The Story of my Life

There've been a few times that the husbo caught me praying aloud in bed. It has become a habit because I'm teaching Kara how to pray at this early stage.

I pray that this catastrophe will soon come to an end and that no more lives will be sacrificed.

I pray that you receive all the help you can get from countries all over the world.

I pray that other countries who have nuclear plants will shut down their own plants after seeing what happened to the nuclear plant in Japan.

I pray that the people who have been affected stay faithful and steadfast in Your love, dear Lord.

I pray that nothing like this happen again in the near future so we can recover and learn from it.

I pray that you get enough food and warm clothes.

I pray for those who have not been saved yet, may the Lord lead the rescuers way to you so that you can be brought to safer grounds.

I pray that everyone prays for you so that the Lord can hear us and He'll save us from all these.

These we ask in Jesus' name, Amen Lord Amen.

Late last year, I nursed a friend through what probably is one of the darkest days of her life after the love of her life decided to call it quits. Last monday, we had dinner with a friend who had a falling out with her friend-slash-crushie. Then today, I learned about a friend's heartbreaking story.


I hate break-ups because it always leaves a person hurt and miserable. But then again, it has to happen or life would be boring. I just wish there were less hurtful ways of breaking up.


After hearing the friend's heartbreaking story, it tore my heart to pieces. I wanted to cry for her but why would I when she was calm and composed. I used to think she was fragile. I used to think she's the type that would fall apart in the middle of the storm. But today I saw a whole new picture of her. She's going through a difficult time but her face doesn't show it. Her voice doesn't manifest it. She's a picture of a woman in total control of her mind and heart, of her life.


She made God bigger than her pain. So life goes on for her. She doesn't hold a grudge in her heart only love. She lives one day at a time and goes to where God wants her to be. She trusts Him fully. And I admire her for that.


I know that it won't be long until she finds God's greatest gift for her and when that happens, I will celebrate with her, for she deserves it. And so does my other girl friends who lost the love of their lives.

I still can’t believe that growing inside of me is God’s most precious gift to Jom and I. We’ve been waiting for this for quite sometime and now that it’s here we can’t thank Him enough for this wonderful blessing.

After a few months of trying to conceive, I think I was already near the end of it. Jom or more like I, was already feeling the pressure and that makes trying less enjoyable. He knew I was this close to giving up because He saw me sobbing in my little corner. So the next time I visited my OB, which was a couple of weeks before my birthday, He answered our prayers. He took His time answering other people’s prayers and when it was our turn, it was the perfect time.

And once again, He proved that everything we desire will be given to us in His perfect time. And if He doesn’t or He delays, it means He’s planning a great surprise.

No words can describe how excited I am with this gift from God and the many things this child will bring into our lives. Jom and I already feel blessed having been happily and peacefully together for several months, and this gift from God will surely bless our marriage even more.

We took a break from all the fun and summer getaways we've been doing the past couple of weekends to spend time and serve Kuya Jess through the Yuppie Days with the Lord.

This is one of the most memorable Weekends I had with Days as I was turned over to being Rector. The highness of all highs. I was dead tired when I got home, but it was all worth it. Being called to serve Jess this way is a great honor that I will forever cherish and be grateful for.

+BIL

Love is knowing you will spend every day, of every week, of every month, of every season, of every year for the rest of your life with this person, and thinking, "This is exactly what I want".

Marriage doesn't promise a smooth sailing ride. It will be a rollercoaster like it was before. You may still feel a deep and abrupt plunge at times. One that makes your stomach sick. Other times, you will be on top and nothing can put you down. Like you hold the world in the palm of your hands. But through it all, know that God is with you. And as my friend put it "you were brought together by God and it is only by His grace that you will remain together".

So here, the long and short of what I want to say is the family that prays together, stays together. :-))

Seriously, congrats Marsy! I'm happy for both of you. We look forward to your silver. :-)

ps. Click here for pictures from Mars' wedding.

One day I asked God a bunch of beautiful flowers,
but, instead, He gave me a cactus with thorns.

Later, I asked Him to give me butterflies,
but, instead, He gave me worms.

I was disappointed and I wept.
But, few days after, I have noticed that the cactus
bloomed with beautiful flowers,
and the worms soon became butterflies.

God wants us to wait for the right time,
for He knows all the best that He can give.

So this is how it feels.

I never understood what people felt when they said they've been called. I thought they were exaggerating. They magnify the situation to lure people into believing. But now I understand.

Camille asked me to be the next Log House, which means I will be Rector three batches from now. When I first heard about it, I was apprehensive and I wanted to decline again. But I thought, I owe myself and Jess some thinking time. It's a big responsibility but it is also an honor.

My thoughts were filled with doubts and questions...more so, of guilt. Jess has been calling me to serve Him and it didn't dawn on me until that night. He already called me when Paolo asked me to give a talk. Whenever I'd think about it, I couldn't help but cry because I know that He wants us to be closer. He's reaching out but I always push Him away. I know I'm getting cheesy here but really if you were there, if you were sitting beside me Saturday night, you'd understand. I felt ashamed of myself.

I didn't ask for signs but He gave several that Weekend to help me decide. Until now, I am still in awe. Overwhelmed. Humbled. Honored. The feeling is inexplicable. He is so great! I know you won't believe me if I tell you that He talked to me. But He really did. He made His presence felt in several ways. That's what I find amazing about the whole experience. I wasn't expecting anything. I was just absorbing the feeling. I was waiting for the idea to consume me until I give in so that it'll be easier to decide. But He sent me something because He knew I don't have a very wise heart. =)

When I'm in Days, I don't really listen to Talks. But last Saturday, for some reason I sat on Theo's talk. Which I later found out that he's talk was about "The arlt of christian decision-making". He said in his final statement that if we let fear counquer us or stop us from doing something, we won't be able to appreciate the beauty of it all.

Then at the Grand Mass the priest said that Days is, for staffers, a renewal of their commitment to the Basta Ikaw Lord (BIL) statement. Have you been true to your commitment? Direct hit! This one struck me the most. I haven't proven anything to Him and He is giving me that opportunity.

When Father was blessing Rector and Vice Rec, he said for those who are generous, the Lord gives back to them 10-folds.

And then yesterday, when I read last Saturday's entry in Our Daily Bread the message was: Jesus I will learn from You, Obey You day by day; I'll be your faithful follower and serve You on the way.

I was, and still am, scared of the responsibility. When my rectorship comes, I don't know if I'll be effective. But I realized all my friends believe in me. The Core believes in me. There has been an outpouring of support from Dazers since Sunday. How can I turn my back from all of them? He gave this to me for a reason. A reason that I may not understand now, but I know someday I will. I'm so scared of what will happen but I will leap because I know He'll catch me.

Basta Ikaw Lord!