Two things

The Lord has been teaching me two things about myself lately:

1. That I am so mayabang [proud and arrogant]

2. That I am so in need of Him so that I can be trully humble [meek]

It took a while before I realized it but I am glad He is dealing with me, as always, accordingly. That is towards His likeness. Left overwhelmed again! 

Thank You! :)

His faithfulness despite...

"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,in love and compassion.

I will betroth you in faithfulness,and you will acknowledge the Lord."

-Hosea 2:19-20

One thing that God taught me through reading His word in the Old Testament, is that His faithfulness is never dependent on how faithful or unfaithful or obedience and/or disobedience His people are [both Israel during those time and the elect among the Gentiles today]. He is faithful because that is who He is. He is faithful because He is God and we are mere men, created beings.

How humbling is that! We are undeserving but He continuously extends His grace towards us, His people [the body of Christ]...

Thank You, Lord for who You are! :) 

Humbling me

God is humbling me. 

Someone is mad at me because (I think but I am not sure if it is the reason) the person doesn't agree with how I go about in leading our growth group and because of things I have said that was offensive in one way or another to the person. The humbling part about this is that the attitude of the person actually reminds me of my own attitude when I feel the same (mad / angry / irritated) towards someone. 

So God is now teaching me to respond in love, in patience, grace, compassion and in meekness. And it is not easy, specially the meekness part as I was told (by the person) of things I never thought I would hear from the person. 

I am hurting, yes, that's given. But I do not disregard the fact that this is nothing that is out of the control and sovereignty of God, so I will do as it pleases Him. It is hard but I know that it is possible by His grace.

I know sooner or later we will be okay again in His time and according to His will. I know that He wants harmony among His children. So I leave it up to Him and pray, and trust that He is working everything for our good because we belong to Him and we are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

"May Your will be done, Father... That in all these, Your name alone be glorified. Amen."

Baby Moira Celestine

Last Sunday, August 4, 2013, I was invited by my GAWAD best friend, Mari, to be one of the ninang (god-mother) to her second child, Moira Celestine. It was a special occasion indeed! I met her son, Gavin, for the first time, met her parents and sister again after more than 10 years and got to spend time of catching up with my other GAWAD friends Kuya Arjay, Jaycz, Ate Macris and Kuya Remil.

And allow me to share with you some highlights that day:

It was held in San Isidro Labrador, Parish church in Calauan, Laguna. Where Mari and Richard got married. Calauan is Mari's hometown. 

The Chua family: Kuya Gavin (not looking), Richard, Mari and baby Moira (she was asleep all throughout)

It was a batch of babies being baptized so there were a number of them that the priest had to "bless" one by one. It's my first time in a long time to be a ninang and witness this kind of baptism.

Ate Macris touching baby Moira's head. I do not know what that symbolizes though.

And she is still asleep. 

Kuya Gavin smiling as Papa takes his picture. While baby Moira still sleeping, deadma to the world lang! Hehe.

And then the family and us ninongs and ninangs were called to got to the front for the actual baptism of baby Moira. Since this is a batch baptism, it did not take long before we went back to where we were seated. Ambilis talaga. 

Candle lighting. Again, I do not know what this symbolizes.

Yes, still asleep.

The priest then told us to put off the light on the candle. Here's Richard about to do so.

Family picture!

Here's the ninongs, ninangs and visitors. Kami ang pinaka-madami. Hehe.

With Ate Macris and Jaycz. Thanks Kuya Arjay for this shot! :)

Reception was held at the parents of Mari's house. 

Here are more photos of baby Moira still sleeping after all the commotion around her and even after her change of clothes. Hehe. 

With ninang Jaycz, who knows how to carry an infant properly as she is a nurse by profession. Ikaw na sis! Hehe. 

Isn't that baby girl so cute? Sarap ng tulog oh!

Here's Kuya Remil and Ate Macris.

The love birds. Need I say more? I can see it in your eyes you two! *whatever* Haha!

And then here's us: Kuya Arjay, Jaycz and myself.

At wala pala kaming picture ni Mari sa camera ko. 

Anyway, it was fun seeing all those folks! my good friends for 10 years now whom I do not see a lot these days. Special occasion such as this is indeed a very good excuse to travel back to my home province, Laguna to see them! Until next time!

<G> 

His first birthday as my husband

At first, I did not plan to surprise him but then I thought, this year should be very special because it is his first birthday as a husband! Hahaha! Well, actually para lang may ma-i-rason lang ako. Gusto lang talaga ang nangsosorpresa. Hehe. 

Anyway, sharing few highlights during my dearly beloved hubby's birthday (July 23)

The surprise happened that morning, I invited few chosen men, some of which he is currently discipling and the rest are members of our growth group, to come to our house before he arrives from work (he works at night) to celebrate with him through a mini men's fellowship.

It was a wonderful time! It wasn't just food that was shared but testimonies of how God's been faithful to His men! The men also affirmed John through encouraging words on how God is using him to lead them closer to Him and then we prayed for the birthday boy! Such a blessed time!

Then later that evening, we had our date! We went to eat dinner at Mom and Tina's in Makati then watched Pacific Rim in Greenbelt. Below are the photos of our sumptuous dinner:

  

We loved the food! it was so sulit for Php940.00, we were so full and really satisfied.  Did you notice how big the steak was? Ay grabe talaga! Hehe. John had medium well lamb chops while I had fettuccine with sea food with sun dried tomato pesto.  We will definitely go back for another date there. 

And so it was indeed a "success" surprise birthday bash! He had a very happy birthday! I'm glad he felt very special on his special day! Next year ulet my love! Hehe! Mwuah! :)

Thank You, Lord for special occasion as this! Thank You for Your provision. 

 

Roles

Wife, an employee, a growth group leader and a discipler.

These roles have kept me very busy and are my main resons (or is it an excuse?) why I have neglected this blog a lot.

But I still miss it. I miss writing, I miss expressing myself and sharing my thoughts and personal reflections.

We'll see. :)

No excuses!

13 No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13

No one should ever say that his/her trial is just for him/her. It is clear in His word.  Therefore, we have no excuse to fall and sin when facing trials.  God is faithful, look to Him.

This is just one great reminder for me. 

Amen.