Another whirlwind of adventures

I'm back after 4 months and I'm back in Manila. It's been quite crazy this past few months that I wasn't able to think about blogging. It's still quite hard to make it as a habit since it's more tedious than Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (Follow me, btw!). So yeah. I'll try (for the nth time) to go back here more while I'm still unemployed. HAHA. 

But for now, here's a quote I wrote for those who are experiencing life a little bit harder than usual, just like me. 

Life's full of problems, pain, struggles and sufferings, but that's where you'll find Christ the most. When you surrender it all to Him and find His love in the most difficult circumstances in your life, that's where you'll be at peace then faith, hope and love will be your strongest weapon.

Xo,
L. 

Almost there

So, I'm leaving in a few hours, and yet I am still awake. I guess I can't sleep anymore due to excitement, or insomnia. I really can't believe that this is happening. I'm about to start my journey of finding myself in a city full of diversity, creativity and so much more. It's really going to happen! Yikes!

But before that, this past week has been quite stressful. Well, I am unemployed, yes, but I have so many things going on in our YFL community since last weekend was our Youth Conference. I was part of the team for our Praise & Fashion (P&F), a fashion show that showcases our convictions through our YFL shirts that are glam-ed up differently. It was quite a task since our conference's theme was circus, and the outfits has to be in-line with it. And together with my friends, Melea & Joanne, we managed to pull it off in just 3 days! Having so little time and not even a polished practice, it went really well! It was the very first time that I was able to push it to the limit for P&F since this year, it requires props for the theme which was really hard to do! I even broke down a couple of times because of the stress and lack of sleep. Thus, all the more that I am very thankful that it looked really amazing when we showcased it last Friday. It all went according to His plan. With unending problems with our props, models, music, costumes, make up, blocking, etc., this is one of those moments where my heart no longer cares and just let God be in control. And I am very thankful that it really made me realize that we just need to have faith in Him when we can no longer handle whatever it is that is difficult in our lives. That we should give the best we can and then leave it to Him to do the rest. And true enough, we witnessed a victory unfolded right before us when we thought that we already lost. He saves us and makes everything better again.

During our conference, I was re-affirmed of His message to me when I attended the World Singles Congress for SFL last March. It was to find myself and find Him in this journey that I am about to go through. That it was Him who made this trip possible, who made my dreams come true and will continue to let greater things happen in my life, as long as I have faith, I know that anything is possible.

Here's a photo of the models and the outfits we designed/styled. :)

Left to Right: Salve Fabie (Ballerina), Peter Rinoza (Aladdin), Monica Desengano (Harlequin), Joseph Quimpo (Pinocchio), Gab Toledo and Janessa San Juan (Toy Soldiers), Patrick Pasagui (Cannonball), Paolo Magtibay (Ringmaster), Tin Resurreccion (Stilt Woman), Madel Punzalan (Lion Tamer), and Faith Lebantino (Flyer)

You'll see me in some place different on my next post! :)

Xo,

L.

Merry Christmas!

It's really the most wonderful time of the year. Aside from all the presents, the food and the festivities for the occassion, let us not forget the real reason of this season - the birth of Jesus Christ.

Before the clock struck twelve, me and my family attended the Christmas Eve mass or the Misa de Gallo. And the homily of the priest was quite enlightening. You know the story of how Jesus was born. I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times or else you wouldn't be celebrating today. But what the priest explained in his homily was something I've never heard before nor realized until last night.

He explained that Jesus being born in a manger is not just any coincidence. Aside from it (the situation) being related to the humility of our King, the priest explained that what it meant for Jesus to be born in a manger. As a manger is a part of a barn where the horses and the cattle eat, when Mary gave birth, the manger now symbolizes that Jesus was the food for our soul, our spirituality. Just as the animals go and eat the food in the manger when they are hungry, we, too, shall come to Jesus when we thirst for love. It should come naturally that we go to Him in times of need, when we do not have enough strength to overcome any difficult situations, when we feel isolated and alone, when we don't believe we are good enough, in times of despair and suffering, it is always been our nature to come back to Him to give us all that we need - His love. And through Him we can do anything.

Amazing just how one night could really make us forget every problems we have and just feel His spirit and presence on the night His child was born. Let us celebrate this occasion thanking our mighty Creator for bringing us His beloved son, Jesus, through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and giving us his salvation. Without them, we wouldn't be celebrating anything today.

Have a very merry Christmas! Happy birthday, Jesus!

Xo,
L.