Summer .... is over

Most of my friends and acquaintances went to the beach and unplug from the world (as they say, but you can see them tuning on to their social networks), while I, otherwise, will tell you what happened during my S U M M E R. 

This fun-climb-day-hike marks the start of my summer. 

A successful attempt to the Parrot's Beak of Mt. Pico De Loro during the scorching heat of the sun. I'm with Jette, my mountain buddy, and some new friends who joined the hike via All Terrain Adventours. 









A post-celebration for the Newly Graduates of the Technical Ministry was held during our preparation and/or meeting for the Lenten Recollection. They're so sweet! Finding a new family within the community will be forever in sweetest memories. 




A successful Lenten Recollection with the Technical Ministry! Woo! Cheers for the Lord! With humble leaders and servants, we all made it happen.





And to finish with a blast, a Grand Easter Feast at SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the whole Light of Jesus Family ... it was really a kick of my summer!

"God opens doors and closes doors because He will go before you." - Bo Sanchez

C A M P  C A L Y E  2 0 1 4 - F l i g h t  P 3 1 4 : C O L L E G E 

What more can I say? I took a leap of faith this year... let alone say that I already addressed my baggage, confessed it to a priest, and ready to fight for it. 

I really had a good time and grateful for the new experiences, might as well count the fact that I conquered rappelling this time. Hoorray!! 

Aside from all the inspiring talks and stories to tell, I want to boast my new found circle of friends, Pitomput Pitong Puting Tupa, a.k.a. The White Team! Me-e-e-e-e.

Ehem. Overall Champion. Ia am so proud of them!  :) 

To be continued .......

The explorer is back!

It was ages ago since I posted one. What happened to me? 

To summarized it all, I am happy to share, that I am done with my Practicum/Internship Training at Acacia Hotel Manila. I was assigned in Sales and Marketing Department particularly in Events. I was also part of the F&B Department, in Banquets Department. Kudos to all my bosses! They were all good to me. I soooo missed them already. *Clingy intern here* 

And so far, I thank God for really helping me to overcome the last hurdles of this semester. And here I am, a degree holder of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restauran Management. Woooo! That's why I was so busy for the second semester of the school year. 


Are you ready for my upcoming posts? Stay tuned! :)

THE CALL

"Follow me."

Matthew 9:9

Although I sensed God's call early on, I was too young to understand. From the time I could read, I tried to find Him in the pages I was turning. I also looked for His presence in meaningful movies. Or in the awesome beauty of nature. 

As I grew in years and human wisdom, I though He was present in my friendship and service to others. God had to slow me down through a mistakenly assumed heart attack. His message from a priest who said Mass at the Department of Foreign Affairs was: "If I was too tired for myself then I was too tired for Him." It made me take deeper breaths instead of hyperventilating in my multi-tasked life. 

Forced to be still and guided to read the Bible, I finally found God in the silence of my heart, in a small voice that said, "Follow me and be My ambassador."

By: Grace Princesa, Philippines (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION: Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

INTEGRITY

For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. 

1 Timothy 6:10

One of my recent favorite Christian movies is called Courageous. One of the main characters is a man named Javier who, despite his confidence in God, is having a hard time finding a regular job that will pay enough to sustain his family. 

But one day, his prayers are answered. he lands a suitable job in a manufacturing firm. While working in his new post, Javier is offered an attractive promotion - with a catch. To prove his willingness to be a team player, he has to forge some entries on a supplies logbook. Despite the threat of being unemployed once again, Javier chooses the right thing. He declines the offer, saying that it would betray his family and his faith. The manager then quietly extends his hand to shake Javier's, revealing that it was a test of integrity that he had just passed. 

Money is not evil per se, especially when it is used to bless others. But when it is used for greed, it slowly consumes and destroys the soul like termites feeding on wood. For this purpose, we need a solid foundation built on faith and integrity so we can make the right decisions involving money matters. 

By: Audee Villaraza, Philippines (avillaraza@gmail.com)

REFLECTION: God gave me money. I believe the power to make money is a gift from God to be developed and used to the best of our ability for the good of mankind. (John D. Rockefeller) 

CHARACTER MAGNET

"Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love."

Luke 7:47 

"Character magnet" is one of the pet names I have for my Mom. For some reason, Mom has this uncanny ability of attracting and befriending persons whom other people would rather avoid. Her best friend of more than 30 years is argumentative. Her aunt rambles on about the past for hours on end without giving Mom the chance to speak. Her former boss accused her of something she did not do. Her only daughter (me) is both her best friend and nagging critic. 

How does she deal with these difficult characters? With forgiveness, love and understanding. She told me, "I'm a difficult person, too, you know. And a sinful one at that. But the Lord never seems to get tired of taking me back whenever I ask for His forgiveness. The least I can do is love others like He loves me."

I am blessed and honored to learn from the way Mom lives and loves. Her example reminds me to be thankful for the merciful love of the Father shown through the sacrifice of His Son. And the best way to respond to such a great love is to also love especially those who are the hardest to love.

By: Dina Pecana, Philippines (dpecana@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION: To forgive is the highest and most beautiful form of love. (Robert Muller)

DELAYED GRATIFICATION

"But wisdom is vindicated by all her children."

Luke 7:35

I can honestly say that I've lived a fast life. While kids my age were going to parties and having boyfriends, I was reading the Bible and going to prayer meetings. I died to my youthful desires so many times I'm surprised I lived to be in my middle age. 

When everybody was thinking of their careers and how to make money, my only ambition was to serve the Lord without any thought of monetary compensation. In fact, I thought I'd never have to pay taxes because I wouldn't have income. 

Looking at my life now, I see God's wisdom vindicated. The years of choosing the Lord's ways have brought the fruits that He had promised and so much more. The things I had given up as a young Christian, the Lord has returned to me in much greater measure than I could ever have imagined. But I wouldn't have known that His ways were true if I hadn't trusted and followed Him in the first place. 

By: Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

REFLECTION: Appy God's Word in your life and see for yourself that He is true to His promises. 

A BETTER GIFT

When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep."

Luke 7:13

Edgar Guest wrote a poem where he asked God for many things. In the end though, he never really got what he asked for but his prayers were answered anyway. Part of the poem reads: 

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life

I was given life that I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I had hoped for. 

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. 

The widow of Nain has the same story. All she wanted was a comforting word, sympathy from others and the company of friends at a time when she had lost her only son. Aside from being a bereaved widow, she was now a penniless old woman, too. But Jesus knew her needs. More than sympathy, He knew that she needed her son. So He raised him back to life. 

Jesus understands us better than we do ourselves. Often, He gives us nothing of the things we pray for because He always has something better for us. We only need to lift up our needs to Him and trust that everything will work out. 

By: Rod Velez, Philippines (rod.velez@gmail.com)

REFLECTION: When God doesn't five you what you pray for, do you hold on to faith or do you turn to bitterness and blame?