The Promises of 2012

everything about this year was too fast, too full. memories of good and not-so-good times filled the year. moments of joy and pain, challenges and victories, breakthroughs and setbacks brought so much color into this year. i experienced tears from pain i never had before, but at the same time new found happiness that kept me alive. i am most grateful this year for God's peace, for with whatever i went through, i felt secure. i felt His comforting hand touching my heart and giving me hope and strength.

and in all of those times, i held on and moved on with life because of the words that kept me going. the power of daily Bible reading and prayer is indeed strong; it really made me stand during down times and made my heart humble on those times i was on a high.

as this year ends, i decided to share on this blog the words that encouraged me this year. as some would reminisce of the best memories, i thought of looking back into how God has been faithful to me through His word. if there was one thing that remained consistent the year in my life, it was His promises. i've had gained much this year, but i lost a few too. this year allowed me to grow and be strengthened in Him.

i started off this year (and blog, hehe) claiming that this would be a year of fulfilling God's promises. and true enough, His words became alive in my life. :)

Psalm 30:5
"For his anger lasts inly a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Habbakkuk 3:19
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like a feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

Luke 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Mark 10:27
"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Psalm 9:10
"..for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Job 5:18
"For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."

Romans 8:38 (NLT)
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."

James 1:3
"..because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

2 Corinthians 4:16-17
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Nehemiah 8:10
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Psalm 18:30
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."

Hebrews 11:40
"God had planned something better for us so that only together with us they would be made perfect."

to end this year and on to starting the new one, this is the word i have received:

"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." - Isaiah 41:10

this 2012 has been a year of strengthening, preparations for greater things ahead. this coming year, looking forward to conquering fears and developing courage. facing 2013 with nothing but faith and more promises of a better future.

grateful how 2012 made me strong.

and to a braver year ahead - CHEERS 2013!

"God has brought you too far to leave you where you are. He has something great in your future!"
- Joel Osteen

'tis the season to be jolly

WHY HELLOOOOO!

i know, i know.. i haven't been updating this blog for quite sometime. too much has happened, yes. i still can't figure where and how to start blogging about what has happened since, well, the last time i blogged.

for now, i'm just praying really hard about what to look forward to for the coming year. this year has been one good roller coaster ride, too many ups, and of course, downsides as well. but with what i've had recently, i'm getting disheartened and losing hope of what to "want" for. if there's anything i could ask for, it would be that i wish i can know everything. but, i am no God right? too far from being one.

with all of these thoughts and wishes, i just pray for more strength. grateful to have people around me who have "been there, done that", whom i can seek for encouragement and hope. one thing i've learned this year that has been consistent - God has something better in store. with this promise, i feel His peace.

so anyway highway, i've finally felt excited for the Christmas season. i know, it's just a few days away - i'm such a late bloomer, hahaha. the cold night breeze has arrived, after having summer-y heat for the early December days. and the only Christmas party celebration i always look forward to - the ballet company party - will be tonight! and with the gifts i've already prepared, i'm excited to give them. (though i still need to get a lot more for last minute shopping, aaaahh!) indeed, i'm beginning to have myself in the season's jolly mode. :)

and to you as well, begin to look into the jolliness of this season! with whatever you're going through, there's always something better to hold on to and believe in. :)
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON TO YOOOOOOU <3

Acts Manila in Kwerdas at Sayaw: Ang Unang Yugto

ACTS MANILA'S MOST AWAITED PRODUCTION - 

KWERDAS AT SAYAW: ANG UNANG YUGTO!

Finally our most awaited production is going onstage this December 1 & 2, 2012 at the Insular Life Theater in Alabang! Catch the Acts Manila company members and aspirants as they bring to life the message of transformation, with special participation by the scholars of Acts School for the Performing Arts. This show is for the benefit of the Philemon Academy Foundation, Inc.

Kwerdas at Sayaw: Ang Unang Yugto

December 1 & 2, 2012 at 6pm

Insular Life Theater, Insular Life Building, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Ticket prices: P750, P500, P250

For tickets call: 0922 - 890 - 5255 or visit us at Acts School for the Performing Arts, 2nd Flr., Molito Bldg., Madrigal Ave. cor. Alabang-Zapote Rd., Muntinlupa City

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW. :)

Cornetto's Black & White

and the first ever commercial that i got to be part of..

of course it had to be ballet! enjoyed doing this because of its fun and unique concept. it has always been hiphop x ballet fusion because of how opposite these two are - indeed a black & white sort of thing. enjoy watching this new commercial, while trying out Cornetto's Black & White! yummy one, ya'know. ;)

thankful for this awesome experience.
making His name known in every opportunity available, through Acts Manila. <3

the Phantom inside my mind

AAAAAAND FINALLY, IT'S OFF MY BUCKET LIST!

as previously blogged over here, anticipation of September 5 has finally come to an end. and i was soooooo excited (actually an understatement!) since the moment i woke up until i sat down on my theatre seat. the day i'll see the Phantom, the day of a dream fulfilled!

