Friday, January 31, 2014

Bintot Welcomes 2014

My 2014 kicks off as I celebrated it with my family in Cebu. For 5 years of spending new year away from them. This year I am so blessed to welcome 2014 with them.
My mom wanted to have a variety of food but no chicken dishes. Ever since I was a kid she never allow us to cook anything from chicken meat for new year.

 
Family group pictures, how I wish papa is still with us and we could have another group picture. Our last family picture was when I was still a totoy... ehehehe

 
My family with  extended siblings and my favorite dog Dalma.. All smiles for the camera.
 
I was tasked to lead for the thanksgiving prayer... bit nervous though.
 
I prayed for the blessing received in 2013 and to be excited for more in 2014.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas in our Hearts

This is my 5th Christmas away from home.  2008 when I came to UAE for greener pasture, I was very young then and first time to be away home. I reached home from my afternoon shift and noticed our flat was so dark and nobody was home. That time I cried and called my sister who was also working that day until 11PM. It was my saddest Christmas so far. When she reached home, we went out to have dinner. My first ever Christmas in a high-end restaurant.

The following year, I already celebrated my Christmas in one of my friends house. It was a night full of fun, singing karaoke, games and sumptuous foods. Then it became a tradition with my group of friends to celebrate Christmas together. In 2010 we even celebrated it in park.

2012 came when I joined my current company, I am working in outskirts area of Abu Dhabi. A place where there are lots of prohibition, no camera phones, internet and pork.  I am always the lucky guy because 2 years in a row, I was on shift in Christmas eve. Last year in our barracks, we contributed 20 dhs to buy pansit(noodles) and pandesal (bread) just to have a small gathering but this year nobody initiated. It was first time in my 27 years of existence that I slept early on Christmas eve. I slept around 9 PM. I woke up early on 25th thanking the LORD for the new day and a reminder for us of His coming. I read the scriptures and reflected on it. Christmas is not just about celebration with foods, parties and all but a celebration of accepting Christ in our lives. Opening our hearts and allowing Him to dwell on it.

When I wrote this, I was teary-eyed for my so many reasons. I miss the way I grew up and celebrated Christmas back home with my family. I miss going to church with them. I miss everything how we celebrated Christmas in Philippines. I was also teary-eyed because today is the day that Lord reminds us of his unfailing love and mercy. He sent His only begotten son to be with us. I then told myself Christmas should not just be celebrated every 25th of December but everyday. Everyday we should remember that God is knocking in our hearts asking us to allow Jesus to dwell. Allow Him to work in us and be like Him not just this season but everyday.

 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Sisterly Love

 
I am so blessed of having my sister Elma in my life. She's always there for me every time I needed someone badly. I would never be here if not because of her persistence. She is really God's instrument for me to enjoy and learn more of life's journey.
I have three other siblings, two sisters and a younger brother. I love them all. I am so close with my ditze Elma may be because of our age gap, I am 27 and she's 29.
 
 I was a weakling during my childhood years and she is my superhero who was always there to protect me. I could remember one time, I cried because some one took my POGS while I was playing. She punched that kid that brought her to the principal's office.
I could not forget every time she asked me to wash her clothes in exchange of a movie treat and a pint of ice cream. I miss those times huh!
I was her lookout every time she was doing something fishy, remember ditz? nyahaha
we have lots of childhood memories but she left home at the age of 16 to work, study and explore away from my parents grasp. My sister is a dreamer, she dreams not for herself but for our family.
 
Year 2006 she was given an opportunity to work here in UAE after 2 years she invited me to come. That time I was hesitant because I was in love with my ex. ehehe Good thing my sister is persistent enough to convince me or else I would miss the opportunity of coming here.
I came here totoy na totoy, age of 22 never been away with my parents. She supported me all throughout my adjustments. She provided me with good bed, the best bed in my whole life, a laptop and  a 10,000 peso suit for me to use in interviews.
My heart broke when I saw her torn pants and she was still using it for work. One sports bag for work and 3 pairs of shoes. She is very generous that she gives her all to our family.
 
