Though I'm walling through the valley
Of the darkest hour I've known
Lord don't You leave me all alone
When I'm surrounded by the shadows
That seem to feed my fear
I will trust You
Though I may not feel You here
But I know that Your love is unfailing
O I know Your grace is so amazing
O I know even though my faith be shaken
O I still know I’ll never be forsaken
‘Cause You’re always faithful
I know
Life throws us sunshine, rains and sometimes rainbows.
In one area of my life, I feel like its a rainy season for me now.
However, upon hearing the song, I am reminded that
the rainbow will be appearing soon, and the sun will
shine its brightest once again. :)
A few years
ago, I was addicted to Prison Break. I never thought though that I will be able
to see and feel how it would be like being in prison.
I've been in
and out of the prison. Three times.
Yesterday,
was my third time.
I want to
share with you the three things I realized during those times I was in prison.
These 3 things are not new to you, however, we can consider these as reminders
for us as we go journey through life.
The first
time I went to prison was last year, around late July/ early August. We had an
activity were we were grouped, each of us introducing ourselves.
A sister and
I facilitated a group of around 10 people. We heard stories of why they were
jailed and for how long their sentence is. Some were jailed because of murder,
self-defense, rape. Some were sentenced for 5 years, 7 years, 15 years.
From this
activity, springs my first realization, that is:
Mistakes are inevitable. Change and
acceptance are necessary.
We are all
humans,(sings) born to make mistakes. Some mistakes will be as shallow as wrong
enunciation of words, grammatical errors
etc. Some are as grave as those of our brothers in prison.
But whatever
these mistakes are, we need to be able to admit it, accept it, so that change
can happen.
If you don't
recognize that you have misspelled a word, how will you be able to correct it?
Our brothers
in prison, were able to share their stories. For me, it takes a lot of courage
to share such. Im sure in the early stages, they have questioned themselves,
how they were able to do such things. But in the end, they probably learned to
admit it and accept it. They are now in the process of healing.
The second
time I went there, was during their Christmas party. I really wasn't able to
see them as I came in late. However, from the stories I've heard, our brothers
inside, made presentations. They sang and danced. All of them, including the
servants had a great time.
Hence, my second
reflection:
There is always a spark of hope.
The brothers
who presented were the same brothers who committed grave mistakes which led
them to prison. These are the same people, who complained before, that their
families do not visit them, or who worry if they will still have a family to
come home to when they get out of jail.
But then,
how come they are able to enjoy things such as Christmas celebration?
I believe,
people have influenced them to do so. And I think these are God's instruments -
the group of people from community who committed to serve them, showed them
that there are still people who would care for them. These people showed to
them that even if the situation doesn't seem to favor them now, there is hope
that things will be better.
To support
my statement, there are brothers who are attending school inside the prison.
One of them said he is graduating in a fine arts course (if my memory serves me
right). Others learned how to do T-shirt printing, and other handy
craft-making.
Why are our
brothers being changed? Why are the servants very committed? These were answered
in the third visit.
Yesterday, I
saw new faces and some old ones. The new ones were attending a CLP, the 10th
talk. The old faces were there to serve.
What made
them do that?
Here comes
my third reflection.
God's LOVE.
God's love, that is, boundless and
timeless.
God's love
is unchanging.
The
prisoners made have made a big mistake once in their lives, but hey, that
didn't prevent them from feeling again His love through our brothers and
sisters who faithfully served them.
Why do these
people serve? They could have been somewhere else, enjoying God's blessings,
but they sacrificed their time. Why?
To let
others feel the overflowing love of God for them.
God's love
is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Last night,
I also heard this: Love sees everything, but transcends everything. God's love is like that. keeps no
records of the wrongs we have made.
Let God break into our hearts. Let us
allow Him to love us. We can count that He won't EVER fail us.
'Cause my mind is like a building burning down I need your grace to keep me, keep me from the ground And my heart is just a prisoner of war A slave to what it wants and to what I'm fighting for
I was searching for some new songs and here is what i came across with.
It reminded me that hey I've got dreams and I've got my preferences
But even so, I need God's grace to know that these dreams and preferences
are in line with His will.
Fill my love tank Oh Lord,
let all my decisions be out of love and not out of fear,
let them be out of full trust in You
let them be made with peace of mind and happiness of heart.
A seemingly simple remark from my dad as we were walking on our way to Macau immigration.
My dad traveled before to local trips and Asian trips for work, but I guess none for pleasure yet.
The statement struck me.
I have been a wanderer ever since I could afford it. Researching places to see, planning where to go next, waiting for a sale ticket thrill me!
I usually travel with long time friends but not often with my family. I believe the farthest we've been is somewhere in Pangasinan and the other one is our trip to our parents' hometown in Mindoro.
Well, a few years ago, we started to plan on having a family out-of-town/country trip, but we only got as far as Nasugbu. hihi.
Last year was different though, by some excited spirit, we booked a trip to HK. :) However, since there are financial constraints, only my parents and I were able to book.
Both of my parents do not have a valid passport yet. Daddy's passport was expired, Mommy doesn't own one yet.
