for everything Lord, I praise you and I thank you! I love you Lord! You are amazing and beyond compare! :))) I am ready to do your will! Have your way Jesus! For this heart belongs to You! <3 <3 <3

Journey in the UAE (2011-2013)

Think about your story and thank God for bringing you this far. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. - Psalms 150:2

Every experience is a memory worth remembering and a story worth sharing. Allow me to narrate my story on how I came to the UAE. It all started last June 2011. I was asked by my Father if I wanted to go abroad and He mentioned that there's YFC there. I thought about it and immediately I said Yes, not knowing what will happen next. I trusted God and I prepared myself because I said I'd go mission there.

I was working as a volunteer nurse that time and I was actively serving YFC in High School Based. God knows how much I loved serving YFC and I was dedicated to empower and equip the high school to become future leaders. I pushed them to go on mission while training and teaching them more about service. We had leadership training, fellowship, youth camp and household. I felt confident and calm because I know they will stand for the province and will become better leaders. God prepared my heart and strengthened me to leave without regrets knowing that I gave my all for the province and for the YFC community.

I arrived in Dubai, October 8, 2011 and I brought with me my birth certificate. Unknowing of what lies ahead I kept going on. I learned step by step on what I should do. I was guided even though I felt so lost in a foreign land. I then realized that I was prepared spiritually but not physically and mentally. I was blinded, insensitive, selfish, confused and eventually I almost gave up. I struggled and it was hard for me to overcome it. I made mistakes and have hurt a few people which then I regret doing. It was when I learned to trust and have faith in God more that I started to build myself again. I tried to stand up and motivate myself to keep going even though it means fighting over homesickness and selfish desires. God made his presence more felt and I was surrounded by love from a family who hosted my stay here. God blessed me with so much that I forgot to appreciate and be thankful for the blessings. God made me realize that I can change, I can make mistakes, I can repent, I can grow, I can be hurt and I can move on.

God has a right time and everything happened with a purpose. I had my CV ready, applied jobs online, tried walk-in and my authenticated documents arrived then I had a job at a nursery. God never left me when I needed Him the most. I wouldn't have a job without the help of my family and friends. I started working and it was where I experienced the ups and downs of life. I realized that it's hard to work with different people having unique attitudes. I felt pressured and stressed yet I was able to manage in the end. From then on, things started to change and I was getting better. God allowed me to learn through my experience that it resulted as a consequence of my actions. I then realized that I should think before I do something. I was able to adapt to the job I am in and it went well but then I felt incomplete. I searched for the community because I was spiritually dry. I was longing for the comfort of my family, brothers and sisters back home.

It was somewhere in January 2012, when I had my visa and just finished attending the Holy Eucharist that I received an invitation about an ongoing CLP for SFC. I then reflected that maybe God is calling me to go back to Him and that the CLP would be the answer. I decided to go and attend the CLP. I was welcomed and I felt at home. I made a decision to start the CLP again instead of being endorsed to a household because I wanted to refresh my memory and learn more about God through the talks. Everything was new to me and that's where I started journeying with God and with my newfound family. I finished the CLP with God's grace. 3 months later we had our covenant orientation and it was a go signal for me to start serving God.

After Covenant Orientation, I hungered for fellowship, service and worship. I started serving in Kids for Christ. It was in that ministry that I learned to be close to the children. I learned to speak, act, pray, play, learn and enjoy like a child. Now I realized that I am indeed close to the children for they have taught me to be expressive of my emotions through actions like hugging, etc. I continued serving them and eventually I grew matured and I knew I was getting better. For every service I had with them, it was an opportunity for me to learn and improve myself. All I can say was YES and I just kept going for I know the Lord will be glorified more through the service with the kids.

Finally it was nearly the end of the year. I got to complete my 1^st Simbang Gabi in the UAE, celebrated my 2^nd Christmas and New Year. Months flew like hours and before I knew it 2013 came in like a bang! Then my 24^th birthday came and I celebrated it with my SFC household! God is great! Then I became busy with a blog account and was able to manage it for 3 months but then became inactive due to demands with the schedule and lack of sources. I managed to update my blogspot for a while so I tried hard to write and post.

Activities come and go wherein you never knew that it was done. I attended the several KFC activities but the KFC desert camp was the most memorable and totally fun because the focus was with the family. Also I had the chance to attend a Mother-Daughter weekend before Mother's day. Of course the KFC monthly activity in Dubai and Jebel Ali was a great blessing to me and gave me chances to learn and improve myself.

