...exploring the north under the heavy rain and strong wind of Typhoon Mina!

Tita: Ta, gusto mo magsunod sa Baguio?

Me: San-o ta?

Tita: Sa 27 - 28.

Me: Ok ah..waay man ko to kaadto b. Cge masunod ko!

And the date is set. I am going to Baguio.

August 26, 2011

I woke up at exactly 8:00 in the morning. I took a shower and put on a nice and comfortable clothes. I packed my things and made sure that I had everything - clothes, cellphone, ipod, sweater, umbrella, toiletries, and most importantly a camera to capture the moment. At 9:00 am, I left the house and took a jeepney to Recto where I decided to take the LRT going to Santolan. From Santolan station I then took a jeep going to Antipolo. It was already 1:00 pm when I arrived at my tita's house cause of heavy traffic. While having lunch:

Tita: Baka hindi tayo matuloy. My bagyo eh!

Me: Kaya nga eh. =(

Tita: Kung uulan magdamag, cancel na. Sa sunday na lang alis natin at monday uwi.

Me: Ok. 

At around 6:00 pm we watched the news on TV about Typhoon Mina . To our surprise, Northern Luzon, specifically Cagayan region was on signal # 4. Benguet, which was near our destination was in signal # 1.

Both parties decided to cancel the planned trip. Since I am experiencing severe headache, I went to bed early. At 10:00 pm I saw my tita packing her stuffs as well as Josh's things. 


Tita: Tuloy daw tayo!
Me: Huh? Bakit? Signal # 1 nga doon di ba?
Tita: Ewan ko ba dyan sa kanila. Mga atat eh! O ano sasama tayo o hindi?
Me: Uh! Ikaw!


Confusion then hit me. To go or not to go? I still have 3 hours to decide I thought. At about 11:30 pm, Leomel, a very close friend of mine was online on facebook. I asked him if it was still raining in Pampanga. He said yes. He then told me that a his friend from Baguio texted him that it was raining really hard there. 


Leomel: Baskug uran to kag ya hangin pa gid.
Me: Tuod? Promise ha!
Leomel: Huo, waay ko ga binutig! First time mo maadto sa Baguio aw?
Me: Huo.
Leomel: Tingala man ko!
Me: Ti gina pa desisyon ako ni tita kung masunod ako or indi.
Leomel: Desisyon kaw eh. Kung ako sa imo, INDI, hehehe. Not just for my ginamos and mustasa but for your safety.
Me: Ay ilam dulang. Confused ako.

August 27, 2011

The clock was ticking. 12:00 am and I haven't decided yet. The question kept repeating on my mind.


TO GO OR NOT TO GO? 


12: 05 am.


12:10 am.


12:15 am. I AM GOING! 


Tita: Mag ayos ka na ng gamit. Alis tayo ng 2:00 am.
Me: Ok. Maliligo na ako.


At around 2:30 am, all 14 of us were already in the van ready to take a road trip to Baguio City. We left Antipolo at exactly 3:00 in the morning. It was really raining so hard that we can barely see the road. I continued to pray for our safety and for the rain to stop as well. I fell asleep and when I woke up we were already in Tarlac. Thank God, we arrived at Baguio City safely at around 12:30 pm. 


We were welcomed by a heavy rain as well as a strong wind. Cause the rain never stopped, we stayed at our rented house all day plus electricity was shut off! 


Thanks to TYPHOON MINA! She's doing a good job messing with our so called vacation!

To our disappointment, the rain never stopped. 
Such a great trip! We went to Baguio to sleep,
We can't blame anyone we know,
Cause it's us who decided to go.


If only Typhoon Mina could speak,
She'll told us that were stupid and never thinks, 
Who the hell plans a trip and stills go,
Even if there's a typhoon that messes up with you.

August 28, 2011

Last day of our trip.

Under the bad weather, we still found reasons to enjoy life to the fullest and be thankful for that brief hours that we got to capture the happy memories.

1. Experiencing the heavy fog at Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral right after the mass we attended.

2. Seeing the blooming flowers at the Baguio Botanical Garden.

3. Taking the time to see the horses at Wright Park.

4. Having the opportunity to see almost all of Baguio City up at Mines View Park.

5. Visiting for the first time the Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan.

These memories will forever be in my heart. For once in my life, I got to experienced exploring the north under the heavy rain and strong wind of Typhoon Mina.

...a love letter from God to You

There are days when we feel we are not wanted and loved, we are lonely and alone. That we are wandering in a forest feeling scared and helpless. That we are lost in the darkness of despair. 

I found this poem entitled "Father's Love Letter - An Intimate Message From God To You" from www.fathersloveletter.com. The poem has a very beautiful and amazing message that touched my heart and that may touch yours as well. After reading this, you and I will be reminded that we are not a mistake. We are loved. We are special. And that we are destined to be a part of the world. For He chose us to be His children. 

Now is the right time to read our letter from our Father. Let us all open our hearts and let His message be with us always. 

The words you are about to experienced are true. They will change your life if you let them. For they come from the very heart of God. He loves you. And He is the father you have been looking for all your life. This is His love letter to you. 

My child,

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

I am familiar with all your ways.

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

For you were made in my image.

