How great is our God

How great is our God

Sing with me

How great is our God

And all will see

How great... How great is our God!

Name above all names

You are worth of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

Happy Silver + 1

Happy Silver plus One!!!!! Thank you Lord for the super duper many blessings that you showered upon me, my family, friends, community and those around me. Thank you for a wonderful year and for many more years in this life. Thank you for a year added to mine for me to be better, stronger, wiser and fiercer. Thank you for the unending grace and love that you never fail to make me feel. I am so blessed and loved. Truly I am God's beloved, favored, treasured, beautiful and special in His eyes. Thank you soooo very much.. Happy birthday to me. Good nytieeeee!
January 3, 2015 - Happy Silver plus One! 

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!

T.R.U.S.T.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT IN YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. 

–PROVERBS 3:5-6

T- Total surrender to God's will

MARY – (Luke 1:38).  I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word..

Mama Mary accepted, submitted and surrendered herself to God.

If you want to follow me, you must deny yourself and pick up your cross...

We give our total dependence to the will of God in all aspects of our life, in studies, in service and in relationships. We deny ourselves to the point of regarding others as more important than ourselves. 

Mary though young, humbled and submitted herself to God. Knowing that it's going to be difficult she surrendered it all to God without doubts but will total faith and trust.

R- Rest in His embrace 

David (2 Samuel 11:1-5/ 2 Samuel 12:16)

In his sinfulness and shame, He chose to repent and finds comfort from God’s forgiving embrace. He trusts the Lord and draws strength from Him.

Today, when we sin, we turn away from God, our Father. We choose evil. Then we feel unhappy and sad because we offend God who loves us so much.  We begin to see that we have been bad. But Christ wants us to repent (act of penance) and be reconciled with Him (absolution of the priest) through the sacrament of confession. Christ willed that His church should continue his work of healing and salvation. Confession is a continuing obligation of every Christian.

God wants us to repent after committing mistakes. He doesn't want us to be lost. He wants us to come to him. Imperfect as we are, we tend to run away from Him but what He wants is that we run toward Him. It's ok to commit sin but it should not always be a reason to keep doing it. We should learn to accept and correct them and even avoid committing it again. When we sin our thoughts become clouded and makes us vulnerable to different temptations. God wants us to be near Him so as to change the things we do and become better in His eyes.

U- United in His Love

Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

Jeremiah is a young prophet who was chosen by the Lord and was given the authority over the nations. Though he was young, He trusted that the love of God will bring him through wherever God leads him to.

Just like him, as young as we are, we are called to serve and become leaders in our areas. In spite of our weaknesses and rejection, we find our security, assurance and completeness in God’s love.

We are bound and united in His LOVE. That is how we are connected to one another.. God first loved us. Our next task is to give and share the love to others. And being a blessing to the lives of others is a factor. When all else fails, rest assured that God is love and He is all what we need. We can put our trust in His unfailing, unconditional and undying love. :-) A love worth fighting and dying on the cross for the sake of our sins. Thank you Lord for saving me and being nailed to the cross because you loved a sinner like me.

S- Silent in His Presence

Jesus Calms the storm (Luke 8: 22-25)

In the midst of the storm, Christ exudes inner peace. In his heart He completely trusts the Father and remained calm.

For us leaders, our members looked up to us, and they see us as role models. In any activities that we may encounter difficult times, we should keep our calmness or poise and be confident that the Lord is in control.

Being silent gives you a chance to listen more. In the silence of our hearts is where God speaks the loudest. We must listen to it and learn to understand what He is saying. Find a place where you can communicate to Him freely and be yourself before God. Only with Him can we find rest and peace. Only with Prayer and scriptures can we be secured and that we can feel His presence in us.

When faced with difficulties, learn to be silent. Learn to pray and entrust it all to God. Being silent means thinking a better strategy and asking for God's knowledge and wisdom for your actions. Smile and show them how God taught you to be, Like Christ.

T- Thankful and grateful in His faithfulness

Job (Job 1:21)

An inspiring story of Job tells us of the many trials and test of faith, and yet be thankful and grateful for God’s faithfulness and promise. In whatever situation, we see it as an opportunity to grow and an opportunity for God to prepare and mold us according to His greater will.

