random.assurance.from.Him.

Only Him...
How He keeps my heart fearful yet trusting...
Scared yet believing...

Going through tough times?
I'd rather focus on the truth that I'm not going through this alone.
He is with me.

Praise be the name of Jesus...


His loving assurance:
Dear Maricel,

Learn the art of doing nothing. Where enjoying your existence is the only thing you do.

Relax,

God

P.S. Let me work even in your resting, Maricel.

What Mico reminded Ninang...

I didn't have any plans for another long weekend.  Thursday was declared a holiday, kasi.
I just wanted to stay home and chill.
But thanks to Ate Sam's call and I instantly had a date...Mico.
Ninang Cheche mode on.  I commissioned (hehehe) the help of Jen and Abi upon knowing they also didn't have any plans for the weekend.

Browsing through the pictures, I was reminded of some lessons I may have disregarded at times.

Meet Mommy Dragon

You can do it, just put your heart to it.

Yup, that's a dragon. Har! har! har!  Mico first asked Tita Abi to mold Flynn Ryder.  Then he turned to me saying, "Can you make a dinosaur?"  In my shock, I replied, "Ninang doesn't know how to make a dinosaur."  Being the helpful kid he is, he took his dragon, gave it to me and asked, "Okay, please make a dragon.  This is the daddy dragon, please make a mommy dragon."  I didn't want to frustrate him so I worked on my clay.  And that on the picture is a mommy dragon, wings and spikes, and all. :)  That moment, Mico reminded me that some tasks may be too daunting at times but once you accept you can do it and put all your efforts into it...you will definitely achieve something good.

Mico's comment after my finished product, "beautiful" and "good."  Ninang is mission accomplished.

Ninang, the car is taking a bath, just like Mico!

Enjoy the experience.

I kept on delaying our trip to Magic Planet.  From Dubai Mall, we dropped Tita Abi at Warba.  Then I asked Mico if we can go for a car wash first.  He became wary at first but after some explaining and assurance that we will go to Magic Planet after, he agreed.  I was praying he'll enjoy the car wash experience and he did!  He was so delighted.  I asked Tita Jen to capture his facial expressions during his car-bathing experience.  He even asked, "Ninang, can I touch?" referring to the soap suds on the window by his side.  I said yes while explaining he won't be able to touch the real soap suds because it's outside.  I explained the water rinsing...and the air drying.  He super enjoyed it I believe he forgot about the Magic Planet thing.  Seeing him in awe of everything, I was reminded not to lose the child in me.  To never fail to find joy in each experience. To always anticipate good things. :) Sheer joy.

  

He is not scary, he is a good dinosaur.

Not everything is the way it seems to be.
He likes dinosaurs.  And because he likes them, he believes they are good.  We went to Deira City Center's Magic Planet so he can have his treat of rides.  Upon seeing this dinosaur, he immediately said, "I want that, Ninang."  I was the one who got scared.  Its rubber head combined with its mechanism allows its head to move and its jaw to act like it's growling and waiting to munch on you.  Enough of my imagination. Hehehehe.  Mico went for a ride at the dinosaur's back.  And after the ride, photo opp.  Mico kept on reminding me, "He is not scary. he is a good dinosaur."  And indeed, not everything that looks scary is scary.  There's more than meets the eye.

 

We will go to Magic Planet, after?!

Stay on the goal.
After delays and detours, we reached our destination---Magic Planet!  Patience pays.  Explaining works.  With a promise of Magic Planet, but first brunch at Dubai Mall, visit to Warba, and eventually the car wash, we finally reached Dubai Mall.  I was laughing when while I was asking Tita Jen if she wants to buy anything from Carrefour Mico butt in and said, "Can we go to Magic Planet first?" Heheheh... Not another detour, Ninang. I told him yes, we'll go to Magic Planet first before Carrefour.  In life, we may have delays and detours, it may seem like we're taking a different road than others, we may feel like we're getting farther and farther than the original road....but in the end, it pays to stay focused on the goal and believing you will reach your goal one way or the other.  Lord, whenever we are in doubt, touch our hearts to trust and be comforted with the truth that You are in control.

