Saturday, June 11, 2011

Agradecido

Today I feel like enumerating down the blessings I have. Things that I am thankful for. I remember what Bo Sanchez wrote in one of his articles, ''instead of complaining, why won't you find the blessings that are right in your eyes''. Sometimes people tend to just look at the bad side of everything, well, it's easier to spot those wrongs/negatives when we are the downside moments of our lives. It doesn't help anyway. So why focus on that? At times we are just burying ourselves on things that really don't help. Pardon me I'm actually talking to myself.
I've got hundreds of things to be thankful for, and I'm going to enumerate few of them today. I want to focus on these blessings that my Father has been bestowing me. I'm sorry Lord sometimes I fail to see these blessings.
Abba Father, I thank you for:
- Your love and grace.
- Keeping me safe and perfectly healthy.
- The gift of life.
- The gift of family. My strength and inspiration.
- For my father and mother who are always there to listen to me. Who love and care for us. For keeping them  healthy.
-For my beautiful sisters and handsome brothers.
-For my fiance', Dave,  who has been my loving prince.
- For showering him Your unfailing love.
- For using him for your greater honor and glory.
- For my work that enables me to learn things that I thought I wouldn't  be doing.
- For a good boss who trusts me.
- For a friendly work environment I am in.
- For the safe place I am staying.
- For my phone that I use everyday to communicate my loved ones.
- For the air that I breathe.
- For the water that quenches my thirst.
- For the food that fills me physically.
- For my community -Couples/Singles for Christ.
- For my church.
- For my friends.
- For my brothers and sisters in Christ.
- For giving me the chance, the strength and the zeal to serve your people.
- For the elders of the community who in one way or the other have become our second parents.
- For the ability to work efficiently.
- For the technology that enables people to connect even we are distant from each other.
- For this blog that I am able to write and express my thoughts and the events that I want to record.
- For your unfailing love to me that enables me to always rise up with joy. To overcome challenges.
- For holding my hand and never left me.
- For calling me your beloved child.     In Jesus' name. Amen.

There are still a lot of things that I am thankful for. If it should be specific. This page cannot handle it.

La vida entera a Cristo, viviendo! (Kay Kristo Buong Buhay Habangbuhay)


P.S. The title means ''thankful'' . It is a Spanish term.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

i - SWER!

Twenty days ago (as of this writing), 8 soon-to-be-married couples have been blessed enough to have SWER [Singles Weekend Engagement Retreat] organized by our beloved titas and titos, ates and kuyas from the community. It has been an overwhelming experience for us in preparing ourselves for the popular vocation - marriage.

*April 30, 2011 (7:00pm - 12midnight)
 
The night started with a sumptuous meal of pasta and pizza. It was in a form of group date that everyone enjoyed. Chikahan here and there :)



What followed was more of filling the spiritual needs for to-be-married couples. Prayers and talks by our dear 'elders' in the community. Praise be to God for them who were with us throughout the retreat.
Group picture muna before the guys went to their quarters.
Ate Jane told us that to have some reflection time ('twas her way of staying us awake and still on our dresses for the surprise prepared for us). At nainip ako haha, nakabihis halfway ng pantulog when the guys had their surprise for us. Brought roses for their respective partner and danced while kuya Joms serenaded us. Dave also played the guitar to which I sang along.
A beautiful night indeed.
May 1, 2011 - And the lovely morning comes! We drove off to Empire Hotel to witness the rising of the sun while we (the couples) will have some time together. Pray. Talk. Bond.


The sun was just so gorgeous that day that we have to take the opportunity to have pictures by our resident photographer Ms. Carem :).  [Below : Dave and I]
Lovely Couple #1 - Kiko and Sheena . To be wed sometime in 2012.
Love couple # 2 - Sam and Girlie. To be wed on August 6, 2011.
Lovely couple # 3 Merf and Kitchie. Wedding is on July 30, 2011.
Lovely couple # 4 Jim and Aike. Wedding is set on May 12, 2011.
Lolo Berts wishing his mahal was there too.
Mi She and Yurie (was not able to attend due to some work restrictions) are the second pair to be wed, May 14, 2011.
Mi Lhen is missing her honey (Kuya Albert), they are getting married on August 13, 2011.
Kuya Amiel and Ate Jane who accompanied us throughout the event. ''Para na rin kaming nag reretreat'' as quoted from Ate Jane.

After the photoshoot, we headed back to Holiday Lodge Hotel for the rest of the program.
We ended the program filled with lessons. Stomachs are also filled hehe. We are all grateful for all who supported us, for those who sponsored and for those who prayed for us. Our hearts are filled with joy. Thanks and praise be to God for all of these. KKBBH!

Photos courtesy of Miss Carem Lemence :)