DISCLAIMER: spoilers ahead. i will really write DETAILED experiences over here, so if you'd see the Phantom, do not read this first, mehehe. this might kill your amazement. come back to this after you've seen it, and let us relive those memories altogether!

a date with the Phantom enjoyed with these best girlies - Angela, Alyssa, and Shek + Cale! ♥

almost off my bucket list

it was a stressful morning. since last night, i've been praying to God to give us 4 balcony 1 seats for tomorrow's (wednesday) show. when i finally called TicketWorld this morning, lo and behold.. tickets are sold out. but before the bad news sunk into me, i've heard the BEST NEWS - the student discount has been extended until the last day of the show! NOW PREACH ABOUT HOW GREAT GOD WORKS!

because tickets for The Phantom of the Opera runs out fast, decided to get my ticket this afternoon so i can finally feel SECURED of seeing it. and what's more, i got allowed to reserve the two seats beside me for my two other friends, Angela and Alyssa! we don't have to worry anymore whether we'll still be sitting together or not. all stress down, all set for wednesday next week!

though i felt like my excitement got "bitin", i'm still SO GRATEFUL that i'd be watching this. i was srsly hoping and praying for this since i saw its first ad out. i promised myself i would not miss THIS one. and yes, it's part of God's plan for me to see this. :)

secured my ticket for the show, i just have to go and see it finally so it's off my bucket list!
(taken from my instagram)

i'm too excited, i can't wait any longerrrr.... THE PHAAAAAAAANTOM OF THE OPERA IS HEEEEEEERE!

the bookworm in me

i've always been a fan of reading, ever since i was a kid. because we had this bookshelf filled with illustrated storybooks (mostly of Bible stories), i fell in love with reading and getting lost in the wonders of the stories. in school, it was never a chore for me to do readings (note: novels and story-related readings, not geeky-slash-nerdy science stuff or whatever, but i can barely survive). way back in high school, i can finish a book in one sitting - that's how into it i get when it comes to reading.

i read more for relaxing and stress-relieving, rather than for learning. i mostly like feel good books and inspirational ones. i read mostly fiction, but not much of those mystery-thriller types. i prefer those with happy endings (haha, so fairytale-ish), but i also prefer reading ones that would make me think and emotional.

anyway, since i got my iPhone early this year, i got so excited with the iBooks app. finally i can carry around a "library" with me anywhere, without any bulk, and i can read anytime! since then, i've filled it with books that i've been wanting to read for so long, and new ones that i feel are expensive for me to buy! grateful for all these free epub books downloading site, i've been saving a lot of money (HAHA) and it fills up my "library"! now i have so much to read, i wish i can have MORE time!

currently on my 11th book til i complete my reading challenge for this year. i made my reading challenge more "workable" this year, 12 books assuming 1 book per month, because last year i set my goal to 20 and didn't get to reach even half! (i was soooo busy then too, and not so much money to buy books! haha, being defensive!) i feel proud of myself for being able to go through with the challenge and being (according to Goodreads) 3 books ahead of schedule! and, i still have waaaaaay more books in store in my library that i HOPE i can read all of them by this year. :>

current books on my itunes library! book count: 20 books.
done with 7 of them, currently reading one. 

before i started reading from my "library", i was able to buy 3 books for the first 3 months of the year. i blogged the first one over here, which sadly, i wasn't able to continue doing with the rest. :( i'll just give a brief run down of the ones i loved, and some others:

top 3 favorites:
• John Green's The Fault in Our Stars
oh how i love Augustus Waters! :")
• Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower
read it because the movie's coming out soon, but i fell in love with it more than i thought!
• Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall
how she writes those thrills.. i cannot explain. once you start it, you won't be able to bring it down.

books i'm excited to read:
• Why We Broke Up (Daniel Handler)
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson (mainly because John Green and David Levithan are the authors, haha)
• Delirium Trilogy (Lauren Oliver)

anyway, i record what i've been reading and planning to read on my Goodreads profile. you're welcome to add me there as a friend! though i still haven't explored that so much, i promise to update it soon (and more often, hihi). nerd much, i know.

