Four years in Awe

Happy 4th anniversary to me and Jesus!

September 29-30, 2012

That's the date of my Victory Weekend and that would always be my #bestweekendever.

'At the cross' and 'We are the reason' were playing in the background. I was crying so hard out of gratefulness for what He has done for me. Finally, I'm home in His love! There's no place I'd rather be! (Hindi ko ma contain yung pag-ibig na naramdaman at  nararamdaman ko! Chapter 3 would always be my favorite!) I received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The curse has been broken.  I let go of the past and  of everything that's holding me. I was forgiven and I got the grace to forgive. Sobbed, worshiped and publicly declared,
"Everyone, I'm now a follower of Jesus!"

I remember, kahit pag-uwi ko at nasa puregold ako. Parang lumulutang yung feeling sa pagka in awe. Never felt so loved! As in, as in, AS IN!!!!!

My prayer back then was to never be familiar with what He has done and never take it for granted. I'm amazed that after 4 years, the awe is still there and even increasing to the nth power because of the joy of discipleship (helping women to realize their First Love!)! Never thought that I could have this kind of purpose. Never thought that I could lead in anyway. Never thought that this kind of life is possible!

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much  for letting me be in awe. Thank You for giving Your Son Jesus for me, for my family, my friends and yet-to-be friends. Thank You for the Holy Spirit! Thank You for my sycamore trees (the people that You used for me to know You).  I'll be forever grateful and in awe of Your love. The unfathomable, the unconditional, the unending kind of love. Payakap, Dad! Happy fourth anniversary! In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

                                                                                                    Your princess in awe, 
                                                                                                               Ycah 

1st Fasting Preparation :)

Last Sunday (January 04, 2015), we had our very first Fasting Preparation gathering. It's open for everyone under the  coaching group of Ate Jovie.  I'm so blessed to have these girls in my life! :)

Ate Jovie, Gabby and her handle 

The beautiful girls! (Edz, Ana, Ate Jovie and Arl) 

HAHAHAHA! YES! FAITH GOALS yan ni GABBY!!! :) 

Buddy Arl and my dear Mela, reading the Top 3 Faith Goals 

Jenny got my top 3! ! :) 

got Ate Jovie's

<3 :="" god="" honor="" more="" nbsp="" ready="" td="" to="">

Gilas ni Lord

I always want to write about the joy of Discipleship. I have moments when I think "I will definitely write about this". Like during the Victory Weekends of the girls I'm leading. Being the participant of Victory Weekend is a whole lot of wonderful experience itself  BUT SENDING someone there is another! It's magical. Iba talaga ang joy ko. hahaha! Anyway, I will still fail to write about that,  maybe next time (ayan procrastinating). Hahaha.Actually, today I'm gonna write about one means of  Discipleship, which is the "Inviting to the Service" part.


I've been praying for this friend for almost 3 years now to attend the Youth Service. 3 years. I remember it started during the "Game Plan" series of Victory U-belt. The Pastor usually use basketball as an illustration. Thus, I can't help but be reminded of this friend of mine. He's into basketball so sobrang I can't help thinking and imagining that he's there with me listening to the same message.  Ayun, I invited him and I was somehow rejected by chances or reasons or excuses or time or whatever. Three years passed.


I was surprised though that one night while having dinner with our other friends, He simply told me  "parang gusto kong I try victory jan..". (Poker face and pa cool look na parang wala lang) I said,  "cge one time, tara" (or maybe something like this lang). Hindi ko na talaga maalala since sobrang saya ko na inside. Nakailang talon siguro ako sa isip at puso ko. Yes!


After some weeks of struggle again because of the unmatched schedules, last night was the fulfillment.  I was so nervous and all. We agreed that I will wait for them and reserve seats. The Victory Worship was there and 30 minutes na silang late (my friend and his friends)! I didn't want them to miss that EPIC praise and worship so sobrang kaba talaga. Nakailangang surrender ako kay Lord sa kung ano ang will Nya for that night. Great thing too that I'm with my Team 4 family (Ate Yvonne and Kelly) at that time. Of course I can't disciple men so sobrang blessing si Kelly (yes, he's a guy) I really pray that it's the start.


