#365DOT is a blog feature at Dainty Damsel Stories. It features at least one thing, event, or person that I thank God for the next 365 days of 2013. :] If you're interested in joining, hop in! I'd love to hear your stories! :] Just link me back and leave a comment. :'] Yay! A blessed 2013 to everyone!
To be honest, I had a rough day. I was tired, sad, pained. The one thing I just wanted was to simply be home and seek refuge from all the thorns the world is throwing at me. But when I finally got home, I hesitated to go inside so I stayed out and looked at the night sky. It was the most beautiful masterpiece I saw today. The stars were lined in their rightful places. The moon shines so brightly at me. It was a serene night.
I realized then that the rough day I had is just a tiny speck of dust compared to the vastness and greatness of God's plan for me and your life.
If God could arrange the stars in the sky, how much more will God, our Creator, arrange the broken pieces of our lives?
#365DOT is a blog feature at Dainty Damsel Stories. It features at least one thing, event, or person that I thank God for the next 365 days of 2013. :] If you're interested in joining, hop in! I'd love to hear your stories! :] Just link me back and leave a comment. :'] Yay! A blessed 2013 to everyone!
At 6:59 a.m. it was a typical Thursday morning.
At 6:59 a.m. I was waiting in line at the MRT Station.
At 6:59 a.m. people were going about their usual lives.
At 6:59 a.m. some were waiting for a cab; some, buses; and others, the MRT.
At 6:59 a.m. a middle-aged woman in yellow and red was sweeping the streets of EDSA.
At 6:59 a.m. a passerby dropped a 20-Peso bill on the street.
At 6:59 a.m. a policeman saw the 20-Peso bill, but didn't know whose is it.
At 6:59 a.m. the policeman gave the 20-Peso bill to the street sweeper.
At 6:59 a.m. the street sweeper's face was brightened up with her heartfelt smile.
At 6:59 a.m. I took this photo to capture at least a glimpse of God's hand at work.
At 6:59 a.m. I thank God for allowing me to witness His sweet miracles.
At 6:59 a.m.....
At 6:59 a.m. the street sweeper could have stayed at home and left the garbage untouched. But she didn't. She sacrificed and cleaned other people's trash.
At 6:59 a.m. the policeman could have kept the 20-Peso bill to himself. But he didn't. He sacrificed and gave it to the street sweeper instead.
At 6:59 a.m. I could have observed other things. But I didn't. God made me see how He makes all things beautiful.
#365DOT is a blog feature at Dainty Damsel Stories. It features at least one thing, event, or person that I thank God for the next 365 days of 2013. :] If you're interested in joining, hop in! I'd love to hear your stories! :] Just link me back and leave a comment. :'] Yay! A blessed 2013 to everyone!
QUIZZES?! I'm thankful for quizzes?!! Yes. Apparently, I am. O:)
Today I'm the happiest and most grateful girl on Earth because I had a quiz! :] This isn't really something I'm proud of, but I almost missed the quiz because of lack of discipline. I left home 10 minutes late from my calculated travel time and got stuck in traffic. When I reached the MRT Station, the line was unbelievably long! While on the train, I asked God's forgiveness and asked Him to increase my self-discipline. Jesus forgives! He is full of mercy and Grace. When I reached school 10 minutes passed bell time (we don't have a bell, though), the quiz has just started and I was able to take mine! :D Wheeee! Praise the Lord! :"> Thank You for Your Grace, Lord Jesus! :)
Lessons:
1. The Grace of Jesus Christ is rich and sufficient.
2. Do your part! Discipline yourself!
3. Learn from every mistake and practice what you learned. :)
If you're one of those who read my reviews, please be advised that the following isn't like any ordinary review I make. This time I give a part of my heart, but looks like I don't. Believe me. You might be seeing a cheese cupcake, but I'm actually giving you a 3-layer chocolate filled cake with cherries, crushed almonds, and chocolate curls on top.
(I don't actually eat chocolates, but give one to Mrs. Leighton and you win her heart.)
