His Princess

Seek Ye First

2022-04-23T09:01:00.002+08:00

Here I am again.

Confused with what to do. There are so many thoughts entering my mind. I know I need to write. I need to form my thoughts and decide.

For the past years, I am struggling with what to do. Part of me wants to go back and build a career again and help my husband financially. But part of me wants to be at home, take care of my kids and build them up as a person God wants them to be. And now I’m struggling because I want both.

I asked the Lord on what to do. An opportunity has given for me to build my career again, should I grab it? Or should I continue doing what I am supposed to do? I know inside my heart that the Lord wants me to continue what I am doing but as I look at my husband, I also want him to stay here with us. I pray for guidance, I pray for wisdom, I pray for strength to do what I am supposed to do.

While waiting for His answer, the Lord keeps telling me to go back to His promise. And that I shall seek Him first and all these things shall be added unto me. Yes, the answer is to seek Him first and everything shall be in place.

I thank the Lord for reminding me of His promise. I ask the Lord for forgiveness for allowing fear to enter in my mind. I pray for faith that can move mountains over my life. Surely, He will provide all the things I need while doing His will.

2019-05-17T00:06:00.000+08:00

Thursday are exciting because of these great women who are willing to know God more in their lives. These ladies might not be perfect in their own ways but they have the heart to get to know Jesus. I feel so blessed to see them grow every day as I also learn from them.

This Thursday, we just ended our Live To Tell series. From the word of God and from the experience of these single ladies, I've realized so many things.

First of all, we are called to share the gospel with others. We share because it is valuable and it has a significant effect on our lives. We share because we want others to experience the same and we do not want them to miss it out.

Second, we should not be ashamed of sharing our testimony despite our imperfections. Let us remember that God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to speak the right words while we share. We should not be afraid of rejection because it is not us who are rejected, but it is the One who sent us.

Third, our goal is not to lead other people to heaven. Our purpose is to lead them having a relationship with Jesus. Heaven will not be heaven for the people who don't have any connection with Jesus Christ. Let us remember that eternal life starts in following Jesus. It is what the famous John 3:16 says.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

And lastly, God called us to be salt and light here on earth. May the light that we shine is not for us. Instead, it is for Jesus to shine in our lives.

I believe that these ladies are the living testimony of how great and how awesome is He.

ID Number 10041, Signing Off

2019-05-16T00:11:00.000+08:00

It was really hard for me to leave SOCOTECO-I.

For the past eight years, it has been a home to me. I enjoyed working in the cooperative because it made me grow as a person. The people I've worked with are considered my family. Because of this, I intended to stay for good and for the rest of my life.

But now, I am walking away from the work I love and from the institution which I considered as my own. For those who are asking why did I decide to go out, I will leave
my answer in Proverbs 19:21:

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

As I am signing off in this institution, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who have helped me become the person I am today. I want to thank my former bosses: Ma'am Bing, Ma'am Ellen, Sir Bebot, Ma'am Ann, and Sir Edsel for helping me grow in my career. Your words of wisdom and the way you lead me have made me go this far. I also thank the people who were there supporting me behind my back especially Sir Mike, Aning, Sir Ian, and Sir Willy. Thank you for rescuing me during stressful discussions and meetings. I also thank those who have me cry in one way or another as it helped me grow up as a person. I thank all of my friends for supporting and
for making me laugh on this journey. To all of my staff and has been my staff for the past few years, thank you for trying to understand me for the unpopular decisions and thank
you for the support you've given me despite our differences.

To the organization itself, I will continue to support you because I believe in your advocacies. May you continue to fight for rural electrification while doing your best to
provide excellent service to all the member consumer-owners. I was there and I've seen how you've remain standing despite and in spite of everything.

While I am writing this, I cannot stop my tears flowing from my eyes. Leaving behind the people I've considered my family is never easy. But life is always full of choices. And I opted for this. I do not know what the future will hold me, but I trust the One who is above me. I know that God has better plans for me, plans that would give me hope and future.

To SOCOTECO-I, Madamo guid nga salamat!

My Mother

2019-05-12T13:42:00.000+08:00

We all have mothers but not all of us are mothers.

Every one of us is born in this world through our mothers but not every one of us has a beautiful memory of their mother. And since today is a mothers day, I want to write how I remember my mother when I was a child.

My mother is a hardworking mom. She works to help my father in our daily needs. She has three children to take care of after work. My father is always away since he works overseas, and thus we are left behind her care. We were left with Yaya in daytime and she took care of us at night.

Since she was working, I always asked her to bring me pasalubong when she got home. It is the only thing I requested of her every time she goes home from work. She never failed me on this because it is the only way that she can express her motherhood to me. Since she has little time left to take care of me, she said that I learned the alphabets from my aunt and not her.

