sooo gratefully glad! =)

I was never wrong when I decided to put my trust in God. Indeed, He always proved to be soooo faithful and true to His promises! Today, I am overflowing with gladness because He has heard my prayer, even the faintest ones, and never gets impatient, even when I become so "makulit" and bother Him as often as I could. :) It may not sound big for others, but for me, it's one of the best things ever!

From the deepest part of me...To my Dear Lord, Loving Dad, Best Friend, Comforter, Strength, Provider and sooo much more, I am truly thankful, beyond words could ever express!!! I love you, Lord! muaaahhhh!!!!


(",)

G7 Youth Retreat

August 19-20
Event: 1st Youth Retreat in preparation for G7
Hosted by: Word International Ministries - Alabang
Participated by: 150 dedicated young people (from as far north as Tarlac to down south as Bicol)


As promised, here's my post about our recently concluded Youth Retreat. We only had about 2 weeks preparation for this event but God once again proved Himself faithful. Everything went smooth and everybody had fun and went home definitely refreshed!

I would just like to highlight my most considered memorable moments:

Registration

I don't know what happened to my co-core group members. I arrived at the venue 15 minutes before the call time since I'm part of the Registration committee. The guys and gals from Manila and Binangonan were already there (early birds!) It's such a joy to see my bro's and sistahs from Manila. I felt like a celebrity upon entering the room. hahaha! They've probably missed me that much. I surely missed them too. I kinda feel old though, seeing my previous sunday school students now part of the Youth ministry. whew! how time flies! :D

I texted the other members of the Reg committee and apparently, they are still on their way. hmmm... so I'm a one-man-team until they arrived at almost 5pm. Good thing, Jaja, Paul and Dang volunteered to help me handle the registration. Love you guys! You're the best! :D Jaja even helped me with the logistics and treasury. Thanks sis! ;)

Logistics/Treasurer/Marshall role

Had to be responisble for the head count of the delegates of each church. Food distribution was automatically part of this task as well. Also handled the retreat fee. waah! This really made me quite nervous. I had to bring the collected money wherever I go. Additional task of being a marshall was called for by Pastor Super. It's such a tough job to handle the security of these young people. Good thing, they've never been a problem to us. They love the Lord that much. :)

Bedtime/Bonding moments

The girls all slept in one big room. While the guys took their place at the sanctuary. Since there were a lot of us and quite a few shower rooms only, I was one of those who took a bath at 1 in the morning! :D cool! Quite tired for our 1st day events, I slept with my hair still damp.

Though busy with the tasks assigned on me, I'm glad to still have several time to bond, chat and laugh with the rest of the young people while eating, playing, during devotions, while taking the VTRs, and even at bedtime. It was so much fun! :)

Altar Call/Annointing

This was actually not in the programme we have set. But Pastor Super felt the Holy Spirit leading him to do this after the talk he gave. He called for us, the core group members to come in front. All the while, I thought he would annoint each of us with oil. But instead of laying his hand on our heads, he asked us to open our palms, then he poured oil on them.

I didn't know what that meant at first, then it suddenly hit me. He wanted us to be the one to annoint each youth present there, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Oh my! I couldn't believe he just asked us to do that. Honestly, I didn't think I'm worthy to take such responsibility. But as I lifted my hand to the Lord, while tears endlessly ran down my face, I surrendered all that I am to Him and asked Him to use me in whatever way He pleases. How amazing it was, that I felt His love just covering every part of me. I know it was the same love that He poured on me, which I gave to every young person, as I lay my hand and prayed for each of them.

I can't describe how I felt as I was praying for the young people. Words of blessing and annointing just seem to flow automatically from my lips. Whenever I open my eyes, I would see that young person I'm praying for sobbing hardly, hands raised as a gesture of complete surrender to God.

I thank the Lord for using me at that moment. It was definitely an experience that I shall never forget.