If I tell you my first experience with the book, it might just scare you off and get away from my blog as far as you could. You could miss three fourths of your life, but I'll say it anyway. The first night I read The Sea of Tranquility was during a Christmas Party. Yup. C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.P.A.R.T.Y. I'm pretty sure it still spells that way. I was around page 40 and I still didn't know what to get from it. Everything's a blur, but I continued anyway. Yes, I continued reading this I'm-in-page-40-and-I-don't-understand-anything-yet-book during a Christmas Party. You might be wondering what's gotten into me, but all I was thinking about was what's with the book that made me turn pages after pages. The 2nd day I read it was during our Christmas shopping. Yes, Christmas shopping. While my best friend was rummaging fashion stores after fashion stores, I was at the corner frustratingly trying to read the teeny weeny words from the failed version of an e-pub reader on my cellphone. Then again I was around page 100-something and I was as confused but intrigued as ever. The third day was a self-inflicted insomnia that I actually have, but worked better last night than any other day. I was supposed to sleep after a day's worth of walking 5 miles inside a mall. That's what normal people do, right? Well I'm not one of them. I cleaned myself, went to bed, opened my laptop and READ. Yep, I'm pretty sure that's what I did from ten in the evening to seven in the MORNING. I just read. Then I fell asleep, woke up, did what I had to do, and READ. Again. 'Til it was finished.
Yes, my experiences with this book deserve to be on the FIRST--hopefully not the only--PARAGRAPH you'll read.
I love this book and NO ONE CAN MAKE ME SAY OTHERWISE.
It is "distractingly pretty", if you know what I mean.
Every page is a glimpse of some part of a musical piece, whispering it's way to my ears and challenges me to stay put until all pieces are put together into a beautiful melody that I'll never forget. Unfortunately, whatever glimpse of that melody the author slips right into my ear is something I'd rather not listen to. That little melody is too painful. NO. Painful doesn't do it justice. Every single note is drenched in pain. Yes, they're heartbreaking. I can't seem to open my ears to listen to the pain, but my ears are open anyway.
My ears are open because I recognize the pain. I've reached rock bottom just as Nastya and Josh did. I'm not giving a hint about what happened, but they've reached the deepest part of rock bottom, if there's even one. Every page is painful--no--it's full of pain. One because whatever's happening there is true. There always comes a time in our lives when we reach rock bottom and bam--we're never the same again. Either we changed for the best or for the worst. Second because--somewhere in my past, your present, or probably somebody's future--we have our own version of Nastya's vow of silence and Josh's 10 years of building to escape the pain. We just simply tune out the world and tune in to our newly created world...of pity, self-loathing, and regrets.
Nastya and Josh did just that. Only it turns out far worse than they could imagine. The ending wasn't grand. The book isn't grand at all! There's no insta-love. No sparks. No swooning. There's just reality. It's so painful because I know it is real. The ending could have been one of the simplest, yet powerful last pages I've read this year. I hate it for it. It's simple, but it's true--it's real. There are no over-rated dramas or slow motion or sparkle in real-life pain. There's just an awful lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth, but afterwards there's just acceptance, forgiveness, surrender...and The Sea of Tranquility...
I think I know just where my Sea of Tranquility is...I think I know where yours is, too. And yes, I know that you know it. There's just one barrier in-between: DENIAL. Both of the characters subtly acknowledge this. I pray that someday you will, too.
Enjoy reading! God bless you.
P.S.
After sometime, I just got tired of the world I created. There's too much pain, anger, regrets, pity, guilt. I'm the complete carbon copy of Nastya. I, too, lost something I love doing and it damaged a big part of me. But just like Nastya, I did find my Josh--my salvation. Don't worry. He's not just mine. I'd be more than happy to share Him with you. Just like Josh His name means salvation. He is JESUS. In Him I am complete, filled, and loved. He is my Sea of Tranquility. He is yours, too. You know, no matter how many times we deny Him, we'll always have a place in His heart. You will always have a special place in His heart. I pray that someday there's no more denial...only acceptance, forgiveness, surrender...and The Sea of Tranquility. ♥
It was the 5th of July, year of God's Great Miracles (2012).
I opened the Bible in 2 Kings 4: 1-7. It read, "The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.4 Then
go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all
the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” At the reading of the last word, my heart was broken. I knew then that I've been carrying a burden that is not for me to carry. I've exhausted myself with worry and fear for my family. At that moment it was fear for my parents.
