REASONS WHY I LOVE THURSDAY!

Please let me introduce you to the people behind the tittle of my blog post. These are the persons whom I'm with in my journey towards Christ-likeness. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying we're all perfect and holy. It means, we're sinners but trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.) These people are the ones God uses for my growth in Him. I praise God for these people's lives. 

In our group, I'm the youngest. And if you happen to read this and happened to be a close friend of mine, you wouldn't believe that I don't talk too much whenever I'm with them. I'm the usual "Bida-bida" friend but with them, Pabebe lang ako.haha! I don't know. Maybe because when it comes to experiences, I feel like I'm the youngest and I don't have much to say that would inspire them or make them feel blessed. But they always makes me feel that they have their all ears for me. 

So let me introduce everyone on my dgroup.


Ate Michelle

She's  the newest from our group. I remember the first time I met her was during our joint fellowship in church. I sat beside her during devotional speech and offered her foods. Later that night, she was introduced to us by Ate Tina as our new dgroup member. And she was also happened to be Jomyr's girlfriend, my classmate in GLC class. Buti nalang mejo naging hospitable ako that time sakaniya, which was unusual for me. I was also shocked that she was at her 30s (Sorry to blunt it here, Ate Mich, I don't think naman na mababasa mo 'tong blog ko.haha) I also got the chance to bond with her during our retreat. I was so blessed kasi she just started attending christian fellowship but she decided to follow Jesus and got baptized. Truly God  has His own timeline for every people. 


Ate Abby

Ate Abby the "sneaker chic".haha! I believe she has bunch of sneakers stored in their house. I never saw her wear any footwear except for this. Mas madalas pa ata akong magulit ng damit kesa siya na magulit ng sapatos.haha! But seriously, I think she's more hungry seeking the Lord than I am. As I told her before, she looks like a child longing to learn about Christ's goodness. As in every meetings, she always say "Diba Ate Tina sabi mo, si God ganito ganyan...". She always has questions.. Nakakabless! 


Ate KC

Ate KC is the most generous among us.haha! When it comes to sharing, she has the most stories. About her life specially her love life. We can actually consume the whole meeting with her stories alone. Kidding! But i am blessed to be part of her journey to Christ. She also works for the Tech ministry in our church. Masipag!


Ate Ness

Ate Ness, the always 'ano ulit yung tanong?', PS: Ganun din ako.haha! She's like a student on a recitation class who's always scared to be ask by the professor. I was blessed because she attended our dgroup last week. I think the last time I saw her was during lats year's Kendisbilab event. Hopefully she'll continue to attend our meetings again. 


Ate Ten Ten

She has a cute name, right? The first time I saw her, thought she was just my age or younger. I treated her like I was older than her. I hope she doesn't remember nor noticed that.haha! She also works for the Tech ministry. I am also blessed with her stories specially during the turning point of her life. She was in comma before and commit to God that if the Lord extends her life, she will serve Him for the rest of her life. And so she does. What a great testimony!


Ate Rose

The always Bibo of our group. I don't know what kind of diet she's eating but she's always energized. You won't ever see her sitting in one place in silence. She plays the violin. She's part of music team in every singles events on church. For me, she's the image of the phrase "Happy people has most painful experiences". I'm not saying that she's lives in a miserable life, but if you hear her stories, it's the opposite of her character she's showing to most people. Kung gano siya kakulit, ganun din siya ka-emotional whenever she shares her stories. But I am blessed how she handles her experiences and how she sees God from that painful stories.


Ate Nelly

Okay, I just discovered that she's just my age during the retreat but I still call her ate. I'm always polite don't judge me of being 'pabata'. I met her since I started joining dgroup. But for some reasons she couldn't attend our meetings now. My first impression with her was she's masungit. During my first months in dgroup, whenever we were asked by Ate Tina certain questions form the topic, she always shows poker face or tell Ate Tina 'pass', something like that. But during our outing in Batangas, I saw a jolly Ate Nelly (Oha! Jolly Nelly). She was like a kid taking pictures and laughing as we run on the shores. I also got the chance to be her breakout leader during the retreat. We also talked about our lives and her plans during our bath time (coz we we're also roommates during the retreat). I was blessed by her letter to me during the retreat. And I am pleased that she keeps on asking me prayer requests even after the retreat.


