Got Rained Down

Whew! I never expected a heavy downpour of rain last December 26, 2007. When I left home, I haven't suspected that it is raining in Metro Manila. I didn't bring an umbrella. And so, when I arrived at Alabang, I have to run to the nearest shade. But I still got wet.

When I left the office, I feel chilly. I knew then that I am not feeling well. True enough, last night I already got a fever with throat aching.

Today, I was not able to report for work. I pray that I would get well soon and be able to report back to work tomorrow.

On Saturday, we will be going to my soon to be sister-in-law's house for a "pamanhikan". Rita and my brother Manny will be getting married next year in Dubai.

On Sunday, a good friend of mine, TJ will tie the knot with Che. Our relatives will also come here for a reunion, conflict of schedule... hectic schedule... that is why I can't afford to be sick... I have to get well soon.

Love that Lasts Forever - Max Lucado

“Love never fails.”I Corinthians 13:8 NIV

“Love,” Paul says, “never fails.”

The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God’s love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.

Love “will last forever” (NLT).
It “never dies” (MSG).
It “never ends” (RSV).
Love “is eternal” (TEV).
God’s love “will never come to an end” (NEB)…

Governments will fail, but God’s love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.

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God loved me for who I was,

for who I am

and who I will become.

I Love Him so...

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7 Dwarfs Raids Fish & Co. after 10 years...

Haha! We really missed each other! Why not? 10 long years have passed since we get together... After graduation, everyone got busy hunting jobs, finding a husband and getting married. Though Chel and I was still looking for that man in our life who will sweep our hearts out.. hehe.. in short, kaming dalawa na lang ang natitira sa barkada na single and available.

Pechay was the first to tie the knot. Then Beth, Emma, Edith and Carol... We missed Edith who's in Australia, and Desiree, who we haven't had a word... as in we lose our contact with her.

Anyway, we spent the night eating at Fish & Co, courtesy of Chel who had flown from Australia to meet all of us... What a great reunion! Whew! the food was great and so the price... hehe Thanks to Chel, kasi nga nilibre nya kami... =)

Ang kukulit pa rin namin at magaganda... Ang EBIDENSYA?! Pictures below tells all the stories...


Emma, Carol, Pech, Chel, Me and Beth

magulo pa rin kami noh!

this is supposed to be an "stolen shot" with a pose!hehe

Pech, Carol, Me, Emma, Chel and Beth

umupo daw ba talaga?

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UPDATES:

Beth is now a plain housewife to Aldrin and have 2 great daughters...

Carol is working at Headstrong as a BA, married and has two boys, and is currently "on the way"...

Emma working at J& J and had her Keith and husband...

Pech is working at a Call Center... and had JP and husband Kuya Jojo ...

Chel has migrated to Australia and is currently working as a QA... still single...

Me? single, working at Insular Life as a SSA...

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HE CONTROLS MY DESTINY...

"But He knows where I am going.

And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

For I have stayed on God's paths;

I have followed His ways and not turned aside.

I have not departed from His commands,

but have treasured His words more than daily food.

But once He has made His decision,

who can change His mind?

Whatever He wants to do, He does.

So He will do to me whatever He has planned.

HE CONTROLS MY DESTINY." - Job 23:10-14

God has written my name on the palm of His hands. Though my mother may forget me, He will never forget my name. God calls me by name, I am His. He has done great and mighty things in my life this year, though I am not worthy. He has blessed me and blessed me indeed, though I am not that faithful. I have committed mistakes, yes I am not perfect... but He still loved and loves me. He accepted me for who I am, and He is patient with me.

How can I not love Him back? How can I not be grateful? How can I forget all the GREAT and MIGHTY THINGS HE has DONE?

Oh, Lord! You are Great and Awesome! You can do all that You wanted to do, You are the God of the IMPOSSIBLE THINGS! You have lead me this far, and You wanted me to trust You for more! Our lives here on earth are full of uncertainties, yet YOU ARE THE GOD OF CERTAINTY! What You say and what You promised will happen.

You are the GOD THAT CONTROLS MY DESTINY!

my first journey ... SINGAPURA... Singapore

my first journey out of the country was Singapore.

Day 1 (11/10/2007): Trip to Sentosa. Had a great time looking at the "man-made" sentosa beach, walked along the hanging bridge while shaking it... had an encounter and a photo ops with a dolphin named 'PET'... and posed with my friend JOYCE...


Next stop: Merlion near Imbiah Station... still with JOYCE and JasZ... the Merlion statue was so huge, that I seemed to be soooooo small.. hehe...


