#8 Paradise I've Once Visited

Every moment God’s spirit dwells within me is the every moment I feell peace governing the entirety of my heart. Sabbath day as it was. After going to church, I went off at Goldilocks to meet my cousin (to buy a cake). It was on the 7^th day of the eight month   and God’s grace extended another year to one of my cousin’s bestfriend’s life.

 We went rightaway to the barkada’s meeting place and shooted off to the destination with of course, the birthday celebrant. The second we stepped up to the jeep was the moment the adventure then, began.  The sound of the braking jeep aroused our excitement. But then it was just the starting point.  We had to ride this so-called habal-habal to reach to the place. It was unusual for me to ride such thing and I can feel tremendous up-down cycle of the motorcycle’s motion. I was not in the perfect comfortable position not to mention my poor, sensitive feet were brushed with asphalt. Augh!! It was really not a good experience as I first reacted. Neurons of mine trembled as if I felt like it was near the end when the motor slowly moved upward. I really can’t resist it. I just have to close the two eyes I have. It lasted for almost an hour. Imagine me that way! 

Hmmm, until, the early birds arrived. I motioned my eyes left to right, then back. Tranquillity reigns at that certain place. Minutes passed, I heard Kuya Toffi’s (bday celebrant) voice roaring from the distant saying “food is ready”. Hmmmm!! Yummy. It’s really undeniable to say that kuya is really indeed an HRM student. Hahah. If you’re imagining a food cooked by the most famous chief in the world, turn that into a reality because that what really is. Well, pause the food and play the rhythm of the nature’s beauty. Gosh! It’s indescribable. I and others went on to take some pictures while others played cards not to mention the ongoing drizzle.  I don’t know what kind of insect entered into kuya Toffi’s ears that made him plot to unleash the concealing power of nature. My eardrums drummed heavily when I heard him spoke the words “adto ta adtong tago nga suba! (let’s go to the hidden river!)” . Try to imagine a woman(that was me) that had earlier gone from the church with her formal dress and with all those high heels who’ll be taking some adventure to climb mountains, pass through the rocky pathways, with all that crowded high bushes just for that hidden river!?! Gosh!..  that was a freaking experience. Stepping carefully is a must yet the always thing to do because of that tiny yet painful makahiya plants all over not to mention the scorching heat of the sun. ouch! And along the way was that gigantic salivary dog which made our furs stood. But it didn’t make us discourage. Instead, we found it as a challenge. 

Walk. Walk. Walk. Until we reach the treasure location. Wheew!! What a tiring one! We didn’t even recognize the haggard faces we’re masking because of the enjoyment and glee all over our hearts.

 It was typically a bond one could never forget even thought we had ate Shine injured.  And yes! Did I ever mention about the glassy, crystal-clear water? A gape will certainly astonish one’s attention. Kuya toffi’s true. We’ll never regret the moment we’ll see the beauty of this river that was hidden in some verdant hills and popping coconut trees. But then, mr. clock’s hands really will be rotating as fast as it wants to. Orange streaks in heaven heralds a mild twilight, signifying us to go home. But then, kuya toffi’s mind was again bombarded with craziness when the idea of passing another route entered in him. He asked the farmer nearby if the shortcut route still existed. It was a negative respond from the farmer but kuya toffile (as usual) insisted. Under by his control, we suffered another calvary. We lined up like caterpillar not to mention I as the head. We walk like a duck, climbing like a gecko in a slippery uphill climb. But across my imagination was the spirit saying ‘I can do it’. I reflected. Maybe this is literally what life is. Life that’s full of sacrifices, toils, and hardwork; cries, disappointments and discouraging battle. But God provided everything to me. Instead, I must take it as a challenge. Life is easy, period. We are just the ones erasing periods and replacing it with commas and added some phrases which can only make it dull.

Well then, back to the adventurous world, I took off my sandals and climb, climb, climb. Until, successfully, I reached it to the top. It was indeed a marvellous scene that you are 5 meters ahead of the ones preceding you. Even though I I came quarter to 9 to our boarding house, I never did regret the memories that once existed in the past but still gives joy to my heart until this very hour.

