Matthew 6:33

My friend and I chatted last night, and as we talked about life and stuff, the Holy Spirit reminded me this verse.

Last youth summer camp, our camp speaker, told us that we people only see the promises in the Bible but haven't completely understand that before we have that promise, we need to seek God first with all of our heart, soul and mind. We need to love Him above anything else in this world. 

We were given a challenge to offer our lives, and dreams to Jesus. And aim to follow His example when He walked here on earth. 

It will be hard, and we will fail everyday, but the grace of God is always there to help us in our walk with Him. And the reward of following Jesus is far more greater than the sacrifices that we make.

Have a blessed day!

Luke 15

If you would read Luke 15, you will notice that it has 3 parables with the same message.

Ø  Parable of the Lost Sheep tells us of a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find the one sheep that was lost.

Ø  Parable of the Lost Coin tells us of a woman who search her house thoroughly to find the coin that she loses.

Ø  Parable of the Lost Son tells us of a father who welcomes a son who runs after his worldly desire.

Who is the shepherd, the woman, the father…?

Who is the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son…?

In the parable on Luke 15, the shepherd, the woman and the father is the Lord Jesus Christ, while the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son is the people who do not know or do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What does these parables wants to imply to us…?

Jesus sends us a message in these parables. He wants us to reach out people who do not know Him, just as He did in His time. He wants us to draw people towards Him.

What character Jesus wants us to have when sharing the Gospel?

• Jesus wants us to show that we care to those people whom we are sharing the Gospel to, just like the shepherd takes good care of his sheep.

Like the care Jesus have for us.

• Jesus wants us to have patience, just like the woman who patiently search for the coin she loses.

Like Jesus who patiently waits for us to accept Him in our lives.

• Jesus wants us to love the people we are reaching out, just like the father’s love for his son after he goes astray in life.

Like Jesus who loves us so much that He took the cross just to save us.

What are we going to do now?

• Let us put those characters into practice. And go out and share the Gospel to those lost in this decaying world.

And let us always remember, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Photos was search from google image.

Surviving Caramoan

The title really speaks for Caramoan since it is always used as a venue for Survivor.Also, you have to survive the very long travel time(if you're taking a bus) going to the island.

Matukad Island Caramoan

Holy Week of 2010, Zeline, JM, Kizzy and I went to this paradise in Camarines Sur. We got our tour package from Ms. Nievas for only 5000php (bus fare is not included). We departed from Cubao around 9pm, Wednesday and arrived at Naga bus terminal 7am of Thursday. We were met there by Ms. Nievas and she brought us to Biggs Diners for breakfast.

Zeline and me at the bus

at Bigg's Diner

waiting for our breakfast

see how cool the ambiance of this resto :D

When we have our fills we hopped into the SUV for an hour and a half hour ride going to Sabang Port. On our way to Sabang, we stopped again at Biggs Diner(another branch). Ms. Nievas told us that we need to buy food for lunch. 

We reached Sabang Port, and were greatly surprised on the number of people waiting for the ferry. We were informed that all morning trips were fully booked. Ms. Nievas talked to a boatman, and told us that we were going to Caramoan not by ferry but by a boat. A very small boat. It was scary because we would sail the sea for 2 hours with rain and waves with this small boat that has 10 people in it. 

that little boat in the photo is our boat going to Caramoan

We arrived at Guilajo port after 2 hrs in the sea. We were able to arrived safe in the island(yey!). We were greeted by Mrs. Nievas relative and he ushers us to the tricycle. From the port to the place we would be staying would only take 15 to 20 mins.

We were super tired when we arrived in the ancestral house where we will be staying for 3 days. We were welcomed by Mommy Chikiting (sister of Mrs. Nievas) and her daughter Sweet. Couple of hours after we arrived, the power went off. And I am beginning to regret this tour. Because so far I haven't seen any beautiful views that I read regarding Caramoan.

To entertain ourselves, we explore the town by checking different hotels and inns. We also went to a souvenir shop and we bought a pili nut key chain for souvenir and pasalubong. Then we went back for dinner.

dinner

sinigang na hipon

grilled blue marlin

After dinner, we get ready to bed. We need to wake up really early for our island hopping.

Next day, we woke up around 5am, had our yummy breakfast, dressed up and hopped in the tricycle that would bring us to Dumaghong. 

Dumaghong,  jump off point going to the peninsula. 

off to our adventure

As the sun shone, we saw the beauty of the Island. My disappointment from the previous day vanished. It was replaced with awe. Truly, God shown His beauty through His creations.

First Island: Minalahos Beach

Adjacent to Minalahos is the Gota Beach. But we cannot go there that time because it houses the Survivor Bulgaria. And we also cannot visit Lahus Beach because the survivors were currently shooting in the island.

