A Sweet Ending to a New Beginning

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Matthew 19:6

 October 18, 2014, Saturday, we witnessed the civil rites of Eula (my cousin) and Radger. It was indeed a very joyful and heart-warming event dahil sa pagkahaba-haba nga daw ng prusisyon, sa Tramway Buffet, este, sa simbahan din ang tuloy. Yes, the event was held at Tramway Buffet. Joyful dahil hindi lang ‘to kasal; mini reunion din ng Agustin clan. Nakakatuwang makita ulit ang kaming mga kamag-anakan. Heart warming dahil, mayroong mga nadagdag sa aming pamilya, and that is the Alday family.

Sadyang napakabilis ng panahon. Mga bata lang kami noon, at hindi ako makapaniwala na ikakasal na si Eula. Napakaraming nangyari and seeing them finally uniting the ties is really nakakatuwa. A young couple joined happily by God’s grace. Representatives of the PLMC family also attended. Sila ay sina Pastor Rey, Pastora Nette, Ate Mai (Eula’s cell leader), and Merriam (Eula and Ate Mai’s classmate back in college). Though hindi si Pastor Rey ang nagkasal, God blessed the newlyweds and the whole occasion through him. 

One thing that I liked most about the event are messages Eula and Radger have for each other. I like what he said to her that they should stay prayerful. I love what she said to him that in all ways she would submit to him. 

Hindi nga biro ang pag-aasawa. People may be happy and people may spend a lot in a wedding but I always believe that what couples should prepare is the marriage. Isang araw lang ang kasal while panghabambuhay ang pagsasamahan ng couple. I have seen my parents went through the thick and thin of life. Pero seeing them still stay together is something really amazing kahit pa they have seen the worst of each other. And maybe that is one of the secret ingredients of a lasting marriage. Not just love one another, but love one another unconditionally. Tulad ng ipinakitang pagmamahal ng Panginoon sa atin, walang kondisyon. And being a married person, naniniwala kong kakabit na noon ang pagiging isang magulang. There should never be a room for selfishness in a marriage.

Amazing that thought like these about marriage came from a single person like me.  Mukha bang matured mag-isip? Hahah. Maybe, God is training me to think about marriage in a mature way kahit 21 palang ako. I know I may sound too idealistic at times. But God, with my two decades and a year of existence, had showed me different situations about life that made me the conviction that I should not treat marriage the way the world thinks of it nowadays. And I am blessed because He opened my eyes to the things that I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t known Him. 

So to the newlyweds, I pray for a lasting strong marriage for them. And of course that will only be possible if they let God be their center everyday. I pray na kahit na ano pa mang problema ang dumaan, hindi nila sukuan ang isa’t-isa. And I pray that they will use this marriage to glorify God even more. :)

That was it for today :) God bless us!

The newlyweds. Radger Alday and Eula Bernadette Cruz-Alday. 

Grand Booster October 2014

One week had already passed and I know this post is too late. But forgive me dear reader. Sadyang busy lang ang nagdaang lingo at hindi ko nagawang mag-post. Anyway, this post is dedicated to Manila Doctors College of Nursing Grand Booster which was held last October 14, 2014. I am blessed to be a part of the said event. Ang Grand Booster ay ginagawa for the graduating students ng nursing. It is a day full of inspirations meant to boost the self-esteem of the graduating batch in preparation for the local nursing board exams. Nakakatuwa dahil binigyan ako ng Lord ng opportunity to share what I had been through and to speak about His goodness.

Lima kaming naimbitahan na alumni ng MTC to speak sa booster. Apat kaming recent passers lang and ang isa, who is ate Chrisse, is a passer of the June 2013 NLE. It was a great experience speaking in front of the students. Actually I know some of them for they were my classmates and supposed to be also graduates by April of this year. But God is good dahil graduates narin sila. And some of my professors were there. Nakakatuwa kasi ang bilis ng panahon and ang bilis din ng mga pangyayari. Mga clinical instructors ko lang sila a few months ago, and now, nurse narin ako. :) God is indeed faithful.

