Of Gratitude and New Beginnings ♥

You have given it all to me. To You, Lord, I return it. Everything is Yours; do with it what You will. Give me only Your love and grace. That is enough for me.

-St. Ignatius of Loyola

Today is St. Ignatius of Loyola's Feast Day. And today, I remember all the things that the Lord has given me. :)

July is the new January! At least that's what I felt about the beginning of the 3rd quarter. God made all things NEW for me.

I welcomed the month with a new group (Paolo's badminton family) in a somewhat new place (because we took a route I haven't taken before) with new experiences (especially the Lumiang-Sumaguing Cave Connection).

I made a big career change and found myself working in a totally different environment. But I'm loving every part of it, minus the daily commute.

I met new friends and new mentors. I'm so grateful for my boss who took a chance on me and who has been so appreciative even of my little accomplishments.

I began attending The Feast again! Yay! I was actually part of the original group back in Prestige, but I was MIA for many years because I transferred work locations. Now, I'm back. And my Mondays (like today) are Feast Ortigas days!

I met new priests who were immediately added to my "favorite priests" list because they give the most insightful homilies. I really thank the Lord for allowing me to still attend masses, now at EDSA Shrine. Plus I get to pray the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help every Wednesday, also at the Shrine. Mama Mary is still holding me by the hand and leading me closer and closer to her Son. :)

I'm also beginning to get back on track - financially and physically. I know I'm on my way to health and wellness. Konting push na lang. :D

And the list goes on. I may not be able to enumerate everything here, but I thank the Lord for each of them, big and small, grand and simple.

I owe everything to God who is so gracious, so loving, so forgiving, so understanding, so patient, so kind, so wonderful!

I still feel at times that I'm unworthy and that I don't deserve His great love, but as what one priest said, our God is a God of "even ifs."

He loves us still even if we are sinners.

He blesses us abundantly even if we don't deserve it.

He remains faithful even if we are unfaithful.

With a God like Him, what more can we ask for?

And what's even more beautiful is, I know this is just the start.

Better things await those who continue to hope and trust. And I still believe that the best is yet to come. ♥

I look back and say, THANK YOU LORD! :)

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These Little Wonders

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