In My Father’s Vineyard

There’s something new I learned today. I learned that when a gardener is pruning (grapes), he will destroy the vine and cut everything away. Hmm..not my idea of gardening. But then, I’m not a gardener. He, the gardener, knows that by doing this, the final result will be the enrichment of the vine and a greater abundace of fruit. Now, that’s gardening!

My Gardener knows that in order for me to bear much fruit, He needs to destroy everything away. Lately, the Lord has been teaching me that there is absolutely NOTHING in this world that I own. He’s been teaching me to let go of the things (and persons) I am holding on to so dearly. And I’m telling you, that this gardening lesson that God is teaching me right now isn’t easy.

I’ve been humbled and shamed. And as if those weren’t enough, the Lord gives me new mornings everyday to show my face to the world. The couple of days are hard lessons. I cried and spent nights in prayer.

But you know what, I’ve never felt stronger. Even I surprise myself. I’m starting to smile at the things that normally upset me. I found myself shrugging off emotions like boredom, jealousy and envy. And I like it. I love this. I love what the Lord is doing to me.

Psalms 9:10 says “those who know your Name will trust you.” How true! The more I spent days in prayer, the more I see God’s greatness and love. The more I see His greatness and love, the more I trust Him!

It is true when this man of prayer said, “Fall to your knees and grow there!”

Father, the thought of spending time with you excites me like never before! Thank you for showing me even a glimpse of what you will do in my life. And I am already thankful for all the blessings that you are about to give me! I pray that I will grow more in loving and knowing you. I am so humbled by your mercy and love. I love you. Forgive my weaknesses, Lord. Strengthen me and dust the dirt away from me. All praises to you!

They Too Deserve It

I went to this little reading program for street children this afternoon as finalest final requirement for my reading class this semester (boy..will they never end!). It’s a program initiated by an NGO (well..if not the government, somebody HAS to do it) and later partnered with the barangay in the area. I have to say…I was really IMPRESSED! Not that I went there to observe how good the teachers taught or how responsive the kids were or anything that superficial. But really, the place was great. The teachers were very resourceful. I have to admit that I was ashamed of myself when I saw how hard those teachers prepared for their materials I realized that what I thought I was already doing good wasn’t that good after all!

And, the kids were so cute! And so eager to learn…unlike some brats I know..hmp. Anyway, the teacher told them the story of Bruhaha Bruhihi–about a lady who was thought to be a witch. Look at how nice and neatly this kid did her thing:

 If only you saw her while she was doing this…all smiles with black poster paints all over her shirt and face..but the kid was so happy..she was singing Small Voice the loudest Sweet.

Some of these kids study in a public school in the morning. And knowing how it goes in the public schools here, I was really impressed that whoever thought of this program made sure that these kids will also have access to books that probably can only be seen in private libraries. There were books, and books and books everywhere!

    

I hope that more programs like this will come up in our country soon. All kids deserve the best. Rich or poor. Street children? All the more!

There are already great stuff in this place for the street kids but the program still needs all the help that they can get. Want to extend a hand? The place is called I-click in Barangay Loyola Compound in Quezon City.. Sorry, I don’t have other contact details.

Study well kids…this might be your ticket for a new life!

Today’s sing along song: One Way Out by Value Pac

Currency Converter

The other day, I was talking with my good friend who is in the US now with her husband. She told me how quiet her new neighborhood is. She was feeling so homesick and so torn between staying there with her husband and coming home here to be with her other two kids.

While chatting, we got around talking about the prices of stuff there. She said she went to the market and was dismayed to see a piece of sayote for 99cents. Heck, a bunch of sayote here costs P10 (according to her since I always get lost in the market and I very seldom go there )–that’ll be less than 3cents in dollars!

Now, I guess this “currency conversion” issue is a big thing among us Filipinos whenever we go abroad. J too would always convert everything to Philippine peso before buying anything. My sister? Same thing. My brother too. And me? I almost went home empty handed when I went to Hong Kong a few years back because when I convert the price of something I really like that I saw there, I’ll tell myself I can always buy it for less here. Haha.

I remember running away from an Angry Chinese vendor in Hong Kong’s night market because I haggled so much for a red bag and decided at the last minute that the price wouldn’t be worth it.. She was so mad I bet she was cursing me to death and throwing obscenities at me. Good thing she was saying them in Mandarin haha. I was deaf to her profanities.

Anyway (that’s shopping-ala-Sass haha), I just told my friend she should stop converting everything in peso or her husband and her will end up eating noodles all their lives there

Today’s sing along song: In Another World by Joe Diffie

Who Am I

by Casting Crowns

Late Night Surprise

Sobrang happy ko ngayon! And I’m also very excited! Talagang you’ll never know what will happen next. And tonight, I was told of a very nice surprise….yay! Imagie, my week didn’t start right but looks like I’m going to have VERY happy weeks ahead.

Nice. Nice. Nice!