Gota Beach

Lahus Beach

2nd Island: Matukad Beach

We had our share of adventure in Matukad beach because we were able to climb the lime stone mountain in this island. At first, I was afraid because of my clumsiness, I worry that I will fall off the cliff. But Sweet ( our guide), Zeline and Jm encourage me, so at the end, I found my self staring at the beautiful view in the top of the lime stone.

Matukad Beach

3rd Island: Cotivas 

Cotivas was an hour from Matukad island. When we alighted in the island, we took some photos, swam a bit and ate our lunch. We also went on the sand bar across Cotivas where we found a lot of star fish.

Cotivas Island

4th Island: Manlawi

Manlawi Island has a vast sand area specially when its low tide. It was scorching hot since there were no trees to shade us from the sun. We just stayed for around 30 mins., enough time to take some photos.(haha)

Manlawi Island

5th Island: Hunongan

Hunongan is an ordinary island for me. Not much to see except the props/equipment of the Survivors who previously shoot a challenge in the island. 

Hunongan was a bit crowded so we opt to go back to Matukad Island to swim. It took us an hour to reach Matukad. Then stay there until its time to go back to the town.

We reach the town and into our place before night fall. JM and Zeline visited the old church in Caramoan while Kizzy and I had a little rest. After we had our dinner, we walk around town to buy a t-shirt souvenir.

Caramoan town at 8 in the evening

Since most of the store closes around 8pm, we go back to the ancestral house to have our beauty rest.

Next day, we went early at Guijalo Port to catch the ferry going to Sabang Port. Around 10am, we arrived at Sabang Port and Mrs. Nievas was already there to pick us up. She also gave us  souvenir bags.

JM with his bag from Mrs. Nievas

We drove again for 1.5 hrs going to CWC. But before we scout the famous CWC, we had lunch first. Mrs. Nievas introduced us to her friend who work in CWC so we could get a discount. We didn't try the wakeboard activities because there's a long queu of people waiting for there turn, so we just pay for the pool entrance but we decided not want to swim anymore. We just explore the place instead.

CWC

We stayed for 2 hrs in CWC then Mrs. Nievas pick us up again and brought us to Naga Public Market to buy pasalubong (pili nuts)

We spend our remaining hours in Naga at Mrs. Nievas house. She's so hospitable. She even cooked dinner for us ( which was not included in our tour package). When its time for us to leave for Manila, they drove us to Naga bus terminal.

We arrived in Manila early of Sunday. Though tired we had so much fun. Its was indeed an adventure. Caramoan is such a paradise, blessed with beautiful beaches and people who are so hospitable and friendly. And I am so blessed to see its beauty.








Special thanks to the Avila and Sucil Family of Naga City and Caramoan who accommodate us in this trip.


Camsur Watersports Complex Office:
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Contact Number: (054) 477 3344 / (054) 477 3349
Fax Number:+63(54) 477-3347
Mobile number: +(63) 917 8954156 or +(63) 999 8893697
E-mail: villadelreyreservation@gmail.com
http://www.cwcwake.com/

Kythe

August 25, Ang aming department ay nagkaroon ng outreach program with Kythe Foundation. Nagpunta kami sa Philippine Orthopedic, Children's ward para magpasaya ng mga bata. Dapat hindi na ako sasama dahil nung papasok ako ng office(friday night) na-sprain ang left ankle ko. Mag-uuwian na nung nagdecide ako na sasama na talaga ako sa outreach. At hindi naman ako nagsisi na sumama ako dahil super akong na blessed sa batang nakilala ko.

Gusto ko sanang i-post dito yung photo ni Renz Jay para makita nyo yung nice na smile nya. Kaso hindi kasi pwede na i-post yung mga photo from orthopedic eh. I'll just share my experience.

We arrived at the hospital around 9:30am. We were welcomed by a Kythe staff. Dinala nya kami sa Kythe room for a brief reminder. After ng reminders, lumabas na kami ng room to meet yung mga kids. Ten of us were assigned sa Children Ward #2. Si Jenny Lyn yung pinakilala sa unang patient. Then, turn ko na, yung second patient may lagnat and ayaw daw nyang makipaglaro kaya lumipat kami sa tapat na bed. At ayun, nakilala ko na si Renz Jay. Nung una, super nahihiya sakin si Renz. Hindi sya nagsasalita pero nagsmile naman sya. Kasama ni Renz yung older sister nya. Sabi ng Ate nya, sya muna daw yung bantay kay Renz kasi wala naman daw siyang pasok. Tinanong ko sa ate nya kung anong nangyari kay Renz, sabi ni ate, nasagasaan daw si Renz ng motor na may tatlong sakay at lasing. Dahil dun, nabali yung bone nya sa thigh. One week pa lng si Renz sa hospital, kita pa nga yung iba nyang sugat. Yung bone nya, pinapantay pa lng.

