For the past few weeks I've been studying the book of Malachi. Before, whenever I hear the book title Malachi I always think...ahh...this is all about tithes and offerings. But when I read through it and as we discussed it in class, it is actually full of practical issues that we can learn other than giving tithes and offerings. So far in our 3 class meetings we were only able to finish the first chapter of Malachi and it has been a great blessing. That first chapter is full of treasures that really moved my heart regarding my service to the Lord. In verses 2-5, the Lord showed Malachi 1:6-9, 13 A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. (13) Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. These verses really touched my heart. When God asked I am truly blessed that these verses convicted my heart. It made me realize that I need to do more for the Lord than what I have been doing. It is indeed a comfort to remind myself what the prophet Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3: 22-23 It is of the Lord¡¯s mercies that we are not consumed, his compassions fail not; They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Though He is displeased with parts of my life, it is only by His mercies that I am still here and He hasn¡¯t destroyed me. JWorthy of Worship
Make a comment Permalink
Just when I thought things are going pretty well, disappointments never fail to come my way. It's difficult to be under the spell of rollercoaster emotions. Yet they are there. Sometimes it's because I put my hopes up too high all to find out I shouldn't have hoped that high. The optimist in me tells me to take risks and hope for positive results. And even though I try my best not to hope too much because the situation seems hopeless, I still couldn't quench that feeling that somehow there's a chance that things could turn out right. I don't know when I could get it into my thick head that when things are hopeless, they really are hopeless. Sometimes it's the possibilities that scare me. For the optimist in me tells me that there are times when positive things do happen out of hopeless cases. And everyday I tend to hang on to that idea that this could be the day when positive results will come out of things. Yet I still keep getting disappointed. I wonder if that day will still come....the day when I could put behind me all the disappointments I feel and I coul say I have finally conquered all these with my optimism. Disappointments
Make a comment Permalink
Everyday we say so many things to so many people. We use different words in different languages to express our ideas. We sometimes even play with words to express more profound ideas that could puzzle the rest of humanity. Yet these mere words could affect emotions and affections. We communicate with family, friends, acquaintances, and other affinities using words. Yet only a few of us are sensitive regarding the usage of certain words. We sometimes say things we don't mean disregarding the fact that such words have the power to hurt or please someone. There are times when we think we mean it but it never really came from the heart. We could even mean half of what we say but not necessarily the other half. In this manner we confuse other people and it causes misunderstandings. It strains relationships and it makes strangers among us. For so long I have struggled to be as honest as I could be with all the words I say. I try my best to say what I mean and mean what I say. But that's just with me. I can never force the same thing from other people. And that's what hurts the most...when people say things they don't mean and when they don't mean what they say....Say what you mean and mean what you say
Make a comment Permalink
"a friend loveth at all times" Proverbs 17:17 I have always thanked God for giving me friends. I have always treasured memories spent with them. There are days when I would call a friend and we decide to meet just to do nothing. Yesterday was one of those days. I asked Gina if we could meet just to chitchat. Since she hasn't been to Trinoma, we thought we'll just meet there. I've been to trinoma the past week to meet with Carlomer and my sisters. I had a nice time with all of them too. There's one thing in common in all those meetings though....DAIRY QUEEN! :D I don't know what's with ice cream that bonds people together and creates beautiful memories as well. While we were going around the mall, we saw a toy store. We thought it might be good to check out some interesting toys inside....so we did check out some. It was nice to choose among the toys and be a kid again. I've always been a kid at heart....and I think I always will be. Even though Gina and I think stuffed toys are there to accumulate dust at home, we couldn't ignore that they're cute...and huggable! We both wanted hugs....so we did hug the toys that we wanted to hug! Here's the evidence..... I think that friends and beary hugs do go together. I therefore conclude that if you need a hug...go to a toy store and hug all the stuffed toys you want to hug. I assure you...it feels good! :) My sister and I did that last saturday too. We stopped by Bear Cuddler (even though we have our own dusty teddy bears at home). Then we looked at which bears look cute and which doesn't look so cute. After that...we hugged the huggable ones! :D I've always wanted a sensible collection. I used to collect stationeries when I was young. I still do that until now but I don't buy as much. I do collect pens of different colors whenever I get the chance too. But in that toy store I saw an interesting collection..... if I can't have my own car....this might do.... :) A fun day with my friend Gina made me think of what it would be like to spend a day with my three virtual friends...Sam, Carlomer, and Hubz. These three people have always been close to my heart even though Carlomer is the only one I've met in person so far. I'm still praying and looking forward to that day that I'll get to spend with the three of them. I'm sure it's going to be a fun-filled day that would stay in memory lane forever. My brothers and sisters always think that friends I've met online are not real friends. They always tell me that those people I've met online are only there for fun but they aren't real friends. What does make a friend real? Is it the physical proximity? Isn't it that friendship comes from the heart? The way I see it, God opens our hearts to people that we might enjoy friendships. It doesn't matter whether they be near or far, seen or unseen. It is God who strengthens the friendships we've made with other people wherever and whoever they are. Over the years I have met so many people, considered lots of people to be my friends. Now I ask myself, where are they? Some stayed....and some simply faded away. For some, so many things have changed such that old times remain as old times and things are never the same as before. I have friends...and I feel blessed for having them. Yet I still ask....who among these friends would still be in my life in the future...and who would fade away just like the rest? I remember that Gina and I met way back in College. We were classmates in one class. We are two very different people....we don't even have the same taste when it comes to food and clothes. Yet the friendship stayed over the years. We didn't get to spend so much time together after MS101 (Introduction to Oceanography) class. But whenever we did meet, the friendship is still there and the warmth is still there. Now I wonder why it is always like that with some people. Though you don't talk much, you don't see each other much, yet the friendship stays the same. So for Gina, Sam, Carlomer and Hubz, I just want to say that aside from my family, you're the ones who are in my heart. And I hope and pray that over the years, you will always be there to stay and that the friendship will stay the same. :) Of Friendships and Free Hugs