They came and I'm so glad that he brought 3 other men with him. Yung dalawa, first time din! We laughed together, we listened to the message together. I'm so happy that Ptr. Julius Fabregas was so cool! He talked about basketball in his preaching! So napaka nostalgic talaga. It was like yesterday that I'm imagining my friend to be there and now, he's here! He's here! (yan yung thoughts ko at that time). Whoa! And during the altar call, one of them raised his hand! Amazing talaga! Parang pinag pawisan pa nga ata ang kanilang mga mata eh. (not that sure) ;))))

My friend then texted me after we part ways "Thanks... sobrang blessed ng experience!"

Because of this I learned na  don't be afraid  ma reject in inviting someone in a service..one day they will say din  "Sige na nga..matagal mo na ko iniiinvite eh".  Yun #boom moment na yun.

Discipleship starts in a genuine concern (that is planted by God).

Napaka Gilas talaga ni Lord. :) 3 points! :) 

Thank you Victory! :)

It's been a habit to check different instagram accounts of the people I look up to these days. One of them of course is Mrs. Rica Peralejo- Bonifacio's. Her life with Jesus didn't fail to inspire and  give me hope. One of those times that she inspired me is at the moment I read the caption on one of her Photos ..

" Victory...you are a big part of why I am just so happy today. #30yearsofvictory".


I then realized how thankful I am as well for this movement.


Who I am today, I'm giving all the credits to Jesus (naman!). He simply orchestrated a lot of things. He used my crush, my friends, my professor in leading me to His love through Victory .


I was  really off with "Christian christian, born again, born again" thingy years ago. I just don't like it as I thought it's really WEIRD and SCARY.  But when I started to attend (last 2011) its just a great eye opener for me. It's cool pala and it's not boring at all!  AT. ALL!

It's amazing on how the leaders and people operates in God's love and grace. On how they obey the great commission. On how they believe in the next generation. On how they took seriously the Lordship of Jesus Christ. On how they love one another . On how they love to reach out for the Lost  (and oh, also, On how excellent they are!)

I'm really  thankful to God for the lives of our Pastors, staffs and leaders.

Oops baka maging church-centered na haha. Pero above all, I love it 'cause they don't care to get any credits talaga, they don't care about the name "Victory".  I remember when Pastor Lloyd of Victory Baliwag said in our Radical series na who cares if people forget or remember  Victory? Maybe one day, we will change our name or whatever.  But, who cares? AS LONG AS THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST IS LIFTED UP. It's gonna just fine.

It's not about Victory. It'll never be about Victory. IT'S ONLY ABOUT JESUS.

Allow me just to say as well...

" Victory...you are a big part of why I am just so happy today. #30yearsofvictory".

Ituloy natin ang caption, one day..one day.. sasabihin ko din ito:

" ...you discipled me, and my husband, and we will continue to make disciples out of others especially our children..."
Amen!

There are other movements out there of course, some are  better, and cooler etc.  but I believe that there would always be a church for you. There would always be a church for me. :)

Happy 30th Anniversary! :)

Here's to 30 more years and beyond of Honoring God and Making Disciples. :)

Disciple Ycah

After reading a lot of blogs on Discipleship, I was honestly inspired  to write my own  answer to the question "What do you remember most from the person who discipled you?"

I'll be forever grateful for the  four women whom God used for me to know Him more and to help me in walking in His ways. I love it that I could actually honor them through this post. Here they are:

Too bad I don't have a pic with Ate Cess right now. I'll try to find. :) 

1. Ana 

     She's my closest friend in college and she's the one who invited me in the Youth Service. Eventually, after her Victory Weekend,  she's also the one who did One 2 One with me. I was 18 and she was 17 I think back then. I didn't run away from her when we have to do it (unlike others, haha). We would actually do it in between classes or if we don't have a Professor. It's her first time to minister, and  so I'm privileged to be her First Born :) 

    I love it that I can just say anything to her, she knows me so much. If I don't have enough allowance, if I'm worried because I might never have a boyfriend, if I'm hungry, if I'm worried, if I have family problems and all. She simply understands me and she is so patient with me (tama ba?).  She loves to write letters and I'm still touched when I read them. Especially the one that she gave me during my Victory Weekend. :) She said that I will be a fisher of men! :)

    What I love more in our relationship is that I can just be a  little girl when I talk about my struggles to her. I can be not a Spiritual giant around. It's okay not to be okay and I'm always confident to tell her what's bothering me. I love her too much. I hope my girls (those that I'm discipling) would be like that to me too! :)  

   Discipleship is indeed a relationship. We've 'been through a lot together. :) 

I love you Anabells! :) Thank you!

