A Time of Rest

Two weeks ago, my friend Rhodes and I decided to get away from the busyness of the city and go to a prayer mountain. Thanks to Rhodes who came up with the plan because I've never been to any prayer mountain. 


We went to Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain in Antipolo City, just through public transportation. When we were close to the place, there was a strong downpour of rain. Instead of getting disappointed because of the weather, Rhodes and I were just laughing inside the jeepney until we got off walking to Touch of Glory. It was like, "What are these two looking-lost women, on a heavy downpour doing in Antipolo?" :D Well, nothing can rain in our parade, not even rain! 


When Rhodes was asked by the guard what was the name who made the reservation, the guard could not find her name. Haha! You know why? See below. That's why. Haha!  Ciudad became Solidad. Haha! :D

The place has dormitory rooms, separate for girls and boys. They also have air-conditioned rooms which are good for maybe 2 to 3 people. But we preferred the dormitory since it's cheaper and we will just stay for one night. What I like in the place is the prayer cells. It's the perfect place to have a quiet time, prayer and devotion. Sleeping is not allowed. :D Rhodes and I did our night time devotion in our own prayer cells.

They have a canteen with home-cooked meals that you can buy. So, food is not a problem. The next day was sunny and so we were able to have our morning devotion at the prayer garden. And did some pictorials too! Hehe!

The best part of our stay there was the quality time that we spent with God in a very special way. Away from thoughts of work, from internet, from texts and calls. No distraction. My spirit was very much refreshed. The next best thing was to be able to have a heart to heart talk also with Rhodes. After our night time devotion, we both stayed up talking about everything in our lives. Family, ministry, work, matters of the heart, etc. Such a blessed time, indeed.


I'm looking forward for more get away time from the city. It's important that we take some time to just drop everything and have real REST, to be renewed and refreshed with God and His Word. 

"There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens." 

 Ecclesiastes 3:1

Thanks Rhodes for bringing me to the place.

28: My Bucket List

Last week, I watched this Korean drama entitled, "Scent of a Woman". The female main character was diagnosed with a cancer and she only had a few months to live. Before she knew about it, she lived her life allowing people to mistreat and belittle her. Only then after she found out that she got some courage to stand up for herself and do the things that she wanted to do. Realizing that she only had a few months to live, she chose to live her life differently and to the fullest. That's when she came up with her own bucket list.


If you've watched the movie, "The Bucket List" (starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman), you would know what a bucket list is. :)


After I finished the whole drama, I was thinking, a bucket list shouldn't just be for people who are on the verge of death. I mean, reality is, we all are going there. It's just really choosing to start living your life to the fullest each day, in the right way. :)


And so, I got inspired to start my own bucket list. Some of the things I wrote, it's been in my mind for a long time. I just need to write them down. Others, things that I just thought of recently that I would like to do.  And some, just today! :)


Here are some items from my bucket list...

someday, i want to write a book telling great stories of real people

it's time i take the risk for my hair! :p

I've made 29 cards for 29 people....71 more to go... :)

I just wrote this tonight after I read the blog of jansenism

http://jansenism.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/eating-bipolar/

The last scene of the last episode of the drama, she said that she wouldn't have lived her life to the fullest if she didn't know about her condition. Then, we should start now, right? When we still have all the time in the world. And as for me, living to the fullest should always be partnered with wisdom.

 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus)have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

28: Being Intentional

I realize that as I grow older, I need to be more intentional in reaching out to people. Especially now that people seem to move a lot, you really can't tell when you can spend time with them again. If not, they are busy with their own life - family, career, etc. 

And, one way of being intentional is to plan ahead. Whether you want to meet the person or want to do something for the person, the only way to make it happen is to plan it early.  It's time to take out your dusty planner. I have a friend who would always plan our get together (even if it is just a dinner) a month earlier. And it is really effective because with time being a luxury now, we can block off all other events. If you friend has responsibilities at home and couldn't go out, then why don't you go to your friend's place instead? And maybe you can offer help in whatever needs to be done. Even when I do video calls with my friends who are away, we would always set a date on when we will do it and not just on when we can.  Even sending a message through email or even through Facebook just to catch up, that is something. 

We can all get caught up with the day to day things that we need to do. Yes, we meet people everyday and interact with them. But to be intentional, that's the only way to have real, deep relationships.

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To end this, I have some give-away from my friends on what friendship has taught them.

• Friendship is accepting the good, the bad and the ugly. Having said this, friends also help make the good even better, the bad into good and the ugly into beautiful. 
• Real friends know when you need their opinion and when you just need them to listen.
• Friends give you the truth when you need to hear it.
• Friends inspire you to be the best that you can be.
• Friends support you in your hopes and dreams
• Friendship is not relative to time and proximity.
• Trust can be awarded to the wrong people.
• Be careful with the help you give and receive.
• Those who walk in faith won't guide you blindly.
• Sincerity and consistency in kindness and action.
• Quarrelling is futile. Both are trying to prove they're right-- both are trying to conform to their own standards.  It's a sure fire causative agent of a heartbreak. But through quarrels/ misunderstanding, if nurtured the proper way, and if the rebuking is accepted, you become stronger and better, both as persons and as friends.
• unconditional love
• going the extra mile
• to trust is a choice with risks
• good intentions may be misunderstood
• lasting friendships are marked with common faith

Feel free to add to the list above on what you have learned from your own set of friends. :)

Broken Nail

I never thought I would learn a valuable lesson from my broken toe nail. 

One of my big toe nails was cut into half. Yes, nicely cut into half. :) Because of it, I couldn't wear sandals when I go out because it looks weird. The only way is to cover it with a nail polish. And while  I was putting a nail polish, realizations were made... hehe...

I compared our heart to my broken nail. Just like it, even if I cover it with a polish, underneath it, it hasn't changed. It is still broken. It will look nice again when it will start growing back  to a new one. I realize our heart is also like that. Sometimes, we tend to hide or cover up all negative emotions in our hearts, thinking that it will be fixed eventually. 


Truth is, until we allow God to give us a new heart, we can only keep pretending.

Anyway, my nails are still covered with polish, for the meantime. :) Hopefully, it will grow to a new one soon. :)

Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart..."

spot my broken toe nail :D