(...to be continued)

Your stepping stone

Over the years

when you've suffered a setback,

and the reason for it

seemed unknown.

Did you ever consider

that it was a lesson

and that failure's a stepping stone?

How you respond

and what you learn from it,

shows the world how much

you have grown.

You'll climb a bit higher

toward the peak of success

making failure a stepping stone.

For you make the choice,

in the way that you see it.

It is your decision alone.

You can stall in self-pity

or keep moving upward

making failure a stepping stone.

So join all the people

who've ever succeeded,and practice

the courage they've shown.

Learn from your losses

but keep climbing higher,

and make failure your stepping stone.

"each of us has his shares of failures, but we need to stand up and try to do it again... who knows by God's grace... we will succeed in this next try..."

The world's out to...

When I got out of bed
and stubbed my toe,
that was the moment
I started to know,

The world's out to get me.

My toast was burnt,
my eggs were nuked,
When I sipped my coffee,
I almost puked.

I got stuck in traffic,
had to go to the loo,
and I felt like I was coming
down with the flu.

The world's out to get me.

I caught a big earful
from my grouchy old boss,
Then I ruined my sweater
with spaghetti sauce.

The world's out to get me.

I schlepped to the park
when my work day was done,
I felt like I weighed
an entire metric ton.

An old lady on a bench
said "Sit with me, dear.
There's plenty of room
for two of us here."

"The world's out to get me,"
I said with a sigh.
"My life's a big mess,
and I don't know why."

"Ah," she answered,
"I can tell from your voice
that it's time for you
to make life's biggest choice.

"I'm just an old lady
but there's one thing I know:
You have to spread love
wherever you go.

"You see,everyone's scared,
everyone is alone,
and everyone's hurting
right down to the bone.

"Love is the medicine
that all of us need,
but it's in short supply,
very short, indeed.

"Do you know why that is?"
she put her hand on my sleeve,
"Because you first have to give
if you want to receive.

"Take time to listen,
take time to cry,
take time to love them,
give it a try.

"You'll soon discover
you can help people heal,
they'll be drawn to you, dear,
like a magnet to steel.

"Unhappy folks still haven't
learned this truth yet,
that God wants you to give,
before you can get."

As I rose from the bench
and kissed her frail hand,
I said "I think I finally
understand."

The world's out to love me,
I say every day,
'cause my life has changed
in a wonderful way.

I feed souls
starved for kindness,
and genuine love.
I pass it along
from the Source up above.

We're each a pure note
in God's heavenly song,
The world's out to love you...
Pssst: Pass it along.

"to love is the secret to happiness..."

God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You -N Sync

Can this be true?
Tell me, can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?
My life was complete, I thought I was whole
Why do I feel like I'm losing control?

I never thought that love could feel like this
And you've changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
There's an angel? It's a miracle...

Your love is like a river, peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep
When I look into your eyes I know that it's true
God must have spent a little more time on you...

In all of creation, all things great and small
You are the one that surpasses them all
More precious than any diamond or pearl
They broke the mold
When you came in this world
And I'm trying hard to figure out
Just how I ever did without
The warmth of your smile, the heart of a child
That's deep inside leaves me purified

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this morning, i first heard this song played in the radio. it catches my attention... the lyrics were so cute.

Pray!

Last Friday night, as I went home from an overtime work, I took the MRT and left off at Cubao station. I usually take a bus going to Baliuag Station in Cubao. But that night, I took a walk going to the bus station. As I was walking, in the sidewalk, a woman was wailing. When I looked at her, I saw that she has been quarrelling with her husband. And what I saw after, has broken my heart. Her husband kicked her with all his strength on her neck. I was shocked. I would like to help the woman, but what can I do? The man seemed so strong. If I would intervene, I too would have been beaten by the man. I asked the Lord at that moment, “Lord, how can I help them?”

I continue my walk but on a slower pace. As I walk through the overpass, there were about 3 or 4 young girls, about 13-20 yrs old, fully made-up and wearing skimpy shorts, standing by on the overpass. If one would think why they are standing there, you would instantly know that they are not selling anything but their body.

Further, I saw someone digging on the trash, trying to get something to eat. I thought it was a man. But getting a closer look, she was a woman.

The site burdened me. Doesn’t our government see these things? How can they not act? I tend to blame the government, but the questions were all brought back to me. What am I doing to help resolve these problems? People might say, “Oh! I have my on life to live, why be burdened by their problems? It’s their decision. It’s what they wanted.”

