I Left My Heart In Japan

Sharing my Japan experience. My sepanx fever is still on-going. I love everything about it!!! Our vid is now up! Travel with us and take pleasure in enjoying the wonders of the ”Land of the Rising Sun”. 😊😍🇯🇵💕

Japan, you killed my feet, emptied my wallet, and filled my heart with so much joy and love. I just can’t say Goodbye—not yet, not now, never. 😊😍😭🇯🇵🎌💕 #OnceUponInJapan #GeneWillGoPlaces #AutumnIsHere
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🎥 Awesome video edit and creation all cto Lio Obligado / Around the World with MadMan
📍Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo, Japan
🗓November 14-22, 2017
👥 Juna Ramirez Xie Ventura Alven Alinan Karen Ann Merza Midori Kuroko Lio Obligado

See our travel  video here: I Left My Heart In Japan

Hope Is That Small Voice

“The challenges in our lives are there to STRENGTHEN our CONVICTIONS. They are NOT there to run us over.” ―Nick Vujicic

It has been a long day.
The longest three days of my life, I supposed.

It was a beautiful Monday morning, and I was on my way to Makati to conduct a training to our new partner. Though I was a little bit excited and nervous at the same time, I still held my head high and hoped that everything will work out as I imagined it to be.

But before that, (I just want to rewind some things that happened to me on the weekend) I was busy at church for the last rehearsal of the Couples Night Event in which I was one of the organizers (and participant as well).

That event was a success!

Our parents, the elders, and almost all the attendees were happy with everything we have put up, and of course everyone (even us, singles) were so blessed by Bishop Celso's preaching about love. Not that kind of your average love but of God's, not only that kind of "eros" love to and from your partner but that "agape" love that comes from God―the kind of love that transcends all wisdom and understanding of men. Yes, that kind of love that we cannot fathom no matter how hard we try. It's the kind of love that goes far beyond as east is from the west, and the kind of love that is immeasurable neither by height nor depth.

So summing it up, I had a great weekend! But reality comes in, a big day ahead for me.

Going back to my earlier story, it was my first time that I will train outside of the office's premises. My first time to actually train alone.

As I went up to the venue, I knew the moment that I have stepped my foot on the conference room, I am so dead―not literally though, it was an overstatement. From the look on their faces, there's no doubt that they are experts. The ones who have more experience in this field, in this industry. During the training, I felt so small being around them. They kept on throwing questions to me all at once, that made me even question myself about my own capabilities. I have really felt so intimidated and so inferior. At the end of that day, I went out early and directly went home. Inside of the cab, the driver was enthusiastic on telling stories of the current events, showbiz personalities and all, he was so talkative and suddenly stopped when he saw me at his driver's mirror that I was crying. Call me crazy or emotionally disturbed but maybe right then and there, I just couldn't help myself. 

My heart felt so heavy, and my mind was so cloudy of all the things that I have thought of―that I'm not good enough, that I'm not smart like them, that I'm no pro, that I'm not an expert, that I'm not so on and so forth stuff...When I came home, I went directly to my room, locked the door, put down all my things and changed clothes, then that's it! I've cried myself on my bed, to the point of breaking down. I have prayed to God and finding comfort in Him, because I'm so awfully down and I'm so terribly worn out. I've just poured out my heart to God, and let my tears fall. At that precise moment, I just felt how God comforted me, how HE embraced me with HIS unfailing love. HE reminded me to never give up, that in my weakness, HE is my strength. I faithfully thanked God for encouraging me to continue with my battle, to finish strong. I was at peace when I woke up the next day.

Day 2 of training? It has been wonderful. Although, I admitted that the sulky feeling was still there, but I found solace during lunch break. I've called my longtime so-called "Ate" and youth mentor years ago, I was glad that I've talked to her and told her everything. She encouraged me and reminded me that all these things will work together for my good. I was overwhelmed and blessed by the words she shared, I forgot that I needed to go back to the building. As the afternoon surpassed, my doubts and fears totally wiped out when we all had our small talk during break. I've said to them that I'm a newbie in the industry, I'm not really familiar with everything unlike them, and they've understand. I've been true to myself, and to them as well and it felt good, really good.

And as Day 3 continues, the realization just continued to hit me that I've done all this, that I've done my best and it's all worth it. Now, I can see the smile on their faces―the kind of smile that makes me believe in myself more. It went well. I did it!

My realizations after that three days have been profound to the point that it just made me stronger.
To never give up.
To trust God more.
To believe in myself more.

