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Joyful ♥

So I haven't written in ages. Glad to have found my blog still alive and kicking. Haha. 

I cannot promise anything. Let's just see how I'd perform as a blogger this year. *wink*

Needless to say, a looooooooooooooooooooooot has happened since the last time I posted. The fourth quarter of 2015 was one amazing, spectacular, thrilling ride. And the journey extended until the first month of this new year. I was soooooooooooooooooooooooo overwhelmed (in a good way) that I just don't know what to say, where to begin, and how to give justice to the beautiful story that God has written and continues to write for me. 

Looking back, I couldn't help but cry tears of joy for God's amazing workmanship. Indeed, I was able to "level up" last year in all aspects of my life. This 2016, I still intend to level up for and with the Lord, and so my power words are "discipline" and "simplicity." Everyday is still a struggle, and it is only by God's grace that I am able to not just survive but also thrive. ♥

As I welcome February, I bring with me the wonderful memories of January. I know life's not fair and the sun's not always up and shining. But as long as I remember my causes for rejoicing, I'm sure I'll be fine. :) 

Note to self: Maintain an attitude of gratitude. ♥

So here's a quick rundown of my greatest joys during the first month of this new year:

Week 1: 

(1) Random meet-up with the original members of SFC Rosario. Aside from the functional agenda, we also had time to catch up and laugh our hearts out. ♥
Serving with these people for almost a decade now. ♥

(2) Christmas dinner with Superfriends. Because I went home early last year and everyone has gotten busy already, our annual Christmas gathering was moved to the second Saturday of this month (abot pa naman sa Christmas season :D). 
My lovely goddaughters got to meet their Tito Paolo. ♥
And Paolo got to meet my oldest group of friends in SFC. ♥

Week 2:

(3) Visit to PMA. Last year, I asked the Lord, "how can I love You more?" Serving in the PMA CLP as a facilitator was His reply. For three months, I spent my weekends in Baguio to listen to the beautiful and inspiring stories of the cadets. After the CLP, I promised myself that I will continue to journey with them by constantly praying for them, keeping in touch with them, and visiting them at least once a month. This month's visit was also a time to bond with my brothers and sisters from SFC Baguio who have already become a family as well. :) 

My dearest sisters from Charlie Company. ♥
Family away from family: SFC Baguio. ♥ (Photo from Jesse)

Week 3:

(4) Date with Shy. I met Shy almost 8 years ago during my stay in Banaue, Quezon City. It was in 2008 that I was diagnosed with scoliosis and was advised to undergo therapy at the Philippine Orthopedic Center. Every afternoon after my session, I would go to Sto. Domingo Church to hear mass. That's where I first met her, and since then, we have become partners in faith. We share Bible verses, reflections, and inspirations from our individual prayer times and we intercede for each other. Over the years, our priorities have changed, until we have almost lost contact. But God has His way of bringing back the people in our lives who are meant to stay there forever. And so, we found each other again. :)

Sisters in Christ. ♥

(5) Sector Family Min Gathering. It just felt so good to see all the CFC Family Ministries together. You are assured that you are not alone in your journey. :)

East A: Ready to set the world on fire! ♥

(6) Cluster Household Fellowship. Random conversations over coffee (and in my case, Wintermelon Tea) with my former household. Great time to catch up and set goals as well. :)

Old and new chapter leaders. ♥

(7) Lunch with the Santoses. And the baby of the family. :) #Bliss #PureJoy 

This handsome never fails to make me smile. ♥

(8) Dinner date with Tweet Tweet. Best friends since Math 17 days! Three of them are already married (last year), 1 is engaged, 3 are in long-term relationships, and we've only just begun. :)

Yes, the family is getting bigger!!! ♥ (Photo from Mars)
The best girlfriends in the universe. ♥ Two of them are already Mrs. ♥

Week 4:

(9) "Just Because" date with Ate Chie. I can no longer remember when it all started but since late last year, Ate Chie and I have been PMSing at almost the same time. And on the last Thursday of the month, I received a call from her asking me if Pao and I have plans for the evening because she wanted to eat out. Because I can relate to her craving, I decided to go. :) 

Big sister + small sister + food + stories = one great night ♥

(10) PBA Finals Game 6 + Meet the Officemates + Dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez. He's not a basketball fan but he knows how much I love Alaska. And because we were not able to get tickets to watch the game live at Araneta, he just tried his best to fix their TV so we could still watch with Jireh and Alpha. But that's not before he introduced me to his officemates who had nothing but good words for him (mahal siguro binayad niya sa kanila :D). :)

Buti na lang masarap yung pesto at yung leche flan, at masaya ang mga kasama. ♥
Silang mga nakakasama niya araw-araw. ♥ (Photo from Pao na galing ata kay Ms. Kath :D)

(11) Sector Recollection + Planning + Dinner at Mahabang Kwentuhan. Kuya Jay said that "our plans must be the product of our rejoicing, and our rejoicing must lead us to storytelling, proclaiming how great the Lord is in our lives." That's why after the planning, we decided to stay and share stories. :) 

Thank God for the gift of CFC! ♥

(12) Maginhawa Date with SFC Bulacan Sisters. We follow each other on Twitter and Instagram, we're friends on Facebook, and we meet during SFC activities, but this is the first time that we really got the chance to talk and learn from each other's experiences. :)

Did I mention Artsy Cafe serves super delicious and affordable meals? At ang puti ng rice nila! ♥

It was indeed a joyful January! It was a time for me to connect and re-connect with some of the most important people in my life. I truly praise and thank God for a month filled with beautiful moments. It's just the start of the year but my heart is already filled to the brim! My love tank is super refilled, I guess I'm now ready for the love month. ♥

Thank you, January! Bring it on, February! :)
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