# 10 "....never give up!"

       

“So what do you do when you fall down? You get yourselves back up because you find yourselves walking…. But then I tell you, there’s just sometimes in your life, when you fall in, you feel like you don’t have the strength to get back up. Do you think you have hope. B’coz I tell you, I’m down here. Face down and no arm and no legs. It should be impossible for me to get back up but it’s not! U see, I will try 100 times to get up and if I fell 100 times, if I fail and if I give up do you think I’m never gonna get up? NO! if I fail, I’ll try again and again and again and I want you to know that it’s not the end. It matters on how you gonna finnish.”

        These are some of the words the strikes deeply into the core of my weak, sensitive heart. At first, I thought it was merely a humorous video but then it all turned upside-down. Every now and then, as I reminisce his poor yet angelic face, I could really appreciate what God’s mightiness had offered me.  It really penetrated into my entirety how his voice bounced back my emotions.

        We aren’t imperfect. Some says we does but then and again, we were created by a perfect God, therefore we are perfect. We are blessed by all means of significant parts. The question is: did we either use it in a proper manner or did we bless others out of these blessings we have right now? Sometimes we come to meditate and realize that others especially disables perceive themselves useful than us. They tend to give more importance of what they’re available of than what we usually do. Isn’t it a huge shame to us? Its message is not that complicated and not that simple. It’s just by how a certain one had it in their own perceptions.  It teaches. It elaborates. It convicts. And mostly, it really inspires.

       Inspiring in the means of appreciating we once neglected before. Anyone could be a moral model. One that could inspire others because of what one had and how one could gave that certain thing a special role in his/her life.

      As an older sister, I have numerous morals that I had to unleash in order for my sisters to learn and adapt. A street child can be one of these examples. They tend to limit the dreams (like what I’d watch earlier in a multimedia) in their lives. Some of them just wanted to be a sikad driver because they knew no person in this material world would shed a blood for them. Reflecting this scenario is somewhat a check-up on how we are to manage life’s abundance. It’s still an inspiration. Even a 16-year-old lass like me would inspire others same way as that inspirational video and street children could do not to say that I have to be also like them. In some other ways, spiritually, I was changed by God. He led me to the right direction and knowing that I’m in my refuge is the best part ever happened in my life. I was once a lost sheep found by her shepherd. I was once a party-girl, and a happy-go-lucky one. I never really did appreciate life. And through this ego I have today and with the Holy Spirit’s conviction, I could inspire others to be like the renewing me. Not just an inspiration but a lifetime living. Like what the lame in the video had taught, if I fail in my Christian life, I’ll try again and again and again and know that it’s not the end. What matters is how will I’m going to finnish the battle with my God.

# 7 My Precious Gem...

          What a great feeling to have someone whom you can call for when you're in need. Whose name you'll shout for and will come in not less than minute to help you.A hero? Yes, sure is but only in movies we could find like this.How about in real life? Do you only consider those famous persons whose names were written in history a hero? Who have done such heroic acts, freeing us from tyrannies.

        In this case I admire my hero for his courage and his determination all through his personal life and his career. This story begun when I met a certain man who had done such noble deeds that includes lending his blessings to his nieces and nephews, who had helped his tenants and their families and who gave budget to their barangay for the construction of their bridge. As the flow of our acquaintance grew, he even deposited some of the brilliant gems of my life. He's not that expressive. the idea  of  thinking that I'm not that significant to him even crawled into my mind. But our hearts seemed to have their own conversations. And I most witnessed his concealing love especially when that tragic event (when i was poisoned) happened. Not to mention that he likely even to have a heart attack.  The blood came rushing through my veins when i heard of this.

       But sad to say that this man whom I considered my Hero was gone. He had passed away last May this year and his lose was one of my greatest sorrow in life and he is my GRANDPA!

#9 Self Discipline : The only Discipline that Last

              "If you cut a young tree, it would be easier then to pull down an older one... make sense? Try this one, if you try to massage and cure a deformed baby's foot it will have it'll have a greater possibility to be straightened than to work it out in a stage of adolescence." 

      

             A story of two young boy's will be an assistance for more message elaboration.