Faith like Cupcakes

I am so happy I am able to bake my first cupcakes! :D Sobrang saya ko kasi pangarap ko talagang mag-bake. Haha. Minsan nga iniisip ko kung wrong course ba ako ‘cause I love cooking, baking, and stuff. Pero syempre hindi naman. Don’t get me wrong, I love nursing. I am never forced to take up this course; this is actually my own and first choice. Anyway, so this post is dedicated to my beloved cupcakes. :) I will also be sharing the sites that inspired me the most. :) Happy baking!

The Almost Unexpected but Expected Answers

Today’s a bit different. October 12, 2014, Sunday. Ang dami kong nasa isip at hindi ko alam kung papano i-o-organize. Anyway, we are so blessed to have Rhea in the worship celebration. Too bad wala akong picture kasama siya. Rhea is my brother’s classmate and it is indeed a blessing having her today. :) As I have heard, this kid had gone miles in dealing with what problems life and school gave her. But I guess, she’d finally found her peace of mind and refuge in the Lord today. :) I pray na mag-grow pa siya into knowing who God really is. :)

What I wanted to share today are the answers to the problems that I had been sulking on. The worship ended around 11:00 pm. May activities pa ang church sa hapon and I am contemplating kung babalik pa or hindi. The activities include our PEPSOL or Sunday School. Pinag-iisipan ko na hindi na bumalik dahil tapos na ko sa Sunday School. So in short, wala naman na akong gagawin. But aside from the Sunday School, may seminar na paunang ginagawa and this seminar is for the whole congregation. Gusto ko sanang puntahan iyon. Pero umiral ang kung anong katamaran. Umuwi ako ng bahay around 12:00 noon to eat lunch. I was thinking  to follow-up several people instead of going back sa church. Dahil tanghaling tapat, napakataas ng araw and bigla kong naisip na ang hirap kasi maglalakad lang ako to their houses.

There is where the problems came in.

I’ve dwelt on the negative. Biglang sumagi sa isip ko na nakakapagod ‘tong ginagawa ko. I’ve been following-up people na naglalakad lang. I can ride but it wont be practical. So, in short, naisip ko yung lahat ng pagod and effort ko into discipling people and I am into this point na napapagod na ko kasi wala akong nakikitang results. Like, parang ako nalang yung nag-eeffort, walang nakikitang changes sa kanila, mauubusan na ko ng funds, ‘tas sila pa yung hindi nasunod, tataguan ka pa, blah, blah, blah. “Lord, hanggang kelan ba ‘to na ako nalang lahat? Hanggang kelan po ba na babalik balikan ko sila?” Ayun. Reklamadora mode on. Naisip ko pa, ang tagal kong hinintay ‘tong point kung saan magkakaroon na ko ng disciples pero nung nagkaroon na nga, hala, ang hirap pala. :(

Hindi ako natuloy sa pag-fo-follow up. I then saw myself going back to church that time. Bumalik nga ako but aside from my back pack, I carried with me the luggage of my problems.

But God is so amazing. He did let me come to church so I can hear His answers to all of my questions.

It was specifically in SOL 2 where I got my answers. SOL 2 or School of Leaders 2 is a part of our Sunday school where the students are already cell leaders or are already capable to be one. Tapos na ko sa Sunday School but I can always sit in. So God used the teachers to show me my answers and here are they. First, nahihirapan ako kasi sa simula palang wala akong goal sa disciples ko. Hindi ko talaga malalaman kung hanggang kelan kasi walang clear na goal and plans on how could I reach my goals. And the goal of G12 is to make every believer a leader. I should goal that my disciples are becoming leader themselves. Ang kaso cell group ako ng cell group, follow-up ng follow-up, na wala naming sinusunod na plano. So parang I’m doing this thing endlessly. Kailangan ko rin na magfocus na sa tatlong disciples na potential leaders at i-close cell ko na sila. And the rest na makulit, open cell.