Could it be the life they all wanted? Didn’t they dream of a good life? I asked what their lives could be if someone had told them that there is hope in Jesus. What if someone has prayed for them? Things could have change I believe.
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The Philippines could be a better place if we will pray for our nation. Prayer changes things. By prayer we tap into the mind of God. By prayer we move the hand that moves the world. By prayer we receive grace and faith. By prayer we acquire wisdom and direction.

More To See - Hillsong

Well I know that I may have had
My share of failing and falling
But I have come to understand
One thing remains

By all He’s done
I have been made holy
Worthy of serving the One
The One who wrote eternity
So deep in my heart

Open your eyes and see
The wonder of a life
So wonderfully free
Lift up your head believe
There is more
There’s so much more to see

You remind me still
Of the hope and promise
Daring my heart to be brave
And all the while You strengthen me
So deep in my heart

His mercies are new every morning
His mercies are new every day
His mercies are new every morning
Beautifully new every day

Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see

God's faithful love....

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is Thy faithfulness;
his mercies are afresh each morning.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!"

The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:22-26

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God is faithful to all His promises... I will wait upon Him.

escape...

i turned my cellphone off and i have no intention of putting it on, not now. i wanted some silence.

actually, yesterday i planned to go to tagaytay, all by myself. wala lang, i just thought i need a breather and i need some escape... however, i wasn't able to do so, got a demanding project and upon reviewing the workplan, i noticed that it should be submitted by 13th of august for user-acceptance testing. and so i forced myself to go to work yesterday.

today, i am here in my room. i locked my door, i closed the windows. i cried. i don't know, maybe i am physically tired... but i pray that i won't burn out...

i promise myself after this project i would go to tagaytay.. anyway 20th and 27th of August is declared holidays... and off i'll go ... i'll escape to be alone.

i believe...

shelby was an attractive woman in her mid30's who genuinely desired to be married. she had prayed and prayed but had never even had a serious relationship with a man. in fact, she hadn't been out on a date within the last 2 or 3 years. she was tempted to be discouraged, assuming that nothing was happening and that she might spend the remainder of her life as a single woman.

but one night, she was driving home from work when she had a flat tire and had to pull her car over to the side of the freeway. a few seconds later, another car pulled over behind her, and out stepped a handsome, young man. he not only changed shelby's flat tire, he also invited her out to dinner.

about a year later, they got married and today they are wonderfully happy and in love.

now think about the odds such an occurrence. that certainly was not an accident or a coincidence. that was God at work in the lives of two young adults. God is always at time. her tire had to go bad at just the right time. there had to be just the right amount of traffic on the freeway. that young man had to catch just the right elevator leaving the office. he had to go down to the split second in order for his car to be shortly behind shelby's, when the tire went flat. God is making things happen. just stay in an attitude of faith and in His timing.

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i've had had my share of men courting me, but i am still waiting for the man God has promised to me sometime in 2003. God promised to give me a man after His own heart. and when i asked God how would i know or recognize "him"? He replied, "just like a banner raised on a mountaintop, you will see it or just like when a trumphet sounds, you will hear it." that when love knocks at the door of my heart, i will clearly recognize it...... but for now, i will wait and have faith... i believe...

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When I Get Where I'm Going - Geoff Moore

When I get where I’m going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I’m gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I’m gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it’s like
To ride a drop of rain

Chorus:
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
There’ll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I’ll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Don’t cry for me down here

I’m gonna walk with my granddaddy
And he’ll match me step for step
And I’ll tell him how I’ve missed him
Every minute since he left

So much pain and so much darkness
This world we stumble through
All these questions I can’t answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I’m going
And I see my Maker’s face
I’ll stand forever in the light
Of His amazing grace

friends...

friends make you laugh,

they can make you cry and they cry with you

friends believe in the beauty of your dreams

and help you make them come true

friends share your deepest secrets

and keep it with them as one of their secrets too

friends take you as you are

and never leave you when you need them

friends come in different sizes
small, medium and large and some are extra sizes
they also come in all ages
some old, some young and some as your age
nevertheless, they are what you call friends...

i will always thank the Lord for all my friends... :)

sleeping habits...

i sleep with lights on.
i just noticed myself turning off the lights before i sleep nowadays...

quite odd for me who can't sleep without the lights...

it will take place...

i believe in God
His promises are TRUE
it will be fulfilled
if it seems slow in coming,
i will wait patiently
for it will surely take place
it will not be delayed...

even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines...
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my Salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to thread upon the heights.

a promise

photo taken 27th of may 2007;

facing the ladies dorm at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS),

Guisad, Baguio City.

an ordinary scene, two trees facing each other along a narrow path. so what's in it, anyway?

my companions were busy negotiating with PBTS about the food and accomodations for the DNG Pilipinas 2007. i wait outside, and communed with God.

the first thing that i saw was the big pine tree, a strong, sturdy and old tree... and in a far away corner was a small, just-starting to grow pine tree...