Make a comment Permalink
It has been such a long time since I've gone out of town just to have fun. This is one of my most exciting adventures this year....two days and one night in Puerto Galera with Gina! :) We left very early in the morning of May 25. On the ferry boat from Batangas to White Beach, we saw a fantastic view of the bay and some beautiful parts of Mindoro. Here are some of what we saw.... we also saw some dolphins!!! But Gina was too late in taking out the camera...so as you can see...it's just a dot on the sea there. :) Of course we had to document how we looked that morning on the ferry boat. Not to mention that there was this funny-looking guy sitting in front of us. Oh yeah, I was trying to enjoy the view of the bay on our way there yet I just can't ignore my friends. I just had to brag to them how beautiful it was where I was at that time....ininggit si Sam at si Bec! :P I also wanted to have good pictures of the islands on my phone too....so gotta take pictures of those. Now Gina, why did you take a picture of me while I did that? Well, I wouldn't know. :P Finally, we arrived there...found a hotel where we could stay....and had breakfast.... In the afternoon....we thought it's time to get out of our cave and start splashing in the water...and splash we did! I didn't know a small wave could actually knock me off my feet. :D Then...I learned my lesson.... :P gotta flee away from that wave while I still can! :P but wait a second....oopss!! what did I step on?! :D Nevermind that....but it sure looked like I did step on a landmine! :D We thought we should have a picture together...and we were too shy to ask someone to take a picture of us. So...I used my whatever camera skills and here's the result..... At night...it was nice to simply sit by the beach and talk.....and talk we did. It was refreshing to listen to the waves and talk with a friend. I haven't done that in a looooooooong time. :) The next morning was another photo session with Gina... :D She said we have to have a picture with a boat behind us. And finally we found the guts to have someone take a picture of us. :P I just love the effect of the morning sun.... :) And there was this cute dog along the beach....we had to have a picture with that dog too.... Now what was I doing here?....nothing I guess.... :P (wala na akong masabi sa picture na to!!!) Before we went home....we had to take a picture of us in the room too. Gina...did I finish all the cookies by myself?! :P It looks like I did. :D Tambay while waiting for the boat.....antok na ako ulit... The weather wasn't so good on our way back to batangas....but we enjoyed our music nevertheless.... All I can say is....it was fun. And I want to do it again....soon. :) It was a great blessing to be able to enjoy God's creation with a friend even if it was just for 2 days. God is indeed wonderful in giving me a chance to have a break and to see His marvelous works. :) Puerto Galera Adventure
Make a comment Permalink
We celebrated Michelle's birthday last Saturday. It was fun since Manang Ruth was able to celebrate it with us. She just arrived from Guimaras. Ate Lina was also able to come home for the weekend so we all had a grand time at Ate Raquel's place to celebrate Michelle's birthday. First, Michelle got to open her presents from all of us. She was overjoyed with all the books and toys that she got. Jennifer was also quite excited about Michelle's present...looks like she couldn't wait until her birthday! :) Then we also got to see The Little House on the Prairie...just for a bit... Then we also had some games.... Jennifer won a Green Lantern toy....and Michelle won 2 Zatana toys... Then we had treasure hunting and Danielle the most number of puzzles first... Then we finally got to eat....strawberry pie, low calorie cranberry pie, and strawberry ice cream!! Weee!!! So yummy!! :) And, of course, we took more pictures.... :) Michelle's 8th Birthday
Make a comment Permalink
I didn't get the chance to take a lot of pictures back home because of the rain...aside from being too busy eating too.:P But here are some of the pictures that we did get to take during our vacation back home. The pineapples in the Del Monte plantation... The pineapple fields of Del Monte... too bad it was a cloudy day. The view of Mt. Kitanglad in the background is hidden by the clouds. The Del Monte Golf Course in Kawayanon, Manolo Fortich Bukidnon....this place is just about 5-10 minutes drive from my place. :) This is my home back in Bukidnon....sure make me want to go back and have another vacation. :( Our flowers back home...this one is my nanay's cattleya... This is my ate's orchid (a vanda)...up close :) My sister's tissue-cultured orchids...they didn't bloom yet...at least not all. Our version of the hanging gardens of babylon with our turkey as the guard. :)home sweet home
Make a comment Permalink
I had a wonderful vacation at home....and for that reason I left my blog behind. So...here goes the pictures!!! :) me and michael the felix gang! the ladies in the family...with some missing... borgie, odessa, and michael the "felix" gang (michael, odessa, me, rica, and borgie) me with my nephews and niece me nephews michael, borgie, and their sister Odessa ate lina, manang ruth, me, borgie and odessa me and Michael... ahem! pictures everywhere! aren't those roses beautiful? they smell great too! :) another araw ng mga patay picture with Odessa and Rica hmm...me and Rica....araw ng mga patay... :P Uhmm...don't mind my laundry...at least I did fold it! :P my niece Odessa and her brother Michael gotta have a picture in the "hanging gardens of babylon" hehehe we just had to have pictures with the flowers in church (me, manang ruth, ate helen, and ate emmie) the "felix" gang! on Christmas day! smile! :) Me, my niece Odessa, Rica, and my nanay... Me and my pretty niece Odessa... My nanay and tatay! :)pictures!!! pictures!!!