But this what struck me the most. If we are motivating people, we must make sure that us leaders are well-motivated by God. That we should not let God’s battery on us be depleted kasi pag hinayaan natin iyon at nagpatuloy tayo sa gawain ng Panginoon, ang sarili na nating lakas ang gagamitin natin. Kasi ‘yung dapat na source natin naubos na. Pag nangyari iyon, mapapagod talaga tayo. Hindi naman talaga nauubos ang strength na kayang ibigay ni Lord. We just ran out of it pag tayong mga leaders wala nang matinong intimate moments kay God. Wala ng devotions and prayers. Hindi na nagpa-recharge kay God at ang sariling lakas na ang ginamit. 

And it is not true na kapag sinusugod na tayo ng kaaway or anumang pumipigil satin into continuing God’s work, titigil narin tayo into ministering peole. We can always fight our own battles while pursuing the work God gave us. There is where we can also see God’s grace and mas lalalim ang faith natin. Makakaya natin all because of faith in God’s faithfulness and grace. I am also inspired to read the whole book of Nehemiah. Ang daming pwedeng makuhang insights and inspiration on how they rebuilt their wall. And connected talaga ang book ni Nehemiah sa discipleship.

I was really recharged. And thank God for this day. I can say that God indeed is patient on each one of us. And as long as we really seek Him with all our hearts, mahahanap natin Siya. (Jeremiah 29:13) Sa part ko, I sought Him with all my heart in regards to ranting Him all my problems. And hindi naman Niya ko binigo.

Naalala ko rin yung devotion ko for today. Noong una akala ko wala lang. ‘Yun pala, pinapaalala sakin ng Lord that I am a chosen generation and I am set apart to do great things for Him.

“Datapwat kayo ay isang lahing hinirang, mga saserdote ng Hari, isang bansang nakatalaga sa Diyos. Pinili kayo ng Diyos upang maging Kanya at mahayag ang kahanga-hangang gawa Niya. Siya rin ang tumawag sa inyo mula sa kadiliman tungo sa Kanyang kagila-gilalas na kaliwanagan.” (1 Peter 2:9)

His promises are true. And dahil Siya ang nangako, sure tayong tutuparin Niya ‘yun at Siya ang magdadala sa akin doon. He never promised an easy way but He did promise that He shall be with me until the very end. :) Being a cell leader and discipling people is really difficult. But once you experience the joy of seeing people’s lives changed all because of God, lahat ng hirap worth it. Kasi at the end of the day, God can tell you are indeed a good and faithful servant. And being an instrument God can use to change lives is a very wonderful and exciting journey sa buhay natin dito sa lupa.

My PLMCI Family. Photo courtesy of Pastor Rey. This photo is dated October 5, 2014.

So God bless everyone! See you at next post! :D

Merry Early Christmas!

Hello everyone! :) How many days to go till Christmas? I actually don't have any idea kung ilan na basta alam ko malapit na. :) I am a Christmas person. Meaning, I love this season of holidays and I am sure all of you out there love it too. :) Lalo na dito sa Pilipinas, September 1st palang may mga Christmas songs na. I always feel weird whenever this season's coming. Actually a bit pressured kasi ugali ko nang magregalo kahit noong estudyante pa lang ako. Now that I haven't yet have a stable job, I still want to give gifts. Christmas is all about giving and sharing love. I know it's not about material things. Kaya nga I am planning to give something special to those special people on my mind. Mga DIY ideas. Atleast tipid, diba? :)

My mom.

Building Your 144 Training

Building Your 144 Training was held last October 6, 2014 at Holy Spirit Christian Church in Parañaque. Lead by Bishop Bien, many were encouraged and inspired to build their twelves and 144's all for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God. :D Sobrang na-bless ako and hindi ko pinagsisisihan na i-spent ang holiday na nasa presensya ng God. :D Yes it was holiday. And pinagdaanan ko rin ang common na pinagdadaanan nating lahat. Ang labanan ang katamaran. Praise God napagtagumpayan ko! :D Pero wala talagang regrets and sobrang na-bless ako na finally buuin ang aking Twelve and soon, 144. :D

HSCCI

First time kong nakapunta ng church nila. This is exclusive for primary leaders ng bawat network ni Bishop Bien. Kaya I am blessed na part ako ng primary leaders ng church namin at nakasali ako dito. :)

Praise and Worship

The awesome praise and worship. :D Ang una kong nasabi sa sarili ko upon entering the church is, "It's so homey." It's pleasantly comfortable and cozy, sabi nga ng google dictionary. Parang bahay, and one would really feel at home and welcome. :)

What I wanted to share here is yung topic na Completing your Twelve from Three to Twelve in Three Months.But before anything else, here are the true characters of a disciple. Ito ang dapat nating Makita sa ating mga disciples. In 2 Timothy 2:2-6, a disciple should be F.A.S.T.