         Paulo and Sam are cousins and they have similar likes. Except that Paulo likes to be corrected than Sam. They grew up in the same village and their parents are in a close ties. They shared relevant and at the same time, insignificant topics when they're in neighborhood reunion (including the ways in molding their sons and daughters). 

        One cloudy afternoon, the darken, huge cotton balls on the sky is no longer having the strength to resist and carry its water's weight causing it to pour heavily lasting for five hours.

           Sam and Paulo are like angels so busy splashing and running and jumping over waters and tasting raindrops. But this gleeful moment, for Sam, was murdered when he heard the sharp voice of his father...

          " Sam! were are you?

         But it was not just only for Sam, Paulo too, was called. At this time Paulo's horns grow a little. He didn't obey his parents so he received or smashing spank from his mom and roaring scold of his father.

          Paulo discovered the so-called "revenge" and decided to apply it to bully his parents. But his plans is not committing a victory. Instead,  he received countless moldings from his parents not to mention the harsh heart-striking of his mother and unforgettable, soft beating from his dad. Years slipped away and learning from his experiences is inevitable. But Sam grew in contrast. His father didn't scold and mold his same as Paulo's father did to Paulo. Their attitude grew in contrast too.

           Now, Paulo has a well-discipline ego while Sam lacks so much of it.

          'Till time comes that they're fully grown up and their fathers too also didn't stuck up on their ages. 

         There are times that Sam home late never cared his family worrying at him. He became naive and insensitive. His not even touched by the pointed, achy words spoken by his father.

        Their likes a somewhat predictable, right?

      Discipline; a field of learning, training and conditioning to produce obedience and self-control. The maintenance of order and obedience as a result of punishment as what Mr. Webster says.

          Discipline is not an obligation not a must one should have. Not just for other people to appreciate them but to gain respect from other people and for themselves...       

# 6 Amazing...

http://sunnychristopher.blogspot.com/2011/09/5-success-swings-with-breath-of-heaven.html

         Reminiscing our unforgettable experiences can really make us feel of different emotions.And in knowing Sunny's experience all I could say is it's really amazing. Because since first year high school it's what i wanted to do but unfortunately we didn't able to do it. I also felt your happiness Sunz when your reaching out for other people. I'm sure it's really a great pleasure to be part of a program like that.
          You've done your part Sunz! the Lord our God is sure please with you. May you continue what you have started.

#5 It Punches My Heart

            "Education is not just a matter of finishing and bringing home the beacon but it is more on living and standing into the principle we ought to gain. May we live all the learning, values, and talents inside the four theoretical walls of the room but may we bring it along with us as we become the new pillars of the next generation. Let us join hands together as we give the last hurray!"

             Right after graduation the time when we had reaped and rejoiced the fruits of our labor, my friends and I have decided to go swimming at the famous spring resort in our place to celebrate altogether our victory. 

             But the day before the said thanksgiving things did not go smoothly as what I expected it to be. We had a argument with my mom. She did not want me to come for we've already been there  the other day but i really insisted and went on with my friends without her consent. Leaving our house that day was never easy, it was so heart breaking. It's the first time that i didn't listen to my mom. But I just ignore my feelings and give my attention to my friends. Who made my high school life enjoyable and memorable in the middle of hardships and sleepless nights. We all cherished the friendships, companionship's and camaraderie we earned side by side along with the burning of our midnight candles. We have learned, laughed, loved, gotten into trouble and especially most of us matured together. It's about 4: 45 o'clock in the afternoon when we headed back. We really had a great time. We all agreed to hike on our way home. We took a shortcut passing through a mini forest unleashing into another spring resort. To our surprise, the main pool had ran out of water. Some of my friends stepped into the empty pool and I followed them. I felt a bit strange there and felt every beat of my heart pumping as fast as a running cheetah. As we approached towards the end of the pool, suddenly, the movie "Villa Estrella" struck into my mind.Unknowingly that one of my friends did to. We had the same perception regarding the environment. We are already near towards the entrance of the certain resort when my bestfriend shared his funny experience about stealing guavas during his childhood years. To our surprise, an old lady passing by stopped and scolded us. We're shocked of her expression. I looked at her and felt pity. We just ignored her and continued walking towards the main road. When we reached the main resort, I started to feel dizzy. I could hardly breath. My friends thought that I was just kidding but i wasn't. The ache seemed to crack my head.As we continued walking, the pain got worse until it reached to the point that i could hardly stand on my feet. Then one of my friends saw my face and fingernails so pale. And they started to panic. Back then, I really thought it was my final glimpse. But all thanks to GOD, it wasn't. 

