Experience Grace at my Church!

October 1, 2011

So I was reading this book, “What’s so amazing about Grace” book. In some chapters, Philip Yancey shared some stories of how gay people were treated on some Christian Churches - how they ban and how they treat them unfairly.

I was thinking ‘tsk tsk’. I believe God has allowed such things to let people realize to what level did they grasp His message of ‘Love one another’ and understand to be like Jesus who ‘love sinners, invited sinners to Him’ .

Somehow, I was wondering, how is my Church at this issue. I mean, we have no gay members (as far as I am aware of), and I havent encountered visitors like such.. hmmm. So I left this question hanging.

And just this Thursday, during our Midweek Service. A new visitor stood up in front for thanksgiving. He was a young man, he was honest when he said, I know its pretty obvious my gender is unsure - something like that. It is his birthday and he thank the Lord He brought him there.

I started to wonder. Hmm.. How will my pastors react on this?

To my overwhelm, my pastor stood up and got the mic…. He welcomed our visitor, sang Happy Birthday with the whole congregation and even stated that it doesnt matter what he might be. What matters - hey! Jesus died for him too! Our senior Pastor even confirmed this and shared that He believes there is something great that God has planned for our young visitor just like everyone else.

Pastora lead the challenge to pray the acceptance prayer and about 7 of our visitors including this young man accepted the challenge. They recognized Jesus as their Saviorthat night and declared that they will live for Him too!

Amazing things happen to Church!

Woa! I knew it! I love my Church! I love my God! ♥

memories with dear Ondoy

So it's been 2 years and a day since that killer flood came. Ondoy, as it is remembered till today, got many Filipinos and their houses swim in chocolate colored flood.

Where was I at that time?

September 26, 2010, Saturday- if I am not mistaken, at around 9am, I was on my way to my school at Taguig. Thinking it was just another rainy day, I was surprised when I received a text message from my friends who were already in the campus. They said classes were cancelled.

I was about to head back home when incredibly, the tricycle drivers said that theycant travel back - It was too flooded! Woah. it was only few minutes when I left there! So thinking that therain will soon stop, I decided to go inside the mall. I texted my papa, hows the situation on Makati and asked if he could fetch me. He asked me to wait and I was relieved.

I sat at the Foodcourt reading my devotional notes and ordered pizza and pasta.

When it was about around 12pm, I started to panic. I started to grumble thinking that I am wasting time. Should have been sleeping at home. I dont have enough sleeping hours those days. It was about Finals and thesis week.

I went down to the bookstore and read my bible. I was amazed when I took a glance at the window. Woah! THe rain is so heavy that it looks like it is snowing. I wanted to cry now, I told God. One thing I want in the whole world at that time to go home. I am so sleepy. u_u

Time flew to 3pm and I decided I will be going home no matter what. My papa cant fetch me anymore because of the flood. When I reached the village, I saw people walking, flood up to their knees. I was so scared. I cant do that! But i didnt stop. I really want to go home. I want to see my mama already - to exagge things.

So poof I went! I secured my phone - i need communication when things go worse! As I lusong sa flood, I kept on praying, yet I kept on thinking - Whats happening to the world?! I started to panic more when the water started to rise up above my knees! I started to tell God, Why me, Lord? Why?

When I reached my beloved house, seeing my mama opening the door for me, I could not feel more relief! I am overloaded with it!

When I watched the news, I was surprised. I didnt know that I am luckier - or more blessed.People lost homes, properties, got drowned, stranded at their houses' roofs, died that day. I will not elaborate more on the depressing stuffs.

At the end of the day all I could say was, thank you Lord, you saved me :'D

And now, September 27 2011, Thypoon is rummaging the country again. I am thankful I am safe home. Let's not forget to pray for people who suffer.

Etude House Pink Membership

You will get a Pink Membership card for free for a 500 pesos worth of EH products. ☺
It is not for application.

A member will get Freebies for every purchase of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 pesos worth of products! Plus, special perks such as invites to promos and events exclusively for Pink Members.

.. and more! -> check out their site : )

Woa! Awesome .. ow yea?

Yey! I just cant cant get enough of Etude House products.