2. Ate Cess

    She's the leader of my leader (Ana). She's the one who persistently invited  her in Youth Service (and I am the one who persistently stopped Ana to go - Oooops!). I learned a lot from her, in fact here's a list:

1.  Saving up for a Bible, that it is meant to be read and lived, that it is more important than jeans (hehe).

2. It's great to talk about God with others.

3.  To listen more to other Christian songs (she will let us listen to a song and then she will asked us about it)

4. Okay lang kahit sa damuhan mag VG. :)

5. Fasting 

6. Speaking in Tongues

7. Okay lang kahit hindi galing sa College mo yung dini disciple mo

8. Never give up. (She didn't gave up on my Ana right?) 

All in all, I could just remember  her sweet and comforting voice. hahaha. :) 

I miss you Ate Cess! We love you! :) 

3. Ma'am Lanie

      She's our Feature Writing professor and our NSTP director. Not knowing that she will be a Spiritual Mom to most of us. She so precious and she's actually the reason why Ana (my leader) made it to her first Youth Service. Here are some of the things that I learned from her (it became my convictions and I'm always reminded) : 

"Baba sa lupa."

"Don't give your heart to pigs."

"Don't forget campus ministry."

"We're on a battle."

"Hindi tayo palaging malakas."

To be beautiful inside and out. Mag ayos. :)

For more, here's my blog regarding of what I've learned in one Tuesday with her (isang Tuesday pa lang to ah) :  This Tuesday with Mom Lanie . Aside from that, there's so much more to learn  because of her book, "Seasons of the heart". 

I'm excited to learn more from her especially in the area of  Discipleship! :)

Thank you for everything Ma'am! :)

4. Ate Jovie

 She's my Victory Group Leader. She's a pretty Chinita. :)  She's such an inspiration to me too! Her heart for student is just so evident! She's the one who really inspired me to love praying! As in! She would always tell us how important  and how powerful it is. If not for her, I wouldn't fall in love with interceding for other people. Aside from that,  I'm also learning to have wisdom as I disciple and just like Ma'am Lanie (her leader) , na Mag ayos din. (hehe).  Thank you Ate Jovie! :) 

Please take one more look in the picture above. Notice those women that I'm with aside from Ma'am Lanie, Ate Jovie and Ana. They are Gabby, Reu, Bianca, Myra, Ate gladys, Dyna and Arlene. They are such a favor and blessings from Above too! I can never thank them enough for running the race with me. :)

I was honestly inspired not just to write my answer to the question "What do you remember most from the person who discipled you?" , but also to really go out there, text my girls and say "I love you" to them, to be a better leader and to just never give up on the ladies that I know Jesus died for and dearly loves. 

Thanks for reading! 

Meanwhile, check out these other awesome blogs about Discipleship :

On Discipleship by Carla Bonifacio
Discipleship Works by Perci Paras
#DFF by Jekoy Valle
unfading by Sofia Paderes
My Discipleship Notes by Emmanuel Gomez
Spiritual Heroes, Part 1 by Joseph Bonifacio
I strip for Discipleship by Ganns Deen
More Caught than Taught by Paolo Punzalan
You Are Never Meant To Do It Alone by Fiona Alvero
The Defining Minute of my Manhood by Dennis Sy
All because of Love by Elle Cabiling

Lordship Blogs

So blessed to read these blogs. Such a discovery. Madami pang matatamabayan. So encouraged grabeeee!!!!


