Cagayan De Oro - Camiguin

Re-posting some of our best and memorable shots in CDO - City of Golden Friendship and in Camuguin - the Island of Born Fire.  

Taken more than 4 years ago, this was my first team out of town and it's definitely one of those that are always good to look back at (dahil payat pa ko! haha). 

Team Jump Shot in Camiguin! Choose your best pose. :)

Such beauty found in the Island of Camiguin. Captivating..

Whitewater Rafting in CDO - The "Mild" Team :)

And the ever famous "Wild Ako" picture. Haha :D

I remember someone cried. Was it Moe who threw the fake snake? Haha :P

 Picture Picture no matter what! :)

 Ahh Eli? May truck ulit? :P

Fresh looking Team Picture!

And I bet Jill will not forget the "Stranded" in CDO experience. Hahaha :D

Due to the bad weather in CDO, we went all the way to Davao for our sure flight back to Manila.

 And the only good thing that happened when we we're stranded, had the chance to visit Ms. Ai's mansion in Davao :)

The trip was a blast. A repeat is a must!! :) 

**Credits to Erwin for the pictures**

New Look!

How do you like my blog's new look? :)
Just decided to change it to purple hoping it can make me write more often. Let's see. :)

Mindoro Mission

Taking a step of faith and going on a mission trip is truly rewarding.. and a humbling experience indeed.

It's almost a year ago when I joined 20 brave souls in a 5-day worthwhile experience. We had 10 hours one-way travel and 15 hours of total walk time. All these hard work and sacrifices just for ONE great MISSION, to share our lives and to share God's words to our brothers and sisters in Mindoro.

I initially thought we were the ones who will feed, teach and educate our Mangyan brothers. But I must admit I was the one who learned more from them.

I've been a believer that experience is one of life's greatest teachers. True enough, I learned and realized a lot from this journey. I learned to be more thankful with what I eat everyday as the Mangyans are content with the simple meals they share. 

I learned to appreciate the home God has given me as the Mangyans are happy with their huts that shelter them. And I praise God even for the little trials I face every day as the Mangyans have exemplified that verse in James 1 which says, "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trial of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Their smiles, their positive outlook in life and  their faith in God really amazes me. Imagine how many people in the world blame God for their misfortunes. How many people look at their sea of problems but forget to think that God is even bigger? I just wish they could meet these people who have all their confidence in the Creator. I wish they could learn from these people who do not use their "difficult" situation as an excuse not to praise and honor God. 

I am so blessed I met these guys and I learned from them! :)

This whole experience has surely made a mark in me. The food we ate and shared, the people we met, the different life we lived,  this was something I was afraid of trying but it was definitely one thing I will never not regret doing.

 'Til our next mission trip.. :)

My Everyday Prayer

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for I have sinned. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Keep me safe from all danger and harm. Let me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that is put before me.

Clear my mind that I can hear from You. Broaden my mind that I can accept all things that are of You. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrong doing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray out loud, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Thy Will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved.

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You. I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe ... But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that You change people, and I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You, Lord. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.

This is my prayer.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen.

**Prayer I read over the internet. Credits to the owner

Leadership...

Random thoughts and learning about LEADERSHIP :)

LEADERSHIP is not concerned about the TITLE. It's more focused on the RESPONSIBILITY.

LEADERSHIP is not just about fame and becoming known. It's about wanting to share your life to the people who choose to follow. 

LEADERSHIP is not just measured by the number of followers. It's measured by the extent and depth of your influence to them.

LEADERSHIP does not deal with AMBITION alone which seeks to silence critics. It works with VISION which welcomes inputs and grows through conflicts.

LEADERSHIP requires CHARACTER, COURAGE, COMPASSION & COMMITMENT.

LEADERSHIP is a CHOICE! 

Conquering Disappointment

I’ve been through a roller coaster ride of emotions for the past few days. And I’m just blessed and grateful to have the time alone with God. Now I’m feeling some sense of peace and comfort.

Because of what I’m feeling, I was also led to reading some inspirational books which I planned to finish reading long time ago. Hehe :) Now as I read the book “Over Conquer” be Derek Stringer, I came to realize a lot of things and learned how to conquer disappointments. Here are just some of the nicest and very true words I read.

“There is always some level of disappointment, even in the best of circumstances.” - So even on the best days, there is always something lacking. Unfortunate things also happen even to the person you think is best.

“Life is often blatantly unfair. Some disappointments aren’t big shock, they’re more like emotional arthritis, chronic and ongoing, persistent and seemingly designed to wear down our spirits over time.” – But no matter what level we’re on, the question is how can we deal with disappointment?

“God’s strategy for disappointment says, ‘Embrace the pain’. Stop denying it. Stop pretending that everything is just fine. Stop trying to ease it through some addictive behavior. Stop blaming others. Instead, face it head on. Touch it. Feel it. Embrace it. Let it break your heart and let it drive you to the source of comfort. You will never know the depths of God’s love for you, until you identify and fully embrace your disappointment with life.” – So true! These words hit me!

The bottom line now in handling disappointment..
The best way to handle disappointment is to always remember that God is in control of everything. I might have felt disappointed at some points in my life. But by the grace of God, I was able to keep paced and encouraged for I know He has better control on things I have no control over. And I know disappointments and sometimes discouragements are designed for us to deepen our faith in HIM. :)