These Little Wonders

"Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8) Today is the great Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Heart of Jesus is the symbol of the greatest Love the world has ever known and will ever know. His Heart forever beats for you and me, crying when we cry, laughing when we laugh. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is God's love song to us, forever courting and serenading, "Come to me, all of you who are tired and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28) Jesus promises that whoever comes to Him will find rest. This promise becomes very real, physical and joyful when we say Yes to Jesus and be His heart and arms to those who seek Him. Let us reunite with our lover at Holy Mass today and assure Him that we love Him too. PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: "O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of ev...

Journal Entry for Thursday, June 26 I'm on a sick leave because my doctor advised me to take a day off and really rest. I've been coughing since the beginning of June, and this week, I'm having colds and slight fever. I was given antibiotics and two other medicines to ease my breathing but I was resistant. My condition didn't get better mainly because I lack rest. The past weeks, especially last week, have been very exhausting and draining. I would sleep really late (latest, or earliest was at 3:30am) and wake early then stay up all day and all night again. Everyday, all I could pray was "Give me strength for one more day, Lord." I was so stressed with work and family matters (my parents are now in Iloilo, thanks for your prayers, they're safe!), it has already taken a toll on my body. Yesterday, I visited my doctor again, worse than ever. He gave me another set of medicines, a much expensive (but he says more effective) antibiotics, and advised me ...

Journal Entry for Sunday, June 22 My brother and I just moved in to a new place that will become our home while we're in Manila. For me, that will be until I have decided to stay in Iloilo for good or until I get married and move to my own place (with my husband, of course), whichever comes first. :) On Tuesday, June 24, my parents are leaving for Iloilo to start a better, simpler life. I am excited but at the same time, I am scared. I haven't been away from my parents for more than a month. I haven't tried living on my own for more than a week. But as written in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Now is the time for me to be truly SINGLE - to draw away from the traditional structure of family, to learn to live away from the care of my mother and the protection of my father, to be more independent yet more dependent on God (because I know I can only make it through His grace, I can never survive on my own, really). On our first night here, I ha...

Majesty, faithful One Savior of my soul, You are here You are God of all the heavens Worthy Lord of all the earth I pray Your Name be lifted high Oh I love You (too) Lord Oh I need You here Draw me closer to where You are I wanna be with You Started the day with lots of prayer and that song (Oh I Love You). And so far, it has been a great morning! :) My brother introduced this beautiful App from Chrome called Momentum  (above image) and it's just so helpful to keep me focused and inspired. :)  Sharing with you the quote for the day: "Keep your goals away from the trolls." Good morning! God morning! ♥

"No man is an island." "Two is better than one."  "Together we stand, divided we fall."  "There's no I in TEAM."  I grew up hearing the above statements that somehow influenced the way I work. I love working with people, especially those who can be t rusted, who can e mpower, who can a ffirm, and who can m otivate. And I am just so blessed to have found such great people. :) But sometimes, even the best ones will fail you. Sometimes, you will end up doing things on your own - not because you did not delegate, not because you did not trust, empower, affirm, and motivate enough, but just because you have no other choice. These are the times when all you wanted was someone to tell you, "let me help" or ask you "what can I do to help?", yet all you hear and see are their own busyness.  When things like this happen, when you feel you are all alone, when all the responsibilities you're supposed to s...

Happy Independence Day, Philippines! :) Thanks for the doodle, Google! ♥ As the Philippines celebrates its 116th year of independence, let's take a look again at the  12 Wonderful Things about the Filipino and our Motherland : 1. The Filipino has a home for its family and people, a country so naturally rich and beautiful. 2. The Filipino brings hope to humanity. The Filipino heart is one of the biggest, one of the honest and most upright among mankind. 3. The Filipino is part of the solution to the world's problems. It contributes to the advancement of human civilization. 4. The Filipino brings life to the world. He is one of the happiest and friendliest peoples of the earth. 5. The Filipino has a culture of heroism, the Bayanihan. 6. Filipinas are among the most beautiful, free and highly accomplished women in the world. 7. The Filipino is among the most respectful and tolerant of religious, cultural and political beliefs. 8. The Filipino is among the mos...