I honor her for that.
 
 
She sometimes cooks for me and mostly are instant..  she's not into doing household stuffs by the way but she's learning.
 
I have so much to tell for my sister Elma. My thank you is not enough! We papa, mama, atchi and teb are so blessed to have you! Thank you for the best sisterly love in the whole world!!!
 
Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me a wonderful and a loving sister. May you give him his future half who would love and accept her. Continue to bless her Lord God as she will continue to bless others. Give her good health and best career. In Jesus name Amen.
 
Sleep over at her small bed.. good thing we fit like a fitted sheet.. nyahahaha
 

She accompanied me for my renewal of passport.


 
her 29th birthday celebration, one more year and you'll hit the mark! ST naka!!!

 
second desert safari look how big and bilog we were...

 
Singles for Christ-Singolympics we both came from different teams.

 
we were on a strict diet.... daot ta dri.

 
my 10,000 pesos suit... Thank you ditz!

 
swimming at our old flat.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Batang Malusog! Batang Laban:)


My Daily source of Vitamin D, calcium and protein. It is made from fresh cow's milk, with strawberry twist. I had my first taste of this when my sister bought me a bottle of it. I enjoyed its taste and from then on started to crave for it each day. Since then, I am taking at least one bottle in a day and my digestion and elimination went pretty well. Thanks to my sister for introducing this one to me.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Candle of Hope


We lighted our first advent candle last Sunday. The first candle of advent is purple signifies a candle of HOPE. God is ever faithful and loving that in whatever tough situations we are in, He will always there and give us hope. This is very timely for my country the Philippines. As we all know for the past few months, Philippines suffered a lot of devastation from war, earthquake to typhoon Haiyan "Yolanda". Amidst all these God uses his people as source of HOPE for Filipinos. Powerful nations, local and international celebrities find ways to help the affected Filipinos. God uses them as an instruments of his love and mercy. May we continue to see Hope especially in dark moments of our lives. May we continue to seek more of Him in times like these because HE is greater than everything. He will never give us storm that we cannot endure. He is only testing our faith in Him. As there always a rainbow after the rain, Rainbow a sign of HIS HOPE.


 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

DUST it OFF :)

Last Monday when I played tennis on the third set, my racket string got busted!
Though for the past few weeks, I already anticipated for it but I asked myself why now? Why now when I was eager to win for this third set after losing the first two.
Then I realized that in life, there are situations we can't really control. I want this and that but it will never come into fulfillment. That's life and it must go on. So the following day, I wanted to play tennis but I don't have racket to use so I decided to go for gym. I ran for 3o minutes, stationary bike for about an hour and some weights. If I opted to sit and continue to grieve over the busted tennis string then I would never sweat and burn as much as 800 calories. If we never learn to dust if off and move on then we will be staying in stagnation. Stagnation in grievances, complaints and dissatisfaction and these would hinder our growth. So whatever happens in this journey of life, learn to appreciate it. If we fall, learn to stand, dust it off and press forward.

Dust it off!
 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

BITstrips




Last prayer Assembly, we had an activity called BITSTRIPs wherein we were asked to write something on the strips of papers. We were instructed to complete these lines.

I AM SORRY…

I THANK YOU…

I HONOR YOU…

I WANTED TO KNOW YOU MORE…

I received lots of “I HONOR” and “THANK YOU” strips. I felt so blessed and loved that time. For me, I didn’t do anything for them to honor me. I was in awe because God never fails to surprise me. I never asked for it but He wanted me to feel that I am appreciated. Thank You Heavenly Father! May you continue to use me as your instrument of love to my brethren, send me and I will go to the places that You have prepared. Allow me to experience more of Your greatness.  I LOVE you Heavenly Father and I want to bring back the honor and glory to you…