Prayer Mountain 2018

Interestingly, few people have been asking me about the captured photos I posted in Instagram and Facebook during my overnight stay in Touch Of Glory Prayer Mountain, Antipolo. You have to read the whole blog, so I could give you the right track. 😅

Warning: some of the lines are “hugot” just for the sake of entertainment. 😅 It has nothing to do with my personal situation. Well, Sort of. Pero parang ganon narin. HAHA

So let’s start this by saying, it was a surreal experience! Hindi nagpahuli si Lord. This was my second time around going there by commute lang- alone. So, kung nag momove on ka or you want a quiet place, this is one of the many places you can consider to go to, kahit magisa ka lang. 

Baka maisip mo lang tanungin, how on earth did I capture that? Besh, T-I-M-E-R.

First, you have to check your heart. What is the purpose? So before you jump to any conclusions. Let me share some of my reasons.

1. Yes, I’m trying to clear my mind from stuff that I CANNOT BEAR WITH ANYMORE.

2. Yes, I’m trying to move on kahit walang dapat ika-move on. I mean, I need to move forward, para hindi ako mag stuck (SAKLAP, dba?)

3. I wanted to go there kasi accessible and convenient for me. I thought it won’t be difficult

4. I wanted to go back on track. To go back to the HEART OF WORSHIP. Soak in His presence. 

5. I have time to think. Re-think. Consider some things. Reasses my heart. 

Those are “some” personal reasons. Malalim yung hugot ko. I still have questions in my mind but I’d rather not dwell on them. Month of April has been heavy for me. I still wish it’s April Fools. Sa dami ng nangyari, I can attest that God is good. I didn’t end my stay there without hearing from the Lord. He boldly impressed to me that no matter how many times we fail, He won’t make you feel that “you are a failure” or “you failed Me again”. When I was about to leave, humabol pa si Lord ng yakap. Because of all the things that I’ve done, I face Him with unworthiness and wrecked heart, yet He would still choose to say “I have loved you with an Everlasting love…” Sarap. 

It was a heart melting experience. You know what? I was and still ready to accept the consequence. Then I was reminded by the prophecy which happened last March 7. As He reminded me of the love and the things He is about to do. I was speechless! And I sobbingly said, “I’m so sorry, Lord.” It took me a while to calm myself because at that moment it was overwhelmingly unbelievable. He assured me that NO MATTER how many times I fall, stumble, break, or even try to return to my past, HE WOULD STILL CHOOSE TO ACCEPT me and will not give up on me. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam di ba? And I prayed that I will be released from these things with the guidance of the Holy Spirit as I set my heart and mind at rest.

So the question remains. Was I able to find satisfaction with my overnight stay?

Of course I have. It’s between me and God. Actually, place has nothing to do because what I did, can do it alone at home naman din talaga. Parang you’ll find yourself wanting to detach from the world’s complexity. Far from your territory. Finally, I found myself wrapped and embraced in God’s arms. To be honest, I still have “what if’s”, I still have fears and hesitations but Deuteronomy 3:22. 

You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.’ – Deuteronomy 3:22

Change will always be a process, not instant. I trust God that by His grace, I can overcome these. So, umalis ako with a thankful heart. 

So eto na nga. Going from South, umpisahan natin sa Pacita. Kailangan may umpisa, each story has its beginning, saklap nga lang kung ending agad 😅

Pacita ➡️ Bus Terminal ➡️ ride Cubao, they must drop you off to Farmers Plaza (pero ‘wag ka papayag ng idrop ka ng basta basta. Sabihan mo silang, “sabihin” nila😅) it will cost you 75 php ➡️ malapit sa Gateway/Lrt/Jollibee, may dumadaan na Cogeo jeepneys, let them drop you to Cogeo Market (medyo malayo ‘toh. Pero may mararating ka dito. Sure ako! Sakanya ba? May pinatunguhan ba? 😂) 21 php ata. ➡️ Pagbaba mo, ‘wag ka tatawid sa intersection, BABALA: Nakamamatay so sa tamang tawiran tayo mga Besh. May footbridge, dun ka tumawid. As you step your last step from the bridge, you’ll see men shouting “PAENAAN”, ayan sila kuya pinagsisigawan yung gusto nila, eh si Kuya mo ba? 😂😅 going back. 24 php yung pagpunta dun. Pwesto ka sa magandang pwesto sa jeep,Para makapagmuni muni ka. Pagisipan mo mga ginagawa mo. 😅 ➡️ tell the driver to drop you gently and nicely to Touch Of Glory Prayer Mountain, you don’t need to ride tricycle! Teh, kinaya mo na nga yung masaklap ninyong relasyon ng ilang taon eh. yung less than 5minutes walk pa ba?! 

