Lunch out at Ciudad Elmina

Spent time with brothers and sisters in Christ in a restaurant owned by our former city mayor this afternoon. The ambience was bucolic. The menu is simple seafood and vegetable recipes. Saw my sister's pictures and I told her to take me there this afternoon to celebrate my birthday and have fellowship.

Turning a year older and wiser

I am turning 38 years old tomorrow November 17. As years added to my age, I maintain to look 10 years younger ;) (thanks to my genes) but I must say I am learning more about life and myself. I became aware of my weaknesses as a person and a Christian. Realization of these weaknesses give me the desire to become a better person.

What I have realized over the past years of my journey in this life is that I worry too much about my health, work, friends, relatives. I also became aware that I have valued too much some people I met and became friends with but I am not as special to them as they are too me. On friendship and family, I am too sensitive. My sensitivity hurts me first and creates gaps with people I work with or friends. Also, I can easily jump into conclusion or my imagination goes too far over something and later on stresses me. In other words, I think too much.

But the Lord is good enough to make me aware of my weaknesses and I am humble enough to ask for His intervention and guidance. I keep praying to overcome my weaknesses.

Thank you Lord for 38 wonderful years and the succeeding years!

Sometimes Eastwood reminds me of SG. At the Eastwood mall open park there are some men and women who dresses up and entertains people like the one below. They strike a pose with you.

Can't resist to have a photo op with this painter guy as well. :)

Thank you, Lord

I am grateful for the physical healing I received from you, Lord. Thank you for all the trials in my life as they are blessings in reality. Thank you for all the wonderful people in my life, relatives and friends. Thank you for my wonderful job and bosses at work. Thank you for making my dream to experience other culture and see places. Thank you for giving me a best friend who stands by my side all the time. Thank you for a wonderful day. Thank you for the life. Thank you, God!

You Are Amazing God

My heart is swelling with gratefulness to the Almighty God! He is indeed an amazing God.

I praise God for whatever I am going through right now. He is making me journey on series of tests to mold my Christian character and faith.

This month I have been through so many health issues and keep going to the hospital for check ups. It started with palpitation for consecutive days, headache, and anemia. Went through series of laboratory tests to find out what is causing the palpitation and chest pain. The results were normal and few days after symptoms gone.

Last week, went thru the routine monitoring of uterine fibroid mass. The ultrasound showed a very minimal growth and not alarming. Thank God! My doctor advised me to have CBC blood test and result showed an alarming low level of hemoglobin count. Doctor advised me to have blood transfusion on that day but I refused to do so because I feel alright and strong. I went home, prayed and had malunggay tea. I prayed to be healed naturally because I know that God can do it. The following day I went to an ambulatory hospital in Megamall and had another CBC test done. And guess what, God answered my prayer. My hemoglobin count went up to 103, although still low it is no longer in alarming level and does not require me to have blood transfusion.

I was glad that it was discovered that day that I have anemia. It prevented a fatal effect on me. If it was not discovered that day I might just collapse one day. I have been negligent lately in getting the right nutrients for my body to ensure healthy blood. God is always on time as what the pastor said last Sunday.

Today I went back to get the further blood test done (checking the iron level in my blood). It showed that oxygen level in my body is normal. God truly is working on my health.

Aside from healing God is also molding my character. He allowed me to be in a situation where I can display humility, love and forgiveness.

I was asking God before why I am not experiencing trials in faith. Little did I know that I was undergoing trials already however I was not aware of it. I did not consider those things are trials of faith. God opened my eyes and made me aware of those things.

If you are a Christian and you seem not undergoing challenges in faith, you have to reflect, kneel down and pray.

When God Made You

Next week am going back to see my doctor and get confirmation that the fibroid mass is completely gone and I have healthy body! God is our divine healer and healing is in our body already.

Believe you have received the healing and feel it. Don't let the symptoms bother you. Let faith arise and just be grateful with the blessing. Once you received your healing, take good care of your body because it is the temple of God.

Healing may come instantaneously or God may use medicines or doctors to cure you from sickness. No amount of medicine can heal the body if God will not allow it. Whichever manner you have been healed, it was a blessing from God. Even with the practice of positive thinking, it was not your positive thoughts that freed your body from sickness but it was God. He allowed you to feel positive about healing because He has granted your healing. It is not just positive energy that corrected your body cells, it was the Divine source of healing and redemption - Jesus Christ.

