For those who hate reading books...

have you tried reading a book while listening to what you are reading?! It was fun. Good news for those who are "lazy" to read books and most of all to read the Bible.

I was told before by a friend to listen to audio bible while having my devotion instead of reading the Bible itself. But I was easily distracted I couldn't get my mind focused on what I'm listening to... or worse if I'm in front of the computer my mind wandered and shifted its focus on the screen of the computer. It won't work for me I told myself.

Two weeks ago in our Educational Principles and Methods Class in ATS, I found out what type of learner I am. Definitely I am not an audible learner, I need to see, I need to feel and I need to touch before it gets to my being... before I learn it.

reading is fun for me (actually i have learned to love it when I got to college, to FBC in particular, or else I haven't survived school, esp. the seminary)! But I have not imagined it could even be more fun to read while listening to its audio version.

I was given the audio of waking the dead several weeks or months ago. When i tried listening, I could hardly understand nor appreciate its beauty simply because (as I have just found out) I am not an audible learner. And this week I received a copy of the book from a generous ate who sent me one (thank you ate Bren)! The sounds in my mp4 now make sense as I listen to its words and the book was given more life listening to the audio!

For those who hate reading books and bored to read their Bibles.. you may want to try it! For those who don't have a copy of audio bible you can check the following site: http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

Enjoy a new way of enjoying the Word of God!

free coffee. missions. free gift.

I have been excited to attend my classes every wednesday and thursday morning since we've started. I planned not to take 8am classes since I know it would be a struggle for me to wake up earlier than usual which I wasn't used to anymore.

But anyway, on my way to the class this morning, I passed by 711 at the basement of Imperial to buy stuffed pandesal since I already brought my coffee. When I was about to leave the cashier said, "Wait ma'am, your free coffee." And her assistant gave me a cup of caramel macchiato. What a day to start! I wonder if there'll be more surprises from the Lord...

MISSIONS. When I entered FBC I knew God is calling me to missions but I forgot about that when I fell in love with greek. I was thinking to get Biblical Studies in the seminary. But now, just today, I realized God brought me back to that call to be a missionary, taking up Inter-cultural and Urban Studies at ATS. God's plans are the best talaga!

I'm taking up World Major Religion every thursday. We've just finished our discussion about HInduism today discussing about the video of a true to life story in Nepal about the living goddess they believe to be the incarnate of their goddes. From there we moved on to Buddhism which actually branched out of Hinduism so they've got similar beliefs about karma and samsara or reincarnation.

We always have interesting discussions because we tried to fully comprehend their beliefs. We tried to understand them based on what we believe which our professor said we could not. We have to empty our minds first of our own set of beliefs, especialy when we tried to understand their view of life since they have no concept of death and heaven.

One thing I noticed about these religions we have studied so far: People operate by their own efforts and their fate is based on that. There is no free gift we call GRACE as Christians and that is one thing I am thankful to the Lord. For without Him, I am nothing.

I never thought it would be like this...

there's no greater joy for me than to see the people I knew continue in their faith and in serving the Lord...

I never thought of being involved in church planting ministry.. but I was certain that after graduating from Bible College that was where the Lord was leading me... I even told God "anywhere You will lead me, Lord..." I didn't know that God would be so serious to take my word... I was assigned to the farthest church planting destination of our church--Laoag City!

Just like what I've said... anywhere the Lord would lead me not thinking that would be 13 hours away from Manila... but the Lord has His plans and that was the best. I ministered there for 3 years doing evangelism, discipleship among women and mothers, establishing youth ministry and Sunday School for kids, sometimes preaching and decorating the church building, conducting training and handling small groups. Some of the people I have handled didn't stay... It was so frustrating to see them follow themselves instead of God... to control their lives instead of surrendering to the Lord.

But that was not all the ministry is all about... there were heartaches but there are also joys... It has been three years since I left the ministry in Laoag City. When the news reached me that the pastor there was transferring to another church... my first question was: Who is going to take over Laoag? Praise God when another pastor accepted the responsibility and on May 10 I had the opportunity to visit them. I was wondering if I would see old faces because I was told that many of them left already, especially those who we have trained in the mininstry.

Praise God when I see the people coming to attend the service, I saw familiar faces... The women I have discipled were still there and very much involved in the ministry. The Sunday School kids that I used to handle are now grown ups ralso involved in the ministry...

