These Little Wonders

I couldn't think of a better title for this post because this is about the greatness of God. :) Some good friends would know how our family struggled financially this year (sickness, hospitalization, and deaths of family members). I incurred a couple of debts, unpaid bills piled up, and well, we lived on a really tight budget. "Live Simply." That is my family's motto, for this year. Not because we chose to but because we need to. I only had one wish this Christmas (all my other wishes can be fulfilled next year), that I may be able to have at least _ _ _ _ _ PHP by December 28. That is the sum of money that I need to pay all the bills, insurance, and debts. I want to end the year free from financial obligations. I want to start anew in 2012. Today, I spent most of my work hours cleaning up the consumer database. My boss needs a summary for the annual business planning tomorrow. It was just another workday until I received an email from APP of HR informin...

"There was a mountain climber who desperately wanted to conquer the Aconcagua and began climbing it after years of preparation. But, he wanted the glory to himself, so he went up alone. He started climbing and it became later and later. He didn't prepare for camping, so he decided to keep going. Soon it grew very dark. Night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero. Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were covered by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell. Falling rapidly, he could only see blotches of darkness that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity. He kept falling, and in those anguishing moments, good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes! Like any good mountain climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those moments o...

*breathe in. breathe out.* Before anything else, let me give an update on the Starbucks Planner I mentioned on my previous post . Well, on December 15, just before our trip to Isabela for Kuya Leo & Shezha's wedding, I was able to claim my "free" Starbucks Planner. I say "free" because I actually didn't buy anything. :) Thanks to my coffee-addict co-workers and my very supportive boss who bought the remaining beverages needed to complete the required number of stickers. :) And so I had two planners, the Belle De Jour Power Planner (which I also got for free :D) and the Starbucks Planner. Obviously, I cannot use them both, so I had to let go of one. ("Letting go something for someone this Christmas.") After thorough evaluation, I decided to keep the Belle De Jour (it has been my planner since 2010) and give the Starbucks planner to my brother (who gave it to his girlfriend as a Christmas gift). How do I know I made the right decision? ...

I just received the Exit Interview Guide, Turn-Over Checklist, and Clearance Form from APP of HR. I didn't expect that I would actually feel this way - a bit sad, a little emotional (but I was able to hold back the tears). (♪ Saying goodbye is never an easy thing... ♪) Yes, after seven months, I am leaving SC. I have my reasons of course, some were written on my resignation letter, and there are also personal ones which I'd rather not state. So what's next after SC? I really don't know yet. All I know is " every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end ," and as I end my career in SC, I am beginning another journey. To where? Where else? Of course to where God wants me to be. How do I know that it's the destination God wants me to reach? He will lead me there. That I know for sure. :) And for the record, I've had two failed relationships before true love finally found me. SC is the second company I've worked for. I believe the ...

I missed you, dear blog! I'm sorry for not keeping you updated. "Busy" is an understatement. I'll try to make up for all my shortcomings. :) Last week, I received an email from a sister in the community. It was a pleasant surprise, actually. She was asking for my details, as well as Lawrence's. According to her, a generous sponsor offered to shoulder our ICON expenses, including airfare. Unfortunately (or fortunately, because somebody else might need the sponsorship more than we do), we already have a booked flight. I told the sister that we (Lawrence and I) were able to avail of the promo flight to Cebu via Cebu Pacific, and from Tagbilaran via Zest Air. We will just take the ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran. (Thank God for another generous brother who lends us his credit card and allows us to pay on installment basis.) I told Lawrence about the offer and he was just as amazed. We were thinking of names but we really couldn't pinpoint who that generous spo...

Who wants to get married? You should have attended last night's " Finding the Love of Your Life " seminar-workshop organized by SFC Central (Makati) & East in cooperation with the Single Young Adults of Sanctuario de San Antonio. (Thanks for the invite, Kuya Nicky, Ate MK, and Kuya Rico. ^_^) It was really a great experience for me and Mae as we were both affirmed of our recent decisions. :) And personally, it has given me a clearer understanding of the what's and the why's I've had before. :) But this isn't going to be about me. Sorry, I'm not gonna tell my story here (though I may inject some comments based on personal experiences. :D). Rather, this post is made for those who want to learn. :) I have always believed that blessings are meant to be shared. I was blessed last night, and it will make no sense unless I share it and let others experience it as well. And so, if you want to learn, be enlightened (I mentioned about this seminar ...

This is not about Jimmy Bondoc's song, but rather Savage Garden's "Crash and Burn." :) (God's Love Song) When you feel all alone And the world has turned its back on you Give Me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore Let Me be the One you call If you jump I'll break your fall Lift you up and fly away with you into the night If you need to fall apart I can mend a broken heart If you need to crash then crash and burn You're not alone When you feel all alone And a loyal friend is hard to find You're caught in a one way street With the monsters in your head When hopes and dreams are far away and You feel like you can't face the day Let Me be the One you call If you jump I'll break your fall Lift you up ...

As mentioned in my previous post, we heard mass in Bulacan last Sunday (November 13). The Gospel was taken from Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents). Allow me to share a beautiful reflection of the Gospel which the priest presented during his homily. (Italics mine.) 1. God blessed ALL of us with different talents. These may be in the form of time, our life itself, beauty, and treasures. ALL means everyone, without exception. Thus, nobody could say that he/she is not talented. Each of us has something to offer, no matter how big or small that may be. 2. We should not envy others. Instead of whining about what others have, focus on your talents. Use them. No matter how small that talent is, we must appreciate, use, and enrich it. 3. We should not be afraid to use our talents for the glory of God and for the good of others. Sometimes, fear paralyzes. And it may lead us to sin. If we become paralyzed, we might not be able to do what we ought to do (especially good wo...