PS. any other recommended readings? i have no plans to read the Fifty Shades trilogy, not a fan of those kinds of books.

Ballet Magnificat! in Manila

last May, America's premier Christian ballet company - Ballet Magnificat! visited Manila as part of their Asian tour. we got the privilege to watch them perform live at the Faith Academy. seeing them was more of an experience for the heart, and not just the pleasure to watch a really good ballet show. while they were dancing, you can really feel their hearts worshipping God and moving the audience. i'm glad to have seen them here in Manila, but i'm looking forward to watching more of their performances in the future. :)

Ballet Magnificat!'s show at Faith Academy last May 5

photo credits to Ms. Tes Tirol :)

the Acts Manila family with Ballet Magnificat!

at Acts Manila, we were privileged to have a whole day workshop (May 8) in classical technique and creative worship with 3 guest teachers from Ballet Magnificat!. they handled 3 classes in different levels - kids, intermediate, and advanced / company class. the visiting teachers were Rebecca Grove, Christina Hudson, and Esther Choi, who are all members of the Alpha company.

Ballet Magnificat! guest teachers Esther, Christina, and Rebecca
(with Shek, me, and Bea!)

kids' class with teacher - Rebecca Grove

intermediate ballet with teacher - Esther Choi

same as their show, the workshop was refreshing. most especially the creative worship class, it opened our hearts to freely express passion through movements. seeing them do it right in front of us is like speaking directly to our spirits to just let go and worship God. more than being technically good, what moves audiences is their heart to lead others to Christ through their dancing. they srsly have everything - the body, high extensions, turns, performing quality, and most importantly, passion for both dance and God.

Christina Hudson sharing the Word during the creative worship session

Esther Choi during their demonstration of creative worship dancing

Rebecca Grove

Christina leading the dancers by giving movements for creative worship

i'm praying that someday, i'd get to visit and take classes with Ballet Magnificat! in Mississippi. but if i won't be able to, at least i got to experience having them here already. i just wish they stayed for a whole week (or so) though, so we got to experience more of them! after seeing them, i had really high hopes that Acts Manila would someday be like Ballet Magnificat! ❤

the kids' class

intermediate ballet

Acts Manila company - photo from Jem Rodriguez
(we performed for them, hence the costume, heehee)

with the Acts Manila teachers

PS. i want to see Esther Choi again! so please God, let me go to Mississippi. :D

hihi, fan-girling over our girl crush, Esther Choi :")

Beauty from Ashes - Acts Manila 2012

oh hiiiiii, sorry for being gone too long! stressful summer is over, of course with so much to blog about! i will start with the main highlight - Acts Manila's recent recital at the CCP Main Theatre, Beauty from Ashes!

Beauty from Ashes 2012 Souvenir Program!
props to our very creative layout artist, Ms. Tes Tirol! :)
(and that cover girl? hmm.)

this was my first major recital as a returning serious dancer since 2007, the year i graduated high school. i've joined 2 recitals though after (Esther in 2008 and United Colors of Dance last year, 2011), but my dancer role isn't as major as my teacher role. (because i was in college, my schedule and school workload won't allow me to get into regular dance classes. :( glad i'm already done with school!!!) this year, i had a more serious role as a dancer, gaining a solo for the classical ballet Paquita and a part in the trio for an Acts Manila choreography, Bach's Passion. no, my teaching role didn't subside; in fact, this is my first year having a "director" title for Palms Country Club ballet, which i've been handling since 2006. God has been really faithful in giving me the best of both dancing and teaching, i couldn't be anymore grateful that i am able to handle both.

i never felt so excited and soooo nervous at the same time for a show like this before. i've done so many recitals and performances already, but i still felt like this was my first time. i haven't had as intense training as what we had to prepare for this show. my workload wasn't as "loaded" as the previous recital seasons. there's no other choice but to work doubly hard, keeping up with my dancing and teaching, with some admin work on the sides. frustrations hit me for so many times, even as close to the few minutes before the final show starts. inside of me, i knew i wanted to really give out my very best and come out different and stronger than before.