The greatest form of worship comes from a person who is enduring/suffering. It's never easy to praise and thank God when you're in the midst of a trial or pain. Nevertheless being able to do so makes you humble but great. It just shows how strong your faith for Him is. It is actually easy to praise and thank Him during joy and happiness without the feeling of sincerity unlike when you're during the trial. The feeling and emotions are felt and expressed to the highest level.

WORSHIPPING GOD during the trial will be the most difficult of all. It's easy to praise and glorify Him during happiness but praising Him during trials, problems, struggles and challenges is a bit hard. God wants to feel the sweetness of our prayers. God tests us to see how strong we are. He wants to see how we overcome the challenges that pass by us. He wants us to feel the pains that we are going through and assures us that it's all worth it and a reward is waiting for us on the other side..

Journey of Faith

Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

Reflected from the verse taken from John 10:31-42

The first thing that came to my mind after hearing the gospel was little faith but more of doubt. We live in a world that questions our being, our race, our religion, our morals and our good deeds. We also experience being questioned when it comes to faith and how we practice our beliefs. Some people don’t understand even if we explain it to them. We are blessed to experience freedom and to be saved from the punishment of our sins. We are not here on earth for nothing because we have a purpose to fulfill and that we are destined for greatness.

Why is it difficult to believe even after seeing the works of God?

Why really is it hard? God already worked through us and still we continue to doubt His presence? Why? Hmmmmmm.. I guess we are looking for big things to happen like a major major miracle to take place in our life similar to the Jesus feeds the 5 thousand, healing leprosy, allowing the blind to see, letting the deaf to hear, the crippled to be able to walk or when He raised the dead. When we witness those kind of events in the world we live in today, I guess it just shows how little our faith is. Our faith is easily tested in what we see. We believe in the "to see is to believe principle and that hinder us from believing in God through His simple works. Through that doubt will always overpower the little faith that we have.

Another reason would be when we are controlled by our fears that held us captive to believe the reality which is the real truth that's already in front of us. We refuse to believe because we are following the standards of this world rather than of God's based on the teachings in the Bible. We choose to please others but in reality, we can never please anybody anyway and it's only God whom we can only please.

Doubt over weighs the little faith that we have. Although we have seen still we allow questions to disrupt our thinking. We are blinded and distracted by our thoughts, by social media, by false judgment and by the things we hear around us. We have heard the words of God yet we try harder to close our hearts from listening to Him. We harden our hearts and we still choose to do what we think is right (but to others it's already unjustly). We are highly influenced with the latest trends, the gadgets, the popular things and even the immoral doings. The world is changing and satan is taking advantage of our weaknesses and he keeps on tempting us for our visions and goals to be cloudy and it gives us more worries. He's giving us reasons to doubt even if we are already praying.

The only way to defeat doubt is through our strong faith and the belief that He will answer our prayers no matter how impossible they may be. We will be tested but we should place our complete trust and total surrender to God that He will take care of everything for us. We should be deeply rooted in Him knowing that apart from Him we are nothing. We should maintain a constant prayer life and relationship with Him because that's where we'll grow as a person and where we'll learn more from. We can be ready for anything because we know God is in us and believe that He has plans for us, a future full of hope. Let's live our life purposefully and meaningfully. Let's make God happy through the works of our hands by bringing back the glory that God alone deserves! Let’s conquer this victory with our faith by being faithful to the one who is faithful and who never failed us. This journey of faith is not going to be an easy task because obstacles of doubt will always be there to challenge us but in the end it will be worth it. We will win because God is in our side. 

AMEN! PRAISE GOD!

Send me!

From Philippines to Dubai and other parts of the UAE..
Even to the countries in the Middle East..
Let me become a witness of your love..
To bring back the glory to God above...

Bring me to places I haven't been..
Show me your greatness I haven't seen..
I may not know where..
Dear Lord please take me there...

Let me conquer my doubts, worries and fears..
Assure me with your grace to smile through my tears..
May your words I boldly live and proclaim..
For I will do things joyfully in Jesus' name..

Father, please send me to where you desire me to be..
For it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me..

GOD is asking: Isaiah 6:8  “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And our response, “Here am I. Send me!”