Pictures! Pictures! :)

Special thanks to Dan for dropping by just to give me copy of these photos. Thanks bro! :) So here, take a peek at some of our captured retreat moments... enjoy! :D

Registration starts here :)

the cool core group =)

praise and worship time led by Alabang Youth

welcoming each one - i'm with ate olive, meyor & jowee

"Seryoso muna tayo..."

Ela and her small group

it's Pastor Mark talking...

Dan and his cheerful small group members =)

Seryoso talaga sina kuya Pete :D

teacher Jaja and her attentive group

the Imus guys led by Jason

the twin brothers and choreographers Joel and Jez with the dancers group

Director Pastor Super with the actors and actresses

Musical director Mark with the singers and band members

Elaine with the production staff

"Kuuuuliiiiitan time!!!" :P

cheers from the Imus guys and gals! :D

the youth of Manila and Cavite City =)

"Paint-me-a-picture" - ano ginagawa ni Deb? hehehe...

"Paint-me-a-picture" - Lance, 10pm pa lights-off natin! haha! :P

"Paint-me-a-picture" - Meyor ala Moses parting the Red Sea :P

"Paint-me-a-picture" - Cale, bagay sayo maging baby sa manger ah! hehehe...

Oooopps, 'wag nyo siksikin si kuya A! Wala kayong prize sige! :P

Jason, Dan, Elaine - teka, diba kayo ang production staff? sana hindi nyo inaagawan ng role mga artists natin hehehe.. :P

Ayan, nakisali pa si Sophie. hahaha... talaga naman :P

"ganito kami matulog" - WIN Binangonan :P

scripted ito. hahaha...:P

girls, anong nangyari sa inyo? baka mahipan kayo ng hangin nyan... :D

"ganito naman kami kumain" - WIN GMA :P

Dan, Cale, JM w/ Mr. Monkey - epekto ba ito ng retreat??? hahaha! :P

"Bonding moments..."

"we're all in this together...for God's glory!"

class picture, picture! :)

huling hirit bago umuwi :)

Wow! Praise God for the success of the Youth Retreat! We're all set to go and do our best for G7.

Our hearts and minds say, "Yes, Lord. Here we are, send us!"

(",)

Haburday Angie!

Thanks for the pizza treat! yummy, yummy!

Basta yung wish ko for you, alam mo na yun. hehe... Ipagpepray ko na lang lagi, k?

All the best to you, yellow gurl! :D

(",)

free again! =)

It felt so good to once again feel the warmth and comfort of my bed, realizing that I've overslept 'til 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Yes, after a couple of weekends spent in the office, I'm finally home on a Saturday! yey! yey! yey!

I'm supposed to have my checkup but the rainy weather made me decide to just do it next week. Besides, I have a lot of things in my checklist which I have to finish within the day. And all the while, I thought I won't be busy on a weekend, huh. But this is the kind of busyness that I like, so I'm not complaining. hehehe...

It's the Youth Retreat tomorrow until Monday - our first event for the preparation for the upcoming Global Gathering. I know I'm supposed to have a couple of weeks to prepare everything I needed but you see, my toxic sched for the past weeks would not permit me to take care of them earlier. So there, I spent the morning doing the registrations forms, creating the financial report which I will hand over to Kuya A, encoding the directory of participants, buying supplies for the registration committee and finally headed to church for the music ministry rehearsals.

It's quite a good thing that I'm not assigned to do the worship leading, not even to backup. Though I must admit, I miss singing for the Lord already. But my sorethroat won't really permit me. hayyy... Anyway, at least I have enough time to prepare my lesson for Kid's Sunday School tomorrow. I'll make sure we'll all learn and have fun! :D

OT days are (hopefully) over! I'm back on my usual weekend sched. And I'm glad!