Ate Shyra

The happy pill of the group. She has this "Alden Richards" dimples.haha! She always knocks joke during our dgroup. I must say, kulang ang entertainment pag absent si Ate Shaira. The most matakaw among us.haha! Whenever we eat, me being the maraming seremonyas bago kumain, pag nagstart na ako kumain, magugulat nalang ako paupo na si Ate Shy with her round 2!haha. Compliment to Ate Shy, wag kang magagalit sakin pag if you happen to read this!haha. I'm always blessed whenever she shares. She may have a lot of jokes in store, but she has more wisdom in stake. She knows what she's saying and contributes a lot of realizations to me personally. She's also a Jadine fan! (Jadine forevs! wooh!!)


Ate Portia

Beside our discipler, I am always all ears whenever she shares. She has this ability to put everything into words and inspire people. A very positive vibe and outlook in life. She's the person you would like to hear whenever you have problems. She knows exactly what to say to make you feel relieved. I must say, I'm envious of her character. Not all people/christians has that kind of character. Sadly, she's now based in Alabang and we barely see her nalang. Hopefully, she will be able to attend our meetings again soon.


Ate Karen

She has the most hilarious laugh I've ever known in my lifetime. Her laughter is her distinction, well for me. Yung tipong nakakahawa. She laughs literally a high pitch "Ahahaha". One "Ah" and ends with three "ha". Bilang ko yun!haha. She's one of my closest Ate. Maybe because we're both the shy types among others (Yes, shy type po ako!lol). She was once serenade on stage by her boyfriend, Kuya Jay, during our valentines singles events last year. Her reaction during that time was very priceless. Gustong gusto na niyang bumaba ng stage! Kahit naman siguro ako ma-on the spot na ganun, mangiiwan talaga ako sa ere!haha. But it was fun seeing lovers like that.


Ate Sassy

She's the combination of beauty and a seeking heart for God. Her nickname describes her character. Though sometimes, she outburst her feelings and thoughts. But I always find it very funny and transparent. You know, not because we're on a bible group doesn't give us the license to be pa-"Santa". I love Ate Sassy! She's like a kid who always complains about life but you can see that she always look after God's heart. I love that she already stood up to be one of our leaders in our group. Before, you can barely hear her talk during our meetings. But now, she always share and encourage the group. 


Ate May Anne

My fellow Aldub fan!haha. Fangirling that loveteam made us very very close! We can talk 24/7 about Aldub. But that was before. We realized that they're getting too much of our attention and money instead of devoting our time to the Lord. Huwow!haha. Just like Ate Mich and Ate Ten Ten, she was also blessed with youthfulness physically. Damn their genes! Like Ate Sassy, she's also chosen by Ate Tina to be the leader of our group. I must say, they're doing a great job with it. Before, I thought our group might waver - not because they'll take charge of the group - but because we're all soo dependent on Ate Tina. But as I said, our two leaders are doing a great great job leading the group. I also spend a lot of time with her most. We both enrolled for GLC class, it's a bible class offered in our church.


Ate Tina

My discipler. Aside from God, she's the major contributor to my faith. I can't find words to describe my discipler. I look up to her. For me, she's the godly woman I desire to be. I mean, she has everything. Beauty, brains, good family, great husband, career, wealth, skills, positive attitude, very gentle woman and has a seeking heart for the Lord. Everything you could ask for a woman. (PS: Obvious bang sobrang naglu-look up ako sa discipler ko.haha!). And in spite of that, she always stayed grounded. She's an encourager. She believes that you can even when times you know you can't. She always pushes you to serve the Lord in every way you possibly can. 