1. Jesus is Lord Over My Love Life by Joe Bonifacio

2. Lord and Lordship by Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio

3. One Tough Decision by Dennis Sy

4. His Ways Are Higher by Karess Rubrico

5. Passion for Passion by Ganns Deen

6. Lordship? Big Word! by Jek Valle

7. The Only B Student by Nate Punzalan

8. When Obeying Means Letting Go by Val Baguios III

9. Better than Paella! My Lordship Story! by Perci Paras

10. The Bishop and His Lordship by Bishop Manny Carlos



Please also add:

Do Campus Ministry

My Salvation Story

            Hi I'm Ycah/Jessica/ May/Ycs/Ycsiee. I was only 6 when my Father passed away and then eventually,  my Mom got married again. My brother and I was left in the custody of my Aunt, Uncle and Grandmothers.  Okay, so, Grandmothers. Thus, basically, I grew up in a very religious family. Catholic in specific. I go to church every Saturday afternoon or Sunday mornings. Did I sound like I hated it?  Well, actually, I loved it! :)

 I can say that at such a young age, I learned to hold on to God. With all the happenings in my childhood (wait, I think I would cry, hahahaha)- my Father died, my Mother remarried,  my younger brother passed away, I was  transferred to a public school etc. Really, He's all that I've got. The trials didn't make me mad at Him, instead, because of that, I held on to Him all the more.

I grew up thinking that I'm an outcast. Like I don't really belong. I was so shy to my relatives (medyo may trauma ako sa pagiging out-of-place talaga), cousins ganyan. I would hear people talk negative things about me at my back. They don't want me to study because I would just be a burden. That's one of the hardest thing for me at that time. I love studying yet no one's there to fulfill my parent's responsibility. Education and other things started to become a privilege rather than a right.

Thus, yun nga, I prayed and prayed and prayed to God at all times for me to continue to go to school. Even if I graduated as a Salutatorian, that doesn't guarantee that I will go on to High School.  I hold on to Him, I cried to Him, I talked to Him. Indeed, at such a young age, He became my best friend.

Entering High School was such a miracle.  He used my Aunt to provide for us.

In high school, I became a teenager who's into bands (Sponge Cola), korean dramas (Princess Hours) or teen movies (High School Musical). I was really a fan girl. Really, I had albums, posters, cds, magazines, songmags and all. I would watch them on TV and be so kilig (as in). The next day, the whole class would know that I watched  Yael sa Game KNB? or sa ASAP.

Some would even call me Yael (Sponge Cola's Frontman). He indeed became my identity. Everyone's remembering Yael when they see me or the other way around. He inspired me in so many ways like in loving Ateneo and English... And... even sa crush.

Speaking of crush, I had crush with my friend  (because basically, he resembles Yael) at that time. He is a Christian. We became friends since we both like Sponge Cola. But then, he would also let me borrow his Hillsong United cds. I  listened to it since it's for God.  I find myself  enjoying it.  I remember loving the songs  "Take it all" , "By Your Side" and "Only One".

Here comes college. It's such a miracle again. I passed the entrance exam of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). There, a professor (Ms. Lanie Teves), a schoolmate (Ate Princes Esquivel) and a friend (Ana Fatima Morauda) were used by God for me to know  Him more.

 It all started in the Second year of College (2010).

To continue, here is an excerpt from my past post,  "Youth Service".  It's about the time when I was reached out :


I can still remember very well my first time. I was a Sophomore College student back then with my friends. We were riding a jeepney going somewhere I'm not sure of, with Arlene paying for my fare ;)

I can still remember very well why I said "yes" to the invitation. I said yes despite knowing that I don't really like it. Within me, I'm really persecuting my friend because of attending a "Christian, christian, born again, born again thingy (kailangan inuulit,hehe)". I can never comprehend why on earth she has to "convert". I guess, I still don't know back then the true meaning conversion. I thought it's all about religion.


I don't know back then that conversion actually happens the moment you accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life. The conversion from being LOST to being  FOUND. The conversion from being a SINNER to being the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. The conversion from being a SLAVE to being GOD'S PRINCESS.


So I attended. It was Shout Out series with Pastor Gilbert Foliente. Honestly, here's the only thing I remember on my first Youth Service: "Shout it! Shout it! Shout it out loud!" (a lyrics of the song during the intermission number). I remember sitting on the left front row..hearing the names of Pastor Ryan, Kuya Xave and all. (I really thought ka age ko lang sila nun haha)

It was fun! I just hated the idea that there's a sharing part after the service which they called "VG or Victory Group". But when we started, that's when I actually humbled myself and cry and share..It's so weird for me  since for 18 years, my relationship with God is between the two of us alone. I never really thought that it's possible and it's so great to share about Him with others.

Akala ko hindi na ako babalik. Eh walang tinugtog na Christian song na alam ko.
Ayun, nung tinanong ako, "Babalik ka next week?" edi napatango ako.