Note: avoid wearing shorts. Bring pants/leggings. Shorts are prohibited.

P. S. Leaving is easy from TOGM to Cogeo Market. But you have to endure the heat and waiting game for Cubao jeepneys. I’m not sure if dahil weekday ako nagpunta? Kasi anghirap ng sakayan. Sapalaran. Parang pagibi. Haha. But kidding aside, traffic was no joke at all! Yun lang. pero rest assured, makakauwi ka ng maayos. Hehe. 
Here are the updated room rates inclusive the food:

Must try:

Prayer Garden (First time ko dito. And I found my spot)

It looks dry because summer nga naman kasi hehe

You can also trek a little.

Hanapin mo ‘toh. Makikita mo kapag hinanap mo!

And as I end this, I hope it helped you somehow and encouraged you to be involve with God in every area of your life. It is my prayer that whatever you are going through right now, you’ll find security, peace and joy in Christ alone, whereever you are. Don’t give up. Kung kinaya ko at dinideal ko parin, kayang kaya mo din yan! Cheer up! ❤

In all the noise in the world, wherever you may be, in God’s loving arms, we’ll find rest. 

The Unwanted pregnancy

New Year’s eve has ended in a split second. Here we are entering to a new day in the remaining 365 days. Year 2017 has been a productive and silent year. There were things to finalize resignation letters, say goodbye to a friend, cut some ties with some unworthy relationships, given birth, mourn with a friend who loss a loved one and gain pounds in a year round.

Last week I encountered an unexpected scenario from an innocent face of a 16 years old. Please take note that what I am about to share is only for sharing purposes but the identities will remain confidential and private. I was in my night shift aura when a 16 years old came in per ambulatory accompanied by a relative with a complain of abdominal and flank pain. The first aid was given and doctor did history taking. Last menstrual period was always included in the history, the doctor asked the student if she had sexual contact and if she can remember her LMP. Gladly, she honestly and consciously answered the question in front of her relative but the LMP was still mysteriously unknown due to her irregular menstrual period. When she felt the urge to urinate she had to go to the bathroom for urinalysis until I noticed she’s been inside the comfort room for more than 10 minutes. Unknowingly, this young lady had been pregnant for more or less 5 months. She genuinely asnwered the doctor “I do not know”.

I assisted this lady more than treating her a patient. While doing the evacuation of the abortus and placenta by our resident physician, she hardly gripped my hand and pushed out the breathless creature that was created inside her womb. Unknowingly, she goes to school and a life has just been created. She laughs and drinks with her friends unaware that she has become a mom. It must have been hard for her. I honestly empathize this young lady and spoke words that may uplift her spirit.

“Everything happens for a purpose”. We may never know the reason but ultimately, there is a purpose. A purpose on which maybe we can never accept or a surprise that might giggle our feet to dance as we expectantly wait for it. There must be a reason why my 2017 has been a productive and silent year. It took me months only to realize that God is teaching me to PRIORITIZE the important areas in life. Just like the 16 year old lady who without her knowledge pregnant is the same with the event turn around in my life. I never wanted to cut ties with old friends, I am not into becoming “career woman” because I AM NOT. I also do not want to limit my time whenever I am out with my friends just because I needed to sleep early so I could regain my strength for work. I am not that woman who would regularly decrease my time with people close to my heart. However, things change for a purpose. God allows this to happen so that we could appreciate the real ones and even the small things in life. The young lady did not know that she was pregnant and continous with her routine everyday. A delicate living thing inside her and now its gone. People come and go, and from that moment, I know there are friends who are worth to share all my resentments, bitterness and madness in the world and its up to them if they will depart from me.

The unwanted pregnancy is also the same with “I would like to resign but I still need this” and also, “I am hurting but I still love him”. Nonsense right? But when we are lost, we will find the value behind all these unreasonable circumstances. And from that, I hope we find ourselves to the One who bestow us a life.

 

Thoughts 103

Here’s the continuations of my random thoughts. As I promised from my previous blog, I shared it there regarding the song “I won’t say I’m in love” from the Hercules Disney movie. Now, I just want to elaborate further why its lyrics caught my attention. Here’s the full lyrics.

I won’t say I’m in love

If there’s a prize for rotten judgment
I guess, I’ve already won that
No man is worth the aggravation
That’s ancient history, been there, done that

Who do you think you’re kiddin’?
He’s the earth and heaven to you
Try to keep it hidden

Honey, we can see right through you
Girl, you can’t conceal it
We know how you feel and
Who you’re thinking of?