and yes, i knew i did. grateful that God has enabled me to go through all of these, because i won't be able to appreciate everything that comes after. i was touched with every cheer, "congratulations", and all those positive remarks. i was humbled knowing that it wasn't because of my own capabilities, but because of God's never-ending and sufficient grace. all the praises and glory only belongs to God, and Him alone, forever grateful i will just be. :)

on the other hand, i am so proud of my kiddos who performed as well! i didn't expect too much with my little cherubs (coz ya'know, their still this small, haha), i'm just so glad they were dancing on stage and they know what they were doing! nevermind them getting lost with their blockings, haha. and my LCC girls (the young scholars i'm handling) did so well! they were dancing together and pointing their feet, haha!

say hello to my dear angels!

the scholars from Lord's Christian Circle church that i'm handling! :)

indeed it was all worth it. i won't have any other things exchanged for this feeling of being on stage, dancing, and pouring my passion out. :) until the next "Curtains up"!

so glad to be reunited and dancing AGAIN with my high school
bestfriend (and twin!), Shekinah Ciudad! <3

"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak."- Hopi Indian Saying
blessed and grateful to be dancing with these girls who
share the same passion. (hello Bei and Shek!)

long lost sister! so glad to see Agatha again after two years!
she watched during the first night of the show.

a very dear and close friend from high school, supporting us
all the way - Jess Orleans :)

of course the gang is (almost) complete! mi Super Friends with Tita D
after the second night's show. 

"Out of these ashes, beauty will rise!" ❤

I am Your work of art.

for the past days, i have been feeling frustrated with my dancing. yes, me. you might think, why? they say i have the "perfect" body for it, being thin, muscular, and strong.

but.. i don't want to be JUST the body.

i felt frustrated because even though i do everything "technically correct", there was something missing. there was something lacking that makes me unnoticed. that's where frustration hits me. i know i will never be good enough, but i cannot feel any progress.

i was told i was thinking too much. i was challenged to let my heart out. tried it out, i felt more frustrated. i cannot not think, i get so lost. i was so conscious to let go. crying out to God every night, i asked Him why i feel this. where is my heart going wrong?

and then today (tuesday) arrived. this morning, i had an encouraging word from God. i also held on to that feeling He gave me that there would be something good that will happen today. i prayed and asked God to just let Him work through.

and so He did. through a guest dance missionary, Juanine Sampson, He gave answers to all my questions. it allowed me discover purpose in dancing and how to minister through it. and to my most important question of where is my heart going wrong, He answered me with: "prayer and preparation".

we were given time to just rest in God's presence earlier and just seek Him. and from there on, i felt God moving. through the music "Work of Art", He gave these words:

"You are my work of art. You. I molded you to be perfect in form and created you to be technically good. There was nothing missing nor wrong when I created you. All I need from you is to show how beautiful and colorful I made you to be. Don't be afraid of losing yourself, for when they look at you, they won't see you, but who I am. You are my work of art."

with those words, i felt my breakthrough. i was humbled knowing God was the one at work in me. i was strengthened when He told me that people will see Him through me. and as a follow-up, He assured me with, "When you prepare and pray for something, what can go wrong?"

dancing as worship isn't about the technical aspect, but your soul and spirit leading others to Him. being technically good is the bonus part because people will consider watching and looking at you. my being square is not an accident, nor a negative point on my part (though i really thought at this point that it was). God showed me that my being "square" will be the one that would capture the eyes of the audience, and how i dance would captivate their hearts.

"When you dance, something should turn."

Birthday 2012

Every year is just getting better and better. I couldn't be less than grateful. Thank you, my Father. ❤

oh hello, my new (kikay) friend. :")
and that peach walnut cake from Conti's is really yummeeehhhh!

best treats to end a draining working birthday: wintermelon milk tea from Serenitea and
DQ's ice cream sandwich courtesy of Charmaine Perez! so much lovin'. <3

LOVE GIRLFRIENDS ♥

the first kikay date of 2012: Nuvali + Soderno adventure!
decided to go to Nuvali to check out the Aldo liquidation store, hoping to find the shoes that i wanted from there. since it was all about shoes, my kikay friends joined in the shopping adventure! but we didn't get to find the same pair (or any other nice pair) from Aldo so we decided to just check out other stores. went to Payless and we found really pretty and CHEAP boots on sale (boots for 800 pesos, HELLOOO!! *hyperventilating*)! to keep our mind sane before buying, we decided to get Serenitea and chill for a while. then after, the three of us finally decided to get boots, hihi. *happy dance*

kikay frieeeends - Angela and Tracy!

my milk tea partner, hihi. (photo from Angela)

by the "lake" in nuvali!

why hello Tringy the ducky!

awkward bunny, panda eyes, tiger whiskers
(sorry people, we just had to represent ourselves, haha)

after the shoe shopping, off to Soderno for dinner! we got food for sharing, so we can try whatever good food there is. the shawarma rice and the mini tacos were the best! we also tried the bagwang (some sort of bagnet), isaw, the deep dish pizza something (that had a weird taste we can't distinguish), and the samosa wrap (chicken shawarma with something, yummy too!). all of them were worth trying (except for the deep dish pizza flavor we got, maybe try something else, haha)! we got cookie dough mochiko before finally leaving. i personally regret not trying the red velvet cake which was soooo tempting! </3 i will definitely go back there and try that!