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I was born to Millan Villarino, 47 then, and Lualhati Villarino, 46, on a quiet day of August 14, 1993. Eighteen years later, they are still the same funny and responsible parents that I know--although way older. Growing under their care, I remember how aware I was about how fast time flies. How I always pray that God will reward them to live and see my future husband and even kids. How I always pray for the salvation of each member of my family because I know...life isn't in our hands.
I never realized how heavy my heart was until that night of July 5. I broke down at the last word of 2 Kings 4: 1-7. I can't force myself to think about how many more years left I have with my parents. I just know that it's time to let go and LET GOD. Jesus Christ reminded me that the burden I carried since time immemorial is not for me to carry. It is HIS' and He'd already overcome it 2000 years ago when He died on the Cross of Calvary.That evening I surrendered all the worries I have for my family. I cast it all down at the feet of Jesus.
Just as the widow and her son, I gave my empty jars to Jesus--no longer filled with worry, concern, and burden. Faith comes along with every empty jar that Isurrender. And you know what? Now that my jars are empty and my faith solely given unto Him, He is ready to fill it.
Four months later, one of my empty jars is filled. It wasmy greatest dream--their baby daughter's wildest dream.I hope you don't mind, but I'll show you an excerpt from my journal, dated 5th of July 2012; 11:00 pm:
"Lord Jesus, I want to give [my parents] the opportunity to enjoy life and see the world as long as they have strength. Lord Jesus, my parents are already old and I'm two years away from graduation...please allow me to bring my parents across different beautiful countries. [Allow] them to enjoy the beauty of Your Creation. Lord Jesus, my faith is in You..."
My father hasn't been to any country outside the Philippines. It was his dream to visit other countries together with my mother. It was his dream, but I made it MY dream. Yes it's a simple dream, but it's one of the greatest I have. After that evening, I constantly prayed for it. I even started to save money. It'll cost much and I don't know how much time I'll need to save up, but God will provide. He always provides.
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November 29, 2012. I boarded the plane with flight number 5J 929 going from Manila to Bangkok, Thailand. I knew then that no matter how many countries I've been to and how many more I'll go to, this 4-day vacation will always be special to me. It was the moment when my first empty jar was filled. It was an answered prayer--and a quick one! I didn't leave the country alone because my sister, mother, and at last, my father were with me.
Mom and Dad
Sister, Me, Mama, and Papa
Like Mother, like Daughter :">
With my hero
Isn't she lovely? I love my sister!
Stayed in at the tallest tower in Thailand!
God moves in ways that we cannot see. We may ask for something, but He'll give us something greater! All the time I prayed for it, I thought I'd have to shoulder all the expenses. But you know what? God provided it. I didn't spend a single coin from my own purse. God bless the heart of my brothers and sister. God bless the heart of my brother-in-law and sisters-in-law. This trip wouldn't be possible without God and my siblings' good heart. I love them so much! God can do great miracles, but let us not limit God to what we want because we might miss out the greater things God wants to offer. What's your burden? Stop carrying heavy jars filled with worry, hatred, envy, or sorrow. Just surrender your empty jars to God and put your faith in Him. Next thing you'll know, it's already filled. God richly bless you! P.S. I haven't told my parents about it. I haven't told them how much I dreamt of bringing them to different countries. I'm just happy to share this experience with you. I hope you were inspired by it. :) Who knows, maybe they'll about this someday? :) But then again, it doesn't matter. I just love them so much. Thank God for this family.
Hi guys, I woke up this morning feeling the need to share this song to you. I don't know what you're going through right now, but I know that each of us is facing his own storm of trials and problems. I don't know how heavy the burden you're carrying is, but God wants you to know that you can rest in Him. He said in His Word, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.-Matthew 11:28"
You may be in the middle of a sea of problems right now, not knowing what to do. But you can freely run to Jesus Christ and find rest and peace in Him. You can cry your heart out to Jesus and you will find comfort in His loving arms. Cast all your worries, cares, and pain to God because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
May you find encouragement through this song. I'm praying for all of you guyss. God bless you always! :)
HIDING PLACE
Steven Curtis Chapman
In the distance I can see the storm clouds coming my way,
Steven Curtis Chapman is a Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Dad, Husband, Follower of Christ with the mission of Knowing God and making Him known.