F-Farmer. Like a farmer, our disciples should be hardworking. Masipag magtrabaho in giving glory to the Kingdom of God. Hindi niya pababayaan ang kanyang mga tanim, po-protektahan sa lahat ng peste, and magbubunyi pagdating ng anihan dahil alam niyang nagtanim siya ng maayos.

A-Athlete. An  athlete does not compete without undergoing training and practices. So we have to train our disciples on how to evangelize and follow-up.

S- Soldier. A soldier is brave and hindi siya matatakot sa kanyang susuungin. Patay kung patay. At he will please the commanding officer na nag-recruit sa kanya.

T- Teacher. Should know how to teach but should also be teachable.   

Here are the points to take into heart in completing our twelve. :)

1. Spiritual Preparation.

  

 This includes prayer and fasting hanggang ma-win and madala mo ang first 3 souls sa Encounter. These three souls ay iyong i-co-close cell. Here, mag-pa-plano kayo kung papaano mabubuo ang team ninyo which will compose twelve members. Dapat may calendar and organized ang bawat event or activity na gagawin. Leaders should also check the devotions of the cell members. Sa close cell i-ti-training ng leader and members into becoming leader themselves. Sa G12, hindi ang leader lamang ang gumagawa or nag-wi- win. Lahat kasali. Ang bawat isa sa iyong first three ay magdadala ng tig-tatlo. When that happens, mabubuo ang 12 disciples mo.

2. Goals and Vision Casting

In Genesis 12: 1-3, God told Abram of His promises to him:"The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.”

Likewise, we should cast these promises to our cell members. We should encourage them of the blessings that they could receive once na nagdisciple din sila. Lalago sila in every area of their life. And we cell leaders, know what blessings await those who obey the Lord in discipling people.  Dapat sabihin ito sa ating members. Dapat din sabihin sakanila ang Goal, Vision, at Purpose ng G12. Para alam nila kung saan sila papunta at maayos ang takbo ng cellgroup.

3.) Target People

 Ma-i-stretch ang creativity ng bawat cell leader at member dito. Think, create, plan, and conduct an event sa cellgroup. Yes, sa cellgroup at hindi sa church. Dito tayo mag-i-invite ng new contacts. Dapat ang ating event ay capable na magpabalik sa ating mga invites into 2nd and 4th times. The suggestions in here was cooking (for mothers), practice ng basketball, volleyball, make-up, etc. Let your imaginations run wild.:) Dapat one month before nag-iinvite na at hindi the day before. So, list names on a board and pray for them. Give goals to your first three. Kunwari, assign them na mag-i-invite sila ng tig-tatlo sila. And monitor talaga na madadala ang bawat naka-assign sa kanila. Again, sa G12 hindi lamang ang cell leader ang nag-iinvite.

4.) Training 

 Train your closed cell group on how to share their personal testimony having the pattern na sino sila noong hindi pa nila nakikilala ang Panginoon, and kung sino na sila noong naligtas na sila. Train them also how to invite people, how to evangelize and how to follow-up.

5.) Connecting and Developing Fellowship with Prayer of Three Target

Dapat lumalim ang relationship natin sa mga bagong souls na idinadaan natin sa Prayer of Three. As the cell leader, also share your personal testimony and pray for them.