HELLO YUMMY FOOD! SODERNO YAY :D

and the highlight of the day: the SUPER kikay boots!

the pretty and PRETTY CHEAP boots! it srsly looks good with anything! indeed a pair worth-having :")

'coz some adventures are best enjoyed with you're with your girlfriends. until the next kikay date, my kikay friends! ♥

book 1/12: If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat
by John Ortberg

i first learned of this book from Crae (followandreblog) in tumblr when she mentioned about it in one of her posts. i got curious about it because of its title and the lines she's been quoting from the book. i thought that it would be really helpful for a scurdycat like me to know what it takes to follow God's calling and fulfill His purpose. and last year, i've been hearing the line "getting out of the boat" so often from our ballet teacher, since we had this huge breakthrough as a company for Acts Manila.

i started reading this book end december of last year, and finished sometime early january. planned to blog about it after i finished reading it, but the article writings i have now just takes so much of my computer time, haha. the book tackled faith and trust issues, fear, discerning God's calling, handling discouragements, patience, and of course, the blessings that come with fulfilling God's plan. there was no hesitation when i got this book from the bookstore (OMF bookstore in BF Pergola! love that place ♥). i felt it was really timely and i needed encouragements as i walk in this journey of following God. anyway, here are some of the lines that hit encouraged me the most. btw, i have this habit of underlining sentences as i encounter them while reading to help me remember important words or lessons. mehehehe, nerd much.

on courage and fear of failure.

"Courage alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment." - Chapter 1, On Water-Walking

"Each time you get out of the boat, you become a little more likely to get out the next time. It's not that the fear goes away, but that you get used to living with fear. You realize that it does not have the power to destroy you." - Chapter 1, On Water-Walking

 "The worst failure is not to sink in the waves. The worst failure is to never get out of the boat." - Chapter 1, On Water-Walking

 "..when you fail- and you will fail sometimes- Jesus will be there to pick you up. You will not fail alone." - Chapter 1, On Water-Walking

these next lines made me realize deeper why i'm where i am right now. this section on career and calling made me realize the importance of living with purpose. my dream career would be working for a magazine in no less than New York City. (yup, The Devil Wears Prada is the movie-peg of my life, haha!) but because God has called me, i am here. i chose to be here right now because i discovered that God has placed me here, with a mission to fulfill.

"A calling is something you discover, not something you choose." - Chapter 3, Discerning the Call

 "..calling is 'the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need.'" - Chapter 3, Discerning the Call

"What work brings you joy? For what do you have desire and passion- for these, too, are gift from God. This is why giftedness is about more than just talents- it includes passion." - Chapter 3, Discerning the Call

"A calling, which is something I do for God, is replaced a career, which threatens to become my god. A career is something I choose for myself; a calling is something I receive. A career is something I do for myself; a calling is something I do for God. A career promises status, money, or power; a calling generally promises difficulty and even some suffering- and the opportunity to be used by God. A career is upward mobility, a calling generally leads to downward mobility." - Chapter 3, Discerning the Call 

 "A career may end with retirement and lots of 'toys.' A calling isn't over until the day you die. The rewards of a career may be quite visible, but they are temporary. The significance of a calling lasts for eternity. A career can be disrupted by any number of events- but not a calling. When God calls people, he enables them to fulfill their callings even in the most unlikely circumstances." - Chapter 3, Discerning the Call

encouraging words on faith, trusting God, obedience, hope, and waiting.