As the Father has sent me, so I send you. -John 20:21

Magic moment with God

 

"Because every encounter with God is a magic moment to remember. "

Don’t be deceived by the word “magic”. It is what all of us think but when we talk that is related to God then it is beyond our wildest imagination.

Magic (according to merriam-webster.com) is defined as a

-a power that allows people (such as witches and wizards) to do impossible things by saying special words or performing special actions

- illusion or tricks that seem to be impossible and that are done by a performer to entertain people with special power, influence, or skill

- the use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces

- an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source

Magic is a mysterious but powerful feeling. Somehow love is connected with magic and so does a moment with God. I had a wonderful magic moment with God during the U-turn retreat at St. Mary’s Church last April 5, 2014. We had the Taize prayer and God was present in the Holy Sacrament. I closed my eyes and imagined being in His presence. I was praying and thanking Him for all of the blessings I have received, from the family, career, service, household, mission, gift of relationships, future GG and desiring to become the best version of myself. They were leading us to pray and we had songs to sing and a few chant to profess.



Every encounter with God is a magic moment! :) Worth it!
(my imagined sketch but a lot different from the actual scenario)

For God’s magic to happen, we need to recite verses, open our hearts, sing psalms, believe in our prayers, surrender to His will and entrust all our cares. When we have set aside our own selves then we can truly seek God and listen to His words. God moves and works in mysterious ways. During the prayer, I was trying to focus because I am easily distracted. I can hear noises from phones, cameras, chairs and movement of people. I closed my eyes and just kept going. Few minutes passed, we were encouraged to sit and then the majority of all followed. I kept kneeling because I felt unworthy to either sit or stand in front of the blessed sacrament. I should kneel because God deserves this. I decided to offer a simple sacrifice for everything that He has done for me. I don’t deserve all these blessings but through His grace He has given me far what I have asked and even better than I have imagined.

 

Few more minutes passed, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation on my knees. I said: “This is normal because it has been a while since I kneeled longer. I can do this.” Songs were being played and sang beautifully for us to reflect on. I kept praying and I was so distracted with what I’m seeing even if the lights were off. I looked at the sacrament then I closed my eyes, I prayed harder and I imagined God in my mind. My heart was full of gratefulness and joy that my feelings were overflowing since a lot of wonderful things happened.

 

I applied what I learned on how to deepen our prayer life. I don’t know what it was called but I tried inhaling this and exhaling that. To what I perceived it’s like doing long breaths and allowing God to enter and expelling the negative things we encounter. So basically you’re breathing but in your heart you are communicating with the mind and the rest of your body. I was like “inhale Jesus, exhale worries.. inhale Jesus, exhale concerns… inhale love, exhale hate.. inhale Jesus, exhale pain.. inhale strength, exhale weakness.. inhale forgiveness, exhale hurts.. inhale Jesus… exhale Jesus…etc..”

 

20 minutes passed and I was close to giving up. I wanted to sit because I can feel the pain on my knees. I just thought “A few more. This is nothing compared to all the pain and suffering that Jesus did for me on the cross. I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)” Temptation really knocks when you least expect it but I had to keep my word and overcome this. I kept saying after every song that I will sit but then I just said “Kaya ko pa! (I can do it!)” I kneeled a little longer and I encouraged myself to not give up. I am person who endures a lot as long as I can do it.

I continued and I kept pushing. I wanted to stop but there's something in me that says "a little more.." I kept going and after almost 35 minutes, everybody was asked to kneel. I was smiling deep within because I have conquered my doubts and I knew God was smiling at the little sacrifice I did. I can feel the numbness and pain but it was nothing compared to the joy that I felt in my heart. I have experienced a magic moment with Jesus as I stare and pray during that time. It was an extraordinary moment and the Taize experience doesn't happen everyday.

I praise and thank God for the opportunity to feel His immense love through the Blessed Sacrament. It brought me healing, forgiveness and peace. Thank you for making me feel your greatness "for heaven is here in my heart.." Lord I need you. I am sorry. I love you. Thank you so much!!!!! I am looking forward for the next encounter with you and surely it is going to be a magic moment to remember! :)

Family Skype Picture

FIRST COMPLETE FAMILY PICTURE - JANUARY 1, 2014

 

 

  I was teary eyed because I was looking forward to going home but God has something in store for me. Praise God for the social media that we were complete kahit sa SKYPE lang.. I celebrated my 3rd Simbang Gabi, 3rd Christmas, 3rd New Year, 3rd birthday, 3rd Valentines, 3rd Ash Wednesday, 3rd Holy week and nearly 3rd year in the UAE away from home (Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines).