6.) Invitation

This will be the invitation for the Harvest Event. We have to make sure this is given early para may ample time. Share and highlight what's in the event. Talagang i-si-sale's talk natin na magiging masaya ang Harvest event. Also, the cellgroup should prepare for it. And hindi dapat mawawala ang pagkain. :)

7.) Harvest Event 

Dapat maganda ang plano dito dahil anihan na! :D The venue should be comfortable, well-assigned ang personnel, at organize and well-planned lahat. Importante din na dapat may guestbook. Dahil doon mailalagay ng ating mga invites ang kanilang name, address, contacts, and dedication or feedback if nagustuhan nila or hindi. If hindi man, mag thank you parin tayo for their attendance. Pero dwell on the positive. Basta back-up ng prayers ang lahat. Importante ang programme dito. May ice breaker para magkakilala ang bawat isa. Sharing personal testimonies are also included and after that, the sharing of the gospel and the prayer of repentance and acceptance among the new invites. After that, proceed with the activity proper. May gimik ulit sa harvest. Then the kainan after! :) End everything in prayer at kung maaari, have the invites take home something. So kailangan talagang mag-invest dito. 

8.) Consolidations

Proceed with the 24 hour call and 72 hour personal visit. Dapat samahan ng cell leader ang kanyang cell member na mag-consolidate. And after the consolidations, invite the new members  on the cellgroup.

9.) Create 2nd-4th Reasons to go back to Cell group

Every after cell groups, see to it the needs of the members are met. Check their feedbacks.

10.) Maintain what you have achieved.

Check if the goals are being met and check if there are things to delegate. Ingatan ang first three disciples and of course ingatan ang buong cell group all with prayers.

11.) Bring to Churh

The first three should be in process of the PEPSOL. Monitor their attendance upto the fourth time. 

12.) Repeat the process if the Goals are not met.

Prayers, fasting, and intimate moments with God are always included sa bawat step of the way. Always remember God is with us. And said in Matthew 28:18-20, He will always be with us until the end of the age. :) God bless! 

Victorious Sunday

I know it's late. This post is supposed to be posted last Sunday, October 4, 2014. Pero, better late than never I guess. Haha. Usually puno ang buong Sunday ko. But I can say that it is a day full of spiritual upliftments (if there is such a word as that), and bonding with our whole spiritual family. :) They said Sunday is for God. But I believe it shouldn't only be Sunday that we should dedicate to Him. It should be the every day of our lives. :) But Sundays are special, yes I agree. :) So, here it goes. :D

Jof with his powerful testimony.

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Right Angle - Friday Night Jam

FNJ's got a bit of twist yesterday as our amazing speaker, Gel, introduced God's topic through every student's favorite subject - Math. Specifically, Geometry. :) Do I sound sarcastic? Haha. Pero kidding aside, and as the title speaks of it, how can we ever think God can inspire us from this subject that most of us hate while we were still students. Of course exempted ang Math geniuses, but lets face it. Not everyone is good in this subject. :) But Math did look inspiring tonight. :D

Gel as she speaks of God's message tonight (October 3, 2014).

1 Corinthians 10:31

 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

The Start of a Healthy Lifestyle

Disclaimer: I don't own the photos featured in this post. The credits are published below the photos. All photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Ok, masyado lang akong masaya with these awesome gym invitations I got from my beautiful friends this afternoon! :D Being fit and healthy is hard these days. Gosh, Big Mac palang ng McDo and such, mahirap nang humindi. Samahan pa ng vices, and no exercise lifesytle, naku, a bigger problem ang magkakaroon tayo kapatid. Noong estudyante palang ako, napag-aralan namin kung papano nangyayari ang mga pinaka-nakakatakot na sakit like heart attacks and even strokes. Some of these diseases have a common denominator: unhealthy lifestyle. We all know what unhealthy lifestyle is and I need not to enumerate what it includes. Kapag natatapos ang bawat lectures namin noon, nabubuo sa isip ko na I should practice a healthy lifestyle kasi being a nurse, I should be a role model. Ikaw ba naman magkaroon ng nurse na sakitin tas sasabihin sayo, "Maam, kain po kayo para lumakas kayo", eh siya mismo hindi inaalagaan sarili niya? So, with this post, I'm gonna show to you, kapatid, how I myself practice this healthy lifestyle and I pray it would work to you too. :)

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net