To the girl who just met Jesus

I've seen the oceans, the mountains and the snow. But you, accepting Jesus, is still the greatest sight to behold.

I'm excited for you.

You smiled beautifully when we first met. I asked if you've been coming often and you said it's your third. I'm excited. I asked how old you are and you said "Fifteen".  I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you.

We're about to sing a song that speaks gratitude for His love -  "Beautiful Love" and you whispered to me "Ate, favorite ko yan". I'm excited. I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you.

At the end of the most beautiful message of all time, the message of His great love and great plan to save you.  You responded. You responded to His great love.  I'm excited. I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you.

My heart beats fast.. oh girl.. Do you have any idea what awaits?

You will finally stop waiting to know your identity.

You will finally stop seeking  love in other places.

You will finally stop trusting in yourself and your good works .

You will finally stop being out of place.

You will finally stop wondering if you have value.

You will finally stop compromising.

You will finally stop being hopeless.

You will finally stop waiting to be complete.

You will finally stop searching for happiness in circumstances

You will finally stop living for yourself.

You  will finally know more about this God who loved you first.
The God who never stopped loving you and never will.

Oh, I'm rushing things here! Know that I'm just  excited. I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you.

Some of these things will happen in an instant,  but most will be a process.
A beautiful process that you will not trade for anything.

My hearts leaps as I remember myself in you.
I'm excited. I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you.

Oh the places you will go!
Oh the faith that will arise!
Oh the calling that you will answer!
Oh the love that you will give away!
Oh the prayers that you will utter.
Oh the relationships that you'll have!
Oh the dates that you'll have with our  Daddy God.
Oh this great adventure with our Savior.

Every moment will be red-letter.
And you will know that He's the sweetest.





But little sister, it'll not be easy. There are times that it'll be bumpy and stormy.
Be still. Know. Know that He is God. He is God. He will forever be.
And this awesome, loving, mighty, powerful God is in you, with you and gone ahead of you.
He will never let go of your hand.

Be encouraged. Nothing in this world will ever separate you from His love.

Can I just pray for you?

Daddy God,

I thank You. I thank You for the life of this girl who just met You and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I thank You  for orchestrating this moment from the beginning of time. I'm excited. I'm so excited for her. I'm too excited for the both of you. I'm excited of how You will mold her. I'm excited of what she'll become in Your love.

I know, You will always be her best "Yes".  I pray that You'll just give her the grace  to choose You everyday, to love You and other people more and more each day. May You strengthen her and train her for battles. May You surround her with people who will walk this journey together. May You save her family. May You use her mightily for Your Kingdom.

Thank You, for NOTHING in this world will ever separate her  from Your love.  In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!

To the girl who just met Jesus,

May your soul forever sing your "favorite" song:

Oh what love, how can it be?

From that cross You looked at me

Oh what love, poured out for me

What a beautiful love

Love

So glorious

Came down unashamed, You called me Yours

Caught up in Your grace, You're all I need

There's nothing more beautiful than Your love

(Beautiful Love by Victory Worship) 

To the girl who just met Jesus,

Remember not to forget.
Never give in to familiarity.
Never ever forget His love. The love that saves. The loves that secures.

The love that cost Jesus His blood and life.

The love that's for you.

Personally.


 I'm excited for you. I'm so excited for you. I'm too excited for you to be a princess in awe.

                                                                                 Love,

                                                                                  Ate Ycah 

*Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

It was just a dream

Tonight was a dream

Yesterday was... 

It's just a thought. 

It's all "who would've thought?" 

Encouragements and Greetings

Questions and service 

Endings and Beginnings 

It's pouring and our calling 

Directions, steps and care

I don't care. Strong right? It's okay. 

Mindful. Grateful. 

I was talking to Daddy. It's amazing how He kept my heart together.

How I was still allowed to breathe, to laugh, to listen and to speak

When I thought you didn't see, you did. 

When I can't say it, you said it.  (There were times I was wondering how you could say those things?HAHAHA) 

I didn't think you'll come but you came. 

It was just a dream. 

It was just a dream. 

How can it be real? 

Is it real? 

Yes, it is..

but it's still a dream.

Little girl's dream: UP

When I was a child, I had a dream. It's one of those that I can still vividly remember even after I woke up.  It was very simple:  I dreamt of a building with high and wide stairs.


When I was a child, I heard of UP. Well, who won't right? The number one, the best, where the really smart students go..oh the high and mighty.. UP. Yes, it'll be great to study there one day (I thought for seconds), but then I know it's so impossible, there's NO WAY I can study there. I'm not even sure if I can study in high school. Mag UP pa kaya after that? Nah. No. way. Okay. Shrug. Bye.  UP is like that, a dream. A dream that's just too far.

When I was a university student in PUP (yes, by God's grace I made it to high school and then nakapag PUP pa!) , I was in awe already! I'm so grateful and happy to be there. I just love my university. There, we had a professor (who studied in UP) and he asked us to go to UP for a tour and to watch a stage play. It was my first in UP. I was so amazed how wide it is, the trees, the Oble, the students, the Ikot jeepneys...but  what struck me the most is.... the Palma Hall.