I'm very excited for the retreat, too! I'll keep you posted about it, hopefully with the pictures. :D


(",)

stranded

sorethroat. colds. broken umbrella. starved. wet. super loooong queue. aching legs. complaining commuters. super slow traffic. doubled travel time. headache.


waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!



at last...



home. :)

text messages for the day =)

I'm quite surprised with most of the text messages I received today. I don't know what's with today but those texts just sounded interesting and sweet, might be because it's not everyday that I receive these kind of messages. hehe... So here, I just thought of sharing some of them. :)


Early in the morning...5:18 am, from a thoughtful sis - angeline:

"ate doths! gud am! ang prayer ko para sa yo maging healthy ka lagi esp ikw bred winner ng family, no siknes wil come upon u...tapos mkapagasawa k n. hehe..:) syempre God's wil wuld prevail. In Jesus name amen! luv u ate doths! :)"


~ It's the first time she texted me a personal prayer. So sweet and genuine. And to think she was praying for me that early in the morning, awwww...I was sooooo touched.


9:56 am, from a "kindred spirit" (that's how she would describe "us"), my dear friend - jonki:

"a msg from God. :) 'No man cn evr claim u unles he claims u fr me. I reservd a man for u who has my heart & loves me evn mor dan he wil love u. i wont giv u to him unles he wud ask u fr Me. Soon u will knw him, i hav d perfct tym. YOU r my PRINCESS & my DAUGHTER. Let no prince claim u unles he asks u fr my hand.. for I am ur FATHER, the KING OF KINGS. You, my princess, are worth loving...' :)"

~ awww... another sweet message that really touched me. I really felt God speaking with so much love...


5:57 pm, from mark genesis:
(this young brother of mine is fond of calling me 'batang malusog', i still can't figure out why.. hmm makes me think if i really look that chubby :P he thinks of me as his "human stress ball" hehehe.. yeah, he usually pinches my arms whenever he sees me because according to him, that relieves him of his stress.. :D )

"batang malusog.. hehe.. wala kc kami internet eh kya txt na lang kita. :) Ingat po pag-uwi! :)"

~ he might have missed bothering his "ate" thru YM so just sent me a text :D So glad to receive such short but sweet messages from this soon-to-be-pastor, brother of mine. :) By the way, after a while, he popped online in YM. hehehe.. apparently, their internet is back. :D


7:52 pm, from my older bro (hehehe..), badminton buddy, Dan:
(we had an interesting conversation over YM regarding some relevant ministry matters which are somehow affecting us, but we chose to look at them as a challenge instead of a hindrance. we actually had fun as we made some realizations :D)

"Naalala ko pinagusapn ntin at natatawa ako! :D twas sort of serious facts but we jst laughed at dem haha! ds s part of d learning process :) Ingat ka pauwi, k? and make sure makakalaro kau sa wed. :)"

~ I received his text an hour after he left his office. I could imagine him smiling (or even laughing) on his way home. hehehe.. I warned him though not to make it too obvious, you know, people around him might think he's crazy hahaha.. :P I think I'd look forward to more conversations like that. It's actually uplifting. :)
------------------------------------------------------------

I hope I have conveyed how thankful I am to these people who have made my day as I sent my replies to their messages. Truth is, these kind of messages kept me going (and keeps my sanity intact. hehehe) in toxic times like this. :)

At the end of the day, I just realized how good God is. He always has this special way of letting us know how much He loves us. And yes, he works through our brothers and sisters around us. I felt "hugged" sooo warmly and sooo tightly. :D


(",)

hugs

Hugging helps the body's immune system, keeps you healthier, cures depression, reduces stress, induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Hugging is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof, nonfattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft-proof, nontaxable, nonpolluting and, of course, fully returnable. :)

from http://www.geocities.com/pathways2eden/hug.html



"We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."

- Virginia Satir, family therapist

I don't know if it was just mere coincidence that brought me to this article I shared above. But one thing's for sure... I badly need this thing called "hug"... now. :( ***sighs***

pag-uusap kasama ang isang katrabaho

Myk: doths lam mo nb ngresign nko?

