My Favorite Book

Somewhere between the lines I read you,
You are the words in my favorite book,
That no matter how many times I read it,
A beautiful story always comes with it.

Each sentence, each paragraph is a bliss,
Each page, each chapter is a surprise,
You are the book that makes me wonder,
You are the book that touches my soul.

I will spend my lifetime reading you,
I will bring you along everywhere,
In every way, I will take care of you,
Because your are the best book in my life.

This poem is inspired by Lang Leav and dedicated to my one and only B! For me, he is like a book, the best book that I could have. With him comes a surprise, a beautiful story that changes my life. I will forever treasure him and my relationship with him. I love him more than he could ever imagine. 

All of this was written last March 18, 2015.

Faith and Waiting

It’s Thursday and I was able to meet my sisters in Christ through our Victory group earlier. I got the chance to see again the beautiful ladies, both single and married, gathered around to share each other’s lives while knowing God together. 

I can still remember the time when I was part of a similar group in UP. I am still in my college years back then. There was a group of ladies whom I regularly meet to learn about God’s faithfulness in our lives. But when I went back to province seven years ago, I have no one here to share my passion in honoring God. It was so difficult for me. Sometimes I called my sisters in Christ just for them to cover me through prayers. But being physically away from them is difficult that I tend to slide away from Him. I was like a coal removed from the fireplace that I begin to cool down. It was hard and so I prayed to God for something like this to happen. I earnestly seek Him and ask Him if He could provide me a family where I can tell my faith goals and be my partners as I walk in Christ. 

After years of waiting, God has fulfilled His promise. These young, beautiful and vibrant ladies are the answers to my prayers. And my heart overflows today that I want to write it down. 

I know that this is just a start because as I am writing this down, I can see thousands of people here in Marbel worshiping His Holy name. I can see them singing praises to Him. He is faithful and He is a God of promise. He will not let His words return empty and He will accomplish what He desires. 

The process of letting go of my comfort zone

And now, I am questioning my purpose. The series in the church today is unwavering where it is all about faith.

I’ve been working in an electric distribution utility for the past seven years and all I thought this is and this will be where I am working for the rest of my life. But just this year, there are so many mountains to overcome in my workplace, so much stress is coming that sometimes I forgot to reflect my purpose. I ponder on resigning from work.

Recently, I’ve been connected to a group of people who has the same belief as mine, and I am on fire with God again. I began to see God’s grace that the word “resign” doesn’t cross my mind anymore. But yesterday, when everything is so fine, no problem nor worries exist in my working place, the thought came again. Just also yesterday, after the said thought, I began to talk to someone and told me her plans of going out because she feels that her purpose is not in here. I am very much encouraged on how God orchestrated everything for her despite her age and her current situation.

During the conversation, I evaluated myself and a realization came. This is not the place for me and my time here is already enough. It is not the problems in the office that I want to resign, it is because I fear that if I will go, every comforts that I am receiving right now will be lost. And I am afraid. I fear that I cannot have this comfortable life anymore where I am the boss and there are so many privileges for me. I am afraid that if I lose the job, it will be very hard for my family to survive. Then a word came to me. God told me to have courage and to let go of my fears. He wants me to have faith in Him as I leave my comfort zone because He will show me my promise land.

I began to discuss this to my husband, and he just affirm my decision to let go. He told me that in order for me to have much bigger, I have to empty my hands. And I cried because it is the truth and I am still afraid to do it. 

Today, as I write this, I know that I am just buying time for me to let go of my comfort zone. I know that it is a process to let go and I pray to God that if this is really His purpose for me, He will show me the way. He will affirm this through prayer, through His words, through vision and through my mentors in Christ. Just today, my devotions is also about choosing faith over fear. May the Lord help me through this process of choosing faith, instead of fear. I believe that as I let go of my comfort zone, He will prepare a way for me for everything. May God gives me all the things I need as I take my journey to an unknown place where He called me to be. Praise be to God forever!

Home in Motion: La Union-Baguio-Pangasinan Trip

Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion. – Leigh Hunt

This is our first time to travel as a family. It is right after the homecoming of my husband that we decided to take the car and go on a trip above North. It was a long journey knowing I am carrying a 10 month old child without yaya and only our family who is with us through the journey.