When I saw it and climb it's steps, it seems like I've been here before! I've seen this! And yes, it's like my dream as a child:

"I dreamt of a building with high and wide stairs. "

It's so amazing. How could I have a dream about this place?

Anyway, I just find it amusing and eventually I moved on. Maybe UP and I just really meant to meet like that. As a visitor, as someone from another university. Oh, okay.Okay. Shrug. Bye.

I came back again as a visitor after that. Back then, I almost join an activist group and we had a meeting in UP one time. I also watched the lantern festival, shot some school project, ran with friends and  watch Eigasai (Japanese Film Festival). My  future with UP includes still watching Eigasai, run with friends  and  I was also planning to take pictures with the sunflowers there! That's it. No more. no less.

But then I started to become curious about teaching, education etc. How is it really to be trained as someone who'll  teach others? Most of my co-workers majored in Education and they really inspired me. The major thing is the thought that  I could really have an avenue to engage the students, the next generation plus, I could also be an effective first teacher of my future children (Haha, indeed, so futuristic). My heart beats fast when I thought about learning about it, eventually taking the LET and becoming a licensed teacher.

Wow. To think that I hated this thing before entering college.

"Ang tagal ko na nga sa school, sa school pa din ako magtatrabaho?" This is what was on my head at the time the my grandmother told me that she wants me to be a teacher. Who would've thought of a changed mind and heart right? As Ms. Acel puts it: isang  pambihirang pagkakataon.

The initial plan was  enrolling in NTC (National Teacher College) because I thought UP only offers online classes for those who want to have a Certificate of Professional Education. I'm not that into the idea of studying online so..

But then, last August 18, I went to UP to watch Eigasai with Ana. On the way there, I was with Camille, a co-worker who's currently taking up her masters in UP. While we were talking, she mentioned that CPE is not only online but there's a classroom setting too. She knows for sure because she has classmates who are taking CPE!

My heart fluttered against my ribcage. I can't hide my excitement. I was so kilig. So in awe. Honestly, just the thought of sitting and learning in a UP classroom makes me feel so giddy and hindi talaga makapaniwala! Huhuhu!

I called the UP College of Education to inquire  and the secretary told me that if I can submit all the requirements within the week, I can still make it to the next semester (which January  2017)!

I still don't have my NSO copy of birth certificate at that time so I hastily prayed and asked Daddy God  if I can have it right away so that I can pass the requirements ASAP.

Great thing is that God answered that prayer when Shim told me that she got hers for less than 30 minutes in the PSA main office!

I got mine in 20 minutes! Whoa. And now, my requirements are complete! I'll be in UP later to submit them and then we'll see. If it's His will, walang makakapigil. In Jesus' Name Amen! :)

----

November 10, 2016

Hello there! It's been over two months since I wrote this. Over two months since I saw my name in a receipt with "University of the Philippines" written on it. Over two months since I tried to ride the whole route of an IKOT jeep (yes, umikot sa UP, hehe). Over two months since I wrote a very challenging, childish, full of heart na hindi talaga  scholarly  na  essay.

Two months of waiting for their e-mail but there's none.
I'm starting to lose heart. Thinking maybe it's not for me.
Oh those two months. But then earlier, I decided tocall UP to ask and to know the status of my application.

Tantanannnnnn

Me: Hello po. This is UP college of education po di ba?
Her: Yes, Yes.
M: mag i inquire lang po sana  for the result ng exam...
Her: ah wala pang  result yung sa Masters
M: ah, sa CPE po..
H: ah, sa CPE? wait lang...

another person on the phone:

Him: Hello po.
M: mag i inquire lang po sana  for the result nung sa CPE?
H: Wait lang po... ano pong pangalan nila?
M: Jessica May Padayao.. Padayao po..
H: letter P po?
M: Opo
H: Pasado po
M: Pa..pasado po?
H: Opo ......


And the rest is poker face. Ganun pala yun. Yung gusto mo sumigaw at magtatalon pero dapat composed ka pa din.

Huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu. Yung essay ko... alam ko si Lord lang talaga ito. Pramis!  I'm just too in awe ngayun. Hala sya oh... UP oh... huhuhuhuhu!!!!

Come on! Let's be the teacher that He wants us to be! I declare favored sched, result ng medical , provision and above all, wisdom! May the purpose why He allowed me to be there prevail!

*tulala

Background Music:

"The Maker"

 by Chris August 

I see You in the sunrise

I see You in the rain

I see You in the laughter

I feel You through the pain

Everything that You have made is beautiful

Oh, my God, I can't believe my eyes

But in all of this to think that You would think of me

Makes my heart come alive

Your love is like a mighty fire deep inside my bones

I feel like I could climb a thousand mountains all at once

And I never have to wonder if somebody cares for me

I love the Maker

And the Maker loves me

I see You, You are creation

I see the grandness of Your majesty

The universe is singing all Your glory

I can't believe You live inside of me

More than just some words upon a page

You've shown me in a million ways

But there is one that stands above them all

Hands of creation on a cross

A Line a day 2016 Journal

I would really really, really  love to have this journal!!! This is a journal project of my girl crush Ms. Rica Peralejo - Bonifacio.