When we were growing and I already have other siblings, I began to question her love for me. I envied all my siblings because it seems that she loves them more than she loves me. I saw how she treats them well with their needs while I am alone crying in my room and just being a jealous kid. Today that I've grown up, I saw how she struggles to be fair and equal to the three of us.

She is not the typical nanay who will cook deliciously for us nor the caring type nanay who will express her feelings through her actions and words. I barely hear her say, "I love you anak". I tried to ask myself why she is not the typical mother. It is when I became a Christian that I realized that her idea of motherhood is not the same with mine. I know that deep inside her heart, she loves the three of us.

I only have a little memory of her when I was a child. Now that I've grown up, I have so many beautiful memories with her. She is my mentor, my coach, and my shoulder to lean on. I love her so much that I could say I am happy to be her daughter.

Now that I am a mother myself, I can understand how hard it is to be one. She gave up so much for us. She tried to juggle her work and her attention to the three of us while maintaining her poise and beauty. I really appreciate her especially on how she tried to be the best mother to the three of us.

Not all of us will become a mother, I hope that we can understand our mothers despite our little memories of them when we were a child. Surely, they love us so much despite the differences we have from them.

Let us appreciate them today. Happy mother's day to all our mothers.

Crossing the Jordan River, Again

2019-03-03T10:56:00.000+08:00

God is telling me to cross the Jordan river again and it scares me. As I read the story of Joshua again, it reminds me of all the things He said to me last year. When I cried for an answer while I was riding my car going back home last year. I kept on thinking whether I will quit my job or not and He kept telling me not to worry about the future for He is with me.

I know I’ve decided to follow Him but when I got pregnant and I am not physically ok, I rested in the house and I don’t like myself sleeping and laying down in bed all the time. I go back to work and tried to enjoy it and decided to stay in my work. But today, as I read the life of Joshua, it reminded me that I should not be afraid in crossing the Jordan river because it is the only way that I can go to my promise land. I am very much comfortable right now being the head of my department and doing so many things for the office. As I read the messages from the following:

Never try to explain to God until you’ve obeyed Him. The only part of God we understand is the part we have obeyed. -Oswald Chambers

Of course I cannot understand what He wanted me to do unless I obey Him. And right now while I am writing this, I feel like a fool of not obeying Him to quit my job and focus on my family.

God is looking for people whom He can do the impossible- what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves. -AW Tozer

I know that I am trying to say because it is comfortable for me and it doesn’t make sense if I quit my high paying job just to stay at home.

I hope like Joshua, I will be ready to take the challenge and to really do what He wanted me to do. In His time, as I continue to be faithful, He will give me the courage to do it.

The Great Faith of Caleb

2019-01-09T08:37:00.003+08:00

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. - 1 John 5:4

Today, I am reminded of this verse and of the story of the great faith of Caleb.

Caleb is a man of faith that no matter how big and terrifying the obstacles that are coming along the way, he still believes that he can take possession of the land of milk and honey. Despite the negative words he hears from his fellow men, he is still confident to say: "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." You may read more of his story in Numbers 13-14.

Just like Caleb, every day, we face obstacles as we journey towards our promise land. Some days, we face great ones, some days we face little ones. No matter how small or big the barrier towards our goal is, we need to be bold in our faith and remember that He who promised is faithful and whatever good work He started on us, he will put it in completion. Just believe in His promises.

Let us declare God's promises today even when we face great obstacles along the way.

Have a great faith everyday!

My Favorite Book

2018-09-28T13:31:00.001+08:00

Somewhere between the lines I read you,
You are the words in my favorite book,
That no matter how many times I read it,
A beautiful story always comes with it.

Each sentence, each paragraph is a bliss,
Each page, each chapter is a surprise,
You are the book that makes me wonder,
You are the book that touches my soul.

I will spend my lifetime reading you,
I will bring you along everywhere,
In every way, I will take care of you,
Because your are the best book in my life.

This poem is inspired by Lang Leav and dedicated to my one and only B! For me, he is like a book, the best book that I could have. With him comes a surprise, a beautiful story that changes my life. I will forever treasure him and my relationship with him. I love him more than he could ever imagine.

All of this was written last March 18, 2015.

Faith and Waiting

2018-09-21T00:03:00.001+08:00

It’s Thursday and I was able to meet my sisters in Christ through our Victory group earlier. I got the chance to see again the beautiful ladies, both single and married, gathered around to share each other’s lives while knowing God together.

I can still remember the time when I was part of a similar group in UP. I am still in my college years back then. There was a group of ladies whom I regularly meet to learn about God’s faithfulness in our lives. But when I went back to province seven years ago, I have no one here to share my passion in honoring God. It was so difficult for me. Sometimes I called my sisters in Christ just for them to cover me through prayers. But being physically away from them is difficult that I tend to slide away from Him. I was like a coal removed from the fireplace that I begin to cool down. It was hard and so I prayed to God for something like this to happen. I earnestly seek Him and ask Him if He could provide me a family where I can tell my faith goals and be my partners as I walk in Christ.

