how to travel with a sea turtle: 2011

That's All

I can only give you love that lasts forever
And a promise to be near each time you call
And the only heart I own
For you and you alone
That's all...
That's all :)

If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small
Say it's me that you'll adore
For now and ever more...
That's all :)

Fear: The Good Kind

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” -Proverbs 9:10

Fear is good when it keeps us from doing something that will hurt us or others; when it protects us from danger; and when it keeps us from sin. Fear is bad when it makes us anxious, insecure, or paranoid, making us lose peace of mind; when it leads to negative behavior; and when it affects our physical and spiritual health.

To fear God is to hold God in awe and reverence for who He is. Because we know that He loves us and we love Him, we are afraid of offending God. We also know that, because of His love for us, He will discipline us so that we can be more like Jesus.

Notes above are taken from the Christ-Centered Family Devotions booklet from CCF.

I pray for the good kind of fear. Not the one that makes me anxious about the future or causes me to control others unnecessarily. I pray for the kind of fear that will cause me to be in agreement with God and obey His precepts -- His good and perfect will. For I know that He only has good plans for me, to prosper me and protect me, and ultimately, to bless me.

Joy

Joy GROWS from a contented heart.

Farewell, Ninong

Farewell, Ninong
Originally uploaded by gezelle

I love you and I miss you, Ninong. I will see you someday. Also, belated happy birthday and belated happy father's day :)

photo taken by kuya, in UP sometime April 2011. this was after the cremation of my Ninong's remains.

Bistek

Bored and can't go out due to heavy rains, not to mention hungry from eating just salad for dinner for two days now, I decided to ask my mom to help me cook the meat that has been sitting on the freezer for almost a week now. She told me it was beef for the bistek which she had planned on cooking the following day or whenever she felt like cooking. I took the beef out and asked if we can cook a portion tonight, for dinner. Remembering what I had for lunch which was plain rice and tuna straight out of a can, an idea of a home-cooked dinner seemed so lovely.

Here's how we prepared tonight's bistek:

with the back of a knife, make tadtad the sirloin beef
marinate the beef with calamansi and all-around seasoning for 30 minutes
prepare the potatoes by washing them carefully and slicing them round
prepare the onions and cut them in rings
fry the potatoes and set aside
fry the onions and set aside
heat the pan, put some oil and later on some butter
prepare the sauce: toyo, calamansi and some sugar
fry the beef until the water has evaporated and the meat is tender
pour in the sauce

here's our output and my dinner this rainy Sunday:

yun lang! ang saya, ang sarap :)

Papa

To the person who taught me many things: how to tie my laces, how to shine my shoes, how to use the typewriter; who helped me with my "Sibika at Kultura" and Science projects and let me use his office; To the one who carried me on his back to defend me and take back what my childhood friends took from me; For the times when you prepared breakfast for me, carried my bags for me, and took care of me when I was sick... THANK YOU.

I love you and Happy Father's Day, Papa :)

photo taken 12-Jun-2011 at the Ocean Park in Manila during the Sea Lion show.

Be Made New

In my sadness and brokenness, I asked God to speak to me about the things that happened in the past. In His grace, He lead me to these verses:

Ephesians 4:22-24
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Broken Pieces

Father, help me to know what to make out of these broken pieces.
In my hand, they remain scattered and broken into little, useless pieces.
But in Your hand, I know they can become something else.
In Your hand, they can become whole again.

You are Worthy

Let everything I do today, everything I say and think of bring glory back to You.

Twenty-Four

Let Your grace be sufficient for me today, Lord. For the next twenty-four hours.
That is really all I have. That is really all I need.

No One Like You

What a privilege to know a God like You
Who leave no questions unanswered
No tear unnoticed
No cry unheard

Who never leaves my side
Who never lets me go
You pursue me with love and compassion
You carry me and embrace me

You cause me to smile
And give me reasons to be thankful
You love me as if I have not been unfaithful
You welcome me as if I have not turned away from You

You give me Your unlimited patience
You show me Your mercy
You strengthen me by telling me I have something of more worth than gold
You give me hope by telling me that You are preparing an inheritance for me

There is no one like You, Father
No one that can compare
No one that can ever come close.

the one from the prophet

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

-from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran

at the crater of mt. pinatubo

...all that walking and waking-up at 2am are worthwhile...

photo taken on January 15, 2011 by mavic
first out of town trip for 2011
itinerary c/o of http://tripinas.blogspot.com/

                        0300 Assembly time
                        0330 ETD for Capas, Tarlac via NLEX
                        0500 ETA Capas, Tarlac (stop-over for breakfast)
                        0530 ETD for Brgy. Sta. Juliana
                        0630 ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana (jump-off point)
                        0645 Board 4×4 vehicles
                        0800 Start trekking
                        1030 ETA at the crater of Mt. Pinatubo
                        1200 Start return trek
                        1430 Back to the 4x4s
                        1530 Back at jump-off point. Freshen up.
                        1600 ETD from Tarlac for Manila
                        1900 ETA Manila

had less than one hour of sleep the night before
walked a total of 5 hours (2.5 hours on our way to the crater)
had to walk 1 hour non-stop on our way back as there was heavy rain and we were trying to avoid strong river flows and/or mudslides
did not bring SLR that day. i was afraid it would be too heavy.
no trekking shoes also, i walked all day in my havaianas which has been with me since year 2006 :)
i got separated from the group for a while and had to wait for almost an hour before i could re-join them
water was cold at the crater
water flowing from the small rivers, streams started to get warm as the rain poured out

fragile

"above all else, guard your heart" -proverbs 4:23

...and this is LOVE

"We LOVE because HE first loved us." -1 John 4:19

"This is LOVE: not that we loved God, but that HE loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." -1 John 4:10

Beloved, nothing shall take the love of Christ from you, or separate you from it. It does not ebb with the ebbing of your feelings; it does not chill with the chill of your affections; it does not change with the changing scenes and circumstances of your life.

Let that be enough

Let me know that You love me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You're near me
Let that be enough.

Still Raining

words from "I Will Praise You In This Storm"
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That YOU would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again
I say Amen
And it's still raining

As the thunder roars
I barely hear You
Whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"

And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For you are who You are
No matter where I am

And every tear I cry
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

how to travel with a sea turtle