A not so ordinary life
It’s safe to say that I have lived a pretty good life; blessed to have grown up in a Christian home. My parents both met in church, raised us four kids in a good Christian school and chinese Christian church. My childhood comprised of the best Sundays at Sunday school, afternoon play dates with my cousins and weekend adventures in the backyard garden. So I thought twice about sharing my testimony because there really isn’t anything worth telling or sharing. But God has fashioned our lives in a way that no matter how crazy or “ordinary” our life stories may be, it becomes na extraordinary one because of the EXTRAORDINARY ONE that now lives in us! :)
My life took a crazy turn when I decided to move to Manila for college. But prior to my leave, I was harboring bitterness and hatred towards the important people in my life. I was dying to get out Cebu, leave my old life and just do whatever I want. My parents had just decided that we move to another church because my Dad saw that our family wasn’t growing spiritually in that church anymore. At the time I didn’t understand his reason. I was furious at the thought of not being able to see my friends from church. Up until high school a huge part of my life was there. Why would my Dad just take that away from me? Was he even thinking about what I would feel with his decision? Those thoughts kept running thru my mind and I was relieved that I could soon getaway from all of this and make my own decisions from now on.
Fast forward to college, I was exposed to the real world real fast. I hadn’t known at the time what teens associate as “fun” or “cool” could actually damage my entire reputation as a Christian. But I needed friends. I wanted to be like them because I wanted to belong . I thought I could hide it from my family and the people who know me back home. I started drinking and actually LOVED alcohol. I lived the whole party scene. Then my life suddenly crashed downhill one night when I nearly lost my left foot. My friends and I were all drunk after a long day at school. Yes it was a school night and when it was time to head home, one of my closest friends who drives was incapable of doing so. She was too intoxicated. My other friend got her car keys and offered to drive her instead. I waited with her to make sure she got in her car safely. After shoving her in the back seat, she suddenly screamed. She lost her laptop. The car door was still open for me to talk to her from the outside. All our friends started panicking. In the midst of all the commotion, the friend who was in the driver’s seat didn’t notice that I was still leaning in with half my body in the back seat of the car and the other half outside. The driver pressed for the gas pedal and started moving the car. FAST. The back door was swung open and I tried to hold onto it with my left foot being dragged on the rocky pavement. Those were the longest seconds of my life. My left foot was bent inwards so I thought it was done for good. On top of all that, as the car was moving, another car was driving in the other direction and the back door that I was holding onto hit it and damaged the entire left side of his. We had to pay thousands for the paint job. By God’s grace, nothing traumatic happened to my foot. An ice pack did the trick.
After nearly 2 years of having that life, my parents eventually found out. That’s when God shook me hard and woke me from what seemed like a nightmare now. I hurt my Mom. The things I did in the past isn’t something I’m proud of. I made excuses and reasoned with her that it doesn’t define who I am because I do them only on special occasions. I lied. “How could you call yourself a Christian and yet your actions show otherwise?” she asked. I was at a loss for words. I knew it was a battle I couldn’t win.
There were nights that I felt so alone even after having just gone out with friends. I was unhappy. I tried praying but I felt so far away from God. Where was He when I called? Where was He when I truly needed Him? If it hadn’t been for that one night of invitation to a church gathering, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Two of my friends from back home who also went to college in Manila persuaded me into attending a mini concert in Victory Malate. There I gained new friends and just seeing the joy they have because of Christ made me want to keep going back to church. I wanted that joy again. I knew it was time to go back to God. It was indeed a hard battle to give up drinking and partying but nothing is impossible with Christ! He helped me let go of the things that hindered me from truly praising and glorifying Him. I made the decision to be committed to serving Him and seeking Him all the days of my life. My spiritual family helped me through it all. That is why it is important to surround yourself with the right set of people. People who influence you to keep loving God and share about His love to others; people who encourage you and speak life. I’m thankful that He brought me to this spiritual family in Victory. I hope that you too, would find a spiritual family in whichever place God brings you to and that you would take the step of faith to drop everything, and I mean EVERYTHING to follow Him :)
I took a giant leap of faith to bring this dream to a reality. It started out with a dream back in senior year of high school that I would never forget. I was walking alone the streets of a place unknown to me. Despite being all by my lonesome, I wore the widest smile. I woke up laughing at the thought of the impossibility of ever being able to travel alone.
Now four years after, God told me that it was not merely just a dream but a vision from Him. I was smiling because I was not alone after all. He was there all along with me, taking me to whole new place to discover new things, to teach me more, to learn and to grow deeper with Him.
Numerous friends have asked me prior to my leave if I was excited for this new adventure. In all honesty, I told them I wasn’t sure of the answer. This is because I still haven’t wrapped my head at the thought that this is actually happening to me. There’s nothing special about me to deserve a chance to even travel to NYU and study for even just two short months. But that’s just it! None of us ever deserve anything yet God’s love for us is so great that He WILL continually bless us beyond things we could ever imagine or dream of. I’m just left in awe of Him and what He has just given me. It always brings me back to tears again because it shows that this is all His work and I will make sure to tell the world that I am just an instrument of His big purpose.
God is able to do far more than we could ask or dream of - beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. (Ephesians 3:20)
“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” Micah 7:7
“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagine, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1Corinthians 2:9
To all the readers, never stop dreaming. The Lord hears the desires of your heart. My prayer is that you continue to seek Him all the days of your life and obey Him whole heartedly. Even when you are left with situations that you don’t fully understand, trust Him. And I hope that you will also tell stories of God’s miracles and works of wonder in your life to others as well :) Don’t stop telling about His love! :)
Current Read: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
“There were once two sisters who were not afraid of the dark because the dark was full of the other’s voice across the room, because even when the night was thick and starless they walked home together from the river seeing who could last the longest without turning on her flashlight, not afraid because sometimes in the pitch of night they’d lie on their backs in the middle of the path and look up until the stars came back and when they did, they’d reach their arms up to touch them and did.”