Make a comment Permalink
The Christmas season officially started in UP yesterday with Christmas carols and fireworks. I was so happy that I got to see it. I originally didn't know about it until Marlon told me that the Madrigal singers would be singing in front of Quezon Hall at 6pm. Since I was originally planning to go to UP anyway, I told him I would go with him and listen to them sing. I also invited Jojo to come along and since he was planning to check out some shoes at the adidas sale anyway (as always) he decided to come along. Marlon took his time finding me and Jojo at sunken garden so we were late. But not too late since we still got to see most of the performance. Boy, did we have a great time! It wasn't just the UP Madrigal singers who sang. There were a lot of other UP chorale groups who sang different christmas carols. Not to mention that there was also a symphonic orchestra. It was really pleasing to the ears. I was so impressed when they sang some songs acapella. They were so good that it sure made me wish I'm one of those people singing there. To top it all off, there was a fireworks display after they sang christmas carols. It was a brilliant fireworks display with the song O Holy Night playing in the background. It really was a night to remember. Something that I should smile at as I go down memory lane. I hope the Lantern Parade on the 15th would just be as brilliant.Christmas carols and fireworks
Make a comment Permalink
Here I go again...working early in the morning and still my mind wanders back to the book I just finished reading. I think I really am becoming a Dee Henderson fan. I can't say that I don't like any of the books she wrote that I have read so far. My brother-in-law gave me The O'Malley series (a set of 7 books) for Christmas last year and I got to finish them all back in January. These days I've been reading her trilogy of True Devotion, True Valor, and...I forgot the other one. I've read the 2 books so far and I loved the action in the stories. Both books have characters that are in the military service. It talks about the complications of life being in the military..especially personal issues caught up in the complications that goes with service in the military... Being human and relying on God for strength to move on. These are the kind of books that I just couldn't put down. It's got great stories and it really is a good read. I think it really was worth my time reading...worth the headache I got for the lack of sleep and the eye strain. As I watched the sunrise this morning, I thought of how wonderful God's creation is. It reminded me of one of the issues in the book, True Valor. There was some issue between Syria and Turkey over water. In such countries water is as precious as gold most especially during a drought. God has truly blessed each of us in one way or another. The Philippines might be suffering economically these days but we're blessed with great sunrises and sunsets, including plenty of water. Each day God showers us with a lot of blessings. We just need to pay more attention to the details for us to be able to count the blessings. One of the lines in the book that caught my attention goes: "There are no perfect moments in life. There are just opportunities to grab." I think I have to agree with the author in writing that line. Sometimes we all wait for a long time for the things we want. We let a lot of opportunities pass us by. Then we think the perfect moment never came. Actually, it could have come if we grabbed the opportunities that came our way. I think the same goes with sharing God's Word. Sometimes we wait for the perfect moment to share the Gospel and then we balk from the task when we feel like it just isn't the perfect time to tell our friend about God. I think God gave us a lot of opportunities. Yet we never thought of grabbing them because we focus on that perfect moment we've been waiting for. I am guilty of waiting for the perfect moment...of neglecting so many opportunities because I want that perfect moment to come. I hope that as the days pass me by, I will stop waiting for that perfect moment and start grabbing the opportunities that come my way.True Valor
Make a comment Permalink
['-The Past Memories-']
| << November 2009 >> | ||||||
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 |
| 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | |||||
['-The Talks-']
['-The Others'-]
Carlomer
Ivy
Marlon
Joan
Cresta
Jun
Jean
Joan-2
['-Credits-']