Gentle (yet very effective) to women's features ☺

EH Products doesnt feature strong smell or feel. A proof that it contains natural ingredients mostly ☺

Check out my review on the products :)

www.stepinme-witnessofchristlove.tumblr.com

the beauty of the sky at the beauty of Gil Puyat at a Friday night

from the 26th floor of Burgundy Corporate Tower.

the bldg at the left is the AXA bldg. while straight right is the RCBC tower.

those triplet ones .. hmm .. pretty not sure what the name is.

that heavy long traffic you see at a Friday night. ☺

www.stepinme-witnessofchristlove.tumblr.com

Luck?

No. LUCK

Let me explain,

Everything - all these things people call "LUCK" did not come from or cause of physical things - fortune plant, luck necklace, most of all- the Buddha figurine.

All these are BLESSINGS that come from GOD ALONE.

HE ALONE PROVIDES :) Mind you, God is a jealous God. Let us not thank or might as well, regard any material as the cause or resource of good things. :)

walk with Him righteously and He shall fulfill the desires of Your heart.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I am BLESSED. I didn't do anything to deserve all these. The simple reason is, I Have A BIG GOD. I am in love with my Creator. I recognize Jesus as my Lord, Savior, Provider. I gave my life to Him. I live for Him. Put my heart on doing things for Him. He loves me back more than I could ever measure!

I believe, that He wants you too! Just tell Him .. now!

Everything just came into the right place. God loves unconditionally. - walang kundisyon!

I am saying this because there are a number of people already who tells me,"ang swerte mo!" (You're so lucky) because of particular things (specifically fast job), that I myself is still at awe.

But ok, do not be mistaken that I am arguing. I am merely explaining. :)

"Not Luck, - BLESSINGS!" -> I will not get tired of responding to anyone to let them recognize the goodness of GOD :)

Savings bank account with passbook for starters

oh well, I've been looking for the Philippine bank with the cheapest minimum deposit for Savings account with Passbook aside from BDO. Plus, important factors are first, it must be convenient - open even on weekends; and safety- has branches even on malls and are open after 6:00pm (after office hour).

Ive been Googling for almost a half the day yesterday yet did not have the perfect answer!

Most banks require P10000 as initial deposit - not for me! These are for big-time salary-ied and savers already! hahah

I did not also have enough information and reviews from bloggers.

Well, just this morning, my beloved father gave me the answer. - CHINABANK!

Chinabank's initial deposit requirement is only P1000.

Plus, Chinabank has branches on certain SM malls which mean, they are open even on Saturdays (some are not open on Sundays ) - convenience and safety!

- Perfect for me and for everyone who are starting to earn and wants to save for investment.

For more reliable info, here's the link:

Chinabank Passbook Savings details

and yea, today is their 91st Anniversary. Happy Anniversary Chinabank!

:D God bless our investments!

Passport Delivery

tadan! Finally, after three weeks and three days, my much awaited little book came!

Ye, after all the anxiety i had on application, Im now all smiles :)

I wasnt aware that delay of delivery is possible. After all, 1,200 + 120 pesos is not so cheap. I panicked on the night of 13th of July after my mom reported that no package arrived. Then came the second day .. still none, third day (15th), none again! .. then it came to my senses that I should follow up this already to the delivering company.

It was 15th when I called and knew that my lil book wasnt forwarded to them yet by DFA. Woah! What a relief, I thought they have lost it by mistake, etc as what I have read from blogs when I Googled "Delay Passport Delivery". The woman on the line also told me to expect the package by Monday after DFA forwarded it to them probably the next day.

And so I stopped thinking about it, planned my weekend, and so on.

But to my suprise, early this morning, as my mom was about to approach the water delivery men that just came as well, she shouted "Ayan na, 2GO!" (Here it is, 2GO!) Heheheh.

I believe God just want me to feel happier than usual on receiving my first passport. heheheh ☺

Well, if yours is delayed too, better call your delivery man right now to follow up :) Would make you feel better ☺

What's so Amazing about Grace?

Just had this afternoon! D' the last few days, I had an urge to go to the bookstore to find something new to read every night after a long day of work. Though I had a Doraemon comicbesides my bible laying on my bed at night. Heheh.

I kept on talking to God as I browse and examine each book from the Christian section, "What Lord? What book?".

What capture me is the "There is nothing we can do to make God love us less." - GRACE. How sweet. I want to understand it more. Especially that there are a lot of times that its so hard for me to forgive myself when I commit mistakes towards God.Guilt. He told us that this is the thing He never want us to bear. I believe this book is the reason He told me to go to the bookstore.

