Tag Archives: journey at 28

Diary of a Princess

28: last few hours

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I really don’t have anything in mind to write about. It’s just that I want to write something before I turn 29 tomorrow. Just to put a closure to my series of 28 blogs, though, I haven’t really written much. Or should I say, I’ve really been busy being 28? šŸ˜€

I was excited when I turned 28 last year. I just wanted to embrace it. But truth is, it’s not really about age. It’s just a number. It’s just a marker, I believe. Like, when I was 28, I experienced parasailing. Or, it was when I was 28 that I joined this ministry. It’s just easier to remember when numbers are involved. šŸ˜€

So, what’s up with being 29? 29 people and older – you tell me. šŸ˜€

This is my last year being in the 20’s. I used to wonder when I was much younger if I would ever reach the age of 30. I don’t mind counting my age. It’s a milestone for me as a year is added to my life. It’s a blessing from the Lord. It’s actually a miracle to be able to get through another year and still intact with my faith. It’s all God’s doing. šŸ˜€

I don’t have definite plans for my birthday. As much as I wish my family is here, I’m still grateful for what God has set for me on my day.

As I desire to grow more in faith this 2013, hope that you pray for me as I take steps of faith each day to really know what God has willed for me this year.

All glory and praises and thanks to God for 29 years and more. šŸ˜€

Cheers! God bless you!
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Insights

28: Embracing Life

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What’s your definition of “Embracing Life”?

My mommy best friend, Marither and her husband, Emile started an Embrace Life journey just recently inviting their friends and families to take part of the journey. To know more about how it all started, check out my friend’s story –Ā Embrace Life.

So going back to my question, how do you define “Embracing Life”? Your answer to that will tell on how you’ve been living your life each day. Have you been living your life to the fullest? Or, are you still living in the past, full of regrets? Is there any bitterness in your life? Is there fear, hatred, envy? How about optimism? Choosing to be happy?

I like what my friend, Marither, said in her blog, and I quote, ”Ā Something that we would do if today was our last day on earth. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top and scary. It just needs to ‘Embrace Life’. It needs to empower you, challenge you, make you overcome fears or hesitations.”

To add to that, for me, embracing life means doing things that matter and have lasting effects.

If you’re a parent – bring up your child the way God expects you to.
If you’re a spouse – love your husband/wife the way Jesus loves the church.
If you’re a child – honor your parents just as God commanded.
If you’re an employee – submit to authority, meaning your employer.
If you’re an employer – treat your employees fairly.

True enough, you don’t need to do bungee jumping or sky diving or any extreme activities to embrace life. To be able to do the most important things – Love, Give & Forgive, I believe that is embracing life. So, make each day count because we never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow.

” You have made my daysĀ a mere hand breadth;Ā the span of my years is as nothing before you.Ā Each manā€™s life is but a breath.” Psalm 39:5

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This is my super lovable and adorable goddaughter, Alexa. At a very young age, she may not know the concept of embracing life, but she is living it. šŸ™‚

Diary of a Princess, Insights

28: A Little Push

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Just this September, I was blessed with 2 weeks of vacation. A vacation that my friend, Anni and I had been planning even before I left Vancouver. Anni was visiting Philippines for the first time and we made sure she maximizes her whole stay. Well, I really hope she did. (Looks like… šŸ˜€ )

Just to back track a little bit, January of this year, I got challenged by Anni to do snowboarding. You can read my story – Overcoming Fear. I never wanted to do it because I felt like I might just injure myself and I simply can’t do it. But she somehow believed I might be able to do it. So, I took the challenge. Well, no regrets, so far.

Now, back to our September trip. We really had so much fun in the different places that we’ve been to. But as for me, my favorite would really be in Boracay. Anni wanted to try all the water sports, doesn’t matter how extreme it could be. She loves some challenge. I, myself, was never a risk taker. I like activities within my control. But when you’re with someone who is so excited in doing challenging things, it could get contagious. Well, except for one that she couldn’t really make me do – helmet diving. Big NO because I’m a bit claustrophobic.

It’s good to have someone who could give you that little kick and push to make you go out of your comfort zone, especially when you travel. šŸ™‚ It’s not like someone is forcing you to do something you don’t want to do. It’s having someone believing in you that you can do it. Or else, you would miss all the fun. šŸ™‚

Just like our Heavenly Father, He sometimes gives us a little push on our faith so that we take that step out of our comfort zone. It is only when we take that step that we will see what God was preparing for us. If you feel like no one believes in who you can be and what you can accomplish, trust that God does.