We hit the road from Cavite in the wee hours of the morning so that we can reach our first destination, the province of La Union.  Nanay and Tatay wanted to visit some of their relatives there before going to Baguio. When we reached La Union, we weren’t able to meet their relatives because they were already abroad. Instead, we tour around the place and go to the nearest tourist destination that we can have our picture taken. And so here is the lighthouse around La Union.

After La Union Trip, we went to the city of pines, Baguio City. Well, the zigzag road going there made me feel ill. But when I see the breathtaking view of the strawberry farm in La Trinidad makes me well.  This is one of the first time got a taste of strawberry wine and she is so giggling happy about it.

We spend a night in a small inn in Baguio City near the Botanical Garden. We woke up very early in the morning and travel around the city. Just like any other tourist, we wear the traditional clothes together, we bike along burnham park and took a lot of pictures.

The next day, we tour around bencab museum and buy a lot of souvenir items including strawberry jams and wines.

We then decided to go to Pangasinan to visit another relatives of Nanay and Tatay. We were lost at first because Waze could not give us the right direction. But eventually, we reached our destination and had our good night sleep there. The next morning, we decided to go to Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan. It was the first time for Sofia to see the beach.

It was late afternoon when we decided to go home back to Cavite. It was quite a long ride for all of us but it was fun and the memories that we can have are beautiful since we are with the people we love. Indeed, it is a home in motion.

A Graceful August

What a blast! August is a very hectic month for me since I begin to take the position of Institutional Services Manager in SOCOTECO-I. The Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) where we usually targeted to gather around 5% of member consumers falls within the last Saturday of August and the founding anniversary where employees gather to have fun falls every August 31. All of these activities are handled by our department.

With the new challenges given by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to have a greater attendance during AGMA, we decided to step out and conduct the first simultaneous AGMA in two different location, one in South Cotabato Cultural Gym and the other one is in Surallah Gym. This is for us to meet the target attendance of 7.5% member consumer owners. Days before our AGMA is such a mess since our live streaming doesn’t work yet. We just finalized our connection and had our final testing the night before the AGMA. An hour before the actual event, the live streaming works but when it is about to start, the connection stopped. Through teamwork, the connection was back around an hour and I am glad about it. During the open forum, I am also happy that the questions raised were easily handled by our Board of Directors and Management Team. Eventually, despite all the troubles before and during AGMA, I can say that it is a success.

After a week, we also need to finalize our preparation for the founding anniversary. The preparation was really so difficult for us since there are last minute changes in the program as instructed by the NEA. We had our tree planting, line clearing and candle lighting activities aside from our usual program.  These three added activities are mandated by NEA and simultaneously done by all Electric Cooperatives in the Philippines. The tree planting was done by all non-technical employees and some organized Member Consumer Owners (MCO) in our different districts. On the other hand, the line clearing was done by all technical staff in four different areas. Also, we prayed for our 353 unenergized sitios by doing a ceremonial candle lighting before our program for founding anniversary. It is our prayer that the government will help rural electrification program by providing us funds to energize the remaining sitios in our coverage area. And I am glad to be part of this institution who is not a profit oriented organization but a service oriented one.

For the first time, we have invited a comedian to entertain our employees during the founding anniversary. It was a night filled with laughter. Not to mention that I am so lucky to win a major prize during raffle and to be declared as lady of the night during the event.  After the formal event, we had our foam party which is also done for the first time. Those who stayed really enjoyed the night as they soak themselves in the foams while dancing into the music.

Whenever I remember how hard the preparations for these activities are, the stressful days and sleepless nights, I believe that everything is worth it. I am happy to take part and to be in a team where no matter how hard and tiring everything is, everyone gives their best for the success of the activity. 

Above all, it is only through His grace that it is a success. And I am thankful enough to praise Him and give Him all the glory. It is indeed a month full of His grace.

Brown out? To complain or not?

While having lunch in a small café, I overheard a group of friends chatting about the recent brown outs that is happening in our area which is caused by heavy rain and strong winds. To be specific, they are talking about the people who bash the electric cooperative in their social media page. They are actually defending the cause of the EC that it is not their fault that their poles and lines are toppled by the strong winds caused by the weather. They also recognize our line man who is working every time an emergency power interruption occurs.