New faces for me were signs of growth... I was blessed to meet the new young people and some of the couples who are now active in the church. It was really a joy to see more people being transformed by the power of God and seeing them bring the same good news to other people in their community...

although the leaders shared their struggles with me... but in my heart I was happy to know that they continue in the Lord despite the difficulties... may they continue in the Lord and see the fruit of their labor... and realize that everything they do will not be wasted in the kingdom of God!

last conversation with dad

i miss him but i am used to not having him around... it has been 17 years since my dad died due to an accident but the last meal and the last conversation I had with him was still clear in my mind. we were talking about my future.

I always wanted to be a lawyer when I was a child and that was my dad's dream for me also--to send me to school until I have a doctorate in law. that's how supportive he was of my studies. I even remember him saying as long asl he could afford to send me to school he wouldn't stop supporting me.

that dream died when I lost my father. I became afraid of my future. I didn't even know if I could make it to a college level but God is good and He holds my future in His hands. This event in my life make me realize how great my heavenly Father is. Though my dreams died with my earthly father and it didn't happen exactly as we thougt it would be, I entrusted my future with Him and hold on to His promise in Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you hope and a future..."

waiting for a miracle

The Prince of Egypt (When You Believe) - Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston

My Family

my kuya Ton, me, my mom, my younger sister, her daughter Yesha and her husband Ryan

Simple, not complicated. Common and not really dramatic. That's what I thought about the family I have. But when people heard my story they thought it would make a very good dramatic film. Well, every family has a story to tell. Whatever story we have, I am thankful of the family I got and wouldn't trade it for anything.

one of the sad stories I got is that we don't live together as a family for a long time. My mom works abroad that's why and the three of us (her children stayed with our relatives separately). I don't really see that as "abnormal" for a family because we are accommodated by families who never treated us as strangers. It's like having another family.

i was in high school then that I realized it wasn't a normal set up for a family and there I started dreaming and praying what if we were together. I hope that someday that will happen.

It is happening for a number of days but not really for a long time like having it permanent because my mom still works abroad and my younger sister is already married so she got a family of her own.

Christmas vacation was the best vacation I think I have because it was a dream come true. we were together and we even got pictures.

parties and activities in November

one weekend I was away to the prayer mountain looking for solitude and a place to think and meditate and converse with the Lord about the many things going on and to find a new direction and to look at things from a different perspective...

the following weekend and even days before that I found myself surrounded with people and busy with different activities--from group meetings to parties and wedding and hang-outs with friends and cousins...

On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning I was sitting in the midst of a crowd in SSS at East Ave. surrounded with busy people fixing their documents to get an ID. After that I met with the team to discuss some matters and pray together...

Another meeting on Friday morning and then party in the afternoon. Since last year, FECPI workers party is in November because obviously everybody gets busy in December... ECC workers sang and after that we had games... that was really fun at the same time tiring.. the committee program prepared awards and surprises to the workers and I was blessed to have received one. Thanks to all the committee who really exerted an effort to make this event memorable...

after the party, we decided to hang-out just like what we did last year... since we already had dinner, it's time for coffee and we were headed to eastwood (favorite hang-out while we were still in college.

FECPI Workers Christmas Party

ECC workers singing the opening number

The singles of FECPI

coffee after the party

Satuday, we were also excited for in the afternoon, one of our dearest friend is getting married... But before that there was a women's conference which unfortunately i wasn't able to attend because i met with my sister. The hour has come... it was a very simple ceremony witnessed by close family members and friends. and I felt honored to host the reception.

again after that, we spent some time to have coffee at the basement where they checked in with some friends from the Bible College. Then to Eastwood again where my cousins were waiting for me... That was really fun, we played games and shared laughter...

the Koenig's wedding

with the couple: Mo and Brenda

the couple and friends (ladies in green: Joy, Let, Aileen & Koko)

coffee after the wedding with friends

Sunday, I attended the worship service at FFR. Slept after that until 4 in the afternoon then prepared for the party in the evening. Together with Abby we conducted the games. I never thought it would be that fun to facilitate the games for the moms... they were more excited that it was among the youths... I like the fighting spirit.

again after the party, I thought i would be resting already because i haven't really rested yet... but there was another invitation to Eastwood because the young people were there. with much urgings, I finally gave in and went out with my friends...

FFR Women's Christmas Party