I've Been MIA for 4 months?? WHOA! So sorry! It Feels so good to be back! :)

I MISS YOU! 

Yup! If you're reading this post, I'm definitely hugging you right now! Oh boy, how long have I been gone? 4 months?!! Seriously?? Oops, so sorry everyone! I know, I know. I missed your lovely posts. I missed commenting on your recently read books. I missed sharing my 365DOTs. :( And... I missed you all. I AM TRULY SORRY for leaving you just like that. :( 

If I can just recap the past four months to you....which I think I'll be doing in the next couple of days! *squeal* By the way, I NEED YOUR HELP! SOS!!! As you're all aware, I have a lot of catching up to do! That includes catching up on your stories, testimonies, new books, new covers, new reviews, new news! If you can just help me catch up on some of the latest, talk-of-the-town books, I'd really appreciate that! :) Weee. It's good to be back! :) 

Thank you so much y'all! Thank you for the prayers! Thank you for the love! :)

You're all in my prayers! Take care everyone! Don't forget that Jesus loves you! :) 

God bless everyone!

#365DOT Day 11: Dinner w/ the 'rents

Disclaimer: 

#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!

(Sometimes, the heart speaks louder than words and actions. 

So for tonight, I just want to say....)

THANK YOU LORD JESUS. ♥  

laurice-with-love ♥

#365DOT Day 8: Coffee, Stickers, and Stories in between

Disclaimer: 

#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!

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis

I couldn't have said it any better. Thanks C.S. Lewis! Tonight was special because in one sitting God gave me three things to be thankful for. First, I thank God because I finally completed the stickers for my 2013 Starbucks Planner! Eeeeeek! >.< How sweet is that! (^_^) I haven't decided which color to get, though. White or Black? Black or White? Hmmmm? O:)

Second, I thank God because for the first time this year I get to bond with two of my favorite people! ♥ Hooray for Tuesday! Say "HI" to my mentor/leader/friend/brother-in-faith/teacher/father(mehehe, kidding) and to my best buddy/friend/brother-in-faith! :D

Third, I thank God for the meaningful four hours that we spent talking and encouraging one another. I thank God for people like them who aren't afraid to give a part of themselves to help others grow. Sometimes I wonder why I don't have that much friends, but now I do realize why. It's because God has given a handful of true friends. ♥ Thank you, Jesus! 

The next time you see a friend, thank him or her! Thank God for his/her/their lives! :) Ooops. Hold it. Don't even pity yourself for not having many or any friend. Don't you see Him? Look beside you, above you, in front of you, around you...Jesus Christ--the BEST friend anyone could ever have--is practically everywhere! He's simply waiting for your call. :)

And oooh! I'm also here. Just call my name, I'll be there. You've got a friend! ;) Haha!

To all my friends (Yes, YOU)... THANK YOU! 

God bless us all! :)

laurice-with-love ♥

#365DOT Day 4: Icon Pop Quiz with friends

Disclaimer: 

#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. :'] Wheeee! A blessed 2013 to everyone!

First of all, I THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY! Wheee. It's the last school day of the week! Despite the fact that I've been back to school for only two days and already loaded with readings and paperworks, I still praise God because He led me through the week! :) 

I'm also thankful for Icon Pop Quiz because I honestly enjoyed playing it with my friends! Can you believe that? College students actually know how to have some fun! :D Here's the story. Everyone in my class was busy preparing for the consultation session with our professor. But once some of the groups were done, my friend brought out his iPad. He started playing something and then everybody's huddled around the iPad. Bahaha. That's them at the photo above. :) I was curious so I watched them. It turns out they're playing the cooooolest game of the day! Talk about stress reliever. :D The game's about guessing the icon on the screen.  The categories are Famous People, Place, Cartoon Characters, Movies, and Holiday Seasons. In the case of the photo above, it's Scooby-Doo! :D It's fun, isn't it?

I thank God for this experience! :)

Here's the link of Icon Pop Quiz App in case you want to download it. :]

Have fun this weekend! :)

God bless you always! :']

laurice-with-love ♥

#365DOT Day 3: Back to School

Disclaimer: 

#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. :'] Wheeee! A blessed 2013 to everyone!