A dose of appreciation makes the heart leap with joy.
After I made the clay dragon, Mico said, "Thank you. It's beautiful."
During the car wash, Mico kept on saying, "Wow!"
Upon meeting the dinosaur, Mico kept reassuring Ninang, "See, he is good."
After several rides and eventually getting tired with the Play Area...he agreed to stop playing and go to Mc Donald's to have dinner.  While I was cleaning him with wet wipes, Mico looked at me and said, "Thank you for coming with the rides. And thank you for bringing me here." :) :) :) precious, precious moment...What a loving appreciation from a four-year old whom you'll think was so focused with his playtime.  But no, he was so appreciative.  On our way to the parking, he again repeated his thanks.  Priceless.  I immediately sent a bbm to Ate Sam and shared my loving experience with Mico.

These are just 'some' of what Mico reminded Ninang during our bonding.  There are still sooooo many stories for just a day of being with Mico.  Ang haba na pala ng nasulat ko, hahahah.  Ninang super loves you, Mico!

Till our next date... :)

Three years ago na pala yun.
I don't exactly remember the date; I have a talent for not-remembering certain dates.

It was during those times when I experienced yung hindi matawarang sakit.
While I was cleaning up my multiply site weeks ago, I decided to let go of the many articles I wrote updating myself of my pain barometer. Hehehehe.
I decided it's time to say goodbye to those memories and sincerely focus on creating new ones.

Three years ago.  Totoo pala yun na tatawanan mo na lang yung kagagahan mo after...
I started sharing about my experience whenever I give talks...and in all these talks, pinagtatawanan lang din nila ako.  Nakakatawa pala yun?!
But when we went to Fujairah for the same retreat, it as different.
While I was sharing, Gracie and Jeanette were there on the side. Hala!
Ayun na, we were laughing and crying and laughing and crying.  In fairness, natapos ko naman yung kwento...
Basta. Ang saya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.
Tapos sa MEC, ganun din. I was looking through my Christ Pursuit pictures and realized...eto yun, eh.  My worst and yet my best MEC.  And here I am now standing and serving to yet another MEC.

Thank You, Lord for bringing me where I am now.
Sabi nga ni Bruce Lee, "People who do not believe they are walking in darkness will never seek the light."
My take...kapag in denial ka that you're walking in darkness, praise God for very good friends and supportive family who will lead you out of the dark.
Thank You, Lord for being my One True Light.  And thank You for letting Your light shine through my friends...

Because of His Grace

It's been five months since I lost my last job, technically.  But looking back...five months ago...up to now...even just last weekend...I am so amazed as to how I am able to survive. No, I don't like the word 'survive' alone.  I am in awe with how I am living, loving, serving, smiling, and all happy action words I could think of. Only by His grace.  I would like to focus more on the blessings---His non-stop call for me to serve. From Princess' Diaries to Princess' Diaries; travelling here and there...even outside the country.  Indeed His providence is never lacking, more so, ever fulfilling. The promotion for the recently concluded victorious MEC sustained me to stay positive and be reminded that I should be the first one convinced of the message we are conveying.  It wasn't easy...waking up realizing you have bills to pay...but find yourself submitting CVs instead.  My thoughts are running crazy now. Define coherent. Define cohesive. Hahaha!

I can go on and line up how the Lord continuously calls me to come to His side, from talks to missions, from conference service teams to workshop speaking.  Not to mention the people I gt to meet along the way who really proves they mirror God in their lives.  For the renewed friendships, for the hearts that continues on its way to healing...

As I was writing this blog, I cam across Kuya Kirby's article. And it struck me. Kaya pala. There's a line that says, But the Lord wants us to live a blessed life, more so to live in abundance. Contrary to the world, true abundance is in knowing Him, following Him, and in serving Him.

That's why I feel abundance in my life.  Only by His grace; He steers my thoughts to focus on the abundance.  Kaya nga you may not have everything but you will never feel lacking if you have the Lord.

Lord, I know I have 'Doubting Thomas' moments' pa rin po.  Please continue holding my hand.  Stir my heart into clinging to You more as you steer my mind into focusing on what is essential. And please don't stop calling me to serve.    

Heart and mind, steady lang ha.  Basta. Kapit pa. 

Oh, I will live for You; every moment of the day, to You I pray

Oh, I will worship You; every part of me, I will surrender to You

And I'll do it all, by Your grace...