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

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