"Never try to have more faith- just get to know God better. And because God is faithful, the better you know him, the more you will trust him. The way to get to know his trustworthiness is to risk obeying him." - Chapter 4, Walking on Water

"Maybe God is calling you to trust him at some point of frustration in your life. Trust him. No one ever regretted trusting Christ more- ever." - Chapter 4, Walking on Water

 "I believe the reason God says 'fear not' so often is that fear will sink us faster than anything else. Fear disrupts faith and becomes the biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God." - Chapter 6, Crying Out in Fear

"You can risk being fully honest with God for a very important reason: God is never a God of discouragement." - Chapter 7, That Sinking Feeling 

"Whenever Jesus calls someone to get out of the boat, he gives the power to walk on water."- Chapter 8, Focusing on Jesus

"Hope does not prevent me from expecting the worst- 'the worst is what the hopeful are prepared for.'" - Chapter 8, Focusing on Jesus

"..what God does in us while we wait is as important as what it is we are waiting for." - Chapter 9, Learning to Wait

"..we are waiting on God. Therefore we can trust his wisdom and timing. We can wait with confidence. Because waiting reminds us that we are waiting for someone, the single most important activity in waiting is prayer. Prayer allows us to wait without worry." - Chapter 9, Learning to Wait

"God's voice is never frantic. When you hear desperate thoughts, you can know it is not God speaking." - Chapter 9, Learning to Wait

"..every time you walk on the water, each time you trust God and seek to discern and obey his calling in your life, your God will bet bigger, and your worship will grow deeper, richer, and stronger." - Chapter 10, How Big is Your God? 

this book gave my heart enough encouragements to go on fulfilling God's plan. life hasn't been easy, and i don't think it will get easier. but one thing i've been learning is to go through it strong. there are more fears i have to conquer as i go through the waters, but i know God is in control. this book enlightened me with truths that i can hold on as i go through life walking with God.

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. being in the boat is settling. there is comfort and there are no risks, but where's the excitement, the adventure? it's out in the waters. growth is there. JESUS IS THERE. "The water may be dark, wet, and dangerous. But Jesus is not in the boat."

i encourage you to read this book, and living your life won't be the same.

Lord, I'm amazed by You..

ended the 7-day fasting tonight by attending the breaking the fast prayer meeting in VCF alabang. i really wanted to attend this one because last year, it gave me a refreshing feeling after the fast. true enough, i felt the same way and more.. i felt strengthened, renewed, hopeful, and fearless.

i committed to fast from twitter and facebook for the whole 7 days and from having only one meal a day on some days that i had less dancing and teaching load. and yes, i proved that i can survive (a week!) without twitter and facebook, though admittedly i missed twitter A LOT. i prevented myself from venting out, from sharing whatever's on my brain, hahaha. and i think what helped me the most is having this prayer and fasting graphic as my wallpaper. it reminded me not to open those two sites, and there's no excuse for "accidentally" forgetting.

my fasting week wallpaper + prayer points for the day

anyway, if there's one thing that God has really taught me during this fast is to (this may sound funny, but srsly).. REST. before 2011 ended, He gave me a word about enlargement. as the year opened, i received promotions and added workload. no complains! in fact, im grateful for all that i've been receiving. i know it was from God and His timing isn't bad for His plan. but of course, my brain is stressed. though physically, there's not much demand yet, but my brain is already starting to worry about possible demanding workload.

ever since the fasting week started friday last week, i've been sleeping early. early as in before 12 midnight, and the latest of that "early" bed time being before 1am. that was unusual because considering last december, i've been sleeping sometime between 3-4am.. doing nothing. 

God used my time of "weakness" to make me rest. i remember also reading from a book that during our time of rest is when God works in us. i'm the type of person who is always on the go; i don't like waiting, i don't like wasting time. i'd always find something to do and i'd always accept every opportunity to just do something. what God has taught me is this: let Him take control. i need time to "rest", to inquire of God and to wait on Him. 

enlargement was the word i got as 2011 ended. resting was what i learned as the year opened. in reality, they are really opposites. and for now, these words doesn't make much sense to me. i still have 354 days to know what this is all about. for 7 days, He showed me His love, proved His control, and provided His grace. and for the rest of the year, i'll hold on to these experiences as i continue seeking for answered prayers and miracles.

Lord, I'm amazed by You.. how You love me.

CHEERS 2012!

as i welcome a new year, i also welcome a new blog! 2011 has been a really great year and i feel that 2012 will be another awesome one. i know that i will be taking on new heights, facing new challenges, conquering fears.. and i know that i will be able to handle them all because i have a GOD who is greater than anything else.

this dreamer's blog will keep all those memories - both good and, uh, not so good. (for this new year, and hopefully for the next ones to come! this will be the last one i will have to create for myself, i pinky promise!)

and like what i have posted on twitter, facebook, tumblr, and bbm's:

A new year to claim and fulfill God's promises! CHEERS TO 2012!

much love from your dreamer,

Juwannuh ;)