Steven Curtis Chapman returns with his new album re:creation. The new album features 5 new songs from Steven including the first single “Do Everything”, and all-new recordings of his 8 biggest hits. The entire album has a progressive and fresh acoustic sound, which reflects the energy and life found in the songs. The title speaks to the actual re:creation of these songs, which are re-imagined and re-recorded in a new musical space. More and most importantly though, the word re:creation speaks to the new life God is re-creating for Steven and his family as they walk forward in their lives. (Source: Steven Curtis Chapman Facebook Page)
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Dose of Encouragement is a feature in my blog that allows me to share God's Word, Christian Songs, Inspirational Stories, and my personal testimonies of God's faithfulness in my life. I pray that this blog feature will inspire and encourage you to walk with God! :) God bless us all! :)
As you have probably heard in the news, a number of provinces and cities in the Philippines are placed under a state of calamity. Due to the 11-day non-stop rain caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Saola, Metro Manila and its neighboring regions are now experiencing heavy floods. As of Wednesday (August 8, 2012), 850,000families are battling the horrors of a neck-deep flood and a strong current. More than 60, 000 families have been evacuated, but others are still suffering on their roofs or inside their flooded houses.
(C) GMA News 8/7/12
(C) GMA News 8/7/12
(C) GMA News 8/8/12
But one thing that I'm truly proud of and very thankful for is the FILIPINO SPIRIT. In the midst of trials and heavy storms, the Filipinos remain standing hand-in-hand. We abandon no one. Out of our comfort zones, we take the risk and reach out to others. We may lose our furniture, cars, or houses, but we'll never lose FAITH,HOPE, and LOVE.We'll simply smile through pain and trust that there'll always be a brighter day. And in hard times like this, our true Filipino identity radiates throughout world. Identity of a TRUE BLOODED FILIPINO (by heart or by blood).
I humbly ask for everyone's prayers. Please pray for the Philippines and all those who are affected by the heavy flood. We thank God for His protection over every Filipino people. It is only by God's Grace that we stand. He is our shelter, our delieverer, our protector, our refuge, our Saviour! We place our trust in God alone! God bless the Philippines! God bless the world!
"Whoever dwells in the shelterof the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2
I will say of theLord, “He is my refugeand my fortress,
I praise God for He is in control of everything. I thought I was prepared for a stressful enrollment day, but I should have known better. It was really exhausting at school. Everyone was busy looking for subjects with slots. It turned out that the only available schedule for the subject I needed is from 6:00-7:30 pm. Whoa.I don't think I can handle a night schedule AGAIN--not with commuting from Bulacan to Ortigas everyday. OH NO NO NO. But then, I have no choice. I have to take the subject.
So I surrendered everything to God. I allowed Him to take full control of my class schedule. And then.....
When it was almost my turn to add subjects, I checked the screen once again to see if there was any chance I could get an earlier schedule. THAT WAS WHEN I SAW IT.
I looked at the screen a little more closer to make sure that I saw it right. And of course, it was there. THAT "ONE" SLOT FOR THE 4:30-6:00 pm CLASS!!! I couldn't believe it! 4.30-6.00 pm class!!! It's still late, but it's definitely not as late as 6.00-7.30pm!
Wheew! There were still a number of people ahead of me in the line, but Jesus wouldn't disappoint His people. I got the subject and now I am enrolled! :) Praise God!
Truly, God works in ways that we cannot see. Never doubt God's faithfulness and power just because you don't see Him moving. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are far greater than our thoughts.
Just Believe. Have faith. Hold on to His promises.
Surely, you will witness God's Miracle right before your eyes. :)
All it takes is a mustard seed amount of faith and you can tell a mountain to move.
"I won't give up on us even if the skies get rough..."
Nope. I'm not singing. Okay, maybe I am, but it's not what you think.