Arts and craft yung unang activity namin ni Renz. Gumawa kami ng Dog na puppet. Si Renz yung nagdidikit ng mga part ng dog sa puppet nya. Nung tapos na niyang idikit lahat ng part ng puppet, time na para mag-color. Naloka ako sa favorite color ni Renz, usually blue ang favorite ng mga boys pero sya white. At yun yung gusto nyang i-color sa parts ng dog puppet, kaso hindi naman makikita kasi color white na yung bond paper(hehe). Habang nagco-color kami, nagiging makulit na si Renz, kaya kinuwentuhan ko sya ng story ni David. Nung natapos na akong magkwento, tinuloy namin yung pagcolor ni Renz dun sa puppet. Habang nagco-color,

Renz: Birthday ko kahapon!
Meeka: WOW! Happy Birthday! (sabay kanta ng happy birthday song)

Tapos tinanong ko sa Ate nya if birthday nya talaga kahapon,

Ate ni Renz: Hindi po, Kuya po namin may birthday kahapon. June 12 po yung birthday nya.

Naloka ako dun. Hindi pala nya birthday todo kanta ako ng Happy birthday (hehe)

Then pinakita ko din sa kanya yung coloring books na bigay namin. Nung nakita nya yung mga sticker na kasama nung coloring book, super siyang natuwa at idinikit nya yung mga stickers sa mukha, kamay, ulo, at damit nya. Tapos meron din syang idinikit sa thigh nya na may bali pang bones. 

Meeka: naku baka masaktan ka
Renz: hindi
Meeka: hindi ba sya nasasaktan?(tanong kay ate)
Ate ni Renz: dati lang, ngayon hindi na.

at ayun, halos puno na sya ng sticker (hehehe). Then, Sir Lee signals us na 10 mins na lng daw. Dahil bata pa si Renz hindi ko mapaliwag sa kanya na in ten minutes ay uuwi na ako.  

Meeka: Renz, konting oras na lang uuwi na kami
Renz: Pag-madilim na?
Meeka: Hindi, umaga pa lng aalis na kami.
Renz: Ah, pag-gabi na...

Hindi nya ako naintindihan (hehe). Anyway, nung time na para umalis, nagpicture kami together para may remembrance ako with him.

Balik kami sa Kythe room para sa debriefing. The Kythe staff asked us about our experience with the kids. After ng debriefing, nag-photo op kami then nag say goodbye na sa Philippine Orthopedic.

After ng event namin, I felt so blessed dahil nakilala ko si Renz. And the Holy Spirit reminded me this verse:

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

At that time the disciples came to Jesus

and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in

the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child, whom he placed

among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless

you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming

like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom

of heaven. And whoever welcomes one

such child in my name welcomes me.

                                                            Matthew 18:1-5

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Questions we should ask ourselves:

• what kind of faith do we have on Jesus?
• how far can we trust Him?
• can we trust His way in the midst of the storm?

Let us follow Jesus example, He sleeps well  through  the storm not because He doesn't care, but because He trusted His Father of His life.

Recently, God puts me to a test. At first I do things my way even though I am asking God to teach me how I will handle the situation. God shows me the answer but I still insist on what my heart dictates me to do. I am really struggling whether I will follow my will or God's will. It is very hard because following God means I have to give up something that I think I want to hold. I have fears that if I let go of that thing there wouldn't be any chance for me to have it.

One night, as I have my quiet time, God shows me that even though I said i am trusting Him with my all, I am not doing it. Because of the fears that reside in my heart, it hinders me to trust Him completely and by not trusting Him completely I am bound to disobey Him. God also shows me the content of my heart. In my heart, my wants still prevail making me do selfish deeds. It breaks my heart to know this because I am breaking my Father's heart. Breaking His heart because I am not trusting Him completely and doubting about His power and His love for me.

That night, I made my decision. It was very hard but I know I am doing the right thing and that I am doing the will of my Heavenly Father. After I made the decision, I felt that a heavy load was lifted from my heart. I thought I am going to be sad but instead I am happy. Really, following God would not be easy, there would be a lot of sacrifices to make but the rewards are far greater than what we expect.

God also made me realized that I do not have to fear or be afraid. I just have to trust Him more. For He already have plans for my life.



Feel free to share how Jesus calms the storm in your life on the comment box below. Let's encourage one another by our experiences and by how God is working in our lives. :D