She will also be giving birth to their first child in a month, which we prayed for. Before I met her two years ago, she was struggling of having a baby. I remember that she was always in tears whenever she shares her waiting season. But now they're a month away from what we've been praying for. And witnessing that is such a blessing for me, because I can totally see God in her life. 

I praise God that He insisted Ate Tina in my life. There was a time when I don't feel like continuing in the dgroup but God whispered to me saying "Look at that person who's keeping you guarded and not giving up on you to have a closer relationship to Me. While you're there, keeps on disregarding that help she's extending to you". That's when I got serious with the ministry. God made me hunger for a fellowship with them and then I realized I needed them for my growth in the Lord. I am also blessed that I was chosen to be part of her D12, a higher level of  dgroup. Since Ate Sassy and Ate May Anne took charge of our dgroup, Ate Tina decided to level up the group. She chose people to be on her D12 and I was blessed to be part of it. Ate May Anne, Ate Sassy and I were part of her D12. I asked God how and why? I am the youngest and I think D12 level is too heavy for me. Not that I don't want it, but I feel like I still don't deserve it by the means of level in spiritual maturity. But I praise God for the promotions He has given me. He constantly keeping me out of my comfort zone so I could grow more in Him and be more dependable to Him.

I dedicate this verse to my Discipler: Philippians 1:3. I seriously thank the Lord every time I think about my Ate Tina. She's one of my life pegs. I once told her on the letter I wrote for her during her birthday that I wanted to be an Ate Tina to other people. I want to inspire not only the dgroup I'm handling but also others to draw near closer to God the way she inspires me to do so. I desire to let people see in my life how much God is merciful and gracious. I want to be God's channel of blessing to others. I don't often tell her but I always pray for her. I pray for her more than I pray for our pastors. 

So there! I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.These are the best people God invested in my life. I pray that God also give each and everyone a spiritual family like ours. People needs persons to be accountable with them. To pray  for them. We're not perfect nor the best people but we're happy and contented with the Lord. And that's the secret... having God as the center of our group. Thank you Lord for putting people like them into my life that points me to You. Help me point others to You in a way that makes You more and less of me.




PS: Photo credits to Kuya Pao's super awesome shots! We had our mini photo shoot last Thursday and he volunteered to to be our photographer for free. Not just your shots are the best, Kuya. But also you!!

PPS: Will probably update this blog in the future to put some pictures of us during the shoot as soon as we get the photos from Kuya Pao. So please visit me again in the future! My sisters are not just good at heart, but they're also physically attractive. lol



IN ALL THINGS,
GOD SHOULD ALWAYS BE GLORIFIED!

0217

...It's the day of the year again...
Never thought this day could be special to me again.

"1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

"1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not  been perfected in love."

IN ALL THINGS,

GOD SHOULD ALWAYS BE GLORIFIED!

BAG-YO!

(Day 1)

Went to Baguio with my friends last 4 weeks ago for an overnight trip. It was planned to be a 3days vacation but I refuse to remeber kung bakit umiksi yung stay namin. The planning was so stressful that it made me believe that it will be cancelled. Everything was a last minute - knowing our barkada. 

We were supposed to meet up at 9pm at RM's place but for some reasons the car that we supposed to use wasn't available. So we've decided to take a bus to Baguio for the very last minute. 10pm and I'm still at home checking my messenger if the trip was still on. I haven't finished packing my things yet because I can sense na nagkakatamaran na (Special me! My body wasn't ready for a bus trip!). Half past ten and we're still on messenger. A lot of suggestions were pitched in para lang matuloy. Well we were all ready to call the trip off but our only motivation was we don't want to embarrassed ourselves to our friends specially to Benjie who was so nega about the trip. Thanks to you this trip was made possible. So here's Beyonce for you, brother!

 Around 12mn when we got to RM's house. Still no final plan. An hour of suggestions, asaran, talkshitan and everything... We ended up pushing through our first scheme. RM's parents dropped us off at Victory Liner Bus terminal (Thank you Tito and Tita for the ride!). I think we got there at 1 in the morning and we decided to took the 3am schedule. Katkat was supposed to be with us, but for some lame excuse (sorry ship, if you happen to read this, I really find that lame) she won't be able to come with us. We were about to buy her her ticket when I insisted Kim not to coz' I'm damn confident she won't come! I should've followed my instinct and made a bet with my friends! 