I watched videos of people who espouse law of attraction however, I never dissociate it with God. It is not just a field of energy that conspires to create something but it was God who blesses people.

Gregg Braden mentioned in his videos that when emotions, feelings and thought are one you can move a mountain. I call that FAITH because you believe in something even though you have not seen it happen yet in front of your eyes. A strong faith can move a mountain, it can call for a rain or stop rain, it can multiply food.

I am awesome I believe that. :) You are awesome, believe it. God has created each individual unique.

Today I made a decision to let go of people who don't want to be part of my life anymore. I will stop chasing friendship with these people. Their role in my life must have ended already hence, the friendship is no longer what it used to be. I welcome the new friends who want to be part of my life.

Happy Monday

I started my day at 5am praying and giving thanks to God. Like what always Robin Sharma advises get some exercise and so I did. I went for 30 minutes walk at the open Eastwood Mall park. It was a wonderful chilly morning, a perfect Monday morning. After the walk, I headed to McDonald's and grabbed pancakes. I noticed that I am always craving for pancakes after the exercise. It is what I did also last Monday, exercise and ate pancakes at McDo.

The chilly morning brings me back my good old days in Singapore. Every morning in Singapore, I hit the park and walk for 5 kilometers and do some stretching exercises. I am missing Singapore and I seemed can't get enough of the lion city. Don't know why.

I am grateful to God for another wonderful week.

New Flat, Better Sleep

Boy, am so glad that our contract in the flat finally expired this week. I moved to one floor up of the same condominium and same unit number. I can foresee better sleep and freedom to entertain friends at home any day of the week. I was able to sleep peacefully last night, the apartment has different feel I guess.

My new flat has exactly the same floor area, layout and view. Quieter though because it is a bit higher from the pool area. It is fully furnished but minus washing machine. I was lucky enough to get it at lower rent. The owner also is easy to deal with because he gave in to my request of pulling out some fixtures in the bedroom.

Repost: What Is God Telling You With The Problems He Blesses You With?

Took this from my old blog Woventhoughts.

******
What Is God Telling You With The Problems He Blesses You With?

Note: I got this from my inbox. This tells us that problem should be seen in a different light.

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on
how you respond to them. Unfortunately most people fail to see how God
wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and
resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they
might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.

Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often
point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get
your attention?

"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." -
Proverbs 20:30 (GN)


2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.

People are like tea bags... if you want to know what's inside them, just
drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem?
What do problems reveal about you?

"When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy,because
you know that these troubles test your faith, and this willwill give you
patience." - James 1:2-3 (NCV)


3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a
child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably
learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...
health, money, a relationship... by losing it.

"... It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me
to pay attention to your laws." - Psalm 119:71-72 (LB)


4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.

A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being
harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing
to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do.
His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and
sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually
discovered.

"What Man intended to harm me, God intended it for good..." - Genesis 50:20
(NIV)


5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far
more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to
God and your character are the only two things that you're going to take
with you into eternity.

"We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be
patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us
trust God more each time." - Romans 5:3-4 (LB)


Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not
recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you
cooperate with Him.

Souvenir Keychain

My rubberized key chain broke from its keyring. Have used it for 3 years and carried it with me whatever country I visit. I moved to a new company, still I proudly used it in office. It was a souvenir merchandise from my old account.



I am waxing sentimental because it was the account that I rendered long hours daily. The production area became my home. It was also the account where I got promoted as associate manager and later on as account manager. Too many pleasant and unpleasant memories but it is the account that taught me how to manage team and run the operations.

Update on my To Do List

Today I resumed doing Bikram Yoga. I took advantage of the discount provided to my company. Had a great feeling after the workout although there was a disturbing thought in my mind while I was working out. Nonetheless, I can still say it was a great workout. Less strain felt!

I also started last Tuesday studying basic Mandarin online. I aim to finish all modules by mid-October then I will find a buddy to practice my basic Mandarin knowledge.

This Sunday I am planning to start running again. Will do short run just around Eastwood Mall open park.