Sometimes, the hardest battle is not what or who surrounds us but a battle within ourselves. I thank my Lord Jesus Christ for the wonderful and humbling experience, though it's been technically tough and challenging to train the so-called "experts". My inferiority almost eat me but God didn't allow it to happen, and instead reminded me that I've got HIS back.

I've learned so many things (the hard way), and I've realized that I am in no competition with no one but myself. I want to be better than the person I was yesterday. I will choose to listen and believe in the VOICE OF TRUTH, that still small VOICE OF HOPE inside of me.

:')

The Sun Still Sets And Rises

“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become―because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.” ―C.S. Lewis

New day.
New perspective.
New hope.

Another year has passed by, and looking back in my life and the journeys I had, I can not find the words how to really describe the topsy-turvy turn of events.
It has been beyond wonderful―more than I ever expected it will be.

I am, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart, blessed with so many things. Here, are some of the highlights of my 2013 experience:

• Got certified as Microsoft Technology Specialist to two Microsoft Dynamics Solutions
• Been blessed to be delegated as the new Music Ministry Leader at church
• Had traveled Puerto Galera with my family and loved ones
• Tried to join the list of writers to Christian website: "Whole Magazine"
• Joined the free course training in "Writer's Bureau" website
• Given the chance to be offered and enrolled as a student in a Creative Writing school: "Writer's Bureau", one of the best writing institutions in England

I know, it can't get any better but I will not stop thanking and praising my Lord Jesus Christ for all of the things He's been doing in my life.

I remember the times when melancholy hit me, and I even bother to make room for it in my heart. The feeling of sadness in the moment of stillness engulfed me.

Maybe, it was just a phase I had to go through. A path that needed to be walked on so I could get hurt, and learn at the same time, to be strong at the end of that road, and now I say, "It is worth it."
The struggles.
The pain.
The hurt.
All of it.
These are all worth it, it molded me into the person God wants me to become. 

I am a working progress.

There is so much more to learn along the way, that is why this 2014, I want to make the most out of it.
I want to explore. I want to travel again (whether in and out of the country). I want my talent to be more of use for God's greater glory. I want to meet new people. I want to learn another language or two. I want to fall in love again. I want to be a blessing to others. I want to do things, I have never done before but I have learned to put all my dreams and desires into God's hands so I will not be disappointed―not anymore. HE never fails, and never will. It is just about a matter of faith.

Sometimes, we are tested in so many ways, we never could imagine. I solely believe that patience is just a test of our character.

In this life, there are things that are outside of our control. Sometimes bad things happen to us. Some of us have been hurt, abandoned, cheated, and left behind. Some of us have made mistakes and are now trying to cope with how we will allow the repercussions and the residual consequences affect the rest of our lives. Some of us are in the middle of a horrible and painful situations and feel so lost, confused, and depressed that we don't even understand how we got here, let alone how to get out. 

Sounds familiar, right?
But we really can not help it.

What happens to us, happens also to everybody. We have the same common ground. We are real because we are broken. We are broken because we will be made whole.

And I am made whole in Christ (Colossians 2:10).

I have remembered the passage I once read, 

"While I am busy looking up on the balloon, I have realized that there is an ice cream melting on my hand."

The main thing I learned? It is taking time to appreciate the things you have, instead of staring at the things you want. Although good things come to those who wait, I always believe that the best things come to those who are doing everything they can while they are waiting. God makes everything beautiful in His perfect time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). HE always does, and it is proven. 

I am excited for what God has for me, and what this year will offer.
Whatever obstacle will be thrown my way, I will not let my faith falter.

Life goes on, and on, and on. As long as I keep improving myself, and keep trusting God with all the endeavors I will make, I know HE will work all things together for my good (Romans 8:28). I will not be moved and will not be shaken.

I am rest assured that I am in good hands.
I am, and will be forever grateful.

Indeed, thank you, Abba Father.


:')

Beyond My Grasp

“I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” ―Anne Frank

Each new day is like an ocean wave returning to the shore.

I have no idea what it will bring, just as I have no idea what surprises the surf will lay at my feet. On calm days, ordinary shells are left at the water's edge, but after stormy weather, all kinds of treasures are churned up from the deep—rare finds for those with the patience to uncover them.

The phases of life itself are as unpredictable as the moods of the ocean.

Sometimes smooth, sometimes turbulent.

But beyond this mystery lies one certainty,
While I can never know what gives life will bring.

I can trust that every sunrise offers possibilities.

Every day holds beautiful moments and new dreams, waiting for me to come, and find them.


A/N:

/*February 09, 2012 | 08:22 PM*/