After years of waiting, God has fulfilled His promise. These young, beautiful and vibrant ladies are the answers to my prayers. And my heart overflows today that I want to write it down.

I know that this is just a start because as I am writing this down, I can see thousands of people here in Marbel worshiping His Holy name. I can see them singing praises to Him. He is faithful and He is a God of promise. He will not let His words return empty and He will accomplish what He desires.

The process of letting go of my comfort zone

2018-09-12T08:59:00.004+08:00

And now, I am questioning my purpose. The series in the church today is unwavering where it is all about faith.

I’ve been working in an electric distribution utility for the past seven years and all I thought this is and this will be where I am working for the rest of my life. But just this year, there are so many mountains to overcome in my workplace, so much stress is coming that sometimes I forgot to reflect my purpose. I ponder on resigning from work.

Recently, I’ve been connected to a group of people who has the same belief as mine, and I am on fire with God again. I began to see God’s grace that the word “resign” doesn’t cross my mind anymore. But yesterday, when everything is so fine, no problem nor worries exist in my working place, the thought came again. Just also yesterday, after the said thought, I began to talk to someone and told me her plans of going out because she feels that her purpose is not in here. I am very much encouraged on how God orchestrated everything for her despite her age and her current situation.

During the conversation, I evaluated myself and a realization came. This is not the place for me and my time here is already enough. It is not the problems in the office that I want to resign, it is because I fear that if I will go, every comforts that I am receiving right now will be lost. And I am afraid. I fear that I cannot have this comfortable life anymore where I am the boss and there are so many privileges for me. I am afraid that if I lose the job, it will be very hard for my family to survive. Then a word came to me. God told me to have courage and to let go of my fears. He wants me to have faith in Him as I leave my comfort zone because He will show me my promise land.

I began to discuss this to my husband, and he just affirm my decision to let go. He told me that in order for me to have much bigger, I have to empty my hands. And I cried because it is the truth and I am still afraid to do it.

Today, as I write this, I know that I am just buying time for me to let go of my comfort zone. I know that it is a process to let go and I pray to God that if this is really His purpose for me, He will show me the way. He will affirm this through prayer, through His words, through vision and through my mentors in Christ. Just today, my devotions is also about choosing faith over fear. May the Lord help me through this process of choosing faith, instead of fear. I believe that as I let go of my comfort zone, He will prepare a way for me for everything. May God gives me all the things I need as I take my journey to an unknown place where He called me to be. Praise be to God forever!

Home in Motion: La Union-Baguio-Pangasinan Trip

2018-09-03T14:42:00.001+08:00

Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion. – Leigh Hunt

This is our first time to travel as a family. It is right after the homecoming of my husband that we decided to take the car and go on a trip above North. It was a long journey knowing I am carrying a 10 month old child without yaya and only our family who is with us through the journey.

We hit the road from Cavite in the wee hours of the morning so that we can reach our first destination, the province of La Union. Nanay and Tatay wanted to visit some of their relatives there before going to Baguio. When we reached La Union, we weren’t able to meet their relatives because they were already abroad. Instead, we tour around the place and go to the nearest tourist destination that we can have our picture taken. And so here is the lighthouse around La Union.

After La Union Trip, we went to the city of pines, Baguio City. Well, the zigzag road going there made me feel ill. But when I see the breathtaking view of the strawberry farm in La Trinidad makes me well. This is one of the first time got a taste of strawberry wine and she is so giggling happy about it.

We spend a night in a small inn in Baguio City near the Botanical Garden. We woke up very early in the morning and travel around the city. Just like any other tourist, we wear the traditional clothes together, we bike along burnham park and took a lot of pictures.

The next day, we tour around bencab museum and buy a lot of souvenir items including strawberry jams and wines.

We then decided to go to Pangasinan to visit another relatives of Nanay and Tatay. We were lost at first because Waze could not give us the right direction. But eventually, we reached our destination and had our good night sleep there. The next morning, we decided to go to Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan. It was the first time for Sofia to see the beach.

It was late afternoon when we decided to go home back to Cavite. It was quite a long ride for all of us but it was fun and the memories that we can have are beautiful since we are with the people we love. Indeed, it is a home in motion.

A Graceful August

2018-09-03T11:52:00.000+08:00

What a blast! August is a very hectic month for me since I begin to take the position of Institutional Services Manager in SOCOTECO-I. The Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) where we usually targeted to gather around 5% of member consumers falls within the last Saturday of August and the founding anniversary where employees gather to have fun falls every August 31. All of these activities are handled by our department.