So while waiting for our bus, we decided to grab some snacks near the station. I wanted to eat real food that time (when I say real food, yung lutong bahay) but the nearest shop there was Ministop so I had no choice. I also bought my toiletries 'coz I never expected this na matutuloy. I only packed my clothes and that's all. We took pictures and sent it to our friends para magyabang!haha

Tumi-titas of Manila yung itsura ko! haha

We went back at the station 30mins before our schedule. I think the bus took off at 3:30am? Can't remember. I was sitting beside Kim. I love seating beside her. She's an instant everything-you-need! A pillow, a kwentuhan when you're bored, a friend whom you can ask to get your bag, a food buddy during the trip, a friend to accompany you during the stop overs. Everything! She won't even bother if you wake her up just because you wanted to tell her something you see on the road. But the only downside about her was, when you let her do the talks, dire-diretso! Mahihiya kang matulog kasi it was your fault hinayaan mo siyang magkwento!haha. 

We had 3 stop overs. During the first one, we also bought snacks from Mcdo. Muntik pa kaming maiwan ng bus sa tagal ng order namin! I got my favorite Sausage Mcmuffin and shared it with my Rm cause I'm the most generous bestfriend!haha. The trip was soooo looong I feel like I wanted to go back to Manila already. I really hate long ride in buses. My system was never designed for this kind of road trip seriously.

We arrived at Baguio at 9:30am. The first thing we did was to get a return ticket back to Manila. We don't wanna get broke from Baguio and won't be able to get back home. After we got our return tickets, we look for a cab that will bring us to our transient house whom Berna contacted. Taxi drivers there were so kind unlike here in Manila. We met the landlady of the house and we thought that she's also a Christian based on the shirt she's wearing. It was nice meeting a heavenly family on a random situations like that, it's like meeting a friend whom you never met. Basta di ko maexplain!

We just dropped our things there and rest for a little while and then off we go to discover things we need to see in Bagiuo! Good thing the place where we stayed was exactly at the jeepneys' turning point so it was a less hassle for us in terms of transportation. We first went at SM Baguio to have our lunch. Oh the struggle to look for SM Baguio was a real feet wrecking! From Burnham Park, we walked to SM. When we got there, we didn't know where to eat. Another struggle again. We ended up at KFC. Pfff! If only I knew that their servings there wasn't as good as here in Manila, I should've eat somewhere else. 

After eating, we went straight to Mines View Park. There we met the famous St. Bernard dogs! That was actually what I'm looking forward to. We took a picture with both of the dogs. Yung isa kasi kawawa, walang nagpapapicture sakaniya so we took a shot with him narin. 

The guys went straight to see the mountain view when we took pictures with the dogs. (You guys are losers! Hindi kayo cool, namiss niyo yung ganito sa Baguio.Lol). And then we went  to them to take another compulsory picture taking with the view! 

Not sure why I was not that amazed by it's view. I find Tagaytay's view more refreshing. Maybe because of the houses  built on the mountain's view. We also bought some stuffs there. Dun kami actually nagtagal. Sa mga pasalubong! 

We also got try the famous Strawberry taho and it was superb!!! 

Next stop was at Good Shepherd. From Mines View Park, we walked to our next destination. Berna and Rm bought some stuffs from there and the rest of us just sat there (except for Jason who was on a warfare with his stomach and sneaked out for a while) for a good moment to cherish the rest we were all longing for. We all don't have sleep yet so all of us decided to go home and take a real rest! 

On our way out to Good Shepherd, we stopped by on an ice cream and pasalubong shops again.

When we get back to Mines View Park to get a cab, we stopped by at 7eleven to plan our next step. I swear this trip was full of stop bys and planning and reklamos!!haha.