         "Life is a series of passageways, no one had made himself prepared to be with life's amazing surprises given in his infancy, and the rest of his humanities being alone without any peripheral interventions and external measures because and readiness and equanimity to face impending life's dilemma, needs and an ample amount of time."

#4 Could it be Possible

          It was a long day for my friend. It's about 6:48 in the evening when she got home. After dressing up, she hurriedly went to the kitchen and cooked for the family's dinner. Then after, she went outside their house to buy some prepaid load.
          They had a nice talk with her textmate inside her room when suddenly she smell something very familiar to her. It really took her a few seconds to recognize the smell. Tears then came rushing down into her face as she felt  the presence of her beloved grandpa. Her room was covered by the smell of "pamada" which her grandpa used to put on his hair and the odor of "tanduay" which he also used to drink. She can't utter a single word that moment.
          That's the short story of my friend horrifying or should I say sweet experience? Could it be possible for the dead to still communicate with the living? Well, I guess so.
          According to some believers there are different ways and so with the reason why our loved ones will try to communicate with us. Maybe they want to remind us of something or some may want justice for what had happened to them. Like my friend, she said that she committed a serious mistake during that time her grandpa visited her.
          And it was through scent, they will think of a smell that you would associate with them and they will actually project and smell to us. There were some instances too that when you have their picture on the mantle they'll move the picture or try to tip it over. But this were just opinions of other people. Others also says that it's satan's work. Well, what may be their reasons there's only one way to prevent such experience and that is to PRAY. Pray always to GOD, not only for those who were still alive but also for those who were already dead that their spirits may rest in peace.

#3 I stop to say thank you Mom and Dad

"The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my Family." - Thomas Jefferson

A group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. The basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling or not. You can read or find many sorts of definitions about families. But a family means more than these and no dictionary in the whole wide world, even the internet could ever define the true value of a family in a person's life.
When you hear the word "Family", what usually comes into your mind? Do you imagine a beautiful home filled with lots of love and laughter? A family sharing meals and exchanging stories at dinner time? Or else gathering around the living room, watching television and bond? Valuing our family especially our parents is very important. Yet due to the modernization of today's generation, reasons like hectic schedules, working overseas and etc. this is no longer completely true. It's the opposite. People less value family these days and that's what I think.
I don't wanna be one of those people 10 years from now. Hoping when that time comes I'll be successful in my chosen profession. And whatever may happens, whoever I'll become I will always value my parents as much as I do now. Wherever I go I want them with me and if that can't be I will always keep in touch. Because for me, my PARENTS serves as my second source of love, support and strength. We are what we are now because of them. The love we've shared makes me strong and wise even in the time of difficulties. The collective strength of the family makes impossible things seem possible. If it wants to remain as one must find time to bond with one another no matter how hectic schedules might be. It is the time spent together that strengthens ties. As the old saying goes “The family that prays together sticks together.” And each member should put God at the center of the relationship. Set time for family devotion in which everyone should be present.
Showing our parents how much we thank and love them doesn’t have to be such an earth-shaking ordeal. Little things mean so much to them. They’ll get the idea from the simplest, but most touching gestures. Like making a picture for them, cooking them a dinner or else writing them a letter or sending them text messages everyday when we’re far from them just like us college students. As of now the best way to show my gratitude to my parents is through being a responsible daughter. Doing all that I can to please them by showing good grades.
After all it really doesn’t matter by how we say I love you and Thank you, but how we show it. Hugs say what no words can.

#2 Striving...

                  Ever since I was a kid till high school, I really don't read and write a lot. I usually spend my leisure time doing things that would attract my fancy. Like making scrap books, paintings, drawing and stitching. To be honest I read and write only when it's required by our teacher. I do also have my own compositions of poems and essays which were written in my scrap books but not that much. I only have a few of them. Actually I'm a moody person. I read, write and draw when I'm in the mood. That's what I am! And I get rid of myself because of it. I don't wanna be like this anymore! Because obviously having this kind of attitude makes me certified not a good reader and writer.