Unexpectedly God blessed me the opportunity to go home this year. With second thoughts God pushed His will for me. I immediately planned my destination and budgeted my money. I was able to send a package with God's grace. I felt being alive and extremely happy knowing I can see my loved ones and be finally home. The feeling of going home really made me crazy and so expressive. And it was totally worth it! I felt so blessed and loved extremely that a lot of things happened according to God's plan for me.

My vacation flew like hours and now I'm back in Dubai. Said hello to new challenges and greater struggles. I felt homesick like it was the first time and I was able to get over it. I experienced the Eid holiday, Dhow Cruise and it was a time wherein I focused more on myself as I learned to stand up again. I realized my self worth, I gained confidence and I was up and ready to go out of my comfort zone to meet new friends instead of isolating myself.

Then CLP came. I was called to be a facilitator in which I doubted at first but then said yes. God moves in mysterious ways and I felt myself changing slowly. I really felt better than ever and my desire to serve Him grew stronger. I started loving and embracing the cross He entrusted to me. I know this is just the beginning and a lot of things will be happening and knowing He's with me is all I need to go on. My faith became my weapon and I felt it growing and improving to withstand any circumstances that come my way. And I know I have a great and amazing God that will never leave me at any cost.

I may have my own problems and issues yet I place my trust on God who will never gave up on me, who continuously trusts in me, who believes in my capability, who empowers me to go on, who blesses me beyond measure, who understands and hears the real me, who inspires me to serve others, who uses me as an instrument for His greater glory, who pushes me to the limits of my capacity and who loves me the most in spite and despite my flaws and imperfections.

MEC 2013 at Al Ain

Lord, thank you so much for being with me and for that I will continue to be faithful in finishing whatever you have started in me. Let your will be done. I lift up everything to You Lord knowing that you are God and I am not. I am excited for what lies ahead knowing that I am never alone for you are in me.

You are God's beloved! The Lord loves you so much no matter what you are going through! :)

.Blessed. Loved. Happy. Empowered

May God be praised!

Nov 2013   

BENDING without BREAKING

It has been 2 weeks(?) since I last posted or blogged about something.. To admit, I had struggles and I didn't have time to blog about it. For 2 weeks, I experienced the ups and downs, the tears and joy, the questions and doubts and the importance of prayer, letting go and allowing God to take over. Things have been tough on me and I always have a heart break everyday except weekends. I felt being stabbed on the chest and it's hard for me to cope up. I tried suppressing my emotions instead of repressing it. I felt the burden getting heavier and I find it hard to understand why it was happening. I felt depressed and I always held on to eating to feel the sense of comfort. I knew that something was wrong about me and it made me wonder why or how. I asked for the grace to accept the reality, to keep loving, to forgive, to continue being kind and do good to others even if they're not. I instilled to myself that I should be humble, forgiving and loving as Jesus Christ was.

Honestly, I asked a lot of question to God. I tried to ask the spirit to give me knowledge and wisdom to understand because I can't rationalize it. As the days pass by, things are getting harder and the feelings in me are almost at my peek. I felt being consumed by my emotions and I had to control myself before I do things recklessly. In my mind, I knew God was slowly bending me for Him to mold me and sharpen my character. God knew I had to strengthen my faith and he tested me to see how much I could move forward. Through that experience God showed me the power of prayer and how it changes your perspective. It didn't happen instantly yet I know God works mysteriously. Things became clear because my eyes were washed away with tears.

There's a line that pierced through me during the resurrection of Christ:

"He humbled himself therefore God raised him high"

During the third week, I noticed a change in me. The things that seemed to bother before are not that important now. I mean instead of making it as a big deal, I learned to ignore it. Instead of getting even, I decided to be humble. Instead of competing, I chose loving. Instead of complaining, I kept obeying. Instead of doing bad, I chose to do good. Instead of hurting, I chose forgiveness and healing. Instead of hating, I prefer loving. Instead of breaking, God taught me the importance of bending. I allowed God to have His way in me for I know greater things are yet to come and nothing just happens.

Praise God! Now all those experiences are nothing because God blessed me an enduring, kind, faithful, joyful, strengthened, trusting, prayerful and loving heart. I know God wants my heart to be in tune with His. I really praise and thank the Lord for all the realizations and the transformation He has done to me. No matter how hard things in life may seem just keep bending but not breaking. And now I can truly say that I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, hurt yet healed and being bent without breaking.

"God wants me to be flexible like a bamboo, to keep bending without breaking!"

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Thank you and Praise God!

God bless! :)