With the new challenges given by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to have a greater attendance during AGMA, we decided to step out and conduct the first simultaneous AGMA in two different location, one in South Cotabato Cultural Gym and the other one is in Surallah Gym. This is for us to meet the target attendance of 7.5% member consumer owners. Days before our AGMA is such a mess since our live streaming doesn’t work yet. We just finalized our connection and had our final testing the night before the AGMA. An hour before the actual event, the live streaming works but when it is about to start, the connection stopped. Through teamwork, the connection was back around an hour and I am glad about it. During the open forum, I am also happy that the questions raised were easily handled by our Board of Directors and Management Team. Eventually, despite all the troubles before and during AGMA, I can say that it is a success.

After a week, we also need to finalize our preparation for the founding anniversary. The preparation was really so difficult for us since there are last minute changes in the program as instructed by the NEA. We had our tree planting, line clearing and candle lighting activities aside from our usual program. These three added activities are mandated by NEA and simultaneously done by all Electric Cooperatives in the Philippines. The tree planting was done by all non-technical employees and some organized Member Consumer Owners (MCO) in our different districts. On the other hand, the line clearing was done by all technical staff in four different areas. Also, we prayed for our 353 unenergized sitios by doing a ceremonial candle lighting before our program for founding anniversary. It is our prayer that the government will help rural electrification program by providing us funds to energize the remaining sitios in our coverage area. And I am glad to be part of this institution who is not a profit oriented organization but a service oriented one.

For the first time, we have invited a comedian to entertain our employees during the founding anniversary. It was a night filled with laughter. Not to mention that I am so lucky to win a major prize during raffle and to be declared as lady of the night during the event. After the formal event, we had our foam party which is also done for the first time. Those who stayed really enjoyed the night as they soak themselves in the foams while dancing into the music.

Whenever I remember how hard the preparations for these activities are, the stressful days and sleepless nights, I believe that everything is worth it. I am happy to take part and to be in a team where no matter how hard and tiring everything is, everyone gives their best for the success of the activity.

Above all, it is only through His grace that it is a success. And I am thankful enough to praise Him and give Him all the glory. It is indeed a month full of His grace.

Brown out? To complain or not?

2018-08-04T15:22:00.004+08:00

While having lunch in a small café, I overheard a group of friends chatting about the recent brown outs that is happening in our area which is caused by heavy rain and strong winds. To be specific, they are talking about the people who bash the electric cooperative in their social media page. They are actually defending the cause of the EC that it is not their fault that their poles and lines are toppled by the strong winds caused by the weather. They also recognize our line man who is working every time an emergency power interruption occurs.

Being an employee of an electric cooperative, I am honestly touched that there are still people who appreciate our work to the point defending us from negative bashers. I understand how important electricity these days because aside from being an employee of an electric cooperative, I am also a consumer. This means that whenever brown out and black out occurs, it is also inconvenient for me and for my family. And so I understand their reactions because I am experiencing it too. What I don’t understand is how people negatively reacts to it, as if they cannot live a day without it. Maybe it is their right to complain but sometimes their whines and grumbles are below the belt that they are wishing for something bad to happen to the people working in the electric utility.

I realized that these people reacted that way because they do not know what is happening whenever there is brown out. They never thought that while they are complaining and wishing for negative things to happen, some people are working hard to make sure that they can restore the power immediately.

We live in a city where there are mountains and some lines are off the road that even a 4x4 vehicle cannot enter it. Imagine these people working at night, away from the comfort of their homes, will traverse these terrains while carrying heavy poles and equipment just to bring comfort to your homes. Imagine these people will work over night, even if they are not on duty, just to bring back the power needed by all of its consumers. Imagine these people will climb along the 45 footer poles just for you to watch a movie in your high end television. Imagine how they sacrifice to be away from their family during weekend or holidays just to replace the toppled pole and repair the broken transformer. I know that some will tell that it is their job to do it and they are paid to do it, but to wish bad thing to happen for them is cruel. Yes it is.

I am not a lineman, I do not wake up at night for an emergency call because I am needed to go back to work because the whole city has no power. Although I am not like them, I am very much affected every time I hear the adverse feedback of people who close their hearts to understand the heavy work behind the brown out. And so, how much pain could it be if it is the lineman who can hear it? How much ache could be if it is their family who can see your negative comment?

I hope next time, every time there is brown out, let us be careful of our words and of our comments. We do not know what is happening behind it and how hard the work is. I know it is inconvenient for you, but do you know how much inconvenient it for them and for their family? And so, whenever there is brown out, we can always think twice whether we complain or not.

Disclaimer: This post is my own and does not represent the opinion of my company

Everyday is an act of worship

2018-08-03T22:12:00.001+08:00

I am just amazed on how God is speaking to me right now. Sometimes, I think that winning a soul is more important than doing my work in the office that I begin to think that I should be a missionary. But God is telling me that no matter what I do, whether it is considered sacred as reading my bible, to as secular as doing my work in the office, only my heart or my motives matter.