Ha! I can see those wheels turning in your heads! (^_^) I know. I know. You're all wondering what's got into me to thank God for school. Yes, school can indeed be infuriating, but now that students are back from the Christmas break I thank God for my school. I'll thank Him everyday for it. Not everyone is given a chance to study in a prestigious university for free. All for the glory of God, I'm one of those given that rare opportunity. It's true that every day in school is a battle of survival. I get tired, over-fatigued, stressed-out, what-have-you. But at the end of the day, I grow. I thank God for giving me this chance to stretch myself and hone my skills, all for His Glory!

How about you? What are you thankful for today's class? Your teachers? Friends? Lessons? I'm sure there's something you're thankful for. Pause a second and thank God. :)

God bless you always! :']

laurice-with-love ♥

#365DOT Day 1: Cousins

Disclaimer: 

#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. :'] Wheeee! A blessed 2013 to everyone!

This photo was taken at the wake of my uncle Mike. Though it was a somber event for all of us, I still thank God because of the opportunity He has given me to bond with my cousins. I love my cousins! They're the best! We used to stay up all night playing truth or dare, UNO, and other things when we were kids. Now that we're grown-ups, I thank God because He continues to strengthen and deepen my relationship with them. :]

Wheee. 1 day down; 364 days to go! God bless you! :')

laurice-with-love ♥

NEW Blog Name + Blog Design!!!

*squeaaaaal*

Wheeee! I'm so happy to introduce you to my newly designed and edited blog! ^__________^

As you might have noticed, I've changed my blog name thrice! Yup. This is the third time, but I think I'll stick with this. :D I love the name so much!!! It sounds like music to my ears. <3 More than that there's a deeper meaning behind the name, which I'll be sharing with you SOON! :']

Another MAJOR change is the blog design. I've been desperate for months to have a customized blog design with my avatar on the headline. However, things haven't gone the way I planned it because I have no idea on how to digitally illustrate a really cute Madeline-looking avatar. Thank God He led me to this awesome template that I'm pretty much satisfied with! :D

Without further ado, I present my blog from....

SINGING THE MELODY OF MY LIFE

to

I TELL STORIES

to (finally)

Dainty Damsel Stories

I hope you like it! :) Enjoy browsing through my blog! :'] God bless us all! :]

P.S.

By the way, I have a question. Do you think I should change my URL to daintydamselstories.blogspot.com

or will it confuse my former followers? :] Thanks for your thoughts! :D Godbless!

laurice-with-love <3

Answered Prayer: Trip to Thailand! :)

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.

 ------------------------

 

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 I surrender. 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 was my 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. 

------------------------

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.

laurice-with-love <3

 

Joy in the midst of Sickness

Hi! Sorry for being idle for the past few days. I spent my sembreak at St. Lukes Hospital from October 23-27. I was shopping for make-ups and make-up brushes (uhmm. yeah. I just realized that I need to have this stuff) last Tuesday with my mother when my brother-in-law called. He told me that my sister was rushed to the hospital a couple of hours earlier and will undergo an operation the day after! The doctor said that the intense pain that my sister felt was due to appendicitis. I didn't wait for the next day to visit. I immediately packed up my luggage bag and went to the hospital. There I spent my nights and days looking after my sister.

This is St. Lukes Hospital

See the couch? That's where I slept for 4 nights. :) It's okay though. :D

Praise God she had a successful operation! I also thank God because she was discharged last Saturday. I wasn't able to go home afterwards because I spent three more days in my sister's house. :) Although I didn't get to hang-out with my friends, to rest, or to go out last week, I feel more than blessed! :) There's no greater joy than to spend a whole week with my sister. It was just me and my sister...and of course, movies and books! :D 

Truly, Jesus Christ is our Healer! I saw my sister cry out of pain each night, but there is Power in the Name of JESUS. Just call unto the Name that is above any other name and you will witness great miracles! I called unto JESUS because I know that He can heal my sister. I thank and praise God because my sister's operation was successful and she had a quick recovery. She can now walk and stand! It was really quick! Praise be to God! All Glory to Jesus Christ! :D

                        

If anyone of you or your loved ones is sick, just call unto Jesus. He is our healer. Nothing is impossible with our Lord Jesus! Please watch the video. It's a song entited HEALER by Kari Jobe. :) I pray that you'll encounter Jesus as you watch the video. I speak healing to everyone who is reading this post and to all your sick loved ones, in Jesus' Name! :) (please believe in the power of Jesus and say, AMEN).

'Til next time! :) God bless you more and more! :) 

laurice with love <3