Doths: hi myk naku.... opo.. nabanggit kc ni onax nung isang gabi pero lam mo mejo hindi na rin ako nagulat kase diba dati nasabi mo na sa kin

Doths: kaya im sure mas mapapabuti ka doon sa lilipatan mo..

Myk: oo yung dti hndi nga lang n2loy... ngyon 2loy n 2loy na... hehe...

Myk: nkkpgnegotiate n lang ako sa hr kung pwede sa sept 16... kc pngsstart n nila ako ng sept 1 eh d pwede dhil may pending pko dito...

Doths: ahh talaga? wow.. maganda mga benefits doon diba?

Doths: ahh so until sept 15 ka na lang?

Myk: oo nga eh.. ok nmn yung offer skin pero mas ok yung mga benefits.. hehe...

Myk: hnggng sept7 n lang ako.. nlagyan ko ng allowance pra mkpgrelax.. en mgpapapayat ako dhil ng gain ako ng 10 lbs... hehe..

Doths: talaga? wow! okay yun para may time ka pa nga mag enjoy bago sumabak ulit sa work

Doths: ano nga po pala work mo doon? QA rin?

Myk: oo.. ok kc yung mgging work ko don.. sysad en support ng mga applications...

Doths: ahh ic.. ang galing naman ...congrats ha!

Doths: magkikita kita pa rin tayo dito ka lang naman sa kalapit building

Myk: oo tapat lang nmn ng rufino .. hehe..

Myk: tnx pla sa lahat ng mga tinuro m skin... nag ksama dn tau sa 2 projects wib en lifecarte... hehe... slamat po...

Doths: naku... sana nga po may nai-contribute ako sa iyo kahit papano

Doths: alam mo im sure magiging successful ka kase masipag ka mag work ... salamat rin sa lahat ng tulong mo ha...

Myk: dame mo kaya natulong skin.. sa pggwa ng mga test case.. kaya nung sa current project ko nakk2long nko khit papaano sa ATD.. tska ikaw lagi gumagawa ng mga reports.. hehe..

Doths: naku talaga? salamat naman may naitulong pala ako kahit papano hehehe...

Myk: galing nyo nga pgdting sa documentation... kaya 1 reason dn yun n parang hndi ako aangat sa QA dhil dpat mgaling sa documentation... prang mas like ko p rin yung mejo technical n work...

Doths: basta kita kits pa rin bisitahin mo kami dito ha

Myk: opo.. salamat uli...

Doths: sana wag mo kami kalimutan pag bossing ka na doon hehe

Myk: hehe... naku malabo mging bossing.. hehe.. sana maging team lead dn ako 2lad nyo... sana madevelop ko din yun.. hehe.. pero syempre gagayahin kita... sobrang sipag at mabait na team lead...

Myk: gudluck dn sau doths... sna m2pad m lahat ng pangarap mo bago ka mag-asawa.. hehe...


Doths: hehehe... thanks myk! God bless sa new job mo! :)

Sa palagay ko ganoon nga talaga ang buhay... may mga tao na makakasabay ka sa iyong paglakad ng ilang panahon ngunit hindi magtatagal ay kailangan na ring tahakin ang ibang landas. Subalit sa kabila ng maiksing panahon ng inyong pagsasama, masasabi mong tunay kang nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng aral na kanyang naibahagi at gayun din naman dahil sa kahit papaanong paraan ay may naibahagi ka para sa kanyang ikalalago. Maaring may hangganan ang lahat ng bagay. Ngunit naniniwala ako na sa buhay na ito ang lahat ay may dahilan at hindi nagkataon lamang. Kung sa bagay...sinong makakapagsabi, maaring sa ibang pagkakataon ay muling magkasabay ang inyong landas. Ngunit sa ngayon nais ko lamang sabihing, "salamat kaibigan sa iyong pagdaan...hanggang sa ating muling pagkikita".

In the midst of the pouring rain...

Rains poured heavily, same with the bulk of work that filled most of my day, and just like all the unanswered questions that kept on flooding my heart and mind.