Our last Christmas and New Year was 2004 and that was nearly 9 years ago. We were so young that time. I studied BSN last 2005 then Mama left to work in the U.S. for 8 years without going home. Papa worked in KSA and was blessed to go home and to visit Mama as well. Kevin and Carla was in High School and Vince was in elementary. We were cared for by Manang Evelyn and Joy while our parents were away. Ate Karen was working in Manila while we were in the province. I am grateful for the hard work and sacrifice that Mama and Papa has given us. Thank you for your love and for your guidance not only with mine but for the 5 of us.

We were able to finish our studies. We were able to enjoy our life without worrying because all our needs and even our wants was provided generously by Mama and Papa. We were blessed to be living in a house that protected us, with having an internet, with having several computers, latest gadgets and having allowances even if we were already finished with school. Your example is a legacy that inspired us. Your love was genuine and selfless. Hindi man namin masuklian yun but we we will try to give back because it's our time to bless you. You have done too much for me and now it's my turn. As I said before I will really try to be the best for you Mama, Papa and for our family. I am proud that you are my parents.

Imagine how the years have passed and it feels like only yesterday. We are all grown up now. We even have Kyle Lawrence Andrei Lim. We have achieved our dreams one at a time. Still we are learning and improving with our lives. We are getting better and I am happy to have this moment.

My only wish is that soon we will be complete. We will celebrate the important events of our life as one complete family. The Christmas that I long to experience. The missed events of our family namely the 25th anniversary, the 30th anniversary, the graduations that passed, the birthdays and many more to come.

I know God has prepared a great plan for us. I will never stop believing because He is a great God. He has shown how time is important in our life and soon we will have that time. I am excited and I am hopeful knowing that He hears our prayers, our desires and our dreams at the right time.

I miss you. I love you! See you all soooooon..

Thank you Lord. I am blessed beyond measure! My Family is God's greatest and gorgeous gift!  Praise God!

 

Destined for greatness

 

Hardships are there to make or break us & when we thought it's the end, we were made to bend. We will be shaken but we should continue to stand firm. We should be confident for God knows what He is doing. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. We will encounter a lot but we are never alone. God is with us in our journey of faith. He prepares us for He has a great plan ahead. Keep moving and trust Him. Never give up. Never lose hope. God is God and we are not. May His will be done.

 

You were created for an extraordinary destiny. Allow God to use you for His greater glory.

 

The greater the struggle means the bigger and sweeter the taste of glory through the victory! Be bold and strong for God is with us.

 

#journey #iamBBM

Bisita Iglesia Throwback

A throwback with one of the culture/traditions that we do during Holy week.

Bisita/Visita Iglesia for me is literally visiting the Church (as to how it is translated).  I never had an idea on how it feels like to visit several churches, to reflect and to pray more especially during Holy Week (Semana Santa). I heard about how it was done and usually people do it after Palm Sunday until Maundy Thursday. They say when it is your first time to visit the Church, you should make a wish. I remember doing it the first time with the YFC community last 2008 and I really enjoyed the trip. I learned new things and gained experiences and from then on, I loved doing it and was looking forward for the next years to come.

YFC CAPIZ 2008 - 2010 - 2011

During the year 2009, we had our Bisita Iglesia with the family and we rode the tricycle. We visited Cathedral, Mt. Carmel then Panay, Bailan, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas and we went to Estancia. It was a fun adventure with the family, though tiring it was worth it. We were able to reflect and at the same time had a bonding with each other.

Last 2010, I had the chance to organize the activity for YFC in Roxas City. I remember myself promoting it via sms and we were like 15? We were able to rent an L3 van. Ayra and my sister Carla was with us during that time. It was a great moment to remember. We started at Cathedral then Panay Church, then Bailan Church, then Hipona Church, Pontevedra Church and then Pres. Roxas Church. We had lunch at Agtalin, Pilar and we did the Stations of the Cross there. After that we went to Panit-an Church, then Loctugan church, VB Alba chapel and lastly was Mt. Carmel Church. I remember coming home and we had a family version and visited the same churches as mentioned but we also went to Carmelite church near Lawaan. No matter how busy, tiring and challenging the day has been it’s still worth it because you spent it entirely with the people closest to you.

