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. 

Mt. Batulao

  
It was February when my guy friends from church invited me to join them to hike Mt. Maculot. It was my first time and it was surreal! I really had so much fun plus friends who won’t give up on you. Anyway, that was my first and halos sinumpa ko yun dahil sa dami kong “slide” moments. But it didn’t stop me, my next trek was in Mt. Daraitan but our goal was Tinipak River. Such a beautiful sight! Then supposedly will go to Mt. Gulugod Baboy, but I decided to spend time with my workmates instead in Camayan Beach. Oh well, I have missed a lot that day indeed! Tsk!
Anyway, this hike is memorable! Kahit nalilito parin ako sa mga terms na HIKE, TREK, And RAPEL. Basta alam ko nilalakbay ko bundok. A friend of mine once asked herself “Why am I doing this? What am I trying to prove here? What is my purpose?”. Napaisip ako bakit nga ba? Then came Batulao. 

Before we climb Batulao, the past few days, the weather was very discouraging. But still majority of us are decided to go. My friends are good to go and as usual late parin kaming umalis AT dahil sa chicken sandwich with celery ng kaibigan namin! HAHA

So nagumpisa yung trek namin around 9am ata yun? Sobrang memorable kasi ang dami kong nawitness na character ng mga kaibigan ko. At lalong lalo na yung faithfulness ni God!!! Sobraaaa! This one is so genuine, sobrang totoo, all out ako dito. Ibang klase to! ❤️

Habang naglalakad ako paakyat, nakailang tawag ako kay God!!!! Sobrang dami, “God! I’m so tired!!!! Naghhyperventilate na ako. Naghhyperventilate na sila.” Pero sabi nga ni Dory ng Finding Nemo “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” Ako naman, “Just keep walking, just keep walking.” Mind over matter nga daw kahit sobrang pawisan ka na plus natulo pa sipon mo… HAHA

  
Mt. Batulao is very dangerous nga talaga konting kalokohan mo lang pwede ka na gumulong gulong pababa. Kung gusto mo ng shortcut, isang dulas mo lang sa baba ka na, ewan ko lang kung buhay ka pa pagbaba mo. Sobrang narrowed way lang siya talaga. And NO TREES! I finally saw the LONELY TREE, lonely nga pero lagi naman nadadaanan, kaya siguro standing strong siya kasi dinadalaw naman ng marami. Wasn’t able to take a photo with it because there were bystanders. 

   
I’m not sure if ako lang talaga yun, pero mas napagod ako dito compared to Mt. Maculot! It was a long trek and hike plus rapelling! My favorite part is the rapelling and rock climbing- 90 degrees!!! Pero grabe talaga yung pagod siguro nga sabi ng friend ko, “Kasi nakikita natin ung goal kaya siguro mas napapagod tayo, hindi tulad sa Mt. Maculot kahit ilang beses sabihin na dalawang oras, go parin tayo.” Ahh I got his point. Pero hindi talaga! Sobrang nakakapagod eh.

  
So here’s the unforgettable talaga. Majority of us are women and I am speechless by their unwavering faith. That’s why we pushed the plan. And we are really favored because it was a very very fine weather! ❤️

Things I’ve discovered and learned:

1. “Lord. Lord. Lord.” – we were calling God along the way. It still amazes me that even we’re tired, si Lord parin ang tinatawag namin. 

“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, ” Psalm 17:6-8

2. “Malapit na tayo guys!!!” – we have to reach camp 10! But we were still at Camp 1, non stop ang pagmmotivate samin ng mga boys! 

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – “1 Thessalonians 5:11

3. Courage heart– we all need courage! To pursue life, to finish the race!

” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

4. Overcome your fears – we all have fears, (fear of heights, fear of social, mountain and whatever that it) someday we will all face them but instead of dwelling on them turn ’em to faith. 

5. Have FAITH– God reminded me  to have faith and be in faith. Faith. Faith. “Trust Me and just hold My hand.” Very encouraging. All of us have struggles and God has solutions to them. 

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. -” 1 Timothy 6:12

6. Glorify the Creator of all things– there were plenty of complains, stumbled moments, walked alone, but I did not see my friends give up, meron “almost” but they continued. And instead of complaining they looked at the beautiful creations instead. Kahit pagod na, they would still call upon God. Kahit wala ka ng katabi sa pagakyat ng bundok, natuto kaming maging independent and dependent kay God lang. Even in the wildest form, we will only learn to appreciate the small things if we have tasted the goodness and faithfulness of our Creator knowing that even in front of the stumbling block we know that we will never be alone. Just like this wild orchid.

  
I am super uber blessed to be with these great people. Character building indeed and its part of building stronger friendship. At the end of the day, we were all smiling dahil kumpleto kaming umakyat at kumpleto din kaming nakababa. Laughter is indeed one of the best medicine. I am excited Lord! Thank you.

   

Looking forward with the whole gang!!!