... never dies. ♥ Since writing is already second nature to me (sometimes it even gets as easy and as natural as breathing), I guess I was really made for this. :)  Source: Playbuzz Will seriously consider Mike's suggestion. :D And will take note of Brendan's advice. :)  So help me, God! If it is Your will, I know You will definitely make it happen. ♥

During the homily, Fr. Benedict said,  "Let there be no other goal than this: For our hearts to be molded after the very heart of Jesus."  Part of my morning ritual is to pray to become Christ's heart every single day, to live as He lived and to love as He loved. After all, we are here to represent Him . :)  So today, and everyday, let this be our song and prayer:  Where there is fear I can allay Where there is pain I can heal Where there are wounds I can bind And hunger I can fill Lord, grant me courage Lord, grant me strength Grant me compassion That I may be Your heart today Where there is hate I can confront Where there are yokes I can release Where there are captives I can free And anger I can appease Lord, grant me courage Lord, grant me strength Grant me compassion That I may be Your heart today When comes the day I dread To see our broken world Compel me from my cell grown cold That Your people I ...

I woke up with this song playing in my head: Mahal na mahal kita, higit pa sa iniisip mo . The LSS must have been caused by watching Walang Tulugan  last Saturday night. But more than anything else, I know deep in my heart that it was God's "good morning" especially for me. :) Last night, He cradled me to sleep with this lullaby: Huwag kang mangamba, 'di ka nag-iisa, sasamahan kita, saan man magpunta. Ika'y mahalaga sa 'king mga mata. Minamahal kita. Nothing could ever be sweeter than that. Nothing could ever be greater than God. :)  The first half of my day was spent at Salve Regina General Hospital for my check-up and therapy session. I really thank the Lord for Dra. Sky and for my therapist, Ms. Myles. They are heaven-sent! They take very good care of me and are very much concerned of my well-being. They generously share their time and talent just to help me get better and healthier. I so love them! :) And to make things even better, I came across th...

"You are a fighter! No matter what life throws at you, you can always face it and emerge a stronger person. Your bravery and courage is inspiring, we admire you! No go on and dance to "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, it's YOUR song!" - Playbuzz Haha. I knew it! :) I remember getting a text from Mars which says, "You are a very special and strong woman and the world loves you for that." Credits to the God who lives in me and with me. Without Him, I am and can do nothing. :) 

PRAYER TO  THE HOLY SPIRIT (by St. Augustine) Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Photo Credit: Deacon Mike We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Get to know more about this promised friend here . Have a Spirit-filled Pentecost Sunday! :)

I almost regretted coming to the meeting. I thought it would just be a waste of time since they couldn't give me a concrete agenda. I was fighting so hard the temptation to leave and just go to my other meeting. Though I admit I enjoyed watching Letters To Juliet for the nth time. :) Buti na lang. I stayed and had one of the most " nakakakilig" night with the Lord ever. :) During worship, He embraced me and said, "I have a greater plan." It felt so comforting that I couldn't hold back the tears. He knew how badly I needed that assurance. Then the meeting began. I was expecting it to be functional since it's already June and there's just a lot to be done. Hindi ko na nga alam kung saan magsisimula. But what happened that night was far more important. It was a breath of fresh air! We reflected on a familiar story . It has been a favorite topic especially during discernment programs. As I listen to the sharing of my fellow volunteers, I c...

One day, as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around him listening to the word of God, he caught sight of two boats left at the water's edge by the fishermen now washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a little from the shore. There he sat and continued to teach the crowd.  When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon replied, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will lower the nets." This they did and caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats almost to the point of sinking.  Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus' knees, saying, "Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and his companions were amazed at the c...