One of the favorite verses is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 where it states that whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, we do it all for the glory of God. Whenever I think that I will resign from my work because I prefer to be on missions to win souls, I begin to encounter this verse. It seems that God is telling me that it doesn’t need for me to resign just to bring glory to Him. It seems that He is telling me that in everyday of my life, even in in simple things like eating, driving to work or even doing a report is already a way to worship him.

Today, I know that He is speaking to me through the book I am reading. He wanted me to honor Him in everything that I do. He wanted me to live an undivided life, a life that honors Him in every single act I do everyday. I pray that as I continue to be a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a co worker, a manager, I will live with a heart that glorifies him. Because every day of my life is an opportunity for me to worship Him.

As I end this, I want to write this excerpt from the book, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer:

Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus.

Pursuing God

2018-07-24T22:13:00.001+08:00

My prayer tonight is to desire God and pursue Him for the rest of my life. Being a Christian for so long, I thought that my purpose is to Honor Him in everything I do. But tonight, as I read The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer for the nth time, I realize that my real purpose is to pursue Him forever.

Knowing Him and having this relationship with Him is not enough. There is a need for me to yearn for Him which means I have to nurture my relationship with Him. Nurturing means talking and listening to Him everyday. It means that living without talking and listening to Him is not living at all.

For a very long time, I know that I am inconsistent in pursuing Him. It is because I tend to focus more on honoring Him than desiring Him. I know it is a good thing to honor Him in everything we do because He also wants us to do it. But my point is, honoring Him will just come after pursuing Him. I am thankful tonight because He speaks to me and made me understand the real meaning of my life.

I also believe that pursuing Him requires His grace because my human nature will fail without it. It is only through His grace that I will be able to be filled by Him.

Tonight, I pray for a life that desires Him. May God be with me in this as He is the one who put this in my heart.

We are worth dying for

2018-06-30T15:01:00.000+08:00

Just recently, there are news related to death of famous people because of depression. Each of them are successful in the career they’ve entered. But despite the success, a tragedy still happened to them.

I am not an expert on depression. I am not sure if I already encountered it in my life. But one thing is sure and that there is a time in my life that I also wanted to die.

I was young then and I only thought that my life is meaningless and without purpose. Every day is the same, I woke up every morning and sleep at night. It seems that no body cared for me. It seems there is an emptiness in my life that even my family and friends cannot fulfill it.

My mother said that I cannot go to heaven if I willcommit suicide. And that fears me most. And so, years passed and I still manage to survive despite all negative thoughts in my mind.

Then, one day I finally found my purpose. It was November 10, 2004 when I cried to God for help and receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. That day, I know my purpose is to honor Him in my life. That day reminded me that I am not alone and someone actually cared for me, and that someone has just died for me. That someone is Jesus Christ. I am worth dying for and so I have to live my life in accordance to His will.

Today, I know that I do not live a perfect life but His grace sustains me everyday. In Him, my life has never been empty and I am thankful. I hope that I could share Jesus to everyone I meet especially to those who are struggling right now, I want to tell them that they are worth dying for and Jesus already died for them so that they could have a relationship with Him. I pray that I could be that person to them. Because life is meaningful as long as you have Jesus.

When a Dream becomes Real for the First Time

2018-05-29T09:13:00.001+08:00

I can still remember the times that I dream to see my family complete. There are times that I wish my husband did not go and waited for me to give birth so that he will be able to see our little daughter. But circumstances does not allow it to happen.

And so when the right time comes, when my dream becomes a reality, there is delight in my eyes that tears of joy comes from it. Seeing them for the first time together is such a bliss.

Sofia at 10 months old when she first hold by her father, JR at NAIA 3 on October 14, 2017 at 12:30 in the morning

I thought my little girl will cry when she will be held by her father but upon seeing her smiling to him, there is gladness in my heart. There are lot of theories that comes from my mind when I saw her being happy to be held by JR. Maybe because she can sense that this man is her father and she is secured in him or maybe because she always hear his voice when his father is video calling me or maybe because she just know in her heart. There are lot of maybes but regardless of maybes that I have in my mind, I know that my dream becomes real for the very first time.

Honeytour: Journey to Singapore

2018-03-22T16:32:00.002+08:00

I know this is a late post but I would like to write about our honeymoon journey to Singapore. Days right after the wedding we went to Singapore for a honeymoon. This is not the first out of the country we visited but still the excitement is still there.

Months before the wedding, we plan to visit Coron. But there is a promo going to Singapore and airfare is much cheaper than going to Coron and so we grab the opportunity to go out.

Our journey begins at Davao City since our flight is from Davao City. We had dinner and slept there. Then, on the next day, we had a connecting flight via Cebu City. And so, we had our lunch at Mactan, Cebu. We arrived at Singapore late in the evening and we go straight to Days Hotel, our home for a few days.