We decided to group ourselves into two. Team Bahay and Team Palengke! Team Bahay was basically be in charge of preparing things at home like cooking the rice and the clean ups while Team Palengke will be in charge of obviously, buying foods to cook from the market. Of course the lazy asses volunteered to be on Team Bahay such as me, Rm, Adong, Igi and Dan. While Kim, Berna, Agnes and Jason, the diligent ones, were on the Team Palengke. 

When we got back to our place, we basically did nothing!haha. Nagsimula lang kaming kumilos when they texted us that they're almost done. I sterilized the utensils and Dan was suppose to cook the rice. But we forgot we don't have bigas and drinking water pala! So they bought somewhere I don't know. When we already got our bigas, nagtuturuan pa sila ni Igi kung sino yung magsasaing. Until naabutan na sila ng Team Palengke!haha. Si Kim nalang tuloy nagsaing.

We decided to take a bath na while waiting for our dinner. The struggle on this part was real! Yung tipong pag tapak mo pa lang ng tiles ng bathroom, kikiligin ka na sa lamig! Good thing they have heater there. Kaso ganun parin. Malayo ka lang sa heater ng isang segundo, manginginig ka kagad! But we survived! And then dinner time. Thank you very much for Kim for taking good care of our food that night! I love our set up there. We're like a family or on an OFW flat abroad having dinner together after a stressful work. 

After our dinner, kanya-kanya nang kwentuhan. Boys decided to have an alcohol session  while the girls just sat there busy watching OTWOL and with our phones. Lahat ng pwedeng pagkwentuhan napagkwentuhan na. I must say, this was the highlight of that day (well for me). I don't know, it was pure fun with my friends unlike when we're outside the streets of Baguio, there's always a lot of complains specially me. 

We also made papansin on our group chat. We sent our friends stupid photo of us during that moment. We were like "Hi guys! Remember when you didn't believe this trip would be possible!". That moment was so lit!

As the night goes deep, and so are we. Well except for Jason. The usual "shot-pa-tayo" guy of our barkada who's always the first one to get stewed. Ending, Exo-Exo nanaman sila ni Agnes. Here's a proof how wasted he was that night! 

Agnes and Jason were the first one to sleep that night. The rest of us stayed at the living room talking non sense things until we ended up with some horror stories. Since we were in Baguio which is also known with some urban ghost stories, compulsory ding pagusapan yung ganitong bagay! We also planned to grab some coffee and snacks outside but since sinimulan na ang katatakutan, no one dared to go outside narin. 

Everyone shared their own horror stories. I was there physically, pero hindi ako masyadong nakikinig. Weak na kung weak! I don't want to compromise my fun stay in Baguio being anxious with everything. 

When we decided to go to sleep, Dan, the most coward among us, wanted to sleep in our room. He was roommate with Igi kaso he's scaring his little guy friend that there's something in their room that he can't sleep during the daylight. Kaya pala siya pinakamadaming tulog samin the moment we arrived at our transient house. They decided to sleep on the couch nalang. Igi did. But Dan, the pretentious one prepared his bed on their room first. You made proud of that, bro!haha. Then they ended sleeping on their room together.

We went to our room narin after kulitan at patayan ng ilaw. This time, I slept beside Berna. I wasn't sleepy yet that time. I'm actually hungry. My constant system who used to be hungry in the middle of the night. Kahit kumain ako ng late dinner, Magugutom at magugutom parin ako  ng madaling araw (Just like now, it's already past 5am and I ate my midnight snack at 1am and I'm hungry again). I should've ate the noodles Rm offered me earlier. It was my pride that I didn't took it. I don't eat noodles. It feels like eating Mcdonalds. Makes me feel like paiiksiin ng pagkain nun yung buhay ko.

So there! That's the first part of our memorable trip in Baguio! I'll write the second part when I get a time. Charot! Pag sinipag ulit ako. (Note: I wrote this blog post for 2weeks. 'Coz I'm a lazy ass!)

IN ALL THINGS,

GOD SHOULD ALWAYS BE GLORIFIED!