----

A year passed and I started doing One 2 One with my dear friend Ana. I learned about the basic things of following Him. I learned about the Gospel  (basically what Jesus did for you and me) and all. I started to pray and fast, attend Victory Group, listen to Worship songs, read the Bible  and then eventually  attend the Sunday Worship Services.

 I fully accepted Him as my Lord and my Savior in a Sunday Service last January 15, 2012.

I just saw myself crying and crying and crying because I realize how unworthy I am. I felt like a slave girl who just realized that she has been set free. At that moment, I knew I came home to my Father. That He's hugging me and that's He's so joyful that I made that decision despite hurting Him because of my sins. His unconditional love is just so powerful.

 I fully understood what He did for me. And then, months later,  I had my Victory Weekend and  publicly declared that I am Christ's follower (that was September 29-30, 2012).

That was the best weekend of my life.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - John 8:36

I repented and was sorry for my sins. Chains in my life were also broken. I feel so brand new.
Yun pala yung ibig sabihin ni Jesus when He said in John 3: 5-7:

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

Born Again. I hated this term.  Honestly. But when I realized that it's an experience (being born again in Christ) and NOT a religion, I had a changed perspective. :)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

As a new creation. Well, from being such a worrier, I learned of trusting Him. From being so selfish to learning to be generous. From being an idolater (anything or anyone you put above God) to being His worshiper. From pleasing my self to pleasing Him. From being so insecure to being secured. From being lost to being found. From being rejected to being loved.

 I may not know exactly the other things that He changed from the old me but I just know that I'm a work in progress now. I still struggle and I still asks, "Am I being a Christian in the truest sense of the word?" Sometimes I worry that I'm not but by His grace, I carry on.

I know that as a Princess, there are rules in the Kingdom that should be followed (I'm not trying to become a Princess that's why I need to follow. It's because of my identity).  There were times that it is  still hard.  But when I look to Jesus, I just know that He will continue to mold me in living in the way that He called and designed me to.

My prayer is for Him to break my heart for what breaks His. I seriously fell in love with this God who let His Son die on the cross for me (For me? for someone like ME? I would really cry every time I would remember and reflect on His love).  It is my desire to love Him more and more and more and more. I know it's nothing compared to how He loves me though. hehe. Parang ganito yung feeling oh:

By God's grace, Christianity is such an amazing adventure.

I often say that I never really thought that this life is ever possible. I never prayed about this, I never imagined this! But still, He chose me. He forgave me. He restored me. He made me new.  I thought I had the best of Him already. But there's....there's .... just more.

My earthly father may not be around anymore  but my Heavenly Father is more than enough. :)

Anyway, I'm so thankful to my Dad  for my friends (turned into a Spiritual Family) who led me and with me  in this such wonderful life in Christ. I have my Victory Friends (my college Victory Group) ,my Singles Victory Group), Victory U-belt Family, LIFEbox/ENC family, Victory Kids Family,  PUP- Intercessors family, Hike for Christ Movement and Team Comets.

"Relationship are resources but God is the only source." - Thammie Sy

All I want now is to be bolder in sharing Christ. I think it's like inviting your family and friends to such a wonderful and awesome place and experience.

I started to disciple women. I never thought that I could be a leader but He thought I could! It'll always be a privilege to be used by Him in changing the world of a woman through bringing her closer to Jesus. :)

Right now, I hope to enjoy and maximize my season. I desire to go on missions and be a blessing. I want to explore. I want to do more. I only have one shot in this life, I'd rather live for Jesus. :)

                          I'm praying and waiting for my Man-of-God (moG)  and then we'll build a family for His glory.  I'm so excited. (kailangan ko talaga isingit ito. HAHAHAHA)

As C. S. Lewis puts it    “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

I'm so thrilled. I think the reality of Christ is even better (way way better) than Fairy tales. :)

My dear reader, I know you're having  or you will have your own Salvation Story . My prayer is that you'll also encounter God's  great love.  He will continue to pursue you. He will never give up. Don't think twice and give in to His love. That's the best decision EVER.

"My (your name), look at the cross... this is how much I love you.. I gave everything just to be with you. Will you let Me in your heart?"

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

- Ephesians 3:16-19


For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.                           -Romans 8:38,39

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Here I am Lord, mold me...here I am Lord, use me..