2011 came and again we organized a trip. This time we rented 2 jeepneys since many joined us. From the previous years we were few but then God is indeed good for we have doubled our numbers and we have inspired people to come and join us. As usual we started at Cathedral then the famous Panay church, then Bailan, then Hipona, Pontevedra and Pres. Roxas. We still had our lunch at Agtalin, Pilar. After that we passed through Panit-an church, Loctugan, Cristo Redentor (Ivisan) then VB Alba and lastly was Mt. Carmel.    

I had my first Bisita Iglesia in the UAE last 2012 and it was during the peak of summer. It was very hot. We went to Jebel Ali to visit St. Joseph Church then went to Abu Dhabi which was St. Francis Church. We then head off to St. Mary's in Al Ain then we had lunch at Jabel Hafeet (don't know if right spelling) and our last stop was St. Mary's church in Dubai. It was the first time wherein I shared an experience of mine since I was new in the UAE and also in the community. We were asked to share once we picked up a verse. I felt happy since I told them the story why I was here. It was good since I get to meet new people and witness how God works even in the Middle East which is far away from our homeland.

2 years later here I am blessed and working even if it's Holy Week. I can't complain but just be thankful because I am able to practice my faith and still have the freedom to do what I want unlike others who cannot. Thank you Lord for everything! You are a great Almighty Father! Praise God for your love that never fails and never ends. I have missed what I used to do and I hope to do them again in God's time.

Have a blessed Maundy Thursday!
Deo Gloria!
4/17/2014

Holy Week 2014

Reflect because Jesus needs respect.

H- Halt! Stop of slow down.

O- Off with your worldly pleasures and concerns.

L- Listen and be silent.

Y- Yield to God.

W- Warm up your relationships.

E- Erase burdens of sin with a good, honest and humble confession.

E- Express your love.

K- Kneel down in prayer before God, say sorry and thank Him.

Stay happy, holy and healthy this Holy Week!

God bless you!

Thank you! Praise God! ;)

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations

Taken and written at Kish Island, Iran
(February 1, 2014)

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations..

There are times we get stuck in a struggle that paralyzes us to do something and perhaps move on. Yes, it's hard to face the struggles with a heavy heart knowing that you're alone and at times hopeless nor helpless. Sometimes we forget that God has been with us through the tough times. We seem to think we can do it our selves but we can't. God is always there and He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. It is because He is God and we are not. His ways are higher and better than ours. His love surpasses all things even impossible ones. He can change our sadness to an irreplaceable joy. He is the God of all great things and the only God of all human beings.

So if you're struggling right now, remember that you are in His presence. No battle that was lost for He always wins. No sorrow that he can't take away. No pain that He can't heal. No problem that He can't solve. And no struggle that He can't overcome. For as long as we hold on to Him, rest assured that we are in good hands for He has great plans. In His presence we can find peace, joy, trust, completeness, love, faith and unending hope. All we can simply do is trust Him even if it doesn't make sense. We should surrender to Him and allow His will to be done for God knows what He is doing and He never fails to work things out for us. Continue to trust and believe in Him because He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. All is well! May God be praised! Deo Gloria! :)

Birthday video from Lakes

Finally it's 12:00 AM! Happy 25! 

Blessed and proud!  

 Thank you Lord for a wonderful year added to my life! I'm a certified SILVER LADY! Thank you for a blessed family, great friends, wonderful CFC/SFC community, supportive household, extended families, endless blessings and a lot more! I claim and I know you have prepared a lot surprises for me! Thank you and Praise you Lord for all of these! :)))))))) Surely I am God's beloved! The Lord loves me so much no matter what I am going through.. Lord I'm holding on to your plans in my life. May your will be done, AMEN!

To celebrate my birthday here's my requested video by the LAKES staff of JAVN.. Taken earlier at the Lakes Club by Bro Jimmy.  Thank you! Love you!