The rain has subsided. My "to-do" list got trimmed down. But the questions remain.

I know I will keep on asking them and do everything to seek and find the answers. In time, I believe that I will come to understand.

"...In my heart I pray You'd let Your will be done
And till I see You face to face
and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You...

I will live to love You
I will live to bring You praise
I will live a child in awe of You..."

Like a child, I will choose to trust, even in the midst of the pouring rain...

Busy days again

I just finished my assigned project last mid July, and I guess I had enough time to relax a bit while waiting for my next project. Last week, my boss asked me to help in another project. I knew then that I'm gonna be busy for the next couple of weeks.

True enough, "over time" was the word of the week for me since last Tuesday. Our team even had to work last Saturday, which is quite unusual here in OCS. hehehe... Because of that, I had to be absent from an important meeting in church and that also meant missing my family since I had to stay at my cousin's place in Manila during the weekend.

Anyway, I found this in my inbox this morning as I was checking my emails. This is actually from my Heartlight devotional email subscription. I just thought its message is very timely for me.

And yes, in busy times like these, there's only one place where I can find rest and be refreshed once again. Read on, and I hope you'd find this reminder helpful as well. :)

VERSE:

Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
-- Exodus 23:12 --

THOUGHT:

Refreshed! Boy that's often hard in any time, but it's especially hard in August, isn't it? It's either the dead of summer or the dead of winter depending on which side of the equator you find yourself. Either way, we need to hear God's desire for all of us to be refreshed and to allow those around us to be refreshed in his presence, his grace, and his rest.

PRAYER:

Forgive me, God, for being so busy being busy that I don't intentionally take time to be refreshed in your rest. Teach me gently, Father, that I need this weekly rest in your presence and with my family to be all that you want me to be, and all that I can be. Restore my soul, O God, and fill me with your restful joy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Who Am I

Heard this song yesterday when I attended the 4pm service at WWCF-Makati. And just like during the first time I heard it a couple of years back, its beautiful words never fail to touch me. Full of truth, wonder and grace. And I'm playing it now just before I go to sleep, once again pondering on its beautiful message.

Who am I?
(Casting Crowns)

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I?
That the Bright and Morning Star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours...

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again

Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me


I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours.
I am Yours...

Anew

a·new /əˈnu, əˈnyu/

1. over again; again; once more.

2. in a new form or manner.


Green. the color of nature and life. symbolizes self-respect and well-being. means learning, growth, renewal, health and harmony.

A new beginning. A fresh start. A cool change.

This is the new theme I've chosen for my blog, thus the green background, sidebar and footer. I also decided to put here a little touch of "me". That's why I included in my header those walking, back-view, stolen shot photos of mine taken in Hongkong. :) There are also a few photos in slide show view as part of "About Me" segment. Basically, the segments are still the same, but I've only changed/added several items under each of them. Hope you'll check them out. :)

As always, nature never fails to fascinate me, as evident in the designs and background I used - skies, trees, grass, butterflies, even my featured song has a touch of nature for a title - "Sunlight". :)

I just thought, I didn't have to wait for January to start anew. Apart from my blog's new look, several new things already came my way, and I'm sure, more are still coming. I look forward with anticipation and excitement, not only to experience them but to share about them here as well.

It is my hope that this little blog space would allow me to continue to share a part of myself to those who pass by to read my entries or to those who simply want to keep in touch. It is my utmost prayer that in my own simple way, this life's journey that I'm treading, become a testimony and a channel of God's goodness, faithfulness and unfailing love not only to me but to every person I happen to meet along the way.

Whatever the road ahead may look like... may it be in triumph, failure, laughter, sorrow, joy or pain... I'm truly grateful that I can walk freely in the Father's fields of Grace.

See you along the path ways!

(",)

P.S. To all those who expressed concern for my inactive blog in the past weeks (or months even), thanks for all the encouragement. I'm back. *wink* Hope you'll like this one better. :-)