Here are some important things to know about it:

• 62 leaves
• 3.5 x 8″
• 115 GSM (it works with fountain and calligraphy inks and pens!)
• hardcover
• black spring bound
• back to back, dated pages for 2016
• layout and lettering by Elle Battung
• 21 quotes are actually lines are examples of how a single string of words can catch the spirit of an entire story
• 21 lines come from a variety of literary sources like a book on French parenting, one on English lessons, verses from the Bible and from Homerian classics, Milton and Shakespeare!

 Awesome right? That is why this morning,   I brave myself to join her give away contest. :)

Here are the mechanics:


Tell me why A LINE A DAY 2016 is a great gift idea.
Post answer on your social media timelines, with a photo of journal. (You may grab one of those you see here.)
Add this link: http://www.ricaperalejo.ph/2015/a-line-a-day-2016-price-and-preordering-process/ so people who would like to order can be informed about the process.
Make sure you use official hashtag #linesanddays so I can monitor your entries!


Ta-daaahh! And I posted this on my instagram and facebook accounts:


Dear Christmas giver,

Don't be so confused anymore what to give your dear friend here.

Love of journaling is evident. Hear, hear!
Capturing little moments?
What more capturing little witty thoughts?
No pressure at all.
A line a day would do.

My 2016 would be so much awesome with this A LINE A DAY 2016 .
Life is worth documenting in this cute and easy way  dear!

What are you waiting for? Click the link over here: http://www.ricaperalejo.ph/2015/a-line-a-day-2016-price-and-preordering-process/

It's so easy you see?
Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Love,
Ycah.

  #linesanddays

Even if I win or not, it's still great to help her (somehow) to promote this wonderful project! :)

Early days of Being 23

I was reading Ms. Patty's blog earlier and I'm just so inspired to write again about what's happening these days.. these early days of being 23.

Some of the highlights were my tummy's breakthroughs. Haha. I ate T-bone Steak and Lamb for the first time! I ate the steak during my birthday celebration with VF's over at Artsy Cafe. I loved it when I said "well-done" to the waiter when he asked me how I like my steak to be done. It was really delicious and it's fun to eat since I need to use a knife. HAHAHA. Ang babaw ko talaga noh?

Anyway,  then I ate  the Lamb kabab last  night in Mister Kabab  with Marian. We did our One 2 One there. It's a little salty for me and I just shrugged the middle eastern flavor (I'm not really a fan of that). Because it's a Lamb, I feel like maybe I could see one in person one day. (yes, I really would love to see one!) That made me happy and excited. So it's a fun experience too!


Next is, I'm loving Kids ministry these days. We just had our General Assembly last Saturday and it was really awesome. Great bonding time with them! Ah, too bad that I'm gonna miss the Christmas party this coming Saturday! (You'll know why soon.;))

Last Sunday, I attended my coaching group and my leader taught us about being a shepherd to our spiritual daughters. I realize and I know now that it's not really easy taking care of the sheeps. You really got to be careful. So careful. It made me more amazed with my own Shepherd that Jesus who laid down His life for the "maarte" "messy" and "dumb" sheep like me.  Oh Daddy, help me to become the shepherd that you want me to be for the girls.

One of my girls is having a hard time right now and I feel like I can't even help her. I feel at times like I'm not really being a good and wise leader. Huhuhuhu. But I can pray and remind her of God's truth and promises right? We'll keep on fighting.


Another thing that happened was during the Intercessors' meeting in PUP, I shared a Word to them for the first time! Grabe si Holy Spirit nun! Iba. Bongga. Ang galing! I shared the verse Luke 16:10 and Kuya Tim even thanked me for the Word!

I just really want to document these moments, these early days of this amazing year of my life. I decalre promotion in every way, to overcome struggles, spiritual growth, adventures and to bless more people. Happy Thursday!


P.S.


Feeling ko may dalawa akong crush these days. Hinahangaan.. ganyan. Pero kino conquer ko. Guarding my heart. Kung iisipin kasi .. having a crush or crushes is having unnecessary kilig, unnecessary pain, thoughts, hopes etc. Brothers mo sila. Friends. Let it go. Merong Tamang Panahon. Emotional purity, emotional purity!!!

Whew,  I'll just really be myself, enjoy Jesus, know and  do His purposes for me and bloom in my relationship with Him (that's the most important).  I'll just wait for MOG to have the courage to tell me what he prayed for and his intentions. Aja!

Dreamy Thursday Week 1

For some, they have throwback, well as for  me, I have Dreamy Thursday. Wherein I just know dreams happen if it's His will. Nothings gonna stop me from dreaming big and beautiful things or even doing  the simplest and cutest things. :) Could it be like a Bucket list?


Visit an Ocean park.

Print pictures and hang it on the wall.

Climb a mountain on my birthday.

Eat Omurice (from Rooftop Prince, Korean Drama)

Have an Instagram account.

Meet a student in person. (Su Ji, Steve, Bora, Ann, Gema..etc.)

Picture with a Penguin

Daddy, please? :) thank You! :)