“The sky is everywhere, it begins at your feet.”
“When he plays, all the flowers swap colors and years and decades and centuries of rain pour back into the sky”
There’s still so much quotes I want to post. It’s such a beautiful book with beautiful poems in it with a beautiful love story.
Almost Sixteen
During the Holy Week break my entire family came to Manila to visit me and Tim since my brother wasn’t sure at the time if he needed to stay for school work.
My youngest brother Andy, left for Taiwan right after the break to study Mandarin for a month. His birthday is on the 27th so we wouldn’t be able to celebrate his birthday with him. I decided to surprise him with a cake on our last lunch together at Aria since italian is his favorite cuisine :)
Because I can’t stop gushing over the red velvet cupcakes from Sophie’s Mom, I took this chance to let my family try it with this red velvet birthday cake I ordered from them.
Aww such a happy tall boy! :”)
My family loved it especially Andy :) I’m glad he was happy that day. We went to the Mind Museum right after where he enjoyed all the science come to form right before his very eyes. He even schooled me on some chemistry there :))
I’m missing my tall boy already :(
Sealed With A Kiss
It was an exciting day at Manila Ocean Park. I felt like a kid again as I walked through the Oceanarium looking at all the different kinds of fish. It really is amazing what God can do. All the wonder and beauty He made for everyone to see :)
Seated on the bleachers under the blazing hot sun, I gripped my camera tightly, running my fingers on the on/off switch. I made sure to capture this moment. The sea lions were about to come out any minute now. The unbearable heat couldn’t alter my cheerful mood. When the trainers asked who from the audience would like to come down and have a chance to have a one-on-one encounter with the sea lion, I immediately raised my hand without hesitation. I think my entire family thought I was crazy :)) But I didn’t mind. One of my all-time favorite childhood movies is Andre (1994). I wanted to experience what that little girl in the movie had, even for just a few minutes.
Sea lions are pretty awesome creatures. They can do a lot of things that humans can like shake hands, salute, catch things. Even hand flipperstands! I feel like they can read people and understand their emotions. I wish I had a pet sea lion :( I just don’t think I can have any more fishy kisses from now on :))
Long Summer Drives
With the summer season commencing, I’ve been caught up on finalizing itineraries for holy week and the rest of my travels. I’ll be going back to Cebu in the next two weeks so I’m making it a point to hang out with friends here in Manila as I won’t be coming back til after a few months.
While I was running errands yesterday afternoon, I got a call from Shobe Louie to visit her place and newly renovated bedroom. But before that, we had a late dinner at Bubble Tea in T. Morato with Kara and Ate Ruth :)
Due to heavy traffic in Q.C., it took us longer than expected to get there. We devoured our food as soon as the waiter placed it on our table. Thus, the absence of such photos :)) That night they got me addicted to playing Draw Something as well.
I met Shobe’s doggies too when I took her home.
Cuteness Overload! I wanted to take them home with me! :”)
Since I don’t have a shobe, I treat her as my little sister :) Thank you again shobs! You’re such a blessing to me! :”)
Fat Monday
Spontaneous day with Joan because it’s summer and we’re both unemployed and bored :))
Mexican lunch at Orale! I ordered Carne Asada Enchiladas :)
Spent the rest of our afternoon shopping at Makati. I remembered I had to buy some cleaning essentials at the supermarket. Then came the idea for us to cook something for dinner. Since we both lack knowledge in the kitchen, we stuck to the “one-step fry-something-in-the-pan kind of meal”
I missed eating my favorite breakfast food so that’s what we made.
HELLO, BACON. I missed having you.
Took some sunset shots from Joan’s terrace.
A perfect breakfast meal wouldn’t be complete without sunny-side up eggs :)
Joan’s disastrous egg. HAHA
Mine’s way better! #competitive
And for dessert…
Wicked Oreos!
We weren’t expecting it to be a success but…
They floated! :) YAY!
I couldn’t resist buying this set of Swiss Miss at the supermarket. Just look at the adorable penguin!!! :”) I got all giddy and immediately dropped it in the cart! :))
Delicious way to end the day! :) And yes, guilt came right after indulging all of these.
A passionate woman of God she is! :)
I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to share life and speak life to Ira :) Now a T4V graduate, I can see how much she’s grown with her walk with God. I may be her leader but rest assured, it is not I but His spirit in me that guided her every step of the way. I am amazed at how God is able to bring her to where she is now :’)
I miss my little Andy
Living in Manila for the past 3 years has made me miss my family a lot. Especially my youngest brother Andrew.
Last night I found him online on Facebook. I haven’t talked to him since Christmas. I was checking his profile and saw his latest cover photo.
“In this world, no one can replace my sister.”
He is just the sweetest Shoti! :’) He’ll be leaving for Taiwan in a few weeks to study Mandarin over the summer. I did the same during my 2nd year of HS. I’m sure he’ll have the best time! :)
您是我可能有的最佳的兄弟
Current favorite thing
I’ve been looking all over for a new watch to get. I visited my favorite brands such as Kenneth Cole, Anne Klein and DKNY, none of them have designs that I wanted. I was actually scouting for either a white or silver watch but since I already have enough formal watches, I opted to looking for a casual one instead. Lo and behold, I found a store that sells this amazing line of G-shock watches! My eyes immediately drew to this teal one and they only sell 1 piece for every design.
