Begin Again

There's just so much that I want to say I really don't know where to begin.

My last blog post was last year! Can you believe it? Oh how time flies!

I've always wanted to do this - sit down, relax, and write to my heart's content. According to Buddha, "there are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth... not going all the way, and not starting."

So here I am beginning. Again.

I always say that writing is my first love. It is. And I think it will be my forever love. I've been blogging ever since blogging started but I have never been consistent. Well maybe I was during college but all I came up back then were immature posts. You know, so emo. :))

When I started this blog, I told myself that I'm going to be more responsible and mature. I have to act my age (even though I look a lot younger ;p). So I wrote reflections, prayers, and basically the title of this blog, STUFF THAT MATTERS (at least to me).

Last year, I went through a lot. Imagine trying to survive 366 days! That's really a lot! Kidding aside, I was tested in all aspects - financially, physically (health), mentally (I would say I was a bit depressed and too stressed.), emotionally (I've never felt so alone in my entire life.), and even spiritually (the struggle is real!!!).

Despite all that, 2016 was still a great year! It was the year when I made one of the biggest decisions in my life - to give love another chance, hoping I'd get it right this time. And I tell you, there are days when everything's a mess that I'd come to the point of saying, "si Paolo na lang ang natitirang tama sa buhay ko." Cheesy I know. He doesn't know it. He doesn't read my blog. So please don't tell him. Haha. Seriously, he's one of God's greatest blessings, and he knows how grateful I am for him. He's not perfect, just as I am not, but he's everything I need. For the first time I met someone who's pretty much like my male counterpart, and the best part is, he's the better version of myself. :)

And of course there came our little angels: Mikay, Raia, and Chasdi. I did not give birth to all of them but they're like my children too. They are the newest addition to my spiritually adopted kids - children I care about so much they're always in my thoughts and prayers.

Raia is extra special. She's a preemie just like her ninang. And she's a fighter just like her ninang. :)

She turned our world upside down. We were on a rollercoaster of emotions. But she definitely made us all a better person - more loving, more prayerful, more hopeful. Her being out of the NICU was our greatest Christmas gift.

Just last weekend, Pao and I got to visit her in their home in Laguna. She's so adorable! She is a living miracle, very strong proof of God's healing and power. I was so amazed that I was not able to take a photo of her. I was in awe seeing her breathe and sleep and cry and move like normal babies do. (Oh dear Raia, I hope you know how lovely you are. Keep fighting, my love! We're all here for you.)

As I welcome 2017, I can't help but thank God for the blessings, lessons, trials, victories, challenges, joys, and sorrows of 2016. Now I can see them as the Lord's way of preparing me for a greater, better year.

This year is the year my dreams will take flight! No more hesitations, no more doubts. I believe it's not a coincidence that my first ever corporate boss recently told me this: "If you remove all the restrictions in your head, you'll be surprised at what you can achieve." You're right, Sir! I am meant for greatness. And that I will pursue.

It's just the first month and God has already blessed me with victory after victory. Some of my earnest prayers have been answered (may I just say that St. Joseph and Mama Mary are true relationship goals and they're the most powerful prayer warriors), I've crossed out several items on my personal to-do list, some are even major ones like the family roadtrip and Papa's retirement documents, and I've actually won items (a rice cooker during our first household, and a tote bag and paperback journals from ClickTheCity)! Next time sasakyan na mapapanalunan ko. Tsaka house and lot. :p

I move forward with gratitude and hope knowing that the best is yet to come!

And why should I worry when I have such a great and powerful God? :)

Soooooooooooooooooooooo...

Cheers to 2017 - the year I will get things done, make things happen, and turn those dreams into reality!

Hep Hep Hooray! <3

Comments

Understanding Lupang Hinirang

Every Filipino knows Lupang Hinirang (though some know it better as " Bayang Magiliw "). How can you not know it when it is the national anthem of the Philippines? But do we really mean the lyrics that we sing? Do we understand it in the first place? Photo Credit: http://diazi.ism-online.org This video has gone viral weeks ago. This afternoon, I shared it to my teammates, and one commented, "Yun pala yun . Ngayon ko lang naintindihan." He immediately downloaded it and converted to MP3. So for those who have not seen it, once again, here is Joey Ayala's version of Lupang Hinirang. And I agree, you would never want to sing it in another way. (But that's just me. :D) This rendition is simply beautiful. Truly Filipino. :) Of course that doesn't mean we need to revise our national anthem but maybe we can consider about correcting the way we sing it (read: proper pronunciation). Read more about the Philippine National Anthem here .

Jesus Week 2015: A Time To HEAL ♥

I had the best, most meaningful HOLY WEEK ever, so far (the best is yet to come!). :) Thanks to Joy who shared the Jesus Week poster on Facebook. It was God's personal invitation, and I couldn't thank Him enough for the grace that He also gave me to respond. Everything is grace. It was not just my personal decision to join. It was God's grace that allowed me to. So how did it go? Well, as what I have told my friends, it was amazingly beautiful! The experience was priceless! On Holy Monday, I posted Fr. Jerry Orbos' acronym for HOLY WEEK . I experienced all of that and more! :) I won't be able to share everything as there is just a lot of personal, intimate encounters with the Lord. But if I were to summarize, it was a time for me to HEAL. :) H alt . Indeed, I was able to stop and just rest in the Lord. Before leaving Manila, I have already told myself that this retreat will be all about Jesus ( Jesus Week nga e :D ). No emails, no texts, no calls. I

Thank You, Lord! :)

It has been a long and stressful day (the past three days have been lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and stressssssssssssssssssssssssssssssful), but You are just so amazing, Lord that I couldn't sleep without telling You how grateful I am. :) Thank You, Lord for the miracle that You did yesterday. Break even and more. :) Thank You, Lord for the laughter and stories shared during the post-mission meeting with Team Thailand. :) Team Thailand - Princesses from SFC Metro Manila :) Thank You, Lord for Lawrence. He is just the (almost) perfect man. He has his flaws, but they are acceptable; he makes mistakes, but they are all forgivable. There are a lot of men but there can never be anyone else. He's really the one. And You know it very well. :) ♥ Nemo. Love. ♥ Thank You, Lord for giving me strength and endurance each day. :) Thank You, Lord for the short but restful sleeps. :) Thank You, Lord for every waking moment and every opportunity that You give

The Holy Spirit*

*Cluster 4 Household Topic Reflections from John 15:26-16:4 True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers His disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour that He was to be glorified - through His death on the cross and His resurrection - He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who kindles faith in hearts receptive

Interesting Facts Courtesy of Celebrity Bluff :)

I was writing a different post, but Celebrity Bluff is just so fun and informative, I had to stop from blogging to list down the fun facts that I learn from each round. :) Thought it would be nice to share them here as well. For future reference. :D Q: In 2012, what kind of animal was named after Beyonce? A: Horse Fly Q: What rare job in China will pay you US$50,000 a year? A: Fart Smeller Q: What alcoholic drink literally means "water of life"? A: Whisky Q: In which part of the body can you find the tragus? A: Ear Q: According to Merriam-Webster, what is the female equivalent of dude? A: Dudine Q: What is longer in the male turtles than in the females? A: Nails And the final question is... Q: According to Box Office Mojo what are the top four (4) movies of 2013 according to global profit? A: (1) Iron Man 3, (2) Despicable Me 2, (3) Fast and the Furious 6 (4) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire That's all

These Little Wonders

Search This Blog