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! :)

Saying YES to the LORD is a LIFELONG JOURNEY with the ALMIGHTY

Saying YES to the LORD is a LIFELONG JOURNEY with the ALMIGHTY. <3

May 5, 2012 at 12:54am

Saying YES to the Lord is a lifelong journey – It has become a great and long travel..
It has taken me to places that I never dreamed of going but because of His abundant and overflowing grace I was able to go..

I just want to share to you my experience and how Christ's love has transformed me to the person I am now… New, improved and better than ever.

MY JOURNEY IS NOT AN ORDINARY JOURNEY BUT AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY WITH THE ALMIGHTY

* When I was offered by my parents to take up NURSING (APRIL 2005).. At first I didn't have the passion to serve my brothers and sisters but God made me understand to let them feel and experience His grace and love for everyone.. especially to those who are ill and suffering.. I thought that it wasn't for me but God slowly revealed His purpose and plan for me. I am forever thankful that He transformed me to be a Christ centered and God fearing Nurse.

* Accepted and committing to become a member of the CFC Youth for Christ way back July 2005.

* When asked to go to far places to serve God – I just say YES LORD! I WILL GO!

* Grabbing an opportunity for spiritual growth and maturity by attending camps, trainings, kasangga retreats, recollection, conferences, etc.

* Embracing the calling to serve the HIGH SCHOOL BASE PROGRAM despite the busy schedules, incapability, unworthiness and other priorities.

* Moving towards CFC Singles for Christ (JULY 2009)

* YES. Been blessed by the Lord to have a GOD'S GIFT.

* Leaving my hometown to work in MANILA after ILC BAGUIO (APRIL-DEC 2010)

* Supporting a project (TOUCH A HEART I & II)

* Working in a hospital as a volunteer nurse for 4-5 months.

* When asked by my Father to go to DUBAI because there's YFC there, I immediately said YES. YES TO GO ON A MISSION.

* Letting go and letting God to take over – I still manage to say YES no matter how difficult it is..

* YES to staying here rather than going home.. I faced a major major decision and even asked God whether I should stay or go home. Happy because God made me realized how blessed I am to be here unlike others who are dying to come and work here. I was very lucky to be taken cared of here and received such special treatment so why should I go home? I have the opportunity and God made me realize that I shouldn't waste it. He assures me I will be safe and that all is well!

* YES to SIMBANG GABI at ST. MARY'S CHURCH, DUBAI (just missed the 1st mass though) YEAAAAH I SURVIVED IT.

* YES to leaving it all in the past and moving on to the present and hoping the best for the future.. I had experiences and made wrong decisions to lead to fights and even hurts. I am a work in progress. I realized it's ok to make mistakes as long as you make an effort to change and learn from those experiences and grow as a better person.

* YES to accepting a JOB. So blessed to have one. God hears our prayers.

* YES for a great new beginning. Starting to heal and accept myself. Being able to forgive and been forgiven. Started the year right. Just turned 23 and God revealed so much to me. He wants me to be prepared to receive all the graces and even challenges that's coming my way.

* YES to being transferred to a different branch of the NURSERY thus meeting new people to work with and even kids to take care of. In short, a new environment.

* YES to LOVE, TAKE RISKS  and GET HURT AGAIN. I learned to forgive, let God and let go.. He will forever be my Almighty.

* YES to attend the CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM of CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST rather than being endorsed or integrated. I choose the hard way hahaha I endured months of traveling and attending the activity. I met new friends and my spirit was renewed and my faith strengthened. Thank God I survived and now I am an SFC member!! It's all worth it.

* SAYING YES TO REAL LOVE WAITS. There's joy in waiting. I know He is molding me for the person He has prepared for me.

* YES to going on a MISSION and a HIGHER CALLING. ALL FOR GOD!

* YES to healthy living, eating right, going to the gym and lose weight hahaha I gained 10 kgs and it is difficult for me to move. YEAH I am lazy and getting old.. I decided that it is time for a change. HAHA HIYANG NA HIYANG SA DUBAI EH! I'm going to do it because God knows I can hehe and I surely will.

* Saying YES to endurance in life and endurance in MISSION.

* I WILL SAY YES to PROCLAIM THE GREATNESS AND GOODNESS OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY!!!!!

THE REST IS HISTORY…. (THOSE MENTIONED ARE THE IMPORTANT EVENTS that CAUSED A BIG IMPACT IN MY LIFE THAT GREATLY INFLUENCED ME TO MOTIVATE AND CHANGE MYSELF)

SAYING YES MEANS:
- Committing one's self to the Lord
- Accepting His will, purpose and plan for your life..
- Being equipped to battle whatever hindrances that comes your way
- Preparing one's self to experience God's ultimate grace, mercy and love
- Allowing for struggles, hindrances, disappointments, pains, sufferings to test your faith and overcoming them.. all for the glory of the Lord
- Embracing and loving the changes in one's life
- Being confident on the Lord's divine providence
- Holding on and focusing to the promises of the Lord
- Making a move that's one step closer to God's calling in leading His people..
- Forgetting our circumstances
- Laying our unworthiness down..
- Denying our self, picking our own cross and following Jesus..
- Putting our hope in the Lord…
- Loving the Lord and therefore loving His people..
- Strengthening one's faith
- A great and memorable experience with the Almighty

When we say yes to Him it means that we will be having a lifelong commitment to Him.. Despite the trials and struggle, I still try to say YES to HIM…

In following the Lord, we only have two choices: YES LORD or OH YES YES LORD!!!!

If I hadn't said YES to the calling of the Lord then I wouldn't be here experiencing His Almighty grace in my life… Because SAYING YES has LEAD me to the UAE…

How about you? Where has your YES led you? SHARE!!!!!!!!!!

----> Inspired by the talks/session from the CFC YFC 19th ILC at AKLAN, PHILIPPINES last APRIL 12-15, 2012 :)) Proud ONLINE DELEGATE! Thank you! Praise God!

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