By God's grace, we got the passport 5 days before the trip!
Three first-timers went off to HK, hopped to Macau and back to HK.
Usually, in my travels, I am in awe with building structures, with the people and their way of life, the technology.
This time was different though.
I was in awe by the happiness that my parents felt.
I was in awe by their strength - my feet almost gave up on me, they continue to walk amidst the cold weather.
I was in awe by my dad's skill in direction - we "argued" on which way to go, me -carrying a map, my dad - basing on previously traveled path. He was right most of the time!
I was in awe by my mom's posing skill - she was our model. Pose...shoot...here.... pose...shoot...there.
The famous city light of Hongkong at night was great, but the sparkle in my parents eyes as they travel together was even greater.
Hongkong's Symphony of Lights
Daddy and Mommy at Stanley, Hongkong
The Ruins still standing after how many years was a big statement, however, seeing my parents happily live their lives together even after 31 years is a bigger statement.
Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, Macau
happy parents in Macau :D
The richness of Macau was spelled all over Venetian Hotel, my parents holding hands, hugging each other, being each other's "warmer" is even richer (in terms of love, thoughtfulness, etc).
Venetian Hotel
Mommy and Daddy at Venetian Hotel
The Ocean Park is definitely an amazing theme park, yet my parents, seemingly having the time of their lives as seen on their faces, is even more AMAZING!
Ocean Park Entrance
Daddy and Mommy enjoying The Rapids
I love this trip! It reminded me how blessed I am to have great parents. And it reminded me more that these great people deserve great vacations!
All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart
I will live
To carry Your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your name
Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart
One of my favorite worship songs, perfect for the Scriptures today...
Lord, grant me the grace to be a woman of active faith
to be able to transform prayers into reality
to be able to touch people with my work
In Jesus name...
Lately, I get to travel around the Philippines for a day to conduct trainings with our clients. It is exhausting but it makes me happy as well as I get to see the beauty that our provinces has to offer. I get to experience living their world even just for a few hours- commuting to from hotel to a mall/restaurant, trying their native dishes. I get to mingle with people from the region. Generally, I find that people from the provinces are happy people. They excude an aura of vibrant energy.
The last trip I had was last Monday bound for CDO. God is sooo good, I got the following surprises:
a.) VP Binay in the same plane as I was and was just seating in a row in front of me (I was too late to realize this though, after people went gaga over him (shaking hands with him, taking pictures of him)
b.) in both flights I was booked for an aisle seat, but fortunately the seats in the row that I was in were not occupied, I got to transfer to my favorite - a window seat!
And lastly, I've been able to do my ritual every time I ride a plane - taking photos of clouds. :) To top it off, I got pictures of sunset, miles above sea level! How cool and refreshing is that! :)
They say it's lonely at the top, well I guess I won't ever experience that...
this and the sunset pics below are more splendid behind the lens :)
... if I get to see the beauty the above world could offer... hehe :)
I have never practiced writing my new year's resolutions. I just feel I'd join most people who would try for a few days and then fail to continue the rest of the year.
But this year, for the very first time, I've listed in details what my goals are and the steps I need to do with the help of a site I stumbled upon, The Art of Non-Conformity. It really was a helpful site and hopefully, like the author, I will be able to achieve all that I have listed for the year.
After writing my list, I'd had the feeling that this year is definitely going to be different! I have started living life deliberately!
What makes it more exciting is that the first series of The Feast, Overhaul, talks about creating 12 new habits for the year. I just have to align the habits with the goals I have already set.
I started my first habit last January 16 - No Facebook for a month, more time for prayers and exercise.
I'm on my third week, and so far I am doing well! :D
... I believe Facebook misses me... a lot!
But...
Three weeks of non-existent in my virtual world allowed me to expand my real world. I was able to start writing down my prayers (inconsitent but will master this soon), earned a prayer partner (thank you for the LIFT session!), went back to weight lifting at home, shared more stories with friends and family over dinner, coffee, enjoyed a vacation. :)
A few hours off virtually earned me an increased time building and deepening relationships with the people around me.
12 more days... and I'll treat myself to my first successful challenge!
P.S. I've started my second one. How about you? :)
I drove from work, get my things (already packed in case I decided to go) and headed to the airport.
At last! This is my first local vacation trip ALONE.
...But my first ever trip without itinerary and only a few bucks to
spare. What I am sure of is that I already have a place to stay.
This has been the most laid back vacation ever - sleeping early, waking up late, not knowing where to go, having few minutes to check work and say hello to friends back in manila. However, I've got loads of lessons and childhood stories to keep.
I may not be able to put them in detail, but here are a few pictures to describe my trip. :)
DAY 1:
Magellan's Cross, UP Cebu, Marco Polo, Taoist Temple, Sto Nino Church, Colon Market
DAY 2:
Sutukil, Lapu-lapu Shrine, TOP
DAY 3:
Kawasan Falls, Sinulog, Sto Tomas de Villanueva Church
I came like a thief in the night and left like someone
who is leaving a lover. (singing "...I’ll say good bye for the two of
us, tonight while you sleep...")
I hope to be back, the next one - more time and more places to visit.