God impressed on me that, that big pine tree was someone i knew, someone i liked so much... he was someone i always looked up to... a great and a established man! and that small tree was me, just starting to grow, just starting to learn things...

and then God allowed me to see that two trees in the picture. i prayed, "Lord, give me someone who will be just right beside me, someone whom i'll grow old with, that together we'll learn how to live life... someone that fits me well."

after a few more minutes staring at the sight, i went back inside. and on the wall, i saw a poster saying:

"The good thing that you desire

will become the best thing

when you allow God

to give it to you

in His time."

He has made everything beautiful in its time." - Eccl 3:11

God's way of answering my prayer, i believe.

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i will keep on believing God's promises
i might have to wait for sometime
but one thing i know
"it is sure, it is the best thing... it'll be beautiful"
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i can go the distance

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero’s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a VOICE keeps saying, this is where I’m meant to be


I’ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev’ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I’ll be right where I belong


Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I’ll see it through


And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no, I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete


But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its’ harms


I don’t care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in YOUR arms
I will search the world, I will face it’s harms
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in YOUR arms


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ONE DAY... we'll meet face to face...
may i find my hero's welcome in Your arms, Lord.
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guessing game...

you came suddenly and unexpectedly, at a time when i am not looking for someone. all i wanted then, was to find serenity from the deafening noise of the city, to find my rest with God and shake all the stress i have inside.

it was the same ordinary night, the star and moon shines bright. i came inside the house and you were there... when suddenly, someone said to me, "zha, can i asked you something?... what if the two of you were meant to be?"... i was startled, not knowing the right answer to a silly question, but i gave an answer anyway... "i see no problem...", i said. which cause the house to be filled with "whoas!" and "ohhs" and i hurriedly exited the house right after, for i may not be able to answer the next questions or maybe... i am afraid to face those next questions.

i have no idea what went next during the conversations in that house... the next day came, we were teased every single second of the day, whenever they have the chance. i tried to be myself and still be friendly to you somehow, but i just can't help it... i knew you noticed it too, i backed-away... "i am afraid".

but any how, those simple thoughts of the two of "US"... made me bloom somehow... as the pictures showed it. i might be inspired... infatuated (at my age?!) by the thought...

the convention came to an end... i don't know, but for the last time, we are still in the eyes of our audiences... and they asked that we get a picture... the two of us together... you give in to their request and so did i, because i am trying to be a "sport".

"click"... and off we go... we go on separate ways... of course to our different houses. will it just be a memory of a past or a start of something new?

days and months passed... communications thru SMS and emails are still there... but they were just a mere exchange of either forwarded msgs or emails... a little (and i mean "little") conversation in the middle... through them, i've had built your character... or was it just an imagination or the books i read about personalities that helped me make that image of who you are.

but it is tiring me and this has to end.. this guessing game of what you truly feel... of what you want out of this game...

you see i never played poker or any game for that matter, that will cause money or myself... i've never been into that. i guess it's time to press the button that says, "EXIT or GAME OVER".

"i am laying all my hopes, dreams, plans and my life to the One who truly loves me no matter what, from beginning to end. i will let God be the God over my life and let Him take over... for it is He who promised to give me a man after His own heart... and the One who promised is faithful to complete it in His own time..."

for who knows??? one day i might be ask to press, "CONTINUE?"

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"the good thing that you desire will become the best thing when you allow God to give it to you in His time..."
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"He has made everything beautiful in its time."- Eccl 3:11

lead me home

to seek you, your good and perfect will
is to know you, you never let me fail
you are my God, i surrender it all
take great delight in your servant
let your will unfold in my life

for there i will find your peace
for there i will find your grace
in your presence oh Lord
in your presence oh Lord
lead me home

i will go where you want me to go
i will listen to your still & small voice
let me hear you now
lead me and i will go

for there i will find your peace
for there i will find your grace
in your presence oh Lord
in your presence oh Lord
lead me home...
won't you lead me home?

• song composed way back 07092005 during my quiet time

Keep Believing - Regina Hill

keep believing

that you have what it takes

to make your dream into reality
keep thinking positive thoughts
and know that you have the ability to do anything
find the encouragement inside yourself
to know that you're worthwhile and distinct --
someone who deserves the very best there is...