7:21 PM Overflowing @ 26 |
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My life is far from perfect. I have my ups and downs. I have my fair share of struggles and challenges. But this doesn’t stop me from enjoying life. The past year has been full of meaningful events that made me love life more and more each day. TRAVELS A. Thailand- Cambodia Tour (June 4-11) Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s PISO fare, my sister and I were able to get cheap flights to and from Siem Reap, Cambodia last June 4-11, 2013. Being the backpackers that we were, we took notes, searched places, made our own itinerary and went on our way to Cambodia. I won't get into details about it since I made the mistake of not blogging about it first thing after the tour. But some of my favorite areas are the following:
B. Coron, Palawan (October 8-10) This is more of a payment than a tour since I promised my sister, Ate Ivy, that I will pay my share of fare used in our Thailand-Cambodia tour with a domestic tour. We already went here last year but it never got old. I had my sister join our ecotourism educational tour last October 8-10, 2013. It was probably for the best since she likes snorkelling— and let’s just say that I’m not in a close relationship with any water creatures. ^_^ My sister got her tour. My students got a chaperone. Win-win situation for me. We revisited:
C. Baguio City (November 4-8) For a family who loves travelling, this was the first time that we were able to go out of town with our Papa. We’ve been here before and we stayed on the same guest house so walking around wasn’t so hard. Thinking back to November 4-8, 2013, I realize how much more fun it is when you’re not missing a family member in these type of events. NOTE: 59rs Diner is LOVE. DEEPEST STRUGGLE Graduate School issues— yeah. I’m not going there. Let’s just say that some things happened. And when it did, it was so easy to put blame on some people. IF ONLY that person did this. IF ONLY that person did that. But these were things of the past. There’s no use in dwelling on what could have been. I was hoping to spend my birthday with my master’s degree but I did not. Now all I could do is push forward. Pray to God. Do my best. Hope that this challenge won’t change me and make me a bitter person. After all, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
OTHER REMARKABLE EVENTS a) Meet Startek friends (February 21) I missed these people. They are probably five of the best people I’ve ever met. Meeting them after almost two years proved Elizabeth Foley’s words true: “The most wonderful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
b) James and Tatchu (March) These kids? I have no words. They came into our lives more than a year ago. Even then I already knew that they were meant to be so much more to us than distant nephews. They stayed with us for a little over a month but we quickly fell in love with them.
James has always been the sweet one. He always welcomes affection... and let’s face it, my sisters and I just love giving hugs and kisses. LoL~~~ Matthew, on the other hand, is the bruiser. He’d kick and punch his way out of embraces. Fortunately, persistence is one of our greatest virtues. He left our house with plenty of kisses and hugs from us. Some, he even initiated himself! c) Charis Youth Service Praise God for this new opportunity to serve Him! I grew up in a church where music ministry, prayer and evangelism, and children education have always been the priority. Youth leaders get married and move on. Others leave the ministry when it wasn’t growing to their liking. It was so sad that the ministry was dying and no one was willing to stand up for it. This year, it is so great to finally see the church giving focus on the future generations through the youth ministry. We can always teach young kids about God and His truth but if we don’t follow through, it will all be for nothing. I just woke up one day and realized it was time to move, and I am praying that my contribution will be able to help a lot in growing the group in Christ. d) Colossal Coaster World (VBS 2014) My favorite time of the year. Yes, it could be taxing but it’s all worth it. This year’s Vacation Bible School themed “Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear. Trusting God” is the best we’ve had so far. The whole week focused on Paul and how he dared to change, dared to speak up, dared to believe, dared to stand strong, and dared to trust... all in God’s name. It was a week full of activities and lessons about facing fears and trusting God centered on the bible verses: 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 13:6. Here’s a video I prepared to commemorate VBS 2014 and all the people who made it possible.
Looking back, I am so amazed at all the things I’ve been through for approximately 365 days since I last posted here. What’s even more amazing is that, for someone who doesn’t like parties, I feel as though I celebrated my birthday this whole summer. This time I chose to celebrate my birthday not because it’s the day I was born or because I got a year older. It’s a celebration of my life and all of the people I care about— God’s most precious gifts to me.
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