I remember Philip Yancey is one of the writers of Our Daily Bread which I use for my morning devotions :)

Anyone who has read it yet? Ive read the reviews an Im excited to read it whole!

Knowing my way. Learning from disguised unexpected stuffs.

Well you see, I studied in Parañaque and Pasay during highschool then inTaguig during college. I stayed on each place for such a time that I learned the routes there and here. It wasnt that many.

So I had my OJT last November to February in Makati. After graduation, I started to have my work in the city too :)

God works in mysterious and unbelievable ways. I had just proved it. I am in awe.

Tell you what ..

I hate being late.

I ride the train every morning to get to the office. PNR train’s schedule is every after 30mins. But after the 9:17am train (Bicutan station), the next train will be at 10:17am already! No 9:47am trip! When I was an ojt trainee, I am expected to be in the office by 10am.

There was this time when I missed the 9am train cause of the heavy traffic and I am really pissed off. I cant wait for the 10am train anymore! We will have a meeting that morning! I will be late! I cant be late! I am pissed of all-over! To be honest, my heart is really in a bad mood. I keep complaining, praying. “Lord, why? Why let things such as this”

The thing is.. I do not know my way in my Makati office if not by train. So I called my dad for directions. He told me to ride the bus with the sign of Ayala ibabaw then ride jeepney with Ayala route. I keep worrying if the bus will take me where I supposed to be at. The jeepney station was too far from where the bus stop is! I didnt ask anyone where the jeeps are (yeah, bad mood still); I just observe where people in corporate attires go then finally found the jeepney line near the gasoline station!

I was silent before God as I made my way to the office. But I am still hoping that I wouldnt miss the company meeting. My whole spirit still believes that God is in control no matter what.

When I reached my destination- Las! Meeting is cancelled.

……

I learned then that God is testing me. ‘Twas like He’s asking “How much do you trust me?”. I keep telling God I am sorry u_u. I admit I was impatient.

What’s more, I just also realized that God wants me to learn the other routes and options how to get to the office besides the train! Since then, I dont panic anymore when I miss the train!

Now, I am already working at the same company for a month now. I had learned lot of options not only getting to Makati but also on getting home. There are these much expensive but a quicker route, route that will let me drop by a shop, route I would wanna take when I want to eat my fave fried noodles, etc. Tell you what, I just learned one just last Friday so I invited my two girl friends to have dinner since it’s near their office. You see, Makati is one nice big city. :) With many route options from or to my Parañaque home☺

God uses many circumstances in disguise to teach us practical things. He is always in control. I pray that I would never ever forget about this anymore. You do too! ☺

The once OJT experience of my life

The moment I step into the office for my interview was the time I felt ‘I wanna work here’. It’s not the beauty of the place and such. I just liked the atmosphere and that’s it. I didn’t know then that there is where I am gonna experience my dream OJT.

Honestly, I view OJT before as a very scary thing. I mean, I always worry: what if Im not going to love my job? What if my boss is evil? What if I fail? Well, after working at Interpac, all these worries become a wisp of smoke. Well, God is just a prayer away!

Working as a trainee ran smoothly as I enjoyed programming. My supervisor is a real master programmer in the flesh! He taught me the necessities in real world programming. He can debug errors I try to fix for hours (even days) in just minutes! I’ve been trained with very important skills and tips of debugging a program. I also learned to edit web pages the web master way. I was exposed to very high level of programming that I didn’t even know it exists.

I was also trained and exposed to real world of business scenarios like product awareness seminar, bank transactions, the nature of such invoices, product installation to site, issuing receipts to companies, following-up business with other companies, etc. I met a lot of people who work in big companies.

Plus, with these I had full experiences of travelling around Makati, Ayala to Ortigas, Ayala to Libis, etc. I learned a lot of routes. Yes, it isn’t always that I commute like that. I don’t ride MRT, LRT, bus alone before. I also learned standing in the bus without tripping! I really felt that these all part of the training to the real world after graduation.

Eventually, I felt comfortable hanging around my officemates. My bosses are the best. We never had boring lunch together. Even when everyone is preoccupied, we still find moments to stir up the atmosphere. We had many fun times. We even often play with my boss’ DLSR. We had the same passion of taking photos . I learned a lot even during our storytelling time. I guess every lunch we have different topics: history, politics, family life, love life, even super natural stuffs! Oh really, my 500 hours were worth it!

written March 04, 2011

my Gummybears desktop ^^