We do not have any itinerary to do in Singapore because we want to enjoy it. We do not want to be in a hurry on what are we going to do there. We want to enjoy the moment and just decide for the day where we want to go. And on the first day, we just roam around the city.

On the next day, we went to Sentosa and visit Universal Studios and met the Minions, Shrek and other cartoon characters. We did not took any rides because at that time, I am already pregnant. And I am glad I am because those rides are not for me. I am glad my husband supported me and spoil me all the time.

On our third day, we went to Malaysia and visit Legoland. We also took the opportunity to visit other than lego land, we went to the forest city, a man-made city which is between Malaysia and Singapore.

On our fourth day, we went to Gardens by the bay, Merlion Park, and Marina Bay Sands. We meet my friend, Pinay and she toured us around the place.

On our last day, we went to see the Singapore Zoo. For the first time, I’ve seen penguins and polar bear.

Since I am on my first trimester at that time, I was not able to enjoy the food there. But then, I am not really fun of Asian food even if I am not pregnant. The over-all trip is fun because we seem to be a children who is amazed of every first time we did there.

The pain and joy of being a mother.

2017-08-29T16:23:00.006+08:00

The date to remember is 12-14-16. This is the day my firstborn was born. I will never forget the day where life taught me how to be strong not for myself but for others. The labor is extremely difficult that I told myself I don’t want to experience it again. But when the time that I’ve seen her tiny little face, I’ve said to myself that I will do it again. Yes, I will do it again because that moment was one of the best things that happened to my life. It was the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my life. There is indeed a joy in giving birth.

The first few weeks after giving birth has been hard for me since my husband is not here with us. The stomach of babies is so little that they are awake every two hours. At night, I need to wake up every time she cries so that I can breastfed her. At those times, I still did not know how to breastfed her in sleeping position. Thus, I carried her every time I do breastfeeding. This adds to the pain of being a mother. The complement of this pain is the joy you will experience when they smile after giving them enough milk.

As time passes by, there are times that I thought I cannot do it. I cried whenever I don’t know what to do with her especially if I notice abnormalities in her behavior. There is a time where I rushed her to the doctor every week because of my paranoid behavior. The doctor actually laughed at me and told me that this is normal for first time mothers.

Sofia Roshanne, my daughter is now eight months old. As she is growing, I also grow as a mother. I learned so many things for the past eight months that no books nor experts can teach me. I’ve gained from my firsthand experience more. And because of this experience, I learned how to appreciate more my mother.

Truly, being a mother is the best thing that can happen to a woman’s life.

Jr and Shean Forever

2016-08-17T17:07:00.000+08:00

When it comes to my own wedding, I have so many wants. I want it to hold it at the beach but sometimes I want it to hold it at the garden. I want it to be secret but sometimes I want to shout it to the whole world. I want a motif where my guest should only wear white but sometimes I want it to be full of pastel colors. But there is one thing that I am very much sure of, I want to be wed with the person I love most and who loves me most.

And exactly on May 18, 2016 at 4:00 in the afternoon at Villa Amor Plaza Hotel, Koronadal City, in front of the Lord, my family and my friends, I vowed to be a wife after God’s own heart to a loving and God fearing man named Roberto Enrijo Munar Jr.

I cannot express into words what I feel that day especially when I am about to have my wedding march. I believe that I have mixed emotions; there is excitement because my dream is coming true, anxiousness because in just a short time I will be a wife. After all, it is a life changing decision.

During my bridal march, I wanted to cry but I tried not to because my bestfriend, Krysteen, my make-up artist, Madam Ar, and our coordinator told me to cherish the moment while I am walking in the aisle towards the person I am about to marry. And so I did. I can still remember how I walk, how I approach my parents and how I see him waiting for me at the altar.

What I love about our wedding is the uniqueness of the wedding rites. Although I memorize my vow but then there are still words I uttered that I did not prepared to say. I also thank our officiating minister to give us the chance to say our words to our parents and how he let our parents speak to both of us. Also, I thank the officiating minister in giving us words of wisdom on how to sustain our marriage and that is to prioritize the following: Put God first, Put Husband/Wife second, Put Children third, Put Family fourth and Put others as last.

Above all, I want to thank God because despite everything, He has given me a wonderful and a memorable wedding. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what color is the dress of my bridesmaids is or where it was held, what really matters most is that we do it with the person we love and it is blessed by our Father in heaven.

Turning 29

2016-03-02T13:42:00.000+08:00

I love the way you love me, I love the way you smile at me. – Don Mclean, Birthday Song

11 years ago when I was still young, this song has been sung to me by my college crush, Stephen, at our Dormitory. I am living away from my parents when I turn eighteen years old, thus I did not get any debut party. But my friends in the dorm, especially my roommate, Sheena, made a way for me to have my own 18 roses. The last rose has been given by my crush in the evening of my birthday where candles are surrounded by me, and he sang the birthday song while playing the guitar. Because of that, my 18^th birthday became memorable. I even picked a petal of each rose and store it in my scrapbook.