I am trying to catch up with the things I want to pursue. I would like to enjoy life while working hard. :)

I remember the old woman who read my palm, she was right in saying I want to do immediately what comes to my mind. Well, life is short so I must take action right away.

Who wants to be my Mandarin speaking buddy? Any volunteer?

To do List for September

Here's what I want to do next month.

1. Enroll in Bikram Yoga for two months.
2. Join at least one coach surfers activity.
3. Resume studying Mandarin language via Youtube.
4. Get physically active again - riding bikes and running.
5. Update my wardrobe. Been a long time since I shopped for new clothes and shoes.

Elevator Boy

A girl and a boy got trapped in an elevator for half an hour, strangers to each other. They could not call for any help or notify anyone they were trapped in the elevator as the emergency button isn't working and both had no mobile phones with them. With nothing to do but to wait for it to be fixed, they had small talk and little introduction about themselves. The guy (Jonathan) was a corporate lawyer and the girl (Libby) was a culinary arts student working part time in the restaurant as waitress.

To cut the story short, that little incident led to another with the help of the lawyer's secretary and they ended up together.

That was a Hallmark movie I watched in the Youtube last Monday while typhoon Labuyo was raging mad in my hometown. The title of the movie was Elevator Girl.

Tonight I was in the supermarket and was saying a little prayer to God that I will meet the "one' tonight. I just said to myself that I will meet him tonight I don't know how but I am going to claim it by faith.

Someone caught my eye tonight and could not help noticing his expressive eyes and good built. :) He was dressed in a gym getup, he must have just finished working out. He was riding in the same elevator I was in. There was another lady in the elevator but there were two floors button lit up when I came in so for sure they don't know each other. Five young boys also rode the elevator with me from the ground floor. They were laughing and looking at his physique. One boy said he would like to have a body like him as well. :) Took that as an opportunity to look at the man through the wall mirror. :)

Well, what happened wasn't like in the movie but I would like to refer to him to as Elevator Boy. Hope to meet this good looking guy again! My contract in the condominium will expire next month and I pray that even before I transfer to another tower I will get to know this guy.

*****

I chance upon the elevator boy on Sept 17th but he was with a petite pretty girl. They live floor up from my floor.

Feeling Blessed

I am still intoxicated with the spirit of God after Sunday service. God is showing judgment to those who ignored Him and mercy to those who serve Him till the end. I am grateful that I am hearing all these unfolding of His great plan. I am happy also for the answered prayers. God heard my prayers and anguish.

We are at the end time and what God wants to see is a consecrated life and focus in serving Him. I have focused so much at work in the past years and He has made a great shift when He took me out of the corporate world for almost two years. He made me realized, it is not all about work and my ways are not His ways. I am glad He redirected my path or else I am doomed.

God hate idol worshipers. Whatever things we put above God is an idol.

I had lunch at my brother's house today and his sister's mother in law came. The old lady has a knack for reading palms and he told me to try her gift and so I did. Out of 5 things she told me, three were really true. She got it right when she said I am complaining of headache,tummy ache and lower abdominal pain. She said I am a quiet person and I like to observe but when I see a lot of things happening wrong I start to open my mouth. She said I have plans of working abroad or traveling abroad. She said I will find a job soon (but I already have a job). She said I have a boyfriend (not in a relationship at the moment). She said I will have three kids (one boy and two girls)which is the desire of my heart if God gives me a chance to have a companion in life.

I am tired of living life alone. I would like a companion to serve Him. God knows the desire of my heart and I leave it up to Him if He will fulfill it. If not, all is well still. I will still serve the Lord and worship Him.

That Elusive Quality Sleep

After two years of hiatus from working in night shift, I feel like missing that work shift when everybody are sound sleep and am wide awake working. So I decided to apply in BPO again but this time in Quezon City, Metro Manila. I left Dau which was my second home for nine long years.

I thought that my body is still in tune working at night but November last year I started to have problems with sleeping. I get to sleep only for 3-4 hours a day even though I have enough time to sleep for 7 or 8 hours. I started to have headaches, pain at the nape and painful eyes (came to a point my right eyes swell).

Tried to look for all solutions to my sleeping issue.