God does not want us to place our focus on our needs, but on His faithfulness! Not on world problems, but on His faithfulness! Not on circumstances, but on His faithfulness! Not on our feelings or opinions, but on His faithfulness! Not on political change, but on His faithfulness! The truth of God's faithfulness is something each of us will need to be reminded of many times throughout our lives.  Our faith needs to rest in His faithfulness! Our feet needs to stand upon His faithfulness! Our heart needs to trust in His faithfulness! Our emotions needs to celebrate His faithfulness! Our mouths need to proclaim His faithfulness! God is faithful! Source: God Is Faithful, Roy Lessin's Meet Me In The Meadow Photo Credit: ALifetimeOfWisdom.com

Take His hand, even though it means letting go of what you are holding on to. Please His heart, even though it may not please others. Wait for His time, even though your desire is to get it done now. Obey His Word, even though you hear something different that is popular. Follow His path, even though you see a valley ahead. Trust His wisdom, even though you want to do it differently. Give Him praise, even though you are going through something unpleasant. Be at rest, even though you have every reason to worry or fear. Original Text: Even Though, from Roy Lessin's blog Photo Credit: Meet Me In The Meadow "Good morning" message from the Lord. :) Couldn't find any better inspiration than this. ♥

Just found some cute app on Facebook. :D Truth be told:  1. Yes, I was born on the third Wednesday of October 1986. :) 2. I could no longer remember who he was. But I remember I had a crush named Dan. :)  3. Sino siya?  4. Okay. Thanks for liking. Haha.  5. Now I'm excited for 2016. :D And speaking of secrets, here's a song about having no secrets:  Good morning, world! :)

... the pleasant smell that often accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. Oh how I love rain! And it's just timely that I received this beautiful story from an equally beautiful SFC sister, Rochelle. Read and be inspired as well. :) The Smell of Rain  A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the Doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24 weeks pregnant, undergo an emergency cesarean section to deliver the couple's new daughter, Danae Lu Blessing.  At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There'...

"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go." But how do you know when to let go? Here's a helpful guide from Shannon Kaiser:  20 Signs It's Time To Let Go And Move On 1. When your thoughts go to memories more than the present. 2. When the situation causes you more pain than joy. 3. When you expect, hope and plead for the person, place or situation to change. 4. When you become complacent, bored or resentful. 5. When the pattern persists even though you tried to fix it. 6. When you feel alone, unheard or disrespected. 7. When the situation is holding you back from growing and being who you want to be. 8. When you stay, hoping and expecting things to get better. 9. When you cry more than you laugh and love. 10. When you feel exhausted emotionally, spiritualty and physically. 11. When you have lost your passion and joy. 12. When you core beliefs and values have changed and you sacrifice who you are. 13. When you stop having fun. ...

There are two things I am most fascinated about (aside from sunrises, sunsets, beaches, and mountains): music and letters. :) So to keep me inspired this first week of June, God (who knows me so well) led me to these: Dearest One,  I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if like me, you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other. Many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my wait has not yet ended. I get up each morning hoping, dreaming, longing to meet you.   I am thinking of how we will meet, would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other? Oh how I wish you were here right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions. Sometimes I ask myself if I have ever really known "LOVE". I do not have the answer to that question...

Though we came by different roads, Now we walk together. Stay beside me all our days, Strangers never more. Through the cool of summer rains, By the heartside fire Here I’ll be with you when nothing remains I am home to stay. Love is the answer to so many questions Now I know, and I can stop my endless wandering Love gives the meaning to my world I see the answer now When I heard this during communion, I suddenly missed singing with SFC Chorale Manila. Kahit pa nakasama ko lang silang kumanta last month sa wedding ni Ate Nillian.  :) But more than that, I felt a certain kilig   that can only come from knowing that I am God's beloved. Mas masarap siyang sabihin at pakinggan sa Filipino: pinakamamahal .  And just recently, I have come to realize that indeed "mahal magmahal" . Love will cost you a lot - and if it's not true love, most likely it will leave you broke and without anything to lose any...