And tomorrow I will be turning 29 years old, the last year where I can still tell myself that I am still part of the twenty’s. I am thinking of doing something different in my birthday but I can’t think about it now. All I know is that I will have a simple celebration tomorrow with my fiancé, JR, and with his family. He will be arriving tomorrow, thus I am excited of seeing him again. I will be thanking my fiancé for loving me despite my imperfections in our relationship. Also, I will be having my celebration with my family tomorrow night where I could also thank my parents for supporting me in every endeavor in this life. And most of all, I will celebrate it with my Saviour and my Father in heaven. I will be thanking God for this great life that He is giving me.

No matter how age we will be turning the next day is and no matter how we celebrate it and how we plan to celebrate it, I think the most important thing to do is to thank God for giving us another year to discover His greatness in our life. And I do and will always do.

11 years ago, the song seems to be just a song sung by a guy expressing his feelings to a girl.

But today, the song seems to be a song that God is singing to me or a song that I can sing to God depending on what part of the lyrics. I am always thankful to God because He opened my heart and mind to receive Him into my life. I just want to pour out all the praises and worship to Him.

And so, turning 29 means being thankful to all the people who loves me and most especially thankful to God for everything.

My Second TV Exposure: More Close Up Version

2016-01-28T13:00:00.001+08:00

I can still remember my first exposure in the national television. It was when I was in college where our group was asked by the media to take a video where we will be exchanging gifts for a Christmas station id of MYX. After that event, whenever I go home, some of my high school batch mates will tell me that they’ve seen me on TV and they are so proud of it. They thought that I am auditioning on something or what. They actually didn’t know that I was just at the right time and at the right place when it happened.

And now here comes another exposure where I am interviewed and aired in our regional news. Again, I think the same thing happened that I don’t have a choice but to say yes. Although I’ve said no for several times but because all of the people that should be interviewed is not available and I am the only one left, I have no choice.

After the interview, I am shaking because I think my explanation sucks and I feel like an idiot. I don’t know but I am not just used on speaking of my mind to public. I’d rather write than speak my thoughts because I just can’t compose my thoughts properly whenever I am speaking. But then again, I have no choice but to do it.

So, my interview was aired by ABS-CBN SOCKSARGEN on January 26, 2016 at the TV PATROL SOCKSARGEN Program. I didn’t watch the program because I am really embarrassed with it. But a good friend posted a picture of me in the TV with a tag line, “Artista nay yan”. Just like some of my friends before, she is proud of my exposure while I am very ashamed of it.

She told me that the interview went okay so I tried to watch the video. After watching, I know that I bear some bad news because of the brown out tag, but at the same time I am proud because I manage to compose myself.

And so here is to my second exposure in the TV. I think twice is enough.

Disconnect to Connect

2016-01-22T14:05:00.002+08:00

This is the name of the facebook page of my sister as part of her requirements in her college degree. I am just amazed on how technology uses us to be close to the people away from us but it also uses us to be far from the people around us.

Disconnect to Connect is a page encouraging all the technology savvy to disconnect for a while in order to connect to the people around us.

I was known to be a person who keeps on posting in facebook. I am addicted in posting my thoughts, what I am going through and almost all of the activities in my account. Thus, I tried to include it in my fast this year by deactivating my facebook account for a week. Whenever I feel the urge to post, I prayed, wrote my thoughts in a paper or talked to a friend. I actually miss seeing facebook posts but I tried not to peek in my page even just for a week.

When the prayer and fasting is over, I activated my account but I tried not to post any activity on it. Instead, I just like and commented in the posts of other people. Eventually, it became part of my system that I don’t usually look at my phone. I became more connected with the people around me especially those who are really close to my heart.

I actually love it when I’m literally out of social media. I love it when I don’t post anything and my facebook friends are just curious. Some of my friends actually asked me why I’m no longer posting and they also began asking me how’s going on in my life. Those questions became actual conversations; and with those conversations, there are interactions; and those interactions are far way better than posting in the social media.

And so, I am promoting this facebook page to everyone else, to create awareness to everyone who is like me before, to encourage them to disconnect to social networks, and connect to the people around them.

Deuteronomy 28:13

2016-01-21T17:06:00.000+08:00

“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.”

I was able to read these words again during my quiet time this week. I came to think about it again and came to realize that this is the prophetic message given to me several years ago before my graduation. Although it is not really the exact words, rather it says more like: The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. He will bring you from one nation to another, to solve problems. You will always be at the top, never at the bottom, as long as you continue to obey in Him. But I am not really sure about this one either, it is just the thought that I just remembered.

I never expected this to happen in my life, I never dream to be a place where I am right now. I did not expect to become a department head in my office with my age. I feel so young that sometimes I feel that I don’t deserve this position. But I know that God really indeed put me in this position for a reason.