No chance, no way
I won’t say it, no, no
You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it? Uh, oh

It’s too cliche
I won’t say I’m in love

I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when you start out
My head is screaming, get a grip, girl
Unless you’re dying to cry your heart out, oh

You keep on denying
Who you are and how you’re feeling?
Baby, we’re not buying
Hon, we saw you hit the ceiling

Face it like a grown up
When you gonna own up
That you got, got, got it bad

No chance, no way
I won’t say it, no, no
Give up, give in
Check the grin you’re in love

This scene won’t play
I won’t say I’m in love
You’re doin’ flips read our lips
You’re in love

You’re way off base
I won’t say it
Get off my case
I won’t say it

Girl, don’t be proud
It’s okay, you’re in love
Ooh At least out loud
I won’t say I’m in love

Songwriters
BERT KALMAR, HARRY RUBY

The animated woman who portrayed the leading lady of Hercules has no guts of telling her true feelings for him. (Base on the lyrics) This simply shows that she has higher percentage of self control level which leads me to admiring her. I hope that ladies are also like her, (Though I know its just an animated movie) and it doesn’t even show the modern courtship there. Nowadays, women are very aggressive and they usually do the first move. Unfortunately, courting the men leads to heartbreak and shame issues. As a woman, I also felt like the urge of “wanting something so bad” but I learned that when we wait patiently its more rewarding than having something you want so bad instantly.

From that music video there are group of ladies teasing and whispering her that she’s in love. But the lady kept on pushing and teaching herself from not telling her true feelings for Hercules.

“No chance, no way
I won’t say it, no, no”

As I speak and remind this for myself as well, this is also my prayer to every ladies that you shouldn’t be on that fast forward or fast track. WAIT AND ENJOY the season you are in right now. Never ever tell your feelings to a man, or don’t make the first move and give him the hints that you like him. Let him do his job Sweetheart! Let him man up! So, if you feel you can’t control it anymore, look back and reread the two letters NO. So stay princess like.

DO NOT MAKE YOURSELF CHEAP BY YOUR UNCONTROLLED EMOTION FOR A GUY

Thoughts 101

Every day I meet different faces, I bump into strangers and I get to talk to people with peculiar concerns in life. Yet there’s one person I haven’t met and talked as far I as know. Who can that be? My future spouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is again a sudden urge of wanting to write for someone I haven’t met yet. Someone who is invisible and an imagination (but not a fantasy) of who could that be. As far as I know, this untouchable person is someone I am expecting to meet someday, may it be friends or beyond friendship. How sure am I? Its because of FAITH AND SECURITY that God has filled in to me. I may not know that person right now or he may not lay down his intentions to me this year, one thing I’m confident of, is that God will surely bring the best godly man who is after His own heart at His perfect time.

If you would ask me how am I doing today? I’m doing great! I’m expanding my territory as a single, savoring the singlehood and loving each spare time I have for myself. Of course, who wouldn’t think of the future? As a lady, (well, exceptional to some) we all have “planner” attitude espescially when it comes to TIME. We have planned the things to do for the day, but eventually, not ALL of it will come to success. Now, most of the women have plans of getting married at ages like for example “25-29”. But at this moment, at the age of 23 and I’m turning 24, I can say I’m not in a hurry but I have the desires of getting married someday. I refuse to set AGE on that one because I might just get disappointed. But everything is surrendered and lifted to God. Everything is taken care through prayers and faith.

The reason why I’m taking time to write these down is because not only I want too but also I believe that God wants me to take care of my future in prayer. PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“16 Always rejoice,
17 constantly pray,
18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I’m trying my best to constantly breathe a prayer for the people I love. Even during working hours. I do pray for them. Not just this one, I don’t want to get that wrong interpretation or misconception from God that I just pray and talk to Him because of that person I want to meet but never have. I don’t want to get that wrong motive from seeking God through this. But What I learned, it is between you and God. Your motive, your heart, your delight matters. Whatever seed you’ve sow, the fruit will speak itself.

I just want to take time to praise God and thank Him for His nonstop reminders even from a very very long time of not having a QUIET TIME with Him. I am missing Him more than anyone else. I am longing and hunger for more of Him. I am so much more in need of The One who makes my day full of surprises, laughter and unexpected circumstances which leads to show His magnificence. His awesome and unconditional love teaches me to pray for my future husband, to love him through prayer, to protect him through prayers and to constantly lift my future husband to the Writer of my love story.

I am assured that this year is something worth the wait indeed, may be not in my love life area, or may be it is. I don’t know but I am really expectant, may it be just friends for a while or beyond friendship. This is my prayer that God may guard both of us from temptations and plans of the enemy. The wholeness comes from our identity in Christ Jesus and I believe through our relationship with Jesus, I’ll be meeting my future dearest husband COMPLETE AND WHOLE in Christ Jesus.

Joyfully waiting, take your time 🙂