              I realize now that it's really necessary to practice reading and writing more often because as a college student we're required to read a lot and aside from it we're also required to write. Just like now. We should be a good reader and writer if we desire to achieve a college degree. So as of now, I'm still working on it. I'm doing it step by step. I borrowed books from my friends and already finished some of it. It's really great! It enhances our ability in writing not only that it also give us more knowledge.

#1 My Personal Mission in Life

Sunday third day of the month of April this year, two days after graduation:

                  Daughter: Mom, can I go with my friends? tomorrow?

                       Mother: Why? where were you going?

                       Daughter: Um...we decided to go swimming, to celebrate...

                       Mother: What? again? But we have been gone there just this day? 

                                         Isn't it enough? Aren't you satisfied?    

                       Daughter: But mom...(with a sad and teary look on her eyes)

                                        tomorrow's different. I'm with my friends and probably

                                        this will be the last, I promise. They're all expecting me

                                        to come mom and I don't wanna disappoint them. So

                                        please? (really trying to convince her mother)

                       Mother: No, you're not going anywhere and that's final. Don't try

                                       to insist anymore, okay?..so that's it. Now take a rest you

                                      should be tired.

              The day after.Even though the mother have already made her decision still her daughter went to join her friends in their celebration. She left their house without knowing that her mother was crying. She was surprised by the way her daughter acted to her. It was the first time that she didn't hear her decision and it really made her sad.

                  In the afternoon, she can't fell asleep, her mind still not set, somethings bothering her. She keeps on thinking what's going on with her daughter and can't help it either. So she arose from the bed and while waiting for her daughter to come home, she decided to do the laundry.

                     Neighbor: Oh my God! What happen to her? Is she drank? But

                                      that's impossible! She never was like that!

                Upon hearing these words from her neighbor, her heart suddenly beats faster. And come to see what's happening. Her entire body seems to be frozen. Can't step any of her feet. She was shocked. And after a few seconds she jumped and jumped and shouted HELP, upon seeing her daughter's face so pale and was likely to collapse.

                 I was then poisoned... I was so scared and I really thought that my life would end up there. But I'm so greatfull that it wasn't. God gave me a second chance. It was on the 4th day of April when he gave to me my second life. From then on I have proven to myself that there's nothing impossible with God. Everything has it's own purpose. "A man's life purpose should be sought out, thought out, and wrought out." I have always think of this.

                 "To graduate with flying colors"

                      "To become a professional"

                      "To help my family"

                      "To help our drowning government"

                        ...and so many more

               This are just some of the missions most of us would utter. But do we ever go down deeply? Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. We're just thinking of the worldly things. How about our souls? Do we ever think of it? When you die right now? Would you go to heaven? No, you need to be saved, why? Where will lost sinners go? DEATH IS HELL. It is the debt we must all pay. According to Douglas MacArthur "Only those who are fit to live, who are not afraid to die." Yes, it's true!

                  My mission in life is to serve God.

               Good works, good moral, education or even religion these are not the basis. None of this was the key to enter his kingdom. It is our FAITH who can save us. We should turn from doubt to faith.                                              
                      "It is not enough to own a BIBLE; we must read it. It is not enough to read it ; we must let it speak to us ; we must believe it ; It is not enough to believe it ; we must live it." 

                   God provided a way to be saved. He sent Jesus to die, shed blood for us to have eternal life. We should offer our entirety to him. PRAYER, this serves as our sword against our enemies, shield against the stormy billows.                      

                   "It's not the length of your prayers - how long they are ; it's not the arithmetic of your prayers - how many they are ; it's not the poetry of your prayers - how beautiful they are ; it's not the volume of your prayers - how loud they are ; It's the INTENSITY. That's all that counts."

              We should learn to atone, repent and forgive. We pray sincerely to our dear Savior and Redeemer before time comes late "Lord, I'm so sorry for my sins, be merciful to me, a sinner and save me."