And as I write at this very moment, I am filled in awe of His greatness in my life. I am not sure if He is referring for my career or my ministry when the prophetic message was delivered before. Actually, when I received the message before, I really thought that He is referring with my ministry as I became a Victory Group Leader and as a head in the Admin-Support Ministry.

But whenever I look upon my situation, at this moment, it is not just the ministry that he meant, but He also includes my career. It surprises me because I never thought about it for a very long time until I stumbled upon this verse again. I then realize that the prophetic message I received several years ago just came true today in my career life.

I didn’t have a copy of the prophetic message given to me several years ago but I remember this verse when it was delivered to me. And I am really so thankful for God is Sovereign and what He meant several years ago is still what He meant today. It is such an honor to serve a God who is constant and loves us for who we are. Truly, I want God to be glorified in my life. Praise be to God forever!

Psalm 3

2016-01-13T10:28:00.000+08:00

“Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” - Psalm 3, A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.

I’ve been studying the life of David lately and I can really relate to his story. Just like David, I am a person who speaks my heart to God. Every emotion and feelings that I have whether I am happy, I am angry, I am bitter, I am sorry; I tell it to Him. I confess my sins to God, if there are things I’ve done that is not pleasing to Him and if there are things that I supposedly do but I didn’t have the courage to do it. Just like David, I am sorry for all the things I’ve done and didn’t do that doesn’t please Him.

Last year, I was put in a position where I am not sure I can handle of. I tried my best to be the best that I can be. But due to some of the things happened and for some unpopular decisions, I feel that some people whom I considered friends betrayed me. And I feel so hopeless whenever I think about it. I am in a position where I don’t know who are my enemies and my friends anymore. I don’t know how many are my foes and those people who rise up against me. There comes a time when I want to give up but whenever I think about it, God is telling me not to.

I thank God that through studying David’s life, He is telling me of the things that I should do just like what David did when he was betrayed by His own son, Absalom. There was a time that I run from war because I am afraid that I will lose the battle. But I am reminded that no matter where I am, there is war. Because we live in a cruel world where we need to face war every day. And though I don’t know anything about it, I know that I am going to win because my battles are not for me to fight, it is God who fight for me. No matter what, I believe that I am His anointed daughter, I have His Holy Spirit that will guide and help me every step of the way.

I also love on how God uses people, my real friends, to encourage me in every situation that I have. A friend actually told me these words: "Your faith is your strength actually. You are indestructible, unshakable because of that." Upon hearing this, I decided to to surrender to God my battles; I believe that my faith in Him is my strength and it is through it that I am going to win. I claim for victory in Jesus.

And so, Just like David’s prayer in Psalm 3, I also pray it right now. I claim for His deliverance because I know He will deliver me from my enemies. I shall not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side, because my God is a great God who will deliver me. He will bless me for I am His. Praise be God forever.

Dare to Believe

2016-01-07T08:59:00.002+08:00

I am in my fourth day of prayer and fasting this year and I am just so amazed on how God filled me with His Holy Spirit. My body is weak but my Spirit is full. This year series is about daring to believe of God’s promises in my life.

I am facing a mountain in my life right now and I am very much confident that God will be able to move that mountain through me. I know that everything happens for a reason and all the more I want to be positive on it. I am declaring that all negativity will be released in my life, instead the Spirit of positivity will just overflow in me this 2016.

My 2015 ended with a very tough ride but I am always glad that God’s grace and mercy overflows. Even it ended that way, I’ve seen so many miracles and blessings that come in my life.

And now here comes 2016, a year where I am not sure what will happen to me but I know with certainty that God will never leave me nor forsake me as He promised. I believe that this year will be a year where all His plans for my life will come into pass, that all of my faith goals will happen as it comes from Him.

This 2016, I claim for good health, protection, prosperity and abundance in my life. I claim for a wedding with my fiance, JR and to be happily married with him. I claim for a house and business of our own. I also claim to travel in different places in the country and outside the country.

Aside from my personal faith goals, I also claim for abundance, prosperity, good health and protection of my family and loved ones. I pray for household salvation that God may use me to be His living testimony to my family and I pray that God will open their hearts to the truth. I claim for a good and healthy relationship among family members.

Also, I claim for excellence in the job that I do as it reflects of who my God is. I claim for a promotion and protection in my career. I also pray that this year will be a stress-free workplace. I claim that I will have a good relationship with my staff and co-workers.

This year, I am convince that God will use me in my church as I am going to join bible studies in the church and be more involve by helping in kids ministry. I pray that God will use me more so that He will be glorified more in my life.

I know that I've got a lot of faith goals this year but I know that God will be able to do everything as I continue to have faith in Him. Because this year and for the rest of my life, I am fully convince that God is able to do what he had promised.