Yesterday (that was 53 minutes ago) was the roughest day of my week. School starts in a few days time and by this time, students are cramming with their class schedule. Fortunately, the I.T. experts of this Age did a really great job in coming up with the "online" enlistment. That way, students don't have to go into the trouble of going to school to enlist their subjects. Isn't that cool?
Wait 'till you get to try my school's online enlistment. Supposedly, my batch was scheduled yesterday from 9am to 5pm. However, most of us couldn't access the enlistment portal. It just kept on crashing the whole time. We couldn't add a single subject, or that was my case, at least. It was not cool at all. T.T
With all the inconveniences I encountered yesterday, it was easy to give up. Thanks to my classmates' FB updates, I learned that most of them have already completed the 27 units required whereas I got ZERO units in hand. It disheartened me all the more when I saw the sections I like to get were already CLOSED. But then, I just kept my eyes fixed on the screen andmy heart fixed on Jesusfrom nine in the morning 'til seven in the evening. I believe that He knew my needs.
If you'll look closely, my situation yesterday was highly impossible to salvage. But JESUS can make the impossible POSSIBLE! I was able to enlist 15 units by 5pm. It means the moment the portal closes, I'll be waiting for the rest of the university to enlist their subjects online--and that will takeONE WEEK--before I get to enlist for the remaining slots.
However,God's hand was at work! He is true to His promises!He won't forsake those who trust Him! The enlistment portal should close at 5pm, but it didn't!(That's the first miracle!)Then, the enlistment process went really fast!(That's the second one.)Finally, I got to enlist all the subjects I needed! :">Err. Not totally ALL because I lack one P.E. subject and another CAS subject, which I think I can still get at school.So, no worries!God is fully in control!
I know that it's easier to lose faith and give up when times are rough, but just hold on to Jesus Christ for He is true to His promises. Joshua 23: 14 says, "...You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed." Hold on to His promise that all things will work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8: 28).
When everything is failing, it's hard to believe. But don't lose hope. Walk by faith and not by sight and all the good promises of the God will come to pass.
Whenever you are faced with trials, always remember that God is sovereign over all things. He created the heavens and the earth. The Heaven is His throne and the earth is just His footstool. Is there anything too hard for Him to do? There is nothing that He cannot do.
Just walk by faith and not by sight because God will surely unfold His greatest plan for your life right before your very eyes! Don't give up even if the skies get rough or if the days get tough. Have faith! Trust God.
*and of course, my (and yours, too) Saviour Jesus Christ <3
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GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU! :D
About Me ♥
laurice-with-love
I love JESUS. my family. my ministry. reading young adult books (esp. dystopian theme). watching movies. singing. cakes! (definitely my stress antidote!)
NOTA BENE:
This blog will feature God's Word, book reviews, and other personal stuff (that includes songs, school, etc ) :')
BTW, can I ask you a simple favor? :)
Can you guys help me improve my writing? I really beg for your help! :) Thank you! I love you all! :)
I believe that life is a constant battle, but I know that I'll be able to conquer anything because my God is a GREAT GOD. Nothing is impossible with JESUS! May I dwell in the presence of His Holy Spirit all the days of my life.
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Read 1 Timothy 6” -1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV)
The Star Dwellers is heeeeeere! :"> Bonjour! :D Okayyy. I'm so excited! One of my the best dystopian series of 2012 ...
Rating System:
5 Notes:
WOOOOOW! I can't believe its over! My eyes are craving for moooore! The plot, the characters, the resolution, the lesson of the story, the controversial issues that are handled wisely, and oh, the writing! The book is extremely fantastic! It doesn't mean it's perfect, but everything in the book falls into place.
4 Notes:
I'm surprised! I reaaally loved it! It would be better though if some issues are handled with care (considering its moral implications and stuff) and if some lessons are given with impact. But overall, the book is definitely awesome!
3 Notes:
Honestly, the book is pretty good, but it didn't appeal that much to me because it broke my heart. It either has a good plot, though there's not much lesson to get OR the plot is pretty good, but the ending is devastating.
2 Notes:
The book is fine, but it didn't appeal to me because it's pretty flawed: (1) issues are not handled wisely enough; (2) lesson is not clear; (3) or the plot is not that strong.
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