Being an employee of an electric cooperative, I am honestly touched that there are still people who appreciate our work to the point defending us from negative bashers. I understand how important electricity these days because aside from being an employee of an electric cooperative, I am also a consumer. This means that whenever brown out and black out occurs, it is also inconvenient for me and for my family. And so I understand their reactions because I am experiencing it too. What I don’t understand is how people negatively reacts to it, as if they cannot live a day without it. Maybe it is their right to complain but sometimes their whines and grumbles are below the belt that they are wishing for something bad to happen to the people working in the electric utility.

I realized that these people reacted that way because they do not know what is happening whenever there is brown out. They never thought that while they are complaining and wishing for negative things to happen, some people are working hard to make sure that they can restore the power immediately.

We live in a city where there are mountains and some lines are off the road that even a 4x4 vehicle cannot enter it. Imagine these people working at night, away from the comfort of their homes, will traverse these terrains while carrying heavy poles and equipment just to bring comfort to your homes. Imagine these people will work over night, even if they are not on duty, just to bring back the power needed by all of its consumers. Imagine these people will climb along the 45 footer poles just for you to watch a movie in your high end television. Imagine how they sacrifice to be away from their family during weekend or holidays just to replace the toppled pole and repair the broken transformer. I know that some will tell that it is their job to do it and they are paid to do it, but to wish bad thing to happen for them is cruel. Yes it is.

I am not a lineman, I do not wake up at night for an emergency call because I am needed to go back to work because the whole city has no power. Although I am not like them, I am very much affected every time I hear the adverse feedback of people who close their hearts to understand the heavy work behind the brown out. And so, how much pain could it be if it is the lineman who can hear it? How much ache could be if it is their family who can see your negative comment?

I hope next time, every time there is brown out, let us be careful of our words and of our comments. We do not know what is happening behind it and how hard the work is. I know it is inconvenient for you, but do you know how much inconvenient it for them and for their family? And so, whenever there is brown out, we can always think twice whether we complain or not. 

Disclaimer: This post is my own and does not represent the opinion of my company

Everyday is an act of worship

I am just amazed on how God is speaking to me right now. Sometimes, I think that winning a soul is more important than doing my work in the office that I begin to think that I should be a missionary. But God is telling me that no matter what I do, whether it is considered sacred as reading my bible, to as secular as doing my work in the office, only my heart or my motives matter.

One of the favorite verses is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 where it states that whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, we do it all for the glory of God. Whenever I think that I will resign from my work because I prefer to be on missions to win souls, I begin to encounter this verse. It seems that God is telling me that it doesn’t need for me to resign just to bring glory to Him. It seems that He is telling me that in everyday of my life, even in in simple things like eating, driving to work or even doing a report is already a way to worship him. 

Today, I know that He is speaking to me through the book I am reading. He wanted me to honor Him in everything that I do. He wanted me to live an undivided life, a life that honors Him in every single act I do everyday. I pray that as I continue to be a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a co worker, a manager, I will live with a heart that glorifies him. Because every day of my life is an opportunity for me to worship Him. 

As I end this, I want to write this excerpt from the book, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer:

Let every man  abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus.

Pursuing God

My prayer tonight is to desire God and pursue Him for the rest of my life. Being a Christian for so long, I thought that my purpose is to Honor Him in everything I do. But tonight, as I read The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer for the nth time, I realize that my real purpose is to pursue Him forever.

Knowing Him and having this relationship with Him is not enough. There is a need for me to yearn for Him which means I have to nurture my relationship with Him. Nurturing means talking and listening to Him everyday. It means that living without talking and listening to Him is not living at all. 

For a very long time, I know that I am inconsistent in pursuing Him. It is because I tend to focus more on honoring Him than desiring Him. I know it is a good thing to honor Him in everything we do because He also wants us to do it. But my point is, honoring Him will just come after pursuing Him. I am thankful tonight because He speaks to me and made me understand the real meaning of my life.