We so love Bulacan that we chose it to be the venue of our monthsary date. :) Okay, it wasn't a normal date. We were there on a mission. :D Weeks before yesterday, we have agreed to celebrate our fifteenth month by watching Real Steel and dining out at McDo (because he won GCs again! :D). But just last week, we were invited by a sister from SFC Bulacan to deliver talks 10 and 11 for the Christian Life Program in Baliuag. Without having second thoughts, we said yes. :) By lunch time of Sunday, November 13, he arrived at our house and dined with my family. By 1PM, we were all tuned in for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight. He didn't want to leave until the fight was over. It was around 2PM when Pacquiao was declared the defending champ! (Hooray for the Philippines! :D) And just right after the announcement, we left for Bulacan. Thank God we were able to arrive at Pinagbarilan Elementary School in Baliuag (the CLP venue) a few minutes before 4PM, just in time for the CLP. :) We...

It's already the first of November but I'm still on GLS mode. :) This isn't going to be a long post. I just want to share the highlights of my GLS experience, summarized into three small words: Graced. Loved. Sent. :)  1. Lawrence and I were able to attend the summit all because of God's grace . Do I need to elaborate? Read here . :) 2. That whole weekend in Thailand was an expression of God's overflowing love  and mercy. The sessions, the food, the venue itself, the people. The word "love" was written in everything I saw, heard, and experienced. If I need to be particular, I'd pick the Emmaus Walk as the best part of the summit. God gave me the perfect partner to share that special journey with. Thank you, Ate Lags, for listening to my stories and for sharing your experiences as well. I learned a lot from you. Rest assured that everything that you made me realize during our walk will be remembered, treasured, and applied. :) ...

October 30, 2011 4:20PM Once again, the Lord has amazed me when He brought me to Mabitac, Laguna to give a talk to the SFCs from East 3 and East 4. The topic: Covenant Orientation Weekend Talk 7 (Loving and Serving the Poor) and the venue: Blessed James Cusmano Academy (Missionary Servant of the Poor). :) Thanks to Kuya Matt Angeles, who invited me back in Bangkok during the GLS. Well, the GLS fever is still on and will forever be on. :) I am writing this blog inside the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Parish Church, while waiting for the 5PM mass. What's amazing about this experience is that I got to travel to a new place, meet new people, and well, attend mass at a new church. I guess it's true that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies, never will be spent. They are indeed new every morning. And today, just like any other day, the Lord gave me something new to marvel at. To make this post short (I might not be able to stop myself again from writin...

For the very first time, Lawrence and I went out of the country. :) We attended the SFC Global Leaders Summit in Thailand. Thanks to our brothers and sisters, families, and friends, who have been very supportive of our endeavors. Since 2010, we have been travelling around the Philippines. Thanks to promo fares, SFC events, and speaking engagements. Going out of the country and exploring other nations was once just a dream for the both of us. When the GLS was announced, we were excited and hopeful that we could attend (I want to use my passport before it expires!). However, in our own capacities, it seemed impossible and it even came to a point when we almost gave up on the dream. As days passed, our high hopes were replaced with sadness and frustration and eventually, indifference. I had to act like I don’t know about the GLS just so I have an excuse not to register. :D But God was preparing something big for us. It was in August, a day before our first anniversary, when we were ...

I just turned 25 last Saturday, and if Lawrence listed 25 (and more) reasons why he loves me, I also have a list of 25 things and people I am most grateful for as another year is added to my beautiful life. :) Read and be blessed. :) Let’s start with the tangible ones (these I got for free on the week of my birthday): 1. Nuderm Gift Pack from DermClininc. 2. Belle De Jour 2012 Power Planner. 3. Athena Milk for Women, Carbtrim, and a whole lot more from the BDJ Fair. 4. Premiere Tickets to Polarity, Pole Cats Manila’s 2nd Anniversary Concert. 5. Goldilocks Treat from Ate Gems. 6. Son of Neptune Gift Pack from National Book Store. 7. Product samples from Splash. 8. Backpack from Time Magazine. And now, the intangible ones: 9. My wonderful parents who have been very supportive of my endeavors, and a very loving brother who stood by me through thick and thin. My family isn't perfect yet, but we're close...

For my first post, allow me to share the little wonders God has allowed me to enjoy during the weekend of my 25th birthday. :) On Friday night, October 14, our VP for CQTD treated the whole team for a sumptuous dinner at Kabisera, BHS. It was supposed to be her post-birthday celebration. Since I was not feeling good that time, I asked permission from my immediate supervisor to excuse me from the gathering. She agreed at first, but when she heard the people from IOD greeted me a "Happy Birthday", she called me up and insisted that I should go with them. And so that became my pre-birthday celebration. On Saturday, October 15, my birthday, I woke up early and prepared for the Cornerstone Session. But before that, I first went to my doctor for a general check-up. I arrived at Commonwealth Elementary School just in time for the tutorial. When I entered the room, I was greeted by the 40++ kids who sweetly sang the Happy Birthday Song. I had fun teaching them despite the f...