In me, you live and move and have your being.

For you are my offspring.

I knew you even before you were conceived.

I chose you when I planned creation.

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would lived.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

I knit you together in your mother's womb.

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

I have been misrepresented 

by those who don't know me.

I am not distant and angry,

but I am the complete expression of love.

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

Simply because you are my child

and I am your Father.

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

For I am the perfect father.

Every good gift that you received comes from my hands.

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

My plan for your future

is always been filled with hope.

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

My thoughts toward you are countless

as the sand on the seashore.

And I rejoice over you with singing.

I will never stop doing good to you.

For you are my treasured possession.

I desire to establish you with all my heart

and all my soul.

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

If you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me.

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

For it is I who gave you those desires.

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

For I am your greatest encourager.

I am also the Father who comforts you 

in all your troubles.

When you were brokenhearted,

I am close to you.

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.

And I'll take away all the pain 

you have suffered on this earth.

I am your Father and I love you

even as I love my son Jesus.

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

He is the exact representation of my being.

He came to demonstrate that I am for you

not against you.

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.

I gave up everything I loved

that I might gain your love.

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus

you receive me.

And nothing will ever separate you

from my love again.

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party

heaven has ever seen.

I have always been Father,

and will always be Father.

My question is...

Will you be my child?

I AM WAITING FOR YOU.

Love, 

Your Dad, Almighty God

Spread the love of God and always remember that He loves us so much!

*Fathers Love Letter is written by Barry Adams

*All images used was searched from Google.

...in the eyes of a child

          The tiny humans are the most precious, amazing, and beautiful creation there is in the world. With their round faces like an angel; those little fingers tracing your face; those little lips that lifts your soul when it smile; those cute nose that wrinkles when touched; and those little black round eyes looking innocently at you as if you are the most beautiful and perfect person alive.

          Looking at them I realized:

In the eyes of a child, the world is a perfect place - a paradise where everything's better and everything's safe. A place where we can freely dance and play. A land where we can spread our wings and fly away.

In the eyes of a child, life is wonderful. With their joy and laughter, we are reminded that it is alright to let ourselves be crazy at times and enjoy what we have while we still can. For them everyday is bright and colorful. Indeed they tell us simply to savor the beauty of life, not to complain but instead be thankful at all times.

In the eyes of a child, every dream is possible and reachable. They teaches us to continue to believe in ourselves and to chase for the desires of our hearts. Dreaming is not a bad thing for them. They dream whatever and whenever they want. They make paper airplanes and you'll know they wanted to be a pilot. Whenever you see them with a tiara and in a dress, they dream of becoming a princess. Seeing them care for their dolls and you could say that someday he/she will become a doctor. Just dream - it's free anyways.

  

In the eyes of a child, we are given an opportunity to prove ourselves that we are someone whom they can depend on. They may hide behind their mothers the first time you meet them, but then they will eventually allow you to touch and talk to him/her when they feel that you will not hurt them. They showed us that we sometimes have to trust and let someone in. For our life would be much happier and meaningful when we are surrounded by people whom we can trust and trust us too.

In the eyes of a child, we are reminded that our journey is still long and that we still have chance to shape and mold it. We are not perfect. We may stumble and fall. But like a child - we learn how to stand up and start to walk again. 

Lessons in life may be learned as we go along our journey. But there is a point in our lives where we ask and find no answer. Try to pause for a while and observe a child. For sometimes just simply looking IN THE EYES OF A CHILD, we may find and learn the most meaningful lessons that would guide us as we walk the long road ahead of us.

PS: I wrote this after hearing the song "In The Eyes Of A Child" by Air Supply.

In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter.

There is hope, there is trust.

A chance to shape tha future.

For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher.

Than the look in the eyes of a child.  

* All images used here is not mine, just searched it in Google.

...just wait, believe, and you will receive!

Waiting is sometimes the most boring and stressful act. And yet, we do it almost every minute of everyday. 

And as I write this, I am sharing with you how I started to love it. 

When I was a little girl, I wanted to grow faster and go to school and be independent - but as my parents would say, you have to WAIT! 

During my high school years, I was hoping that the clock ticks really quick - but our teacher says, "Four years is not that long, time flies really fast that your high school days may be over with just a blink of an eye. Right now, you have to WAIT, you turn is coming very soon".

    

College years came and it was another four years of waiting. I told myself, "Survive this, and it is over. Give yourself a pat on the back, because you did a good job!"

 BUT I WAS WRONG! REALLY WRONG!

Waiting is endless, it is a cycle that goes on and on!

My real waiting started when I was ready to conquer the world as a professional. I walked, I searched, I hoped until I found what I have been looking for. And I was happy! But all things last. 

And again - the waiting begun!

When I stumbled on this quote by Elisabeth Elliot which says: 

"I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done." 

 And then I understand!

If you want something in your life, you don't have to skip steps. You sincerely ask for it, you seek, you believe, but most importantly you learn how to WAIT. For God only knows when is the right time to grant what you asked for.

If you waited long enough, you don't have to complain. 

Continue to WAIT, BELIEVE and for sure you will RECEIVE!

And it really feels good to receive what you have been asking for at the right moment.

And for sure you will say - it was really worth the WAIT.