1. regular body massage - I tried to find a spa with the right ambience and good therapist (someone who just don't press your skin)
2. food that promotes good sleep - I googled for food that could help me have a good sleep. They say yogurt, hard boiled egg, avocado and nuts are good. I tried eating all those but still no effect.
3. putting up your legs above your head - I tried it as well and it seemed to work for two tries but later on it became ineffective.
4. body massage with negative ion hot room therapy - I remember the spa featured in ABS-CBN morning show which they say promotes good sleep. Although am not familiar in Metro Manila I googled my way to Ocean Park where Hotel H2O is located. It worked the first time I went there.
5. since negative ion worked with me when I tried it, I bought a Php10000 worth ionized futon - felt the difference for the first week then after that it just became an ordinary futon.
6. sought a medical help - was advised to take antihistamine tablets to induce sleep however it has its side effect. I feel needle like pain on the head so I stopped taking it.
7. went to another doctor this time a neurologist- He prescribed a muscle relaxant tablet with sedative effect. This really works but it creates dependency so I tried to reduce my intake and gradually stopped from taking it. The effect was 3 days sleeping only for 2 hours! The ordeal I went thru was driving me crazy. I was absent from work for 2 days and missed working again the following week. I cried and prayed for divine help and was on the verge of quitting my job.
8. Bikram Yoga - inspired by a lady executive from the same company where I worked who had the same problem as I was, I enrolled in 2 weeks Bikram Yoga. Alas, I attended two sessions only. On my second session, I hurt my left leg while trying to balance standing on one leg only. I shifted my weight to my leg, hence it hurts.
9. Laminine - a brother in Christ endorsed this happy pill to me. Not sure if it was the food supplement helping me to get good sleep nowadays.
10. Prayers - my sisters and brothers in Christ prayed for me. When all else fails, our Jehovah Rappa is there waiting for us to call on him.

God is good! I thank Him for my improving health and quality sleep. :)

Happy Week!

Quoting one of our Pastors on what is happiness and christian life;

"By Long suffering we learned. We are built for Pressure and Have the Power to Overcome. Thanks be to Jesus Christ. Keep a rightful spirit."

"Being the Best isn't always Good...but being GOOD is always The BEST..! Be Identified with Christ Characteristics."

"Act Naturally Express yourself in
Jesus Christ."


"Kahit Nagkakaedad na rin...need lagi na masaya ... anu mang pagsubok sa buhay....kaya natin ito...God Will Pull Us Through... Thank You Lord ! Our Smile is One of the Most Precious Asset in Life...Have the Liberty to Express your trueself in Jesus Christ... We are a Blessed People of God... so always paint a Smile on Your Face....God Bless!"

Am happy with all things happening in the past days and weeks. Issues at work are blessings for me - it produces Christian character. God displays His attributes to me by answering my prayers and spiritual needs. It also makes me happy that my other brother and I had a long conversation over the phone. I missed this brother of mine and I always keep him in prayers though we have not seen for almost three years. Am looking forward to the seeing him again.

One more thing that am happy about - am in good health now and the favor I asked from God will soon be fulfilled. :)

I noticed that all messages preached are about suffering with Christ, it must be the season of preparation for the saints on the coming squeeze season. God is bringing about things thru His words preached at the pulpit. No matter how chaotic the world can be though believers have rest in Christ. Glory to God for His grace!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Rainy Season

Summer just went by without me enjoying the season. No trips to beach or out of the country. It was all work or just rest time. That's how toxic life has become in the past few months but am getting breather now. Am gearing up for more busier time in the following months.

Well, I don't really like summer time and not a beach person. I prefer the month of November to February as the weather is just right, tolerable. But when am checking FB and I see pictures of friends enjoying out of town trips I get envious. I had availed of vacation leaves but all were spent to take a rest and take care of my health.

Rainy season won't give much trouble because I live few meters away from the office. That is the convenience of living in Eastwood, no traffic hassles and no flooding issues.

Am thinking of activities I can pursue during the rainy season. Maybe swimming? Am doing good in learning riding the bike. Am happy with my achievement, swimming is really next in my list.

And then next would be continuing my guitar lesson when I move in to a new flat and am my own. I look forward to that day!

Oh yeah, I had an out of town trip during summer I just remember now. We had a team building at Norzagaray, Bulacan. Below are some snaps taken during the event.