I also believe that pursuing Him requires His grace because my human nature will fail without it. It is only through His grace that I will be able to be filled by Him. 

Tonight, I pray for a life that desires Him. May God be with me in this as He is the one who put this in my heart.

We are worth dying for

Just recently, there are news related to death of famous people because of depression. Each of them are successful in the career they’ve entered. But despite the success, a tragedy still happened to them.

I am not an expert on depression. I am not sure if I already encountered it in my life. But one thing is sure and that there is a time in my life that I also wanted to die.

I was young then and I only thought that my life is meaningless and without purpose. Every day is the same, I woke up every morning and sleep at night. It seems that no body cared for me.   It seems there is an emptiness in my life that even my family and friends cannot fulfill it. 

My mother said that I cannot go to heaven if I willcommit suicide. And that fears me most. And so, years passed and I still manage to survive despite all negative thoughts in my mind. 

Then, one day I finally found my purpose. It was November 10, 2004 when I cried to God for help and receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. That day, I know my purpose is to honor Him in my life. That day reminded me that I am not alone and someone actually cared for me, and that someone has just died for me. That someone is Jesus Christ. I am worth dying for and so I have to live my life in accordance to His will.

Today, I know that I do not live a perfect life but His grace sustains me everyday. In Him, my life has never been empty and I am thankful. I hope that I could share Jesus to everyone I meet especially to those who are struggling right now, I want to tell them that they are worth dying for and Jesus already died for them so that they could have a relationship with Him. I pray that I could be that person to them. Because life is meaningful as long as you have Jesus.

When a Dream becomes Real for the First Time

I can still remember the times that I dream to see my family complete. There are times that I wish my husband did not go and waited for me to give birth so that he will be able to see our little daughter. But circumstances does not allow it to happen. 

And so when the right time comes, when my dream becomes a reality, there is delight in my eyes that tears of joy comes from it. Seeing them for the first time together is such a bliss.

Sofia at 10 months old when she first hold by her father, JR at NAIA 3 on October 14, 2017 at 12:30 in the morning

I thought my little girl will cry when she will be held by her father but upon seeing her smiling to him, there is gladness in my heart. There are lot of theories that comes from my mind when I saw her being happy to be held by JR. Maybe because she can sense that this man is her father and she is secured in him or maybe because she always hear his voice when his father is video calling me or maybe because she just know in her heart. There are lot of maybes but regardless of maybes that I have in my mind, I know that my dream becomes real for the very first time.

Honeytour: Journey to Singapore

I know this is a late post but I would like to write about our honeymoon journey to Singapore. Days right after the wedding we went to Singapore for a honeymoon. This is not the first out of the country we visited but still the excitement is still there.

Months before the wedding, we plan to visit Coron. But there is a promo going to Singapore and airfare is much cheaper than going to Coron and so we grab the opportunity to go out.

Our journey begins at Davao City since our flight is from Davao City. We had dinner and slept there. Then, on the next day, we had a connecting flight via Cebu City. And so, we had our lunch at Mactan, Cebu. We arrived at Singapore late in the evening and we go straight to Days Hotel, our home for a few days.

We do not have any itinerary to do in Singapore because we want to enjoy it. We do not want to be in a hurry on what are we going to do there. We want to enjoy the moment and just decide for the day where we want to go. And on the first day, we just roam around the city.

On the next day, we went to Sentosa and visit Universal Studios and met the Minions, Shrek and other cartoon characters. We did not took any rides because at that time, I am already pregnant. And I am glad I am because those rides are not for me. I am glad my husband supported me and spoil me all the time.

On our third day, we went to Malaysia and visit Legoland. We also took the opportunity to visit other than lego land, we went to the forest city, a man-made city which is between Malaysia and Singapore.

On our fourth day, we went to Gardens by the bay, Merlion Park, and Marina Bay Sands. We meet my friend, Pinay and she toured us around the place.

On our last day, we went to see the Singapore Zoo. For the first time, I’ve seen penguins and polar bear.

Since I am on my first trimester at that time, I was not able to enjoy the food there. But then, I am not really fun of Asian food even if I am not pregnant. The over-all trip is fun because we seem to be a children who is amazed of every first time we did there.