Ā ā€œBe strong. Take courage. Donā€™t be intimidated. Donā€™t give them a second thought becauseĀ God, your God, is striding ahead of you. Heā€™s right there with you. He wonā€™t let you down; he wonā€™t leave you.ā€ – Deut 31:6

No matter what kind of travel you are in right now, important is you try to conquer whatever it is that is hindering you to your destination. And if you know someone who needs to hear the words, “I believe in you.”, be sensitive and sincere. The power of encouragement can really make a difference.Ā And I’m always grateful to God for the people around me who continue to encourage and believe in me. Ā šŸ™‚

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Here’s a glimpse of some of our Boracay adventures. I was really scared to do theĀ para sailingĀ but when we were at the top, I don’t want to go down anymore. I really enjoyed it. šŸ™‚

Diary of a Princess, Insights

28: Be True to Your Self

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One thing I’ve realized for the past couple of years, honesty to one’s self is just as important Ā with being true to other people. I’ve learned this the hard way and well, still in that process.

Right now, I’m in that phase where I’m trying to accept certain truths in my life. Some, I don’t understand. Some, a bit painful. Some, gives me peace. Only God helps me accept all of these, knowing that even if some don’t make sense to me. Ā They do to Him.

Accepting who you are, what you are designed for, with whom you are meant for – these are not easy truths. What you feel & think – facing them means hurting you sometimes.

But God always allow things for our best. This comforts me. Knowing He will sustain me, strengthen me, be with me all through out. I can face anything, as long as I’m with Jesus.

Truth about my self? Each day, I need my Savior to lift me up so that I can go on with my life.

To Jesus be the glory!

 

Diary of a Princess

28: Celebrating 60

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Last Friday, July 13, I went home to Bacolod to celebrate my father’s 60th birthday. I am blessed because I was able to come home and be with my family to celebrate this very special event. My dad didn’t want to have a big preparation. But, then we believe that he deserves a celebration. We were planning to go to Cebu and spend the whole weekend there. July 15 is his birthday. However, the weather wasn’t really nice for the past days, so we decided to just do it somewhere closer.

With family and friends, we had the major celebration at Mambukal Resort. The cake was a hit, not much of the taste but of how it looked. My father always wanted to have a swimming party than a formal, function room party (which what we wanted…hehe). So, swimming it was. With most of the food, grilled (which I really missed!).

That was the 14th. On his birthday, we had a lunch with family and some few friends at L’Sea. It was a private lunch, having a room of our own. The food wasn’t as much and as good compared to what we prepared the day before, but, it was just good to be served and not clean the dishes after. Haha!

I must say it was a great birthday weekend! My dad was very grateful and obviously, happy on his 60th. šŸ™‚

This is one of the highlights of my journey being 28. To be able to celebrate a signifcant year of my father.

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Diary of a Princess

28: Conviction

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Have your convictions remained the same over the years, despite of the many things that had happened in your life – good and bad? I believe mine changed. Perhaps, some of them. One perfect example is drinking (alcoholic drinks).

When I entered college, it was when I started drinking socially. I got drunk a few times too – not a pretty site to see. I really didn’t see anything wrong about it. Until God changed my heart about it when I started walking seriously with Him. He convicted me about it and without any hesitation, I decided to stop. He made me realize that I didn’t get anything good from it.Ā 

Either you believe in the Bible, being the final authority in your life or if you don’t believe, need not to worry. Ā You can’t find any verse in the Bible that says drinking is a sin. But getting drunk, of course, just Google verses about it, and you will see there are a lot.Ā 

But it doesn’t mean that because drinking is not a sin, we just freely do it. We always have to consider the people around us. If you have a friend whom you know is struggling with alcoholism and still you continue to drink, or if you have a friend who gave up drinking and you still force that person to drink, then that’s a different story.

Romans 14: 13- 18

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.


We all believe in different things. We stand up for something because of different reasons. Ā It’s truly difficult not to judge others if we measure it against our beliefs. I, myself, is sometimes guilty of it. But I’m just grateful that God didn’t give us the task to be the judge of this world (well, we can never be qualified with our imperfection). As Romans 14:12 says, ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Ā Not ourselves to others.Ā 

I pray that with what I believe in, I will not cause anyone to stumble. Not to judge, but to accept and love just like what Jesus did for me who is imperfect and a sinner.

To God be the glory! šŸ™‚
Diary of a Princess, Insights

28: love & wait

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I’m 28. On Monday, I’m turning 28. Some may think, at that age, I should be getting married, or if not, at least be in a relationship and settle down before I get 30.


I’m 28. Even before I turned 25 or 26 or 27, I’ve been complete as a person. Since I learned to practice the word, “surrender”, I became complete. In Christ, I am complete.


I’m 28. I am single. Yes, I’ve never been in a romantic relationship. As they say, “No Boyfriend since Birth”. But, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be in a relationship.


I’m 28. I’m a believer of waiting for God’s best. Yes, I failed at one point. I’ve had my own share of being heartbroken. Not all may know. But, it didn’t make me stop believing in love. It made me better.


I’m 28. As I continue looking up to the Author of love, I will never be tired of waiting. I will always enjoy romantic movies. No bitterness. Just waiting.


I’m 28. And if I’ll meet him when I’m still 28 or when I’m 29 or 30 or whenever, my first LOVE will always be my first. And I hope it will be the same for him too.


I’m 28. A woman captivated by the heart of God. Beautifully waiting.